The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: When Wealth Meets Luxury

"And our reputation is spreading beyond the capital."

"That’s expected," Nyxaria said.

Everyone turned toward her.

She calmly continued.

"The nobles are talking about Starlight. Several merchant families have already sent representatives to inquire about purchasing our products in bulk. Two foreign merchants have also requested information about opening trade arrangements."

Aurora’s expression became slightly more serious.

"And?"

"I refused for now."

"Good."

Nyxaria closed her report.

"We don’t need outside merchants yet. We should first establish complete control over our supply chain."

Leonora nodded.

"That’s already being handled."

She opened a separate document.

"Every night, supplies are transported from the main headquarters to Starlight through designated routes. Food ingredients, monster materials, metals, leather, scales, rare components, and other resources are sorted at the headquarters before being sent here."

"And nobody has noticed?"

Nyxaria smiled.

"Nobody who matters."

Herrera added, "The deliveries arrive after midnight. The public assumes we’re using private suppliers."

"Which is exactly what they should believe," Leonora said.

Aoda leaned back.

"Our biggest advantage is that we don’t depend on the local market."

She looked toward the others.

"Other businesses have to search for high-quality monster materials. We don’t."

Andrea smiled.

"We simply send a request."

"And the headquarters provides it," Aoda finished.

Samantha laughed softly.

"It’s almost unfair."

Almost.

The word hung in the room for a moment.

Then Aurora looked toward the Seven Crowns.

"Let’s go through each division properly."

Samantha straightened.

"I’m responsible for the restaurant and food division. We’re currently maintaining three quality tiers for regular dishes, with premium dishes being prepared only from high-ranking monster materials."

She smiled.

"The wyvern dishes have been particularly successful."

Bianca followed.

"I’m overseeing fashion and high-end clothing."

She placed several reports on the table.

"Our lower-priced products are selling steadily, but the expensive pieces are doing surprisingly well. Clothing made from rare monster leather and magical fibers is especially popular among nobles."

Andrea spoke next.

"I’m responsible for weapons and combat equipment."

She looked almost amused.

"The demand is ridiculous."

"Adventurers and knights keep buying everything we put out."

She shrugged.

"Apparently, people like weapons that don’t break."

That earned a few laughs.

Celeste raised her hand slightly.

"I’m handling luxury goods and collectibles."

She placed a list of recent sales on the table.

"The rare collections are performing better than expected. Because we release only limited quantities, demand is increasing."

"Which also prevents the market from becoming saturated," Octavia noted.

"Exactly."

Aoda continued.

"I’m overseeing raw materials."

Her report was considerably thicker than the others.

"Monster scales, hides, bones, horns, crystals, magical organs, rare metals, and several other materials are being processed and sorted here before being distributed to the other divisions."

Aurora nodded.

"And Nyxaria?"

"Security and information."

Nyxaria’s expression remained calm.

"I monitor the staff, customers of interest, merchant activity, noble families, and anyone attempting to investigate Starlight too closely."

She paused.

"So far, nothing concerning."

"Good."

Finally, Valentine spoke.

"I’m handling external relations, customer management, and special clients."

She smiled.

"Most nobles want private purchasing arrangements. Some have already asked whether we can reserve certain products before they’re publicly released."

"And what did you tell them?" Aurora asked.

"That everything depends on availability."

"Good answer."

Octavia looked down at her figures again.

"There’s one other matter."

Everyone turned toward her.

"Our expenses are extremely low compared to our revenue."

She explained.

"Because the headquarters supplies most of our raw materials, our primary expenses are wages, transportation, building maintenance, utilities, taxes, and normal operating costs."

She tapped the table.

"Even after accounting for everything, we’re retaining a very large portion of our revenue."

"How large?" Herrera asked.

"Currently, roughly seventy percent."

The room went quiet again.

Aurora slowly nodded.

"That’s excellent."

"It’s because of Lord Ares," Samantha said.

Everyone smiled.

"Of course," Bianca replied.

"The Great Eclipse gave us everything," Andrea said.

"The power," Aoda added.

"The resources," Celeste continued.

"The opportunity," Valentine said.

"The organization," Nyxaria finished.

Aurora looked around the table.

"And now we’re turning all of that into something that can stand on its own."

There was a brief silence.

Then Herrera smiled.

"Honestly, I still find it amusing."

"Lord Ares wanted a business."

He looked at the mountain of reports.

"Somehow, in less than half a month, we’ve created one of the most profitable commercial establishments in the capital."

Samantha laughed.

"That’s Lord Ares for you."

"He probably doesn’t even realize how successful this has become," Bianca said.

"Of course he doesn’t," Octavia replied.

"Which is probably why he told us to ’just make it work,’" Valentine added.

The entire table fell silent for a second.

Then everyone laughed.

It was almost ridiculous.

Their master had given them Eclipse, access to resources beyond the world’s imagination, and complete freedom to build Starlight.

And his instructions had essentially been:

"We can’t keep relying on robbing bandits and nobles whenever we need money, It’s certainly the easiest way to obtain a large amount of funds quickly, but it isn’t a proper solution."

Yet somehow, that simple order had turned into this.

Aurora gathered the reports.

"Then we’ll continue as planned."

The Private Auction

Several floors beneath Starlight, far below the areas accessible to ordinary customers, was a private auction hall that did not appear on any public map or advertisement. The entrance was concealed behind several layers of security, and only guests who had received an invitation were permitted to enter.

The people gathered inside were hardly ordinary customers.

Several powerful nobles had attended personally, while others had sent trusted representatives. Wealthy merchants, prominent craftsmen, collectors, influential families, and individuals whose fortunes were large enough to make even expensive luxuries seem reasonable occupied the seats and private rooms surrounding the auction floor.

Unlike the merchandise sold in Starlight’s other divisions, the items presented here would never appear in the regular stores. Most were limited in quantity, difficult to obtain, or simply too unusual to be sold through ordinary channels.

At the center of the stage stood Leonora, accompanied by 6 members of the organization. 2 of them operated magical communication devices that carried her voice throughout the underground hall, while the remaining members handled the displays, recorded the bids, and supervised the transactions.

Leonora calmly looked across the room.

Even with several influential figures watching her from the private rooms, her expression remained composed.

"Thank you for attending tonight’s private auction. As I’m sure many of you already know, the items presented here will not be offered through Starlight’s regular divisions. Their quantities are limited, and once an item is sold, there may be no opportunity to obtain another one for quite some time."

A few guests exchanged quiet glances.

The announcement only made the atmosphere more interesting.

"Without further delay, let us begin."

One of the members brought forward a small case and opened it.

Inside was a single dark fang.

"Our first item is a Void Hound Fang. Despite its modest size, the material is highly durable and retains a small amount of its owner’s natural magical properties. It is suitable for weapons, magical tools, and certain alchemical applications."

Leonora paused before announcing the price.

"The starting price is 300 gold coins."

"350 gold coins. Number 15."

"400 gold coins. Number 21."

"450 gold coins."

"500 gold coins."

The bidding continued for several exchanges before finally reaching 900 gold coins.

Leonora waited.

"900 gold coins. Going once."

No one raised a marker.

"Going twice."

She brought the hammer down.

"Sold to Number 21 for 900 gold coins."

The next case was brought forward.

"This is a Magma Tortoise Shell Fragment. Its natural resistance to heat makes it particularly suitable for protective equipment and fire-resistant magical tools. The starting price is 600 gold coins."

"700 gold coins."

"800 gold coins."

"1,000 gold coins."

"1,200 gold coins."

The bids continued until a merchant finally secured it for 1,700 gold coins.

The following item attracted considerably more attention.

Leonora lifted a long, iridescent scale from its case, allowing the magical lights above the stage to reflect across its surface.

"Our third item is a Rainbow Serpent Scale. It possesses good magical conductivity and can be incorporated into equipment designed to handle several different attributes of magic."

The starting price was 700 gold coins.

"800 gold coins."

"1,000 gold coins."

"1,300 gold coins."

"1,500 gold coins."

A noble representative raised his marker.

"1,800 gold coins."

Another bidder answered.

"2,000 gold coins."

The noble representative considered it for a moment before raising his marker again.

"2,300 gold coins."

No further bids followed.

"Sold to Number 8 for 2,300 gold coins."

Leonora continued without hesitation, moving from one item to the next as the members brought them forward.

A Thunderbird Feather starting at 300 gold coins eventually sold for 1,400 gold coins.

An Earth Dragon scale collection beginning at 1,200 gold coins reached 3,100 gold coins.

A Deepwater Leviathan scale, originally offered at 900 gold coins, was purchased for 2,700 gold coins after several merchants competed for it.

The auction remained lively, although the guests themselves were considerably more restrained than the average crowd. There was no shouting across the hall or reckless bidding simply for entertainment. Every raised marker carried a calculation behind it.

Then Leonora announced the next item.

"Our next offering is somewhat different."

A member carefully placed a beautiful white-and-gold music box on the table.

"This is a Celestial Music Box."

Several guests immediately turned their attention toward it.

Leonora opened the lid, and a delicate melody filled the hall.

"The mechanism has been enhanced with a magical crystal, allowing the music to continue without the need for a conventional winding mechanism. Its melody can also be adjusted through the amount of magic supplied to the crystal. The exterior has been crafted with silver, white gold, and several small moonstones."

A few noblewomen in the private rooms exchanged interested looks.

"The starting price is 500 gold coins."

"600 gold coins."

"700 gold coins. Number 11."

"800 gold coins."

"1,000 gold coins."

"1,200 gold coins."

The bidding continued until the price reached 2,100 gold coins, at which point the final bidder lowered her marker.

"Sold to Number 6 for 2,100 gold coins."

Leonora gave the next member a slight nod.

A garment was brought forward, covered by a dark cloth.

When the cloth was removed, several people quietly murmured.

"This is the Moon Serpent Gown."

The gown was made from shimmering silver-blue material, its surface carrying a faint luster under the magical lamps. Intricate silver embroidery ran along the sleeves and waist, while carefully placed moonstones and small pale gems had been woven into the design. The decorations were elegant rather than excessive, allowing the quality of the material itself to remain the centerpiece.

"The primary material comes from Moon Serpent silk. It is lightweight, resistant to moisture, and naturally holds magical enchantments well. The gemstones were selected specifically to complement the material."

Leonora looked toward the audience.

"The starting price is 200 gold coins."

"250 gold coins."

"300 gold coins."

"400 gold coins."

"500 gold coins."

Several noblewomen continued competing until the final bid reached 1,300 gold coins.

"1,300 gold coins. Going once."

A final marker rose from one of the private rooms.

"1,500 gold coins."

Leonora smiled faintly.

"1,500 gold coins. Going once, going twice..."

The hammer fell.

"Sold to Number 4."

The next dress received an equally warm reception.

"This is the Azure Wyvern Dress. The fabric has been reinforced with treated Azure Wyvern material, while the inner lining is made from high-quality silk. The embroidery contains small sapphire fragments, and the decorative pieces around the waist and shoulders have been crafted from polished wyvern claws."

"The starting price is 300 gold coins."

"400 gold coins."

"500 gold coins."

"700 gold coins."

"900 gold coins."

"1,000 gold coins."

The final bid reached 1,800 gold coins.

As another item was prepared, several guests began speaking quietly among themselves.

"Starlight is certainly different from what I expected."

"You mean the quality?"

"The quality, the organization, and the selection. They have only been operating for half a month, yet they’ve already managed to attract this kind of clientele."

"I heard their regular divisions are doing just as well."

"Then whoever is behind this understands the luxury market remarkably well."

Another noble glanced toward Leonora.

"And have you noticed something else?"

"What?"

"Every member of the staff we’ve encountered tonight is a young woman."

His companion looked toward the stage.

"I noticed. They are unusually composed."

"More than composed. Look at the way that woman handles the auction. She has several nobles and merchants in front of her, yet she hasn’t hesitated once."

"That is what interests me. They clearly aren’t ordinary employees."

"Have you heard anything about the owner?"

"Nothing reliable. Some say the business belongs to an old noble family."

"Others claim it belongs to a wealthy merchant."

The first noble smiled slightly.

"Then perhaps we should stop trying to guess and simply enjoy the auction."

His companion nodded.

"Agreed. The next item appears to be worth considerably more attention."

Leonora stood calmly at the center of the stage as another case was opened.

"Thank you for your patience. We will now proceed with the next item."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!