Chapter 293: Auction Bidding!

"Four hundred gold coins, gentlemen! Lord Oliver bids four hundred gold coins. Does anyone wish to continue bidding?"

"Gentlemen, four hundred gold coins, once!"

The butler continued to inquire from above.

Unfortunately, the other nobles seemed unwilling to compete with Oliver, after all, there would be a second batch later.

"Four hundred gold coins, twice!" The butler was slightly disappointed, but this price had nearly reached the true value of these cavalrymen.

After all, for a cavalryman, the major expense lay in equipment and horses.

Seeing no one else competing with him, Lord Oliver was in high spirits; a smile immediately appeared on the corner of his mouth as he waited for the butler's third call.

"Four hundred gold coins, third..."

"Four hundred and twenty gold coins!"

Of course, unfortunately, Oliver had clearly been happy too soon.

For Gervas was also determined to secure these cavalrymen.

At this moment, he finally spoke.

Lord Oliver's smile came to an abrupt halt.

The castle butler above was both surprised and delighted, quickly locking onto the last-moment bidder, Gervas. "That... um, that young gentleman bids four hundred and twenty gold coins!"

Huh!

Everyone in the hall turned in unison to look at Gervas.

Especially the several counts beside Gervas.

Earlier, by the long table, they had seen Gervas.

Although Gervas's clothing fabric was not too luxurious, a count's family medal hung on his chest, so they had offered polite greetings.

Of course, at that time, they had merely assumed he was a second son of some count's family coming to join the fun and boost Lord Darwin's popularity.

After all, half the people in the hall had come for that very purpose.

They just hadn't expected this young noble, who had previously been completely unnoticeable, to suddenly bid.

His opening move was to compete directly with the duke's son.

Had they misjudged him?

Was this person also an offspring of some great family?

Just a bit peculiar in temperament.

"Who is this young noble?"

"I don't know! I've never seen him before. Have you?"

"I haven't seen him either! He probably isn't a noble from our surrounding area?"

In fact, not to mention these guests, even Lord Darwin and the castle butler showed confusion.

Fortunately, the steward servant responsible for reception earlier remembered Gervas.

He first ran quickly to the butler's side to whisper a few words, then ran to Lord Darwin's ear to whisper a few more.

"Ahem! Ahem! Gentlemen, this young gentleman is a distinguished guest from the Southern Violet Count family. He has traveled far to Lord Darwin's castle specifically for these sin-slaves!"

"It can be said that this batch of sin-slaves is indeed a rare commodity. Therefore, if any of you nobles still wish to bid, please hurry. Do not miss out!"

"Southerners? The Violet Count family? Have you heard of them?"

"I've heard of them, but it seems there is more than one Violet family! I don't know which one it is!"

"That's right, but the only thing we can be certain of is that the Violet family should not be a family above the rank of Hou Jue!"

Hearing Gervas's background, the crowd became even more surprised and taken aback.

Of course, the auction had to continue. Lord Oliver, who had been determined to win, felt as nauseous as if he had eaten a fly, yet he could not vent his anger and had to pretend to remain calm and composed.

"Four hundred and fifty gold coins!" Oliver shouted.

Gervas smiled slightly. "Four hundred and seventy gold coins!"

"Four hundred and ninety gold coins!" The corner of Oliver's mouth twitched slightly.

"Five hundred and ten gold coins!" Gervas still wore a smile.

Under his sleeve, Oliver's fist clenched tight, his fingernails nearly digging into his flesh.

Up above, the butler was already grinning so widely his mouth wouldn't close.

In less than half a minute, another one hundred gold coins had been added.

And this had truly reached their psychological expectation.

Each cavalryman was sold for five gold coins; if equipment is added, that is nine gold coins per person. One hundred people make nine hundred gold coins.

"Gentlemen, this gentleman from the Southern Violet family, Gervas, bids five hundred and ten gold coins. Is anyone else willing to bid?"

The butler appeared to be asking all the guests, but was actually asking Oliver.

His gaze swept, barely noticeable, over Lord Oliver in the front row.

Unfortunately, Lord Oliver fell silent this time.

In front of outsiders, he, the duke's second son, was very glorious.

But only he himself knew his difficulties; if he were truly so glorious, he would not have come running for one hundred elite cavalrymen!

So, having just split from the family, he did have some reserves, but the duke had very many children.

Therefore, his territory was full of complications, and there were many places where money was needed.

Four hundred gold coins he could bite the bullet and buy, but five hundred gold coins... especially with this 'Southerner' right in front looking as if he would match whatever amount was added, left him feeling unsure.

So, he simply chose to wait for the second batch.

Otherwise, if he continued bidding and lost later, it would be too shameful.

"Five hundred and ten gold coins, once!"

"Five hundred and ten gold coins, twice!"

"Five hundred and ten gold coins... third time! Congratulations to Lord Gervas for winning this first batch of criminal slaves! Please proceed with immediate settlement, Lord Gervas!"

Although the steward was slightly disappointed that Oliver had not continued bidding, he knew he could not force it; soon after the third bid, the auction for this first batch of cavalry criminal slaves ended.

Gervas waved his hand, and Eve Lan, Mick, and the others quickly stepped forward, bringing a large wooden crate to the front of Gervas.

Gervas opened the crate, pulled out nine money bags, then selected ten gold coins from other bags, and handed them to the steward!

Each money bag contained one hundred gold coins, totaling nine hundred and ten gold coins altogether, including the mandatory cavalry equipment.

The steward counted them on the spot, confirmed accuracy, and both parties signed the settlement contract publicly.

This public settlement clearly eliminated any future concerns.

The successful sale of the first batch of slaves put the steward in high spirits, and he immediately began auctioning the second batch.

This second batch was also the final one, and bidding was clearly fiercer; within just a few minutes, the price had risen to three hundred and eighty gold coins.

Throughout this process, Gervas remained silent.

Several nobles nearby, having witnessed his earlier actions, extended goodwill and introduced themselves.

"Lord Gervas, I am Lucas, from the Red Wolf Count's family!"

Of course, Gervas had no interest in such socializing; after a polite response, he did not engage further.

After all, his sole purpose in coming was to acquire cavalry, and secondly, his identity was false.

If these nobles learned he was merely a viscount, they would likely never speak to him again.

So there was no point wasting time on such matters.

Seeing his cold demeanor, these nobles wisely refrained from pressing further.

"Four hundred and thirty gold coins!"

A familiar voice came through—it was Count Oliver bidding again.

Of course, Count Oliver was not so lucky this time.

Since this was the final batch, the nobles' bidding determination grew stronger.

"Four hundred and thirty-five gold coins!"

"Four hundred and forty gold coins!"

"Four hundred and forty-five...!"

"Four hundred and eighty gold coins!" Oliver gritted his teeth and bid again.

At this moment, he was filled with rage!

Just moments ago, he could have secured them for four hundred gold coins—until Gervas interfered.

Now look!

He had to pay so many extra gold coins.

Still, after shouting four hundred and eighty gold coins, several nobles were intimidated.

This brought him slight relief amid his anger.