Time flowed on, and another day passed in a hurry. When the sun once again sank below the western horizon, night shrouded the sky of Moncarlo. The city, as always, did not fall silent with the arrival of night; instead, it displayed another kind of lively scene.
In the dead of night, the bustling streets in various parts of Moncarlo were still brightly lit, and the Huannlang Theater, located in the city center, was now teeming with people, incredibly lively.
Beside the large crossroads, the tall theater building stood prominently. Rows of doormen guarded both sides of the open entrance. Carriages were parked along the street, and countless men and women, dressed in bright clothing and even of different races, stepped down from the carriages, walking on the luxurious carpet while chatting and laughing as they headed towards the theater entrance. At this moment, they seemed to be going to watch a wonderful play, but the poster displayed at the theater entrance had nothing to do with a play.
What was about to be held inside this theater was not a usual performance or play, but a grand auction. Moncarlo was originally a pirate city. Countless pirates who roamed the seas gathered here, bringing treasures from all directions. They traded with each other here. Greedy pirates, in order to display their proud spoils of war, publicly exhibited and auctioned off their looted goods to speculative merchants gathered here, showcasing their wealth and power at high prices.
Thus, Moncarlo's auction industry was born. After hundreds of years, although those boisterous pirates were all gone, the auction industry remained. The treasure thieves of North Wu... the great thieves in the large cities of the Main Continent... officials who resold public property... various clandestine secret societies... these people always needed a channel to help them fence stolen goods, launder money, and convert their hard-earned "labor results" into tangible profits. These demands fostered many industries in Moncarlo, and the auction industry was one of them.
Nowadays, a considerable amount of various strange and rare treasures, whether legal... illegal... from the ground... from above ground... mundane... or secret... from all over the Conquest Sea region, are gathered in Moncarlo, providing a continuous supply of goods for the auction industry here. This has also attracted speculators and collectors from various countries to gather here to select goods that meet their needs.
Huannlang Theater, this is one of the oldest auction houses in Moncarlo. A long time ago, when Moncarlo was still a pirate city, this place was originally where prostitutes and captured female slaves performed for the pirates to watch. However, due to the limited number of decent buildings in Moncarlo at that time, when there were no performances in the theater, it was used as an auction house. Although Moncarlo has undergone tremendous changes now, and the original theater part has become independent, it is still called Huannlang Theater due to habit.
Currently, the Huannlang Theater is about to hold a new round of large-scale auctions. Various audiences and collectors who have been preparing for a long time are now entering. The most eye-catching among them, naturally, is the distinguished guest who recently arrived in Moncarlo, Sister Vanya, the most talked-about person here recently.
On the soft carpet, Vanya, dressed in a white Sister's habit, was walking step by step towards the auction hall under the escort of plainclothes knights. Along the way, wealthy people from all sides kept coming up to greet her and hand over their business cards. Many reporters with notebooks came up wanting to ask Vanya questions but were stopped by the guards on both sides of the carpet. Large cameras set up on both sides of the aisle were constantly flashing dazzling lights under the operation of photographers, and the smell of burning flash powder permeated the air.
Under the constant flashing of the lights, Vanya maintained a smile as she walked forward, meeting and greeting the people who came up to her one by one. As the most important event in Moncarlo during her visit, Vanya naturally needed to attend. Therefore, many people who felt they had some status chose this time to make themselves known to Vanya.
Finally, after a slow walk, Vanya entered the hall. What met her eyes was a brightly decorated large theater, which seemed even larger than the Flying Theatre in Tivian, and was entirely circular rather than fan-shaped. In the center of the large circular stage, tiered seating was arranged around it. Above the seating were layers upon layers of built-up VIP boxes, each ensuring an excellent viewing angle.
At this moment, the stage in the center of the hall was still empty, and the general seating around the stage was already full. Vanya and her entourage, led by a dedicated attendant, followed the stairs along the edge of the hall all the way to the location of their box, and then sat down comfortably there. After finally sitting down on the comfortable sofa, Vanya let out a slight sigh of relief. Then, she glanced at the lively hall in front of her, silently closed her eyes, and began to whisper in her mind.
'I've reached the box, Miss Dorothy, are you here now?'
'My main body isn't here yet. The one on site is my puppet. He's in Box 23, count five boxes diagonally to your right...'
In Vanya's mind, Dorothy's voice began to sound. Listening to Dorothy's words, Vanya opened her eyes and looked in the direction she indicated. What she saw there was a handsome young man in a well-fitting suit standing by the window in front of her box, leaning against the railing and waving towards her. Seeing this scene, Vanya's heart relaxed slightly, and then she spoke with a little worry.
'Miss Dorothy... are there really three Scarlet here in this hall? There are so many people here, what if something goes wrong...'
'Don't worry, when something goes wrong, it won't be this lively here. Although three Scarlet look scary, they are not on the same side. As long as we handle it well, there won't be any problems. Now let's just wait for the auction to start in peace.
'Don't have too many worries. Remember, this operation is also to thwart the conspiracy of the Ebergrass Church... This is also for the stability of the Conquest Sea...'
Dorothy from afar continued to say this to Vanya. After listening to Dorothy's words, Vanya, thinking that she was also fighting against an evil cult, silently eased the worry in her heart. After calming down, she silently began to wait for the auction to start.
...
Meanwhile, at the other end of the auction hall, in another box, a gaunt old man wrapped in a loose cotton robe was sitting on the sofa, surrounded by muscular guards. Edward, holding a cane tightly in both hands, silently gazed at the noisy hall in front of him, as if searching for something within it.
Without any public announcement, the Lord of Moncarlo secretly came to attend this auction. Not far from him, the bald Tonic, dressed in a long robe, was standing there, waiting with a smile.
"The timing of the transaction Sword Scale spoke of... When will it be?" Edward said sternly, glancing at Tonic beside him, while Tonic responded respectfully and calmly.
"Please be patient, Captain Edward. Sword Scale has only told you to attend this auction. The specific transaction time is at a certain point during this auction. When that point arrives, he will notify us again. As long as Captain Edward you complete the task, we will naturally fulfill the agreement.
"Of course... I would also like to give Captain Edward a final reminder, do not try to forcibly search for Sword Scale. If your detection is perceived by him, this transaction will be void."
"..."
Listening to Tonic's words, Edward did not respond immediately. Instead, after staring at Tonic, he turned his gaze back to the hall.
...
At the other end of the hall, in a box on a higher floor, a white man with a brown beard, neatly combed hair, and dressed in a black suit was standing by the railing of the box's viewing platform, silently surveying the wide hall with a condescending gaze. His eyes were focused on the box of the Moncarlo distinguished guest Church pilgrimage group.
While gazing, the man was wearing a ring with a coiled snake on his finger, and behind the man were several waiting servants.
...
In another box slightly lower down, a man in a dark gray robe with a thin, long face and dark circles under his eyes was currently hiding alone in a chair. His gaze occasionally wandered over the venue, then fixated on the clock hanging on the box wall. Looking at the time, he slightly shook his head, his expression seemingly calculating or waiting for something.
'It's not time yet...'
...
Finally, as all the spectators took their seats, the theater doors closed, and the band by the stage began to play melodious music. The music echoed throughout the spacious venue, signaling the imminent start of the auction to all guests. The noisy environment instantly quieted down.
After the venue quieted down, the floor of the central stage began to slowly open. Subsequently, a well-dressed host slowly rose from the opening. After fully ascending to the ground, he spread his arms and loudly announced.
"Ladies and Mr.s! Connoisseurs and collectors from all over the world! All treasure lovers! Good evening, everyone! Welcome to Moncarlo! Welcome to the Night of Wonders!"
Following the host's shout, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. As the applause ended, the host began his opening remarks, speaking to and introducing all the audience members present. After all the opening remarks were finished, the host directly announced the start of the auction.
"Alright! We've said so much, everyone must be impatient. So now, please welcome our first treasure of the night, Lot Number One, the Latia Jade Neck Pot!"
Following the host's words, the lift beneath the stage beside him started again, and a small platform gradually rose from beneath the stage. Placed upon it was a silver pot inlaid with jade as an accessory.
"This precious silverware once belonged to the Latia family of Castile, who ruled the southwest of Castile three hundred years ago..." The host enthusiastically introduced the first lot beside him, covering its origin, details, craftsmanship, artistic value, and historical value from multiple perspectives. After the introduction was completed, he directly gave the starting price.
"...You can learn the specific details through the handbook distributed to you. I won't go into excessive detail here. The starting price for this treasure is 8000 riels, with each bid no less than 1000 riels. The auction now begins!"
Following the host's announcement, tonight's auction officially began. With each raise of the paddle and increase in bids, the price of the first lot was driven higher and higher, eventually selling for 16000 riels, approximately seven or eight hundred pound. This was already a considerably high price for mundane affairs.
After the first lot was sold, the second and third followed. As the host's hammer constantly fell and applause resounded throughout the venue, artifacts and artworks were sold at different high prices to different owners. Whenever a new price record was set, the atmosphere of the venue would reach a climax.
Finally, as time passed, the auction was halfway through. After another lot was sold, a new lot was brought onto the stage by the lift. It was a saint emblem that had been processed into a necklace.
"Lot Number Twelve! Warm Heart Holy Mother Saint Emblem Necklace! This is one of the treasures lost from the many Churchs in Iweig that were destroyed by heretics during the Turbid Current War. It is a masterpiece crafted by an unknown devout artisan, using Golden and rubies as raw materials, cleverly combining the Holy Mother saint emblem with a necklace, creating this exquisite artwork! It is very suitable for devout women to wear, showcasing beauty while reminding them of their piety to the Lord. Wearing it is like being surrounded by the Holy Mother's protection..."
The host continued to passionately introduce the new lot on the stage, while Sister Vanya, who had been sitting in her box, couldn't help but stand up from her seat as soon as the lot appeared. Before the host even spoke, she silently walked to the railing of the box's viewing area, gazing at the center of the distant stage, a hint of longing in her eyes.
"Sister Vanya... did you take a liking to that lot?"
Seeing Vanya's posture, Gaspare directly asked, and Vanya responded awkwardly.
"Uh... indeed... that saint emblem looks quite nice, but I think since we are a pilgrimage group, participating in an auction like this is enough. Actually buying something might not look good..."
Vanya said this to Gaspare, and he paused slightly after hearing her words. After a moment of thought, he spoke.
"If it were other items, it would be hard to say, but I should be able to bid on this saint emblem. If what the host said is correct, and this item was lost by the saint church during the Turbid Current War, then we can absolutely bid on it under the name of the saint church recovering lost items. The owner of Moncarlo also gave us a donation before, which can be used now. As long as this item is not too expensive, we should be able to bid on it."
Gaspare said this, and after hearing his words, Vanya also nodded with a slight smile.
"Then... let's see if we can bid on it..."
Subsequently, as the twelfth lot was being hotly contested, Vanya also joined the bidding. However, the box she was in only made one bid. All the bidders, seeing that Vanya was participating, stopped competing, choosing to give face to the pilgrimage Sister of the Church.
Ultimately, this Warm Heart Holy Mother Saint Emblem Necklace was successfully bid on for a starting price of 9000 riels and a final price of 13000 riels, landing in Vanya's hands.
"Congratulations! Sister Vanya of Box Number Nineteen has successfully acquired this exquisite saint emblem artwork! Things that originate from the Lord shall ultimately return to the Lord!"
As the host's hammer fell, another round of thunderous applause resounded throughout the venue. In a box on the upper level, the man wearing the snake-shaped ring also silently applauded along with the audience. His gaze was fixed on Vanya, who was standing by the edge of the viewing area in the box below. Vanya's reaction of immediately standing up and walking over upon seeing the saint emblem a moment ago had all been seen by him.
"You're quite keeping your word this time... old fellow..."
With a slight smile on his lips, the man whispered to himself. Then, he reached into his clothes, fumbled around for a moment, and took out a small, crystal-clear vial.
"Submit this, and send it up for auction according to the normal procedure."
Handing the crystal vial behind him, the man said softly. Behind him, a waiting servant immediately stepped forward and respectfully took the crystal vial.
Then, the Main Continent white servant with the crystal vial walked out of the box, out of the venue, and all the way to the front desk of the auction house. Here, he found a person in charge of the auction house.
"Mr. Jacques, I am Gade, the owner of Lot Number Seventeen. My item has finally been found. Please arrange for it to be put up."
Looking at the person in charge behind the desk, the servant, who had taken the name Gade, handed over the crystal vial in his hand. The person in charge took it and carefully examined it, then responded with a smile.
"It's good that it was found, otherwise there would be one less item listed in the handbook distributed. Not only would we have a loss, but Mr. Gade would also face a fine. Now that it's found, everything is good, and we will arrange it immediately."
Saying this, the person in charge called two auction house staff members and handed them the crystal vial to place on the display stand. The two staff members, upon receiving the crystal vial, immediately set off, turning into a corridor towards the area beneath the stage.
And just as the two of them were away from the person in charge and Gade, a smile appeared on the lips of one of them. He began to hold the crystal vial up to his eyes and examine it carefully.
Then, that staff member unscrewed the cap of the crystal vial and took a glass bottle from the other staff member's hand. He poured the seemingly ordinary colorless liquid from the crystal vial into the glass bottle, leaving only a small amount in the vial.
Finally, he turned into a nearby restroom, turned on the faucet and filled the crystal vial with water, screwed the cap back on, and continued on his way.