The Eve
While Mr. Gaston finished appraising the two items and issuing the appraisal document, the "Silent Winter" oil lamp finally sold for 4,200 pounds.
The buyer was none other than Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina Edwards.
Fitting, Ebner thought with a smile. "Winter" paired with "Iceberg"—a perfect match. Then he noticed Lydia eying the metal bottle with interest, yet looking repulsed by its silver material.
Next to her, Terrance seemed equally interested and couldn't help asking, "Mr. Gaston, could I possibly buy that?"
"It's likely going to be auctioned shortly; just make your bid when the time comes," Mr. Gaston said, signing his name on the appraisal document with a smile.
"Good, then…" Terrance murmured, seemingly unfazed by the thought of affording it.
Lydia, overhearing this, decided to stop hesitating. When I want to try out its random effects, I can just borrow it from Terrance, she reasoned. Though I might not be around long—at most, another week.
---
After the "Silent Winter" lamp was sold, the auctioneer, Heloise, also known as the "Corrosive Viscount," continued with a series of items, including another supernatural item and two sets of ingredients, before finally bringing out Dawak's two items. After a brief introduction, she displayed Gaston's appraisal document.
While the pirates showed little interest in the dagger, the silver metal bottle attracted a lot of attention, with the bidding rapidly increasing.
Ultimately, it was Terrance who won it.
Watching the young man eagerly clutching his prize, Ebner considered offering a set of charms that could reveal the bottle's enchanted effects.
But then, he thought better of it. Even if he prayed to the "Unknown Land" for help, the process would be both time-consuming and complex, though not particularly expensive in terms of materials. So he simply advised Terrance to be cautious of any negative effects from the bottle's contents and turned his focus back to the trading floor.
After Heloise finished the auction of materials, she started seeking bids on behalf of the Black Emperor for potion formulas and major ingredients. Unfortunately, none were offered, and no deals were made.
Following that, she resumed her role as auctioneer, allowing the pirates to sell or purchase their items.
Among the pirate admirals, only Iceberg, Ailment, and Star had come looking for materials; none of them offered items for sale.
Vice Admiral Pale was the only one who presented something: a Baron of Corruption's Beyonder characteristic, not for pounds but for an equivalent exchange in weapons.
The item was ultimately purchased by the Black Emperor's captain, who agreed on a location for delivery.
---
On the Death Announcer, "Slaughterer" Kircheis kneeled reverently, kissing the deck and saying, "My King, all fleets have started reporting in, and they'll be fully gathered near Tuin Island by tomorrow morning at the latest.
"Also, the Captain has tested Nast's response; he's clearly inclined toward Vice Admiral Pale."
It was evident the "King" Kircheis addressed was not Agalito.
The area was silent, and no one replied. Kircheis, however, murmured to himself, "So, Emperor Roselle really was connected to your adversary… And the tale that Roselle himself named Yadabao… it's true?"
Moments later, Kircheis shuddered as though struck. His face grew unnaturally flushed. Yes, "flushed" was indeed unnatural for him.
Lowering his head, trembling, he said, "Please forgive my presumption, my King."
Yet, his color did not return to normal. Sweat streamed down his face, and his features contorted in obvious agony.
After several minutes, he kissed the deck once more, his voice trembling. "I won't question again…"
He took several deep breaths before regaining composure as if responding to something unseen. "Understood, my King. The Captain already has a plan to stall Nast."
---
Inside the black palace on the cliffs, the pirate congress grew livelier as the value of traded goods gradually decreased.
During this time, Alger successfully acquired the Black Panther's spinal fluid and the crystalline essence of Elven Spring that Klein needed.
Unfortunately, no one's offering the Finks Lion's complete brain or a Gem Dragon's heart that I need, nor the Golden Gondola's wing feathers for Xio… Ebner sighed. Beyonder ingredients at Sequence 6 are indeed hard to come by.
Seeing that the auction level had dropped to Sequence 7, Ebner decided to meditate and enter his own Study Space. He then reached out to Edwina using the star they'd connected during their last exchange, requesting permission to "visit."
Within seconds, that same star reformed into a door and opened wide.
As he stepped inside, Ebner took a quick look around. Feels like I've walked into a museum.
Unlike his own Study Space, a celestial expanse dotted with stars, Edwina's space had neatly arranged display stands, each section colored differently to indicate type.
Approaching one, Ebner observed that it held no ancient artifacts or treasures but shining stars—just like in his own space, each star represented a piece of knowledge or an ability.
She keeps it all so organized; mine seems chaotic in comparison…
Just then, a clear voice came from behind him: "That stand contains everything I know about the Fourth Epoch's Pale Catastrophe.
"If you're interested, I'm open to an exchange."
Glancing back, Ebner noted the stand was green.
So green indicates historical knowledge. Nodding in acknowledgment, he turned to see Edwina seated before a display, engrossed in reading. He smiled and greeted her.
"Good evening, Ms. Edwards.
"Though… how does one actually make an exchange here?"
He'd already tried reaching for a star, only to find it unresponsive to ordinary methods.
"In essence, the Scholar's Exchange is meant for exactly that—an exchange of knowledge. It's a straightforward process; in fact, you've already done it," Edwina explained, her tone that of a teacher.
"You mean the star we used to establish a connection?" Ebner deduced after a moment.
"Correct. As I mentioned, the ritual is based on forming a bridge through knowledge. So, theoretically, if you're willing to offer a piece of knowledge another Polymath finds valuable, they'll be inclined to open their space to you…" Edwina paused here, her expression turning serious. "In the future, it would be wise to avoid relying on the same star for repeated contact."