Extra's Revenge: Reincarnated As A Slave-Chapter 132: Who Are You?

The Red House Advisors Meeting convened with unusual urgency, called together barely three days after the Fanged Serpent’s destruction. The atmosphere in the chamber was noticeably different from their last gathering—tension had been replaced by cautious optimism, fear by curiosity about rapidly changing circumstances.

Lady Z sat at the head of the table, her expression carrying satisfaction that she didn’t bother concealing. The other Advisors filed in, their conversations hushed but animated, clearly speculating about why they’d been summoned so quickly.

Rey took his seat at Rank 12, maintaining his elderly merchant persona while his enhanced perception catalogued every detail—who spoke with whom, whose expressions revealed genuine confusion versus calculated performance, which Advisors seemed nervous rather than merely curious.

Once everyone was assembled, Lady Z began without preamble.

"I have significant news that affects the Red House’s position and our immediate future. Three nights ago, two major events occurred simultaneously in Elkrim’s Dark Commerce District."

She activated a mystical projection showing the devastation—craters where buildings had stood, debris fields that had once been operational facilities, Guard reports documenting the casualties and destruction.

"The Golden Sunflower House has been destroyed," Lady Z announced. "Not weakened or temporarily shut down—completely annihilated. Their headquarters, their branch facilities, their leadership, and their key operatives. The Category S Guards conducted a coordinated assault and dismantled their entire organization."

Shocked murmurs rippled through the assembled Advisors.

The Golden Sunflower had been one of the six major Houses, with influence and resources that made them formidable players in the criminal economy.

"Additionally," Lady Z continued, her tone carrying barely suppressed satisfaction, "the Fanged Serpent Club has been eliminated. All seven of their branch facilities were destroyed in coordinated explosions. Their headquarters was annihilated. Their entire leadership is dead." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The reactions were more varied this time—surprise from some Advisors, but relief from others.

The Fanged Serpent had been their direct enemies, the organization that had betrayed them and positioned itself to seize the Red House position.

Aldric leaned forward, his expression carefully neutral. "Do we know who was responsible for their elimination?"

"Unknown," Lady Z replied. "The attacks showed sophisticated planning and execution. Whoever conducted them had access to significant resources and detailed intelligence about the Dark Commerce District’s operations."

Rey remained silent, his face showing only the mild interest appropriate for someone learning this news for the first time. Internally, he was analyzing Lady Z’s words for any hint that she suspected Red House involvement—or his involvement specifically.

"There’s more," Lady Z said, shifting the projection to show a different document.

"The Dark Commerce District Supervisors have announced an extraordinary auction to be held in nine days."

This drew immediate attention.

The Supervisors were an unaffiliated regulatory body that normally remained neutral in House politics, intervening only when the district’s fundamental stability was threatened.

"The auction will redistribute the wealth, resources, and territories of both the Golden Sunflower House and the Fanged Serpent Club," Lady Z explained. "Their assets—Artifacts, mystical materials, properties, even their operational infrastructure—will be made available for purchase by the other Houses and qualified independent buyers."

Brennan’s eyes lit up with professional interest.

"That’s... an enormous amount of resources. Both organizations had been accumulating wealth for years. If even a fraction of their holdings are made available—"

"The opportunity is substantial," Lady Z confirmed. "Houses can also participate as sellers, offering their own items for auction. Independent practitioners can attend as well, both to buy and sell. The Supervisors are positioning this as the largest commercial event Elkrim has seen in decades."

Vera spoke up, her strategic mind already calculating.

"This changes everything. With the Golden Sunflower gone and the Fanged Serpent eliminated, the balance of power in the Dark Commerce District has shifted dramatically."

"Precisely," Lady Z agreed. "Which brings me to the most important point—our crisis has been resolved."

She deactivated the projection and looked around the table, meeting each Advisor’s eyes in turn.

"The Fanged Serpent is no longer a threat. The Golden Sunflower that was potentially supporting them is destroyed. The Blue Lotus and Yellow Lily have pulled back their aggressive positioning. The other Houses are focused on preparing for the auction rather than making moves against us."

Cassius smiled, genuine relief showing on his features.

"We’ve survived. The Red House will continue."

"More than survived," Lady Z corrected. "We have an opportunity to strengthen our position significantly. The auction gives us access to resources that could expand our operations, shore up weaknesses, and establish ourselves more firmly among the remaining Houses."

She pulled up financial projections. "I’m authorizing Red House participation in the auction—both as buyers and sellers. We’ll offer some of our excess inventory to generate capital, then use those funds to acquire strategic assets that enhance our capabilities."

The Advisors began discussing specifics—which items to sell, what resources to prioritize for purchase, and how to position the Red House to maximize benefit from the auction. The mood was optimistic, almost celebratory, a dramatic shift from the desperate atmosphere of their previous meetings.

Rey participated minimally, offering occasional observations that reinforced his role as a competent but unremarkable advisor.

But internally, his mind was racing through implications and calculations.

’An auction,’ he thought with cold assessment. ’Announced within days of the Fanged Serpent’s destruction. Positioned as an opportunity and a redistribution. Encouraged participation from all Houses and independent buyers.’

It was too conveniently timed.

’This is a trap,’ Rey concluded with near certainty. ’The Special Investigators are behind this, using the Supervisors as cover. They couldn’t identify me through investigation, so they’re creating circumstances that force me to expose myself.’

But the trap was also a genuine opportunity.

The Seed of Origin he wanted to acquire, the Desgarron treasures he needed to sell, the resources that could advance his capabilities—all of it would potentially be available at this auction.

’They’re betting I can’t resist,’ Rey analyzed. ’That the rewards will outweigh the risks in my calculation. That I’ll attend despite knowing it’s dangerous, because the alternative is abandoning objectives I’ve invested too much in to surrender.’

And they were probably right.

Rey couldn’t simply ignore an auction of this magnitude.

The Seed of Origin alone was worth a significant risk. If he could acquire it while simultaneously selling off some of his stolen resources, he’d achieve multiple objectives simultaneously.

But he’d need to be extraordinarily careful.

The Special Investigators would be watching, analyzing every transaction, tracking every significant purchase or sale.

One mistake—one item that too clearly matched Desgarron signatures, one pattern that revealed his involvement—and they’d identify him despite all his precautions.

’Do I attend?’ Rey wondered, weighing options even as the meeting continued around him. ’Or do I recognize the trap and find alternative methods to achieve my objectives?’

The discussion was concluding, Advisors beginning to organize their auction preparations, when Lady Z’s voice cut through the conversations.

"One more thing before we adjourn. Advisor Helt, please remain. I need to discuss something with you privately."

Rey’s enhanced perception detected the subtle shift in atmosphere—several Advisors glancing at him with curiosity or speculation, Elara’s expression showing concern, Aldric’s face carefully neutral in a way that suggested calculation.

"Of course, Lady Z," Rey replied, maintaining his elderly merchant composure.

The other Advisors filed out, some casting backward glances, most absorbed in their own planning for the auction.

Within minutes, the chamber was empty except for Rey and Lady Z.

She activated privacy wards with casual authority, creating the same kind of mystical isolation she’d used during their first private meeting. When she spoke, her tone was completely different from the confident leader who’d addressed the full assembly.

"I’m going to be direct with you, Helt, because I believe you’ll appreciate directness more than political maneuvering."

Rey remained silent, waiting.

Lady Z studied him with an intensity that suggested she was looking past his disguise, trying to see the person beneath the elderly merchant appearance.

"The Fanged Serpent was destroyed three nights ago. Systematic, professional, complete elimination conducted by someone with extensive resources and detailed intelligence about their operations."

She paused, letting the implication hang in the air.

"You’ve been advising me to take aggressive action against our enemies. You resolved the district nine situation through methods that demonstrated sophisticated understanding of leverage and pressure. You’ve positioned yourself perfectly to benefit from the Red House’s survival."

Rey’s expression remained carefully neutral, but he could feel where this was leading.

"Since you arrived in our organization—barely two months ago—our fortunes have shifted dramatically. The Fanged Serpent that was threatening us is now destroyed. The Golden Sunflower that might have been supporting them is eliminated. The crisis that should have consumed us has instead resolved in our favor."

Lady Z leaned forward, her eyes locked on Rey’s.

"I don’t believe in coincidences of that magnitude. I think you had something to do with the Fanged Serpent’s destruction. Possibly the Golden Sunflower as well. I think you’ve been orchestrating events in ways I haven’t fully understood."

She gestured at him, encompassing his entire persona.

"And I think there’s absolutely no way an elderly scroll merchant named Modred Helt could accomplish what’s been achieved. Which means you’re hiding your true identity."

The silence stretched between them, heavy with implication and calculation.

Finally, Lady Z asked the question directly:

"Who are you really, Modred Helt? Who have I actually been working with this entire time?"