"30,000 Kesi Coins!"
"50,000."
Seeing that the knights were the only ones bidding, the other guests realized they had no chance of obtaining the Duke of Troxley's cellar wine.
"Knight of Duke Totobina, Knight of Duke Lishbin Kesen. Do you intend to compete with the noble Duke of Troxley for the wine?"
The knight in the number one seat spoke with an air of authority.
Hearing this blatant threat, Knights of seats two and three recoiled. Though they too were knights of dukes, they knew that combined, the three dukes held less sway than a single duke. Even if they seized the wine, the King might overlook the action, but these knights would surely pay with their lives.
Had the knights of Duke Troxley remained silent, they might have continued bidding, but now, the very presence of the Duke's knight had silenced all challengers.
"50,000 Kesi Coins. Old Steward, please announce the result. You know this wine is not worth this price."
The Old Steward narrowed his eyes before raising the auction hammer and bringing it down heavily.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Let us congratulate the winner of the final treasure of this auction. The auction is now concluded."
The Old Steward then removed his hat, placing it over his chest as he added, "Steward Delta-Kevin thanks everyone for their patronage."
The red curtain was drawn, and Steward Delta-Kevin's figure disappeared from view.
The crowd began to disperse, though one individual moved with unusual haste.
Though among the throngs of black-clad, masked figures, this one stood out like a firefly in the night to the keen eyes of an experienced hunter.
After descending the rear staircase, the Old Steward entered a room where all the treasures were kept, awaiting the final transactions with the successful bidders.
"Old Steward, the sheep has left. The hunter has followed."
"No, I've changed my mind. I believe someone will care more about this than we do."
"Are you referring to the knights, Old Steward?"
The Old Steward said nothing but smiled knowingly.
Edson-Kevin, the Duke of Troxley's name would surely be honored by these knights.
Knock, knock.
"It seems our first guest has arrived."
The auctioneer moved to open the door and greeted, "Honored sir, may I inquire which lot you won?"
A delicate male voice came from beneath the mask, "Lot 1."
"Ah, sir, you have a discerning eye. Please come this way."
The auctioneer took out a finely crafted turquoise enamel flowered hairpin from a red wooden box.
"Sir, please inspect your lot."
"No need. I trust the Old Steward's reputation."
The auctioneer's eyes narrowed into a smile.
"Thank you for your trust, sir. Please proceed with the transaction."
Soon, the exchange was complete.
The auctioneer led the buyer through one of the back doors, watched him leave, and then returned to the room
"Old Steward, Lot 1 has been claimed, but it wasn't by the person who bid."
The Old Steward had expected this turn of events and shrugged it off. "An entirely normal occurrence. How dare a rat reveal itself to the streets?"
After attending to nineteen buyers, only the final item remained.
"Old Steward, where are the knights? They haven't arrived yet."
"They're already here."
As the words left his lips, the door swung open.
"Just as expected of the Old Steward, your mind is as sharp as ever. But I don't understand why you would leave Duke Troxley's castle. Surely it isn't just for this cellar wine. I know your judgment is not so shortsighted."
The Old Steward squinted his eyes. His instincts had been correct. This was a test, though he was unsure who was behind it.
"Duke's Knight, I'm just old. What's so unusual about that?"
The Duke's Knight, clearly skeptical, snorted and issued a stern warning. "I hope, Old Steward, that you won't disgrace Duke Troxley. Remember, even if you leave him, your life no longer belongs to you."
After inspecting the wine for authenticity, the Duke's Knight drew his sword. "Who is responsible for this?"
The words, full of authority and bloodlust, came from the Duke's Knight's lips.
"Knight of the Duke, I suggest you wait at Miss Verna's shop in the street. You will see someone in a black cloak and mask. The one with a rose mark on his right shoulder—that's him."
"Hmph. Don't think you can fool a great Duke's Knight."
After the exchange, the auctioneer whispered to the Old Steward. "The knight truly is insufferable."
The Old Steward glanced at him with a half-smile and replied, "After all, he's the only knight under the great Duke. It's normal for him to be so arrogant. Isn't this age we live in one where some lives are worth less than a single Kesi coin?"
Some lives are indeed worth more than others, while others barely hold any value.
Knock knock, knock.
"The sheep has arrived. Go open the door."
The door opened.
In walked the ragged and impatiently smiling Pockem. "Old Steward, the money?"
The Old Steward smiled and gestured for the auctioneer to proceed with the transaction.
After deducting the ten percent commission fee, Pockem looked at the box filled with 45,000 Kesi coins. He lifted it slightly, feeling its weight. His eyes glimmered, and he moved to the Old Steward, producing 5,000 Kesi coins.
The Old Steward did not take them immediately but instead stared at Pockem silently.
It was clear—Pockem needed to state the reason for the money, or the Old Steward wouldn't accept it.
Pockem, unwilling to hide anything, spoke directly. "Old Steward, this 40,000 Kesi coin box is too heavy. I would like to exchange it for 1,000 Kesi Coin notes."
The Old Steward feigned surprise. "You know about Kesi Coin notes?"
"Heh heh," Pockem chuckled sheepishly, looking down.
The Old Steward, glancing at the auctioneer, nodded. "It's fine, but I must charge a processing fee."
"No problem, Old Steward, this is well deserved."
Soon, the auctioneer returned with a tray embossed with a black-and-gold rose. It contained 30 Kesi Coin notes.
Pockem wiped his hand and found the notes didn't move. His smile faltered, but he quickly masked his discomfort.
"Pockem, I'll exchange your 5,000 Kesi Coins for 5 notes. There are 35 notes on this tray, you may count them."
"No need, I trust the Old Steward."
"Then the transaction is complete. I won't escort you out."
The auctioneer led Pockem to the door.
Suddenly, Pockem turned and said, "Auctioneer, did you take five of my Kesi Coin notes?"
The auctioneer pushed Pockem away. "So what if I did, rat? You should be grateful I left you with 30."
The auctioneer spat at Pockem.
"Get out," he said, slamming Pockem's shoulder as he pushed him again.
Pockem silently wiped away the spit, brushing it on his coat.
Blood dripped steadily onto the snow.