CHAPTER 327: CHAPTER 327 - ONE LAST GLANCE

The host’s voice rose again. "What you see before you is no ordinary relic, it is said to be the preserved eye of a Wind Dragon! According to ancient myths, whoever consumes the eye of a dragon will gain rejuvenation, extended life, and even inherit fragments of the dragon’s elemental power. Legends speak of mortals who ascended beyond their limits through this act. Though few ever lived to tell the tale! Now, let’s open the bidding at thirty million UGD!"

"Is that... correct, Edrik?" Atlas asked quietly.

Edrik cleared his throat once. "The information they presented is both true and false at the same time, my lord."

Everyone turned toward him as he continued. After all, dragons were creatures of myth in their world, none of them had ever seen one. Perhaps their distant kin, like drakes or wyverns, still roamed certain lands, but true dragons were believed to be non-existent.

"Dragons," Edrik explained calmly, "are beings of extraordinary magical and elemental affinity. They are born strong, far stronger than most races, even at birth. Their numbers have always been few, and their lifespans extremely long. However, even in the worlds where they exist, they tend to live in seclusion, rarely interacting with others. They spend their time hidden away, preserving their existence. It’s a common trait among long-lived races, unlike humans who seek constant growth and conflict."

Atlas and the others listened intently. Every word felt like rare knowledge, truths that few had ever heard.

"The most likely explanation," Edrik continued, "is that this dragon was discovered within a dungeon. That is still possible. But a greater likelihood is that it came from... another world entirely."

"Another world?" Atlas repeated, his brow furrowing.

His thoughts immediately drifted toward Elyndra, who had come from a world called... What was it again? Yunatea.

"Is it possible," Atlas asked, turning toward the Fae girl, "that the dragon this eye belonged to came from the same person, or the same place, that brought you here?"

Elyndra shook her head gently. "No, my lord. I do not know that much... and I cannot confirm it."

"Okay. That’s fine," Atlas said softly, then looked back at Edrik. "Go on, Edrik."

"Parts of a dragon indeed possess remarkable properties," Edrik continued calmly. "When combined with other materials, they can be used to craft powerful equipment, or refined into rare potions and elixirs. However, such processes require exceptional skill and deep knowledge. Simply roasting it and eating it would achieve almost nothing of value."

Ember chuckled softly. "We’ve really learned a lot of new things tonight thanks to you, Edrik. First about the Fae, and now dragons."

Edrik bowed slightly. "I’m glad if any of this knowledge can be of use, Lady Ember. Sharing what I know is part of my duty, and I find joy in helping broaden our understanding."

Atlas and the others turned their focus back to the auction stage, watching as the bidding grew increasingly fierce. The price for the dragon relic climbed rapidly, soon reaching ninety-nine million UGD.

"This is insane," Atlas muttered under his breath, barely believing the number he saw. "Do you think whoever’s fighting for it actually knows how to use it properly?"

"That possibility cannot be dismissed, my lord," Edrik replied quietly.

Atlas murmured under his breath. "So far, the person I’ve heard talk the most about dragons is probably Karian. Even some of his talents use their name. Like Dragon’s Will, or that massive greatsword of his, Dragonfang Cleaver. He once even joked that he killed a Fire Dragon and ate both its eye... and its genitals."

"Yiek..." Ember grimaced, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "I swear, Karian would eat anything that moves."

Edrik gave a short bow. "Yes, my lord. We could actually learn something from him. I believe his longevity came from absorbing a dragon’s essence. It’s likely what granted him his high Fire Affinity, and its advanced forms. If he ever obtains another upgrade, I’m certain he’ll unlock even more dragonfire abilities."

"Interesting," Atlas said, smiling faintly. "I’m sure Karian would lose his mind if he saw a dragon’s eye like that. But of course, we’re not about to spend a fortune just to buy him a snack that wouldn’t even fill him for one meal."

Edrik allowed himself a small smirk. "Indeed, my lord. Karian’s appetite has always been... excessive."

Moments later, the auction finally slowed. The bidding stopped at an astonishing one hundred and two million UGD. No one dared to go higher. The mysterious dragon relic was sold to a Lord whose identity remained unknown. Someone willing to pay a fortune for power beyond understanding.

Though there were still a few items left to be auctioned, Atlas and Luna decided to leave early, avoiding the rush of other Lords who would soon exit as well. Encounters in neutral zones like this were never pleasant; without the System’s rules to impose order, clashes between Lords could easily turn disastrous.

They made their way back to their hotel room, planning to rest for the night and depart the city by morning.

Perhaps only Edrik remained awake that night, finalizing all the sales transactions for the items previously discussed with Atlas. By the time he was done, he had secured a total of 34,000 gold. A substantial amount by any measure.

Fortunately, the materials required to construct the Skybreaker Ballista were not particularly rare. Atlas already possessed everything needed to build it. All that remained was the time and effort to assemble the structure, which, if everything went smoothly, would be completed well before the next Lord Battle season began.

The next morning, only Luna, Ember, Edrik, Elyndra, and Atlas were gathered in the room.

Atlas took out the Soulbinding Armor he had kept and handed it to Elyndra. "Try activating it," he said. Everyone else sat nearby, watching curiously to see how the armor would respond to her.

The Fae girl gently held the cube in her hands. A moment later, it began to glow with intertwining hues of soft green and radiant gold. The light pulsed, then spread upward, merging into her body in a swirl of magic.

Before their eyes, the light reshaped itself into a sleek set of armor. Elegant white plates trimmed with gold, shaped with smooth, flowing lines that resembled ethereal feathers. The armor shimmered faintly with light magic, wrapping her in a protective grace. A translucent mantle flowed behind her like woven air, completing the divine image.

"Wow... the design is so beautiful," Ember said in awe.

Elyndra looked astonished as she examined herself, turning her arms slightly as if afraid to touch the gleaming armor. Then she smiled softly and bowed toward Atlas. "My lord..." she hesitated, still sounding unsure.

"What about the grade?" Atlas asked, leaning forward.

"It’s... Legendary-grade," she answered quietly.

"What?!"

Everyone froze, disbelief spreading through the room. Atlas immediately stood and stepped closer.

"Legendary-grade?!"

Elyndra nodded and smiled faintly.

Atlas blinked, then broke into a grin. "Oh, this is our first Legendary-grade armor set! Nice, congratulations, Elyn!"

Elyndra bowed deeply, her tone filled with gratitude. "Thank you, my lord. I am truly honored by this gift. I promise to use this armor to the best of my ability. To serve you and protect those under your command. Please allow me to prove worthy of your trust."

Atlas nodded, clearly pleased. "I’m glad to hear that. I’m sure you’ll be a huge help later. There’s also Lyrassa on the island. She’s our main support role. I’m confident the two of you will work well together."

"Thank you, my lord," Elyndra said softly, bowing once more.

The four Beast Masters Atlas had recruited earlier had already departed ahead of them for Gacha Haven. That was why Serenith wasn’t with the group that morning.

All affairs had been settled. Atlas had accomplished everything he came to the city for, and more. Not only had he secured the items he needed, but he had also gained several unexpected opportunities along the way, things he hadn’t even imagined when he first arrived.

Next, of course, would come the real challenge: unlocking the full potential of everything he had obtained. That would take time, effort, and preparation, but Atlas was used to long roads and hard work.

By early morning, Luna and Ember had already prepared their own vehicle, while Atlas readied his as well. Their massive land rovers rumbled to life, then glided smoothly out through the city gates.

But as the walls of the city faded behind them, one question lingered.

Was their business here truly finished?