“An impromptu auction? Is the next auction still far away from being held?” As the question left Valyr’s mouth, the young man knew very well that auctions were generally held at certain intervals, which would allow the auction houses to have enough time to accumulate enough precious items that could be sold for high prices.

With that in mind, the term ‘impromptu auction’ somewhat confused the young man. After all, if there was only a small bit of time left before the auction, say a month or a couple of weeks before the set time, one could instead ask to bring it forward and include his spear as an item to be sold in the auction.

With the level of authority he held as the leader of Algerie Kingdom’s Blacksmith Guild, Julian could easily do that.𝒩𝗈𝑣𝐥xt.𝒞𝑂𝔪

Yet, from what Julian was implying through his words, it looked like there was more to the matter than it initially seemed.

“Well, about that…” Flashing a bitter smile at Valyr’s question, Julian let out a low sigh. “Due to the orc outbreak becoming a more common topic among the people, especially the noble families and clans, the time for the usual auction was brought forward, pretty much leaving all of the auction houses with next to no items to sell.”

“But, as I’ve said earlier, I was able to make an impromptu auction happen by pulling a couple of strings and using a few favors from some people I’ve met in the past,” added Julian, faintly making Valyr wonder as to why the former was going to such great lengths to help him out.

“Fortunately, the auction houses were on board with the idea since they wanted to capitalize on the increased demand for precious items due to the orc outbreak,” said the man after that, a slightly proud smile adorning his face soon after.

“Eventually, other special people joined in as well, bringing the quantity and quality of items to be sold in the impromptu auction to a level where it was more or less comparable to a normal one.”

“And since you’ve had me come here to the guild so early… I’m guessing the impromptu auction is going to be held later?” Feeling like the answer to his earlier thoughts were not that deep, Valyr pushed the thought aside for the meantime as he asked Julian a question.

“I wouldn’t have sent you a message last night if it wasn’t.” In response, Julian gave the young man a playful grin.

“How many hours left till the auction starts?” Scratching the back his head for a bit, feeling slight regret at the fact he did not sleep in for a couple more hours, Valyr eventually shrugged his shoulders as he thought to himself that the current situation was not all that bad.

“About six hours or so.” Taking a look out his workshop to check on the sun’s position, Julian eventually turned to look back at Valyr, who seemed to have an annoyed expression after hearing his response.

Letting out a bit of awkward laughter in response to the expression, he then added, “With that much time left before the auction, I suppose you have more than enough time to restore your armor to its original condition, perhaps even enhance it.”

“Speaking of which, do you want me to convert the gold coins in the sack I’ve given you into platinum cards?” Though an annoyed expression still lingered on the young man’s face, Valyr nodded in agreement to Julian’s suggestion, thinking that even lugging around 300 platinum coins would be a faint burden.

Similar to the conversion rates of the other types of coins Valyr had come across so far in his journey, a platinum card was equivalent to 100 platinum coins. If one were to convert a single platinum card into the lowest denomination of coins, then one would come face to face with a hundred million copper coins.

With Julian proceeding to convert the gold coins he had given to Valyr into platinum cards, the two of them unsurprisingly spent the six hours before the auction in the Blacksmith Guild. During that time, he had asked for Julian’s help in giving some of the platinum coins he had earned to Arcenne and her father while spending another portion of his money on some materials that he bought from the guild at a discounted price, using it to return his armor to the way it was.

Eventually, the entire six hours had passed.

…

“So, what do you think?” Stepping foot into what looked to be a large theater, Valyr and Julian was instantly greeted by the sight of multiple people having already occupied the thousands of seats that were available, prompting the latter to look at the former with a slight grin.

“Since it’s impromptu, it’s actually quite surprising to see so many people attend,” said Valyr in response, being honest in his answer. Naturally, such an answer only made the grin on Julian’s face become wider. “Which auction house are we currently in again?”

“The Leio Auction House.” Urging Valyr to follow him as the two made their way through the auction house’s various corridors, Julian responded to the young man’s question. “It’s one of the more famous auction houses in the continent, being owned by the Meltierre Empire’s Imperial Leio clan.”

“In any case, since the spear you forged is included in the list of items to be sold in this auction, we’ve been given a private room for us to watch the auction in its entirety.” After walking for a few minutes through a somewhat narrow corridor, the two eventually arrived in front of a room that appeared minimalistic, yet seemed to be filled to the brim with amenities and creature comforts. “If you didn’t know, VIPs of the Leio Auction House would be the only ones usually occupying this.”

“Oh, and also, if you want to bid on any items you find interesting during the auction, you’re free to do so.” Taking a seat on one of the exquisite chairs provided to them, Julian looked at the young man that sat beside him for a bit before turning his attention towards the stage at the very front.

“Since you’ve obtained the leader position in the upcoming expedition into the Four Pillars’ Inheritance, the Blacksmith Guild shall foot the cost of five items you may bid in the auction,” said the man soon after, which left Valyr looking at Julian with a surprised expression.

“There are still a couple more things the guild plans on giving you as a reward for upholding the Blacksmith Guild’s reputation, but I’ll save that for when the auction is over.” Hearing these words, Valyr could not help but blink a couple of times, wondering to himself if he was dreaming.

Though, with the hubbub and the clamor enveloping the entire space as it looked like the auction was about to start, a smile eventually emerged on Valyr’s face as a thought popped up in his mind not long after.

‘Man.’

‘Being treated like this sometimes isn’t that half-bad.’