NOVPUBLanci occasionally saw items he wanted to buy, but, after thinking it over, he decided against it.
For example, the "Shadow Petals," a mythical plant said to grow at the edge of the void, could temporarily merge the user with shadows, achieving brief invisibility. It was perfect for covert operations, assassin missions, or highly confidential explorations, and it would probably make a nice skin for the Great Love Poet.
There was also the "Traveler’s Compass," an antique compass magic device that allowed its holder never to get lost, no matter where they were.
Every week, he could encounter all sorts of strange things; if he really wanted them, he could never buy them all.
On the stage.
The auctioneer paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd in the audience seats below.
"Next, we have the contract for a servant from the Demon Race. Perhaps her starting price is still steep— but remember, the opportunity to obtain legend is never too expensive."
As the auctioneer’s voice fell, the entire auction hall buzzed with excitement once more.
The VIPs exchanged words and glances with each other, eagerly anticipating the debut.
Soon enough, a pale-skinned, silver-haired demon of slender build who looked like a young woman was led onto the stage.
"Elvin, formerly of the Ninth Army Group’s logistics unit. Although she’s only Second-order and not a combat type, she possesses multiple skills including butler, magic chef, and gardener, ensuring comprehensive luxury living standards for your residence; her contract has 156 years remaining, with a starting bid of 950 pounds. Who will be her new master? Let’s find out!"
Beneath the stage.
Cat Boss’s eyes brightened at her information.
Though her culinary skills were far inferior to those of Miss Lixancy, whom he met on the airship, her rich living functions made Cat Boss feel hiring such a chef was well worth it.
"She’s even better than Pranay!"
Cat Boss exclaimed.
He noted that although Pranay never made mistakes at work, most of the time he was just standing behind the counter wiping glasses.
And Pranay seemed rather weak; even Cat Boss couldn’t sense any magic power from him.
"Uh."
Lanci felt that Cat Boss might really have been fooled by the restaurant’s optimization and had not noticed how efficient Pranay was usually; it’s just that Pranay was low-key and seemed like he wasn’t working.
Oftentimes, useless bosses fail to realize that the real pillars of the company seem to be the idlest employees.
If they took a regular demon home and he discovered the true nature of the Great Demon Clan in the shop, he might faint from fright.
"1100 pounds."
Lanci raised his bidding card.
Cat Boss was slightly interested in this demon with culinary skills, and Lanci shouted a bid for him, which was quickly outbid.
"Shall we bid again, Cat Boss?"
Lanci watched as the price quickly rose to 1500 pounds.
If it really went up to 2000 pounds, it would actually be quite a loss; it was only because the demon’s appearance was appealing that others were competing with them.
"Meow, go ahead and bid; it doesn’t matter if we pay over the odds, it’s a long contract anyway,"
Cat Boss said somewhat reluctantly.
"1550 pounds."
Lanci raised his card again.
"2000 pounds."
The new bid came from above, instantly bringing a smile to the auctioneer’s face, while Lanci was slightly taken aback.
"What do you think, Cat Boss?"
Lanci looked down to ask Little Black Cat for his opinion.
"Let’s try again,"
Cat Boss said, unwilling to give up.
"2050 pounds."
Lanci raised his card.
"2500 pounds."
With a hint of mockery, a voice came from above again.
This time Cat Boss said nothing, and Lanci put down his card.
As the auctioneer struck the gavel with a smile, the demon’s contract found a new owner.
The next round of the auction began methodically.
"Who is that gentleman?"
Lanci asked curiously to the customer who had been chatting with him intermittently.
Now he was certain.
It was almost always the blond nobleman in the VIP stands above who won with a very high premium.
Whoever competed against him would be met with a price high enough to discourage them outright.
He didn’t dawdle with increments; he just made the other person feel embarrassed by their small bids.
"The Young Earl from the Bathist family,"
the wealthy merchant next to Lanci whispered,
"They say all his maids are from the Demon Race, and he loves participating in Servitor competitive events, calling himself the Little Devil King of Poson."
The host and Lanci sometimes chatted, and now the conversation grew warm; Lanci asked those around him about anything he didn’t understand.
"..."
Talia wrinkled her brows slightly from the sidelines.
She found it strange.
Lanci’s social skills were so strong, within the blink of an eye he was chatting up strangers.
But what now unsettled her was the man in the VIP seats above, known as the Young Earl of the Bathist family.
"Hmph, if it’s a rare demon, no matter the price, I must have it,"
the blond nobleman declared contentedly to a Petras Company executive seating beside him.
His voice was unrestricted.
It seemed he was signaling to the other new clients in the auction house not to think about competing with him.
In the end, he would make the purchase, and if someone else drove up his price, he wouldn’t mind doing the same to the items others fancied.
Talia watched his ostentatious behavior silently, seeming a bit unhappy.
His direct gaze quickly alerted the blond nobleman.
He looked over, his eyes meeting Lanci’s and theirs for a moment, piercing like icicles.
Then, a flicker of displeasure crossed the eyes of the blond Young Earl, as if he was disgruntled by Talia’s stare.
