Chapter 267: The Maimed Legendary Assassin
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to tonight’s auction. It’s about to officially begin. I hope everyone finds something to their satisfaction.” The auctioneer’s words were brief. After bowing and clapping his hands, a Black Knight from backstage brought out the first exhibit.
The items auctioned here were naturally much more valuable than those sold at the stalls outside. At least they were far more sophisticated than the rock-hard mushroom ring. Even the aphrodisiac was high-grade, capable of penetrating flesh and bone, its effects lingering for years. Smear on a bottle, and they’d lick your toes raw.
But for Owen, it was all just so-so. Not to mention being tempted, even glancing at them felt like a chore. He even began to feel a bit bored.
Although Count Dekla was a high-ranking noble, it didn’t mean he was incapable of observing people’s expressions. He immediately realized that these auction items were far from broadening Owen’s horizons, let alone attracting his attention. However, his decision to attend this auction wasn’t without reason, so he smiled faintly, waiting for the final, most important items to appear.
Magic equipment, rare potions, special materials, alluring slaves of all genders, even titles and land were auctioned off. But it wasn’t until the last three items appeared that Owen perked up.
The first was an elf. Not a half-elf, nor a wood elf, but a rare high elf. It was unclear how the secret auction had acquired him.
Regardless of how he was obtained, the atmosphere at the scene immediately heated up. Many wealthy women couldn’t sit still, raising their signs and shouting prices.
It wasn’t that these wealthy women had a sudden change of heart and decided to give their husbands a treat. It was because this was a male high elf.
Compared to humans, high elves were superior in terms of appearance, scent, and even touch. Most importantly, there was no need to worry about them reaching middle age. With careful use, they could even pass down to the next generation.
Of course, some wealthy women scoffed at this. After all, what use was a man who was only good-looking? A burly, tall, muscular hunk was the real deal for satisfying their desires.
Interestingly, many wealthy women were bidding right in front of their husbands, leaving Owen astounded by the openness of the nobles. This was no longer a case of each playing their own game; it was simply perverse.
Count Dekla, however, wasn’t surprised. After all, most noble marriages were for alliances, and having children was nothing more than a task to be completed. As for what happened afterward, of course they could play freely; no one cared. Moreover, in the eyes of many nobles, these purchased slaves were nothing more than living tools. Getting angry over tools was simply not worth it.
Well, Owen admitted that the auction hadn’t broadened his horizons much, but the nobles’ daily lives had truly opened his eyes. He then decided that he would never marry a noblewoman. Whoever wanted to buy toys and bring them home every other day could marry them; it was no different from a woman who drank, partied, and had casual hookups but still claimed to be a good woman.
Although Owen’s behavior after transmigrating could no longer be considered that of a decent person, it didn’t mean he was willing to accept a partner who was also indecent. So he shook his head and looked at the second auction item. To his surprise, it was a coffin.
“Here it is,” Count Dekla suddenly said, obviously aware of what was inside the coffin, and perhaps even here for it.
“Are you interested in this coffin, Count?” Owen asked.
“No, I’m just here to see the famous legendary assassin, Vanessa, the Death Greatsword,” Count Dekla said with a smile.
Hearing this name, Owen didn’t even know where to start with his complaints.
Since she was an assassin, why would she use a greatsword? Was this the legendary berserker assassin who believed that successful stealth meant eliminating all witnesses?
Perhaps for the convenience of display, the coffin wasn’t laid flat, but stood upright, facing the customers. It looked quite frightening.
The auctioneer carefully took out a key, inserted it into the hidden lock on the coffin, and after hearing a click, quickly stepped back, letting a Black Knight come over and open the coffin lid.
The Black Knight also hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, clearly apprehensive.
Two Black Knights stepped forward together and forcefully opened the heavy coffin lid, revealing the legendary assassin inside.
The bidders sitting in the front row had long known about this and were eagerly anticipating it. However, when they saw what was actually inside the coffin, they were immediately disappointed, and many even shouted in anger.
It was no wonder they were so upset. They thought they had a chance to buy a legendary assassin. Even if there was a risk of her losing control, the benefits outweighed the risks. But now, inside the coffin was a limbless torso, dead or alive, hanging inside with iron chains piercing through the wounds. Even the accumulated blood at the bottom of the coffin was constantly flowing out as the coffin was opened.
This was a legendary assassin? Then wouldn’t their cook, who wielded a kitchen knife, be a legendary berserker?!
“As expected, the rumors are true. Vanessa did fall into the hands of her nemesis, and she was sent to auction to humiliate her,” Count Dekla nodded, not surprised by the situation inside the coffin. Then, seeing Owen’s curious gaze, he explained the situation to him.
Vanessa was indeed a legend, and just as Owen had guessed, she favored a greatsword as her weapon. She was incredibly powerful, even having an astonishing record of slaying a legendary swordsman in a head-on battle.
Unfortunately, her fame became her downfall. As an assassin, she was far too conspicuous, so her current predicament wasn’t surprising.
Naturally, such an auction item wouldn’t be worth much. Even necromancers wouldn’t be interested in a limbless legendary assassin, so it was highly likely to go unsold.
However, there might be exceptions. After all, Vanessa’s beauty was as renowned as her strength. Even in her current maimed state, she would still attract some perverse nobles. Unfortunately, Owen had also taken a liking to her.
Thanks to his trip to the mountains, Owen wasn’t short of gold or gems. Those nobles wouldn’t be able to compete with him.
The main reason was that Vanessa in her current state didn’t hold much value. Otherwise, a legendary assassin wouldn’t end up at this insignificant secret auction. At the very least, she would be at an Imperial Capital level secret auction.
After winning the bid, Owen, somewhat impatiently, went to pay and then came to the room where the coffin was kept.
The coffin lid wasn’t closed, so Owen could directly see the maimed body, barely concealed by the blood-stained blonde hair. Hanging in the coffin by iron chains, it evoked a strange urge in him.
Owen reached out to touch her. Her skin was still elastic, and although her body temperature was low and her heartbeat extremely slow, her life force was still present. He immediately understood.
Despite her current miserable state, she wouldn’t die even if she hung there for a few more days. After all, judging by her physique, she had ample reserves to endure the depletion. Moreover, if anyone dared to act recklessly, she might still have the ability to launch a final, desperate attack.
The simplest method for her would be to bite off a tooth and spit it out. With the abilities of a legendary assassin, it would be enough to pierce through the hardest human skull. As for other methods, after being taught by Shinobi, he could name at least a dozen. Therefore, he remained vigilant.
