“This box?” Maria pointed at the box that Elaina was holding again “Why?” Maria looks confused at the group of men before her.

“Well, it has some use to us. Let us leave it at that. Name your price. I will pay.” Asmodius answered.

“Wait!” From behind Asmodius, emerge another tall figure of a handsome man, he bowed slightly toward Maria “My name is Avala, I am the Prince of the Northern Light country. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, sir Avala” Maria instinctively bowed her head slightly.

“You might not know this, miss Elisa, but my country has a very deep tied with your country.” He paused for a while and gracefully continue “Our country has helped you many times during the demonic invasion, so…”

“So what! Avala? My country also helped them too. Should they give me a special treatment?” Xinye declared it loudly. His smaller stature didn’t stop him from boldly pushing Avala aside and facing Maria directly “As for you, just name the damn price already. Why does it matter if you know the reason?”

Maria tilted her head “Well, it just… Hmm, you are right, but do you think you can handle the price?”

Xinye laughed as he turned back and look at the crowd behind him, who also laughed at Maria’s remark, and then look back at Maria “Cutie, please do not be cute with me. Who else can give you a price higher than us?”

Maria cocked her head as if she thinks otherwise “Well…Are you wealthier than the church?” Maria caressed the tightly sealed box “This box holds a very important secret. I don’t know what it is but I am sure I can fetch a very high price for the right customer.” She looked at the crowd in front of her “Of course, if you guy knows what it is and wish to meddle with it, I will have no problem selling it to you. Well, as long as you can pay more than the amount of money that my original customer would be willing to pay.” Maria declared.

Maria’s answer did not faze anyone, instead, it only fueled their desire to obtain the box even more. Maria was confused when she saw their reaction. “Why does this box attract these people?” Maria thought as she recalled the night Elisa obtained the box. It was like a vivid dream layered with fear and suspension. Thinking back to it, Maria could see the reason why the old Elisa buried this box where it was. It might also be the reason why Elisa was murdered. Then again, Old Elisa was not exactly the type that can stay out of trouble. “Let’s not overthink it and get rid of this box as soon as possible” Maria put her train of thought aside.

“Yes, If you can pay it right here, right now, the estimate amount of money that this item worth, then it will be your” Maria reaffirmed her stance.

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The group of princes heard it loud and clear, but no one have made a move yet because no one knows the price. Maria did say a lot, but she had not answered the question. “Name the price!” The group of princes impatiently shouted.

“Huh? But I already did.” Maria responded.

The group was temporarily hit with confusion. Avala asked “Please, lady Elisa, do not toy with us. When have you named your price?”

“Eh? didn’t I said that I will give you this box if you pay higher than my targeted customer? If you know how important this is to my customer and track it here, then you must know how much it worth, yes?” Maria felt odd. She was now paying full attention on the reaction of the princes. Seeing their awkward reaction, Maria finally came to a quick conclusion “Hold on, were you… were you guys trying to obtain this box without knowing what it is?”

The question was spot on. Indeed, they weren’t able to think much about it when they charge in. They could wait to obtain more information about the box but they were afraid. They were afraid that their competitor would get the box before them so they have no choice but to thrust themselves into a disadvantaged situation, hoping that by having such an unusual situation, Maria would sell the box to them immediately. It would be a high price but not one that they couldn’t spare a few from their massive income. However, judging from Maria’s unchanging face, she doesn’t look like that she was affected by having a dozen influencers charging at her.

Before the situation turned more awkward for the princes, Alvis appeared from the crowd, and with his unchanging smile, he gave a quick bow and said “It’s true that we do not know the item or how important it is, however, it is a very important item to a person that I… we are trying to appeal to. Now, I know that it will not be just us but I am sure that if you combine the entire wealth of me and everyone behind me” Alvis emphasize the word “behind me” after he turned around and give the group a sign to silent them down then back to Maria within a few seconds “I am sure it would not be a difficult choice of which customer you will sell that box to, are you following me?”

Maria nodded which put a bright smile on Alvis’s face “Good, good… now, I understand that it is a very valuable item. However, judging from what you have said, it seems like not even you know the true worth of this item. Am I wrong?”

Maria was stumped. When had she ever give him that idea? She hated dealing with this person. The kind of person that can pick apart information and seeing her thoughts. Her inner mind is telling her to avoid but she couldn’t, not now “You are half correct, sir. I don’t have the most optimal price as this item is… how do you put it… hard to assess. I do, however, have an estimate.”

Elvis was surprised “Then pray tell us that estimate, please.”

Maria looked around as every eyes was on her “Well… I can’t give you th...” As she was about to finish her sentence, a thought came to her mind “Would you give me a few minutes to consult with my maid.”

Elvis was more than pleased to give in to Maria’s demand as he himself did not miss Maria’s train of thought. He also hasd to convinced the group of princes too to have them go with his plan.

Looking at the group of princes a few steps away, Maria whispered into Elaina’s ear “Hey, This might be sudden but how much would an item worth if it tied to the disappearance of a cardinal?”