The Elusive Sorcerer

Chapter 173

'I'll be watching your performance... Mr. James Moriarty.'

That was what Luis was thinking as he sat beneath the roof of the hired horse carriage.

The sound of horses' hooves echoed every few seconds as several carriages passed along the road, washing away the tension from the minds of the four occupants.

'Moriarty looks calm even though everything will be decided in an hour. Yes, I hope the plan succeeds as well.'

Evelina, seated beside Luis, wondered whether James Moriarty would survive the auction.

The night in Kuranda was very different from the nights in other cities such as Semilir. Here, the streets along the carriage's route were crowded. The sidewalks were filled with pedestrians, even children who normally should not have been outside for one obvious reason: human kidnappers or supernatural dangers.

But none of that applied here. The sight caused James Moriarty, whose face had previously been expressionless, to reveal a warm smile.

'Should I just have Isabelle stay in this place, finish her education here, and bring the two of them over?'

For a moment, Zavi forgot his original purpose, thinking about the family he had left behind to carry out his duty.

'Freedom of religion is practiced throughout Havanuheta Province, just as the teachings of Goddess Nagreitta have spread across the great cities of Kuranda and Layana. Along the streets are trays filled with various flowers, including the rare crinsen flower, golden plates, black candles, and a dagger with a curved tip pointing upward?'

He knew it because he had seen it with his own eyes, stirring a calm yet piercing wave of spirituality within him.

'So that's why they allow their children outside, because Goddess Nagreitta, known as the Goddess of Night, will bless the night with hidden destinies, believing that life and death rest within "Her" grasp.'

Not long afterward, the horse carriage stopped somewhere at Evelina's command.

"Wait here and stay alert," Evelina ordered firmly.

Luis stepped closer.

"Evelina..."

Evelina turned and looked at Luis seriously.

"What is it?" she asked, confused.

"Look up there," Luis said, pointing upward.

Evelina's eyes widened as she focused on what Luis was pointing at.

There was nothing in the sky except fog, stars, and the moon hanging beautifully overhead, radiating its bright blue light.

"Are you joking?" Evelina said, momentarily forgetting to give her final instructions to the coachman.

James Moriarty knew what Luis was seeing.

'A Tier 3 spell, a domain, huh? So they're preparing themselves, or...'

"There's an intruder," James Moriarty explained calmly and coldly.

Luifis and the coachman both flinched for a moment as the statement sank into their minds.

"How does Moriarty know that?" Evelina asked uncertainly.

James Moriarty adjusted his bowler hat.

"...Just intuition. Nothing more than that," he answered somewhat coldly.

The corner of Luis's lips curled upward after hearing that answer.

"Mr. James Moriarty is quite sensitive to changes in the situation as well," Luis said quietly. "And have they already entered the place?"

"It's not that easy," Evelina replied, wanting to continue, but James Moriarty calmly interrupted.

"Evelina and I are the distraction so all of you can enter the auction."

After leaving the sidewalk where they had been standing earlier, the four of them stood before a steam-powered elevator, the very elevator that would take them into the underground world where the Ountakana auction was being held.

'How did I only just discover that hidden beneath a pile of garbage, covered by crates filled with spoiled fruits and vegetables, there was an elevator this impressive?'

James Moriarty looked at Evelina with silent admiration, unbeknownst to her.

'Heh, you deserve sixty-five percent of the total.'

He imagined how difficult it must have been for Evelina to gain access to this elevator without anyone noticing.

Of course, they knew those ten people were below them. Yes, the underground world lay directly beneath the marketplace, stretching as far as the Soiscle Company building, the banquet hall, the Darnda Parliament Building, and even the village hall.

The underground world's estimated size was seven to ten kilometers.

Once inside the underground world, James Moriarty's role faded as Zavi himself was left amazed after stepping out of the elevator, which was still releasing deafening bursts of steam.

'Hot and cold. But this place is truly incredible. There are even massive buildings and pipes releasing hissing steam!'

Zavi nodded after witnessing the rapid technological progress beneath the surface.

'Far beyond what I expected...'

Arsene Lupin's perfect performance was about to begin.

...

Inside a building several hundred meters away from the elevator, a man dressed in formal black attire and wearing sunglasses stopped a couple after they stepped into a restricted area where ordinary people were not allowed to enter.

"Please cooperate, Miss and Sir," one of the guards said firmly and charismatically.

The woman quickly took out a business card and an entry permit to the large building, showing them to the guard.

"Please inspect them," she said, completely unfazed by the guards surrounding her.

'A couple, huh? Arsyfa Floweria? I've only just heard this name. A newly emerging conglomerate, perhaps?'

Meanwhile, her male companion carefully observed the situation around the building's terrace. He noted the number of guards, visitors, and others attempting to enter the same place.

After careful consideration, knowing full well that both the business card and permit were genuine, the man glanced at his colleagues and said firmly,

"My apologies for making you wait so long."

He turned around, his gaze resembling that of a wild beast.

"Escort our guests inside!" the guard ordered loudly, welcoming the pair.

Upon entering a hall filled with rows of seats, the couple received seats numbered 432.

'So this is the place, huh? It's quite large.'

The man immediately sat down, exhausted after walking around the building just to reach this location.

He clicked his tongue as the comfortable feeling made his resolve waver for a moment.

'Damn, maybe this is the first time I've ever sat beside a beautiful noblewoman like her?'

Zavi remained silent, saying nothing as he waited for the auction to begin.

Inside the hall, illuminated by dim yet unwavering lights, men, women, and couples crowded together in search of the items they desired.

Rows upon rows of seats stretched from one side to the other, creating a grand atmosphere while two spotlights shone upon the empty stage ahead.

At precisely 6:58 PM, the air inside the hall became suffocating as the seats filled completely with people from all walks of life, both men and women.

The couple seated at number 432 on the right side of the hall appeared eager as the auction drew only minutes away.

Two minutes passed before the auctioneer walked in from the right side of the stage, followed by a formally dressed woman and a formally dressed man.

After reaching the center of the stage, the auctioneer bowed to the audience, and his female colleague handed him a megaphone.

The male auctioneer raised the megaphone high after noticing the gazes of the nobles and high-ranking officials occupying the upper rooms surrounding the rows of seats.

"Attention everyone! I'm certain our honored guests have been looking forward to this moment, haven't they?"

No one answered. Only the brief echoes of whispers drifted through the hall.

Awkwardly, the auctioneer decided to begin.

"Well then, our distinguished guests must be eager for the auction to start, right? In that case..."

The auctioneer cleared his throat and added,

"A Sea Dragon statue from the Era of the Tailed Star. Bidding begins at 2,000 Pace..."

As his words echoed throughout the hall, another woman wheeled the item in question to the center of the stage on an iron cart.

The dragon statue glittered beneath the twin spotlights, displaying not a single flaw in its craftsmanship, instantly attracting the attention of those present and prompting immediate bids.

"2,500 Pace?" a man from seat 411 shouted loudly.

"Oh? The first bid comes from seat 411. Does anyone have a higher offer?"

The auctioneer looked delighted as he eagerly awaited the next bidder and hoped the price would continue climbing.

"2,800 Pace."

"Oh? The bid rises again? Does anyone wish to go higher?" the auctioneer shouted bluntly.

The voices of customers filled the hall for several minutes.

"3,000 Pace?"

"3,200 Pace?"

"3,500 Pace?"

"3,850 Pace?"

"Oh? The bids keep rising. Anyone else?"

"4,500 Pace?"

"5,000 Pace?"

Then...

"20,000 Pace?"

A woman shouted from one of the dim upper rooms, hidden behind curtains tied open on both sides.

The couple, especially Zavi, immediately straightened in their seats after hearing that.

'20 thousand Pace for that stupid statue?'

Zavi sighed inwardly, thinking that the people here had tastes very different from his own.

What he wanted was an artifact or something similar.

The moment one of the desired items appeared, the theft would begin.

Furthermore, although Zavi had originally planned to sell gold and jewelry at the auction, he abandoned the idea after the auction schedule was moved forward.

However, he had another plan: allowing the jewelry and gold to be sold on the black market, or more specifically, the underground black market.

He allowed those twelve people to do whatever they wanted, and he did not care where they sold the items. As long as money was made, Zavi had no objections.

"No. The bid has leapt far beyond expectations. This... this is incredible!" the auctioneer shouted loudly and cheerfully.

No one responded. They remained silent after one undeniable fact struck them.

One of the women raised her hand high, causing the people seated below her to look up.

"28,000 Pace?"

"Wow... impossible. The bidding for the Sea Dragon statue from the Era of the Tailed Star is still going? I can hardly believe it."

Again and again, the auctioneer shouted excitedly with a smile.

A fantastic amount for an item that is over five hundred years old.

"35,000 Pace," said the woman who had previously bid twenty thousand.

She refused to be outdone by a woman like that. More importantly, she had not come here for the item itself, but to make everyone present recognize and admire her wealth.

Strange as it was, such people truly existed.

"No way. The price has climbed even higher than I expected?"

Whispers spread through the audience.

"She's rich too, huh?"

"Of course. That thing is extremely rare if you know what it is."

"That weird object is worth 35,000 Pace? That's insane."

"For rich people, that's normal, bro."

The auction paused briefly as the auctioneer waited several minutes for a higher bid before making his decision.

"No higher bids? What a shame. In that case... congratulations, Miss. You have won this valuable item: the Sea Dragon Statue from the Era of the Star, also known as the Era of the Tailed Star. As for payment, someone will come to you later. Thank you."

The woman wheeled the Sea Dragon statue into storage and would deliver it to the winner once the auction concluded.

Not long afterward, the auction resumed as the auctioneer loudly announced:

"Another item, and the second lot is... a complexly engraved urn containing limitless water."

The moment they heard the words "limitless water," the customers at the auction were stunned.

"Tch, nonsense."

"That's like describing actual heaven."

A question suddenly came to the mind of a woman sitting in seat 318.

"Do you think heaven really exists?"

The man beside her looked surprised and answered hesitantly,

"I don't know. I've never seen it."

"Who cares..."

"Move on already!"

"What kind of nonsense is this? Do you think I'm a child?"

"Show us if this 'limitless water' really exists!"

Cornered by the customers' comments, the auctioneer instructed the woman carrying the ancient urn to tilt it downward for several seconds, or even several minutes if necessary, until the audience was satisfied.

The woman nodded and gladly complied.

The water truly did not stop flowing, even after she kept the urn tilted for nearly ten minutes.

The bidding had not even started yet when a businessman hurriedly made an offer.

"10,000 Pace?"

'That thing could make me rich!'

The auctioneer was startled by the bid from the man seated at number 123.

'I haven't even revealed the starting price yet.'

The intended starting price was 8,500 Pace. Seeing the opportunity, the auctioneer immediately intensified the atmosphere.

"I didn't expect you to offer such a high price," he shouted in surprise. "Anyone willing to go higher?"

The bidding continued and eventually stopped at 90,000 Pace, won by another man sitting in the front row at seat 89.

Opportunity was right before his eyes, and the man knew exactly what the first bidder had been thinking.

'Hahahaha, this is exactly what I wanted. I'm going to be rich!'

However, aside from businessmen like the two of them, the others were not interested in such a foolish item. They knew more interesting things would appear later.

"Alright, I'll continue with the program. One moment, let me check the list first."

A few seconds later.

"The next auction item is an ancient artifact."

The moment he heard the word "artifact," Zavi's pupils widened, causing Evelina, seated beside him, to glance at him curiously.

'Moriarty?'

After observing Zavi's expression for several seconds, she noticed a woman dressed differently from the others, wearing a gown that accentuated her chest.

'Who is that woman?'

Zavi suspected that the "intruder" he had been worried about earlier had finally shown herself.

The auctioneer stared at the robe-shaped artifact for several seconds before turning his attention back to the customers.

"The starting price is 58,000 Pace."

A wave of confused murmurs followed.

"It's only a robe? Even if it's an artifact, what's the point of it?"

"I don't know," a man replied in confusion.

"An ancient artifact, huh?"

Then a mustached tycoon wearing a half-top hat stood and asked an important question.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said loudly. "What exactly does that artifact do?"

The auctioneer hesitated for a moment, and several seconds later finally answered, "This artifact can conceal a person's body, hide their breathing, heartbeat, and life essence. Not only that, the robe allows its wearer to pass through anything and even withstand the heat and intensity of campfires."

Voices filled with interest immediately followed.

"That's interesting."

"How much is it?"

"I'm buying it."

Naturally, after hearing such a convincing explanation, everyone wanted to acquire the artifact at once.

The auctioneer chuckled to himself.

"Didn't I already tell you the price?" he said loudly.

"70,000 Pace?"

"80,000 Pace?"

"90,000 Pace?"

For a moment, the auctioneer remained silent, observing and speaking only at the right time.

"150,000 Pace."

The voice came confidently from one of the dim upper rooms, the same room occupied by the woman who had purchased the Sea Dragon statue from the Era of the Tailed Star.

The auctioneer immediately announced the impressive bid.

"Oh? This is getting serious. Is there anyone willing to offer more than 'her'?"

He pointed the megaphone toward the upper-right corner, room number three on the upper floor, whose curtains only allowed hands to emerge.

Inside, a female guard and a male guard summarized their mistress's bid.

"Miss, are you sure you want that artifact?" the woman asked anxiously.

The man, her guard, who knew her well, agreed with the female assistant's concern.

"Nelly is right, Miss Tiara. Are you sure about that bid?" Although anxious, the man's face remained firm and charismatic behind his sunglasses.

Tiara let out a short sigh and replied, "Ah, I'm not sure myself, even though Father allowed me to travel here."

She expected someone would outbid her, despite being the daughter of a great noble family in Kuranda.

Below, the auctioneer appeared nervous when no one submitted another offer. However, that nervousness faded when he realized the auction would continue.

"185,000 Pace?"

Tiara raised her hand again and voiced her bid.

"450,000 Pace?"

The auctioneer was stunned.

"Oh? That's an enormous amount. Does anyone wish to go higher?"

Then a man raised his hand high, causing everyone around him to turn toward him.

"1,000,000 Pace?"

"One million Pace? I can't believe a bid that high."

People continued staring at him, while Tiara could only bite the tip of her finger.

Then another man, seated at the upper-right section, raised his hand high.

"Another bidder?" the auctioneer exclaimed in surprise.

The man in the bowler hat straightened his gaze and declared loudly,

"2,500,000 Pace. I'll take it."

Naturally, such an outrageous price silenced everyone present, especially the woman seated beside him.

'Moriarty? Are you seriously bidding such a ridiculous amount?'

That was what Evelina thought after his declaration caused the other customers to begin whispering among themselves.

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