“And sooooooo！！
Two hundred and thirty Platinum Coins！！
Ra-, ra-, ra-, ra-, ra-……
Sa-, sa-, sa-, sa-, sa-……
Keeeettttttttttttttttttttttttttt！！！”
A final, greatest cheer erupts in the Colosseum. This was the price placed on ‘Kairaku Ojisan’s Pillow,’ the material for the Elixir I had put up for sale.
“Hmm, at this point, I’ve become numb to it all.”
Well, I suppose a price like this is only possible in the auctions on this continent. Gumii, the prostitute and magician I teamed up with to acquire this on the Milishitan Continent, had three of them. I imagine she must be living like a celebrity by now.
(Honestly, with my experience now, I think I could accept an invitation from Gumii and be intimate with her.)
I’ve experienced so much, both sweet and sour, and even bitter.
“…And so, all of today’s auctions have concluded. Tomorrow, the second day, will feature Tim Monsters and slaves for sale. Those who placed winning bids will automatically have…”
Finally, the Hero Receptionist (48) announces this in a normal tone. After being so high-strung and about to burst a blood vessel, she can just switch back to normal with ease, demonstrating her professionalism.
“Now then, Deles, let’s go pick up Clarice and Anju.”
“Ah, you’re not returning to this area? Oh, right. Helen, let’s go too.”
“Yes, please, I’ll be, counting on you tomorrow.”
She bowed her head deeply.
Downstairs, it was crowded with people picking up their purchased items. Anju-chan, for some reason, was drawing a large crowd, but Clarice-san was handling it skillfully. I could escape anytime if I wanted to, and they seemed to have noticed us. Once they’d finished dealing with the crowd, they would likely join us.
(Ah, someone is carefully receiving the Scythe of Death and Kairaku Ojisan’s Pillow.)
That was the Daifugo who brought me three hundred and thirty Platinum Coins. A gentleman from the Commercial Guild carefully gestured us towards him and explained something. While his attendant placed the purchased items into an Item Bag, he approached us.
“Well, well. Thank you for purchasing such wonderful items this time.”
Ah, they disclosed my contribution. Where did the concept of personal information protection go?
“No, things just went well for me by chance.” Niceina also seemed to be handling the situation well.
“I don’t usually come to auctions unless there’s something exceptionally noteworthy. But upon hearing about the main ingredient for Elixir, I couldn’t resist coming.”
“Oh? Do you have a friend with a rare disease?”
“No, no. It’s for preparedness. My Queen believes preparedness is paramount in all matters.”
Huh? The Queen?
“By any chance, do you have any leads on the other main ingredient for Elixir, a Rare Magic Stone?”
My heart skipped a beat.
“I’m sorry, that is private information for adventurers. I can’t say there are absolutely no leads, but for now, it seems unobtainable.”
“I see. That’s a pity.”
Yes, after that, when I went to check on the Evil Wizard’s family, their nest was already empty. The Illusionist’s Staff I had left behind was also gone. They were high-level monsters resistant to detection magic, so I don’t know where they went. If they happened to have a Rare Magic Stone within them… I feel a sense of loss, yet also relief that they escaped.
“Will you be purchasing anything tomorrow or after?”
“Yes, it wasn’t in our plans, but we heard a certain clan, which was nearly annihilated, is putting items up for sale.”
“…I see. Our objective is the Kelpie.”
Ah, are they trying to negotiate? If it can be adjusted like the Illusionist’s Staff, it would be best to do so.
“Forgive my late introduction. I am Takepi, the Minister of Finance of the Mu Mu Empire.”
“I am Nina, the Leader of the B-class Adventurer Party, Nina Starlights.”
“My, my, truly a distinguished figure. Please do visit our country. My Queen would also like to express her gratitude.”
Ah, I thought he was an obsequious noble, but he’s an Imperial Minister! So, the Scythe of Death was a tribute to the Queen?
“While I am grateful for the high price it fetched, wasn’t it a bit too expensive for the Scythe of Death?”
“That was a negotiation tactic. An appeal to show that bidding against me would be in vain.”
“And that caused such an exorbitant price?”
“It was also to ensure I could definitively acquire Kairaku Ojisan’s Pillow. Considering the total amount, not individual prices, we are not at a loss. Of course, the Scythe of Death is a splendid item, so we shall enshrine it as a national treasure.”
I see, the mystery is solved. To make others think they can’t win and lose any desire to bid. It’s probably their greatest strategy to buy within their budget.
“The Illusionist on your side also possesses an uncommon aura and movements.”
“Eh?!” Looking, Anju-chan and Clarice-san had arrived.
“Our Master is our greatest asset. She’s a bit prone to floating, but she has an abundance of Magic Power, so it can’t be helped.”
“Ho ho ho, I would very much like to introduce her to our Queen.”
“For tomorrow’s auction, are you only targeting that princess who lost the war?”
“If we can afford it with the remaining budget, we won’t push ourselves. We won’t strain ourselves.”
“I see. We absolutely want the prominent Kelpie. As long as you aren’t a rival, that’s fine.”
So, the Mu Mu Empire isn’t interested in the Kelpie. That’s good. …Should I perhaps tell Helen-san’s companions not to interfere with her as well?
“Are you interested in any other slaves?”
“No. Regarding the real estate on the third day, we have some.”
“We have no interest in that, at least for now. I don’t know the details of what’s available, but…”
“Currently, the highlight is an entire Dungeon being sold. Our country is also considering it.”
“That’s incredible. Which country’s? A country that allows individual rights to Dungeons…”
With that, our standing conversation ended, and they departed with polite, socially appropriate goodbyes.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. They were quite important, so I became quite formal. Let’s go.”
(Now, after a short break, it’s time for a quick Succubus extermination!)
