Chapter 228: BNC Auction Event
"Hello, my fellow Britannians!"
A female host stood brightly in front of a live recording camera, her voice carrying excitement as she waved toward the audience watching through the Skynet.
The morning sunlight shone across her elegant outfit, while the camera focused perfectly on her smiling face.
"Welcome to Glasco Palace!"
She stretched her arm toward the massive building behind her.
The camera immediately shifted.
A magnificent structure appeared on countless screens across Britannia.
The palace looked almost unreal.
Large glass panels covered much of the exterior, reflecting the sunlight in countless directions. The entire building glittered under the morning sky like a giant crystal standing proudly in the heart of Camford.
Steam-powered decorative fountains surrounded the entrance grounds.
Beautiful glass sculptures stood along the pathways.
Noble Steam-Carriages continuously arrived through the grand gates.
The brilliance of the structure alone was enough to make ordinary citizens stop and stare.
"Yes! We are at the one and only Glasco Palace, my people!"
The host laughed cheerfully.
"And I think every Britannian already knows why we’re all gathered here today!"
She raised an eyebrow playfully toward the camera.
Immediately, countless comments flooded the live broadcast.
The chat section moved so fast that many viewers could barely read the messages appearing.
***
"YES!"
Ysmere
"PHANTOM ROLLS!"
Lex000
"THE AUCTION!"
Bnc_Loyal
"I TOOK TODAY OFF WORK FOR THIS!"
Joseph274
"SHOW US EZRA!"
Pink_34
***
The host laughed again.
"That’s right, my people!"
She pointed dramatically toward the venue.
"We are all here for the biggest Auction Event ever held by the BNC Broadcasting Group!"
The camera angle changed once more.
This time it focused on the massive courtyard surrounding Glasco Palace.
Rows upon rows of Noble Steam-Carriages were parked neatly.
Some belonged to Counts.
Some belonged to High-Ember families.
Some belonged to powerful industries.
Servants stood respectfully beside their employers.
Nobles dressed in expensive attire walked toward the entrance while discussing business and politics.
Representatives from major industries arrived one after another.
Camera flashes constantly illuminated the entrance area.
The entire front section had been transformed into a grand red-carpet event.
Announcers stood near the entrance, introducing important guests as they arrived.
Each new arrival attracted another wave of excitement.
Inside the hall...
The atmosphere was even livelier.
Elegant music flowed throughout the venue from a large orchestra positioned near the center of the hall.
The sound blended with hundreds of conversations occurring simultaneously.
Guests discussed inventions.
Business opportunities.
Politics.
Future investments.
Rumors.
Every topic imaginable could be heard if one listened carefully enough.
To ensure every moment reached viewers across Britannia, BNC had stationed numerous hosts throughout the venue.
Some interviewed Master Craftsmen.
Some spoke with famous Scholars and Researchers.
Others interviewed representatives from Britannia’s largest Steam-Carriage companies.
The entire event felt alive.
It felt important.
Like something people would talk about for years.
Security was equally impressive.
State Guards stood at strategic locations.
Members of the BNC Security Division moved quietly through the crowd.
Several Alchemists remained stationed near important entrances.
Their sharp eyes continuously observed the surroundings.
Any disturbance would be dealt with immediately.
Meanwhile...
Servants moved through the hall carrying trays filled with exquisite drinks and refreshments.
Crystal glasses reflected the light from the chandeliers overhead.
Guests gradually found their assigned seats.
Each table carried a nameplate identifying its owner.
Everything had been prepared with precision.
After all...
Every person present had purchased a ticket long before the event began.
That was how the BNC Broadcasting Group operated.
Nothing about this event was ordinary.
Representatives of companies occupied their designated sections.
Noble families sat together.
Industrial leaders discussed business while waiting for the main attraction to begin.
Above the main floor...
The second level hosted many influential nobles and high-ranking company executives.
Their seats offered an excellent view of the stage below.
And above even that...
The VIP Floor.
The most exclusive section of the entire venue.
Private rooms lined the top level.
Each room was concealed behind elegant wine-colored curtains.
No one could see who sat inside.
They could only see the heavy security standing guard outside.
Everyone knew the truth.
Only representatives from Duke Houses and the Royal Family could occupy those rooms.
Their identities remained hidden, but their presence alone created speculation.
Then...
"GOOD DAY, BRITANNIANS!!!"
Lara’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the hall.
A burst of stage smoke erupted around the center platform.
The crowd immediately turned.
Lara stepped onto the stage.
She wore an elegant sky-blue gown decorated with crystal gems arranged in intricate patterns.
The lights reflected from the crystals as she moved.
The entire hall erupted into applause.
Some viewers watching from home even began posting excited messages online.
"It’s that time again!"
Lara smiled brightly.
Her professional stage presence immediately captured everyone’s attention.
"Although..."
She tilted her head slightly.
"It’s been a very long time since we’ve held an Auction Event that isn’t really just an Auction Event."
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.
Everyone understood what she meant.
This wasn’t simply an auction.
It was also an invention presentation.
A historic one.
The Phantom Rolls had already transformed this event into something much bigger.
"I’m sure all of you understand what I’m saying."
Lara walked toward the front of the stage.
The spotlight followed her perfectly.
Outside Glasco Palace...
The broadcast continued across Camford.
Large glass display boards showed the live event.
People gathered around them.
Workers.
Students.
Shop owners.
Travelers.
Even carriage drivers paused briefly to watch.
And it wasn’t only happening in Northwick.
The same broadcast played in Metallica.
Frostmarch.
Stonefall.
Thornwick.
Ravenshire.
And even Eldenford itself.
The heart of Britannia.
The seat of the Royal Family.
Countless eyes watched the event unfold.
"Before we begin!"
Lara raised her voice.
"As proud Britannians, we all have something important to do first."
The crowd immediately quieted.
"Whether you’re a Duke, a Count, a worker, a scholar, or simply a citizen watching from home."
She pointed forward.
"We will rise together and recite the Britannian Scholars Anthem."
One by one, people stood.
Guests.
Servants.
Guards.
Executives.
Everyone.
Even the individuals seated on the upper levels rose respectfully.
The orchestra slowly began playing the anthem.
A familiar melody filled the hall.
For several minutes, the entire venue stood united beneath the same music.
Then...
The anthem ended.
Everyone returned to their seats with the excitement only growing stronger.
Lara smiled.
"Now then..."
She adjusted her posture slightly.
"Let’s move to the next program."
She glanced at the floor above the main floor.
"We have to welcome some of the important guests present at this event."
Lara gently extended her hand toward the second floor of the grand hall.
Immediately...
A massive holographic screen materialized above the stage.
The screen expanded until everyone in the venue could clearly see the distinguished guests seated on the upper level.
Many audience members turned their heads upward.
Others focused on the holographic projection.
Even the viewers watching through the Skynet became excited.
The comment sections exploded with activity.
"I would like to introduce and welcome the representative of one of Britannia’s best-selling phone companies..."
Lara paused briefly.
A smile appeared on her face.
"Starlix!"
The moment the name was announced, the holographic screen shifted.
A well-dressed man appeared on the projection.
He stood up from his seat immediately.
Several executives and attendants seated beside him also rose to their feet.
The representative waved toward the crowd with a practiced smile.
The audience below erupted into applause.
Many young people in the crowd cheered loudly.
After all...
Almost everyone in Britannia knew the Starlix brand.
Some even raised their own phones while laughing.
The representative bowed politely before sitting down.
Lara smoothly moved on to the next guest.
"I would also like to welcome a Noble Family that we all know for producing some of the finest Scholars and Researchers in Britannia."
Her voice carried clearly throughout the hall.
"Please welcome Count Kane and his family."
The holographic screen immediately shifted again.
Count Kane appeared seated beside his wife.
His two children sat near them, dressed elegantly in noble attire.
The Count rose calmly.
His wife followed.
The children also stood and waved politely.
The family carried themselves with refined grace that naturally attracted attention.
The audience applauded warmly.
Some Scholars seated within the crowd nodded respectfully.
The Kane Family had long built their reputation through education and research.
Even many inventors present admired them.
"Moving on to our next distinguished guests..."
Lara smiled brightly.
"I would like to welcome the representatives of one of the largest Steam-Carriage production companies in Britannia..."
She pointed toward another section.
"Silver Wheels!"
The holographic screen instantly displayed the company representatives.
Several men and women dressed in professional business attire stood from their seats.
The Silver Wheels crest could be seen on their formal clothing.
They waved toward the audience.
The applause that followed became even louder.
Many investors present immediately paid more attention.
After all...
Silver Wheels was one of the giants of the Steam-Carriage industry.
And considering why everyone had gathered here today, their presence was particularly important.
Lara waited for the applause to settle before continuing.
"Next on our list..."
She smiled mysteriously.
"We have the surprise appearance of a very important guest."
That statement immediately caught the crowd’s attention.
Many people leaned forward.
Curiosity appeared on numerous faces.
Lara enjoyed the reaction.
"She is not only one of Britannia’s foremost experts in Alchemy Circle Conversion..."
She raised a finger.
"But she is also the current head of Britannia’s largest Blacksmithing company."
The crowd immediately began whispering.
Some already guessed who was about to be introduced.
"Please give a warm round of applause for Mrs. Rena Bremer..."
Lara pointed dramatically toward one side of the second floor.
"Head of Bremer’s and Steel!"
The holographic screen immediately displayed Rena.
She stood gracefully from her seat.
A bright smile appeared on her face as she waved toward the audience.
Beside her, her husband stood as well.
Several executive board members of Bremer’s and Steel also rose and greeted the crowd.
The applause became noticeably louder.
Even some Master Craftsmen stood briefly to acknowledge her.
Bremer’s and Steel wasn’t simply a company.
It was one of the foundations of Britannia’s industrial world.
Rena maintained her elegant smile before returning to her seat.
The introductions continued.
One important guest after another.
One influential figure after another.
The list seemed endless.
Time slowly passed.
Many people had arrived solely for business opportunities.
Others came out of curiosity.
Some attended simply because they wanted to witness history.
And eventually...
Lara arrived at the final important guest on the second floor.
"And our final distinguished guests..."
Her smile remained professional.
"...are representatives from a company that hardly needs an introduction."
The crowd immediately became more attentive.
Even several nobles sat up straighter.
Lara continued.
"We actually have many important members of this company present today."
She took a few slow steps backward across the stage.
"This event wouldn’t truly be an invention presentation without their presence."
The suspense quietly built.
Then...
"Please welcome..."
Lara stretched out her arm.
"The members of The Eclipse!"
The hall instantly erupted.
The holographic screen displayed several members of The Eclipse standing from their seats.
They waved calmly.
Their expressions carried confidence.
The applause that followed was among the loudest so far.
Some inventors in the audience couldn’t hide their excitement.
Many companies dreamed of attracting The Eclipse’s attention, because their presence alone increased the value of any invention event.
After the applause gradually died down...
Lara waved her hand dramatically.
"Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way..."
She smiled.
"I would like everyone to know that this event currently hosts five VIP rooms on the top floor."
She pointed upward energetically.
The holographic screen changed.
The five private rooms immediately appeared.
Wine-colored curtains concealed the identities of those inside.
Outside each room stood heavily armed security personnel.
Several powerful Alchemists remained stationed nearby.
The faint pressure leaking from their Cognis alone made many people instinctively lower their voices.
The audience immediately began whispering.
"Do you think the Duke House of Ashenlocke came?"
A young noble seated among his friends asked excitedly.
"I mean, one of their own is the star of today’s event."
"Obviously the Galehart Family is here."
Another noble replied confidently.
"I heard someone from the Royal Family is attending."
A different voice joined in.
"That wouldn’t surprise me."
"I heard members of the Scholar Tower also arrived this morning."
More whispers followed.
Speculation spread throughout the venue.
Everyone wanted to know who occupied those mysterious rooms.
Yet despite the growing excitement...
Lara never lost control of the stage.
"We are now moving on to the next program, my lovely people."
She began walking toward the right side of the stage.
Several cameras followed her movements smoothly.
Her smile never disappeared.
"It’s time for a musical performance by Northwick’s special pianist."
The audience immediately applauded.
Lara raised her voice.
"Please give a warm round of applause to not only the beautiful flower of Britannia..."
She paused deliberately, allowing anticipation to build.
The audience grew quieter.
"...but also, the youngest musical star and one of the greatest geniuses of the Galehart Family!"
The applause started before she even finished.
Many already knew who she was referring to.
Lara smiled brightly.
Then announced with a clear voice that echoed throughout the entire hall...
"I would like to welcome, to the stage... Northwick’s own finest Flower..."
The lights dimmed slightly, making the anticipation reach its peak.
"Lady Selena Galehart!!"
The crowd erupted into applause.
