Chapter 534: Greenland Lethal weapon
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Reminiscing about that, Sheyan couldn’t help but feel that Governor Swann was truly a bold man; even daring to invite a merchant from a rival state. It was said that governors of this era had authority like kings, and it seemed like their wealth was truly not mere empty words.
If not for a hawk-like mighty officer like Norrington overseeing this port, Governor Swann would’ve already been acting with absolute unrestrain.
In the movie storyline, Governor Swann had been bent on facilitating the marriage between his daughter, Elizabeth, and Norrington. Most probably, it was due to the aforementioned reason. No matter how doctrinal Norrington was, he still wouldn’t lay hands on his father-in-law right?
Nevertheless, with the unexpected addition of an unrivalled tycoon like Fernandez in this auction, others would most probably have a hard time snatching away objects that he eyed.
This rival merchant would stir up a catfish effect in this auction, causing the originally still waters to ripple and ultimately churning up more profits for the auctioneers.
Brother Black alerted abruptly.
"The auction is about to begin."
Indeed, the noble Mister McKinnery gently hammered down his wooden mallet consecutively for three times, before he coughed and announced.
"I apologize for my rudeness. Dear guests, please maintain silence as the auction is about to commence."
The guests present cooperatively showered him with face, possibly for the sake of Governor Swann. In no time, the crowd quieted down. Even the rowdy pirates were no exception.
The blonde Yurena Swann, whose features resembled Elizabeth, then picked up a booklet beside her. With the sweetest of smiles, she announced.
"With the absence of Captain Norrington, of whom I heard is about to be promoted to Commodore, our unprecedented auction can successfully be held. Time is paramount, may I announce our very first auctioning article."
Silence overwhelmed the audience.
According to auctioning conventions, the very first and last article would be products of exorbitant value. For frequent guests of auctions, they naturally desired a great beginning as well as ending with a grand slam.
"Hey ho! Hey ho!" From the lateral door, several men heaved up a massive wooden chest while marching in.
A large platform was erected behind the host of this auction, which was usually used as a platform of praise during mass or worship. At this moment, the platform had been tidied up.
The guests spectated as 5-6 tanned slaves carried a wooden chest before placing it down onto the platform for the guests’ viewing pleasure.
The wooden chest landed with a muffled thump of a heavy load.
Then, its concealing wooden lid was flipped, revealing a deep-black, mechanical lethal weapon.
This weapon resembled a large harpoon forged with precise craftsmanship. Its exterior was dyed with muddy crow-black stains. Its first impression suggested it was covered in rush, but such a misconception could be dispelled upon closer examination.
Looking at that weapon alone, one could sense an inexhaustible fiendish aura emanating from it; as though it could conjure up countless invisible hands to grip a person’s throat!
"The Greenland Lethal weapon, a mechanism installed on a large harpoon gun forged nearly a century ago. Propelling forth with the might of machinery, this weapon is infused with mysterious black magic! Through its thirty year venture atop the whaling ship, The Jean, it slaughtered and claimed at least several thousands of whale souls. Not only does it possess lethal deadliness to the creatures of the sea, it can volley out phantoms of spirit whales against foes when raiding another ship; a terrifying harbinger of fear to sailors of ships."
"Regardless of hunting legendary beasts of the seas or fierce combat between ships, this harpoon gun exhibits the utmost of usefulness. I’m sure everyone has heard of the former captain of the infamous Queen Anne’s Revenge, it was this harpoon gun that shot him down."
Blondie Yurena spoke with a pleasant voice on stage, and actively enumerated great familiarity with these treasures.
"Of course, I must warn our dear patrons. This lethal harpoon gun can only be operated by a specialist who understands to relevant intrinsics. Otherwise, its user will suffer the backlash of its curse. Starting with a bidding price of 5,000 guineas, every raise at 1,000 guineas."
Instead, Sheyan took note of her ingenuity to omit the shooting range of that harpoon gun, which could possibly be its shortcoming. Comparing to cannons with firing ranges easily spanning few kilometres; even after enhanced with black magic, it would still be difficult for this harpoon gun to scale 800 metres. A mid range weapon obviously held certain awkwardness in such circumstances.
If not for the present semi-wrecked state of the Hill Maiden, Sheyan would definitely have bidded for the harpoon. That was because this harpoon gun could conjure out spirits of whales, that would throw the enemy’s ship into disarray; substantially decreasing the difficulty of naval boarding battles.
However with the current circumstances, Sheyan aimed to first settle the problem of his ship.
After hearing the starting auction bid, those guests who were initially interested immediately turned cold.
5,000 gold guineas was a sum sufficient to procure a brand new 3-masted merchant ship. Since a merchant ship didn’t require that many cannon ports like warships, its valuation was much lower.
Furthermore, one could minimally earn back 10,000 guineas profit before the expiry and scrapping of a merchant ship, if no mishaps happened in between. Hence, to both merchants and pirates who pursued profits, expending 5,000 guineas on this weapon wouldn’t be a wise choice.
In spite of that, Sheyan underestimated the profound significance this Greenland lethal weapon symbolised; acclaimed with the illustrious reputation of slaying a former captain of the legendary pirate ship. Thus, akin to a weapon utilized by an emperor before, its value would naturally be inflated.
"6,000 guineas."
The striking merchant, Fernandez, made the leading bid. Since his subordinates were adept in witchcraft, without raising the reputable significance of this Greenland lethal weapon, the century old black magic attached to it would prove to be a groundbreaking research experiment.
The starting bid of 5,000 guineas was neither an extravagant sum nor a puny price; but to Fernandez, it was like a strand of hair across nine cows.
In contrast to their earlier hesitation, a british merchant strived to outdo Fernandez upon hearing his bid; appearing as though he was unwilling to allow his spanish foe to do as he wished.
"7,000 guineas!"
Bloodshark promptly yelled out while raising his hand.
The majority of gazes instantly fell onto Bloodshark, as startled expressions plastered onto their faces after identifying him.
Noteworthily, it was said that Bloodshark had been ambushed once while pillaging a merchant ship of Fernandez, where his Crew Head, First Mate, and several other confidants had fallen in vain! The grievances between the two took root from then on.
"10,000 guineas!"
At this instant, another voice drifted out abruptly.
Surprisingly, it belonged to that female gypsy who was wearing a red veil. Even though she was here alone, she maintained a detached countenance as she surveyed her surroundings; as though she had a charisma that held the crowd.
Though this Greenland lethal weapon could be described as unrivalled while its significance extraordinary, its bidding price had indeed surpassed its value excessively; in comparison to a 3-masted warship that cost only 10,000 guineas.
Furthermore, gypsies were unpredictable masters skilled in divinity, and provoking them wouldn’t be a good idea. Hence, the auction guests conceded after a brief contemplation.
Right at the instance Mr Mckinney was about to lift his mallet to proclaim the completion of this bid, Sheyan suddenly remembered an issue – "why are the gypsies trying to purchase this weapon?"
Stirred by this notion, Sheyan immediately called out.
"11,000 guineas!"
Believing this affair to have been easily concluded with her 10,000 guineas, the gypsy wasn’t expecting her first bid to be hindered by someone. Instantaneously, a vilified glow flourished in her eyes alongside an unfathomable gloominess, as she glared at Sheyan.
When she realized the culprit was that Seaman Yan, who was nodding courteously and cunningly, she furrowed her brows and squinted her eyes. Then, she turned away and surprisingly refrained from increasing her bid.
Sheyan became appalled. His intention wasn’t to acquire that Greenland lethal weapon, but because he deduced the gypsies would likely attach great importance to any object they auctioned for.
As such, Sheyan purposefully shouted a higher bid with a goal of draining the liquid finances of that female gypsy, thus limiting her capabilities of interfering when bidding for items he truly desired.
"That woman is actually not contesting my bid?" Sheyan couldn’t help but suspect his judging capability.
Yet nobody else contested his bid, and Sheyan could only helplessly oblige while pinching his nose; despondently serving 11,000 gold guineas to the besiding female attendant, as he retrieved this costly harpoon gun with a value that of a brand new warship.
Nevertheless, his treasury of gold guineas had returned to six figures after selling off the smuggled goods from Tortuga. As such, 11,000 gold guineas couldn’t be counted as a severe blow.
When he returned to the auction hall after his transaction, he noticed that the arabian, whom he suspected to be Ammand’s representative, had joined the bidding.
At present, the auctioned article was an impressive looking cutlass. As though bragging its ability aloud, faint silverish glow brightened its periphery.
Upon sighting this cutlass, Sheyan couldn’t help but recall Ammand and reckoned this arabian wanted to present this cutlass to him.
"A thousand guineas!"
The arabian, Wahabu, announced the latest bid. Without returning to his seat yet, Sheyan immediately bidded.
"2,000 guineas!"
Once again, the villainous Sheyan was purely attempting to drain Wahabu’s finances, while similarly displaying a misperception to others that he was an impulsive buyer; preventing others from fathoming his intentions.
When Wahabu spun round only to notice a contentedly smiling Sheyan, his face revealed a sneer.
"5,000 guineas!
Wahabu proceeded to bluntly exhibit his overbearing wealth, greatly mimicking the grandeur of his future descendants, ones who would become top guns of petroleum conglomerates.
Without batting an eyelid, Wahabu directly propelled the bidding price to that of a brand new merchant ship; immediately ushering an impression of having no lack for money.