26: Chapter 26 Auction

Vira Prime had never been so lively.

The planet's main industries were heavy steam machinery and arduous mining, and the air was perpetually filled with the smell of coal smoke and metal dust.

The Emperor's Great Crusade had brought nominal unity and protection, but there was no time to oversee the specific development of every planet. Worlds like Vira Prime continued to operate along their own coarse orbits.

To the majority of commoners sweating in mines and factories, the "Artifact Auction" was merely an unreachable story from tavern rumors.

What they could feel were the sudden influx of arrogant off-world visitors in fine clothing on the streets, the abruptly tightened patrols and security in the Governor's District, and the subtle fluctuations in prices. The excitement belonged to the visitors; life remained as hard as ever for the locals.

Planetary Governor Bartholomew had initially entertained thoughts of monopolizing the "frost greatsword."

The prestige and potential benefits brought by the title of an artifact made him envious. However, he soon realized he had kicked a steel plate.

The Tiangong United Trading Company displayed strength and decisive methods that completely belied its apparent scale, causing him and his personal guard no small amount of suffering.

Bartholomew quickly recognized reality, abandoned his unrealistic fantasies, and instead began to cooperate fully, hoping to reap enough political capital and economic gains by successfully hosting this auction.

The auction was set for two months after the news was released.

These two months were enough for the powerful, collectors, interstellar merchants, and even some keen-scented military personnel from several surrounding star systems to arrive at Vira Prime through various means.

On the day of the auction, outside the giant exhibition hall temporarily expanded next to the Governor's Mansion, traffic was like a flowing dragon of carriages and horses.

Glamorously dressed noble men and women entered the venue surrounded by servants, nodding to each other with reserve, though evaluation and competition were hidden in their eyes.

Wealthy merchants from different worlds spoke in low voices, exchanging intelligence. A few individuals in plain clothes but with sharp temperaments sat silently in the corners, their gazes scanning the entire hall.

The interior of the venue was decorated with extreme luxury, attempting to mask the inherent crudeness of Vira Prime. Bright lights illuminated the central auction stage.

The auction was personally hosted by Governor Bartholomew, who did his best to appear solemn and knowledgeable.

Auction items were presented one by one, from mining rights for rare crystal veins discovered locally on Vira Prime, to ancient mechanical remains with unknown energy signatures unearthed from a lost colony planet, to exclusive distribution rights for high-end liquor for the next three years from a neighboring agricultural planet...

Perhaps it was the massive attraction of the "Artifact," or perhaps the buyers present were indeed wealthy, or perhaps the Tiangong Merchant Bank's early operations and warm-up were sufficient.

Not a single one of the seventeen preliminary auction items failed to sell; all were closed at good prices.

The atmosphere of the venue gradually heated up, and the audience's expectations climbed to their peak.

Governor Bartholomew wiped the fine beads of sweat from his brow; he knew the main event was coming.

He cleared his throat, and his voice spread throughout the venue via amplification equipment, suppressing all whispers.

"Noble guests, next will be the finale of this auction, and what everyone has long been waiting for... a miracle from an ancient lost civilization—the [frost greatsword]!"

The lights dimmed suddenly, and a spotlight hit the display stand slowly rising in the center of the auction stage.

That ice-blue greatsword, surrounded by a faint white mist, lay quietly on a black velvet cushion.

Even through the protective force field, a faint chill seemed to penetrate, causing the audience in the front rows to instinctively tighten their collars.

Countless gazes—fervent, greedy, scrutinizing, and shocked—focused on that single point of cold light.

The true contest was about to begin.

The starting price for the frost greatsword was a staggering figure, but the bidding rose almost immediately from all sides.

"Three million Vira Coins!"

"Three and a half million!"

"Four million!"

The price climbed steadily in the fanatical atmosphere, each increase drawing a low gasp.

Dignitaries from different star systems were flushed, as if they were competing not for a sword, but for some supreme glory and proof.

"Six million eight hundred thousand!" a count from a wealthy agricultural planet shouted through gritted teeth.

"Seven million!" His competitor, a mining tycoon, refused to be outdone.

Just as the price was about to break the eight million mark, an arrogant, cold voice carrying unquestionable power shattered the clamor:

"Ten million."

The entire venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a middle-aged man dressed in ornate retro armor and a deep red cloak standing in a private box on the second floor with an excellent view.

His face was hard and cold, his gaze disdainful, and a complexly decorated ceremonial power sword hung at his waist. Behind him stood several fierce-looking guards, also in bright armor.

"It's the Caslan Knight Family of Redflame Star!" someone whispered in surprise, their tone carrying fear.

The Caslan family ruled a small neighboring star system and was famous for its powerful private fleet and brave knightly traditions, possessing a fearsome reputation on the edges of the Goth Starfield.

They acted domineeringly, and few dared to provoke them directly.

The knight claiming to be the representative of the Caslan family scanned the silent crowd below, a satisfied curve hooking his lips as he repeated, "Ten million. The Caslan family wants this artifact. Is there anyone else who wishes to bid?"

The naked threat was obvious.

Planetary Governor Bartholomew opened his mouth, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He couldn't afford to offend the Caslan family, but the rules of the auction...

The venue was dead silent. The dignitaries who had been bidding fiercely earlier now lowered their heads or looked away with ugly expressions; no one dared to speak again.

Although ten million was far beyond expectations, it wasn't unreachable; it was just that no one was willing to offend a local power like Caslan for a sword.

In another inconspicuous box on the second floor, Liang Qiming furrowed his brows. Liang Chengping's face was even more ashen, his fists clenching with a cracking sound.

"Bastard!" Liang Chengping cursed in a low voice. "A mere mortal knightly family dares to force a sale and ruin my Liang Family's plans!" In his eyes, knightly nobles were no different from commoners; how dare they interfere.

"Uncle, stay calm." Liang Qiming held his hand down, observing with a calm gaze. "Let's see how things play out first."

Just as Governor Bartholomew was in a difficult position and the triumph on the Caslan knight's face was growing—

Bang!

The heavy, brass-embossed doors of the auction hall were suddenly flung inward!

Governor Bartholomew's instinctive angry rebuke was already at the tip of his tongue: "Who is so rude—"

But his voice stopped abruptly.

The breath of everyone who looked toward the sound stalled at that moment.

Outside the door, it was not the guards or troublemakers they had expected.