"I've seen far too many paintings imbued with deep emotion. Among all the famous paintings I've seen, this one could definitely rank in the top three."
Ivent continued to marvel.
"So, are you planning to buy this painting?"
Shade asked.
The "man" shook his head.
"I don't have that much money."
"Then which lot are you here for? I'm buying the Number 5 fountain pen on behalf of a noblewoman who cannot conveniently reveal her identity. I hope our targets don't conflict. She gave me a very high bidding limit."
Shade continued making small talk.
"Oh, then there's nothing to worry about. I'm here for Number 10."
Steve Event said, but Shade knew he would not buy anything. Once the auction began, he would merely raise his paddle for show. He was standing here only to keep watch, judging whether there was anyone in the crowd capable of disrupting tonight's events.
Those cultists probably had not realized that there were already nearly more people from the Orthodox Church in this manor than there were of them.
"Number 10?"
Shade nodded and naturally looked toward the tenth auction item. It was a Golden Ring. It had no historical value or story behind it, merely a ring of pure gold being sold here as jewelry.
Of course, Shade was not really looking at the ring. He was looking at the people standing to his right side. One of the men removed his deerstalker hat and waved it twice. Shade immediately understood that everyone was in position.
"By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. Hamilton of Leijed. You've probably heard of me."
He extended a hand to Mister Steve Event. The latter hesitated before extending his own hand and shaking it. The Metamorphosis Ring was on his finger, and at this close