"May I see your invite, please ?"

Ben was standing in front of a massive three-storeyed mansion.

Behind him, a line was starting to formed.

The lady in front of him was beautiful. She had short blonde hair and a snatchy blue gown with fine embroidery.

A gentle professional smile on her face as she asked Ben for his invite.

Looking at the way she was dressed, Ben figured this person must be an important figure of the auction house. And behind her stood two giant guards, staring vigilantly in all directions like a hawk.

’Sigh... the twins never mentioned this.’

Ben was in a pinch; he never expected entrance to this auction house to require an invite.

Dawn Auction House.

A business owned by the Dawn family, wealthy nobles from the imperial capital.

They are said to have multiple other ventures, but the most famous one is their auction house, which has branches in every central region of the human kingdom.

Some even say they have branches in other races’ kingdoms as well.

There is no specific merchandise that their auction houses carry. All that matters is that the product is unique, special, and of very high quality.

Merchandise like this would most likely be allowed into their catalogue for their once-a-week regular auction, and for the really special merchandise, it would be held for their once-a-month special auction.

And today just so happens to be their once-a-month special auction, which will run from mid-noon till late in the evening, frequented mostly by the very wealthy, the powerful, or influencial individuals and organizations.

And apparently, special invites are needed to get in. Neither Kiar nor Run mentioned this. They probably didn’t know either.

The state of the duchy does not influence the auction house, as nobles from different regions, as well as other powerful and wealthy folk, usually flock into Telon for the monthly auctions.

The goods that would be on auction could range anywhere from powerful weapons and treasure to miracle potions and magic beasts, as well as their by-products.

No one ever knows what the Dawn auction has accumulated in stall for their monthly auctions, but it’s never disappointing.

This is why influential people from all walks of life flock to get a piece at the end of the month, and some even wait for the grand auction that takes place once a year.

Where monthly auctions are carried out in different branches of the Dawn Auction Houses once every month; the grand auction only takes place in the imperial capital for one day in a year.

Also, depending on the region, the quality of merchandise varies, as more powerful and influential regions has those capable enough to afford the more expensive merchandise.

The monthly collated goods for auction here in the duchy are always a grade below that of the branch in the central region of the much powerful grand duchy.

Likewise, the branch in the imperial capital holds monthly merchandise that is a grade above that of the grand duchy.

"Will this do ?"

Ben asked as he handed the plaque he had received from the guard at the estate gate over to the lady standing at reception at the entrance of the auction house.

The lady observed Ben’s plaque, a subtle raise on brow, then smiling softly in her usual professional manner, she bowed a little in greeting....

"Welcome to Dawn Auction, Mr Hardwood. I’ll guide you."

The lady offered, taking the lead as Ben followed behind her in relief.

What Ben failed to notice was the look of surprise on the faces of other dignitaries standing behind Ben.

Ben, on the other hand, was glad the plaque had worked. So, he kept observing around him, looking at the arriving carriages, with both men and women alighting in grand fashion.

Ben could tell that he had arrived in a different world. Everyone was either flashy and dignified, or noble and mysterious.

A guest was even veiled in a cloak, some serious and all business, and others looking like they came for some fun times.

But every single one of the arriving guests was exhuding an essence not below at least the warrior realm.

Ben had even sensed the presence of someone at the noble realm, though they were wearing a cloak and he couldn’t see their appearance.

Ben had arrived relatively early, and from his understanding, it might even take at least two extra hours for the auction to start....

But the guests were already flocking in. And the ladies were simply breathtaking.

They all looked incredibly beautiful. However, there were only one or two Ben had seen without partners and only their guards.

In fact, everyone seemed to have come with their own guards, except for a few exceptions.

Ben had never seen this lady lead any of the other guests that had been granted entrance before him, which made him wonder why he was getting such special treatment as he observed her from behind, also guaging her aura.

She was a master realm knight. mid to late stages.

There were other auction staffs and servants attending to the arriving guests, but this person was clearly a different cut from the rest.

From what Ben could tell, even these guests were treating her carefully.

"This way, please, Mr Hardwood."

The lady turned with a professional smile, gesturing for Ben to follow her up a series of staircases by the right-hand side of the entrance.

Ben was a little suspicious of why he was being led through the right staircase, since the guests before him were directed to take the left.

Still, he chose to keep to himself and also keep his guard up, ready for anything.

The stairs, as every other part of the large building, where beautifully crafsted, a testament to just how wealthy the Dawn Auction house is.

The stairs finally came to an end, meaning they were now on the topmost floor of the mansion. Before Ben was a winding passage containing sparce doors, evenly spaced out, with just two in his line of sight, and others around the bend.

The lady walked towards one of the doors and opened it up. Gesturing for Ben to enter.

Inside was a breathtaking view. There were exquisite furnishings and paintings.

But those were not the most interesting part. The room had no front; it was an open space with a beautifully carved railing and a fancy seat set in front, a round table to the side.

’So, this is a viewing area!’

Ben thought in realization as he walked over to the railing, and as expected, he was looking down on a massive stage below with purple curtains, as well as a seating area containing incoming guests with aleast a hundred neatly spaced seats.

Ben realized he had been brought into a private viewing area on the topmost floor.

And he counted that there were six other viewing areas in a circular path from his.

The other private viewing areas appear to be empty at the moment, which led Ben to wonder what caliber of guests would be ushered into them.

He also wondered why he was being treated like a ViP.

"Enjoy your stay, Mr. Hardwood. I’ll send an attendant over shortly."

"If you’ll excuse me"

Saying this with a professional smile, the lady retreated from the room, drawing the door close.

Ben stood there for a while, looking below at the slowly filling sitting area, before finally sitting down on the chair provided, his expression marred with worry.

Ben currently had a growing concern.....

He was being treated like a VIP for some reason....

But he was actually dead broke.

He didn’t even have a penny to his name.

’What have I gotten myself into?’

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