roccoschili Chapter 138 Her Deal
Chapter 138 Her Deal
As night falls completely, the bustling port of Omos is no longer as lively as it was during the day. The street vendors' lights gradually go out, and the merchant ships that came and went rest in the harbor. In the air, it seems as if the serenade of a flowing spring is faintly echoing.
But just as all things slumber, another commotion begins in the darkness.
This is the underground of Omos Port, a cargo hub teeming with merchant ships, where wealthy merchants and nobles must have come and gone.
Hidden deep within the tree roots beneath the night and the earth's surface is where they seek pleasure or engage in shady dealings.
The atmosphere here is bright and bustling, with gambling chips reflecting the colorful light of the lamps, and large sums of money flowing from one pocket to another like water.
This place is a den of iniquity for the rich and a burial ground for the poor.
Some people become rich overnight from here, while others lose everything, their families are destroyed, and they die.
Here you'll find scholars, here you'll find businessmen; here you'll find bullies, here you'll find gentlemen; here you'll find gamblers who have lost everything, here you'll find patients who have nowhere else to turn.
Without exception, they all wore white masks and danced under the colorful elemental lights, like puppets under the spotlight on a stage, or puppeteers controlling the strings behind the scenes.
This place can be heaven or hell. You can buy anything here: treasures and antiques, gourmet food, academic papers, or even... human lives.
As long as you have enough Mora.
As long as... enough Mora.
Dolly wrapped herself tightly in the coarse linen coat she was wearing; the night wind made her feel a little cold, even though a warm fire was burning in the room.
She had never seen such a magnificent place before. People were clinking glasses and exchanging toasts. All she could see were enormous amounts of Mora, which she had never seen in her entire life, which vanished with a mere wave of her hand.
This place felt completely out of place in her life.
Perhaps ordinary people will never be able to enter such a place in their lifetime, or they will never even know that such a place exists.
The little girl looked back in the direction of her home, then at the brightly lit road ahead. The place, filled with the aroma of food and wine, seemed like a ferocious beast with its jaws wide open, ready to devour anyone it might find.
It's not too late to turn back now.
Once you've embarked on this path, there's no turning back.
She touched the prescription in her arms, pulled down the brim of her hat, and her light golden eyes flashed with a resolute light.
She needs Mora, lots and lots of Mora.
Besides that, she had nothing else to lose.
The girl lowered her head and silently passed through the crowd, entering the most luxurious central hall.
People weren't surprised to see a girl dressed in a grotesque, boxy outfit; they continued their games and clinked glasses as if nothing around them mattered.
Today, they have only one goal.
"Hello...this...guest?"
The receptionist greeted the petite girl with her unchanging smile, seemingly unaffected by her simple attire.
This is her job; as for other things, they are not something she should consider.
What kind of help do you need?
"I...I want to participate in the auction."
Dolly was a little timid; even though the other person's smile was gentle, it couldn't suppress the tension and unease in her heart.
She gripped the prescription tightly in her hand.
A hint of surprise flashed across the waitress's face. Although Dolly had deliberately lowered her voice, she could still keenly hear the childishness in the guest's voice.
She... seems to be only ten years old.
"So... how much money have you prepared?"
The waiter softened his voice, deliberately avoiding making his question sound aggressive.
The girl was silent for a while, her voice gradually weakening, as if she were answering the other person's question, or as if she were muttering to herself.
"I don't have Mora right now..."
"But once I've sold all my stuff, it will come."
She once told her sister that she wanted to become the biggest merchant in Sumeru and earn lots and lots of Mora.
This is now her first deal in life.
Perhaps this is the last stroke.
"Hmm... what would you like to sell?"
For some reason, the waitress felt a strange sensation. She looked at the little girl in front of her; she seemed pitifully small, yet also so tall that the waitress had to look up at her.
Her tone softened, which was unusual for her.
Dolly's eyes flickered, and she looked back at her home again. She hesitated; if she turned around and left, she could get away from this cannibalistic place.
Ahead may lie an abyss; once you embark on this path, there is no turning back.
She touched her sister's prescription again, and remembered her sister's story, her sister's candy, and her sister lying pale on the small bed, like a soulless rag doll.
The petite girl raised her hand, throwing off the cloth draped over her body. She lifted her tear-streaked face and murmured, "..."
"I."
……
The auction has begun.
Merchants from all the major and minor chambers of commerce in Sumeru City gathered there. A group of people wearing white masks sat silently in front of the stage or inside treasure chests, like a farcical puppet show that had not yet begun.
And what announced the start of the show was a small wooden hammer.
"boom."
The crisp sound of the knocking echoed in the large reception room, like a puppet being wound up, with the sounds of bidding and raising paddles rising and falling.
Unsigned academic papers from the Order of the Church, smuggled from Fontaine, the rumored hallucinogenic beverage Les, and rare minerals from the Liyue Abyss.
A dazzling array of auction items were released one after another, accompanied by astronomical sums of Mora. Those who won their desired items beamed with joy, while those who missed out due to limited funds sighed with regret.
At the same time, everyone's eyes seemed to be secretly observing the top-of-the-line private room, constantly pondering why there hadn't been any movement coming from inside.
What exactly are the intentions of the representatives of the Humayi Chamber of Commerce?
Out of caution, many caravans voluntarily withdrew from the bidding and patiently waited for the richest man in Xumi to become a bellwether.
However, there was still no response from there.
As a result, people gradually stopped paying attention and began to focus on their own businesses.
As the auction progressed into its later stages, the ordinary rare treasures had already dampened the interest of the wealthy merchants present, and many caravans that had lost their targets seemed to be planning to leave.
The organizers noticed this, and as a little girl who looked no more than ten years old slowly stepped forward with the previous collector, the crowd became slightly more interested.
What can a little girl sell?
Dolly tugged at her clothes, her large, light-gold eyes avoiding the dazzling stage lights. She lowered her head and took a few steps forward, trying to avoid the stares from all directions.
Those gazes made her very uncomfortable.
She suddenly had the thought of backing out.
If she escapes now, just like that, escaping at all costs, it seems she'll be saved, aside from the humiliation.
This is the last chance.
If she runs away, she can still have her own life; but if she takes another step forward, her future will no longer be in her control.
She could feel the malice and frivolity in those scrutinizing gazes, and she knew that there was no hope left for her.
Even if it exists, it doesn't belong to her.
But her older sister was still waiting for her.
She wants Mora, lots and lots of Mora.
Besides that, she had nothing else to lose.
No?
Dolly touched the prescription in her arms, and a smile suddenly appeared on her delicate face.
Mr. Sanggo Mahabay is about to make her first business deal.
"Buy me, and I will give you ten times the return in the future."
"I want ten million Mora."
……