Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Black Friday Auction
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There was no reason for anyone to connect the hot rumor swirling around Black Friday—the emergence of the Queen's Twilight—with me, currently staying at Mielephon.
Thanks to that, I no longer had to worry about that angle. But what was exhausting me in real time right now was the relentless presence of that madwoman who kept showing up at my door, using her confinement to the annex as an excuse.
Her thought process defied any normal logic.
Most noble young ladies were extremely conscious of their image and status.
They wouldn't pull stunts like showing up at a grand banquet full of people in a doll mask or outright yelling, "That guy's a total jerk!"
But she pulled it off with utter confidence.
It was such an outrageous act that even Cattsi, the stone-faced head of House Mielephon, was left stunned. That was our first encounter.
Afterward, confined to the annex on Cattsi's orders, she adapted with astonishing speed over just a few days, worming her way between Luna and me.
Put nicely, she was bold. Put harshly, she was shameless to no end.
In fact, the morning after she first arrived at the annex...
The first time I saw her was hanging upside down from my bedroom ceiling, staring down at me.
"Heh heh heh. Power-seeker, come to me."
And then she spouted that nonsense at me while I just gawked blankly...
Hanging upside down like that, if she'd been wearing a skirt, her underwear might've been on full display with the hem falling away.
She wasn't that unhinged, though—she was dressed in black assassin garb.
Even Luna Basilrin, who had slept beside me the night before to help induce my rest, woke up, saw her, and shook her head.
"Definitely a madwoman."
She didn't hold back, calling her a madwoman right to her face.
Later, I ignored her pleas about blood rushing to her head and to be saved.
"So, you're heading to the auction house?"
"Um, Young Lady."
Today was the day of the long-planned Black Friday auction.
I had no pressing need to go myself, but I did want to witness it proceeding smoothly firsthand, so I'd already informed Head Maid Misha that I'd be attending.
As I headed to the auction house with Misha and Luna in tow...
I broke into a cold sweat at the sight of the madwoman hovering by my side, having tailed us without anyone noticing.
"Sorry, but why are you wandering around looking like that?"
She was draped in a black rag-like robe, wearing a death god mask that hid her face.
And in her hand was a toy scythe—her getup straight out of a storybook grim reaper.
"What do you think? Cool, right?"
It was absurd, her saying that through that eerie death god mask.
Honestly, I couldn't fathom why the territory folk and guards showed zero reaction to her parading around like this.
"The locals have given up on her. It's not a one- or two-day thing anymore. At this point, it's practically an annual event."
"My deepest condolences to Duke Mielephon."
"......"
Just why was she here?
This morning, she'd been dragged off by the maids under the guise of "education."
The moment she heard I was going to the auction with Luna, she threw a childish tantrum on the floor. But the maids were a tough crowd—they practically hauled her away kicking and screaming. No way had her lesson ended already.
"Did you escape?"
"If I get caught, it's an escape. But since I didn't, doesn't that mean I'm still in class?"
Was that something to say in front of Mielephon's maids?
As I let out a hollow chuckle, Misha, walking beside me, drove the nail in with a deadpan expression.
"Young Lady, I'll have to report this to the family head."
"Ehehe~ Come on, Head Maid Misha, don't do that~."
She sidled up slyly, pulling a small pouch from inside her baggy black robe and slipping it into Misha's hand.
She didn't stop there, handing one to Luna and me as well.
"It's a dessert called Galaxy Jelly. It's sooo good... but suuuper hard to get~."
Her drawn-out tone and manner made it look exactly like bribery, leaving Misha and me exchanging glances and shaking our heads in disbelief.
Shouldn't we toss it?
She's still a lady of House Mielephon, appearances aside.
Meanwhile, at the mention of Galaxy Jelly, Luna fished out a multicolored piece from the pouch and popped it into her mouth.
She went silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Pass."
"'Pass' my ass—you lunatics stick together."
Luna recoiled, calling her a madwoman too, but in my eyes, Isna and Luna Basilrin were both cut from the same cloth.
The only difference was one's ignorance versus the other's intent.
"Anyway! Take me with you! I'm so bored lately!"
She looked ready to flop onto the ground right then if I refused.
The problem was that word of me going to the auction spreading would only cause trouble.
In an instant, Misha clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Fine, just shut up for now, Young Lady. Please."
"Huh? Did a maid just tell a lady to shut up?"
"What's it to you? I'm part of this household too. If you've got complaints, take it up with the family head."
It's only been a few days since we met, but those days have aged me more than centuries without a wrinkle.
One thing was crystal clear now.
This engagement—though I started it—had to be broken off someday, no matter what.
Apparently, the auction house's location changed periodically.
There was a rotation, sure, but building multiple venues across the territory screamed serious capital.
Guided by the info from Black Friday, we entered, and the man I'd met before was waiting, robed up.
"Welcome, Young Master."
"Long time no see."
It had only been about a week, but no, it wasn't short.
"Hope I'm not late."
"Perfect timing. Follow me... Ah, Lady Isna of Mielephon..."
"Hehe."
Even shrouded head to toe in death god garb, hiding her face and figure, he recognized her instantly. She must be quite the celebrity.
"Is... is the duke's young lady participating too?"
"Yep!"
He sighed at her bright reply.
"I'll... escort you."
He led us to a fully enclosed carriage.
Once aboard, the doors locked, and it rumbled off for about an hour.
We arrived inside some building.
The indoor entry was novel—clearly to keep the location secret.
"No other people around."
"We've arranged it so clients don't cross paths, for anonymity. Please take these. And for the young lady... you can just stay as is."
He handed over animal mascot heads—full-face coverings, not just masks.
"The auction proceeds from private rooms. You'll see items live, but no mingling with other bidders, so no worries."
This was proper anonymity. The masks seemed gimmicky, but procedure was procedure. I took mine calmly.
He led us underground, another twenty minutes to a lavish room.
Spacious enough for eight comfortably, with plush sofas, beds, wine, snacks, desserts—all top-tier.
"VIP treatment—the best room for you."
"Appreciated."
"When it starts, a magic artifact will project the auction on that wall. Rooms are numbered anonymously; bids display as amounts. This screen..."
"For item images and descriptions, right?"
"Yes. Doors are sealed magically until auction's end. Want out early? We'll send someone."
He bowed crisply.
"Need anything? Ring the wall bell—we'll handle it."
"Got it."
"Will you be bidding?"
"Probably not, but..."
"Just in case, we've prepped 45 million cel for you. Can't go higher without higher approval—sorry."
No reason to refuse.
He set up the bidding device and handed it over.
"Enjoy."
"Whew~."
No sooner had he left and the door locked than Luna, still in death god robes and mask, leaped onto the round cushy bed and sprawled out.
"Young Lady! I've told you not to act so unladylike in public!"
"What's the big deal? No one's here."
Even unflappable Misha was clutching her disguise tightly.
"Leon, found the catalog."
Luna, scouting one corner, brought over a fancy-bound book.
"Magic to swap contents? Clever."
Pricey, but efficient for rotating catalogs—no need for new books each time.
It listed everything: jewelry, elixirs, artifacts, rarities, monster parts.
Fit for the continent's top auction—pure luxury.
"Huff... huff..."
A ragged breath drew my gaze; the death god face was puffing blue smoke from its mouth, staring intently.
"What?"
"No slaves this time, right?"
"Slaves? Nope. Need one?"
She didn't seem pro-slavery.
"Good. They got imperial lightning once for illegal slave trading."
Inscrutable, she nodded to herself and flopped back onto the bed.
Would a normal fiancée lounge like that? Cattsi seemed set on turning our fake engagement real, intentionally or not.