Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

The voice sounded a bit lazy, as if the speaker didn't really care how much money it cost.

It was just a tentative bid.

Upon hearing the offer, many people—especially those on the first floor—looked astonished, as if they were watching a wasteful millionaire.

Spending a hundred million on something with unknown effects was madness.

Even if it were a Smooth Rock, it wouldn't be worth even half of that.

"One hundred and one million!" However, just when everyone thought Cain would win the item, another person spoke.

Upon hearing the new offer, Cain frowned.

Could it be that someone else knew about the Mega Stone?

Another bid!

The people in the room stopped whispering.

They were starting to consider whether the item actually had value; otherwise, there wouldn't be two people bidding for it.

Cain didn't speak immediately, since bidding again now might attract more attention.

The person who had spoken before was probably just trying their luck.

Maybe someone did recognize what that item really was.

For now, he would place just one bid and observe whether the other party truly knew its value. If they did, they would definitely continue bidding.

But now he was in a bind. After placing his offer, no one else spoke.

Had he just made himself the biggest fool of all?

What if the person who made the bid was a Team Rocket plant?

A series of complicated thoughts flooded his mind.

Not just in his head, but in many others as well.

"One hundred and one million, going once..."

"One hundred and two million!" The hostess had already raised her little hammer when Cain spoke again.

His eyes, hidden beneath the black cloak, locked onto the person who had made the previous offer, someone also seated in a private box.

If that person bid again, Cain wouldn't continue bidding, since that would draw even more attention and make things harder.

But if the other bidder won the auction, Cain would do everything possible to find them later.

That Mega Stone had to be his!

Even if it meant resorting to force.

However, seeing how long Cain took to place a new bid, the other bidder lost interest and secretly sighed in relief.

Bidding that much was too risky—better not play with fire.

To Cain, the Riolu egg might be considered a gamble, but this Mega Stone was a sure win, with no risk.

"One hundred and two million, going once... going twice... sold! Congratulations once again to this gentleman on his purchase." Cain had already bought several items at this auction, and the hostess had announced his seat number more than once.

Hidden beneath his cloak, Cain let out a sigh of relief.

If not for avoiding attention, he would have been willing to pay even five hundred million for it.

Now that the hammer had fallen, as long as he could pay, there would be no issues.

And in the worst-case scenario, he could reveal his true identity. With Giovanni's influence, hardly anyone would dare to withhold his purchase.

Thinking this, Cain wondered, "Should I inform Giovanni? Or would that leave a bad impression?"

Although Giovanni might not care, Cain still had to handle it carefully.

"And now we move on to the final item of the auction, the centerpiece of the entire event! I'm sure many of you came just for this."

At last, the awkward penultimate auction had come to an end, and the hostess wanted to close that chapter quickly.

Those above might not care, but she, standing on the stage, felt embarrassed.

The final item.

Everyone in the private boxes paid attention.

There were many powerful figures at the auction, like the Drako family, who had arrived in secret.

And they weren't the only ones.

They just didn't want to reveal their identities.

With their status, of course, they already knew in advance what the final auction item was.

But most attendees on the main floor didn't know.

Cain didn't either, but his interest was already piqued.

In fact, the Dratini egg already had enough value to be the event's star item, so what could be so indisputably superior?

In a private box reserved for Team Rocket on the fourth floor, Archer finished his glass of wine in one go as he saw the penultimate auction come to a close.

"Mr. Xerosic, it looks like someone has taken your item."

Xerosic waved a hand. "I was just trying my luck. To be honest, our lab still has a few of those things left, but we don't know exactly what they're for."

Archer nodded and stood up. "Alright, we'll talk details later. Now it's my turn. Ariana, Proton, make sure Mr. Xerosic is well taken care of." With that, he walked out at a calm pace.

Ariana and Proton rolled their eyes.

Archer acted like he was their superior.

But Xerosic truly did deserve respect. His combat suits were excellent, and if Team Rocket bought in bulk, the first ones to benefit would be the four great armies—his subordinates.

If Team Rocket equipped everyone with those special suits, their combat power would increase drastically.

Although Team Rocket was currently retreating, sooner or later they would face the League. Now was the time to gather strength.

They trusted that their leader, Giovanni, wouldn't remain in the shadows forever.

On the central stage.

The final item was brought out, but this time there was no security team escorting it. Only one person elegantly pushed it forward.

It was Archer, who had just descended from the upper floors.

The hostess bowed to him respectfully.

All the Team Rocket members in the room stood at attention and shouted in unison:

"Mr. Archer!"

From the discipline and intensity of their voices, it was clear that most of those present were members of Archer's army, one of Team Rocket's four great armies.

A show of authority.

Smiling, Archer took the microphone from the hostess.

"Thank you all for attending this auction. I'm sure many of you are eager to know what the final item is. I won't say more. See for yourselves!"

With that, he lifted the red cloth from the tray.

It was a Poké Ball.

What Pokémon could be rarer than a Dratini with Extreme Speed?

No one doubted its value. The fact that Archer was presenting it personally said it all.

Smiling even more, Archer took a deep breath and announced:

"Let's move on to the final auction! Inside this Poké Ball is one of the Three Legendary Birds: Moltres!"

Boom!

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

Even Cain, who had remained calm the entire time, stood up in shock.

(End of Chapter)