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[Crossover] Ch 158: The Rich Arms Dealer
🕑 Added 2025-07-20 17:23:09 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
The Witch of the Void—Natsuki Minamiya.
A national-level combat mage who's been making waves in Europe over the past few years. Rumor has it she's even taken down elder vampires.
Her specialty? Space Manipulation.
Her guardian beast? Rain Gold. A majestic golden knight.
Zaharias's eyes narrowed as all this info flashed through his mind.
Then, without hesitation, he went for negotiations.
High-level spatial magic was notoriously troublesome. If Natsuki got her hands on a doll and just warped away with it, hiding in who-knows-where, it'd throw his whole plan into chaos.
"Well, well… I didn't expect the famous Witch of the Void to show up in person."
With a gentlemanly bow, Zaharias offered Natsuki a smile.
"You can place a bid. However—"
He paused, raising an eyebrow with mock curiosity. "Are you doing this on your own? Or is this backed by your government?"
A classic political tactic—make it look like an international incident. Zaharias knew how government combat mages worked.
You could call them noble and full of justice, or just plain annoying. Either way, dragging things into political waters was the best way to deal with them.
Natsuki leisurely strolled up beside No. 5, twirling her parasol with one hand. Her gaze briefly flicked over to Liana.
The moment their eyes met, Liana clenched her jaw. Her glare was laced with envy.
Noticing it, Natsuki snorted with thinly veiled disdain, shooting her a sideways look before turning back to Zaharias.
Her voice was cold and flat. "Save the grandstanding, arms dealer. Your intel's outdated."
"Oh?" Zaharias feigned confusion.
Natsuki calmly replied, "I've already got No. 12."
That wiped the smirk off Zaharias's face.
If she really had a primogenitor's doll, and she was here in an official capacity as a state-backed mage—things were getting complicated.
And this was Itogami Island—Japan's land.
The management of the Blazing Banquet lay with the Lion King Agency. There was a high chance they'd side with Natsuki if this escalated.
Even though the Lion King Agency didn't always get along with national-level Attack Mages, he couldn't afford to underestimate them.
Fortunately, if Japan got too involved, the three primogenitors would apply pressure. There was still room to maneuver…
With that in mind, Zaharias smiled again.
"I see. So you're the final candidate. In that case, a fair bidding war is ok."
He held up his hand, face serious.
"350 million €. In cash. That's my best offer."
Finally, Veldiana couldn't hold it in anymore.
"You've got to be kidding! My sister would never sell the doll to you!"
"No, no—you're misunderstanding me."
Zaharias shook his head with a grin, his eyes flicking to Natsuki with amusement.
"What I'm buying… is the Witch of the Void's withdrawal from this bidding war."
Veldiana was stunned.
Wait—he could do that?!
Even Liana looked momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected that move.
"You've got guts, arms dealer."
Natsuki tilted her head, clearly entertained.
"Let me guess. Planning to cash in after the Blazing Banquet and claw back the money later, huh?"
"Of course not. You wound me," Zaharias chuckled, placing a hand on his chest in mock sincerity. "The arms business is built on trust, after all."
"This has nothing to do with No. 12. I'm only asking you to back out of bidding on No. 5. I think 350 million € is more than fair."
Natsuki's lips curled into a faint smile.
"I see… So the Third and Fourth dolls that sleazy guy let go are already in your hands. Trying to collect half the set and hold the banquet early, are we?"
Zaharias's expression flickered—but quickly returned to calm. "And what's your answer?"
"Don't do it!" Veldiana shouted. "The second he gets what he wants, he'll turn on you!"
Liana hesitated. She opened her mouth, then shut it, her mind racing.
And then, to everyone's surprise, Natsuki gave a sweet, playful smile and said—
"Deal."
"Much obliged!"
Zaharias spread his arms wide like he was embracing the sky and laughed heartily.
Then he glanced at one of his men and gave a small nod.
The vampire hesitated for a moment, then walked over with a briefcase. He stopped halfway between them, set the case down carefully, and stepped back.
"In that case, this briefcase contains my shares in various mining, energy, and arms corporations, along with cash cards from the Warlord's Empire. Total value—around 360 million euros."
Natsuki lifted the case with one hand and gave it a little shake.
"Well, you are generous," she said blandly.
Then she turned to Liana and spoke in a calm, almost condescending tone:
"Let go of No. 5. That's not something you can handle."
"You—!" Veldiana clenched her fists.
Liana, however, was silent.
Her gaze bounced between Natsuki and No. 5, who was still eating ice cream like none of this had anything to do with her.
Eventually, Liana gritted her teeth, "Vel. We're leaving."
"Huh? Sis?" Veldiana looked at her, confused.
"A wise decision."
Zaharias gave an approving nod and clapped politely.
"You're smarter than your father. He charged into battle knowing it would cost him everything—just for No. 1."
Liana nearly shattered her teeth from how hard she was grinding them—but she held herself back.
Just then, Natsuki glanced over at Veldiana.
"This girl also from the Caruana family? Your sister?"
"Who are you calling girl!?" Veldiana snapped.
Liana, who by now fully understood how dangerous the world really was, gave Natsuki a long look before nodding stiffly. "…Yes."
Natsuki gave Veldiana a slow once-over.
"Hm… My house is pretty big, you know," she said thoughtfully. "Wanna come work for me as a maid?"
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