BXBX NOVEL Chapter 360 - 360
The Pandora's Box Auction House was set up like a large amphitheater with some private rooms established just above the seats. In total it had enough space to house 50,000 people, with exactly 50 VIP rooms that were capable of holding up to 5 people each.
The place was soon filled to the point where some people had to stand. The auction house was not open-air but rather an indoor stage with a large, cavern-like space, so it was impossible to allow everyone to spectate.
As such, the Guard Androids went around verifying how much a person had in terms of Supreme Coins. Those who had little or none were evicted in favor of those who had more, as those were likely bidders.
The Guard Androids explained this fact to everyone, so the logic was clear. It was a solid business decision, but it was no different from telling someone that they would have to vacate a certain flight for another due to overloading or something similar.
While it made sense, it would spark a person's rebelliousness as they felt they were being picked on and bullied. However, after going through that godly display earlier, most just left without making a fuss.
Some did complain by stating that they planned to purchase Supreme Coins during the auction, yet the Guard Androids directed them to do so immediately and return if they wished to participate. Left speechless, such fellows could only drop their lie and allow themselves to be escorted out.
Soon, the entire layout of the Pandora's Box Auction House changed. There were no longer people standing about as everyone was seated, and all those gazed at the stage with sharp eyes.
These were men and women of means and wealth, who had come here to acquire what they could at all cost!
The auction house quietened down as a holographic projection of Deia appeared on the stage. She was wearing her favorite black dress with a parted hem that allowed her to show her thick thighs.
Her cleavage was also heavily on display as she placed one arm on her waist and smiled provocatively. She swung her lush red hair around confidently, gazing at everyone with mocking.
"Welcome all you rich blokes and blokesses, to the first auction of our city. I am your host, Mrs. Stone! And now, I shall list the rules of this auction to you all!" Deia spoke brazenly.
Just as she began listing the common rules with slight alterations, in a certain VIP box, many faces changed. A heavily armored Deia was seated here with Inquisitor Davian and the Pope as well as two other high-level clergymen from their church.
"Blasphemy! How dare they use the image of one of our paladins in such a lewd way? Utterly unacceptable!" The Pope roared with a flushed face, smashing the table with his fist.
"We will need an explanation for this. Even if they were to do something like this, it is right to seek permission from the church first, no?" Inquisitor Davian commented casually, but his eyes were locked on the sensual Deia, contrasting it with the formal paladin beside him.
The other two clergymen shook their heads and passed similar remarks, all of them generally unhappy. However, they noticed that the slighted party herself had yet to comment.
It was then that they noticed her complexion had paled after seeing the strange projection on the stage, her pupils greatly narrowing. The Pope waved a hand before her eyes, and Deia was snapped out of her trance.
She placed a hand to her forehead. "My apologies, Holy Father. I seem to be experiencing some form of dissonance after seeing that avatar."
The Pope shared a look with Inquisitor Davian before asking. "And what do you think of this development?"
Deia waved her hand calmly. "Nothing of it. While that apparition resembles me greatly, it is not me. There are distinctions in looks, age, poise, and demeanor that make it obvious that this is a copy of someone who simply resembles me."
Inquisitor Davian nodded. He and Deia were special, as they had combat abilities and high perception compared to largely normal men like the Pope and his clergy. Their sharp eyes and mental prowess could see the difference, which was why Davian had given a relatively mild remark.
The other three frowned in dismay. Since the paladin herself had said so, continuing to make noise about it would be unruly. As such, they refocused and noticed that the projection had finished its recount of the various rules.
Luckily, Deia and Davian had been paying slight attention and so they had learned what to beware of. They were determined to win some of the items this time, since during the auction in Elysium, they had been outbid by the factions under the Goddess of Wealth.
… trying to fight a battle of finances against the likes of Waukeen was truly asking to be beaten until you couldn't secrete a single tear of anguish anymore. That bloody Goddess was rich to the point she would have to fill up a vault with her treasures to be able to determine how much she actually had.
She just knew that no matter what, she would always be able to afford whatever she wanted. This kind of power was truly despairing.
Waukeen must be the God in favor of this city's creation the most, because just like God Krona got stronger when he gained new and unique information, Waukeen got stronger the more she obtained a new and unique currency.
The stronger the currency was, the better the feedback from her Divine Attribute.
After the holographic projection of Deia stopped, the first tray of items was rolled out. The crowd buzzed at this, many eyes gazing at the five books that laid atop the tray with fervent gazes.
What would be the opening sale for this auction?
Could it match up to the expectations of the people here?
Those were the questions on everyone's minds as they used their various identification techniques to try and glean more about the books.
As for the 'fake' Deia, she strangely glanced in the direction of the 'real' Deia's VIP room, almost locking eyes with her corporeal self through the layers of special glass and material.