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The entire hall erupted in laughter, curious to see what kind of item could have such a mysterious valuation. Everyone sat leisurely, watching with interest.
The Eye of Marsa was removed from the display podium, and what rose up from below the stage must be the last auction item. The host, wearing white gloves, gently picked up a brocade box from the podium, opened it slowly, took out the item inside, turned around to show the audience, and then placed it back in the box.
"As you can see, this is a ruby necklace, found by one of our soldiers somewhere. As everyone has seen, the craftsmanship of the necklace isn't exquisite, and the decoration is simple. The most valuable part of the necklace is surely this heart-shaped ruby. Unfortunately, we have invited many jewel experts, but none could determine the material of this ruby. Even the most experienced bards couldn't trace its origin. Moreover, we have confirmed that this ruby necklace doesn't possess any magical properties."
"Such a necklace of unknown origin, simple craftsmanship, unidentified material, and devoid of any magic, starts at 5,000 Sula. Now, the bidding begins."
The host fell silent, waiting for the bids. For the first time, after the introduction of an item, no one raised their paddle immediately. The auction hall was quiet, with people whispering to each other, waiting...
"How could anyone buy such a thing?"
"Right. A necklace of unknown origin, not valuable, and with no potential for appreciation. Only a fool would buy it."
"Such cheap jewelry can be bought for a hundred Sula in the streets! Five thousand Sula? What a joke."
"Hahaha, I want to see who would buy such a thing."
Time ticked away, and the end at 4 p.m. was approaching. The whispers grew louder, and some people began to leave. The host, however, didn't seem worried. He held the gavel, ready to declare the item unsold as soon as time was up.
But then...
"One million Sula—!!!"
A pleasant female voice suddenly cut through the whispers, resonating throughout the hall! Everyone turned towards the source of the sound, seeing a young noble standing up beside Dika, wearing a gentleman's hat, eyes fixed on the uninteresting necklace!
One million Sula for such a necklace? That was no small amount, even the world's most precious jewels couldn't match that price. Everyone was stunned, including Dika. The host on stage was the most shocked of all.
The young noble with the gentleman's hat walked out of the seat, descending the funnel-shaped venue step by step. It was clear that "he" was struggling with something, his clenched jaws trembling almost imperceptibly.
Reaching the front of the stage, the young noble took a deep breath, still gazing at the necklace with longing and anticipation. But she forced herself to stay calm, presenting a magic crystal card from her pocket.
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"This has one million Sula, is it enough?"
The sudden bid of one million Sula from the young noble surprised everyone again! The host hesitated but took the card and swiped it on a nearby machine. The display shocked everyone once more.
"What's wrong? Isn't the money enough? No one has bid higher than me, right? You can hammer it down now!"
Mengdie couldn't understand the words on the card reader but eagerly awaited the necklace within reach. The host, however, looked troubled, "I'm sorry, miss. Your card has only a hundred Sula, not one million..."
"What???"
In an instant, Mengdie understood many things! Her eyes shot towards Dika, her angry glare making her eyes appear less friendly!
Deceived! Deceived by Dika!!!
Dika, sensing Mengdie's gaze, felt a chill in his heart, realizing something was wrong. He hadn't expected Mengdie to need the money at this moment. He regretted not actually depositing one million Sula into the card. It was a small amount for the mines he was about to acquire. But now, due to his stinginess, the beautiful girl harbored animosity towards him. Not a good deal at all!
"Miss Mengdie Pierre! Actually, I..."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear you speak!"
Mengdie sharply cut off Dika, turning her head, refusing to look at him. But as she calmed down, she realized she couldn't blame Dika entirely. Wasn't she also posing as someone else? Without these clothes, she couldn't even get a hundred Sula.
But understanding the problem didn't solve it. The necklace was within sight, yet she couldn't reach it, and her pockets were empty. What to do? What to do???
"Sigh..."
Staying calm was the only way to solve the problem. Mengdie took a deep breath, restraining her anger and anxiety. When she stopped trembling, she looked at the necklace again and spoke calmly, "Sir, it's my mistake. But, could I take a closer look at the necklace? I want to personally confirm if it's worth one million Sula."
If only she could get close to the necklace, who could stop her once she regained her power?
But Mengdie's plan was too simplistic. The host didn't agree and instead looked at her doubtfully. Touching auction items was against the rules. If she insisted on checking herself, it meant distrust in Silver Moon's appraisal. Moreover, her magic crystal card had only a hundred Sula, raising further doubts.
"No, miss. Please return to your seat. If you like it, make a bid. You can touch it after you've won it."
Mengdie was enraged! She tried to snatch her own necklace back, but why were these people still blocking her?!
This was unlike any fight she had faced before. In the past three months, every opponent had an "aggressive battle intent," allowing her to use the space advantage to fight and escape. But now, the wall of people had a "defensive battle intent." They only defended, not attacked, making it hard to break through. And Mengdie couldn't match any of them in strength.
Finally, Mengdie huffed softly, and her body...
Moved.
She suddenly lunged at the necklace with the speed of lightning! This blatant attempt to snatch the auction item shocked everyone! Soldiers around the stage moved to stop her, but she knocked down an armored soldier and continued forward. However, the narrow stage and five or six soldiers blocked her way!
"Damn it—!!!"
Her voice rang out again, her movements losing their restraint. Her every punch and kick targeted the soldiers' joints, producing a series of cracks. She struggled against the soldiers, but her focus on the necklace made her less aware of her surroundings, rapidly diminishing her fighting ability. She was soon subdued by four soldiers, pinned with her hands behind her back, kneeling in front of the stage. The commotion caused her gentleman's hat to fall, revealing her soft, shiny long hair...
A girl?! And such a beautiful girl?!
The entire venue was stunned! Those leaving stopped in their tracks, all eyes on the disheveled, tearful girl with a frustrated blush on her cheeks. Even the soldiers holding her loosened their grip, as if afraid of hurting her.
Mengdie was filled with indignation... She could clearly see the ruby necklace just two meters away, but no matter how much she struggled, her hands pinned by the four tall soldiers wouldn't budge. After several failed attempts, her sensitive nature collapsed under stress, and tears streamed down her cheeks...
"Ah! Young... young lady! We didn't mean it! Hey, guys, let go! You might have hurt her!"
One of the soldiers spoke first, and they all released their grip. As soon as the pressure was gone, Mengdie surged towards the necklace again. Just as her fingers were about to touch it, the host suddenly grabbed the brocade box and jumped aside, thwarting her attempt.
"This... this is an auction item! You can't snatch it!"
Mengdie, frustrated, glared at the host with tearful, aggrieved eyes, pointing, "This was originally my lost item! Sula, I'll pay one million within three days after getting the necklace!"
But the host was skeptical, holding the box away from her, repeating that it was state property.
Seeing negotiation fail, Mengdie attempted to snatch it again. This time, the soldiers formed a human wall, neither subduing her nor letting her near the necklace.
Mengdie was furious! How could these people stop her from taking back what was hers?!
This was different from any previous fight. She couldn't overcome the "defensive battle intent" of the wall of soldiers. Lacking strength, she was quickly overpowered.
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