With the first offer finally revealed, everyone reacted with excitement and anticipation. Elric, on the other hand, was dumbstruck at the sudden shift of the situation. It wasn't that long when they captured him for being an intruder, but now, these people are betting on his left eye!
"I bet 12 golden pearls for his right eye!"
"Don't spew crap, I can afford him with 20 golden pearls!"
"Shut up peasants! I'll take 50 for that eye and another 50 for the other eye!"
"huek!~"
This greedy merfolks, they are even fighting just for Elric's body parts.
As it appears, golden pearls are like a sort of currency in the Wate Realm. Unlike in the fire elemental realm where every fire elementals spent their time devouring each other like savage creatures, the Water Elemental beings are like nobles on a royal court. They act with pride and elegance while keeping their savage intention in their smiles which is in one way or another, the same with the natures of the fire elementals.
The water realm revolves around the trading of golden pearls which is produced by rare golden clams. Each golden clams can produce 1 or 2 golden pearls every year and can is an essential material in creating various foods and components for powerfull enhancing elixer. Despite its shiny metallic sheen, the golden pearl is soft and delicious just like a regular-sized grape. As such, it is no mystery that every one of the noble merfolks currently in his royal courtyard owned their farms of golden clams.
It is one of the most precious commodities in the water realm, especially for the noble merfolks, as it helps in improving their overall quality. If eaten raw, it gives tremendous temporary strength and defense boost that allows them to become twice as stronger as they are. The more golden pearl they ate, the power they become as its effects stacks with each golden pearl they consume.
Of course, there is a drawback. The more golden pearl they eat, the slower and heavier they become. This is due to the heavy elements that are accumulated as the golden pearl grew inside the clam. Victims of overeating the golden pearls would greatly slowdown in their movements and traces of excess rocks would form on their body like unwanted craggy shells.
"100 golden pearls for the right eye! Going once!" being a bored lord, Aghus took delight in his authority not just as the lord of the water elemental realm but as the auction host as well. With his people crazily betting to get hold even for a small part from this human, Aghus could not help but smile in satisfaction.
You lay our kinds in your so-called market and you humans with pay for us as well. Now, how does it feel being sold like a fish?
With, a victorious smile, he continued...
"Going twice! Anyone?... " Aghus scanned the facing and he could see the greed in their eyes shone in anticipation. Perhaps, their fish folks are reserving their money for the best parts. Knowing this, he was about to end the bet when suddenly, a loud voice from a mermaid resounded across the room.
"I am betting a hundred thousand golden pearls for the whole human body.",
Elric may not understand how much that means, but judging from the initial price of his right eye, he could tell that a hundred thousand amount of golden pearl is such an unexpected amount. He traced where the sound came from only to see a beautiful mermaid proudly standing in the entrance of the court.
With the tired look in her eyes, Elric could tell that she rushed herself to come here just to make a bet. In anger, everyone responded with resentment from the proud claim.
"Is this mermaid crazy?"
"A hundred thousand? I could barely make fifty in just one year!"
"Even if we all combine the amount of everyone's golden pearl, we could not even reach fifty thousand! Just where did she get that amount of golden pearls?"
"Wait, isn't that?!"
"huh!?"
Aghus's joyful eyes suddenly warped into seriousness. The moment he laid his eyes at this mermaid, his mouth could not help but show a fang or two. Quickly, he hid his deep resentment and took on a fake smiling facade.
"Oh, look what do we have here! It's the traitor's daughter!" Aghus quickly moved from his throne and went closer towards the newly arrived mermaid. With an arrogant tone, he leaned forward with a creepy smile, "And what brings you to my royal court? Ex-princess Diana, Daughter of the traitor King Mahar? May I remind you that every member of your family is not welcome in my kingdom?"
"I come in peace with nothing but intention to purchase that human." Diana's sparkling blue eyes glowed with resolution. She stood firmly at the door without being intimidated at Aghu's smirk. She has golden hair, a small face with a very slim waist and beautiful tail decorated with sparkling red scales, which also resembles royalty in her blood.
The merfolk's social status can be defined through the colors of their scales. The lowest class has blue and indigo scales in their tails, the middle class has yellow or green, while noble ones have orange and those with royal blood have red tails. The deeper the red color, the purer their blood to royalty.
It is a fact that Diana, is one of the daughters of the late king Mahar who was killed in a suspicious accident after he was suspected of opening a forbidden portal that could have risk the entire water elemental realm.
With the conflict of interest in the water elemental realm and following the power hierarchy, Aghus successfully claimed the Lordship of the water elemental realm and took control of the entire kingdom -kicking the last of Lord Mahar's family right after when they refused to take his offer to become his slaves.
Diana, the youngest daughter of the late Lord Mahar did not back down at Aghus's threat. With a determined look, she talked back:
"Just tell me if you are willing to sell me that human. I don't want to waste my time staying in a court stained with betrayal and corruption."
"Oh, what a brave words!" Aghus smiled wickedly upon hearing Diana's reply. He gave Shuk and Kuys a gaze and both of them responded with a nod.