Chapter 191: Coincidence

A few minutes later, Charles entered his private room on the third floor and went near the red-curtained window.

Once he arrived in front of it, he opened the curtain and looked outside.

In the front yard, hundreds of kids stood there while doing different kinds of exercise and training.

They were all newly recruited kids from slums and commoners' districts!

Currently, the yard had turned into a training ground!

Although Charles told Rhea to recruit more than 200 kids, she and others only found 94 kids with 'High' elemental affinity in the whole Slums and Commoners' District.

While the kids were in training, a few elite guards took the teaching role and pointed out the kids' mistakes.

Those guards were personally sent here by the Elliott Mage family to guard the mansion!

'Hmm, there are 30 Soldiers, 20 Bowman, 20 Knight, 10 Mages, and 14 Thieves. Not a bad start.' A pleased smile appeared on his face.

He then released his wisdom power, scanned the whole mansion, and soon zeroed his gaze towards Rhea's room.

During the past six months, she constructed her remaining spell models and had already become a Rank-2 [Ice Magus]!

Not only that, but she also chose [Astrologer] Class as her Sub-Class and was progressing steadily.

'She is indeed a rare gem.' He nodded his head and soon turned his attention towards Noel's room.

'As expected of a genius, he might become a Rank-3 [Blood Swordsman] before the end of next year...' He was stunned by the speed of Noel's progression.

Charles then retracted his gaze, focused his attention on Titus, and checked his status.

'Hmm, he is advancing at an average speed. If he goes by this speed, others would definitely surpass him...' He frowned a bit and soon turned his attention towards Jessie's room.

'Where is she?'

He searched the whole mansion but found no presence of her!

The next instant, a layer of flame wrapped his body and teleported him from there!

A moment later, a ball of fire appeared in front of Titus and soon transformed into a white-haired old man!

At this moment, Titus was in the middle of practicing his dagger skill but got stumped by his teacher's arrival!

"Teacher!" He hurriedly sheathed his dagger and bowed his head.

On the other hand, Charles nodded his head and asked.

"Where is your sister?"

"She went to the auction house," Titus replied in an instant.

'Oh? Inborn Midday potion... Is it today?' Charles raised his eyebrows and soon covered his body in a flame layer before disappearing.

A moment later, he appeared in the sky, cast [Fallen Angel's Wings] on himself, and started flapping those wings.

After that, he turned his gaze towards the Merchants' District and soon focused his attention on a three-storied tall building.

The next instant, he used [Flame Teleportation], disappeared from the sky, and reappeared above a three-storied building in Merchants' District.

Charles flapped his reddish-black wings twice, descended onto the rooftop, and soon landed.

Then, he dismissed the wings and looked at the street from above.

The next instant, he once again cast [Flame Teleportation] spell on himself, disappeared from there, and reappeared on the street road while frightening the tens of passersby.

Without minding their scared behavior, he started walking towards the nearby food stall owner and asked.

"Young lad, do you know the location of the Crescent Crew Auction House?"

Upon hearing his cold words, the food stall owner, who looked around 30-years old man, nodded his head and pointed his finger towards a tall building located at the end of the street road.

Meanwhile, Charles thanked the stall owner and gripped the black cane's handle.

The next second, a layer of crimson flame enveloped his body before he got teleported!

A second later, Charles suddenly appeared in front of the three-storied tall building and startled the two gatekeepers.

But as they saw his appearance, both of them froze for a moment and soon bowed their heads.

Meanwhile, Charles simply waved his hand and stared at the entrance.

No, his gaze glued on the symbol of the auction house.

'An eye symbol? Heh, this auction house belongs to the Amber Church, huh.' He nodded inwardly and then gazed at the nearby black-haired gatekeeper.

"How much time has passed since the auction began?" He asked in a calm voice.

The black-haired gatekeeper made a forced smile as he heard those words and responded in a nervous tone.

"It has been already 30 minutes, My Lord."

'30 minutes?'

Charles furrowed his brows and started walking into the building.

Although another gatekeeper tried to block him, the black-haired man instantly shook his head and warned him not to act.

Meanwhile, Charles entered the reception hall, saw a few young girls sat in the corner of the hall and appeared to be in the middle of eating.

All of them wore unique red suits and appeared professional.

Noticing his arrival, one blonde-haired girl stood up from her seat, placed the fork and knife beside the plate, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and walked towards his direction.

In seconds, she arrived in front of him and greeted him with a bow.

Before she could speak, Charles stared into her scarlet eyes and asked in an impatient tone.

"Can I participate in the auction now?"

Upon hearing his words, the blonde-haired girl froze for a moment and soon shook her head.

"Even if you are a VIP cardholder, we won't let anyone in now, Mister. These are auction rules."

"Is that so?" A cold look appeared on Charles's face.

He then waved his hand, conjured a ball of flame, and smirked.

"Ask your manager to come and meet me."

It was an order!

On the other hand, the blonde-haired girl got stunned for a moment and soon nodded her head.

'A Rank-3 Mage? Humph, even if you are an Ember Wizard, you have to abide by the rules here.' She muttered inwardly before turning around and hurriedly went towards the right side office room.

A few moments later, she returned with a slim woman in a red peplum dress.

That woman had long silvery hair, a pear-shaped body, a pale face, oceanic eyes, a hawk nose, and appeared around 25-years old.

Upon seeing her appearance, Charles's eyes squinted all of a sudden.

'Bella Collins… What a coincidence….' The corner of his lips twitched.

'Why would the Amber Bank manager of Riverdale City appear here?' He suddenly paused and soon narrowed his eyes.

'Collins family… That dumb assassin, who revealed himself to the enemy during Eve's death and got imprisoned by a space cube, also said that he is from the Collins family… Is she the one who sent him to protect Eve? Why?' Confusion appeared on his face.

On the other hand, Bella Collins arrived in front of him, made a forced smile, and bowed her head.

"Bella Collins of Crescent Crew auction house greets Ancient Mage Oswald."

"You are Bella Collins?" Charles suddenly released his wisdom power and stared at her deadly.

The next instant, Bella's whole body started to quiver by the might of his wisdom power!

"Y-Yes." She spoke in a nervous tone and soon added while giving him a golden card.

"Please don't get angry. Y-You are qualified to join the auction, My Lord."

'Wow, is this the power of the 'Ancient Mage' title?' He blinked his eyes twice and soon asked.

"Do you still remember Charles Nightwind?"

For a moment, a shock appeared on her face.

She soon regained her composure and nodded her head.

"He is my grandson... Now, do you understand why I'm furious at you?" He asked in a cold voice.

Confusion, shock, anxiety, and fear appeared on Bella's face.

"I-Is it due to A-Amber Curse?" She asked in a stutter.

Before Charles could nod, she bent her waist and confessed.

"I only forced him to sign a few documents and forbid him from opening accounts in Riverdale Amber Bank, My Lord. But someone from the Amber Church took the document and used that as an excuse to place an Amber Curse on him."

"Someone else?" His forehead furrowed.

Meanwhile, Bella nodded her head and responded.

"Y-Yes, My Lord. That 'Someone' is the one who demoted me for trying to save Charles's mother and transferred me to this remote kingdom."

Upon hearing those words, Charles's wrinkled face hardened.

'Someone... Does Amber Church have involvement in Eve's death? Is this person a lackey of Red Prince? Or, someone else?' He pressed his lips together and asked.

"Do you have any clue about who this 'Someone' is?"

"No, My Lord-" She suddenly paused for a moment and added.

"I have slight suspicion on Archbishop Royce, My Lord. When I was working in Riverdale Bank, he is the one who ordered me to use the contract paper to restrict Charles."

'Archbishop Royce... An Amber Church member, huh.' He frowned for a moment and then asked.

"Where is he working now?"

"He is currently in this kingdom. Moreover, I heard that he has some ties with Felicity Boneflare and her father Duke Foster." Bella said in a suppressing tone.

'What a 'coincidence.' It seems I need to purify this Archbishop's corrupted mind...' He sighed inwardly and started to walk towards the right-side corridor.

Meanwhile, Bella Collins glanced at the blonde-haired girl and gestured her to show him the way.

Noticing her gaze, the blonde-haired girl nodded her head, took the lead, and spoke in a nervous tone.

"P-Please follow me, My Lord."

Meanwhile, Charles curled his lips upward and nodded.