chapter 16: Helstea Action
Waiting in the living room downstairs for Riva to get the carriage ready, I thought about how to tell my mother that I want to become an adventurer I don't really want to become one I just want to put my plans in motion i have a lot to do and I can afford to delay any longer .
" young master the carriage is ready " I heard a maid voice pulling me out of my thoughts.
" coming " I replied
The ride was pretty short, The first thought that had come to mind upon arrival was that Vincent really put in a lot of work into this .
The Helstea Auction House was breathtaking. It was rather misleading to even call it a house as it towered high above any of the other buildings nearby.
I've been to many national and historical monuments that were created by the most famous architects, but this was on a different level , I suspected that they had a lot of help from Conjurers from how large it was .
The Auction House was a magnificent theatre with intricate designs all over. The main doors were over 4 meters in height and were made from petrified wood with carved designs on it. Compared to the naturalistic and elegant designs that I saw in the past life , this was grand. It was in the shape of a half-cylinder with detailed stone sculptures of different weapons as supports.
I think I arrived early because I didn't see the royal family any where , so i will explore the place , The inside was equally, if not more stunning.
The front door opened to a path that stretched out to a stage on the other end. To our left and right, there were rows of escalating seats made from a rather luxurious burgundy leather that could fit over ten thousand people comfortably , Upon looking up, I noticed that there were incased booths at the very top of the rows of seats and even higher, there was a single room attached to the ceiling and back wall with glass surrounding it, giving a clear view of the stage. It was easy to guess that those booths, as well as the single room, was for the VIP .
The auction house was soon a panorama of cheerful and excited noise, as more and more people, who were no doubt people of some sort of influence, began filling the lower seats.
There were some groups that seemed more distinguished than the rest who were personally escorted by the hosts to their booths. No doubt, they were some of the more affluent nobles in the Kingdom.
Growing bored of the hordes of overdressed nobles chatting eagerly amongst themselves, I shifted my attention to main door.
Time passed by rather slowly until I saw Vincent leading a group of familiar people inside .
Vincent Helstea is a thin proper man, He has brown parted hair, with a small, brown beard on his chin and reddish brown eyes. Vincent is wearing a suit , with his trademark glasses.
I couldn't help but smile as they caught me from down there the queen and the princess waved at me , the king , his lips curled up into a smile before saying something to Vincent he looked up and nodded . What I understood from this brief interaction was I need to stay still till an escort came pick me up.
After minutes an escort arrived to me " please Mr Rose this way" .
" lead the way " after a brief moment we arrived at the VIP room knocking the door and opening it what greeted me was the carefully-designed and furnished area that was meant for only the most distinguished and wealthy guests.
Inside I saw the Helstea , the Royal Family and of course the Leywin Family , nodding at the royal family before stepping in and introducing my self .
Putting a hand at my left chest , my right leg a little bit back and a small back bend , "It's a pleasure to meet you all . My name is Ellis Rose from the Rose family " I said in a loud confident voice.
Raising my head and looking upfront I saw Alice Leywin the the wife of Reynolds and the mother of Arthur and Eleanor Leywin, Rather than a glamorous beauty, she would better describe as lovely, in a very kind and gentle sense, with distinct auburn hair and brown eyes .
To her left was Tabitha Helstea, she is a beautiful young woman with black hair that is tied into a bun where she has three black hairpins on it with long hair strands hanging in front of her face/on either side and light blue eyes , She wears a long black spaghetti dress that is partially white at the bottom with gold diamond shape gems on it, gold jewelry (necklace and long earrings), long black gloves and black heels.
Further left I saw Lilia Helstea she has long, brown hair that goes mid-way to her back, kitten-like hazel eyes and she appears to be a year older than me.
Looking down from Lilia I saw Eleanor she has her father's grayish brown hair and her mother's brown eyes and a hair that's tied into pigtails with ribbons . "What a cute little girl " I thought to myself.
Pulling my eyes from her and looking at the back near the window I saw him staring at me with a narrow eyes, Arthur Leywin , the main protagonist of this novel.
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In the lively VIP room, the air was thick with tension and the faint scent of alcohol . two boys stood apart from the revelry, their eyes locked in an unspoken recognition.
Arthur Leywin, an eighth-year-old with short auburn brown hair and large bright azure eyes, exuded an aura of innocence mixed with an undeniable strength. He wore a simple yet elegant outfit, a stark contrast to the opulence around him.
Despite his youth, there was a depth in his gaze, a flicker of memories , He was a boy who had fought battles in another life, a king who had wielded a sword with unmatched skill.
Across the room stood Ellis Rose, a seven-year-old with sharp features and an intensity that belied his age , silky black hair that gently frames his face. His large, expressive purple eyes seemed to see through the facade of the world around him. He wore a elegant black suit , a boy who had navigated the treacherous waters of the black market in a previous life.
Ellis was a master of hand-to-hand combat, a strategist who had orchestrated the downfall of many. He knew who Arthur was, and the knowledge hung between them like a charged current.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere shifted. Time seemed to slow, and the noise of the room faded into a distant hum.
Arthur felt a chill run down his spine, an instinctive awareness that this boy was not just another child. There was a darkness in Ellis's gaze, a recognition that sent shivers through Arthur's core. It was as if the weight of their pasts collided in that moment, two souls intertwined by fate.
Ellis, on the other hand, felt a surge of adrenaline. He knows whose Arthur is , a figure cloaked in glory and bloodshed, a king who had once commanded armies , the hope of this continent .
He felt an urge to reach out, to test him , The aura between them crackled with tension—an unspoken challenge, a recognition of strength and vulnerability.
In that instant, the VIP room faded away, and all that remained was the electric connection between the two boys. Arthur, with his noble spirit and the echoes of a warrior's past, and Ellis, with his cunning intellect and the shadows of a ruthless life.
The world around them blurred, and in that moment, Arthur understood that they are destined to intertwine once more.
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" The pleasure is ours , Ellis , let get along " they said in unison.
Pulling my eyes from Arthur , I gently smiled at them , after brief introduction to me, I went to the royal family to have small talks , the time passed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I say that it is of the highest honor for me to be here tonight? All of you are gathered here today for one reason and one reason only, I presume? It is to have the chance to obtain rare and valuable items in this auction!"
Applause thundered in enthusiasm at the old gentleman's ardent introduction.
"If everyone in the audience would now kindly turn to face the back room at the very top, we have a few exceedingly important figures that have decided to bless us with their presence , Please join me in welcoming the King and Queen of Sapin!" The auctioneer was the first to flick out the tail of his suit and genuflect.
The audience immediately followed suit, lowering themselves respectfully in a bow since they couldn't kneel in their seats.
The King and Queen, in response, stepped out towards the window in front of me and waved their arms slowly in a practiced motion .
"Next, the one that made this whole event possible. Please give a big round of applause for Vincent Helstea!"
The auctioneer's introduction was followed by another round of applause as Vincent stepped up next to the King and Queen, giving a deep bow in return.
" I think I messed the first interaction between Arthur and Sebastian , well who cares" I thought to my self.
As I was walking toward the bar to have some snacks I felt a pair of eyes looking at me , turning around i noticed a little white fox looking tilting its head , I smiled at her and looked away.
Kathyln was following me like a duck , we reached the bar and started to try the diversity of snacks at the table, as we were discussing which snack is the most delicious a voice came from behind.
" thank you for coming to our action house " Lilia Helstea said in a shy voice.
" of course , you're welcome " Kathyln said in an voice destitute from emotions .
"Kathyln you are scaring them , remember what I taught you, smile more ". I whispered to her.
" _"
" ok don't smile you look even more scary." I whispered again.
looking to Lilia side I saw Eleanor looking at me with her brown eyes ,
I know I'm handsome but don't look too long little girl, " Hello there little girl , come till me your name " I crouched down to her high and stretched my hand out to her .
Walking towards me slowly and gently putting her hand on mine " Ellie " said in a small voice " what a beautiful name , Ellie , do you want to see a magic trick "
" yes " replied in an exited voice
" ok , when I finish counting to,3 , say the magic word , ABRA KADABRA"
Putting my hand on the back of here head , 1,2,3 .
"ABRF DKABRF" , I don't know what she said but it sounds write.
pulling my hand back to me with a Hand full of candy, " WOW , candy " she started to giggle.
Out of nowhere i felt a terrifyingly oppressive presence filling the room,bloodlust ." Oh his angry." I quickly enveloped the girls around me with my mana , after that I start looking at the man who is responsible for it .
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ARTHUR LEYWIN'S POV:
Damn it. I lost control.
I quickly turned away from the pale-faced Sebastian currently shaking on the floor, hoping no one had noticed.
Thad only meant to give Sebastian a little scare, not to terrify every person in the room .
Taking a quick peek around, I let out a small sigh of relief after seeing that my mother and sister were okay. My sister was near that weird boy is he shielding her with his mana , what are she doing standing near him like that , narrowing my eyes at her I notice the candy in her arms, oh is he trying to win my sister , over my dead body young man , but I will have to thank him later for protecting her .
I didn't think it would be this bad with this body of mine.
This was the first time letting my killing intent loose. Even when I was up against the slave traders, I had chosen not to emit any kind of intent in order to catch them by surprise.
The King's augmenter guards had their weapons unsheathed and positioned to defend around the royal family by the time I had withdrawn the pressure I had exerted onto the room.
"Who's there? You dare try and attack the royal family?" the King roared as he pushed his wife and children behind him. Queen Priscilla had her wand out and was silently muttering a spell .
Vincent used an artifact in his hands to call for more guards inside and had the others scout the area for any assassins that may be, or had been, nearby .
Time ticked slowly for me as everyone in the room was in a state of panic and tension. My mother had grabbed me, holding firmly onto me and my sister as guards ran around with weapons held close.
My father had stopped by, but, after making sure that we were okay, left to try and search for the mysterious attacker.
It wasn't until they confirmed killing an intruder on the roof of the auction house that everyone had calmed down .
I let out sigh of relief, but unlike everyone else, my relief wasn't for the fact that the intruder had been killed, but the fact that I had been provided with a convenient scapegoat , but the purple eyes boy is still looking at me, i think he knows that i was the one who caused the incident, is he smiling , what a weird boy , look away you creepy .
Thank you, intruder on the roof. Your sacrifice was not in vain.
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Everyone in the room was still noticeably tense from the initial shock of an intruder, but their attention was now focused back onto the stage after Vincent announced he had been killed .
The action was going like I remembered from the novel nothing changed, as the time passed by , it started .
"My name is Reynolds Leywin and yes, that is the case. What might be the matter, Your Majesty?" Reynolds replied, lowering himself slightly .
"Sebastian, here, has been a royal guard for a while now and has helped our family an uncountable amount of times. "
His voice stayed relaxed he spoke to my father, but the condescension in his tone was still apparent.
"For the exemplary services he has provided me, and therefore the country, I do feel the need to reward him at times.
You see; he has taken a fancy to your son's bond. I know it's not easy to sever a contract and I'm sure the boy has grown close to his little pet, but I would be more than willing hire a mage to take care of the contract and compensate you and your family for the troubles. "
"Y-Your Majesty," he stuttered, caught by surprise by the severe request.
Taking a glance at me, he turned back to the King. "I must apologize, Your Majesty Neither I nor my wife had anything to do to with my son's bond. He had acquired it himself, so I cannot speak on my son's behalf on matters of his bond. "
"Hmm," the King turned his attention to Arthur direction, regarding him loftily, and he suddenly realized that Arthur was returning his gaze. He realized, then, that for the entirety of their conversation, he had been staring icily at him and his guard.
"Boy. Didn't your father teach you to lower your gaze when speaking to someone of your superior?" Sebastian snarled in disdain as he slammed the end of his metal staff to the ground.
"Sebastian, silence!" The King held up his hand. Besides the royal family and their guards, the King's request had caught the attention of the rest of my family as well as Vincent's .
"Hello, child." The King approached, standing an arm's length away from Arthur .
"I'm sure you've just heard me speak to your father so I won't repeat myself. How about it? My royal armory would certainly have a sword befitting that of any aspiring knight."
" what a foolish man , how did this fool become a king , he can't even read the room , no wonder why no body likes him , that what I hate about the monarchy system " . I thought mockingly.
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ARTHUR LEYWIN'S POV:
Not wanting to make a big commotion, I swallowed back the profanity that was itching to spew out of my mouth. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious offer, but I must refuse. A simple sword could never replace Sylvie. "
"How dare"
"Sebastian!" King Glayder roared. Turning back to me, he spoke again with a much more impatient tone.
"How about a trade then? The world lion cub that I just purchased for your bond?"
"Father!" Curtis scurried over to his father, pulling on his sleeve. "I thought the mana beast was mine?"
Ignoring his son, the King waited for my response.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I do not wish to give, sell or trade my bond," I reiterated, failing to mask the annoyed expression on my face.
"I have asked you twice, child, for a favor. Twice," he emphasized, his tone growing grave. "I will ask you once more; will you give me your bond?"
The air was tense as everyone's attention was directed at me. Sebastian gave me a menacing look from bloodshot eyes, just waiting to be released. The rest of the royal guards were on standby near the two, carefully observing the situation.
"Then let me ask you a question in response, Your Majesty . How much are you willing to sell your children to me?" I asked coolly, never batting an eye.
Thrown off-guard, the King wasn't able to respond to the seemingly random question. "You have asked me twice and I have rejected you both times, yet it seems your pride won't allow you to accept my refusal. You don't seem to be aware of what you were asking me, so I hoped to clarify using my question instead
• How much money should I give you in return for your son or your daughter, King Glayder?" I rephrased, without wavering .
I heard the sharp whistle of a sword leaving its scabbard. "Insolent peasant! You dare insult the King and his family?" a guard roared as he charged at me before anyone had the chance to respond.
As the sword arced towards me, I noticed that it had a faint glow of mana surrounding it. Augmenting his sword to attack an eight-year-old... this guy really showed no tact. The hood covering the guard's face was blown back as he charged towards me, revealing a rugged veteran's furious expression.
Faces of horror could be seen clearly from those around us. The Twin Horns desperately tried to make their way towards the guard when they saw him attack me, to stop him from cleaving me in two. Even the King looked surprised at the unprecedented action of his guard, while the Queen had already frantically started reaching for her wand .
I proceeded to pivot on my right foot, using the momentum of his swing, while my body was parallel to the guard's.
His reinforced sword whistled harmlessly through the empty space where l'd just been, creating a small fissure in the ground, and conversely embedding his sword in it. In one smooth movement, I quickly struck him in the jaw, which he hadn't bothered to guard with mana .
The force of my upward punch, combined with his downward movement from his swing, created an impact much stronger than l'd expected. The guard only managed to let out a low grunt before he crumpled to the ground.
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Thud*
I saw the guard crumpling in the ground , I could interfere at any moment but i didn't , first of all he can handle it easily and if i intervene , Arthur would not been able to get the reward money.
So i simply turned around and left, as i was heading out i saw Sebastian, now on the ground clutching his left leg , His leg has several shards of bone sticking out, yet he's just glaring daggers at Arthur who was lying on the floor.
And like that my little tripe to the Helstea action house comes to an end.