"Tch, how disappointing," Sedna's mother mumbled as the golden drape was flung off the final mage's box.

Sedna looked at her mother, curious.

"Were you originally hoping to acquire that mage?" Sedna asked.

Her mother hadn't bid or made a comment regarding any of the prior mages.

"No, it's not the mage I was interested in, but what else is in that cage that I received an insider's tip on," her mother replied in their secret language. She unclasped the Bracelet of Truth from her wrist and returned it to Sedna. "Take a look for yourself."

Sedna locked the golden clasp in place around her left wrist and looked up. A gasp escaped her lips.

Atop the young boy's head sat a flaming yellow and red phoenix.

She frowned.

"Were phoenixes so commonplace? I've seen two now in the last ten days," Sedna murmured. This phoenix was strikingly similar to the one she had observed at Luca Frey's residence.

Her mother smiled at her, humored. "Phoenixes are far from common. This is my first time witnessing one."

"What is so disappointing about it, then?" Sedna inquired.

"1,300 Phoenix eyes!"

"1,400 Phoenix eyes!"

Bids amongst the audience continued to pour in, souring to astronomical heights.

High-end jewelry could be purchased for 3 Phoenix eyes. A castle in the countryside could be found for as little as 30 Phoenix eyes. An ancient artifact of high quality could be purchased for around 300 Phoenix eyes.

"A phoenix egg is considered a miracle cure, capable of curing any illness," her mother said.

Sedna couldn't help but inwardly sigh at the revelation.

Of course, that's what this was about.

"However," her mother continued, "it retains its miraculous properties only while in its egg form. Once the phoenix hatches, you'd have to wait for it to die, become ash, and form into a new egg."

Sedna furrowed her brows, puzzled. "But couldn't you expedite the process by killing the phoenix?"

"No," her mother replied. "The ancient texts I consulted stated that the egg's regeneration process would be significantly prolonged if the phoenix met its demise before its intended natural end. It could take as little as a few years or as long as a few centuries for a new egg to fully form. And I get the sense that's a youngling, given how easily it's been captured."

Sedna's gaze remained fixed on the fiery phoenix.

"Is that why the bids are escalating so high?" she asked.

Her mother shook her head. "No, that's expected for a Grade A mage."

"4,000 Phoenix eyes!" Luca Frey's commanding voice rang out from below, momentarily silencing the auditorium. Sedna and her mother turned their heads toward him.

"Ah, but perhaps he's aware of the added value," her mother suggested.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a bid of 4,000 Phoenix eyes from the gentleman in the far back with paddle #780. Is there any—"

"5,000 Phoenix eyes!" a heavily accented voice suddenly interjected, drowning out the announcer.

"6,000 Phoenix eyes!" a woman's voice called out from one of the other booths.

"Unfortunately for that young man, there are others that have realized there's a phoenix in that cage as well," Sedna's mother noted.

However, from the looks of it, there were only so many that realized it. Or at least didn't have the funds to compete in the bidding. Luca dropped out, and only two individuals remained, continuing to raise the bid.

One was a man whom Sedna guessed was from the Lellei Kingdom based on his accent and attire. The other was a woman who likely hailed from Adovoria, but given that she held a communication rune as she made her bids, she was making them in representation of some other party that didn't come to the auction in person.

"10,000 Phoenix eyes!" The man's paddle rose, with no other coming up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached a bid of 10,000 Phoenix eyes. Are there any higher bids? Going once…"

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Sedna's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of her chair as she looked about the auditorium, wondering if this was it.

"Going twice…"

Her gaze fixed on Luca Frey, who had attempted to compete in the bid but had lost out in the match between giants. He was whispering something to the man in the orange mask that had come along with him.

"Going three times... Sold!"

The gavel struck, the sound echoing through the hall.

The auctioneer's voice followed, with a wide grin on his face. "Congratulations to the gentleman in the green turban with paddle #12 for winning the last mage of this year's auction for a bid at 10,000 Phoenix eyes!"

The auditorium exploded in applause, the sound reverberating through the grand hall. Those sitting beside the winner offered their congratulations, and the winner himself couldn't contain his excitement, his smile wide beneath his mask.

Sedna's gaze shifted toward another figure whose reaction she was more curious about.

Luca Frey had lost the auction, the lone one that he partook in. However, he was clapping his hands alongside everyone else. Sedna's eyes narrowed.

But where did his orange-masked attendant disappear to?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Princess Evelyn!"

Cheers erupted as Evelyn and Micah moved through the Summer Festival grounds of the seventh district. Because of how large Genise was, the festival was broken up into seven areas for the various festivities. Three were in West Genise, and four were in East Genise.

Royal guards, with armor polished to a mirror-like standard, walked in front and behind them, ready to offer them protection if need be. However, Micah had little concern about anything nefarious caused by the locals. Evelyn might have lacked the same support as her sister within the palace. Still, she had a better reputation amongst those living within East Genise. Here, she was among her people, her subjects who regarded her with both reverence and affection.

Eveyln smiled and waved to the onlookers as the couple passed through the festival grounds. Her crimson-red hair fluttered in the wind, and her face radiated with happiness. Every so often, the couple paused at a vibrant booth or shop, where locals presented their wares with pride.

Micah smiled, seeing Evelyn in her element as she conversed with the shopkeepers, showing genuine interest in their crafts and tales.

While Princess Naomi pranced about offering justice and charity in grand gestures that ultimately led to nothing more than fodder for small talk amongst the wealthy, Evelyn quietly laid a practical foundation for meaningful change.

For instance, under her stewardship, East Genise had initiated a program that supported local artisans, providing them with resources, training, and a dedicated marketplace to showcase their creations. The expansion of the Summer Festival of Lights these past couple of years had directly resulted from her efforts. This not only helped bolster the economy within East Genise but also breathed life into preserving Adovorian traditions and culture that might have otherwise faded away.

And having a culture that the nation is proud of is a crucial element to uniting the people.

Of course, while she had the support of locals here, she had undoubtedly also made a number of enemies. Thus, despite little fear of the local people, there was concern about outside nefarious parties.

Micah glanced at the top of one of the buildings and nodded his head toward Julius, who was working as a lookout for any danger. Luca had warned Micah a few days ago that twenty-two crates of heating mana stones were set up across the grounds in an attempt to cause a deadly explosion. The crates were found and taken care of this morning by Adovoria's internal security and were currently being put to better use. However, that didn't mean all caution could be thrown into the wind. Especially when new adversaries reared their ugly heads, like the Guardians of Luminal.

"Kyle, would you like another candy stick?" Micah asked the pudgy boy by his side.

"I most certainly would!" he exclaimed, happily accepting the pink and yellow sugar from Micah's hand.

As far as the boy was concerned, he was being delegated VIP treatment by accompanying the crown princess of Adovoria on a tour of the festival grounds. Micah, however, had him tag along as insurance. His father was the butler for the head chief of Adovoria's internal security, and Micah saw a benefit to having this area gain an extra set of eyes.

"I want one too!" a little girl beside Kyle squealed. A chorus of requests sounded from the other children. Each of them was provided with a unique festival experience for the low cost of their parents attentively working in the background to ensure everything would proceed as expected.

"Very well," Micah smiled and paid for a couple more colorful sweet treats.

Micah had no intention of any harm to befall these children. Still, he wasn't above utilizing them to ensure those he cared about were safe and well.

Click.

Micah pulled out his looking glass. Ridley was on the other end of the image.

"The bid failed," Ridley's voice carried into Micah's ears.

Tsk. Micah's lips tightened.

Just how high did the bidding go? I suppose it's on to Plan C.

"Do we have a name?" Micah asked.

"Lord Vikzhou," Ridley replied. "That freckled brat is already handling setting up an opportunity."

Micah smiled at the middle-aged mage's tone of voice.

Ridley wasn't fond of Jasper, having once lost something of value to him in a bet. However, he couldn't deny that Jasper had a unique skill that went against all odds.

"I'll get the next steps ready," Micah said, closing his looking glass.

Turning to Evelyn, he leaned in and whispered, "Evelyn, my dear, I'm afraid I must step away. My brother needs my help." There was no need to specify which brother; Evelyn understood immediately.

Her smile didn't waver as she kissed him on the cheek. "I expect you'll return before Elda's show begins?"

"Of course," Micah assured back. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

His sister was giddy with excitement about showcasing this new product she had created with Leo's help. The two children were so secretive about their project that even Micah didn't get a sneak preview. But according to Elda, orders would pour in from across the continent for the explosives she'd developed. The festival was the perfect marketing opportunity.

Stepping away from the sunny festivities, Micah ventured into a dark alley where a black Frey carriage awaited. Selena opened the carriage door, and he slid inside. In the cool, dim interior, he opened his looking glass again.

"Lord Vikzhou," Micah spoke into his looking glass. "Find out where he's staying, when he is planning on leaving Genise, what his security detail is like, and what route he's taking to return to his home country."

"Yes, Master," Seymour replied in his raspy voice.

Talks with the Spiders Syndicate had fallen through, and money couldn't settle the issue. There were still ways to regain Fin before requiring more drastic measures to be taken. Still, it never hurt to have multiple avenues of attack ready.