The auction proceeded much like the first one Leon had attended. Masked attendees quietly observed as items were brought up for bidding. Leon and Ria, also masked, sat beside each other, calmly watching the proceedings.

Throughout the auction, Ria hadn’t raised her paddle even once. Nothing had caught her interest.

As the event went on, the Concealment Cloak and Spatial Pouch were auctioned off in turn. Now, only the orichalcum and the golem, Io, remained.

Eventually, after two other items, the golem Io took center stage.

“Our next item is something that should be of particular interest to the noble audience,” the auctioneer announced.

At his gesture, the curtain was pulled back, revealing the golem. As the auctioneer infused it with mana, Io’s eyes lit up with a green glow, and it slowly rose to its feet. Its ivory-colored skin contrasted with its lifelike facial features, which moved naturally, even forming expressions.

“Hello,” Io greeted, bowing politely to the audience and standing at attention.

“As you can see, this golem is a rare find, even by the standards of this auction. It boasts superior durability, capable of functioning for up to ten years on a single charge! Furthermore…”

The auctioneer proceeded to detail Io’s capabilities, function by function.

Ria leaned over and whispered, “Is that the golem you made, Leon?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Your golem-making skills are pretty well-known at the academy. I heard you get full support for materials.”

As Ria responded, Leon took note of the reactions around him. The previous items had garnered a decent response as well. The Concealment Cloak, for instance, was highly functional for its grade. Its only drawback was that it rendered the wearer immobile and had a cooldown of a full day.

“That golem seems impressive…” someone murmured, and a refined voice beside them replied,
“It’s more than impressive. Durability is the cornerstone of a golem, after all.”
“Durable golems have been rare indeed.”
“I’d wager this one uses ancient techniques…”

Many of the attendees, being affluent, naturally showed interest in the golem. As the auctioneer mentioned, golems rarely appeared at such auctions.

Although the Kerita Trade Company wasn’t among the top-ranking organizations, they still managed to attract a number of nobles with knowledge about golems.

As soon as Io’s introduction concluded, the golem demonstrated its built-in spell, Eruption.

“That’s quite the spell…” one person exclaimed in surprise.

“Isn’t that at least sorcery-level magic?”
“Indeed. I’m surprised to see a golem of such caliber at this auction.”
“Looks like they’ve managed to bring in something exceptional this time.”

By the time the auction reached its later stages, the atmosphere had already heated up.

With the participants ready to bid, the auctioneer didn’t prolong his speech unnecessarily.

In the end, Io sold for 180,000 mana stones—well above the expected 100,000. Despite the auction fees, Leon felt satisfied with the result.

“And now, the final item of the day! This is the pièce de résistance of today’s auction, so please look forward to it!” the auctioneer announced enthusiastically.

The audience appeared curious about what this last item could be to elicit such excitement.

The last item, shrouded in cloth, was carefully brought onto the stage.

As the auctioneer lifted the cloth, a brilliant, pure light spilled into the room.

“Orichalcum…!” someone immediately recognized it, awe clear in their voice.

“Ah, we have a keen eye among us. Yes, it’s the legendary metal orichalcum. Rumored to be hidden in the mountains of Breferiet. Many magicians went searching for it, only to be driven back by the relentless cold.”

Leon’s gaze sharpened. The Breferiet Mountains were indeed the place where the golem researcher Chief had informed him about the orichalcum. It seemed like many already knew of this.

“If any of you are hoping to create a unique artifact, this is an opportunity you can’t miss! Artifacts made from orichalcum boast both surface magic resistance and exceptional internal mana conductivity. These contradictory traits highlight the greatness of this metal! As you all know, there is no metal rated higher than this.”

“Yes, yes, enough talking—let’s start!”
“Haha, understood. With such enthusiasm, I’ll keep it brief. The starting bid is 800,000 mana stones.”

“810,000!” someone immediately jumped in, and the bidding began.

“820,000!”
“830,000!”

The auction proceeded quickly, though the high price limited the number of bidders.

In the end, the orichalcum was sold for 920,000 mana stones to a man wearing a dragon mask.

And so, the auction concluded.

Leon, disappointed not to find any items to his liking—he’d hoped for some B-grade herbs—found his way to the waiting area at the back of the auction hall, where Jubel was waiting for him. In the dimly lit, quiet room, Jubel smiled as he rose when Leon entered.

“You’re here, Leon. I hope the auction was to your satisfaction,” Jubel inquired politely.

“It was more than satisfactory,” Leon replied.

“Glad to hear it.”

Jubel handed Leon two pouches filled with mana stones. The first contained the proceeds from the orichalcum sale, and the second held the amounts from the other auctioned items.

“Have you made up your mind?” Jubel subtly asked as Leon checked the mana stones and put them away, referring to the matter with the slave traders.

Leon merely smiled, his expression unreadable. Once the events unfolded, rumors would spread, and Jubel would eventually know who was behind it.

There was no need to say anything now.

Jubel, understanding, handed him a small piece of parchment.

“It contains basic information on the two slave-trading factions operating in this city. While it may not be difficult to acquire, this should save you some time.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. And if you’re ever in another city, you can show the emblem I gave you last time. I’ll make sure you’re looked after.”

“Understood. Should I provide a way to contact me?”

“Here, take this.”

Jubel handed Leon a red communication orb, a familiar, standard-issue type.

“Feel free to keep it. I won’t contact you for minor things, but you’re welcome to reach out anytime.”

Leon held the orb and replied briefly, “I’ll do that.”

A smile crossed Jubel’s face.

“So, are you going to find her now?”

Ria asked, her face alight with curiosity. It wasn’t often Ria showed much expression, so her inquisitiveness was plain to see.

Leon had already told Ria about Erica—their chance meeting during the trade escort mission before coming to Astelia, the conversation they shared, and the favor Erica had asked upon reuniting with him, along with the offered reward.

Ria had been curious about Erica ever since hearing about her. She seemed surprised that Leon, usually so focused on training, would accept someone’s request, even if it meant going to the Elven Forest.

Of course, she understood once Leon mentioned that the reward was something he urgently needed.

Ria also wanted to help, and it was clear she was eager to tag along today.

“For now, I should go alone since she’s still in hiding. I’ll bring her back here.”

“…Alright.”

Ria nodded, asking no further questions.

Leon returned to the inn, stashing the mana stones from the auction, and then made his way to Erica’s hiding place, using the Concealment Lamp.

When he saw Erica again, two days later, she looked visibly gaunt. Her face was drawn, her complexion pale, showing signs of the strain she had been under.

It seemed she hadn’t eaten well in the time he’d been away. Leon had informed her of his decision to accept the request after consulting Jubel, even providing some rations, but she had hardly touched them.

Leon could tell how much anxiety she must have endured while hiding.

He spoke as he approached her.

“The underground market opens in five days.”

Erica let out a sigh and muttered softly,
“…It’s because they haven’t captured me yet.”
“I plan to act two days before, as the market will be too chaotic on the day itself. Let’s head back together.”

“Thank you, truly… Is it alright if I come with you?”
“Yes, you need to regain your strength first.”

Leon enveloped Erica in the Concealment Lamp’s magic, and she struggled to her feet.

They returned to the inn unnoticed. As they entered the room, closing the door behind them, Ria was already there waiting.

This was Erica and Ria’s first meeting.