Chapter 284

Chapter 284

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 284: Power Inflation (2)

Countless candles simultaneously ignited. The melted wax flowed, solidifying into a firm mass over heaps of stacked gold coins.

“...Incredible.”

Dolores exclaimed, her surroundings brightly illuminated. If one were to describe the vast world inside the vault with a single character, it would be wealth. A being that transcended the ordinary human imagination of wealth.

The inside of the vault resembled a gigantic world, forming mountain ranges that extended beyond hills, created by valuable items such as gold coins, ingots, gems, and more. Stone-like formations hung from the ceiling, also made entirely of gold and gems.

Golden goblets, swords, crowns, necklaces, earrings, rings, brooches, priceless antiques, dazzlingly brilliant and radiant jewels that could blind the eyes, numerous documents and papers proving real estate rights, artworks with astonishing value, and bottles containing extremely rare liquor were scattered everywhere like trash.

The wealth was overwhelmingly impressive, to the point where one couldn’t fathom where it ended. The entire world was a brilliant golden realm with an iridescent hue, a place beyond legendary golden cities mentioned in mythological books or the hidden treasures of pirate kings passed down as legends among the elderly.

“...Unbelievable.”

Dolores felt a bit overwhelmed. Although she never placed any value on wealth, she couldn’t help but be dwarfed by the magnitude of this scale. It emitted not just simple material wealth but also the majesty and sanctity of nature itself.

‘Among those who come seeking fortune, there are too many clueless puppies showing off their wealth with petty pride. Perhaps it’s to suppress their arrogance in advance.’

Dolores finally fully understood Damian’s words. In this vast world, would there be only a few frogs in a well boasting about their money?

They stood at the pinnacle of wealth, and those nouveau riche individuals would incessantly cling like a swarm of mosquitoes, wanting to compare themselves to the Bourgeois. To efficiently eliminate such bothersome individuals, revealing this spectacle would undoubtedly make them feel small on their own.

At that moment.

“...!”

Walking through the piles of gold, Dolores could finally gaze into the depths of the vault. Amidst the dazzling and dizzying wealth, she could see a magnificent hillock rising at the end of the heaps of gold treasures.

A mountain made of gold coins, stairs leading up, and atop it, a massive table carved entirely from ivory. Sitting across the table, a man greeted her.

“Welcome, Saintess. No, the representative of the Oracle.”

A face with long white hair, a lush beard, gentle eyes, and a determined mouth coexisting. The patriarch or Lord of the Bourgeois Clan, Bartolomeo Bourgeois, extended his hand towards Dolores.

* * *

“Your skills are truly remarkable,” Bartolomeo remarked as the banquet was just beginning. When Dolores looked up, Bartolomeo smiled and continued, “I’ve seen the details of your recent investments. It must not have been easy to invest such a large sum due to the high risks involved, but your boldness is something I should learn from.”

“I believed in the business idea of CindiWendy,” Dolores replied as instructed by the Night Hound. Upon hearing her response, Bartolomeo nodded approvingly.

“CindiWendy, a young entrepreneur making a name for herself in the West. I’ve admired the skill of that friend who outsmarted the savages in the Red and black mountains. However, not many recognize their influence in the world of wealth yet. You, My Lady, have an exceptional vision; your experience is impressive.”

“Experience? I’m just a teenager with a lot to learn.”

“Experience isn’t solely tied to age. I’ve lived my life preparing, challenging, and experiencing countless failures. Preparation, challenge, failure—these three links intertwine to form the chain of experience.”

Bartolomeo praised Dolores continuously with an affable tone, expressing his admiration. “You’ve proven yourself with such achievements. What if you were one year old, or a hundred? You have the right to be confident if you’ve come a long way, regardless of where you started.”

If the person sitting in front of him were an ordinary student from the Colosseo Academy, how would they feel? The compliments, praises, recognition, and respect from the world’s foremost Bourgeois Clan would likely have melted their hearts.

The pride and joy felt when one’s hard work is acknowledged—the ecstasy.

Through this, the demon’s temptation can creep in through the cracks in the relaxed mind.

‘Among them, Night Hound mentioned someone particularly skilled in manipulation, especially in rhetoric.’

Dolores looked at Bartolomeo before her. A gentlemanly appearance, a gentle voice, a likable tone, and sincere-sounding words of praise.

However, Dolores was not swayed by such things. Her mental strength played a part, but most importantly, this investment success wasn’t achieved through her efforts.

Receiving praise for something she didn’t do wasn’t particularly satisfying.

“No, I meant actual human meat. I am fully aware of it.”

“What...?”

Bartolomeo asked, and the warm smile slowly faded from Dolores’s face.

Bartolomeo’s hand, which had paused, moved again and continued to eat. He looked at Dolores with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

Dolores started talking,

“Bartolomeo, the lord of the Bourgeois Clan, is not only acquainted with the Quovadis’ Old Testament, but intends to swallow it whole.”

“Hohoho-”

“And that he funded the cults and heresies to further strengthen his control on QuoVadis”

“Hohoho-”

Dolores replied with a stern tone, and the smile disappeared from her face.

“Ha-HoHoHoHo-” He suddenly cut off his laughter.

“I’ve heard enough of your jokes, Saintess. If you’re going to accuse this meat of being the result of exploiting the lower class, then perhaps my previous words...”

“And I know that it’s real human meat.”

“What...?”

“And the essence of all these sinister deeds is that Bartolomeo’s true identity is, in fact, a demon”

“...!”

Dolores’s last words couldn’t be dismissed by Bartolomeo with a mere laugh.

Gradually,

“Ho ho ho ho- Krahahaha!”

Bartolomeo, who had been chuckling softly, suddenly burst into loud laughter. The sound echoed through the surroundings, causing the numerous gold coins forming the mountain to jingle simultaneously.

Without a hint of hesitation, Dolores asked, “Aren’t you afraid? The visitor who came knowing your true identity.”

“Afraid? Hardly.”

Bartolomeo looked at Dolores with a laughing face, an expression that said he found it amusing.

“Is there anyone in this world who can frighten me?”

The confidence of a demon lord. One who had committed great evil with vast wealth. Overwhelming force pressed upon Dolores’s entire being.

...At that moment.

Pat!

Another force, capable of dispersing the pressure on Dolores, was present. On the other side of the table, above the mountain of golden coins illuminated by the red light of candles.

Bartolomeo turned his head with a waning smile and Dolores turned hers with a bright expression, both looked at exactly the same spot.

“He’s here.”

Night Hound.

The demon hunter who had ventured countless hells exuded a strong scent of blood.

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]