A few days later.

"Sir, we've received an invitation from the OpenSky company."

Kalarn Hatson couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. He had collaborated with the Libation Fiesta, but he had never expected to receive an invitation from the OpenSky company.

"What is the matter?" Kalarn asked.

"I'm not too sure either, sir. We've just received this invitation directly from Hana Skylark's secretary."

"…" Kalarn thought for a moment before waving his hand. "All right."

Once the person had left, Kalarn opened the sealed letter carefully. The OpenSky Company wouldn't really invite him unless it was an order from Clovis or the Hacfield family.

So, he expected this matter to be a high-level secret.

The moment he opened the letter, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

"This…" Kalarn gasped. He stood up and shouted, "Butler!"

"Yes?" The butler who brought the letter earlier returned in a few seconds.

"Call the OpenSky company right now and tell them that I've accepted. Please help me register my name and my two daughters. We will be visiting the OpenSky company in Absalom."

"Understood." The butler didn't ask further.

The same thing was happening at the presidential office.

"Madam President. This is an invitation from the OpenSky Company. Hana Skylark's secretary asked me to deliver this letter to you directly."

"I've received it." The president nodded.

As expected, the letter didn't go directly to her. Instead, it was handed over to the president's security detail so that they would open it first to avoid any tricks.

Once it looked like there was nothing going on, the security detail gave her the letter. "This is the letter, Madam President."

"Thank you, Harold." The president read the letter carefully, wondering what the OpenSky company had prepared for them.

Her expression turned grim right after, making the people in the room concerned.

"Madam President. Are you all right?" Harold asked.

"I need you to call Iskandar here right now. Also, do we have an embassy in Absalom?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Contact them right away!"

Harold nodded, while the man who brought the letter, the minister, tilted his head in confusion. "What's going on, Ma'am?"

The president simply said, "The OpenSky Company is about to hold an auction."

"Well… that doesn't sound much. I don't know what makes them think we will attend such an auction. The people will, but the country won't."

"That's the problem." The president sighed. "The OpenSky company is planning to auction off Clovis Hacfield's prized collection. They seem to be paintings. If they were ordinary paintings, I wouldn't make such a fuss, but they claim these paintings are able to help someone comprehend techniques."

"Pardon?" The minister was confused.

"I'm as confused as you are. But if this matter is not them boasting, we really have to attend this auction. The letter says it like this. 'The paintings are made with a unique ability. This painting will allow a fated person to comprehend their techniques.' That's the claim. What do you think?"

The minister was speechless. "Well, I do have two things to say. First of all, that's insane. I can't believe it, but there's no way Clovis Hacfield or Hana Skylark is foolish enough to make such a bold claim after inviting all the big shots. If they do this kind of trick, people won't believe them anymore."

"Exactly. So, what's the second thing?"

"I believe the military would love to have such a painting. The fact that this comes in the form of a painting means it can be used again and again. You can say this will be a good way to create many experts. Any countries or families that are able to get their hands on these paintings will have their strength soar."

"That's also what I'm thinking. For now, lock this up. Only those who have the highest level clearance are able to know about it. Call the cabinets because we need to get some money."

"Yes, ma'am." The minister rushed off.

Curea wasn't the only one who was invited. As Hana said previously, Myhan was invited. Of course, all the organizations that helped Clovis during the assembly were also invited.

People were curious about the so-called paintings. They were trying to figure it out, but none of them could find out anything.

They could only wait until the auction started.

Meanwhile, after a long ten days, Clovis finally returned home.

"We're back," Erwin cheered. "I don't want to experience that again if possible."

"Do you think it's possible?" Aileen shrugged. "It's not like you're dead tired. You can rest for now, make sure to have some energy tonight."

Erwin widened his eyes in surprise. It looked like Aileen was quite frustrated as well. He didn't have the energy to talk back, so he just answered with a smile. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Welcome home. Looks like you guys…" Hana crossed her arms, looking at the miserable state they were in. "…had some fun."

Kanaria and Melody just rolled their eyes and walked away. "I want to wash myself."

"I want to soak in warm water."

"Who goes first?"

"Let's just go together. I don't have the energy to make pointless arguments."

"Fair enough."

All the people looked dead tired as if they just wanted to relax and get some sleep.

"What's going on?" Hana was astounded. "I've brought Angelia here. No one even has the energy to greet her?"

Christina walked toward the confused Angelia and patted her shoulder. "Welcome to the team from hell. You were lucky that you didn't have to experience all that, but that luck has run out the moment you join this team. Well, nice to meet you, new member."

"What's going on? Clovis?" Hana pressed Clovis for an answer.

"I don't know. They're just tired. It's okay." Clovis waved his hand as though it were not a big deal.

Rin chuckled. "What's okay? You made us fight twelve Tier 8 beasts and a few thousand beasts in the last two days? We couldn't get any sleep because we were constantly fighting."

Jay added, "On our way back, he found a small but dangerous location. We were supposed to go home, but we ended up visiting that place so that we could just get a bit stronger. Well, as you can see…"

Rin raised her hand. "Please. I don't have any more energy to cook. Hana, buy something good, will you?"

"…" Angelia blinked her eyes in disbelief. Did she actually make the right choice by joining this team?