Chapter 673: It's Easy to Invite Linchi, Hard to Send Him Away

Chapter 673: It's Easy to Invite Linchi, Hard to Send Him Away

At 10 am, the Petras Auction House was bustling with activity.

As one of the most renowned auction houses in the southern continent, the eastern branch of Petras Auction House was located in District 3 of Pariah, a longstanding haven for art and antique collectors seeking rare treasures.

In addition to their regular sales, they hosted dozens of large-scale membership auctions annually, featuring a diverse array of items such as paintings, furniture, jewelry, magic devices, and contracts.

This massive fortress-like structure, towering over several stories, boasted an ornate facade adorned with intricate carvings and classic Pariah architectural elements. The golden sign above its entrance shimmered dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Stepping into this venerable establishment, one could almost hear the echoes of past bidding wars for priceless artifacts with each footstep resonating through the halls.

Within the grand foyer, light cascaded from intricately crafted chandeliers, casting a starry glow throughout this sanctuary of art.

At that moment, deep within the Petras Auction House, a weekly grand auction was already underway.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's extravaganza at the Petras Auction House in Flower City. What we are about to embark upon is not merely an auction but a journey through time, where you will behold the allure of priceless treasures. Let us ignite our passions and find the most deserving new owners for these exquisite collectibles."

The auctioneer's voice resonated throughout the auction hall and beyond.

The audience seating resembled a theater, fanning out in a semicircular layout around the stage, with additional exclusive seating for VIPs on the balconies above.

Seated in a relatively inconspicuous section was Linchi, Talia, and Cat Boss, surrounded by affluent individuals dressed in opulent finery.

"Your membership status actually came in handy," Talia remarked, glancing at Linchi beside her.

The current item up for auction held little interest for them, so they took the opportunity to chat while the surrounding crowd murmured amongst themselves.

"Of course," Linchi replied with a smug smile. "I wouldn't have brought you along if it weren't useful."

If they had planned their visit earlier, they might have secured seats in the more exclusive VIP section, as their last-minute decision had left seating options limited.

However, this time, they could only secure two seats, as Linchi was the only member of the Petras Chamber of Commerce. Talia accompanied him as his guest.

Cat Boss, on the other hand, had to settle for being cradled in Talia's arms.

"Meow, what are these things they're selling?" Cat Boss inquired, eyeing the prices of the items on the auction block from afar, feeling like a country cat out of its depth.

If it weren't for Asina taking over the Cat Boss Restaurant and increasing its revenue severalfold, he wouldn't have dared to consider bidding for a chef.

Of course, even if he purchased a demon chef, he might still need Linchi to front the money first, repaying him later from the restaurant's monthly earnings.

In the distance, on the auction block, the auction table resembled an antique cabinet from a century ago, adorned with gold leaf trim and exquisite woodwork that made it stand out prominently in the auction hall.

And within the adjacent glass display case rested the Unending Crystal Necklace, nestled atop a velvet cushion. Each orange-hued crystal shimmered with intersecting rays of light under the illumination of the lamps.

"The next item up for auction is a century-old work of art that not only bears witness to the historical changes of a family but also embodies the profound artistic essence of Master Jera Zelt. This lot is undoubtedly a rare treasure coveted by every jewelry collector," the auctioneer introduced, as the information about the necklace, named "Stellar Radiance Remembrance," was displayed.

Stellar Radiance Remembrance

Type: Magical Artifact

Rarity: Rare

Attributes: Spiritual/Link

Tier: 1

The wearer of this necklace will gain a slight increase in base spirit and a small chance to resonate with the memories of their ancestors who wore it, only once.

The bidding quickly surpassed the 10,000-pound mark.

In the audience, Cat Boss, nestled in Talia's arms, looked at Linchi quizzically.

"How can this thing be worth so much, meow?"

The necklace's attributes were almost negligible, and if it fetched such a high price, Cat Boss dared not estimate how much those statues Linchi had restored in the Shadow World's Beastman City-State might be worth.

Of course, if they had stolen those statues to sell, the entire Beastman tribe might have gone berserk with rage and pursued them relentlessly.

"Its intrinsic attributes aren't particularly strong, but it's been imbued with the legendary aura of a master craftsman," Linchi mused, stroking his chin. "If used as a prototype to craft an equipment card, it might even produce an epic-level item."

The concept of "legendary aura" was something Professor Polaau had taught him, but the professor hadn't explained it very clearly, preferring for Linchi to understand it on his own.

According to Professor Polaau, excessive interpretation could dull one's spiritual sense. If a craftsman pursued only the legendary aura, they would never attain true greatness, so he didn't want to teach Linchi too much or too quickly.

Linchi could vaguely sense what this legendary aura might be. When crafting cards, there was always an intangible, indescribable element that seemed to be the key to anchoring history. Once imbued with this legendary aura, one could forge epics.

Talia listened quietly to Linchi's inner thoughts, having developed a connection with him since their heart link.

In a way, Linchi's learning was her learning, and she could directly benefit from his insights and accomplishments.

"Of course, the collectors bidding on this necklace may not intend to use it for crafting at all but simply appreciate it for its aesthetic value," Linchi added, feeling that the price, which had soared to over ten thousand pounds, was still excessively high, mainly due to its collector's value.

Converting it to the simplest measure of purchasing power, ten thousand pounds could buy three hundred million bottles of mineral water.

As the auction progressed, the auctioneer's voice echoed throughout the hall.

With each artwork hammered down, a buzz of discussion filled the auction room, and on the rare occasions when an exceptionally high-priced item was sold, cheers and applause erupted.

Beyond the doors of the grand foyer, professional art collectors and curious journalists alike stood, crouching or standing, their focus fixed on the small glass windows of the doors as they diligently recorded everything that could potentially become a newsworthy story.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, we move on to the main event."

All eyes were once again drawn to the meticulously arranged auction stage, where the auctioneer stood, clad in a dark suit and holding a small silver gavel that symbolized his authority.

The rapid pace of his speech immediately captured the attention of the entire audience.

It was like a captivating solo performance, pushing the atmosphere in the venue to a fever pitch.

Immediately after, a demon servant was led onto the stage.

"Ceresthia, a sixth-rank demon with well-trained, all-around scout functions. Former captain of the vanguard reconnaissance unit of the 35th Brigade of the 6th Army Group of the Demon King's Army. To avoid the death penalty upon surrender, she chose to sign a 355-year servant contract, which means that her current legal contract still has 231 years remaining."

The demon servant being introduced by the auctioneer had a distinct light blue skin tone, her eyes deep as the night sky, and her long ears gently quivering.

Despite her unfavorable situation, she maintained a calm demeanor.

As the auctioneer finished introducing her unique abilities and background, the atmosphere in the venue became even more tense, with many wealthy bidders seemingly eager to acquire her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Ceresthia is not only exceptionally beautiful as a servant, but she also possesses extraordinary combat capabilities that can multiply the strength of any noble family."

The auctioneer's captivating voice once again drew the gazes of the guests present.

"Even more incredibly, once she becomes your servant, she will protect you and your family for generations to come.

He cleared his throat and continued.

Down below.

Talia averted her gaze, no longer interested in what was happening on stage.

Her eyes, hidden beneath her bangs, seemed to be cloaked in shadows.

"......"

Linchi glanced at Talia beside him but remained silent.

He could somewhat understand Talia's feelings as a princess of a fallen nation, witnessing her fellow demons being auctioned off.

At the same time, she couldn't argue against the fact that the demons being sold as servants had brought this upon themselves, a reality she was well aware of.

On stage, the auctioneer struck the podium with his silver gavel, signaling the start of the auction.

Numerous wealthy bidders immediately began vying for the sixth-rank demon servant, each hoping to take home this powerful being.

The bidding numbers climbed rapidly, soaring from a few thousand to over ten thousand in less than half a minute, with each increment accompanied by whispers of surprise from the audience.

This bidding war wasn't merely a display of wealth but also a contest for power and status.

A sixth-rank servant would be a formidable contender even in the Flower City Holy Grail Familiar Tournament, let alone Ceresthia, a former member of the Demon King's Army, who possessed unimaginable combat experience and practical abilities.

The participants' expressions were a mix of anticipation and calculation, occasionally glancing at their formidable competitors.

Meanwhile, the demon stood quietly on stage, her eyes devoid of fear, as if she had seen through the commotion and vanity of it all.

"55,000 pounds."

Finally, when a blond-haired noble seated in the second-floor VIP gallery offered an astronomical final bid, the entire room fell silent.

The auctioneer made the final knock with his gavel, and Ceresthia merely bowed her head slightly, accepting her new fate.

"Meow..."

Cat Boss had never seen so much money in his life.

He was stunned into silence.

"The high price is mainly because of her strong abilities and the long duration of her work contract," Linchi explained to Cat Boss.

Ignoring the possibility of Ceresthia's death during her service or the risk of her harming her master, this was essentially a long-term employment contract for over two centuries.

Additionally, Ceresthia's contract explicitly stated that she could not be forced or harmed, that her work must be legal, and that she must be provided with basic living care, a minimal legal salary, and regular vacations.

"Another part of the reason is her attractive appearance. Demons with beautiful looks often fetch twice the price at auction houses," Linchi added.

"......"

Talia's gaze suddenly locked onto Linchi.

"Setting strength aside and purely discussing appearance, no demon can surpass the peerless beauty of the Crazy Love Demon King. She's the best, both in strength and looks," Linchi said, looking directly at Talia.

Talia withdrew her gaze.

Indeed, the Crazy Love Demon King, with her overwhelming strength and unparalleled beauty, was the epitome of perfection.

"Meow."

Cat Boss felt that these two were at it again.

"I wonder if we'd have more success if we captured vampires and put them up for auction... with a starting bid of 50,000 pounds..."

Linchi mused as if he had suddenly thought of something, his voice trailing off.

"Meow!"

Just hearing Linchi's words, Cat Boss could already imagine Hugh kneeling before the statue of the goddess, weeping bitterly.

As they chatted and observed the proceedings, half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Occasionally, there were interesting auction items, new VIP guests entering, or disinterested customers leaving midway through the auction.

Linchi occasionally spotted items he considered buying but ultimately decided against it.

For instance, the [Shadow Petals], a legendary mysterious plant said to grow at the edge of the void, which could temporarily merge the user with shadows, granting them temporary invisibility. It would be perfect for covert operations, assassin missions, or highly confidential reconnaissance. It could also make for an excellent skin for the Crazy Love Demon King.

There was also the [Traveler's Compass], an antique magical compass that ensured its holder would never get lost, no matter where they ventured.

Chapter 674: Weekly Auctions Offer Strange Treasures, an Endless Feast for Connoisseurs

On stage, the auctioneer paused, his eyes scanning the audience seated below.

"Next, we have another demon servant whose starting bid may still be steep, but remember, the opportunity to acquire a legend will never seem too expensive."

As the auctioneer's words fell, the entire auction hall buzzed with excitement once more.

The VIP guests exchanged whispers and glances, eagerly awaiting the next item.

Soon, a pale-skinned, silver-haired, and slender demon who resembled a young woman was led onto the stage.

"Elvin, formerly of the Ninth Army Group's logistics forces. Although she is only a second-rank and not a combat-type demon, she possesses multiple functions as a butler, magic chef, and gardener. She can guarantee a comprehensive luxury lifestyle for your household. Her contract still has 156 years remaining, and the starting bid is 950 pounds. Who will be her new master? Let the bidding begin!"

Below the stage.

Cat Boss's eyes lit up as he looked at her information.

Although her culinary skills were far inferior to Miss Lisanci, whom they had met on the airship, Cat Boss felt that hiring a chef with such diverse domestic skills would be well worth it.

"She's way better than Planay!" Cat Boss exclaimed.

In his opinion, Planay rarely made mistakes at work, but most of the time, she just stood behind the bar, polishing glass cups.

Moreover, Planay seemed so weak that even Cat Boss couldn't sense her magical power.

"Hmm."

Lanchi thought that Cat Boss might have been influenced by the restaurant's success and failed to recognize Planay's true efficiency. Usually, incompetent bosses didn't realize that their most valuable employees were the ones who appeared to be lazing around.

If they brought an ordinary demon back, and that demon happened to discover the true power of the Greater Demon in the restaurant, they might be scared senseless.

"1,100 pounds."

Lanchi raised his bidding paddle.

Cat Boss had shown some interest in this magic chef, so Lanchi helped place a bid, but it was quickly outbid.

"Shall we continue, Cat Boss?"

Lanchi looked at the price, which had already climbed to 1,500 pounds.

It would be a real loss if they went up to 2,000 pounds, and only because this demon had a decent appearance that others were bidding against them.

"Meow, go for it. A slight overbid is fine since it's a long-term contract."

Cat Boss reluctantly agreed.

"1,550 pounds."

Lanchi raised his paddle again.

"2,000 pounds."

A new bid came from the upper seats, causing the auctioneer on stage to smile broadly. Lanchi, however, hesitated for a moment.

"What do you think, Cat Boss?"

Lanchi lowered his head to ask the little black cat for his opinion.

"Let's try again," Cat Boss said, unwilling to give up.

"2,050 pounds."

Lanchi raised his paddle once more.

"2,500 pounds."

Accompanied by a hint of mocking laughter, another bid came from above.

This time, Cat Boss remained silent, and Lanchi lowered his paddle.

As the auctioneer happily struck the gavel, the demon's contract found its new owner.

The next round of auctions proceeded smoothly.

"Who is that gentleman?"

Lanchi curiously asked one of the customers seated next to him, with whom he had been chatting on and off.

Now he was certain.

Almost all the items were being snapped up by the golden-haired young nobleman seated in the VIP gallery above.

Whoever dared to compete with him would be immediately outbid with a heart-stopping price.

He wouldn't hesitate to raise the stakes, making his competitors feel embarrassed about their tiny increments.

"He's the young master of the Baptiste Count's family."

The wealthy merchant next to Lanchi whispered,

"I heard that all his maids are demons, and he loves to participate in familiar tournaments. He calls himself the Little Demon King of Bosen."

The leading customer, with whom Lanchi had been chatting casually, now shared more as they grew familiar. Lanchi asked about anything he didn't understand.

"......"

Talia frowned slightly beside them.

She found it strange how easily Lanchi could strike up conversations with strangers.

However, what displeased her at the moment was the young man from the Baptiste Count's family seated in the VIP gallery above.

"Hmph, no matter the price, I must acquire all the rare demons."

In the second-floor VIP gallery, the golden-haired young master spoke casually to the Petras Commerce Guild officer beside him.

He made no attempt to lower his voice.

It seemed he wanted to send a clear message to the other newcomers in the auction house—don't even think about competing with him.

Whatever he wanted, he would get, and if others dared to bid against him, he wouldn't mind driving up the prices of the items they desired.

Talia silently watched the young man's arrogant behavior, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

This direct gaze soon caught the attention of the golden-haired young master.

Their eyes locked, like icy spears piercing each other.

Then, a hint of annoyance flashed in the young master's eyes, as if he resented Talia's stare.

"Hmph, this gray-haired village girl has a decent appearance, but what a sour face."

The young master's lips curved downward, his expression cold and disdainful, as he let out a soft snort of contempt.

His eyes swept over Talia and Lanchi, as if appraising two cheap items, his nose turned up in scorn.

The young master signaled to the auctioneer beside him.

"Bring me your catalog. I'll buy everything I'm interested in at a flat rate."

He spoke with a casual air of authority.

Some of the items in the Petras auction had a set price option.

"Generally, the asking price at Petras Auction House is much higher than the usual transaction price, and rarely are there customers willing to buy at that price."

But the arrogance in the golden-haired young master's words was as evident as his aristocratic bearing, leaving no room for doubt.

Apparently, he wanted to flaunt his wealth and absolute superiority before Linchi and Talia, and he intended to deprive them of the opportunity to participate in the auction.

Perhaps it was because of Talia's glare earlier, and he had decided to teach this rude girl a lesson by ensuring she wouldn't get her way today.

However, Talia merely furrowed her brows as she gazed at the distant VIP seat occupied by the golden-haired noble, remaining silent.

"Talia, it's fine."

Linchi's tone was gentle, as if trying to soothe Talia's displeasure, and he glanced in the direction of her gaze from time to time.

"I'm not angry."

Talia fixed her eyes on the overly extravagant young master of the Baptiste Count's family, knowing full well that he was not one to be trifled with.

If they were to compete financially, they would probably need to involve Hubert Lian, and that would only be possible if he had already inherited the property of the Duke's mansion.

Moreover, in the core city-state's auction house, there was hardly any room for aggressive maneuvers. Even Loren wouldn't dare to casually use high-level magic, as any significant magical reaction or signs of combat within the town would trigger alarms and suppression responses.

"A country bumpkin who hasn't seen the world..."

The young master narrowed his left eye, his lips slightly parted, clearly conveying his disdain.

He seemed to find it amusing to provoke this gray-haired girl who looked like she would explode at the slightest provocation.

"......"

Talia's gaze turned icy cold.

In the past, she wouldn't have tolerated such provocation for even a moment.

Linchi quickly grabbed her wrist.

He was afraid that Talia would act before thinking.

Any display of violent tendencies could result in them being labeled as lawbreakers.

No matter how lively the auction continued to be.

Silence enveloped the space between Talia and the golden-haired noble, who sat in their respective seats far apart from each other. Talia seemed to heed Linchi's advice as she eventually shifted her gaze from the young master's seat to Linchi's face.

Talia gently freed her wrist from Linchi's grasp.

"Linchi, do you have a way to teach that guy a lesson?"

She finally spoke up.

Although she disliked asking Linchi for help and wasn't sure if he would be willing, she felt a knot in her chest that needed to be untangled.

She had no idea how to deal with such a person in an unfamiliar place without violating any regulations.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that it was incredibly difficult to deal with people within the confines of numerous rules and regulations.

"......Of course not. We can't break the law."

Linchi looked at her intently as he replied seriously.

"I understand."

Talia said, her tone devoid of disappointment.

Their relationship was like this; she never expected Linchi to treat her as gently as he did Hubert Lian, and she wasn't the type of girl to feel aggrieved over such matters.

This guy often liked to provoke her, and seeing others provoke her didn't seem to bother him much.

However, she saw Linchi raise his hand to signal to a staff member walking by.

"Hello, I have an extremely rare contracted creature here. May I ask if it can be inserted into the auction lineup?"

Linchi asked the approaching Petras Auction House staff member.

"Well, according to our auction house regulations, we don't allow disruptions to the lineup. Although there have been precedents for this kind of situation, we can only make an exception if the contract is extremely valuable."

The staff member explained.

He didn't think this man had an especially cherished contracted beast.

However, he didn't have the authority to make such a decision, so he had to bring the man to meet the manager to determine if they could include the item in the auction.

"Sorry, Cat Boss. I have no choice but to part with you temporarily. But it's for the sake of saving the Demon Tribe."

Linchi reluctantly lifted Cat Boss with both hands and spoke to him.

"Meow, meow, meow! Don't!"

Cat Boss screamed.

"Hey, Linchi, are you serious?"

Talia grabbed Linchi's shoulder.

Although she understood that they needed a huge amount of money to counter the golden-haired noble, she was unsure how Linchi planned to obtain it.

But making money wasn't that simple.

Selling Cat Boss was definitely going too far.

Linchi could only shake his head helplessly.

......

Twenty minutes later.

Linchi and Cat Boss had already left the auction hall for a while.

Talia remained seated where she was, silently watching the stage.

"I have an announcement for everyone. We have an unprecedented auction item that has been inserted into the lineup!"

Suddenly, the auctioneer received a message, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face as he announced to the entire hall.

It was an extremely special and rare race work contract.

Even with his many years of experience as the chief auctioneer of Petras Auction House, he had never seen anything like it.

"Of course, the race determination has also been completed!"

In an instant, a buzz of chatter filled the hall.

The audience never expected such a surprise during today's auction.

Often, such situations only occurred when there was an extremely high-profile, rare treasure, and the auctioneer would specially include the item to stir up the atmosphere.

Next.

The curtains opened.

On stage, the staff member brought Linchi forward.

"Race name: Linchi! Starting bid: 10,000 pounds!"

"Pffft!" Talia couldn't help but let out a snort, almost choking on her saliva.

Whoever bought this guy would surely find it easy to invite him but hard to send him away!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end