After the auction, Marquis Raphael Elson, accompanied by several royal attendants, walked toward Altu. He gave a slight nod, acknowledging him, and spoke in a calm tone: "The fire crystal is indeed a rare treasure. I did not expect your guild to have such 'depth'."
Altu stood up gracefully, a polite smile on his face: "You flatter me, Your Excellency. As one of the representatives of the guild, I'm merely bringing the right items to the right people. These treasures are the true protagonists here."
Raphael smiled slightly, his gaze lingering on Altu for a moment before asking, "I've heard that your guild has been quite active recently, attracting the attention of many merchants. I wonder how such 'depth' could be achieved in just a few years?"
Altu's smile remained unchanged as he replied softly, "The guild's growth relies on many factors: the trust of our partners, the expansion of trade routes, and, of course, the strong support from your kingdom. In the end, it all comes down to 'opportunity'."
Raphael did not respond directly, instead glancing at the auction list in his hand. His tone subtly shifted as he probed further: "But something as rare as today's treasure, I assume it's not just about opportunity, is it?"Altu remained composed, his tone even: "Your Excellency, you overestimate it. The fire crystal is indeed rare, but it's here simply to allow those who truly appreciate it to possess it. There is no deeper meaning behind it."
Raphael smiled faintly, his expression inscrutable: "Perhaps. But I believe such an 'opportunity' is not something everyone can possess."
He paused for a moment before adopting a more formal tone: "In any case, the royal family is pleased to have acquired this treasure. In the future, should there be similar auction items, we will prioritize cooperating with your guild."
Altu gave a slight nod, polite and composed: "It is always our honor to maintain cooperation with the royal family."
Raphael nodded and, after a brief conversation, left with his attendants. His figure gradually disappeared into the glorious lights of the auction hall, while Altu stood alone, as if casually adjusting the cuff of his sleeve with a small movement.
After the auction, Altu returned to the room where Cain was staying in the inn. He reported all the intelligence gathered from the auction, including the subtle attitudes of the lords toward the new king—some showed hidden discontent, while others expressed cautious anticipation. These nuanced attitudes became vivid and tangible through Altu's words.
Two days later, in the morning, soft sunlight filtered through the curtains into the room. Altu gently pushed open the door, his expression serious.
"Lord Cain, there's important news," he said, as he took out an envelope from his chest and handed it to Cain.
Cain took the letter and looked at it for a moment. His thin lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "It seems they can't resist anymore."
Altu nodded slightly, speaking in a low voice, "The fire crystal caused quite a stir at the auction, especially Raphael—the royal representative—who seemed particularly interested in its origins. I suspect he has already relayed the information back to the royal family. He's asking me to go to Yaltos and meet with the royal family to discuss the origins of the fire crystal."
"A wise probe," Cain said, placing the letter back on the table, nodding slightly. "Using a gemstone to test the depth of our guild is indeed a tactic suited to King Leon's style. What he wants to know isn't just the secret of the gem, but the secret behind our guild."
Altu furrowed his brow, looking slightly concerned. "Since they've chosen this method, they may have other intentions hidden behind it."
Cain pondered for a moment before revealing a meaningful smile. "Let them think that we are just an ordinary guild. When the situation becomes clearer, we'll decide whether to take further steps. Prepare yourself, for now, we defend and wait for the opportunity to strike."