All that remained where Charloss had disappeared was a faint ring of scorch marks on the floor, as though seared by intense heat.
The dark red gemstone landed in Bondrewd's palm, then vanished beneath his closing fingers.
Rosward had no time to mourn his dead son. Fear engulfed him like a rising tide.
Shalria's hysterical screaming stopped dead the moment Bondrewd's "gaze" swept over her.
Just then, a streak of golden light shot through the auction hall's entrance, its hum shaking the air as it headed straight for the center of the stage.
The golden beam traced a long, thin trail, only to strike an invisible wall a short distance from Bondrewd.
A ring of transparent ripples spread across the invisible force field, like the surface of a liquid struck by something. Then the golden light ricocheted away and crashed into the middle of the audience seating.
-Boom!
The impact blasted a crater into the floor. Shattered stone and dust exploded outward, spreading down the steps to either side.
At the center of the crater, golden light gathered and condensed into a figure wearing a yellow pinstriped suit.
Kizaru stood perfectly straight, his expression largely hidden behind his sunglasses.
"...Well, well. You really don't leave any openings, Bondrewd."
Kizaru drew his words out, brushed nonexistent dust from his suit, and slowly walked out of the crater.
Kizaru dared not force his way through. Too little force might fail to penetrate; too much might injure the Celestial Dragons.
Besides, after that first strike, Bondrewd would already be on guard.
"Oh my, Mr. Borsalino."
Bondrewd turned slightly, the vertical purple light on his helmet flickering faintly under the illumination.
"I didn't expect you to attend the 'commercial launch' after gracing the 'product launch' with your presence."
Kizaru paused for a moment. He