The Greatest Sinner

"Kid, Have you bought everything I said?" Sitreg asked earnestly.

It was extremely important to him that he had all the materials he needed. Otherwise, he would not be able to make Evan's idea a reality.

The young man nodded and said contentedly: "Don't worry, everything is perfectly fine and more over."

"А?" Sitreg didn't understand what Evan meant, but the next moment he understood.

Whoosh.

Evan pulled out a small, green hammer with a black handle and said: "I've decided that you need the proper tools to make good gear, so now it's yours."

On the one hand, it might have seemed like Evan was being too generous and it wasn`t worth giving such expensive gifts to a man you barely knew. However, Evan didn't buy the hammer out of the goodness of his heart.

For one thing, Sitreg's hammer was no good. Evan didn't want it to fail because the blacksmith had bad tools. This way he could strengthen his relationship with blacksmith, it would boost Sidreg`s spirits and motivation.

Sitreg said nothing for a while, but after a few seconds, he frowned and muttered: "It was no need to spend the extra money. I've got great tools and don't think I'm going to thank you for it."

Evan only smiled in response and said one last word: "Okay, old man. Well, I won't bother you any more. Wait for me tomorrow from the auction."

After these words, Evan quickly left the old forge and left Sitreg alone.

...

<So, now we need to get more money.> Evan knew that with the small amount of money he had now, there was no point in going to the auction. So, the young man headed straight for Marcel's estate.

He had left less than a day ago and Zak should still be there. Evan was sure that Zak wouldn't mind giving him some gold coins for the auction.

Evan got to Marcel's estate fairly quickly. The guards let Evan through without any problems and he found himself at the grounds of the manor.

Evan didn't know where to look for Zak, so he decided to head for the tea house that was closest to the exit. If Zak got tired of emptying Marcel's kitchen, he would decide to get properly drunk, so that was where Evan went.

The area around Marcel's mansion looked luxurious. Evan could not even imagine how much all those fountains, artificial ponds, intricate gardens and parks cost.

Compared to Zak's mansion, Marcel's estate looked many times more respectable. Of course, the reason was not that Zak did not have enough money or that he did not care about the condition of his house. It was just that Marcel was meticulous and careful about his home.

Oddly enough, Evan's assumption turned out to be correct and there really was someone in the tea party house.

"Evan? You're back so early, have you forgotten something?" Marcel said calmly without distracting himself from reading his book.

"Well... Mr. Marcel, where Zak is? I need to talk to him." Evan wasn't surprised to find Marcel here, but he was a little confused not to find Zak.

"Unfortunately, he's gone. It's not like him, usually he completely empties the whole kitchen before he thinks about leaving. Nevertheless, this time he came home rather quickly. Perhaps, he had some things to do." Slowly Marcel said while flipping a page of a book.

<Damn. Do I have to go back to Zak's manor? I'll waste a lot of time... Wait a minute, though. They say cheek brings success, don't they?

"Mr. Marcel, can I ask you something?" Evan said seriously.

Marcel took a sip of wine from his crystal glass and said with a slight smile on his face: "Sure, I`m glad to help."

"Do you know where and when the auction will be held and how much money is needed if I want to buy a few things?" Evan decided not to ask Marcel to help him with the money right away. He decided to bring it up carefully.

Hearing his words, Marcel closed the book and put it aside.

"And where did you manage to find out about the auction in half a day? Well, it's not that important. The auction will be held at the auction house, which belongs to the Erden family, today at midnight. But I can't answer the question of how much money you need. The lots will vary, as will the bids. However, if you have less than a thousand gold coins, it's definitely not worth going to such an event."

<At midnight? Yes, and still at least a thousand gold coins... Why did the old man say the auction was tomorrow?!>.

Evan was surprised that the auction would happen so soon. There were less than twelve hours to go. Nevertheless, time was not the main issue. Evan needed to get the money, and urgently.

"Evan, is something bothering you?" Marcel said quietly, looking closely at Evan.

"Oh, no, nothing like that. I was just a little surprised that the auction would start at midnight. I was told it would be held tomorrow."

"You were told all the right things. Because technically, the auction will start right after the current day is over."

Evan wanted to say something, but Marcel beat him to it.

"We can go together if you want. After all, it would be a rewarding experience for you. Of course, I'll pay for you if you like something. It's my duty to help the younger generation."

Marcel's voice was pleasant and friendly, as if he, not Evan, would benefit from this offer.

In fact, Marcel was interested in Evan. The young man was able to defeat Fien in a one-on-one fight, even though the girl had an expensive Catalyst.

Marcel thought Fien was a genius and he was pretty sure he was. Most interestingly, he didn't see any genius in Evan. Evan had prevailed in the duel because of his spirit, crazy and inexplicable. That's what Marcel was curious about.

"Oh, thank you. I will not turn down such an opportunity. Do you know how to get to the auction?"

"That's a rather silly question, because obviously I've been personally invited there by the heads of the two Families. You and I will have the best seats, so enjoy this evening to the fullest." Marcel spoke up slowly.

"Are we going just the two of us? Should I call for Zak?" Evan asked puzzled.

In response, Marcel waved his hand elegantly, "You shouldn't. The last time I was with Zack at an event like this, he almost got kicked out. How can I put it... he does what he wants to do."

Evan smiled broadly: "And isn't that wonderful?"

Marcel nodded in response: "Of course, you have to let your desires run wild. However, if you want to buy the things you want, you'd better not take any chances."

"Okay, I get it."

"Ah, yes Evan. Don't think I'm being rude, but I will have one requirement." Marcel said, smiling.

Evan was wary, "What kind of requirement?"

"Don't take it so seriously. We're going to the auction at midnight, so I want you dressed appropriately-that's my requirement."