Chapter 29: The Auction
Luo Yuxi felt like she had a long dream, immersed in a warm spring. If she could, she would have stayed there forever. She slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the beautiful crystal chandelier above.
“So comfortable… I feel like I had a good sleep, and my injuries seem to be healed~”
Luo Yuxi examined her body in surprise. She had been on the brink of death, but now, not only were her injuries gone, her skin was even smoother than before, without a single scar.
“So I’ve overcome a death flag. They healed me so well, it must have been a high-ranking member of the Church~”
Luo Yuxi happily got out of bed, marveling at the luxurious decorations. She hadn’t realized elves liked such things. According to the game, they preferred natural treehouses. Looking at the crystal chandelier and gold and silver trim…
“Even for a palace, this is a bit extravagant. Why does it feel so out of place…?”
Luo Yuxi gently stroked the silky sheets and finally realized that this didn’t look like an elven palace at all. Suddenly, the door opened, and an elven girl in green clothing entered.
“Oh my, you’re finally awake. It took quite a bit of effort to heal you~”
“An elf? You scared me! I thought I had been kidnapped. So I’m still in the Elven Forest.”
Luo Yuxi was relieved, thinking it was reasonable for her, as the elven princess’s savior, to be given luxurious accommodations.
“Um, are you Miss Luo from the Church~?”
“What? Are we discussing rewards already? Oh, don’t be so polite, just let me browse the elven treasury~”
“Oh, that’s great, I’m glad I didn’t go to the wrong room. The auction is about to start, let’s hurry~”
“Auction?”
Luo Yuxi had been prepared to politely refuse any reward, but the elf’s words caught her off guard. Did they want to buy her something?
“Oh, right, we need to prepare before we go…”
“Huh? Just to buy something? What preparations are needed?”
“It’s not good to sell something without proper preparation~”
“Hmm???”
Before Luo Yuxi could ask anything else, a group of human girls entered, several carrying her nun’s habit. Another girl started to undress her without a word. Luo Yuxi blushed, but before she could react, she was dressed in the familiar habit.
“You could have told me you were going to change my clothes. I could have done it myself… But why does the slit in this habit seem higher?”
Luo Yuxi felt something was off about this habit. It looked the same as her previous one, but it was somehow more alluring. A silver necklace was placed around her neck, with the number “11” engraved on it.
“I know I’m 11th Order, but there’s no need to display it so prominently…”
“Please come with me, Miss Luo. Today is your big day~”
“So it’s a celebration? But holding an auction for a celebration seems strange. Is this an elven custom?”
The elf didn’t answer, just smiled and urged Luo Yuxi towards the auction venue. Luo Yuxi was led forward blindfolded, feeling something being placed on her hands, probably a bracelet for the surprise.
“I wonder what Sybil will buy me at the auction. If it’s something valuable, maybe I can retire early~”
Luo Yuxi felt herself being led into a spacious room. When the blindfold was removed, she squinted, blinded by the spotlights made of magic stones. She saw a podium with a small hammer.
“No way, no way, they’re not going to make me host the auction, are they?! I’m doomed. I’ve only seen it on TV, I have no idea how to do it!”
Luo Yuxi panicked, but seeing the elf girl take the hammer, she was relieved. So she wasn’t the host. Looking down, she saw her hands bound by silver handcuffs.
“Huh? Celebrations don’t usually involve this, do they?”
Luo Yuxi looked up and saw rows of girls in the audience, all female. Although there were some humans, most were various Mythical Species. Even with her slow reflexes, Luo Yuxi realized something was wrong.
“Ladies and gentlemen~ Welcome to the Witch Auction~”
“!!!”
Luo Yuxi looked at the elf girl holding the auction hammer, her eyes glowing emerald green, her gentle demeanor gone, her clothes radiating a strong life force, a terrifying power emanating from her.
[Ding]
[???]
Occupation: Witch
Affiliation: Witch Kingdom
Skills: ???
Title: Forest Witch
Affection: ?%
Order Level: 5th Order
Luo Yuxi finally understood. The Witch Auction was open to anyone, regardless of race or affiliation. Even members of the Church could buy items here. It claimed to be absolutely fair, selling anything and everything. Luo Yuxi looked uncertainly at the audience.
[Ding]
[Ding]
[Ding]
…
Luo Yuxi slumped to the ground, the flashing panels overwhelming her. Even the auctioneer was the Forest Witch from the game’s backstory, and nearly half the audience were witches, beings the Church struggled to hunt down, now all wearing masks, sitting like ordinary people.
“The Witch Auction has no fixed start or end time. We only auction 11 items, and the best is always saved for last~”
The elven girl, her gentle facade gone, looked at Luo Yuxi, who was slumped weakly on the ground. Luo Yuxi, as if sensing something, looked at the silver tag around her neck and slowly raised her head.
“You’re not saying… I’m the item being auctioned, are you…?”
“What do you think, dear~?”
“It’s not me, right…?”
Luo Yuxi tried to delude herself, but seeing the elf’s playful and greedy eyes, she couldn’t help but shrink back, feeling the predatory gazes from the audience.
“Then let us begin, the 11th Witch Auction~”
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