Chapter 145: The Auction

The heavy iron doors of the underground forge slammed shut, finally cutting off the suffocating heat and deafening roar of the furnaces.

In the cold stone corridor, Malrik walked quietly, his face showing the frustration and annoyance he made no attempt to hide.

"That rude old dwarf..." Malrik muttered under his breath. "Two thousand platinum coins?! What a damn thief! Damn him!"

As soon as they stepped out of the stone corridor into the upper courtyard, the fresh air felt refreshing after the suffocating heat of the forge.

Outside, five people were waiting for him, with Eliza standing calmly beside them.

Orren, the massive warrior, stood silently with his arms crossed over his chest, while Ren stood beside him with his usual cold expression.

They were the first two commanders to join his new legion, and they seemed to have gotten along quickly, both being men of few words who preferred the quiet.

The other three, who had managed to snatch the remaining seats amid the chaos of the crowd moments ago, stood a short distance away.

Instructor Kael was the one who had recommended them, just as he had recommended Orren and Ren.

The first was Zane, with messy green hair, tattoos covering his body, and a confident smile on his face. Beside him stood Vexia, her yellow, serpent-like eyes fixed on him as if she were about to plunge her dagger into his throat.

The third was Jax. His left arm was entirely mechanical, made up of complex gears and intertwined wires, while he leaned casually against his massive weapon.

When the five commanders saw Malrik approaching, they immediately lined up and gave him a crisp, synchronized military salute.

"I told you before, there’s no need for all these formalities when we’re alone," Malrik said calmly.

"And since you’re all here now, I want to introduce you to the sixth commander."

Malrik gestured toward the young man standing behind him. "This is Ronan Ashmoor, and this is his team. I hope you all get along well."

Ronan stepped forward confidently to meet the other commanders, drawing everyone’s attention. But he had barely taken two steps before the usual silence was broken.

"Wait... he’s still only at the ’Awakened’ rank?"

Zane asked in surprise, giving Ronan a strange look.

When Ronan heard the question, he didn’t know how to respond. He truly had become the weakest person among the five commanders now.

"Don’t bother with this fool," Vexia cut in coldly, giving Ronan a sharp look before her eyes narrowed with sudden curiosity. "Is your father the Saint Marquis Ashmoor?"

Before Ronan could answer, Jax strode over with a bright, enthusiastic grin and lightly slapped him on the shoulder.

"I’m Jax! I really like those gloves of yours. They look awesome. I love hand-to-hand combat too. Let’s fight later!"

Orren and Ren, on the other hand, merely gave Ronan a brief nod. Neither seemed to have any problem with having an "Awakened"-rank commander among them, especially since Malrik himself was still at the Awakened rank.

Malrik looked at Ronan, who seemed to be fitting in well among the other five commanders despite being the weakest among them.

Malrik said calmly, "Well, now that you’ve met each other, you can head back and prepare yourselves and your squads for the departure to Dreadmoor."

"Lord Banner Bearer, when exactly will we depart for Dreadmoor?" Vexia asked.

Malrik crossed his arms. "The day after tomorrow... if there are no sudden changes to the plan."

"You’ll need to give her at least five days, Banner Bearer. She’ll need all that time just to pack her strange books and dusty scrolls."

Zane said it mockingly as he looked at Vexia.

"And what else can I do? In the end, I was chosen to become a ’Tower Successor’, while you’re just a failure who’s good for nothing but talking."

Zane’s smile faded slightly.

"Yeah, yeah. We get it. You’re the great Tower Successor."

Vexia merely snorted and didin’t answer

Malrik’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Tower Successor?

Malrik didn’t understand what the title meant, but Vexia’s proud tone and Zane’s sudden silence told him it was clearly important. Even so, he was far too lazy to bother asking.

Damn... I’m so tired. It has been a long day.

"Banner Bearer."

Cedric’s calm voice brought Malrik back to reality.

"The carriage is ready for the auction."

Malrik blinked, then suddenly remembered the auction.

Damn... I completely forgot about the auction.

He turned toward Eliza, who was standing behind them.

"Eliza, is the paperwork for Ronan and his team ready?"

"Yes, Young Master. Everything is ready, just as you asked."

"Good. Finish the remaining paperwork with them. I’m going with Cedric to the auction. And you lot, go back and prepare yourselves and your squads for the departure to Dreadmoor."

At those words, silence fell for a moment. Ronan, Kael, and the rest of the team exchanged tense looks, all of them realizing they were now bound by contracts to work for five years without pay.

Malrik didn’t miss their anxious expressions. A wicked smile crept onto his lips as he realized what they were thinking.

I’ll make you pay back those two thousand platinum coins one way or another.

"Take charge of things here, Eliza," Malrik said as he turned away. "I’m leaving with Cedric for the auction now."

Eliza bowed gracefully. "As you wish, Young Master."

Malrik was about to leave when a gravelly voice stopped him.

"Excuse me, my Lord."

Malrik stopped and turned around. Orren had stepped out of the line and was standing before him.

The massive veteran warrior looked at Malrik for a moment before asking quietly, "May I accompany you?"

Malrik studied the old man for a moment, unable to understand his sudden request. "There’s no need for that, Orren. Cedric is already with me, so don’t worry."

Orren bowed his head slightly.

"I know. But I want to be with you... will you allow me?"

Malrik stared at him in silence. He didn’t completely understand the veteran warrior’s sudden insistence, but having Orren as a bodyguard was no problem at all.

"Very well. No harm in it."

Malrik finally agreed, then glanced at the remaining four commanders. From their expressions, it seemed some of them were about to ask for the exact same thing.

"As for the rest of you, head to your quarters and begin preparations, you and your squads."

Malrik walked with Cedric and Orren until they passed through the massive gates of the estate, where a luxurious carriage was waiting for them at the exit.

The carriage driver stepped forward and greeted Malrik, but hesitation and confusion were clear on his face.

"Excuse me, Lord Banner Bearer, but... I don’t believe this carriage is assigned to you."

Malrik raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Then whose is it?"

"It’s mine."

A familiar, sweet voice reached his ears.

A cold chill ran down Malrik’s spine, as if some instinct deep within him had sensed danger before his mind could even register it.

He turned slowly and saw a beautiful woman standing behind him. Her long red hair fell over her shoulders, while her emerald eyes watched him with a quiet sharpness. With her delicate features and pale complexion, she naturally drew attention wherever she went.

It was his elder sister... Velrosa.

Unlike usual, she wasn’t wearing her combat armor. Instead, she wore an elegant black dress that highlighted her beauty.

Her personal maid stood quietly behind her, the very same maid who had brought him the spirit stones earlier.

Velrosa’s gaze shifted briefly to Orren standing beside her brother, and her smile widened slightly. She said nothing, simply turning her attention back to Malrik.

Malrik tried to maintain his composure and forced a strained smile. "Velrosa... I’m sorry. I didn’t know the carriage was reserved for you."

She answered with a soft, warm smile. "Don’t worry, Mal. It’s quite alright."

Then she tilted her head slightly.

"Oh, and how are you, Cedric? Where are you all heading at a time like this?"

Cedric bowed his head with elegance. "I am well, thank you for asking, Second Banner Bearer. We were on our way to the Ducal Auction House."

As soon as she heard Cedric’s words, Velrosa’s face lit up with genuine joy. "What a coincidence! I’m heading there as well."

She turned to Malrik. "Isn’t this a lovely coincidence, Mal? Let’s go together then!"

Malrik froze for a moment, an alarm bell ringing wildly inside his head.

"Ah... that really is a lovely coincidence, but... now that I think about it, I believe I forgot something terribly important in my room... I’ll go back and get it right away..."

Before Malrik could finish his sentence or even take a step back, a soft white hand shot out and grabbed his arm with lightning speed. With terrifying strength that didn’t match her delicate appearance at all, Velrosa dragged him toward the carriage.

"Wait a second, Velrosa ..."

She didn’t give him a chance to finish. Malrik resisted for a moment, but his effort didn’t slow her down at all. In the blink of an eye, he found himself being dragged toward the carriage.

"Wait... I can walk by myself!"

Moments later, Malrik found himself inside the luxurious cabin, with Velrosa right behind him as she calmly shut the door.

Velrosa leaned toward the carriage window and turned to Cedric, Orren, and her maid with a friendly smile.

"You can use the other carriage, Cedric. I’ll enjoy the company of my dear brother in this one."