Chapter 72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: The Auction House (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
5.
This is our final item of the day. I'm sure it is the one all you esteemed guests have been eagerly awaiting!
The slave auction was already nearing its end.
Today's main event! An elf, captured near the Southern Great Forest.
An elf was dragged onto the stage.
The pointed ears peeking through her hair revealed her race.
She was bound far more thoroughly than any of the slaves who had come before her.
She was even gagged to prevent her from taking her own life, and blindfolded so she could see nothing.
It was true!
I'm bidding on this one, so everyone else, back off!
The voices of the previously quiet guests began to rise.
The auction house heated up with their fervor.
Nur, the auctioneer, said with a smile.
Elves are inherently trained warriors. That is why we cut the tendons in her arms and legs during her capture. We ask for your generous understanding on this matter. Now, let us begin the auction. The starting price is 100,000 gold.
An auction starting at a price nearly equivalent to a provincial fief's annual budget.
A commoner would have fainted from shock upon hearing such a sum.
110,000!
120,000!
150,000!
But to the esteemed guests present, it seemed to be of little importance.
The price began to climb in an instant.
Cobbler, who was watching the auction beside Karron, discreetly asked him.
It seems you have no intention of participating in the auction, young master.
What do you think she'll go for?
Well, the last elf that was brought in sold for 300,000 gold and this one is in much better condition. That one was missing a hand Hmm, if I had to guess, I'd say around 500,000 gold?
An absurd amount.
But Karron knew all too well that this world was full of people with more money than sense.
500,000 gold.
For high-ranking nobles who owned several successful businesses, it was a perfectly manageable sum.
There's also the superstition that sleeping with an elf grants eternal life so you can bet all the deranged perverts will be clamoring for her. Isn't it always the ones at the top who believe that kind of nonsense?
Karron sensed a faint hostility in Cobblers words.
It was a remark that seemed to insult the nobility.
However, Cobbler quickly realized his mistake. He promptly slammed his head to the floor and said.
I-Ive misspoken
But Karron just chuckled and nodded.
You're right. There are far more fools who believe that sort of superstition than you'd think. One fool believed in it so much he ended up believing in demons.
Karron downed the liquor in his glass in one gulp.
Was it just his mood? The drink tasted exceptionally bitter.
300,000!
The bidding for the elf slave had already reached 300,000 gold.
Unlike the initial frenzy, only two or three bidders remained in the race.
Cobbler.
Karron called out to him casually. Cobbler cautiously raised his head.
Yes, yes, young master.
I hear your specialty is kidnapping slaves from other slavers.
That is correct.
Then can you kidnap the slaves sold here too?
At those words, Cobbler's ugly face turned deathly pale.
Th-That would be difficult.
Why?
The clients who use this auction house all belong to prestigious families. That's why after the auction, the house assigns mercenaries to the clients. They provide an escort all the way to the client's desired location. The forces a mere slaver possesses we wouldn't even dare to dream of it.
They were needlessly thorough.
Assigning men to protect a high-value product?
There would certainly be knight-class soldiers mixed in, and there was only one person in this city with that kind of power.
So that's why you said Margrave Leandro was behind this.
You aren't the first person to have that thought, young master. It's just that everyone who did was brutally murdered. If you are entertaining such an idea
From here on out, I'll handle it.
I-I can never be a part of this, young master! You might as well kill me right here and now!
Seeing him this terrified, Karron could guess how Margrave Leandro ruled this city.
Karron let out a deep sigh and turned his attention back to the auction.
300,000 gold. Any more bids for 300,000 gold?
The race seemed to be over.
A man, presumably the one who had bid 300,000, began to shout, his belly fat jiggling.
Hehe! She's mine! Mine! I finally get an elf slave
But the man's joy was short-lived.
Karron wrote a price on the magic slate, and soon, Nur's voice echoed through the auction hall.
Number 26. 500,000 gold.
Hearing that, Cobbler's jaw dropped.
500,000 500,000 gold? Young master?
Well, since you said you can't do it, I guess I'll have to get her this way.
Karron grinned as he looked at the stage.
Standing on the stage, Nur looked around the hall and shouted.
500,000 gold. 500,000 gold. 500,000 gold! Today's final item has been sold to client number 26! Congratulations!
The auction house staff began to applaud in unison, while the other clients below looked up at where Karron was sitting and started to voice their complaints.
Karron gave them a light wave.
500,000 gold Do you really have it?
Cobbler asked him cautiously. Karron, still smiling, replied.
The black card is only issued to those with at least 500,000 gold in their personal accounts in the first place, you idiot.
He had plenty of money.
He had been involved not only in the development of Baron Bellus's territory but also in Thebes's development projects.
That was why he had maintained a close relationship with the mayor.
Even if he were short on cash, he could easily liquidate some of his current shares.
Alright, Cobbler. Lets get started.
But Karron had no intention of paying properly.
Yes? What do you mean, young master?
What do you think?
Karrons lip curled up as he looked at Nur, who was watching him from below the stage.
Something fun.
6.
After the auction, in the VIP lounge on the top floor of the auction house building.
I am delighted that such a fine product has found a worthy owner.
The master of the auction house, Nur, smiled as he looked at the young man before him.
A young man wearing an iron mask.
Though he was clearly young, Nur had confirmed that he possessed a black card.
Moreover, this young man was a truly esteemed guest who had purchased an elf for the hefty sum of 500,000 gold.
Precious items always find their rightful owners. Perhaps your visit here today was fated for this very moment, young master.
As Nur spoke, he gestured to his subordinate standing beside him.
The subordinate nodded, then left the room and returned with the product.
An elf with light green hair.
Unlike before, when she was blindfolded, the elf's blindfold was now off.
Her beautiful eyes, a peculiar shade of brown, instantly captivated one's gaze.
It seems this one recognizes her master as well. Just a moment ago, her eyes were filled with hatred. For some reason, she's docile now. But be careful, young master. An elf's beauty hides sharp thorns. You might get pricked if you let your guard down.
Though her blindfold was gone, the elf was still gagged.
Nur had the elf stand next to the young man, then took a sip of his tea. He continued with a smile.
How would you like to handle the payment?
The young man shrugged.
This is my first time here. How is it usually done?
Cash is preferred, of course.
But the flow of funds could be traced.
This was a natural concern for nobles.
If a sum as large as 500,000 gold moved all at once, someone was bound to catch the scent and start digging.
Hes showing his youth.
No matter how much money he had, it seemed his opponent was nothing more than a young lord just stepping out into society.
And so, Nur began his explanation in a gentle voice.
You need not worry. What you will be purchasing here is not an elf, but 500,000 gold worth of jewels. By day, this auction house deals in precious metals and gems.
So you launder the money.
We would appreciate it if you thought of it as us doing our utmost to ensure no harm comes to our esteemed clients.
Having finished his explanation, Nur moistened his lips again. He looked at the young man in silence.
There was no way this young man didn't have the money.
The Imperial Bank transaction card?
That black card was an item used only by the real players of the Empire.
An object permitted only to those overflowing with authority and wealth, its very existence a testament to a brilliant status and fortune.
Ive confirmed the cards authenticity.
He couldn't trust the word of a disgusting slaver like Cobbler. So he had checked the card again through the Leven branch manager of the Imperial Bank.
The branch manager himself was an esteemed guest who frequented this place.
Fortunately, he had attended today's auction, which made things easy.
Therefore, the concern wasn't whether he could get the money, but how.
However, the young man's next words wiped the smile from Nur's face.
I'll pay later.
Excuse me?
I keep my slush fund in a private vault in Thebes. You guys provide an escort to my destination anyway, right? Escort me to Thebes, and I'll give you the money then.
An unexpected proposal.
To defer a payment of 500,000 gold?
But Nur quickly regained his composure.
Our policy is strictly payment upfront. I'm afraid you cannot take the elf until the payment is made. Perhaps you could have one of your subordinates bring the money here instead?
He proposed a compromise.
The money had to be received first. That was the unwritten rule of the slave market.
Slave trading was an illegal act in the first place.
Without the collateral of money, not an ounce of trust could be established.
Alternatively, you could make the payment now with your Imperial Bank transaction card.
The young man replied, showing his displeasure.
Then there'd be a record of me being here, you stupid bastard.
The young man swore without hesitation despite his age, but Nur paid it no mind and continued.
If you wish, we can assist you in making a withdrawal from a different branch. However, you would have to remain in Leven until then.
I don't want to spend another day in a shithole like this.
Isn't deferred payment a bit much between strangers? I trust you understand that money is the only form of trust here.
Revealing one's identity was less preferable to a clean transaction; that was the psychology of the nobles who visited the slave market.
There was no way some madman would commit a condemnable act after revealing his identity.
You have no choice.
But his prediction was immediately proven wrong.
The young man before him spoke as if he had been waiting for this.
So, if I reveal my identity, you'll accept a deferred payment?
Thats not exactly
This mask was getting annoying anyway. Perfect.
With a smirk, the young man immediately took off the mask he was wearing.
His face was revealed.
Lustrous blond hair and blue eyes.
A face so handsome anyone would marvel at its beauty.
Is he really sane?
Nur couldn't identify him by face alone.
Isn't it about time the master showed himself?
I am the general manager of this auction house, and even if you show me your face, I don't quite
At that moment, the young man's eyes flashed with a chilling light.
Nur didn't know when it started, but he realized his legs were trembling.
Moreover, he couldn't move his hands even when he tried. No, to be precise, it wasn't just his hands. It felt as if his entire body was paralyzed.
Go and tell your master.
The young man rose from his chair and slowly approached Nur. Then, he pressed a hand on Nur's shoulder and said.
That Karron Leston wants to see him.