Mutagen

Day 378 - ▋▋:▋▋ ▋▋ - Central Lobby, Commercial Zone, CNC Subspace

After leaving the subspace of the Moonstone Boutique, Mark's group returned to the Central Lobby of the CNC Subspace.

Upon entry, Mark immediately noticed something. More agents had gathered in the lobby. Among the agents, humans mixed sparingly.

"Looks like the other clients were arriving."

Devon voiced out after seeing the situation.

Most of CNC's agents were either non-humans or human-magical race half-breed. It was because many of CNC's functions, such as the [Transfer] and the [Wise Owl], required precise use of magical energy. As such, the presence of humans within the CNC's Subspace likely meant they were more likely to be clients than agents.

"We should head to the Auction House already."

Val'Flora suggested.

Mark and Mei agreed with Val'Flora's suggestion. They did not have anything planned to do before the auction, anyway.

Thus, under the observing eyes of the people in the surroundings, the group made their way to another pitch-black archway and entered it.

Soon after the pitch-black darkness disappeared, the scene before them unfolded.

While the Moonstone Boutique looked like a large clothing store with a furbished commercial lot, the place they arrived at looked the opposite.

The so-called auction house did not look like a commercial establishment. It was a large, fiction-like medieval mansion with a magnificent garden, brick fences surrounding the land, a giant fountain at the center of the front area, and a circular stone pathway around it. Square lamps lit the dark path where the agents and guests dressed in formal attire stride to the front doors. The only thing missing would be gaudy carriages, and this would look like a royal ball instead of an auction event.

After seeing this, it was no wonder they required formal clothing for the attendees of this auction.

"Well, this looked strangely amazing."

Mark could not help but comment as it felt like being whisked into a fictional scene.

"Follow me."

Devon volunteered to lead the group.

The path from the archway to the mansion's front doors would likely take a few minutes, even when walking fast. Even so, it seemed that there was no need to hurry. The main area of the auction might be first come, first serve, but as a Country Contractor, Devon had some privileges here. He had already reserved a private room in advance. As such, there was no need to push along with the crowd.

While walking...

"Can I ask something?"

Val'Flora spoke to Mark.

"What is it?"

Mark replied.

"How did you prepare those designs? Did you happen to know that we are going to the boutique?"

Of course, Val'Flora would ask. Even Devon and Mei had that question in mind.

"Nope," However, Mark gave that answer nonchalantly. "It's all a coincidence. I have done nothing but stay in the tent and draw all sorts of blueprints and designs these past days. The opportunity just came by unexpectedly, so I decided to not let it pass by."

"Besides," Mark continued. "It just happened that we were greeted by the owner personally, right? If that was not the case, there would be no opportunity for me to bring it up."

That was right. If the event went on with just the usual staff of the boutique, things might have ended differently. Luckily, not only were they able to strike a significant deal, but an issue about Val'Flora's mother-figure's lifespan was also addressed.

Everything was just a result of a fortunate happenstance.

The four people continued their discussion about the previous happenings while walking. Soon enough, they reached the door, where they were welcomed by a butler-like person after confirming the identities of Devon and Val'Flora.

It was just like what Devon and Val'Flora had said before. Not all CNC agents were eligible for entry into the auction event. Even Val'Flora barely got herself into the registration for today's auction.

After the entrance formalities were done, the group stepped through the gaudily furnished door and entered the mansion. They arrived at the entrance lobby, which looked like a medieval noble's ballroom party. Food and drinks were prepared for the attendees, and the agents and clients socially mingled inside.

"Hmmm?"

Mark noticed some people, and his eyes immediately panned in their direction.

Within the deeper area of the lobby, Mark saw several people dressed in a formal military uniform. It was nothing surprising to see those attires even in olden parties since soldiers and knights did dress like that.

However, it was not the clothing that took Mark's attention.

Among them, the current leader of the Corregidor Military Settlement in the Philippines, Acting President Perez, mingled with the soldiers who appeared to be Americans.

Even the President of the Philippines, Roderick, who Mark kicked out of his position, was also present, speaking to those who seemed to be Chinese delegates.

Of course, the Country Contractor of the Philippines, Subsinctus, was also here to guide his clients.

On a different corner, Mark also saw someone familiar.

Wearing traditional Shinto Clothing, the Priestess of the Ise Shrine, Ise Hikaru, stood with some ladies from different countries. Her Japanese attire stood out among women who wore Western formal clothing. It seemed that the Priestess came with the Prime Minister and someone who should be their agent. Mark was unfamiliar with the agent, though.

Devon was a little confused as to why Mark was looking here and there. After all, he was definitely not the type of person to make a fuss in an entirely new environment. On the other hand, Mei also saw the familiar people, while Val'Flora, an information broker, understood Mark's actions.

"Should we greet them?"

Mei whispered to Mark.

"They are talking to other people," Mark sighed. "Let's not disturb them."

It seemed that Mark decided not to care about the presence of the acquaintances. Well, it was his nature to not bother with interactions with people. Besides, they came here for the auction and not to party. Mark was not good at these kinds of social events and the like. Worse, they were already getting a bit of attention. After all, each group present consisted of three people, the agent, the client, and their chaperone. Mark's entourage, guided by two agents, definitely stood out more.

Furthermore, although Mei was wearing a mask, she was still attracting attention for some reason, making her grasp Mark's arm tighter.

"Then, let us head to the private rooms and wait there."

Devon said as the group began making their way through the hall.

It was when a figure flashed and appeared, blocking their path.

"Isn't it rude to not greet a friend? Even if you are trying to avoid attention, you should at least give a greeting."

The Priestess said to Mark with a face like a brokenhearted teenager.

"If you know we are avoiding attention, you should have ignored us."

Mark answered with an exasperated sigh.

Now, the entire hall's attention was on them due to the actions of the Priestess.

"Priestess, I told you not to use your abilities in this hall."

Another exasperated voice echoed. It was the agent who chased after the troublesome Priestess. Behind the agent, the Prime Minister followed.

The agent was a beautiful woman with slightly pale skin. Her black hair had a snow-like sheen, and the temperature around her was a little lower than normal. She was clearly a half-human. She was very likely an offspring of the legendary [Yuki-onna] and a human male.

"I'm pretty sure there are no such rules."

The Priestess argued.

"It is not about rules. It's about proper behavior and etiquette. At least, please behave like your age for once."

The agent argued back.

As her age was mentioned, the Priestess squinted as she stared at the agent in annoyance. Even so, the agent was not backing down. By the looks of it, the agent and the Priestess were in a more friendly relationship than a purely business one.

"Haah," Devon's sigh entered their ears. "Can you please do this somewhere else? Our client is troubled."

Those words stopped the Priestess and her agent's bickering. As for Val'Flora, she could only stay silent. Among the agents here, she was still in a lower position.

"Then, let's share a room, shall we?"

The Priestess gleefully proposed, making her agent rub her temples. It seemed that it was not her first time in this place if she could propose that.

"Can we also join in that offer?"

Another voice entered everyone's ears. It was Subsinctus who spoke as he brought his clients with him.

Of course, such remarks caused confusion to everyone except Mark, Mei, and Val'Flora.

And to escape the uproar started by the Priestess, Mark's group left the lobby, now with six more people in tow.

***

The private room was a large vintage-designed room complete with basic necessities. It had a living area with sofas and a coffee table. There was also an entire dining set and a toilet.

Lastly, the viewing area.

The viewing area was the only necessary facility for the auction in this room. It had a large window with a one-way glass, which allowed the people inside to peer through but not from outside. The window overlooked the back central part of the mansion, which appeared to be a large theater hall.

An auction hall designed like a theater. The aesthetic design of this place sure followed its theme. The private rooms seemed to be on the upper floor of the theater, while the general admission was on the lower floor.

The auction had yet to start. As such, the extra time spent inside the private room was spent chatting.

Sure enough, the deeds of Mark and his group in the Philippines and in Japan were shared among the two guest parties. With new information in hand, the guests could not help but look at Mark and Mei in a new light.

And since both Subsinctus and Kiyomi, the Priestess' agent, were Country Contractors, they could not help but ask why Devon, Indonesia's Country Contractor, was with Mark.

Normally, there was no need for Devon to answer. However, it was a good chance to gain a very rare friendly relationship with other Country Contractors, so Devon joined in the storytelling.

Of course, it all caused Mark's current exasperation. He was not the type to brag about his deeds, after all. He would rather keep everything a secret to those who did not know about it.

However, despite his exasperation, Mark looked extremely relaxed for some reason. He was so relaxed that he could not help but sit on the longer sofa with Mei and use her lap as a pillow despite the presence of other people around them.

And the reason for Mark's state was the unique properties of the private room.

Given that most people in the CNC were half-humans with magical blood, it would not be surprising if some of them had mind-manipulating abilities, and the usage of such abilities was not welcome in the auction house. Even so, some who wanted to destroy the opposition for items they wanted would still stealthily try to do it despite the harsh punishments for those caught.

As such, the private rooms were equipped with shielding against mental abilities both in and out.

And for Mark, who had no way of controlling his passive abilities as an [Empath], this room was heaven. There were barely any annoying unwanted emotions, and those emotions present only belonged to those inside the room, which barely held any animosity towards Mark. Even Roderick, who should have some animosity towards Mark, was laying low. He probably had already come to accept his situation, although still harboring some displeasure.

The private room was a heavenly place for Mark, without a doubt.

However, as relaxed as he felt, it also came with some discomfort. Mark was already used to feeling the presence of living things around him, which also allowed him to deduce danger and other things. But inside this room, he could not monitor the things happening outside. If something bad was happening outside, there was no way for Mark to tell without going out.

It might just be a case of paranoia, but it sure was causing Mark a bit of discomfort.

Nearly half an hour passed after they entered the private room. It was when the sound of a fanfare echoed coming from the viewing area.

"Let us get into position," Devon spoke to Mark and Mei. "The auction is starting."

With those words, they took the seat arranged in front of the window, which overlooked the stage below.