850 Recruitmen (1/2)
Elizabeth walked out gracefully in the spotlight.
She was wearing a black gown, and her hair was tied up in a bun so that the buyers could see her white and slender neck. Her perfect shape and her cold but beautiful face could easily provoke the sexual desire in men.
”Lastly, Miss Elizabeth is Viscount Quaid's daughter and is about to marry Viscount Charlie of Ettoman… The starting price is ten thousand gold coins!”
The emcee said in a tempting tone, ”Is there anyone… who's willing to become the master of this beautiful noble lady? Oh, I can assure you that professionals have checked and ensured that this lady is a virgin.”
Huff huff!
The last sentence was apparently more provocative. Even Butcher and Bill, who were beside Fang Yuan, started to breathe intensely.
”Ten thousand one hundred gold coins!” a pirate shouted out his bid first, undeterred by the exorbitant price of ten thousand gold coins.
”Ten thousand five hundred gold coins!”
…
The price increased quickly, and even Fang Yuan was a bit surprised. ”Are noblewomen captives in such high demand nowadays?”
”Sir, you really don't know?” At this point in time, the attendant beside him looked about to break down. ”Viscount Quaid is the most promising competitor for the governor position in the Solomon Strait colony… Merchant ships heading for the East always have to pass through that place… Viscount Charlie is one of the most exalted nobles in Ettoman, and he has a royal bloodline. Otherwise, why would he marry Miss Elizabeth, who's merely backed by the Rose Chamber of Commerce?”
”Hmm, competitor? Looks like the incumbent governor will renounce the position soon?” Fang Yuan nodded. ”And Elizabeth hurried to get married in Ettoman at this time. Tsk tsk… I wonder how many trade-offs are involved in this.”
”Therefore, this is definitely a hot potato. It's better to get rid of her earlier!” Bill gave his advice. He had obviously thought about it for a long time.
”Fifteen thousand gold coins!”
When the price reached thirteen thousand gold coins, merchants from Ettoman finally started to bid, raising the price by two thousand straightaway.
”Fifteen thousand gold coins. Any higher bids?” the emcee shouted at the top of his lungs.
”Twenty thousand gold coins!”
At this moment, Formosa from Cecil stood up and looked around, speaking in a firm voice.
”Thirty thousand… gold coins!”
But he was soon given a slap in the face. A calm voice attracted all the attention.
”It's him!”
”The team leader of the Octopus Marauder Team!”
”Sorcerer Orlando? Could he be interested in the East Sea Route? If he uses Elizabeth as a hostage, Viscount Quaid will have to compromise, won't he? Of course, he needs to wait until Viscount Quaid becomes the governor of the Solomon Strait colony…”
The onlookers whispered among themselves.
Orlando's expression was solemn, suggesting his determination to get her.
”Thirty-five thousand gold coins!”
Formosa shook his head and continued to raise the price.
”Forty thousand!”
”Forty-one thousand!”
…
In the end, both of them had to slow down their increases in the price, as they were running out of money.
”Forty-six thousand gold coins!” Orlando stood up slowly and gazed at Formosa. ”Any higher?”
Thud!
The great merchant from Cecil suddenly sat back into his seat, unable to utter a word.
”Great!” Orlando nodded satisfactorily and glanced at the emcee.
”Then… forty-six thousand gold coins going once! This lady from Ettoman will soon belong to the great team leader of the Octopus Marauder Team…”
The emcee swallowed a mouthful of saliva in exhilaration.
A mere woman slave was actually sold at the highest price tonight. Even he would earn a huge commission.
But when he raised his gavel high in the air and was about to hit it down, Heathfrey spoke. ”Fifty thousand gold coins!”
”What?” Orlando gazed at this swarthy, plump guy, his eyes glistening.
”Sorry… Orlando. I must have this person!”
Heathfrey gritted his teeth and inhaled a breath of cold air, apparently distressed at the large amount of money he had to spend.
”Good! Very good!”
Forty-six thousand gold coins was obviously the maximum that Orlando could afford. The sorcerer laughed coldly and sat back down, but everyone knew that this was definitely not the end.
…
”The auction today was really full of twists and turns…”