Galactic Exchange: The Merchant Sovereign
Chapter 85 – Celestial Auction: The Gathering of Sovereigns

Chapter 85: Chapter 85 – Celestial Auction: The Gathering of Sovereigns

The atmosphere aboard the Obsidian Star was thick with anticipation. From the viewing deck, Orion watched as countless starships descended toward the floating continent of Orialis—home of the Celestial Auction. A confluence of elites, empires, and entities from across the quadrant had gathered for this once-in-a-cycle event. Deals worth planetary systems would be struck in whispered corners; fortunes would be made—or shattered.

Beside him, Xelara adjusted the collar of her ceremonial cloak, the deep azure fabric lined with star-thread that shimmered like a nebula. "Orion," she murmured, "are you ready? This isn’t just an auction—it’s a battlefield. And the stakes are cosmic."

Orion exhaled slowly. "I’ve crossed galaxies, bartered with gods, and walked through realms that defied logic. Let’s see what their ’auction’ has to offer."

The docking sequence engaged with a low hum, and the Obsidian Star anchored at a floating platform that resembled a lotus carved from crystal and obsidian. Attendants in silver robes awaited them. At their lead stood a tall, dark-skinned woman with violet eyes that glowed faintly—Zaryel, one of the Auction’s Grand Curators.

"Merchant Sovereign Orion Drayce," she said with a respectful bow. "You are expected."

The corridor they walked through pulsed with arcane energy. Walls were lined with stasis fields showcasing treasures: a crystallized Time Beetle from the Chrono Swarm, a cube emitting symphonies from collapsed stars, and even a Voidling sealed in glass—still alive and whispering secrets of the abyss.

"The auction is divided into six phases," Zaryel explained, her voice fluid like music. "Artifacts, Beasts, Planetary Bonds, Forbidden Tech, Legacy Souls, and finally... the Sovereign Bidding."

Orion raised a brow. "Sovereign Bidding?"

Zaryel smiled thinly. "Where traders bid not with wealth, but power, prestige, and influence. It’s the arena of legends."

They entered the Grand Chamber—a vast amphitheater suspended in an anti-gravitational dome that rotated gently above Orialis. The gallery was filled with a thousand sovereigns, warlords, mega-corporate heads, and enigmatic entities.

Hovering in their own isolated platforms were:

Thalos of the Void Accord, whose empire stretched through ten dimensions and wielded dark entropy.

Empress Nyzara of the Living Forge, encased in golden armor crafted from sentient metal.

Master Archemus, a psionic trader who could read minds and bend deals before they were spoken.

Aetherclad Monarch Vyrell, who represented an entire civilization of stars condensed into humanoid form.

And then... there was him—Altheron Krex, the mysterious Sovereign who had once destroyed a galactic market with a single decree. His eyes locked with Orion’s for a moment—an unreadable stare, but one that crackled with veiled threat.

Zaryel took her place on the levitating auction dais. Her voice echoed through mental links rather than sound, brushing each participant’s consciousness.

"Let the Celestial Auction begin."

---

Phase I: Artifacts

A crystalline cube materialized at the center, revolving slowly. "The Heart of Virex," Zaryel announced. "An artifact that amplifies all trade-based systems by a factor of ten. Starting bid: 10 billion Galactic Units."

Orion’s HUD flickered. His system immediately began calculating Return on Investment across different sectors. He didn’t raise a bid. Let others test the waters first.

Thalos casually offered 50 billion.

Orion’s lip twitched. These were flexes. Most bidders weren’t here to profit—they were here to dominate.

More artifacts were paraded—Relics of extinct trading empires, ancient Auctioneer’s Seals, and time-distorted barter scrolls.

Orion finally raised a hand when a shimmering coin floated forward—The Unity Coin of Auratheon, an ancient token rumored to create trade alliances with even hostile factions.

He whispered, "Two billion and my Merchant System’s Eternal Voucher."

The chamber stirred. An Eternal Voucher wasn’t currency—it was access. Access to the Galactic Exchange’s infinite vault, once.

Zaryel nodded. "Accepted."

---

Phase II: Beasts

These weren’t ordinary beasts. These were genetically, mystically, and dimensionally enhanced entities that could function as companions, guardians, or tools of negotiation.

A six-eyed Star Howler was first. Then came a Contract Phoenix, whose blood could sign immortal contracts.

But the climax was a Mirror Beast—an entity that could take the form of one’s enemies and even replicate their aura for negotiations or espionage.

Orion paused. "I want that."

But before he could raise his hand, Altheron Krex stood. "Ten Trillion. And my Favor Token with the Ashen Court."

Gasps.

A Favor Token with the Ashen Court could summon an army of merciless time-warlocks.

Zaryel blinked. "Sold."

Orion exhaled. "So that’s how it’s going to be..."

---

Phase III: Planetary Bonds

Now, entire planets were up for bid—each bundled with its trade licenses, natural resources, and existing population contracts.

One planet offered was Veredros IX, a rich producer of Transmatter and Fluxite. Orion’s eyes narrowed.

He activated his inner system:

> ❖ Veredros IX — Profitable Route Potential: 89%

❖ Stabilization Investment Needed: Moderate

❖ Threat Level: Low

Recommendation: Buy.

"Twenty trillion Galactic Units," Orion said. "And full exclusive rights to a Galactic Exchange Black-Card node."

Even Thalos twitched.

Zaryel paused, then nodded. "Accepted. Sold to Sovereign Orion Drayce."

The planetary bond shimmered and disappeared into Orion’s dimensional ring.

Xelara whispered, "You just bought a planet."

Orion smirked. "No. I bought a network."

---

Phase IV: Forbidden Tech

This was the realm of outlawed, legendary, or reality-bending technology.

Each item came with a risk—and a reward.

An AI shard from the Omega Collapse. A Singularity Gun that never missed. A Void Engine that bent causality.

But the crown jewel was a Temporal Negotiation Simulator—a forbidden system that allowed the user to simulate a trade discussion a million times in alternate timelines... before speaking a single word in reality.

Orion activated a new trade sub-system: Temporal Risk Management Node.

> Recommendation: Trade 1x Black Market Contract + 1x Echo Crystal + Partial Sovereign Prestige (0.1%).

Probability of Return: 278%.

"Done," Orion declared.

Zaryel turned to him. "Dangerous, Sovereign. But accepted."

---

Phase V: Legacy Souls

This phase auctioned the imprints or spiritual essences of long-dead traders, philosophers, or negotiators—allowing buyers to gain their experience, insight, or charisma.

Orion didn’t bid here. He had no desire to trade in the dead.

But he watched as Nyzara consumed the legacy of Kael of the Shifting Vault, a soul who once convinced two star empires to swap capitals without bloodshed.

---

Final Phase: Sovereign Bidding

The lights dimmed.

Zaryel’s voice grew quiet, reverent.

"Now begins the final phase. Only those who dare risk their influence and legacy may participate. This is where reputations ascend—or burn."

The item? A Galactic Heart Contract—the right to establish a new trade route recognized by the Eternal Council, bypassing all known regulations, bureaucracy, and tariffs. A true sovereign pathway.

Bids flew like meteors.

"Five planets."

"Three Sovereign Tokens."

"My entire galactic fleet."

Then Altheron rose.

"I offer a declaration: If I win, I will force the Galactic Exchange to submit to my new tax doctrine across all core zones."

Murmurs spread like wildfire.

Orion stood, voice calm, but firm. "I counter-offer: My next twenty successful trades will be open-source. Any sovereign here may copy them freely."

The room froze.

Power vs. Influence.

Greed vs. Generosity.

And Zaryel made her choice.

"The Heart Contract... goes to Sovereign Orion Drayce."

---

As the auction ended and the crowd dispersed, Orion stood silently on his platform.

The Celestial Auction was more than an event. It was a message.

And he had delivered his.

"You’ve shaken the stars tonight," Xelara whispered.

Orion’s eyes reflected the infinite cosmos beyond. "Then let them remember my name."