Nighttime in Moncarlo. Inside the vast Wavewhirl Theater, the highly anticipated auction was underway in an atmosphere of intense excitement. One item after another was brought out; one high bid after another was called. Amid rounds of thunderous applause, the event reached one climax after another.
“Congratulations to the guest in Box 9, who has won this exquisite Usso-carved Bone Scepter at a high price! May this ancient craftsmanship bring you the blessing of good fortune! And with that, our 16th item has been successfully sold!”
With the auctioneer’s gavel falling once more, another item was sold at a high price. Amid applause, the stage’s lift platform slowly lowered, taking the sold item backstage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s auction is nearing its conclusion. But before we unveil our grand finale item, let’s take a moment to enjoy a little appetizer. Allow me to present Item 17 of the evening: the Vic Palace Crystal Bottle from Falano!”
As the auctioneer enthusiastically introduced the next item, the lift platform activated once more. Accompanied by the rumble of mechanisms, a small pedestal rose to the stage—on it sat a clear, sparkling crystal bottle.
“Vic Blue Palace is one of the most renowned palaces of the Sunblossom Dynasty in Falano. This bottle is a prized treasure from that palace. Legend has it that the royal family of the Sunblossom Dynasty had a refined habit of drinking morning dew, and this bottle was specifically designed to collect and preserve such royal dew. If you wish to experience the life of Falano royalty—this is not to be missed. Starting price: 4,000 Lir!”
The host addressed the audience loudly. With that, a new round of bidding began. Audience members in the seats and boxes began submitting offers—but the competition seemed lukewarm, as many considered the crystal bottle’s value rather unimpressive. Compared to earlier, higher-value items, the final sale price for this one could already be anticipated as modest.
While the bidding proceeded in an orderly manner, in a nearby box, Edward, dressed in a cotton robe, sat silently observing the scene. Having sat through numerous mundane auction items, this powerful Beyonder’s eyes already showed signs of growing impatience.
Standing nearby, Tonic was also quietly watching the auction. Suddenly, his expression sharpened as if sensing something. He raised his right arm to his ear. After holding that position briefly, a glint appeared in his eyes.
Lowering his arm, Tonic respectfully addressed Edward. Edward raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Tell me—has Swordscale confirmed the goods? And how does he plan to hand them over?”
“Lord Swordscale has affirmed your success, Captain. The seed of corruption has been implanted in Sister Vania. The trade is ready to proceed. The Fountain of Youth water is inside the crystal bottle currently being auctioned. All you need to do is purchase it, and the water is yours.”
Tonic bowed slightly with a smile. Edward blinked, then turned his gaze toward the clear crystal bottle on stage. After examining it for a moment, he snorted.
“Hmph. So determined not to appear before me in person… he really went all out.”
Then, Edward turned to a nearby servant and gave a quiet order.
“Double it. Buy it.”
The servant nodded. From the unused bid paddles, he selected a larger one, walked to the front of the box, and raised it high.
“The Vic Palace Crystal Bottle is currently at 9,000 Lir! Do I hear a higher bid? A royal household item from Falano’s palace—both artistically and practically valuable, a treasure not to be missed!”
“9,000 once… 9,000 twice… 9,000—oh! The guest in Box 14 has just raised the double bid paddle! That’s a high bid indeed! Looks like they are determined to win this treasure!”
The auctioneer called out excitedly, while the crowd turned toward Box 14. Many “experts” chuckled privately—knowing the bottle’s true value was modest, they saw this bidder as a clueless fool throwing away money.
“9,000… 18,000 Lir once… twice… sold! Congratulations to the guest in Box 14 for acquiring the item of their desire! Let’s give them a round of applause!”
Amid cheers and applause, the auctioneer struck the gavel again. In Box 14, Edward rose slowly from his seat upon hearing the item was won.
“Retrieve it. Then return to Sovereign Sea Fortress immediately. I need to inspect the goods.”
“Understood.”
As he stood, Edward gave orders to his men. His entourage quickly closed in around him, escorting him—and Tonic—out of the box.
Thus, with the goods in hand, Edward left the venue early, returning to his base. Meanwhile, the grand auction drew toward its apparent conclusion—though only on the surface.
In another box, a man with a pale complexion and deep eye bags sat motionless in his seat, watching the lively hall expressionlessly.
“Almost…”
After the crystal bottle was sold, the final item was brought to the stage. Under the host’s enthusiastic guidance, wave after wave of high bids were called. Ultimately, the ancient North Ufigan crown was sold for the night’s highest price, setting a new record.
At last, with the host’s closing remarks, the auction came to an end. As graceful music played, the auctioneer descended below the stage via the lift. The audience began rising from their seats and making their way out. The auction was officially dispersing.
However, not everyone chose to leave. A portion of the audience in the general seats—and quite a few box guests—remained unmoved even after the host declared the event concluded. They stayed in their seats, waiting silently. No staff came to usher them out.
Eventually, after most of the crowd had dispersed, the grand venue became open and quiet. Only thirty to forty individuals still sat scattered across the seats. Most of them wore wide, concealing clothing and hats to obscure their faces and forms. All sat in complete silence, waiting for something. Many others like them remained hidden in the VIP boxes.
After the orchestra departed, only the remaining audience members were left in the venue. At this moment, the once-bright lights of the hall gradually dimmed. At some point, a circle of black-clad guards had silently appeared, encircling the round venue and staring wordlessly at the attendees who remained.
Then, without any accompanying music, the lift platform at the center of the stage rumbled to life again. Rising from it was a mature woman dressed in a black evening gown, wearing a half-mask.
Upon stepping onto the stage, the woman swept her gaze across the now-cold and empty hall. She gave a slight bow in all directions, then slowly began to speak.
“To all honored guests who have gathered from the many shadows of this world, who know of the world’s hidden side—welcome to the second half of tonight’s auction. From this moment forward, true rarities that transcend the mundane shall be presented one by one. May each of you find what your heart desires.”
The new auctioneer addressed the sparse audience in her emotionless voice. Then, she extended her hand toward the lift platform. As mechanical noises echoed once again, a new item was slowly brought up onto the stage.
“Let us waste no time. Presenting now, Item 19 of the evening, and Item number one of the mystical catalog: the Bark of an Oru Face-Tree!”
As she spoke, the new item was fully revealed. Hanging from the display pedestal was a piece of aged tree bark with a distinctly humanoid face. The bark was gnarled and rough, yet it bore a lifelike human visage—and even appeared to be gently breathing. It looked... alive.
“According to legend, the now nearly-extinct Oru people possessed secret tree-burial rituals. After death, they would voluntarily offer their bodies to the trees of their homeland. Their faces would grow on the trunks—becoming ‘Face-Trees’. Trees with hundreds, even thousands of faces, were said to hold great mystical powers, becoming guardian deities of the Oru.
“The bark from the faces of Face-Trees retains many mystical properties. It is a key material in many Chalice rituals, as well as in the creation of living wood and disguise masks.
“Bark from a Face-Tree’s visage. Starting price: —— Lir. The bidding begins now.”
With a cold tone, the masked auctioneer made her announcement, and a new round of tense bidding began.
Meanwhile, the pale man with dark circles remained seated, unmoved, showing no intention of bidding. As for the man wearing the serpent ring, he and his servant had long since vanished from their private box. Clearly, this second half of the auction held no appeal to them.
…
At that very moment, while the second half of the auction played out at Wavewhirl Theater, a furious blaze was igniting deep within Sovereign Sea Fortress, Moncarlo’s most secure bastion.
“Aaaagh!!”
Inside the vast audience hall of the fortress, a piercing scream echoed. The Beyonder named Tonic lay on the floor, covered in blood, convulsing violently. His body was riddled with dozens of wounds of varying sizes, with fresh blood pouring out. His expression, soaked in blood, was twisted with fear and confusion.
“A... E-Edward... What… what’s going on… why…”
Collapsed on the ground, Tonic stared at the elderly man seated on the throne at the end of the hall, his voice trembling. Edward, sitting coldly on his throne, shook the small crystal vial in his hand and said with a chilling tone.
“What’s going on? I should be asking you that. This… this is the Waters of Youth Swordscale promised to trade to me? With this thin spiritual potency? Is this what you call the essence that grants fifty years of life? You think I’m that easy to fool?”
“Thin spiritual potency… no, that’s not right… this should be the correct crystal bottle… this should be the Water…”
Tonic muttered through the pain, barely able to speak. Edward retorted coldly.
“Silence! You’ve lost your right to speak. Get Swordscale to talk to me himself!”
Edward roared furiously. Hearing this, Tonic trembled, then slowly raised his arm and pulled up his sleeve, revealing a closed set of facial features embedded in his forearm.
Tonic brought the arm close to his mouth and whispered something. Then, he shakily raised it toward Edward. The eyes and mouth on the arm slowly opened—and spoke in a man’s voice.
“What is it? Edward, you should already have your payment. The Waters of Youth grants you fifty years of life.”
“Waters of Youth? You call this garbage the Waters of Youth?! It’s so spiritually diluted, it’s basically just water! You think you can cheat me like this, Swordscale?!”
Staring at the writhing facial altar, Edward snapped. He slammed his hand on the armrest, smashing the chair to pieces.
“Diluted spirituality... water… No, Edward, I gave you the real Waters of Youth! Did you misuse it somehow? Or are you trying to blackmail me into giving you more?!”
Swordscale’s voice paused, then resumed, cautious and defensive. He clearly didn’t trust Edward’s accusations. But Edward’s response came as another wave of fury.
“Bullshit! This so-called Waters of Youth is clearly flawed, and now you’re trying to turn it back on me? That’s the liquid that came out of your little ‘spirit-concealing’ crystal bottle, the one I paid for as instructed! Come here and see for yourself if these few drops are worth fifty years of life! If you won’t come, I’ll drag you here myself…”
Edward’s voice was low and menacing. On the other end, Swordscale fell silent for a moment before replying.
“Hmph… I don’t know what kind of game you’re trying to play, but I’ll say this—you won’t be able to find me right now. So stop wasting your time trying. If there is a problem with the vial you received, I suggest you look elsewhere for the cause. I already delivered the real Waters of Youth to the auction house.”
“The auction house…”
Edward paused at the words, his brow furrowing in thought. At that moment, hurried footsteps rang out beyond the throne room. Edward looked up to see his son Laurent striding quickly into the chamber.
“Father! There’s been a strange incident at the auction house.”
Kneeling on one knee upon the hall’s carpet, Laurent cast a glance at the bloodied Tonic before respectfully reporting to Edward. Edward responded immediately.
“What incident? Speak.”
“It’s the auction staff. The employees who handled the first half suddenly fainted during the shift change. It took a while to wake them up…
“But after waking… they were in a hurry to get back to work! They had no memory of what happened during the evening. They thought their shift hadn’t started. They said they just felt very drowsy upon arrival, and then mysteriously fell asleep until moments ago! Father, I’m almost certain this involved mystical influence. The second half of the auction may be compromised.”
Laurent reported the bizarre situation and his suspicions. Hearing this, Edward’s eyes widened slightly in realization. Then he muttered aloud.
“Hypnosis… sleepwalking…”
As he spoke, Edward’s voice darkened. His expression grew terrifying. He clenched his teeth, and from between them, spat out a single name.
“Blackdream…”