Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 300: For Your Majesty (115)

Dragon Raja 5

How much is a family’s service worth in a year? This is like how much a person’s lifetime is worth; it should be impossible to determine, but in City 023, it can be calculated.

If even life can be calculated, then what can’t be calculated? Love, joy, chastity, dignity—all can be staked on the table for a little more time.

A sudden, inexplicable fear, accompanied by an equally inexplicable anger, caused him to slowly clench his fist. Hissing energy seemed to flow between his fingers, like that of a martial arts master. He wanted to overturn the table and grab the person behind it all by the neck.

But a hand pressed down on the back of his hand just in time, gently suppressing his anger. Zero turned her head and gave him a deep look, her small, frosty face expressionless.

A moment later, Bunin returned to the conference room. “The seller accepted your offer, Mr. Yakov, but he also asked me to state two principles. First, bidding over time can only be done after you have exhausted all your cash reserves. Second, bidding over time cannot be unlimited; this limit is different for each family.” Leonid tapped the table. “Could we know the limits for each family?”

Bunin shook his head. “Unfortunately, I will only call a halt when you have reached this limit.”

Sonia gave a desolate laugh. “So, we need to spend all the money we have in our accounts now, and even mortgage our entire future lives, just to have a chance to survive, is that right?”

“I’m sorry, Sonia, but I’m just a host,” Bunin said quietly.

“I have finished my business here, and if Mr. Bunin allows, I will be leaving now.” Miss Anna from St. Petersburg stood up, the suitcase now strapped to her wrist.

“Of course, congratulations, my dear Anna. Give my regards to your husband; I know he’s the one running out of time.” Bunin stood up, escorted her to the door, and handed her her card back. “Brilliant tactic; $4.3 million left in the card.”

The expressions of the people below were all different. Anyone who saw Anna’s decisive attitude when she made the bid would think that she had plenty of funds in her account. But in fact, when she bid 190 million, it was her last gamble.

Anna gave Bunin a quick hug and hurried away without even glancing back at the others. She escaped the trap through wit and luck, and from the moment the door closed behind her, the beasts would have to fight for their mere three chances.

Bunin returned to the table and sat down. “Some of those who contributed to us before possess those irreplaceable gold coins. This is the seller’s way of thanking you all for your honesty. Its value is equivalent to one year, and it is also valid currency on this table.”

Lu Mingfei realized that Bunin was reminding him.

Lu Mingfei suddenly realized that the thirty-odd small gold coins were Bunin’s reward for serving in the organization for over thirty years.

The claim that he temporarily raised over 300 million US dollars is likely a lie; he has already given all his assets to Lu Mingfei. Even the host was a trapped beast.

The deeper one thought, the more uneasy one became. The seller, who didn’t even dare to show his face, was feared by everyone present as if they were gods or ghosts. The goods were right there in this room; robbing them and becoming a fugitive like Lu Mingfei wasn’t a bad option. But they all strictly adhered to the rules set by the seller, not daring to cross the line.

“Forgive my frankness, but only a few of you were invited to this year’s gathering. There were only two selection criteria: first, those who had prepared sufficient resources and strongly requested to participate; second, those who genuinely needed the goods. You will naturally do your utmost to gain more time. I understand that many of you hoped to acquire a shipment when prices were low, so it could be stored in cold storage and give you peace of mind. But seeing the two shipments Sheyom bought destroyed, this year is undoubtedly the peak in prices. At this time, is there anyone willing to withdraw like Anna, giving those who need it more a chance?” Bunin looked around.

A long silence followed; no one spoke, everyone stared at their allies without uttering a word.

Bunin sighed softly.

“Continue, Bunin,” Leonid said in a low voice. “Do you know why the competition is so fierce this year? It’s not because there’s a lack of goods, but because of you. For so many years, we’ve had this auction under your supervision, and we’ve always had something to look forward to. But your term is coming to an end, and who will be the auctioneer next year hasn’t been announced yet. You may be an annoying fellow, but no one can be sure your successor will be any better. Maybe next year there won’t be a city 023 anymore, and we’ll arrive by train to find only snow-covered ruins. At that point, who wouldn’t want a piece of merchandise stored in their cold storage?”

Bunin remained silent for a long time, then nodded. “I understand.”

“I have a question,” Zero raised his hand, “Can the Romanov family also use time to increase their leverage?”

“Regarding this matter, I specifically consulted the actual seller, and he expressed his strong willingness to invite the Romanov family to join us,” Bunin shook his head. “But unfortunately, we cannot assess the value of your time, and your financial resources are sufficient; there is no need to inflate the price with time. $30 million can be deducted from one year of service, Your Highness, you can continue to use US dollars.”

“Is that so?” Zero said calmly. “It seems we’re not exactly trusted friends yet.”

“Who dares to expect the loyalty of the Tsarist family?” Bunin said. “Three hundred and fifty million US dollars, plus fifteen years. Mr. Yakov’s offer just now, discounted to $30 million a year, is now worth eight hundred million US dollars.” Lu Mingfei started fiddling with the small pocket in his pocket. He still had almost a billion US dollars in gold coins. At the current crazy trend, it was hard to say whether that would be enough. It would be best to acquire one of the fourth or fifth items.

Sonia gave a desolate laugh. “Fifteen years, Catherine, how long have we been lingering on? Like a human being raised by vampires, you can breathe, you can eat, you can go on shopping sprees, you can party until dawn with the young men you like, but you have no hope. The longer you live, the more blood you provide. If you can’t complete your service, your children will have to continue paying the price. Is living really that important?”

Lu Mingfei sized up Ekaterina. This graceful and aloof girl looked no more than 20 years old, yet she already had a child. The age of this group seemed to be locked by those magical leeches; they neither aged nor died, provided they served someone forever.