Chapter 370: Pointless
Before leaving the coin master’s mansion, Malakai made sure to find out all he could about the missing wife.
Unfortunately, the shock of losing his wife had been too much for the coin master to bear, rendering him useless to Malakai.
There was no trace of remorse as he questioned the butler.
Through his questions, he had been able to find out some information about the woman. The lady, as the butler had claimed, had been a simple housewife.
She rarely left the house, and when she did, it was mostly with the coin master or a small army of guards for protection.
On the day she went missing, Malakai had been surprised to find out that she had been in the mansion.
The butler had reiterated that there were always numerous guards around, but none had seen or witnessed anything.
She had just... vanished.
The coin master returned to an empty house. Furious and horrified, he ordered the guards to storm the city and search for his beloved wife.
"Well? What do you think?"
Octavia asked with a frown while staring at Malakai. Minutes had passed since they left the mansion, and the boy hadn’t uttered anything.
Malakai didn’t bother facing her.
"Nothing."
"Nothing...?" Octavia frowned. "What do you mean by nothing?"
"Em, it’s when there’s... you know, when there’s something, but then... there isn’t?"
Octavia slowly turned her head toward Renlo, eyes practically burning holes through him.
Renlo straightened. "...I’ll shut up now."
Octavia clicked her tongue irritably. She glared at Renlo for a bit more before turning away. Malakai still walked in front of her, ignoring her existence.
Octavia felt a flare of anger.
’How dare he ignore me!’
She was beautiful, intelligent and, most importantly, mischievous! Who wouldn’t want her attention?
’I blame you for this, mom!’ Octavia seethed.
Never in her wildest dreams would she see herself practically begging for someone else’s attention.
Octavia glanced up at the scorching sun, then down at her dusty legs.
"Don’t tell me you plan on walking again?" she found herself asking, but received no response. Malakai ignored her, and Renlo was sticking to his earlier words to stay silent.
Octavia felt another surge of rage.
’These bastards!’
She felt like walking away, leaving them. But she had promised her mother. And if she knew anything about that woman, every action she took had a reason.
Octavia glared at Malakai.
’Don’t worry, you’ll ask me for information when we get to the next victim. I’ll ignore you then!’
A grin appeared on Octavia’s face. She seemed clearly excited.
But to her shock, when they finally reached the next location, Malakai didn’t even bother turning towards her. He just kept on walking, approaching the grand mansion gates.
"Who goes there?"
The guards manning the gate were baffled to see a group of people approaching. Even the most lowly of guests visiting the master came with carriages.
He was about to wave them away when he got a closer look. The guard felt his blood run cold.
"V-veins..." he stammered, limbs shaking.
The first question that came to his mind was how? Then why? But as though jolting him back to reality, Malakai spoke.
"We’re here to see your master. Open the gates."
It didn’t even cross the guard’s mind to refuse.
"O-of course."
Trembling, the guard quickly opened the gates.
’Stupid fool,’
Octavia cursed inwardly. She had planned to have the guard deny Malakai entry by signaling him at the last second.
As the daughter of the head of the Umbrella Group, she held more power in this city than Malakai. But not only had the guard misread her intention, he had opened the gates instantly!
Making a mental promise to end the man’s career, Octavia caught up to Malakai.
’He’ll beg me for information any second now.’
But Malakai did no such thing. He just kept on walking without paying her any heed. Octavia found her eyes narrowing in confusion.
"You’re... you’re not going to ask me for information?" she finally asked, but was shocked by the answer she received.
"No need."
"What do you mean...?"
Malakai shrugged. "I already have everything I need."
"How’s that..." Octavia squinted her eyes. She had only told him about the structure of the Umbrella Group and Coinmaster Oner, nothing else. The next victim was another person entirely.
Deep in her ponder, Octavia didn’t notice the butler approaching them quickly until he was almost on them.
"N—ninth vein! T—tenth vein!" the man stammered, visibly flustered. He bowed so deeply his head nearly brushed the floor; only when Malakai spoke did he force himself upright.
"We’re here to see Coinmaster Bell. Where is he?" Malakai asked.
"T—the master is getting ready to welcome your esteemed selves due to the abruptness of your visit. He’s sent me to—"
"Abruptness?" Octavia cut in, irritated. "Since when do we require permission to visit a Coinmaster?"
The butler’s eyes widened and he shook his head so fast his powdered wig trembled. "No, no— I wouldn’t dare—"
"You wouldn’t dare do what?" Octavia snapped.
"Tell the Ninth and Tenth Vein of the Sanguine Clan that a Coinmaster sent a butler to greet us?"
The butler’s face was drained of all color and he saw his life flash before his eyes. He wiped cold sweat from his brow, hands shaking. "N-no, no, I—"
"No, no, no." Octavia mirrored him perfectly, shaking her head.
"Instead of standing there whining, why don’t you tell us where he is? Or should I relay this insult back to my mother?"
The butler’s face paled. Tell that witch? The thought alone seemed to unhinge him. The Sixth Pulse would erase this mansion from existence!
He bowed so low he almost split his back. "P-please... follow me, esteemed veins."
Octavia flashed Malakai a smug look as the butler led them into the mansion and up a flight of stairs.
"I’m awesome, aren’t I?" she whispered, but frowned when Malakai shook his head and faced forward.
"It was pointless," he said. "We were still going to meet the man whether you interfered or not."