An Extra’s POV
chapter-145

'It's a good thing I took precautions earlier…'

Rey sent his gaze to the unconscious Esme, focusing on the ring that graced her finger.

'I'm sorry, Alicia. But this is to keep you safe…'

It was better for Aldred to suspect Esme as being close to him and not Alicia. That way, he could protect her and hide her identity.

'By using the ring, he'll believe she's the one I went through all this trouble for.'

However, despite all the factors, Aldred was apparently still not convinced.

At least, that was what Rey observed.

'Why else would he be concerned about Billy and Alicia that are above? He probably thinks I'm lying…'

Thankfully, Aldred didn't have any proof that it was the case.

'Still, I better be careful.' Rey thought to himself.

At the very least, he comforted himself with the fact that all of this would be over soon enough.

He just had to complete his activities here for the day.

'It's getting late already. I better wrap things up.'

"Where do you intend on transporting these slaves to, by the way?"

Once he heard the question, Rey already had the answer to give.

"The Royal Estate."

Once Rey said this, Aldred and Yuri expressed instant shock.

"Drop them in front of the gates. Once the guards see them, they'll know what to do from there."

Their eyes widened even more—especially Aldred's.

He seemed truly shocked.

'I know they'll be surprised, but it's simple. I'll make it seem like I have connections in the Royal Estate. This will boost my rep a bit.'

According to Rey's plan, the guards were his connections. He would pretend as if they were his agents, and that they would help him preserve the 'merchandise' in a secure location.

'I don't have any other foothold in town. And if they're transporting so many people, it's bound to draw attention. This is the best arrangement.'

Besides, his initial plan was to leave the slaves to the Royal Estate so they could handle them.

'This way I solve all my problems without being directly involved.'

That was his rationale.

"I-I see! So it's like that! I never imagined you also… ah… I shouldn't have expected any less…"

Rey didn't know what Aldred was thinking in his head, but he knew he wouldn't have to put up with the acts that came with his current image for much longer.

As such, he gave them vague and half-assed words to imply that the guards were on his payroll… or something like that.

Aldred and Yuri nodded attentively, spouting words like—

"We understand perfectly."

And

"Everything will be done as you wish."

Rey found their behavior to be a little overenthusiastic, but at this point he was too tired and drained to venture into it any further.

'If they fail on their end, I'll just come for them with the force of the Royal Council.'

Reg doubted that they would turn against him, though.

"I have some business in your Store, by the way. I would like to purchase a considerable amount of Items." Rey swiftly changed the subject.

This caused Aldred's smile to widen even more, almost as if it would rip open his face.

The man must have been glad that his gift from the previous day had convinced Rey—or rather Ralyks—to patronize KariBlanc.

But that wasn't the case at all.

'I don't plan on coming back here for a very long time! It's best I take as much as I can now…'

That was all there was to his desire to purchase.

Since he also had a discount, he figured KariBlanc was the best place to do business.

"Let us leave." Rey began to walk away, leaving an awestruck Aldred behind him.

"G-give me a moment to call our agents to pick up the goods!"

Aldred gestured to Yuri so she would escort Rey by herself, and the cutie rushed to Rey's side in what seemed like a flash.

"Alright. I'll start heading there first. Don't keep me waiting."

As Rey said this, Aldred bowed deeply.

Rey saw this and smiled underneath his mask. He glanced at the young lady by his side and gulped slightly.

He was ready to set up his defenses at any moment.

'Let's just get this over with.'

********

"Sir Ralyks… you truly are far more amazing than I gave you credit for."

As Aldred stood and watched the man walking with his escort in the distance, he felt his heart race.

'I never expected him to know about the Royal Council's corruption, talkless of being involved in it…'

The way Ralyks spoke about the Royal Palace, it was clear that he was in on their involvement in the Slave Trade.

'Now that he has brought down Evals Redart, does he plan on taking over his business?'

Aldred wasn't so sure. He couldn't see beyond his limits, and he knew the man known as Ralyks was far ahead in terms of everything.

'It was risky, but I tried using the [Eye Of God] on the woman he came to save.'

Her Skill… was also impossible to read!

That meant it was definitely in the Absolute level—the S-Tier.

'So they are both monsters, huh? They perfectly suit each other…' Aldred found saliva gathering in his throat and swallowed it.

He had no idea how Evals managed to capture such a monster, but Aldred knew it couldn't have been by mere luck or coincidence.

'I wouldn't be surprised if Sir Ralyks orchestrated these events just so he could be justified in taking over Evals Redart's trade.'

Aldred, however, couldn't completely commit to that idea.

After all, someone as powerful as Ralyks did not need any justification to do anything.

His strength was enough justification.

'The other two were out of my range, so I couldn't see their Skills. Did he intentionally place them out of my range? Does that mean he knows about my [Eye Of God]?!'

Knowing the kind of man he was, Aldred wasn't too surprised at the thought.

'Did he want me to see just how strong he and his partner are? What a solid move, sir!'

Aldred knew he could not let his guard down for even a second when confronting a man such as Ralyks.

Not after seeing everything he could do.

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Thanks for reading.

It seems the misunderstandings continue to blossom.

Haha…