Now, while trouble would always occupy the minds of the pillars of the Empire, even they knew that sometimes, one must pause and celebrate a few milestones.
Like earning six hundred seventy-seven billion star coins (677 billion) in a single auction.
Even after giving thirty percent of the profit to the Mylors, who would receive a staggering 203.1 billion star coins, Luca would still walk away with 473.9 billion star coins.
But the money-grubber himself, in a display of gratitude and absolute consideration, had even been telling the Mylors to increase their commission rate. Marquis Mylor had promptly refused, horrified at the suggestion.
Honestly, that auction had gone so far beyond their expectations that the man was ready to ban Luca from generosity altogether.
And really, if it were up to the Mylor couple, they would not have asked for a single coin. šš»ššššš«š£š¤šššµ.šš¤š¢
The amount of food that had gone into their stomachs alone, courtesy of Lucaās endless hospitality, would have bankrupted them several times over if they had to pay for lodging and meals.
In fact, they might have needed to start doing odd jobs just to pay for everything Ollie had eaten over the past few months. And that didnāt even include all the resources and benefits their child had received. Thankfully, Owen managed to land a contractāotherwise, their family would probably be out on the streets if they had to pay for everything!
So when Luca called them to mention it again, they ended the call immediately before he could insist on giving them more money.
After all, who wanted to see that poor boy wilt at the thought of a disappearing Star Coin?
No one.
Especially not when Luca had just started humming.
"Mmmāmmāmm~āŖ"
He was positively radiant as he realized that they had successfully made money today. Heād even been so excited that he suggested having dinner to celebrate the auctionās successāand to welcome the newly initiated Nox couple, who had been utterly swamped after learning far too many important truths about Luca and the dungeon space.
Learning about mass production efforts and seeing the dungeon-linked space with their own eyes had finished them off.
The Minister, in particular.
The man had fought valiantly against every mental breakdown so far, but this time, he had fallen.
"My Lord!" Luca yelped, darting forward just in time to catch the Ministerās shoulder as the man staggered forward. "Are you alright? I thought youād be fineāyou lasted the longest out of everyone!"
Marquise Evelyn only laughed, fanning her husbandās face. "Thatās exactly why he collapsed, dear. Earlier, he was likely thinking of ways to secure the secret. But after seeing the scale of your mass production, he probably realized itās too late. Itāll explode in everyoneās faces soon enough. And heāll be the one hearing complaints about beneficiaries, administrative control, and whether the Imperial Family should take over the entire operation."
"Ohhh..."
Luca looked genuinely guilty. "That... sounds like a lot of work."
He hesitated, scratching his cheek shyly. "Umm, My Lady... would it be less work if I were part of the Imperial Family?"
"Huh?"
Marquise Evelyn blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Oh... well..." Lucaās voice trailed off, the blush on his face deepening until he resembled a ripe cherry.
"Marquise Evelyn!" Princess Nina piped up proudly before he could say more. "Itās because Brother Chipmunk is my Big Brotherās wife! So heās family!"
Marquise Evelyn froze.
Her eyes slowly moved from the smug little princess to the Empress, who gave a serene nod of confirmation, then back to Luca, who was practically a giant, blushing bundle of nerves with a face.
Finally, she looked over at her husband, who was still half-conscious. "Your Majesty," she said carefully to the Empress, "you mentioned thereās a medical bay, correct? I think we should go there before we tell Kordell."
"Huh? King Garick?!" Lucaās eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean Princess Kiraās father?"
"The one and only!" Ollie said between deep breaths. "As part of courtesy, we had to send invitations to high-ranking nobles, including the royal houses. But we never really expected replies, especially not from kings. Usually, they donāt respond unless itās a massive, high-profile event. And mostly itās when they want a particular kind of reception or consideration."
"And this time?"
"This time," Ollie said, straightening dramatically, "we actually got a response! And not just thatāit came with a package! It arrived late too, right after the auction ended, which makes it even weirder. Thatās exactly why I think somethingās up with this response!"
Luca blinked twice, startled. "Where? Show me."
"Meeting room. Dungeon-linked space," Ollie said with urgency. "Princess Kiraās already there and weāve also called over the others!"
The two brothers rushed off together, Lucaās mind raced as they teleported to the dungeon-linked space. When they arrived at the meeting room, they found it already full.
Everyone else had gathered.
This time, though, instead of just the leaders of House Kyros, the Mylors, and the members of their guild, there were also representatives of the Imperial Family, like the Empress and the members of House Nox.
The atmosphere was oddly serious, as though they had all been mid-discussion.
"Did something happen?" Luca asked carefully, glancing from face to face.
Xavier, who had clearly been waiting for him, turned to explain. "Weāre just getting everyone up to speed on what happened with the Orcs while we were waiting for you."
"Oh." Luca nodded, visibly relieved. For a second, he had imagined something catastrophic.
Then again, what wouldnāt be terrifying if Lucaās version of "catastrophic" was in effect?

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