Chapter 360: Unknown Guests!!
The chamber fell quiet after the door closed behind Old Krause.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
The large digital display continued cycling through thousands of auction listings while soft instrumental music played quietly in the background.
Light settled comfortably onto the leather sofa.
He picked up the encrypted control tablet and began scrolling through the catalogue with calm, practiced movements.
Every few seconds another item appeared.
Ancient manuscripts.
Rare gemstones.
Prototype surveillance equipment.
Military encryption devices.
Private intelligence reports.
Forgotten historical artifacts.
Shares of shell corporations.
Entire shipping routes.
The variety alone was enough to amaze anyone seeing the Conclave for the first time.
Johanna stood quietly nearby, observing him.
Unlike many guests who immediately began placing bids or contacting brokers, Light simply... watched.
He read every description carefully.
Every seller.
Every bidding history.
Every note.
Almost as though he was studying the people rather than the items.
After nearly five minutes, Johanna finally broke the silence.
"Did anything pique your interest?"
Light looked up briefly before returning his attention to the screen.
"Maybe."
"But I won’t bid yet."
Johanna walked a little closer.
"The Grand Auction usually contains the rarest collections."
"I think you’ll like what’s revealed tonight."
Light smiled faintly.
"I’m looking forward to the Grand Auction."
Johanna nodded.
"Grandpa mentioned..."
"You’re interested in the treasure map."
Light’s fingers stopped moving across the screen.
"I’m more interested in the person behind it."
Johanna blinked.
"The person?"
She tilted her head curiously.
"Is the person more valuable than the map itself?"
Light looked at her for a few moments before smiling.
"If I ask you about that person..."
"Will you tell me?"
Johanna immediately looked embarrassed.
"That..."
She awkwardly smiled.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Light."
"I can’t."
"You’ll have to wait."
Light nodded without disappointment.
"I expected that answer."
He leaned back comfortably.
"Then let me ask something else."
Johanna looked relieved.
"Of course."
"How much commission is the Krause Family receiving from this trade?"
She answered honestly.
"Our standard commission is ten percent."
"But..."
"The seller offered us twenty-five percent for this particular transaction."
Light slowly nodded.
"A generous offer."
Johanna smiled.
"It surprised Grandpa too."
Light looked toward her.
"So..."
"Does that twenty-five percent also include spreading rumors?"
Johanna froze.
"..."
After a long pause...
She sighed.
"...Yes."
Light waited patiently.
She lowered her head slightly.
"I thought..."
"If more influential buyers became interested..."
"The auction would become more profitable."
"It would benefit the family."
Light quietly looked back at the catalogue.
"I see."
Another silence followed.
Johanna nervously clasped her hands together.
She had expected criticism.
Instead...
Light calmly continued reading.
That somehow made her even more uncomfortable.
Finally he spoke.
"From everything I know..."
"There isn’t any treasure buried on Kawaski land."
Johanna looked surprised.
"What?"
"Didn’t the Kawaski Family conduct multiple expeditions?"
"They spent millions."
"They searched the entire property."
"They excavated almost every promising location."
"They found nothing."
Johanna’s expression gradually changed.
"I..."
"I never researched that far."
She looked genuinely ashamed.
"I simply asked Miller Corporation to spread the rumors."
"I thought increased attention would create competition."
She smiled bitterly.
"Grandpa scolded me."
"He said..."
"My actions had disturbed someone important."
She looked directly at him.
"I understand now."
She bowed slightly.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Light."
"I acted without thinking through the consequences."
After hesitating for a moment she asked quietly,
"Do you..."
"Have some connection with Kawaski land?"
Light smiled mysteriously.
"Maybe."
He looked toward the city visible beyond the windows.
"What interests me now..."
"Is how the treasure map resurfaced."
Johanna slowly nodded.
She remembered something.
"I heard what happened to Miller Corporation."
"The sudden collapse."
"The asset freeze."
"Espionage"
She studied his expression carefully.
"Were you behind that?"
Light simply smiled.
Neither confirming.
Nor denying.
Johanna laughed helplessly.
"I suppose that’s answer enough."
Light reached inside his suit jacket.
He unfolded a neatly folded sheet of paper.
Several names covered both sides in extremely small print.
He placed it on the table.
"May I borrow a pen?"
"Certainly."
Johanna walked toward a nearby cabinet.
She opened one of the drawers and retrieved a premium fountain pen.
Returning to the table, she handed it over.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Light uncapped the pen.
Without hesitation...
He began circling names.
One after another.
Johanna quietly leaned closer.
At first she simply watched.
Then her eyes widened.
"...These..."
"These are guest names."
She looked more carefully.
"Wait..."
"Some of these people aren’t attending this year."
She looked back at him.
"Where did you even get this list?"
Light continued marking names.
"Since you won’t tell me anything..."
"I’ll conduct my own investigation."
Johanna stared at the paper.
"What exactly is this?"
Light calmly answered.
"It’s a complete guest list."
"For the past seven years."
Johanna almost dropped the folder she had been carrying.
"Seven years?"
"How..."
"You weren’t even attending."
"And there’s absolutely no way we leaked this."
Light looked up.
"If I could enter the Conclave at twelve years old..."
"I could certainly obtain information outside it."
Johanna let out a defeated sigh.
"There are still many things I need to learn."
She watched him continue crossing out names.
Curiosity eventually overcame her.
"What exactly are you doing?"
Light pointed toward the paper.
"I’m marking down everyone already familiar."
He slowly explained.
"Across the seven-year records..."
"I counted twenty-eight new attendees this year."
Johanna listened attentively.
"Seventeen of them are second-generation successors."
"They’re attending on behalf of their parents, families or organizations."
"They’re expected."
He circled another name.
"Four others are experienced figures."
"They simply never received invitations before."
"I assume your family finally decided they had enough influence."
Johanna nodded.
"That part is correct."
Light smiled.
"Which leaves..."
"Five individuals."
"Whose name are not in this list"
"I know almost every influential player attending."
"I know their histories."
"Their organizations."
"Their business interests."
"Their rivalries."
"In the auditorium"
"These five..."
"They’re unknown."
Johanna looked down and analysed
She recognized every highlighted name and also thought about those five names which are not mentioned.
Her surprise became genuine admiration.
"You know almost everyone."
Light leaned back.
"The underworld is smaller than people imagine."
"The names change."
"The structure rarely does."
Johanna folded her arms.
"I used to think Grandpa exaggerated."
"When he spoke about you."
She smiled.
"But now..."
"I think he actually understated it."
Light laughed quietly.
"You’re making me sound frightening."
She looked at him with complete honesty.
"You are."
"Not because you’re dangerous."
"But because your mind never stops working."
"Even while drinking tea..."
"You’re investigating people."
Light smiled.
"Occupational habit."
Johanna hesitated before asking another question.
"When you attended at twelve..."
"Were you always like this?"
Light looked toward the windows for a moment.
"No."
"I simply learned faster because I couldn’t afford mistakes."
His calm answer somehow felt heavier than a long explanation.
Johanna understood there was a difficult past behind those words.
She wisely chose not to ask further.
Instead she smiled gently.
"Grandpa called you a saint."
Light laughed.
"That’s interesting."
"I’ve also been called far worse."
She smiled.
"Maybe Grandpa sees something beyond my understanding."
The room became quiet again.
Light folded the paper neatly before slipping it back into his pocket.
Then he stood.
Johanna looked surprised.
"Are you leaving already?"
He adjusted his gloves.
"Yes."
"But..."
"You’ve barely looked through the full catalogue."
Light picked up the control tablet and placed it back on the table.
"I’ve already learned what I needed."
She blinked.
"You did?"
He nodded.
"The catalogue tells me what people want me to see."
He walked toward the door.
"Now..."
"It’s time to gather information that isn’t written."
Johanna’s curiosity instantly returned.
"May I come with you?"
Light looked over his shoulder.
"I thought your responsibility was guiding guests."
"It is."
She smiled mischievously.
"And right now..."
"I’m guiding you."
He couldn’t help smiling.
"So that’s your excuse."
She laughed.
"I’ll admit..."
"I’m also curious."
"I want to see how the Genius Strategist actually works."
"Without assistants."
"Without intelligence reports."
"Without anyone helping."
Light considered her request for a second.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
"You may come."
Her face brightened.
"But..."
He raised one finger.
"Don’t interrupt."
"Observe."
"Listen."
"And ask questions afterward."
Johanna nodded enthusiastically.
"Agreed."
"I promise."
Light opened the chamber door.
"Then let’s begin."
Johanna followed beside him.
After leaving the private chamber, Light and Johanna took the executive elevator back down toward the hospitality floors.
Unlike the auditorium, the atmosphere here was much more relaxed.
The Conclave had only begun a short while ago, yet business was already taking place everywhere.
Some guests occupied private discussion rooms.
Others quietly negotiated over coffee.
Several old acquaintances laughed together as though they were attending a reunion rather than one of the world’s most secretive gatherings.
Elegant waiters moved through the cafeteria carrying trays filled with desserts, coffee, fresh fruit and meals prepared by renowned chefs.
The Krause Family’s hospitality had always been one of the defining features of the Conclave.
No guest ever left dissatisfied.
Light walked slowly through the spacious cafeteria.
His eyes weren’t looking for food.
They were observing people.
Who greeted whom.
Who deliberately avoided eye contact.
Who sat together.
Who preferred isolation.
Every tiny detail added another piece to the puzzle forming inside his mind.
Johanna quietly walked beside him.
She noticed something unusual.
He never stared at anyone for long.
A single glance.
A brief observation.
Then he moved on.
Yet somehow...
It felt as though he had memorized the entire room.
After several moments...
His gaze settled on one corner of the cafeteria.
A young woman sat quietly at the corner.
A slice of cheesecake rested on the table before her.
She appeared perfectly composed.
Graceful.
Elegant.
Every movement reflected years of royal etiquette.
Thea.
She seemed completely focused on enjoying her dessert.
Light smiled.
"There she is."
Johanna followed his gaze.
"The Princess?"
Light nodded.
He casually walked toward her table.
Thea noticed someone approaching.
She looked up.
For a split second she seemed surprised.
Then she immediately corrected her posture into the dignified bearing expected of a princess.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I didn’t expect the Genius Strategist himself to come talk to me."
Light smiled as he stopped beside the table.
"Waiting for the Grand Auction, it seems."
Thea glanced at the catalogue displayed on her tablet.
"You could say that."
Light leaned slightly closer.
His voice became much quieter.
"Tell me, Princess."
"Did the WEB send you here..."
"Or..."
"The Grandmaster?"
Thea’s expression instantly froze.
Her eyes widened.
She looked directly into the white mask.
"...You..."
"You are..."
Light gently placed one finger near his lips.
"Shhh."
Thea immediately understood.
She took a slow breath and regained her composure.
Johanna looked back and forth between them in confusion.
She clearly sensed there was something she wasn’t hearing.
After a brief silence...
Thea smiled naturally again.
"I was actually thinking about you."
Light chuckled.
"I should feel honored."
He glanced toward her tablet.
"There are quite a few pearls in today’s catalogue."
"Don’t any of them interest you?"
Thea looked down.
"There is one item I like."
"But..."
"I’ll probably have to wait until tonight’s Grand Auction."
"So you’re here for something important."
"You could say that."
Light folded his arms.
"I know the Grandmaster is already in Frankfurt."
"You met him last night."
Thea blinked.
"You really do know everything."
She looked toward Johanna.
"I didn’t realize you were acquainted with the Krause Family."
"The heiress herself is escorting you."
Johanna smiled politely.
"Hello, Princess Thea."
"I’m Johanna Krause."
Thea returned the smile.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Johanna."
Light casually added,
"Her grandfather asked me to take care of her."
"So technically..."
"I’m the one escorting her today."
Johanna’s eyes widened.
Take care of... me?
She wanted to ask what he meant.
But somehow...
The confident way he said it made the statement sound completely natural.
Thea laughed softly.
"I see."
She folded her hands together.
"Then tell me..."
"Mr. Light."
"How exactly can I help you?"
Without another word...
Light reached inside his suit pocket.
He unfolded the same sheet of paper from earlier.
Then placed it on the table.
Thea looked down.
"What is this?"
"A guest list."
"The circled names represent everyone attending this year’s Conclave."
"Either personally..."
"Or through representatives."
Thea carefully scanned the page.
Johanna leaned closer as well.
Light continued explaining.
"I’ve already eliminated everyone whose background I know."
"There are still five unfamiliar people I don’t know. There names are not in this list."
He quietly pointed across the cafeteria.
"I was wondering whether you recognize the gentleman sitting near the window."
Then he pointed toward the balcony outside.
"And the woman standing over there."
Thea calmly observed both individuals.
She spent nearly half a minute studying them.
Johanna watched silently.
She found it fascinating.
Neither of them had approached the people.
Neither had asked a single question.
Yet they were identifying guests simply by watching.
Finally...
Thea smiled.
"May I borrow your pen?"
Light immediately handed it to her.
She marked one of the uncircled names.
"The gentleman near the window..."
"He’s representing the Thunder Cartel from Mexico."
"He’s relatively new."
"That’s probably why you don’t recognize him."
Light nodded thoughtfully.
"The Thunder Cartel has attended the Conclave for years."
"So this is simply a new representative."
She circled another name.
"That leaves four."
Thea looked toward the balcony again.
"The woman outside..."
"She’s the daughter of an Indian politician."
She tapped another name.
"Her father currently oversees the Ministry of Transport."
Light immediately recognized the description.
"I know who you’re referring to."
"He isn’t attending this year either."
He quietly marked another name.
"Three left."
He looked back at Thea.
"Can you help me identify the remaining three?"
"They aren’t in this room."
"But we’ll almost certainly see them during lunch."
Thea leaned back with a playful smile.
"What’s in it for me?"
Light smiled beneath his mask.
"What do you know..."
"About the Grandmaster’s past?"
Thea’s playful expression disappeared instantly.
Her curiosity completely took over.
"...It’s a deal."
She extended her hand across the table.
"I accept."
Then she looked toward Johanna.
"I hope you don’t mind us investigating your guests."
Johanna smiled calmly.
"As long as no one starts a fight..."
"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything."
Thea laughed.
"Fair enough."
Johanna looked between the two strategists sitting before her.
She realized she wasn’t simply watching a conversation.
She was watching information become currency.
And in this room...
Knowledge was worth far more than gold.