Everyone picks a few scents out that they like and drops them into a toiletries bag, before handing out to Cain. The bag is enchanted only to take up one of the two hundred spaces in your inventory, no matter what you fit inside of it. They were for sale at the soap shop, not cheap and not particularly large, but when it's got seven women's worth of soaps in it, with room for more, it was well worth the price.
The fact they're making Cain carry it either means they've got a lot more shopping in mind, or they filled up their inventories with clothes, drinks, and snacks at the last stop. They don't have much time left, though. The auction starts in a little over an hour, and the streets are getting crowded.
"Why didn't mind control work?" Mythryll whispers to Misha.
"Likely because I'm merged with Record Keepers. You get a portion of their resistances, so with two of them, I should be almost immune to it." Misha uses the resistances from the summons as a cover so she doesn't have to mention that the Succubus Devotion Ring makes her immune to mind control skills.
"Maybe there is something to be said for walking the path of the overpowered. That much more durable and immune to mind control would be amazing." Mythryll sighs.
"We'll convert you eventually. Just give it time." Nila laughs, slapping Mythryll's burly Lion kin form on the backside and making her jump in surprise. A few surrounding auction goers chuckle at the interaction, seeing them as a well bonded crew of Sailors enjoying their time ashore.
They're an eclectic bunch, but that's not uncommon. Only military vessels are routinely filled with a single species. Even the mostly human nations merchants will usually take on other species to fill out the crew of the ships since the work is challenging and dangerous.
Cain leads them to the side door, picking up Misha to carry her through the building. Not because it's necessary, just because her reactions are so cute when he's affectionate in public. The Felian ears make it impossible for her to hide her reactions; she doesn't have the experience to control them. He hands the token to the guard, who nods and leads them through the halls and up to the third floor without a word.
Once they're on the third floor and the door is closed, he begins to speak. "Welcome Sirs and Madams to the Armory Auction. In front of you is the Sellers lounge for our most valued clients. Food and refreshments are available at your request, as well as along the side table. If you need anything else, please feel free to ask the attendants inside."
With that, he turns and leaves, locking the door behind him. It can be opened from this side without issue, but unauthorized visitors will be kept away from the sellers.
The moment they step inside the room, a curious furry head pops over the back of a chair, smiling at Cain and Misha.
"Ambrosia, please sit. I know you don't like the auction, but I have business here today." An older Beastkin with round ears covered in dark fur says sternly to the similar looking girl in her late teens.
"But Daddy, there are other ladies, not just stuffy old guys. Can I say hello?"
Misha bites Cain's ear when he pinches her bottom and laughs. "Of course, you can. My name is Cain, and these are Misha, Vala, Nila, and Laura. I'm sure you ladies will have a wonderful time."
Mythryll and Evangeline look a bit upset about being left out, but if they're going to play the part of big burly Bodyguards, introducing them to random strangers' daughters might not go over well.
"Thank you, Cain. I'm Donovan, third Prince of Hanna on the Eastern Continent."
"Duke Cain of Blood Sands Castle in the northern Desert of the Central Continent," Cain tells him with a slight bow.
"So you're not a myth then. The battle has been the gossip of the seas lately since the survivors fled anywhere they could. But it's the Queen of Gillibrand spreading it the most. I hear you crippled her husband and let that woman take over?" He phrases the last as a question with a hint of distaste.
"There were complications during his resurrection. A lingering debuff caused an unexpected result. I'm sure with time; he'll be fine. Assuming he ever manages to overcome her authority. Honestly, I'm not sure how he was in charge to begin with."
The Prince and his group of guards snicker, and a human in the front row tries to hide his laughter with a cough. He seems to be here alone until Cain notices he's got a woman sleeping in his lap under a blanket.
"Duke Cain, I'm Lukas, Master Smith to the Royal family of Landis." The human introduces himself, ignoring the seemingly sleeping woman with her head on his lap.
"Pleasure to meet you." Cain picks a seat near the end of the row, where the ladies are drinking wine and eating cakes from the side table. He knows how his group gets; it's best not to let any of them get too out of hand.
They've all gotten comfortable in their seats with fresh drinks when the lights dim and the auctioneer takes the stage. The attendants move to the front of the room in case anyone here wants to place a bid, and the building falls silent.
"Welcome everyone to today's auction. As those who follow the postings have surely noticed, we have several precious items for you. We have an [Ægis shield] which absorbs damage taken, an item many of you are already familiar with in less pleasant ways.
We also have an entire case of 6 [Class Change] potions that will randomly change a basic class. For you Nobles with children who did not get lucky with their initial class options or made a mistake, these are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try again.
Finally, we have a particularly unique Amulet. Stay and wait for it; you won't want to miss the special ability."
The tension in the building is palpable, but up in the VIP room, the atmosphere is much different. The crowd below is incredibly worked up, which means that they will be very, very wealthy men tomorrow. It gives the room a relaxed and happy atmosphere in stark contrast to the intensity of the bidders area.
Not that they're ever going to admit that they were today's sellers to others. The items they've presented, or created, are too fantastic. It would only bring them trouble.
A few initial treasures not specialized or out of reach for the main room clientele start the auction then comes the specialty shield presumably made by the Royal Smith from Landis. Cain recognizes this item; he cleaved its twin in half on the beach in Assah.
"Had to make a new one for the Knight Commander?" Cain asks pleasantly.
"I should hate him for the amount of work he made me do, but it worked out in my favor. I got two Legendary shields from the materials provided." His grin says the kingdom has no idea that he or the extra shield are here at the auction.
The bids are getting higher and higher to the point Cain needs to consult his interface to understand the currency being used. Platinum coins are worth a hundred gold, and a bar of either is worth five hundred coins in that denomination. One Mythril coin is worth one platinum bar.
"Sold for nine platinum bars and four gold bars." The Smith gives a sour look, then shrugs and takes another drink from the attendant.
"A little more than a bar over the reserve, but not terrible, I suppose, even after the Auction fee." He explains, and the other two men nod in understanding.
The auction goes smoothly for a half-hour, selling a variety of interesting items with prices from a thousand to a hundred thousand gold before the Auctioneer wheels out a small chest draped in cloth.
"This, my friends, is one of the highlights of our night. An Avatar Transformation Amulet for Arch Paladins. Five entire minutes in duration with no drawbacks. It's a level 235 Legendary Item, and you all know what that means for the Avatar Form." The crowd goes insane, and Cain can hear a heated argument between Nobles in the second-floor balconies.
It sounds like things will get violent for a moment before the Auctioneer brings things back under control. The opening bid is one platinum bar. Who will open on this Legendary Item?"
"Here"
"Two," "Three," "Seven," "Eight"
As they bid and shout irrational insults, Donovan looks over at Cain, shaking his head. "I thought my offering would cause chaos, but you, Sir have stolen my Thunder. No fewer than six kings and a dozen Knight Commanders that I know of are Arch Paladins. A Legendary Transformation on that level is an ultimate weapon that could form a myth as unbelievable as your own."
"That's the less outrageous offering I placed up for auction today. If your kingdoms want something incredible, wait for the hidden item to come up." That has their attention, and now Prince Donovan looks like he's considering bidding on the Amulet.
"Nineteen Platinum and Thirty Gold bars are going once." Is called in the auctioneer's voice, and Donovan shakes his head as if coming to his senses.
"Father would never forgive me for spending that much. We're not a rich kingdom."
"Sold to the Crown Prince of Kallen. Thank you all for remaining civil. Now for our next item..."
The items are getting better and better as they go, and soon it's time for the potions. The auctioneer doesn't even get a chance to finish the description when the first bid comes in, the entire crowd seems eager to get their hands on this item.
