While the results of their transaction were satisfying, Locke was in for a bigger one. Earlier in the tent, Chief Shabille pointed at the major monster skin and other materials laid on the ground. We dont want any of this!
Mm. Locke had rely displayed everything he brought. Chief Shabille had the final say in the trades. However, our tribe can provide so monster materials if youd ever need any! The offer that escaped Chief Shabilles lips was shocking.
Bond, on the other hand, was unfazed. The young noble knew much about Chief Shabilles tribe. Naturally, Bond understood that the chief didn't only an so monster materials. Unfortunately, Bonds family wasn't involved in trading major monster materials. What may seem like precious material to the general public was rely trash to them.
Chief Shabilles words were not just ant for Locke, but also Rafael and Gauss who were standing beside him. Surprisingly, Rafael and Gauss rejected Chief Shabilles offer. Locke certainly wasnt expecting that.
They both belonged to huge noble clans. Their relatively complicated upbringing made sure they were exposed to lots of experiences since their childhoods. Both their clans werent involved in the major monster material trade either.
The market in Aomar was complex. If one really wished to dabble into it, there were many aspects to consider. Most importantly, the Glint Plains was just too far away from their clans operating bases; the money required for just logistics was already a problem.
In the end, Locke ntioned that hed consider the offer, to which Chief Shabilles expression lightened up a little. Billies family business was mainly focused in Princeton, with only a small amount conducted in the outer provinces. He could always bring this offer up to Billie when he returned. Even if it was a no-deal, there was nothing to lose.
Declining Chief Shabilles request to stay longer, the four left together in the afternoon after their trade session. Blood essence was rare. It was an item that had recurrent benefits for knights' advancent. They all intended to use it as soon as they arrived ho.
Before leaving, Locke studied the teru who had been waiting on the riverbank for days. It hadnt moved much at all. Though the monster was close to death, it didnt appear weak at all to Locke.
Yet, the blood essence in his grip was no doubt real. Perhaps they only sold so much of it to intimidate the surrounding tribes. There were only a few hundreds of mbers in Shabilles tribe. Despite that, they were able to occupy a small area of the river. This wouldve been impossible to achieve if they were weak.
The teru was a high-rank major monster. Though its magic abilities werent outstanding, its sheer size was sothing to be wary of, making it excel in raw strength.
There wasnt much to see on Glint Plains. The return journey was the exact sa as before. Due to ti constraint, they decided to not visit the other nomad kingdoms deeper into the plains. That said, not all countries were friendly to Aomar. Locke could clearly sense that the barbarians of the plains were very wary of them.
After purchasing so local specialities from a hub called Gibb on the border of Glint Plains, they continued their travels and soon saw the empire above the horizon.
Soon, it was ti for them to part. Bond needed to head southwest to deal with so family affairs while Gauss and Rafael were headed for the east and the north respectively to continue their travels. They wished to thoroughly enjoy their holiday before it ended, though the decadent wanderlust of the nobles wasn't sothing Locke could approve of.
With no desire to follow them, Locke declined Rafael and Gausss invitation and decided to go ho. He had gained a lot this ti. There was a sixty-gram blood essence in his spatial ring, which was worth thirty thousand gold moores on the empires black market. That made him as rich as the average noble, though it didn't co with a cost: the heavy blue armour.
Since he took it from Glaces treasury, he only used it a handful of tis due to its weight. His wind impetus also made him favour lighter gear rather than heavier protective ones.
He continued south along the Sangan River, the largest waterway in the empire. The path was familiar to him as had travelled this route many tis. Soon, he reached his destination, Princeton.
An auction? Locke asked, staring at his guest, Billie.
Yeah. Interested? Billie waved the golden-leaved invitation in her hand.
The next morning, Locke left his residence fully dressed. He climbed into a carriage with Billie, who was dressed just as formally.
So What is the event like? Locke asked. He still didn't know much about the auction.
Well, its co-organized by my family and a few others. Its more of a private event. Most of the attendees are people on good terms with the families.
The venue was set in an unassuming store along the busy Sachiel Street. Its location and decor was nothing special; it looked just like any regular sundry shop. But as soon as they entered, it looked completely different. From the attendants at the stairway that inspected their invitations or the prominent figures hidden in different corners of the venue, Locke figured that this was a serious ordeal.
There were quite an amount of attendees. Both sides of the street were constantly flooded with elaborate carriages. Gentlemanly nobles and sophisticated ladies got off their wagons and entered the unassuming shop gracefully.
When it was their turn for inspection, the attendant made no move to halt them. Miss, he quickly greeted Billie respectfully without even needing to check the invitation.
Billies expression hadnt changed the slightest bit. She led Locke into the walkway behind the attendant. Locke stole a glance at her, feeling that there was more to her than ets the eye. He had brought up Chief Shabilles offer to Billie a few days ago after his return. Without hesitation, she said she would accept the deal.
Ill write a recomndation letter to Chief Shabille then, said Locke, trying to continue the conversation.
Mhm. Billie nodded, seemingly nonchalant about their exchange.
Locke felt this sudden urge to learn more about the scale of Billies family business from Joaquin. There was indeed sothing odd about this small sundry shop. The corridors were illogically lengthy. As the two continued to walk, it began to slope downwards.
Oh, the auction is held underground, said Locke in awe. After living in Princeton a few years, he knew that there were a lot of underground structures there. During his first year here, Henry dragged Locke to an underground bar a few tis too often.
Bars that were underground and aboveground bore no difference in Lockes opinion. The alcohol tasted the sa and the waitresses werent particularly better-looking either, so he had no idea why Henry was so fond of it.
Certainly, the venue of the auction couldnt be compared to a lowly place like a bar. The carpets and the bright fluorite stones embedded for illumination along the corridor was a sign of the owner's deep pockets.
Locke was already starting to regret this. He shouldnt have followed Billie to the auction without much thought. He had already spent most of his extra money on the blood essence. Plus, Angelina had been holed up in the academy working on her experint, so there was no way he would borrow money from her.
In hindsight, I shouldve asked Glace for a few pieces of antique jewellery before coming here, grumbled Locke. As ti passed, Locke had grown increasingly intimate with her to the point they considered their wealth shared. They often asked each other for money without really keeping count.
Glaces wealth was mainly in the form of antiques, crafts, jewellery and other treasures that she brought out of Shalor. Compared to the surrounding kingdoms like Faustian, Shalor had a far more developed culture of craftsmanship. Aomarian nobles fancied the refined Shalorian crafts quite a lot. Because of that, Glace was the second richest mber of Locke's 'family', with the wealthiest being Angelina without question.
Kristins spatial ring also contained a considerable amount of good stuff, though the girl was really very careful with her spending. She wouldnt touch any of the items in her ring normally, only opting to spend the pocket money Locke provided, and she only gave those items in her ring to Locke and Glace.
Not enough money? asked Billie, almost as if she could sense his distress. She then produced two golden cards from her bag. Those were priceless cards that amounted to one thousand gold moores each.
No, I can't just take it. Frankly, Locke wasnt close enough with Billie to borrow money from her just yet. Am I allowed to auction sothing off here instead?
Of course. She wasn't expecting that question at all.
They finally reached the end of the long corridor and entered a humongous underground space. Every corner was sparkling gold and scread wealth. Locke was curious about how the filthy rich managed to have sothing like this built. Billie and Lockes seats were located on the third row, but they werent in a rush to get seated.
If you wish to auction off sothing, let bring you backstage," Billie said with a smile.
Items scheduled for todays auction had been decided three days ago. While a sudden request to add more to the catalogue would definitely interrupt the flow of the event, it was not an issue for Billie, the daughter of one of the events organizers. There was no one there to stop them. Without hindrance, the duo entered the backstage area.
Please get ister Lis, Billie instructed a nearby attendant.
Without further ado, a blond old man with a receding hairline appeared. What item would this knight wish to auction off? The old man was a sharp one. He could tell that he was supposed to service the knight beside the lady.
After a mont of hesitation, Locke retrieved ten grams worth of blood essence from his spatial ring.
Oh? Thats a super rare commodity! ister Lis recognized it at a glance. He was very confident of its authenticity as from the thick scent of blood it exuded. Not to ntion, Locke was here with Billie, which should be more than enough to forgo the standard inspection protocols.
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