Chapter 106: The Auction II

"Honored guests and distinguished ladies and gentlemen....."

Kalem began speaking with the wide smile you would expect from someone who’s making a lot of money and expecting to make even more.

Whenever he said ’honored guests’, he would direct his gaze to the raised special viewing area where Ben and the otters were, and every time, the red-haired young man from below would shoot a murderous glare in Ben’s direction.

Ben was confused as to why this stranger who looked like the spoiled young master of some noble family would be acting so aggressively towards him.

The young man had also bought quite a few of the items up for auction, which told Ben that this person must be from quite a wealthy background.

"I now present the sixteenth item of our monthly auction....."

At his announcement, through the curtains, the lady again pushed in a larger trolley, this one containing a long item, also covered with a white cloth. And Ben, as well as others in the private viewing area, could already sense the difference.

"This item, honored guest and distinguished ladies and gentlemen, was made from the best and most precious of metals, and crafted equal to the realm of its creator...."

The auctioneer explained as he pulled off the cloth, revealing a beautiful sword, glistening in unnatural sharpness, with special inscriptions and carvings, and most importantly, radiating a familiar aura.

"And its creator is the very esteemed noble blacksmith of the imperial capital, Lord Zurik."

The auctioneer announced proudly, causing the gathered crowd to erupt in excitement for the sword.

An item equal to the level of its creator is a very hard achievement to accomplish, meaning this sword was of the noble grade.

Unlike ordinary knights, it’s far more difficult for secondary professions to reach higher realms with said professions, so their creations at every level are very valuable.

In the entire imperial capital, the number of noble realm blacksmiths is just a few.

They are not at the level of dwarves in terms of craftsmanship; this races who are gifted by the heavens for their craftsmanship, which makes human blacksmiths even rarer and more special.

The effort required to reach such levels for them is immense.

And a noble-grade weapon was a powerful treasure in its own right; even though this one doesn’t possess any particular trait, it was still a treasure nonetheless.

Capable of even doing damage to a black realm knight if used properly and by the right person.

The audience had a hungry glint in their eyes and could not wait to start bidding, so Kalem, with a wide smile, began the bidding....

"We will start the bidding at five hundred gold coins."

"Do I see five hundred..."

"Five fifty...."

"Six Fifty...."

"Seven hundred..."

Bids came pouring from the crowd as the number of gold coins kept shooting upwards, then suddenly....

"Two thousand gold coins!"

This bid had come from one of the honored guests, causing everyone to pause and turn up to look at a single paddle protruding from behind a veil. They all understood that the big players were starting to make their move.

The bidding continued, only at a much slower pace, with the auctioneer passionately calling out raising bids one after another, his smile stretching.....

"Going once for three thousand five hundred gold coins..."

"Going twice....thrice...."

"SOLD! To honored guest number 5!"

One of the guests behind a curtain in the private viewing area had secured the sword, while the person Ben had his eyes on didn’t seem interested in it at all. Ben concluded she had her sights on something else.

Each bidding session took an average of ten to fifteen minutes, drawn out this way to afford well-thought-out strategies for the audience to manage their funds and wisely secure more of the merchandise they needed, rather than impulsively buying shiny things.

There was usually a short five-minute break after every five items, which was why the auction was set for sharp noon, and now it was nearing darkness as the final items of the auction were starting to take center stage.

One after the other, the honored guests made their moves on the next three items....

One was a fist technique manual of a very high grade, which was bought by the burly man with golden teeth in the private viewing booth.

Another was a healing potion, which was bought by another of the honored guests behind a curtain for privacy, and the last one was purchased by the red-haired young man from the audience below.

This red-haired young man was not only rich, it seems, but he was also clearly quite recognized and respected, maybe even feared by the audience below.

He acted like he owned the place, and whenever he bought an item, he always threw a look up at Ben that seemed to say, ’I am better than you,’ even though Ben had not even made a single move throughout the entire auction and was simply enjoying the show.

Ben didn’t care what this person thought, mostly because he had run his senses on him, and this young man was only at the warrior realm mid-stage.

He didn’t care any longer what grievance this person might have with him as he carried on enjoying the show and relishing the provided refreshments.

Ben had not bought anything since nothing caught his fancy, and he was essentially broke and just shamelessly munching off of these people’s generosity. But no one was complaining.

"Ahem.....honored guests, and distinguished ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you, the final item of the evening...."

As Kalem announced, the large curtains behind him were slowly opened to their complete width, revealing a giant rectangular enclosure, covered by a massive tarp, with occasional shrieks coming out from inside,

"Masters of the skies, and ferocious as can be....."

He announced charismatically; the audience, already on the edge of their seats, and so too was Ben, as he could sense the aura emanating from what was in that covering.

"I present to you, for the first time in our monthly auction house...."

The tarp was sharply pulled down by two burly men from each side....

Revealing a massive enchanted cage, holding an eagle-like creature, about the size of ten men....

Sharp, glistening talons that could easily rend flesh, wing span like a halo, night-black feathers and sharp glowing silver eyes, and the unmistakable aura of master realm peak.

"The majestic magical beast for the forbidden mountains....."

"Night Eagle!"

Kalem announced proudly, as the beast let out a loud shriek that rang through the entire auction house, all guests present shocked beyond words.

And for the first time, Ben saw the eyes of that lady sparkle wondrously, inching forward on the edge of her seat.

"I see," He mumbled, smiling as he looked in her direction.