[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-city-of-desire-kingdom-building":3,"chapter-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-567":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","City of Desire [Kingdom Building]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1846687,2449,"Chapter 569: First Bite Auction","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-567",567,"\u003Cp>\"We should be able to get at least one,\" Margaux said as the carriage approached our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Getting one wouldn't be a problem, but getting them isn't exactly risk-free,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will abe competition since it's an auction, but we have a good chance. However, I wouldn't wager on it if the price exceeds the range we've set for each piece.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes passed, and the carriage stopped before a small but beautiful building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am saying \"small' by the city's standards. The building is five stories tall and made of beautiful blue stones, with a spire rising from the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to August Hall, Lord Silver, Headmistress Swan,\" greeted the House Staff as he opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stepped out and were promptly escorted inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many other locations are better than this building, but it is tradition to host it here. It has happened for thousands of years, and nobody wants to break the tradition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he opened the door and let us into a grand hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are hundreds of chairs, with more than half occupied. I looked at the people and found most of them familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been introduced to or talked to them at least once in the past four days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the House Staff led us to our seats. It's in the first row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, I am not surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, I mostly saw people from the Grade III legacy. Those from Grade IV and above rarely showed any interest in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their auction will be held tomorrow. I have no interest in them; they are too big for velvet garden to take a bite of. If I tried, they might change the Velvet Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" greeted Elf, sitting beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Aardwyn, Lord Constance,\" I greeted the elf and the man beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Aardwyn is my father, Lord Silver. Call me Rylan,\" the elf corrected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rylan,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf is the same elf we have seen in the opening ceremony on the first day. His father is a master of Tranquill Bathhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man beside him is a guardian from the Grade IV Wander Inn, the master legacy of Tranquill Bathhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am surprised they are here. I saw them in the morning, talking with Prefectus Prisca and another Master of a Grade IV legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me for saying this, but I didn't expect to see you here, Lord Silver,\" Constance said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I could say the same to you, Lord Constance,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a risky bet you're making, my lord. You're on the list of legacies with the most potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taking the core essence of another legacy, especially one that's waning, is dangerous for the future,\" he responded, and he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he doesn't know that I can take only the part that aligns with my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the bite would be purified and converted into pure essence. So, unlike other legacies of my level, I am in a much better position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it is not without risk. I could absorb the core, but only the part that aligns with my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I become greedy and absorb more than I should, it will taint the vision. That would be catastrophic for the growth of my legacy, and the consequences could be irreversible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you here, Lord Constance?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are looking for the bite for the Tranquill Bathhouse. We want to strengthen it before the separation to increase its survival chances,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the separation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wander's Inn would have helped, but it would need all its strength to survive the separation from Tranquill Bathhouse with as little damage as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he had warned me, it is a risky bet. Taking the essence of a waning legacy could seal the Tranquil Bathhouse's fate, making its demise all the more certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish your legacy had been Grade IV, Lord Silver. We would have asked you to take us,\" said the elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You would not need to say it, Mr. Rylan; I would have requested it myself,\" I replied, and the man smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am not saying that out of politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tranquill Bathhouse is an amazing legacy, even without that artifact they have. It's such a regret that I can't have it. I wouldn't have even minded it being on another continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed, and the people kept coming until nearly the entire hall was filled with people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masters or their representatives are here, along with the guardians. In this part, the guardians take the lead despite it being the masters' legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am one of the few masters here that didn't come with a political guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it is two, and a man walks onto the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was old but took good care of himself, looking younger than his years. He wore a suit with gem-encrusted cuffs that complemented him perfectly, adding an air of elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Masters and Guardians, welcome to August Hall for the first essence auction. I am Dal Roseweil, and I am honored to serve as your auctioneer today,\" he spoke clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the auction for a Legacy's first bite, or first essence, as he called it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are a lot of legacies in the world that die every year, and new ones are born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The synods present a perfect opportunity for the legacies to sell their first bite and others to buy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first to go down under the hammer is the Vaxan Inn. It is a Grade III Tavern Class waning legacy,\" He informed, and a projection appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A three-story inn. Made of stone and timber. Giving off a homey feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bid will start at three hundred emotion essences and increase by ten at each bid,\" he stated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three hundred and ten,\" someone said from behind immediately. \"Three hundred and fifty,\" added another a moment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three hundred and seventy…. Four hundred….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The big kept increasing one after another before it reached five hundred when it suddenly slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone for five hundred thirty?\" asked the auctioneer, but no bid came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people looked at us, but we showed no interest. We already have the list of the legacies being auctioned and selected the ones we want to big on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five hundred and twenty, once. Five hundred and twenty, twice, Five hundred and twenty, thrice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sold!\" he announced, hitting the gavel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It had got sold within a range,' said Margaux with privacy. I nodded. We thought it wouldn't get sold for over five hundred and fifty-Grade III emotion essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a small amount; under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been sold for such a price. But it held a particular advantage as the first item on the block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The next legacy is Adis Cafe. It is a Grade III Tavern Class waning legacy,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bid will start from the three hundred,\" he said as the projection of a cute café appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adis café soon sold for four hundred and thirty Grade III emotion essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More legacies were sold, but not a single one had gone beyond the five hundred fifty. We didn't bid on anything; we just watched until the legacy we wanted went under the hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The name of legacy is Taurus Theater. It is a Grade III, Tavern Class waning legacy, and its price starts from three hundred emotional essences,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three hundred and ten,\" bid someone. \"Three hundred and twenty,\" bid another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bid while I looked at the tavern's projection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a small theatre with a capacity of five hundred people. It has nothing special about it, and if it had, it wouldn't have been at the auction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first bite of the unique legacies is always sold through secret deals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am bidding on it simply because it is a theatre, and I now have a theatre. It is a recent addition to the velvet garden and wasn't present when it was born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purpose of doing that is to strengthen the theatre aspect of the legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will help improve the theatre experience and help theatre people, from actors to stage managers, get better classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legacies have a tremendous influence on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Four hundred,\" Margaux bid, momentarily causing the entire hall to fall into a hushed silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had upped the bid from three-fifty to four hundred directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Four hundred and twenty,\" said a person behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Margaux looked at him, and the moment passed. I could see the worry appearing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't need the theatre. He made a bid only because we suddenly increased the bid, and now he is worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every bottle of essence is essential, and he is only a guardian. Easily replaceable. Unlike the master. If they make a mistake, they will get admonished at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four hundred and twenty bottles of emotional essence isn't a small amount. It's more than what his legacy produces in a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This amount could create trouble for the kingdom itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The essence didn't just go for creating the life-saving potions but also for recovering of artifacts and other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gives the Sovereigns the influence over the nobles and other powerful people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone for four hundred and thirty?\" asked the auctioneer, and sweat began to appear on the man's head. As he realized the trouble he was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Four hundred and thirty, once. Four hundred and thirty, twice…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Four hundred and fifty!\" said Margaux smoothly before he could say the third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see the great relief appearing in the eyes of the man, and he slumped for a second before recovering quickly, feeling eyes on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taurus Theatre goes to Lord Silver. Master of Velvet Garden,\" said the auctioneer, banging the gavel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You had scared that poor man, Miss Swan,\" said the elf. \"I didn't, Mister Rylan. I only delayed because I was thinking about whether to go further,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have a limited budget, after all,\" she replied sheepishly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf and the man beside him just smiled, seeing her lying through her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The auction continued as a new legacy coming under the hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, another legacy came on the table, and this time, we bid. It's a bar. We bought it for five hundred and twenty and the tavern after for five hundred and forty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, more legacies came until we reached the last legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, only the one had remained. Taril's Smokehouse. Its Grade III, Tavern Class waning legacy,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bid for it will start at Four hundred emotion essence,\" said the auctioneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is only a legacy started at four hundred, and there is a reason for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five hundred emotion essence,\" said the elf beside me. Betting for the first time. \"Five hundred and twenty,\" came another bid immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five hundred and fifty,\" said another. The bids soon reached the six hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everybody loves to smoke. One might wonder how it aligns with the bathhouse, but it does. Smoking is quite popular in the bathhouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as it's popular in taverns, bars, and every other gathering place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dislike smoking; I cannot even bear the smell of smoke. I have a smoking area in my establishment, but that is only because patrons want it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will not focus on smoking like the others, as it goes against the direction of my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, we didn't bid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seven hundred and thirty, once. Seven hundred-thirty, twice, seven hundred-thirty, thrice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sold!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Smoking bar goes to the Tranquill Bathhouse,\" announced the auctioneers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The elf isn't too happy at such a price,' said Margaux, looking at the painful smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It is more than it is worth, and people knew he wants it. So they pushed him hard,' I replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We paid a similar price for the casino, but that is a casino. It's big, a theatre-class casino, while all the legacies here were tavern-class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not like those legacies aren't dying. They are, but most are making deals internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the casino wouldn't have much of a price. Because of its class, its weight would have been enormous. There would have been very few Grade III takers for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the chances of pollution would be higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you all, Masters and Guardians, for giving August Hall this honor; we will always be grateful for it,\" he said, walking off the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We talked to the people for a few minutes before walking out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was no store legacy or forge,\" said Margaux. I wanted them so much, but they were hard to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I want them, I will have to approach them individually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scarlet Headmistress Lv. 36\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skill Gained: Empathetic Bond\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subscribe to to readOver 20Advanced Chapters, Character Art, and Maps.Become a Free Member and enjoy the Character Art, Maps, and other interesting things.\u003C\u002Fp>",2130,"2026-06-09T06:55:02.855Z",1,"novelbin.me","52a4b8903fc18d30e617536b38acdf82d286eda9d39f2610a0461403f223578f","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-568","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-566",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]