Chapter 99 - Auction at Exam Site (2/2)

“T-that’s my private life, so it’s none of your business.”

Klaus responded to their cold words without hesitation.

Giving up, knowing that he probably wouldn’t change his ways unless he experienced a life-threatening experience, Loren asked Ivy.

“In any case, I just need to fight him and beat him to a pulp, right?”

“Yes, please destroy him so that he can’t move his legs and waist properly.”

“What!? Wait a second! Lying isn’t good!”

As Ivy said something quite violent with a smile on her face, Klaus quickly stopped her.

When Loren nudged him to explain, Klaus started explaining the rules to the exam, glancing at Ivy to keep her mouth shut.

“Winning or losing doesn’t matter in general. If you lose badly, you would lose points, but if you manage to fight decently, there’s no problem. If the exam was based on victory or defeat, since it’s against a copper rank and an iron rank, most adventurers won’t be able to pass.”

There weren’t many adventurers that were skilled swordsmen like Loren was, so a copper rank adventurer with more skill and experience than iron adventurers were very rare.

Then it would’ve been obvious after a bit of thought that the mock battle wouldn’t be based on victory, but for some reason, Ivy seemed to want Loren to crush Klaus.

“Can I ask what the circumstances are?”

“Well, that person over there has been hitting on every guild girl that caught his eye.”

As Lapis put her arm around Ivy’s shoulder and leaned in towards her and asked her in a small voice, Ivy replied in a hushed voice as well.

“No matter how many times we warn him he doesn’t show signs of improving, and sometimes new girls that don’t know about him almost fall for him, so we’ve decided that this can’t keep going on.”

“So, you ended up becoming the bait and luring Klaus out here, am I correct?”

“Yes. I used the condition I mentioned before to do so.”

At Ivy’s clear confession that she tricked Klaus, Loren started to feel sorry for him.

Klaus’ attitude was indeed a problem, but he couldn’t help but feel that there would’ve been a better way without having to trick him.

“But no matter how you tricked him, a promise is still effective as a promise, am I correct?”

“Well, yes, but with Loren’s skill…”

“If victory or loss doesn’t matter, he can lose on purpose if he wants to.”

At the words Lapis said with a smile, Klaus and Ivy’s expressions froze.

Realizing what was going to happen, Loren dropped his shoulders and sighed.

“So, the two of you. Let’s start the bidding, shall we? The good will be the right to decide if Loren will fight seriously or go easy and lose at a good time.”

“Wait a minute Lapis! That’s cheating, isn’t it!?”

As Ivy started panicking, Lapis said calmly.

“Cheating? What do you mean? Winning doesn’t matter, and the progress is what’s important, right? And it’s not like I’ve asked you to pass Loren unfairly. It’s about whether he beats up the proctor to a pulp or give up at a good time. That’s it.”

“Your pride as a swordsman won’t let you lose on purpose, right?”

“Strictly speaking, I’m a mercenary, not a swordsman, so I don’t care as long as it’s going to mean money in my pocket.”

If it were a fight to the death, it would be a different story, but what they were about to do was a mock battle, which victory or loss didn’t matter.

So, Loren thought that going on board with Lapis’ plan to get a bit of pocket money wouldn’t be bad.

His answer was unexpected to both Klaus and Ivy, as Klaus’ face loosened while Ivy, still stiff, looked at Lapis’ face awkwardly.

“So, now that we’ve gotten Loren’s approval. How much can you pay?”

At Lapis straightforward question, Klaus and Ivy quickly took out their wallets from their pockets and started looking through them.

Loren whispered to Lapis, humming as she looked on with a smile.

“Are you serious about this?”

“I’m not sure. I’m pretty interested in seeing Ivy cry after getting her room key taken though.”

“What’s my share?”

“How about seven to three, with Loren getting seven?”

“Not bad. Count me in.”

Loren wasn’t going to go with it if Lapis took the larger share or if it was exactly half.

But since she immediately responded with him getting the large share, it meant that Lapis was interested in where this would go and didn’t care about the money.

Loren didn’t have a reason to miss a three-way opportunity to satisfy Lapis’ curiosity, rake Klaus over some coals, and show Ivy what happens when she tries to use someone conveniently.

“Alright, the two of you. Let’s start piling up what’s in your wallets, shall we?”

Seeing Ivy and Klaus making bids in front of Lapis, who had an innocent yet crooked smile on her face, which made it hard to believe she was actually a priestess, Loren stifled a yawn, thinking that it would be a while before the exam would start.