Auction (Part 1)
Golden Merchant House. In just fifty years, it had risen to become the continent's premier trading powerhouse, a legend whispered among merchants everywhere. The continent was dotted with ancient merchant guilds boasting centuries of history, so it was no wonder this upstart had shot to the top and claimed first place.
And Barto Bennet. He was the master of the Golden Merchant House—and the man who had just appeared before us.
At the arrival of this stranger, everyone in our group fixed him with wary stares—everyone except me. It was simply because Barto Bennet's face wasn't well-known to the public.
I answered his question.
"We'll gladly accept if you're offering."
Barto Bennet gave a nod to the bartender, who understood and began preparing drinks.
"Kyle, do you know him? Hmm... his scent smells kinda familiar somehow...."
Rana sidled up to me then, whispering in my ear with a worried look.
"No personal acquaintance, but he's a decent guy. I'll talk with him for a bit."
"Okay! Got it!"
With that, I headed over to Barto Bennet's side.
"You take a handout from a stranger and saunter right up without a hint of fear. Do you know who I am?"
"Who else? You're the head of the Golden Merchant House."
"Tch, tch. You're the only one who'd toss a joke like that at a shabby old codger like me."
"If I were wrong, your staff would've booted me out ages ago."
The casino employees pretended not to care about him while watching his every move like hawks.
"Plus, the details don't add up. What commoner keeps their hair and nails that impeccably groomed?"
Barto Bennet might look like a plain commoner at a glance, but a closer look revealed otherwise. Everything but his clothes screamed nobility. He lifted the glass in front of him and took a sip. He didn't care for alcohol, so it was a non-alcoholic drink. After swallowing once, he continued.
"People judge others first by their appearance."
"Sure, some do. But others couldn't care less about clothes—like me."
Barto Bennet let out a chuckle at that.
"Well, I'll be. Impossible to read your true colors. Split personality or something?"
"I've dabbled in playboy antics myself. This much acting is child's play."
"Ah, so that's why the ladies love you. Stories from the banquet hall are still making the rounds."
"You get a kick out of teasing someone young enough to be your grandson?"
"It's a riot. Especially from a kid who stirred up all this chaos just to drag me out."
I just smiled silently at his words. The reason I'd been throwing money around the casino like confetti was to lure him out. Retan might as well have been his territory.
"What brings you seeking this old man?"
"You're taking this awfully in stride. Won't be pocket change you're losing."
"The price can come later. No rush."
Just how big a demand is he expecting?
Typical merchant. Even haggling's a chore.
Still, coaxing out the head of the Golden Merchant House for this price was a bargain.
"The reason I came to the Free City is to join the auction."
"Got an invite?"
I flashed the two invitations from my inner pocket.
"The front one's one thing, but the back? You pulled some strings to snag that. Not easy, even with connections."
"Put in the effort."
"The casino was for raising funds too, then?"
"That was part of it."
Front and back. To snag what I wanted from both auctions, I'd need a mountain of cash. A massive mountain.
"Anyway, what I'm getting at is... I need your help at this auction."
I leaned in close and lowered my voice. Not many people around, but better safe.
"Help at the auction? Be specific."
"First off, I've got my eye on several items. But I want to cut out pointless spending. If you could step in at the right moments and block the bids...."
The Golden Merchant House's reputation carried weight anywhere on the continent. If he intervened, bidders would hesitate and back off on their own. Not everyone, of course, but it'd save a fortune regardless.
He seemed to mull it over but didn't commit right away.
"If there's a first, there's a second, right?"
"Naturally."
I pressed on.
"Second: you've heard the rumors by now. What race is up for grabs on the back side."
"...Rumors spread that far already?"
"Would be weirder if they hadn't."
An elf, of all things, on the auction block. Word must've reached every tycoon across the continent by now.
"So, helping me buy the elf? Sorry, that's off the table. Like you said, rumors are everywhere—competition's going to be fierce. Even I couldn't cool down a bidding war that hot."
Elves were infamous for their innate beauty. Droves of men would kill to get their hands on one. Hell, four centuries ago, they'd even launched the Elf Hunts over it. No doubt lobbyists were swarming the Free City and insiders even now.
"Not disappointing at all. You think I'm nuts enough to buy one?"
Put a price on a child of the gods? Kill me first.
"Then what?"
"Nothing much... Just thinking of staging a little terror attack during the back auction."
I said it calmly.
Barto Bennet stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"...Here I thought you were just a wastrel. Turns out you're a total lunatic."
"Hey, watch the language."
"So you're denying it? If you think you're sane, go see a priest."
He dismissed it as nonsense and sipped his drink. Translation: he was pretending not to hear and wanted me gone.
"No need for direct involvement. We'll handle the execution—me and my crew. Your merchant house won't be linked to us."
Just nudge the guards and auction item placements a bit. No evidence left behind, no way to get caught. Guaranteed.
He still acted deaf. I didn't let up.
"Not all of it, but I'll return half the casino winnings from tonight."
"Think you can buy my favor with that? Twenty-five hundred million gold is pocket lint compared to my fortune."
Barto Bennet shot it down. So I made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
"How about I arrange a meeting with the Justia Holy Kingdom instead?"
"......"
Now he looked at me.
The Justia Holy Kingdom seemed open on the surface but was notoriously insular. They dealt with nations, sure—but never individuals or private groups.
"You've got backing."
"You think a mere student pulls off terrorism solo?"
"Judging from this chat...."
He glanced at me and trailed off. From the elf rescue angle, he'd pieced together who sent me.
"Tch, tch. Truly... a monster even greater than the current family head has been born."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Then it's a compliment. Or was it an insult?"
His expression had lightened up before I knew it, and we bantered on.
And shortly after.
"See you on auction day, then."
"Take care on your way out."
With his send-off, I left the casino.
A week flew by. Lounging, resting, even hitting some ruins. Before long, auction day arrived.
The Free City's auction kicked off precisely at 6 p.m., so we headed out accordingly.
At the auction hall, I handed the staff my white invitation. Each one allowed up to four companions, so we sailed right in. Plus, Bellum's invite was a VIP pass. We were ushered to the VIP seats.
Prime view of the auction stage below. I scanned the venue.
The first floor teemed with participants—nobles and fat cats chuckling and chatting away. The auction platform lay hidden behind a massive red curtain, nothing visible. A faint breeze now and then meant they were still prepping.
Up on the second floor with us: other VIP seats. Far off, I spotted Barto Bennet, head of the Golden Merchant House. Our eyes met; I gave a brief nod.
No real need for caution here, so I turned to the auction catalog.
Flipping through, I eyed the listings and grumbled inwardly.
Lots of junk.
Porcelain and relics worthless to me sat alongside useful artifacts, magic tools, and elixirs.
Wish I could sweep 'em all up.
Budget wouldn't stretch that far, alas. Had to pinch pennies on the front auction.
"Ruina senior. Anything you wanna buy?"
"Yeah. This."
Rana and senior chimed in from beside me. They were browsing catalogs too.
"And this, this, oh—and this one too."
She flipped pages eagerly, marking her targets. Noticing my gaze, she turned.
"Can I buy 'em?"
"Buy away. Just... no cash from me."
"I've got plenty. No need."
True enough, but still.
Should be fine.
Senior had made her fortune via casino contracts, after all. No issue there.
Sipping the complimentary drinks, I glanced at Evan next. He seemed disinterested in the auction.
"Nothing for you?"
"Nah, what would I even buy? Looks pricey as hell."
"Want me to grab something?"
"No need to go that far. I'm good just watching."
Fair point. Base prices started at 100,000 gold. Still a pipe dream for a commoner like Evan.
"Thank you all for gracing our auction...."
The auctioneer's voice boomed through the stage, the curtain rose, and the lights dimmed. The hall's chatter faded to a hush.
"Our first item, for those brave souls who cross the desert to bring peace and safety to our city!"
The platform's center floor parted, and the item rose up.
"An artifact born from an unnamed alchemist two centuries ago! Starting bid: 300,000 gold. Increments: 50,000 gold!"
And with that, the bidding kicked off.
"Ah—Seat 112! A whopping 600,000 gold out the gate! Double the starting bid!"
The auctioneer called out our seat number. I turned, spotting senior inputting the bid on the magic tool.
"Told you. I've got money to burn."
She beamed triumphantly, eyes sparkling as she looked my way.