Chapter 129: What a Good Man Indeed!

"Lords and ladies, welcome to Castle Beckert! The theme of today's banquet needs no further explanation!"

"Moreover, all of you present who attended this banquet sent your subordinates to survey the mine shafts just days ago—you know the reserves of my iron ore!"

"Let us begin the auction immediately!"

"To be honest, if not for a once-in-a-millennium business opportunity in Eagle City, I would never risk my family's greatest wealth for capital!"

At this, Lord Beckert paused, his eyes slightly reddening.

Good heavens! Gervas, you son of a gun!

With acting like that, no wonder you planned to swindle the nobles.

You could win an Oscar with this performance!

I wonder what tricks Lord Beckert used to fool these nobles' ore surveyors.

Regardless, from the nobles' reactions, they truly believed him.

"Lord Beckert, since you have a better business opportunity, you must prioritize greater gains—so don't be disheartened!" A noble immediately spoke to comfort him.

Lord Beckert nodded, controlling his emotions. "Lords, let the auction begin—land including the ore-bearing hillside is up for sale."

"The starting bid is three hundred gold coins—the highest bidder wins!"

With that, Lord Beckert stepped down and took his seat. A professional auctioneer hired from Iron Wolf City took the stage to preside.

The noble guards were temporarily permitted to enter the banquet hall, as they carried their lords' auction funds.

"I bid three hundred ten gold coins!"

"Very well, Lord Cantner bids three hundred ten gold coins..."

"I bid three hundred twenty gold coins!"

"Baron Dickinson bids three hundred twenty gold..."

"I bid three hundred thirty..."

As the auction began, bids rose continuously.

In just a few minutes, the price had climbed from three hundred to four hundred eighty gold coins.

Lord Beckert's heart was singing with joy.

"Bid! Bid! The higher, the better—and remember, you chose this yourselves; don't blame me later!"

Lord Beckert's expected bid range was seven hundred gold coins.

His mine produced ore worth a hundred gold coins annually.

According to his falsified reserve estimates, it could be mined for at least twelve to thirteen more years.

Thus, purchasing it for seven hundred gold coins would yield a profit of five to six hundred—well within most nobles' comfort zones.

Indeed, as bidding continued, the price rose steadily, finally surpassing six hundred twenty gold coins.

At this point, the number of bidding nobles began to dwindle.

Originally, many barons had competed; now only a few viscounts with substantial family wealth remained.

Among them, Lord Cantner and Lord Melick were locked in the fiercest bidding.

"I bid six hundred fifty gold coins, Lord Cantner—will you still contest me? Your lands lie near Iron Wolf City, two days from the border—you can't possibly oversee the mine regularly!"

"Lord Melick, you're no better off—your territory is a full day's ride from my lands. This mine is mine by right—I bid six hundred sixty gold coins!" Cantner refused to yield.

Upon hearing the new bid, Lord Melick frowned deeply.

Six hundred fifty gold coins had already exceeded his expectations.

He had anticipated six hundred.

"Lord Cantner bids six hundred fifty gold coins—is there any other noble who wishes to bid?"

"If no further bids are made, the mine shall be awarded to Lord Cantner!"

"Six hundred fifty gold coins once!"

"Six hundred fifty gold coins twice!"

Hearing this, Lord Cantner finally exhaled in relief—his forehead was slick with fine sweat.

Lord Melick's expected limit was six hundred gold coins—he was no different.

So far, the bidding had already surpassed his limits.

Fortunately, the extra sixty gold coins—he gritted his teeth and could still bear it.

"Whoa! My lord, these nobles are too generous—that's over six hundred gold coins! I've never even seen six hundred gold coins in my life!"

Migen and the other knights murmured in awe behind Gervas.

That was six hundred sixty gold coins—one coin could feed a peasant family well for years.

Here, nobles spent gold coins by the tens.

"Migen, it's an iron ore deposit—these nobles pay six or seven hundred gold coins for it, but they'll earn back double the value!" Gervas smiled in explanation.

"Double the return? Whoa—that's a fortune! Too bad six hundred gold coins is too steep—only viscounts like these can afford it!" Migen sighed with envy.

"Six hundred fifty gold coins thr—"

Above, the auctioneer had just raised his voice for the third time.

"I bid seven hundred gold coins!"

Under the gaze of Migen and the others, Gervas suddenly raised his hand and shouted, cutting off the auctioneer.

Migen and the others froze—his lord was bidding? "L-Lord... I was just speaking offhand..."

Migen wondered if his words had prompted Gervas's sudden decision.

"Did I bring you all this way just to eat free food?" Gervas snapped.

The crowd reacted instantly—everyone turned, murmuring in shock, and saw a young noble they didn't recognize.

Meeting their stares, Gervas smiled calmly and nodded to them.

Instantly, whispers spread through the crowd.

"Who is he? Do you know him?"

"No one's seen him before!"

The auctioneer glanced at Lord Beckert, who also frowned—he didn't recognize Gervas either.

After all, he'd met nearly every noble invited today.

"My lord, he is the Lord of Stormhold—named Gervas..."

Fortunately, the steward had been standing nearby. Seeing Gervas actually bid, he hurried to Lord Beckert's side and whispered his identity—and the incident at the city gate.

Lord Beckert blinked. "Stormhold?"

Could the lord of that poverty-stricken land really bid seven hundred gold coins?

Still, since he'd spoken, the auction must proceed.

Lord Beckert rose, smiling warmly at Gervas. "Ah, Lord Gervas of Stormhold—your presence is a great honor to me."

"Forgive my steward's oversight—he failed to extend you an invitation!"

"Lord Beckert, no need for formalities—I came uninvited, so I'm the one who intruded. By the way, is it improper for me to bid?"

"Not at all—the auction is open and fair to all!" Lord Beckert beamed.

Inside, he sneered: "Unbelievable—I've stumbled upon such a fool. You just handed me forty extra gold coins for free. What a good man indeed!"