IWTRAE Chapter 92

 

 

#Episode 92

 

 

What they fear is not the unknown but what is different from themselves.

 

Humans reject differences. By doing so, they strengthen their bonds with those who are the same.

 

Would they truly stop fearing something just because they understand it? Or would knowing only partially make them even more afraid?

 

‘Just like how the Van Drake were annihilated after attempting to interact with humans…’

 

If not, then why did they wipe out the entire Van Drake clan, even though vampires still exist? That was something he could never understand.

 

Todd turned his gaze toward the window.

 

The lanterns outside shone blindingly, reminiscent of the torches carried by the armies that once stormed the Van Drake estate.

 

He shut his eyes tightly to erase the lingering nightmare of the past. As his eyelids fell like a curtain, darkness enveloped him. Only then did Todd feel a sense of relief.

 

***

 

The carriage came to a stop in front of the auction house.

 

The venue for the auction was the grand opera house of Noctiluca.

 

A place that usually resonated with beautiful melodies was, for tonight, expected to be filled with the loud pounding of a wooden gavel and the shouting of bids.

 

As soon as people recognized Count Renfield’s carriage, a murmur spread through the crowd.

 

Amidst the commotion, Todd helped Laurus down from the carriage.

 

The moment Laurus’ arrival was announced, the auction’s host rushed out, clutching the hem of her dress.

 

“Welcome, my lord. It is truly an honor to have you visit with your grandson. The night air has turned quite chilly—please, come inside at once. I have prepared a VIP seat for you.”

 

Skillfully guiding Laurus inside, the host continued,

 

“Apart from the items listed in the catalog we sent you, we’ve secured many other fine goods. I assure you, you won’t find the event dull.”

 

As Laurus and Todd entered the auction hall with the host, all eyes turned toward them.

 

Some looked at Laurus with reverence, while others scrutinized Todd, the newly introduced heir.

 

The atmosphere was so oppressive that even adults instinctively shrank back. For a fugitive wanted by both the Church and the Kingdom, it was the kind of situation that could make one’s heart leap out of their chest.

 

Yet, despite the piercing gazes aimed at him like arrows, Todd did not waver. He held himself upright and followed behind Laurus without hesitation.

 

The confidence in his posture drew murmurs of admiration.

 

“I heard Count Renfield found his lost family… It seems his youthful vigor has been passed down intact.”

 

“You weren’t even born when Count Renfield was young. Stop exaggerating.”

 

“No, I mean, it certainly feels that way!”

 

Laurus, recognized by the Pope of the Lamphas Church and acknowledged by the royal family, held a status among the people akin to that of a saint—especially since taking residence in Noctiluca.

 

Every noble in Noctiluca wanted to establish a connection with Laurus, but since he had largely secluded himself in his estate, opportunities were rare.

 

Yet now, Laurus had not only revealed a new painting but had also personally attended the auction.

 

What had caused this sudden change of heart?

 

Clearly, it was to introduce Todd, the heir accompanying him.

 

Because of this, no noble present at the auction dared to speak ill of the heir whom Laurus so openly cherished.

 

Instead, they all spoke highly of Todd.

 

The previous heir’s name could have been brought up, yet as if by unspoken agreement, no one mentioned Albert.

 

After all, he was the one who had been discarded.

 

A forgotten man’s scandals were nothing more than idle gossip for when conversation ran dry over drinks.

 

But in a gathering of this significance, such talk held no value.

 

Like waves washing over the shore, Albert’s presence was erased—completely and cleanly, as if he had never existed.

 

***

 

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the evening.”

 

After escorting Todd and Laurus to their VIP seats, the auction host stepped back with a bright smile.

 

The VIP section consisted of balcony seats arranged in a horseshoe shape along the second and third floors of the theater.

 

Their assigned seats were in Balcony 5 on the second floor—a prime spot with a clear view of the stage. The grand chandelier above the auction floor glittered right in front of them.

 

Todd approached the balcony railing like an excited child setting foot into high society for the first time.

 

However, despite his eager expression, his gaze remained sharp as he analyzed the opera house’s layout.

 

‘The second floor has a clear view of the first, but from below, the upper floors are hidden.’

 

The first floor was already packed with people.

 

Judging by their expressions, many had struggled to secure entry to the event.

 

‘If something goes wrong, the crowd downstairs will make escape difficult…’

 

Todd instinctively checked for possible escape routes.

 

Entering an unfamiliar space without first identifying an exit was simply unbearable for him.

 

The balcony seats, likely designed to allow nobles to conduct discreet meetings, were hidden from view unless someone leaned over the railing.

 

Only after completing his assessment of the surroundings did Todd exhale a small sigh.

 

Ever since arriving, he had been constantly listening to the whispers around him, and it was starting to wear on him.

 

‘Judging from their reactions, no one suspects that I’m the fugitive Van Drake.’

 

Thanks to the Cognitive Distortion spell his father had placed on him—and the fact that he no longer bore any traces of his former appearance—his pursuers from the Lamphas Church would hardly recognize him.

 

Back when he was on the run, his body had been so thin that his facial features were barely distinguishable.

 

But after spending time with Vasha, who made sure he ate properly, and living in the Renfield estate for several months, he had gained weight and grown taller.

 

Given how much he had changed, it was unlikely that anyone would connect him to the fugitive he once was.

 

‘And… I still have the artifact she gave me.’

 

Todd absentmindedly fiddled with the pendant adorning his cravat.

 

But nothing in this world was ever certain. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down just yet.

 

‘Obtaining the Van Drake relic and making it back to the hideout—only then will this truly be over…’

 

It seemed that, one way or another, Todd had come to regard the mansion as his own refuge.

 

Of course, he had no intention of letting Laurus or Vasha know that.

 

***

 

On the day of the auction, Matteus arrived dressed as a noble, holding Bernardo’s identity token as he stepped into the auction hall.

 

Brushing his light brown hair neatly past his forehead, Matteus cleared his throat uncomfortably.

 

The clothes felt restrictive, like an ill-fitting costume.

 

Just as Bernardo had predicted, the noble status of House Gydo was not questioned.

 

On the contrary, hearing that he was a high-ranking noble from the capital, the people around him were overly accommodating—to the point of being a nuisance.

 

“It’s Laurus!”

 

Right then, Laurus arrived, and every gaze that had been fixed on Matteus immediately turned to him.

 

Taking advantage of the distraction, Matteus managed to slip away. But seeing the sheer mass of people, all seemingly there just to get a glimpse of Laurus, made him sigh.

 

‘Damn it, how am I supposed to get close to him…?’

 

To make matters worse, the host was personally escorting Laurus, ensuring no one could approach.

 

There wasn’t a single opening.

 

‘Still, since we’ll be staying in the same VIP section, I should get my chance…’

 

However, once inside, Matteus realized the opera house was even larger and more labyrinthine than expected.

 

“Damn it, where is he?”

 

He muttered curses under his breath, scanning the second-floor corridor.

 

The tight noble attire constricted his throat, making him feel suffocated.

 

“Do I have to check every room one by one…?”

 

Resisting the urge to loosen his collar, Matteus kept his composure.

 

If there was one silver lining, it was that he wasn’t the only one curious about Laurus’ whereabouts.

 

Everyone passing by was whispering his name.

 

“I heard Count Renfield brought an heir with him this time.”

 

“I don’t know his exact age, but they say he looks about ten… Do you think the Count will live long enough to see him come of age?”