On the front of the black gold-embossed envelope, sealed with crimson wax and textured like parchment, text was written in Kalim script.
—'By the crucible of the Origin Witch and the Lapis Lazuli City Wall of Typhon City, we swear.'
"Seems quite formal," the Clan Leader of the Little People race remarked. He broke the wax seal and pulled out a matching black and gold-embossed sheet of paper.
...
Respected Clan Leader:
When you read these words, the Thornbird is skimming over the spired towers of the Witch's Forest with moonlight in its beak. In the name of the Typhon City Auction Association, we cordially invite you to visit this witch city forgotten by time on the second day following the end of the mana turbulence to participate in the first 「Night of Magic」 themed auction.
Three major reasons not to miss this auction:
Ten thousand items for auction: A total of 11,813 items will be sold, including 2,496 B-grade items, 15 A-grade items, and 1 S-grade item.
On-site registration for sales: Any individual, team, or race can bring items of B-grade or higher to register for sale. Due to the sudden nature of this event, the Auction Association will not charge any intermediary fees.
Surprise grand finale item:
Auction Schedule:
▸ 19:30 Typhon City Grand Fireworks Show + Buffet Reception
▸ 20:30 Auction Hall Opens, Auction Officially Begins
Items for auction must be registered before the fireworks show on the day of the event. Registration will close when the fireworks begin; late arrivals will not be accommodated.
‘In Typhon City, every silver coin is engraved with the Goddess's smile’
—Chief Steward of the Auction Association, the Golden Witch, Bei Adolis
...
"Tsk, tsk, these witches write quite elegantly—very literary," the messenger from the Little People race commented, peeking over the leader's shoulder as he finished reading.
Of course they did.
One had to remember that among the witches, besides those scientific academic geniuses, there were many liberal arts elites.
A mere invitation was nothing to them.
But despite how well-written and elegant the invitation appeared, every single one sent to these clan leaders was actually just a replica of the same draft.
After all, it was just an invitation; they could come if they wanted or stay if they didn't. There was no need to overthink it, as being too attentive would seem desperate.
The Witch race had always treated everyone equally, looking only at the price to be paid.
Thus, they sent invitations to everyone, whether it was a race with a population of only a few thousand like the Little People race or one with over a hundred thousand like the Titan race.
"Why are you still here!"
The man's sudden voice startled the Clan Leader, who nearly tore the invitation in his hand.
"Didn't you tell me to wait, Clan Leader?" the Little People clansman asked, stunned.
"Did I?"
"Didn't you?"
"Whatever, go back to our base for a bit."
The Clan Leader, having forgotten what had happened earlier because of the invitation, simply waved his hand to dismiss the man and tell him to return to their headquarters.
However, the clansman stared back at him in shock.
"Clan Leader, do you want me dead? There's still a mana turbulence outside!"
"Oh, right!"
At the mention of the mana turbulence, the leader finally remembered what time it was.
He slapped his forehead.
"Didn't we get a bubble suit last time that can isolate external mana? Wear that and go... actually, never mind. It'll be safer if I go back personally."
The Clan Leader, who had originally intended to send his clansman back, changed his mind after a moment's thought and decided to go himself.
After all, what he needed to retrieve was something as precious as ancient blood; how could he leave that to someone else?
That stuff was valuable; selling it on the black market alone could make a fortune. If he put it in an auction house, the price would skyrocket!
Besides, such items were meant for times like this. Now was the perfect moment to sell it for a high price.
Although the Clan Leader of the Little People race enjoyed the feeling of giving orders, as the leader and the one who crafted their evolution items, he naturally had to consider the welfare of his people.
With money, they could buy more magic items to arm themselves, ensuring the Little People race wouldn't remain a weak race.
And so, after finishing his thought, he rummaged through his things and pulled out a bubble suit he had obtained from a certain big shot. He put it on and stepped out of the small two-story building.
This two-story building was a property built by the Supreme Council near the Adventurers' Guild, and it also served as the Little People race's headquarters since their establishment.
The main reason they rented this place as their base was for the convenience of taking on missions.
In fact, ever since the concept of 'city recognition' emerged, the Adventurers' Guild and the Supreme Council had entered a period of steady and rapid development.
During this time, many cities had successively received recognition from the world consciousness.
This didn't just refer to the main cities of specific races, but also included many cities established by Transmigrators.
Consequently, the Supreme Council, the organization holding land rights, naturally became the largest real estate developer.
Houses within protected cities were a necessity, and some bastard in the Supreme Council had come up with the wretched idea of tying Adventurers' Guild missions to the property.
As a result, a law called the ‘Adventurer Team Executive Order’ was enacted.
The stated goal of this decree was to promote the formation of adventurer teams and prevent deaths caused by individuals fighting alone, thereby slowing the decrease in the Transmigrator population.
It sounded high-minded, but in reality, it tied adventurer teams to missions.
After the decree was passed, only the leader or members of an adventurer team could accept missions. Individuals not affiliated with a team couldn't even get a single task.
To establish an adventurer team, you first had to have a base.
Whether you bought it or rented it, you had to possess a base in the local area before you could take your contract to the Supreme Council representative stationed at the Adventurers' Guild to obtain a certificate of recognition.
Finally, only after getting that certificate could you complete the registration procedures at the Adventurers' Guild counter.
Furthermore, because it was for a team, the building had to be at least a two-story small house.
Thus, the Little People race, who originally had a base shelter outside the city, had no choice but to come into the city and rent a small building.
Even so, the Clan Leader of the Little People race rarely kept important materials or items in this place.
After all, he wasn't the one in charge here.
If the Supreme Council ever had a change of heart, any official could come and seize his property.
That was not something a small group like the Little People race could afford to endure.
Of course, none of the above applied to the witches living in the autonomous territory.
After all, even the Adventurers' Guild in the Abandoned Land was operated by the witches themselves. Aside from being connected to the mission sharing and Material Transfer systems of the Adventurers' Guild headquarters, there was no outside presence at all.
There were certainly no Supreme Council personnel stationed in their Adventurers' Guild.
In that place, no matter who came or what laws were passed, they held no power over the witches.
Rate on N.U.
