The night sky was gently blanketed with darkness, with a crystal-clear silver moon hanging high above, casting its soft radiance over the dark canvas.
Stars twinkled like brilliant diamonds against the night's curtain.
The magnificent carriage rolled over the blue-brick road, entering the deep black royal city.
Dark, towering spires stood on the vast land like a dense forest of steel.
The streets were filled with sword-bearing pedestrians bustling about.
When the carriage bearing the Balo family crest entered the city, the sound of wheels grinding against the blue bricks drew people's attention.
They parted to both sides of the road, slightly bowing their bodies, as if paying the highest respect to the noble guests inside.
This time, there were notably fewer guards around the carriage.
Only twelve diplomatic envoys sat in the carriages behind, accompanied by some mounted knights and demi-human guards.
And this time, Aurelianne brought only two attendants on her journey.
The loyal maid Vanilla and the knight Gwen who protected her safety.
Although Aurelianne had repeatedly said she didn't need Teacher Gwen to accompany her, as having Teacher Viktor was enough.
But those ministers strongly opposed this.
With the princess in a foreign land, the level of protection must be sufficient.
After all, in these ministers' eyes.
No matter how strong Viktor was, he was still just one person.
And Aurelianne's safety couldn't be guaranteed.
So she had to bring Gwen along.
As for Duke Balo.
This elderly man who had already reached the pinnacle of power in the kingdom naturally wouldn't attend such social gatherings among nobles anymore.
At this moment, many luxurious carriages had already parked in front of the grand auction house.
The kingdom's nobles and wealthy gathered here.
Though they had conflicts between them, they still maintained polite facades, exchanging pleasantries and displaying proper etiquette.
After this, they couldn't help but pause their conversations.
Everyone's attention was inevitably drawn to the two carriages approaching, surrounded by knights.
The luxurious carriage in front clearly drew more of their attention.
When Gwen pulled the reins, the carriage stopped.
She dismounted and slowly opened the door.
As everyone's attention was drawn to the newly arrived guests, Gwen stopped the carriage and slowly opened the door.
A figure wearing a black coat stepped out from the carriage.
Viktor's expression was calm, though his coldness wasn't filled with frost.
He stood on the ground at the other side of the carriage and extended his hand.
A fair hand rested on Viktor's palm.
Gwen bowed slightly, extremely respectful, welcoming this noble princess.
She moved with grace, her white jewel-encrusted formal shoes seeming to step on starlight as she slowly emerged from the carriage.
Wearing a pure white formal dress, she was like moonlight descended from the night sky, the epitome of nobility.
The twelve diplomatic envoys also dismounted from their carriages, taking their places behind Aurelianne.
Just as Aurelianne set foot on the ground, King Augustus had already been waiting for some time.
He led the lords behind him to warmly welcome them.
"We meet again, Your Majesty."
The twelve envoys greeted Augustus cordially.
The king nodded slightly, his gaze couldn't help but fall on Aurelianne standing beside Gwen and Viktor, and he walked slowly towards her.
Seeing this, the diplomatic envoys naturally merged into the crowd behind Augustus, mixing with the nobles of the Kanter Kingdom.
Upon seeing Viktor and Gwen, Augustus first respectfully addressed Viktor:
"Councilor Kravina."
Hilda followed Augustus like a shadow, like a loyal guard.
Standing beside the king, she also smiled and nodded slightly to Gwen beside Viktor.
While Gwen maintained her coldness, responding politely.
Viktor nodded reservedly, the depth in his eyes revealing nothing.
This place was very familiar to Viktor.
The Casidra Auction was the grand auction venue of the world-renowned Casidra Commerce Guild.
Indeed, like the Mage Council, the Casidra Commerce Guild wasn't a country, but it held international status equal to nations.
This powerful financial consortium possessed wealth that could rival nations.
The Casidra Commerce Guild cooperated with partner countries each year to hold annual auctions in their territories.
However, this didn't include the Empire.
For unknown reasons, the Casidra Commerce Guild had never cooperated with the Empire since its establishment.
Then, Augustus's gaze turned to Aurelianne.
But actually, his gaze was drawn to the cat-girl maid behind Aurelianne.
He was clearly attracted by Vanilla's appearance, looking the small cat-girl up and down, seeming somewhat surprised.
But quickly, he withdrew his gaze, looking back at Aurelianne, saying with a smile:
"Princess, I believe there will be treasures to your liking at today's auction."
Aurelianne responded gracefully:
"Then, Your Majesty, I shall look forward to it."
Augustus turned slightly, politely extending his hand toward the magnificent auction hall in invitation.
Aurelianne didn't stand on ceremony either, walking into the candlelit hall together with Viktor, with Vanilla and Gwen on either side of her.
The entire hall was as luxurious as a golden palace, with huge pillars supporting the majestic dome.
Golden chandeliers on both sides emitted bright candlelight, making the entire hall as bright as day.
Red, wide curtains wrapped around the entire auction assembly hall, blocking out the bright moonlight.
Various box seats held many nobles and wealthy individuals.
They sat in their respective positions, holding small wooden plaques.
Aurelianne and her group were led to the second floor.
Soon, they arrived at a spacious private box.
Looking through the window, they could see all the noble lords in their seats in the hall, even the corners were clearly visible.
Everyone slowly took their seats.
Augustus sat with them in the same room, with Hilda standing behind him.
Gwen and Vanilla also stood respectfully on either side of Aurelianne like guards.
At this time, Augustus turned to look at Aurelianne and began introducing:
"Princess, at today's auction, there are rare 'Fortune Spirit' high-grade magical materials."
"It's said that even 'Gaia's Fine Steel', which can forge the world's hardest equipment, will make an appearance at this auction."
"Ah, and there's 'Mahazak's Tail Spike', you might be interested, it's an excellent material for crafting magic staves."
The king enthusiastically explained to Aurelianne.
Saying this, he glanced at Viktor and Gwen, then gave a look to Hilda behind him.
Hilda understood and quickly handed the king a detailed list of auction items.
After briefly reviewing it, Augustus handed it to Viktor:
"Councilor Kravina, if there's anything you fancy, please let me know."
Viktor politely accepted it, his gaze passing over the list.
When he saw the last auction item on that list, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Hmm, there are indeed some good items."
"Is that so? Then you must watch carefully."
Augustus politely smiled at Viktor.
As the fair-skinned and beautiful auctioneer, wearing an elegant formal dress, passed through the red curtain and stepped onto the stage.
The surrounding candles flickered, accompanying the crowd's cheers, seeming to heat up the atmosphere.
Her every step was full of elegance and confidence, as she gracefully bowed to show respect to the noble lords and distinguished guests in the boxes.
"Everyone, the auction now begins!"
The red curtains slowly pulled to both sides, and a thin platform gradually rose from the stage.
With her announcement, the red curtains gradually opened, revealing an elegant platform.
The golden light upon it suddenly illuminated the entire auction hall.
"The first item, the Goddess of Abundance's Wheat! Starting price, one million Geo, minimum increment of fifty thousand!"
After the auctioneer announced the rules, many noble lords rushed to raise their wooden plaques.
The Wheat of the Goddess of Abundance was very familiar to the kingdom's noble lords.
Under the divine power infused by the followers of the Goddess of Abundance, these ordinary wheat stalks possessed divine power that could ensure a bountiful harvest for an entire year.
Naturally, the Casidra Commerce Guild had no reason not to sell this divine item.
But Viktor just glanced at it casually before withdrawing his gaze.
This item was indeed genuine.
It possessed the harvest power of the Goddess of Abundance.
However.
Viktor already had a true divine item, so naturally he wouldn't be interested in this.
But these noble lords were almost fighting crazy over it, none willing to give ground.
After all, everyone had land in their territory and needed to feed their people.
If used well, this divine item could directly guarantee the people under their territory would have enough food and clothing for a year!
So this fine divine item was eventually bid up to five million Geo.
It was won by a powerful marquis.
However, under the heat of such a high price being reached at the opening.
The enthusiasm of many wealthy individuals and lords was almost completely ignited.
Afterwards, various auction items were continuously bid on under the auctioneer's detailed introductions.
Everyone stared at the items on stage, impatient, afraid the items they fancied would fall into others' hands.
Until a piece of steel shining with silver light appeared, countless warrior lords went crazy.
Gaia's Fine Steel, legendarily the hardest steel!
Every warrior hoped to possess invincible armor and weapons.
And this item could clearly satisfy all the lords present.
They rubbed their hands together, all wanting to compete for it.
At this time, Viktor glanced at that silvery-white steel, raising an eyebrow:
"Gaia's Fine Steel."
He turned back, looking at Gwen.
"Do you like this item?"
"""
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