212 Gathering for the Auction (1/2)

He spent the time trying to decide what his biggest priority of items would be. With that, he would be ready to enter the auction and wouldn't hesitate to buy something he might regret not bidding on.

In no time, the date of the auction arrived.

Early that morning, Jack and his party left the Heavenly Palace Inn. Wearing dark cloaks, they hid their identities while Jack used his cloak to look like a wise, middle-aged man.

Together, they entered the Fat Goose Auction House, but it took them a while to get through the crowd. They had decided to use a side entrance with Eliza as the guide to avoid the many prying eyes. Unlike everyone else, they were avoiding the spotlight.

Once inside, Eliza took them all immediately to the third floor. With Jack's own private room, everyone was able to cozily sit and watch the auction.

Zariff and Marisha wanted to join them but Jack refused.

Since they weren't traveling with him, he wouldn't dare reveal any unnecessary secrets that he had no control over. At least with everyone else, they already had an idea of his end goals and knew his true identity. For them, keeping secrets about a few items he bought at auctions was nothing.

Now that Eliza was Jack's wife, she no longer hosted and decided to stay with Jack and them.

Argyle himself even came up to join the party in Jack's room. After what happened at the last auction, he wanted front row seats to the show. He was sure that Jack was about to steal items away from plenty of dignitaries.

And most importantly, Argyle wanted to know which strange items Jack might buy. Surely there were going to be items determined as having lesser value, yet Jack tended to bid on such items. Argyle wanted to know why.

”Everyone, I'm glad you're enjoying the upgrades I've made to the room,” stated Argyle. ”Now, the wall's voice projection spell has an added voice changer. That way no one will recognize Jack after he swindles everyone.”

”Ha, ha, very funny,” joked Jack. ”I believe the biggest fool to get swindled last time was you, right?”

”Yup, that's why I showed you all of the items that the Fat Goose was going to put up. Now, it'll be the turn of the other two auction houses to get robbed!” laughed Argyle. ”Remember, this auction will last for three days. Each day, the value of the items will go up. This is the one auction where we sell our greatest of treasures, so make sure to get everything you can, Jack.”

”You just want to see how many people I piss off, don't you?”

”And what's wrong with that? We only get to gather like this once a year, so why not enjoy it to the fullest while supporting my son-in-law?”

”No, they can't see or hear us right now, Lina. It's a special magic that lets us look outside but doesn't let them look inside. And only one person can use the voice projection at once. That's why I'm holding this because I'm the only one allowed to right now.”

In Jack's hand was a small, polished brass bar with a cushy handle. The top of the brass bar had a gem embedded into it, and the gem was the same color as the crystal-like wall they were looking through.

”Oh, can I try!” asked Lina.

Shaking his head, Jack put the bar away. ”Sorry Lina, but I'm the only one who can use it during the auction. But I'll make sure to get you something good, how about that!”

”Yay! Thanks, Big Brother!”

Enjoying the sight, everyone chuckled. The mood was very light in the room. Even though they knew Jack was likely going to go after the most valuable items, none doubted his ability to get them. So while some nobles or royals were nervous or anxious, everyone in Jack's room was smiling and waiting to enjoy the show.

Jack wasn't nervous, but he was pensive. He was determined to take whatever he wanted, but he also had to keep in mind not to go too far overboard without a good reason. But he also knew that if the entire third day they only sold legend-tier items, then Jack would take them all.

Obviously, it was likely that there wouldn't be that many legend-tier items up for grabs, but Jack would be willing to get anything so long as it was really worth offending someone to get it.

They watched the crowd pile in.

This time, the entire first floor wasn't filled with commoners, but with nobles. Since so many royal families had come and the strongest of organizations as well, only the most powerful of noble families could get a spot on the second floor.