Read Novel Full Chapter 540: Auction Time?
Chapter 540: Auction Time?
"Phew, back here again..." Mizuki muttered, leaning back into the comfy red couch as both Ketsu and Kuro sat beside him.
He then thought back to earlier.
"I wonder who that man was that took Lillian away, you two think the girl knew him?" Mizuki asked curiously.
Ketsu snorted, resting his arms behind his head. "Why should we care? It’s not like she’s a student in our academy or Lutonese by that matter."
"Wow... I sure can trust you to be racist, huh? Hahaha!" Mizuki laughed, "Or is your groin still throbbing at the sight of her? I must say, she is quite the stunning lady, even for a mage. I have heard that some people tend to appear more unapproachable to their crushes—"
Ketsu’s right eye twitched violently.
"I’m not racist and my groin isn’t throbbing for that reason! I was merely stating facts—!"
"Oh! So your groin is throbbing! It seems our hot-headed Ketsu is finally experiencing what it’s like to lov—"
"SHUT IT!" Ketsu snapped, clearly irritated and annoyed by Mizuki’s teasing words.
Mizuki gasped loudly, leaning towards Kuro while pointing at the Blood Mage - feigning an offended look.
"Kuro! Did you hear what this man just told me to do?! As my bodyguard, shouldn’t you do something about it!?"
Kuro sighed as he crossed his arms, listening to Mizuki’s ranting - whatever he had heard going through one ear and out the other.
He soon responded with:
"You’re the one who started it. As for your question, I believe that Lillian does know that man... To a degree, possibly."
"Oh? And how do you know?"
Kuro’s eyes narrowed a bit, thinking back and recalling with greater focus, "I remember the clear image of a rose on the back of that man’s cloak. While it could either be an aesthetic or fashion choice, I believe that the rose was actually an insigna belonging to one of the four Dark Pillars of the Underworld - the Roselle family."
Mizuki’s eyes widened for a moment before squinting. He then began to scratch his head a little, rather puzzled, "I’ve heard of the Dark Pillars before in great detail, but I feel like the name Roselle brings much more... What’s the word... Familiarity?"
"That may be because the woman who you fought in the tournament and lost with a bullet through your skull belongs to that family."
"AH! No wonder! It truly amazes me how well you can remember names and faces..."
Kuro blinked at the Scion.
Right as he was about to make a satirical response, a commotion was made outside the door to their private box.
"Halt! You aren’t allowed to enter—"
"Shouldn’t you all know who this is already?! Move out of the way for the Scion of Hyosetsu!"
The three of them, having turned around in their spot to gaze at the door, watched as it was kicked open by a woman in a black suit.
She had black hair cut into a bob cut, dark brown eyes, and a pair of shortswords strapped to her waist, which shouldn’t be allowed exposed, especially in an event like this.
And following behind her closely, after apologising to the staff guarding the door outside, was a gentle woman dressed in the white and azure academic uniform.
She had long, pale blue hair and eyes, and had an air around her that exuded elegance but also care with the tinge of frost.
Mizuki perked up at the sight and waved flamboyantly:
"Ah, Yukihana! What a pleasure to see you here!"
The woman, identified as Yukihana, was the Scion of the Hyosetsu family. She smiled slightly and gave him a small wave back, "Greetings to you too, Mizuki."
As they exchanged pleasantries, the two’s close subordinates were locked in an intense staring contest.
Kuro’s eyes narrowed on the bob-cut woman, "Ah... Kazane Ker Mira, what a surprise to see you here..."
"I could say the same thing to you, foreigner." Kazane snorted back with a smirk.
"You say as if you didn’t intentionally burst in here." Kuro fired back. "And I was born in Luton—not in Nolstra—which makes me still a native, idiot."
"Doesn’t matter, you’re from a foreigner family, so that still makes you a foreigner—" Kazane responded before pausing at the sound of a soft sigh behind her.
Yukihana, the Scion of Hyosetsu, sighed as she watched her bodyguard. "Please rest it for today, Kazane... we aren’t here for squabbles..."
"Yes, my lady." Kazane bowed instantly at her Scion’s orders.
Kuro saw this and rolled his eyes, turning back around, while Mizuki just laughed at the hearty atmosphere.
"So, what brings you both here?" Mizuki asked, looking towards Yukihana.
"Our box felt too empty, so we came to find you, after hearing that you were here as well," Yukihana responded, sitting down in a seat prepared for her by Kazane.
"Oh, I see! The more the merrier, I suppose! May I ask, don’t you feel this Dragon’s Den to be much more packed compared to the last?"
"I feel that it is. Compared to the last one, this has around 200+ people. Although I’m not sure why that is..."
As the two engaged in chatter, with Kuro and Kazane still locked in a cold staring contest, the auction finally began.
"Welcome all, welcome all to our second Dragon’s Den for this year!"
Inside the glamorous theatre, which had roughly over 200 people, the auctioneer stood on the stage located at the very front.
With dramatic gestures, he greeted everyone with a manner similar to that of a stand-up comedian.
"How was everyone’s trip here? I hope it wasn’t too rocky of a journey to go through this massive valley. And if it were, then just consider it nature’s way of preparing your wallets for an uphillbattle—Hah! Get it?"
Although he wasn’t especially good with it, as only a few people in the back gave a chuckle loud enough for him to hear.
He whistled, lampooning.
"Wooow... Tough crowd... well, no matter! I’m sure you all aren’t here for me, so how about we get on with the main event?! However, if you are here for me, then I’m pleased to say I’m not part of the selection tonight—the auctioning of people was abolished back in 1923, after all! And seeing as there are quite a few foreigners in today’s auction, I’ll be speaking in Great Melvin, so hopefully you all are well studied on that!"
The auctioneer then gestured for the first item to be brought in.
Rolled in on a trollie, the auctioneer watched as the staff walked away before standing beside what seemed to be a crown of mystical flowers under a glass casing.
"We’ll start off small, as usual! This, everyone, is the [Band of Sincerity]! A Grade C accessory in the form of a charming band of flowers shaped into a crown that once belonged to one of the Three Sky Sisters of the Flower Goddess.
"Not only is it a beautiful and heartfelt gift for a loved one, but it is also an excellent accessory for mages with the ability to fly, granting them excellent stability in the air, protection against both plant and air-based attacks, and even the lovely ability to communicate with flowers!"
After ranting about the surface-level abilities the Band of Sincerity had, the auctioneer announced the starting bid:
"With an item with history like this, and most definitely a collector’s item for flower lovers everywhere, the starting bid shall be...!"
***
"6,500 Semis, with an increment of 300!"
Hearing the starting bid and summary of what the item can do, the Gardener of Roses hummed for a moment of interest in flowers before snorting.
"Trash."
Lillian, who was about to share the same sentiment, thought for a moment, repeating the auctioneer’s earlier words in her mind, ’A beautiful and heartfelt gift for a loved one...’
Her mind began to stir, imagining Marionette wearing it, before shaking her head rapidly. While it may look good, she doubted Marionette would like it that much.
’And it may feel a bit too materialistic of a gift...’
Deciding to pass up on this, Lillian watched as several paddles from those in the theatre began to fly up, placing bids.
The auctioneer watched as a paddle went up.
"Six-eight! 6,800 Semis!" He then watched as another went up, "Oh! Oh! Seven-one! Is that a seven-four I see over there?! IT IS! How about you sir in the back! Don’t you want this for your wife right beside you?!"
As the auctioneer shamelessly convinced people in the crowd to bid, he soon ended the bidding war as no one went any higher.
"9,000 Semis! Going once...! Going twice...! SOLD TO THAT YOUNG LADY IN THE BACK!"
Afterwards, the auctioneer began to go through a selection of items, and each one that he went through...
"The [Wand of Avarice], said to inflict great suffering when used!"
"Trash."
"The [Charm of the Bestower] allows for the wielder to bestow a portion of their power onto others!"
"Useless."
"The [Unforgiving Puppet], a puppet with a deep hatred for the organic!"
"What’s the purpose of this one?"
One by one, the Gardener of Roses insulted the variety of items that came, feeling displeased.
That was...
"[Veridian Gem Flower], a flower said to grow on the bark of a tree made purely of crystals! It’s said that once this flower is reduced to a fine powder, it would make a great ingredient for medicinal substances."
That was until it got to this item.
"Hm... Mildly interesting."
Lillian smiled wryly, ’So things with medicinal properties really does interest him... That’s good to know...’