Chapter 257: Ten Thousand! Since the rose petal candy had been sold to the light elves for three thousand golden coins, Noah prepared to complete the transaction according to standard auction protocols. Before handing over the purchased item, Lola moved closer to Noah and whispered something into his ear with apparent urgency. Her archmage-level aura created a protective barrier around their conversation, preventing the assembled grandmasters from eavesdropping on whatever crucial information she was sharing. Noah’s eyes widened in genuine shock at her whispered revelation before he nodded with understanding and turned toward the light elf representative with an apologetic expression. Moving close enough to speak privately, Noah whispered to the successful bidder that additional rose petal candies had just been restocked in his shop inventory, and more would arrive through regular supply channels. "This isn’t a unique, one-time item," Noah explained. "Of course, when these items appear on regular shop shelves, they’ll be priced somewhat lower than auction rates. Do you still want to proceed with your purchase? You are allowed not to, but the dark elves will have the opportunity to bid again and take the item for themselves." The light elf grandmaster’s expression showed visible conflict as he processed this unexpected information. His three thousand golden coin investment suddenly seemed less strategic if identical items would soon be available at reduced prices through the shop’s normal retail. But after several moments of internal calculation—weighing the political implications of backing out versus accepting a potentially slightly overpriced purchase—he nodded with resigned acceptance. "It’s fine, we’ll proceed as agreed," the grandmaster replied with a soft sigh. Noah smiled with courtesy before handing over the luxuriously wrapped candy, completing their transaction. The entire auction format differed from traditional, lengthy procedures where items were delivered later. Given the limited number of participants and the immediate nature of their competition, direct exchange made practical sense. Of course, the dramatic scene of Lola whispering urgent information had been carefully orchestrated between them beforehand. The moment was designed to place auction winners in psychologically difficult positions without repeating the complaint issues they had experienced with Prince Malphas previously. By warning the successful bidder about future availability at lower prices, they created a strategic dilemma where the consequences of any decision fell entirely on the customer rather than the merchant. If the light elf chose to complete his purchase, he couldn’t legitimately complain when identical items appeared at reduced retail prices later. If he declined to proceed, he would lose face in front of their dark elf enemies while potentially allowing those rivals to acquire the enhancement through subsequent bidding rounds. Although the ethics behind his actions seemed somewhat questionable, Noah wasn’t technically lying. He would indeed only possess one rose petal candy unless somebody purchased it to unlock the auto-maker that would establish the supply channel for future production. [New Idle Stream: Rose Petal Candy - $300,000] [Auto-RoseCandy: Level 1 | 0.5/Hr | Max Stock: 12 | 0/100 EXP] The notification flashed across his retina with the satisfying confirmation that his daily income had officially crossed the one million dollar threshold—and the main auction event hadn’t even begun yet. Noah’s satisfaction was hidden as he processed the astronomical growth in his earning potential through strategic pricing and competitive bidding between these two enemies. Noah announced with energy. "Now then, we proceed to our main attraction—the item that has drawn your distinguished attendance from both kingdoms." He withdrew the luxury fruit smoothie from his dimensional storage, the container immediately grabbing the attention of every grandmaster present. "The Luxury Fruit Smoothie. This extraordinary enhancement provides temporary attribute doubling for one full hour, permanent increases to both agility and strength of thirty points each, and most remarkably—the ability to awaken dormant skills or upgrade existing abilities beyond normal training." The assembled grandmasters from both factions moved with obvious anticipation as they recognised the value of the item before them. Lola stepped forward to resume her auctioneering duties with obvious relish for the economic warfare about to unfold. "Given the exceptional nature of this item and the competitive spirit already demonstrated, bidding for the Luxury Fruit Smoothie will begin at three thousand golden coins." It was the final price of the previous auction. She paused dramatically before continuing. "Minimum bid increments of five hundred golden coins. This ensures serious participation while maintaining a reasonable auction pace." The silence that followed carried the weight of kingdoms calculating their maximum financial commitments against the strategic necessity of denying such capabilities to their enemies. Both factions understood that this auction would determine which enemy gained access to enhancement abilities that could potentially end their centuries-long conflict through overwhelming advantage. The real bidding war was about to begin. Both kingdoms nodded as Lola officially announced the beginning of the bidding for the luxury fruit smoothie. The tension in the air was visible as representatives from each faction prepared for what they knew would be the most expensive purchase in recent elven history. This time, it was the dark elves who opened aggressively, establishing their serious intent with an immediate bid that stunned even the experienced grandmasters present. "Five thousand golden coins," Kael announced with a confident tone that suggested he had much more in store, despite going two thousand over the opening price. The light elves weren’t intimidated by such dramatic opening moves, responding with their own show of strength that demonstrated their equal commitment to acquiring the enhancement item. "Six thousand," Elena called out without hesitation, her voice carrying the determination to get the item. "Seven thousand," the dark elves countered immediately, their response so swift it suggested they had anticipated every escalation and prepared accordingly. "Seven thousand five hundred," came the light elf response, their bid increment revealing a more calculated approach to the rapidly escalating competition. The price continued climbing with relentless momentum as neither faction backed down. "Eight thousand!" "Eight thousand five hundred!" "Nine thousand!" "Ten thousand!" The astronomical figures being casually exchanged represented the wealth that the human kingdom probably had in their treasury, yet both elven factions continued bidding as if such amounts were merely opening negotiations.