Darian needed to ensure that the most valuable items would belong to the dark elves after the auction concluded, and that his forces would be prepared for either strategic retreat or aggressive attack, depending on how events unfolded. The situation's volatility demanded comprehensive contingency planning that accounted for every possible outcome.

"The light elves will come to this auction believing their superior resources guarantee victory," Darian mused aloud, his voice carrying the coldness that had made him such an effective ruler. "They have grown complacent. We will use that arrogance against them."

His advisors leaned forward attentively, recognising the tone that typically preceded their king's most brilliant strategic insights. Darian's ability to identify and exploit enemy weaknesses had secured numerous victories against seemingly impossible odds throughout his reign.

"Prepare three separate tactical approaches," he commanded, his dark eyes gleaming with anticipation. "First, we outbid them through superior strategy rather than brute financial force. Second, we create circumstances that force them to withdraw from the most valuable auctions."

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door, interrupting Darian's planning session. The timing seemed almost providential, as if fate itself was providing additional tools for the dark king's ambitious schemes.

Darian motioned for one of his advisors to open the heavy obsidian door. Once the door was opened, a master rank dark elf entered with an excited expression that immediately caught the attention of those present. The messenger's obvious enthusiasm suggested that he brought news of significant importance, potentially war-changing information that could alter their entire approach to the coming conflict.

"Lord Darian," the messenger announced, barely holding in his excitement as he delivered his report. "The orcs have agreed to our deal! They would send six of their grandmaster rank fighters in exchange for the promised resources and have committed to becoming our allies for future conflicts as well!"

A wide smile formed on Darian's face, transforming his usually stern expression into something far more dangerous.

Six grandmaster rank fighters represented an enormous addition to their power—each orc warrior at that level could single-handedly devastate entire battalions of lesser troops and stand toe-to-toe with the light elves' most elite champions.

The significance of this alliance extended far beyond simple numerical advantages. Orc grandmasters possessed a savage fighting style that complemented dark elves' fighting style perfectly, creating a combined force that would be nearly impossible for their enemies to counter effectively.

"Good... Really good," Darian replied, his voice carrying deep satisfaction as he contemplated the implications of this development. "With those orcs supporting us, we would be able to outnumber the light elves in terms of elite fighters and achieve the decisive victory that has eluded us for centuries."

The war room's atmosphere shifted dramatically as the assembled advisors recognised the nature of this alliance.

"The light elves have grown comfortable with their number superiority in grandmaster-level combatants," one of Darian's generals observed with obvious relish. "They've structured their entire military doctrine around that advantage. Six orc grandmasters will completely shatter their strategic assumptions. Thankfully, we were finally able to rope these orcs in; they had been really stubborn in the past decades."

Darian nodded approvingly at his subordinate's words. "Exactly. Seraphina believes her enhanced abilities and superior resources make victory inevitable. She cannot conceive of a scenario where we possess enough raw power to challenge her directly. She won't expect us to rope in the orcs."

The dark king's mind was already working through the possibilities that this new alliance created. The orcs' arrival would need to be timed perfectly to maximise their impact while ensuring the light elves couldn't adapt their strategies in response.

"When will the orcs arrive?" Darian inquired, his mind already calculating optimal deployment for these allies.

"They can be here within a day, my lord," the messenger replied promptly. "The orc chieftain had said that once they arrange for replacements for these orcs, they will be immediately sent."

"Perfect timing," Darian mused, a predatory glint entering his dark eyes. "They will arrive when the auction begins."

***

Inside the shop, Noah opened his eyes, a faint but pleased smile on his face as he reviewed the results of his recent training session.

—

Host: Noah Carter

Age: 28

Shop Level: 2

Daily Revenue: $2,153,000 (or equivalent)

Current Assets: $23,158,340

Shop Points: 32,890

Attributes: Strength: 90, Vitality: 140, Intelligence: 90, Agility: 90

Skills:

[Level 14:] Wind Manipulation, Mana Control, Aura, Body Tempering

[Level 13:] Swordsmanship

[Level 5:] Photographic Memory, Fire Manipulation

[Level 4:] Cooking

[Level 3:] Surviving on Ramen, Finance, Gaming

[Level 2:] Programming

—

His body tempering skill had levelled up from his practice, while the fire manipulation and cooking skills had advanced through the idle room training. The automated enhancement system had once again proven that it had completely deserved the $1,000,000 investment he had paid for its installation.

The efficiency was almost absurd when he really considered it. Three thousand dollars had transformed his fire manipulation from a barely functional ability into something genuinely useful in combat situations. Level 5 fire manipulation opened up proper offensive spells, defensive, and utility applications that would prove really valuable.

"This is really too strong," Noah murmured to himself, shaking his head in amazement at the system's capabilities. "I could practically become the richest, strongest person in the world without having to lift a single finger, eventually."

The realization carried both excitement and a strange sense of unease. The idle room's automated training meant he could theoretically achieve unheard-of power simply by waiting long enough and paying the required fees. Years of passive advancement would eventually make him invincible by any reasonable standard.

Despite knowing that he could really sit idly and become stronger over the long years, Noah didn't want to pursue that approach. He didn't like to sit around and do nothing; he preferred to be proactive and hands-on with his development. It was simply part of his fundamental personality, a core trait that had defined his entire life approach.

He had always been proactive throughout his struggles—hustling between multiple jobs, constantly searching for better employment opportunities, working overtime to pay his monthly bills and cover his father's mounting hospital expenses. The habit of constant effort had become so deeply ingrained that even unlimited power couldn't change his basic nature.

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