6.Pirate's Gold Coin

The commencement of the auction had Klaw caught up in the excitement alongside the wealthy attendees. He craned his neck to witness the unveiling of each treasure, their mysterious veils lifted, and for that moment, fortune and status seemed just a stone's throw away.

"The first item, an ivory from the ancient Mughal Empire!"

Lord Bard, the auctioneer, was all animation and vigor, his arms flailing about as servants hoisted a weathered tusk onto the table.

"Sacred, ancient, and steeped in honor," Mr. Bard expounded.

"It is said that the elephant this tusk belonged to marched alongside three monarchs into battle, earning great glory. This ivory was unearthed in the midst of a tempest, with thunder and lightning,and there were many people who believe that this was an ivory that hosts the gods, sure to bring good fortune to its possessor... Starting bid at 300 pounds, the bidding begins."

"400 pounds!"

"450 pounds!"

"600 pounds!"

Klaw tried to put himself in the shoes of the affluent, to comprehend why they would spend a fortune on this aged and yellowed piece of bone. As he pondered, the price of the ivory soared to a figure beyond his ken. In due course, Lord Bard declared the item sold, and the tusk was wrapped and delivered into the arms of a beaming gentleman, who grinned as if he had just won a protracted war.

"The next item was a beautiful oil painting from Italy, a treasure from the Renaissance period... Let me think... Ah, I've heard some rumors, and I must warn the newcomers, this is not a Raphael, absolutely not a Raphael..."

The guests laughed, and Klaw joined in the laughter. But even though Lord Bard had made it clear that the painting was not an original masterpiece, its auction value still soared, opening Klaw's eyes to the whims of the wealthy.

"Next, let us welcome a bone chain from the king of the once-Inca Empire..."

...

Klaw became increasingly puzzled, even though the atmosphere at the scene remained high. But he could see that these so-called auction items were not worth much money, absolutely not worth the amounts the rich were bidding. Could it be that Lord Bard was a fraud, deceiving those wealthy people with no discernment? If so, the plan carefully laid out by their guild might end up with no benefits at all.

Was that a possibility? Klaw continued to observe Lord Bard.

With his excellent eloquence, it seemed that all the treasures were rare and precious.

The guests were bidding frantically, only regretting that their purses were not full enough to take everything away - were they really that foolish?

Klaw observed the auction process more closely and found that the successful bidders would not immediately pay in cash. Instead, they would let their servants take the items away first and then discuss the details with the host's financial advisor.

It seemed that Mr. Bard was a very generous and magnanimous person, even willing to allow people to bid on credit, which was quite rare in the morally bankrupt Silver Port.

This presented an opportunity for Klaw.

He slipped out of the room and summoned Yemir, who was enjoying fruits on the first floor.

They returned to the auction, and began to frenziedly bid alongside the wealthy. Thus, to Yemir's astonishment, the penniless beggar leader Klaw, with empty hands, "purchased" several curios. Without a care, under the guise of "Chabot the Second, son of the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, Mayor of Silver Port," he successfully got the host to extend him credit. Consequently, Yemir was constantly shuttling back and forth, moving these bizarre, seemingly trash-like items to the entrance of the mansion, where Rat-Eye's carriage was already waiting.

Halfway through the auction, everyone agreed to take a break to rest.

Uncertain of how long he would have to endure this place, Klaw grabbed a glass of high-end red wine from a servant's tray and approached the excited host.

"The auction is really well-organized, Mr. Bard," he feigned.

"I'm pleased to hear that, Mr. Chabot," Mr. Bard said with a smile, "I hope you liked the facial masks I sent you, they are the latest trend in the French court."

Klaw was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained his composure. He knew nothing about "facial masks," but judging from Mr. Bard's demeanor, he and the prodigal son were not acquainted, only having had correspondence through mail and messages.

"Tell me, sir," Klaw inquired, "how did you acquire these rare treasures?"

"Oh, sir," Bard waved his hand with a smile, "I am a merchant, always traveling, circumnavigating the globe, accumulating some modest connections in various places, some channels that bring me closer to these treasures... But I do not hold auctions for profit, I merely wish for fellow collectors who love these treasures to behold their beauty. For this, I will contribute all my enthusiasm without reservation."

How eloquent, Klaw thought to himself, any piece of trash here could support an entire nest of impoverished children in Silver Port, yet the wealthy only thought of pleasure, not at all ashamed of their extravagance and indulgence.

"Without reservation?" he sneered. "Forgive me for saying so, Mr. Bard, but the treasures you are auctioning off have not been presented without reservation."

"Hmm... What do you mean, sir?"

"I've heard that you've acquired a... pirate's coin," he whispered.

Upon hearing Klaw's words, Bard laughed nervously, and Klaw laughed along.

"My esteemed sir, indeed, vulgar items cannot enter your wise sight," Lord Bard said with a smile.

"Not at all, it's just that I am already somewhat weary and do not wish to waste my mental energy on these... items of little value. You understand my meaning, right?"

"Of course... Then, for you... I will skip the rest and bring out my grand finale directly."

Lord Bard walked away with a faint smile, his demeanor laden with implication, which left Klaw feeling somewhat uneasy.

By this time, the room had thinned out, with many having claimed their desired treasures and joined the revelry outside with delight. Those who remained were eager to catch a glimpse of the yet-to-be-revealed items. Lord Bard approached the table, reached into his pocket, and produced a small black box.

"I thank you all for staying until the end. To demonstrate my dedication, I will now present the most valuable treasure," he said, seemingly trying to create an air of mystery, building suspense to highlight the worth of the item. He wanted his audience to believe that the contents of this small box were worth a king's ransom.

"Nicely played, old fox," Klaw muttered to himself, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement. Lord Bard's attempts to ingratiate himself with the wealthy were apparent. Yet, his strategies with different individuals were not as crude as those of common politicians, who either flattered directly or painted non-existent benefits vividly. No, he had confidence, substance; his words were well-measured, sometimes hinting, sometimes trailing off, just enough to pique interest and serve his purpose.

When Lord Bard opened the unassuming black box, Klaw's thoughts were drawn to it, and he, along with the other guests, silently observed the treasure inside, no longer concerned with speculating about anyone's intentions.

"Gold," he whispered.

It was indeed a gold coin. Resting quietly in the box, it appeared exceptionally beautiful under the flickering light of Lord Bard's lantern. The obverse of the coin was engraved with peculiar patterns, as if a painter had tried to capture the shape of the wind among mountains.

However, even though it was pure gold and larger than any currency Klaw had known, to claim it as Lord Bard's most valuable treasure seemed far-fetched. Its value must lie not in the precious metal but in the meaning it represented.

Klaw glanced at Lord Bard, who was stroking his mustache, observing the guests' reactions with a chuckle.

"A single gold coin isn't much of a treasure!" a guest remarked, puzzled.

"But it is more than just a gold coin, sir. It carries a grand tale of adventure. It is a pirate's gold coin, and to this day, it is coveted by the most vicious of villains. Allow me to explain the story behind it, and you will discover its unparalleled value."