Chapter 363: Weapon of Mass Destruction
Night gradually settled over Frankfurt.
The lights of Krause Tower illuminated the skyline like a beacon.
Across the building, guests finished their dinners before returning to their preferred locations.
Some headed toward the casino.
Some relaxed inside the luxurious lounges.
Others gathered in bars, discussing business over expensive liquor.
A few remained inside their private chambers.
Unlike the daytime auctions...
The Grand Auction carried a completely different atmosphere.
It wasn’t necessarily where the rarest items appeared.
Many of the truly valuable objects had already been listed in the catalogue, allowing bids to accumulate throughout both days.
The Grand Auction served another purpose.
Reputation.
Status.
Power.
Unlike the catalogue, where every bidder remained anonymous until the transaction was complete, the Grand Auction displayed every bid publicly.
Everyone knew who was competing.
Everyone knew who was willing to spend tens of millions without hesitation.
In many ways...
It was less of an auction.
And more of a stage where the underworld displayed its strength.
Very few guests actually sat inside the auditorium itself.
There was no need.
Every participant possessed an encrypted tablet connected directly to the auction system.
Some placed bids from private chambers.
Others continued gambling in the casino while casually raising the price of an artifact.
Several influential guests watched the auction from luxury bars with a glass of whiskey in hand.
Business continued regardless of location.
As long as the tablet remained nearby...
They could participate.
...
Light chose to remain inside his chamber.
The enormous display covering one wall had already switched to the live broadcast from the auditorium.
After dinner...
Thea joined him once again.
Johanna welcomed her inside.
The table between them had already been prepared with refreshments.
Crystal glasses.
Fresh fruit.
Premium wines.
And several light desserts.
Johanna poured a glass of red wine for Thea.
The princess accepted it with a smile.
Light, however, ignored the wine entirely.
Johanna noticed but chose not to comment.
The broadcast began.
The elderly host appeared on the giant display.
His familiar voice echoed through the chamber.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"Welcome to tonight’s first Grand Auction."
"We hope everyone enjoys the evening."
A brief round of applause followed before the first presentation appeared on screen.
"The first article of the evening..."
"Presented by the Thunder Cartel."
The display changed to a secure presentation file.
"It contains the original research notes for a pharmaceutical project designed to retain human youth."
Several murmurs spread throughout the live audience.
The host continued.
"As everyone already knows..."
"Last year, the Thunder Cartel successfully commercialized this medicine."
"It has already generated profits worth hundreds of millions."
He raised one finger.
"Please note..."
"This item contains only the initial research."
"It does not include the manufacturing process."
"The production method remains with the seller."
The bidding interface immediately opened.
Before anyone placed a bid...
Thea frowned.
"Are they scamming people?"
Johanna looked toward her.
"What makes you think that?"
Thea gently swirled the wine inside her glass.
"If they’re already mass-producing the drug..."
"Then what value does the initial research really have?"
She looked at the presentation.
"Even if someone buys these documents..."
"That doesn’t mean they’ll be able to manufacture the medicine."
She shrugged.
"What if the research itself is incomplete?"
"What if it’s simply fake?"
Light smiled quietly but said nothing.
Johanna answered instead.
"Please don’t worry, Princess."
"The Krause Family verifies every item submitted for auction."
"Some items are naturally more difficult to authenticate than others."
"But fake articles..."
She shook her head.
"They aren’t tolerated."
"The punishment is permanent exclusion from future Conclaves."
She smiled politely.
"Throughout our family’s history..."
"A few people attempted to deceive buyers."
"They regretted it."
"Nobody has repeated that mistake since."
Thea nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
She turned toward Light.
"What do you think about this drug?"
Light calmly watched the presentation.
"It’s a trap."
Both women looked toward him.
"Like many addictive substances..."
"Once you begin..."
"Walking away becomes extremely difficult."
He folded his hands.
"The formula hasn’t been successfully replicated."
"It works almost magically."
"For a while."
He paused.
"But the moment a person stops taking it..."
"The body begins deteriorating."
"The aging process accelerates."
His expression remained calm.
"The amusing part..."
"They never explain that to first-time buyers."
Thea slowly lowered her wine glass.
"No wonder demand is so high."
She looked back at the screen.
"But if the research is genuinely valuable..."
"Why sell it now?"
Johanna nodded.
"I’ve been wondering the same thing."
Light answered almost immediately.
"Because time is working against them."
Both women listened carefully.
"It won’t take long before wealthy clients realize the drug’s true nature."
"The moment enough people understand the dependency..."
"Demand will collapse."
He pointed toward the presentation.
"So..."
"This is the perfect moment."
"The market still believes it’s a miracle."
"The research appears priceless."
He smiled faintly.
"Today’s value reaches millions."
"A few years later..."
"It’ll be worth a fraction of that."
"Only the extremely wealthy could afford lifelong treatment."
"And even then..."
He shrugged.
"They still die of old age."
A brief silence followed.
Johanna noticed Light still hadn’t touched the wine placed before him.
She smiled politely.
"Mr. Light."
"Would you like something else to drink?"
He looked at the untouched glass.
"Hmm..."
"How about a milkshake?"
Johanna blinked.
"...A milkshake?"
"I meant..."
"Another alcoholic drink."
Light looked genuinely confused.
"The milkshake sounds better."
Johanna couldn’t help smiling.
"Very well."
"I’ll inform the kitchen."
She quietly stepped aside and contacted the service staff through the room’s communication panel.
Meanwhile...
Thea suddenly laughed.
"Look."
"The bidding has already reached two million dollars."
Light glanced toward the display.
"Just wait."
"I’d expect more than ten million."
"This first item always attracts fierce competition."
As if proving his prediction...
The numbers climbed rapidly.
Three million.
Five million.
Seven million.
Nine million.
The pace only became faster.
Guests from different floors continuously outbid one another.
Within minutes...
The final notification appeared.
Sold.
13 Million Dollars.
Thea let out a low whistle.
"Thirteen million..."
She shook her head.
"I’m afraid by the time someone develops a practical medicine from that research..."
"It’ll already be obsolete."
Light quietly laughed while sipping the vanilla milkshake that had just arrived.
Johanna placed it before him with a smile.
"I hope this is more suitable."
"It is."
He nodded appreciatively.
The auction continued.
The host returned to the screen.
"Our next article..."
"Presented by Mr. Kenan."
A beautifully preserved artifact appeared on the display.
"An original ceremonial artwork recovered from archaeological ruins connected to the ancient Kingdom of Kush."
The host smiled.
"I believe our collectors should prepare to spend generously."
Several bids immediately appeared.
Unlike the pharmaceutical research...
This auction attracted illegal museums and private collectors.
The atmosphere became noticeably calmer.
Light watched without participating.
Thea casually enjoyed another sip of wine.
Johanna quietly observed both of them.
Item after item passed smoothly.
Rare gemstones.
Private satellite data.
Military communication equipment.
Ancient manuscripts.
Luxury collectibles.
Everything sold without incident.
Several hours later...
The host announced another presentation.
"Our next article..."
"Presented by Mr. Spruce."
The chamber grew quiet.
The screen displayed an encrypted black document.
"According to the seller..."
"This file contains intelligence concerning a weapon of mass destruction developed by a secret organization."
Several guests immediately became interested.
The host continued reading.
"The seller does not possess information regarding the weapon’s current location."
"Nor the identity of the organization responsible."
"Therefore..."
"He has chosen to auction the intelligence itself."
The document summary appeared.
"It includes the list of materials required to construct the weapon."
"It does not include engineering designs or manufacturing instructions."
The host paused briefly before reading the final line.
"According to the presenter..."
"A weapon based on this technology was used seven years ago..."
"At Galdhøpiggen Peak in Norway."
"The incident resulted in one of the deadliest man-made avalanches ever recorded."
Thea immediately looked up.
"...That avalanche..."
"It was caused by a person?"
Light nodded slightly.
"Apparently."
He studied the summary carefully.
"Without the actual design..."
"The material list alone has limited practical value."
"But..."
"The historical significance alone makes it worth millions."
"The opening price reflects that."
The room became quiet again.
Thea stared thoughtfully at the screen.
Then...
Without saying a word...
She picked up her tablet.
Her fingers moved confidently across the display.
Johanna noticed.
A second later...
The host’s voice echoed through the chamber.
"Five million dollars..."
"From Princess Thea."
Light slowly turned toward her.
Johanna did the same.
Neither of them had expected the very first bid to come from the woman sitting beside them.
Light’s eyes remained fixed on the large display.
The bidding had only just begun.
Yet...
Princess Thea had already entered the competition without hesitation.
His fingers rested lightly on the armrest of the sofa.
Inside his mind, countless possibilities began connecting.
Why is she bidding on a weapon like that?
The document itself was incomplete.
It listed materials.
It was nothing more than an expensive piece of intelligence.
But clearly...
Not for Thea.
The auction continued climbing.
"Eight million..."
"Nine million..."
"Ten million dollars."
The next bid appeared almost instantly.
Twelve Million Dollars.
Princess Thea.
Johanna quietly looked toward her.
"You really want this."
Thea didn’t answer.
Her eyes never left the screen.
Light observed her silently.
Normally...
The princess carried herself with remarkable composure.
Even when surprised.
But now...
There was something different.
Her fingers lightly gripped the tablet.
Her breathing had become slightly uneven.
She wasn’t simply participating.
She was worried.
Light finally spoke.
"What’s the matter?"
Thea didn’t immediately answer.
Another bid appeared.
Fifteen million.
Seventeen million.
Nineteen million.
Only then did she quietly say,
"I can’t afford..."
"To lose this item."
Light’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Everything suddenly became much clearer.
So this...
This is why she came.
He slowly leaned back.
Why would the Grandmaster need material specifications for a weapon like this?
Another possibility immediately formed.
Does he already possess the engineering design?
Or...
Is he trying to prevent someone else from completing it?
The more he thought about it...
The more questions appeared.
What exactly are you planning, Grandmaster?
The auction escalated rapidly.
Twenty million.
Twenty-two million.
Twenty-four million.
The host’s voice echoed once again.
"Twenty-five million dollars..."
"From Princess Thea."
Silence followed.
No new bids appeared.
The countdown began.
"Twenty-five million..."
"Going once."
The chamber remained quiet.
"Going twice."
Thea’s eyes never moved from the display.
Her fingers remained tightly wrapped around the tablet.
"Going..."
"Three times."
The host smiled.
"Sold."
"Congratulations."
"The article has been sold to Princess Thea."
Only then...
Thea slowly released the breath she had unconsciously been holding.
She leaned back into the sofa.
A relieved smile finally appeared.
Light quietly looked toward her.
"So."
"The rumors were true."
Thea looked sideways.
"What rumors?"
Light smiled.
"They say..."
"Princess Thea is dangerous."
He folded his arms.
"I think they were right."
Thea rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please."
"Don’t start badmouthing me too."
"I already hear enough of that."
Johanna laughed softly.
"I’m beginning to think neither of you is normal."
Both of them smiled.
The atmosphere relaxed once again.
The host returned to the stage.
"Our next article..."
The display changed.
An elegant ancient sword slowly rotated beneath the studio lights.
Even through the screen...
Its craftsmanship was extraordinary.
The blade reflected a faint emerald tint beneath the lighting.
The host continued.
"Presented..."
"By Miss Ruòxī."
Another document appeared beside the sword.
"According to the presenter..."
"This weapon once belonged to the first leader of the Ancient Clan Alliance."
The display zoomed closer.
"It is said..."
"She wielded this sword while leading united clans against the kings of the ancient world."
"It later became the Alliance’s greatest heirloom."
The audience quietly listened.
"However..."
"The weapon disappeared during the great war."
"The descendants of that Alliance have searched for it ever since."
The host smiled.
"Unfortunately..."
"Their current whereabouts remain unknown."
He looked toward the camera.
"The successful buyer may keep this remarkable artifact."
"Or..."
"Should the descendants ever be found..."
"They may choose to resell it for an extraordinary profit."
"The opening bid..."
"Three million dollars."
Light suddenly looked up.
"...This."
Johanna noticed immediately.
She smiled.
"Mr. Light."
"Are you interested?"
He didn’t answer.
Instead...
He quietly picked up his tablet.
A few taps later...
The notification echoed throughout the broadcast.
The host blinked briefly before reading the bid aloud.
"Thirty million dollars..."
"From..."
"Mr. Light."
Johanna nearly dropped the glass she had been holding.
"...Thirty?"
Thea looked toward him in surprise.
"You skipped the entire auction."
Light simply watched the screen.
No one countered.
The increase was simply too overwhelming.
Most collectors immediately withdrew.
The host smiled helplessly.
"Thirty million dollars."
"Going once."
No response.
"Going twice."
Still silence.
"Going..."
"Three times."
The wooden hammer struck the podium.
"Sold."
"Congratulations..."
"Mr. Light."
Johanna slowly turned toward him.
She still hadn’t recovered from the shock.
"Mr. Light..."
"Do you already know someone willing to buy it?"
Light gently shook his head.
"No."
Johanna blinked.
"Then..."
"Why spend thirty million dollars?"
He looked once more at the ancient sword displayed on the screen.
A faint warmth entered his voice.
"I know someone..."
"Who’ll be very happy to receive it."
Johanna smiled.
"So..."
"It’s a gift."
Light nodded.
"Yes."
She looked at him with curiosity.
"You can casually spend thirty million dollars on a present."
"The recipient..."
"Must be very important to you."
Light remained silent for a few moments.
Then he smiled.
"You could say..."
"It’s a debt."
"One I’ve wanted to repay."
Neither Johanna nor Thea asked another question.
Something about his tone suggested...
The story behind that sword carried far more weight than its price.
...
Inside the luxurious casino floor...
Roulette wheels continued spinning.
At a secluded table near the corner...
A man calmly watched the live auction on his tablet.
When the notification announcing Light’s purchase appeared...
A slow smile spread across his face.
His fingers gently tapped the edge of the device.
"Light..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Cold.
Patient.
"Enjoy it while you can."
He leaned back comfortably in his chair.
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"This..."
He smiled even wider.
"...Will be the last auction of your life."