Chapter 103: Auction "I’ll take the full order—two loaves, two iced teas." Sixty golden coins. Noah retrieved the items from his stock, watching Lola immediately unwrap one loaf and uncork a bottle. The familiar ritual of bread consumption followed by iced tea enhancement played out with her obvious satisfaction. "Mmm," she sighed with contentment. "Your products never disappoint. They always make me...feel some type of way." The remaining items disappeared into her storage space. Their transaction concluded just as the shop door opened again with a dramatic flourish that announced Viscount Vex’s arrival before he became visible. His cape billowed with energy while Precious perched behind his ear like a hair accessory. Right on schedule. Morning routine never varies. Vex’s eyes immediately found Lola, and he offered a courteous nod that spoke to proper demon etiquette among social equals. "Lady Lola. Always a pleasure." "Viscount," she replied with equal courtesy, though her smirk suggested amusement at his formal mannerisms. Vex approached the counter, his gaze immediately seeking the protein bar display case. He began speaking with barely contained excitement. "Noah, my friend, about yesterday’s magnificent discovery. The protein enhancement treasure—when might it become available for purchase?" Here we go. Time to direct him toward the auction. "Actually, there’s going to be an auction for it," Noah replied, noting how Precious’s teeth clicked with anticipation. Vex’s expression shifted from excitement to something approaching panic. "Auction? But surely loyal customers deserve consideration before public bidding—" "The auction is in two hours. You are one of the only people who didn’t hear about it... mainly because you are never part of the noble circle." Lola interrupted smoothly, her voice carrying enough authority to make Vex’s protests die instantly. "Central Plaza, evening marketplace. Bidding starts at sunset." Vex’s expression shifted from indignation to sheepish acceptance. His shoulders sagged slightly as the truth of her words settled over him like uncomfortable clothing. "I suppose you are right... I never hang out with other nobles, nor am I in the inner circles. Well, thank you for the information about the auction. I really appreciate it." Even demon society has its outcasts. Vex’s flower obsession probably doesn’t win him many friends among the political elite. "Two hours," Vex repeated, his mind visibly calculating something entirely different from financial preparation. "Yes, yes, that provides adequate time for proper gathering of my Demonicas. I will bring a few of my precious Demonicas. Noah is a nice man, and he deserves them. His products are amazing too." He’s planning to trade rare plants instead of gold. That might be good...if the plant is better than Moonburgh, it might be worth the trade. I will see what the others will give too...I suppose. Precious clicked her teeth with what sounded like enthusiastic agreement, apparently approving of her master’s generous strategy. Rare Demonica plants as auction payment would be infinitely more valuable than mere golden coins. The benefits they could give would accelerate his development beyond anything monetary compensation could achieve. "That’s very generous of you, Vex," Noah replied with genuine appreciation. The carnivorous flower extended tiny vine tendrils in what might have been a wave. "I’ll require my order first," Vex said, returning to immediate concerns. "Plus additional supplies for auction preparation." "Two loaves, two bottles. Precious insists we maintain peak condition for competitive bidding." The golden coins exchanged hands, and Noah stored them in his storage ring. Vex broke off a piece of golden bread and held it toward Precious, who accepted the offering with delicate vine movements. The carnivorous flower’s needle-sharp teeth worked through it with obvious appreciation. But the feeding ritual wasn’t one-sided. Precious’s tendrils curled around a smaller section of bread, offering it back to Vex with genuine affection between companions. The viscount accepted the plant-delivered morsel with touching gratitude, his expression softening as he chewed the bread his flower had shared. They actually take care of each other. It’s almost sweet, if you ignore the teeth the plant has. Vex uncorked one bottle of iced tea, taking a sip before tilting it toward Precious. The flower’s vines wrapped around the glass container as it drank. "Excellent preparation," Vex announced. "Precious feels magnificent, and I’m operating at optimal capacity." The flower clicked her teeth in what sounded like satisfied agreement, her vine-tendrils swaying with contentment. "I must return home now," Vex continued, his voice carrying the urgency of someone with important preparations awaiting. "Harvesting the proper Demonica specimens requires careful consideration" Precious leaned forward from her perch, extending a single tendril toward Noah in what appeared to be a farewell gesture. The carnivorous flower’s usual clicking sounds had softened into something approaching gratitude. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 "We’ll return in two hours," Vex promised, already moving toward the exit. "Properly equipped for serious bidding." The door closed behind them with Vex’s characteristic dramatic flair, leaving Noah alone with the succubus. ... An hour passed by in a blur. Lola remained by Noah’s side during that time, positioning herself as both advisor and source of constant amusement. "You’re so cute when you’re trying to be a serious businessman," she teased, whispering in his ears as Noah explained auction procedures to yet another customer. "Acting all professional when you’re practically vibrating with excitement." She’s not wrong. This is my first auction, and I have no idea what I’m doing. "I’m maintaining appropriate decorum," Noah replied. "Sure you are," Lola’s tail swished with amusement. "That’s why you’ve checked the protein bar display seventeen times in the past hour." Has it really been seventeen times? I thought I was being subtle. Throughout the hour, a steady stream of customers flowed through his expanded shop. Each transaction brought opportunities to spread the word about the evening’s main event. "Protein Enhancement Bar auction tonight," Noah would announce after completing routine sales. "Central Plaza, sunset bidding." The responses varied dramatically based on each customer’s circumstances. "I’ll be there," declared a well-dressed demon merchant. "Been looking for strength enhancement for years now." Others showed interest tempered by financial reality. "Can’t afford to bid," admitted a young demon adventurer. "But I’ll definitely watch. Never seen anything like the permanent attribute enhancement before."