Orb Of Miracle

The moment she entered the auction house, she felt an aura similar to the pendant on her hanging on her neck. 

It was a ring but its appearance was nothing elegant so it was easy for it to be mistaken for cheap jewelry. 

However, in reality, it was a family heirloom passed down generations after generations. According to her father, the pendant is a gift from their ancestor to protect his descendants from harm. 

It was a tale that would make any child look up to their ancestor. 

The pendant also emits a unique but desolate air around it and only those of her family could sense its unique aura. 

This is the reason why she was surprised when she felt the familiar signature coming from that certain room. 

But she didn't act, nor did she make any suspicious movements. 

Their family lived a peaceful life, away from the troubles, by concealing their heritage and true ancestry. 

Hence, she initially thought that whoever is inside that room might be also one of them, a descendant. 

However, as the auction resumed and time passed by, the attraction of the aura even made the pendant on her neck quivered and buzzed. 

It's as if it wanted to go that way and reunite with its true owner. 

'But if it's true…' 

Grasping the pendant with her delicate hands, Adeline's pupils brightened in hope. The empire had been threatening her the moment the crown prince escaped the empire due to 'that' incident. 

Her name plummeted and the safety of her family is at stake. Once her title became null, they would become prey for those greedy people. In this generation, the bloodline they preserved for hundreds of thousands of years might even cease to exist. 

Adeline stared at the VIP room 25 and her expression gradually became firm. 

For the sake of her family's safety, she had to meet this person who has the same aura as the pendant in her possession. 

Even if she sacrificed herself in the process, as long as she could fix the mess she made, she would do it at any cost. 

'Father, Mother…' 

...... 

'What's the problem with her?' Hans thought. 

Even without looking, the crown princess' gaze was still directed at them. It was uncomfortable but since he's the one who started anyway, he just ignored it. 

There are more important things than trying to comprehend the thoughts of a woman. 

"Our 50th item and the final one…"

On the stage, Garrett grabbed the black cloth and swept his eyes around the people waiting in anticipation. By building the tension, the impact would be more massive and for sure, these buyers wouldn't hesitate to burn their money. 

"The Orb of Miracle!" 

At that moment, the lights turned off and the spotlight gleamed only towards the auctioneer. 

Garrett yanked the cloth off, revealing a glistering ball of blue light held by a metal stand. It has a clear and smooth edge judging from the reflection of lights hitting on it. 

On the outside, it has a circling ring with unknown patterns inlaid in it. The ring is gold and the sound of mechanical gears constantly leaked as it circled the orb. 

"Behold ladies and gentlemen! The orb of miracle is said to be one of a kind and you might not see this in this auction again or even in your lifetime!"

Kacha—

The glass box containing the orb opened under an unknown mechanism. 

"According to the seller, this orb can increase probabilities, be it in crafting, skills, or even finding treasures!!! You can use it once every day! We have tested it ourselves and we can assure you that this item is a real deal!" 

Waaaaah—! 

The crowd bustled in noise after Garrett introduced the item. Their lips curved and a flash of greed glinted in their eyes. Smiles were forming everywhere and satisfied expressions were plastered on their faces. 

Even Hans, who was about to leave once the items were announced, raised his eyebrow. 

He has skills that rely on probabilities like the [Double Barrage] and this orb seemed a perfect fit for his taste. 

At this moment, Ella's face brightened seeing Hans' interested eyes fixed on the orb. 

"Will you bid, Sir?" She asked. 

Hans responded with a smile. 

"Let's see…" 

In fact, Hans wasn't even sure if he would bid. It's not because he doesn't want to but rather his money might not be enough to fight for it. 

Overall, he has 11 Emeralds. One came from Isaac and the other 10 is the payment for the wyvern's body. The orb might be priced at more than 20.

But still, he's gonna try his luck. 

"The starting bid is… 100 Rubies!" 

The moment Garrett declared, countless voices rang everywhere. 

"100 Rubies!!!" 

"150 Rubies!!!" 

"300 Rubies!!!" 

"400 Rubies!!!" 

On a VIP seat, Claus' face flushed as his pupils seemingly ogled at the orb of miracle. For a blacksmith like him, any objects that increase the probabilities were like priceless treasures in their eyes. 

Upgrading an item has an extreme difficulty and requires a veteran and expert blacksmith for it to be done. 

However, the blacksmiths also rely on the probabilities. 

That is, the probability of success. If he had this item from.m the start, his failed creations might have succeeded. 

Therefore, he had to get this item at all costs. 

"10,000 Rubies!" Claus' deep and rough voice echoed inside the auction. 

The noisy crowd immediately fell silent. Like a domino effect, their heads simultaneously turned towards Claus' VIP room. It was then followed by murmurs and whispers. 

"Sigh—, there they are."

"And here we are bidding for hundreds…" 

"Haha, this would be a really fierce showdown." 

..... 

Garrett just announced the start of the bidding and the price of the Orb of Miracle already shot upwards like a cannon. 

At this time, due to the item's miraculous function, the auctioneer didn't even care if the person who bid was from a high position or not. In their heads, whoever has the most money will win. 

Seeing such effects, Garrett grinned. He glanced at Lady Emilia and saw her expression that was full of satisfaction and delight. 

He nodded. 

"Anyone going higher than 10,000 Rubies?" Garrett asked the audience. 

'Someone might bid for 20,000…' 

But contrary to his expectations, one of the VIPs raised the price by a very large margin. 

"100,000 Rubies." a voice with a soft and young tone echoed in the heads of everyone. Their jaws dropped at the audacity of this person to raise the price by over 90%.

Their surprise didn't end there. 

"150,000 Rubies." 

"160,000 Rubies."

"200,000 Rubies."

"250,000 Rubies."

VIPs showcased their fortune one by one and the price of the orb continued to increase. Bidders from the ground floor were already slumped on the seats. The sky-high price these rich nobles are bidding for was just too much for them. 

Although they know these VIPs are rich, it made them envious knowing that one of them could take home the item. 

Therefore, they had chosen to give up. Even if they borrow money, they'll just be in debt for nothing. 

The Crown Princess, Adeline, shifted her attention back to the auctioned item. A light appeared in her eyes.

"Hmm… 500,000 Rubies." 

As an expert alchemist and the main supplier of the empire, she has accumulated wealth throughout the years. Just like a blacksmith, an alchemist also relies on luck and probabilities in certain sections. 

Not even 3 seconds have passed, and another voice coming from a VIP room rang. 

"600,000 Rubies."

It was Claus. Other royal families followed. 

"750,000 Rubies." 

"900,000 Rubies."

"1 Emerald!" 

"2 Emerald!" 

Hearing the prices, Hans, who was about to bid, stopped. A million Rubies is equivalent to 1 Emerald but these nobles could increase them like they are nothing. 

'Seems like I won't be able to get this… what a pity.'

[Hmm… we should've robbed the Baru Empire first if this would happen.]

'It's too late for that.'

Hans could only sigh in regret. Time passed by and the price of the orb already surpassed Hans' entire wealth.

"50 Emeralds!" This time, Claus' voice rang in hesitation. 

Other families have already given up. They felt like it was not worth the money anymore. Only two people remain. 

"60 Emeralds!" Adeline bidded. 

At this moment, Claus' red face glanced at Adeline's location and gritted his teeth. It seemed like the woman had been targeting him from the start. 

He doesn't want to lose and at the same time, he wants this item. Fifty Emeralds already took a toll on his savings and if he increased, the woman would surely increase it by a little which would lead to him increasing again. 

To break that, he had to bid higher. 

'This would be my last…'

Claus took a deep breath and listened to Garrett's ramblings. With a loud voice, he spoke. 

"500 Emeralds!" 

....... 

Hans chuckled in embarrassment. He thought that his 11 Emeralds could at least fight for the finale but it seemed like it was just wishful thinking. 

He wanted to leave now and take a long rest but he felt like he might miss something once that happens. 

At that moment, Hans' eyes shifted towards several people slowly moving from the crowd. They moved stealthily so it's hard to notice their presence. 

However, with Hans' eyes, he could see them as clear as crystal. 

[Suspicious…] 

'Indeed…' 

Although he does not know what their purpose is, he somehow has a hunch of what it could be. For now, he'll just watch and let it happen. 

Maybe, he could also use this opportunity. 

Hans glanced at Ella's elegant face and asked. 

"Ella, how strong are your guards here?" 

"Uhm, why do you ask?" Ella tilted her head. 

"Is there an instance where your auction is robbed?" 

"Ah? So security issues? Don't worry Sir Hans, they are 1st Class Knights. The thieves wouldn't even think of robbing our auction."

"Is that so…" Hans muttered. 

It seemed like she was really confident in their security. 

[Do you have a plan brewing in your head?] 

'As of now… none.'

As Hans glanced at the auction stage, his eyes narrowed. 

'But later, maybe…' 

.........… 

"700 Emeralds!" Claus yelled. He didn't even conceal the grit in his voice. 

But Adeline remained unfazed. Without hesitation, she increased the bid once again. 

"800 Emeralds."

As if water overflowed in a cup, Claus's rage exploded. 

Booom—!

A berserking mana swept through the venue and Claus' chair directly shattered from the force. The walls in his VIP room cracked and the ceiling formed lines. It was a sign that the man was enraged. 

"Adeline! Are you purposely provoking me!!?" 

Claus's face was flaming as his murderous aura shot toward Adeline's direction. 

"Sir Claus, please calm down, and let's settle your anger peacefully." 

Claus had just stood up from his shattered seat when three figures appeared on the auction stage and with Lady Emilia's gesture, the three figures swiftly surrounded Claus' vicinity. 

Swish—, swish—, swish—

The people on the ground floor already rushed to exit as they don't want to be involved when things like this happen. 

Of course, they didn't really leave but instead stayed at a distance where they could spectate. 

On the other hand, Hans remained in his seat and grinned. He could somehow piece the puzzles now. 

The guards of Claus also moved and stood around him with a tense expression. This was a territory under the Emperor himself and once a conflict broke out, they would definitely lose a lot of money. 

Claus waved his hand to stop the movement of his men. Although he's angry, he's not stupid enough to fight the auction house. 

After all, his enemy is the woman in that booth. 

"Adeline come out there and face me!"

"I don't have time for your pointless arguments." Adeline calmly replied. 

"You bi—" 

Before Claus could even finish, Adeline interrupted. 

"Do you want me to read you the rules of the auction?" 

"Do you think I'm stupid?!" Claus shouted. 

"I didn't say that." Adeline stood up from her seat and exited the room. 

Claus' eyes stayed at her like a venomous snake ready to kill her at any given time. The atmosphere tensed up and even Lady Emilia was ready to intervene once these two fought. 

"In an auction, the one who bid the highest gets the item…" 

At that moment, Adeline turned her head, glanced in Hans' direction, and shifted her eyes back to Claus. 

Then, she continued, "...so stupid guy, if you don't have money, then get lost already."

..........

Hearing the crown princess' words, Hans reflexively knitted his eyebrows.

[She's learning your ways.]

'I feel like a proud father. It's strange.'

[...]

Hans glanced at the tension budding on the ground floor before his gaze shifted to the auction platform. 

With his lips curled, Hans muttered. 

"These guys have really done it."

While these people were arguing with each other, the Orb of Miracle already disappeared.