"1 billion!"
Ross casually offered his price, ignoring the bystanders who were completely stunned.
Today's auction was forced upon the slave auction house by him.
Even if he offers a higher price today, he won't pay a single penny.
What's wrong with being a high-ranking official and engaging in double-crossing?
"1.1 billion!!! Saint Ross, don't be so arrogant!"
Rosward was shouting and yelling in a huff, but the price eventually slowed down.
He paid with real money, but spending too much would damage the Celestial Dragons' image.
Most importantly, if word gets out, his clansmen will say he's a penniless pauper.
"1.5 billion!"
Ross ignored Saint Rosward completely. He interacted with idiots too much, but it's easy for him to become idiotic himself.
"Alright, alright, Saint Ross, I'll give you this piece of junk toy."
Rosward sat down dejectedly and didn't bid again.
His total assets were only 5 billion Berries. He fought tooth and nail with Saint Ross at the beginning, but later he could only watch.
"1.5 billion...sold!"
The auctioneer's joyful shouts ignited the atmosphere in the room to its fullest extent.
[B-rank defeat achieved!]
[Strength +100,000]
[Special Reward: Conqueror's Haki (Rank B)]
Does that count as a defeat?
[Host: Ross]
[Strength: 110163/300000 (C-, Rear Admiral of the Headquarters)]
Overall Rating: A (Relying entirely on one's status when traveling abroad)
Skills: Marksmanship (E), Physical Combat (C), Conqueror's Haki (B)
Ross clenched his fists, feeling the immense power surging within them, and was incredibly excited.
That's way too easy.
He doesn't even need to defeat them physically, which gives him a lot more room to maneuver.
And
Ross was particularly excited as he felt the small but extremely domineering power within his body.
If the timing hadn't been inappropriate, he would have liked to unleash his Conqueror's Haki and experience its power.
Composing himself, Ross looked at Zephyr with a smile:
"Admiral Zephyr, consider this my first gift. In return, you'll betray your principles and fight for me once. How about this deal?"
"You knew I recognized him?" Zephyr frowned slightly.
"Admiral Zephyr, you powerful figures never seem to know how to control your emotions. Your killing intent is practically written all over your face," Ross said with a smile.
"Okay! I promise you!"
Zephyr's expression softened slightly, and he readily agreed.
Ross already had the authority to command him, and that was his future job.
Taking action when it's morally wrong gives him an excuse.
All Celestial Dragons have an evil side, and Zephyr was also curious about what evil was in Ross's heart.
Zephyr no longer cares about evil; he's willing to sacrifice an equal number of civilians to kill all the pirates.
Since the deaths of his wife and children, and since receiving daily lists of his former students' deaths during the Great Pirate Era, he has ceased to be a hero.
In this messed-up world, he can't be anyone's hero.
After Ross made his first move, he got involved in almost every subsequent pirate auction.
It wasn't about currying favor with Zephyr; it was simply about getting Rosward to spend more money.
He can't rob Rosward, but he can rob the auction house.
"200 million!"
"400 million!!! Saint Ross, are you out of money?! Keep going! Hahahaha!"
Rosward's mocking laughter echoed throughout the arena, but Ross ignored it, instead sporting a smile.
This was his 10th bid, and Rosward also submitted 10 bids.
Each time, Rosward doubled his price, buying slaves for at least 400 to 500 million.
These slaves were originally estimated to be worth only around 100 million.
The auctioneer and organizers were all smiles.
"As expected, it's great that all our kind are idiots..."
Ross chuckled, looking at Rosward as if he were a walking ATM.
Unexpectedly, participating in the auction not only solved Zephyr's problem, but also earned him a large sum of extra money.
There are still more good people than bad in this world.
"Now, please welcome our final auction item!"
As the host shouted, a row of women of varying ages were brought out.
Most of them are pretty and it's clear they haven't done any dirty or strenuous work, so their living conditions must have been pretty good before.
"Please allow me to introduce the items up for auction. These people are all Marine officers and the wives and daughters of two rear admirals!"
These words caused a sensation throughout the room.
Zephyr stood up with a ferocious expression, ready to attack the host.
"Of course, we wouldn't dare sell the families of legitimate Marine officers, nor would we treat those noblewomen as slaves. Those officers and admirals were Marine defectors, and their families were implicated and reduced to slavery, which is why this auction is being held."
The host quickly offered an explanation, though this wasn't the first time they'd sold slaves of similar status; if the explanation wasn't clear, their auction house would be in serious trouble.
"A Marine traitor?"
Zephyr frowned, pondering where this Rear Admiral-level traitor had come from recently.
During the Great Pirate Era, many Marines chose to defect due to dissatisfaction with their treatment, but Marine traitors at the Rear Admiral level were extremely rare, let alone the two who did.
"Tell me more about defection!"
Ross smiled, his voice drowning out the murmurs of the crowd.
He was overjoyed when he learned that there was a group of Marine family slaves here.
With Rosward's endorsement of Ross's Celestial Dragon status, even though most people didn't want to hear it, no one dared to say a word, and everyone remained silent.
The host dared not remain silent, but he knew little of the inside story and could only look to the person in charge on the sidelines for help.
"Let me explain this matter," the person in charge said, stepping onto the stage. "Not long ago, Vice Admiral Jaguar D. Saul defected. During his defection, many Marine personnel helped him out of old friendships, which slowed down the Marine's process of capturing the traitor."
"The actions of these Marine personnel were investigated by the CP organization, and all of them were sentenced to death. Their families also lost the protection of the Marine, but we were fortunate enough to receive it."
After hearing the person in charge recount the incident, Zephyr's expression shifted dramatically.
He wanted to save these people, but he didn't know what reason to use.
It is a fact that these women's husbands or fathers defected to the Marine, and it is also a fact that they helped Marine traitors. He is not yet clear about the negative consequences that occurred during this period.
However, Zephyr simply couldn't bear to watch his former colleagues' families being auctioned off as slaves.
His wife and children died at the hands of pirates, which is why he can better understand the pain of family members suffering tragedy.
"Saint Ross..."
Zephyr's voice was hoarse, and his eyes were bloodshot as he looked at Ross.
He rarely asks for favors, but for the sake of these strangers, he is willing to ask the Celestial Dragons in front of him for help today.
"Perfect timing, I need some servants to clean the palace."
Ross chuckled and, meeting Zephyr's relieved and grateful gaze, shouted:
"1.5 billion!"
The moment the sound was uttered, the entire room fell silent.
The Celestial Dragons have made their bid, and even if the Celestial Dragons have some fancy ideas in their minds, they can only give up at this point.
Moreover, spending 1.5 billion to buy twenty or so slaves who aren't exactly stunning beauties isn't worth it at all.
"Hmph!"
Rosward snorted and turned his head away, arms crossed.
He only has 900 million Berries left, he can't afford to compete.
However, as long as he puts on a dismissive attitude, no one will know that he has no money; at most, they will just think that he is not interested.
Rosward, you are a true genius!