The bidders raised their heads. Their eyes focused on the Church of Knowledge’s premium suite. Most of the time, the orthodox forces would only monitor the auction, never interfering. They tacitly allowed the Faceless hall to exist with the requirement that they too got to participate.

Even the red-haired man ceased his actions. The tension between him and Iris rapidly dispersed. Against the orthodox forces, the common enemy of all Secret Organisations and Evil Cults, everyone was willing to put aside their difference, even between the Pure and the Corrupted.

Iris stood up and walked to the edge of her suite. She scrutinised Halton’s every movement. His strict air, his impartial aura, reminded her of something anxiety-inducing, something steamy.

Her path had intersected with his. This man was who scanned the town looking for her and Secain!

Under her calm expression, her heart raced. She glanced behind her. Secain had yet to return, but Lorient was there. Smiling, Iris gestured her hand, beckoning Lorient to come to her side.

“Do you fear the Church of Knowledge?” Iris said.

Lorient lowered her head, shielding her heart. “My life is yours, Lady Iris. Please support Alvalin in my stead.”

“I’m not so heartless to send you to your doom. You wouldn’t leave your little sister to someone that incompetent, would you?”

“I’d never doubt your judgement.” Lorient’s face reddened.

Iris sneered. “Then I’m ruthless and oppressive. Will your sister suffer the same fate as you?”

Holding her breath, Lorient knelt on the ground and struck her forehead against the ground. The impact sent a muffled crack throughout the room, stunning the other Monster Girls, including Iris.

“You’re too rigid.” Iris helped Lorient get up. “I won’t ever abandon you. You’re a seedling that will develop into something wonderful. My selfish desires dictate my using your loyalty.”

Lorient raised her head, smirking. “Even if you abandoned me, Lady Iris, I would find my way to you. Even if you love Secain more than me, I will still love you the most.”

“Your loyalty pleases me . . . . but that last sentence is unnecessary.” Iris averted her gaze. “Unfortunately, you can only sit still for now.”

The Corruption Power rose around Iris. Its azure colour tainted her appearance, creating a haze which concealed her human figure. Under the distortive mist, her eyes glimmered. She had been dealing with unstoppable forces since the beginning, and this time, she would show the world how to overcome the impossible.

“Sixty thousand Energy Orbs, five petals of Life Prolonging Lotus, and a torn page from Victory Journal,” Iris said. “Owner of Helix Pin, if you require anything, we Court of Indulgence will do our best to prepare for it.”

Hearing Iris’s words, the announcer nodded. He took out a pocket watch and opened it. Intricate lines flashed, revealing strings of words detailing the owner’s requests. After checking through the list, the announcer tossed the watch.

Strings of characters emerged from the pocket watch, forming a list of exotic material, potions, and information. Their quantity and quality massively varied, making it impossible to deduce their purpose.

Iris studied the list before shaking her head. The Court had given her great wealth, but she wouldn’t spend all of them. Her ability as a senior member of The Court relied on her masterful management and intellect. Moreover, the loss would outweigh the gain, and even then, there was no guarantee that the Church of Knowledge wouldn’t contest her unstoppable dominance.

“We shall add a teardrop of an Ocean Echoing Siren,” Halton said. He took from his follower a golden chest adorned in gemstones. “In your list, you request a Golden Holy Diamond. We can also supply you a chest worth.”

The bid was now reaching the limit of the reasonable price. Iris lowered her head, waiting. A few seconds later, somebody firmly knocked on the door of her suite. She drew her hands up, and the door swung open.

“Lady Iris, do you miss me?” Kasbin winked. She deliberately held up her chest, drawing attention to her bouncy breasts. “Shall we get a room after this?”

“My favour is expensive. I’m on the losing end of this negotiation here, Lady Kasbin.” Iris chuckled. “But where is my maid?”

“I thought she would be more appropriate. Please punish my foolhardiness.”

Iris pointed at the empty spot on the sofa. “Sit there, and don’t move. You can only watch but not touch.”

“You’re too cruel!” Kasbin pouted, though she still walked to the sofa. “I think my heart is going to explode. If I reach my limit, I might do something deplorable.”

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In the hazy mist, Iris shivered. “If you can endure the pain, the pleasure will be even more wondrous.”

Kasbin rapidly nodded and closed her mouth. Her eyes wandered about like those of a child, though her demeanour exuded a wild, mature charm that even the Monster Girls found it hard not to fall for her. Strong, confident, assertive—her dominant personality was popular among the Monster Girls who always let their emotions fly.

Iris returned to the auction. The red-haired man from Eye of Masolis furiously bid against the Church of Knowledge. He pushed forth a few precious materials of fire and blood types, the speciality of Eye of Masolis. Nevertheless, his wealth could not compare to the Church backed by an Ancient God.

If this kept up, Helix Pin would fall into Halton’s hand.

“Add thirty thousand more Energy Orbs, two more pages of Victory Journal, and a dream-diving spell,” Iris said. As her words echoed, she lightly clapped her hands. “The Crystal Theatre has always been the place of free trade; it stands unhindered despite the effort of the orthodox churches.

“In here, we rogue Supernatural Beings cooperate, trade commodity, exchange information, and foster connections. Here, only wealth and goods remain. It’s one of the only havens we have, a small island devoid of propaganda and prejudice.

“Now that the Church of Knowledge threatens to stifle our hope, how can we let them do what they desire? Once they extinguish the first flame, there will be the second and the third until only darkness remains.

“Why must we allow them to do as they please? Why must we be contented under their oppression? Why must we agree to their ludicrous demands?”

As Iris turned around, she sighed. Her wearied breath scattered the pink mist surrounding her. It broke into countless strings which, following her silhouette, intertwined around her body. They outlined her sorrow, her pitiful eyes, and her crestfallen air. She stumbled her way back to the sofa, her hands clenching.

Silence took over the auction hall. The announcer held his breath. He didn’t even dare to announce Iris’s bid. While he surveyed the atmosphere, sweats formed on his face. His eyes peeked at the premium suite of the Church of Knowledge, overflowing with curiosity and anticipation.

Halton narrowed his eyes. His strong grip shook the chest he was holding. He looked at the suite of the Court of Indulgence, his sight landing on the Monster Girl who made the speech. He wanted to see through her thoughts, yet he couldn’t even see her feature. A faint mist concealed her mind, obscured her soul.

“Your Excellency, what is your directive?” a Bishop behind Halton said. “Shall we raise the bid?”

Halton shook his head. “She plays us well. The moment we raise another bid, we’ll become the public enemy. Can you shoulder that consequence?”

The Bishops looked at each other, but none of them could find any solution. They merely lowered their heads, unable to excuse themselves. The golden radiance of the suite faltered, dimming along with the confidence of the believers.

“This doesn’t mean we’ve lost, but it requires some luck.” Halton went to his seat and sat down, waiting.

Though Iris’s speech was inspiring, it wasn’t life-changing. Only a few people believed in her words, but most people followed her course. They used her intention to ally against the Church of Knowledge, the orthodox force threatening to swallow the Crystal Theatre. Even the Faceless Hall let this hidden alliance exist. Like others, they too feared the Church of Knowledge.

“Add two drops of Water of Inspiration and a Coin of Deduction,” Halton said. As he swept his gaze across the auction hall, his eyes flashed. “Is it not against the auction rules, Announcer?”

The announcer wiped his sweats, his arms trembling. His face turned pale. Nevertheless, he appeared collected, exuding a professional aura. “What’s against the auction rules, Your Excellency?”

Halton snorted. His mouth curved into a smile. “Nothing is against the rule. They can bid whatever they want, and others, too, can bid whatever they want. No one can stop anyone else from choosing their own path.”

Iris and the red-haired man frowned. The atmosphere of the auction grew heavy. Some people mulled over Halton’s words while others who understood his intention gritted their teeth. Everyone became suspicious of one another, and the alliance revealed signs of cracks and rifts.

Iris clicked her tongue and looked at the red-haired man. Their eye contact lasted a few moments before the red-haired man nodded. He motioned for his subordinate and ordered him to send a scroll to the Court of Indulgence.

Once his reports of his action spread, other Secret Organisations and Evil Cults sent their representative to the Court of Indulgence as well. In a few seconds, everyone formed a contract where they could borrow the Helix Pin for the duration determined by their contribution to the bid against the Church of Knowledge.

“You’re too daring, Lady Iris,” Kasbin said. “I might be powerful, but I cannot guarantee the safety of all Monster Girls.”

“A few more irreconcilable feuds won’t change anything.” Iris giggled. “The Church of Knowledge and The Court can never cooperate. We are the perfect leader of this little operation.”

“More like a scapegoat. Poor you.” Kasbin opened her embrace. “If you feel down, please don’t hesitate to hug me.”

Iris shook her head, then looked at the suite of the Church of Knowledge. Her eyes were filled with hope and expectation, with confidence overflowing from her smile. This time, she would be on the offence.

“Add a Ring of Black Light, a Container of Revered Spirit, a Name-Devouring Brush, and a Frost-Flame Fan to my bid,” Iris said.

All the items she put on the bid were from different Secret Organisations and Evil Cults. With their combined fortune, the wealth gap shrunk. Even Halton had to think hard before making his next move.

If he pushed the limit, he could win, but he would gain the animosity of all bidders present.

“Your Excellency, should we give up?” a Bishop said. “The Helix Pin is precious, but we can always get it back. The Court of Indulgence is no match for our—”

“Not only The Court, but Eye of Masolis, Chained Vessel Corpse, and all others Evil Cults and Secret Organisations will join hands. Without His Holiness and the Holy Man on our side, can we win?”

“Do you have a plan, Your Excellency?”

“I’m waiting.”

Halton turned to the lower floor, the place where smaller suites for anonymous bidders to voice their offers were. He closed his eyes and prayed. His soul quivered as golden threads of Faith danced in accordance with the will of the God of Knowledge.

Everything would fall into its place, and he would obtain victory.

“I bid a Soul Fruit and a Keyhole to the Void,” a hoarse voice resounded from one of the anonymous balconies. The red curtains hid the speaker, but her feminine tone revealed her gender.

The moment she spoke, Halton smirked. Iris grimaced, and the rest of the bidders panicked.

“Send a letter to that bidder,” Halton said. “Use the Holy See Stamp. We’ll break this alliance and end this little game.”