Baston gulped down when he heard what Panto said. He had a foreboding sense that somehow, the puppets would soon make a trouble in front of many eyes. Nevertheless, he was curious about the exact reason. The fat boy then waited for Panto to explain more.
"The thing is like this… Everyone simply believed the man who bought the water magic in bulk was the perpetrator. There was a rumor revolving this person that he had already planned everything from the
beginning. He made the magic water became hard to sell and waited until the
last day before proceeding with his plan. Everyone now deems him as evil since
he only bought it at the last day without telling all people, making the man reaped the first bucket of gold."
Baston gasped because he never thought the people around assumed the first puppet did more than what he actually planned. It was clearly a slander if they said the man had already made a plan from the beginning because Baston just got the quest at the last day too. Even though so, he couldn't
possibly tell that to everyone or he would become the suspect too.
People at the moment thought the first man had already sold the magic water in the black market. Several people were also eager to do that while the rest chose to keep for their own use. Either way, the magic water was
on high demand with no store to buy for now. Baston wanted to take a profit from the magic water, but he didn't know where to go. Moreover, he had a concern about his safety too since the imagination told him the black market was full of evil and greedy people. Who knew once he took the goods at there, he would be killed.
Regarding the magic water, he needed to think a good way to dispose it. Back at the inn after Panto treated him with good lunch, he focused on the auction itself. It would be just a couple of days before the time.
Rembrant already sent a set of clothes for him to wear at this formal event. He looked at himself in the mirror. At present, some people would think he was a noble boy just based on the style. He nodded thoughtfully that Rembrant picked a good one for him.
"Alright, time to go to see what kind of auction it will hold…"
At the night of the auction, everyone focused their attention to a certain venue at the city. The place was bigger than Rembrant's
store, capable to provide many vacant seats for everyone to enjoy the auction. Even
though anyone could enter, there was still a requirement for it. The invitation for the auction was only issued for people with money and connection. Of course, as the one who provided the ice bead for bidding item, Rembrant already secured his seats. Together with Panto and Baston, he rent an exclusive carriage just so that he could show his face to everyone.
On the way to the venue, there was a quite high traffic. The road was almost congested if the public security didn't go to help. With their assists, everything went fine until Baston and the others reached the
destination. Just before their turn to go down from the carriage, he found there were many women from all ages flocked beside the main path. It was just like a movie premiere in his previous world.
"Why are there so many women out there? There are young and old. It's just like they wait for an idol…" Baston whispered to Panto.
"Well, you don't need to mind them. They are just gold digger at most. The women here just want to pick a suitable partner for them.
Once they found their man, they will try everything from outside to inside. Even a married man won't let them down since once the wife dies, everything will be possible then."
Baston felt terrified inside, but he tried his best not to show it on his face. Money made the world ran but money was also the source of evil. With a lot of accumulated wealth, every invited people here would be stared intently by many hungry wolves. Nothing would come in good future whenever this kind of women successfully enticed a wealthy person. Either they would be just a vase in the household or leech that sucked everything emptily.
The young women here with beautiful and good body might have one purpose to become wife or concubine, but Baston was confused why the middle-aged and old women also joined this occasion. The truth was they come here not to become a lover, but seeking a job employment. With how much wealth everyone displayed, surely there would be a few vacancies for them to work for a little of wage. Maids and cooks were one of many jobs they could do
proficiently. At least, they wanted to secure such a good environment so their children would also have another opportunity to work at the same place.
Baston shivered a little before he regained his composure. By the time he and others climbed down from the carriage, every woman screamed to the best to show their attractiveness. The fat boy didn't dare to look at them while Rembrant and Panto only nodded and waved a little.
"Kyaaa!!! Look at that handsome man!!!"
"His son is also handsome. I might die if he proposed me!!!"
"The other one is also cute. The fat boy is very handsome and gallant. I believe he will be a successful man!!!"
Baston was dumbfounded when he heard such a nonsense. The words handsome and gallant clearly pointed to him, yet he couldn't even associate himself with it. Truly, those women could lie easily just for the money. He quickened his pace until he entered the venue. When he couldn't hear any of them pleading again, he finally sighed. For now, he felt safe from those hungry wolves. The fat boy then followed Rembrant into the lobby when they met the colleagues of the same business.
"Ah, Rembrant… Long time no see you. You must be busy over the whole year…"
"Not really, not really… I'm just having difficulty to maintain my business. Unlike you, my store is only mediocre at the best…"
"No one is mediocre in here. If you can enter the auction venue, it already proves that you have strength to deal with it."
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure of it. By the way…"
While everyone exchanged their greetings with others, Baston and Panto took a walk at the surrounding. The venue was quite cool with many luxury decorations. The chandelier looked pretty and the fountain looked magnificent. There was also free food and drink everywhere. No wonder people
were getting intoxicated to enjoy such a wealth. The women from before was one
of many evidences that they craved for such a luxury in their lives.
Baston didn't know anyone here except Rembrant and Panto, so he just stayed at the edge of the place. While he was enjoying food and drink alone, several boys and girls approached him from far. Panto whispered that each of them could be said colleagues and competitors at the same time. Just
like him as Rembrant's son, each of them had their own business family.
"Panto, it's been a while. I didn't see you before so I thought you still crammed over at the academy," one of boys started.
"No, I had already come back a few days ago. I've been busy showing my classmate here around the city," Panto replied.
"Oh, this must be Baston. I've heard from my father that he solved your father's predicament before. If he didn't bring the ice bead, your father might have a headache over the auction," one of the girls commented.
"Ha… ha… ha… Not really, not really… Actually, my friend had already asked me for help to sell this thing, but since the holiday was just here, so then I finally have a chance to come here. My father is only worried that the ice bead will get stolen on the way here, so he has to take other measure if it happened."
To counter such a disguised ridiculing, Panto was forced to make a little lie too. He actually didn't know that his father was having a
headache because the auction, but the ice bead from Baston unexpectedly solved it directly. Right at the moment, this item could be said to become the main show today. At the side, Baston didn't care this child play because he just hoped the ice bead could fetch a good price.
"Your name is Baston, right?" one of the boys came forward, "I hope you can choose us when you want to sell something in the future."
Baston just nodded and shook his hand expressionlessly, "I will consider it."
One by one, everyone started to shake hand with Baston. Today, they just needed to exchange their greetings. Although they didn't say much, their hidden intentions were leaked so Panto knew they wanted to snatch
Baston from him. In this case, even though he could do nothing today, but he was determined to increase the expenditure of the meal cost once they got back to the academy. At first, he paid for Baston's breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the outside. By this time, he must discuss it with his father so he could provide a bigger enjoyment for Baston. With it, he was sure he could retain Baston so for not switching side at later time.
Baston was still in the dark while Panto already had an idea to feed the fat boy with sumptuous meal each morning, noon, and evening. It would at least make him satisfied. Whatever Baston ordered, he as his classmate had to ensure his savior would get the fine dishes. It might be good but the fat boy eventually would be doomed since he could only say goodbye if he wanted to diet at this time.
The time for greetings was done, so Rembrant and the others took seat inside the auction area. The place was designed gracefully with many enchanting decorations. The ornaments signified only a wealthy person who could enter the place. There was even a trace of magic in the surroundings, positioned as a means of protection and personal partition. The place they took wasn't the best, but it was also not shabby. If Baston could conclude, among economy, business, and VIP class, they took a business class seat here. As for the VIP
class, it was surely reserved for venerable customer with high status and influence.
At one of VIP compartment, everyone inside could see everything from upstairs. It was a good sight for viewing, making several people inside became satisfied with the treatment. In this private room, there were a few women discussing about the auction. The one they concerned about at the present was the ice bead.
"The ice bead should be auctioned today. Are you sure you bring enough money?"
"Of course, I already bring millions on this card," the woman handed an exclusive card to the first woman, "I'm pretty sure no one can overwhelm us by this time."
"Yes, it should be. But I'm afraid the other noble families won't let us having a good time. Since it's already announced, they might let one or two difficulties fall on top of us."
"I thought so. We need to be alert on our side. If something happened to us, the foundation of the family will be shaken," another woman claimed her worry.
"Relax, the ice bead can't make them go awry for the competition. It's just a simple item, so I believe they won't do anything out
of bounds. If not, there will be a commotion among the nobles."
"Alright then…" everyone nodded.
"By the way, have you found out about who provide the ice bead?" the woman deemed as the leader asked another question.
"It seems it comes from a boy named Baston. When I look further, he's a student from Prius Academy. Not long ago, he got the ice bead from Zeverius Academy as a gift…"
"He dares to sell this gift?" the woman was flabbergasted.