End of the Magic Era

‘Are they tired of living? Or is there another reason?’

Lin Yun couldn’t help becoming a bit interested as he thought of that, because he recalled that in that future disaster, the famous Flame Ruler managed to come out unscathed. ‘Is this related to that?’

As Lin Yun thought about these issues, the carriage they were riding reached the bustling Dragon Street.

This was the core of Okland, the most populated and crowded area. The Black Horn chamber of commerce, the Mercenary Guild, and many other forces converged there. This street was so huge that it could hold a few dozen carriages side by side. The street was filled with people and carriages, and in the middle stood a building that was ten floors tall. The Black Horn chamber of commerce was situated there, and right now, several dozen carriages were parked outside of it. Most of the carriages were emblazoned with crests, only a few of which Lin Yun actually recognized, but William gave out some introductions that made even Lin Yun gasp. A few of these forces were extremely famous.

“It looks like it’s too late…” William noticed the gates of the auction house being closed, with a dozen guards standing in front blocking the way. Okland’s Black Horn Auction was like this; before the auction started, anyone could enter, provided they had a crystal card from the Black Horn chamber of commerce. But once the auction started, guests wouldn’t be allowed in unless they had a high-status VIP card.

But only the upper echelons of Okland held such VIP cards. Let alone William, even the outstanding Ross or Aube, or going further, even the genius Stan Watson didn’t hold such a VIP card.

Someone like Lin Yun, who came from Thousand Sails City, would definitely not have such a card.

“Forget it, let me talk to the guards and see if they can be flexible for us…” William thought for a while, but couldn’t come up with any other solution, so he immediately strode off.

“You-” Lin Yun was about to tell William that he had a ring from Cadgar that should let them move through the Black Horn chamber of commerce unimpeded…

But William was too fast. Before Lin Yun could say anything, William had already approached them, so Lin Yun could only sigh.

After all, William wasn’t one of the more famous members of the Merlin Family, and he had left for Thousand Sails City for six months. He was bound to have been forgotten by many.

Such as the auction’s guards…

Lin Yun saw William wasting his time over there, smiling and talking for a while, only to be met with a poker face. Needless to say, he had been rejected.

Sure enough, not long after, William came back while cursing.

“Shit, these bastards are blind. He said that he could recognize all the Merlins, yet he doesn’t recognize me. Am I blurry today?”

“…” Lin Yun felt amused by this. William’s temper was very interesting… He could become so pissed because of a mere guard, no wonder he spent his days fighting with Faleau.

“Cousin, you should wait here. I’ll go fetch my father and use his VIP card. It’s unbelievable, I left Okland for half a year and I can’t even enter an auction…”

Rage filled William’s face. He said these words while climbing on the carriage, apparently planning to quickly fetch the VIP card.

“It’s fine, there is no need to go that far.” Lin Yun smiled as he beckoned. He was about to call out to the leader of the guards…

But he was interrupted by boisterous laughter coming from behind.

“Hahahaha, William Merlin, this is quite interesting. The auction has already started, yet you still stand outside. Do you like the scenery of Dragon Street?” A tall young man in his late twenties drew near. He wore flashy silver knight armor and carried a longsword sheath decorated with jewelry at his waist. He looked to be the kind of guy that would deceive ignorant girls. As he spoke, only sharp words came out of his mouth. “Well, well, William, what do you plan to do from the street… Could it be? You were stopped at the door? Hahaha, I haven’t seen you for years, but it looks like you still don’t have enough connections to get a VIP card of the Black Horn chamber of commerce. You are truly a stain to your Merlin Family’s reputation, hahaha…”

That person laughed at William while handing a crystal card to a guard.

Just as the guard took the crystal card, a respectful expression appeared on his face. He bowed to greet that young man before welcoming him in. When the angry William saw this, he almost burst out in anger. If not for Lin Yun pulling him back, William would have truly pounced on that man.

“Okay, calm down.” Lin Yun appeased William before taking the ring Cadgar had given him from his pocket and handing it to the leader of the guards. “Can we go in with this?”

“Ah?” The guard leader took the ring and was surprised at first, before his face suddenly became filled with shock. He looked closely at Lin Yun for a long time before using a respectful tone to say, “Sir, can you wait a moment? I… I need to ask my superior…”

“Alright, go ahead.”

“Thank you Sir, I’ll return immediately.” After saying that, the guard leader rushed inside under the suspicious gazes of his subordinates.

After walking a hundred meters, the guard paled. His heart was beating crazily fast because the ring in his hand was too important… It was too important for a mere guard leader like him. In fact, let alone a guard leader in charge of security, even those big shots of the Black Horn chamber of commerce wouldn’t have the qualifications to touch this ring.

He only knew a bit about because he had coincidentally heard some people talking about it before.

Now, he had to quickly report this matter to his higher-ups. Whether that ring was genuine or not, this matter had to be handled by the higher-ups of the Black Horn chamber of commerce.

Two minutes later, the guard leader reached the auction hall and whispered a few words in the ears of a young man. The young man listened calmly at first, before his eyes widened and he instantly got up. “Shit, take me to him, quick!”

After saying this, he didn’t wait for the guard’s reaction and apologized to his guests before hurriedly leaving the auction hall.

“Just now, Salen of the Charlotte Family seemed to have been quite disagreeable to them…” As they walked over together, the guard leader recounted the brief interlude to the young man.

“That idiot, Salen…” The young man’s eyes widened when he heard that. After cursing under his breath, he shook his head. “Forget it, we don’t have much relations with that idiot. It should be fine as long as we take care of our own matters.”

“Understood.”

As the two rushed outside, the young man put on a warm smiled and walked straight towards Lin Yun. “Greetings, High Mage Merlin. Welcome to our Black Horn chamber of commerce. I am one of the people in charge of today’s auction. You can call me Ritch. Nice to meet you, High Mage Merlin.”

“Hello, Ritch.” Lin Yun reached out his hand. “Well, I was thinking of participating in today’s Black Horn Auction, would this make things difficult for all of you?”

“Naturally not, High Mage Merlin, you are a most welcome VIP. If there is anything you require, the Black Horn chamber of commerce will do its best to satisfy your needs. If you wish to participate, I’ll immediately send someone to arrange the best private room…”

“There is no need to trouble yourself, I only want to take a look.” Lin Yun shook his head. He had received the highest treatment in Thousand Sails City, and while it made some things easier, it also gave him some headaches.

Each time Cadgar arranged a private room, he would continue with the sentence: “I wonder if Master Alchemist Merlin wants to entrust something to the Black Horn Auction?”

Thus, Lin Yun had no choice but to bring out some good stuff to repay that favor, once, twice, thrice… In the end, Cadgar got many good things from Lin Yun.

Lin Yun had come to watch today. He hadn’t decided whether he would buy something or not, so he promptly refused when that young man offered him the private room.

“Then I shall lead High Mage Merlin in…” The young man knew how to conduct himself, so he didn’t insist after hearing Lin Yun’s refusal. He was even more enthusiastic to lead Lin Yun inside.

The seat the young man arranged for Lin Yun was in the fifth row, next to five merchants. From William’s introductions, they were rich merchants in Okland, but although they were wealthy, they didn’t have high status. Those with high status were sitting in the private rooms on the upper floor.

After making arrangements for the two, the young man tactfully took his leave.

Firstly because he was worried that this important person wasn’t willing to be disturbed, and secondly because he had to report today’s matter to his superiors.

As a result, the young man barely got out of the auction hall when he bumped into the rushed Ross.

“Ross! You just arrived?” The young man had always had a very good relationship with Ross.