Eastern Trade Goods Auction.
Although its proportion was smaller compared to the spice trade, its scale and methods were far larger and more complex.
In the case of the spice trade, despite their expense, they were already somewhat standardized within the continent. Therefore, selling them could be easily accomplished with mere paperwork through the major merchants of the continent.
On the other hand, auctions took a considerable amount of time because customers had to go through the process of inspecting each item and making a selection. The transaction locations were also distributed in various places depending on the time and place.
The auction, centered on Piazza in Benessa, was conducted sequentially by product over a period of about ten days.
To begin with, on the outskirts of the plaza, items of relatively low value, including various miscellaneous goods, were displayed, and auction prices were set. More expensive items were traded as one moved closer to the center of St. Mork’s Cathedral.
For items with a certain level of value or higher, the castle located near the plaza in Calais held formal auctions. These auctions targeted big-time customers, not tourists or small merchants.
Trade items changed according to the theme of each day, and the customers who participated in the trade varied each time.
On the first and second days, various kinds of pottery such as fragile bowls and ornaments were auctioned. For four days from the third day, auctions of jewelry and clothing that were easy to store and popular were held. Afterward, the trade of fabrics and papers, ancient books, medicines and spices, and weapons and equipment on the last day was carried out sequentially.
“Hmm…in that respect, we didn’t have much to see today. Until tomorrow, they were selling pottery or something.”
“That’s right. Thanks to that, I could take some time off and enjoy myself…whoops!”
A silver-haired woman spoke in a slightly tired voice while operating Benessa’s famous gondola. Observing her, the woman in the maroon robe showed a light smile filled with ease. (G: reddish-brown = maroon. Gondola is a light flat-bottomed boat used on Venetian canals.)
“But… it’s better than we thought, isn’t it? It seems like it’ll work out somehow.”
“Is that so…how many minutes had we been spinning around in the same place already? This is harder than you think.”
The gondola didn’t more forward even if she somehow tried to steer the boat toward the land. The silver-haired woman felt a bit impatient at this, but the woman in the maroon robe just smiled leisurely.
“It’s okay. Because everything is like that the first time. But if you think about it, isn’t this also a kind of entertainment?”
“Haa…anyway, I always felt it, but you seemed to be living a very comfortable life.”
“Whoops!”
With those words, the woman in the maroon robe took out a book and started reading. Seeing her act like that, the silver-haired woman decided to steer the boat normally and tried to bring it back to land. In order to save some face, she began to do her best again.
After about an hour, the gondola barely got its bearings and started moving toward the land. Although the width of the river itself was not wide, the silver-haired woman began to feel a little proud as she put meaning into the fact that she was maneuvering normally…somehow.
“You suffered. How was it, did you get used to it?”
“Ah yes. I’m fine now…”
“Good. Then, with this, we have another insurance…shall we start preparing tomorrow’s schedule soon?”
“Alright.”
With those words, the silver-haired woman got off the gondola. The anticipation and excitement of what was to come began to appear on her lips.
***
Grand banquet hall located in the depths of Calais, the castle of the lord.
Most of the participants in the auction, which took place in a large basement, were wealthy merchants or nobles who had made a name for themselves on the continent.
Day 3 of the auction would start from today.
Unlike the middle-aged or elderly people who were present until yesterday, there were many aristocratic women dressed in lavish clothes present today.
In a way, it was natural.
The auction items for four days from today were jewelry and dresses. It was the kind that women couldn’t help but be interested in.
The Uranus Merchant Company was aware of that, so they invested the most time and money in these than any other auction item.
“This product is a silk dress from Jin. Craftsmen who made clothes for the imperial family put their heart and soul into making it, and it can be said to be a masterpiece among masterpieces in the image of a single dragon using golden threads on silk. Please let me know if you would like to purchase!”
A garment with a golden dragon engraved on blue silk was displayed before them. Shining even in the not-so-bright light, it instantly enchanted many people.
“3 talets!” (G: 1000 silver coins = 1 talet.)
“3 talets 500 silver coins!”
“8 talets!”
“8 talets 450 silver coins!”
“14 talets!”
“14 talets 220 silver coins!”
Prices were rising rapidly. Initially cautious individuals began to call higher prices without hesitation as others raised prices.
And amongst the many spectators…Ophelia and Tilda, who took a vacation from Bahamut and went on a tour that doubled as information gathering, were watching with interest.
“I’ve heard about it, but… it’s still amazing, considering that every word they say cost more than my salary…”
“Right? It’s a scene I’ve seen every time we do Eastern trade, but the world of rich people is different from those like us.”
Ophelia also agreed. Her monthly salary was 4 talets and 600 silver coins.
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