THE LAST HOBBIT'S

21 - Auction

...'He started to execute his plan.'...

...*****...

The sound of drums was heard again and this time there was no longer the boisterous sound of the guests as before. They were all silent, as if they were waiting for the beautiful girl on the stage to open her voice.

"Welcome to the Orchis~ Lunar auction"

!!

Nature surprised. The voice he heard was amazingly beautiful. He was stunned and then said slowly, "I was told that who has a beautiful voice is a creature from the Siren race. But it doesn't seem right. The proof is the voice of the lady... It's the most beautiful voice I've ever heard."

Sofia actually did not want to admit this, but in her heart did agree with Natur's words. He had just heard a beautiful voice for the first time and if remembered again.... He had never seen such a beautiful woman while following the auction at this place with his father.

Arslan himself said nothing and focused on listening to the voice of the beautiful woman who was the guide of the auction this time. The subject is known as Helena Vennamous.

It didn't take long for a welcome, Helena Vennamous immediately called her partner who was carrying the auction item tonight. It was a young fire phoenix still alive, even in good health.

!!!

"The first thing is already amazing. It was a phoenix and again was a rare fire phoenix."

Nature heard the voice of the man who was on the bench, not far from her. He did agree with the man's words because for him alone-the phoenix could only be seen in books. This was the first time he had ever seen the bird in person.

The problem is, Natur becomes shocked when Helena Vennamous mentions the price of the phoenix which starts from 50,000 gold pieces. The price is even more when guests start competing to buy it.

"The phoenix dragonfly alone is that expensive, how about my water ginseng..." Natur gulped took his money bag. He scratched his fist and then opened his voice.

Natur said, "I only brought 20 gold pieces. Do you have any money?"

Sofia flinched, she looked at the teenager beside her and then snorted. "Geez, what did you come to this place for? The auction was the place to squander money. If I were an employee of this place, I would have kicked you out."

"Tsk, then do you have any money?" Nature did not accept being teased and made the girl sitting nearby blink.

Sofia clucked, "Young man. If only I had money, then I wouldn't have possibly taken this robe secretly."

"You..!" Natur fortunately remembered holding back his tone. He said, "Aren't you... Is it a 'Mr Princess'? How could you... Don't have any money?"

"Huh, have you ever seen a 'Mr Princess' who pays for the things she buys herself?" Sofia said, "Listen. All this time, while I was shopping... There will be a bodyguard accompanying and a scribe. It is this scribe who is in charge of recording whatever items I want. Then the note will go to the royal administrative officers and those who take care of the payment. I don't hold any money at all,"

"Haiy... Why is your life so troublesome," Nature shook her head and clucked a few times. He let out a heavy sigh and then said, "So now how..? Arslan, do you have any money?"

Hearing Natur ask made Arslan turn his head. The 1.3 meter tall young man replied without a tone.

Arslan said, "If I had no money... Then we won't be able to sit on the second floor, even in the front row right now."

!!

"Waaah, so you..." Sofia was in shock. No he had expected this short young man beside him to be a washed away figure. He nudged Arslan and said, "How much did you pay for this seat? How much money did you bring?"

"Just get here... Because I'm out of money."

!!!

Sofia and Natur almost fell out of their seats. The two shook their heads slowly and even massaged their heads. Now, it is impossible to obtain Ginseng Water.

"Arslan-" Sofia will only open her voice when a cry from Helena Vennamous is heard. The item that was going to be auctioned this time was definitely the thing that they were looking for.

"Water Ginseng..!" Nature exclaims.

"These rocks are Water Ginsengs that can only be found in the most eastern part of the Middle World, a country called Wasser. This ginseng has many benefits and even without explanation, honored guests already know it~"

Helena Vennamous smiled and slightly waved her split dress fabric, revealing her flawless smooth white thighs. The spirit of the visitor makes because his actions make the situation increasingly heated up.

"We will begin the bidding of 80,000 gold pieces with a multiple of 5,000 gold pieces."

"90.000!"

A cry was heard which immediately stole the attention of many people for bidding higher. Helena Vennamous smiled and said, "Master there bid as much as 90,000~"

"95.000!"

"100.000!"

"105.000!

!!

Nature opened her mouth wide because in an instant, the price that was originally only 80,000 was now getting higher. He held his breath hearing the cries of the guests who were trying to obtain the water ginseng.

"This place..." Natur gulped and said, "I think this place... It was really easy to gather mountains of gold. Just look, they keep mentioning the stifling price."

"Don't I tell you that the Kingdom of Elmora is endowed with the heavens" Sofia opened her voice. "Price like this is nothing compared to the last auction I went to. It costs five times,"

"Li-five times?!"

"200,000 pieces of gold!"

!!!

Everyone was just as shocked, even Helena Vennamous did not expect that anyone would dare to make such a high bid. In fact, the offer is still at one hundred thousand.

"Who would dare to bid that high?"

"What is that guy?"

"Could it be dwarves?"

"Ehm..." Helena Vennamous doesn't know what to react to. He blinked and politely asked, "Master. Are you sure about the price you mentioned?"

Arslan lowered his hand. He gave a calm expression and in a toneless voice said, "Why? Is it still so cheap in your eyes?"

"Ah... That's..." Helena Vennamous has never seen anyone behave like that to her. This was the first time he had been given such a look as if if he were to talk back, then this fellow would also start buying himself.

Helena Vennamous cleared her throat slowly and then raised her hand. He said, "200,000 gold pieces for the Master there. Is there a higher offer?"

Helena Vennamous counted up to three and the water ginseng auction was completed at an incredible price. Natur and Sofia pull Arslan, sit the young man right in the middle of them and begin to open their voices.

"W-what are you doing, Arslan?!" Sofia said, "Why did you suddenly and... Ow hell! Do you know what kind of trouble you're doing?!"

"Arslan, 200,000 pieces of gold.... Do you have it?" Nature becomes very pale. "I-I never even saw a pile of money a hundred pieces of gold and you did..."

"Why are you so panicked?"

"Stupid arslan!" Sofia said, "Of course panic. Where are we going to get that kind of money?! Didn't you say you didn't have any more money? You're-you're this..."

"Hmph, there's no you still." Arslan said calmly and made Sofia jerk.

"I-i?" Sofia pointed at herself. He blinked a few times as he did not understand the intent of the young man before him.

"Arslan, do you mean there's still Sofia?" Even nature does not understand.

Arslan took a breath and calmly said, "Sofia is the Princess of Elmora Kingdom and is now being sought by Her Majesty the King. Nature just needs to send you back and ask for a ransom. I don't think His Majesty the King would mind spending that kind of money for the sake of his beloved daughter."

!!!

Natur and Sofia were shocked to the point of widening their eyes. They did not expect that Arslan would have such a mind. The two looked at each other and looked back at the 1.3 meter tall young man.

"Arslan, b-how can you say this?" Sofia was shocked. "You want to sell me?"

"Why are you talking like that?" Arslan crossed his arms and without a tone said, "You were the one who originally wanted to help Natur, right? You're just coming home anyway,"

"But-but..." Sofia looked at Natur and looked back at Arslan. He had no idea what to say to the short young man before him.

"Sofia," Arslan opened his voice. He said, "If you help Natur, then he will owe you. Moreover... Didn't Natur register as a magic knight? When he is elected, then Nature will be a great power in your kingdom. Wages to be a magic knight is also not small, Natur can pay a price for his water ginseng. Right, guys? Nature."

Nature blinked a few times, she saw Arslan smiling faintly but the young man's eyes were still very calm. Really such a strange figure. Natur breathed slowly and then turned his head towards Sofia.

"Arlan..." Sofia clenched her hands together and softly said, "You're so evil.."

"Sofia, do you know that helping people isn't as easy as it looks?" Arslan opened her voice and made Sofia flinch. He also without a tone of voice. "Sometimes you even have to sacrifice yourself, so I hope from now on... You can think twice about helping others again."

Arslan sighed and said, "Well... Now it's up to you. If you don't want to go home, then get out of here. You must hide because I sent a message to His Majesty the King with the sparrows of Nature."

"What?!" Nature gasped in shock, as did Sofia.

Arslan still reacted calmly and again said, "The royal soldier may have moved here. The decision is now with you. If you go home, Natur can get the water ginseng he needs. But if you don't, I don't think it's bad if me, An, and Natur get locked up in jail or hung up in the middle of town."

!!!

Sofia goosebumps, "You don't say such scary things..."

"This is all just an estimate. If you come out, then An can accompany you. Let me and Natur be here because it's very rude if we have to go all out and leave a seat that's already been paid dearly,"

Sofia bit her lip. He looked at the short-bodied figure before him before saying, "I'll do it. But you should know that I... Hates you so much. Let's go An!"

?!

Natur flinches as Sofia walks away and is overtaken by An. He gulped and then looked towards Arslan. His voice was slow as he said, "Isn't this outrageous? Ginseng water... I can get it later even if I have to go to Wasser's country. But Sofia.."

"No need to worry. Outside there are no king's soldiers,"

"W-what?"

"I lied. From the beginning I never sent any messages, let alone borrowed your sparrows."

Nature is astonished by Arslan's statement. Her voice stammered as she asked, "La-then Sofia...?"

"I want him and An out of this place," Arslan looked at Natur and nonchalantly said, "You brought your bow, right? Hold it well."

Natur jerked, "A-Arslan. What exactly is your plan?"

"Shhh, we'll get that water ginseng... Even without paying."

!!!

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