First Light of a New Age

Chapter 68: Battle in Auction House

Free Trade City of Aquarius, Auction House

1st Year of God, Friday, 2nd Week, Month of Abraham.

Specialist Sergeant Price and the rest of Team Epsilon, except for Mason and their leader Riley, enjoyed a leisurely day exploring the city of Aquarius as they went sightseeing, blending seamlessly with hundreds of traders and merchants by wearing in long, hooded clocked garments that concealed their flight suits and weapons, as they moved through the bustling streets with ease.

Accompanying them was Polities, whose Illusion magic deftly transformed their rounded human ears into the pointed ones typical of the locals. Price, taking no chances, wore an ushanka-like fur hat to further hide his ears, despite the illusion already cast by Polities.

Right now, their destination was the auction house, located in one of the wealthiest merchant districts of the city. They were there for some simple shopping, bolstered by the 5,000 Platinum Coins (equivalent to 50 million U.S. dollars) that their leader had secured, unsurprising for someone with a special college degree in economics and business back home.

Price paused before the brightly illuminated facade of the auction house, where the address from the invitation was written. The building itself resembled a grand estate, surrounded by a perimeter wall artfully disguised by lush greenery. Lavish carriages rolled in one after another through the wide wrought iron gates, where a team of well-dressed muscles guarding.

As Price and his men walked up to the gates, a self-important steward blocked their path. 

"Business here?" he asked sternly.

"We have an invitation for tonight's auction," Price replied, unfazed by the steward's tone as he handed over the scroll.

The steward snatched the scroll and gave it a quick glance before frowning. "This is addressed to Lord Arther of the North Star Company. Which of you is... the Lord?"

"Lord Arther has graciously extended his invitation to us," Price explained. "We are here on his behalf-"

"Tch!" The steward made a clicking sound with his tongue as he cut off Price's sentence. "You must have stolen his invitation! Guards!"

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Tavish cursed as he stood forward with the rest as the guards came forward to chase them away. "We are not thieves!"

"Well..." The steward threw a sly glance to Price and rubbed his fingers together suggestively. "If you can prove you did not steal, then..."

"They are with me!" a silvery voice suddenly called out.

All eyes turned toward a large, glossy black carriage, drawn by four raptor-like dragons. The windows of the carriage were all covered up by lace curtains, revealing only the shadowy outline of the person within.

"Let them in."

"Ah! Lady Mona!" The steward's face paled as he quickly signaled the guards to make way for Price as he bowed and scraped before the carriage. "My… deepest apologies! This lowly one had no idea they were your guests!"

"Come on board," the light voice replied, and a footman from the carriage opened the door, lowered a folding step, and bowed, as he invited Price and his team to enter.

Price, feeling confused, gingerly boarded the carriage which was surprisingly spacious. The cushioned benches lined inside the carriage were more than enough to accommodate at least half dozen more people. His surprised deepened when he saw a beautiful looking middle-aged lady seated next to a grinning fat elf, who looked very familiar. 

"You are...?"

“Arther!” Price’s question was cut off as Polities stepped in and embraced the elf.