- Dear friends, what I am about to present to you tonight is something you will never see anywhere else. According to our research, this artifact dates back to the beginning of the mythic era. It is one of the three Genesis Journals. It is said that whoever manages to decipher them will acquire all the past knowledge of this world.
During "K"'s speech, the room was spellbound; their excitement was palpable. Greed shone in their eyes. The book was displayed in a case illuminated by a spotlight.
--- The bourgeoisie always crave to possess anything they deem rare, Elizabeth said with contempt, her face etched with disgust.
---We need that book, by any means necessary, said Claus.
For in his thoughts: if these books truly contain all the knowledge of this world, then he must have it at any cost. He already knew the location of one of them, and now, to his great surprise, there were three.
"Translating them can come later," he told himself.
--- Don't tell me pride is going to your head as well, Claus. Why would you want a book that is of no importance and will only bring you trouble?
Elizabeth couldn't understand why Claus wanted the book. To her, it was merely the pride of a wealthy man looking to expand his collection.
--- I will explain everything in due time, but for now, my objective is that book.
"I thought you were different…" Elizabeth thought.
--- Now that you understand its significance, let us proceed to the auction, starting at one billion Pounds.
--- One billion one hundred million.
--- One billion one hundred and fifty million.
--- One billion two hundred million.
The room was in a frenzy; bids were coming from everywhere. Everyone in that room wanted that book, and each was giving their best offer.
--- Two billion.
Alfred Blakroks raised his hand. The price was enormous, but it was a small price to pay for something so precious.
--- Two billion five hundred million.
This voice came from the back of the room. Claus and Alfred turned around. It belonged to a young man with dark skin, his braided hair tied back was a pure white, like snow. Beneath his owl mask, one could glimpse eyes as red as blood. He was accompanied by a young woman who was as captivating as she was beautiful; her mask and hair were identical to her companion's. Her piercing red eyes stared at Claus for a moment.
Upon seeing them, Claus knew they were the children of the Blake family. "They're after the book… They haven't bid once until now, to the point I didn't even notice them…"
Claus raised his hand and said:
--- Three billion.
Claus had no intention of losing; when it came to money, he was every bit the equal of the Blakroks and the Blakes. This would be a close battle.
--- Three billion five hundred million.
Alfred Blakroks was prepared to outbid him.
--- Three billion seven hundred million.
The Blakes refused to be left behind.
--- Four billion Pounds.
Claus was determined: he would not lose.
--- Five billion, from Alfred Blakroks.
--- Six billion five hundred million.
The young Blake looked excited, as if adrenaline was rushing to his head; he was enjoying this fight. Claus, however, wanted to end it, as it was dragging on and Elizabeth was visibly growing impatient. So:
--- Ten billion five hundred million Imperial Pounds.
The room held its breath; the price was astronomical. Alfred Blakroks and the young Blake were clearly frustrated; the price Claus had named was difficult to beat.
--- Ten billion five hundred million to the gentleman with the golden hair… Going once… Going twice… After this battle for one of the Genesis Journals, our winner is the man with the golden hair!
The room applauded Claus's victory.
About thirty minutes later, Claus and Elizabeth were standing on the deck with the other guests. The other attendees of the auction were greeting him one after another, and he merely smiled and thanked them for their various compliments.
--- For your first time at an auction, you soundly defeated me, offered Alfred Blakroks with a slight bow towards Claus and Elizabeth.
--- You simply chose not to defeat me, otherwise I'm sure you would have.
--- Allow me to introduce myself: Alfred Blakroks…
--- You are the nephew of the Blakroks family patriarch, the honor is mine, said Claus, returning the courtesy.
--- My name is Frey Braus, and this is my wife, Ellena Braus.
--- I am honored, though I must confess I had not heard of the Braus family before today.
--- That is to be expected: we are merchants from the Southern Continent. Our family has traveled across all four continents for generations.
--- I understand, and it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again at the next gathering.
--- Likewise…
---What do we have here, if not the star of the evening?
The voice came from behind them. Claus turned to see the person with the owl mask, dressed in black, his dark skin a stark contrast to his white hair, accompanied by the young lady who was with him during the auction.
--- Good evening, my dear sir. It is a pleasure to see you again, said Claus with a bow.
---You can dispense with the formalities. You defeated me so thoroughly, it has brought us closer, Mr. Braus… Or should I say, Claus Bloodfall?
He whispered this into Claus's ear without flinching. Claus betrayed no emotion, for he had already suspected it: the Blakes would be here tonight, and not as friends.
--- A pup who has just begun to suckle thinks itself a wolf… How odious.
--- (Laughs.) You've grown up well since you stole from us. You're no longer the scared little boy hiding behind his father,said the young man.
---You, on the other hand, haven't changed: still the spoiled daddy's boy
Claus retorted.
--- Know this: the Blakes never lose. We will retrieve the two Genesis Journals you stole from us.
--- You two seem to know each other well,said Alfred Blakroks, trying to defuse the tension.
---This does not concern you, Alfred Blakroks, the young Blake snapped.
---I disagree: you are speaking with my friend. I have every right to intervene.
---We must leave, father is waiting, said the young Blake lady.
The young man accompanying her was visibly displeased but obliged to leave.
---We will meet again, Braus. And this time, you will not escape so easily. You've managed to survive twice, but know that we will succeed the next time.
The young man turned to leave with his companion.
"The Blakes are a problem I must deal with, or they will hinder my future plans. I will have to make them a priority."
Claus came to this resolution, for this brief exchange made him understand that the death of the real Claus in the lake was the fault of the Blakes.
"They want to retrieve the Genesis Journal I saw in my memories."
But as for the port of the archangel Uceanos, no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't see why their occupation of the port would be a problem.
"I will have to investigate the Redeyes family."
He remembered that according to the records, before the investigation the Blake family conducted against them, they were a neutral and model family.
Claus was lost in his thoughts while Elizabeth chatted with Alfred; they seemed to be getting along well.
---(Sigh.) Politics has never been something I excelled in…
Claus looked up: the moon was still there. It was what reassured him the most.