Chapter 25 : [The Festival of Avalon] II

"Grandpa, look at them, they're amazing!" said Oliver, who was sitting on his grandfather's lap.

"Amazing, right? This is the power of the Avalon Kingdom," replied Grandfather, gently stroking Oliver's hair.

"If only I had power like that. Maybe I could bully brother Van," Oliver muttered with a happy smile.

Van, who was sitting next to Grandpa, of course, overheard Oliver's words. Seeing the disgusting smile on Oliver's face, Van's eyes twitched.

'This kid,' Van thought, feeling irritated.

Van then stood up and walked out of the VVIP room.

"Van, where are you going?" Grandfather asked when he saw Van walking out.

"I'm just going to get some fresh air," Van answered without turning back.

"Alright, be careful. Don't get lost," Grandfather said.

After leaving the VVIP room, Van met Arthur, who was guarding the entrance.

"By the way, I heard you signed up to fight in the [Colosseum]. When will you compete?" Van asked.

"A few hours from now, Master," Arthur answered.

"I see. If anyone asks about me, just say I'm in the restroom," Van instructed.

"Understood, Master," Arthur replied.

Van then turned left after giving his instructions to Arthur. However, seeing which way Van was walking, Arthur felt confused.

'The restroom is to the right, so why is Master going left?' Arthur thought, puzzled.

Once Van felt it was safe, he activated [World Treasure].

Van then took out a plain-looking white mask.

"[Vidocq Mask]," Van muttered.

[Vidocq Mask]: [A mask with the ability to copy someone, including their appearance, memories, talents, skills, and emotions.]

This mask is one of the items owned by [Demon King Gehenna]. During World War I, [Demon King Gehenna] used this mask to disguise as important figures in the world. Thanks to this mask, [Demon King Gehenna] obtained a lot of vital information.

Van then wore the mask. In an instant, Van's presence was completely concealed, and his face turned into that of an ordinary young man.

'No one should recognize me now,' Van thought.

Van then walked out of the [Colosseum] and strolled around the capital.

'Finally, I can get away from Mom and Dad's gaze,' Van thought happily.

At the moment, Mom and Dad were busy doing something at the royal palace, so Van and the others were left in Grandpa's care.

Van's usual flat expression finally brightened when he saw hundreds of stalls selling food, drinks, and souvenirs ahead of him.

He then approached the first stall, which was selling barbequesatay. The distinctive smell of the seasoning filled his nose, making him swallow.

"Hello, young man. Interested? 1 bronze coin for 5 skewers," said the seller, an older man.

(Note: 1 bronze = $1

1 silver = 1,000 bronze - $1,000

1 gold = 1,000 silver - $1,000,000

1 platinum = 1,000 gold - $1,000,000,000

1 diamond = 1,000 platinum - $1,000,000,000,000)

"Give me 20 skewers," Van said with a smile. Thanks to the [Vidocq Mask], Van could hide his usual flat expression.

"Alright, boss!" said the vendor, then began grilling 20 skewers. "By the way, your face isn't too familiar. Are you from another city?"

"Yeah, I'm from the West," Van replied.

"Hmmm. The West? The Duke Black's territory?"

"Yeah, I'm a farmer from the Duke Black's region."

"Wow, you're a long-distance customer. Welcome to the capital."

"Thank you."

"Well, here's your order. 25 skewers. Consider it my welcome gift to you."

"Thanks," Van said as he took the bundle of skewers.

"Here's the payment," Van said, handing over a gold coin. "Keep the change."

"Th-"

The vendor's eyes widened as he looked at the gold coin in his hand.

"Th-" the vendor began to say, but Van was already gone from sight.

Van, having moved a distance away, immediately tasted one skewer. The savory barbeque flavor spread on his tongue.

'Delicious. Oliver, Olivia, and Arthur would definitely like this,' Van thought.

After eating a few more skewers, Van stored the rest in his [Inventory Ring] that Grandpa had given him. Luckily, time doesn't pass inside the [Inventory Ring], so the barbeque satay wouldn't get cold or spoil.

Several hours later, Van had bought a lot of food, drinks, and souvenirs for everyone else.

'I still haven't found any trace of the terrorists or the [Gehenna Cult]. Could it just be my intuition?' Van wondered.

Realizing that it was almost time for Arthur's match, Van quickly returned to the [Colosseum].

When he arrived near the [Colosseum], Van took out the same cloak he wore when he escaped from the mansion.

Thanks to the cloak, Van was able to pass through the guards. He then made his way to the VVIP room while returning the [Vidocq Mask] and cloak to [World Treasure].

When he arrived at the VVIP room, Van immediately took out all the food and drinks he had bought.

In no time, half of the VVIP room was filled with food and drinks.

"My goodness," Grandfather said when he saw this, while Oliver and Olivia's eyes sparkled when they saw all the food and drink in front of them.

"Eat and drink as much as you want," Van said and then focused back on the [Colosseum] arena.

In the arena, Arthur stood in the middle wearing casual clothes, with no armor at all. However, the material of his clothes was special and was as tough as any armor.

Arthur's opponent was a middle-aged man with iron gauntlets on his arms.

"I didn't expect to face the [Nightmare Knight]," the middle-aged man said seriously.

"Oh, you know me?" Arthur asked with a slight smile.

"Of course. Your name is quite famous in the adventurer guild."

"Turns out you're an adventurer. From the iron gauntlets on your arms, it seems you're a close-range fighter specializing in boxing."

"As expected of the young knight of Black family. You're quite skilled at analyzing."

"As an adventurer, you're also quite polite. Introduce yourself, Uncle," Arthur said as he drew his sword from its scabbard.

"C-rank adventurer, Rock Bernard," the man said, taking his battle stance.

In the VVIP room, Van analyzed Arthur's chances against Rock.

'Arthur is currently level 15. Rock is level 22. The gap is quite large,' Van thought.

"So, what do you think, Van?" Grandfather asked, noticing that Van was focused on Arthur.

"Arthur will lose," Van replied.

Grandfather was a bit surprised to hear Van's response, not supporting his own subordinate.

"Hoh, it seems you don't believe in your own subordinate," Grandfather said.

"I'm just stating the facts. Why would I lie and say Arthur will win if the opposite will happen?" Van retorted. "But who said Rock will win easily? After all, he's facing Arthur, the most insane knight in the Black family."

Van knew that the level gap between Arthur and Rock was quite significant.

Knights or adventurers generally ranged from level 20-30. For kids like Van and Arthur, usually around 10 years old, they were typically between level 5-10.

However, everyone's talents were different. Sometimes talent would surpass hard work and experience, but there were times when hard work and experience would overcome talent.

Coincidentally, Arthur was a monster with such terrifying talent that even geniuses were scared.