190 [190] The Auction Begins
The Mystic Eye Collection Train had the idea of auctioning 'Rainbow'-level mystic eyes!
This was beyond his expectations.
According to the situation seen through his Stand Atum, the mystic eye they were preparing to auction was the damaged 'Rainbow' mystic eye.
Based on the answers seen through his stand, one eye was intact, while the magic circuits inside the other eye suffered some degree of damage, but the exact extent was unknown.
He didn't continue to inquire... asking might raise suspicions.
This stand was his trump card... a very useful one.
Mind-reading... that ability, he didn't intend to tell anyone. Absolutely no one!
So, before she grew suspicious, he needed to end this quickly.
Such a significant matter would undoubtedly attract attention, and the trend during the auction might be even more substantial than he anticipated.
By then... he must obtain that mystic eye.
A 'Rainbow'-level mystic eye...
It definitely wasn't something from the present; perhaps it was obtained from a hundred years ago or even earlier when the Mystic Eye Collection train originated.
However, a 'Rainbow'-level mystic eye didn't mean invincibility; it could only be said to be very powerful... beyond the scope of humans.
But, in this world...
Going beyond the scope of humans was just a starting point.
Currently, he... hadn't even reached that starting point.
It was still far away.
Accompanied by his contemplation, time quickly passed.
An hour passed quickly.
In the deep quiet of the night, a broadcast echoed inside the train, "Ladies and gentlemen."
The voice of the conductor, Rodin, came through the speakers, "The Mystic Eye Auction is now commencing. Please proceed to the second carriage—Pandemonium."
Having heard the broadcast, Kazuya walked out.
Although the jewel he purchased, worth tens of millions of yen, was now half-broken.
The carriage's size was significantly abnormal. Not to mention the length, the width was twice that of the other carriages. It seemed to have used magical space expansion.
Here, it was already another world.
Glass tubes filled the walls with eyeballs. Without a doubt, these were all mystic eyes.
There were hundreds or even thousands of them.
These were the foundation of the Mystic Eye Collection Train.
It existed, even compared to the lengthy history of a country, as the accumulated mystic eyes gathered over the years.
"Thank you all for your patience."
With this announcement, Kazuya looked around.
There were priests, dead apostle, department of policies, and the young man named "Lehrman Noel" seen earlier, accompanied by various familiars in different forms.
These familiars came here to purchase mystic eyes on behalf of the magus behind them.
Six in total.
"We will be presenting a total of five mystic eyes this time. Details on each eye's performance and conditions, the estimated transaction price, and the auction period are all explained in the catalogs you have. Please review them in advance."
The conductor continued, probably talking about the currency used for the auction, which was the US dollar, and the currency exchange service provided...
However, what interested Kazuya more was... what level were these mystic eyes on the walls?
Most likely... all of them were NobleColor or even higher.
"Now, the Mystic Eye Auction begins."
The host, Leandra, solemnly declared.
"Now presenting the first mystic eye." The host slightly bowed, and another staff member appeared beside her, placing a glass tube on the stage. Inside were a pair of mystic eyes.
"First is a NobleColor 'Mystic Eye of Cursed,' as a NobleColor, it can be considered the most basic, so the starting price is one million US dollars."
"One million and one hundred thousand dollars."
"One million and two hundred thousand dollars."
"One million and three hundred thousand dollars."
The familiars shouted their respective prices, and the prices progressed layer by layer.
"Five million dollars." Kazuya said decisively.
"Six million dollars." Mevis began to raise the bid.
"Six million five hundred thousand dollars." Dead Apostle Colin Kidd squinted slightly. Currently, he was evading pursuit from the Church, and if it was a suitable mystic eye, it could provide significant combat power.
"Ten million dollars." Kazuya once again doubled his previous bid.
"Hey hey, isn't that a bit too much... Are you really rich?" The young man named Lehrman Noel joked and stated his price, "Eleven million one hundred thousand dollars."
"Who knows..." Kazuya smiled, "I'm quite curious... How much are you willing to insist on this mystic eye? Above eleven million one hundred thousand? Over thirteen million? Or perhaps... over fifteen million? Personally, I feel like around thirteen million... would be the limit?"
He wasn't randomly bidding.
The transaction price for the NobleColor mystic eye in the El-Melloi II Case Files was ten million...
So, his initial target was ten million...
Later, if someone exceeded that price, he would feign interest, inquire about their psychological endurance, and then... use his stand to falsely assess it, to see exactly what that limit was, and then—bid exactly above that price!
For example, like this—
"Well then, I'll bid thirteen million dollars."
Sure enough... no one followed this time.
"What a lost..." Lehrman sighed, "Indeed, Mr. Kurokawa, you're quite wealthy..."
"Average, I guess. After all, I have to enter the Clock Tower later, so I need to prepare myself."
Lehrman's eyes slightly narrowed, "Enter the Clock Tower?"
"Yes, that's right, at the invitation of Lady Barthomeloi."
Mevis pushed up her glasses slightly and looked at Kazuya... indeed, a well-thought-out plan.
Trying to make others fear by relying on the banner of Barthomeloi...
Indeed, the atmosphere quieted down for a moment, and Lehrman also smiled wryly, "Congratulations then."
The host struck the gavel, and the hammer fell.
All of this indicated that Kazuya had obtained the 'Mystic Eye of Cursed.'
"Next is the 'Mystic Eye of Petrification.' Like the previous one, it is also NobleColor, starting at one million two hundred thousand dollars."
Then—
Simply, following the same script as last time, Kazuya obtained this mystic eye for a lower price, twelve million dollars.
"Next is the 'Mystic Eye of Strengthening.' Firstly, I would like to reiterate here, please confirm the restrictions and conditions in the catalog in advance. The starting price for this mystic eye is eight million dollars."
Among the familiars, exclamations were heard.
Harsh and unpleasant.
"Now, let the auction begin—"
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