find what i need (2)
A sparkling crystal chandelier. And beneath it, the golden great auditorium shining gracefully. Finally, even the jewels adorned here and there on the walls.
The view of the auction house at the end of the aisle, unlike the exterior of the building disguised as old wood, was a feast of excessive luxury.
Each seat, even far away, was made of high-quality leather that even royalty could not easily see.
There was another thing that stood out in particular.
All of the people sitting in the seats wore robes to cover their identities.
The baron who was walking behind me muttered in bewilderment.
“They look like aristocrats, but the masquerade hall has a distinctly different atmosphere… … .”
A gloomy atmosphere that reveals deep desire.
That would have been unfamiliar to him, who had lived an honest life without any angularities.
“But the fundamentals won’t be different. The fact that it’s just a kind of play for entertainment to them. Putting on a robe is just an element to add excitement after all.”
“Elements to excite… … .”
Leaving the baron brooding over the conversation like that, I sat down in a suitable seat.
After confirming this, an auction house attendant approached, carefully placed a small sign for bidding and a glass of wine on the table, and left.
… … Coincidentally, the number assigned to me was number 44.
“Well, this is just like treating a dead person.”
Is it a crime if it’s a crime using that guy’s right of way?
After I smiled, I touched the pocket watch I had tucked in my chest.
‘Asus, after death, the first useful thing came into existence.’
By now they should be on the edge trying to guess my intentions.
Literally, the person who had the right of passage to the dead Asus fell from the sky.
But that had nothing to do with me.
“… … But.”
At that time, the baron pursed his lips. It looked like he had something to say.
I looked at the baron and said.
“what?”
“Ah, I was thinking about the right of passage you mentioned. Didn’t you replace the invitation? Then, I wondered if it would be okay to simply send an invitation… … .”
It was a pure question that I couldn’t understand.
Of course it was as he said. But the answer to that was surprisingly simple.
“As you said, they are a shadowy guild that is sensitive to security enough to hide the location and time. Rather than sending out invitations where you have to worry about counterfeiting every time, it’s better to give a trustworthy person a permanent token.”
“… … ah.”
Well, it also means that there is no reason to insist on the widely known method.
In fact, if it was the way that Baron Vidor had guessed, it would have caused a hundred more annoying things, even if he didn’t know.
I said to the baron who was making a strange expression.
“It begins.”
“yes?”
That moment.
Clap-!
The lights that lit up the inside of the auction house turned off all at once as if they had waited, and soon, only a ray of light remaining on the podium illuminated the bowing auctioneer.
– You’ve waited a long time. The auction starts now, so the distinguished guests who attended, please take your seats.
And the corner of my mouth looking at this was slowly rising.
It was the beginning of the long-awaited auction.
* * *
About 30 minutes after the auction begins.
In the meantime, quite a number of items passed through the platform.
Of course, most of them were just works of art to heat up the heat at the beginning of the auction.
Even so, the price was formed at a very high level, which meant that the goods offered by the black merchant guild were valuable, and it was also a proof of the great wealth of the nobles present.
… … no.
It probably wasn’t just for that reason.
“I, Your Highness… … .”
Standing behind me, Baron Vidor was at a loss and tried to dissuade me.
But I didn’t have anything rough.
My hand was raising the sign on the table again.
“750,000.”
-75 thousand! 44 VIPs called 750,000 gold at once!
“Ah!”
… … Of course, the 44th VIP.
The fact that it meant me and no one else must be a fact that even the baron, who was on the verge of fainting, knew.
The mixed gaze of annoyance and astonishment focused on me again.
“… … Tsk, a guy with no morals.”
“What is it? What kind of family is he from?”
“Looking at the fact that he is not restrained, it is said that he has that kind of wealth… … .”
How many have you had already? The items were passed into the hands of ‘No. 44’, who came out.
A fierce auction that starts at the starting price and gradually rises in price… … There was no need for anything.
However, when an item was disclosed, it was only quoted at an abnormally higher price than the market price.
It was for this reason that so many items came up on the podium in a short time of only 30 minutes.
Moisture filled the baron’s eyes as he watched this from the side.
“Dae, what are you doing here?”
“Are there any problems?”
“Really, it’s no longer something to laugh at… … .”
“Right.”
“Ugh… … .”
… … It really looks like she’s about to cry.
And yet, I still don’t feel like giving up. The spirit wasn’t all that great.
After that, when the astonished glances subsided a little, the auction house manager set the colorful plastic piece down on the table.
It was a proof that the auction had been won.
“… … Thank you for participating in the auction.”
Unexpectedly, the expression on his face as he stepped back was grotesquely distorted.
Clearly, the items that were sold at high prices should be welcome.
At that time, the baron’s tear-stained face came to my ear.
“majesty… … Really no more… … .”
It was a line that I repeated all the time like a parrot. Well, it was actually what he said.
1 The budget allocated to the prince. It’s been a long time since I’ve already used several times that.
At this rate, he would have to pay back the royal palace’s budget.
Either that or not.
“Did you know that if I say one more time, it will be the 19th?”
“… … .”
“It is absurd to pay attention to such an enjoyable auction. You need to have a little more fun.”
“Huh… … !”
I just shrugged and enjoyed the wine on the table.
It was probably not just an illusion that the baron’s fist twitched as he watched it.
“Your Highness, why did you put me through such an ordeal… … .”
“Shh, the next item is coming up.”
“… … .”
At the same time as the muttering, valuable items that could be called the highlight of the auction finally began to come up.
-… … Big, big! You’ve been waiting for a long time. This item is a rod found in the ruins of the southern continent!
The first start was a silver wand decorated in a huge glass showcase.
-Look at this beautiful figure! Estimated year of manufacture is 1000 years ago, and it still shows strong waves of magic, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it was made by a legendary elf!
“hmm!”
“… … Huh!”
Its graceful appearance drew exclamations from nobles who had been irritated all the time.
In an instant, the confident voice of the auctioneer amplified by magic rang out.
-Starting price is 700,000 gold!
“… … What!”
“700,000 gold?!”
“Such an outrageous price!”
A small commotion broke out inside the auction house.
It was literally just a starting price, but he had already asked for an amount close to a mansion.
Some nobles who judged that there was no hope early threw the signboards in their hands onto the table.
And in that, the baron… … .
“I-Your Highness, I’m sure you won’t be participating again this time… … .”
“I have an idea too.”
“… … hahahaha, there’s no way you’re buying magician’s items you don’t need. Of course it is.”
I was just calming down a little anxiety.
Soon after, the auction began.
“700,000!”
“800,000!”
“Three and a half million.”
“What!”
“That crazy bastard!”
“Keo-eo-eok!”
The baron clutched at his heart and collapsed.
And the auctioneer’s excited voice echoed through the auction house.
– Oh, how incredible! 44 VIPs bid for 3.5 million gold! 3.5 million gold! Any more?!
“… … .”
There was no way.
Even if it was an elf, it was just a cane to be used for decoration.
What kind of madman would burn 3.5 million gold, enough to buy a mansion in the capital, on something like that?
It was an outrageous price indeed.
-3, 2, 1… … Ahh! It’s a winning bid! The longsword found in the ruins was bid for 3.5 million gold by a distinguished guest 27 times!
“damn!”
Fast-!
The grinding of teeth was heard everywhere.
It was a very pleasant feeling. Contrary to the baron looking down at me with an emaciated face.
‘As expected, it’s good to spend money.’
It was as if he could understand why stupid nobles are addicted to extravagance.
“Well, even so, it would be enough if I checked this far.”
“… … what? no, yes?”
I raised my eyebrows and stood up from my seat.
From the beginning, my interest was not in the auction mixed with that desire.
Participating in the auction was only a means, not a purpose.
“So that you are participating in the auction instead of me. Don’t miss out on one and make sure all of them win the bid.”
“Me, Your Highness?!”
The baron’s panicked voice came from behind. But I didn’t care and moved on.
* * *
The end of the aisle leading from the auction house.
And on the other side of the gate, which was situated within strict boundaries, was the black dealer who was the organizer of this auction.
From noble mtl dot com.
“Bah, it’s a great honor to take such a precious step while you’re busy.”
The middle-aged man, who introduced himself as the guild leader and general manager of the dark merchant guild, bowed his head.
What was the merchant guild? Aren’t they secret criminals who only strictly examine the top-down relationship of capital, excluding feelings such as recognition or grandson?
But what he saw now was also like that of a politician who had succumbed to worldly power.
“Well, I wanted to visit you after the auction, but I didn’t know you would come already. Please sit down.”
“Right.”
I said that and sat down.
It was a familiar attitude without the slightest hesitation.
Then, the general manager awkwardly caressed the monocle over his right eye.
“Excuse me, but did you know the Count?”
It must have been something I guessed from the pocket watch I showed them. To be precise, it must have been closer to wishful thinking than guessing.
However, I threw out my impressions without answering the question.
“The auction was fun. In particular, this auction was rich in things to see.”
“Ha ha ha, thank you. If you enjoyed it, as we prepared… … .”
“But why are Asus items up for auction?”
“… … .”
The impression, such as the small ripples that appeared in the pond.
The awkward smile that lingered on the general manager’s lips disappeared.
“… … Is it the count’s thing? What are you talking about?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t know? That most of the things you guys put out were from Asus?”
“That, that… … .”
The expression on his face became to the point where he couldn’t find any more composure. The emotion that eventually emerged was fear.
‘Damn it, I thought it was going to be like this… … !’
In order to receive the right of passage from the black merchant guild or to order goods, items for guarantee were needed.
jewelry or armor. Even more so, it didn’t matter if it was a gold coin.
This had the meaning of a deposit, but it could also be said to be a means to prepare for damages caused by a spy or something wrong.
But they sold it after Asus died. And I said it through.
Why did you arbitrarily sell things that didn’t belong to you guys?
Contrary to his earnest wishes, a person who knew the exact circumstances had appeared.
But the problem wasn’t that.
“Ah, are you the deputy appointed by Count Asus?”
“no.”
“Well, then… … .”
The general manager tried to calm his trembling voice.
It was not something that could be taken lightly to dare to sell Asus’ products that had been supported by ‘them’ on the subject of shadowy merchants.
Of course I wasn’t on their side.
I guess you could say it’s just crushing hope.
“It seems that the disappointment he felt was great.”
“… … !”
money. honor.
They were infinitely helpless in the face of overwhelming power.
Ironically, dark merchants were nothing more than tools sensitive to power.
I arrogantly crossed my legs and played a complete stranger.
“How dare you covet the things of the Federation Empire… … Your courage is imaginary.”