Reincarnated as the Final Villain's Vessel

Chapter 224: A Thief Among Us?

”Sensors and cameras are spread everywhere around the building, along with Artifacts that can seal the place and prevent anything from leaving or entering when activated.”

We moved through one of the luxurious corridors, the large glass windows allowing sunlight to enter while Raph explained the security system.

”Every item in the auction has a special tag that is removed when it’s handed over to the buyer, which automatically activates the Artifacts if someone tries to secretly take one out... and of course, putting it in a storage ring won’t change the result.”

At that moment, a blonde girl whose name I still didn’t know interrupted him. ”How strong is this security system? I mean, it can’t catch thieves no matter how powerful they are.”

At the front, the guard turned his head, his stern gaze falling on her. ”I was going to get to that, so please don’t interrupt me.”

”Sorry.” The girl apologized.

The stern man then looked forward again and continued his explanation. ”Yes, the barriers created by the Artifacts aren’t absolute. They can hold an ordinary peak Rank 4 for a few minutes and prevent them from escaping until we intervene... and I say ordinary, meaning without the use of special and unique abilities.”

Well, abilities were an unpredictable variable in these things.

After that, the man continued explaining the rest of the details as if giving a lecture while we walked around the place, whether it was the size of this building, the number of floors, rooms, and windows, or the number of employees and guards including us on the day of the auction... it seemed like he was going to talk about everything in tedious detail.

Beside me, I caught sight of Emeris scrolling through short videos on her phone with an earbud in one ear... amazing that this kind of addiction still existed even in this era.

At the same time, Ivan walked along while running his hand over everything around him... whether it was a vase, a window, or whatever else.

Seeing this, I put my hands in my pockets as I thought about what was below while the guard’s monotonous voice echoed through the place, reciting details that my small brain couldn’t possibly remember.

”As I said, there are eleven servants who distribute meals and services to the VIP rooms, in addition to the...”

”Where are the items kept?” I interrupted him, making him look at me over his shoulder with that same stern gaze as before.

I smiled at the sight of his obvious annoyance. ”I know all these details are important for this work, but don’t expect us to memorize them while you list them like this... just put everything in a file and send it to us later. That would be easier.”

After a few more moments of threateningly frowning at me, Raph sighed. ”Fine, you’re right.”

I nodded as I waited for him to get to the main point, while Ivan spoke at the same time. ”Don’t worry, sir, we’re competent. You may not know this, but our mission record is quite impressive.”

Raph turned his gaze forward again. ”As for the goods, they’re kept beneath the building, and some of the more valuable ones aren’t brought in until right before the auction begins.”

”So are they brought in by cars or something like that?”

The guard shook his head. ”No, through the teleportation gate below.”

”There’s a teleportation gate here?” Valia asked as the man nodded.

”Yes, and I’ll take you there now.” With those words, we turned left and reached a large metal door.

Raph stepped forward and operated the screen beside the door before scanning his fingerprints, while at the same time, Naira was arguing with Emeris, who wasn’t listening to a thing.

A moment later, an automated sound echoed from behind the door as it opened, revealing a large elevator. Raph then gestured for us to enter.

The next moment, the ten of us stood inside the elevator as its doors closed before it began descending. Emeris clicked her tongue as she lowered the phone from her hand and muttered.

”Damn signal.”

...

We reached the bottom, where the frame of a teleportation gate stood before us between walls made of special stone.

”Most valuable goods are brought here through this gate because transporting them by land would be dangerous, and they’re stored behind that door until they’re displayed at the auction.” Raph pointed toward a door made of special steel at the end of the place.

”Even for a Rank 4, breaking through these walls would be a real problem, and only the Marquis has the key to the storage room.”

I walked toward the teleportation gate, looking at it up close before asking. ”Wouldn’t it be easier for thieves to use the teleportation gate?”

Raph shook his head. ”That’s if they can even operate it in the first place.”

Emeris stared at him with boredom. ”Is that all there is to it... preventing theft attempts?”

Raph looked at her and shook his head. ”No, there are also conflicts and disputes that may break out between the guests.”

His tone turned colder as he continued. ”Or assassination attempts.”

Silence fell as he stared at Emeris as if trying to scare her... I mean, that might work with another group, but Emeris smiled with amusement. ”At least that would be more exciting.”

At the same time, Ivan walked around the place, interrupting whatever Raph was about to say. ”We know most things now, so I say, what if the thief was one of us... you know, I’m only saying this just in case. Of course, I’m not the thief, and I’m not asking this so I can make a better plan... it’s just, you know, for future reference.”

Raph let out a tired sigh. ”That’s why guards also have to keep an eye on their colleagues.”

Ivan placed his fist in front of his mouth with a big smile. ”And what if we’re all thieves, you know... ouch.”

The next moment, he let out a pained groan as he grabbed his side while Naira pulled back her fist after giving him a quick punch. She clicked her tongue as she looked at Raph apologetically. ”Sorry for the interruption, sir.”

I caught sight of him shaking his head tiredly. I bet he was now thinking about sending us back where we came from.

And while he was busy with the others’ behavior, I turned on the screen beside the gate and examined the coordinates saved on it for a few moments before turning it off again. At the same time, Raph clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

”I think that’s enough. You won’t be working here anyway... and now let’s go back upstairs to see the rest of the place.”

Raph walked back toward the elevator while we followed him, and before we entered, I asked. ”And what will we do after this?”

The stern guard looked at me. ”I’ll show you where you’ll be staying and the clothes you’ll wear on the day of the auction, then you’ll have dinner with Lord Valimont before I start explaining the protocols to you tomorrow.”

Dinner with Valimont... well, that sounds interesting.

”And before that, you’ll sign some contracts.” He looked at Ivan in the corner of the elevator before continuing.

”You know... just in case there’s a thief among you.”