CH347 The Coinage Moonstone Auction

***

The next day, the long-awaited auction for the Coinage Moonstone Interspatial Ring was finally happening.

While the rest of the Grand Auction attendees remained captivated by the hundreds—if not thousands—of listings, spending absurd amounts of gold coins and mana stones to claim them, the nine winners of the Rune Server auction were quietly making their way to the secret location where the Coinage Moonstone event would take place.

Interestingly, despite all the cloak-and-dagger secrecy the Golden Palace had wrapped around it, the actual location turned out to be rather obvious…

The main spire of the DragonHold Enclave.

The event would take place right at the feet of the legendary- no, Epic DragonSlayer, Merlin Pendragon himself.

The guests were led into the main tower through a discreet side entrance—one kept well away from curious eyes. Most of the attendees had likely used this passage before on earlier visits to the Enclave, and so they moved with easy familiarity. Not that the Palace—or even the Enclave—would ever dare to inconvenience people of their calibre anyway.

Each auction party was permitted only two members. Ideally, the Palace had expected each delegation to consist of a representative and a guard. Surprisingly, however, none of the nine parties brought guards.

Instead, every delegation opted for a pair consisting of a representative and either a craftsman or a witness—often a younger member of their respective organisation.

It didn't take long for the Palace staff to realise that this wasn't due to a strong of trust in the Palace's security, but rather an abundance of confidence in the guests' own abilities. After all, the majority of these representatives—or their partners—were Legends.

In other words, this auction was so significant that it had drawn the attendance of at least nine Legendary figures.

The Palace staff allowed that realisation to sink in before a wave of pride swelled in their chests.

Barely a year since its founding, the Golden Palace was already standing on the stage of Legends—hosting and negotiating with them. How could they not feel proud?

The auction parties were finally ushered into a grand meeting chamber adjoining the DragonSlayer's Throne Room.

As far as the Golden Palace was concerned, these were the highest echelons of power on the continent. They had already used enough auction parlour tricks to lure these people here; pushing their luck any further risked offending them. Thus, they opted for a clean, business-like setting.

A single long meeting table occupied the centre of the room. Four representatives sat on each side, while the final delegate occupied the far end—directly opposite the organiser's seat.

At first glance, it resembled less an auction and more a negotiation table, one meant to decide who the ring would ultimately go to.

That was deliberate. Alex and Haggleworth hadn't expected this to devolve into a chaotic bidding war—the people involved were far too powerful, too dignified, for such theatrics.

Haggleworth was already waiting when the guests entered, his face bright with a salesman's warmth. He greeted each arrival passionately, bowing his head just low enough to convey respect without appearing servile.

As if by prior understanding, each representative took their seat without needing instruction. The Empires sat on one side of the table, while the independent organisations occupied the other. As host nation, the Virellian Empire's representative took the seat directly opposite Haggleworth.

There was no fuss, no drama—just a quiet gravity fitting for the calibre of people present.

Their companions stood or sat directly behind them, as silent observers upholding their faction's dignity.

When everyone was settled, Haggleworth finally took his seat at the head of the table.

Just as the delegates were expecting the auction to begin, the chamber doors opened once more. A new presence entered—one that drew every gaze in the room.

Zora Frost Pendragon, the Majordomo of the DragonHold Enclave herself.

In her hands rested an ornamental box—a masterwork of craftsmanship, its delicate carvings and crystalline inlays glinting under the chandeliers. Even the box alone, judging by its artistry, would easily fetch a hundred High-Grade Mana Stones.

It was clear the Golden Palace was sparing no expense for what lay within.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Haggleworth began smoothly, his voice echoing through the hall, "thank you for gracing this Palace–Enclave partnership with your esteemed presence. Without further ado, let us begin the event."

He gestured toward Zora.

"Lady Zora here will be assisting me in verifying the authenticity of the auction item. I notice that each delegation has brought its own craftsmanship expert—excellent. I ask that you observe and verify the item's authenticity from your seats. However, to preserve the secrecy of its inner workings, only the winning party will be permitted to handle it directly."

"We understand, Palace Head. Let's proceed," said the Merchant Union High Comptroller, his tone calm but firm.

Behind him, a bespectacled young woman adjusted her glasses, her sharp eyes never leaving the ornate box in Zora's hands.

"Enough talk. Let's see it already," grumbled the Smithmaster impatiently from behind the IronHammer representative.

The other parties also showed support for the High Comptroller's sentiments in various ways.

Zora smiled. She opened the ornamental box to reveal the Coinage Moonstone.

The ring looked ordinary at first, however, further examination revealed its beauty, elegance and most importantly, crafting technique.

"Fascinating. The crafter responsible for this wonder is not bridled by superficial appearances and cares more about the functionality of the product. However, even then, they cannot hide their sophistication and their love for their craft. And the technique… it is enigmatic, yet methodical. This isn't the work of a craftsman looking for glory. All they care about is their product." The Smithmaster suddenly said.

Zora almost shuddered.

The Smithmaster almost described Alex's nature just by looking at the ring in person.

Fortunately, she had expected something like this so she was prepared to hide any subconscious cues. Thanks to this, she managed to prevent herself from revealing anything telling.

Then again, the Coinage Moonstone had drawn the delegates' total attention anyway.

"Can anyone tell the spatial material used?" The Smithmaster directly asked the craftsmen in the room.

This would ordinarily be offensive –given the setting—however, everyone was familiar with the dwarf's nature. Plus, the clear craftsmanship passion in his eyes burnt so brightly it was difficult to be offended by the old dwarf.

"I do not know." The representative of the Alchemy-Forgesmith-Runesmith association alliance, a respected Grandmaster Forgesmith himself –likely only less competent than the Smithmaster in the repute, said.

He added, "Even the forging technique for the ring's body itself is fascinating. To perfectly alloy adamantine, mithril, orichalcum, refine gold is no mean feat. But from the glow, not only did they achieve this, the craftsman did so only after refining each of them to their peak purity. This should have increase their characteristic effects and made the alloying even more difficult, but not only did they succeed, they did so perfectly.

"No doubt, this is the work of a peer… or someone better." He surmised.

To Zora and Haggleworth's surprise, the other craftsmen in the room –the Smithmaster included—nodded.

"Who is the craftsman behind this wonder. Surely, they are not an individual without repute." Elder Melias of the Elarion Empire, seeing the craftsmen's reactions, probed.

"Well, that's the thing." Haggleworth smiled wryly. "I can't say for sure what the craftsman's identity is."

Haggleworth looked at the delegates with sincere eyes and said, "There is something I believe you all should know about the Coinage Moonstone, and its craftsman."

The gnome paused, preparing himself to deliver a performance of a lifetime.

***

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