Chapter 171: Putting Together a Plan

Strax and the two women discussed further plans to infiltrate the Auction... However...

"We don't have enough people..." Strax murmured; the plan itself wasn't simple, it was large and extensive and heavily depended on one factor:

Power

Cristine could kill all the Central Leaders of the Guild with Yennifer, but... there were at least two hundred men there for security, and... that was justifiable.

A Divine Class Item.

Although they themselves didn't have this classification, they knew it was something truly superior and couldn't be minimally overlooked in terms of protection. So yes, at this moment there was a significant impasse in all these plans.

There were too many of them...

"We have no choice but to do everything stealthily." Cristine said, she was already inclined towards this plan, but it was just Plan A. The two were great assassins, so it was obvious that the best plan was stealthy given their skillsets.

However... they couldn't rely on something that could very well go wrong, especially a heist followed by murder.

One mistake and everyone could die. Not because they were weak, far from it, but... there were many, and numbers surpass individual strength at some point.

They weren't Emperor-Level Cultivators, at most they were Grandmasters. And the difference between a Master and a Grandmaster wasn't as enormous as it was made out to be, and that was exactly the current problem.

"It's not possible to do this." Strax said, analyzing the map Yennifer had shown; there were patrol routes, secret paths, and even points of interest like empty rooms where there could be treasures.

Despite being an underground facility... "The main hall of the mansion is vast, there are points we can explore, but the security is high. We need someone involved with the Auction in some way, even if it's just a buyer." Strax thought.

He had an idea, but he didn't know yet how valid it could be, so... He sighed: "I know someone." He said in a somber tone, and the two looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"She's sick, but... I believe she would help. And she's in the city now... Although she has an annoying servant with her." Strax commented bitterly; he didn't like Lyana much.

"I didn't want to involve people—" "You don't understand, Ginseng is her chance to live longer. She has a Mana disease, she's here because of that. And honestly, I don't know if she'll have the money to buy it, especially since... She was attacked on the way here." Strax said; now they understood...

"So, you want to give her the Ginseng in exchange for her help... I understand..." Yennifer said, it wasn't a bad idea, but... "Still..." She murmured.

Strax looked at the two, who seemed a bit apprehensive, so he made a simple move just to buy time. "Let's do this, I'll try to talk to her first and see what she thinks, then I'll come back here. When is the auction?" He asked, and Cristine commented "It was postponed, it should happen in a week."

"I see... So we have plenty of time." Strax said while thinking about what could be done... 'We need people...' He thought, searching his memories for what he might find...

'Rogue... a contract then... if we consider how much we'd gain from this... we can afford a personal army, people won't be the problem... the problem is always loyalty.' He thought as he got up.

"Is there anything else I should know?" He asked while stretching; sitting on the floor was really uncomfortable.

Strax took a deep breath and began to explain everything he had discussed with Cristine and everything he had discovered.

Beatrice frowned. "And how do you plan to deal with this? We need to find a solution before the auction happens. We need that Dragon Heart if it's that important."

"Exactly," Strax agreed. "They have an infiltration plan involving using secret routes and blending in with the guests. However, it's risky. There are many critical points, and the security is intense. We need more support to make the plan viable."

Monica, with a contemplative expression, asked: "What do you suggest we do? I'm sure you've already thought about Evelyn; she should be a great asset."

"I've thought of something," Strax said, "But I need someone who is established in the city, with contacts, and who won't kill me for suggesting this, since apparently, I feel like my head is in a guillotine." Strax said ironically as everyone looked at Samira, who already understood very well what he meant...

"No chance." Samira replied without hesitation. "I refuse to introduce you to that strange cheetah I have to call a friend." She added.

Strax sighed and looked at Samira with a resigned expression. "I understand you have your reservations, but the situation is critical. Rogue has the contacts and local knowledge we need. And, if I'm being honest, our time is running out. We don't have another viable option right now."

Beatrice frowned at Samira's response, clearly surprised by the intensity of her feelings. "Samira, I don't think she's that big of a risk... I mean, why the jealousy?"

Samira looked at Beatrice with a firm, tired gaze, as if waiting for a moment to vent. "Do you really want to discuss this? Fine. He's already sleeping with mother and daughter, planning to sleep with the sister and the stepmother, and then the twin sisters. And you think, in any world, this man won't want to sleep with my friend?

Let's be honest, he's aiming to screw two dragons and that phoenix is on his list too."

"Samira, it's not quite like that..." Strax tried to speak but

Samira interrupted him, visibly annoyed. "You don't understand. It's not just about jealousy... Sure, there's a bit, but I don't want to hear from my friend that my husband's..." Before she could finish, Monica covered her mouth.

"Look where we are. Don't say things like that!" Monica murmured irritably as some glances turned toward their table.

"You're talking as if I'm a perverted maniac," Strax retorted.

"Oh really? Want to bet?" Samira said.

"Okay, let's bet."

...

[An hour and a half later...]

...

"I liked her," Strax said, looking at the blonde woman in front of him with a penetrating smile.

"I want to kill myself," Samira said, hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand.