Chapter 212 Gathering for the Auction
Jack was perplexed by Lorwynn's sudden visit and struggled to relax for the next couple of days.
He spent the time trying to decide what his biggest priority of items would be. With that, he would be ready to enter the auction and wouldn't hesitate to buy something he might regret not bidding on.
In no time, the date of the auction arrived.
Early that morning, Jack and his party left the Heavenly Palace Inn. Wearing dark cloaks, they hid their identities while Jack used his cloak to look like a wise, middle-aged man.
Together, they entered the Fat Goose Auction House, but it took them a while to get through the crowd. They had decided to use a side entrance with Eliza as the guide to avoid the many prying eyes. Unlike everyone else, they were avoiding the spotlight.
Once inside, Eliza took them all immediately to the third floor. With Jack's own private room, everyone was able to cozily sit and watch the auction.
Zariff and Marisha wanted to join them but Jack refused.
Since they weren't traveling with him, he wouldn't dare reveal any unnecessary secrets that he had no control over. At least with everyone else, they already had an idea of his end goals and knew his true identity. For them, keeping secrets about a few items he bought at auctions was nothing.
Now that Eliza was Jack's wife, she no longer hosted and decided to stay with Jack and them.
Argyle himself even came up to join the party in Jack's room. After what happened at the last auction, he wanted front row seats to the show. He was sure that Jack was about to steal items away from plenty of dignitaries.
And most importantly, Argyle wanted to know which strange items Jack might buy. Surely there were going to be items determined as having lesser value, yet Jack tended to bid on such items. Argyle wanted to know why.
"Everyone, I'm glad you're enjoying the upgrades I've made to the room," stated Argyle. "Now, the wall's voice projection spell has an added voice changer. That way no one will recognize Jack after he swindles everyone."
"Ha, ha, very funny," joked Jack. "I believe the biggest fool to get swindled last time was you, right?"
"Yup, that's why I showed you all of the items that the Fat Goose was going to put up. Now, it'll be the turn of the other two auction houses to get robbed!" laughed Argyle. "Remember, this auction will last for three days. Each day, the value of the items will go up. This is the one auction where we sell our greatest of treasures, so make sure to get everything you can, Jack."
"You just want to see how many people I piss off, don't you?"
"And what's wrong with that? We only get to gather like this once a year, so why not enjoy it to the fullest while supporting my son-in-law?"
Lina was leaning up against the wall, in awe of how she could see the audience and the stage below. "Big Brother, how can I see them? Can they see me too?"
"No, they can't see or hear us right now, Lina. It's a special magic that lets us look outside but doesn't let them look inside. And only one person can use the voice projection at once. That's why I'm holding this because I'm the only one allowed to right now."
In Jack's hand was a small, polished brass bar with a cushy handle. The top of the brass bar had a gem embedded into it, and the gem was the same color as the crystal-like wall they were looking through.
"Oh, can I try!" asked Lina.
Shaking his head, Jack put the bar away. "Sorry Lina, but I'm the only one who can use it during the auction. But I'll make sure to get you something good, how about that!"
"Yay! Thanks, Big Brother!"
Enjoying the sight, everyone chuckled. The mood was very light in the room. Even though they knew Jack was likely going to go after the most valuable items, none doubted his ability to get them. So while some nobles or royals were nervous or anxious, everyone in Jack's room was smiling and waiting to enjoy the show.
Jack wasn't nervous, but he was pensive. He was determined to take whatever he wanted, but he also had to keep in mind not to go too far overboard without a good reason. But he also knew that if the entire third day they only sold legend-tier items, then Jack would take them all.
Obviously, it was likely that there wouldn't be that many legend-tier items up for grabs, but Jack would be willing to get anything so long as it was really worth offending someone to get it.
They watched the crowd pile in.
This time, the entire first floor wasn't filled with commoners, but with nobles. Since so many royal families had come and the strongest of organizations as well, only the most powerful of noble families could get a spot on the second floor.
Everyone was excited and ready to get the first day started.
The auction would be broken up into three days based on the level of the items. During the first day, all items from lv. 45 and below would be sold. After that, all lv. 50 and lv. 55 items would be sold on the second day. And finally, the third day would be all lv. 60 and higher.
If there were special items without level, like Sterfen's Cloak, the day it was sold would be based on the estimated value. All special items estimated to be equal to a lv. 50 item was sold on day two, and items estimated as equal to anything over lv. 60 would be sold on the third day. Not many special items would be sold on day one, usually.
"So, Jack, which item from the Fat Goose interests you the most?" asked Argyle.
Jack laughed, "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
"Really?"
Everyone looked to Jack, happy that he was finally hinting at something he would want.
"Can you at least tell me which day it'll be sold?"
"I'll make sure to buy it tomorrow. And if I guess correctly, I'm going to make you a fool yet again."
Before, Jack had always refused to give his opinion about the items because he didn't want his father-in-law to spread the word and force the price to jump. But now that the auction had started, it was too late.
As everyone at the auction was very powerful, staying up for three days straight wasn't an issue. For that reason, though the auction lasted three days, it was all one continuous auction.
And since Argyle had already agreed to stay in the room, that meant he wouldn't be leaving until the auction was over. Such were the rules of the annual auction.
Argyle sighed and showed a self-mocking smile. "Well, if that's true then I can only hope the other two auction houses will be even bigger fools."
"And they will be," laughed Jack. "At least, I know the Golden Haven Auction House will be. If they really put up the items you mentioned, they have the item I want most of all. And guess which day it'll be sold on?"
Feeling a bit better, Argyle guessed, "The third day? Or the Second?"
Jack shook his head. "Today."
"Really?" With sparkling eyes, Argyle laughed heartily, "Perfect! If only I could tell it to Kaldor's face, that would make it even better."
"Of course, that's just the one I want most from items that aren't a surprise. You never bothered showing me those items, so I can't be too sure."
"If I was allowed to, I would've shown you everything. But it would go against the contract we three auction houses have," stated Argyle. "Those surprise items will be sold at the last half of the auction and act as a finale of sorts. I'm not allowed to tell anyone, not even the other auction houses."
"Then I'm sure I'll find a few interesting things at the end." Scratching his head, Jack imagined himself holding even more legend-tier items. "Who knows, if all of the items are really that tempting, then I may just have to take them all."
"If that's the case, I'm glad we have front row seats," Maynard laughed, excited to see Jack beat out all the royals and nobles.
Rydel added, "If you find any special bows, I'd love to get my hands on them."
"I've got plenty of bows up till you're lv. 55. Once you're lv. 60, then we'll start looking for more weapons," stated Jack. "Besides, if we can find the materials, then we can get a weapon crafted specifically to get blessed. That would be best by then."
"But till then, let's focus on our current goal and get ready for Trodar."
Finally, the stage curtains opened and a beautiful woman walked out. "Everyone, are you ready to kick off this year's annual auction?"