187: Participate in the auction

After they all dispersed, Arthur looked at Victor, who was responsible for guarding the capital, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes:

"Victor, from now on, you'll be my personal guard again, protecting me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Victor's face was full of excitement as he replied; he could finally guard Arthur again!

Afterward, Arthur went to the harem and performed Instillation for Karona, Olivia, and Dolia.

He used the same explanation as when he performed Instillation for his parents, saying it was a magical potion.

Such precious things, The three women initially refused to accept them, but under Arthur's persuasive reasoning, The three women finally drank the magical potion.

Over the next two days, Arthur taught his parents and others the Aura Concealment Technique before letting them leave.

The joyful times passed, and what Arthur had to face next was the vigorous development of the northern part of the Kingdom!

This had all been arranged before; now it was just a matter of waiting for the time to come!

...Godfall Calendar, May 15th, 15421

It had been a month and a half since Arthur summoned one hundred Earth Element Masters and ordered France to lead them to open up highways in the six former Lionheart Kingdom provinces.

Today, France finally brought Arthur the news that the project was completed.

"Your Majesty, the highways in the six provinces have been completed. After trial operation, it was found that the transportation speed between cities has at least doubled!

I believe that with this, under the influence of the highways, communication between the six provinces will become more frequent, and all regions will become more prosperous!

Your Majesty's vision truly astounds us!"

"It's good that it's effective. Since the highways in the six provinces have been completed, these hundred people can't be idle. Afterward, let them go to the Barren Plains to continue participating in construction!

This way, there will be three hundred Earth Element Masters constructing the Barren Plains, and the speed can be even faster!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After assenting, France took out something resembling a scroll from his space ring.

"Your Majesty, the map for dividing the Barren Plains into six provinces has been completed. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?"

"Bring it here!"

Arthur took the map, examined it for a long time, and felt that the newly divided six provinces of the Barren Plains had no issues.

Thus, the current Lionheart Kingdom now had twelve provinces, a considerable territory!

But such a large place only had eighty million people; it was too few!

"France, I think this division is fine, but next, you need to focus more on increasing the population!

For specific measures, you can set up a department specifically to distribute subsidies to families with multiple children.

Just distribute grain; as long as it's a second child or more, for each additional child, they can receive an extra fifty catties of grain per month!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!

Are there any other arrangements?"

"Not for now, you may leave!"

"Yes!"

Arthur silently praised France for his competence... Time quickly came to June. After Arthur obtained another opportunity for duplication and one for random summoning.

His duplication and random summoning opportunities reached three and one, respectively.

The Lionheart Merchant Guild's May profits were also sent to Arthur via the Intermediate Formation Plate.

May's profits were much less than April, when the guild first opened, only seventy billion gold coins.

Arthur knew this was normal, and it might decrease further before stabilizing.

However, he estimated that it wouldn't drop below fifty billion gold coins, as they were all scarce goods!

With these seventy billion gold coins, Arthur's savings were almost one hundred seventy billion, giving him a full sense of security!

By June, the development of the Barren Plains was still not complete. Logically, Arthur should not have left the Lionheart Kingdom.

However, last year, the Dawn Merchant Guild sent Arthur an invitation to an auction.

This auction was not simple; the Dawn Merchant Guild only held it once every ten years, and it held immense appeal to people in the various Kingdoms, not to mention the Empire.

According to Arthur's inquiries, previous auctions even featured items related to Demigod Experts.

Thinking that this time should be no exception, Arthur opened the invitation that had been in his space ring for a long time.

As he read through it, the invitation from the Dawn Merchant Guild indeed contained descriptions of some auction items, including a demi-divine artifact.

"demi-divine artifact: Rick's Book of Meditation

Effect:

1. Greatly increases a mage's meditation speed.

That is to say, it can increase a mage's Cultivation speed.

This is its main effect, and there are two slightly weaker effects.

2. Can double casting speed.

3. Can double attack strength"

This item looked incredibly powerful just from its stats, capable of both aiding Cultivation and assisting in offense.

Arthur guessed that people from the Empire, and even Demigod Experts, might rush over upon hearing the news.

Could the people of the Dawn Merchant Guild guard this item?

A question arose in Arthur's mind, but it vanished when he turned another page of the invitation.

It was written on the other page that the above description refers to the effects of a complete "Rick's Book of Meditation"; however, the book is currently incomplete, and its true effects are only about half of what is stated above.

Alright, in that case, the attraction to Demigod Experts wouldn't be as great, and the Dawn Merchant Guild could maintain order!

Besides Rick's Book of Meditation, Arthur also discovered several other interesting items that he could consider bidding on.

One was a commodity called water of life, probably about three drops.

According to its description, anyone below Demigod Expert, including Legendary, as long as they weren't dead, one drop of water of life would restore them to their original state.

Even Demigod Experts would experience significant healing effects after consumption.

Arthur naturally wanted such a life-saving item.

The second was a magical potion called the Elixir of Immortality. After consumption, it could keep one's appearance perpetually young, which held immense allure for women.

For the future happiness of Karona and the others, and Arthur himself, this item had to be bought!

After that, there was nothing particularly special, and the auction catalog only listed a portion of the items; some could be learned about on-site.

Besides purchasing items, Arthur could also put some things up for auction to make a huge profit.

Considering the above, Arthur decided to attend the auction.

Since he decided to go, he needed to carefully consider the choice of people to attend the auction.

Karona, Olivia, and Dolia would definitely accompany him.

Especially Karona and Olivia, as Arthur's Queens, they had been staying in the palace ever since Arthur became King.

Dolia could still go out and play without issue.

Now that they finally had a chance to go out, he should take them.

Next were the guards; Arthur decided to bring two people: Victor and Melita.

One man and one woman.

However, Victor could only display the strength of a Sky Knight on this outing.