Chapter 94 – Mana Stone Auction House

A high-end mana stone auction house where only those who passed a strict screening could participate.

The dome-shaped ceiling of the building sparkled like a star-studded night sky, and the names of legendary mana stones auctioned in the past were engraved on the walls, glowing blue.

A circular platform in the center where all eyes and lighting were focused.

A display stand made of white marble rose slowly, emitting a low vibration.

What was placed there was Garnet Blood.

It was a blood stone, a mana stone that emitted a red radiance.

Considering its function alone, it was an item that sufficiently proved its value, but the highly finished form and color went beyond the category of a mana stone, approaching a completed work of art.

Traditionally, the currency used in mana stone auctions was Credits.

It was a wizard’s currency issued by the Goblin Bank located on the Sky Island, with the Magic Tower carving engravings to prevent forgery, and was mainly used on the Sky Island.

1 Credit was equal to 1 denarion when the value of the imperial currency was intact.

Usually, the price of a blood stone was 10 Credits for low-grade,

30 Credits for mid-grade,

and 100 Credits for high-grade.

However, since the blood stone presented in this auction house was a high-end item, its starting bid was exceptional.

“The starting bid is 1,000 Credits. The bidding increment will be 500. If it exceeds 10,000 Credits, the bidding increment will be raised to 5,000.”

As the auctioneer’s voice echoed, all eyes in the hall gathered on the central platform.

“Then, we will begin the auction. The first item to introduce is Garnet Blood. It is a blood stone of the highest purity.”

The participants began to show interest.

“1,500 is bid. 2,000. 2,500. 3,000. Any more bids at 3,000?”

Neatly dressed,

a participant with an extraordinary build raised his hand and showed five fingers.

“5,000! We have 5,000. Any more bids?”

Known as a chair professor of the Magic Tower, he was one of the celebrities who had recently been purchasing mana stones aggressively.

“If there are no more, I will knock it down at that amount.”

Mana stones were essentially close to consumables.

Even for high-grade mana stones, it was common to discard them once the mana contained within was depleted.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Extremely rarely, unique mana stones existed that not only possessed sentience but also generated mana infinitely, but they were not put up for auction today.

If it were such a mana stone, the bid would naturally have gone higher.

However, Garnet Blood was merely a high-end blood stone.

Kane did not think it was very pleasant to buy that for 5,000 Credits either.

Nonetheless, the reason he could push himself a bit was that he had succeeded in gold transmutation and could literally print gold coins.

The printed gold coins could be taken to the Goblin Bank and exchanged for Credits, and thanks to that, his Credit balance was also quite generous.

Just as it was about to be knocked down,

a participant suddenly interrupted.

“5,500! It is 5,500.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on the participant who raised the bid.

She was a young noble lady who looked aristocratic at a glance.

Unlike ordinary noble ladies who won the hearts of those around them with warm smiles, her expression was cold, giving the feeling that she kept her distance from her surroundings instead.

‘Is it that woman again?’

Kane’s expression stiffened.

According to what he had investigated,

she was said to be the head of the Sanctum family, renowned in the Order, and an active Inquisitor.

And the direct blood relative who executed Vane Sanctum, who had briefly joined the Lazarus Club.

‘I cannot fathom the reason at all. A mana stone without sentience is merely a consumable… Does she have some perverted hobby of collecting mana stones?’

Among wealthy nobles, there were those with refined hobbies.

Like selectively collecting uselessly beautiful mana stones like gems.

“6,000!”

Kane raised the bid once more.

“6,500!”

She immediately followed up, and Kane openly grimaced.

‘Damn it. If only that incident had not happened.’

Since he had succeeded in gold transmutation, he did not lack gold coins.

The problem was that he could not exchange all the printed gold coins for Credits.

The Order’s sudden raising of suspicion played a big part in this.

Even though he had not even mentioned it, the Order unexpectedly spread suspicions through various media outlets asking if gold transmutation had been successful.

From then on, the Goblin Bank refused gold coins entirely, and setbacks became unavoidable for his plan to leisurely secure Credits with the printed gold coins.

‘If I do not print them recklessly, the trust in gold coins will recover, but then the meaning of succeeding in gold transmutation will be lost.’

At any rate.

For that reason, his Credit balance was generous but not infinite.

‘Troublesome.’

His wealth as a chair professor of the Magic Tower was also among the top,

but it was still not comparable to the assets of the Sanctum family.

How could a religious household possess so much money?

It was an incomprehensible family.

‘This auction is a bust too. Since she will follow me to the end just like last time.’

While he knew when to stop,

that woman seemed to not have the word ‘moderation’ in her head at all.

Her wealth was one thing, but she was purchasing mana stones fearfully, throwing away her entire fortune.

That appearance looked as if she knew the value of gold would become worthless in the future.

“Any more bids at 6,500? Knocked down!”

Simultaneously with the bid being knocked down, she cast a brief glance without turning her head as much as possible.

Kane concealed his expression and bowed his head slightly to her.

It was a formal courtesy.

However, what she returned was a truly faint and subtle sneer.

‘Really. A displeasing wench.’

What he won at the auction today

was not a single thing.

It was all thanks to her interference.

* * *

A meeting place between the Emperor and the Guild Federation ambassador was set.

The location was the reception room of the Apostolic Palace in the capital Basilica of the Holy Blood State, which was a neutral zone.

Currently, forces supporting the Emperor and forces supporting the revolution coexisted in the Order, and it was also the only place both the Emperor and the Guild Federation agreed on as the meeting venue.

Rashid, heading to the meeting venue with Kaiser, grumbled.

“Where on earth did that woman go, and why do I have to tag along as your escort?”

As forgiveness is easier than permission,

Kaiser smiled like a person who had already received permission.

“Help me out a bit. There was virtually no one but you who could keep Ryden in check.”

Limiting the escort forces on both sides to the minimum was what had been agreed upon before the meeting.

As a result, the knights who could attend the meeting room were also limited to one for each faction.

In this assembly, the Emperor chose Ryden, while Kaiser and Ambassador Cockle designated Rashid.

“That woman should be supporting you by now, right? Have you still not made a deal?”

As far as Rashid knew, Kaiser had Varasha as an ally at this point in time.

Thus, the person to go out to the meeting room in his stead was naturally her.

“About that… I do not know well either. While pretending to cover for me, a spy, she is subtly keeping her distance.”

“What on earth did you do wrong?”

“I do not know what I did wrong, but I heard Eisen visited here in the capacity of a special envoy.”

“Eisen Bernstein? You mean the chief of the Allied Kingdoms’ central intelligence?”

“Yes, it seems he came and said something. She already knew my identity as well—that I am not the real Kaiser.”

“…”

While moving to the meeting location,

Rashid wore an unsatisfied expression.

“That woman must be on your side by now. Only then can she keep Ryden in check on the night of the revolution.”

Rashid did not forget to add these words either.

“Honestly, I am not at the level to face Ryden yet either.”

Ryden and Varasha.

The martial power of both was top-class in this world.

In particular, Ryden was the main NPC representing the game Lazarus.

“I might be able to hold my ground to some extent, but as of now, that is all. We absolutely need Varasha.”

A bitter look flashed across Kaiser’s face.

“What can I do when it does not work? Honestly, that woman, isn’t she quite firm in her principles? It seems the fact that I am not the real Kaiser has held me back from gaining her decisive trust.”

“What on earth did you do that Eisen came all the way here to expose your identity?”

“Well… since they pestered me so much to do some spying, I handed over a piece of useful information. It was a photo filled with my sincerity. I put some strength into my middle finger.”

“You did a foolish thing.”

“The habit I had in the game ended up coming out. I just could not bear not sending it.”

“I did not avoid doing that stuff either, but you still should have been careful.”

“What can we do? The water is already spilt. I must endure it.”

“Do you think Varasha… is completely finished?”

Kaiser narrowed his brow.

“Honestly, I do not know. Still, we are not in a hostile relationship. At least she will be sincere about the revolution. Since she is that kind of character.”

“I suppose so.”

There was still time left before reaching the meeting venue.

Rashid asked something else.

“More importantly, what are you thinking? Why did you accept a meeting like this? I heard the Emperor proposed it first? That woman needs time right now. You must absolutely not give her time.”

“If you ask why I fell for an obvious trick, I would like to answer that I had my own thoughts.”

“Thoughts? What thoughts? What on earth do you plan to do by meeting the Emperor who has authority? It is a defensive battle anyway.”

“I have authority now too.”

Rashid’s steps stopped.

“No way, did that speech skill or whatever turn into authority?”

Kaiser, as if boasting, responded with a bright smile.

“Indeed. Finally, I, who only had a mouth to speak, have even obtained authority.”

Authority.

It was not a light name.

It was just absurd that the power of authority was loaded into his mouth.

“Ridiculous. Is it definitely effective?”

“Flowing Water of Green Mountains. After maxing out the sub-status of Speech, its name changed like that. It does not apply to every word I speak, but when I attempt to persuade someone with intent,”

Kaiser displayed a deep smile.

“they are almost always persuaded. Unless it is a special case, everyone falls for my words. In return, it must make some logical sense. If the logic is heavily lacking, they cannot be persuaded no matter what I say. That would be a restriction of its own. Authority is not omnipotent either.”

Rashid expressed doubt.

“But if it makes logical sense, aren’t they almost always persuaded anyway?”

“No. Not everyone is like that. Because emotional aspects clearly exist as well. For example, if it were you, could you negotiate with a mortal enemy? Even if it benefits you, if you cannot accept it emotionally, it ultimately does not work. No matter what conditions are offered, it gets blocked by emotions.”

“Ah, is that what you mean?”

“Yes, it felt as if emotional elements were somewhat excluded. It was the kind of feeling where they would mostly fall for it if it made logical sense.”

“Incredible. To think such authority exists.”

Rashid began moving his steps again.

“Then, do you think she will be persuaded by that authority of yours?”

“I will have to try first to know. Actually, it is fifty-fifty. Since she also possesses authority.”

Rashid recalled her, who was frequently utilized as another main NPC and promotional model of the game, just like Ryden.

The red-haired, red-eyed vampire Emperor.

Yennifer Crimsonrose.

-Sitting upon the red throne, she shall never be forgotten.

This

was the sentence that painted her, a Lazarus Villain, most vividly.

Recalling this, Rashid shook his head unconsciously.

“It will not be easy. Because what that woman wants is too obvious.”