Chapter 144: Chapter 143: The Prince’s Face?
“Number 8, 6000 Gold Coins.”
“Number 3, 7000 Gold Coins.”
“Number 7, 8000 Gold Coins.”
One bid after another rang out in the auction hall.
Upon hearing the 8000 Gold Coins bid, Prince Gelo slumped his head in despair inside the private box, realizing he had no chance for the second Examination Exemption Certificate either. If only he had persisted on the first certificate, perhaps the Old Nobles would have let him win it in consideration of his status. But now… the price of 8000 Gold Coins left him without even the qualification to raise the bid.
Eventually, after some more bidding, the second Examination Exemption Certificate was acquired by the initial high bidder, number 9, for 9000 Gold Coins. Prince Gelo clenched his teeth and fists, nearly slamming the table.
...
But just as his fist was about to hit the table, he suddenly became alert and hastily restrained himself.
Anxiously checking Pandora, he felt a huge surge of anger inside, almost to the point of exploding. Abruptly turning around, he started violently poking the soft seat with his finger…
While poking, Prince Gelo pondered.
Considering the current situation, bidding for the third Examination Exemption Certificate might be even more intense; he must think of a plan.
Then…
…
“Tap, tap, tap…”
A young waiter stepped onto the stage carrying the third Examination Exemption Certificate. Perhaps the auctioneer was intimidated this time, as his announcement was even more succinct, “As usual, the auction begins!”
Prince Gelo raised his paddle.
The auctioneer voiced, “Number 1, 1050 Gold…”
“No!” Prince Gelo interrupted the auctioneer, took a deep breath, stood up from his seat, pulled back the curtain, and walked to the window where everyone could see his face.
Prince Gelo’s gaze was sharp as he held up the number tag and solemnly declared, “I, Prince Gelo, number 1, bid 7984 Gold Coins, 14 Silver Coins, and 56 Copper Coins.”
A precise mix of coins and cents.
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“Uh…” The whole room fell silent.
This time, it was truly silent. Most people’s eyes flickered, coming to a realization.
Prince Gelo’s action was a statement to everyone that he, the Prince, had staked all his money. He was determined to get the third Examination Exemption Certificate.
Who would dare to compete with him?
This was Prince’s fury!
Who would dare to whisper? Who would dare to resist?
Thus, during Prince Gelo’s declaration, the entire room fell silent for nearly half a second.
Half a second later,
Next to Prince Gelo’s box, another box raised a number paddle, speaking indifferently: “Number 3, 8000 Gold Coins.”
8000 Gold Coins to 7984 Gold Coins, 14 Silver Coins, and 56 Copper Coins!
Crushing it outright!
Without mercy, without giving any face, completely crushing it!
What was the Prince’s anger worth? Could it be valued in a single Gold Coin?
Prince Gelo’s face turned pale in an instant, then his blood rushed to his head turning it red, and he clenched his fists controlling himself from exploding, gradually turning an iron-blue.
Prince Gelo glared at the adjacent box, having already recognized the speaker’s voice. In fact, as a Prince, he had more or less guessed the identity of the people in several boxes; now it was just simple confirmation.
Prince Gelo spoke, he articulated each word clearly: “Marquis, Dean!”
With a “swish,” the person called out pulled back the curtain of the box, walked to the window, and revealed himself. It was an elderly man around sixty years old, with half-white hair and spirited, smiling at Prince Gelo as if he hadn’t been the one bidding just then.
The other formally greeted, “Prince Gelo, long time no see, hello.”
“I, am, fine!” Prince Gelo spoke still articulating each word, eyes intently fixed on the other, looking as if he wanted to swallow him whole, “You, are, also, very, good!”
“Thank you for your concern, Prince Gelo. I have always been well. Please convey my regards to Your Majesty and wish him well-being. After all, only if Your Majesty, the Prince, and everyone are well, can the Jade Kingdom remain stable. Right, Prince Gelo?”
“I wish!” Prince Gelo really wanted to shout back, but he just snorted coldly and walked away from the box window without saying another word, then sat back down in his seat.
The offers from other boxes kept coming.
“Box 8, 8500 Gold Coins.”
“Box 5, 9000 Gold Coins…”
To Prince Gelo, these bids seemed like slaps to his face.
These Old Nobles were too much, showing absolutely no respect for him as a prince.
But what could he do?
What could he do?
Do?
Suddenly, hearing the Marquis Dean from box 3 shout out a high bid of 10,000 Gold Coins, preparing to secure the last Examination Exemption Certificate, Prince Gelo stood up once more and walked to the window, lifting his bidder number and bellowing, “Box 1, 20,000 Gold Coins!”
There was a roar of amazement throughout the venue!
Prince Gelo clenched his fists tightly.
Today, he must obtain an Examination Exemption Certificate. This was no longer about whether he was qualified to become a Wizard, it was about saving face.
As a proud prince, he had to regain his dignity!
But clearly, someone did not want to let him do so.
From the adjacent box, Marquis Dean skeptically remarked, “Prince Gelo, are you sure you brought that many Gold Coins with you?”
“I can pledge collateral!”
“But the auction doesn’t accept estates, houses, or shops as collateral.”
“Can I pledge my princely honor, then? I assure you, under my personal honor, I can gather 20,000 Gold Coins within an hour! Is that acceptable?!”
“Uh, well, I don’t know, after all, the auction house isn’t mine to decide. You’ll have to ask them,” replied Marquis Dean, unfazed.
Prince Gelo’s fists creaked as he clenched them, his eyes fiery as he stared at the auctioneer and demanded, “Is it possible or not?”
“Uh…” The auctioneer was even more brief this time, “I don’t know…”
Truly, the auctioneer didn’t know, as he was just an auctioneer and couldn’t make such major decisions.
Prince Gelo growled through clenched teeth, “Then let someone who knows tell me!”
Soon, someone who knew arrived.
A steward hurried onto the wooden platform, bowed to Prince Gelo, and nervously said, “Your Highness, our auction house indeed does not allow for pledge of property. However… considering the Prince’s special circumstances, we can offer a temporary loan of 10,000 Gold Coins to Your Highness. How does that sound?”
“Fine,” Prince Gelo replied, then continued, “The money from the loan, I will return it to you within an hour. And now, combining your loan of 10,000 Gold Coins with my current 7,984 Gold Coins, making a total of 17,984 Gold Coins, I want to ask—who wants to offer a higher price?”
“Marquis Dean, will you actually bid 20,000 Gold Coins to surpass me?” Prince Gelo turned to look at Marquis Dean.
Marquis Dean smiled slightly, inclining his body a little, “Your Highness, please do not be upset. With such a high bid from you, I naturally cannot compete.”
“That’s good,” Prince Gelo merely uttered these three words, but his eyes still closely watched Marquis Dean—he did not trust him.
It wasn’t until a while later that the auctioneer announced the results, declaring Prince Gelo the winner of the last Examination Exemption Certificate, that he finally averted his gaze.
Walking back to his seat in the box, Prince Gelo’s entire body slumped, collapsing into the seat and gasping for breath. He turned to look at the Guard and spoke, “You, go find my older brother, um, His Majesty, immediately. Tell him, whatever territory he assigns to me, I accept, but I need 10,000 Gold Coins right away for an urgent matter. If he asks, tell him about this situation. Just bring me the money.”
“Uh, yes.” The Guard dared not say another word and quickly ran off.
Then Prince Gelo turned his head to face Richard, his eyes flickering with self-mockery, “Lord Richard, am I being a bit foolish?”
“Um,” Richard nodded, “a bit indeed.”
Prince Gelo: “I…”