"Thank you, Viktor. I am sorry if I troubled—"
"Don't mention it, Sera. I did it because I wanted to as well. We don't want the wrong people to get such broken abilities, do we?" Viktor asked with a subtle smile, making Seraphina give a soft, radiant smile.
"Yes. That was also what I was worried about. There will be more unfair death and chaos, especially if one of these people in the hall were to gain her power. Whatever balance that exists might be put in danger," Seraphina said with a serious expression.
"And now I present to you all the final item of our auction. It is only natural we save the best for the last," Narin said with a smile as she snapped her fingers together while a small opening on the platform revealed itself.
Everyone in the hall held their breaths, wondering what could the final item be for it to be even better than all the items they had seen till now.
But only Seraphina had her expression frozen when she saw a glowing red object come up on the platform.
Viktor's expression became serious as he saw the Fruit of Youth finally come up on the platform, its magical radiance making everyone look at it with expressions of awe and shock.
Most of them had obviously heard of myths and tales about the unobtainable Fruit of Youth. It was one of the most valuable treasures in history that were said to have even made the strongest sigh in defeat upon failing to obtain this fruit no matter how hard they tried.
It was not that this Fruit of Youth was guarded by a ferocious monster or located in a dangerous realm where death was imminent. But it was all because of how it was located in the fabled Sacred Spirit Realm, which was said to be the home to all the legendary fairies, including pixies.
Even to this day, people would sing songs and recite tales of fairies and their kind and pure nature, never taking part in any war or bloodshed but always helping those in need without revealing themselves.
However, these tales were all about the past, and now, most people know that the Sacred Spirit Realm was forcibly separated into a different realm during the ancient past, and as if to make the realm even more secluded, a powerful being created a barrier around the realm, preventing any living being from entering it.
Not even the strongest over the centuries were able to make a dent in this barrier, and soon, even the experts stopped trying, knowing how hopeless it was. The greed and desire to obtain the Fruit of Youth had captivated men and women in every generation, but they all failed to obtain it, which made people call the Fruit of Youth the unobtainable treasure.
However, based on the historical records, most of them knew how the Fruit of Youth looked or seemed, right down to the smallest detail.
The strongest champions and warriors had even killed each other in the race to obtain this fruit, and now here it was...right before their eyes.
It was as beautiful and enchanting as told by the tales and legends. It looked so simple yet ethereal at the same time.
Viktor was also captivated by its aura that instantly spread through the hall, making him feel as if his body was being refreshed. He felt the same feeling in the Sacred Spirit Realm as well.
It looked just twice the size of an apple and even had a similar shape and color. And he could hear the sound of people swallowing their saliva out of their desire to eat this fruit and gain 10,000 years of lifespan along with having the odic force in their bodies evolve to a whole nother level.
Even those who were lying on their deathbed from any ailment or, be it simply old age, they would instantly become healthy and well the moment they consume this fruit.
"Wow again…This hall became even more silent than before. But it can't be helped. Even my breath got stolen the moment I laid my eyes on this precious thing. It is all thanks to the courtesy of our union's respected president that we are able to even put this item up for auction. And in case anybody still is unable to recognize it or has any doubts about its genuiness, then let me say with full confidence that this beautiful fruit is indeed the legendary Fruit of Youth that only grows in the Sacred Spirit Realm every couple of thousands of years. Our respected Tri-party Governors have already confirmed this is indeed the genuine one," Narin stated.
The moment she said the words 'Tri-party Goverons', those who were still suspicious about this fruit being the real thing no longer had any doubts. How could the three powerful governors of this town lie about something like this, no matter how shocked it was.
In the leftmost roof box were a group of dark elves dressed in elegant robes, and the one sitting in the middle was none other than King Erzu, who clicked his tongue in annoyance as he mumbled, "Hmph, I was the one who obtained that fruit after sacrificing the precious treasures my ancestor left me. And now he is not only going to gain the benefits of what I worked for, but he doesn't even give me credit for it. Ptu, I am getting sick of this."
The other dark elves in the room could only lower their heads but didn't dare to say anything.
"Since everyone here knows how precious this fruit is, then I hope you all are prepared to hear its starting auction price…"
Everyone held their breath while Seraphina's eyes were flickering continuously, biting down on her lip from her anxiousness and worry. If only she could buy it back, she would have done that. But there was nothing on her that was more precious than the Fruit of Youth. And even if she had one, it was not like the ones sitting in the roof boxes above would let her get away with it.
"....The price starts at 100,000,000 Greater Odic coins!"
