23. Auction Banquet (6)
“Did I tell you? You will get what you want.”
I asked just in case.
“Could it be me… .”
“Shh.”
However, Grace blocked my mouth with her index finger.
“Isn’t it fun to know already?”
Her smile was playful yet serious.
‘… If yes, can I accept it? 7,000 gold?’
I have no idea how large the amount is.
Vivian and Lucia leaned over to me, probably feeling the same question as me.
“Ian, maybe… .”
“The princess… .”
“It’s not clear yet, so let’s wait and see.”
It’s embarrassing when you mistakenly find out later that it wasn’t.
I should have thought it wasn’t now.
… That thought had to fade as the auction progressed.
I just had that one artifact, so I didn’t want anything out of the rest.
Among the various expensive valuables, Vivian and Lucia saw some jewelry and their eyes lit up.
Each time, Grace bid the highest price at the end and won the bid.
Then he looks at me, smiles leisurely, and even winks.
The smile of a winner, I even got that feeling.
Vivian and Lucia didn’t seem to know whether to be happy or sad.
It was the same for me too.
Finally, the auction ended, and the winning bid was delivered to each participant.
Grace opened the jewelry box that came in front of her and checked the ring inside.
It was the artifact I was aiming for.
Looking at the ring with satisfaction, she turned her head to look at me and smiled.
“Oh my goodness. Are you looking forward to it?”
“… Excuse me first. decline of the princess. It was an honor to meet you… .”
“aaang!”
As I tried to get up, Grace gave a tantrum.
“Chit. It’s not easy either.”
Grace pursed her lips and handed over the jewelry box.
“It’s a gift from the imperial family.”
“You mean in the imperial family?”
“yes. It turns out that Ian-sama is Philip-sama.”
The warrior system played a big role in making the empire prosper as much as it does now.
And, it was known to the public that it was Philip who proposed the hero system.
Therefore, the Empire owes a great debt to Philip.
Does this mean that it will show the relationship between Philip and the imperial family?
At my gaze, Grace smiled brightly.
There seemed to be no such political intention.
Even if you don’t have to do that, the prestige of Philip’s name is enormous.
Aren’t there still people who can’t easily approach the princess and me?
‘So this is just because Grace wanted to give it to her… .’
I was hesitant to accept it.
It was what she wanted, but Grace paid too much for it.
“… I hope you don’t feel burdened.”
Grace, who was staring up at me, added quietly.
It was a sad voice.
In the end, adding political intentions was to ease my burden.
It was Grace who looked like an immature child… .
“I will be honored and grateful to know you, my dear princess.”
When I received it with an exaggerated greeting, Grace suddenly blushed and covered her cheek with her hand.
“Uh, uhm… ! Hmm! That, yes!”
I crossed my arms pretending to be arrogant, but it didn’t match the lines at all.
Grace gave the other two items she had won to Vivian and Lucia.
“First, just take two minutes. I will give you a present for the other party next time.”
“Uh… .”
Vivian and Lucia received the jewelry box with bewildered expressions.
To both of them, Grace raised her chin proudly and declared.
“So, know that Ian is mine!”
“… I am nobody’s.”
I wondered why he smiled like a winner.
Was it because of this
Because you think you’ve taken down the other person with your financial power?
No, why did my warriors… .
– Tup.
Vivian opened the box, closed the lid, and held it out to Grace again.
“If that’s the case, I won’t accept it.”
“… yes?”
Embarrassed Grace asked in a short voice.
“Me too.”
Lucia did the same.
“Because Ian was like that. Do not respond to financial transactions or support in exchange for payment without your permission or sufficient consultation.”
Well. I did talk like that.
“Uh, oh… .”
Grace broke into tears when she saw the two boxes held out in front of her.
After looking at Vivian and Lucia, he looked up at me and said in a creeping voice.
“Can’t you just accept it… . I don’t want anything… . I’m just Ian’s warriors… .”
Seeing that intimidated reaction, Vivian and Lucia also put on sad expressions, as if their hearts softened a little.
I had no choice but to step out.
“Well, it might be difficult to do that favor, but if it’s a gift from the princess, I’ll have to accept it.”
After implicitly giving permission, Lucia and Vivian withdrew their hands again.
“I’ll take it thanks.”
“Me too, Princess. I can’t agree to own Ian… . Oh, whatever. Thank you… !”
Only then did Grace laugh bashfully.
I thought I was a bit more mature, but I’m still very young.
“Then slowly… .”
Now it’s really time to part.
[master.]
Suddenly, telepathy came from Kati.
‘yes?’
[A number of beasts have been detected nearby.]
*
After informing only Leon, the leader of Aegis, who came as Grace’s escort, he hurriedly left the banquet hall.
[Judging by the movement and momentum, it seems to be aiming for somewhere.]
Sure enough, when I came out, I felt a familiar presence.
I followed the alley and reached a certain place.
I was able to face a familiar bear man.
“Oh, Ian. Am I right?”
It was Ramnus, the captain who led Lesantiment.
“Ramnus.”
And there were many fainting prisoners around him.
“Hmm. After the guys who wanted to rebel against you humans became independent, they tried to attack after getting information that nobles were gathering here.”
After meeting me, there seemed to be conflicting opinions even within Lessantiment.
Among them, the pro-human faction, including Ramnus, remained, and the anti-human faction fell away.
“I was trying to stop it before it caused a commotion. Are you late?”
“no. I came to know about it thanks to Kati. It hasn’t been officially announced yet.”
“is it. Good luck.”
As Ramnus instructed with a wink, the hidden beastmen popped out and carried the fallen beastmen.
The alley soon became quiet and only Ramnus and I were left.
“I was told not to get into an accident, so I’m trying.”
Obviously, I said that last time.
Don’t make a mistake and wait.
At that time, Ramnus was faithfully keeping his word.
“… Yes, I am working harder, so please wait a little longer.”
“I hope we can meet in a nice way next time.”
“Well, today’s work isn’t too bad from my point of view.”
Ramnus smiled and waved lightly.
“Goes.”
His figure receded beyond the darkness of the alley.
I didn’t know that the prisoners of Le Saintimand, whom I had become close to by chance, would be of help in this way.
‘He seems to be quite enthusiastic, so I guess I’ll have to be more aggressive.’
… I made up my mind, but there was nothing I could do right away.
Because giving land is the ability of the imperial family.
I cannot interfere there.
‘Where beasts and humans live together… . I’m not sure if it’ll work out.’
Gotta try it though
At first it was because of Kati, but also because of Galatea and Malion.
Now, even Le Saint-Iman is firmly on my shoulder.
And that’s not all.
The allying of the beastmen leads to long-term power enhancement.
So, that’s what you have to do.
***
Sylvia saw Ian talking to Mine.
I was devastated.
I wanted to be active.
I wanted to help him, but Ian didn’t need her.
‘Did I become friends with Mine…? .’
Hiding in the alley, she was startled.
Ian suddenly started walking in his direction.
‘uh? what? uh huh Did you find me? did you notice… ?’
I swear I found Ian here by accident.
But if it’s hidden, it’s suspicious.
Sylvia decided to just step forward.
He carefully adjusted his voice, and for no reason touched his clothes once.
“Ian… . Ah, hi… . see you here again… .”
Sylvia greeted awkwardly.
The distance from Ian was about ten steps.
It’s pretty far.
Sylvia hastily explained the situation.
“Ah, that! I accidentally found Mine hiding in an alley and I was chasing him. It’s a coincidence that we met like this. really… .”
Ian thought briefly and agreed.
There was no reason why Sylvia was following him or why he was here for some purpose.
“I also got to know another Mine… ?”
In order for Ian to get out of the alley quickly, he had to go in her direction.
“yes.”
Ian replied briefly.
There was no reason to explain Le Sentinimant.
As he walked towards Sylvia, she was visibly embarrassed.
“Uh, uh… ?”
Soon, Sylvia realized that Ian’s destination was behind her.
There are about five steps left.
“Now, now, wait a minute… !”
Sylvia frantically rummaged through her bag.
It looked like he was trying to get something out.
“this… . oh!”
In rushing out, Sylvia lost the item.
It rolled across the dirty alley floor and landed in front of Ian.
Ian looked down at it quietly.
It was a small, portable notebook.
“Ah, ah, that… .”
Sylvia could neither approach nor run away, and stomped her feet restlessly.
Ian picked it up.
Sylvia’s breathing became more and more rapid.
I was afraid he would open it up and check it out.
I was excited to have you confirm.
However, Ian had no reason to do so.
Ian walked slowly and casually handed over the notebook.
It was just an act of returning the fallen item.
Compared to him who was indifferent, Sylvia’s heart was trembling right now and she felt like she was going crazy.
I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been so close to him.
An evil voice raged in my head like a storm.
one step away.
His longed for is right in front of you.
Her broad, firm chest is safe to throw herself into as if jumping into a bed.
‘Patience, patience… .’
Sylvia suppressed her urge and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Go, thank you… .”
“Unless you have an important business.”
However, Ian interrupted that voice.
“Can I just go? I have a party waiting for me.”
“… ah.”
party.
Ian remembered the red-haired Vivian he was hugging with Ian earlier.
I don’t know if it’s because of the music that flowed at that moment, but the two were holding each other so affectionately.
Sylvia knows too.
That it would just be part of the dance.
I know
I know for sure.
At that moment, the power in Vivian’s hand, who was holding Ian tightly.
Vivian’s face turned away so that Ian, who was tall, couldn’t see it.
It makes it impossible to think that it is just part of a dance.
And Lucia’s glance at Ian.
The gesture of placing his hand on Ian’s shoulder as he sat there.
Vivian’s behavior as she naturally hugged Ian and crossed her arms as if protecting Ian.
The scene where Ian’s pulled elbow landed between another woman’s breasts as if they were going to be sucked into it.
All of them painfully flicker in my field of vision.
It’s horrifying enough to make you want to gouge out your eyes.
‘Let’s calm down… .’
suppress one’s heart
Let go of your emotions.
I asked if there was anything important.
have.
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Just looking at you
To me it is more important than anything else in the world.
But, it won’t be for him.
‘calm down… .’
The more you restrain your urge, the more hallucinations appear as if resisting it.
‘That’s not my place… .’
Maybe not now.
But like the world is, everything can be taken away.
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Just like you lived in the past.
‘You can’t bother Ian any more… .’
It’s not too late even now
Take Ian and run away.
There are no eyes to see here.
can you do it
It’s as simple as knocking him out and kidnapping him.
‘Ian doesn’t need me… .’
Even if someone comes after him, what?
Who knows if I run away across the western ocean?
Or if you cross the eastern no-man’s land and hide on the other side of the empire?
‘Please shut up… .’
For a brief moment, Sylvia suppressed her heart.
she said with a hard laugh.
I couldn’t help the corner of my mouth quivering pitifully.
“yes… . go, go I’ll be waiting for you… .”
When the answer came, he casually passed Sylvia.
he brushes by
Whenever I stood next to the tall man, I always put my head on his shoulder.
The feeling was both unfamiliar and familiar.
Memories of relying on him are scattered along with him as he passes by.
Scattered memories turned into fragrance and permeated my nose.
A faint perfume scent.
Mixed with that, Ian’s unique body odor that always kept me awake at night.
The moment I took it, the broken memories were assembled at will.
‘Do not hold back.’
who was that just
whose voice was it?
I can not know.
when you just calm down.
Sylvia was in front of Ian.
Driven by her, Ian stood against the wall.
“Ha ha ha… .”
Sylvia’s breathing trembled.
My face is hot and my stomach is throbbing.
Shaking eyes look straight at Ian, but his face is not clear.
Are there tears?
why are you crying
He’s right in front of me now.
I’m on the verge of reaching him, shouldn’t I be happy?
Ian, who was much taller than himself, was pushed against the wall and trapped.
what to do now
What should I do?
In the thicker smell of his body, Sylvia corrected her dizzying consciousness.
Sight returns.
his chin and lips.
After running her tongue over her own lips, Sylvia looked up at Ian’s eyes.
“… ah.”
When our eyes met, my consciousness jumped as if a knife had been stabbed into my body.
Ian didn’t bother resisting.
Because I can’t even defeat Sylvia by force.
The detachment was terrifying.
It was he who brought him to that point.
The fact was so disgusting that he himself was sick of it.
Ian looked down at Sylvia with the eyes of an inanimate object.
That gaze was a knife.
Stabbed yourself.
And, forged by himself.
“I, my, I… . what are you doing… .”
Sylvia hesitated and took a step back.
“Mi, I’m sorry. Ian, sorry… .”
“If the business is over.”
Ian said as he sorted out his crumpled clothes because of Sylvia.
“I’ll just go.”
It was as if nothing had happened just now.
He didn’t know why Sylvia did that to him, but he didn’t want to know.
“… … .”
Sylvia didn’t say anything.
I didn’t deserve to speak.
Ian looked down at her calmly and then left the alley.
“mi… not… . Sorry… . I, I… .”
It wasn’t until after Ian was far away that Sylvia stopped talking.
Of course he couldn’t hear it.
Sylvia picked up the notebook with the wrong answer.
When Ian was being pushed, he fell.
The cover was dirty from rolling on the floor of the alley.
“sorry… . Sorry… .”
Sylvia mumbled.
Something hot kept popping up from the bottom of my neck, so I couldn’t speak properly.
“Sorry… . I’m sorry… . sorry, really… . I’m very sorry… .”
Sylvia carefully wiped the stain on the note.
He probably didn’t have any intentions.
Still, it was something that passed from his hands.
In no time, right in front of your eyes.
“thanks… . Black-! oh my gosh… !”
It was hard to bear the collapse of my body.
Sylvia finally sat down and wept as she hugged the wrong answer note that didn’t even retain his warmth.
“Huh… ! oops! Ahhh-! Ugh! nope… ! Sorry… ! I, I… . It’s my fault… .”
Since Ian had already passed through the alley, it was an apology that could not be reached.
She knows too.
I was afraid that he would listen, so I endured and endured until I got farther away.
If at all chance you hear my cry and come to me, I can’t be sure what I’ll do to you then.
I hope for that too.
I hope not.
‘Besides that, I wish you didn’t know.’
So, Sylvia cried alone.
“I’m sorry dear… . Ian, I’m so sorry… . nope… .”
I had to cry alone.
It is a relationship where even asking for forgiveness is impossible.
Ian neither hates her nor resents her.
So, apologizing is pointless.
Could it be that I completely cut out the time I spent with you?
His emotionless eyes come to mind.
It was not enough to express that there was no emotion.
As if cutting off a rotten part, he separated and burned the time with himself.
‘Is it possible to get rid of emotions?’
He seemed to be out of order somewhere.
I can’t erase that feeling.
It is impossible for a man to be so insensitive.
Sylvia even committed a very rude thing.
Even so, Ian did not show even the slightest hint of human emotion.
Ian loved Sylvia.
Sylvia knows that well.
And, Ian took Sylvia away from him.
Sylvia loves Ian.
So, Sylvia tried imagining taking Ian away from herself.
It is terribly frightening.
It would be less painful to rip open my chest and tear out my beating heart.
Ian did it.
would have had to
So, maybe he lost his feelings.
Because of Sylvia herself, he might never feel the same feelings he felt for her in the future.
‘because of me… . It happened because of me… .’
“what should we do… . What should I really do… .”
There is no way to do it, and there is no way to do it.
Sylvia was struck by helplessness.
If you really can’t love again.
He will be the first and last and only one for him.
Should I be happy about that?
Should I be sad?
Even though it was only for a short time, it was disgusting to even think about it.
“Ugh, uhhh… !”
Sylvia, who was sobbing, suddenly gasped.
My airway was constricted and it was difficult to breathe.
“Keep it off… ! Ugh… !”
The breath she barely regained turned into crying again.
Sylvia waited, expected, and prepared for today.
It was also decorated beautifully for him.
It didn’t make any sense.
Sitting down in a dirty alleyway, she wasn’t pretty at all.
His own act of forcing him to return by force was ugly.
It was a sin.
“Keuk, uh uh… ! Ah, ah, ah-!”
My heart ached so much that my wounded side stopped hurting.
Her heartache meant that her heart was still alive.
It was disgusting.