The Ring with a Mind of Its Own
A massive underground space reeking of musty dust. According to Amelia, it used to be some kingdom's subterranean warehouse. Now it was a secret lair filled with unidentified goods and strangers driven by greed. And we'd entered with this hanging off my arm.
"Miss, are you alright?"
"Y-yes... I'm fine."
Ludia, that is.
"Very well. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you..."
The auction house staffer must've thought Ludia clinging to my arm like a security blanket was odd, because he asked a couple more times before vanishing somewhere.
Ughhh... (I told you to stick close without overdoing it. Everyone's staring.)
"Phew. Good thing. They all seem to be looking naturally, right?"
Ludia glanced around excitedly, full of wonder. Why is the world you see so different from mine? Huh? All I had for her was a sigh.
Huu. (Never mind. Let's buy some items and see after that.)
"Everyone here's so kind. I was scared because it's a secret place."
Now that she was relaxed, she chattered away beside me. Then why not let go of this arm and talk? Why keep holding on? No wonder even that Confucian prude Amelia suggested we go separately.
- Well then, you two have a good time. The third wheel's gotta go.
She'd been shooting glances at me and Ludia's arms from outside all the way until we entered. She'd held back, held back some more, and finally—pop! While walking, she'd closed her eyes briefly, then bid farewell.
- No, Lady Amelia! We're not like that...!
- Shh. Anonymity guaranteed. Forgot?
Hic...!
I could see her trembling under that trademark soft smile. She wasn't someone I wanted to see often anyway, but I didn't want to be remembered like that. She didn't say it, but it was like, Perfect match for that guy! and off she went.
"Oh, it's starting, Huu!"
Ugh... (Anonymity guaranteed, Ludia...)
Whether my stomach churned or not, Ludia in the next seat was thrilled, yanking my arm and pointing to the stage. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Ugh. (Sigh... Let's just do the auction. Auction time.)
Yeah. Gotta focus. To graduate from this babbling as soon as possible.
'Commander's Whisper' was always the first artifact up at auction houses. An unpopular item. Top-tier function-wise, but to those who didn't know how to use it, just a crude wooden ring brimming with mana.
"Alright, today's first item. Always this guy, huh? Specially starting at 10 gold today. Quite the discount, right? Bidding starts now!"
The auctioneer smirked at the wooden ring on stage and opened bids.
"....."
Of course, no response. It usually went unsold so often that Amelia snagged it for free.
Laughter and murmurs spread through the seats—giggles and whispers.
Smooth.
Perfect. No one's interested? Bon appétit.
Finally, the precious thing to fix this wretched mouth of mine. I quietly raised my hand.
"Oh! What's this! This wooden ring's finally found an owner!"
The auctioneer couldn't hide his excitement at my gesture.
"Going once to that lion-masked gentleman for 10 gold? Don't know what it is, but it's got strong mana!"
He tried to hype it up for more bids, but the ring had long been a joke. Anyone buying that's an idiot, came the snickers.
"Huu, you really gonna buy that?? It just looks like a plain wooden ring..."
Umph umph. (No. That's the one I want.)
Ludia, pressed against me, blinked and double-checked. Really... that one? But when I nodded a few more times,
"Well... if you're short on gold, just say. I got a good payout this time—pretty flush."
"...."
Good girl. A headache chatterbox just moments ago, but now as soft and squishy as the sensation against me.
Once I get that, first thing: talk to her. Say thanks, shower her with praise...
"Wow...! What day is it today?! Now the lady over there's raised her hand! 20 gold!"
"??"
I was thrilled inside—babble liberation soon!—when the auctioneer's booming voice stirred the crowd. Not snickers this time, but shock: Someone's actually buying it?
Ugh? (Who's bidding?? A mage?? Stick to the script!!)
I craned my neck to see the woman who'd raised her hand.
- Hi? Lion Mask?
"??!!!!"
Coincidentally, she looked my way too, mouthing silently. Fox mask, purple eyes unmoving.
***
Since that last battle, Ludia had realized her body wasn't normal. The pain in her shoulder every time she used Holy Power. The brand was rebelling against it.
"Haaah... that's not the problem..."
But something worse: her body heating up for no reason. Fine one moment, then suddenly blazing hot, mind going blank. Mouth gaping, hot breaths escaping. Whole body itching. Scary, yet not unpleasant—a contradictory instinct that confused her.
"Nooo! Why me! Whyyy!!!"
She might not know men, but instinct told her what it was. This has to be the breeding brand! Now kicking off blankets before bed was habit.
"Haa..."
But it wasn't hopeless. Nursing Huu last time, when it flared, touching him calmed it. Especially bad episodes: maximum body contact worked best. Anywhere. No matter what Huu was doing. Better than losing control in public.
Grraaah...!! (Damn it!! Of all things, stealing my ring!!)
"C-calm down, Huu! Calm..."
So even with a raging Huu grinding his teeth in the auction corridor, she had to cling tight.
'Ugh. Why am I doing this again!!!'
Failed on the ring bid, Huu growled like a beast. The sight heated her up again—had to hug him.
Is clinging right here even okay? Self-loathing hit, but... no choice. Better than the worst.
Grraa...! (Let go! Ludia!)
"Aahh!! Please, Huu... Yes?? Deep breath...!"
From 10 gold, fox mask—Amelia—drove it to 1,000. Her 200 plus his 50? No chance.
And it could've ended there, but fox mask won, waved at us tauntingly on exit. Wooden ring on her finger confirmed it.
GRRAAHH...! (Damn! Now what?! Need that to talk! Steal it?!)
Huu, losing reason, even forgot to bite something. Passersby flinched and detoured.
But with her there, all eyes on them. Curiosity: What's with them? Pity: Tsk tsk, so vulgar here.
"Come on, Huu. Huu?!"
So she had to soothe him. Somehow. Before dying of shame.
GRR! (No. Steal it! We're leaving the church anyway! Right, Ludia?)
"Ta-da!"
"....??"
Like calming a beast, she pulled something from her pocket to redirect him.
"Bought this earlier. Similar wooden ring."
A crude, worn wooden ring in her palm. Faint mana, unknown artifact. While Huu fumed, she'd slammed her 200 gold on it.
- Eh? 200 gold?? Bid's 5 gold, but... uh, yes. Weird day. Anyway, 200 or higher?
Auctioneer's confusion? Or others snapping out post-rivalry? No more foolish spending. Top items didn't top 1,000—why waste on that?
- Didn't really want it, but... maybe he'll like this? Gotta buy quick and go... ugh...
Ludia's standards differed, so the ring ended in her hand.
"Not the one you wanted, but..."
"...?"
"Think of it as the same since it's similar~?"
GRR...? (This...?)
Good. Focus here. Calm down with this, please!
Ludia glanced around warily, gently taking his hand.
"See? Color's right, manly—perfect for you, Huu. Right?"
Slide.
Not thumb, middle/ring too thick. Pinky size? Eyed it quick, slipped on his ring finger.
"How's it? Pretty, right?"
She fiddled his left hand with the ring, Wow, so pretty! Really pretty! drawing response. No idea why this zombie wanted a ring, but this seemed decent? Felt like self-hypnosis.
"...Grrk grrk. (...Wait, Ludia.)"
"..Huh?"
Huu stared blankly at the ring for ages, then lifted it, inspecting every angle.
"You like it? Right? I think this is better than that one!"
200 gold—my whole fortune! And for the zombie—no, Huu—who'd suffered for me... this was basic! Distracted at purchase, but his curiosity made her proud inside.
Chu.
Huu lightly kissed the ring, then bonk! tapped her forehead.
"...?? What?"
"(....Can you hear me!!!)"
"Yes, clear as day. But... huh?!!"
Ludia startled, staring at Huu. A voice... in her head. His mouth unmoving, yet a thick male voice bellowed.
"(Kuhahahaha!!! This is a dwarf's ring!!!)"
"Dwarf's... ring?"
"(Yeah!! Thought transmitter!! But why's the voice like this?! Speech too weird?!! Kuhahahaha!!!!)"
Impossible-to-adapt booming baritone. Her eyes widened. Magic? A magic tool like that? But weirder: Huu, wearing it, reacted the same. He frantically tried yanking it off.
"(Damn it!! Knew it was junk, wouldn't have worn!! Won't come off?!! Kuhahahahaha!!!!)"
"Huu...?"
No luck despite straining. Finally, deep sigh.
"(Kuhahaha!! We're screwed!! Totally screwed!!)"
"...???"
Clueless, she just clung to his arm.