chapter 31 kaelith sweet words

The auction hall was still filled with tension as the nobles continued their bidding war, their voices calm but sharp, each offer escalating higher in a ruthless battle of wealth. The air carried a mix of amusement and disdain as they barely acknowledged each other, their focus entirely on the priceless artifacts before them.

Yet, among the players, only one remained.

Kaelith stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. Unlike the other adventurers who had long abandoned the auction, realizing they couldn't compete with the sheer financial power of the nobility, he stayed.

But Kaelith didn't leave.

The grand auction hall was still alive with the murmurs of nobles, their voices polished yet carrying an air of silent competition. Lavish bids had been thrown around recklessly for rare artifacts, enchanted relics, and even long-lost tomes of power. Every item up until now had sparked a silent war, with nobles subtly trying to outbid each other without breaking the calm and composed façade they maintained.

But then, the auctioneer announced the next item.

"Next item—Skill Stone. Starting bid: 20 silver."

A hush fell over the room. The nobles barely reacted.

To them, this was hardly worth their attention. A Skill Stone, while valuable to adventurers, was nothing compared to the legendary artifacts they had been fighting over. Some nobles merely glanced at it, while others didn't bother to acknowledge it at all. The gap between their wealth and the usefulness of such an item was too vast.

Meanwhile, every other player—adventurers who had stayed in hopes of securing something—had already left. They had realized long ago that they couldn't compete in a bidding war against the sheer financial power of noble NPCs. The moment high-tier items started going for gold coins rather than silver, they knew it was impossible for them to win anything.

All except for one.

KAELITH stood alone among the remaining nobles, his eyes fixed on the auctioneer. He had no intention of fighting the nobles in a bid—he wasn't foolish enough to think he could win against their wealth. But he didn't need to outbid them. He had a different approach.

Taking a step forward, he addressed the room in a steady, respectful tone.

"Esteemed nobles, may I humbly request that you spare this small treasure for a mere peasant such as myself? If I have spoken out of turn, please do punish me accordingly."

The effect was immediate.

A few nobles turned their heads toward him, their expressions ranging from mild amusement to vague curiosity. Others simply raised an eyebrow, as if only now acknowledging that a commoner was still standing among them.

He kept his posture humble, his words carefully chosen. By presenting himself as a lowly peasant, he played into the pride of the nobles. If they were to outbid him now, it would make them seem petty—fighting over something so minor with someone who had already lowered himself before them. But if they allowed it, they could paint themselves as magnanimous, benevolent even.

A few more seconds of silence passed. Then, one noble scoffed.

"A peasant with silver? How amusing."

Another noble, an older man dressed in finely embroidered robes, chuckled. "Let him have it. Such a thing is of no concern to us."

A few others nodded, their interests clearly elsewhere. No one wanted to be the one to seem small-minded enough to fight over a mere Skill Stone.

The auctioneer, seeing no competing bids, gave a light nod.

"Sold. 20 silver."

He maintained his expression, offering a respectful bow. But inside, he knew—he had played them perfectly.

As the final bid was called and the auction concluded, Kaelith leaned back, observing the departing nobles with amusement. The auction house, once buzzing with murmurs of negotiation and the sharp ring of the auctioneer's gavel, slowly emptied. Servants scrambled to collect their masters' purchases, while merchants whispered amongst themselves, already plotting their next deals.

Kaelith was content. He hadn't bid on anything today, but the information he had gathered was far more valuable than any single trinket. He was about to slip away when the air around him shifted—heavy, commanding.

Then came the voice. Low, smooth, laced with the kind of authority that expected obedience.

"You."

Kaelith turned, only to find himself face-to-face with a woman who radiated sheer dominance. She was tall, draped in a deep crimson dress embroidered with gold, its high collar framing her sharp features. Her piercing amber eyes locked onto him like a predator sizing up prey, and a smirk curled at the corner of her lips, full of amusement—and something dangerously close to condescension.

Kaelith kept his expression neutral, but inside, he laughed. Oh, this will be fun.

Lowering his head slightly, he spoke with carefully measured humility. "My lady, how can a lowly commoner such as myself be of assistance?"

Her smirk widened, but her eyes remained cold. "Spare me the act, Kaelith. We both know you're anything but lowly."

She stepped closer, her presence suffocating, tilting his chin up with a single gloved finger, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I require something... and I hear you're the man to get it."

Kaelith's amusement deepened. Ah, so that's why you're here.

Feigning innocence, he asked, "And what might my lady be seeking?"

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Phantom Lotus. It only blooms under a crimson moon, and I need it before the royal gathering next week."

Kaelith barely stopped himself from whistling. Now that's interesting.

The Phantom Lotus was no ordinary flower—it was an alchemical rarity, capable of enhancing both lethal poisons and elixirs of immense power. It only grew in places where death was thick in the air, and obtaining it wasn't just a matter of money—it required knowledge, skill, and a stomach for danger.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "A most peculiar request, my lady. The Phantom Lotus is... not easily obtained. It thrives in places where few dare to tread. And acquiring it comes with risks. Are you certain you are prepared for the cost?"

She chuckled—a rich, velvety sound that sent a shiver down his spine. "Oh, Kaelith. You misunderstand."

Leaning in until her lips nearly brushed his ear, she whispered, "It is not a question of whether I am prepared to pay... but whether you are capable of delivering."

Kaelith's smirk deepened. Ah, so she's that kind of noble.

With a slow, knowing bow, he murmured, "Then let us discuss business... in private. After all, my lady, we wouldn't want prying ears overhearing something so delicate."

She smiled—a sharp, wicked thing. "Wise choice."

Turning on her heel, she strode toward the exit without another word, fully expecting him to follow. And Kaelith, ever the opportunist, did exactly that.