CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 324 - THE BID WE MADE TOGETHER

Perhaps some would call it harsh, or simply being realistic. But that was how Atlas thought. He didn’t wander around saving every person who needed help. It wasn’t because he lacked compassion, or because he was cruel.

Atlas did care. At least for those under his command. That much was clear from the way he treated his people. He respected them, gave them the freedom to serve him or return to the lower lands if that was what they desired.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help others, especially in cases like this Fae girl, whose fate now hung in the balance, decided by whoever placed the highest bid. The truth was simpler, Atlas just didn’t have the capacity to take on everything. His priority had to remain on survival: his own, and that of the people who had chosen to stand beside him.

And then there was the matter of funding. The amount required to claim the Fae girl was far beyond what he could handle right now. Even as he watched, the price continued to climb to absurd heights.

Luna, however, was different. Her alliance had been founded on compassion. She had helped countless new Lords survive, even extending her hand to Atlas back when she knew almost nothing about him. She did it not out of strategy, but out of genuine care. A wish to see others stand and survive.

The irony, of course, was that those she helped could one day become her enemies if fate placed them on opposite sides of a battlefield.

Was that unrealistic? Illogical? Perhaps. But every mind worked differently. Atlas thought in terms of logic, gain and loss, strategy, and the efficient use of his resources and people. Luna, on the other hand, sought harmony. She believed in ideals that most would call unrealistic. And yet, she never stopped trying to make them real.

And the truth was... she had succeeded. She had saved more lords and people than anyone could have expected, and in return, those people formed a loyal, solid alliance around her. One strong enough to thrive, and even strong enough to bring Atlas into its fold.

The host’s voice boomed across the hall, excitement echoing with every number he called. "Sixty million! Sixty-two! Sixty-four. Oh, it’s still climbing! Sixty-five million! Anyone else brave enough to go higher?!"

And right then, Luna pressed the button, "Sixty-six million!"

"Sixty-six million!" the host repeated in a thunderous tone. "A powerful bid! Do we have anyone who dares to top that?"

Atlas turned to Luna, noticing the tension written all over her face. She looked nervous but determined.

Ember chuckled softly when she saw Atlas’s expression. "No one can stop Luna once she’s set her mind on helping someone, Atlas. That’s just how she is."

Atlas nodded slowly. "But are you sure you have enough funds to back that bid, Luna?"

Luna nodded with quiet confidence. "The girls have agreed to support this. Each of them is willing to contribute at least one to five million."

Atlas nodded again, realizing that Luna had already coordinated with other Lords in their alliance to pool resources for this cause.

"I’m sorry, Atlas," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "This doesn’t go against the alliance’s authority, does it?"

"No, of course not," Atlas replied calmly. "Everyone in our alliance is free to use their funds as they see fit. I have no right to control that, and we’ve all agreed to respect one another’s decisions."

He didn’t say anything more, though a quiet unease lingered in his mind. He couldn’t help but think about what might happen if this large bid drained their shared resources. What consequences it could bring. But Ember was right; Luna couldn’t be swayed once she decided to act.

And Atlas wasn’t the kind of person to change her way of thinking, either.

The host’s voice rang out again, shaking the hall. "Seventy million UGD! The stakes are rising higher than ever! Do we have another contender?!"

Luna hesitated, her confidence wavering for the first time, while Ember fell silent beside her, the tension thick in the air.

How far would they go to push this bid, to help this Fae girl? Would all their effort truly be worth it in the end?

The host’s voice thundered across the hall. "Seventy-five million! And still climbing, ladies and gentlemen! Do we have anyone else bold enough to go higher?!"

Luna’s hands trembled slightly, but she pressed forward. "Seventy-six."

"Seventy-six million!" the host echoed enthusiastically. "An incredible bid. But wait, we have another! Eighty million UGD! The stakes keep rising! Who’s still in this fight?!"

At that moment, Atlas leaned slightly toward Edrik, speaking quietly. They had discussed this kind of situation before.

Then, he spoke aloud, "Thirty million, Luna."

Both Luna and Ember turned toward him, surprised.

"Thirty million," Atlas repeated. "I can contribute that much if you’re determined to push further."

Luna tilted her head slightly, confusion written across her face.

"Why?" Ember asked, narrowing her eyes. "Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in that girl?"

Atlas let out a heavy sigh. "Can you stop talking for a moment, Ember?"

His tone carried a hint of frustration. "No, I mean, Edrik already ran the numbers. We have plenty of items and materials, both from battles and from harvesting, that don’t hold much long-term value for us. If we sell them all, it’ll easily amount to tens of millions of UGD. I can recover at least thirty million after this auction ends, no problem. So, I’ll use my remaining thirty million now to contribute. That’s it. You can continue the bid."

The host’s voice boomed again, shaking the room. "Eighty-three million UGD! Do we stop here? Any more bids, anyone? This might be your last chance! Going once! Going twice!"

"Atlas, but—" Luna hesitated.

"We don’t have time!" Atlas pressed. "Do it now, before I change my mind!"

Atlas slammed his hand down on the button in front of Luna. "Eighty-four!"

"Eighty-four million UGD!" the host roared with excitement. "Do we have anyone else willing to go higher? Eighty-four million. This might be the final call!"

Atlas turned to Luna, speaking steadily, his tone firm but gentle. "Let’s take thirty million from you, but don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll handle another thirty, and we’ll let the other Lords contribute evenly afterward."

Luna’s voice trembled as she responded, "You know this isn’t your responsibility as the alliance leader, right? You need those funds for yourself."

"I know," Atlas said, nodding slightly. "But I’m not going to let you make a decision that endangers you or the others. We grow together, share the burden, share the victory. Everyone has their own share of responsibility, and that’s the commitment I stand by. We’ll need each other in the future. So yes, we move forward together. This isn’t just your decision. It’s mine too."

The host raised his hand, calling out once more. "Eighty-four million going once! Going twice! Any more?"

A few tense seconds passed, but no one spoke.

"Sold! Eighty-four million UGD!" the host finally declared.

Atlas exhaled deeply, leaning back in his seat. "Ah, damn it... finally stopped at eighty-four."