Chapter 52- The Essence of Investment (4)
Just in case the interested buyers didn’t come to the auction hall, Clayo asked the hotel staff to make a list of activities held within the city. And after he received the proffered list, he used the ‘Memory’ function of ‘Promise’ to check the names and contrasted it with the given list.
There is one!
The one Clayo spotted was Count Prokorus, an innovator in the ballet world. And according to the list, his ballet troupe would perform its last special show in the resort city before the end of this season. Due to his artistic sense, he was also interested in musical instruments. And according to the manuscript, he originally came to the auction house with the goal of buying a violin. However, due to the lira’s appearance, he ended up buying it instead.
Anyway, on the last day of the auction, there were many music lovers who attended the event. That was why the price of the musical instruments on the podium went up very fast at that time. So, there was no need for me to worry that it won’t sell.
Thinking up to this, Clayo put down his sandwich, which he had only taken two bites of, and spoke to Dione. However, Dione was distracted by the instrument that he had placed on the folded sheet, as such she was late with her response.
“Oh, did you call me, young master?”
“Do you like the lira that much? You’re so focused on it that you can’t even hear me speaking to you.”
“It’s not about the instrument, but about… well, it’s because the lira is an artifact. Ah, now that I think about it again, you clearly knew about this lira in advance!”
“Well, that’s the way it is.”
Dione narrowed her eyes at Clayo. However, even as she stared at Clayo intensely, she didn’t say a single word to pry. And this was because the value of the relics was very great. As such, she decided not to ask. After all, even if she was to ask, she was sure that Clayo wouldn’t tell her the source of his information.
Although the relics in <The Prince of Albion Kingdom> usually seemed to have useful functions and were of great value, not all artifacts were like this. After all, despite not having any peculiarities, items that didn’t decay and had disappeared for a very long time were also considered as ‘Relics’.
And, in general, most of these relics were musical instruments. Therefore, whenever they appeared in the market, music lovers and artifact collectors would come in and bid for them at a terrifying price.
I don’t know much about these musical instruments. But what I do know is that they fetch a high price. Moreover, in this particular world, even a mere violin became a relic that was worth a million dinars in the auction. So, there’s no need for you to look at me like that!
“Really, young master, you really are a person whose means are endless. Based on my analysis, I found that the strings of the lira and opal were the essential components that are required to restore the instrument… How did you know it? Do you have ability that is related to ‘analysis’ or ‘predictions’?”
Dione, the successor to Grey Merchants and a wizard focused on research, could not control her excitement. Her curiosity was stimulated when her 17-year-old charge was able to discover and restore such an artifact with such ease.
“It’s a secret. Maybe I’m just a little more privileged with more information and sharper analysis skills compared to others.”
“Oh, so basically you don’t want to tell me.”
“For now that is.” Clayo said with a smile, yet Dione continued to voice her speculation out loud.
“Hah, now don’t think I don’t know what you want to do, young master. So, you’re basically telling me it’ll be a different story altogether if I’m no longer your father’s men in the future, am I right?”
“You’re truly a brilliant lady, teacher.”
“Well, no wonder you ask if he will be participating in the party. Unlike your appearance, the young master unexpectedly has a rebellious temperament.”
“So what? You don’t like it?”
The sky-blue eyes of the lady looked cold and intense as it searched the expression of the youth before her. However, the youth only stared back at her with a relaxed demeanor. Faced with this, Dione could only feel that Clayo was just like any other boy, rather than the boy who previously caused a ruckus by running away from home.
“No, you’re a brilliant boy, Clayo. So, what do you want from me… Clayo Asser?”
For the first time since they met, Dione used ‘Clayo Asser’ instead of addressing him as ‘young master’. And Clayo sensed it. She was not addressing him as the second son of Baron Asser, but as a young man named ‘Clayo’.
However, Clayo did not hurry to answer her question. Only after he had emptied his teacup did he finally continued speaking.
“I would like to put this lira on the last day of the auction for sale. The order doesn’t matter. After all, even if it got a bad time, all we’ve to do is to showcase it in advance before putting it on auction.”
“It would be a simple thing to do if we use Baron Asser’s name, but…”
Without even waiting for her to finish her words, Clayo had already shook his head. He had no intention of using his father’s name in this deal at all.
“It won’t be easy for private sellers to submit their items on such a short notice. Furthermore, such an item isn’t even included in the catalog. Such things need time.” Dione said, brows furrowing.
“You’ve seen the restoration process and you’ve also finished analyzing it, haven’t you? Then you can write a warranty to assure them. After all, you are a graduate of the Royal Capital Defense College and have a research wizard’s license to boot. I’m sure the auction house will have no problem in accepting what you’ve authenticated.” Clayo continued speaking, trying to persuade Dione.
At this moment, after she heard Clayo’s persuasion, Dione looked as if she had been hit at the back of her head.
“Clayo, are you using me from the beginning?”