Chapter 25 Part 1 (1/2)

It is a starry night.

Kaede and I are on our way to a mansion.

According to what we have heard, the auction is held there.

This is a members-only event, so outsiders are not normally allowed to attend.

However, if you meet certain conditions, you may participate.

One such condition is a recommendation from a member.

I have already received a recommendation from the Count, so participation itself is not a problem.

If there is a problem, you can hide your identity. Although the organizer will know exactly who you are.

Several participants have come to this place with their faces, names and identities hidden.

In addition, it is strictly forbidden to pry. It seems to be a measure to avoid unnecessary problems.

That's why we also wear masks to hide our faces.

There were strong soldiers guarding the gate.

They stare at us.

”I have a letter of recommendation.”

”Excuse me, sir. Please come in.”

I lightly showed the envelope the Count had given me and went through the door.

In the spacious grounds, there was a magnificent garden.

”It's a big mansion, but whose house is it?”

”It appears to be the villa of the duke of the capital. That would explain a lot, besides the guards and the reasons why everyone comes with their identities hidden.”

It doesn't matter who the organizer of the auction is.

I'm sure everyone here feels that way.

You should be full of thoughts about when you will get what you want and how much you can bid for it.

A large white building comes into view.

In front of the entrance, there were participants talking, each with a drink in their hands.

They are probably killing time as it is still early.

Once inside the building, an elderly man bows to us.

”Thank you very much for coming tonight. It looks like this is your first time participating in this event, may I see your letter of recommendation?”

”Here it is.”

The old man looks at the envelope and smiles.

”I'm sure it's genuine. So, once again, welcome to the auction. We have a wonderful selection of items for you to choose from tonight. If there is something that interests you, please bid on it.”

”By the way, what should I call the people here?”

”The representative receives a tag with a number on it, and it is customary to call them sir or madam by naming the number.”

The one I was given was ”number 31”.

I placed the paper on my chest.

Tonight I will be Mr. 31.

I have to be careful not to accidentally leak my name.

Heading to the back of the building, there was a huge room.

Inside the room was a crescent-shaped stage with countless chairs lined up.

There were already people in some of the chairs.

We sat in the seats at the end of the stage.

We are pretty far away, but both Kaede and I have good eyesight, so we can see well.

”Why did you choose to sit in the back?”

”I don't know how all this works, so I decided to keep some distance.”

The closer I am, the more attention I get. I don't like to stand out at all.

”Sir, may I offer you a drink?”

”Of course.”

A young man brings me two glasses.

It looks like champagne.

”Kyui?”

”Don't go out.”

Panda left the seal without permission.

He was peering through the glass, curious about what was going on.

Then she settles into Kaede's arms and closes his eye happily.

Unlike Rosuke, Panda leaves the seal at will.

I worry that he will jump out of nowhere at an important moment and surprise everyone.

A large number of people begin to enter the room, and a person who appears to be the master of ceremonies takes his place on the stage.

”Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to start the auction. The rules are pretty simple, all you have to do is get the item being offered at a higher price than any other. Now, let's get started.”

The first item displayed was a very large, fist-sized piece of jewelry.

It was illuminated by the light reflecting off it and emits a dazzling glow.

“2000!”

“2500!”

“3500!”

“5100!”

The price went up and up. Ten minutes later, the jewel was sold for 330 million.

I break out in a cold sweat at this ridiculous spectacle.

Wow, this place is even more outrageous than I imagined.

Hundreds of millions being spent in just a few minutes.

The people who come here are incredibly wealthy.

I have 1.2 billion on hand, but I'm starting to feel insecure about this amount.

The upper class is scary.

After that, one valuable item after another was put up, and the auction continued.

”From here, even more valuable items will appear! First up, one of tonight's highlights, the Skill Sealing Scroll. The bidding starts with a million.”

This is where the auction had my full attention for the first time all night.

The scroll is one of the relics left by an ancient race.

Its manufacturing method is still unknown today, but instead of being disposable, it activates high-level power.

And the Skill Sealing Scroll is an extremely powerful trump card in a battle against a powerful enemy, rendering the target's abilities completely useless.

If you are a fighter, this is a valuable item to have.

...I thought this item was going to cause a stir in the room. But all was quiet.

The moderator is confused.

”Ladies and gentlemen, the bidding has begun.”

I was surprised at what was happening, but then I understood. Upper class people have no interest in fighting.

It's a waste of money for them to bid on such items, to be honest.