Chapter 535: Phoenix Feather

Chapter 535: Phoenix Feather

Well start the main portion of the Night Auction with The gorgon paused, allowing a two-part sword to float in.

Dallions heart skipped a beat. Could that be a world item? If he wasnt wearing the blocking bracelet, he would be in a position to ask. As things stood, though, he had to guess, same as everyone else.

The Wetie Blade, the gorgon finished. The weapon of choice of the first Archduke of the province, the weapon was lost in the wilderness during the Archdukes unfortunate demise. Let me assure everyone that the authenticity of the item has been guaranteed and beyond doubt. Considered exceptionally powerful at the time, the Wetie Blade is officially recognized as a conduit weapon, allowing magic channeling, provided its owner has the magic trait. Bidding starts at twenty-five thousand.

So, thats what the main part of the auction meant. The items were a whole different level. If up to now, the things on auction were novelties and decorations, this had practical appliances. The shape resembled the weapon Dame Vesuvia had when fighting the chainling. From what Dallion could remember, her blade was surrounded by several layers of air, making it capable of slicing through anything without any danger of getting corroded or corrupted.

We have twenty-fine thousand. Does anyone want to offer thirty?

Bids increased by five thousand at a time, exceeding Dallions funds in seconds. Falkner wasnt kidding when he said he couldnt afford anything from here on. Watching how things were going, he regretted not buying some of the earlier items. Then again, they wouldnt have offered him much.

The next item, ironically, was a kaleidervisto. The initial price started a lot lower than the blade, but quickly ramped up to forty thousand. No sooner had that been sold than Falkner leaned forward. Anyone could tell that was the item he was looking forward to.

Okay, lets see what you find so important, Dallion thought.

Next, we have something rather exquisite, the gorgon said. The necklace of the Second Empress.

A golden necklace made its way to the pedestal. Unlike all previous items, however, this one didnt float, but fluttered of its own accord.

Dallion blinked. There was no mistake that the item in question wasnt an object, but an actual creature.

One of the only two known flutterblades in existence, Eos announced. It was said to have been found in the wilderness by the second empress herself and in gratitude became her familiar. After the empresses passed away, the flutterblade was passed on to from mother to daughter and so on for generations.

Theyre selling creatures? Dallion tried to concentrate on the creature, but the cursed bracelet prevented to use his empathy or music skills. If he was in the front rows, there was a chance that he would be able to speak with the creature, or at the very least hear it. At present, though, the distance was too large.

Thats what youre going to buy? he whispered to Falkner.

The tradition was unfortunately broken a few months ago, when the familiars previous owner passed away without having any female heirs, Eos continued. The imperial family, thus, decided to part with the item. Needless to say, that apart from being exceedingly beautiful, the necklace can also serve as a protector and companion to all that have it, as long as they are female. For those unaware, flutterblades have the ability to slice through all common materials, and a few not-so-common ones, as if they were made of silk. And yes, that includes people as well. So, if you obtain it, best be sure you dont mistreat it. Rumor is that the flutterblade will slice the head off anyone she finds unworthy.

As if to prove the point, the creature flapped its wings twice, slicing off a small prism of the pedestal.

And, as you can see, it has a cutting sense of humor and the ability to understand three languages.

Polite laughter followed throughout the room.

Initial bidding starts at fifty thousand.

Immediately, Falkner raised two fingers. The price was beyond anything Dallion could afford. Personally, he didnt think he had the means even to assist.

Sixty thousand, the gorgon said. Seventy. Eighty.

Maybe Ill have a chance, Dallion thought. The amount he had was pitiful in comparison to everyone else, but if the item was linked to a prerequisite than no one else hadthe empathy trait, for examplethere still was a chance that he might be able to buy it.

The light crystals got even dimmer to the point that the only thing visible was the pedestal and the gorgon on the podium behind it. A large bird-cage covered in sun gold cloth.

Finally, we begin the highlight of the auction, the gorgon said. The first item isnt something that youre likely to your yourself, but it would make for more than a perfect gift, especially to a close friend or family member.

The cage cover was pulled off. There was a cage pretty much as Dallion expected. Secured in it was nothing less than a single blue gema skill gem. The sight was enough to cause a few nobles to gasp in surprise.

You are not mistaken. What is offered is nothing less than a wild skill gem with the ability to grant scholar skills to anyone with a desire to obtain them. As all wild skill gems, this one is hereditary, ensuring that an entire family line would take advantage of its benefits. Some might even say that its a good investment, even if you dont have anyone in mind to give it to. After all, who is to say what will happen in five years? Or even ten?

The whispers increased.

Starting bid is five hundred thousand.

I thought it was forbidden to sell skill gems, Dallion whispered.

The Imperial Family is allowed to, Falkner said. As is the Academy.

That made even less sense. Neither of the two were in need of money. They had more than enough, not to mention they could make gold themselves.

The price quickly jumped, moving past a million. No one hid their desire to obtain the item. There was no telling when another would appear, so no one wanted to lose that chance. The price kept on rising to two million, then three. One by one, bidders dropped off in groups. Finally, only one remained.

Sold for three million and two hundred thousand.

The number was so high that Dallion didnt even find it real. He honestly had no idea what he could buy with such an amount. It was no longer a matter of money, but a display of power.

And now, with that done, we come to our conclusion and the crowning event of the auction. A single marble box floated in, no larger than the one Dallion was given for his chips. I present you the box opened, revealing a single knife-like item made entirely of purple light a phoenix feather.

Thats not supposed to exist, Dallion gasped.

At least, that was what Nil had told him. According to the echo, there was no such thing as phoenixes in this world. Not only that, but Dallion hadnt found any reference of similar creatures in any scroll or tome he had read, even the bestiary hed received. And yet, something claimed to be a feather of such a creature was glowing before his every eyes.

Found in the northern wilderness by a group of hunters and brought here in secret. It is the only known item to guarantee awakening. Sent down to the world every few centuries by the Purple Moon himself, such feathers are jealously guarded by the Order of the Seven Moons. The one and only time it was used was at the death of the fourth emperor, when his one and only hair was about to ascend the throne, unawakened.

Dallion let out a mental sigh of relief. So, the old echo hadnt lied to him after all. The weather, it turned out, was sent by a deity. The name, though, was most peculiar.

Have you seen one of these before? Dallion whispered, unable to take his eyes off the feather. The allure was so great that, for a moment, he considered whether he could obtain it through force. Not that he needed ithe was already awakened. However, he just had a burning desire to own it for the sake of owning it.

Youre joking, right? Falkner said, no less mesmerized. You dont get to see something like that in a single life-time. This is incredibly fortunate. And to think that the special items werent even originally announced. Someone must have included them in the last few hours.

The coincidence was so remarkable that Dallion had no doubt that it wasnt random. Two once-in-a-lifetime sales taking place on the very same day he got to take part in the Night Auction defined any odds. Someone had deliberately put them for him to see. The question was why.