Emperor's Reckoning

The street in front of the Treas Auction was not as bustling as they expected. The onlookers didn't think that its weird to wore a mask when the auction was about to open. For the locals this just an everyday occurrence.

"This is a really nice mask, where did you buy this." said the middle one without tempering his voice.

"Big brother, to tell you the truth it was pretty embarrassing buying this." said the one with the curiosity mask.

"How so?" asked Lyon.

"Well..."

Apparently the shop which sold masks was already in closing time when Jugen arrived. He tried to stop the owner from closing the shop and begged him to buy five mask just like Lyon ordered. But lo and behold they were all sold out. The mask business was always in it peaks on the day the auction start.

Then Jugen tried to look in to other shop, in which was closed too. Depressed, Jugen then walked back to the inn to bring the bad news. But on the way there, he saw five kids playing with an adult sized mask and surprisingly adult sized cloaks.

Desperate in need of masks and cloaks, Jugen approached them. He offered golds in exchange of the masks and the cloaks, but the kids refused them. After much haggling and begging they finally came into term.

The kids were playing 'five emotional heroes defeat the devil' but they lack a person to play the devil. That's right, Jugen came into play the devil. Since he learned acting from his big brother, the kids were also affected and play the heroes nicely.

Their play caught the attention of the onlookers, some of them even threw money to show their appreciation.

After the play was done, the kids got tired of playing and gave the cloaks and the masks to Jugen. Finally getting the items he needed, he skipped his way to the inn.

"... and that's how it happened." said Jugen.

Everyone else was speechless.

"I.. I don't know what to say." said Lyon.

"You hearing me is enough big brother." said Jugen.

*tap *tap *tap

Three people walked out of the room, with the fat man leading the way.

"Esteemed guests, my name is Fergal, I'm the manager of this branch. Please excuse my rude receiver, he only followed the procedure." said Fergal with cupped hands before he continued: "Why don't we start our business inside my office, please follow me." said Fergal.

---------------------------

Inside the office, Fergal and Lom sat next to each other while the opposite of them was Lyon sitting alone, the other four chose to stand behind the sofa.

"So esteemed guests, while we could enjoy the tea together, sadly the time for the auction was at near." said Fergal.

"You're right, I don't like to beat around the bush either.' said Lyon.

Then suddenly the 'in-love' mask lean towards Lyon ear and whispered: "Well I like to beat 'yours' especially around the bush."

(That's totally not what I meant!) thought Lyon.

*ehem

"So, let's talk about profits." said Lyon.

"Yes, certainly. Our auction normally will have thirty percent of the money earned by auction and an admin fee according to the procedure, but seeing esteemed guests, I will personally grant you this membership card, so that esteemed guests can enjoy a reduced cost and exempted from admin's fee." said Fergal while placing a card on top of the table.

The card was exquisite with the word 'Treas' written in magic brand style.

"I see, you are going all out this time. I can bet only a handful of people own this membership?" asked Lyon while he played around with the card.

"Precisely, this card is the top rank membership Treas can offer, it will take immediate effect and works on every branch in Treas." then he sighed : "In this little branch we could only get this one membership card and I'm giving it to you."

"But this is the first time I want to auction an item." said Lyon curiously.

"Yes, it might be so, but with this spell alone our auction will soar to a new height, my buddy Fergal here might get promoted and enter the big league, but I'm sure esteemed guests must have more than just one spell." said Lom.

"Pretty smart." Then he took two more scrolls and put it on top of the table. "This is another level nine soul spell, and a level ten soul spell."

"L-L-L-LLLL LEVEL 10?!" said both Fergal and Lom before they gulped down their own saliva. The man or woman they were dealing right now was frightening. He casually auctioned a precious spell like it was a basic spell.

"I believe with your prestige, you won't ask where do I get this from or for what purpose I want to sell them yes?" chuckled Lyon.

Then the both of them revived from their stupor.

"C-C-certainly, the reason we are famous is because we don't pry into things we shouldn't." said Fergal.

"Then with your experience, what is the best base price for these kind of items?" asked Lyon calmly.

*ehem

"Well, this is actually the first time we will sell this spell, so far, only the 'big league' had any experience with this." said Fergal before cotinuing; "Both of the level nine spells will be five million golds, while the level ten will be ten million golds with the minimum of one million bid increment."

"Hmm?" (Holy shit, this thing worth that much? Then why the hell did I sell a sandwich, F*ck)

"A-a-are you not satisfied with this?" asked Fergal before continuing: "Then what about seven million and fifteen million, same minimum increment, with the contract we will only take ten percent from the total amount."

*nod

*nod

Lyon hurriedly nod.

---------------------------

The five of them got back to the inn.

"Ah we are rich!" yelled Ryona.

"Don't count the chicken before the egg hatch." said Kyoko.

"Well either way looks like our financial problem is solved for now." said Karina.

"Yeah, let's go to the auction after dinner, I'm starving." said Jugen.

---------------------------

Back in the Fergal's office.

"Lom did you sense their cultivation level?" asked Fergal.

"I did, but I can't determine two of them." answered Lom before he continued: "The one negotiating with you is only a level three elemental realm, the other one was a peak elemental realm while another was only a level seven heavenly realm."

"Hmm the two were probably a hidden expert, we shouldn't pry too much or this branch might face annihilation."

"You're right, I get a feeling that the last two knew I'm sensing their power. Luckily those people don't give a damn about an ant." smiled Lom while shaking his head.

*knock

*knock

"Manager, it's time to open the Auction." said the guest receiver.

"Right." said Fergal.