The Immortal's Elixir (6)
Catherine's regular report came the next day.
"Here's the report you asked for. It's not exactly classified, so I just wrote it up and brought it."
"Thanks."
I took the report she offered with both hands in a polite gesture and started reading. I jotted a few points into my notebook and committed the entire two-page document to memory.
Fucking hell. The cheap paper reminded me of my slave days, and it was seriously pissing me off. Thoughts of the professors who used me like a human translator floated up, so I deliberately forced myself to focus on the report's contents. But by the time I flipped to the last page, my eyebrows had drawn together.
"You couldn't find out about that lady's maiden family?"
"It looks like it'll take a little longer. I don't have any connections in Renapolis who might know, so..."
Catherine stammered out her excuses, clearly flustered. Why the hell are you shrinking back? Fuck, it's not like I'm going to eat you alive. Still, I understood what she was getting at. Even in the 21st century, where you could pull up personal details with a simple search, plenty of people wouldn't be able to tell you which Kim family Police Chief Kim's in-laws came from. Hell, even I had no clue. So asking commoners in this world about the maiden family of some nobleman's daughter-in-law? If anyone actually knew, that would be the strange part.
"I'm approaching the nobles who came for the auction instead. Going through Renapolis connections would obviously take forever."
"Got it. You've been working hard."
When I nodded, Catherine visibly relaxed. Primor's maiden family wasn't exactly a secret, but locals or fellow nobles would know far better than some provincial all-knowing scholar living thousands of miles away.
"Contacting nobles isn't dangerous?"
"They approach me first most of the time. That auction catalog you casually handed over worked like a charm."
"Heh heh. That's exactly why I told you to copy it."
Catherine and I exchanged sly grins. The list of auction items wasn't something just anyone could see. Obviously. From the auction house's perspective, it would be a loss if customers only showed up on the days their desired items went on the block. Not knowing when their target might appear, they'd come every single day, watch others bidding, get tempted, and end up buying things they never intended to purchase. That was the ideal scenario for auction brokers who lived off their commissions.
Which was why the item list was never meant to be distributed in the first place. Unless you were the Hermeion Guild or the Armaals family, you probably wouldn't even know such a catalog existed.
"I'm using the excuse that I 'roughly figured out the sale list by investigating related parties' as bait to fish for information. Your wives have been helping a lot too."
"Yeah. With three of them, escort duty should be more than enough."
The escort team assigned to Catherine was the three-woman party of Dana, Veronica, and Larilura. It worried me a little that Dana was the only tank, but the chances of an actual fight during a simple escort mission were almost zero. Nobles usually sent only their underlings because showing up in person was considered beneath them. Our wives just needed to wear hoods, stay in the back, and radiate a bit of pressure. The underlings only had to get the feeling that 'if we fuck around and it turns into a real fight, we're screwed.'
"Haaam... *cough*."
Right then Catherine yawned, eyes watering. She must have been exhausted from working day and night. Damn, this girl's mouth is huge.
"I'm dealing with arrogant bastards who strut around on their master's authority by putting on my own little show. Still, squeezing information out of amateurs isn't hard. It shouldn't take much longer."
"I see."
Her words made me think of the information brokers from those cheap pulp fiction novels. The real professionals who could calmly interlace their fingers and deal with clients even with a gun pressed to their forehead. Imagining Catherine sweating bullets behind that relaxed face made me chuckle.
"You're doing great. Hang in there a little longer."
"It's such an irresponsible consolation, but it really sinks into my heart."
"Must be the exhaustion. Don't go falling for me because of it, okay?"
"I'll be careful."
We traded nonsense and burst into laughter.
—Knock knock.
Just then, someone rapped on the door. I burned the report using my bootleg Samadhi Fire.
"What is it?"
"Lord Nord. Preparations are complete."
"Understood. I'll be right there."
I answered the maid and used water vapor to disperse the smell of burning paper. After that, I mentally reviewed the procedures I'd followed earlier.
The Elixir was officially brought into the city with the Hermeion Guild's help.
We had smuggled the Elixir in on a slate like contraband, then formally entered it into the city. Auctioning it without paying customs would give them grounds to complain. So I'd asked the Hermeion Guild earlier and gone through the city's inspection process. We carried the Elixir out, paid the taxes to the gate guards, and left an official import record so no one could raise a fuss. The guard seemed to have received some orders from above and tried to stall in confusion, but when Selena herself showed up and pushed the matter citing national law, he had no choice but to let us through. Then we returned to the mansion, and while waiting for preparations I'd taken Catherine's report in the meantime.
It had taken about an hour to reach this point.
I picked up the Elixir and narrowed my eyes.
Well, the rumors should have spread by now.
The once-vague rumor of a 'high-quality Elixir' had now been officially confirmed to exist. The Hermeion Guild had rushed through the registration procedures like roasting beans over lightning, but the bastards who'd planted 'ears' throughout the city would have caught the news within the hour.
How will they move?
If they desperately needed the Elixir's supply or wanted to save money, now was the perfect time.
If they rob or force a bargain before I register the item with the auction house, they can get the Elixir cheap and fast.
I was literally a treasure goblin named Nord. Aftermath? Plenty of excuses, no real problems. After all, the city guards were subordinates of the lord.
Depending on how they act at this timing, I might get a glimpse of the enemy's forces or way of thinking...
I was running my elite brain at full capacity and reaching for my clothes when a small hand grabbed my outer garment first.
"Hehe."
Franc held up the high-class clothing provided by the Hermeion Guild and smiled brightly. I let out a soft laugh and let her dress me.
"You're really like our mom, Mom."
"Mama isn't bad, but if possible, I'd rather play the role of a bride."
"Alright then, honey."
I shrugged and offered my hand like a proper escort.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes."
Dressed to match the auction house's dignity, we climbed into the carriage Selena had arranged. As we left, Catherine headed off to catch up on sleep with the other wives who were already out cold. Fuck, I'm jealous.
Anyway, our plan was to have the Elixir appraised and submitted at the auction house, then participate in the first day's auction as planned. We also needed to watch Primor's escort purchase that dung beetle brooch, among other things.
"Welcome."
As we boarded the carriage, a dignified butler greeted us. It was the man often seen at Selena's side. We'd fought together in the other world, and I recalled he was a mage.
"Yes. We've arrived quickly. Your name was Dismuke, correct?"
"Hehe. Yes. How presumptuous of me to reveal my name without a proper introduction."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm not exactly overflowing with etiquette myself. But as I told Miss Selena, this could be dangerous. Are you sure it's alright for you to be here?"
"Please don't concern yourself with that. The young lady said I still can't die yet and lent me several magic items."
The butler answered while tapping the objects attached to his clothes. When asked if they were scared, men had a racial tendency to show off. His confident attitude radiated pure machismo.
"I may not be much help, but I won't get in the way."
"If it's safe, then it's fine. Still, make sure you don't get hurt."
I can't take responsibility if you die, man. First-class macho types were weak to a lady's tears. Flame-type handsome guys like me took double damage from water-type techniques.
With those frivolous thoughts running through my head, I stayed alert for any possible ambush.
"………………."
The carriage glided across the snowfield. But no matter how long we waited—even when the auction house was close enough to see—no one attacked.
I grew slightly perplexed and glanced at Franc. She, who had been sensing presences with her rune ring, shook her head with a troubled expression. No one was following us.
They're just passing up this chance? A carriage with no escorts?
It might not be completely incomprehensible. If saving money wasn't the issue, they could simply buy it without creating unnecessary trouble. Unlike the information broker Catherine, we riding in the Hermeion Guild's carriage were difficult opponents to assault. Still, something felt off.
Weren't there countless ways to snatch it without revealing their identity? With so many nobles gathered in this city, they could always claim some other noble did it, and the Hermeion Guild wouldn't be able to press too hard.
"The highest-grade Elixir—verification complete."
My suspicious gaze even turned toward the auction house staff. I stared daggers at the auction manager gazing at the Elixir in ecstasy, using Odin's Eye to scrutinize him. This bastard isn't thinking of pocketing the Elixir midway, is he? Fuck.
"Thank you. There were no issues with the quality, correct?"
Franc asked on behalf of me, who had essentially become linguistically impaired thanks to Odin's Eye. The manager answered cheerfully.
"Of course. Haha. To be completely honest, even with the Hermeion Guild leader's request, I was anxious about adding it to the schedule before seeing the actual item. Now I can rest easy."
"I'm glad we didn't disappoint."
After a smooth exchange, the Elixir passed into their management. There were no suspicious movements during the process. Now, even if the Elixir vanished before or after transport, I would be able to file for damages.
It ended without any incident.
Feeling strangely empty, I headed into the auction house with Franc. Dismuke insisted that a butler should at least have one attendant to maintain dignity and asked to follow, so I let him. We received numbered tags upon entering. We were number 51.
"Lord Nord. Shall I explain the auction procedures again?"
"Ah, I took notes, so I'll look at those."
I answered Dismuke's consideration somewhat absently and took my seat. The seats had a theater-like feel. The distance between guests was considerable, and since I wasn't particularly interested in the items, I chose a seat in the back where I could observe all the attendees at once.
"Sitting like this reminds me a bit of the old days."
Franc took my hand and smiled, as if trying to soothe whatever was bothering me. I smiled back without needing to think.
"Back when we went to that Cream-something circus troupe together?"
"Yes. It wasn't exactly a good memory."
"It ended well in the end back then too. It'll be the same this time."
I kissed Franc on the cheek, whether Dismuke was watching or not. Housekeepers, maids, or convenience store part-timers were basically talking vending machines. If they were there, you just pretended not to see them. Wasn't it unfair that only I had to suffer that kind of bullshit while working? Khehehehe.
While I was fooling around, the auction finally began. Letting the host's words go in one ear and out the other, I swept my gaze across the room.
Not that one, not him either, that bastard is definitely not—
I was looking for one specific person. I'd gotten the target's description from Catherine. I spotted Primor and her group midway but lightly ignored them so our eyes wouldn't meet. As my gaze continued roaming, I finally found the man I'd been searching for and narrowed my eyes.
It was a man with hair as red as magma and eyes even redder. The bastard who had kidnapped Tirsi. The real power behind the lord of Renapolis.
Ivan Ritter von Diabolo.