LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 48 - Tollois Auction House (1)
Chapter 48. Tollois Auction House (1)
“Young Master! I’ve checked everything. This should be enough!”
Kuze shouted cheerfully.
He held a leather pouch filled to the brim with troll blood they had hunted just moments before.
“This should more than suffice as an entrance ticket to the Tollois Auction House. Especially since we even managed to get Finn Troll blood.”
The Finn Troll was a mutated species of troll.
Unlike ordinary trolls, which were enormous, the Finn Troll was smaller than an adult human.
Finn Trolls were born in groups of five, compensating for their smaller size by working together as a tight-knit unit.
It was known that their blood was valued more highly as an entrance pass to Tollois than ordinary troll blood.
“Let’s go, Kuze.”
Rubin spoke as he wiped his dagger on the corpse of a dead troll.
Kuze looked at Rubin with admiration.
Even though there weren’t many trolls in this area, how could he remain so calm?
Furthermore, as a direct descendant of his family, Rubin likely had little to no experience in actual combat, let alone encounters with beasts.
But Rubin’s combat ability was far beyond imagination.
Winning the ‘Second Selection’ was clearly not a coincidence.
Although Kuze didn’t know what events had unfolded during that test, with skills like Rubin’s, he could have handled anything effortlessly.
‘In fact, these questions are trivial compared to the Young Master’s true objective.’
The conversation from the previous night.
After hearing Rubin’s goal of severing the ties between the Lillic Empire and the Assassin Blade Family, Kuze was convinced that no revelation would surprise him anymore.
“Young Master, we should arrive at Tollois by midday the day after tomorrow.”
After returning to the carriage.
Kuze piled the leather pouches filled with troll blood on the roof of the carriage.
Seated at the coachman’s seat, Kuze started the horses moving again.
The horses, perhaps excited by the scent of troll blood on the roof, began galloping even more vigorously than before.
‘Arriving at midday… We’ll get there at a suitable time.’
The entrance time for the Tollois Auction House was right after sunset.
Instead of a specific hour, it was set based on sundown.
“Have you ever been to the Tollois Auction House, Rubin?”
At Haneke’s question, Rubin recalled his past life. He had passed through Tollois on a mission and had visited the auction house then. He’d managed to learn about the structure and operation of the auction house over those few days.
“It might sound odd, but I’ve never been there in my seventy-something years. It’s quite famous, after all.”
‘Regardless of its fame, Tollois isn’t exactly a place for renowned aristocrats to visit. There are more prestigious auction houses in the capital.’
Rubin said this, but he knew Haneke was unique.
The reputation of the Tollois Auction House rivaled any auction house in the capital.
Haneke, descended from the noble Brion family known for its military history, simply hadn’t been interested.
Other nobles, however, were different.
Tollois was a place even the most esteemed ‘Imperial Nobles,’ who held status greater than royalty, occasionally visited for entertainment.
One reason nobles could come and go freely was that they didn’t need to leave their names.
Whether noble or commoner, those who entered the auction house were recognized not by name or status but by something else.
‘Anyway, it seems Haneke will get to experience Tollois Auction House for the first time.’
“So to be honest, I’m quite looking forward to it.”
‘You’ll definitely be satisfied.’
Rubin’s carriage continued onward with minimal breaks.
The city of Tollois was located on the northern border of the Kingdom of Rihon.
Although it technically belonged to Rihon, it was practically an autonomous city ceded to the Empire.
‘Two days west of Tollois lies the “Ashen Port.”‘
Rubin mentally organized his upcoming journey.
If things went as planned, he would be able to wrap up his business at the Tollois Auction House within a week.
Rubin had already arranged the next destination.
‘Ashen Port.’
While the ‘Silver-Haired Rebel’ Yan and the Tollois Auction House were unexpected events, Ashen Port was not.
Since deciding to head to Capotini, he had included it in his itinerary.
Beyond the western border of the Kingdom of Rihon lay Ashen Port.
As a direct dominion of the Empire, it was a key stop for ships traveling to the western part of the continent.
‘If I’m lucky, I might even board the “Blue Cat.”‘
Anyone with even a slight interest in ships would know of the Blue Cat.
Ashen Port was its port of departure.
In his past life, Rubin had been interested in the Blue Cat and was determined to see it in person during this journey.
“Young Master.”
Kuze called from the coachman’s seat. Realizing they had arrived, Rubin lowered the window of the carriage to take a look.
Beyond the hill, the outline of Tollois came into view. At that moment, Haneke let out an exclamation.
“Is that Tollois? How does a city look like a ‘man wearing a hat’?”
Rubin chuckled. He had thought the same thing when he first came to Tollois in his past life.
A massive mountain.
And halfway up that mountain was a giant disc-like structure.
“Is that rimmed structure the city?”
‘That’s the auction house. The ground shaded by the rim is the actual city.’
Haneke laughed heartily, seemingly understanding why it was called the ‘City of the Auction House.’
The upper part, the ‘awning layer,’ appeared more splendid and sophisticated than the ground below.
‘The ground layer barely receives any sunlight compared to the awning layer.’
“That’s amusing. Does that mean the auction house people are more important than the citizens?”
He wasn’t entirely wrong. As a special zone, the auction house was exempt from the laws of all kingdoms, subject only to the rules of the auction house.
“Young Master. Shall we head directly to the auction house? The timing is perfect; we should be able to enter right away.”
“Yes, the sooner, the better.”
The day was nearing its end. By now, the auction house would likely be selling tickets.
* * *
In Tollois, the city was referred to as the ‘ground layer,’ while the auction house was called the ‘awning layer,’ mimicking the shape of a hat brim.
The city on the ground had no specific gates and was always open to entry and exit.
The auction house, however, was different. To reach it, one had to ascend to the mountain summit via the city’s central avenue.
At this moment, the central avenue was bustling with carriages that had gathered from all corners of the continent.
“Young Master, there are so many people here.”
By the time Rubin’s carriage entered the central avenue, dozens of carriages were already lined up, waiting to enter the auction house.
“Is there a festival or something?”
‘No. This is just normal. There are special auction weeks each season, but this isn’t one of them.’
When an item of immense value was put up for auction, the auction house adjusted its schedule to place it during a special auction week.
The crowds during such weeks were incomparable to usual.
Now, people were only packed into the central avenue as they waited to enter. During special weeks, the line would extend far beyond the city limits.
Moreover, auction item information was sent to royal courts, so it was possible to catch glimpses of royalty then.
“Someone’s coming this way.”
Up ahead, auction house attendants began walking between the carriages, selling tickets.
All the attendants wore sealskin cloaks, a symbol of the Tollois Auction House.
Thud, thud.
Skipping formal greetings, the attendants neither checked identification nor travel permits.
They simply peeked into open carriages and asked:
“Who is the representative?”
“I am.”
Rubin raised his hand.
“Your assigned number is 6321. Have you prepared the troll blood?”
“Here it is!”
Kuze, who had already untied the pouches of troll blood from the carriage roof, held one containing ordinary troll blood and another with Finn Troll blood.
“Let me verify.”
The attendant pulled a cloth from his pocket and dipped it into the blood inside the pouch.
Sizzle—fwoosh!
The attendant wrapped the cloth around a stick and lit it on fire.
Troll blood burned with a green flame, and this was the verification method.
“Oh.”
Finn Troll blood was slightly different.
While the center of the flame remained green, the edges took on a yellow hue.
The attendant’s eyes widened in satisfaction at the sight.
“A rare Finn Troll. I’ll place you in the priority queue.”
“Thank you.”
The attendant did not wonder how a young noble managed to acquire such rare blood.
Part of it was protocol, but it was also because this was an auction house that attracted the most bizarre individuals from across the continent.
Being surprised by something like this would make the job difficult.
“The main auction procedure will be conducted in the awning layer. What will you do with the carriage?”
“Please store it for me.”
Some people stayed at the auction house for months and left their carriages to be looked after in the meantime. Rubin, however, had no such intention.
“Kuze, leave one leather pouch on the roof.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
This was for Tina.
Arriving in Tollois later than them, she would find the carriage and use the remaining troll blood to purchase an entry ticket.
“Oh, leaving some troll blood? With that amount, you could even receive a complimentary item in the awning layer.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
The attendant clicked his tongue.
“Please extend your hand.”
The next procedure. Rubin and
Kuze extended their hands, and the attendant applied fluorescent paint to the back of their hands.
The paint was enchanted, serving as their entry pass to the auction.
Though it appeared simple, it was a high-level marking spell.
Swoosh.
A faint ripple emanated from the painted area.
Their entry passes were successfully issued.
“Just a warning, in case you’re thinking of causing trouble inside. The place is swarming with individuals possessing exceptional martial skills.”
The attendant recited the scripted warning smoothly.
Rubin and Kuze nodded as if it were a matter of course. No one with any sense would initiate conflict inside the auction house—at least, no one among them would.
* * *
“Are you here to auction an item, or are you a bidder?”
The receptionist asked, also wearing a sealskin cloak.
“I’m here to auction an item.”
“Your assigned number is 6321… Understood. Please enter through the door to the right.”
The receptionist gestured with one hand. Looking back, Rubin saw the door, specifically for auction participants.
Even in his past life, Rubin had experienced this.
Everything was mechanical.
All the servants in the auction house, including the receptionists, operated like cogs in a machine, moving the auction house forward.
Following the receptionist’s instructions, Rubin approached the door to the right. As he neared, the door slid open automatically.
And there, a wide-open view greeted him.
The fact that they were at the summit of a mountain hit him once again.
“It’s dizzyingly high.”
Mount Tollois.
The city was on the ground layer, the ‘awning layer’ was the auction house, and at the summit was the reception area.
Visitors granted entry at the ground level would board a narrow-gauge train at the auction house, spiraling up to the mountain summit.
Then they would face receptionists one by one, with participants and bidders separated as Rubin had just experienced.
Thud, thud.
A lone table and chair sat in the middle of the spacious hall.
Rubin took a seat and looked out the glass window while waiting for the next step.
“Kuze.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“How much money did we receive for living under cover?”
“The initial funds are 30 million Rilk.”
This was the sum provided by the family for Rubin’s undercover life. Since it was initial funding, he could request more if needed.
Additionally, trivial expenses like the Disguised Residence and other arrangements were handled by the Imperial Edict Office, meaning Rubin’s funds wouldn’t be spent on them.
“30 million Rilk… I’ll definitely need more money.”
At Rubin’s murmur, Kuze’s eyes widened.
Although 30 million Rilk wasn’t a massive fortune, it was sufficient for leading a concealed life.
Why would that not be enough? A vague unease began to creep into Kuze.
“Young Master, could it be that your reason for coming here is…?”
“Why else would I be here? I’m here to sell my Fiery Jade Stone.”
To be honest, Kuze had never imagined Rubin’s purpose for visiting the auction house would be to “sell something.”
Considering Rubin had stayed only in the Ronan estate, Kuze thought he was merely visiting one of the famous sites he had long wanted to see.
But his purpose in coming to the auction house wasn’t as a bidder; it was as a seller.
‘Is that red wood scrap even worth selling here? Just how much does he intend to sell it for?’
Kuze felt an increasing urge to resolve his concerns quickly, but unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance. Just as he was about to ask Rubin a question, the auction item appraiser appeared.