Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 166: Ch : The fake Auction- Part 3
Chapter 166: Ch 166: The fake Auction- Part 3
Master Garret stood at the head of the stage, his chest puffed with pride, lips curled into a satisfied smile as the numbers kept climbing.
“Two thousand five hundred gold!”
“Two thousand seven hundred!”
“Three thousand!”
The crowd was losing control, their greed spiraling into frenzy.
Garret could practically feel the weight of coin bags piling up in his vaults.
This was beyond his wildest dreams.
The so-called “extra” mana stone he’d stolen from Kyle Armstrong had not only survived scrutiny—it was making him a small fortune.
He could already picture the expansion of his auction house, the rise in his status, and the nobles begging for his favor.
Just as he was about to slam the gavel and declare the final bid—
“Wait.”
A calm, clear voice interrupted.
All eyes turned to a nobleman rising from one of the side seats.
Dressed in simple yet finely tailored clothes and wearing a hood that obscured most of his face, the man stepped forward confidently.
“Before the auction is finalized, I’d like to request a verification of the mana stone’s authenticity.”
He said.
Murmurs rippled across the crowd.
“It’s a fair point.”
“We are spending a lot. The item should be tested.”
Master Garret stiffened.
“My good sir, I assure you, the mana stone has already been tested by our finest appraisers. It is very much authentic.”
He began, trying to keep his tone diplomatic.
The nobleman didn’t back down.
“I don’t doubt your word, Master Garret. But I think the buyers—and the crown—would feel more secure with firsthand confirmation.”
More voices chimed in, agreeing. Suspicion began to leak into the once fervent crowd.
The shift in mood was enough to make Garret sweat. He couldn’t afford to alienate his customers. Not when so much gold was on the line.
He hesitated—then reluctantly nodded.
“Very well. You may examine it… personally.”
He said, swallowing tightly.
The nobleman stepped up onto the stage. As he did, he pulled back his hood—and the crowd gasped.
“Prince Mikalius!”
Whispers filled the room, some of awe, some of fear.
Even Master Garret’s face went pale as he realized who stood before him. He bowed quickly, sweat pouring from his forehead.
“Y-Your Highness! I did not know… I am honored! To have you grace my auction—”
Mikalius didn’t respond to the flattery. He merely held out a gloved hand.
“Let’s see it, then.”
Garret forced himself to smile and handed the mana stone over.
“Of course, Your Highness. I’m certain you’ll find it exceptional…”
The prince took the stone, weighing it with practiced care. Then, slowly, he poured his mana into it.
Nothing.
The crowd, watching with bated breath, began to stir as the stone failed to react.
Mikalius tried again—this time harder—and the faintest shimmer emerged, only to flicker and vanish almost immediately.
His hand dropped. His eyes narrowed.
“I was excited to hear about this auction. After all, genuine mana stones are precious and rare, and I had the honor of acquiring one only recently—an exceptional piece, purchased at a previous auction.”
He said, turning toward the crowd now, his voice clear and heavy with disappointment.
Master Garret’s face lit up, hoping for redemption.
But then Mikalius turned to him.
“So imagine my disappointment to find this… fake being passed off as the real thing.”
The room fell deadly silent.
Garret’s mouth opened.
“Y-Your Highness! I swear—this is not what I intended! Someone must have switched it—I’ve been framed!”
Mikalius stared at him coldly.
“Is that so? And yet you refused to let anyone test it until now.”
“I… I only meant to protect the product—”
“Enough.”
The prince’s tone cut the air like a blade.
“Guards, detain him.”
Mikalius said, gesturing to the shadows.
Armored figures emerged from the sides of the room, sweeping toward the stage with the precision of hounds unleashed. Master Garret stumbled back, panic rising in his chest.
“Wait—please—at least let me explain—!”
“You’ll explain everything to the royal inquisitors.”
Mikalius said curtly.
As the guards seized him, dragging him away, the audience remained silent—shocked and uneasy.
What began as a golden opportunity had turned into a scandal of royal proportions.
Kyle, still hidden among the crowd under his disguise, watched the scene unfold without a word.
His eyes followed Garret’s struggling form with a quiet sense of finality.
The false mana stone had served its purpose.
Outside, far above the chaos, Queen soared through the skies.
It let out a shrill cry as it watched the auction house below, tilting its wings as it turned in lazy circles. It didn’t understand the details, but it recognized the feeling of victory radiating from its master.
Back inside, Mikalius handed the useless stone to one of his aides and turned to address the crowd once more.
“Let this be a reminder that the crown will not tolerate deceit. Especially when it comes to items of such power.”
He said calmly.
Master Garret was quickly dragged away in chains, his protests falling on deaf ears as the royal guards hauled him into custody.
Within hours, the news spread like wildfire throughout the village—how the once-proud auction house master had been caught selling a fake mana stone and exposed by none other than Prince Mikalius himself.
The scandal rocked the town. By sundown, Garret’s entire fortune had been seized by the royal family.
The palace officials moved swiftly, freezing all his assets and locking down the auction house.
Some villagers whispered that the royal family was merciful, for they had declared that most of the seized wealth would be returned to Garret’s wife and children—after, of course, the crown took its fair share as compensation for the offense.
That was very generous of the prince to do, but this generosity was what made him popular among the masses.
It was just another mask of the nobility to hide their flaws and present themselves as virtuous.
That very evening, Kyle received a message carried by a fast-footed courier dressed in royal colors.
The sealed scroll bore Prince Mikalius’s sigil, and its content was short and to the point:
“As allies, consider this a gesture of goodwill. The auction house is being emptied. If there is anything you desire from its holdings, take it before the rest is sold or returned. —M.”
Kyle read the note twice, lips curling faintly at the prince’s characteristic mix of generosity and calculation.
He knew politics well enough now to recognize that this was more than a gift—it was a subtle test of trust and a reminder of their alliance.
Still, Kyle wasn’t about to refuse such an offer. He folded the scroll neatly and slipped it into his coat before turning toward Bruce and Melissa.
“We’re visiting the auction house tomorrow.”
Kyle said.
Melissa raised an eyebrow.
“Is this about the prince’s offer?”
Kyle gave a small nod.
“If he wants to give something, I’ll take it. No reason to turn down useful tools.”
Bruce grinned.
“And maybe we’ll find something that makes Queen stop flying off every time it’s bored.”
As if hearing its name, Queen let out a shrill cry from the rafters above, completely unbothered by the events that had unfolded.
Kyle chuckled under his breath.
“Let’s just hope Garret had good taste.”
