CHAPTER 178: AUCTION (PART 3)

Having won the bid, Kael leaned back on the furniture with absolute calm. At first glance, he looked like a carefree young man, but his eyes reflected the gleam of someone who calculated every move.

That expense had not been too great. After all, he had plundered much of the clan’s vault. That loot alone was enough to support a noble family for several generations. For Kael, it represented only a fraction of his current resources.

Furthermore, if his supply of mana stones ran out, he could simply sell some of the pieces he had stored inside the space rune rings. With that, the flow of wealth would stabilize again in a matter of hours.

In other words, Kael was still absurdly wealthy.

The silence in the cabin was broken shortly after. The door opened with a slight sound. Several workers entered with measured steps, all dressed in priestly robes. Each held a carefully carved box.

Without saying a word, they advanced to the table in front of Kael. With almost ritualistic synchronicity, they placed the box before him.

Kael narrowed his eyes, observing the object. Inside, the reward for his victory in the auction must lie. A slight smile curved his lips.

Nothing on his face showed emotion.

They opened it so he could check its authenticity, making sure there were no problems with the item he had just purchased for a large amount of mana stones.

Before his eyes, Kael calmly observed the Rainbow Ladybug. Its shine was natural, the specks of color dancing under the light with a softness impossible to fake. There was no doubt: it was authentic.

Without saying a word, he extended his hand. From one of his space rings, he took out all the mana stones, which totaled sixteen thousand.

The stones fell onto the table, forming a small, glittering pile, giving off a faint blue glow that illuminated the cabin.

The workers fell silent for a moment. Their eyes widened in surprise at the amount. They did not expect that individual, hidden behind a bamboo hat and a dark veil, to pay so easily, without showing any hesitation or attachment to the fortune he was handing over.

That gesture was typical of someone for whom wealth carried no weight... or someone who knew exactly how much he could spend without it affecting him in the slightest.

"Okay, you can adjust the amount," said Kael. His voice was completely different: deep, thick, with a hint of hoarseness. It was the effect of the Mask of Coins, which distorted his tone until it was unrecognizable.

The workers nodded respectfully and began counting the stones quickly. They were used to handling large sums, so their movements were fluid and precise. The sound of the stones colliding with each other filled the room with a steady, methodical rhythm.

In a few seconds, they were done.

Not a single stone was missing. The amount was exact.

"Everything is perfect, nothing is missing. Continue enjoying the auction," said one of the workers, a man in a robe with gold trim.

With a slight bow, he and his partner left the booth, closing the door behind them.

Kael looked at them for a second before turning his gaze back to the stage, where a new item was being displayed, which did not catch his attention at all, so he just rested his head on his hand.

The auction continued. The voices of the participants overlapped, eagerly bidding on the items they wanted. Some achieved their goal and smiled with satisfaction; others, however, were left with gloomy faces, frustrated that they did not have enough money to continue.

Each new bid was a silent battle between pride and ambition.

Several items sparked fierce competition. Among them were the elder elves, personally captured by Bishop Henri. These beings, with pale skin and luminous eyes, had become living trophies.

The bidding ended when private booth number 1 offered fifty thousand mana stones.

The price fell like a rock into a pond. A murmur ran through the room, mixed with the envy and helplessness of the other participants.

It was such a high sum that it made many hearts bleed. In the entire place, only three entities had the capacity to match or exceed such an offer: Kael, the occupant of cabin number 9, and Bishop Henri himself.

After that, the auction continued with several Zu of ranks 7 and 6. Each of them was a rare treasure. Kael bought them without hesitation. Their abilities were useful, and in his mind, there was no such thing as waste when it came to power.

As the lots progressed, the items became less impressive. Weapons, materials, artifacts... they all had value, but none of them sparked what Kael was looking for.

Despite all the items displayed during the lengthy auction, not a single piece was related to souls.

The silence between each new lot confirmed it: what he was hoping for wasn’t going to appear.

As the lights in the hall dimmed and the murmur of final bids filled the air, Kael leaned back slightly in his seat. His expression remained calm, but deep down, a thin line of disappointment crossed his thoughts.

The auction was coming to an end, and with it, her last hope of finding what she was looking for.

After the last sale, the woman in the nun’s habit silently observed everyone present for a brief moment. Her serene, deep eyes scanned the room.

Then, in a soft voice, I say:

[Tonight has been a great night, with many magnificent items. Many of them went to the highest bidder. But, like everything else in life, the auction is coming to an end. There are only three items left... and they are the best of the night.]

He paused briefly. His tone became almost hypnotic, letting each word hang in the air.

[So, before we continue, you may rise from your seats and find something to eat.]

A murmur rippled through the room. Some stood up, others remained motionless, afraid of missing their chance. The nun simply smiled slightly, knowing that the real show had not yet begun.

...

After about ten minutes, the people who had gone out to eat something or simply get some fresh air returned to the great hall.

The lights dimmed softly, and the murmur of voices filled the room as everyone took their seats again, eagerly awaiting the last three items in the auction.

The atmosphere was different now: more tense, more restrained. Even the most experienced kept a straight face. They knew that what was about to be revealed would be out of the ordinary.

Although most of them could not bid on these items, they remained there. Some out of curiosity, others out of ambition, and a few out of a simple desire to witness with their own eyes what only the truly powerful could acquire.

The murmurs gradually died down. Everyone was waiting to see what those three objects would be.

At that moment, the very air seemed charged with anticipation.

Kael, who had also left the booth, returned with calm steps and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. There was a slight look of anticipation on his face: the last items in the auction were always the most valuable, and even more so, the most dangerous.

[Testing... everything seems to be perfect.]

The familiar voice echoed through the hall. The woman in the nun’s habit and white rabbit mask returned to the stage. A barely perceptible smile played on her lips, but it was charged with a mystical air.

[After this brief intermission, we will continue with the auction and showcase the final items of this wonderful evening.]

His voice was calm, almost sacred. But before anyone could react, the entire auction room abruptly fell into darkness.

The silence became absolute.

A sacred air began to seep from the stage, dense and oppressive. Everyone present felt an irresistible urge to kneel. It was as if a divine entity, invisible but omnipresent, had descended among them. Their hearts trembled, their breaths stopped, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then, a dim light came on in the center of the stage.

On an obsidian pedestal rested a small, pure white coffin the size of a hand. Its surface was engraved with wandering symbols, luminous lines that twisted with a life of their own, as if they were sealed creatures. Each stroke pulsed slowly, exhaling an energy as sublime as it was terrifying.

[The item before you... may be considered blasphemy against our God.]

The auctioneer’s voice resonated with solemn calm, but her tone contained not fear, but devotion.

[However, as faithful followers, we have received His permission to commit such an act.]

She paused. The silence that followed was unbearable; the air became heavy, thick with anticipation. The woman tilted her head slightly, and a faint light crossed the empty glare of her mask.

[One of the last three articles tonight...]

His voice dropped to a reverent whisper.

[...it is the blood of an angel.]

The hushed murmurs erupted throughout the hall. Some stood up, others turned pale. The sacred aura intensified, causing the floor to tremble. Even Kael, with his cool temperament, felt the divine pressure brush against his soul like a sharp blade.

However, his eyes shone calmly.

The blood of an angel...