Auction

We all arrive at the auction site.

Except for Van Helsing. She's nowhere to be seen.

Among the well-dressed ladies and men are gruff-looking security guards in black.

"Is this the casino we went to before?" I ask. Lupin nods. "They do it all in the same place, then?"

"They probably want to maximise their use of this space. They put a lot of revenue into attracting customers here." Lupin says.

"But is it all right for us to go in? Van Helsing caused quite a scene before. She knocked out a lot of guards..." Victoria says.

"Where is Van Helsing, anyway? Did she get scared and take off?" Nemo asks.

"Did who get scared?" Van Helsing reappears.

"Wah! Where did you come from?!" Nemo asks.

"Speak of the devil." Doreen says.

"Van Helsing, where were you?" I ask.

"I had a talk with the event's host, to make sure I was welcome." Van Helsing says.

"Even after what happened last time? Are you sure it's all right?" I ask.

"He saw my abilities, and allowed me to enter. I don't mean to cling to past glories, but my reputation still does proceed me." Van Helsing says.

"The hero of Vampire War... I suppose it was an obvious choice that the host would like more power present." Doreen says.

We agree with Doreen and make our way to the venue.

There is large tent alongside where the auction is taking place. Inside are more elegant people, but one corner is strange.

"This target is mine."

"Ha, don't be stupid. With a reward this big, there's no way you'll get past me." There is a group of fierce-looking men gathered in one corner, looking tense.

"Are we going to stand with them?" I ask.

"Don't worry about those fools. They're all insignificant. You could easily handle any one of them." Van Helsing says.

"It doesn't seem that way..." I look around, and spot an unexpected face. "Lupin... That woman, over there." I point to Agrona among the bounty hunters.

She is dressed as a royal guard, which makes her easy to spot.

"I see her, too? I wonder what she's doing here." Lupin says.

"That's Imperial Guard Captain Agrona. She usually guards the royal family. Do you know her?" Victoria asks.

"Yes she tried to kidnap me." I say.

"What?" Victoria asks.

"Should we leave? Isn't her being here too much of a risk right now?" Nemo asks.

"Don't worry. It was dark, and we're dressed differently. She wouldn't recognise us based on our appearance here." Lupin says. "Besides, she has better things to worry about at present than little old me."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Lupin glances at Agrona with a mischievous look on her face.

"Huh? Well, well, here comes somebody looking all high and mighty. This isn't one of your dainty rich-person balls. Scram." one of the guys fierce-looking men says.

"Excuse me?" Agrona asks.

"They're messing with her." Victoria says.

"Oh dear, that's what happens when you don't pay attention. She should have dressed more appropriately for this occasion." Doreen says.

"You of all people are saying that?" Nemo asks.

I agree with Nemo.

Doreen's outfit makes her look like she's going to a ball.

"Ahem! Honoured bounty hunters... Thank you for gathering here today." a man dressed in black appears on the main stage, with a bright smile. "I'd like to explain the terms of the bounty payment."

"Looks like we're getting the rundown now." Victoria says.

"There's no use being intimidated. Shall we go over?" Doreen asks.

"Are you sure we'll be all right? Our clothing stands out, too. Do you think they'll hassle us, like Agrona?" I ask.

"Not to worry. I guarantee that none of them will come near us." Doreen says.

I wonder where Doreen gets her confidence. I realise what she means as soon as we head into the crowd.

"Hey... Isn't that... Abby Van Helsing?"

"Van Helsing? You mean, the Van Helsing?"

"I heard she and her partner brought down the vampire lair, just the two of them, during the Vampire War."

"Seriously? No wonder they call her the human weapon..."

Van Helsing leads the way, and the men around us step aside respectfully.

"Nice. All hail the great Van Helsing!" Lupin says.

"You've got quite the reputation." I say.

"Hmph..." Van Helsing says.

The emcee continues speaking as we make our way towards the stage.

"According the letter we received, the crime will take place at 10 PM, which is when tonight's main item, the Crimson Stone, will be put up for bid." the man in the suit says. "Our firm prides itself on assuring an uninterrupted auction experience, no matter what happens. We must pout this thief in his place, to serve as an example to other reprehensible thieves who might otherwise threaten us. Please capture him. It doesn't matter how. Alive, preferably. We wish to avoid any unfortunate accidents if we can but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

There are a few rough laughs and snickers from the bounty hunters in the audience.

"I see. So it's a 'dead-or-alive' type of thing. No wonder they didn't ask the Yard for protection." Nemo says.

"They want to turn this into a warning." Van Helsing says.

"A warning?" I ask.

"This firm places a great deal of price on their reputation. They don't want some unknown thief belittling them." Van Helsing says. "That much is obvious from the fact that the reward is so large, and they don't care if he is captured alive or dead."

"Perhaps Agrona is stationed here in anticipation of what will transpire." Doreen says. "She may want to capture the target herself, and bring him to the authorities. If I'm assuming correctly, I'm sure the woman believes strongly in the law."

I look over at Agrona, thinking back on our past interaction.

"You got a problem? You want a fight?!"

"Shut up, cretin! I can't hear what he's saying!" Agrona says.

They're still messing with her.

"Where did your clothes go?"

Agrona screams and covers herself.

I don't know how she ended up naked.

"From still point on, we request that you take positions guarding the items up for auction tonight." the man in the suit says. "Catching the thief is worth 10 million. Catch him alive, and we'll double it. Twenty million!"

Gruff cheers rise up throughout the crowd.

"Why so much to catch him alive?" I ask.

"As he said before, they'll ****, then kill him, making an example to other would-be thieves of why you don't mess with the Moriarty Family." Van Helsing says.

It seems the thief is in for a miserable fate if he hand him over.

"I just... I don't feel good about earning money at the expense of someone's life." I say.

"Let's quit, then." Doreen says.

"What?" I ask.

Doreen responses without hesitation. "I'm not fond of the way these people think. Were it a simple capture, I would not have said anything, but as you say, any money we make here will be tainted by blood. Although we are here due to the actions of Lupin and the others, I cannot accept money earned in such a barbaric manner."

"But... we really do need the money." I say.

"Yes, so just this once, I will extend a loan to you. You can take your time to repay me someday." Doreen says.

"You mean... You're going to cover our living expenses?" Victoria asks.

"Just until you are all able to acquire a decent income through some other means." Doreen says.

"Oh, man. Doreen-G, you're the best!" Nemo says.

"I guess that defeats the purpose of us coming here, then." I say.

A **** to set an example. The auction venue echoes with shouts of greed-fueled glee.

I can't help but feel depressed, knowing that someone will be killed, even if that someone is bad.

"Don't worry. You'll still be taking part in this hunt." Doreen says.

"What? If our money problems are solved for now, what point is there for taking part in this?" Nemo asks.

"I'm going to set a condition on the loan I'm about to give you." Doreen says. "You must catch the thief alive, and anonymously turn him over to Miss Agrona. If you successfully accomplish this, I will support your living expenses for the time being."

We all look at one another in response.

"That's some high road you're taking there. What's gotten into you?" Van Helsing asks.

"Ahah, it's nothing. I just thought of it on a whim. I am an eccentric noblewoman, after all!" Doreen walks over to the seats to wait for the start of the auction. "However, the kind-hearted young gentleman staying with us looked sad. That might have had something to do with it." She quietly says this to me as she passes by me.

"The next item up for bid is a golden Aztec crown." the man in the suit says. "Not only is this fine headpiece crafted from the purest gold, it has a history of bringing good fortune to its owner. Observe the detailed ornamentation! The refined sensibly and outstanding craftsmanship of this ancient culture!"

"One million!"

"Two million!"

"I hear two million... two million! Are there any other bids?"

"Five million!"

Murmurs of surprise erupt at this bid.

"The rich trying to one-up each other for appearances. How petty." Van Helsing says.

"Oh, we agree for once. I feel the same way!" Nemo says.

"I take it back." Van Helsing says.

"Why do you hate me so?!" Nemo asks.

The bounty hunters observe the auction from of a corner of the venue. Everyone seems to have their own agenda as they lurk in the darkness, waiting for the moment to arrive.

"With this many people after the thief, are you sure they won't get a head start on us?" I ask.

"I'm not concerned about that. The thief in question easily evaded an even greater number of guards in his last heist." Van Helsing says. "I'm sure they're a few highly skilled men in this crowd but I don't believe they'll be able to capture him."

"I see..." I say. "Where did you get all that information?"

"I simply asked around while we were waiting. Considering this thief's methods of attack, we won't have much to do until the appointed time." Just as Van Helsing says, there is no indication of the thief's presence.