Chapter 618 - 45: Physics

Chapter 618: Chapter 45: Physics

Some sneered, murmuring to their companions, their eyes filled with disdain and anger.

Others wore grim expressions, saying nothing, but their clenched fists betrayed their feelings.

A middle-aged Warlock in the front row, dressed in a magnificent, deep-purple Magic Robe with the insignia of the House of Representatives pinned to his chest, slowly rose to his feet.

He didn’t look toward the private box, but at the auctioneer on stage.

"What is the meaning of this?"

His voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the murmuring crowd with absolute clarity.

"Since when has an auction at the Silver Tower become a private affair?"

Beads of sweat formed on the auctioneer’s forehead.

He opened his mouth to speak but didn’t know what to say.

He was just the auctioneer, a hired hand.

He wasn’t qualified to handle a conflict of this magnitude.

Fortunately, a voice rang out just in time, saving him from his predicament.

"Everyone, please, a moment of calm."

A middle-aged man in a black business suit strode out from backstage, a professional smile fixed on his face.

It was the general manager of the Silver Tower.

He walked to the center of the stage and gave a slight bow to the audience.

"We have received Lady Douglas’s request. According to our regulations, if a distinguished guest is willing to pay the sum total of the starting bids for every item in the auction, they may indeed request a private buyout."

"Of course, this requires the consent of all distinguished guests in attendance."

He paused, his smile growing even brighter.

"If you do not agree, we can simply proceed with the auction as scheduled."

"The decision is entirely yours."

The moment he finished speaking, the uproar in the hall intensified.

Someone shouted, "I don’t agree! What gives her the right to buy out the entire auction?"

Another sneered, "The sum of the starting bids? Does Douglas even have that kind of money?"

A third voice added scornfully, "Even if she’s from the Senate, she can’t be this tyrannical!"

But most people remained silent.

They were waiting.

Waiting for someone else to take the lead.

Waiting to see what Lady Douglas’s attitude would truly be.

...

「In the VIP box.」

Cheris leaned back on the plush sofa with her legs crossed, turning a deaf ear to the angry protests from the floor below.

It was as if their voices were nothing more than an irrelevant breeze.

She turned her head to look at Murphy beside her, her jade-green eyes curving into crescents.

"Darling~"

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, laced with a hint of coquettishness.

"Do you know what an Alternate Plane Development License is?"

Murphy thought of the people he had encountered in the Nightmare World.

Elvin from the Caesar Dia World, and his companions. They had risked their lives entering the Nightmare World, searching for resources and opportunities.

Then Murphy said, "It sounds like a permit to legally develop Alternate Planes."

"Pfft." Cheris laughed, her crisp laughter ringing like a Silver Bell in the quiet box.

"Darling, you’re just adorable."

She held out her hand, wagging a slender finger in front of Murphy.

"To be precise, it’s a license to use the Nightmare World as a beachhead for invading other worlds."

A flicker of emotion crossed Murphy’s eyes.

But the flicker vanished as quickly as it came, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"I see," he said faintly.

Cheris tilted her head to look at him, a hint of mischief flashing in her jade-green eyes.

"You’re not surprised?"

Murphy looked at her.

"Why would I be?"

Cheris blinked, then her smile grew wider.

She retracted her gaze, looking out the window at the auction hall below.

"Do you know why the Empire develops Alternate Planes?"

Murphy was silent for a moment.

"For profit, I assume. Resources, things like that."

Cheris nodded.

"That’s certainly part of it."

She held up her hand, counting off on her fingers.

"The first benefit is, of course, resources."

"Every plane has its own unique resources. Certain ores, plants, and creatures that can’t be found in the Empire."

"These resources can be used for research, alchemy, and for increasing one’s power."

"The second benefit is markets."

"No matter how large the Empire’s market is, it will one day become saturated. But Alternate Planes are different. Every newly discovered plane is a new market. We can sell the Empire’s goods there and get what we need in return."

"The third benefit..."

As she said this, her tone became playful.

"Is that if the Empire doesn’t constantly develop Alternate Planes, it won’t be able to sustain itself."