Finally, the day of the auction had come. King Leonard had barely been able to get so much as a wink of sleep during the night. This auction was of paramount importance to the kingdom.
His spies had reported that their neighboring kingdom, Havana, was mobilizing troops near the border. Unless he obtained the epic grade item they would probably invade at once. There were also reports about important figures from other kingdoms being seen in the streets of the capital. Without a doubt, they were here for the auction.
Making his way to the traveling silver coin merchant guild where the auction was held he showed his entry permit to one of the young employees at the door and entered. The young boy led him over to the auction hall and pointed him to the ascending stairs on the right.
King Leonard ascended the stairs and entered a lavish lobby. A few people were already there and while most chose to enjoy the food and refreshments alone one group approached him. The group was led by the high priest, following behind him were two dragon-kin and another priest.
"I see that you've come alone, king Leonard. Forgive me but I have made arrangements for us to be in the same booth. I hope we can forget about any differences between us and support each other in the acquisition of our target. The temple is even willing to take a step back and let you have possession of it."
"That is very kind of you high priest. Your services to the kingdom will not be forgotten."
King Leonard was slightly confused that the temple was willing to give up their claim so easily and without conditions but who was he to decline.
"I have also taken the liberty to invite miss Shirley from the dragon-kin merchant guild so that we can talk about eventual loans directly."
"That's great, thank you for coming, Miss Shirley!"
"We feel very welcomed in Saital kingdom so it's only natural we come upon your request."
King Leonard sneered internally when he saw her smile. The dragon-kins were notorious for their greed and the only reason miss Shirley was here was that she could make money off of him. He'd stake his entire kingdom that the interest rate she'd ask for would be horrendous. But she was a good insurance if they needed money.
"Ah, I see you are getting desperate, dear Leonard. You inviting the dragon-kins tells me that your kingdom is sinking into poverty! Why else would you those money-grubbers be her after all?"
Miss Shirley looked quite displeased when a newcomer said those words from behind them. A green-haired gigolo had pulled up behind them and was looking at them with a mocking expression.
"Prince Adrian, I have asked you multiple times to cease the intimate manner of speech! I am the king of these lands so you will show me and my guests the respect we deserve!"
"Oh, apologies, great king Leonard who might not be a king for long. If you'll excuse me, there is an auction I need to attend."
Leonard was fuming. Adrian's insinuation evidently meant that he would bid for the epic (grade 6) item and if Leonard didn't win the kingdom behind him would also invade.
Adrian was the second prince of the Galli kingdom. That kingdom had long-held ties of peace with Saitala so Leonard had never expected them to move against him. The pressure he was under was increasing.
"Let us also enter our booth and wait for the auction to begin. That young man is quite tasteless to ruin our mood and then simply run away."
The high priest tried to calm everyone down and herded them towards their booth.
The auction was about to begin. The public seating area was adequately filled and most of the private booths had found a wealthy occupant. Arahnia stepped onto the large stage and introduced herself as the auctioneer.
"Greetings valued patrons of our humble auction. I'm Arahnia and I will be your auctioneer for tonight. Please know that we will only hand you the item you won after you've paid the full amount you owe. Should you fail to produce the sum before the next auction the item will be put up for auction again and you will not be allowed to participate."
The crowd began to murmur. Most auction houses had such practices but few stated them openly. Arahnia looked around the room to judge the general acceptance of her words and continued.
"We will now begin the auction. For the first item, we have chosen of lower value to allow eventual newcomers to see how things work."
Essentially, all the people here were considered newcomers since this was the first auction of this guild since its change in ownership. Doing a sort of trial run allowed them to rewrite some minor rules without consequences since no one would want to admit that he was new to an auction.
A boy of around fourteen years brought in the first item and placed it on a prepared pedestal. It was a wooden box with ten health potions inside.
"The first item is twenty boxes of superior health potions. Each box contains ten potions so there are 200 flasks in total. The starting bid is 200 gold coins."
Leonard was a little worried now. The first item that was usually presented in an auction was the least pricey. A superior health potion was worth around 10 gold coins so 200 would be worth 2000 gold coins if it only reached its market value. It certainly explained why the VIP entry pass had cost him a hundred gold coins
Another thing that worried him was the number of superior health potions sold. Superior health potions had an amazing recovery effect and even talented potion masters only made a few every month. To gather 200 was a difficult task.
"250 gold coins!"
Someone in the seating area below made the first bid. It was still much lower than the market price so many became interested and so the auction truly began.
"300 gold coins. Those potions are mine!"
"Screw you! An old fart like you doesn't deserve such high-quality potions! 350 gold coins!"
"Who are you calling an old fart? Did your parents not teach you to respect your elders? Be a good boy and stop your yapping. 400 gold coins!"
"Who are you calling a good boy? You want to compete with me, dream on! 500 gold coins."
"Both of you are misguided. If you want to get something in an auction you need to show your financial prowess. 1000 gold coins!"
The fierce battle between two bidders had been brought to an end by a third one who simply doubled the price. Others who were about to announce their bids became hesitant. The domineering act of doubling the price intimidated them.
"3000 gold coins."
A cold voice came from one of the hegemon booths and stunned everyone. That was fifty percent more than market value! Leonard was also stunned for a moment. He hadn't thought anyone on his level would waste money before the epic grade item came up. Bidding for something now was essentially lessening one's chances later.
Who was in that booth? Leonard felt like he had heard the voice before but he couldn't quite remember when.
"Congratulations hegemon booth 1 for winning this item. Please wait until the auction has ended and your items will be brought to you."