Ten Lucky Draws: I Became OP - Chapter 485: The Power of Pawns - The Grand Ball

Chapter 485: The Power of Pawns – The Grand Ball

As Matriarch Minx, or more accurately the Lord of Commerce, spoke, her voice was as usual — as if today she was her normal self.

She leaned back across from the Merchant, her words flowing with ease.

“I’ve been distant lately, huh?” Minx began without hesitation; her gaze fixed firmly on the Merchant.

“But really, don’t blame me. Ever since the Ineffable Pantheon appeared… things have gotten interesting,” she said with a smile before carrying on.

“Not just that… the truth is, at this point you can no longer be considered my champion.”

The Merchant arched a brow, but remained silent, as she knew this already. Apart of the rewards the Champions were promised, it was a ticket back into True Reality.

They had clearly been told—or perhaps enticed—about their past, having been born into a much broader existence.

That knowledge only fueled their determination to win.

Yet, in this moment, the way Minx spoke made it seem as though she was hinting at something entirely different.

So, the Merchant simply held her tongue and listened in silence.

Minx continued, her tone straightforward.

“There is, however, a way for you to remain my champion while also becoming stronger in the process.”

She hesitated briefly before offering a small, genuine smile, free of her typical predatory sharpness.

“Still, I should warn you… taking up the role of my champion means you’ll be little more than a pawn. But a pawn with enough power to live exactly as you wish—at least until the moment arrives for you to fulfill your true purpose and mission.”

The Merchant frowned at the words, though Minx caught the subtle spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes.

To the Merchant, being a pawn was hardly a concern—after all, she’d long considered herself one, even before she could walk.

What truly weighed on her mind, however, was not the role she played, but the purpose behind it all… the mission itself.

“What exactly would that entail?” She asked.

Hearing her take the bait…. Minx didn’t hesitate.

“If you continue, your system will be upgraded.” She began with the benefits like all good negotiators.

“It will connect directly to … something called the Treasury of Existence. This will allow you to expand on the things you can buy… and you will receive one hundred free purchases as part of the upgrade.”

“The Treasury of Existence?” The Merchant questioned, her voice carrying genuine surprise. It was something she had never heard of before.

Minx leaned back slightly, as she studied the Merchant with a measured gaze.

“It’s something that exists beyond all Realities,” she explained.

“Far beyond anything you can currently comprehend. But it holds anything imaginable — powers, knowledge, even entire fragments of existence that have been lost or forgotten.”

The Merchant was silent for a moment, weighing her decision carefully.

Her old system had never been free.

Every purchase had cost her a fraction of her own existence, chipping away at her over time.

And whether she had fully realized it or not, that hidden cost had played a major role in making her so open to being used — a quiet leash that kept her tethered to Minx, the one who sponsored her.

But this… this was different.

After a long pause, she finally nodded.

“I accept.”

Minx’s smile returned, sharp and satisfied.

“Good.” She said, “Then your first mission is simple. Attend the Grand Ball hosted by the Ineffable Pantheon.”

She then continued, in short, she needed the Merchant to become close Male. Once that was achieved, it was on her to lead him into True Nonexistence.

The Merchant bowed her head slightly, already beginning to calculate her next steps.

“Understood.”

Minx leaned back, the conversation clearly over.

“Then prepare yourself. The ball is only weeks away. And this time… do not fail.”

—-

Ash stood on the highest balcony, far above the grand venue of the floating palace, with Vaeloria on his left and Shia on his right.

The view from here was breathtaking.

With the massive stronghold below with its sprawling marble courtyard and towering water fountains, the elegant floating palace suspended behind it, and the endless expanse of Reality Nine stretching out in every direction.

In his hands, the held the Codex.

And its cover was now a deep, polished black with intricate gold filigree that seemed to shift and move on its own, as if alive.

Ash was reading the latest Chapters of the novel — and as he closed it, he couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, so much entertainment…” He muttered as he pulled his two women close.

They walked back into the chambers together.

Inside, the room was alive with movement. All his wives (except Nia, who was still out devouring) and his daughters were here, changing clothes for the Grand Ball.

Sonna was slipping out of one her usual dresses, revealing her smooth, soft body as she reached for a sleek black dress with blue accents.

Sandra was already halfway into a tight, elegant gown that hugged her curves, adjusting the straps while glancing at herself in a floating mirror.

Lysa was laughing as she stepped into a deep red dress that accentuated her thicker figure, playfully swatting away Aurelia’s hands when she tried to “help” by groping her from behind.

Madison smiled, already dressed in a revealing crimson outfit that left little to the imagination, as she moved over to help Seraphiel zip up her gown.

The daughters were scattered around the room too — Clara twirling in a sparkling gold dress, Riona adjusting the straps of a sharp, blade-inspired black outfit, Emily smoothing out a soft, flowing white gown, and the others in various states of dress, chatting and teasing one another.

Ash leaned against the doorway for a moment, watching the lively scene with a warm smile.

“Listen up,” he said, voice carrying easily over the chatter. “Tonight’s ball isn’t just a party…. As always it’s an announcement.”

He then gave them a bit of insight of what was going on.

From Reality Nine he knew each Ancestor would becoming and also a few from other Realities.

Mira glanced over her shoulder, adjusting the neckline of her dress.

“So, we smile, look pretty, and make them nervous?” she asked, puzzled. From what Ash had told them, things wouldn’t be as hectic on their end as usual.

They were used to Ash wiping everything clean, but now it seemed like he was playing the long game.

Ash chuckled, knowing what they were thinking.

“Not exactly, most people are only coming to probe our weaknesses, to make deals and the usual things. But, although things won’t be falling today, it will eventually.”

He said as he himself felt weird trying to go against what he felt to be most natural. Was simple erasure, but like he said… it will all end soon.

Madison rose a brow as she helped Lysa with the back of her dress, her hands lingering a little too long.

“And if they get too bold?”

“Then we remind them who they’re dealing with,” Vaeloria said from the side, as she adjusted her attire to her tails.

Lithia chuckled as she finally started getting dressed.

“Perv,” Summer muttered, swatting her away after enduring Lithia’s wandering hands for far too long.

Still, Lithia had been listening. As she searched for a dress of her own, she glanced toward Ash.

“So, you’re really going to leave us to manage the party while you run off to explore a Lost Reality?”

Ash nodded, stepping further into the room.

“Yes. I’ll be gone for a while….” He said, “But I’ll make sure it’s done in a way that brings all the schemes to a head. The Ancestors attending, the other powers watching… it’s the perfect stage.”

Aurora, now fully dressed, spun once and appeared hugging his arm.

“So, while you’re off playing in forbidden places… you plan to leave all the nonsense to us.”

“Pretty much,” Ash said with a smile as he caressed her. “But the real goal… is to give every being a chance to become a God or a Constellation.”

He paused, his expression growing more serious.

“Before we bring all of existence down.”