Negotiation

Gab does not have a habit of gossiping. However, he couldn't help but be curious about what atrocities this man did which caused his name to plummet and eventually became the world's most wanted fugitive.

Even then, he didn't ask, nor did he delve deeper into it.

"By the way, are you going to the Beast Empire?" Jacob asked as he plucked the dirt off his wet clothes.

Deep in his inner thoughts, Gab was pulled out by Jacob's sudden question.

He sat down on a snapped tree trunk and sighed heavily.

"Yeah. I have to find something so…"

"Really?" Jacob raised his eyebrows in delight and continued, "Why don't we go together? Well, I'm going there too. I might as well have someone to talk to on the way."

Gab nodded and lowered his head to think about it. There are still two days of journey to the Beast Empire. According to the map, if he followed the trail to the Land of Death, he'll eventually get there.

However, dangers always accompanied the way.

There's no telling if he'll meet an aggressive enemy he couldn't defeat. Despite having Amador as his backup, that was not enough assurance.

The Land of Death is notorious for its mysterious past and its extremely complex maze-like paths.

But with Jacob accompanying him, not only could he avoid dangers but if he ever encountered them, at least someone would save him.

Gab raised his head with a firm decision. He stood up from his seat, approached Jacob slowly, and stretched his hand out.

"Let's do it." Gab said.

Jacob received the hand with pleasure and responded with a smile.

.........…

Having been to an auction site twice, Hans had a strange feeling the moment he entered a secret door leading to a staircase down to the basement.

The unpleasant scent of varnish tickled his nose as he trudged downwards.

Fortunately, the wyvern's body managed to fit inside, or else, he'll just gonna have to wait outside for the manager to come.

Along the way, various collections and other defective or unknown items entered his vision. They were plastered on the wall and covered by a dense glass box whereas few were just hung like weapons and such.

Even though he hadn't confirmed it, he caught a glimpse of little bulbs and unfamiliar mechanisms hidden in each item.

'An alarm?'

Hans smiled and eventually turned his gaze away. His hand ran through the glazed handrail and he felt mana coursing into it.

'Even the staircase looks expensive.'

This auction house truly boasted how rich they were.

"Welcome, Sir?"

A woman standing well over 5 foot 6 bowed and enthusiastically greeted him. She has a beautiful skin tone partnered with a gorgeous smile that could seemingly make any man drool.

As soon as Hans approached, a sweet fragrance of fresh jasmine perfume tickled his nose which triggered a refreshing feeling around the area.

Hans's eyebrows scrunched together. He suddenly felt bad having smelled like a mixture of rust and sweat.

"Hans." he introduced.

"Hans…" The woman nodded and smiled, "Sir Hans. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ella, the auction manager."

The woman stretched her hand and introduced herself. As Hans accepted the handshake, the two conversed for a brief moment before he was led to a private place where the transaction would transpire.

The private room is only a few feet away from the stairs and no other people beside them could be seen. Hans felt like he was on a hot seat as he stared at the woman's seductive figure who, in turn, occasionally showed off her massive curves.

'She's really doing it.' Hans thought.

[Hans, do you want to listen to one of my best-selling books, 'How to resist seduction 101'?]

'No, thanks. I can handle it.'

He'll decide when to get laid but it's definitely not now. The auction might have thought that he was young and full of vigor, that's why they sent a gorgeous lady to negotiate with him.

The reason is unknown but Hans has a hunch that it might be to lower the price in case he wanted a higher rate than what they offered.

Since young guys are easy to fool once their brains are transferred to their d*cks, these planned seductive actions would surely work well.

Of course, this only works for the chosen ones, where in this case, the perverts. They easily succumbed to the temptation that they sometimes forget what they came here for.

[Damn, you don't want my trillions of years of wisdom?]

'You can't even remember names right. What wisdom are you boasting?'

[Err… that… actually makes sense.]

Hans ignored Plundy and went back into his usual calm demeanor. The woman often sent glances at him but Hans only smiled in response.

"Tea?" Ella asked.

"Coffee."

As Ella went outside to brew a coffee, Hans' eyes restlessly scanned the room. His perception spread on the ceiling, then on the wall until it covered the whole room.

This transaction is private and Hans was making sure that no eyes were peeking on the walls or ears eavesdropping on their conversation.

This has become a habit every time he enters an unfamiliar place. Being overly cautious is sometimes not a bad thing after all.

Hans retracted his perception back as he sensed the door click. Ella sauntered through the room with two cups of coffee slid on her fingers.

He was about to receive it but the woman offered to put it in front of him instead. Thus, Ella showed her plump chest which Hans could feast through with his eyes.

'This woman…'

Although Hans wasn't tempted, he couldn't help but look. Instead of lust, it was more of admiration.

After all, seeing the woman's delighted face, she looks like she's really working hard. With that, the woman sat across the table and crossed her legs together.

Hans took a sip of coffee and leaned his back on the soft couch. He crossed his legs and his fingers steepled together.

It looked sexy but due to his hideous mask, the charm decreased.

"I'll go straightforward with you. What's your best price?" Hans asked calmly.

"One Emerald Ston—" However, before Ella could even finish, Hans interrupted.

He stood up and pulled his collar up as if threatening to go away. He repositioned his swords and walked towards the door.

"I'm sorry but it seems like I went to the wrong place."

This auction is clearly robbing him. If he auctioned it to those nobles, he might get 3-10 Emerald Stone depending on the demand for diluted dragon blood and wyvern's venomous gland.

It might even be higher if the buyer will have many competitors.

On the other hand, Ella immediately senses the change of mood.

Her chest tightened.

'I must not let him leave!'

Without hesitation, she sprang out of her seat and grabbed Hans's elbows with her tiny hands.

The owner of the auction house contacted her the moment she brewed the coffee. According to him, they must acquire the wyvern's body but of course, at a low cost.

Also, the owner included Hans' friendship and any ways of contact. After all, in their eyes, since Hans could kill a wyvern, which is rare to see, his strength surely proved that he's worthy of befriending.

"Sir Hans… I apologize for my mistake. Please, we'll also consider your price as long as you say it!" Ella spoke hastily. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at Hans's face.

Hans stopped in his tracks and turned towards the woman. His eyes sharpened.

"Fine, I'll give you a chance."

"Thank you, thank you, sir!"

Ella let go of his elbow and they both went back to their respective seats. Silence permeated around the room.

Heaving a soft sigh, Hans immediately spoke.

"10 Emerald Stones. That's my best price."

The woman fidgeted her finger and bit her lips. Hans' offer could already supply a 2nd Class Empire with a year of food or even more.

It was a ridiculous amount and the auction house might only get a little profit with it.

At that moment, her conversation with the owner played in her head once again.

"If possible, seduce him to reduce the price. He's a young man right? I'm sure he wouldn't be able to resist you."

Thinking about it, her head was a mess.

'No, my lady you're wrong. This young man isn't easy to bewitch.'

Her seduction skills are already good but despite that, the man didn't even have a shred of lust in his eye.

She had seen him occasionally glancing at her chest but rather than ogling at it, the man only displayed an expression of appreciation.

At that moment, her eyes inspected Hans. Now that she sees it, this man looks otherworldly.

Although he's only showing half of his face, his perfect jawline and velvety lips sent goosebumps to her skin. His cerulean eyes stared at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Unknowingly, Ella's breath became ragged. Her heartbeat quickened. With her eyes closed, her expression became firm.

Ella opened her eyes and stared at Hans eye to eye. Then, she stretched her hand.

"The payment will be delivered to you shortly. Thank you for making a deal with us, Sir Hans." Ella spoke delightfully.

Although she's hurt by the price, as long as they get to Hans' good side, it's worth it.

Hans smirked and accepted the handshake.

"It's my pleasure."

He was all ready to give the wyvern in 5 Emerald Stones but Ella started with a very bad price. Thus, taking advantage of the opportunity, Hans quickly changed his mind and increased it to ten.

'They seem desperate for it.'

In truth, that wyvern wasn't even complete anymore. He already kept the scales and skin just enough to make a complete full-body gear set.

He did not get the wyvern heart as according to a Plundy, it might drain all of the wyvern's blood.

But thinking about it now, he should have kept it to himself too.

While Hans waited for the auction house's payment, Ella kept him entertained. She also gave him privileges that only some VIPs could get.

On the other hand, the wyvern's body was escorted by 3 people.

"We will have an auction 20 minutes from now and the products will surely satisfy you, Sir Hans."

The woman invited him. To be honest, Hans doesn't want to as he really wants to rest. Physically, he's not tired but his head was already mentally exhausted.

However, he also doesn't want to pass up such a good opportunity.

Perhaps, he might find something in there that might be useful to him or even…

'A clue to the Ruined King's Tomb.'

Thus, Hans eventually accepted Ella's invitation. He also wanted to see if he could scout someone worth being an ally.

After all, he would be a Duke tomorrow. At the least, he should have connections.

..............

Ella led Hans to a VIP room with a large glass wall, obscuring people from the outside from peeking. The privacy made Hans satisfied. With this, no one should be able to deduce who he is.

Hans sat on a comfortable chair while Ella stood on the side. A wooden table was in front of him while the whole auction venue could be seen through the glass wall.

The VIP room was elevated so it was easier to spot every single person who'll enter the venue.

"Can I see what will be auctioned tonight?" Hans asked.

"Ah, yes." Ella restlessly scanned her space ring and pulled a long sheet of paper. As she handed it to Hans, she added, "Some of them don't have photos in them due to strict rules."

Hans received the paper and immediately browsed the items one by one.

[Ravenna's Feather.]

[Stone of the Burning Ocean.]

[Twin Snake Blades.]

[Hafulgen Dagger]

[Rune Stone: Air Step.]

Overall, 50 items are being auctioned. 40 of them have pictures that he could inspect but the last 10, don't have one other than their names.

While Hans browsed the list of items, the people below scrambled as a noble entered the venue. Hans noticed this and his eyes immediately shifted toward the newly arrived people.

Hans eavesdropped on the crowds chattering as he had no idea who these people are.

"That's the guards of the Crown Princess!"

"Sigh—, look at her. She looks really gorgeous."

"Tsk Tsk but what a pity, the crown prince left her alone. She will lose that title soon."

"Shhhh, lower your voice. Don't talk about the crown prince loudly or you will get punished by the law."

Hans raised his eyebrow as he heard their conversation. Instead of the crown princess, he's more interested in the crown prince they mentioned.

Since he's a prince, then he must be the Emperor's son.

But why did his name seem forbidden to mention?

'Ah, that's right.'

Remembering Ella's beside him, Hans turned his head. Perhaps this woman might know.

"Who is the crown prince?"

Ella flinched. She restlessly turned her head around and after sensing that no one heard Hans, she sighed in relief.

"Is it really bad to mention him?" Hans asked once again.

"Yes. The empire is trying to erase him from history after all."

"Is he still alive then?"

"Uh… yes. '

Hans's brow raised.

'Whoever came up with that law, doesn't know how to do a proper job.'

If they truly want to erase that man in history.

'They should have killed him.'

[Maybe, they can't?]

'Hmm, then he's either too powerful to kill or too hard to find but that's also unlikely.'

Hans' eyes moved at the crown princess. Since the empire has his wife, then it's just normal to use her as bait right?

'But they didn't.'

Why?

[No use thinking about it Hans. The people of this empire are just that weird.]

At that moment, Hans chuckled.

'Fair enough.'

After the venue and the VIPs arrived, Hans straightened his back. The lights turned off and the room became silent.

Then, as if an alarm set 5 in the morning, an annoyingly loud voice resounded in their ears.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen!..."

With the auctioneer's greeting, the auction finally started.