CHAPTER 209: GIVING A SHOCK TO MAGI!

Lucan noticed their expressions, and his cheeks reddened slightly, though he stubbornly continued eating. "What? A man needs proper nutrition to maintain peak performance, you know!"

Orion chuckled softly, amused but deciding not to tease him further. Instead, he directly shifted to his current objective. "Brother Lucan, since you’ve finished your snack, accompany us to the marketplace. I need to check on Magi and have some things I need to talk with him about."

Lucan instantly perked up, quickly finishing his remaining skewer with remarkable enthusiasm. "The marketplace? Sounds good to me. Let’s go then."

Edgar calmly nodded, rising from his seat. "Understood, Young Master. Allow me to accompany you."

Orion smiled appreciatively, and the trio walked leisurely toward the mansion’s main building.

Inside the mansion, Lucan quickly retrieved the luxurious obsidian carriage—sleek, polished black, with intricate silver runes etched delicately along its surface. The vehicle practically radiated understated elegance and status.

After swiftly boarding, Orion, Edgar, and Lucan departed from the mansion, the carriage smoothly gliding toward the marketplace at the Fourth Ring of the Royal Capital.

***

Meanwhile, far from the bustling Royal Capital, under the cover of the rapidly darkening evening, a small group quietly gathered within the dense foliage of an isolated forest clearing.

Their figures were rugged and tense, exuding a dangerous aura that seemed second nature to them.

Their leader—an elderly yet powerfully built man—stood at the center, his piercing gaze filled with cold cunning as he quietly addressed his subordinate. "Are you absolutely certain the information is accurate?"

The subordinate—a rough, muscular man with multiple battle scars marking his weathered features—quickly nodded his head in affirmation.

His voice was deep, rough, and filled with unwavering confidence. "Yes, Boss. My source is trustworthy. There’s definitely an unguarded dragonling residing in the Royal Capital of Thunderpeak Kingdom. Even better, no noble houses seem to officially claim her."

The elderly leader’s expression darkened with contemplation, greed flickering vividly within his narrowed eyes.

A murmur spread rapidly through the gathered men, excitement palpable at the mere mention of a female Draconian.

Another member of the group stepped forward, unable to contain his enthusiasm, his voice trembling with barely restrained eagerness. "Boss, do you understand how much we could fetch from the black market for a female Draconian? It would set us up for life. The profit would be unimaginable."

The elderly leader smiled chillingly, his calculating gaze swiftly assessing his subordinates, his voice commanding and authoritative.

"Exactly. Which is why we must proceed carefully. The capital is heavily guarded, but their focus will be on noble families and important locations. We must strike quickly, silently, without alerting the guards until it’s too late."

A solemn silence settled briefly over the group before each man resolutely nodded, eyes filled with determination and greed.

The leader nodded approvingly, quickly formulating their plan. "Very well. Prepare yourselves—we move under the cover of darkness. Once inside the capital, we split into smaller groups to avoid drawing suspicion. Remember: swift and quiet. No mistakes."

His subordinates swiftly murmured their agreement, quickly dispersing to make final preparations. The elderly leader stood alone momentarily, his cold eyes gleaming sharply in the fading twilight, already envisioning the vast wealth awaiting them.

***

The scene shifted back once more to the Royal Capital’s marketplace, just as the obsidian carriage gently halted near the lively, crowded entrance.

Lanterns cast warm, inviting glows upon bustling vendors and enthusiastic shoppers enjoying the early evening ambiance.

Orion stepped down from the carriage first, closely followed by Edgar. Lucan stepped down last, however, just as he took one step on the ground, he dropped to his knees—clutching his stomach.

Orion and Edgar stared at Lucan in synchronized silence, their expressions utterly deadpan and devoid of any sympathy.

Lucan remained dramatically kneeling, clutching his stomach with exaggerated agony as passersby began casting puzzled glances their way.

"Ugh, Y-young maste-er, it looks like I won’t be able to accompany you," Lucan groaned pitifully, glancing upward with pleading eyes.

Orion sighed deeply, his lips twitching in annoyance as he shared a silent, knowing look with Edgar.

This scenario was all too familiar to them. One thing or another happened to Lucan whenever physical exertion or any form of genuine responsibility loomed on the horizon.

Ignoring Lucan’s dramatics entirely, Orion turned calmly and began walking into the bustling marketplace, Edgar smoothly falling into step beside him.

"W-wait! Young Master!" Lucan called weakly from behind them, still bent over theatrically.

"Let’s leave him there, Uncle Edgar," Orion spoke casually, his tone dismissive yet playful, fully accustomed to Lucan’s lazy antics. Edgar chuckled softly in response, nodding in agreement.

The vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace enveloped them comfortably as they moved further inward. Warm amber lights from hanging lanterns illuminated the stalls, showcasing brightly colored fabrics, fragrant food, and glistening artifacts.

Pleasant, lively chatter filled the air as vendors enthusiastically peddled their wares, customers eagerly haggling or simply enjoying the festive ambiance.

Yet Orion and Edgar paid little heed to the bustling crowds, moving purposefully toward their destination: Limitless Heaven.

Limitless Heaven stood prominently in the market, its elegant exterior adorned with beautiful banners and well-dressed attendants welcoming customers inside.

Approaching the store, the stationed guards immediately recognized Orion and Edgar, bowing respectfully and stepping aside without a word.

Inside, the attendants likewise offered polite nods and greetings, though none made any attempt to halt Orion’s steady progress toward the third floor.

Arriving swiftly at Magi’s private office, Orion reached for the ornate wooden door without hesitation, pushing it open and stepping confidently inside.

The sight before him, however, briefly halted him in his tracks.

Magi, normally flamboyant and perpetually carefree, sat quietly behind his desk with a rare tenderness visible in his gaze.

The object of his gaze was Luna, the delicate white bunny typically perched lazily on his shoulder. Magi gently stroked her soft fur, a serene expression on his usually mischievous face.

The unexpected gentleness almost startled Orion, yet he quickly recovered, his lips curling into a faint smirk. Hearing the door open, Magi raised his head with exaggerated indignation, his playful grin returning instantly.

"Oi, Boss Orion, shouldn’t you at least knock? What if I was engaging in some... extreme physical activity in here, hmm?" Magi teased, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Orion’s lips twitched involuntarily, his expression a blend of exasperation and annoyance as he responded calmly, "If I ever caught you doing something like that here, Magi, I’d throw you out of the shop myself."

Magi laughed heartily, clearly delighted by Orion’s blunt retort. He leaned back casually, gently placing Luna onto the desk beside him, allowing her to nibble lazily on a piece of carrot.

"Fair enough, Boss, fair enough. But jokes aside, how come you’re here again so soon? If you’re looking for more Mana Crystals, I’m afraid you’ve arrived at a bad time. Nearly everything we have is already tied up in running this place and acquiring new stock."

Orion sighed softly, shaking his head in mild exasperation at Magi’s assumption. Without further ado, he retrieved the spatial ring he had prepared earlier—its surface gleaming faintly with stored mana.

With a casual toss, Orion gently threw the ring onto Magi’s desk, watching as Magi’s eyes immediately widened with intense curiosity.