CH339 Unexpected Meeting

***

Eleanor's gaze didn't leave Alex's face as she pondered his words. Then it clicked.

"The Palace was ready to suffer a loss on the Arcane Library Crystals," she said slowly, eyes narrowing in thought. "So whatever scheme others might cook up against them doesn't matter. They only tied the crystals to the Coinage Moonstone to raise their perceived value."

Her eyes brightened. "It's like you said earlier — people value what they struggle to obtain. Having to pay any price, especially in High-grade Mana Stones, ensures that the eventual owners of the Arcane Library will take it seriously."

"What about the Empires who were given the crystals for free?" Zora asked.

"They'll take it even more seriously," Eleanor replied. "If the Arcane Library is truly as Haggleworth described, the Imperial Clans will have no choice but to treat it with utmost importance. They wouldn't want to fall behind — or be at a disadvantage compared to the subordinate organisations beneath them."

Her eyes flashed a glint. "It would be seen as a disgrace to the Empires themselves."

Her gaze lingered on the unassuming gnome standing on stage before returning to Alex. "It really is a sly game being played here," she said quietly. "A dangerous one as well."

Alex laughed.

"You're being too serious. It may look like the Golden Palace is scheming or manipulating the Imperial Clans, but that couldn't be further from the truth." A confident smile tugged at his lips. "After all, is it still manipulation when you lay your cards on the table and the other party still chooses to play along? No — that's what I'd call knowing consent."

He glanced at the two women beside him.

"All the Golden Palace did was make an offer too sweet — or too difficult — to refuse. No one's being forced to accept it. Everyone's jumping in willingly because the offer's too tempting. The Palace can't be blamed for that. If anything, it's the others who should blame themselves for lacking the will to resist."

Eleanor exchanged a look with Zora, who offered her a small, reassuring smile. After a moment, Eleanor sighed and leaned back into her chair.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Alex," she said softly.

"Like I said, I'm not—"

"I know." She cut him off with a faint shrug. "But I suppose it takes a bit of madness to carve out space in these stagnant waters."

She turned to him again, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Fine. I'll join you — or rather, stay on your crazy ship. I guess you're right… your offer is too sweet to turn down."

Alex shook his head with a wry smile.

"Welcome aboard the ship then, partner," he said.

Back on stage, the auction for the remaining four Arcane Library Crystals — or rather, the Rune-Net Servers — had begun.

As Alex had predicted — and secretly hoped — the eventual winners turned out to be the major continent-wide powers:

The Merchant Union, the Order of Valour, the Mage Association, and finally, a coalition between the Alchemy, Forgesmith, and Runesmith Associations.

The latter coalition narrowly edged out a rival alliance of other similar groups led by the Craftsmanship Association.

All four Rune-Net Servers — along with their accompanying invitation lots — sold for 2,100 HGs, 2,150 HGs, 2,300 HGs, and 2,500 HGs respectively, totalling 9,050 High-grade Mana Stones.

This figure more than recouped the production cost of every Rune-Net Server that Alex and his team at the DragonHold Enclave and Golden Palace had ever manufactured — of course, which far exceeded the mere nine they'd placed on auction.

With that, the stage for the next day's grand finale — the Coinage Moonstone Auction — was set.

However, the night was far from over.

Just as the tension in the room began to ease, Haggleworth stepped forward again, his voice echoing across the now-brightened hall.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please don't be in a rush to leave just yet," he announced, a knowing smile on his lips. "That was merely the main auction. We still have a side auction lined up for you."

The hall immediately buzzed with curiosity.

"There are many items we did not deem fit to include in today's ten-lot auction," Haggleworth continued. "You will find them available for bidding in the side auction hall below. If you would kindly proceed to the lower floor, our attendants will guide you there. Each item will have its own bidding requirements displayed beside it."

He gave one final bow. "Once again, thank you for gracing the Golden Palace with your presence. May Providence be with you all."

The spotlight dimmed over him, and the main hall lights gradually brightened once more.

Palace staff had already filed in, politely guiding the guests toward the lower floor.

Alex and his two companions blended into the dispersing crowd, following the flow down the grand staircase to the hall below — the very same floor Alex had noticed earlier, filled with rows of display cases containing all manner of curious items.

Each display case had a magical board positioned in front of it, detailing the bidding instructions.

Most followed the same system: bidders would write down their offers directly on the enchanted board beneath the display case. Only one bid could exist on the board at any time; any new entry had to be higher than the previous one, or the magic board wouldn't register it.

The bidder whose offer remained unchallenged at the end of a set duration would win the item.

Of course, a bidder could bypass the process entirely by paying the listed buyout price — instantly claiming the item for themselves.

It was a simple, elegant system — easy for everyone present to understand.

Interestingly, the items in the side auction were only slightly lower in quality than the ten main lots sold earlier. Numbering in the hundreds, there was more than enough for nearly every faction present to leave with at least one prize.

Especially now that the major organisations had withdrawn, intent on conserving their wealth — particularly their Top-grade Mana Stones — in preparation for the secret auction of the Coinage Moonstone Interspatial Ring the following day.

Alex, Zora, and Eleanor were about to take their leave when two unexpected figures appeared before them.

"Prince Caesar. Your Excellency, Achilles Maximilian," Alex greeted politely. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Caesar gave a small chuckle, but it was Achilles who spoke first. "Caesar here tells me you're an interesting friend of his. I decided to come and see for myself."

His tone was friendly — almost casual — which caught Alex off guard. After all, Achilles Maximilian was no ordinary man.

Alex was only an Intermediate Mage, while Achilles stood at the Late-stage Legend Realm — a being whose strength, at least on paper, even surpassed that of Earl Drake himself.

Alex glanced at Caesar, who gave him a reassuring nod.

In that instant, he understood.

'He's giving me an opportunity!'

"Come," Achilles said, gesturing toward the exit. "Let's find a quiet place to chat."

He turned briefly to the ladies. "Apologies, ladies, but I'll need to borrow him for a bit."

"It's fine," Zora replied calmly, showing no hint of intimidation despite standing before a Legend. "We were heading back anyway."

With a slight nod, she guided Eleanor away.

The moment they were out of sight, Achilles smirked. "You've got some luck with women, Silver Fang."

Alex froze. "How did you—?"

"I told you, didn't I?" Caesar interrupted with a mischievous grin. "After meeting your father, I did a bit of checking in on you. I also learned about your... other title. Though I heard you don't like being called by it."

"I don't," Alex said flatly.

"Then 'Silver Fang' it is," Achilles said with a small, knowing smile.

Alex nodded, carefully gauging the tone between the two. He made no effort to address Achilles as Your Excellency this time — remembering Caesar's earlier warning.

'They seem to be friends,' he thought, 'and from how casually he's speaking to me, I'd better follow their lead.'

Caesar laughed. "See? I told you he's an interesting one."

"Indeed," Achilles replied. "Come along, before these people stare holes into us."

With that, the trio exited the Golden Palace auction building together.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadowed figure stood watching from the corner of the hall — eyes filled with venomous intent.

Alric Wastelander.

***

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