There were several minutes before the auction started, and Dave was thrilled to see so many apprentices from Brute Cavern sitting around him.
They usually did not attend the auction held on the Remnant Coast because there were many better choices. It seemed they were all attracted by Angor’s illusion item.
Also, Dave hung out at the entrance for a while and saw many great wizards, including Sumesh, who had come. Apparently, they heard about Greya’s “challenge of truth”, which was facilitated by Angor’s illusion, and they all wished to take a look at what Angor was selling this time.
Angor promised to share 10% of the final income with Dave. Of course Dave was glad to see so many people who would soon compete for a higher price.
The lights in the auction hall went out and interrupted his happy imagination.
The main stage was then lit up, and Theron went under the light with a professional smile, wearing his off-white suit and a yellow bow-tie.
“Welcome. Welcome to the monthly auction sale of the Remnant Coast. My name is Theron, and I’ll be your host today.”
As an auctioneer who worked for the Remnant Coast for over a hundred years, Theron knew that none of the participants enjoyed formalities, so he started the auction right away.
A display stand emerged from the floor and revealed three red objects on it.
“The first lot for today is this: three Blood Cores extracted from three giants of different natures. They are the Dune Giant, Snow Giant, and Sea Giant. The starting price is 80 crystals. Make sure you raise at least 10 crystals for each call, and let’s begin!”
A Blood Core was a common alchemy material, which functioned similarly as minerals that contained certain energy. The three cores were non-tiered components. However, the core of a Sea Giant was relatively costly in markets, which was probably why the starting price was so high.
But it seemed not many guests needed them. An apprentice won the cores by offering 120 crystals in the end.
“Next is a wooden stave created by a synthesis alchemist. Apart from its good looks, it can slightly improve the effectiveness of spells that use wood elements. We shall begin from 130 crystals.”
This item had even fewer potential users compared to the blood cores, and Theron was fully aware of it. After making three calls without receiving a single response, he declared the item unsold.
The non-tiered stave was, of course, intended for apprentices. To apprentices, 130 crystals was an extremely high price. Paying such a price for a weak weapon that seemed easy to break was just not worth it.
It took Theron some time to decide whether he should bring the 3rd item.
He completely should, according to Master Chalon’s order. But his instinct of a seasoned auctioneer told him that the music box should not be treated so lightly.
“What’s the problem, man? Keep the auction going!” a customer yelled impatiently.
Theron glanced at the third floor of the auction hall. He couldn’t see through the unlit distance,, but he somehow felt Master Chalon’s cold look.
“Get on with it!” Chalon’s voice reached his ears.
Theron sighed and placed a small box on the display stand.
On the first look, the item appeared to be a carefully-designed jewelry casket decorated with golden rose engravings and four “legs” made of platinum.
And there was nothing particular on it apart from its adorable look.
Someone yelled to tell Theron to hurry up and explain.
Dave suddenly stood up from his seat, and quickly sat down, after receiving the annoyed gazes from people around him.
He saw the casket being Angor’s illusion container, but he couldn’t understand why the auction decided to place such a tiered alchemy creation so early in the queue.
Conventionally, auction holders put better items in the middle or around the end of the session, while those being displayed earlier were “fillers” that did not hold much value. Unless the auction had nothing but decent items, in which case they would surprise everyone from the very start.
So they think Angor’s creation is useless? And that they’d get rid of it as soon as possible?!
Dave’s cheeks grew red out of rage because the auction was going to completely ruin his promise to Angor at this rate. He also felt humiliated that whoever made this decision was greatly underestimating Angor’s skill.
He wished to stand up again and tell the auctioneer that he would take the item back right this moment.
Yet... he dared not.
Last time during the Twilight Auction, Angor was almost killed even if Sunders was there to watch over him. Dave was pretty sure he’d have a quick death if he openly opposed the Remnant Coast.
Helpless, the only thing he could do was to glare at Theron with all the hatred he could muster.
“Hey, Mister Theron, what’s that box? A gift coffer for a woman?”
As more and more participants urged him, Theron calmed his mood and decided to continue. The music box was for sale anyway. He might receive some bad comments regarding his bad lot order, but it wasn’t anything serious.
“Ahem! The third lot today is this, a music box. While listening to its music, you will be immersed inside a beautiful illusion at the same time and... well, have a good time. The starting bid is, er, 150 crystals. Each raise shall be 10 crystals or above. Start.”
Master Chalon told him to make the starting price 50, which Theron didn’t follow. According to his appraisal, the base materials used in the music box already exceeded 70 or 80.
Meanwhile, Dave clenched his teeth and muttered his curses under his breath.
“A music box with an illusion? Isn’t that those popular toys going around all over the markets these days? So the Remnant Coast also sells one at their auction? It looks nice, but we can find many of them out there by paying the same price.”
Several apprentices began to discuss aloud.
Inside his private chamber on the third floor, Chalon threw a disappointed glimpse at the auction stage while not forgetting to enjoy the ladies around him.
“What did I say? We should have never allowed such junk to show up. And why did Theron change my decision? Just... ugh!”
In another chamber full of the smell of perfume, “Rose Crown” Leona stared at the strange item together with her companion, Kate from Foreboding Forest.
Kate moved a hand in front of Leona’s nose. “Hey, what’s the problem? Are you interested in that?”
Leona shook her head. “It’s just... strange. I mean, it’s definitely not a poor, mash-up piece made by an amateur. The overall and intact design alone should be worth more than 150 crystals.”
“It’s just a Mirage Box, right? I also saw those things before. The price is fine.”
Leona was still looking at the auction stage in suspicion.
Alchemy, illusion... Is that Angor’s alchemy illusion container? But why is it so cheap?
“Darn it, the stage is protected, so I can’t use Narda’s Vision.” Leona shook her head and decided not to worry about this. It was very unlikely that the auction mistook Angor’s item for a valueless toy.
...
Sumesh was carefully observing the music box in his VIP room casually.
“That looks similar to the one in Iron Granny’s house... but I think this one looks better?”
...
Theron had spent a full minute on the stage in embarrassing silence.
No one was making calls for the music box. In fact, he was questioning the reliability of his expertise now. How could he not know about a popular toy while everyone apart from him did?
He even thought about buying the item himself. As far as he could see, paying 150 crystals for such a delicate “toy” was not a bad idea.
“A hundred and sixty.” Someone raised a paddle before Theron removed the item.
Theron looked at the bidder and frowned. He recognized the young man as the one who delivered the music box to them, an apprentice named Dave.
But why would he buy it back like that? The item’s going to return to his hands anyway.
Truth was, Dave was doing this so that people at least saw a buyer for Angor’s music box, which was better than having no one showing interest in it.
“We have an offer. One-sixty, going once.” Theron shook his head and continued his job.
“Someone actually wants that thing?” Chalon muttered.
An assistant nearby explained what was going on.
“Huh? Oof, so the consignor wants it back? HA! Fine, we still get the profit. But remember to tell Theron later, that we should prevent these junks from taking up our space.”
“You’re so right, sir. Garbage like this will ruin our fame,” a woman serving Chalon flattered.
“You know me so well, Linda...” Chalon began worming his hands around the woman’s breasts again.
The auction hall suddenly got a lot noisier when more and more people started talking.
“What’s going on down there?” Chalon frowned and asked his assistant.
“Sir, our guest from VIP room 7 offered 200 crystals for the music box, and the original consignor has been bidding against him. The current bid has reached 500.”
“What?!” Chalon jumped from his seat. “Don’t fuc*ing tell me we got a shill who bought a VIP ticket?”
“Sir-sir, the guest inside room 7 is ‘Mythril Innovator’ Jellal from Tower of Hurricane.”