The night spread softly across the sky, a clear silver moon hanging high, casting a gentle glow over the dark curtain.
Stars shone like dazzling diamonds, flickering across the veil of night.
A luxurious carriage rolled over the bluestone road and entered the deep black royal city.
Pitch-black, towering spires stood upon the vast land like a dense forest of steel.
The streets were filled with pedestrians carrying longswords, moving back and forth in a bustling flow.
When the carriage bearing the Barlow family crest entered the city, the sound of its wheels grinding over the bluestone drew people's attention.
They stepped aside one after another, bodies slightly leaning, as if offering the highest respect to the distinguished guest inside.
This time, there were noticeably fewer guards around the carriage.
Only twelve diplomatic envoys rode in the rear, accompanied by a few mounted knights and demi-human guards.
And this time, when Aurelian went out, she brought only two attendants.
Her loyal maid Vanilla and the knight Gwen, who protected her safety.
Although Aurelian had always said she didn't need Teacher Gwen to accompany her, that having Teacher Viktor was already enough.
The ministers strongly opposed it.
The princess was in a foreign land; the level of protection had to be sufficient.
After all, in the eyes of these ministers, no matter how strong Viktor was, he was only one person.
Aurelian's safety still couldn't be guaranteed.
So she had no choice but to bring Gwen along.
As for Duke Barlow, this old man who had already reached the pinnacle within the kingdom naturally would not come to participate in such noble social gatherings.
At this moment, many luxurious carriages were already parked in front of the grand auction hall.
Here gathered the nobles and wealthy elites of the kingdom.
Though they had conflicts with each other, on the surface they remained courteous, exchanging greetings and displaying proper etiquette.
Then, their conversations gradually came to a halt.
Everyone's attention turned toward the two carriages approaching, surrounded by a group of knight guards.
The luxurious carriage at the front clearly drew more of their focus.
When Gwen pulled the reins, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
She dismounted and gently opened the carriage door.
As everyone's attention was drawn to the newly arrived group, Gwen stopped the carriage and slowly opened the door.
A figure dressed in a pitch-black coat stepped out from inside.
Viktor's expression was calm, his coldness lacking any chill.
He stepped onto the ground, stood on the other side of the carriage, and extended a hand.
A fair hand rested in his palm.
Gwen bowed slightly, incomparably respectful, welcoming the noble princess.
With elegant posture, her jeweled white shoes seemed to step on starlight as she slowly stepped out of the carriage.
Dressed in a pure white gown, she looked like radiant moonlight descending into the mortal world, noble beyond compare.
The twelve diplomatic envoys also stepped out of their carriage and came behind Aurelian.
Just as Aurelian's foot touched the ground, King August had already been waiting for a long time.
He led the lords behind him and came forward warmly to receive them.
"We meet again, Your Majesty."
The twelve envoys greeted August amicably.
The king nodded slightly, his gaze inevitably falling on Aurelian beside Gwen and Viktor as he walked toward her.
Seeing this, the envoys naturally blended into the crowd behind August, merging into the ranks of the nobles of the Kante Kingdom.
Upon seeing Viktor and Gwen, August first respectfully addressed Viktor, "Councilor Clavenna."
Hilda followed closely beside August like a shadow, like a loyal guard.
Standing by the king's side, she wore a smile and gave a slight nod to Gwen beside Viktor.
Gwen maintained her cold demeanor and returned the courtesy politely.
Viktor nodded subtly, the depth in his eyes remaining unreadable.
This place was very familiar to Viktor.
The Cassidra Auction was a grand auction event held by the world-renowned Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
That's right, just like the Mage Council, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce was not a country, yet it held the same international status as one.
This powerful financial consortium possessed wealth vast enough to rival nations.
Every year, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce would cooperate with allied countries to hold an annual auction within their territories.
However, this did not include the Empire.
For some unknown reason, since its establishment, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce had never cooperated with the Empire.
After that, August turned his gaze toward Aurelian.
But in truth, his attention was drawn to the catgirl maid behind her.
He was clearly intrigued by Vanilla's appearance, looking her up and down with a hint of surprise.
But soon, he withdrew his gaze and looked back at Aurelian with a smile.
"Princess, I believe today's auction will have treasures to your liking."
Aurelian responded with an elegant smile, "Then, Your Majesty, I will look forward to it."
August slightly stepped aside and extended his hand toward the magnificent auction hall, offering a polite invitation.
Aurelian did not stand on ceremony. Together with Viktor, with Vanilla and Gwen at her sides, she walked into the brightly lit hall.
The entire hall was as luxurious as a golden palace, with massive pillars supporting a grand dome.
Golden chandeliers on both sides emitted bright candlelight, making the entire hall as bright as day.
Wide red curtains wrapped around the entire auction hall, blocking out the clear moon.
Numerous private seating boxes were filled with nobles and wealthy elites.
They sat in their respective seats, holding small wooden plaques in their hands.
Aurelian and the others were led to the second floor.
Soon, they arrived at a spacious private box.
Through the window, they could see all the nobles and lords seated in the hall, even the corners were clearly visible.
Everyone slowly took their seats.
August sat in the same room with them, with Hilda standing behind him.
Gwen and Vanilla also stood respectfully at Aurelian's sides like guards.
At this moment, August turned to Aurelian and began introducing, "Your Highness, today's auction includes a rare high-grade magical material called the 'Spirit of Fortune Soul.'"
"It is said that even the 'Gaia Fine Steel,' which can forge the hardest equipment in the world, will appear in this auction."
"Ah, and also, the 'Mahazak Tail Wing Spike.' You might be interested in that; it is an excellent material for crafting staffs."
The king spoke enthusiastically to Aurelian.
At this point, he glanced at Viktor and Gwen, then signaled to Hilda behind him.
Understanding immediately, Hilda quickly handed the king a detailed list of auction items.
After briefly flipping through it, August handed it to Viktor.
"Councilor Clavenna, if anything catches your interest, please feel free to say so."
Viktor politely accepted it, his gaze sweeping over the list.
But when he saw the last item on the list, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Hmm, there are indeed some good things."
"Is that so? Then you should keep a close eye on it.", August smiled politely at Viktor.
As the fair and beautiful auctioneer, dressed in a magnificent gown, stepped onto the stage through the red curtains...
the surrounding flames flickered, and along with the cheers of the crowd, it felt as if the atmosphere was being heated up.
Every step she took was full of elegance and confidence. She gave a slight bow, showing respect to the nobles, lords, and distinguished guests in the private boxes.
"Everyone, the auction now begins!"
The red curtains slowly parted to both sides, and a slender platform gradually rose from the stage.
With her announcement, the curtains fully opened, revealing a magnificent platform.
Golden light from above suddenly illuminated the entire auction hall.
"The first item, the Wheat of the Goddess of Harvest! Starting price, one million Geo, with each bid increasing by at least fifty thousand!"
After the auctioneer announced the rules, many nobles and lords eagerly raised the wooden plaques in their hands.
The Wheat of the Goddess of Harvest was already very familiar to the nobles and lords of the kingdom.
Under the divine power infused by followers of the Goddess of Harvest, these ordinary wheat stalks possessed the power to ensure a full year of abundant harvest for the land.
Naturally, the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce had no reason not to sell such a divine item.
But Viktor only glanced at it casually before withdrawing his gaze.
This item was indeed genuine.
It possessed the harvest power of the Goddess of Harvest.
However...
Viktor already had a true divine item, so he naturally had no interest in it.
But the nobles and lords were nearly scrambling over it, none willing to give in.
After all, every territory had land, and every lord needed to feed their people.
Such an item that guaranteed production, if used properly, could directly ensure that the people under their domain would have enough food and clothing for an entire year.
Thus, this divine item was eventually bid up to five million Geo.
It was won by a powerful marquis.
However, with such a high opening price setting the tone, the enthusiasm of the wealthy and the lords was almost completely ignited.
After that, all kinds of auction items were continuously bid on under the host's steady introductions.
Everyone stared at the items on the stage, restless, afraid that what they wanted would fall into someone else's hands.
Until a piece of silver-shining steel appeared, and countless warrior lords in the hall went mad.
Gaia Fine Steel, the hardest steel in legend.
Every warrior hoped to possess an indestructible suit of armor and weapon.
And this item clearly could satisfy all the lords present.
They rubbed their hands, all wanting to compete for it.
At this moment, Viktor glanced at the silvery-white steel and raised an eyebrow.
"Gaia Fine Steel."
He turned his head and looked at Gwen.
"Do you like this?"
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