Chapter 309: The Mermaid
"Forty million Beli!"
With the auctioneer's final strike of the gavel, the double-edged sword was claimed by Esdeth for forty million Beli.
Spending forty million Beli on one of the Fifty Skillful Grade swords was a bit much, but it couldn't be helped.
Ever since the rise of the world's strongest swordsman and his famous blade—the cursed sword Seven-Star—double-edged swords had become all the rage.
Nobles and royals across the seas began wearing double-edged swords at their waists, sparking a dramatic price surge.
Even Charlotte himself had been caught off guard when he heard about the trend.
After learning the reason, Charlotte could only laugh helplessly.
"Alright, I get it," Charlotte said, waving dismissively to Sergei.
Understanding the "celebrity effect" all too well, he didn't press further.
Esdeth, satisfied after securing her prize, returned to her seat.
From then on, any renowned blade or Skillful Grade sword was claimed by her the moment it appeared.
This enraged several swordsmen in the crowd below.
Lacking the wealth to compete, they could only seethe in silence.
"Who's in that upper box? Must be filthy rich to sweep all the famous blades like this. That's gotta be two or three hundred million already."
Whispers and curious glances rose as many looked toward the VIP box above.
Though they couldn't see who was inside, that didn't stop the speculation.
"Probably some noble family collecting weapons," someone muttered.
A sneering, flashily dressed man with slanted, triangular eyes stared upward. A glint of greed flickered in his eyes—noticed by more than a few in the crowd.
But nobody said anything. Instead, smirks slowly crept across several faces.
Once the jewelry, swords, and other collectibles were sold, it was time for the nobles' favorite part—the slave auction.
As the most powerful black market on the West Blue, the Five Major Mafia Families of Kardan Island wouldn't skip such a spectacle.
Sure enough, the next item was wheeled in—a large cage covered with red cloth.
Soft sobs could be heard from within.
It didn't take much to guess what was inside.
The crowd grew increasingly excited. Some of the merchants and nobles even had green glints in their eyes.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
It had been a long time since he'd seen slaves in person.
Especially in the New World, where he rarely left his territory—slave trade there had long been out of control.
Even when he tried cracking down on it, it was like cutting weeds—every time he cleared a batch, another would grow.
The profits from human trafficking were simply too immense.
Still, if Charlotte encountered it directly, he would act.
His usual calm expression changed subtly.
Everyone around him suddenly felt an oppressive pressure fill the room.
Those familiar with Charlotte knew—he despised the slave trade.
There had been a time in the New World when Charlotte's relentless strikes on slave traders nearly wiped the industry out... though the peace didn't last.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Up next is a fallen princess! Starting bid: 8 million Beli!"
The red cloth was yanked away, revealing a beautiful young girl curled up in the cage.
Delicate and trembling, she evoked instant sympathy.
These auctioneers certainly knew how to manipulate emotion.
"Twenty million!"
Charlotte gave no one a chance to respond—he shouted his price without hesitation, raising the bid by 12 million in one go.
The once enthusiastic crowd quieted.
Everyone now studied the girl closely to determine if she was truly worth 20 million Beli.
As no one else bid, the auctioneer looked slightly embarrassed.
"Twenty million once!"
"Twenty million twice!"
"Twenty million, sold!"
Bang!
The auctioneer forced a smile as he confirmed the sale, clearly disappointed by the low price.
Charlotte sat silently, fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest.
Those who knew him well could tell—he was not pleased.
Then came the part Charlotte had been waiting for.
No matter the bid, he matched it.
In the end, all twenty slaves that the auction house had carefully prepared were claimed by Charlotte.
"Next, our most prestigious item! One even the Celestial Dragons of Mariejois would covet— a mermaid! Please welcome our next treasure!"
The auctioneer wiped the sweat from his brow and announced with a burst of excitement.
At the mere word mermaid, the room stirred violently.
Even in the West Blue, mermaids were legendary beings—rare and prized.
A giant water tank was wheeled out, revealing a small mermaid inside.
Her vibrant red hair resembled a blooming rose, and glistening crimson scales covered her lower half. Only her head peeked out above the water.
She looked around timidly, fear and unease written all over her face.
"A beautiful young mermaid! Starting bid: 80 million Beli! Minimum raise: 10 million!"
As soon as the auctioneer finished his announcement—
"Five hundred million!"
Charlotte's calm voice echoed from Box Four.
Everyone froze.
No one expected someone to immediately bid half a billion Beli.
Sitting relaxed in his chair, Charlotte casually took a sip of his tea.
Around him, his crew quietly polished their weapons.
"You bastard! Who do you think you are?! That little sum won't scare me! I bid six hundred million!"
Someone, already displeased with Charlotte's earlier sweep of the auction, shouted out indignantly.
Other bidders from various VIP boxes also joined in.
Whether they truly desired the mermaid or just couldn't stand Charlotte's dominance, the bidding war intensified.
The price quickly climbed to 800 million Beli.
It was clear—wealth flowed freely in the West Blue.
Spending 800 million on a mermaid? Unimaginable elsewhere.
Charlotte stared calmly at the trembling mermaid in the tank.
Then he gently set down his teacup.
"One billion."
His calm, unhurried voice rang out again—clearer than ever in the auction's tense silence.
Every voice fell silent.
Even those in private boxes dared not speak.
One billion.
That wasn't just a price—it was a declaration.
How many farms could that buy? How many slaves?
All for one mermaid.
The room went dead quiet.
People were starting to back off.
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