Legacy of the Tarot (Laoyon)

The streets of Veyne's Merchant District bustled with traders and merchants, their voices filling the air with deals and negotiations. Arden, Leigh, Dominic, and Selva made their way toward the high-end vendors, their bags heavy with spoils from the Wailing Graves.

They approached Osric's Emporium, a reputable shop dealing in rare monster materials and enchanted relics. The shopkeeper, a burly dwarf with a keen eye for valuables, scrutinized their wares with growing astonishment.

"By the gods... these are relics from the Wailing Graves! And this—" He held up an undead-etched medallion recovered from the graveyard. "You lot have been into places most wouldn't dare to tread."

Leigh crossed her arms. "That's why we expect a fair price."

Osric chuckled, shaking his head. "Aye, I wouldn't dream of cheating you. These are worth a fortune."

After some haggling, the group sold the following loots:

Wailing Graves Relics & Undead Artifacts – Cursed trinkets, battle-worn armor, and remnants of necromantic energy. Eyegor Warlord's Crest – A rare trophy from the fallen Eyegor leader. Ghoul Talons & Wraith Essence – Extracted from the spectral horrors they encountered. Ancient Spellbook (Damaged) – A ruined tome found in the Necromancer's lair. Troll Bone Charms – Small enchanted totems taken from past battles.

The earnings were substantial, totaling 328,400 gold, a sum so large that even Arden, who rarely cared about wealth, let out an impressed whistle.

Leigh counted the stacks carefully before handing each person their share. "Even split, as agreed 82,100 golds each."

"Good," Dominic nodded, storing his cut safely.

Arden, with a grin, pocketed his. "Guess I won't be broke for a while."

Selva, still adjusting to the adventuring lifestyle, stared at her pouch. "I've never had this much gold in my life."

Dominic smirked. "Better get used to it. Stick with us, and you'll need a vault before long."

Before they could get reckless with their newfound riches, Leigh led them to Veyne's Merchant Council's Grand Bank. The large stone building stood firm, its guards vigilant, ensuring only serious patrons entered.

Each of them deposited a portion of their earnings, securing their wealth before heading off to prepare for the auction.

The Arcane Bazaar was alive with mystical energy, filled with mages, scholars, and collectors searching for the next great relic.

Their primary reason for visiting? Adding more valuable items to the Special Auction.

They registered:

Legendary Wyvern Breath Wand – The auction's highlight item. Xarnok's Relics – Remnants of the Minotaur Sorcerer's belongings, including his enchanted rings and a corrupted crystal. Eyegor Warlord's Crest – A battle trophy of historical significance. Undead Relics from the Wailing Graves – Powerful yet dangerous artifacts.

A representative from the Arcane Bazaar reviewed their submissions. "You weren't lying when you said you had rarities. The Wyvern Breath Wand alone will bring in nobles and powerful bidders."

Dominic smirked. "Good. Let's make sure the auction is worth our time."

With their preparations complete, the group made their way to Star Rocks Café, their usual gathering spot. Waiting for them were Darian, Bren, and the Boozer.

"You guys actually made it back in one piece?" Boozer exclaimed; eyes wide. "I thought for sure you'd end up as undead yourselves!"

"Took more than that to stop us," Arden said casually, sipping his drink.

Leigh leaned back in her chair. "We did run into some… complications."

Darian crossed his arms. "Complications? Try again. You guys took down a Necromancer and lived to talk about it."

Bren shook his head in disbelief. "And here I was thinking my trip to the outer villages was dangerous."

Dominic smirked, swirling his glass. "Dangerous is relative, my friend."

The group exchanged stories, their laughter filling the café, the tension of past battles fading into warm camaraderie. Even Selva, who had been an outsider at first, now fit seamlessly into their dynamic.

Then, just as the atmosphere grew lively, a representative from the Arcane Bazaar arrived, dressed in formal robes.

"The Special Auction is about to begin," he announced. "The bidders are waiting."

Arden stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Well, time to see how much fortune we've made."

Leigh finished the last sip of her drink. "Let's go."

With that, the group rose from their seats, making their way toward the grandest event Veyne had to offer.

The grand hall of Veyne's Arcane Bazaar pulsed with anticipation. Rows of ornate seats lined the elevated auction stage, each occupied by figures of immense wealth and influence. From noble houses to secretive collectors, from powerful warlords to cunning merchants, all had gathered for a chance to claim the most sought-after treasures of Laoyon.

At the center of it all stood Aldric Voss, the Merchant Council Chairman of Veyne, a man whose words could tip economies and shift alliances. Dressed in a finely woven coat laced with golden embroidery, he raised a hand, signaling silence as the first items were presented.

"Welcome, esteemed guests. Tonight, you will witness a collection of artifacts so rare that mere whispers of their existence have driven men to war. Let us begin."

The auction started with lesser relics—enchanted rings, battle-worn crests, and alchemical scrolls. The crowd bid with ease, testing each other's resolve.

The Eyegor Warlord's Crest, a relic of conquest, sparked a bidding war between Duke Reinhardt Drakenholt and Chieftain Ulfar Iceborn, their rivalry spilling into glares.Xarnok's Enchanted Rings, remnants of a Minotaur Sorcerer, were snapped up by Royal Archmage Valcrest of Ravenloch.A Corrupted Crystal from the Wailing Graves—tainted by necromantic energy—was purchased by High Priestess Nefara of Averin, who muttered arcane words under her breath as the artifact was handed over.

As the auction progressed, the real battle had yet to come.

The energy in the hall shifted when the rarest treasures were unveiled.

The auction hall was alive with tension. The wealthiest nobles, warlords, and power brokers of Laoyon gathered in their finest attire, eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was no ordinary auction—this was a battlefield.

Arden, Leigh, Dominic, and Selva took their reserved seats in the exclusive VIP section, surrounded by figures of immense influence.

The moment the Legendary Wyvern Breath Wand was brought onto the stage, the atmosphere changed.

A massive dragon-forged case was slowly opened, revealing a wand that radiated power. Its shaft was black obsidian, streaked with crimson veins resembling dragonfire. The moment the case fully opened, the hall was bathed in a faint, warm glow—as if embers from an ancient Wyvern's breath still lingered within.

Aldric Voss, Chairman of the Merchant Council, stepped forward, his voice strong and steady.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the most coveted relic of this auction—the Legendary Wyvern Breath Wand. A weapon of immense destructive power, its origins are shrouded in myth, and its potency… undeniable."

A collective hush fell over the hall. Every noble present knew: this wasn't just an artifact. This was power.

Aldric let the tension build before finally speaking again.

"Starting bid: 500,000 gold."

A single moment of silence.

Then—chaos.

The Bidding War – A Clash of Titans

The first bid came swiftly and aggressively.

Duke Reginald Tvaris (Tvaris Kingdom): "800,000 gold."Lord Ironhelm (Kardum Empire): "One million."Duke Malrik Umbra (Shadowmere): "Two million."Royal Archmage Valcrest (Ravenloch Kingdom): "Five million."

The numbers escalated at a terrifying pace.

The Eldoria Kingdom's representative, Lady Lysandra Eldorin, adjusted her gloves, watching the bids climb higher. Then, with an air of calm confidence, she made her move.

"Ten million."

A few nobles flinched, but the war was far from over.

From the barbarian lands of Nordheim, Chieftain Ulfar Iceborn leaned forward, a cruel grin on his face. "Twenty million. We'll take it."

The tension grew. This was no longer just about gold.

Power Beyond Wealth – The Unspoken Rivalries

At this level, the wand was a statement.

Owning it meant more than just personal strength—it was a symbol of dominance. A silent message to the world:

"We are the most powerful. We decide the future."

It was now a contest of who could flex their influence the hardest.

From the Ravenloch Kingdom, Royal Archmage Valcrest narrowed his eyes. "Thirty million."

A low murmur spread through the hall.

Then, with a cold chuckle, Duke Malrik Umbra of Shadowmere raised his hand. "Forty million."

It was a brutal escalation. The Shadowmere Duke rarely bid on anything himself—his involvement alone was a clear message:

"This relic is ours."

The Final Bids – The Point of No Return

Aldric Voss, standing at the podium, kept his expression composed, but even he knew: this auction was on the verge of breaking history.

Then, a new voice cut through the air.

"Fifty million."

All eyes turned to the Averin delegation.

The one who spoke?

Pharaoh Arkhothep's Vizier.

The mere mention of Averin's royal circle entering the war sent a shockwave through the hall.

Fifty million gold. This was unprecedented.

For a moment, no one dared to speak.

Then, breaking the silence like a thunderclap—

"Seventy million."

Eldoria Kingdom's Lady Lysandra Eldorin had spoken.

Several nobles visibly stiffened.

The matriarchal kingdom rarely involved itself in petty material conflicts. But when they did—they never lost.

At this point, only three contenders remained:

The Eldoria Kingdom (Lysandra Eldorin)Shadowmere (Duke Malrik Umbra)Averin (Pharaoh Arkhothep's Vizier)

The hall held its breath.

The Last Gambit

Duke Malrik leaned forward, fingers steepled. His voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried absolute weight.

"Ninety million."

Even Aldric Voss had to suppress a gulp.

This was no longer just an auction.

It was a message.

The three titans now locked in this battle knew: whoever won, the world would take notice.

A single moment of silence passed.

Then, the Vizier from Averin exhaled softly, lifting a single finger.

"One hundred million gold."

The Moment of Decision

Silence.

Shadowmere's Duke Malrik Umbra clenched his jaw, eyes shadowed. For all his wealth, he had reached his limit.

Eldoria's Lady Lysandra Eldorin remained unreadable. One hundred million was an impossible number—even for her kingdom.

With a slow, measured sigh, she finally leaned back.

She was out.

Averin had won.

The Aftermath – What This Means

One hundred million gold. The room felt different now.

This wasn't a victory.

This was a declaration of war.

The world now knows that Averin has power beyond reason.Shadowmere and Eldoria will never forget this humiliation.Every noble present will leave with one thought: 'What happens next?'.

The hammer struck the podium one final time.

"Sold! The Legendary Wyvern Breath Wand goes to the Averin delegation for one hundred million gold."

For a single moment, the grand hall remained frozen.

Then, as if bound by an unspoken agreement, the nobles slowly rose from their seats, offering brief nods of acknowledgment to one another.

There were no outbursts. No final, desperate bids.

Only calculated silence.

The Eldoria Kingdom's envoy, Lady Lysandra Eldorin, stood gracefully, adjusting the golden embroidery on her sleeves before turning on her heel without another word.

The Shadowmere Duke, Malrik Umbra, did not so much as glance toward the victors. His presence faded into the darkness, his exit marked only by the quiet, measured steps of his guards.

And so, one by one, the most powerful figures of Laoyon took their leave.

Not defeated. Not humiliated.

Simply—retreating.

Because now, every kingdom and city had a single priority: to report what happened here.

Merchant Council Chairman Aldric Voss stood at the front of the hall, watching as the noble entourages departed. His expression was unreadable, though his hands were clasped behind his back—a businessman to the very end.

With a smooth, practiced voice, he projected his farewell.

"To all esteemed guests, we sincerely thank you for partaking in this momentous occasion. This auction has been a demonstration of Laoyon's finest, and it is merely the first of many to come."

A pause. Then, with a diplomatic smile:

"We look forward to welcoming you again in future auctions… for relics that may even surpass today's spectacle."

A well-placed remark. One that ensured every noble in attendance would return.

Because if the Wyvern Breath Wand was just the beginning… what else lay hidden in Laoyon?

The group was led through the opulent corridors of Chairman Aldric Voss' mansion, each step reverberating against the marble floors. Despite everything they had faced before, nothing could have prepared them for what awaited in the Grand Hall.

The sight left them stunned.

A mountain of gold, piles of platinum bars, and pouches filled with rare gemstones gleamed under the soft chandelier light. Beside it sat an officially sealed ledger, listing out their total earnings in exact numbers.

Aldric Voss cleared his throat. "Your auction results."

Legendary Wyvern Breath Wand – Winning bid: 95,000,000 goldXarnok's Relics (Enchanted Rings & Corrupted Crystal) – Winning bid: 32,500,000 goldEyegor Warlord's Crest (Historical Battle Trophy) – Winning bid: 18,700,000 goldUndead Relics from the Wailing Graves – Winning bid: 8,400,000 goldAncient Spellbook (Damaged but Recoverable) – Winning bid: 6,200,000 goldGhoul Talons & Wraith Essence – Winning bid: 4,900,000 goldTroll Bone Charms (Rare Enchanted Trinkets) – Winning bid: 3,100,000 gold

Total Earnings: 168,800,000 gold

After 5% Auction Commission: 160,360,000 gold

Leigh, being the most financially disciplined among them, was the first to recover. She carefully examined the ledger, double-checking each figure. The numbers were staggering—a fortune beyond their wildest expectations.

Arden whistled low. "Well, damn."

Dominic leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Did we just break some sort of record?"

Aldric Voss chuckled. "Indeed. The Special Auction has never seen bids of this magnitude before. The Wyvern Breath Wand alone made history tonight."

Selva, meanwhile, just stared at the mountain of wealth, struggling to even process the sheer scale of what they had just gained. "This… this is beyond ridiculous."

Leigh took charge, calculating their share before announcing:

160,360,000 gold split four ways → 40,090,000 gold each.

Selva immediately held up her hands. "No. No way. I wasn't part of the Wyvern subjugation—I refuse to take the full amount."

Leigh frowned. "Selva, this is the team's earnings."

Selva shook her head. "I only joined afterward. It wouldn't be right."

After a brief argument, they adjusted the split:

Arden: 50,000,000 goldLeigh: 50,000,000 goldDominic: 50,000,000 goldSelva: 10,360,000 gold

Selva sighed. "That's still too much…"

Dominic chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

Arden patted his coin pouch, grinning. "Guess I'm officially too rich to care about money anymore."

Despite the sheer magnitude of their wealth, Dominic remained oddly calm.

Leigh noticed first. "Dom, you're acting… different."

Arden squinted. "Yeah, where's the usual over-the-top reaction?"

Dominic smirked, but his golden eyes reflected something deeper. Something unspoken.

Something awakening.