5.Auction

Lord Bard's residence was a world apart from the noise and clamor outside. It was only when the waiter in the red waistcoat closed the grand doors that Klaw realized that even among the wealthy, there was a hierarchy.

Violinists were playing a soothing melody, filling the entire first-floor banquet hall with tranquility and elegance. Guests enjoyed their fine wines, immersed in the beautiful music, conversing gracefully and quietly about the day's experiences.

"As planned, I'll go to the auction, and you'll scout around for information nearby. If anything comes up, create a disturbance," Klaw said to Yemir, who nodded and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Klaw had no time to linger and enjoy the music. He moved discreetly through the crowd and left the banquet hall. He was unaware of how many rooms the large house contained, nor did he know where the treasure he sought was being auctioned. Thus, he wandered about, hoping his usual good fortune would continue to hold. He ascended from a small hall on the east side of the first floor and found a long corridor on the second floor, carpeted in red. This corridor connected many rooms, with the ceiling adorned with gilded candelabras, and the walls lined with oil paintings and sculptures. Clearly, the owner of the house had an affinity for the arts, decorating every corner of his mansion with various artworks, making it as magnificent and splendid as a palace. Then, to Klaw's delight, he saw many waiters in red waistcoats moving objects covered with gray cloths; the smaller ones were carried in hand, while the larger ones were dragged on carts towards a room at the end of the corridor.

That room must have been filled with the auction's treasures. Klaw restrained his excitement and strode into that room. It was a space almost as large as the first-floor banquet hall but filled with rows of chairs. Klaw squinted, carefully observing this peculiar room. Directly opposite the chairs was a wall adorned with a British flag, with a red table platform two paces away. Waiters continuously brought in tightly wrapped goods, and some auction attendees also arrived at this time. The quiet room gradually became lively, as they took their seats and began discussing anecdotes as they had in the courtyard. From their conversations, Klaw realized these people were not all acquainted with each other, so he naturally joined them.

"Have you heard? Raphael's original work, the Madonna with Child, has made its way to Silver Port. If that painting is at this auction, I must get my hands on it!"

"Haha, even if you're willing to spend, it also has to be here."

"You mean the rumor is false?"

"You must be new here, right? You can't expect to buy anything truly valuable at Lord Bad's auction."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll see."

Others clearly had attended the auction more than once.

"I hope there's something novel today; it's been too boring lately."

"You're right, but Lord Bard's auction never disappoints. I heard he got his hands on a... pirate's coin."

The guests chatted animatedly, but Klaw was left confused. From their conversations, it seemed that the auction would not display anything particularly valuable but would instead seek items that were fashionable and novel.

"Damn Rat-Eye, his information is utterly worthless."

Everything had to be verified by what he saw with his own eyes. However, Klaw could at least be certain that there was indeed a coin, and it was related to pirates.

For some reason, he felt this coin must be an extremely valuable treasure.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" A loud and smooth voice rang out. It was an old gentleman in a black tuxedo, carrying a lamp that moved with him as he walked in from outside, the light following him until he reached the red table. This was the owner of the mansion—Lord Dominick Bard, who bowed deeply to everyone present. "Welcome to my humble abode!" he said, rounding out the entire entrance ceremony.

The applause rippled through the room like a wave, each set of hands joining in the ovation.

Klaw scrutinized Lord Bard, the jolly old fellow whose countenance was bathed in the warm glow of his own lamplight, casting a spotlight on every line and crevice. He was a tad over fifty, with age tiptoeing across his face, trying to leave its mark but not quite managing to etch its signature. Life had clearly been kind to him; though his hair had gone the way of the dove, his skin was the picture of health, smooth as a freshly plowed field. Sparse stubble and a pair of elegantly elongated mustaches rested on a face that could pass for a young man's if not for the wisdom in his eyes.

"Here we are, gathered in the spirit of curiosity and opulence, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Lord Bard said, his voice a rich blend of gratitude and grandeur.

He bowed once more, a gesture that was more of a performance art than a simple nod.

"Alright, old friend Bard! Stop the theatrics and show us the goods!" a voice called out from the throng, a playful jab that spoke of a friendship seasoned with jest. It was clear that Lord Bard was the life of the high-society party.

"Oh, no, no, dear Norman!" the host replied with a chuckle. "We can't skip the formalities, can we?"

A chorus of laughter filled the room, as light and effervescent as the champagne that no doubt flowed freely among the guests.

With a flourish, Lord Bard turned to face the British flag, offering a solemn nod to the monarchy and a hearty wish for King George's health and prosperity. And with a final pivot, he turned back to the crowd, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he proclaimed:

"And so, without further ado, I declare the Western Treasures Auction... open for business!"

The rest of the banquet went on as scheduled, but it seemed that there was an undercurrent flowing silently behind everything.