“The third princess? When did I offend her?” I asked him, I had no idea when such a thing happened.
”The girl who was betting for the skill card just a few moments ago is the third princess.”
“So what? The highest bidder wins, she’s a princess, she has access to gold mines.”
Ynnihlas chuckled at my response.
“Her father is the one who has access to the gold mines, and 16.000 Gold coins is a lot even for her monthly allowance. She’s the type that doesn’t like to loose, so she’ll probably hold a grudge against you.”
“That’s a pain..”
I started to wonder if that skill card was worth it.
The next item was introduced to the stage, so I paid attention.
This time it was a map. Apparently the location of the map has something special and whatnot. I didn’t really care.
The next one was a Mid-Grade bracelet, it had an effect that you can track. Ynnihlas bought it, probably for his sister.
The next item was another skill card. Earth related skill named Earth Prison. A Vip Member bought it for 9000 gold coins, way cheaper than the one I previously bought.
Various interesting items were shown and bought, but mostly weren’t needed by me.
And finally after an hour the auction was going to be closed after a final item.
“This is a legendary-grade item that exists since the era of heroes. It was made from the tooth of the Wrath Dragon Glacius.”
Cloth was removed from the glass holding the item and a marvelous dagger entered my sight. I felt the aura coming from it and it gave me goosebumps. I wondered how strong was the dragon. But I was rather surprised seeing such a thing in an auction house, so I asked the only one I could.
“What is a legendary item doing in a mere auction.”
Ynnihlas didn’t take much to respond.
“You underestimate this auction.
Ynnihlas started to act like a crazed man so I just ignored and returned my attention in the dagger.
It would make an extraordinary secondary weapon. The only reason I say second is because first is mana.
Until now the prices haven’t really been high. I could throw 100.000 gold coins as if they are dirt. I started to wonder if the old man had stolen all those coins. It’s ether he was richer than dukes, or he stole, or maybe the standard of richness was different between the two kingdoms.
I continued to listen to the hot lady.
“Since this is a once in a lifetime weapon, we will start with 100.000 platinum coins. The bid can be raised only by 1000 platinum coins or more. Let the bidding begin.”
“ I bid 101.000…”
“104.000….”
“110.000” I joined in.
At the moment, nobody in the row seats bid, this sum was simply out of their leagues. Only those in Vip rooms bid.
“What are you doing!?” At my side, Ynnihlas was panicked as he shook me.
“Relax, I have a lot more than you think.”
Even after hearing me, his panicked expression didn’t change.
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“It doesn’t matter, the ones bidding are likely the higher ups!”
“Who are the higher ups?” I asked him with curiosity.
“Marquises, Dukes and royalty. Even if you managed to get the item, you will still not escape their claws. You might be able to do it in the future, but right now you’re still too weak.”
His words pierced my heart, but they were indeed the simple truth. I can‘t expect they would leave a legendary item in my hands and not try to snatch it.
”113.000…”
“114.00…”
The bidding continued, but I didn’t participate anymore. The disadvantages far outweighed the advantages at the moment. It was simply a strategic retreat.
At least that’s what I told myself, so I can lessen my pain of loosing something I wanted.
“Are you so intent on fighting me on this, Greymon?”
A deep and powerful voice sounded from one of the vip rooms.
“I can ask the same, Kent.”
“They are both Dukes of Caio, they are both close to archmage and archknight respectively. They are also rivals from the same generation.” Ynnihlas told me the information between the two on his own accord.
However between the two voices another one joined in.
“I’m sorry dear Dukes, but I’m afraid I’m taking this one.His majesty the king would be disappointed if I didn’t.”
Unlike the other two, this time a young voice could be heard.
“I’m sure the royal treasury has a few legendary items , why don’t you let the poor have one, eh? Crown Prince?”
Crown Prince?
I looked towards the room where the voice came.
Things started to get interesting.
“Having another legendary item never hurts though, does it?”
The Crown Prince made a comeback and bid.
“130.000 Platinum Coins.”
A raise of 16.000 thousand.
If turned into gold coins, it would be 130.000.000 Gold Coins.
They can fill almost 10 one-story houses with gold. I know this because I have them and more.
”200.000 Platinum Coins.”
The price was raised by one of the dukes
”230.000..”
”300.000 Platinum Coins..”
The crown prince immediately raised the bid by another 70.000.
The other dukes stopped biding.
“300.000 Platinum Coins. Going once, going twice ….sold to Vip Number 1”
Yikes.. If I spent that much, I would loose a third of all of my wealth.
Quite scary, and the Crown Prince looked like he still had more to go.
Daddy’s money sure works. It’s the same for me too, but a king’s wealth is probably always going to be better than a Duke’s no matter the standards.
“Tell me Ynnihlas, is 300.000 Platinum Coins a lot?”
“Eh?” He looked at me with a tilted head, “you’re joking right?”
“Just tell me..”
“Well, it’s a lot, the dukes to obtain that much, would probably have to sell more than half of their lands and more. Even for the king is a lot, let alone the Crown Prince.”
Such information doesn’t seem to match the prince’s actions, unless …the king already knew the dagger was going to be auctioned and gave the prince the coins in advance, he might aswell have come and bid himself, yet he chose his son to do the deed.
Since I was too lazy to think more of the political agendas, I stopped and put some grapes in my mouth.
The auction was finished. People started to leave one by one. Some with satisfaction and some disappointed.
The previous butler came back again into the room. I almost forgot I had to pay.
“It’ll be 40.000 gold coins for the bought item.”
I took out the gold coins bit by bit and the butler collected them in his storage ring.
As soon as we paid, we also left.
After we went outside, I could see a girl in the middle of the carpet. She looked rather angry, there were two people behind her.
As soon as we got out she looked towards us and approached.
“Hey, you’re the one from Vip Room number 8.”
She had long dirty blond hair and a unique green color on her eyes. She wore a rather pouting expression on her face.
I didn’t want to guess, but my mind had to..
“I assume you’re the third princess?”
“Humph! You know who I am and you still get in my way. You sure are an arrogant demon. If you sell the skill card back at the same price you bought it, I’ll let this go.”
Without waiting a second I replied, “I’m afraid I can’t do that princess, money isn’t something I need.”
She blinked. “O-okay then, name something you need.”
I sighed, “Princess, I don’t think you are close to having something that I desire.”
I heard gasps from around me. Ynnihlas just touched me in the shoulder and whispered, “I don’t think you should anger the princess In the middle of this place.”
The princess was also speechless. She looked at me and it looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t, until she calmed down.
“Okay then demon, how about a skill card of equivalent value.”
My interest slightly piqued.
“Do continue.”
“I have a fire related skill card on my possession, and since I have no need for it, I can exchange it with yours.”
I lucked out. I had a fire affinity, so a fire related skill would indeed do me better than a lighting skill.
“And what’s the information inquiring this card of yours?” I asked her.
“Snake Fire. Able to conjure snake made of fire and control them to attack the enemy. The more mana the stronger the snake, you can also conjure more snakes if you pay the equivalent price, which is more mana.
Quite an interesting spell. It also aligned with one of my goals, which was studying fire magic.
“Deal.”
“Eh? That fast?” She looked shocked.
“I have a fire affinity, and I assume you have a lighting one, so I think it’s a fair trade, no?”
I smiled.
“Is that so, a deal it is.”
I swayed my hand forward for a handshake. As soon as I did, I heard more gasps left and right.
The princess also looked at me surprised.
“What happened Princess? Do you not want this deal?”
She got out of her stupor and shook my hand. A second later I took out the skill card, which I had in my [ Dimensional Storage ], and so did she from her storage ring.
She gave me her skill card and I gave mine. A simple exchange.
“Pleasure doing business with you Princess.”
I grabbed the stuped Ynnihlas by the collar and left towards where the carriage left us..