Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents
Chapter 71: Rod of Pleasure (D)

Chapter 71: Rod of Pleasure (D)

The days and weeks fleetingly moved forward as the 11th month of the year welcomed the students with a major yet expected announcement from the Hero Academy’s Chancellor, Silva Sol Cindareth, a well-built monstrous warrior of light also known as the Light Keeper of the Hero Bloodline.

[ The annual Hero Festival will begin in the second week of December, marking the transition of the New Year! ]

[ The various school clubs will innovate some mini-events for the entertainment of the other students and guests—either the parents and guardians. ]

[ Always the highlight, Aladdan’s Symbol will be held to showcase the might of the students from different levels! ]

During this period, the Capital City of the Holy Empire, known as the Heart of Light, Solana of Divinia, was already filled with visitors from various nations across the continent.

Two weeks had passed since the beginning of the second semester, and the gloomy atmosphere caused by the Ranaya tragedy began to gradually subside.

It’s a reminder that even if such an event had passed and the people moved on with their lives, it should not be forgotten. That’s why even if the ambiance of the public was now at peace, the shadows were being constantly monitored by the Church.

< Humans are tragic and fascinating. >

Comfortably sitting atop her shoulder, Ranaya’s voice echoed within Alana’s consciousness.

Walking down the streets near the walls of the academy with the other students, sightseeing some vendors to look for something to eat, she replied,

[ - What do you mean? - ]

This time around, she didn’t rebuke the center of the disaster around two months ago. Alana eventually found it easier to communicate with this doll, reducing her loneliness, albeit strangely.

< They tend to easily move from a tragedy if it’s not about them. Ah, Humanity in itself sounds so deceitful. >

Upon smelling something pleasant and reaching the source of it, Alana was greeted by a vendor in his late forties or early fifties, whose eyes seemed almond and brown.

"Oh, young lady! Do you want to buy something?"

Hearing the vendor, Alana muttered, "Why are there no other customers..."

Her voice reverberated as the vendor scratched his head, "Hahaha! Because my food isn’t for everybody! Eastern cuisine isn’t that popular in this part of the continent, so I expected it. But there are students from the Adania Empire too, so perhaps they’ll come sooner or later."

Alana only flashed a half-baked smile and looked at the food in a wrap or sticks. That’s when her words seemed to confuse the vendor... and even Ranaya.

"How much for everything?"

"Huh? Everything?" The vendor asked.

< Are you going for a hunt or something? > Ranaya frowned, though the doll never twitched.

"Yes, sir. Please give me everything."

"R-Really?! It’ll be around fifty gold!"

"Okay..."

After their brief interaction, the food worth fifty gold—whether it was a scam or not—fell into Alana’s embrace as a few bags filled her fingers.

< Do you know gluttony is a sin? >

[ - No, I don’t. - ]

*

Meanwhile, Rahkeid van Elargrave, the unofficial Top 2 of Class Zenith, was being surrounded by his circle of friends as they kept praising him with their eyes gleaming.

"I can’t believe you correctly answered that difficult magic theory question in our last quiz!"

"Ah! If it’s not for you, I’d fumble our last assignment."

"Rahkeid, can I treat you this time?"

Even though he was already friendly and had a genuine circle of friends, Rahkeid’s popularity seemed to suddenly skyrocket since the second semester started.

While they were eating at an expensive restaurant outside the academy, as they were encouraged this time to interact and explore, Rahkeid occasionally responded to the praises he’d received.

’Ha! Was it that difficult for him? What a joke.’

’Of course, you can copy my assignment. What can you do without me? Haha!’

’Well, what kind of man would I be if I reject this beautiful girl’s offer? Hehe!’

Savoring the praises with his proud thoughts, someone from his circle spoke, shattering it,

"But don’t you think it’s just unfair to go against Alana in terms of practical exams? She just can’t get tired or what... It’s ridiculous."

"Right. Haha! Sometimes I even feel like she’s not doing her very best. Is it possible she’s holding back?"

"I wouldn’t be surprised if she is. After all, being from the Hero Bloodline, she possesses the holy blood. It’s natural for anyone in that bloodline to be formidable. Don’t you think so?"

Discreetly clenching his fist, Rahkeid interjected,

"Oh, come on now. We’re here to eat, not to talk about someone who can’t even provide help to her struggling classmates."

These pests! How dare they spout such words in front of me?!

’After everything I’ve done since the new semester, or even before that, did they already betray me?! No, that can’t be. Hehe.’

"Pftt—! Cough! Cough!"

Just as his thought derailed, Rahkeid, along with the others and not just their circle of friends, heard a boisterous laugh atop spitting drink some distance away.

"D-Delkira! Are you all right?" One of this crimson-eyed girl’s classmates tapped and rubbed her shoulder.

"Hahaha—! I’m fine. It’s just... I remember something. Oh! My bad. Forgive me for my etiquette just now... Hehe. Did I perhaps sour the mood?"

With every other customer glancing their way, albeit for a moment, Delkira thought,

’This is amusing, truly amusing!’

On the other hand, on Rahkeid’s table, one person from the Class Zenith asked, "She’s the representative of the new Class Mu, right? Have you already talked to her, Rahkeid?"

Then, without a second thought, Rahkeid shook his head.

"What makes you think that? That girl’s just rude..."

"Haha. Right. Why did I even ask you that question?"

Apparently, Delkira received the same evaluation similar to Maya of being free-spirited to the point of not caring about what everybody would think.

*

"The atmosphere is entirely different compared to simply knowing it through your memories..." The former royalty of the Britanoia Empire, Yuridika, whispered.

"But why are we here?" She added.

Using her ability to warp to any location her eyes had seen at least once—even if it’s through fragments of memories—we arrived at the Capital City of the Holy Empire.

One could say this spell was far more potent than what Maya could presently do, which made her unable to detect or warp within the influence of darkness—the Abyss Lands.

That being said, I smiled at Yuridika, standing side by side with Beatrice, and said, "We’re here for the cliché."

"...?"

Yuridika looked at Beatrice, who only let out an exasperated sigh.

"Just let him. You know how it seems the Young Master has his own set of language and riddles, right?"

Hearing Beatrice’s words, which made Yuridika chuckle for a second, I smirked.

"Well, you will love it."

Since [Solana] was a vast city, and my aim this time was considerably distant from the Hero Academy, it would be reassuring not to encounter anyone who recognized me.

Since it marked the beginning of the Hero Festival, the academy would be busy.

After some time of walking to the eastern streets of the city, we finally arrived at the target destination, which was a luxurious, massive building.

"Sunken Deep Auction House?"

"Is this what you mean by doing something cliché, Young Master?"

Of course, auction houses would always be a thing.

"You wouldn’t get it."

Sunken Deep Auction House was discreetly operating for the Golden Crown. Though that’s something that only a handful of powerful people in the darkness would know.

With that in mind, as a simultaneous auction with various schedules, one of the guards asked before we could enter the premises, "Category?"

Even if the double spy, Yena, had not told me, I already knew. That’s why I responded based on my objective as my mouth got closer to the guard’s ears to whisper,

"Red and exclusive."

"...?"

Seeing his doubtful expression, I continued, "Well, do I look that young? What do you think about calling Ravelle?"

"...!"

Every manpower in this place was tied to eternity to the Golden Crown, even if they went by the name of Sunken Deep.

"So... What will it be? I also have these two gorgeous women with me. Do they look young to you?"

Hearing my words, Beatrice’s forehead had a vein bulging. But she refrained from outrightly punching me in the face.

"F-Forgive me, Sir. Here’s your seat number. How about the two of them? Would they participate also?"

"Of course. In fact, they’re wealthier than me." I smiled.

"R-right."

Beatrice and Yuridika also received their respective seat numbers as we were all given obscure masks and guided to a certain floor by a clerk, who was informed by the guard who welcomed us.

< "Red and Exclusive? What does it imply, Young Master?" >

[ - Seriously. Why do you have telepathy? - ]

< "I learned it from Yuridika, you already know that." >

But thanks to her wariness, she didn’t openly ask the question while we were being guided by a female staff member in front of us, which would evidently suspect us the moment Beatrice showed ignorance.

[ - You can think of it as an auction filled with products that are red flags in the eyes of the churches. - ]

< "Whaaat?!" >

"Welcome to the Red Theater, Sir and Ma’am."

It was an underground auction house that consisted of hundreds of seats.

After some time, as we found out seats side by side, and the place was then filled with other people with anonymous identities thanks to the masks provided, the auction began.

The auctioneer yapped and presented for the first time.

"For the first item of the evening! We have the Rod of Pleasure!"

Oh, a dildo. I guess that’s a start.