Public Auction

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!"

I greeted the audience with a bright grin, pacing in front of them while motioning my hands to a smooth rhythm.

This would be a significant step to our road to becoming the wealthiest in Aslesia. It was a pity that my first auction didn't have those grandiose spotlights and a great podium to hold this monumental event for Bedo and me.

"As you all don't know, this gentleman in here." I spread my arm in the felon's direction who was tied up in this little space in front of everyone. "Had infiltrated my shop last night. I nearly fell victim to his vicious nature and while I was struggling to live, he laughed right in front of my face!"

I never held an auction before, but one thing I knew was, a good myth was hard to kill. A great story, even if it wasn't the truth or part of the reality, could move any heart. Hence, that was what I was trying to achieve. Although I didn't need to move their hearts, I only need to tickle a few nerves to make them want this man, but not enough to upset them.

"While I tremble and struggle to live, this man watched me with a bright smile on his face! He went on with the stories and details of his creations which he called 'arts.'" I sighed heavily as I scanned everyone's mixed expressions; some were impatient, but others were invested in it.

"In case you don't know these 'arts', let me explain it to you. Ladies and Gentlemen, those you had seen in the plaza, those dismembered bodies, bones; the flesh of your friend, brother, your family... this man called him his art! His creation!" I nodded encouragingly, hearing gasped and growls as that simple explanation riled them up. "Yes. Those people whom you see as your precious friend, your family, your brother... to this man, they were nothing but a piece of his art!"

"I will kill him!"

"Oh, my son...! Just what did my son do wrong for you to do such a thing to him?"

Angry voices and weeping instantly resonated in the air, but even when the werewolves bare their fangs, they didn't attack him since the group of mages also stepped in. Of course, they would all want to end this psycho and would want to execute him themselves.

I raised my hand and waved slightly, waiting for the noises to subside. This was becoming too dramatic, but that was the purpose in here. I needed them to be emotional so they would do everything to buy this felon.

"I understand your emotions as I went through a horrible night in the hands of this man." I placed my palm across my chest dramatically. "I can only imagine the horrible things this man did to his previous victims, the sufferings they went through, the regrets of life flashing back before welcoming the pearly gates of heaven. I understand it all — your pain and the victims' last moments. That is why I thought of this public auction!"

"This man had offended many people, and I believed everyone needed to have equal right to avenge their family or friends who were fallen victim by this man!" I continued with my voice raising, traveling my eyes across the people once again. "I will not ask for too much, for I simply want this to be fair and square."

This time, I took a step back and beckoned a deep bow. "I am but a simple merchant who cannot be selfish in exacting my angst to this despicable man. I, on behalf of all the victims, entrust this man's fate to you." I slowly raised my head with a stern expression.

Obviously, all I said was utter bull. But, the point was there were other people who bought it. I didn't need everyone to believe it, anyway. I just needed their mouth for promotion purposes. Priorities.

"So, I will not drag this for long. The bidding starts with..." I held my breath, watching others look at me as if I was their prey. The corner of my lips stretched into a wide smirk. I raised my hands in front of me, showing my ten fingers.

"Ten golds!"

There was a moment of silence as soon as I announced the starting bid. Did they think I will start it at hundred golds? Well, that was my initial plan, but Bedo told me it would look bad if I painted myself as a greedy scammer. I might have to reduce the money I would accumulate, but if I did it right and left an impression on some of these people, it would be worth it.

'This is my first investment,' I mentally nodded, snapping my eyes when someone in the crowd raised a hand.

"Fifty gold coins!"

I clicked my tongue, pointing in the man's direction who held the poster I distributed earlier where I wrote numbers for the bidders. "Fifty gold coins for number 29!"

"Eighty gold coins!"

"One hundred gold coins!"

"Five hundred gold coins!" My ears clapped when I heard someone raise it to five hundred. My eyes fell on the familiar alpha of the wolf pack, standing mighty and tall. "That boy is ours."

"Woah..." I awed, nodding excitedly as I pointed at the werewolf. "Five hundred gold --" I wasn't even done yet when suddenly, someone raised the bid once again.

"Two thousand gold coins."

Silence. I nearly choked when I shifted my eyes on the group of mages. There, a beautiful woman pulled down her hood, revealing her aloof yet beautiful face. She was... pretty, but the money she said just now was even prettier.

'What?! I didn't actually think this auction will reach a thousand!'

"Two thousand gold coins for number 3!" my voice thundered, suppressing my excitement as I raised my brows, looking at the crowd. The werewolves instantly glared daggers at the mages, but the woman who did the bidding was unfazed.

"Two thousand gold coins! Does anybody want to raise it?" I asked in a suspenseful tone, waiting for a few seconds before adding, "Going once --" but was interrupted when someone raised a number.

"Five thousand gold coins!"

All we heard next was the whistle of the wind along with the rustling leaves. Wait... I blinked twice, dumbfounded at the bid I heard. Did he say five — five thousand gold coins?!

"Five thousand gold coins?" the murmurings instantly volumed up, bringing me back to the current lapse. I gazed at the number who raised it and saw it was number one.

"Five thousand gold coins! For number 1! Alright, alright! It seems we have a winner...?" I grinned excitedly, gazing at the crowd to see if there were potential bidders. As I did, I noticed that those who were active participants in the bid frowned, glaring at the man who wasn't in any particular group. He looked a bit shady with his old cloak, but that wasn't my problem.

"Going, going,... gone! This criminal is sold at five thousand gold coins! Congratulations on bidder number one!" Since I didn't have a fancy material to close the bid, I simply clapped loudly.