NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: Spirit (3)
Kim Hyunwoo was also well aware of the auction house.
That’s because the auction house was a systematic part of Arteil that existed even when Kim Hyunwoo played the game, and he used it quite frequently.
In fact, the auction house in Arteil was more accurately described as Arteil’s integrated trading assistant system rather than an auction house per se.
Everyone was more interested in the convenience of buying and selling items with a small fee rather than the auction system itself.
However, since the auction system Kim Hyunwoo favored in Arteil was purely a ‘systematic’ element, he asked Adria about the Rapengan auction house.
“It’s literally an auction house held in the commercial territory of Rapengan. Auctions are held in other commercial cities as well, but the one in Rapengan is on a different scale.
Adria began to answer Kim Hyunwoo’s question immediately.
“Unlike other auction houses, the Rapengan auction, which is held only three times a year, features items of exceptional quality, attracting a different crowd there-”
“-Since high-ranking individuals gather at the auction house, it naturally forms a kind of social club atmosphere, so the current Rapengan auction functions almost like a social gathering.”
“I see.”“Of course, since the Rapengan territory has effectively established itself in this manner, the auction fees are no joke…”
Adria spoke while looking at the Execution Sword laid on the office desk.
“This seems okay.”
“This will be okay?”
“If the item you brought is truly the Execution Sword, as I see it, Rapengan might even waive all the fees.”
“Of course, that’s just my opinion, and in reality, they might charge a fee of around 3%,”
Adria added.
“…Is it getting preferential treatment because it’s an Execution Sword?”
When Kim Hyunwoo asked further, Adria explained,
“To be more precise, it’s not because it’s an Execution Sword, but because of the value the Execution Sword holds. As I said, the Rapengan auction has a much higher caliber compared to other commercial territory auctions, so there’s an effort to maintain that.”
“Ah.”
Even without further explanation from Adria, Kim Hyunwoo seemed to understand and continued.
“…So, if equipment of this good quality were to be offered at another auction, it would attract attention, so they give preferential treatment, is that what you’re saying?”
“Exactly. Rapengan is a territory famous for its auctions, so they don’t want to give other territories an opportunity. As you may know, just because something is the best now doesn’t mean it will be forever.”
“You’re quite smart.”
“Merchants value the unseen worth more than what’s visible… just like you, My Lord.”
At her words, Kim Hyunwoo momentarily tilted his head in thought, ‘Like me?’ but then he shrugged his shoulders and responded.
“Anyway, then I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
“Understood. However, we’ll slightly change the conditions this time.”
“The conditions?”
“Yes. For this Execution Sword, we won’t charge any fee.”
“…?”
Kim Hyunwoo looked puzzled at Adria’s words.
“After all, since this Execution Sword will be sold at the auction, the only help I can offer is anonymity.”
“Well, I’m thankful for that, but are you sure it’s okay?”
“Of course. But if you’re still concerned… perhaps you could do me a favor later?”
“…A favor?”
He asked, following her statement.
“It’s just that there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to when you have the time.”
“An introduction?”
“Yes.”
“Well, of course, I can certainly manage an introduction.”
“That’s fortunate.”
With that positive response, she smiled and concluded.
“Then, since we need to move quickly this time, I’ll take my leave here.”
Adria swiftly exited the territory.
“Contact Rapengan immediately. I want to put the Execution Sword up for auction this time.”
“Understood.”
After meeting Kim Hyunwoo in Lartania and immediately leaving, Adria gave such instructions to her secretary. Watching the secretary leave, she sighed and thought.
‘Last time it was a Coma Recovery Potion, and this time it’s an Execution Sword.’
Adria chuckled to herself, looking at the Execution Sword placed inside an antique frame on one side of her office.
‘…How does the Lord have such an item?’
At least, according to Adria, the Execution Sword was an extremely rare treasure, and practically impossible to find since the ‘Great Depression’ a few years ago.
Then how does Lartania have it?
No, beyond that.
‘…How can they just casually hand over such an item?’
Adria had made a contract with Kim Hyunwoo.
However, that was merely a contract; it was hard to say that trust had been built between them.
In reality, it hadn’t been long since Kim Hyunwoo and Adria had signed the contract and hadn’t spent much time face to face.
Yet, the Lord of Lartania had handed over the Execution Sword as if he trusted her completely.
An equipment that could earn a vast amount of money, incomparable to the Coma Recovery Potion.
“……”
Of course, Adria was somewhat aware that the Lord’s actions could stem from ignorance, but she did not think Kim Hyunwoo’s actions were due to ignorance.
Initially, the disparity between his actions and the ignorance she thought was too great, considering how he had appeared during their first contract.
‘…Is this an attempt to show trust?’
So, after pondering for a while, Adria came to such a conclusion.
“Merchant leader.”
Before she could finish her thoughts, the voice of the returning secretary made Adria turn her gaze.
“We’ve received immediate contact from Rapengan.”
“What?”
“They said they would make space immediately upon receiving the Execution Sword’s information stored as an artifact. They also mentioned they would extensively promote it in the vicinity.”
Following the secretary’s words, she nodded in satisfaction.
“That’s good news.”
“So, are we heading straight to Rapengan?”
“Probably. Given the situation, that would be best.”
“As expected?”
“Why?”
“No, as I reported to you before, the time to offer sacrifices to the Guardian is approaching. In fact, I was on my way there when I stopped by Lartania, so I’m wondering if the timing will work out…”
“Don’t worry too much about that. Even if we’re a bit late, I’ve scheduled it so we’ll arrive with three weeks to spare before the original deadline. So, we have plenty of time even if we stop by Rapengan. Besides, since we didn’t find what we wanted this time… we’ll have to bring a lot of gold. Well.”
Adria spoke as if to alleviate the secretary’s worries.
“When the time comes, I’ll introduce you to a decent person.”
“…A decent person?”
“Yes.”
Following Adria’s words, the secretary bowed, and the Tienus Merchant Group began to move towards the commercial territory of Rapengan.
And.
‘If I can offer something that doesn’t exist in the world in any form, I might have what that person wants.’
Adria thought of the Lord of Lartania and smiled faintly.
To be honest, when the Absolute Ruler of Darkness first heard Loriel’s words, the emotions that surged were confusion, anger, and anxiety.
The confusion stemmed from her meeting the Lord of Lartania without her permission.
Anger and anxiety were born from the worry that she might have carelessly spoken about him to the Lord.
Now, she was terrified of hearing the Lord’s evaluation of her.
…Honestly, she hoped that his negative evaluation wouldn’t completely shatter the little hope she still held.
Thus, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness was about to burst out in anger at Loriel’s words, but…
“The Lord thinks highly of you, Master…!”
Upon Loriel’s following words,
“…What did you say?”
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness asked without realizing it.
Soon, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, who had re-entered the grand hall with her, could hear the details from Loriel, who had been to Lartania.
Starting from how she approached the Lord of Lartania under the pretext of the Harlancia and Sertoa territories,
to Loriel’s simple stories and bringing up the Absolute Ruler of Darkness to hear the Lord’s thoughts about him.
And then,
“Really? He… said that?”
“Yes, the Lord of Lartania clearly said the Absolute Ruler of Darkness was a great hero and honestly regrets not having you as a hero now.”
Loriel, with a slight smile, relayed the Lord’s words,
“Ah, uh… ah?”
and saw a tearful smile begin to form on the gloomy face of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, accompanied by a flush.
Soon, they saw her press her hands to her cheeks, let out a short moan of
“Ugh, ahh…”
and hang her head down.
Seeing how touched the Master was, with tears welling up in her eyes, Loriel felt a protective instinct surge, even though she was clearly aware that this was her Master in front of her.
And then,
three days after Loriel brought such good news to the Absolute Ruler of Darkness,
“Ah, uh-”
unlike before, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, who had been indulging in happiness alone for three days,
“Ma-Master!”
was about to get angry at Ruin, who had barged in without notice.
“Master, the Execution Sword you were looking for will be auctioned at the Rapengan auction house!”
“…!”
Hearing that voice, she smiled with a face full of joy.