Henrietta says "Yes, absolutely! If you need help locating and purchasing elves, the merchant group can help!"

"I'll keep that in mind."

When I turn to check the next auction I find it is one of the plants I put up for sale. While I am not that worried about the money, it is still exciting to watch it being sold. I can easily see why some people get addicted to this sort of thing.

The bidding especially was thrilling, I can't wait for something else I want to turn up. As I return to watching the auction, Goldenbreeze climbs up to sit on my lap. It seems like she trusts me just because I knew her parent's names.

Then again, it is the nature of children to be trusting of anyone who shows them kindness. Luckily, she doesn't seem to have lost that innocence despite what she has been through. It is a good thing I found her when I did, otherwise she would have lost that.

I don't even want to think about what might have happened to her if someone else bought her. Instead of dwelling on it, I turn my attention back to the auction and let it distract me. It works because the next item is something I want, the floating stone and a good amount of it.

Surprisingly, I win it easily and for a fairly cheap price, it seems no one values it that much. It makes me hope to get more, but unfortunately that doesn't seem possible. According to Henrietta, it is very rare for duplicate items to show up in the auction.

There are a few exemptions, normally based on tier, but that doesn't apply to raw materials. However, it isn't too disappointing, there are still plenty of other things that I can buy. Especially considering that this is only the first day and only has the low-tier items.

It is very infuriating that they listed poor Goldenbreeze as a low-tier item. However, that made it easier for me to keep her from falling into someone else's hands. Before long, she falls asleep on my lap and she looks so cute I can't bear to disturb her.

The rest of the auction passes without any of the items catching my eye. That is, until the very last item of the day is announced, that item catches my interest. It is a complete magical encyclopedia written by an ancestor of the Xiu clan.

The initial bidding isn't very enthusiastic because the encyclopedia doesn't include any spells. It is a listing of all the known magical materials, plants, and beasts. While it is not useful to most people, it would be very useful to me, so I bid on it.

"120,000!"

Auctioneer says "Current bid is at one hundred and twenty thousand, are there any other bids? One hundred and twenty thousand going once, going twice, sold!"

Henrietta says "Congratulations, Ash. Even though there are no spells in it, the encyclopedia is a collector's item!"

"I don't care about that. I wanted it to improve my knowledge."

Henrietta says "Oh, alright. Anyway, do you want to return to the manor together?"

"Sure."

Once the encyclopedia is delivered I drop it in my pouch and then return to the manor. Despite snacking all day in the box, we still have dinner once we return. After we are done eating I take Goldenbreeze with me up to the suite to fetch Grimgar.

Then the three of us leave the city and head for a secluded spot to open the gate. On the way I answer all of Grimgar's questions and give him a few last minute pointers. Before opening the gate I decide to create a communication amulet and give it to him.

Grimgar says "What's this?"

"It's a communication device, but I am not sure of its range. So I have no idea how long I will be in range."

Grimgar says "Thank you. For this and everything else! I hope one day you can come visit my tribe!"

"I hope so too! Take care of yourself!"

After Grimgar leaves through the gate I close it and open another to the ship. Then I message Stillwater and ask him to send Goldenbreeze's parents through. When they come through the gate and see their daughter there is screaming and tears.

After being thanked over a hundred times I finally get them back through the gate. It was a very heartwarming scene, but I feel relieved when I finally close the gate. After closing the gate I head back to the road and walk towards the city.

I haven't gone far when a group of people blocks my way and surrounds me. The majority of them look like common street thugs, but one of them is wearing a mage robe. He doesn't look familiar, but a quick scan shows he has enough mana to be a real mage.

Mage says "Where is she?! What did you do with her?!"

"Who are you talking about?"

Mage says "The elven child! She is mine! Bring her out right now!!"

"Ah, so you must be bidder two-twenty-five! Did you really pay a million coins to find out who I am?"

Mage says "Of course not! I just had my people watch all the exits for the girl and then follow her! Now bring her out, or else!"

"She has already been returned to her parents! They are far out of your reach now!"

Mage says "We'll see about that! Kill him!"

There are around twenty thugs around me and they charge at me upon the mage's order. However, I ignore them and move towards the mage who starts chanting a spell. As I move, I summon the dagger to my hand, several of the thugs get between me and the mage.

As I continue moving forward I easily cut down the thugs that get close to me. Seeing how easily I kill his people, the mage stutters and messes up his spell out of fear. Before he can try his spell again I get close enough to attack him, but he turns to run away.

Instead of chasing him I gather a little mana and throw a firebolt at the mage. However, to my surprise the firebolt doesn't hurt him and he keeps running. Since magic didn't work I throw my dagger at him and at the same time draw my sword.

All it takes is a single Whirlwind Attack to wipe out the rest of the thugs. After that I turn my attention to the mage, who is lying on the ground. My dagger hit him but didn't manage to kill him, it is stuck in his shoulder.

When I walk over the mage starts trying to threaten me with his family. However, since we are outside of the city I don't have to worry about it. I step on his head as I lean over and retrieve my dagger, but I must have stepped too hard.

19 Level 5 Humans defeated! 9,500 Exp gained!

1 Level 9 Mage defeated! 900 Exp gained!