The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Episode 8
Find what I need (2)
The sparkling crystal chandelier. And the golden auditorium shining elegantly beneath it. And finally, the jewels decorating the walls here and there.
The view of the auction house at the end of the passage was a feast of excessive luxury, unlike the exterior of the building, which was disguised as old wood.
Even the individual seats, which were placed far apart, were made of the highest quality leather that even royalty could not easily find.
There was another thing that stood out in a peculiar way.
Everyone sitting in the seats had their robes turned inside out to hide their identities.
The baron, who was walking behind, muttered as if he was bewildered.
“They look like nobles, but the atmosphere is definitely different from that of a masquerade ball… … .”
A shady atmosphere that hints at a sincere desire.
That would have been something unfamiliar to him, who had lived honestly without any irregularities.
“But the fundamentals are probably the same. To them, it’s just a form of play for fun. Even the robes are just a way to spice things up.”
“Elements to liven things up… … .”
I sat down in a suitable seat, leaving the Baron behind as he mulled over the conversation.
The auction house attendant, upon seeing this, approached, carefully placed a small sign for bidding and a glass of wine on the table, and then left.
… … Coincidentally, the number assigned to me was 44.
“What is this? It’s just like treating a dead person.”
Is it a crime to use that guy’s pass?
I chuckled and caressed the pocket watch I had put in my bosom.
‘Asus, it seems that you have found your first use after death.’
By now, they must be on edge trying to guess my intentions.
It was as if a person with the right of passage to the dead Asus had fallen from the sky.
But that had nothing to do with me.
“… … but.”
At that moment, the Baron licked his lips. It seemed as if he had something to say.
I looked at the Baron and said.
“what?”
“Oh, I was thinking about the passage you mentioned. Didn’t you say it would be a substitute for an invitation? Then why not just send an invitation? So… … .”
It was a pure question that I truly did not understand.
Of course, that was true. But the answer to that was surprisingly simple.
“They are a secret guild that is sensitive to security to the point that they hide the location and time, as you said. Rather than sending invitations that you have to worry about being forged every time, it would be more certain to give a permanent badge to someone you trust.”
“……ah.”
Well, that also means that there is no reason to stick to methods that are widely known to the world.
Actually, if it was a method that Baron Vidor was guessing, then even if I don’t know, it would have caused a hundred more troubles.
I spoke to the Baron, who was giving me a strange look.
“Let’s get started.”
“yes?”
That moment.
Crunch-!
The lights illuminating the inside of the auction house all went out as if they had been waiting, and soon only a single ray of light remained on the stage, illuminating the auctioneer who was bowing his head.
-Thank you for waiting. The auction will now begin, so please take your seats.
And the corners of my mouth were slowly rising as I looked at this.
It was the start of a truly long-awaited auction.
* * *
About 30 minutes after the auction started.
In the meantime, quite a few items passed through the platform.
Of course, most of them were just works of art meant to heat up the early stages of the auction.
However, the price was set at an extremely high level, which meant that the items put out by the Dark Merchant Guild this time were valuable, and it was also proof of the great wealth of the nobles present.
……no.
It couldn’t have been just for that reason.
“Your Majesty… … .”
Baron Vidor, standing behind me, was at a loss and tried to dissuade me.
But I had nothing rough.
My hands were once again raising the sign on the table.
“750 thousand.”
-750,000! The 44th VIP called for 750,000 gold at once!
“Ahh!”
… … Of course, that 44th VIP.
The fact that it refers to me and no one else is something that even the Baron, who is on the verge of fainting, knows.
Once again, gazes of mixed annoyance and shock focused on me.
“… … Tsk, what a guy with no morals.”
“What the hell is that? What family does he come from?”
“If you don’t stop it, it means you have a lot of talent… … .”
How many was it already? As soon as the items came out, they went into the hands of ‘Number 44’.
There was no need for a fierce auction that started at a low price and gradually increased in price…
However, once the item was made public, it was listed at an abnormally high price compared to the market price.
That was the reason why so many items were brought up onto the platform in just a short period of about 30 minutes.
The Baron, who was watching this from the side, got wet in his eyes.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
“Oh, what on earth are you trying to do?”
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s really not something to laugh about anymore… … .”
“I see.”
“Euuuuuuu… … .”
… … It really looks like he’s about to cry.
And yet, you still haven’t given up. You must have some incredible mental strength.
After the astonished gazes had died down a bit, the auction house manager put a fancy piece of plastic down on the table.
It was a certificate notifying that the item had been sold at auction.
“… … Thank you for participating in the auction.”
Unexpectedly, the expression on his face as he retreated was eerily distorted.
It is obvious that we should be happy about the items being sold at high prices.
At that moment, the Baron’s sad face came closer to my ear.
“Your Majesty… … I really can’t do this anymore… … .”
It was a line I kept repeating like a parrot. Well, it was actually true.
1 The budget allocated to the prince in the future. It had already been used several times over.
If things continued like this, there was no choice but to pay it back with the palace budget.
Whatever.
“Do you realize that if I say it one more time, it will be the nineteenth time?”
“… … .”
“It’s ridiculous to be so nervous about such an enjoyable auction. You need to enjoy it a little more.”
“Ugh… … !”
I just shrugged and enjoyed the wine on the table.
The Baron’s fist twitched as he watched that scene, and it was probably not just an illusion.
“Your Majesty, why are you putting me through such a trial… .”
“Shh, the next item is coming up.”
“… … .”
As the bitter mutterings continued, the precious items that could finally be considered the highlight of the auction began to come up for sale.
-… … Ugh, ahem! Thank you for waiting for a long time. This item is a rod discovered in the ruins of the Southern Continent!
The first one was a silver staff displayed in a large glass display case.
-Look at this beautiful figure! It is estimated to have been made 1000 years ago, and judging by the strong magical waves it still radiates, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was made by the elves of legend!
“hmm!”
“… … Huh!”
Her elegant appearance was enough to elicit exclamations from the nobles who had been feeling irritated the whole time.
At that moment, the auctioneer’s confident voice, amplified by magic, rang out.
-The starting price is 700,000 gold!
“… … What!”
“700,000 gold?!”
“What an outrageous price!”
There was a small commotion inside the auction house.
It was literally just a starter, but they were already asking for an amount close to that of a mansion.
Some nobles, judging that there was no hope, quickly threw the signs they were holding onto the table.
And in it the Baron… … .
“I, Your Majesty, surely you will not participate this time as well… … .”
“I have an idea too.”
“… … Haha, I guess you wouldn’t buy a wizard’s item that you don’t need. Of course you would.”
It was just calming a little anxiety.
Soon the auction began.
“700,000!”
“800,000!”
“3.5 million.”
“What!”
“That crazy kid!”
“Ugh!”
The Baron fell to the ground, clutching his heart.
And the auctioneer’s excited voice echoed throughout the auction house.
-W, this can’t be happening! Guest number 44 has bid 3.5 million gold! 3.5 million gold! Don’t you have more?!
“… … .”
There was no way that could happen.
Even if it was an elf or something, it was just a wand used for decoration.
What crazy author would burn 3.5 million gold, enough to buy a mansion in the capital, for something like that?
It was truly an outrageous price.
-3, 2, 1… … Ahh! It’s a sale! The longsword discovered in the ruins was sold to VIP number 27 for 3.5 million gold!
“Damn it!”
Bam-!
The sound of teeth grinding could be heard here and there.
I felt quite happy. In complete contrast to the Baron, who was looking down at me with his gaunt face.
‘After all, it’s best to spend money.’
I thought I knew why the stupid nobles were so obsessed with luxury.
“Well, even so, I think it’s enough to have confirmed this much.”
“… … What? No, yes?”
I stood up from my seat, pulling up the corners of my lips.
From the beginning, my interest was not in auctions mixed with such desires.
Participating in the auction was only a means, not an end.
“You are to participate in the auction on my behalf. Make sure you bid on all of them without missing a single one.”
“Your Majesty?!”
The Baron’s panicked voice could be heard behind me. But I ignored it and continued walking.
* * *
The end of the passage leading from the auction house.
And beyond the gate, positioned under strict security, was the dark merchant who hosted this auction.
“Well, it is a great honor for you to take the time out of your busy schedule to come to my house.”
A middle-aged man who introduced himself as the guild leader and general manager of the Dark Knight Guild immediately bowed his head.
What was the Dark Merchant Guild? Weren’t they dark criminals who only cared about the strict hierarchy of capital, excluding feelings like recognition or favoritism?
But the appearance he showed now was very similar to that of a politician who had surrendered to worldly power.
“Hey, I was going to come see you after the auction was over, but I didn’t know you’d come already. Please sit here.”
“I see.”
I replied and sat down.
It was an attitude that seemed familiar and without the slightest hesitation.
Then the general manager spoke, awkwardly stroking the monocle over his right eye.
“Excuse me, but are you acquainted with the Count?”
This is what I guessed from the pocket watch I showed them. To be exact, it was more like a wish than a guess.
However, I threw out my impressions without answering the question.
“Auctions are fun. This auction in particular had a lot to see.”
“Ha, haha, thank you. If you enjoyed it, we who prepared it… … .”
“But why did you put Asus’ items up for auction?”
“… … .”
The feeling is like a small ripple appearing on a pond.
The awkward smile that had been on the general manager’s lips disappeared.
“… … The Count’s belongings? What are you talking about?”
“Did you think I didn’t know that most of the stuff you guys put out was entrusted to Asus?”
“That, that is… … .”
The bastard’s expression became so relaxed that it was impossible to see any sign of composure. The emotion that was finally revealed was fear.
‘Damn, I had a feeling this was going to happen… … !’
In order to obtain passage through the Dark Merchant Guild or to order items, items were needed as a guarantee.
Jewels, weapons, or even gold coins would not be a problem.
This could be seen as a security deposit, but it could also be seen as a means of preparing for the unlikely event that something goes wrong or damage occurs due to a spy or the like.
But they sold it when Asus died. And I said it through and through.
Why did you sell things that don’t belong to you?
Contrary to my fervent wish, someone who knew the exact circumstances appeared.
But that wasn’t the problem.
“Ah, are you the agent appointed by Count Asus?”
“no.”
“Well, then… … .”
The general manager spoke with a trembling voice, trying to calm it down.
It was not something that could be taken lightly that the merchants of the shadows had dared to sell Asus’ products, which were supported by ‘them’.
Of course, I wasn’t on their side.
You could say that it’s just a case of crushing hope.
“It seems like he felt a great sense of disappointment.”
“… … !”
Money. Fame.
Such things were utterly helpless in the face of overwhelming power.
Ironically, the black marketers were nothing more than tools sensitive to power.
I crossed my legs arrogantly and played the role of a complete stranger.
“How dare you covet what belongs to the Federal Empire… … How admirable your courage.”
