The helicopter landed in front of the pool house, and Kim— Lu Bela's assistant stepped out of it. She wore a tight body suit, making every part of her body appealing.
She took off her glasses and stopped in front of Rudy.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yes."
"You called a special ride for us?" Rias asked with a surprised look on her face. "We could have flown there instead. I would have carried Alice, Jane would have carried Ruby, and you would have carried Maria."
"No, I didn't do anything. Lu Bela sent one without asking," Rudy informed.
"She must have sent this ride for me. After all, I am the new Gambling Queen of the Underworld," Ruby stated with a proud face.
"No, she sent this ride for Rudy Ross."
Ruby's face turned pale after hearing that as she was embarrassed in front of everyone, especially Maria.
"Please hop onto the copter. We should leave. Master Lu Bela is waiting for your arrival."
They all got into the helicopter.
Alice and Rias sat beside Rudy, while Jane and Maria sat beside Ruby.
Kim was flying the copter, and an Underblade guard was sitting beside her.
Maria shot a glare at Rudy and said, "You must have gotten so close to Lu Bela if she is sending her favorite ride to pick you up."
"Is that so?"
"Yes that so. I do remember you going to meet her quite often nowadays. I hope it's not what I think it is," Maria remarked.
"I have no idea what you think it is. I meet her to discuss some important things, not to fool around. Anyway, I didn't ask Lu Bela to send this ride for us."
Kim wanted to chat with Rudy but was focused on driving the copter.
A few minutes later, Rudy found himself lost in his thoughts while the girls called his name.
"Rudy!" Rias shook his hand.
"Hmm?"
"What were you thinking?"
"Just some stuff."
After flying above the sea for half an hour, they finally caught sight of the light coming from an island.
"No way! The auction is at the island this time?! So cool!" Maria awed.
"When does it usually happen?" Rias asked curiously. "And how did you not know? Have you ever been to an auction before?"
Maria nodded and said, "There are yearly auctions each year, and all the Underworld families are invited. Usually, I would just have to sit in the car or catch a flight, but I was always with my other family members."
"The same thing happens in our world," Jane interjected. "Although our auctions are different."
"So this Lu Bela person hosts the auction each year?" Alice wondered.
"Yes, although at different locations each time. In another state or another country. This is the first time they are doing it on a private island."
"I am surprised she can get permission to hold an auction in any part of the world."
"She is the Queen, or you can say, ruler of the entire Underworld. She doesn't need to take anyone's permission to do whatever she wants," Rudy informed calmly.
"But there are a lot of Underworlds in the world, right? Surely, you don't mean that all the Underworld in the world is ruled by her. No one can be this influential and powerful."
"She is."
"That's crazy. Even the government can't enforce their rules in different countries."
"Someone once said to me that she is the strongest person in the world," Rudy stated as he recalled Asura's words.
"Of course, not stronger than me," he added. "I already defeated her once."
"Excuse my stupidity, but what exactly does she gain from doing such auctions?" Jane asked, finally breaking her silence.
"Wow, this is the first time you spoke after getting into the copter," Rudy remarked.
"Hmph!" She averted her face to the side in a haughty manner and said, "I am still mad at you."
"I am the one who should be mad at you for ignoring my existence and giving importance to the television and the phone."
"Can anyone answer my question?" Jane glanced at everyone.
"I don't know, to be honest," Ruby answered.
"I also don't have any idea," Maria shook her head.
Then, they both looked at Rudy, seemingly hoping that he would know the answer.
"I don't know either. Ask Kim."
"It's more like a custom... a tradition now. Auctions have been happening every year for hundreds of years, so everyone looks forward to them every year. Buyers and contributors meet each other every year when they normally can't meet due to their personal schedules. People from all over the world gather in one place for this occasion.
So if you are wondering what Master gains from the auction… I would say it's necessary to maintain peace, community, trade, and overall a balance in the Underworld system."
"Sounds very fancy," Rias remarked.
"Just wait till we reach the island. You would be awed by its beauty."
"I highly doubt. No one can beat the architecture and civilized colonies of the vampire world."
"I had no intention of comparing the two. And there is no need to compare, to begin with."
"I couldn't help. When I see someone speaking highly of something, it's natural for one to compare it with something similar."
"..." Rudy was sighing inwardly as Kim and Rias exchanged remarks.
"If you are so keen on comparing, allow me to let you experience what it feels like when someone compares something when there is no need." After a brief pause, Kim said, "How would you feel if Rudy Ross compared you with another girl?"
"I would feel honored, actually."
"..."
"Because I know I would be a better choice in any comparison. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but a vampire's beauty is incomparable to any other race. They were blessed by the Lord with beauty," Rias stated with a puffed chest and a proud look on her face.
"Of course, I don't doubt that, but you must have heard of the saying 'Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder'. Even if you are beautiful and everyone else in the world agrees, it doesn't matter if the person you want doesn't find you beautiful— in this case, Rudy Ross."
"Umm… what?" Rias raised her brow with a confused and puzzled look on her face.
"Nevermind. I am the last person who should be getting involved in this matter."
A few minutes later, they landed on the backside of the island, which was the special access entry for the VVIP members and special guests such as Rudy.
