Xia De had a good impression of Armand Bernhardt during Professor Higgins's "blood debt" incident last time.
Therefore, even knowing that he was a Vampire and staying at a local winery, Xia De did not report him to the Church. This time, the Witches clearly wouldn't pretend this person didn't exist, and even more clearly, even if he was a Middle-Ring Vampire, he absolutely couldn't defeat any of the Great Witches in the room.
"Good luck to you."
Xia De, walking towards the warehouse, could only think this.
The photo didn't show the size of the coffin, but its actual size was that of a normal coffin, so Mr. Bernhardt clearly couldn't carry it back. Originally, according to the auction process, such large goods that were difficult to transport would be uniformly shipped by Cassandra Auction House's carriages tomorrow, but Mr. Bernhardt apparently loved the antique coffin he purchased so much that he insisted on taking it away by carriage tonight.
Of course, leaving immediately after buying something would appear suspicious, so Mr. Bernhardt remained at the Fire Worship Festival banquet, while the black metal coffin was left in the warehouse. As one of the banquet organizers, Cassandra Auction House naturally had the keys to the warehouse, and even the security company hired was from Cassandra Auction House.
The warehouse was located in the basement on the east side of the first floor of Middirburg Mechanical College. It was originally a shelter for a frontline military camp, later becoming the college's storage room. Grandma Cassandra's maid, a lady of Two-Ring power, led Xia De all the way to the basement. After verifying his identity and undergoing multiple inspections, they passed through three doors and unlocked at least three large locks before Xia De could see the coffin.
Gas lamps lit the basement. After thousands of years, the metal coffin was already heavily rusted. It was placed upright in a wooden box, with straw and cotton pads for cushioning inside. Soon, the wooden box lid would be closed and nailed shut, ready for transport.
As for whether this was a relic, Xia De only got an answer when he touched the item. To his surprise, it was not a relic; there wasn't even a trace of whisper element. Unless this relic had the characteristic of "hiding whisper element," Xia De absolutely wouldn't be mistaken.
But upon further inspection, on the inner wall of the coffin, Xia De deciphered some scratch-like marks as ancient alien florid script:
"My love sleeps here."
"Could this be an antique used by a former Vampire, and Mr. Bernhardt wants to buy it as a souvenir? Just like the Witch Council likes to collect items used by Witch Emperors."
Xia De muttered to himself, wondering if he should lick it to further confirm that the coffin was truly an ordinary item. But just as he dismissed this disgusting thought, a distinct cough came from the guard outside.
This meant someone was coming, and Xia De needed to leave immediately.
"Hurry!"
With a wave to the maid beside him and the armed security guards, the four of them left the warehouse. The two burly bodyguards quickly closed and locked the door, then stood in front of it, looking very dutiful. Xia De and the maid did not leave the basement but turned behind the metal container at the warehouse entrance.
The maid threw down two talismans to obscure sound and shadows. As soon as they hid, sounds came from the stairs. It was Mr. Bernhardt, leading several workers in. Although he still had to attend the banquet, he wanted to have the coffin transported away now.
"So urgent?"
After avoiding Armand Bernhardt, Xia De and the maid returned to the lounge on the east side of the first floor and informed the two Witches of what they had seen downstairs. Upon hearing that the coffin was indeed not a relic, the Great Witches lost interest in the matter, even when Xia De mentioned that the other party might be a Vampire; they showed no further interest:
"Let him be a Vampire. Vampires have nothing to do with the Chosen One or the Gap. We need to focus on preparing to investigate that cave you mentioned tomorrow."
Ms. Aurora said, holding her teacup, while looking Xia De up and down:
"But you act really fast. No wonder Jialinna often says you're very useful, and even Grandma couldn't tell he was a Vampire."
Xia De shook his head:
"I've dealt with Vampires before in Tobesk, and they seemed quite confident in their concealment. But I still don't understand why, if it's just an ordinary antique, he bought it for five times the reserve price with a single bid?"
"That's simple."
The knowledgeable Old Witch said with a smile:
"He probably wants to smuggle this antique to Carson Rick. That foreign antique dealer and Viscount Bernhardt are partners. They're using a legitimate auction process to transfer the antique from a national's name to a foreigner's name, then using Bernhardt's status as a Carson Rick Viscount to gain export convenience. Although this will increase taxes, it bypasses Delarion's strict antique export policies."
"Is that so?"
Xia De was still a bit hesitant, but in any case, the coffin was indeed an ordinary item.
Lucky Mr. Bernhardt narrowly escaped the two Great Witches.
After resolving the matter of the black coffin, only an hour remained until the evening ball began. Xia De was still keen to see the local rhode cards players, so he stood up, preparing to bid farewell to the Witches.
But before he could stand up, a knock came from the lounge door.
"Ms. Cassandra, Count Darak of Campbell is looking for you."
"A Count with a fief?"
Xia De looked at Grandma Cassandra in surprise, who nodded:
"A local noble. He inherited his ancestors' legacy, but all he really has left is the power to collect taxes in the Town."
Xia De stood up, knowing his presence wasn't appropriate in such a situation. He looked around and spotted the wardrobe in the corner, but Ms. Aurora pulled him:
"Stand behind me."
Xia De immediately went around the sofa, first "pulled out" a black narrow-brimmed fedora from his pocket and put it on, then threw his formal banquet suit jacket behind the sofa, and "pulled out" an old black overcoat to wear. He didn't button it, allowing the two pistols tucked into his waistband to show.
He stood steadily against the wall behind the sofa, feet apart, hands clasped together hanging naturally in front of him, with a serious expression, as if he could draw a gun and harm someone at any moment.
"Very good."
Ms. Aurora was amused by his appearance, teased him a bit, then nodded to the Old Witch. The smile on the latter's face disappeared, her eyelids drooped, and she said in an old, very cold voice:
"Please come in."
PS: Extra chapter for votes. This month only has 28 days, don't hold back your monthly votes. These last few chapters are the final peaceful daily life before this volume ends.
