Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: A Secret Dad Doesn't Know?
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I clenched my fist.
And then what would come next...
"This time's item is the Rosewood Arboretum."
My target was up for bid right away!
As soon as the auctioneer's words ended, people let out sigh-like noises. They all seemed to think, why auction off some useless arboretum?
'You idiots.'
There's a ton of gold buried underground in the arboretum. An enormous amount—so much that selling it could fund starting a mid-sized merchant guild.
I stared straight at the auctioneer's mouth and tensed my body with all my might.
While thinking that I probably wouldn't need to bid too earnestly.
It was right when I raised my paddle, pondering how much to bid.
"Participant 13, 10 gold!"
Someone had already bid?
And it was a girl's voice. Definitely not an adult.
'Not Melodia—who wants to buy this arboretum?'
I sneakily turned my head.
As menacingly as a little hedgehog bristling its quills.
***
The one who bid on the arboretum was, surprisingly, Saintess Gabrielle.
She had come here after hearing plenty from Melodia already.
'It was so hard to get in as participant 13. Of all things, that kid is number 1.'
Gabrielle suffered from a subtle sense of inferiority. Moreover, that kid next to her was definitely Acid. Ted had abandoned her, and even that healer had stuck to Sien's side.
What the hell are her strengths?
Recalling the letter Melodia sent, Gabrielle gritted her teeth.
[Losing the holy knight and having the healer stolen, Gabrielle.
Your behavior is deeply disappointing.
You should first visit the [Dark Auction House].
Buy everything that catches your eye there. A budget of about 100 gold should be good. I'll judge your eye for items based on what you pick.
We'll decide on the disposition after that.
In one week. I'll leave the Eastern Continent and head to the Papal Palace.
Meaning, that's when I'll be appointed as saintess.
Since I plan to enter the imperial palace that day, please don't disappoint me.]
Gabrielle really wanted to buy the arboretum. Because Lady Melodia liked plants.
But she thought it was fine if she couldn't. It didn't look that impressive.
However, her opponent was Sien Mirmod.
'This time, I absolutely won't lose.'
Gabrielle recalled her budget of 100 gold. Even if she had to spend it all, she would buy it. That seemingly useless arboretum. No way would Sien Mirmod pay over 100 gold for it?
The auctioneer glanced at Gabrielle and spoke.
"Anyone else bidding?"
But... Sien Mirmod glanced at her and casually opened her mouth as if she didn't care.
"Number 1! 101 gold."
Of all things, straight to 101 gold...!
Caught off guard, Gabrielle trembled with rage.
She knew that failing to buy a mere arboretum wouldn't cause any big issues.
She also knew that Sien buying that arboretum for that price was foolish.
'Stupid. Paying 101 gold for that arboretum!'
She tried to think that way...
But ending up unable to buy the arboretum because of budget shortage, losing to Sien Mirmod.
She bit her lip hard. This pissed her off in its own way.
"Any more bids?"
The auctioneer looked down at Gabrielle. But she had no more money. Spending more here might get her scolded by Lady Melodia.
How could this happen?
Lost again.
To that stupid brat, Sien Mirmod!
'Damn bitch! I'll definitely kill her.'
Soon, when Lady Melodia arrives and becomes the saintess, someone like Sien Mirmod can be crushed as easily as an ant on the ground.
She had heard the warning that Mathias Mirmod was dangerous.
But once Lady Melodia becomes saintess, they're done for.
According to Lady Melodia, the Mirmod family is destined to fall per prophecy.
Soon, the status between her and Sien would differ like heaven and earth.
Gabrielle's fresh rage from this defeat reached Sien.
***
For a total of 101 gold, I secured the arboretum.
I hadn't planned to bid 101 gold originally.
'Fortunately, there's a one-week grace period after receiving the item to pay.'
I had to dig like mad for a week to gather the gold bars.
My shoulders felt a bit heavy, but at least I got the arboretum.
Then Acid quietly said to me.
"That participant 13 is Saintess Gabrielle."
"Huh?"
I widened my eyes round.
'Gabrielle, we've been bumping into each other a lot lately.'
I didn't know she could make such a venomous face.
From what I saw splitting Ted and Acid, her personality isn't great.
'Like the relation between Mirmod and the temple, she and I have become enemies.'
But more importantly, this.
'Gabrielle suddenly appearing at this auction is different from the original story. It means my actions have definitely changed the original.'
From now on, I can't just rely on the original plot; it's time for me to shape the timeline myself.
I grinned widely, then straightened my head proudly, enjoying the arboretum bid.
Only then did I hear people's laughter in my ears. Mostly sneering.
"Because she's a little noble lady."
"She has no clue about land prices."
Unaware of the gold buried there, they kept gossiping.
"That arboretum does look pretty."
"Spending 101 gold on something like that."
Especially, the uncle who put down his pipe stared at me with deep eyes. I met his deep gaze and thought inwardly.
'No, they're really idiots. If the permanent number 1 participant buys that for money, don't they think there's some meaning?'
Even though they're people who came to the dark auction, do they not think well? While pondering.
Some stories leaked from the uncle's mouth.
"There were participants with permanent numbers before who abused unlimited bidding for show like that."
"Such people aren't one or two. In the end, they lost their numbers and were banned from the auction house."
"This time too, probably."
I nodded inwardly.
Well, if there were people who showed off privileges and ended up buying only useless stuff, ignoring me isn't incomprehensible.
'But thinking I'll be the same just because there were such people in the past—isn't that prejudice?'
Of course, they'll find out soon.
That I'm the hand of Midas.
'Wait one week. After that, I'll make your stomachs hurt like hell.'
But without showing it, I smiled showing only my small front teeth.
Just like a clueless noble kid.
Indeed, seeing my cheeky expression, they burst into mocking laughter. Unlike me, they boasted they'd hit the jackpot here.
But it didn't matter.
Because I'd be the winner of this auction house in the end.
Because I'd advertise for generations that gold is buried in the arboretum I bought, and use it as a stepping stone to create a merchant guild that becomes my money source.
Ignoring the sneering gazes, I leaned back on the chair.
I heard the captain next to me muttering through his teeth. I looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"It's a curse that gathers misfortune."
"...Huh?"
"This is an auction house with magic, and I'm not a powerful sorcerer, so I can't do it well. But I can summon very minor misfortunes."
"What do you mean by minor misfortune?"
I tilted my head.
Then the captain answered in a satisfied voice.
"I don't know. I don't know the reason, but it pisses me off that they're talking crap about you, kid. So I'll cast a misfortune curse."
I gaped my mouth wide.
I started to worry a tiny bit about that kid's future.
"What? Exactly, what kind of misfortune...?"
As I looked at him with a flustered expression, he just shrugged.
"You'll find out soon."
The captain glared slightly at them, muttering to himself again. I blankly followed his gaze.
It was right then.
The uncle smoking the pipe suddenly clutched his stomach.
"Ugh."
Even groaning.
"Heh heh."
The captain smirked slyly and glanced at me.
I gripped my hands sweaty, staring at the uncle.
He hurriedly looked around, then stood up quickly. His face was almost jaundiced, looking like his stomach hurt badly.
...I could roughly guess.
'He got diarrhea.'
But the problem wasn't just that uncle.
People around him who were drinking water suddenly sneezed as if choking, or grabbed the back of their necks urgently.
'That one suddenly got a stiff neck.'
Gabrielle was also twisting her body uncomfortably. Looked like hives all over her neck.
'Gabrielle got an allergic reaction.'
Everyone visibly panicked from the sudden misfortune curse attack.
In the minor commotion enough to pause the auction briefly, I quietly called the captain.
"Captain?"
"...I just avenged you. Those who talk shit have to pay the price."
Thinking I'd blame him, the captain was quite defensive.
I patted the captain's head gently and said.
"...No. Good job."
"...Well, okay."
I could see the captain trying not to smile, forcing his mouth corners down.
Around then, I quickly turned my eyes from the captain.
Because a stinging gaze had been on me since earlier.
Eyes like begging me to look at him.
The owner of that gaze was Acid.
'Acid, why is he staring at me?'
It was a question, but when our eyes met, Acid's cheeks turned peach-red, so I couldn't ask.
I pretended nothing happened and leaned softly on the backrest again.
Then Deadri unnie grabbed my shoulder tightly and asked.
"Baby, your feet don't reach the floor, so it's uncomfortable, right?"
...She must have seen my short chubby legs dangling without touching the floor.
I solemnly shook my head.
"It's fwiine. Let's bid again."
Though my dignity was slightly hurt by my legs dangling!
I majestically quelled the surrounding commotion and watched the resumed auction.
Now that I got the arboretum, it was time to give carrots to my subordinates. Properly using carrots is an advanced mercenary technique too.
After passing some really junk items, I saw a mysterious auction item: a pink bead.
"It's a pink bead, and there's a rumor it weakly amplifies holy power."
"Number 1."
"Oh, the baby again?"
To the auctioneer's teasing words, I haughtily nodded.
"10 gold."
...Since no one else bid, the bead also fell into my hands cheaply.
Anyone else maybe, but that bead was something Gabrielle would covet, but she seemed preoccupied with the captain's curse.
I smiled at Acid and said.
"I'll give it to Acid!"
But weird.
Similar to when our eyes met earlier.
This time just talking to him, and Acid's cheeks flared red.
He seemed extremely embarrassed that I bought something for him.
He bowed his head deeply and said quietly.
"Th-thank you. I will definitely..."
"Hm?"
"Be helpful to you, Lady Sien."
To Acid's words, I puffed my cheeks and replied.
"You're awweady a big hewp now."
Acid's cheeks flushed redder than ever before.