Chapter 317: The Auction
How could Leon, who came from thirty thousand years in the future, not know? That place was one of the most dangerous regions in the entire Northend World—even a Sky-tier powerhouse might not make it out alive. Stan Watson and Ross Merlin, one an eighth-tier Archmage, the other a fifth-tier, what made them think they could covet such a place?
Were they in a hurry to die or something?
Or was there another reason entirely?
At that thought, something stirred in Leon’s heart. He remembered that during the disaster years ago, among the Title Archmages who escaped unscathed, one was the infamous Flame Sovereign. Could there be a connection?
As these thoughts churned in Leon’s mind, the carriage had already arrived at the bustling Dragon Avenue.
This was the heart of Auckland—its busiest, most crowded district. The Blackhorn Consortium, Mercenary Guild, and all the major powers gathered here. On the wide avenue, broad enough for fifty carriages side by side, traffic surged endlessly and people packed every view. Midway down Dragon Avenue stood a ten-story building, home to the Blackhorn Consortium. At the moment, dozens—maybe hundreds—of carriages crowded outside, most bearing crests Leon didn’t recognize. But beside him, William Merlin naturally explained them all, and as they walked, Leon couldn’t help but marvel. Many of these factions were legendary, household names.
"Looks like we’re a bit late..." William Merlin glanced around, noticing the auction hall’s doors were already shut. A dozen guards stood watch, making it clear no outsiders would be allowed in. That’s how the Blackhorn Auction worked in Auckland—before it started, anyone with a Crystal Bank Card from the Consortium could enter, but once it began, they usually stopped admitting guests, unless you had a high-level VIP card.
But those VIP cards were usually reserved for the very top tier in Auckland. Forget William Merlin—even the more prominent Ross Merlin, Owen Merlin, or Stan Watson couldn’t get their hands on one.
As for Leon from Seaview City, there was no chance at all...
"Forget it, I'll go talk to the guards and see if I can talk my way in..." William Merlin thought for a long time and this was the only idea he could come up with.
"Wait—" Leon opened his mouth, about to tell William that he actually had a ring from Kadgar, supposedly granting free passage anywhere in the Blackhorn Consortium...
But before he could get the words out, William had already walked off, leaving Leon awkwardly swallowing his explanation...
William Merlin wasn’t one of the most prominent figures in the Merlin Family, and after half a year in Seaview City, most people had practically forgotten he existed.
Like those dozen guards at the auction hall entrance, for example...
From a distance, Leon watched William try everything—sweet talk, smiles, flattery—but the lead guard just kept that poker face. No surprise there; it was a lost cause...
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before William Merlin came stomping back, muttering curses...
"Damn it, is that guy blind or what? Says he knows almost everyone from the Merlin Family except me. Do I really look that forgettable?"
...Leon couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated. William’s personality was something else—who else could get so worked up over a guard? No wonder back at the Gilded Rose, he was always bickering with Farrow...
"Cousin, wait here. I’ll go find my father and borrow his VIP card. I refuse to believe that just half a year away from Auckland means I can’t even get into an auction..."
William Merlin, face twisted with anger, started climbing into the carriage—he really seemed determined to fetch that VIP card...
"Alright, no need to go through all that trouble." Leon smiled and waved, just about to call the head guard over...
But before he could, laughter rang out behind them.
"Ha! William Merlin, you really are something. The auction’s already started and you’re still standing here—what, is the view on Dragon Avenue that good?" A young man in his late twenties strode over, handsome and tall, decked out in flashy silver knight armor with a jeweled longsword at his waist. It was the kind of look that could fool a few naive girls, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the sarcasm came pouring out: "Tell me, William Merlin, what’s the deal here? Don’t tell me... don’t tell me you’re stuck outside? Hahaha, looks like you’ve really hit rock bottom. Years go by and you still haven’t scored a VIP card from the Blackhorn Consortium. You’re an embarrassment to the Merlin Family, you know that? Hahaha..."
He kept mocking William while casually handing a Crystal Bank Card to the guard.
As soon as the guard received the card, his attitude changed to one of respect—bowing and ushering the young man inside. William’s face, already dark, nearly exploded with rage at the sight. If Leon hadn’t held him back, William probably would’ve charged in and punched the guy.
"Alright, calm down." Leon soothed William absentmindedly, then pulled out the ring Kadgar had given him and handed it to the head guard. "Can I get in with this?"
"Hmm?" The head guard took the ring, stunned at first, then his expression shifted to shock. He stared at Leon for ages before finally speaking in a respectful whisper: "Sir, could you wait a moment? I need to get approval for this..."
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"Alright."
"Thank you, sir. I’ll be right back." With that, the head guard hurried off, leaving his subordinates staring after him in confusion.
Even after walking a hundred meters, the head guard’s face was still pale and his heart pounding. That ring was way above his pay grade—most of the big shots in the Blackhorn Consortium hadn’t even seen it, let alone a security chief like him.
The only reason he knew anything about it was pure luck—he’d overheard it from someone else.
Now he had to report this immediately. Whether the ring was real or fake, only the Consortium’s higher-ups could decide what to do.
Two minutes later, the head guard entered the auction hall and whispered a few words to a young man. At first, the young man just listened quietly, but as the story unfolded, his face changed dramatically. He shot to his feet: "Damn it, take me there!"
Without waiting for the guard to respond, the young man apologized to his guests and hurried out of the auction hall.
"Earlier, Saren Charlotte from the Charlotte Family seemed to have had a bit of a spat with them..." As they walked, the head guard remembered the earlier incident and whispered a few more words to the young man.
"Saren’s an idiot..." The young man’s eyes widened in disbelief, then he shook his head. "Forget it—he’s not our problem. We just need to do our job."
"Yes, sir."
The two hurried out of the auction hall and over to the main entrance. The young man put on a warm smile and strode up to Leon: "Mage Merlin, welcome to the Blackhorn Consortium. I’m Richie, one of today’s auction organizers. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mage Merlin."
"Hello, Richie." Leon shook his hand. "By the way, I’d like to attend today’s Blackhorn Auction—will that be a problem for the Consortium?"
"Of course not, Mage Merlin! You’re one of our most welcome VIPs—any request you have will be met at the Blackhorn Consortium. Would you like to attend the auction? No problem, I’ll arrange the best VIP Suite for you right away..."
"No need, I’m just here to look around." Leon shook his head. He’d had enough of VIP Suite treatment back in Seaview City—convenient, sure, but also a headache...
Every time Kadgar set up a suite, he’d always ask if Master Merlin had anything he wanted the Blackhorn Auction to handle.
So, out of courtesy, Leon would always hand over a few works. Once, twice, three times... Eventually, Kadgar ended up with quite a haul from Merlin.
Today, Leon was just here to observe—he hadn’t decided whether to make a move, so when the young man offered a suite, he quickly refused.
"Then let me escort you inside, Mage Merlin..." The young man didn’t push, just grew even more enthusiastic as he led Leon in.
Richie arranged Leon’s seat in the fifth row of the auction hall, with only a handful of people nearby. According to William Merlin, they were all wealthy locals from Auckland—rich, but not particularly high-status. The real VIPs were up in the suites above.
Once the two were settled, Richie tactfully excused himself.
Partly to avoid bothering this important guest, and partly because he needed to report today’s events to the higher-ups as soon as possible.
Just as Richie stepped out of the auction hall, he ran right into Ross Merlin, who was rushing over.
"Ross, what brings you here?" The young man and Ross Merlin had always gotten along well.
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Just one update today to adjust my schedule—thanks for understanding!