Cretan Huangdu, Hessen Secret Auction House
Despite the late hour, the place was bustling with energy and activity. This was an underground market where goods that could not be traded publicly were sold in secret deals.
As for the main character in tonight's episode, Baron Bavron, he surveyed his surroundings with a dark look.
The audience seats were crowded, leaving no room to move.
“And now, the first item up for auction is...”
Eyes shining in the darkness turned towards the auction platform.
The auction organizer, who had been waiting for the tension to peak, dramatically extended his hand.
“A slave with hair as blue as the ocean and eyes that shine like jewels!”
Upon hearing his theatrical voice, the first “item” of the night was revealed.
“The starting bid is 1.5 million Tri!”
The people, curious by the mysterious and effeminate appearance of the slave, quickly raised their oars.
20 million trillion, 30 million trillion...
The price of a living person has risen uncontrollably.
“Oof.”
Baron Bavron, shifting his steps to avoid the person next to him who was encroaching on his space, let out a muffled groan.
Not only was human trafficking happening brazenly, but the nobles around him were laughing and talking as if all of this was normal.
Although he was of low class and poor, as someone who valued noble honor, he could not understand such a matter.
But…
“…ha.”
In the end, he couldn't help but smile at himself.
After all, he had come here for exactly the same reason – to obtain an item at auction.
Among the barons who held their titles together, he was particularly known for his extreme poverty...
But today he spent his entire fortune to attend this secret auction for one specific reason.
“Baby, I… I really want that thing called a cup… cough, cough! gasp…”
That was his sick wife's request - for the most important thing of the night, a glass.
Moreover, he had heard somewhere that thermal mugs have excellent heat retention properties.
If that was true, the soup he made for his wife wouldn't get cold so quickly, which made it even more important.
“That's why I need him, no matter what.”
With this idea in mind, Baron Bavron was burning with determination even before the auction began.
He could imagine his wife's bright smile when she received the cup she had longed for.
But…
But...!
"80 million Tri! The current supply is 80 million Tri!"
The price skyrocketed in an instant, easily surpassing the cost of a small property in the countryside.
As the auction ended and the pale-faced slave was led away, Baron Bavron found it impossible to remain optimistic.
These people...have they lost their minds?!
His clenched fists trembled.
How could sums exceeding five times his entire wealth be exchanged in one transaction?
If the price of a slightly uncommon-looking slave was equivalent to the price of a palace, how much would the highly desirable trophy cost?
As Baron Bavron sat stunned, the auction proceeded smoothly, and soon the star of the night was revealed – the trophy.
“Oh…!”
“This must be the Ghost Duke’s cup.”
“Even from this distance, it seems to glow like a magic lamp!”
The room buzzed with excitement again.
The mug had an elegant and luxurious blue body.
The image of the Duke's Ghost Castle stood out clearly on its exterior, with the Duke's signature finely engraved at the bottom.
With its sophisticated design, it can easily rival any high-end tea cup brand.
The auctioneer listened to the whispers of the fascinated audience, then slowly opened his lips.
“Most of the mugs in circulation are fake. However, we have confirmed that this piece is authentic using expert verification.”
After a moment of silence, he shouted dramatically to match the growing anticipation.
“So, the price of the limited edition mug starts at 50 million Tri!”
The result was expected.
Although 50 million Tri was not a small sum, the price had risen dramatically before the auction organizer could finish speaking.
70 million, 80 million, 85 million... 90 million trillion.
Baron Bavron raised his paddle resolutely as he remembered his bedridden wife.
Please...! I have to get that!
But there was no way for a poor baron like him to overcome the powerful magnates of the capital.
When the final bid value exceeded 100 million trillion, Baron Pavron felt extremely frustrated, and clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.
“At this rate, there is no chance...”
As the weather grew hotter and his shoulders hunched down—
“What is that sound?”
The distant sound of weapons clashing reached Baron Bavron's ears.
It seems that he was not the only one who heard this; The people around him began to whisper and look around.
“Is someone fighting outside?”
“There shouldn't be any disturbances in a place like this...”
“Could something be wrong?”
Their fears were proven true as the commotion outside grew steadily closer.
Realizing that something was seriously wrong, people immediately rose.
Get out! We have to get out!
"If we get involved in this, it's over. Move!"
"Hey, let go! I want out too!"
But before anyone could escape, the doors suddenly opened, and heavily armored knights burst through.
“Everyone, freeze! By order of Grand Duke Belil, all those involved in illegal transactions will be arrested immediately!”
a bolt from the blue.
Why did this happen on the day I attended the auction?
Baron Bavron was terrified, stumbled and fled with the crowd.
But the knights quickly subdued the fleeing participants and regained control of the situation.
'What should I do?'
As the numbers got too close to ignore, he flinched in panic.
You care.
He wasn't looking forward and accidentally bumped into someone.
“…Huh?”
At that moment, he felt a sudden lightness in his inner pocket.
When Baron Bavron immediately realized the change in weight, his eyes widened in shock.
I am waiting! Hey!
But the person he bumped into didn't even apologize, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Baron Bavron stood there in amazement before the truth dawned on him.
A pocket thief?!
It happened so naturally that he didn't react properly.
No, he had never had an experience like this before – he couldn't even imagine it – so he had no idea how to respond.
“I…I lost my entire fortune?”
Swallowed by despair and disbelief, Baron Pavron forced himself to move toward the spot where the pickpocket had disappeared.
But there was no way he could catch a thief who didn't even see his face.
As he walked against the direction of the crowd, he soon encountered a huge knight blocking his path.
“I, I…”
He stuttered, trying to explain his position, but the knight did not wait for an excuse and grabbed him tightly.
Wait a minute!
“Take him away!”
Thus, Baron Bavron was withdrawn from the auction house by the knights.
Outside, other nobles who participated in the auction were detained.
“Fire those who made the purchases and move them elsewhere!”
After targeting several nobles, Baron Bavron was thrown into a prisoner transport.
Amidst the frightening knights, he opened his mouth nervously.
"Sorry…."
“He speaks.”
The knight's cold tone brought him back to his senses, and he pleaded desperately.
"I didn't buy anything. My sick wife is waiting for me at home... Please, let me go!"
The knight remained steadfast and did not budge.
Rather, his voice was firm.
“Are you a noble?”
“Yes, I am Baron Bavron.”
Even after his title was revealed, the knight's attitude did not change.
“Even nobles are not immune from this. However, since you only attempted to purchase, you will be released after cooperating with a short investigation and paying a fine.”
"fine?"
“It is the Emperor’s decree.”
“Huh...”
Where did things get so bad?
He's already been robbed - he doesn't have any coin left!
While he was thinking about his sick wife at home, he felt a burning sensation in his nose with emotion.
Tears gathered and poured onto the floor of the carriage.
“I... I have been wronged! This is so unfair...!”
His desperate cries echoed into the night, but the carriage continued its relentless onward journey.
“I...I just wanted to make my wife happy...”
The cup is for his wife.
All his wealth.
Everything is lost.
This night was, without a doubt, the worst night of his life.