Westminster Bank

He would prove his innocence to the entire Inner Side.

"You have connections to Westminster Cathedral, too?" Freya asked telepathically.

She did not know of Baron’s identity as a Westminster Commissioner.

Baron answered vaguely, "Some disputes. I happened to get to know a few internal commissioners, like the one you saw at the newsstand earlier."

"The one who looks like a golden retriever? Westminster Cathedral even recruits people like that?"

Baron: "..."

’Looks like everyone agrees Jack resembles a dog.’

Just then, melodious orchestral music swelled from all directions. A slender female host in a red gown lifted the hem of her trailing skirt and began to introduce the first item up for auction—the A Level Taboo Object [Golgotha Shroud].

A corpse, sealed within quartz glass, was wheeled out from backstage on a display cart that was much smaller than the body itself.

According to the host’s introduction, the [Golgotha Shroud]’s prototype was a fragment of linen cloth from the Bible, stained with the blood of Jesus and the two thieves.

Its Authority allows it to place a covered subject into a state of feigned death for up to nine hours. During this so-called feigned death, it directly interferes with an observer’s consciousness, making them perceive the subject as a completely lifeless and non-threatening corpse and causing them to drop their guard entirely.

"The only possible threat to you might be scavenging animals driven by instinct," the hostess jested lightly.

Following that, the female host clapped her hands. An Attendant lifted the quartz glass off the display cart, and the [corpse] on the cart stood right up.

In the eyes of the crowd, he instantly transformed from an indescribable corpse into a refined yet muscular, blond, masked man... Hmm? Blond?

Baron, the Escape King, who had just been thinking how interesting the shroud was and how he could use it to escape in the future, realized something was wrong.

With his Dragon Knight’s enhanced vision, he could clearly see the figure and face of the blond, masked man on the stage.

According to his ’scumbag-dar,’ the man on stage was... most likely the Legendary Taboo Item Thief, Jack Tang.

’That would make sense. This is the "Containment Expert" who broke into Buckingham Palace and delved into the British Museum. How could he possibly miss an important event like an auction, where so many Taboo Items would appear?’

’Damn, with this bastard’s style, I’m afraid not a single Taboo Item in this whole auction will escape his clutches.’

Baron cursed inwardly, ’If I remember correctly, although the auction is nominally hosted jointly by several Old Blood Clans, the real organizer is the Hestia Family. That’s also why the auction was moved up so suddenly, right after I dealt with the Dragon Eater Association base at the Monastery.’

’Looks like the Hestia Family has let a wolf into their house this time. Well done, Jack, well done!’

Seeing the corner of Baron’s mouth unconsciously curl into a slight smile, Freya couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What did you figure out?"

Overcome with curiosity, Freya didn’t use a Spiritual Power transmission, so her words drew the attention of both Barbara and Isabella.

Freya realized her mistake and simply tried to dismiss them, saying, "I am speaking with my Attendant. I don’t need others to interfere."

Little did she know, her words only made the looks in the other two women’s eyes grow even more peculiar.

’There’s something wrong with this Attendant,’ Barbara thought.

’This stupid woman is going to expose Constantine’s identity,’ Isabella thought.

Isabella spoke coolly, "All things Taboo come with a price. The gentleman must have noticed that the host intentionally omitted mentioning the price."

’Eldest Daughter, you’re a godsent wingman. I could cry.’ Baron took the out Isabella had given him and said to Freya:

"It was presumptuous of me to speak. On second thought, they’re probably hiding the price to sell the Taboo Item for a higher amount. Please forgive me, Miss Lancelot."

Freya snorted coldly. "Don’t let it happen again."

’This Attendant is definitely suspicious.’ Barbara exchanged a look with a member of the Hestia Clan beside her.

Freya’s personality was well-known throughout the Inner Old Blood Realm. It was inconceivable that she would let an Attendant’s transgression slide with just a few critical words.

’What a foolish woman. Why would Constantine partner with her to enter this auction?’ the Eldest Daughter sighed inwardly.

’The Compass is showing a bloody disaster for everyone at the auction. What’s going on? Did I perform the divination incorrectly? The old man is still visiting family in Chinatown. I’ll go ask him later,’ Lucy thought.

’I’m so clever,’ Freya thought.

’Why does this Attendant get to be surrounded by beauties? Why!’ The surrounding men gnashed their teeth inwardly.

’Freya, what has gotten into you...’ Jill’s mood was somber. His younger brother, Roy, was still severely injured—though the news reported Baron Constantin had killed Roy Hestia, Jill had actually learned from Elder Pence that his brother was still alive. With the culprit yet to be caught, Jill’s heart was heavy.

He was a devoted man. Even though he had once been fond of the Beowulf Family’s eldest daughter, after receiving his family’s mission and getting to know Freya, he came to feel something different. The Lancelot’s Legitimate Daughter might have a poor reputation, but he saw that she was essentially just a proud and aloof young girl. He believed that if he truly shouldered his responsibilities as her fiancé, she would eventually come to understand his good intentions.

Jill sighed inwardly; even now, he still didn’t understand how he had offended his fiancée.

Furthermore, Elder Pence had spoken to him just moments ago: "Roy has already made his contribution to the family. Now, it’s your turn."

What on earth did that sentence mean?

’If he was talking about the position of Patriarch, if I remember correctly, I’m the only one left in the Direct Lineage... Besides, my father designated me as the next Patriarch years ago when I advanced to the Bronze Tier.’

Jill sighed again, but the look in his eyes gradually hardened with determination. ’It’s all because of that Bloodless who returned from the Outer Side. He is the cause of everything. I must kill him and avenge Roy.’

Barbara’s gaze lingered on Baron for a moment before she smiled. "This is just how auctions are. They only speak of the good and not the bad to fetch a higher price.

"However, the price of this [Golgotha Shroud] is not considered that severe compared to other A Level Taboo Objects."

"Miss Barbara, you know the price?" Taoist Nun Lucy seemed quite interested in the shroud as well.

"Most of the Taboo Items at this auction were provided by the Hestia Family. As the Legitimate Daughter of the Hestia Family, it’s not surprising that Miss Barbara would know these things," Isabella explained on behalf of her younger sister.

Barbara smiled. "The price of the [Golgotha Shroud] is simple. After waking up, you’ll be burdened with the death memories of a stranger."

With that, she turned her head to look at Baron. "Sir, you’ve been smiling this whole time. Was it because I said something incorrect?"

"Ah, it’s nothing. I just remembered something amusing."

The thought of the famous Jack the Thief standing brazenly on the auction stage made it hard for Baron to suppress his laughter.

Especially when he remembered that Jack had borrowed the Taboo Item [Forged Clay] from him when they parted ways earlier today. The smile on his face became even more genuine.

’Letting Jack into the auction house... what’s the difference between that and throwing a starving wolf into a sheep pen?’

Seeing Barbara still staring at him, he added, "I’m professionally trained. Under normal circumstances, I don’t laugh. Unless I can’t help it."

"It seems the training at Lancelot’s Family is quite strict," Isabella said faintly.

As soon as she said that, the female host, in a soft and bewitching voice, announced the starting bid for the Taboo Item on stage—half a million pounds.

That was roughly equivalent to twenty years’ salary for an average working-class person, without spending a single penny on food or drink. And that was just the starting bid.

In no time, amidst a flurry of paddles raised in unison and shouts from the nobles and wealthy merchants, the price of the shroud soared, accumulating a number of zeroes Baron had only ever seen in Chengdu in his past life.

Isabella had originally been tempted by the feigned death function, but just as she was about to raise her paddle, she saw Baron give her an almost imperceptible shake of his head and immediately understood.

In the end, with a final rap of the hostess’s gavel, the price for the A Level Taboo Object [Golgotha Shroud] settled at around two million pounds.

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