Beast Hack: Customizing Beasts and Capturing Beauties-Chapter 373 - 20% Bluff, 80% Panic, 100% Authority

They all stood in silence.

Their eyes fixed on the woman seated at the center.

There was no one else in the room.

No guards. No attendants.

Just her.

Vandred frowned.

"Are you Lord L?"

The woman gave a small smirk beneath the edge of her mask.

"Can't you see?"

Raiven stepped forward slightly, eyes sharp.

"That's not possible. Lord L is a man."

"I heard his voice clearly during the Beast Castle auction."

The woman's smile widened.

"Of course. You could say that voice belongs to Lord L."

She spread her hands calmly.

"And you could also say that I am Lord L."

Her tone stayed light, yet firm.

"Lord L is the mysterious owner of Luxoria Castle."

"Whether Lord L is a man, a woman, or even a beast…"

She tilted her head slightly.

"…what difference does it make to you?"

No one answered immediately.

She continued.

"The only fact that matters is this: you came here to speak with Lord L."

"Am i right?"

Vandred's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue.

Sylvaine gave a small nod.

"I see. A mysterious Lord L with no fixed appearance."

She glanced around the room again.

"Interesting."

She folded her hands in front of her.

"Just as you said—it doesn't matter."

Vandred finally grunted in agreement.

"We didn't come to admire faces. We came to talk."

The masked woman smirked.

"Then let's begin."

Her voice was steady. Her posture perfect.

But inside, she was panicking.

This is insane. I shouldn't be the one doing this.

The woman wasn't some stand-in proxy.

She was Loreia Luxoria.

Lucius and Luna were still being punished.

Neither could appear in front of guests today.

And now she was here. Alone.

Sitting in the throne Lucius usually occupied.

Wearing a mask to hide her identity.

Just smile, nod, and speak calmly.

She could feel her heart pounding.

Thank God they believed me.

"Lord L" was short for Lord Lucius, yes.

But if someone asked.

She could just as easily say it meant Lord Loreia.

She was Lucius's older sister.

And technically, she had a stake in all of this.

She helped build the empire from the shadows.

That counted for something, didn't it?

It's not a lie. Not really.

She just had to stay composed.

Keep the mystery alive.

And most importantly.

get through this conversation without giving herself away.

Please don't let Vandred lose his temper.

Please don't let Sylvaine see through this.

Please don't make me talk for hours.

She crossed her legs calmly, masking everything behind her elegant tone.

"Let's hear your requests. One at a time."

---

Sylvaine took a breath, ready to speak.

But Vandred cut in first.

"I want to fight."

Everyone in the room paused.

Even Loreia, sitting masked on the throne, blinked.

"…What?"

Vandred stepped forward slightly.

"Luxoria Castle is a new force."

"You sell powerful beasts and hold bold auctions."

He folded his arms.

"I already saw Luna fight yesterday. I want to see another one."

He turned his head slightly.

"Let's say… my son Raiven will fight in my place."

Raiven stood behind him, expression unreadable.

Vandred looked across the room.

"Don't you agree, Sylvaine?"

Sylvaine tilted her head, considering the idea.

After a pause, she nodded.

"It is interesting."

"I would also like to see the strength of this so-called Luxoria."

She looked toward the masked woman.

"It's a fair test, isn't it?"

Loreia, hidden behind her mask, tensed.

She was the only one here without Divine-tier power.

Argentis, her beast, was still S-Rank Sovereign-tier.

Strong, but not enough to face Raiven or anything near Vandred's expectations.

She clenched her fist.

Then, without a sound, Liline appeared beside her.

She leaned in and whispered something into Loreia's ear.

Loreia's eyes shifted, then slowly—she smiled.

"I accept your challenge, Patriarch."

She stood, voice confident.

"Liline. Please show us the way to the arena."

Liline nodded once and raised her hand.

A section of the wall slid open, revealing a new corridor.

"This way, honored guests."

Loreia turned toward the others.

"Let's go toward the arena."

As the group began to move, Loreia leaned toward Liline.

She whispered something else.

Liline gave a subtle nod.

Then vanished silently.

---

They soon arrived at the arena—and everyone paused.

It wasn't just large.

It was massive.

The walls stretched far beyond what the eye could follow.

The ceiling was high, yet no light sources were visible.

The air was still, but the pressure in the space was undeniable.

"What is this place?"

Vandred asked, eyes narrowing as he scanned the vast battleground.

"This doesn't match the castle layout."

Loreia, still masked as Lord L, gave a faint smile.

"It's the underground arena."

"Built specifically for Sovereign-tier beast combat."

Sylvaine nodded.

"So this is the hidden core beneath Luxoria Castle. Impressive."

Vandred looked forward.

"Then… who will fight my son?"

His eyes shifted to Loreia.

"Will it be you, Lord L?"

Loreia shook her head calmly.

"Your son is the one challenging us. It's only fair that I respond with one of my subordinates."

Just then, a circular gate slid open along the arena's edge.

Liora stepped forward, walking in with silent steps.

Her hair barely shifted as she moved.

Her eyes were sharp, her posture unreadable.

Loreia smirked beneath the mask.

"Please meet Liora, General of Luxoria Castle."

"Every Sovereign beast sold by us was caught by her."

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The crowd in the observation deck murmured in surprise.

Raiven blinked.

"…So you're the one who captured Dreadmaw."

Velmara crossed her arms beside her mother.

"And Zephyron as well."

Liora gave a single nod, saying nothing.

She walked to the center of the arena, looking directly at the Valefor side.

"Who's my opponent?"

Her tone was cold. Direct. Emotionless.

Raiven stepped forward, frowning slightly.

"I am."

Liora looked at him up and down.

"You, huh."

She tilted her head slightly.

"What kind of battle do you want? Beast-only, or tamer and beast together?"

Raiven opened his mouth, but before he could answer—

Vandred interrupted.

"Just beast battle."

His voice was firm.

"We're here to test strength, not start a war."

Liora nodded once.

"Understood."

She turned and pointed.

"You'll enter from that side. I'll wait on the opposite."

Raiven gave a sharp nod and moved toward the designated entrance.