"Is it... is it that I don't want to sleep with you?" Sylus had to summon every ounce of willpower in his life just to suppress the trembling in his voice.

He had always believed that he harbored no wicked thoughts toward Athena because he respected her, that she was only someone to admire from afar.

But wasn't the truth something else? The truth was—he simply didn't want to sleep with women!

Of course, I don't want to sleep with you either, Athena mocked, her gaze falling on Sylus.

Still, she didn't have the time or patience to keep listening to him ask the same question repeatedly, so she nodded and added, "I can't see enough sincerity from you, Sylus. Leave."

Sylus left with drooping shoulders, dejected, looking as if he had truly been struck down by the person he loved.

Tonight, his worldview had been shaken in ways he never anticipated.

More than that, he recalled Louis's words—how he and the Aurellan family were at odds, and how he wanted to leave them. If what Louis said was true, then clearly Sylus had already lost. Yet the Aurellan family still kept him around. That meant he must hold some important position, not merely some pitiful suitor of Athena who had to risk his life just to attract her attention.

So, without a doubt, there must be clues left somewhere.

In the darkness, Sylus's eyes grew heavy and cold.

Undercurrents began to surge in the depths, while on the surface, everything seemed deceptively "peaceful."

Click.

The device in Louis's ears—the one that had irritated him so much—was finally removed. As Athena said, she didn't want others to see him in such a state.

In its place, however, Louis received another "gift."

A collar. The smooth material pressed tightly against his neck, a pitch-black chain dangling from it, its substance unknown.

Louis cast a sidelong glance at G. Clearly, that man hadn't been forced to wear one.

"Why are you looking at G? Or do you also want a muzzle like his?"

Athena suddenly tugged the chain, forcing Louis to stumble forward uncontrollably. Her cold fingers brushed his lips as she chuckled softly: "Too bad you can't. G's fangs can kill, but yours? They can only chew on cold food."

Louis furrowed his brows, clearly displeased with Athena's evaluation, but just then, a cheerful voice rang out from the distance:

"Sis Athena, I'm here! Louis, I really missed you, you know. Why don't you ever find me to play anymore? Do you not like me?"

To Louis, that sweet, innocent voice was nothing less than the voice of a demon. He shuddered, quickly moved closer to Athena, and hid behind her. He was taller than she, yet he lowered his head, looking as though he wished he could bury his face in her shoulder.

Athena couldn't help but laugh. She reached up and ruffled Louis's thick hair, speaking gently: "What's wrong? Why aren't you glaring anymore?"

Louis kept his silence, lips sealed, hands gripping tightly at the hem of her clothes.

Joshua glanced from Louis to G, his entire body filled with restless irritation.

Why did Sis Athena's slaves always have such high quality?

Meanwhile, his own slaves weren't even fit to be shown outside—a bunch of trembling fools, plentiful in number but worthless in quality!

Why? Why was everything Sis Athena had always so much better?! She always had the very best!

Joshua never once thought the problem lay in how he trained his slaves. If they turned out worthless, it was naturally their fault—and also because Sis Athena always took the very best for herself!

"Ha ha, coward Louis." Joshua laughed as he ran toward Louis, clearly finding his fearful demeanor entertaining.

"Louis."

At that moment, Athena suddenly spoke, making Louis instinctively lift his gaze to her.

"Behave like G. Joshua won't hurt you—it's just a little game."

Louis pressed his lips together without a word, though he still didn't dare meet Joshua's eyes.

Just as Joshua was about to act, Athena said, "Joshua, get ready to go out."

Joshua pouted but temporarily spared Louis, falling into step beside Athena.

He lifted his chin high, looking every bit the arrogant young master. Yet, even as Athena merely walked forward at an unhurried pace—without a deliberate gesture—she radiated a pride and authority that could not be infringed upon.

I'll always be inferior to Sis Athena, no matter what it is.

Joshua clenched his teeth in secret, though outwardly his smile looked as if it had been stitched onto his face—impossible to drop even if he wanted to.

Outside, Sylus had been waiting for them for a long time. When he saw the group emerge, he glanced briefly at Athena before looking away, not sparing Louis even a glance.

Louis looked utterly downcast.

The carriage rolled on, carrying them toward the grandest auction house in Zone 5—Astar.

"Master Athena, at last you've arrived. We have been waiting for you for quite some time."

When they entered, a middle-aged man hurried out with a beaming, respectful smile, bowing deeply to greet Athena. To him, the others might as well have been invisible.

"We've already prepared your room. Please follow me."

The Astar Auction House had three tiers, built in a circular arc that formed a perfect ring, with a central dome of transparent glass. The man led Athena's group to the third floor and toward a chamber readied for her.

Just then, Joshua's sharp eyes narrowed at the man. His voice turned cold: "Where's Room No. 1? That's always been ours. Why are we being placed in Room No. 2 today?"

It was well known that even room numbers signified status. Those cheap nobles below could only sit on the wide spectator benches—no matter how much money they had, they lacked the right to enter a VIP room.

The man discreetly wiped at the cold sweat on his forehead. He glanced at Joshua, then at Athena.

Athena remained perfectly calm, with a faint smile, giving her an air of kindness. But the man knew full well—she was the actual danger here.

With a placating smile, he said, "Master Athena, my deepest apologies, but today the auction is hosting a very special guest..."

"A very special guest. Then perhaps I should visit them, as a gesture of courtesy." Athena spoke as if lost in thought.

The man quickly shook his head. "No, Master. The guest in that room does not wish to see outsiders..."

Joshua stomped his foot in anger. "Ha, how insolent! Do they not know who rules Zone 5? Sis Athena—"

Before he could finish, Athena suddenly raised her hand. Joshua was forced into silence, though his eyes still glared daggers at the man.

"Then send my regards to this important guest. If possible, I would like to meet them, even just once. After all, as the host here, I can't possibly neglect to show some hospitality." Athena narrowed her eyes with a smile.

The man did not want to imagine how Athena might "show hospitality." But that was a matter for those in power—it had nothing to do with a lowly servant like him.

As if granted amnesty, he hurried to usher Athena into the prepared chamber, then all but fled, feet moving as though greased with oil.

Staring at the closed door, Joshua fumed, practically ready to burst into flames. "Who do they think they are? You're the queen here, Sis Athena! You have to teach them a lesson!"

Though he was always resentful that he could never measure up to his sister, Joshua never denied Athena's status and authority.

Athena smiled at him, gently patting his head. "Fool. We're only rulers here. Beyond all the zones, there's still Zone 1, you understand?"

That was the actual throne—the place Athena was aiming for.

Joshua's eyes widened. "You mean..."

"Shhh." Athena placed a finger against her lips, signaling him to silence. "I didn't say anything."

Joshua said no more.

He knew that Athena's people must be moving at full speed, digging for information about the mysterious guest in Room 1.

Hopefully, that person truly was someone powerful from Zone 1. Otherwise, the fate awaiting them—and this foolish auction house—would be something they could never begin to imagine!

Joshua thought with feverish excitement, his gaze on Athena brimming with worship and longing.

He too wanted it. The power, the composure... When would he finally have it for himself?

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