As time passed, Petra slowly got ready to leave.
She had heard that there was a massive auction being held tonight, so the greedy dragon naturally wanted to take a look.
Soryn stuffed her into the carriage and quickly pulled the other girls along. Petra, Soryn, Wind, and Nebula were all packed together as the wheels clattered through the marble stone streets.
Petra curled up in the carriage. She had always liked carriages, and this medieval style was strangely comfortable. It rocked too much, but that didn't bother her. Her feet couldn't touch the ground, but that didn't bother her either.
She pulled a small bag of crispy beef chips from her satchel and began nibbling.
Petra slowly lost herself in thought.
The Grand Gathering had been underway for three days, and Petra had snuck into the competition venue a few times to take a look.
There were prodigies from across the continent, but getting close to them was difficult. What most people found fun and exciting was the bustling crowds, flashy displays, and meaningless chatter. Unfortunately, all of that just bored her.
In three days, the Poison Master competition would begin. Petra wanted to take a look at the level of poison mastery from around the continent. If there was anything interesting, she could always pay a visit to their homes later and 'borrow some of their knowledge.'
The carriage tumbled along as they moved through the city. Even the best roads were never completely flat, causing her hair to shift with every jolt.
Petra pulled out a book and began reading, the words formed from her mental energy blurring slightly as the carriage rocked.
She didn't have to think about much, didn't have to do much, and she could just be lazy. For Petra, this small moment of peace was enough to feel refreshed.
Despite the bumps, the journey passed quickly.
-
The auction house was a massive white building surrounded by a large park, built atop black stone brick. Six large towers rose from its roof, and a grand pair of golden gates marked the main entrance. Around the building stretched small but lush green forests, filled with all kinds of rare and exotic plants.
The auction was held to help powerful people from all walks of life prepare for the next calamity. It was a way to open up various treasuries and circulate wealth. Filling one man's pocket while empowering another.
After all, hoarding wealth meant very little when faced with an uncertain future.
This auction was announced as a split between live bidding and private buyouts. That basically meant that, aside from the main auction, there was also a museum-like layout with tens of thousands of items on display. These 'private bids' worked in two ways: you could write down your bid on an item and try to be the highest bidder, or you could simply pay a massive amount of money to instantly take the item for yourself.
Approaching, there were three entrances.
The first was the 'golden carpet,' cutting directly through the center and connecting to the golden doors. On either side of the carpet were two side doors meant for the common citizens. The whole scene reminded Petra a bit of the red carpets back on Earth.
Petra, Nebula, Wind, and Soryn strode out of the crowd, swaggering through as if they owned the place.
They passed directly through the golden gates and its many guards. They casually skipped all the identity checks, slipping through the entrance reserved for the big shots.
Petra already knew that her illusions were, frankly, a total cheat, but this was a whole new level.
She leaned back slightly, an arrogant expression plastered on her tiny face, watching the guards remain completely unaware of the four girls who had just passed them.
The lead guard in charge of tonight's event muttered repeatedly to himself not to mess up. He had been recommended due to his perfect record, and he had no intention of breaking it tonight.
Every step, every motion, every word had to be flawless!
Shortly after Petra and her group entered, Hexfill appeared with Villina.
They wore slightly nicer clothes, looking more like nobles than the mercenaries they actually were. Their entrance drew little attention.
The guard at the front stepped forward with a smile, bowing slightly as he welcomed them in.
* * *
Petra entered a massive hall swarming with people.
The air was thick with excitement, murmurs, and the faint scent of disgusting perfume. To each side of the hall, long corridors stretched, branching into display rooms filled with treasures. Straight ahead, on the opposite wall, half a dozen doors led into the live auction.
Wealthy nobles in fine robes whispered quietly to one another, while merchants pushed around to make space to examine potential bids. A few nervous-looking mercenaries shifted near the edges of the crowd, clearly worried about something.
Petra grabbed Wind by the hand and sank into the crowd, quickly disappearing.
Wind glanced around at the chaotic displays and then down at the price tags, frowning.
"Do we have any money left?" She asked.
Petra hummed, nodded once, then shook her head.
"We do! But it's not really our money!"
Soryn's voice came from behind, doubtful. "What do you mean?"
Petra smirked. "The ant trio has been running around, robbing a few people whenever they can."
"Eh? It can't be that much, right?" Wind's eyes flickered strangely while looking between the massive price tags and Petra. She doubted that a few ants could make that much money.
"Nope. It's a lot… But I just didn't want to take it for myself!"
"How much?" Soryn asked.
Petra knocked on her hat and the small snake slithered out, carrying a money pouch in its mouth. It dropped the pouch in Petra's hand, then slithered back into the hat.
Petra carefully opened it, scanning the contents in a way that only she could see. Satisfied, she passed it to Soryn.
When Soryn looked, her eyes widened when she saw the amount. She nearly shouted, "Who the hell did they rob!"
Petra snickered, lowering her voice to a mischievous whisper. "It's the snake too. These little guys like to remember our enemies… or, uh, people who bump into us on the street and stuff…" She stuck out her tongue. "In short, they take it from bad people!"
Wind and Soryn exchanged a silent glance. Petra's cheeks reddened, and she quickly looked away.
That was a long shot, huh?
-
Fifteen minutes later, a deep, unseen voice announced the beginning of the main auction.
People began to be ushered in.
As for Petra, she didn't care.
She had zero interest in the main event, unlike almost everyone else around her.
People shuffled toward the main hall like a stream of heads, murmuring excitedly amongst themselves. Some clutched massive ledgers, while others whispered to their companions. The tension in the air was palpable with every glance. Every movement seemed calculated, as if a single misstep could cost someone a fortune or even derail the whole event.
While the sea of people were moving, Petra simply swaggered into a side room.
There, a massive man-eating plant quickly caught her eye. Its leaves were thick and glistened like seductive wet robes under the dim light. This rare plant from the southern region could grow up to two meters tall and had the terrifying ability to devour medium-sized animals… or children.
That was what the tag said.
Wind and Soryn lingered behind, watching their little master, who clearly fit the description of 'child', jump up and down and all around this massive child eating plant, inspecting the plant spirit with her wide eyes that sparkled like stars.
Something else on a nearby table caught Petra's attention, immediately making her lose interest in one thing and jump to another.
Petra skipped over to hundreds of seeds for similar man-eating plants, carefully stored in small vials. She glanced at the price, grimaced, then bought twenty-four of them.
The staff handed the seeds over, giving Wind and Soryn a judgmental gaze, before leaving and muttering something about 'bad parents'.
Petra skipped back to the silver sisters, before holding up the seeds proudly and presenting them openly with both palms to the two girls.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Look! Garden Guardians! Finally!"
Soryn nodded, but Wind pursed her lips. "What do you plan to do with them…?"
There was a certain pattern to Petra's madness.
Petra grinned mischievously, "Hehehe!" Then skipped away towards a massive storm tiger claw that was capable of crushing her in an instant.
At that moment, a loud 'Ding ding ding ding!' rang from the main hall.
The auction had officially began.
-
At that time, in the main lobby…
Voices erupted all around.
"Hey! Did you hear? The southern region is selling blueprints for magic cannons!"
"Not only that! The Hellion Empire is auctioning tickets to cross the sea before the third calamity! They're going to make a fortune!"
"You don't even know! The Black Tower is selling the heart of the Ice Demon Dragon!"
"What!"
"Impossible!"
The crowd surged with a sea of whispers that slowly turned into excited shouts. One could feel the tension in the air, its unseen presence slowly making people move just a little faster, speak just a little lower, and constantly keep one hand near their money pouches at all times
Traders, nobles, adventurers, and mercenaries all eyed each other, calculating.
* * *
The auction played out…
7,000…
8,000...
9,000...
Inside a private room.
As time passed, the beginning stage of the auction was already underway.
Hexfill sat comfortably in his chair, one leg crossed, and flipped through the booklet of tonight's items. He hummed from time to time, marking a few things he planned to buy.
The air was thick with the sound of bidding and the distant applause that echoed faintly through the golden walls.
When he reached the last page, he stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So they're the ones that got it, huh...?"
Vellina leaned over, her chest pressing softly against his arm. Her perfume filled the air as her eyes scanned the list, finally landing on the final item.
"Oh? That's worth a fortune, right? They weren't even there, how did they get it?"
Hexfill rubbed his chin, replaying the events of that day in his mind. The image of the Ice Demon Dragon's corpse flashed in his thoughts. How it had been launched far away, buried beneath a storm of frost and rubble somewhere on the horizon.
"Perhaps…" he muttered. "They were waiting?"
"You think?" Vellina's tone was teasing, but her eyes were sharp. "None of the towers participated in the First Calamity. That's already strange."
"Yeah, you're right," Hexfill said. "If they suddenly show an interest now, I'd definitely think something's wrong."
"Perhaps it's just a coincidence?" she remarked.
Hexfill shook his head slowly. "The Four Towers are far stronger than people think. If they don't want to get involved, that's one thing. But if they can't get involved…" He leaned back and dropped the booklet over his face with a sigh. "That's something else entirely."
Vellina smiled faintly, moving back to her seat. "Anyways. Are you still planning to buy it?"
"Yeah," Hexfill said lazily. "That aside, how's Anchor's condition? You checked on him personally, right?"
Vellina's smile faded. She straightened up, folding her arms and pushing up her chest. "After the mission in the Green Wind Forest, he was broken, mentally shattered. Honestly, it's a miracle he didn't devolve into a full berserker."
Hexfill lowered the booklet and frowned. "Do you know why?"
"It's whatever that thing was in the ruins," she sneered quietly. "And not just him. Every survivor changed. It's like their souls were… mutated."
"All quiet?"
"Mm. All quiet." She nodded slowly. "It should be exactly what you're thinking, one of those Forest Ghosts."
Hexfill scowled. "Forest Ghosts… I hate that term."
Vellina chuckled, crossing her legs in a lazy, seductive posture. She didn't miss the young attendant standing stiffly in the corner, face red as he tried not to stare. She smiled faintly and winked at him. The poor boy nearly dropped his tray.
Then she turned back to Hexfill. "You really plan to run back to your ancestral lands? You know, none of us actually think you're incompetent."
Hexfill snorted. "Hmph. I think I'm incompetent."
Vellina laughed softly. "Ay ya, you men are all the same."
"You know I'm right," he said quietly. "How can I maintain control when I'm this weak? You and Wana can stab me in the back without warning. Pillia's too young. Anchor's half mad. Boure's off chasing revenge. Pluto… who knows what that bastard's thinking. And the other two…"
"Fufufu." Vellina's lips curved in amusement. "Indeed. Tepit and Tecelli even scare me. Speaking of Tepit — didn't he come with us? Where did he go?"
"He disappeared after the Demons were discovered," Hexfill said. "He was seen lurking around the competition venue. He should be 'helping' the Sky Tower clean up their trash."
"Oho~" Vellina leaned forward. "You don't like the Demons? I never took you for a ..."
Hexfill shot her a sharp look. "Vellina, you know what I mean. There's no point being on the wrong side of those lunatics. Regardless of my feelings, I have to hate them. That's just how it's always been."
Vellina propped her chin on one hand, studying him with interest. "Did you know," she said lightly, "that the First Demon Army and the Second aren't the same? I heard the bloodline–"
"Enough," Hexfill interrupted coldly. "Focus on the auction. Things are about to get interesting…"
The sound of another bid echoed faintly through the walls.
14,000…
15,000...
16,500...
The numbers rose, and so did the tension.
Vellina smiled to herself.
"Mm~ I do love it when things start to get interesting."
* * *
Back in the gallery.
"Hey! Don't play with that!"
The sudden roar of a guard startled Petra so much that she almost dropped the massive axe she was definitely not touching.
"This is the third time!" he barked.
It really was…
"Where are your parents!? Hey! Don't run away—damn it!"
Petra disappeared into the crowd before the guard could finish his sentence.
She weaved between people, her small figure vanishing like smoke. The gallery was huge, filled with shimmering glass displays, rare relics, and ancient treasures that pulsed faintly with energy. She inwardly remarked how this place was supposed to be heavily protected, yet somehow, she'd managed to lift off the display glass and get all handsy with the items, three times! There wasn't even a single alarm…
She giggled as she ran through another room, the sound of her little boots echoing off the marble floors.
When she finally found Nebula again, the silent sister wordlessly appeared behind her and grabbed Petra by the collar like a kitten.
With a faint sigh, Nebula dragged her back to Wind and Soryn.
Petra pouted as she was released but didn't argue. Her eyes sparkled as she scanned the crowd. The hall was full of nobles, merchants, and cultivators, each surrounded by attendants or guards.
The air smelled faintly of greed and perfume, and quiet music played from somewhere high above.
Then, as she wandered, a group of young men nearby caught her attention. Their voices rose above the chatter.
Petra's ears twitched.
"I don't believe you! Who'd be crazy enough to sell that?"
"It's true! The Black Heart of the Ice Demon Dragon is up for auction tonight!"
"Huh? An Ice Demon Heart? Why would anyone buy that?"
"You don't know?"
"Idiot!"
"Hey! I know what it is! I just don't get what it's used for!"
"Well, listen up. The Ice Demon Hearts can help water cultivators mutate their spirit roots into ice element spirit roots."
"Is that true? Sounds dangerous."
"Sure is."
"So, if an Ice Demon Heart can help mutate a spirit root... then what can the Ice Demon Dragon's heart do?"
"There are rumors it can evolve your spirit root, and turn it into a high-quality type!"
"That's not what I heard! I heard it gives you an ice elemental physique!"
"So, no one actually knows!"
"Uhhhh..."
"Uhhhh..."
Petra's greedy little heart thumped in her chest, but she calmed down quickly.
She tugged on Soryn's sleeve.
Soryn looked down. "What is it?"
Petra pointed across the room. "They said the Ice Demon Dragon's Heart is up for auction."
Soryn's eyebrows rose. "According to the Book of Calamity, the Ice Demon Dragon's Heart is formed when enough corpses are consumed by resentment and fuse into a massive undead creature. There's a note about purification... but only a small footnote about the Black Heart."
Petra blinked rapidly. "What's it say?"
Soryn frowned. "That the Black Heart can be used to create an army of Ice Demons."
Petra's little mouth gaped.
"Why would anyone want that?"
* * *