Chapter 127 – Auction House List
Verden followed Padreld to his warehouse.
Along the way, they passed dozens of smugglers, but no traps or ambushes occurred. He could feel suspicious glances, but once they saw the smuggler was with him, everyone simply went their own way.
It was convenient not to waste unnecessary time.
At last, they arrived before a half-circular door.
"The item you're looking for is here."
Padreld pulled out four keys, inserting them into the locks in order.
The locks began to disengage one by one. It didn't seem to have any particular magical protection, but with metal harder than steel and significant thickness, it looked nearly impossible to destroy physically.
Of course, not for Verden, who could manipulate terrain on a massive scale.
He followed Padreld inside the warehouse.
Junk piled up everywhere, and at the center stood a carriage that was nearly free of dust.
"Is this Holoden's carriage?"
"That's correct. I only gave it a rough check and haven't moved the contents yet. And the Ore Detector is inside the chest behind the carriage."
Padreld pointed with his finger as he spoke. As expected of a smuggler, his instincts were sharp.
Spreading mana detection, Verden confirmed there were no traps around the carriage.
"Where is Merald's sword?"
"The sword? Ah, that's just tossed further inside..."
Their eyes met.
Verden was Padreld's cusBookr. Naturally, he had no choice but to comply.
"…Please wait a moment. I'll bring it right away."
The smuggler disappeared deeper into the warehouse. Meanwhile, Verden checked the chest.
A cubic-shaped Ore Detector.
'I've heard the name since it's a fairly famous magic item, but… this is my first time seeing it in person.'
When he lightly pressed the button, faint beams of magic power scanned the surroundings.
It seemed to analyze terrain like this, detecting the distribution of ores.
'Still, it won't fit inside a spatial bag.'
Nor was it something a horse could pull easily by weight alone.
He could float it with terrain manipulation… but that would be quite bothersome.
The easy way was to use a carriage.
And conveniently, Holoden's carriage was right there. Inside were sealed wooden boxes, though one at the far end was slightly open.
'Did the smugglers check it?'
Taking a quick look, he found bags filled with pure white powder.
"This is..."
"Here it is."
Padreld had returned with Merald's sword. Verden shifted his gaze away from the box.
Receiving the sword, he examined the blade. Of course, just by sight he couldn't know if it was truly forged with twenty percent damascus steel, making it Merald's sword.
But the smell of blood lingered.
Padreld had said some of his men had been killed or injured subduing Merald. This must be the bloodstain from then.
Moreover, there was no reason to hand over a fake. It had to be real.
Verden stored the sword in his spatial bag.
"That concludes my business..."
"That box there, is that drugs?"
"Ah, yes. That's right. Holoden brought it. It has a numbing effect, mainly used as a painkiller."
Why bother bringing drugs while fleeing?
When he asked, Padreld kindly explained.
"Currently, the Midros autonomous territory is flooded with demi-humans, and the Church can barely handle the number of wounded. Because of that, demand for this drug has skyrocketed in the territory."
Naturally, the price had risen as well.
"Holoden must have planned to deal drugs in the territory. To think he was scheming about that even while on the run… he really was merchant guild material. Well, he's dead now."
Padreld cleared his throat.
"In any case, if you've no further business, may I guide you back out? I have many tasks awaiting me."
"This carriage, can I take it?"
The drugs were of no use.
Verden was neither a thief nor a drug dealer.
No matter how much he needed money, he had absolutely no intention of stooping to such petty crime.
"If it's only the carriage, by all means take it. I'll call my men to unload the cargo."
"I'll do it myself."
At Verden's gesture, the boxes of drugs were neatly lifted and carried outside.
In an instant, the carriage was emptied.
It was now time to return to Asern.
Padreld was overjoyed at the fact that Verden would be leaving…
"And I'll need a horse or two as well."
The carriage was large enough that at least two horses would be required.
At Verden's request, Padreld smiled, clenching the fist he hid behind his back.
"I'll prepare them at once."
CusBookr, or rather, nuisance.
***
Verden safely delivered the commissioned items.
Cland immediately began inspecting the necklace and the detector to confirm their authenticity. As for Merald's sword, he only gave it a glance before tossing it in a corner.
Soon after, Cland nodded in satisfaction.
"Well done, Asher. You've brought them properly."
"Where's my payment?"
"There's no need to rush. Everything is prepared."
Cland handed over the reward.
One was a bag filled with bundles of cash worth four hundred million Elk, the other a sealed envelope containing the auction list.
"I'll step out for a while, so check the list here. If word of this reached the wrong ears, it would be very, very troublesome."
"Understood."
"Good. Knock on the door once you're done reading."
Cland left the chamber.
Left alone, Verden picked up the envelope.
'What kind of items will be up for auction in the underworld auction house?'
He felt a quiet thrill as he carefully broke the seal.
***
The average value of items put up in the underworld auction house was in the billions.
Even if one were lucky enough to obtain an invitation, acquiring the item one desired was exceedingly difficult.
Even if one had the money, one had to outbid other participants in competition. And often, people ended up paying far more than the expected value.
The list Cland gave contained all the goods, their origins, and the starting prices with estimated values.
'Incredible sums.'
There were many rare magic items coveted even by mages of the Magic Tower.
Naturally, their prices were on a completely different scale from ordinary goods.
Among them, one item stood out.
An artifact, [Crown of the Witch's Thorn].
It can only be worn by women, and when worn, the magic power is altered, temporarily granting a special magical trait.
The effect varies greatly depending on the mage.
However, there are also side effects.
When worn for long periods, one gradually loses reason, the distorted mana circuits twist, and eventually the wearer goes berserk and dies. The same applies if a man wears it… or so it was written.
'A rather dangerous artifact.'
Nevertheless, an artifact is still an artifact.
The starting price was a staggering 4.5 billion Elk, with an expected value of 7.8 billion Elk, the highest price in the auction.
Unless one was among the highest nobility or royalty, they could never dream of affording it.
'Not that it matters, since I'm not buying it.'
He continued reading through the list.
His standard was always the same, things that would be of practical help to Verden.
He resisted temptation, narrowed them down, and chose.
"…These should be enough."
After much thought, he settled on three items.
First, [Maybel's Earrings].
Its effects were Expanded elemental magic range (mid-high level) and Unification, two in total.
In other words, it was a magic item that showed no outward sign of its power.
'A simple effect, but all the stronger for it.'
Mid-high grade was by no means something to dismiss.
Moreover, expansion of range meant specialization in large-scale magic, which meant Verden's strengths would be enhanced even further.
Mana consumption would increase, but that was hardly worth worrying about.
The starting price was 500 million Elk, with an expected value of 800 million Elk.
And second, [Amulet of Thunderwing].
A talisman that broadly enhanced lightning-type magic. It was activated by attaching it to another accessory.
Of course, it wasn't on the level of a magic Book, but as a magic item tied to a high-tier attribute, its value was considerable.
The starting price was 800 million Elk, with an expected value of 1.2 billion Elk.
Finally, the third.
'In truth, this may be the most important.'
The [Set of Gravity Magic Books].
Comprised of an upper and a lower volume, the first contained theory, while the latter was said to hold practical higher-tier magic.
If the lightning attribute was the high-tier element renowned for absolute destructive force against living beings, then gravity was the high-tier attribute specialized in physical force.
It wasn't particularly tied to Bohemirn's Magic Tower, where elemental magic was mainstream.
But even so, it was something he had to obtain.
'Its versatility surpasses even lightning magic.'
The problem, however, was this.
Could he master gravity magic, or not?
Even those with circuits suited for high-tier attributes were rare, so handling two high-tier attributes was, of course, beyond that rarity.
But Verden did not doubt himself.
Common limitations applied only to other mages.
For Verden, who had Defied the Heavens, such limits did not exist.
He checked the price of the [Set of Gravity Magic Books].
The starting price was 1.2 billion Elk, with an expected value of 1.8 billion Elk.
It wasn't as expensive as he expected, and there was a reason for that.
Even if it was a high-tier attribute, there were so few who could actually learn it that it was considered practically useless.
At best, it would end up as a collector's item or a decoration. That was why the price wasn't astronomical.
Besides, it wasn't the only set of gravity Books in existence.
'Either way, to obtain these three items, I'll need at least 2.5 billion Elk.'
By expected value, around 3.8 billion Elk.
To bid safely, 4.5 billion Elk would be necessary.
But he didn't have enough money.
Excluding the payment owed to the relic exploration team, his liquid funds amounted to about 800 million Elk. Even if he scraped together everything, it was far from enough.
'No matter what, I must get the Gravity Magic Books.'
The auction was about fifty days away.
Within that time, he had to secure funds, at least 1.8… no, 2 billion Elk.
Knock, knock.
Verden knocked on the door. Moments later, Cland entered.
"Oh, sooner than I thought. I expected you'd be up all night deliberating… judging from your face, it seems you've decided what to go for."
Verden nodded.
He handed the auction list back to Cland.
"Burn it here, that's the safest way."
"Very well."
Whoosh.
Flames flowed from his fingertips, burning the list completely to ash. It didn't matter, since he had already memorized everything inside.
"Then, farewell. I hope you manage to obtain what you want."
With Cland's farewell, Verden left the building.
On the way back to the inn.
He strolled the darkened streets, deep in thought.
If he had enough time, he could eventually gather all the money he needed, but right now, time was limited.
To be honest, it wasn't an easy task.
Even for him, it was hard to deny.
'Of course, that doesn't mean I'll give up.'
Everything was part of the path toward his goal.
Resolved, Verden's eyes held not a trace of doubt.
***
Verden worked relentlessly.
In that time, he had completed over a dozen commissions. The profits he reaped were overwhelming compared to the time spent. But that wasn't the only achievement.
Even as fatigue pressed down on him, he never once slacked on training, instead pushing himself harder.
Growth came in small steps, but when gathered, they became great strides.
Verden felt this clearly.
'This sensation…'
He observed his mana circuits.
He recalled that fleeting moment before the magic tower's power source, when he had glimpsed the rank of 5th-tier.
That faint sense was returning to him now. The once-blurred wall was becoming clear.
Just one more step.
If he kept training as he had, he could reach it within two months at most. Or perhaps sooner, if a fitting opportunity arose.
One way or another, Verden was convinced he would soon break free of the 4th-tier.
Everything was going smoothly.
If things continued like this, it would be perfect.
Then, a problem arose.
Perne spoke with a troubled face.
"M-Master Asher, there are no commissions…?"
…Commissions were scarce.
Or more precisely, trivial jobs abounded, but ones worthy of Verden's attention, the lucrative ones, had all but dried up.
His ability to take on commissions had outpaced the supply.
Perne had done her best, but finding commissions that fit his circumstances exactly was no easy task.
'This is troublesome.'
There was less than a month left before the auction began.
And he still lacked funds.
At this rate, he might walk away from the underworld auction empty-handed. That was an outcome Verden would never accept.
That was when good news arrived.
"Huh? Master Asher, Lady Calia requests that you come to Rines at once!"