Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Auction (III)

The first material that interested them was a thick trunk of black wood. It was used to make arrows or weapons around level 80, and had the property of absorbing lightning. It was a fairly scarce material in those latitudes, which is why the trunk was in the auction.

It is not that they needed it. However, there were people in the mansion who could make use of them, if they finally went to mountains where thunderstorms were common, and therefore beasts with said affinity. Eldi had assured that he could make them suitable weapons, if they also found a metal with similar characteristics.

Eldmi applauded enthusiastically when she won the bid, and her sister when she won the metal. The only thing they did was press a button after the amount had been set, but that didn't matter.

It wasn't known who had won those materials, only that they were someone from the VIP rooms. Since other rooms were also bidding on other items, it wasn't at all exceptional.

It wasn't until a fifth of the way through the auction that Gjaki frowned.

"I'm Johil, son of the governor. I want to buy this item for my father, I would appreciate your consideration," a voice asked.

There were some murmurs. Discontent was evident, but no one dared to raise their voice. Opposing him wasn't a good idea.

"Is that allowed?" Eldi asked, somewhat indignant.

That went against the spirit of the auction, and he had heard that the Chamber of Commerce only looked after its economic interests. Therefore, it was strange.

"No. The person in charge of the auction should expel him, but it doesn't seem like that's going to happen. It may not be the first time," Gjaki explained.

She had attended other auctions in different cities, and even in one of them a prince had been expelled for a similar attitude. That shouldn't happen, but it was happening. However, it wasn't her problem, and she had no reason to intervene. Although she couldn't help but be angered too. Especially since it happened two more times.

The problem came when Coinin's granddaughter was bidding for a few kilos of adamantine.

"I need the material to reinforce the city guard. I hope you'll do me this favor. I offer 10,000 gold coins," Johil asked, although his tone was rather authoritarian, even arrogant.

"Then, I can't win it," the girl lamented, on the verge of tears.

It had been her turn after waiting a long time, and she wanted to win the bid like the other children had done.

"Of course you can," Gjaki assured. "Press here."

"Okay!" the girl exclaimed, and did was she was told.

When the bid of 11,000 was announced, there was silence. Even the auction host took a few seconds to announce it.

"11,000 gold coins. Does anyone bid more?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Not even a pin drop could be heard in the auction room. Even the hostess seemed reluctant to start the countdown. Finally, the voice of the governor's son was heard again. No doubt, he was irritated, although he tried to contain himself.

"I think that friend who had bidden didn't hear me properly before. I'm the governor's son, and I'm interested in this article. I appreciate your consideration, there's no reason for disputes. I offer 12,000", he announced.

"Let's give him a surprise, press again," Gjaki told the girl.

She obeyed enthusiastically, while the rest of the children looked at her with a little envy. This bidding was more exciting than theirs.

"15,000 gold coins. Does anyone bid higher?" the hostess announced, with fear and expectation.

This time, there was no silence, but murmurs, exclamations and discussions broke out as it hadn't happened in the entire auction. Raising the bid to 15,000 wasn't only ignoring Johil's request, it was a declaration of war. Whoever was bidding was telling him they didn't to care who he was.

"Is it okay to do this?" Goldmi asked, worried.

"Of course, it's an auction, and our identities are anonymous," Gjaki assured. "Although, nothing would happen if they weren't. It would be even more fun."

"Ha, ha, you never change. You're always looking for fights," Coinin mocked.

"Hey! I haven't started it!" the silver-haired vampiress protested.

"Of course, of course. But you're enjoying it, right?" Coinin accused her.

"Just a little," her friend responded, and stuck her tongue out.

The governor's son wasn't heard again until the hostess decided to start the countdown. The situation was somewhat unexpected, but it couldn't be delayed forever.

"Well, if our friends needs it so much, I'll let them have it. I just hope there isn't a second time," Johil announced, with a clearly threatening tone.

"That'll be if you don't cross our path," Gjaki replied with disdain.

They hadn't disabled the sound barrier, so her voice could only be heard inside the room. If not, she could have made quite a fuss.

"Heh, heh, this's going to be fun. Let me bid too if he does it again" Coinin laughed.

"And there you said that I'm the one looking for a fight..." Gjaki accused her.

"I have learned from someone!"

"I don't know who from whom..."

The children laughed. Some adults smiled. Others shrugged. Although, everyone was more than expectant about the next confrontation. They couldn't deny that it was very liberating. Perhaps, the elf's sisters were the only ones who found the situation simply curious. It was the first time for them, and they didn't find it too interesting.

For a while, the interests of Goldmi's group and Johil's group didn't collide. In fact, they weren't planning to bid on the fire lance, since after all, they were the sellers. If they won, they would simply lose the commission that the Chamber of Commerce collected. However...

"That spear is ideal for me. I'd appreciate it if you could do me this favor. 3,000 gold," Johil announced.

"We aren't going to allow him to buy it so cheap by not letting the rest bid. I'll keep it before letting him!" Gjaki threatened.

She approached to bid, but Coinin had beaten her to it, and she had already bid before Gjaki arrived. The rabbit vampiress turned to her friend, stuck her tongue out at her, and smiled self-satisfiedly.

"3,100 gold coins. Does anyone want to bid?" the hostess announced, not knowing exactly what face to make.

"How much do we let him buy it for?" Coinin asked.

"Make it 12,000. For less, not even to mention it. Is that okay with you?" Gjaki asked.

"The truth is that I have no idea about the prices. Whatever you say," Eldi agreed.

"Me neither," Goldmi agreed too.

Eldi had crafted them, and some materials had been Goldmi's, so their opinion was important. Although, in reality, many of Eldi's materials had been given as gifts by her companions in the game.

"7,000 would be a reasonable price, although a bit tight. So, if he wants it cheaper using his influence, he won't pay less than 12,000," the silver-haired vampiress threatened.

Nobody disagreed with her. He was starting to irritate everyone, except the children, who didn't understand what was happening. It seemed fun though.