With full-blown determination, the three of us slid in our invitation and got inside the auction house.
"Good thing it is a masked theme."
"Most of the auction events are all masked-themed though."
"Yeah, I guess that's right being a target is scary after all."
"Well, we need to check in and get familiar with the place."
Following that we got inside and focused on getting to know more about the place and reading the items on display that were about to be sold.
"Oh, look at these. There are a variety of items we can get that could be useful for battle against high-ranking monsters."
"It is a time-used item though," I said since I don't like single-use items that much."
"But it is better than nothing this item can negate an attack of a rank 6 one time, it's a steal if you think about the number of low-ranking people who are in constant fear against high-ranking enemies."
"I guess that is true."
"Oh, look at this "
The two continued to look at the catalog and then an item caught my attention.
'This rock. How did they get this? That's impossible since this was placed in a secure area. Unless they found another natural resource for it.'
[The auction is about to start everyone please get inside as of now the displays around the place shall be sent to the back. So please be ready to bet on your items.]
"So how were the items?"
"Most are genuine while some are some with unknown origins."
"One of those unknown origins is the rock you took a look at."
"I see, then let's get going we need to start our harassment."
"Yeah."
"Well as long as we can stall some time."
We then entered the auditorium where the auction will be held. And following the guide we were able to get in their seats.
After waiting for a few minutes all the guests were seated and the auction started. On the stage, a beautiful woman in a long alluring dress was the host and then she started to greet everyone.
Hello, ladies and gentlemen welcome to the annual auction of the Labyrinth City's auction house. I hope you are all ready and have deep pockets the first batch of today's items is here.
As she said a box was being pushed to the scene. Upon its arrival, she carefully took out the item, and there was an item that made everyone awe.
"The first on the list is this item we all know and need the Saint's blood."
"Ohhh."
"That's mine."
"Not if I can get it first."
"Calm down everyone we all know, you need this."
Slowly they let the people see the product in hand and explained its effect on the people.
"This item can rival the effects of supreme-grade healing potions as well as having amazing restoration properties that drive a person's power root."
As she said that a new batch appeared.
"Right now it has been graded into three parts.
"Oh yeah." Instinctively Dustin said that as if realizing it.
"Eh you know about that Ang-"
""SshhH.""
Almost having his identity exposed, Dustin and Alissa Stop Alicia from talking any further.
"Oh, I mean Mr. Rat you know about its current increase in grade?"
Realizing this She stopped herself and addressed him by the masks he was wearing
"Yeah, I heard about it from a friend in Saga Empire the grades were made due to the experiment of making the potion available to the lower class."
Not knowing how to explain it I Created a simple mix and match of truth and lies. It is indeed auction by grade in Saga Empire but false that I heard it from a friend.
"Oh so that's why"
Escaping his current predicament, the auction continued.
"The three are sold separately by a set of each grade. And we had all three sets. The first batch price is 10 platinum coins or one mithril coin with an increment of 1 platinum coin."
"11 platinum coins."
"14 platinum coins."
"15…"
Right off the bat, the bet started to rise and rise.
"That's to be expected there are five batches and it is the first time being sold here. Of course, they would go crazy."
"Yeah, and the Saga Empire wanting to monopolize this is understandable though."
"But they didn't get hold of the maker, right?"
"Yeah, I don't think they did."
"100 platinum coins!"
"Oh, that's a high price let's increase it a bit. 110!"
"Oh, 110 platinum coins for the lady here."
Our group increased the price and when it reached the 134 mark that is when we stopped raising the price.
"For now, we must estimate our price to be 130 platinum coins and when the bet gets higher, we will increase it to 500 max."
"Yeah, that's good for now using a Mithril would be overkill after all. we will do it at the later batch."
"But I am quite surprised by this how come you have this amount? I thought of asking for help from Mr. Cobalt to loan but you seem to be ready."
"Nothing much just that I am successful with my ventures."
"I hate to admit it I can picture it. "
"Hey, you two the next item is arriving." As I was having a banter with Lady Alissa, Alicia reminded us of the current situation.
"Oh yeah, let's see what it is this time."
The auction continued and later on, the rock that I saw before came into view on the stage.
Now for the next item, this is a stone we found on the coast of Raul Reef at the Pantheon kingdom.
"This has unknown usage but there is one thing that stands out of it from other items. It stores mana like a mana stone. But later on, it vanishes after a few minutes."
Giving an example the host let it absorb mana and later on it dispersed after a few minutes.
I was right that is a Mana coral.
Although it is not a real coral only a stone shaped like one but because of that the name became mana coral.
'The one thing I saw before is when one of Dustin's masters gave it to him and it was one of his collections. '
But there is one thing that he made use of it and that was to create a more detailed magic notion inside. Easy to use and the effect of the written runes can be reused.
It was not fully used at that time due to the incident of the poisoning. Now that it's here again I need this to feed Titan and maybe have him produce more of these.
"We have a full box of it for anyone who wants it. The price is 10 gold with an increment of one gold."
"I want it. 50 gold." Dustin raised his bet after the host presented the price
"Oh, we have our first offer. Are there any offers?"
The venue turned quiet later on Dustin owned the stone due to the low number of competitors for it.
The auction continued and after a few items were sold I started to move to do my part.
"Well for now I need to go look outside. Can you guys handle it?"
"Yeah, I think we could."
That's pretty obvious."
'Good, I'll be right back."
After leaving the two sisters I started my next form of action lowering the defense of the auction house.
~~~~~~~
Currently, at the government camp, a group had been formed and was ready to attack.
"Have you heard from Sir Bolt?"
"Yes, he said that he would help lower the defense of the place, and when we give the signal, he will directly attack the main defense making our attack more effective."
"We already have our men there but having an assurance is nice since he has high mastery on runs from what I heard."
"Well for now we can only hope he will help us and make sure it won't be a bust."
"They already crossed the line for a few years now and after the attack, we can't be passive anymore this might also be the last term of our government so you make sure this plan works with great success."
"""Yes."""
"Let's go." With that as the signal, the group got ready to arrive at the place where the auction was held.
One may think that this; large march will be noticeable but they made ample preparations to avoid any mishaps.
"So, after going out, they covered themselves with dark mana-absorbing capes."
This may seem amazing but it only covers 50 percent of mana.
As for Dustin's cape mana seems to be non-existent inside.
But this was enough for this infiltration then at night the knights were ready to take their target into their cells.
~~~~~~~~~
After going out the first thing Dustin did was change his clothes so with a swift movement, he took some layers of his clothing making him look like a worker.
And without anyone's knowledge, he avoided multiple visions and easily bypassed security. As he got in the back area of the auction.