Chapter 12 - The Auction
"Frey, why are you breaking out in a cold sweat..."
"...From now on, don't call me by name."
"...What?"
Desperately cutting off Isolet's words, I sank into thought, drenched in cold sweat from head to toe.
'...I thought none of the three would make a move at this point? Do they have that much of a grudge?'
The item I was aiming to secure right now was one of the artifacts the Demon King would use in the future: the Stone of Domination.
That artifact, which had the property of suppressing and dominating its target, would soon appear at the auction house, treated as a "cheap trinket" and go for just 1 gold.
So my plan was to buy up the useful items coming up at today's auction one by one, then snag the Stone of Domination at a reasonable price... and hand off the Demon King's forces crashing the auction to Isolet before slipping away leisurely.
But now, all the main heroines had gathered here.
They probably thought they could dominate me with that Stone of Domination...
As long as I had the Blessing of the Stars, I wouldn't fall to ordinary mental domination abilities.
In other words, the main heroines had come here completely in vain.
'...That said, do they even have the money to buy it right now?'
Kania had no money. Though she was the duke's steward, she sent most of it to her younger sister, so she usually carried only a few copper or silver coins as emergency funds.
And thinking about it, the same went for Saintess Perloché and Princess Clana.
Perloché held a position in the Church of the Sun God where even the Pope couldn't treat her lightly in name, but due to her pure nature, she'd been exploited by the leaders.
Naturally, she had no personal assets. Most of the wealth had gone into the hands of the bishops and the Pope, and thanks to her own pure personality, she'd donated every bit of money that came her way.
She might have asked the church for funds, but even having experienced the previous loop, with her personality unchanged, it was unlikely she'd gotten money from the bishops or Pope.
And Princess Clana had no money either. One might call it absurd for a princess to be broke, but for her, at the very bottom of the succession order, it made perfect sense.
Her siblings, jealous and envious of her innate beauty and spirit, feared her rising up, so they'd kept her in check—leading to her living a impoverished life despite being a princess.
In any case, the conclusion was that all three were severely short on funds right now.
'Moreover, they shouldn't even be here right now.'
Today was the day Kania visited her sister once a month. She'd always gone no matter what, so I'd felt a bit relieved—only to get hit from behind.
The saintess had a sacred ritual at the church today. A mandatory event held only once a year, so the church was probably in chaos by now.
For the princess, there was a major event today to decide her fiancé. For her, who needed to build influence, skipping it without permission was a huge risk.
In other words, to dominate just me, despite having not a penny to their names, all three main heroines had abandoned places they absolutely had to attend and come here.
I was so grateful I could cry.
'...At least Irina didn't come.'
Irina probably couldn't come even if she wanted to—she wouldn't have a pass with her commoner status as an academy student at this point.
"Alright, everyone! Thank you for waiting! Now, let the auction begin!"
Lost deep in thought for a while, I snapped back to reality at the auctioneer's booming voice.
The one essential item I had to buy here today was the Stone of Domination, but I also planned to grab a few other useful items for later.
But with the main heroines crashing the party, that plan had become uncertain.
I'd probably have to skip everything except the most useful and cheapest ones.
"First up! A decorative box with pure white coloring and intricate carvings! Starting at 1 gold!"
Having made up my mind like that, the moment I spotted the first item, I grabbed the panel in front of me and prepared to bid.
Of course, it wasn't like I was spending recklessly. That box was actually a hidden element in the game.
According to the Prophecy Book, if you took the Villain's Path and triggered the auction event, a decorative box containing a kit helpful for villain activities would sometimes appear.
My ancestor said it was an "Easter egg" from something like the world's creator god called the "Developer"... I still didn't know what that meant, but since it was my ancestor's word, it was definitely worth buying.
Not essential, but the ancestor advised it'd be useful in many ways for acting as a villain, so better to have it.
"...Yes! 5 gold! Anyone for a higher bid?"
As I bid 5 gold, a few people who had been about to raise their panels glanced at me and quietly lowered them.
They'd probably bid 2 or 3 gold, and when I jumped to 5, they gave up rather than bother.
"3... 2... 1... Sold! Sold to the gentleman for 5 gold on the decorative box!"
With the auctioneer's declaration, the staff carefully wrapped the box in cloth and handed it to me.
"...Do they usually hand over items right after the sale like this?"
"...It's still illegal. Way different from legal auctions that deliver safely to your home."
"...For something so illegal, not many dangerous items seem to come up."
Isolet muttered while staring sullenly at the next item, a ruby necklace.
But that was because she didn't know. That decorative box alone was stolen goods from artisan Rosinante.
And the ruby necklace she was glaring at had a curse that drove the wearer mad after three days.
This auction house dealt in illegally obtained items and cursed objects like that.
"Well, it's in the back alleys to begin with—illegal from the start."
Of course, telling her that would likely make the justice-driven Isolet wreck the place before the Stone of Domination even came up, so I glossed over it. Then the auctioneer suddenly shouted loudly.
"This next item is one of the rarest we've had so far! If it weren't for the finale weapon stealing the spotlight, it might've been last!"
"What's with all the hype?"
"Probably nothing special. Auctions always gild everything to jack up prices and commissions..."
"It's the lost swordsmanship manual of the Bywalk family!"
".......!!!"
Hearing the shocking words from the auctioneer, I felt my mind go blank and trailed off.
"...Did I hear that wrong just now?"
"...Uh, I mean... probably..."
"This noble swordsmanship manual was said to have been lost 450 years ago during the clash between the Bywalk and Moonlight families... but we've recently recovered it in complete form!"
"...You quietly slip out of here. There'll be a commotion soon."
"Wait, wait! Hold on just a second!"
Glaring at the excited auctioneer, Isolet quietly moved her hand to her sword and started to rise from her seat. I frantically grabbed her.
"You planning to cause a scene here? With all the empire's most wanted gathered?"
"...Let go."
"Even terrorists slip away without getting caught or their backers exposed?"
".........."
"And I brought you here as my professor, so if you cause trouble, I'll end up on the auction blacklist. So..."
"...Hand over the panel."
".....Huh?"
As I sweated trying to stop her, Isolet pointed at my panel and spoke.
"...First secure the manual, stop the terrorism, then smash the auction house."
"No, but the empire's most wanted..."
"...Give me the panel."
"........."
Unable to refuse her bloodthirsty tone, I handed over the panel. She glared wide-eyed, ready to write.
"Starting bid: 1000 gold!"
But hearing the auctioneer, she gaped, her eyes rolling in shock.
"...Why? Weren't you gonna secure the manual first?"
"A th-thousand gold... that's too high..."
"...Seems reasonable to me?"
Isolet looked at me in confusion as I tilted my head, then started sweating and explaining.
"A thousand gold... even saving my professor salary for years..."
"...Yes! 5000 gold! Strong start!"
"Eek!"
She watched desperately as the bid for her family's manual skyrocketed, then began glancing at me.
"...Why?"
"H-Hel... p..."
"...Huh? What? Can't hear you."
"Ugh..."
As I feigned confusion, Isolet's face flushed red. She hesitated long, then forced out the words.
"...Help... me..."
"Yes! Sold for 25,000 gold! Highest bid of the day!"
"...Ah."
But at that moment, the manual sold for what was an absurd price to her. Staring blankly, she let out a short sigh and bowed her head.
"..........."
"...Looks like it found the perfect owner."
"...Shut up."
At my teasing follow-up, she lifted her head again, glaring murderously at the buyer receiving the manual.
'It really went to the rightful owner.'
Of course, I'd spotted via information search that the buyer was the Bywalk family head, but to Isolet, it probably sounded like mockery.
1pt gained! (Unintentional Villainy)
Confirming the minor villainy points from unintentionally teasing Isolet, I calmed the fuming her and watched the auction proceed.
"Next item: Elixir of Potential! Starting at 500 gold!"
"This Moonlight Heirloom Teacup, one of the Moonlight family's treasures—steep tea in it and your sagging skin..."
"Don't be surprised! The Flaming Sword that burns anything! The beloved sword of the previous Sword Saint!"
Quite a few useful items passed by, but with the main heroines eyeing the Stone of Domination, I had to save money and just smacked my lips. Before I knew it, the final items arrived.
"Now, for the highlight—the grand finale item of today's auction!"
Hearing the auctioneer, I looked up at the item on the platform.
"...It's the Hero's Armament!"
Murmurs erupted around us.
"The legendary armament said to have been used by Star Hero Hanbyeol Raon Starlight, who repelled the Demon King 1000 years ago just before it devoured the world! An honor to present it to you all!"
"........!"
As the excited auctioneer finished, Isolet looked at me in panic.
"Is that really..."
"...Not my problem. Don't ask me."
"Still..."
"I said I don't know."
Irritated by my sharp reply, she quietly shut her mouth and gazed anxiously at the gleaming Hero's Armament.
'Pretty convincing for a fake.'
But knowing full well the real Hero's Armament was sealed in the secret underground room of the duke's mansion, I just apathetically gauged the replica's quality.
'Doesn't glow until awakened, wrist ornament patterns completely wrong, not a single scratch. Limits of a fake, I guess?'
Amusing myself spotting the differences, the auctioneer grinned wide and shouted.
"50,000 gold! 50,000 gold! Higher bids...? Ah, 55,000! 55,000... Oh! 75,000 gold!"
People went wild at the mention of the Hero's Armament.
I wanted to call it fake, but with most here being corrupt and no way to reveal my identity without them believing me anyway, I let it be.
"...150,000! 150,000 gold! Though the auction house is new, that's the highest ever!"
The frenzy lasted a while before dying down after the record high.
"3... 2... 1... Sold! Sold! Hero's Armament for 150,000 gold!!"
Once the Hero's Armament sold for 150,000 gold and was wrapped and handed to the buyer, everyone eyed him enviously.
'...Tsk tsk, sucker.'
I gave the guy a pitying glance, then waited for the event about to unfold.
"...Yes! That concludes today's auction... Hm?"
Meanwhile, the auctioneer, beaming from the record profits and about to end it, frowned as a staff member whispered in his ear.
"Ahem, excuse me, everyone! Apologies! We missed one auction item! So sorry for the delay!"
""............""
"Now, introducing the Unknown Stone! Appraisal shows it holds mysterious power!"
The auctioneer forced cheer, but after the record-breaking Hero's Armament, the crowd's excitement had fizzled—no one even glanced at the plain stone.
"Uh... um... Starting at 10 gold!"
Gauging the bored crowd but satisfied with profits, the auctioneer tossed the Unknown Stone out cheap.
'Perfect. Now it begins.'
That "Unknown Stone" no one eyed was the Stone of Domination I desperately needed.
I had to secure it at any cost.
"Yes, 15 gold!"
Cautiously eyeing the main heroines, I raised my panel. The auctioneer looked surprised and called it.
"...Surely no higher bids? Count down! 3... 2..."
As he began counting, I swallowed hard, praying silently the heroines were dozing from the long auction...
"1... Ah, 100 gold! 100 gold!"
Princess Clana raised her panel, joining the bid. I sighed and bowed my head.
"No bids over 100 gold? Then... countdown—wait! 1,000 gold!"
Saintess Perloché joined in. Head still down, I silently wrote 1,100 gold on my panel and started the war.
......
"10,100 gold!! 10,100 gold!!"
The drawn-out bidding war neared its end as I, growing anxious, sharply raised the price.
"10,150 gold! Ah, 10,151! 10,152 gold!"
As Perloché and Clana sweated, bidding smaller increments, I smirked and raised my panel again.
'Never underestimate a duke's wealth.'
"Ah! 15,000 gold!"
""........!""
Clana and Perloché flinched, glanced at me, then tremblingly wrote on their panels...
"...From now on, raises must be at least 100 gold!"
At the auctioneer's ruling, they powerlessly dropped their panels and bowed their heads.
"No more bids? Countdown! 3... 2..."
'That said, do they even have the money they bid? If so, where from?'
Sensing victory, I pondered their funds' source inwardly...
"30,000!! 30,000 gold!!!"
"......!"
Suddenly doubling the bid, someone jumped in. I startled and looked.
".....Hm."
'The weirdo collector who bought the Hero's Armament for 150k earlier?'
Sweating briefly, I squeezed my eyes shut and raised my panel.
"40,000 gold! 40,000 gold!!"
".........."
Low on remaining gold, I went all-in. Luckily, he lowered his panel, pondering.
'He spent 150k in the fierce Hero bidding earlier—must be short on funds. If he bids under 50k here... I've got a shot.'
"Yes! 45,000 gold!"
'Good.'
Before rewriting, I glanced sideways—the collector stared quietly.
I glared back briefly, then raised my panel.
"...46,000 gold! Ah, 47,000! 48,000 gold!"
The fierce tug-of-war between me and the collector dragged on to its bitter end.
"49,849 gold! Down to the unit—looks like all your remaining funds!"
Having bid my last coins, I grinned at the collector.
"..........."
He crossed his arms, head bowed silently.
"Whew, close... but I won."
"Countdown! 3... 2... 1..."
Finally relaxing against my chair with a sigh of relief...
"...Hah."
".....!!!"
He scoffed and raised his panel at the last second. I recoiled in shock.
"55,000 gold! 55,000 gold! Over 50k at last!!"
"...Brat."
His gravelly sneer made me regret earlier events.
'Damn, if I'd taken that 150 gold from the side quest clear reward...'
With that second side quest reward of 150 gold, I could've sealed it. Now the Stone might go to this weirdo collector.
"Countdown! 3... 2... 1..."
'This throws off the plan...'
Planning to grab the Stone and bolt, I despaired at the unforeseen snag, clutching my head...
"55,150 gold! 55,150 gold! Who knew this unexpected item would sell so well?"
Suddenly, Isolet—who'd quietly watched our duel—wrote 55,150 gold and raised her panel. I gaped at her in horror.
"...What the hell are you doing?"
"Lending you 100 gold."
"...Why?"
Flustered, I asked. She glared coldly at her father clutching the Bywalk manual preciously and replied.
"...Cleanup costs."
"No, wait. That guy's..."
"Countdown! 3... 2... 1..."
Trying to stop Isolet's rampage, I glanced cautiously at the collector as the auctioneer counted.
"............."
He clenched his fists, glaring silently at us.
"...Brat."
".......!"
Throwing his words back at him, the auctioneer bellowed.
"Sold! Sold! Unknown Stone for 55,150 gold!!"
Hearing that, Isolet grabbed my arm, stood, and headed for the descending Unknown Stone.
"...What's wrong?"
"You grab it and get out. I have business."
"No... I mean..."
"...I'll stop the terrorism and reclaim the manual while at it. Handle cleanup with your duke's power."
"You're insane. Do you think I'm some stylish back-world overlord who snaps fingers to sic minions on problems? I'm just the duke's eldest son living off his own merits... Huh?"
Trying to convince Isolet, who saw me as a mastermind boss commanding underlings with a finger snap, someone suddenly stood.
'...Kania?'
Kania rose, glaring at the Stone of Domination as black energy flared from her right hand.
Seeing that, a sudden hunch hit me. I muttered inwardly and dashed toward the Stone.
'...Come to think of it, Kania never bid? Did she plan to steal it from the start...!'
Snap!
'...Shit.'
Rushing to the Stone, Kania snapped her fingers. Black energy burst from her, blanketing the auction house. I muttered hollowly.
"I didn't infuse you with all that life force for this..."
With Kania's black magic fully spreading, people began collapsing one by one in confusion.
In that chaos, I witnessed Princess Clana shielding with solar mana, Perloché wrapping in divine power, and Kania staggering briefly with blood in her mouth—all charging the Stone of Domination.
"Ancestor... what the hell kind of fights did you go through..."
Dead-eyed, I pulled out the decorative box from my bosom and rummaged inside.
......
"...This is quite entertaining."
Meanwhile, the weirdo collector watched the scene with interest.
"Isn't it, Your Majesty the Demon King?"
He quietly took it all in, signaling somewhere.