Iya Continent: Card God

Inside the auction hall, a bustling crowd of bidders, dressed in diverse attire, with varied appearances and backgrounds, had gathered. Everyone had learned of the list of items for this large-scale auction several days prior, and almost all of them brought items they desired from that list.

Preparations for a large-scale auction typically take several months. During these months, the auction house begins preparing the items for the upcoming auction, especially the high-quality pieces, which become the centerpieces attracting guests and viewers. Once preparations are nearly complete, the auction house begins to widely publicize the list of items to be auctioned, thereby attracting visitors from both within and outside the region. Of course, the list may not necessarily include all the items to be auctioned; the auction house will deliberately conceal some important items as surprises.

However, Linta knew that none of this had anything to do with him.

"How long until it starts?" Linta asked, looking at the auction list in his hand.

The goblin Stone, with his legs dangling in the air, leaned back in his chair and said lazily, "It'll be soon. The auction doesn't actually start at a fixed time; it just depends on how many people arrive."

Linta nodded, her gaze drifting to the seats in the front row, some distance away. Those were seats reserved for the powerful and influential in Sandel County. The seats were furnished with sofas made of the finest monster fur, and the tables were laden with fresh seasonal fruit, tea, and snacks. An invisible barrier existed, separating the bidding buyers behind her.

A familiar figure appeared in their line of sight, greeting Brandon, the head of the Vazquez family, with a friendly expression.

“Quinn,” Linta murmured to himself.

The person who appeared was Paul Quinn, the president of the Black Mountain Steel Guild.

In today's world, adventurer guilds that can establish themselves in a country or county city are unlikely to be independent and are destined to associate with local noble forces. When necessary, they must also be at the beck and call of the authorities.

Bandit suppression is not something the adventurers' guild is obligated to do, and under normal circumstances, the local ruling families won't ask them for help. After all, it would be too embarrassing to be unable to handle such a matter.

“President Quinn, this way please.” Brandon Vázquez stood up and invited the president, smiling warmly.

This attitude also made outsiders at the auction aware of Paul Quinn's relationship with the Vázquez family.

"This person is highly regarded..."

"Nonsense, he's a Gold-level powerhouse. In his youth, he was renowned throughout the region. Hundreds of magic users within the guild were under his command."

"However, I've heard some rumors. The Vázquez family is currently in dire need of an even stronger expert..."

Amidst the countless whispers, Linta overheard something interesting.

Of course, I don't really care. It's their family's business, not mine.

While Brandon Vázquez and President Paul Quinn were negotiating, an unexpected person also arrived at the auction, immediately attracting attention.

Are there any seats left for me?

A loud-voiced, extremely stout man appeared in the front seat.

Miss Daisy Greene was quite surprised by the other party's arrival.

As far as I know, this person has never attended a major auction in all these years. The reason they don't come is that they can get what they want through their own underground dealings.

That's right, this man is none other than Gary the Elephant, the owner of the underground casino.

“Mr. Gary, your arrival is a real surprise. We’ll arrange a seat for you right away.” Daisy maintained her composed demeanor, as if she were dealing with anyone.

Not many people at the entire auction knew that Daisy was a member of the Greene family. However, Gary the elephant happened to be one of them.

“Then I’ll trouble you. I have some friends over there, I’ll go take a look. Haha!” Gary the elephant said with a smile, his eyes fixed on the Vasques clan, and strode off.

Many wealthy businessmen in the front row looked at this person with fear, glancing away as if afraid of being targeted.

The Vázquez family's leaders showed their disgust and clearly didn't like this person much.

Especially the Duke of Brandon.

In Brandon's eyes, the other party's underground casinos and various transactions were a disgrace to his position as the head of the main city. Those were things that couldn't be brought to the table, things that couldn't be done in the light of day. However, he couldn't completely eliminate the other party's businesses; he had connections in the capital that allowed his business to continue. Besides, the other party's businesses were underground and wouldn't be exposed, so out of sight, out of mind.

In short, one's own Sandel City must look perfect.

"Your Grace, and all of you, greetings."

The Vázquez family's executives remained silent, their faces cold, refusing to respond to the elephant-sized man, lest they tarnish the family's reputation.

Brandon Vázquez was naturally the first to be targeted.

"President Quinn, you're here too, haha." Gary the Elephant showed no anger or annoyance; his fleshy muscles trembled, but he remained cheerful.

Paul Quinn was not an aristocrat and didn't mind talking to this capable and shrewd man.

“Elephant, what brings you here? I heard I never come here. Is your business not doing well?” Quinn said with a smile.

Gary the Elephant laughed, "It's so lively today, it would be so boring not to come and see. What if I never have the chance to see it again? Haha. As for business? Don't worry about it, with everyone in the city here, business won't be bad."

These words, like a chilling needle, suddenly stung some of the nobles and wealthy merchants in the front row.

Some transactions can't be conducted openly. These people want them, so they can only do so through underground casinos. Even if they don't go in person, it's still hard to hide their involvement.

"Hehe..." Gary the elephant laughed smugly.

Suddenly, I felt a chill down my spine; something appeared behind me.

Turning my head, I saw a portly man with a gourd-shaped head and a stern face.

"It's you, Your Excellency," the elephant said with a forced smile.

Ted Vázquez, despite his low status, power, and prestige within the family, was not capable enough to sit at the same table with his peers, given his lineage.

"Move aside, you're blocking my way," Ted said coldly.

"Huh?" Gary the elephant was stunned for a moment, a little confused by being called fat by another chubby boy.

Although the family members didn't particularly like this member of their clan, his actions in fighting back against the elephant Gary were widely approving. As for whether he would tarnish the Vázquez family's reputation, they weren't worried about that, because he was far removed from the Vázquez family's main lineage.

The head of the Brandon family was much more benevolent toward Ted than the rest of the family.

After all, the other party is also a member of the family and has outstanding abilities, which is enough for the duke to give them a positive attitude.

“I thought you wouldn’t come, Ted.”

Ted bowed his head and said, "I came to check on things after I finished my work."

"Haha, I knew it. Have a seat," Brandon said with a smile.

At this point, Miss Daisy had someone prepare a seat for Gary the elephant; he was simply too fat, making it somewhat difficult to find a suitable, luxurious seat. In contrast, Natted's fatness was much more normal.

Gary the elephant happily went to his seat.

"Boom--!"

As a bell rang out, the noise in the auction gradually subsided.

Everyone knows that a major auction is about to begin.