The Invincible Auction House

Chapter 28: The Hidden Blades of Azurehaven

The aftermath of Adam's intervention in the Azure Fang rippled through the Sapphire Kingdom's underworld. Word of the mysterious auctioneer's audacious incursion spread swiftly, shrouded in equal parts fear and intrigue. Yet for Duke Aleron, the news was not just alarming—it was infuriating.

Inside his opulent study, the Duke stood before a glowing map of Azurehaven, his fingers tracing the locations of his disrupted network. Each red marker represented a loss, and the lines connecting them—once a web of power—were fraying.

"Jorik?" Aleron asked, his voice cold.

Varlen, standing at his side, nodded grimly. "Defected. The reports confirm he's aligned with the auctioneer now. We've lost control of the Azure Fang and its operations."

Aleron's jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists. "He dares to undermine me in my own city?"

Varlen hesitated. "The auctioneer's influence is growing rapidly, my lord. His reputation precedes him, and fear of his power spreads faster than our ability to counteract it."

The Duke turned sharply, his eyes blazing. "Then we give them something to fear. Prepare the Shadows."

Varlen stiffened. "The Shadows? But they—"

"They answer to me," Aleron snapped. "And they will remind this city who truly holds power."

In the auction house, Adam reviewed his latest acquisition with satisfaction. The orb's golden glow displayed an updated map of Azurehaven, with the Azure Fang now marked as an asset under his control.

Ren stood nearby, his tone measured. "Jorik is a useful asset, but he comes with risks. A man like him is loyal only to his survival."

Adam smirked. "Precisely why he's perfect. His fear of me will ensure his cooperation, and his knowledge of Aleron's operations will accelerate our plans."

Lira lounged on the edge of the room, idly flipping a dagger in her hand. "Still, the Duke won't just sit back and let us pick him apart. He'll retaliate—and hard."

Adam leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "Let him. The harder he pushes, the more vulnerable he becomes. His desperation is the key to his downfall."

The orb chimed softly, displaying a new notification.

Ren's expression darkened. "The Shadows. That changes things."

Lira raised an eyebrow. "Who are they?"

"Elite assassins trained in secrecy and subterfuge," Ren explained. "They operate outside the kingdom's visible forces, striking where they're least expected."

Adam's smirk deepened. "How intriguing. Let's see how they fare against the unexpected."

In the heart of Azurehaven's underworld, the Shadows moved with silent precision. Clad in black armor that shimmered faintly in the dim light, they blended seamlessly into the darkness. Their mission was clear: strike at the auctioneer's growing influence and reclaim the Duke's lost territory.

The Shadows' first target was an information broker rumored to be working for Adam. The broker operated out of a hidden study beneath a dilapidated library, where shelves of forgotten tomes concealed a wealth of secrets.

The Shadows struck swiftly, infiltrating the study without a sound. But as they moved to subdue the broker, the room erupted in golden light.

"Ah," Adam's voice echoed through the chamber, smooth and mocking. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."

The Shadows froze, their leader scanning the room for the source of the voice. Adam's figure materialized from the light, his calm expression tinged with amusement.

"This is a bold move," he continued, "but boldness without caution is recklessness."

The Shadows' leader stepped forward, their blade gleaming in the light. "Your games end here, Auctioneer."

Adam chuckled softly. "On the contrary, they've only just begun."

With a wave of his hand, the room shifted. Illusory walls dissolved, revealing dozens of Adam's agents surrounding the Shadows, their weapons drawn and glowing faintly with infused energy.

"You didn't think I'd leave my assets unprotected, did you?" Adam asked, his tone almost pitying.

The Shadows hesitated, their formation faltering.

"Stand down," Adam ordered. "You're outmaneuvered, and you know it. Return to your master and tell him this: the more he fights me, the more he loses."

The leader hesitated, then signaled a retreat. The Shadows vanished as quickly as they had appeared, leaving the study untouched.

Back at the palace, Duke Aleron listened to the Shadows' report with a stony expression.

"He was waiting for you?" the Duke asked, his tone deceptively calm.

"Yes, my lord," the leader replied. "His defenses were impenetrable. It was as if he anticipated our every move."

Aleron's fingers tapped rhythmically against his desk, his mind racing. "Then we'll change the game. If he wants to play in the shadows, we'll bring him into the light."

Adam returned to the auction house, his smirk still in place.

Ren approached, his expression unreadable. "The Duke will escalate."

Adam nodded. "Good. Let him exhaust his resources. Every step he takes strengthens my position."

Lira tilted her head, a sly grin on her face. "And when he finally realizes he's lost?"

Adam's gaze turned sharp, his smirk fading into something colder. "By then, it won't matter what he realizes. He'll already be irrelevant."

The system chimed again, displaying a new notification.

Adam leaned back in his chair, his satisfaction evident. "Let the Duke play his hand. Soon, the entire kingdom will see the true power of the auctioneer."