35
Chapter 35
There are things I'm deeply curious about, but no matter how much I dwell on them, an answer never comes.
It's foolish to cling to such thoughts forever. It could lead to the worst-case scenario, disrupting other essential tasks.
So, I tucked the unsolvable problems of the Demon King and regression into a corner of my mind. I read Evans's [Flower that Eats Time] until the end, but there wasn't much of substance.
It was filled with trivial nonsense, like how a bridge in a certain region collapsed and people died, or how one of the Five Kings had offspring that became the ruler of the Southern Continent's mountain range.
Anyway, after leaving the Northern Duke's residence, I headed straight for an auction house in the Southern Demon Realm.
And I've just arrived.
Screeech- Clatter.
I stopped the carriage in front of a tent and stepped out. My pocket felt heavy and full.
That's because it was brimming with gold coins. I had packed these specifically for today.
Before entering the Demon Beast Forest, there is someone I absolutely must bring along.
The one who will appear in today's auction.
"What's a little shrimp like you doing at an auction house?"
"Oh, is that you, Guard?"
"And if it is?"
"Can't you just let me in?"
"...I need a guarantee that a brat like you won't steal any auction items."
As I tried to enter the auction house crowded with demons, a burly, stern-looking man blocked my path.
His shoulders were incredibly broad. His build reminded me of Godslayer Theseus or Holy Emperor Julius from Tartarus. Of course, their physiques were far more overwhelming.
"Please excuse this mister. You know kids like you are quite prone to stealing at auctions, right? Hmm?"
"But I really have to get in."
"Tsk, keep this up and mister's going to give you a talking-to."
"I didn't come here to steal. I came to bid."
"A brat like you?"
Since I spoke boldly, the guard raised an eyebrow and poked my forehead repeatedly with his finger.
Without getting angry, I pulled out the gold coins from my pocket and jingled them.
Clatter-.
"...! That is!"
"See, satisfied? With this much money, why would I bother stealing?"
"O-Oh, welcome! Guest!"
The moment he recognized the value of my assets, the guard bowed ninety degrees and ushered me into the auction house.
Honestly, if I were an Adult Demon, he would have let me in immediately. This is blatant discrimination against children. How am I supposed to survive if it's this miserable to be young?
Still, I understand the guard's attitude. The auction house I'm entering is the largest in the Demon Realm, a place that merchants from the Continent are desperate to enter.
Since ancient times, the Western Demon Realm has been a region where commerce flourished. This was because the Clanaein family, the Western Duke Family who held real power, were quite skilled at governing, as expected of succubi.
"Oh my, are you here to look at the items too? I guess you made some good money?"
"I hit the jackpot. So I'm looking to get some high-quality equipment this time."
"Do you think they'll have the gear you want here?"
"This auction house has everything. You don't have to worry."
This auction house is where everything from high-end artifacts and magic circle materials to the corpses of magical beasts and ancient treasures found in the Demon Beast Forest are sold.
To put it bluntly, one could say that 30% of the Demon Realm's wealth flows through here. That's the kind of place this is.
I also came because there is one specific item I must win the bid for.
I had come here around the same time in my previous life, but back then, I lost to Lilith Clanaein, who had the same goal as I did. Unlike her, who had full support from her family, I was in a position where I had to hide my claws while being mistreated by mine.
But this life will be different. I didn't fill my pockets with gold coins for nothing. I have a plan.
"Attention, everyone-! The auction will begin shortly-! Participants, please hurry and take your seats-!"
The loud voice of the host using a megaphone echoed through the air. At his shout, the numerous chattering demons simultaneously found their places and sat down.
I also took a seat in the very back row. Since my child's perspective was so low, I wouldn't be able to see the stage if anyone sat in front of me, so I had to find a relatively empty spot.
The further back I sat, the harder it was to hear the comments and the more difficult it was to see the stage clearly, but it didn't matter. The only thing I intended to buy at today's auction was the final item.
"Hmm-! It seems everyone has taken their seats safely-! Now then-!"
The host spread his arms wide. Simultaneously, the upbeat sound of instruments began to play from behind the stage.
"The 4325th Auction-! Will now begin-!"
*****
There are Seven Nations on the Continent. At least, that's how it is five hundred years from now.
If you asked who held the most power among them, a hundred out of a hundred people would name the Empire.
Whether it was military, administration, royal authority, commerce, or history, it was a nation lacking in nothing.
However, that mighty Empire collapsed unexpectedly and vainly. All thanks to just three people.
The first was Vincent, who had been used as a transport slave for the Empire.
I'm talking about the Vincent who once visited the Tartarus where the Saint and I were imprisoned in my previous life.
As soon as the war broke out between the Demon Realm and the Continent, he defected to the Demon Army. Using the various shortcuts and geographical information he had learned as a transport slave, he provided the Demon Army with the intel they needed to win every single battle.
The second was me. I was the one who sowed discord among the political factions of the Continent, instilled distrust between armies, and spread false rumors among the citizens.
Because of those actions, I earned the nickname 'Joker of a Single Glass of Blood.' While other members of the Demon Army fought and spilled oceans of blood, I shook the very foundations of the Empire while spilling only a single glass.
And the final third person is the reason I came to this auction house today.
Wolf King Rua.
A half-god half-beast with the face and body of a human, but the tail and ears of a wolf. The sole king of all wolves in the world. An absolute strong one of the Demon Army.
And the greatest assassin on the Continent, unrivaled across all dimensions.
Wolf King Rua assassinates the Emperor of the Empire. She infiltrated the royal palace, piercing through a defensive barrier consisting of over a thousand layers, and eliminated the most influential person on the Continent. The man I had named the greatest genius I knew fell so vainly before an invisible blade.
Following that, while the Empire was in chaos, I used various fake identities to plunge the nation further into turmoil. In truth, Wolf King Rua was the primary contributor to the Empire's downfall.
However, there was one thing the public didn't know. The terrifying Wolf King Rua was actually...
A weapon of murder painstakingly raised by the Western Duke Family.
Even now, thinking about it makes me grit my teeth. They snatched away the Wolf King I had my eye on and turned her into an emotionless machine by forcing her through murderous, grueling training.
If it had been me—.
If it had been me, I would have utilized her so much better—.
In this life, I won't leave any such regrets.
That is why I came to this auction house personally.
"Now-! Let us move on to the next item-!"
Wolf King Rua was a direct subordinate of Lilith, but she wasn't weaker than her. No, in terms of pure martial force, she was likely stronger than Lilith, one of the Four Great Dukes of the Demon Realm.
Even among the absolute strong ones, Wolf King Rua was exceptional. After all, she cut the throat of the most heavily guarded human on the Continent; what more praise is needed?
Of course, the Wolf King Rua of this time period isn't that strong yet. If she were, she wouldn't have been captured by the auctioneers and turned into a commodity. She's as young as I am.
The important thing is that Wolf King Rua possesses an unrivaled 'talent.'
Just being the king of a species doesn't automatically place one among the absolute strong ones.
The absolute strong ones are those who transcend their species. Originally, a weak race like humans couldn't take down a single dragon even if thousands gathered, but those humans who transcended their species eventually surpassed even dragons, the most superior race.
Occasionally, there are monsters who even surpass the gods above them, like Godslayer Theseus. Or one could mention the Saint, the Demon King, or the Hero. Ah, wait, should I exclude the Hero since they're the weakest Hero in history?
Regardless, Wolf King Rua is worth raising. There is one obstacle, but I'll deal with that later.
"Dragon King Endros' Scale-! A scale dropped during a battle between Dragon King Endros and Eagle King Horus in the ancient era-! Its durability is such that even a swordsman of the Sword Master level cannot easily cut it-!"
Wow, Endros' Scale. An item as rare as Horus's Egg has appeared.
With that one, I could easily craft a top-tier card, though I have no intention of buying it.
It's not that I lack the money. Since there's nowhere to spend money once I enter the Demon Beast Forest anyway, I was prepared to pour all my assets into today's auction.
However, I'm not the only one with money. When Wolf King Rua appears at the end of the auction, countless competitors will be desperate to win her. I need to drain their funds beforehand.
"Number 46! 3,000 gold!"
"Customer number 46! You bid 3,000 gold! Do I hear any more!"
"Number 72! 3,500 gold! I need this for alchemy!"
"Customer number 72! 3,500 gold! Does anyone else wish to bid!"
"Over here! Number 31! 3,900 gold!"
"Number 53! 3,950 gold!"
Reading the atmosphere, it seems this particular auction item will fetch quite a high price.
In that case, I'll be the one to light the fire.
"Number 99."
"Yes! Customer number 99 has raised their hand!"
"4,998 gold."
"...! 4, 4,998 gold! Is there anyone willing to bid more than 4,998 gold!"
I drive the price up. By doing so, I'll make these fools' wallets slim.
Of course, I must be cautious. One wrong move and it could be my own wallet that ends up slim. I have to keep my own money untouched while drawing the competitors in.
That is why I bid exactly 4,998 gold.
"Ack...! Dammit! It's been ages since I've seen an alchemy material of this grade... N-Number 72! 4,999 gold!"
The psychology of demons is quite peculiar; they hesitate to pay 5,000 gold, but they'll swallow the bitter pill of paying 4,999 gold.
I identify the buyers who desperately need the item and only raise the price when such people are present. Those who fall for my trap scream in regret after the hammer falls, but regret always comes too late.
I continued this, carefully judging and spiking the prices for several items.
As a result, the eyes of the auction house shifted toward me. Some gazes were laced with malice and bloodlust, but I remained brazen, hiding behind my mask as I continued bidding.
Time flowed by in a noisy blur.
"Whew-! Now, it is time to introduce the final auction item-!"
The host, clutching his megaphone and dripping with sweat from the heat of the room, shouted at the top of his lungs.
This was to sell the crowning jewel of the auction at the highest possible price, capitalizing on the feverish atmosphere.
And for this very moment.
I have embezzled a great amount of wealth.
The sack I've been holding isn't a normal one. It's woven from the spider webs of Spider King Arachne, the same material as the gloves I'm wearing. Not only is it resistant to most impacts, but it can store items regardless of their volume.
Spider King Arachne, one of the Five Kings of the Demon Beast Forest, governs space. Of course, since this sack only uses a fragment of Arachne's power, it cannot fully control space.
Think of it as a pouch with a carved-out space roughly the size of a car. There isn't much inside yet.
I stole a few things from the family vault, but I couldn't take too much without it becoming obvious. Well, I can fill it up from now on.
"Everyone-! Have you perhaps heard the legend of the Wolf King-? The strongest wolf who stood at the peak of all wolves and wolf beastmen-! Although the legendary Wolf King lost his life in a battle with Dragon King Endros-!"
The host laid out a verbose explanation, his veins popping in his neck. He clearly wanted to drive the price as high as possible.
"A few days ago, a hunter came to this auction house claiming to have captured the descendant of that Wolf King-! And upon verification-! It was revealed that the beastman the hunter captured is indeed the descendant of the Wolf King-! Not some mediocre monster like a werewolf-! But a true beastman, the Wolf King-!"
"""Oooooooo!!"""
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd. Everyone had been waiting for the moment the Wolf King would be put up for auction.
Rumors had spread quietly. Only at a tabloid level. Most likely, the organizers leaked it since they had acquired such a precious commodity.
"Of course, she cannot be called the Wolf King just yet-! She is a child, weak and ignorant of the ways of the world-! But her lineage is an undeniable royal bloodline of talent-! Whoever wins this bid will become the god of all wolves across the Demon Realm and the Continent-!"
"""Waaaaaaa!!"""
After adding a few more flowery adjectives, the host signaled toward the back of the stage once the excitement reached its limit.
It was a sign to bring out the item.
Then, about four demons dressed similarly to gatekeepers walked onto the stage.
They were carrying a square, iron cage. Each one of them held one corner.
And inside that makeshift prison, which was barely larger than a small room.
"...Grrr...."
There was a girl.
A girl with triangular ears poking out from her head. The fur on her ears looked like it would be fluffy if brushed, but it was so wildly tangled that it made me feel uneasy.
Looking closer, she is curled up, clutching her tail between her legs and holding it to her chest. The tail seems to be almost as long as her legs.
Though she looks to be in her early teens, her actual age is likely much younger. Since she is half-wolf and half-human, she's probably around six to nine years old.
Her clothing is nothing more than brown rags. The fabric is so poor that it looks like she's draped in animal hides.
Doubtless, this was the organizer's intention. That barbaric look would only make the bidders more eager.
Since she was far from clean anyway, they decided to lean into that as her primary selling point.
"Grrrr... Woof! Woof woof! Grrrr...!"
When the wolf girl opened her mouth, the sounds of a beast erupted. If one closed their eyes, it was unmistakably the howling of a wolf.
"Shut her up! I thought we beat her half to death, so why is she barking again!"
One of the demons carrying the cage hurriedly barked an order. Soon, several other demons arrived with clubs, shoving them through the bars to beat the girl without mercy.
Not enough to break anything, of course.
"Yelp! Yelp!"
Thud-! Thwack-!
"Yelp! Yelp! Whine, whine...."
The wolf girl struggled wildly to avoid the clubs, but under the relentless rain of blows, she gradually shrank back. That sight only fueled the longing in the eyes of the watching demons.
"Woof! Woof! Whine, whine... Grrr...!"
Even while terrified, she bared her baby teeth at the sight of the clubs—the will of a beast that refuses to submit easily.
A pride that does not kneel before violence. Eyes that glare at the enemy until the very end. Young fingers shaped like beast claws, ready to tear an opponent apart at any moment.
All of this ignited the passions of the demons, who lived for battle and madness.
Including me, of course.
I have to praise the organizers. They managed to sway my heart with a transparently obvious trick. They must have realized just how rebellious Wolf King Lua is to pull off such a performance.
"Ahaha-! We had a brief disturbance-!"
Having intentionally stalled to showcase the ferocity of Wolf King Lua, the host wiped the sweat from his brow—a product of his seasoned acting—and continued the proceedings.
At the same time, most of the demons in the auction house began fingering their gold coin purses, and the sound of jingling spread throughout the room.
"Now, the wolf beastman of the Wolf King's lineage-!"
Now it begins.
"We shall start the bidding at 10,000 gold-!"
The petals of greed begin to bloom.
I have always been the one to cultivate the greed of others.
But today, my own greed is the most profound.
*****
No.
Stop it.
I'm scared.
Don't look.
Go away.
I'm cold.
I'm lonely.
My dignified father.
My agile mother.
Where did everyone go?
Disgusting.
Why am I your merchandise?
Don't you dare define me as a toy for demons.
I am the king, the King of Wolves.