You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 166

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

166

 

The truck rattled as it climbed up the hill road.

 

A rural village called Assisi, reached after a five-hour drive from the Asin Mediterranean Branch.

 

It was the hometown of Knight Commander Raphael Baudouin.

 

I leaned my arm against the passenger seat window.

 

It seemed we still had a bit more to go before reaching Raphael’s residence.

 

After passing what appeared to be the town center, only nature remained in view.

 

Mateo Branch Leader was handling the driving.

 

‘Manual transmission certainly has good power.’

 

The fact that it was four-wheel drive helped, but Mateo Branch Leader’s driving skills also played a part.

 

Well, no matter how good his driving skills were, the shaking was unavoidable.

 

I entrusted my body to the truck that shook in all directions on the unpaved road.

 

It was around the time when human presence was becoming scarce.

 

“You’ll have to walk from here.”

 

Mateo Branch Leader said as he stopped the truck at a corner of the hill road.

 

We were in front of a small hill with a considerably sharp incline.

 

If the vehicle had been a multi-purpose cart instead of a truck, there would be no problem, but that would be too conspicuous.

 

A yogurt cart racing through the Italian southern countryside.

 

Not stopping there, the driver would be a priest in black clerical robes wearing a straw hat,

 

with a bad-tempered-looking Korean sitting beside him.

 

With Park Si-on having to sit in the back seat as well,

 

it would be a composition that would inevitably draw attention wherever we went.

 

The truck was an unavoidable choice.

 

We climbed the small hill with Father Matteo in the lead.

 

At the top, which we reached after not going very far, a shabby cabin sat all alone.

 

‘A Knight Commander lives in a place like this?’

 

No matter how much the Vatican valued restraint and frugality as virtues,

 

it seemed like they could at least fix the holes in the roof.

 

‘Why do all the people who’ve returned home around me look like this…’

 

Zhang Qingye was like that, and so was this Knight Commander I’d never met.

 

If they had achieved that level of success, a triumphant return home wouldn’t be excessive.

 

‘At least it gets good sunlight.’

 

South-facing or whatever, since that cabin was the only house on the hill, it was a natural result.

 

We slowly crossed the fence that wasn’t functioning properly and walked toward the cabin entrance.

 

Before Mateo Branch Leader could even knock, a loud voice burst out from inside.

 

“Father Matteo. I’m sure I told you never to come here again.”

 

A solemn, low voice.

 

Among what I’d seen so far, it was something that matched the image of a Knight Commander.

 

“Master.”

 

Park Si-on called out to him.

 

A moment of silence flowed.

 

The door didn’t open.

 

Instead, the presence inside the cabin drew closer.

 

“I’ve never had a disciple like you, so go back.”

 

It was a tone that drew a line.

 

Father Matteo swallowed a sigh.

 

“Knight Commander, this time—”

 

“I said go back!”

 

The door opened with a shout.

 

But it wasn’t to welcome guests.

 

It was the master’s violence to drive away unwelcome visitors.

 

Something was thrown from inside the dark cabin.

 

They were various household items like cups and books.

 

“Raphael, you crazy knight bastard!”

 

Harsh words burst from Father Matteo’s mouth.

 

But there was nothing he could do by shouting.

 

All he could do was cover his face with both hands and dodge the flying household items.

 

Rather, raising his voice seemed to have touched the Saintly Knight Captain’s nerves.

 

“Yeah, I’m crazy. Since a crazy knight is no help, get out of here right now!”

 

More objects came flying.

 

I caught a flying mug and gently set it down on the ground so it wouldn’t break, observing the situation.

 

I could see the silhouette of the Saintly Knight Captain randomly throwing objects in the darkness.

 

‘Can a person become like that in just one month?’

 

A yellowed tank top stained with grime from who knows when.

 

Greasy blonde hair and beard covered his face messily.

 

When the door opened, a faint smell of alcohol wafted out.

 

It seemed he had drunk quite a bit even though it was daytime.

 

But there was something strange.

 

‘Looking at just his eyes, he seems perfectly sane.’

 

Only the two eyes hidden behind the long hair were clear.

 

Park Si-on didn’t give up and tried to attempt conversation, but it was meaningless.

 

“Director! Just a moment of conversation—”

 

Before he could even finish speaking, objects came flying as if to show him.

 

‘What should I do.’

 

I fell into contemplation over how to handle Raphael.

 

My current forces were already strong enough.

 

But I needed the finishing touch, and no matter how I thought about it, only Raphael could fill that position.

 

Excluding The Pope, there was no one comparable to him.

 

‘Should I beat him up and drag him along.’

 

I wondered if I should at least take him for symbolic purposes.

 

‘I don’t see Longinus.’

 

All I could see behind him were liquor bottles.

 

‘I’ll have to proceed under the assumption that Yun Seo-won’s Longinus is genuine.’

 

Raphael didn’t become an S-rank Hunter because of Longinus.

 

‘Rather, it’s the opposite.’

 

He obtained Longinus because he became an S-rank Hunter.

 

Certainly, even without Longinus, Raphael’s value remained.

 

‘As expected, I should knock him out and take him—’

 

As if sensing my impure thoughts, a thick book flew precisely at me, avoiding Park Si-on.

 

Reflexively, I reached out and caught the book.

 

My hand tingled as if I had caught a fastball.

 

‘He threw it with Sacred Power.’

 

[Five Ways to Overcome Weaknesses.]

 

It wasn’t a title the Saintly Knight Captain would likely have.

 

After that, among the flying objects, those imbued with Sacred Power came flying toward me.

 

A ring, an empty spear case, a thick theology textbook…

 

‘Tsk, when he sends such obvious messages, I have no choice.’

 

His eyes were completely different from what his actions suggested.

 

I could roughly see what was going on.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“But…”

 

Park Si-on looked at me with an urgent expression.

 

“If we keep lingering here, there won’t be any household items left.”

 

Let’s be considerate of the Saintly Knight Captain who would have to come out and pick up the objects again after we left.

 

“I also agree with the Vice Guild Master’s opinion. It doesn’t seem like the Saintly Knight Captain will be persuaded by us staying here.”

 

With Mateo Branch Leader’s support continuing, Park Si-on finally backed down.

 

“…I understand.”

 

As we turned around, only then did the flying objects stop.

 

“Master, when you’re ready to talk, I’ll come back.”

 

Park Si-on’s voice had become quite dejected.

 

“Even without one demented knight captain, we already have enough.”

 

As soon as I finished speaking, something flew toward me.

 

What I caught in my hand was a crumpled t-shirt.

 

The t-shirt had a middle finger drawing in the center, along with English graffiti written on it.

 

[FUCK YOU]

 

“He’s got a nastier temper than he looks.”

 

I chuckled and put the t-shirt in my bag before continuing to walk.

 

***

 

We arrived at the branch the next morning.

 

Once again, the executives gathered in the office.

 

Though the executives were just the Branch Manager, Park Si-on, Park Ju-yong, and Yamyeong and Dolsoe.

 

I tapped the desk with my finger.

 

I organized the message the knight captain had sent me once more.

 

“Yamyeong.”

 

“Yes, Lord.”

 

“Is there anything that could be a weakness for the knight captain?”

 

Yamyeong pulled out something like a notebook from his chest.

 

“Cardinal Raphael is celibate. He mostly focuses on training holy knights, and has no romantic relationships.”

 

‘No family to protect…’

 

“The only thing that could be considered a weakness is his one and only first disciple, Sir Si-on.”

 

Park Si-on flinched when his name was called.

 

“But as long as he’s under Lord’s protection, he can be considered safe enough to be revived even if assassinated.”

 

It wasn’t wrong.

 

As long as he had breath left, I was confident I could somehow keep him alive.

 

“What about siblings, not lovers or children?”

 

There was one reason I was looking for his weakness.

 

The message he sent was a signal that someone had taken a hostage.

 

The only remaining option was blood relatives.

 

“Not him. Someone who might be related to this ring.”

 

I pointed to a ring on the desk.

 

A golden ring engraved with a cross over a shield design.

 

“It’s a ring given when you become a Saintly Knight Captain.”

 

Yamyeong examined the ring from various angles.

 

“It’s a twin ring.”

 

“Twin ring?”

 

“Yes. Though I’m not sure if the owner of the other ring could be a weakness.”

 

“Who’s the owner?”

 

Yamyeong continued his answer to my question.

 

And the answer that came from his mouth was impressive.

 

“It belongs to The Pope.”

 

At his words, the corners of my mouth unconsciously rose.

 

“The current Pope is Cardinal Raphael’s older brother. He’s his only blood relative.”

 

‘Brothers ruling the Vatican together.’

 

If The Pope was being held hostage, it would be more than enough to restrain the Saintly Knight Captain’s movements.

 

“You’re confident that someone has The Pope’s lifeline in their grasp.”

 

I sent silent agreement to Yamyeong’s conclusion.

 

The Cult was certainly capable of that.

 

Yamyeong also understood the meaning of the objects laid out on the desk.

 

An empty spear case.

 

Twin rings.

 

A crumpled theology book…

 

Not just Yamyeong, but everyone who heard the conversation understood as well.

 

However, there was one object that none of them could understand.

 

“What does this t-shirt mean?”

 

Park Si-on, who ultimately couldn’t interpret it, asked the question.

 

“Oh, this?”

 

I crumpled up the t-shirt that had “FUCK YOU” written on it.

 

“The Saintly Knight Captain sends his regards.”

 

I crumpled the t-shirt and shoved it into the drawer.

 

“This time, Mr. Juyong will need to make a move.”

 

I was planning to leave the Pope’s side to the people sent on assignment.

 

“What should I do?”

 

Park Si-on looked at me with determined eyes.

 

“What do you mean what? You need to prepare for the Saint Selection Tournament.”

 

I threw a newspaper in front of Park Si-on and Father Matteo.

 

[Saint Selection Tournament Resumes! Schedule to be announced publicly during the week.]

 

It was time for Vatican’s clock, which had stopped with the Saint’s appearance, to start ticking again.

 

***

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————