Chapter 29: Shadows Behind the Auction

…, Gaon murmured, various scenarios playing out in his mind about what might happen next.

He stopped his thoughts and turned to Rotes.

“No more business here, right?”

“Yes, I’ve informed the guildmaster about our lodging.”

“Then let’s head to the shop.”

Staying longer wouldn’t solve anything.

Since the guildmaster promised to contact them, they could handle other matters in the meantime.

Gaon and Rotes left the Adventurers’ Guild and headed toward the royal palace shop nearby.

As they walked, Gaon thought, I hope they don’t pull anything stupid.

The worst-case scenario was the 2nd Prince attempting harm to cover up the truth.

But it wasn’t just the 2nd Prince to worry about.

The 1st Prince might try to seize the bodies to expose the situation.

Of course, neither prince posed a real threat to Gaon, who, as a 7th Circle mage, was confident he could handle the entire Laco Kingdom’s forces.

It would be a hassle, nothing more.

Soon, they arrived at the royal palace shop.

Gaon scanned the interior.

The shop was massive, bustling with people, unlike the quiet Adventurers’ Guild.

Perhaps because of the crowd, there were separate counters for buying and selling.

Gaon headed to the purchase counter first to sell monster byproducts and unneeded herbs from his pouch.

“Welcome,” an elderly man at the counter greeted with a warm smile.

“I’d like to sell some byproducts. Can I place them here?” Gaon asked, eyeing a large table nearby.

The elderly man nodded. “Yes, just put them there, regardless of type. We’ll sort them.”

Gaon began unloading the byproducts from his pouch.

The elderly man’s face lit up with admiration.

Oh, Gavios roots! Top quality—haven’t seen these in a while. One, two… twenty?

This guy’s no ordinary person.

Is that troll blood?

Jackpot.

The elderly man beamed.

The items on the table alone would meet his monthly purchase quota.

But his smile faded as the sheer volume of byproducts kept coming, his expression turning to shock.

Swallowing hard, he looked at Gaon, who spoke.

“Running out of space. Can you calculate these first?”

“…!”

Snapping out of it, the elderly man swallowed again. “Please wait a moment. We’ll sort them quickly.”

He urgently called over nearby staff, who rushed to assist under his direction.

The sorting and appraisal took two minutes, and the elderly man handed Gaon a sheet of paper.

“All top-quality, so we calculated at top-quality prices.”

Gaon reviewed the list:

1. Gavios Root: 20 units, 100 gold each, total 2,000 gold

2. Troll Blood: 100 liters, 100 gold per liter, total 10,000 gold

3. Ogre Hide: 15 pieces, 1,000 gold each, total 15,000 gold

…

15. Moonflower: 5 blooms, 300 gold each, total 1,500 gold

Total: 185,000 gold

Accurate, Gaon thought.

He’d checked market prices beforehand and was prepared to overlook a slight undervaluation, but the offer was spot-on.

“I’ll sell it all,” Gaon said with a smile.

“Thank you!” the elderly man replied, beaming. “I’ll fetch the payment immediately.”

He signaled the staff, who began moving the items.

“Wait a moment,” he added, turning to leave.

Then Gaon spoke. “Do you sell mid-grade or higher elixirs or spirit herbs?”

He’d planned to check himself, but the elderly man’s authority in directing staff suggested he was high-ranking and likely knew the inventory well, saving Gaon time.

“We don’t have mid-grade or higher elixirs currently. We do have two Desrick roots.”

“I see,” Gaon said, disappointed.

Given the shop’s scale, he’d expected more.

“Are you looking for elixirs and spirit herbs?” the elderly man asked cautiously.

Gaon sensed something in his tone and expression.

“Mid-grade or higher—preferably high-grade or top-grade.”

“Wait just a moment.”

The elderly man smiled and went inside.

He returned shortly, dragging a large box.

“Here’s 185,000 gold.”

Gaon checked the box with his senses—exactly 185,000 gold, not a coin off.

He stored it in his pouch and noticed a golden plaque in the elderly man’s hand, clearly no ordinary item.

The elderly man handed it to Gaon. “This is a VIP pass for the auction house.”

“Laverium’s auction house?”

“Yes, a special auction hosted by the palace starts in two days and runs for three. You’ll likely find what you need there. This pass lets you reserve a seat now. No need to feel burdened—it’s palace policy to provide these to qualifying customers.”

“Then I’ll take it gladly,” Gaon said, smiling as he pocketed the pass.

“We’re the ones grateful. You sold us a ton of great items,” the elderly man replied with a hearty laugh.

His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he asked, “You mentioned ‘for now’—do you have more to sell?”

Gaon chuckled and began pulling more byproducts from his pouch.

Bang!

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

In the Laco Kingdom, the 2nd Prince, Beltik, slammed his desk and shouted.

“Someone brought the Hedin Mercenary Band’s bodies?”

Guildmaster Geto quickly responded, “Yes, it was definitely Hedin. I confirmed Dephai too.”

“Who was it?” Beltik asked coldly.

Geto’s face grew troubled. “Elder Baren from Gardion Tower, a 5th Circle High Mage.”

“…!”

Beltik flinched.

An elder of Gardion Tower and a 5th Circle High Mage?

Not someone he could quietly eliminate.

He glanced at Bloody, his court mage and strategist, who wore his usual faint smile, unfazed by the situation.

“Bloody, what do we do?”

If it were some nobody, Beltik would’ve discreetly dealt with them.

But an elder of Gardion Tower changed things.

Bloody replied, “Don’t worry. We anticipated this. It’s actually fortunate they’re dead—blackmail from them would’ve been a bigger headache.”

Bloody’s calm voice eased Beltik’s anxiety.

Bloody then asked Geto, “Did the elder demand anything beyond the bounty?”

“No, just the bounty.”

“Does anyone else know about this?”

“No. I strictly told Elder Baren not to tell anyone.”

“Then it’s a simple matter. Pay the bounty, take the bodies, and it’s done,” Bloody said nonchalantly.

Beltik spoke up. “What if my brother finds out…”

The 1st Prince, Potik, was a concern.

If Potik learned the truth, Beltik’s reputation—bolstered by the claim of eliminating the Hedin Mercenary Band—would take a hit.

The higher he’d risen, the harder he’d fall.

“No need to worry about that either,” Bloody said with a smile.

“If the 2nd Knight Commander kills a monster, it’s as good as you killing it.”

“…Right.”

Beltik was puzzled by the mention of the 2nd Knight Commander but nodded.

The commander was his man, so his kills were essentially Beltik’s.

“We can make it so the Gardion Tower mages’ defeat of the Hedin Mercenary Band counts as yours.”

“…!”

Beltik’s eyes lit up.

Bloody was suggesting they recruit the mages.

If successful, even if the truth came out, it wouldn’t matter—Beltik would still get credit.

Plus, befriending a Gardion Tower elder would greatly aid his succession bid.

“Where are they now?” Beltik asked Geto.

“They said they’re staying at the Scarlet Inn’s private residence.”

“Got it. And this matter…”

Beltik trailed off, staring at Geto.

Geto swallowed hard and replied, “Trust me, Your Highness. I’m fully devoted to you.”

Satisfied, Beltik said, “Go.”

Geto bowed and left.

Beltik turned to Bloody. “Should I go myself?”

“It would help with recruitment, but…” Bloody trailed off, looking regretful.

“In this situation, if Your Highness moves, the 1st Prince will notice.”

The 1st Prince had spies everywhere.

Beltik’s movements would be reported, exposing the situation.

“Then what?”

“First, secure the bodies.”

Recruitment was important, but not the priority.

The bodies came first.

“I’ll handle the bodies through the guildmaster,” Bloody said.

“Thanks! You’re the best!”

At the Laverium auction house, Gaon headed straight to the counter to reserve a seat with the VIP pass and register items.

“How may I assist you?” a staff member asked with a bright smile.

Gaon presented the VIP pass.

The staff, startled by it, stood up. “Please, come inside.”

Following the staff, Gaon and Rotes entered a luxurious room clearly meant for VIPs.

“What can I do for you?” the staff asked.

“Reserve a seat for the special auction in two days and register items for it.”

“We’ll reserve your seat immediately. For item registration, we need to verify the items. What are they?”

“Kerhen artifacts.”

“…!”

The staff’s face showed surprise but quickly composed themselves.

“Please wait. I’ll fetch an artisan to verify.”

Gaon nodded, and the staff left.

He took out the Kerhen artifacts and placed them on the table.

Soon, the staff returned with a middle-aged man whose clothes bore the golden Kerhen Workshop emblem, a mark reserved for its top artisans.

“…!”

The artisan, Tron, gasped at the artifacts.

He turned to the staff. “They’re genuine. No need for further checks.”

“Pardon?”

“I need to speak with this gentleman. Could you give us a moment?”

“Yes.”

The staff hesitated but nodded and left.

Tron bowed to Gaon. “My apologies. I should’ve asked if you were open to discussion, but it’s urgent. I’m Tron, an artisan of the Kerhen Workshop.”

Gaon was puzzled.

Urgent?

What could it be?

Seeing Gaon’s expression, Tron continued, “May I ask your relationship with the elder?”

“Elder?” Gaon echoed.

What elder?

“You mean Kerhen?”

Tron’s brow furrowed briefly before relaxing.

Gaon recalled Kerhen’s status in the industry—a godlike figure.

To someone like Tron, Gaon, appearing in his twenties, mentioning Kerhen so casually might seem blasphemous.

“I may look young, but I’m older than you think. Kerhen and I were friends.”

“My apologies!” Tron bowed again.

“It’s fine. Why ask about Kerhen?”

Rotes had told him Kerhen’s funeral was held forty years ago.

Why was Tron asking about their relationship?

“Have you met the elder recently…?”

“…?”

Gaon was stunned.

Tron was implying Kerhen was alive.