After doing so, they stayed inside an inn in the inner city, for the rest of the night. A funny thing happened, when they asked for a room. Eric got all of the others into a rather big room while he asked one for Michael and harmony who joined later. He and Aria stayed in one room! She was nervous, will he go back on what he just said? am I really that attractive to him that he changed his mind in one night?

This was her line of thought, while Eric just wanted to tease her! She blushed and when they reached the room, she was just about to rebuke him for going back on his word! But when they opened the door they found 2 beds she rushed to the bed red faced and covered herself with the quilt.

The night passed rather joyful! Eric teased her once in a while asking her to show her face! Sometimes he acted as if he is going to take off the quilt, which made her hold on to it even tighter and buried herself deeper into it. Eric just wanted to light up the stiff atmosphere and he succeeded. The master servant air disappeared, as normal masters would force themselves on their slaves with no regard to their opinions! A period of silence went by before Aria asked:

" How much did you buy me for?"

" really! that's your first question?" Eric rolled his eyes

" I am just trying to make a conversation! hmph!" Grumbled Aria

" 260 amethyst coins!"

" Am i worth so little!"

" what the fuck! that's worth a lifetime of staying at inn with meals included! you're already worth a small mansion!"

"If it makes you feel any better,all the other slaves's price combined Is still less than yours!"

" It actually does make me feel a little better!" Aria giggled. She then added:

"Well, Collector, Can I see your face? why do you always wear that mask? even when sleeping?"

Eric did not answer. He thought about it for a while and remembered that Vince told him they needed a spokesperson and Aria might as well fit for the job!

He looked towards her and she looked straight back at him he then slowly took off his mask! his hair slid down and his golden eyes brought out! She was surprised! really surprised! she never thought the man who bought her would be a young and really handsome man!

" No one in this city has seen my face before! and knows of my identity as the collector." Eric said as he turned around to sleep.

Aria on the other hand, understood the underlying meaning. He showed her his face, as a sign of trust and that he treated her as an equal and not as a slave. He could have hid his face and she still had to follow without complaing but he did not.

And the fact that only she has seen his face made her have a bit more favorable impression towards him. At first it was just curiosity , but it all starts from this state and evolves into much more!

Between all the slaves, Only Aria, Harmony and michael were of real importance to the brothers! Michael and harmony were no longer slaves, The little boy Eric saved out of pity named Joshua was not of much importance now , but he volunteered for miscallenous stuff and that made the others look a bit more different towards him now!

The next morning, Eric and Aria went to the golden Gate pavillion where Julian personally welcomed him this time. The news he brought had gained them many advantages! They had sold it to the City lord's mansion for a fortune and a favor! The money was not worth as much as the favor! while the auction house sold it to the noble families for a fortune and favor as well! So He treated Eric with a lot more respect now!

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

" What brings The collector here? Is there anything else you need?"

" A deed for a good mansion" Replied Eric

Julian Looked at Aria and as if he somewhat understood. He said with a grin:

"Oh so sir Collector has brought his companion and want to settle down! I'll recommend you the best mansion for newly weds!"

Eric facepalmed while Aria blushed and cursed at Julian! Eric did not bother to explain so he just continued:

" A big mansion fitting for hundreds of people, can you recommend anything like that? and it has to have a big courtyard!"

" There is indeed one , but it's in the outer city! It can handle a thousand people and an even bigger courtyard. It was built for a certain figure who then left and never returned so the deed ended up here."

" OK! How much?"

" 1000 amethyst coins!"

" What!" Eric screamed at the price while Aria screamed because the mansion was worth more then her and it hurt her pride.

" You'll understand when you get there, it's no normal mansion and I have already given you a 15% discount for your Third rank vip!"

Third Rank Vip gave 30% discount for Items and 15% for real estate.

" Ah! damn it! never mind here ! take it and bring me the deed!"

Julian nodded and went on his way to bring it while Eric and Aria waited in the office.

During this month, Old man Dylan was using most of his ressources to investigate his son's murder! But no matter what he did, he had to wait for another year and a half till the opening of the ruins to further investigate! But when he got news of the star meteoric iron, he now had to redirect his ressources, because this metal was extremely precious, even in the capital and now they were forced to get it and pay a tribute with it to the Royal family.

The noble families, had also got wind of the news and started preparing enough forces to handle a Transcendent beast! They were gonna fight for this metal as well! This could bring them unimaginable adavantages. If they equipped their elites with weapons are made or enforced by Star meteoric iron! Their strength would go up a notch! So they decided on an alliance and splitting up the prize comes after!

The gangs had already learned of this, Fallen gang and Control Gang were given orders to use their manpower in aid for their respected Bosses! Dragon Gang now had a bit of disagreement with rising force gang for hiding the news! they had an alliance but the other kind of broke the mutual pact of trust! but they still decided to cooperate in order to get some of this metal!

The Guy who left early was punished! and almost killed if not for the fact that a Transcendent beast was there! But he was still not spared since news of the Star iron got out!

Candor City was in an upheaval. Everyone getting ready to March forwards and grasp this chance but who will end up getting and for what price?!