The Hall that had been chosen by the Sheik to be the Auction venue was a part of his residence and another testament to the size of said residence.

When Hal arrived, the hall was already filled with dignitaries and many of them had bright eyes filled with anticipation for the auction.

Or more accurately for the mutating technique.

Hal was quite sure that many of those in the crowd would have sent word back to their bases after the demonstration all so that they could have enough blue gems for the auction.

He could understand the lure even though he had no interest whatsoever in that technique.

It did not take long for him to locate the Sheik who had two men and one lady beside him. The men were his advisor Gavin and his new resident Runemaster, Fenrir.

The lady as you must have guessed by now was Lucile.

There was a frown on her face and Hal also noticed a small movement in her legs which eventually pointed to her tapping them against the ground.

She was impatient and more than a little frustrated.

After a glance behind him at Ehrlich who had just walked in, Hal made a beeline to the Sheik and his company.

After all, it was a prestigious location to be and a location he knew the Sheik would want him to be.

"Master Klint" The Sheik said in a loud, booming, and carrying voice that was heard by a majority of those on the scene.

Clearly, it was another attempt to promote Hal and he was not averse to it. Especially since it caused Ehrlich's head to swivel in his direction while his eyes widened at the almost familiar manner in which Hal and the Sheik were now conversing.

And it truly was familiar.

Hal could give a theory as to why it was so and it was that the Sheik saw him as an age mate. Someone he could possibly build a friendship with.

Hal on the other hand did not really think of the Sheik as a friend but more as a means to an end.

When Hal told this to Grimoire, the book joked that if the Sheik ever found out Hal's callous thoughts, it would break his heart.

And although Hal knew it was not being serious, he agreed that if the Sheik should find out, it could result in a major falling out.

Oh well, at least he never would.

Hal took a seat with the Sheik in the honor row and sat by Lucile's side with fellne eyed lady making a point to look away from him with her nose in the air.

Hal chuckled,

"You look so cute right now" he said.

There was a clear coloring in Lucile's cheeks as she looked into his eyes and frowned in an attempt to keep her emotions hidden.

She opened her mouth as though to say something but then seemed to think better of it and look away from him again.

He then looked over to the Sheik who was grinning ear to ear.

Most people would have found the Sheik's inability to contain his excitement as a nuisance, and an act not worthy of a leader but Hal gave it a thumbs up in his mind.

There were moments when poker face was essential, but in a situation where the work had been done and all that was left was to reap the results, then he saw no reason to be solemn.

Speaking of solemn expressions, Gavin's expression was the picture of it and while Hal would have at first thought that it was the more experienced man attempting to keep his joy for his lord private, a more intense inspection made Hal think that that might not be the case.

There was just something about that expression of Gavin's that did not sit right with him.

With a little bit of effort, Hal looked away from Gavin and his eyes fell on Master Fenrir who must have sensed something as he looked over at Hal.

When their eyes locked, Hal smiled and waved but the poor Runemaster looked frozen in fear as he looked away quickly.

A detail, Lucile who had just glanced in the direction of the Runemaster did not fail to notice.

She frowned but let it go.

The auction was starting and someone was walking over to the stage.

It was a scantily dressed lady with silky black hair and loose bangs that covered her right eye and further enhanced the sultry factor of her whole form.

Immediately, all eyes turned in her direction and the intensity was as though to burn a hole right through her clothes.

The lady felt those gazes and she took it in stride. In fact, she thrived in those looks.

She loved how much attention she was garnering.

This was her stage to shine.

"Oh my gods, she's hot" said someone among the crowd.

"After this, why don't you come over to my room" yelled another.

Hal looked over and saw it was a portly man with abysmal cosmic energy which meant he was mostly just a merchant and not devoted to the path of cultivation.

The lady turned to him and bent a little, in the process showing more of her cleavage, as she blew the portly man a kiss.

Then she straightened up,

"Maybe I'll entertain that offer. You'll have to impress me today though.

My name is Elsa and I will be your auctioneer for this evening."

Applause met that introduction and when it died down, murmurs broke out and the excitement in the crowd increased even more.

Lucile looked from the lady to Hal who was watching the auctioneer with a light smile and she rolled her eyes at what she called 'the simplicity of men' in her mind.

It was not only Lucile who noticed Hal's interested expression,

"Master Hal, are you interested in that auctioneer? Would you like me to set up a meet?" He asked.

Hal turned to him and asked a question of his own which was born of a feeling he was having about Elsa,

"Where is she from?"

The Sheik smiled proudly. Hal's question must have stoked his sense of achievement,

"She's from Doxon."

Hal's eyes widened and at that moment, Elsa's eyes trailed the honor row and when her eyes met his, she grinned.

'I don't like this' he thought.

The Sheik continued,

"Doxon ladies hardly ever come to the Silva Duchy or any other Duchy for that matter. I believe it's a law to keep some Doxon secrets within Doxon territory. It's a little paranoid if you ask me.

Anyway, I had someone go over to Doxon and try to hire me someone for the auction. After all, Doxon has so many sexy ladies who are always eager to dress scantily.

However, it would be a mistake, a deadly one, to assume that it makes them cheap or easy to bed.

My messenger nearly gave up on the task when he was unsuccessful before Elsa approached him and volunteered to do it. For a substantial fee of course."

Hal was liking this less and less the longer it went on,

"I haven't seen her since I've been in Black lagoon. She wasn't even at your party last night"

The Sheik nodded with a smile,

"She left Black lagoon and only just returned this morning. Specifically for the auction."

"Does your messenger know why she decided to volunteer for a job no one else wanted to take?" Hal asked with a furtive glance at Elsa who was now getting ready to begin the bid for the first item.

The Sheik shrugged,

"Apparently, she was heading into Silva Duchy anyway and decided she might as well take the job and make some extra money"

Hal's eyes narrowed as his and Elsa's eyes met again, but this time she winked.

'Yep, I definitely don't like this.'