Chapter 59: Tessing Underground Auction (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: Tessing Underground Auction (2)
As was typical for underground auctions, the one operated by Tessing required a formal introduction for entry.
The venue was an hour’s ride by carriage, not far from Jet’s inn. It looked like an ordinary nobleman’s villa on the outside, but in reality, it was a space where all sorts of illegal transactions took place.
“What’s this, Jet? Why are you dragging so many people around today? Are they merchandise?”
“Watch your mouth. These are my guests.”
Jet immediately shut the gatekeepers down. The guard quickly apologized for speaking out of turn, a clear sign of the considerable respect Jet commanded within Tessing.
The three of them followed Jet inside. Despite being an auction house run by back-alley thugs, the garden was already filled with nobles from Akin enjoying a lavish party.
Whether before or after my regression, the face of corruption never changes.
This was a land where Tessing held sway over most of the nation’s key figures, a place where official investigative agencies didn’t dare to look. While commoners suffered at the hands of unregistered mages and mercenaries, wine and meat flowed endlessly here. All sorts of stolen goods—including human beings—were bought and sold.
The Zipple Clan knew all of this but imposed no sanctions. Akin was not an important territory to them, and more importantly, the Zipple family’s long-standing vassals received monthly “pocket money” from Spider-Hand Alu.
A fresh wave of disgust washed over Jin.
Filthy bastards.
Jet had the guards bring three masks and handed them out.
“You wouldn’t need these if you were just sticking to the party upstairs, but it's best to wear them since we’re heading down below. Normally, it’s not allowed, but since I’m vouching for you, covering your faces is no problem. Hehe.”
A hidden staircase was concealed behind the garden. This place hadn't changed a bit from before his regression. Even thirteen years from now, Akin would remain under Tessing’s thumb, and auctions would be held here every day.
That is, if Jin didn't interfere.
As they descended into the basement, the boisterous voices of the crowd were muffled, replaced by the pleasant melody of a violin. On a stage, a group of performers in formal attire played their instruments without pause.
Still the same.
It was all to Spider-Hand Alu’s taste. He always went out of his way to emphasize that he wasn't just some uncultured thug.
“What is this? Is this really an underground auction house? Music? What a joke,” Murakan scoffed.
“I agree,” Gilly added.
They found a seat in a corner and waited for an hour. In the meantime, Jet informed the Tessing executives that he had brought guests. No one came over to check their faces.
“That man certainly seems to have the trust of the thugs here,” Murakan mused. “Kid, what’s the plan? Are you going to wipe out these gangsters on your first day in Akin?”
“The guards we saw on the way in didn't seem half bad,” Gilly noted. “There were quite a few who looked like unregistered mages as well. You aren't planning to start a fight right in the middle of all this, are you, Young Master?”
“Do you both take me for a fool? Let’s just observe for now.”
Naturally, Jin had no intention of turning the place upside down today. As his companions said, it was too dangerous. Besides, there were items he needed to obtain from here first.
Ancient magic tomes and the helmet artifact.
He was after magic tomes containing spells that transcended the modern era and an artifact that looked like a ring but could form a helmet of mana at the owner's will.
Among the magic tomes, he was particularly after the legacy of the ancient great mage, ‘Oh Henserck.’ As for the helmet artifact, he was determined to acquire it—not just for its performance, but for its ability to hide his face whenever necessary.
Jin didn't know the exact date Oh Henserck’s magic tome was traded here. The chances of it appearing today were about as high as getting struck by lightning.
Even if it’s not Oh Henserck’s, ancient magic tomes show up every day. I just need to wait a few days for a real gem to appear and snatch it.
On the other hand, he knew the exact trading date for the helmet artifact.
That item—which would be named the ‘Demon King’s Helmet’ in about five or six years—was originally destined for the Emperor of the Viment Empire.
When the Emperor of Viment received the Demon King’s Helmet as tribute, he gathered numerous appraisers, historians, and researchers. They unanimously classified it as a Masterpiece and began tracing its history. It was named the Demon King’s Helmet because historians speculated it had been used by an ancient Demon King.
The entire world of magic journals had been in an uproar for a while after that. Magic researchers always made a fuss whenever a Masterpiece was discovered.
Since Jin subscribed to all the major academic journals, he had learned where the Demon King’s Helmet was first discovered and the date it was traded.
—Surprisingly, the Demon King’s Helmet was first discovered at Akin’s notorious underground auction house. In fact, the helmet had been neglected in a warehouse for years because it hadn't sold…
The helmet won't be traded for another five years. That means it’s in the warehouse right now.
Therefore, there was no need to wait for a specific trading date.
He could just steal it.
The problem is how to raid this place.
As Murakan and Gilly said, this wasn't some small-time operation he could rush into blindly. Many of the guards appeared to be 6-star or higher, and unregistered mages milled about, disguised as guests.
It wasn't a force Jin could handle alone, and he couldn't use Murakan’s power recklessly either. The moment Murakan revealed his draconic aura, the entire Lutero Magic Federation would go on high alert.
“Guests who have sought out the night of Tessing, thank you for waiting. We will now begin the auction!”
While he was lost in thought, the auctioneer stepped onto the stage.
At the same time, dozens of naked slaves were brought out, separated by gender. All of them had vacant, drugged eyes. The only consolation, if any, was that there were no children among them.
“Now then, from number 1 to number 30. Today’s merchandise is particularly good. Shall we get started?”
The slave trade began. It took less than an hour for all of them to be sold.
“So, you were planning to sell us off just like that, weren't you?” Murakan said, glaring at Jet.
“Ha, haha… My lord. I was foolish.”
Jin, of course, wanted to save them. Most were pitiful people who had been dragged here without knowing why.
But now was not the time.
No matter how I think about it, there’s no way to raid this place discreetly.
The best method would be to pay a hefty fee to a mercenary group like the Black King Corps or the Ghost Captain’s unit and have them bring in several 7-star mercenaries to wipe the place out. However, he didn't have that kind of money, nor could Jin—unable to use the name ‘Runcandel’—hire those two groups, especially for a request of this scale.
Then there was terrorism, a method Jin favored whenever he hit a snag. But that, too, carried too much risk.
After a moment, Jin thought of a third method.
Well… it’s a bit uncomfortable. But it should be fun. It’ll also be a good way to check if Alu has any ties to Runcandel later.
Jin returned to the inn that day without purchasing anything.
*
For a while, their days fell into a routine.
During the day, he practiced magic and spiritual energy in a corner of Jet’s inn. At night, he attended the underground auction to carefully observe the items. As he did, the Tessing executives, who had initially ignored them, began to watch them with growing curiosity, while Jet quietly attended to their needs.
“Hmm, kid. I really wonder what goes on in that head of yours sometimes. Will that plan actually work?”
“Young Master, this feels a bit… extreme. Are you sure they won’t know who he is? I heard that man, Spider-Hand Alu, has a significant background. Jet emphasized that a lot.”
“That’s the blind spot, Gilly. It’s true that Alu probably knows someone in the Zipple Clan, but it’s likely just a few low-ranking mages or old retainers. Because of that, even if I claim to be Veradin, he won't be able to just assume I'm a fake.”
“Still, for the Young Master, a Runcandel, to impersonate Veradin Zipple… this nanny is truly speechless.”
Jin’s plan was this:
Once a genuine ancient magic tome appeared at the auction, he would buy it and go see Alu. Then, under the name of Veradin Zipple, he would demand to know why a magic tome that should be in his family’s possession was being sold here.
Like Jin, Veradin had not yet become a flagbearer, so his face wasn't widely known to the public.
“I can use 5-star magic at my age. If I were Alu, I’d believe I was Veradin. And if we try it and get caught, we can just run.”
“If I hadn't lost so much of my power, maybe, but is it really that simple…?”
“The kid is right, Strawberry Pie,” Murakan cut in. “I don't even need to transform into my true form. Escaping with the two of you from these lowly creatures wouldn't be a problem.”
“Mmm.”
“Anyway, for this plan to work, a proper ancient magic tome needs to show up soon. Let’s hope one appears today.”
When night fell, Jet prepared the carriage as usual.
“My lord, this might be overstepping, but… if you don't buy anything again today, the Tessing executives will probably start bothering you. They’ll likely demand to know why you’re just looking around without buying anything.”
“Just drive the carriage.”
“Yes, sir.”
The auction began once again. After the slave auction ended and the magic tomes and artifacts were brought onto the stage, Jin straightened his posture.
“The slaves selected by Tessing have all been sold for today! Now then… it’s time for the antiques. I sincerely hope today’s items go to those who know their value. Let’s begin!”
“Here is the first item! It’s a magic tome by Matthew Morniak, a legendary mage of old. We haven't been able to decipher it, but it likely contains great magic. Oh! We already have our first bid!”
Jin let out a smirk. The auctioneer’s introduction was completely wrong. While Matthew Morniak was the correct name, as far as Jin knew, all of the mage’s genuine writings were kept safely in the Zipple archives.
The auctions over the past week had been the same every time. The auctioneer spouted nonsense, and vain mages made foolish bids.
“…The seventh item. Hmm, the author of this magic tome is Chenmi. Does anyone know a mage named Chenmi?”
The room was silent. Jin had never heard of a mage by that name either.
A magic tome like that is basically a lottery ticket. The chances of winning are extremely rare.
According to the appraisal methods Jin had learned from his teacher, Chenmi’s magic tome was not worth buying.
However, Murakan thought differently.
“Kid.”
“Yeah?”
“Buy that. If it’s the Chenmi I know… this is a major event.”
It was a recommendation from a dragon. A strong recommendation at that.
It meant there was no need to ask why. Jin raised his hand toward the auctioneer.