Manuke FPS

The third day of the festival had arrived.
The first and second days were open to the public and merchants to freely participate.
However, the third day was only for nobles and the most influential companies so it was a special auction.
It was necessary to prepare early in the morning and change into formal attire according to the dress code.
Thus, I wore a black panther Venetian mask I’d used in Veneer and a black tailcoat to adhere to the code. 

Weapons were not allowed in the venue, but in consideration that Nekoyanagi would strike, there was no way I could abide it.
Malta-san had informed me that our seats would be in a special room for sellers.
So, under that premise, I planned to bring three ranged weapons: The FMG69, GPS Tracking Darts, and a taser.
For melee, I had the electric baton.
I couldn’t bring my tomahawks as it’d be obvious.

I am in a position where the general guild has requested cooperation in regards to the capture of the thieves.
But that was only from the guild.
It was the 4th Central Knights’ duty to guard the venue.
There was no way they would allow participants to take voluntary crime prevention measures on their watch due to their pride and honor.
I had no intention to cross them, but now that my stuff was in their sights, I could not leave the matter to others. 

The sale of the stone would be critical in funding my future activities. 

Once my preparations were completed I left the Pavillion of Tranquility and hitched a ride to the Marida Company office.

“We’ve arrived.” 

“Thanks.”

“Good morning, Shaft-sama.”

“Morning, Malta-san.”

“It seems to me that you’re ready to go.
Let me get the carriage ready, then We’re head to Hirashia.” 

Malta-san seemed ready as well.
He wore a luxurious robe with more embroidery than his usual outfit.
It had been decided that the Great Labyrinth Core would be put on auction as the final time of the festival.
If we entered the venue in the morning, there would be quite a long wait.
But on the other hand, nobody could enter the venue after the Royal Family.
However, I had no idea what time the thieves would strike.
Thus, I wanted to enter the venue early so I could catch them.

Soon afterward, I was on a carriage with him as well.
Arum rode coach, and since we hadn’t seen each other in a while, as Shaft, we had a light exchange before we headed to Hirashia while I discussed the rest of the matter with Malta-san.

Stalls filled the roadside that led up to Hirashia.
Since it was still too early for business, many of there were still in the process of setting up.
There was also a group of street performers that played outside the venue.
No, more exact to call them a group of clowns? I was not aware that there were clowns in this world, but I could see a six-man group with white-painted faces and red round noses as clowns as they performed. 

Our carriage slowly passed through the group of clowns.
I broke into a smile as I looked at their makeup.
However, one particular clown struck me as odd.

Once at the venue, Malta-san and I separated from Arum and headed to the seller’s entrance.
Arum would pick us up after the auction. 

Security in and around the venue had been practically left to the 4th Central knights.
Of course, this not only included the Royal Family and the sellers, but also the merchants and aristocrats who’d bid.
Therefore, the escorts employed by the nobles and merchants would wait outside Hirashia as not to cause security confusion.
But that didn’t mean that nobles and merchants would go in on their own.
They always had a secretly skillful person act as their attendant. 

Within the private room prepared for us, I organized my equipment while I waited.
I then saw a light blip approaching the room on the map. 

Knock Knock. 

“Excuse me.
My name is Jack, Hirashia’s executive manager.
I’d like to greet the sellers before the opening of the auction.”

“If it isn’t Jack-dono.
Thank you again for this time.”

“No no, I’ve been indebted to Marida Trading Company every year.
Always offering valuable items to exhibit, especially this year —”

“Also, this man here is Shaft–”

“Ahh, that’s right.
Then, let me offer my greeting once more.
To think that I did not recognize the owner of the last item that’d be auctioned here today, the Black Mask Shaft.
I am extremely sorry.
I am the executive manager of this venue, Jack.”

“I am Shaft of the Mercenary Guild.
Thank you for taking the time to greet us today.”

The man who called himself Jack was a slender-bodied man with neatly combed grayish short hair and a silver monocle on his left eye. 

“Yes, the great labyrinth core will be exhibited today belonged to a labyrinth that remained unconquered for a long time.
The stone itself is a rare item obviously.
It will definitely fetch for an astronomical price.”

“But, there seems to be people planning to steal it…”

“The phantom thieves Nekoyanagi, is it? However, the magic vault of Hirashia is not so easily cracked.
No only is the vault protected with a triple layer of anti-magic formations, we also use the latest model of Lock Crest that won’t open without the proper biometrics.” 

“I see.
So, it should be safe so long as it remains inside the vault.”

“That is indeed the case.”

“Before the auction starts, may I go there and look at the core once more?”

“ — Normally, no even the seller may approach the vault after they’ve deposited an item to auction here.
But if Shaft-sama wishes so, I can make an exception and take you there.”

“Sorry to trouble you.”

“No, not at all.
However, we cannot enter the vault.
It’ll be only up until the room right next to top it, will that be alright?” 

“Of course.
That is fine.”

“Then, please, follow me.” 

Afterward, Malta-san and I were guided by Jack-san to the room next to the vault.