Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world-Chapter 366: An auction for the sword

"Fifteen million," another voice added a moment later.

The price continued to climb relentlessly, the tension rising with every bid. Each new offer was high enough to make several people in the room dizzy with disbelief. No one could predict where this would end, but one thing was clear: at this point, only those in the private boxes were still in the race.

'How much should I bid?' Alex wondered as he observed the ongoing auction.

The current price of the sword was indeed absurdly high, but he wasn't worried. After all, with all the money he had stolen from the Night base, the fortune he currently possessed was more than enough to cover that amount.

"Forty million!" The voice that had first begun the bidding rang out once more, firm and unwavering.

As the words echoed through the auction house, a strange silence fell over the room.

Just moments earlier, the bidding had hovered around twenty million gold coins—and now, out of nowhere, the price had just doubled!

Twenty million gold coins was already a colossal sum. With that kind of money, a small town could be sustained for several years. But forty million? That could easily fund a baronial city for an entire year!

It wasn't that the sword wasn't worth that much—it surely was, probably even more—but still, who in their right mind could afford to spend that kind of money on just one sword?!

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Before people's hearts could even settle from the shock, another voice cut through the silence.

"Fifty million," Alex announced calmly through his speaker.

"Fifty-five million," the other bidder immediately countered.

"Sixty million."

"Seventy million!"

"...."

"...."

"...."

As the bidding war between Alex and the other person raged on, everyone else just sat there, stunned expressions plastered across their faces. At that point, the two of them were clearly the only ones willing—or even able—to pay such a ridiculous sum for the sword. The rest could only listen in silence, eyes shifting between the private boxes, curious and slightly awed, wondering which of the two would end up winning the treasured weapon.

Frieda, on the other hand, was beaming from ear to ear, barely able to contain her joy as the price kept climbing to ever more astonishing heights. This was already beyond anything she had expected, and watching two wealthy tycoons throw fortunes at each other for a single item brought her immense satisfaction—both as a host and a member of the family behind the auction.

"Eight-five million!" Alex shouted, irritation seeping into his voice. Just give it up already, you stubborn idiot! he thought, gritting his teeth.

A few seconds of tense silence passed. Alex began to think the other bidder had finally given up, when the voice returned—calm, composed.

"Ninety million gold coins," the person declared. But unlike the previous bids, this time they didn't stop there. "Earl Drickon speaking. I don't know who I am bidding against, but I sincerely hope you'll allow this humble Earl the honor of acquiring such a fine treasure. I've waited quite some time to come across a weapon of this caliber, and I would be most grateful if you were to graciously withdraw and let it fall into my hands."

After Earl Drickon's words echoed through the auction house, the silence returned. Many believed the other bidder had taken the hint and stepped down, but then...

"Ninety-five million gold coins."

"...."

"...."

"...."

A strange silence settled inside the auction house after Alex's reply. Those present couldn't help but feel as if he was an idiot for outbidding the Earl.

Earl Drickon might have been polite and all, but those who understood politics even a little knew that he was using his position as Earl as a kind of power play to force the other party to drop out—otherwise, there was no reason for him to announce his name or title. He clearly wanted that sword and wasn't above resorting to such tactics to get his way.

The message of the Earl was clear: I have power. I have status. Back off, or face the consequences.

Unfortunately for him, Alex didn't give a damn about his title or position—and he made it clear the very next instant.

"Arcanor speaking," he said, his deep and cold voice resounding through the auction hall. "I'm truly sorry, Sir Drickon, but this sword also means far too much for me to drop out of this auction."

"So it's this scoundrel who's going against me once again!" the Earl said, his fingers digging into the plush armrest of the couch.

"Fine, you can have it," the Earl said through his speaker.

A few seconds passed after the Earl's statement, and as it became clear he truly meant what he said—and with no one else willing to outbid that price—Alex was officially declared the winner of the auction and the new owner of the sword.

"Later, someone will come to your box to guide you to the transaction room," Frieda explained. "There, you'll be able to complete the payment and receive your item."

"Now, onto the next item," Frieda added in a bright and cheerful tone, motioning for another butler pushing a velvet-covered wheelcart to approach the center of the stage.

Inside Earl Drickon's box...

"Kradwell, after you capture him, I want you to bring me that sword," the Earl said, his expression twisting into a grin. "He can dream if he thinks I'll let him humiliate me and walk away with my sword under my very eyes." His grin stretched wider, turning malevolent. "At the end of the day, it's better this way. I'll obtain the sword without spending a single coin on it."

Kradwell, the old guard of the Earl, bowed respectfully. "It will be done as you wish, Lord Drickon."

Inwardly though, Kradwell was troubled by the Earl's decision.

'He was already hard to deal with before, even with the five of us. Now that he has that sword... it's uncertain whether we'll be able to bring him back to the Earl,' he thought grimly. I'll need to make some preparations before we act.'

Whether they would succeed in capturing Alex or not... that would be decided in the days to come.