IDOLIZING CHAOS

Treasure Map

  "Please Make us your maids. We can do anything.. Ranging from house chores to warming the bed." The girls pleaded anxiously. 

  After staying silent and thinking things through Aeries cane to conclusion that it wouldn't hurt him in anyway if he buys them. That was because he never planned on using them as anything in the first place. Just to free them then go separate paths. 

 "Is that okay? Would Krush let you go free? And if I take you away from here wouldn't he still search for you and bring you back?"

 "That is if The Imperial Hall doesn't accept selling their Prisoners... But they do. You wouldn't know, but they're lots of Uprising and wars swallowing Kingdoms. Slaves are being caught every where and transported in batches to all places that do Trade."

  So Krush deal in human Trafficking too.. I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, obviously he's a vicious snake.. I should watch my back and steer clear of his schemes. He secretly thought with frowning brows. 

  "Oh.. Then it's settled, Prepare yourselves after the auction am leaving with you girls"

"J-Just like that?"

"What do you mean.?"

"Nothing Master... We swear to always f... " Aeries immediately cut them short, leaving them wearing a helpless smile, this wasn't the first or second time he had done this.. Everytime he sees a treasure he likes his total attention is drawn there.. Making the girl frown in agitation, does that mean our natural assets aren't enough to entice you I'm anyway? 

True to their thoughts Aeries spoke out a while later  "Hold on! There's another treasure being auctioned"

  "Ladies and gentlemen, With me here is this box with something that can make a Carp leap over the Dragon gate. A treasure map! " The Auctioneer shouted with a high octave voice and stopped to see the enthusiastic Glare of the unlookers, He smiled secretly and continued

  "This map leads to a Mystic Plane which was presumably the warehouse of a very wealthy empire. This particular Treasure Crest opens once every 200 years and as Fate would have it falls.. *Ahem, I've been told not to share the location or time, but don't worry, the successful bidder would be the one to pry into this Treasury secret."

  Aeries stopped being interested as soon as the man reached the middle of his speech. Even a fool would smell a ballant misdirection. With such treasure chest kept in front of you, how would you still willingly give it out in open arms.. Obviously this map was as fake as it's glamour. He gritted his teeth and silently cursed the Auctioneer.

 'This clear unjustly King forcefully taking Commoner's last Sheep. Haven't you taken enough from me already? Why are you still hogging all the Gold as if there's no tomorrow."

 It wasn't only him who noticed this, others began grumbling until one of the people in the VIP room openly said. 

 "Wait a minute, how can this be? If there really was a Treasure then why haven't you gotten it for yourselves? Doesn't the saying goes; bird die for food. Men die for wealth? Obviously anybody would be moved."

  "That's true! Are you sure this 'treasure' is real?" People immediately followed after and commotion was about to ensue.. It was then that the mastermind Krush, came over politely. 

   "Please fellow cultivators.. Our Trade hall haven't ever sold a fake item of any kind. And this is an open Trade. If you want to buy, then bid.. If you don't then there's no need to comment about our products." As Krush said this he whether inadvertently or purposely turned to the VIP room where the person who made the first comment was. Although it was tinted, it seems like Krush gaze penetrated and totally viewed the Ignorant man still grumbling.

  The hall was silenced and everyone respectfully sat down back with smiles of apology. 

"Interesting.. Truly interesting. This Scheming world never seem to always impress me." As Aeries said that he stared at the back of Krush as he came down the stage and countless thoughts churned in his mind.. He tried to figure out exactly why Krush came up stage. And why he stared at the man with a warning glare. 

  "* Ahem, So, let the Auction begin. The start bid in zero to infinity... With a limit add of 100 Gold."

"100 Gold!"

 " I bid 200!"

...... "Bid 1200" People began outbiding each other, but as compared to before.. They're enthusiasm was almost none existent. As if they were doing it out of respect or responsibility.

  "I see, Truly brilliant. He even didn't mind offending The Imperial Hall for this. Good good."" His eyes drifted from Krush to the man and to the unresponsive crowd before sighing in amazement at the plot of the Hidden person. Truly unfortunate that there's another person to struggle your hard earned soup.

 "I bid 5000 Gold." 

 Even the Auctioneer was somewhat surprised at Aeries sudden call. He raise the price 5x at once!

 "Master! It's apparent that it's just s dummy map that was put forth for the Auction. The real thing has already circulated round the higher ups of the Imperial Hall and even The Imperial House. Am afraid." the girls anxiously tried to persuade him. If he unknowingly finish the money he has in store.. It means they'll be stranded here to face their cruel fate for who know how long before seeing a chance like this. 

 "No need to worry, be rest assured that your ransom is still here. Am not foolishly bidding all my Gold." Seeing the unconvinced look on all their faces he elaborated "Although what you said was true, it doesn't mean the Map is just a prototype.. Hear me out. Although it might be incomplete and deceptive the main locations are surely real. Why? This is because the Imperial House wants unaffiliated and low house nobles like us to act as a buffer with other Empires. My guess is the map isn't entirely on The Bluewing Empire and the Imperial house has great restrictions in searching for the treasure.."

  "Then, How sure are you?"

"In my suspicions? Less than 30% but is there's one thing I understand about Krush.. It's that he never lies. He schemes, tricks and misdirect but he wouldn't ever lie this openly.. As it would surely stain the name of the Imperial Hall and House in general."  After placating the girls. He looked at the room of his rival bidder. 

 It wasn't only Lana and the girls that were anxious. Staring back at Aeries, the main deceptionist clenched his fists in agitation. He was this close in gaining the fisherman benefit yet all he did was to attract a shark. And the treasure wouldn't just enter his freaking hook. 

 "I bid 5400 Gold"

"6000" Aeries immediately called out with a smile. 

"6200, Friend . It's only two of us that are haggling like complete idiots.. Could you tell me why you'll spend so much on waste as this?"

 How cunning can you be!

 "Oho? Am an archeologist, studying all about human past with relics left behind. Just the material used to intricate this box has left me deeply intrigued.. 7000!"

  "This... Won't you reconsider? How about I buy it then invite you to come view it with me in your leisure? 8000!"

 The crowd witness all of this in silence... When had Gold coins become cheap commodity to be thrown for rubbish. Only fools will waste their coins buying useless relics. The rest kept their coins to bid for the Finale.. The rank 6 demon blade!. This was one of the main reasons why so many wealthy people flocked in today. 

 "Am sorry I'll have to decline.. I'll be traveling to another Kingdom soon so I won't be able to make your acquaintance.. 10,000 Gold!"

 The man collapsed on his chair as beads of pesperation flowed down his brow. He had honestly tried. Any more would invite unwanted attention, he'll have to wait and watch the person in the adjacent room move outside the Hall, then... He'll act.

 "Don't mind, don't mind. It seems it's Sir's fortune."

 BAM. Immediately the Auctioneer slammed the hammer. Giving Aeries nodded chance to retract his bid... Honestly he hadn't thought this random token from a pleading beggar would do this much. Truly a fool that'll waste Gold that way 

 After few seconds Aeries heard a knock and ordered Lana to open it, making way for a busty beauty with flavoury scent bring the very box and handed it to Aeries. This had happened the last four times He successfully bid on, What greatly made him surprised was the Realm of the Said Attendees that came with his purchase.. All above the Martial General Realm!

  Transaction was carried out s he then tentatively held the box, it suddenly seem to resonate with him, causing him to loose focus for some seconds. 

 "Master! There's another person on the door."

"R-Really, let him in" it took some time to refocus on his surroundings and puzzlingly looked at the man that came in. His clothes were ordinary.. Poor even, with shaved beards and blackened lips, the man looked like one in smoky bars. But Aeries knew better. For one to openly come here without restriction it seem there was more to the eye. 

  "I want to speak with Young Aeries.. If you will" Aeries eyes narrowed with sharpness and he readied his Qi on his palm, ready to strike in any moment notice. 

  The man did not flinch a bit and openly strode forward to whisper in Aeries ear, before handing him a document. He turned to leave but stopped at the door first

 "We'll keep on looking for more info with even more effort as these occurrences left us perplexed... Truly a miracle. . Or something. Take your time reading it Young Aeries. 

    Aeries read up till the third paragraph before using his Qi to burn the whole document down.. His hands clenching his chair in trepidation...