Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 105 - 20X for you Julius

The next week, the grand hall of the Draykar estate was crowded with Nobles, merchants, and collectors.The estate was filled, everyone was examining items displayed on tables and pedestals throughout the rooms. Paintings that had adorned Draykar walls for generations now bore price tags. Furniture, tapestries, jewelry, and rare books—all categorized, evaluated, and prepared for new ownership.

Chen Xing moved through the crowd, answering questions and noting bids. Though his expression remained neutral, inwardly he marveled at the spectacle. The complete liquidation of a noble house’s possessions was unprecedented.

"Is this truly everything?" asked Baroness Helenia, examining a delicate jade figurine. "Even family heirlooms?"

"Everything except certain documents retained for historical purposes," Chen Xing confirmed. "Lord Ambrose prefers a fresh beginning."

The baroness raised an eyebrow but said nothing more, turning back to the figurine.

Whispers followed Chen Xing as he moved through the hall. Most attendees had come out of curiosity as much as desire for acquisition.

"Lot thirty-seven," announced the auctioneer, a thin man with a surprisingly resonant voice. "A fourth-century ceremonial dagger, silver inlay with obsidian blade. Traditionally carried by the Head of house Draykar. Opening bid at fifty imperial crowns."

Hands rose throughout the room. The price climbed rapidly, eventually settling at nearly three hundred crowns—the symbolic value far outweighing the material worth.

Chen Xing made note of the buyer, a distant cousin of the Empress who collected historical weapons. Each sale was meticulously recorded, creating a map of where House Draykar’s possessions would scatter throughout the capital and beyond.

Near midday, a stir ran through the crowd as Julius Luminaris entered, accompanied by two attendants. He surveyed the proceedings, though his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Chen Xing approached with a formal bow. "Lord Luminaris, welcome to the auction. Is there something specific that interests you today?"

Julius’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Just observing this... unusual event. Though I understand the Draykar library includes several rare historical texts."

"Indeed. The rare manuscripts will be auctioned after the midday recess."

Julius nodded and moved toward the displayed books. Chen Xing watched him examine several volumes with evident interest before returning to oversee other aspects of the auction. freēnovelkiss.com

When the rare manuscript auction began, Julius bid on a collection of historical military treatises dating back to the Empire’s founding era. The bidding reached eight hundred crowns—a substantial sum even for such rare texts—when Chen Xing stepped forward.

"Lord Luminaris’s bid is noted at eight hundred," he announced clearly. "However, as representative of House Ambrose, I must inform you that any purchases by House Luminaris or its affiliates carry a special assessment of twenty times the final bid."

A shocked murmur ran through the crowd. Julius’s face darkened with fury.

"On what grounds?" he demanded.

Chen Xing smiled thinly. "House privilege, Lord Luminaris. The same privilege that allows a nobleman to set prices as he sees fit. Should you wish to complete your purchase, the total would be sixteen thousand imperial crowns."

Julius’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the hilt of his sword. For a moment, the hall held its collective breath, waiting to see if the powerful lord would lose his composure entirely.

Instead, he turned on his heel and strode from the hall, his attendants hurrying after him. A ripple of whispers and subdued laughter followed his exit.

The auction continued until late afternoon, with nearly every item finding a new owner. When the final lot sold—a set of silver dining utensils bearing the Draykar crest—Chen Xing closed his ledger with quiet satisfaction. The message had been sent, not just to Julius but to the entire nobility: House Ambrose would not be intimidated, and those who opposed it would pay a price.

------------------------------------------------------------------

As the final buyers departed with their acquisitions, a group of five individuals arrived at the Draykar estate’s front gates. Their brown robes marked them as members of the Terraformers Guild, specialists in magical demolition and construction.

Grim greeted them in the now-empty grand hall, its walls bare where paintings had hung for centuries.

"Master Ambrose," said the lead mage, a stout woman with calloused hands. "I’m Guildmaster Temri. We received your request for renovation work."

"Thank you for coming," Grim replied.

"Before we begin, I should ask what portions of the estate you wish to remodel." Temri produced a scroll and unrolled it to reveal the estate’s layout. "The east wing? The gardens? Perhaps the main hall?"

Grim met her gaze steadily. "The entire estate."

Temri blinked. "I... beg your pardon?"

"Everything," Grim clarified. "Every building, every foundation, every stone path and garden wall. I want it all removed."

The terraformers exchanged glances. The youngest looked alarmed, while the oldest—a gray-bearded man—seemed more intrigued than surprised.

"This is... unusual," Temri said carefully. "The Draykar estate has stood for many years."

"I’m aware of its history," Grim replied. "That’s precisely why it must go."

The old terraformer stepped forward. "Total demolition and earth-clearing would require significant power. We’d need to bring additional mages."

"Whatever resources you require, I’ll provide," Grim assured them. "Cost is not a concern."

Temri studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Very well. We’ll need to conduct a detailed survey before beginning."

"How soon can you begin the actual demolition?" Grim asked.

"Three days for the survey, then perhaps a week for the work itself, assuming we bring in additional specialists."

"Good. Begin tomorrow."

As the terraformers departed to prepare, Chen Xing approached, his ledger tucked under one arm.

"The auction exceeded expectations," he reported when they were alone. "Final tally: fifty-two thousand, six hundred and forty-seven imperial crowns, plus some favors."

Grim raised an eyebrow. "Considerably more than what they’re worth."

"People weren’t merely buying objects," Chen Xing observed. "They were purchasing pieces of history."

"And Julius’s reaction?"

A small smile touched Chen Xing’s lips. "Exactly as anticipated. His fury was... most satisfying to witness. The special assessment was particularly effective."

"Good." Grim walked to the window, gazing out at the estate grounds that would soon be transformed.

"The merchant guild negotiations are next, I presume."

Grim nodded. "Torren and Riva have agreed to meet tomorrow. With our new position controlling southern shipping routes."

"Will you take a hard position with them?" Chen Xing asked.

"They’re merchants," Grim replied. "They respect strength and profit, in that order. I intend to demonstrate both."

As night fell over the Draykar estate for one of the final times, Grim walked its empty corridors.

[Erasing a house’s legacy entirely,] the voice commented. [Some might call it excessive.]

"Some might," Grim agreed quietly. "Others would call it thorough."

[The terraformers were surprised. What will you build in its place?]

Grim paused at a window, gazing out at the moonlit grounds. "Something that serves House Ambrose’s future."