The Return Of The Exiled Villain

Three days later.

The morning of the auction finally arrived.

The Demon Capital had been noticeably louder since sunrise.

Carriages filled the roads leading toward the eastern commercial district; merchants stood outside their stores calling out to passing customers, and demons dressed in expensive clothes moved through the streets in groups, surrounded by guards and servants.

The auction house was one of the largest buildings in the district.

It stood behind a massive black gate, its entire outer structure made from dark red stone with silver patterns carved across the walls.

Several enormous statues of horned demons guarded the entrance, each one holding a different weapon.

And for once, Gray had decided not to arrive looking like an ordinary traveler.

He stood in front of the mirror inside his room, adjusting the sleeve of his suit.

The clothes had been specially prepared for him.

A black suit covered his body from neck to ankle, fitted closely enough to show the shape of his shoulders without restricting his movements.

The jacket was trimmed with subtle silver embroidery around the cuffs and collar, while a dark crimson shirt sat beneath it, giving the otherwise black outfit a faint touch of color.

His black hair had been combed back loosely, though several strands still fell naturally over his forehead.

His eyes were completely black.

At the center of his forehead was the mark he normally kept hidden beneath his hair.

It looked like a small dark sigil, shaped almost like a broken crown surrounded by thin lines that disappeared into his skin.

Gray had no intention of hiding it today.

A single black earring hung from his left ear, and his horns remained visible above his hair.

His wings were folded neatly behind him.

His usual cheap sword had also been replaced for the occasion.

The rapier rested at his waist, wrapped in a dark sheath with almost no decoration.

Gray looked at himself one final time.

”Hm.”

He adjusted his collar.

’This should be good enough...’

Fortunately for him, he did not need to look richer than everyone else, and just needed to look like someone who belonged in the room

The door opened behind him.

Gray turned.

The Crimson Moon Princess stepped inside.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

She was dressed in a long crimson-black dress that fit her figure without becoming overly elaborate.

The upper part was black, decorated with silver crescent patterns that curved around her shoulders and collarbone.

Below her waist, the dark crimson fabric flowed down toward her ankles, moving softly whenever she walked.

Her long crimson hair fell freely down her back today.

Unlike Gray, she did not bother trying to hide her identity.

She did not need to.

The silver ornaments around her ears, the royal insignia attached near her waist, the crimson jewel at her throat, and the subtle pressure coming from her bloodline made her status obvious.

Her ruby-red eyes settled on Gray, then she slowly looked him over.

From his shoes...

To his trousers...

To his jacket...

To his hair...

And finally to the black mark on his forehead.

She was silent long enough that Gray raised an eyebrow.

”What?”

”You look different.”

”Different in a good way or a bad way?”

She took another moment to inspect him.

”In a way that will cause trouble...”

”That’s not exactly an answer.” Gray smiled.

”It’s the answer you’re getting.”

She walked closer.

”Your hair is different too.”

”I combed it.”

”I can tell.”

”You sound surprised... why?”

”Of course I am.”

She stopped in front of him.

”You normally look like someone who doesn’t care what he is wearing. Today you actually look like you prepared for the event.”

”That’s cause I did.”

”Why?”

Gray looked at her.

”Because you told me not to look like an idiot.”

”I told you not to bid carelessly... I don’t remember saying anything about your clothes.”

”You kind of implied it.”

She narrowed her eyes.

”I did not.”

Gray smiled.

”You were thinking about it, at least.”

”You are becoming worse.”

”I’ve been told.”

She sighed, and then her gaze returned to his forehead.

”What is that mark?”

Gray touched it lightly.

”This?”

”Yes.”

”You never noticed it before?” he asked in surprise.

This beauty mark was basically the allure of his beauty, and surprisingly, she hadn’t noticed it. It was quite weird...

”No.... not really.”

”Mhn... maybe it’s because I usually cover it.”

”Why?”

”Because people ask questions.”

She looked at him.

”I am asking.”

”Exactly.”

The princess stared at him.

Gray smiled.

After a second, she let out a quiet breath through her nose.

”You really enjoy making things difficult.”

”A little.”

She looked him over once more.

”Your eyes are black today.”

”They were always black.”

”You usually make them look crimson.”

Gray’s smile disappeared for a second.

”You noticed?”

”I notice everything about you.”

The words came out naturally. The moment she realized what she had said, her expression became slightly more rigid.

Gray’s eyebrow rose.

The princess looked away.

”I meant your disguise... It’s clear that you’re an incubus; however... you changed your appearance at least a little.”

”Of course.”

”Don’t misunderstand.”

”I didn’t say anything.”

”You were about to.”

”...Just thought about it.”

She glared at him.

”That is worse.”

Gray laughed.

For a few seconds, she simply stood there, looking at him. Then she turned toward the door, and motioned over.

”Come.”

”Already?”

”The auction house opens soon.”

Gray followed her.

As they left the building, he looked toward the street.

The difference from three days ago was obvious.

The city was packed.

Powerful demons from old clans were arriving in luxurious carriages, some surrounded by dozens of guards.

Gray saw several monarch auras.

A few sovereigns.

Saints were everywhere.

And among the stronger people, he caught glimpses of cultivators who stood at a level he could not fully judge without using Spirit Eyes.

The princess walked beside him with her usual calm expression.

She seemed completely unaffected by the attention.

Several demons recognized her immediately.

”Princess.”

”Your Highness.”

”Make way for the Crimson Moon Family.”

Nobody needed to say anything more.

The crowd parted, leaving way for both of them.

Gray walked beside her without changing his pace.

A few demons looked at him and instantly recognized him.

Whispers spread almost immediately.

”Isn’t that him?”

”The Hollow Incubus?”

”I heard he entered the academy as a Peak Saint.”

”That’s definitely! After all... he’s walking with the Princess!”

Gray heard every word.

The princess heard them too.

She did not react.

After a moment, Gray leaned slightly toward her.

”They’re still using that stupid title.”

”Which one?”

”The Princess’s Incubus.”

She glanced at him.

”You should feel honored.”

”I don’t.”

”Why?”

”Because it makes me sound like one of your possessions.”

She gave him a faint smile.

”Would that be such a terrible thing?”

Gray turned his head toward her. She continued walking as though she had not said anything.

”You’re becoming more troublesome.” Gray smiled lightly.

She was growing increasingly comfortable with him, which was definitely a good thing for him.

”I learned from you.”

They continued toward the auction district. The closer they got, the wealthier the people around them became.

Simple merchant clothing slowly disappeared.

Robes woven from rare materials took their place.

Jewelry became more common.

Artifact weapons were worn openly.

Some young demons traveled with personal attendants carrying storage rings, weapons, and protective treasures.

Gray’s gaze moved constantly.

He was not looking at their faces, but was looking at what they carried.

’Medicine bottles... two ninth-grade pills.’

’That ring is monarch-grade.’

’That sword has a strange energy inside it.’

’That old man... at least a Great Ruler.’

’Three rulers... guards around that carriage.’

The princess noticed his eyes moving.

”You are already evaluating everyone.”

”Of course.”

”Can you tell which items are worth buying?”

”Not from here.”

”You’ll have to inspect them closely.”

”That’s why I’m here.”

She nodded.

”You brought enough money?”

”Enough...” Gray smiled mysteriously.

She gave him a suspicious look.

”You said the same thing last time.”

”And I still haven’t told you how much I have.”

”Which means you probably don’t have enough.”

”That isn’t how money works.”

”You’ll understand once you see the prices.”

”I am looking forward to it.”

The auction house finally appeared ahead.

It was enormous.

Hundreds of demons were already gathered outside, and several carriages were lined up near the main entrance.

The guards at the gate were all at least Monarchs.

Behind them stood two enormous statues.

The moment the princess approached, both statues released a soft crimson glow.

A formation spread across the ground.

The guards immediately bowed.

”Your Highness.”

The princess simply nodded.

”I received an invitation.”

”We have been expecting you.”

One guard looked toward Gray, and his expression changed slightly.

”The guest accompanying you?”

”My guest.”

The guard immediately bowed.

”Understood.”

Gray almost smiled.

’My guest.’

That was surprisingly useful.

The princess glanced toward him.

”Don’t look so pleased.”

”I’m not.”

”You are.”

”I simply enjoy being useful.”

”You’re impossible.”

They entered the auction house.

The noise outside disappeared almost immediately.

Inside, everything was polished and quiet.

The floors were made from dark stone.

The walls were lined with silver formations.

Crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, casting a soft red light across the hall. Several reception counters stood along the sides, each occupied by clerks dressed in formal clothes.

The princess walked directly past them, and the clerks obviously did not stop her.

Gray followed.

They reached a private elevator and stepped inside.

Once the doors closed, Gray looked at her.

”What floor?”

”The private viewing level.”

”Already?”

”You don’t think I dragged you here so we could sit in the public hall and wait with everyone else, do you?”

Gray smiled.

”Honestly, I expected exactly that.”

She looked at him.

”Why?”

”Because I didn’t expect you to care enough to arrange anything.”

She was quiet for a second before she finally replied.

”I told you before. I wanted to come here anyway.”

The elevator continued upward.

Gray glanced toward the princess.

”But you also invited me, and you’re giving me access to the private viewing level.”

”Yes.”

”And you’re calling me your guest.”

”Yes.”

Gray smiled.

”So you care.”

The princess closed her eyes.

”I regret inviting you.”

”You’ll survive.”

The elevator stopped.

Ding...

The doors opened.

A completely different part of the auction house waited beyond them.

There were fewer people.

Much fewer.

Each person here wore expensive clothing or carried an aura strong enough to make ordinary cultivators keep their distance.

The auction house manager immediately approached.

”Your Highness, everything has been prepared.”

The princess nodded.

”Good.”

Then she looked at Gray.

”Let’s see what they have.”