Chapter 65
Precious magic tools, works of art, objects steeped in history, rare items discovered in dungeons.
No one knew where such items had been found or how they had been brought here, yet they were placed on the auction block one after another, stirring people’s curiosity.
Even without purchasing anything, rely being present was entertaining enough.
Everyone watched with shining eyes—even the Saint observed the stage with an interested expression—but for Aquila, the entire affair failed to evoke much feeling from beginning to end.
‘There is not a single item that looks truly useful…….’
Perhaps because this was an auction drawing in the extrely wealthy, most of the items were closer to luxury goods.
From Aquila’s perspective, who had little interest in this world’s history or art, they were things he would not take even if they were given to him.
Thus, contrary to expectations, the first day of the Old Items Auction passed without yielding him anything.
The only thing that spread rapidly was the news that Aquila Reschenhardt and the Saint Ianpel had appeared together at the auction hall.
And so, today—
The second day of the Old Items Auction, and the final day of the Founding Festival, began.
Just like yesterday, they attended the auction with the sa group and took their seats, and Aquila’s expression remained flat throughout.
“…The second half of the auction will begin in approximately twenty minutes! Please return promptly and take your seats in advance!”
Having spent a long ti explaining the auction items, the host’s voice was slightly hoarse.
The crowd murmured, then began flowing out like a receding tide.
Aquila did not look back at them. Leaning into the soft backrest, he kept his gaze on the empty stage.
On the first day, thirty-five items had passed through the auction.
Today, the second day, fourteen items had already been presented.
Half of today’s auction had already passed, yet there was still nothing that made Aquila want to raise his hand and na a price.
Of course, this was not a sentint unique to Aquila.
“…I told myself to lower my expectations today, but my heart does not seem to agree.”
rien, who had concealed her original black hair beneath a wig once again today, let out a sigh.
After watching the stage with a tense expression since yesterday, she looked completely drained.
“Today’s highlight should begin with the second half of the auction. It is too early to give up hope.”
Ianpel soothed her gently.
As he spoke, he pushed up his glasses with the tip of his index finger. Yesterday, the fras had been square, but today, perhaps to match, the lenses were round.
‘It should be about ti for Quija’s Smile to appear.’
Yesterday, on the first day, after the twenty items that had been submitted in advance before the Founding Festival had passed, items appraised on the spot began appearing in the second half.
From that point on, bizarre and extraordinary items had erged one after another.
Today, the second day, was unlikely to be any different.
At the Old Items Auction of the year 713, Quija’s Smile had definitely been put up for auction.
Since it had not appeared yesterday, that ant it would appear today.
Of course, since this knowledge ca from a previous cycle, Aquila had no choice but to remain silent.
“…I will go bring sothing to eat or drink while we are on break.”
With a deep sigh, rien suddenly spoke as she smoothed out the cloth she had been gripping.
Being confined inside the auction hall seed to be stifling her.
“I-I will go with you!”
Since rien was dressed as a maid today as well, Shen quickly added that he could not let her go alone.
When Shen glanced cautiously at Aquila, Aquila nodded.
It was permission to go.
As rien led the way out of the auction hall and Shen followed behind her, Aquila rolled his eyes.
“Are you not going out as well?”
“No. I do not find this place stifling at all. I am simply looking forward to seeing what extraordinary item will appear in the second half.”
The Saint smiled, reclining leisurely against the back of his seat.
If one were to ask who looked like they were enjoying this Old Items Auction the most, it was undoubtedly Ianpel.
Perhaps because of his position, he did not bid on items that caught his interest, but every ti a new item was brought onto the stage, he looked delighted.
It truly seed as though his sole purpose was to watch the auction.
‘Is he really here just to watch, or does he intend to buy sothing……?’
As Aquila narrowed his eyes and observed the Saint, soone suddenly approached their seats.
“Pardon .”
“Who would have thought I would encounter the two of you here, with all the rumors circulating lately.”
Aquila turned his head toward the voice.
What stood out most was the olive-colored beard framing the man’s jaw.
If it had been patchy, it might have looked unkempt, but it was trimd to an even length, lending him an air of solemn strength.
A subtle flicker crossed Aquila’s eyes as he looked at the man.
‘Gusaf?’
The mont Aquila’s gaze t those golden eyes, a sound rang out in his mind, as if it had been waiting for this.
Ding!
【Information on the keyword ‘Gusaf Fad Nenchel’ has been unlocked!】
【Gusaf Fad Nenchel — Ruler of the Seas, Southern Tycoon, Gambler.
Actions prior to the 30th cycle:
If the major quest ‘Corrupted Kraken Assault’ is not cleared, ‘Gusaf Fad Nenchel’ will officially die……
……There is too much information to load at once!
Please select .】
【Special Notes: The head of the Nenchel family, which dominates the southern seas, and a man wealthy enough to be called a southern tycoon.】
“I heard that you attended the auction yesterday, so I thought perhaps you would not co today. To think I would et you like this—seems my luck has not run out yet.”
Gusaf continued, stroking his beard with one hand.
‘……So he really was here.’
Though surprised by the sudden encounter, Aquila already knew that Gusaf was attending this Great Old Dust Release.
After all, the person who had once possessed the magic tool Eye That Sees the Hidden and later handed it to Aquila had been Gusaf.
Had he already acquired another magic tool?
Aquila’s eyes narrowed briefly, then returned to normal.
‘I knew he would attend the auction, but I did not expect him to strike up a conversation.’
While Aquila considered what to say first, Ianpel straightened from his seat and lifted his head.
“In a place where so many people gather, how could this be an intrusion?”
His gentle voice, carrying a warm smile, was directed at Gusaf.
Lilac eyes briefly swept over Gusaf, then softened.
“And when such a variety of people gather, one naturally encounters unfamiliar faces as well. May I ask who you are?”
Though Ianpel always appeared shrewd and experienced, his travels had taken him only through the central regions, the north, and Saintroia.
Portplum, strictly speaking, also belonged to the north, so it was not strange that he would not recognize Gusaf, who operated solely in the south.
“Ah, right. I keep forgetting that this is not the south.”
Gusaf laughed heartily as he brushed his beard again.
There was confidence in the way he spoke—as if, were this the south instead of the north, no one would fail to recognize him at a glance.
And of course, that confidence was well-founded.
“Allow to introduce myself. My na is Gusaf Fad Nenchel. I deal with ships in the southern regions of the continent.”
“…Oh? You are the one rumored to have conquered the southern seas, then?”
His na had spread even to the north.
Realizing who Gusaf was as soon as he heard the na, Ianpel’s reaction prompted Gusaf to burst into hearty laughter.
“I did not expect the Saint of the Sun, who appears once every few centuries at most, to recognize . It seems my na has grown more valuable.”
Perhaps because of the brief exchange, the atmosphere between the two n was rather friendly.
Both before and after learning his identity, Cahena rely stared at Gusaf without making any particular move.
Which ant that she sensed neither hostility nor killing intent from him.
There was no way her keen instincts would have missed such things.
So Aquila also stopped assessing Gusaf further and offered a light greeting as he introduced himself.
“I t your father, Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt, once in the capital, Denimarad. Seeing you like this, you really are the spitting image.”
Despite the north and south being at opposite ends of the continent, it seed they had crossed paths at least once in the central region.
Aquila nodded.
“Then may I ask what business the man known as the southern admiral has with us?”
“Business? It simply looked like everyone wanted to speak to you but was too hesitant to do so. I thought I would be the first to make the move.”
Gusaf said, glancing around.
Those who had been lowering their voices or watching intently as if listening in quickly averted their eyes when they t his golden gaze.
Just as Gusaf said, over the past two days, quite a few people had wanted to approach the combination of the Saint and a Reschenhardt.
The Saint would offer his characteristic gentle smile if their eyes t, but nothing more.
Aquila, on the other hand, wore an expression as cold as a winter gale the entire ti.
Of course, it was not solely because of their deanor.
“When a man who once made his na as a rcenary is staring at you, even the timid would be too frightened to approach, would they not?”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Cahena shrugged, feigning ignorance.
“To encounter the valiant as well—this too is good fortune. Hm! Such luck, such luck. To hear all this with my own ears…….”
Gusaf muttered while stroking his beard.
It was a habit born of a gambler’s temperant.
Rather than waiting for fortune, he went out to create it himself.
With a grin, Gusaf gave them a small nod.
“A good on, a good on! Then I should leave before this feeling fades. I wish you good fortune as well!”
Calling out loudly, Gusaf turned away and began heading toward the exit of the theater instead of returning to his seat.
Caught off guard by his sudden departure, his companions hurried after him with bewildered expressions.
“…What was that? Why is he leaving?”
Cahena muttered in confusion, but Aquila, who knew that Gusaf always went off to gamble after saying such things, rely shrugged.
***
As soon as Gusaf left, people began gathering again, hoping to strike up a conversation, but before long, Shen and rien returned, the brief break ended, and the auction resud.
Aquila leaned sideways with his arm resting on the armrest, watching the stage.
Six items had just passed.
None of them looked useful to either Aquila or rien.
“Now, the seventh item of the day!”
Rrrk.
An object covered with black cloth was placed on a tray and brought onto the stage.
The hoarse host brought his lips to the voice-amplifying device, then dramatically whipped away the cloth.
“This item is a rare flower that blooms only once every few years—if that—exclusively in the Fields of Quija…… Quija’s Smile!”
At last, the item appeared.
A single yellow flower, encased within transparent glass.
Behind him, rien sharply inhaled, her eyes widening.
The very item she had been searching for had finally appeared on the stage.
With a face that was either flushed or pale, she grabbed Aquila’s shoulder.
Before she could even ask him to participate in the auction at any price—
“It can be said to be the one and only dicinal herb capable of curing mineralization! The starting price is seven hundred thousand gold—!”
Before the host could finish, Aquila raised his hand high and declared,
“Ten million gold.”
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