Chapter 151 - The Illegal Auction Cannot Be Stopped.

"But then why is there still an illegal auction going on here almost every day?" Hecathe tilted his head and asked with a smirk, "If the guilds wanted to stop them, why would they have not stopped them already?" 

"..." 

LeiLei was silent as she heard this question because she knew that this question didn't have an easy answer. 

"The guilds can't support them openly but at the same time, they can't get rid of them either because a lot of the tourists are attracted by this illegal auction. In fact, it's the only thing attractive about this place."

"And the food as well," Marvin muttered as he added. 

LeiLei's eyes widened ever so slightly as she heard Hecathe but before she could say anything, Hecathe sighed as he continued. 

"Don't get me wrong, this is a really beautiful city with a lot of... Unique people," He sounded a bit hesitant as he said this, "But it's not really that desirable of a destination spot considering how foreigners are forced to pay twice as much as the people who are originally from here," Hecathe shrugged his shoulders as he tried his best not to offend the girl. 

However, at the moment, Hecathe really couldn't figure out whether the girl was offended or not because her expressions were simply a bit mixed and indecipherable. 

"The extra money paid by these foreigners is then collected by the guilds as tax which brings a huge cash flow from the tourist industry," Hecathe added as he continued nonchalantly, "Have you ever wondered why everything is sold for a relatively lower price for you here than what it costs in Zeblor? It is because people who originally belong to Ocasia get special treatment and their role in the economy is ironically not that large." 

Marvin nodded his head as he heard this and the boy could clearly agree with Hecathe because he already knew all these facts.

"Most of the money going around is earned through the tourist industry. Ocasia is such a small city and the money that goes around in this place is naturally limited, but with the help of these loaded tourists, the case becomes slightly different," Hecathe spoke seriously as he put all the facts together and came up with a believable factual conclusion. 

"The extra money that we tourists pay is later collected by the guilds in the form of tax and this tax is used as subsidies for everyone," Hecathe let out a small sigh in disbelief as he spoke, "If the illegal auction was to stop then the tourists that come here would also stop and that would mean a dip in the income curve. The money would be lost and we are not talking about some meager few millions, we are talking about losses that cost even more than the city itself. The prices of products and services would start to rise and the salary provided to the people would not be sufficient enough to meet their needs and demands." 

LeiLei's eyes widened ever so slightly as she heard this and she gulped in surprise. 

"Putting an end to this illegal auction would be like purposefully dropping a hammer on one's own leg and that is something that the guilds cannot afford to do and so, they simply leave the auction alone. Sometimes, ignoring is the best option that you have left on your plate," Hecathe ended his explanation and now, both LeiLei and Marvin looked to be a bit impressed by the man. 

"When did you come up with all this?" Marvin raised his eyebrows and asked with a suspicious gaze that was fixed on Hecathe. 

Hecathe chuckled as he heard this question and shook his head as he refused to give an answer. 

"Sir, then this indirectly means that the one organizing the illegal auctions is more powerful than the guilds...?!" LeiLei sounded a bit panicked as she asked with shock. 

Hecathe nodded his head with a smile on his face as he confirmed it, "The one who owns that auction controls a large part of the money that flows in the economy. Have you never heard about the saying that the one with money naturally has power and with that power, that person becomes the secret ruler that the world had never seen?" 

It was certainly the first time that the two were hearing such a saying but it was a good thing that they understood it pretty quickly. 

"This is the case. Rather than saying that the owner of the auction is more powerful than the guilds, it would be much more accurate to say that the owner is the one secretly controlling the city and the guilds along with it." 

Marvin and LeiLei gulped in unison as they heard this and looked at each other as they both understood what Hecathe was going to do next.

"Hecathe, if what you say is right then I don't think it is going to be easy to buy the auction house," Marvin pointed out as he guessed what the man wanted to do. 

Hecathe let out a dry chuckle as he heard this and patted Marvin's back as he responded, "I am not planning on buying it. How can I buy it when I don't even have the money to buy it?" 

"..." 

"I am simply going to borrow it for some time," Hecathe added with a wicked smile and Marvin couldn't help but feel a little uneasy as he saw that smile. 

"But do you even know who the owner is?" LeiLei was the one who asked with a frown as she curiously looked at Hecathe. 

Before Hecathe could say anything, Marvin also nodded his head as he agreed with the girl and spoke up, "Nobody knows the owner. He is said to be a mystery that has lived for centuries without being found out." 

"That's a bit of an exaggeration... Isn't it?" Hecathe's eyes twitched as he asked, "Nobody can live for centuries." 

Marvin shook his head as he spoke, "This man can because the owner has a special ability which makes him immortal." 

Hecathe's eyes widened slightly as he heard this and this was certainly the first time he was hearing this new piece of information. 

To think that the owner had such a special ability... It perfectly made sense and at the same time, it also felt a little amazing. 

"If he's an immortal then he would certainly try to remain hidden," LeiLei sighed as she spoke dejectedly and Hecathe almost wanted to laugh as he heard this. 

"I know him," Hecathe casually commented. 

"..." 

Marvin and LeiLei snapped their heads towards Hecathe and looked at the man in shock as they repeated his words through their head. 

"You are kidding... Right?" It was Marvin who questioned in disbelief first. 

Hecathe softly chuckled as he shook his head and asked, "Why would I be joking about something like this?" 

LeiLei and Marvin looked to be even more shocked and suspicious of him. 

"Prove it," LeiLei spoke straightforwardly as if the girl was trying to challenge Hecathe. 

Hecathe sighed as he shook his head and started walking, "Let's go then."

LeiLei gulped as she heard him and it took a minute for her to follow after him with much hesitation. 

"Do you think his delusions are starting to get a little out of hand?" LeiLei leaned over to Marvin and asked in a whisper. 

Marvin sighed as he shrugged his shoulders and responded sarcastically, "If it goes on like this then tomorrow, he might as well start saying that Dorgon's are good house pets." 

"..." LeiLei gulped as she heard this but didn't dare say anything to that nor did she want to laugh. 

How could she possibly tell the boy that Hecathe had already crossed that stage of making a Dorgon into a house pet...?! 

The two followed Hecathe in silence and Hecathe led them to the illegal auction house where there was another auction held today. 

The venue didn't look to be packed from the outside but once they were inside the auction house, it could be seen that the place was filled with people. 

If Hecathe hadn't been one of their important customers than the three would have surely been unable to enter this place today. 

LeiLei was also surprised to see that Hecathe was personally welcomed by the auctioneer who would hardly go out of his way to greet people like this. 

"Sir," The auctioneer beamed as he greeted Hecathe and he looked to be a little surprised when his eyes caught a glimpse of Marvin and LeiLei, "You're not here alone today?" 

Hecathe nodded his head with a smile as he politely responded, "I am with a few friends." 

For some reason, LeiLei and Marvin felt a little touched to hear the man referring to them as friends. 

Normally, Hecathe would act as if the other two were just subbordinates who could be casually replaced. 

"I see," The auctioneer nodded his head in understanding as he bowed and greeted both LeiLei and Marvin. 

Marvin also greeted the man back, "We meet once again."