...You!
...You!
The Yudit mansion, after the social gathering had concluded.
The head maid was in the middle of delivering a series of reports to the Knight of Embers, Scarlett.
"Two hundred thousand?"
Scarlett's expression crumpled as she listened silently. "...Two hundred thousand. Did you just say two hundred thousand?"
At Scarlett's repeated question, the head maid shuddered and spoke. "Yes. Yes, the young master left with a check worth 200,000 gold coins. He mentioned he was going to visit a night auction..."
"What...!"
Scarlett could not believe what the head maid was saying.
Not a hundred gold coins, not a thousand, not ten thousand—a full 200,000 gold coins.
This was what people called an "astronomical figure."
And to think he'd just taken a check for that amount. The Yudit household's wealth was, of course, not infinite, and a sum of 200,000 gold coins would inevitably deal a significant blow.
"You—all of you—just stood by and watched? Are you telling me no one even thought to stop him?"
The moment they met Scarlett's red eyes, the head maid's face was instantly drenched in sweat. "I-I am merely the head maid... And the young master said... he'd won his wager with Miss Scarlett, so it would be fine...!"
"Enough. That's enough. Say no more."
"Yes, yes, miss!"
Leaving the head maid behind, Scarlett strode quickly to her office.
"I'm losing my mind..."
She snatched up the ledger and scrutinized it with the eyes of a hawk. She flipped through the pages so violently that it was a miracle the paper didn't tear.
"I'm losing it. I'm seriously losing it..."
First, the timing was terrible.
The Yudit household was facing several major expenses ahead. To say that losing 200,000 gold coins would cause serious disruption was an understatement.
"To not interfere with whatever he does..."
Scarlett naturally remembered promising that. And because she had promised, she had no choice but to keep it.
However.
Even so.
"There's a thing called limits. This is..."
Scarlett placed a hand on her head. It didn't take long for her neatly arranged hair to become a mess.
"This is not the time for this."
She shot up from her seat and strode toward the door. As the expression went, this was not the time.
"No, no..."
But soon after, she returned to her seat.
The night auction would already be underway, and Scarlett showing up in person was too risky.
She shot up from her seat one more time, then let out a deep sigh and sat back down. "Haah..."
In any case, once dawn broke, there would be a meal with the Head of the Family.
She had no choice but to interrogate him about everything then.
◈
The auction stage of 'Exclamation Mark' was exceedingly ornate.
Black velvet was embroidered with gold trim overhead. It was enough to evoke an air of nobility no matter who looked at it.
Amid expensive perfume and the leisurely laughter of nobles, I perused today's auction listings.
"...Truly a bit of everything."
Teacups for tea ceremonies, a scroll, a timepiece, a painting, armor, a wand... and lastly, 'Surt.'
Surt was merely the name of a sword blade, but I nonetheless scrutinized it with considerable interest.
"This dawn... I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you here who has spared your precious time..."
An auctioneer in a fine suit made his appearance, and everywhere except the stage was darkened. It didn't take long for the nobles' chatter to die down.
"From the very first item, something absolutely incredible awaits you all. Can you feel the anticipation?"
While the auctioneer delivered his introduction, others moved the first item to the center of the stage.
"Feel free to call out a bid first and consider later. Here is the first item. Behold!"
It was a high-quality timepiece.
"It is the masterfully crafted timepiece 'Yeokhaeng,' made with an artisan's utmost care. A masterpiece among masterpieces, whose second hand's color and exterior shift according to the wearer's magic power. The starting bid is 1,000 gold coins, with increments of 100 coins!"
Nice to have, but trivial without.
The claim that I'd buy every item was only relevant when every item was useful.
I had no intention of indulging in pointless luxury.
That was what I was thinking, when.
....
I detected a faint energy from the timepiece.
"Number 14, 1,100 coins! Ah... Number 113, 1,200 coins!"
Even as I deliberated, the price continued to soar. But my focus remained solely on that energy.
Without a doubt. It was the energy of an Ancient Rune.
To say your magical level skyrockets with each Ancient Rune you decipher is an understatement.
Therefore, there was no reason to hesitate. I made my decision.
"Number 64 has 1,300 coins! The adjacent Number 65 immediately raises to 1,400 coins!"
1,500. 1,600. 1,700.
The fiercely climbing price of the timepiece finally halted at 2,500 gold coins.
"Number 2 with 2,500 gold coins. Are there no further bids? I will call it three times and award the bid. 2,500 coins. 2,500 coins..."
The budget I'd intended to use today was 200,000 gold coins.
A timepiece bearing traces of an Ancient Rune was 2,500 gold coins.
"Ha."
It was baffling. A bargain so absurd it barely qualified as a price.
I pressed the button affixed to the armrest of my seat. There was no reason not to buy it, and no reason I couldn't.
"Number 1, 2,600 coins!"
"Number 2, 2,700 coins!"
After that, the timepiece's price continued to climb, but such things were already beneath my notice.
'Manipulation.'
It was certain. An Ancient Rune of the Manipulation type.
2,800. 2,900. 3,000.
I simply pressed the button.
Whether it was some guy with a greed for collecting timepieces, some guy who'd always adored the artisan, or some guy who wanted to buy a loved one's favor with a gift... it was all futile.
Before 200,000 gold coins, they were all powerless.
"Once again, Number 1 with 3,100 coins. I will call it three times."
"3,100 coins. 3,100 coins. 3,100 coins! The timepiece is hereby awarded to Number 1!"
The distinguished guests directed a generous round of applause my way. I merely gave a quiet nod.
"...You must be quite taken with that timepiece?"
A noble I didn't know immediately struck up conversation. The Number 2 bidder. Someone who had called a few bids.
"Very much so."
"...Tch. It's no fun if you overpower the room from the start."
"I haven't even warmed up yet."
"Is that so?"
His tone was sarcastic. Number 2 seemed quite fond of that timepiece.
"You shall now see the second item!"
The auction proceeded swiftly.
"A masterpiece that captures emotion with meticulous precision, 'Hailure,' imbued with the soul of the artist Kalso. The starting bid is 1,000 gold coins. Increments are 100 coins!"
...Calling that trash a masterpiece.
The moment I saw the second item, a sense of disappointment with the night auction welled up. My exacting aesthetic sense elicited absolutely no response.
1,000 gold coins was absurd. 10 coins was a fair price.
But then.
"Number 2 here. 1,100 coins!"
The auctioneer called out Number 2, and the man himself turned his head to look at me.
"Well now, do you still have sufficient coin?"
His attitude was rather amusing, so I muttered softly. "Sufficient enough. I'd spend 4,000 on it."
"Aha."
The fellow suddenly raised his hand high. Then he shouted at the top of his lungs toward the auctioneer.
"8,000 coins!"
"8,000! 8,000 coins have been called! It is Number 2! If there are no issues, I will call it three times!"
At last, 'Hailure' was awarded to Number 2.
Number 2 looked at me with a triumphant face. "I find 8,000 coins quite manageable, you see?"
"I'll acknowledge it."
I merely clapped my hands quietly.
"You have a remarkable talent for throwing money at garbage."
"...?"
Only then did he glance around him.
Clap, clap, clap—!
People clapping with notably loud applause. Every face was filled with ridicule.
Realizing this, Number 2's face turned as red as if it might burst at any moment.
Soon, his crimson head was bowed deeply.
The auction continued after that.
"Fifth item, Phantom Bracelet— Sixth item, Dawn Epaulettes—"
The items were diverse, and I examined them for traces of Ancient Runes.
If there were no traces, I examined their usefulness. Ways to enhance their value by granting magical properties, or methods to modify them into artifacts for mages, and so on.
The result.
"6,200 coins. Awarded to Number 1!"
"5,500 coins. Awarded to Number 1!"
"A full 9,000 coins. Awarded to Number 1!"
The items. The auctioneer's mouth. The atmosphere of the auction house. Perhaps even the time of everyone who visited here today.
Number 1.
It was all mine.
◈
The 2nd-year Knight Department of Märchen Academy. The cadets of 'Cheonchuk' sat in their seats, waiting silently for their moment.
'Surt.'
A sword blade said to hold a mysterious power. Surt. Beyond that, the cadets of Cheonchuk had no other interest.
....
However, Janet's gaze was fixed on Number 1. All around her, the talk was nothing but him.
Two noblewomen beside her were chattering.
"Who could it be? He's wearing a mask."
"Among the wealthy nobles, he must be an especially wealthy noble."
"Shall I try seducing him?"
"Oh my~ you're so shameless."
Janet's sharp eyes swept over Number 1.
The seating area was darkened, so the permitted field of view wasn't wide, but she could see his general silhouette.
The motion of pressing the button, the attitude of lightly nodding his head at others' applause... Each naturally executed gesture was aristocratic.
Number 1. He was a nuisance.
If Number 1 also had his eyes on Surt, it would likely be quite a tough fight, so Janet was a little tense.
"No, no."
But she soon shook her head. The gold coins she had brought for Surt were immense. She would have leeway.
"Oh my... aren't you Janet from Cheonchuk?"
Amidst it all, a noblewoman who had been chattering nearby struck up a conversation. People recognizing her was always welcome, so Janet responded with an elegant smile.
"Yes, that's right."
"It's because of Surt, isn't it? Oh my, of course. It would suit you so well."
"Ahh... Thank you. Hmph."
Compliments were also one of Janet's favorite things. The corners of her mouth naturally curved upward.
"I intend to train relentlessly, without giving up, until Surt and I can reach a rapport."
"Oh my~ good heavens. How admirable."
Surt. This sword blade's potential was 'supreme.'
But as the saying went, it was merely supreme potential.
Surt, with its potential unawakened, was nothing more than an ordinary sword, which meant it was permissible to carry into the Subjugation Festival.
'An opportunity I cannot miss.'
Janet silently repeated to herself.
The Subjugation Festival's main tournament. A stage where she could swing her sword against countless powerful opponents. Janet intended to maximize her affinity with Surt there.
As it had always been, she would be able to produce results this time as well.
"Don't you find the expectations around you burdensome lately? My nephew occasionally mentions Cheonchuk too."
"I don't feel burdened. I'm simply always grateful to those who believe in me."
Janet nodded once, a smile still on her face. Humility, too, was a knight's virtue.
"Ah, but Miss Janet."
The noblewoman's eyes sparkled.
"You didn't place first in the preliminary round this time, did you? What happened with that? I was so curious I couldn't sleep."
"I will definitely win the main tournament."
Before she knew it, Janet had replied in an extremely sharp tone.
"...Ah."
Belatedly, she dipped her head slightly, but the noblewoman cleared her throat dryly and said no more.
And then.
"...Final item! The item that will decorate tonight's finale! The sword blade said to fully contain the power of the elements, a miracle that swings and cuts. Surt!"
With the auctioneer's cry, Surt was brought onto the stage.
"The starting bid is 10,000 gold coins. Increments are 1,000 coins!"
A strange, crimson sword blade bearing an uncanny power. The moment she saw its form, Janet pressed the button as if bewitched.
From now on, she would give it everything she had to obtain Surt.
The start was 10,000 coins. The increments were a full 1,000 coins.
There were a great many people with their eyes on this red blade. 12,000. 13,000. 14,000... The price instantly broke through the ceiling.
"Number 44, 20,000 coins! Are there no issues?"
Number 44, Janet.
The four cadets of Cheonchuk had scraped together gold coins from their respective families. 20,000 coins would not be easy for anyone.
"Phew."
The very moment Janet let out a sigh of relief.
"Number 1, 21,000 coins!"
"...?"
Janet's gaze shot straight toward Number 1.
Sure enough, he was interested in Surt as well.
She frantically mashed the button. "Number 44, 22,000 coins!"
She couldn't count how many days she had spent merely imagining swinging a sword forged with Surt's blade. She absolutely had to get her hands on it.
"Number 1, 23,000 coins!"
The auction had already become a duel between the two of them.
The auctioneer's mouth didn't rest for a moment, and everyone in the seats began watching Janet and Number 1.
Admiration, sighs, cheers... All of it settled thickly over the auction house like background music.
"Number 44, 25,000 coins!"
"Number 1, 26,000 coins!"
To the ear, it sounded like a fierce battle. But to the eye, the reality was entirely different.
"Number 44, 27,000 coins!"
"Number 1, 28,000 coins!"
The speed at which Number 44, Janet, pressed the button was gradually slowing. This was no fierce battle. It was closer to Number 1 putting a leash on Janet and dragging her along.
"Number 44, 30,000 coins! 30,000 coins have been called!"
Gold coins pooled together by the four cadets of Cheonchuk from their family funds. 30,000 coins.
A desperate final stand.
Number 1 crushed it without so much as a blink.
"Number 1, 31,000 coins!"
The bodies of the Cheonchuk cadets stiffened rigidly.
The auction house fell silent for a moment. The sum had already exceeded all expectations. Everyone reduced even the sound of their breathing and stared at Number 44, Janet.
Bastian, the scar-faced knight, tapped Janet's arm.
"...Janet, raise it."
His eyes were dead serious. "We'll hunt through our families like we're exterminating rats and make the money somehow. Do not lose this."
Janet steadied her breath and nodded. Right now, she had no time even for thanks.
A moment later. Number 44's 32,000 coins.
Even the auctioneer felt the pressure of breaking this silence. He parted his lips with difficulty.
"If there are no further bids... I will call it three times..."
But then.
"Number 1, 33,000 coins!"
...!
The eyes of the Cheonchuk cadets flew wide open in shock.
....
The four knights exchanged glances.
This was the limit.
They hated to admit it, but they had no choice but to admit it. Their financial power was insufficient to obtain Surt.
The auction did not wait for them.
"I will call it three times. 33,000 coins, 33,000 coins, 33,000 coins! The cutting miracle. Surt belongs to Number 1!"
The winner was officially declared as Number 1.
A great applause rained down upon him. The man himself, however, was utterly unimpressed, merely nodding his head once.
The auction concluded like that.
The nobles murmured amongst themselves as they left their seats one by one. But Janet remained seated.
Her gaze was fixed on Number 1.
He, too, was still seated. He was examining his many auction winnings like spoils of war, arrayed before him.
...And among those spoils, there was Surt.
Without knowing why, she approached him.
"You've become the owner of Surt. Congratulations."
And she opened conversation with those words. It was less about courtesy and more the regret of not winning the auction item she wanted.
Number 1 didn't even spare Janet a glance. He simply examined Surt's blade in silence.
And the next moment.
The words he spoke were beyond Janet's expectations.
"32,000 coins. That's as high as you called, wasn't it."
But his next words were even more unexpected.
"You're lucky. The sword blade turned out to be below my expectations."
"...?"
Number 1 rose from his seat. She hadn't noticed while he was sitting, but his stature alone was imposing.
He continued, flatly.
"Use that saved gold to train your knights."
He turned sharply and walked away from Janet.
"You can at least do something with 32,000 coins."
Leaving only that one remark behind.
Janet stood frozen in place, staring blankly at Number 1's retreating figure.
"What..."
Train.
Use it to train knights?
Janet, who had been frozen stiff by the shocking statement, suddenly realized that his voice was familiar.
And the moment she recalled who it was.
"...You!"
She let out a sound close to a scream.