The auction concluded. Some went home satisfied with their haul, while others stood around Roy with long faces, asking when the next auction would be. Roy spoke with everyone with a polite smile. He didn't let those who failed to win a lot go home empty-handed; he gave each faction a small 100ml bottle of the original wine. Their favorability toward Roy skyrocketed—the kid really knew how to handle people!
Roy knew this "miracle" was a one-time result of the first auction. Eventually, the price would stabilize around 1.5 to 1.8 million Valis per jar. Loki, who had bought the first lot, had actually made a huge profit by getting it closest to the base value.
Scarcity creates value. Roy wouldn't let too much original wine hit the market. By releasing only ten lots a month, he could ensure a steady stream of wealth from the gods.
"Roy, my boy, that Vice-Captain spot is still open! You have to come visit!"
"Roy! Five million Valis a month!"
"Here's a small token of my appreciation."
The gods' enthusiasm for Roy was even more intense than before. It wasn't just his terrifying potential as an adventurer anymore; it was his ability to print money. 320 million in one night! Any god who could recruit him would never be short on cash again. Who could resist that?
The gods looked at Astraea with eyes full of envy and spite. If such a brilliant child joined their Familia, they'd be willing to live in villas and drive luxury cars! Small gifts and "red envelopes" from gods and merchants stuffed Roy's pockets, and he accepted them all.
By selling through auctions, Soma's production capacity was more than enough. Occasionally, Roy could drop a few jars on the black market and make tens of millions in minutes. After seeing off the last of the guests, a trace of exhaustion flickered in Roy's eyes. Dealing with gods was exhausting; he had to be constantly on guard, weighing every word to ensure no lie was detected.
By comparison, Lady Astraea was a saint. Talking to her was always effortless, like being wrapped in maternal warmth.
Returning to the Soma compound, Roy was met by members whose faces were filled with profound shock and indescribable respect. In a single night, Roy had saved the Soma Familia from the brink of bankruptcy. At this moment, every member was utterly convinced by their "outsider" Vice-Captain.
"Master Roy, that was incredible!" Lili cheered. The checks left by the gods and merchants could be exchanged at the Guild for 320 million Valis at any time. Even after taxes, they had cleared at least 300 million in profit."There is only so much I can do; the rest is up to you, Captain Lili," Roy said with a smile. A faint blush crept across Lili's small face.
As expected, the news of the 320 million Valis haul spread through Orario the next day. The miracle Roy performed shook the city once again. The figure was so staggering it made people's heads spin; for the first time, everyone felt that making money could be remarkably simple—even more efficient than the royal mint.
This young man had not only broken the record for adventurer leveling speed but had also created an unprecedented commercial miracle. However, after learning about the process, people felt only shock rather than envy. Suppressing the Soma Familia, purging corrupt members, paying exorbitant penalties… each was a feat that would paralyze an ordinary person. Roy had walked a tightrope over a massive risk; a single misstep would have ruined him.
He succeeded. Thus, everything he gained was seen as the favor of the Goddess of Fate toward the brave.
While the outside world was in a heated frenzy, Roy, Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra appeared at the Goibniu Familia compound. Their custom equipment was finally ready.
"Incredible... are all these ours?" Daphne's eyes sparkled as she stared at the dozen or so shimmering pieces of gear on the racks. There were longswords, chest plates, chainmail, boots, and bracers—a complete set for every adventurer.
Even though they provided the materials, the processing fee for each set still reached several million Valis. These were masterpieces forged with the lifeblood of the blacksmiths. After the battle with the floor boss Amphisbaena, Ryu's gear had been totaled by the blue flames. Now, the entire team was upgrading from "muskets to cannons."
Roy already had his Gale Boots, the Spirit Holy Sword, and the Ghost King's Armor, so his additions were protective kneepads, a silver bracer for his left forearm, and a vest made partially from the Goliath Scarf. The first two were High-quality, while the latter was Epic-tier.
The kneepads were crafted from the Grey Steel Dragon Scales dropped by the young dragons; they were soft yet incredibly sturdy, allowing for full range of motion. The bracer used material from the 25th-floor Water Coral. As for the Goliath Scarf, it had been stretched thin and woven with Celestial Silk to create a vest light as a feather but possessing extreme physical resistance. The remaining Goliath Scarf material was kept as a cloak, but infused with Spirit Mana, making the heavy garment feel significantly lighter even for a Level 4.
Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra also donned their new gear. Fully equipped, the total value of their equipment was no less than 50 to 60 million Valis. They had never fought such an "expensive" war before. A typical Level 4 or even Level 5 adventurer in Orario would have to spend years of savings to acquire such a set.
Roy had gained plenty of benefits—both wine and money—from his busy days with the Soma Familia. The million Valis he had previously "tossed" to Zanis had been recovered with interest. His storage ring now held dozens of jars of Divine Wine. Not only was the debt to the Goibniu Familia cleared, but the Astraea Familia's nearly empty treasury was now overflowing. With the Soma Familia as a subsidiary, they now enjoyed a fixed monthly income of several million Valis from wine dividends.
Roy visited Goibniu's workshop. Last time, he had seen the god drinking diluted wine; now, he could openly gift the original. He placed three or four jars on the workbench. The aroma filled the air, and Goibniu's throat moved as he swallowed. "Good lad! This old man didn't look after you for nothing. Next time you need something forged, just come to me."
"Don't worry, I won't be shy," Roy laughed. The importance of staying on good terms with a master blacksmith—especially a Divine Smith—couldn't be overstated.
As the group left, Daphne and Cassandra happily stroked their new gear. Even the ice-cold Miss Ryu had a faint smile on her delicate lips. Suddenly, Roy paused. A system panel popped up before him.
[Host's Level and Ability Points have reached the standard. Special Skill Awakened: Divine Descent!]
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (378 Chapter – Ongoing)
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