After about a minute of walking in the spacious corridor illuminated by magical lamps and passing by several dozen rooms of unknown purpose, Violet and the others arrived at the main venue of the auction.
Crossing through the grand entrance, the scene before them suddenly opened up.
This was a massive circular arena with an exquisite platform rising from the ground in the center. Dazzling magical lights flickered in the air, as if preparing to unfold a magnificent spectacle.
Surrounding the platform were individual rooms separated by screens, reminiscent of the restaurant on the surface, the Fragrant Residence. The faint fragrance of flowers floating in the air seemed to confirm that both places were under the influence of the same power.
Numerous Blue Feathered individuals dressed as attendants moved around the venue, delivering snacks and drinks. However, there were no customers participating in the auction visible; they were likely hidden behind the screens.
Guide Duoduo turned to the side, revealing everything in front of them, and smiled while making an inviting gesture.
“So, once again, welcome esteemed guests to the Fragrant Auction. You can freely choose your private rooms. If there’s a blue ornament hanging at the entrance, it means someone is already inside. All these rooms are of the same standard, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Is that so? Miss Felina, do you have a preference for where to choose?”
Since entering the Fragrant Residence on the surface, it had been mostly Violet negotiating with the other party unilaterally. Unlike Leila, Rene or Xiao Guang, Felina, as the leader of the Human United Kingdom delegation, thought it would be better to avoid taking the lead.
Since Violet took the initiative to ask, the usually straightforward leader of the delegation didn’t evade or procrastinate. She raised her hand and pointed to an unadorned room in the southwest direction.
“Let’s go with this one.”
“Alright, please follow me, three of you.”
Following the narrow path left by the screens, the four quickly arrived at their destination. Duoduo skillfully pulled aside the door curtain, revealing a small space of about a few dozen square meters.
There wasn’t much inside – a sofa, a coffee table with exquisite sweets and beverages placed on top, and a number tag with the digits 73.
The screens only covered the left and right sides of the room and the front entrance, leaving the side facing the central platform completely open for an unobstructed view.
Even so, Violet found that standing on this side, she couldn’t see the situation inside the opposite rooms with her naked eye. It was as if there were thick frosted glass barriers.
There must be some kind of one-way magical isolation and observation set up.
This type of technology was unheard of in the United Kingdom, making the Winged people’s magical technology quite intriguing.
However, relying on this level of magic, it surely wouldn’t hinder direct probing from SP or the high-level detection skills of Little Dragon Girl, although the Miss priestess didn’t plan on prying too much.
After guiding Violet and her group into the room, Duoduo consciously stood to the side, covering her hands and silently waiting, showing a professional attitude by not intending to participate or eavesdrop on their conversation.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
The auction was about to start in about ten minutes. After the three women took their seats, Violet tried some food and casually chatted with the two girls sitting on either side of her to pass the time.
Outside the screens, there were faint footsteps coming closer and then gradually fading away, indicating that other customers attending the auction were arriving.
There seemed to be a lot of magic set up here. Despite the semi-open screens, the soundproofing effect was quite good. Even with Violet’s hearing, it was challenging to catch the specific conversations from the adjacent rooms.
After a while, there was a sound, “Whoosh.”
Above the venue, the floating group of magic lamps suddenly dimmed, and then all attention turned to the central stage. A young Winged girl with white feathers, wearing a white mask and a gown, slowly descended from the air, landing gracefully in the center.
The environment, which had been somewhat noisy in the ears of the priestess, instantly quieted down.
“Welcome, everyone, to the Fragrant Auction! Whether you are long-awaited familiar customers or newcomers, finding your way here represents the favor of fate. Thank you for being here! I am the auctioneer Little Ink. Without further ado, the 139th Fragrant Auction is officially underway!”
Claps erupted like thunder the moment the girl finished speaking, startling Violet and her companions.
The black-haired girl immediately tilted her head in confusion.
Normally, in a soundproof environment, even if all the customers applauded together, it shouldn’t be this loud. Moreover, she distinctly heard applause coming from their own private room. What was going on?
Felina, seated on the left, tugged at her white robe and used her eyes to signal towards the guide, Duoduo, who was standing nearby. It was then that Violet noticed that the guide had casually released a button protruding from the wall beside her.
The overly enthusiastic applause gradually subsided.
What’s going on here?
On the other side, after enjoying the applause, the auctioneer, self-proclaimed Little Ink, gracefully bowed to the surroundings. Using her melodious and bird-like voice, without any assistance from amplification devices, she continued to echo throughout the venue.
“Once again, thank you all for your support! Without further ado, let’s begin the showcase of the first auction item!”
Little Ink raised her hand, and a dazzling light flashed on the luxurious ring at her fingertip. In her hand appeared an elegant, slender sword.
Having already seen the auction list, Violet remembered that this should be a weapon called the 【Sword of Mirror Shadows】. However, the specific details wouldn’t be detailed on the list.
“The Sword of Mirror Shadows, a magical weapon flowing into our country from the Far East. It cuts through iron like mud and significantly enhances the attack power of the swordsman. In addition, it possesses the excellent ability to summon mirror reflections to assist the wielder in combat.”
The auctioneer, holding the cold, shimmering sword, gracefully swung it in the air, producing a crisp sound as it cut through. She appeared heroic and elegant.
Indeed, this was a ceremonial sword reserved for nobility.
Putting aside the quality of the sword for now, based solely on the speed and strength, Violet could tell that Little Ink had some real skill.
The sound in the stage area seemed to have undergone special processing and wasn’t blocked by the soundproof magic. So, even the slight sound of sword cutting could be clearly heard by Violet and the others.
“Oh, by the way.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Little Ink, with her mask half covering her face, playfully smiled and added.
“This sword seems to have some connection with the long-hidden Blood Clan from the legends. There might be some great secrets hidden inside. Interested customers, be sure not to miss out~”
“So, the Sword of Mirror Shadows, rated as a medium-grade magical weapon, starting bid at 100,000 gold coins. Each subsequent bid must not be less than 10,000 gold coins. Let the bidding begin!”
With a wave of Little Ink’s hand, the magic lamps immediately formed a giant number “100,000” in the air, signaling that customers in the room could start bidding.
“A medium-grade magical weapon, 100,000... Well.”
To be honest, Violet didn’t have a clear concept of the prices in this world, especially for high-level equipment and items. However, she was well-versed in the grading of equipment at the same level, as this concept already existed in the games she played.