News about Deculein's actions swiftly spread throughout Hadekain, the capital of Yukline, by the second.
"What? Now? In the auction house?"
Yeriel's eyebrows furrowed.
Deculein had already flushed away ten million Elnes from the estate's finances last year, yet he had already entered another bidding. She couldn't believe it. He didn't seem satisfied by the havoc he already caused.
"Yes. I believe the auction is currently going on as we speak."
"I see."
Hearing the butler's dispassionate reply made her feel nauseous. Since she was acting as the actual lord of the Hadekain Castle, she tried her best to minimize their expenses. Hence why she found such actions incomprehensible.
"…Alright. You may go."
"As you wish."
Slam─!
"Fuck!"
As soon as the butler left the room, Yeriel slammed her hand down on her desk. She then forcefully opened up a whiskey bottle and poured some into a glass as anger boiled up inside her.
"Is that the reason why he asked for funds to purchase the mine? Has he gone insane?"
Gulp.
She emptied the glass all at once. The alcohol burned her body up, but it made her head, which was ready to burst, cool down.
"Argggh─! Gaaaargghh!"
Yeriel screamed out of frustration.
"For Fuck's sake! Seriously!"
Aside from etiquette, she was confident that she was far more skilled than Deculein in all areas, including magical affinity, administrative talents, cultural and industrial understanding, and even morals. Yet Deculein was the one made lord of Yukline.
And it might stay that way for as long as they drew breath.
"Why…"
Her parents believed in Deculein's talents to such an extent that they decided on their successor too soon. He was a gifted child; that much was undeniable. After all, he managed to understand collegiate-level magic at the age of ten.
However, that was his limit.
It could be likened to his height, which had already gone beyond 160cm when he was just ten years old. That made everyone believe he'd become a tall and well-built man. To their surprise, however, his body stopped growing at that age. Simply put, he wasn't gifted. He just developed prematurely.
It was for that reason that her parents once told her that they regretted it. They regretted their decision.
"You should have become the lord instead of Deculein."
…That line was beyond anything she imagined.
"Fuck! Regrets always come at the end."
It was too late. There was no room for it to be undone now. Her parents had already passed away, leaving him on the throne of Yukline indefinitely. Yeriel realized such a reality was unfair, but there was nothing she could do.
Deculein resembled her father, and she resembled her mother, who became his father's wife only after the first one, Deculein's mother, passed away. That made it crystal clear that Deculein would become the lord.
The situation was abhorrent, but there was nothing wrong with it. She understood that that was bound to happen since it was the natural course of events. However, she still found it too cruel of a fate to suffer.
She could have done it better, way better than that asshole whose expertise revolved only around his extravagance.
"Ah…I miss them…"
She chugged the entire bottle in a matter of a few short moments. It didn't take long for its effects to kick in and for her to become drunk.
Yeriel laid her head on the table as she mumbled emptily.
"Why did they have to pass away so early…"
It had been seven years since their passing. Since then, there had been several moments when she wanted to feel their embrace even just once more. No, she desired it as frequently as her weeping: almost every single day. However, she was twenty-six now and the deputy of the lord. She had been carrying out Deculein's duty as a member of the Yukline family since her melancholic younger days.
"…That bastard is a real pain in the ass."
Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!
Instead of crying her heart out, she hit her desk over and over until she had enough. She then let out a determined sigh.
"Well, he wouldn't spend that much…"
She hated excessive expenditure as it went against her dignity. Her emotions were telling her to abandon that dignity and etiquette, however.
"Fuuuckin' bastard…."
There was a time when she asked for his affection. She was even proud of his existence then. But Deculein was always cold and oppressive towards her, and he insisted on making her practice etiquettes that didn't suit her. Of course, Yeriel tried her best at that time. Although she wasn't as well-spoken as him, she still wanted to win his affection.
And so, she wore dresses that she found inconvenient, held onto the book of etiquettes in her tiny hands, and always followed after him. He ignored her, pushed her away, and yelled at her, yet she thought his actions were reasonable. She was the child of their father's second wife, after all. She was just a worthless being who grew up with so much savagery that she could no longer maintain her dignity or be taught anything.
However, time proved that he was the one far beyond acting as a noble.
"…S-Son of a bitch."
Yeriel became strong as she gave up on winning him over. She even reached the point where she could now swear right to his face. Although some couldn't tell whether she had actually grown stronger or was broken down, there was no doubt that she could manage Yukline all by herself.
She was satisfied with it, and for seven years, Yukline developed as her land. Now, all the vassals of their land acknowledged her as its lord.
"Ha…"
She took comfort in that fact and, in the corners of her heart, she knew she was proud of it.
* * *
The auction house of Routen Schatzinsel was known for its elegant aesthetics. The edges of its seats were made with the red velvet and golden craft admired by the nobles, and the auction platform shined bright as if it was made out of pure gold. It was the perfect embodiment of the Red and Golden Festival.
Surrounded by delicate fragrances and aristocratic laughs, I looked at the auction catalog that was hung at the armrest of the VVIP seat.
"Long."
Ceramic pots, necklaces, scissors, rings, relics, findings from the historic sites, and the Snowflake Obsidian. Many artifacts were useful to wizards aside from the last item I noticed. Checking its price, I found out that it ranged from 10 to 30 million. A reasonable price to pay.
─I'd like to say a few words to the fine ladies and gentlemen of the Routen Schatzinsel's Auction House…
Soon enough, the voice of the auctioneer resounded throughout the hall as the lights went off. The chattering started to cease.
─The gelid icebergs that seemed to have been there forever finally melted, followed by the rise of green seeds across the lands.
He went with his opening as items were carried to the top of the platform.
─Yes. Spring has begun, and this item here shall be the first to be presented in our spring auction!
It looked like a plain ceramic pot at first glance.
─Take a closer look at its fine curves. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the 'Flower Vase of the East,' crafted by the Far East Master Craftsman of the Aegean Sea. It comes with a document from the master craftsmen of the Ceramic Pot Association certifying that it is of the finest quality. The starting bid for it is 500,000 Elnes, with 50,000 increments."
At first, I didn't have any interest. However, my intrigue was piqued the longer I stared at it.
"That's…"
The ceramic pot was emitting light. There was no need to doubt it. The hunch from the [Man of Great Wealth] was always correct.
─Number 37 with 550,000 Elnes! Ah, Number 693. 600,000 Elnes!
The first auction went on fiercely, but I only focused on that light. Its brilliance grew denser as I took a closer look.
─Number 37 with 650,000 Elnes! Ah, now our distinguished guest, Number 993!
Number 37 650,000, Number 993 700,000, Number 1038 750,000…the price stopped at 1.3 million Elnes.
─Now, Number 1413 with 1.3 million Elnes, are there any more bidders? Then I'll say the price three times. 1.3 million Elnes. 1.3 million Elnes? 1.3 million-
Its price was 1.3 million Elnes, and the balance of my account was 200 million Elnes. There was no reason to think further.
I touched the small crystal ball that was placed on the armrest of my seat.
─Ah! Here comes our noble guest, Number 777, with 1.4 million Elnes!
The auctioneer acknowledged my bid.
─Number 1413, 1.5 million Elnes!
Number 1413, who called for 1.3 million, struck back. I pressed the crystal ball without any hesitation.
─Number 777, 1.6 million!
─Number 1413, 1.7 million!
1.8 million, 1.9 million, 2 million…the light from the pot didn't flicker even once while the price was soaring up.
─Number 777, 2.5 million Elnes. Will there be any contenders?
I was certain. The value of that ceramic pot was way above its current price. I could sense it not just through my sight but also through my instincts.
That was the ability of the [Man of Great Wealth]. In other words- I was destined to be rich.
─2.5 million Elnes. For any last-second bidders, I'll be announcing its current price thrice.
Number 1413, who had been meddling with my endeavors, grew quiet. That was only natural. There was no way he could outbid me, who possessed 200 million at my disposal.
Was this the power that I had never felt before in my entire life? They called it the power of Wealth, and at this moment, I was the personification of a great sovereignty.
─2.5 million. 2.5 million? 2.5 million! Sold to Number 777!
I had purchased the ceramic pot.
Clap, clap, clap, clap─
I waved my hand lightly in response to the applause from the nobles, as per proper etiquette dictated.
─Now, let us bring in our next item…
It was also something that I had to buy. Was this auction special, or did all other auctions resemble this one? No, perhaps my ability made a mistake─ no, that wouldn't happen.
I had confidence that it would bring me wealth no matter what happened.
-This is the 'Ruperin's Ring,' crafted by master craftsman Ruperin. This helps the circulation of the wearer's blood and mana. Its price starts at 800,000, with 50,000 increments!
I was in agony while observing how the auction was proceeding.
…There should be no need to think this through.
─Number 603, 1.5 million Elnes! The increment will now be raised to 100,000! Ah! Number 777 shows up at this moment!
My decision was close to absolute confidence; I didn't need to worry. The 200 million was the money in my account. It was my money, so it shouldn't matter even if it disappeared.
Hence, I invested as much as I could while sparing enough money to purchase the Snowflake Obsidian.
─Number 777 again! Ruperin's Ring, 3 million Elnes!
I kept believing in my ability that was yelling at me this would be a successful investment. In any case, I still had 「 Midas' Hand」 as a backup plan.
This was my chance to become the real [Man of Great Wealth].
─Ruperin's Ring, sold to Number 777 for 3 million Elnes!
I won Ruperin's Ring as my second item.
The auction event moved on.
─2.1 million Elnes. Are there any higher bids? Rucho's Scissor, sold to Number 777 for 2.1 million Elnes!
But, except for the item's name and its price, the words of the auctioneer…
─4.3 million Elnes. Are there any higher bids? Ancient Rune Tongue Necklace, sold to Number 777 for 4.3 million Elnes!
…remained the same.
─5.5 million Elnes. Are there any higher bids? Dark Floor Carpet, sold to Number 777 for 5.5 million Elnes!
Number 777.
Deculein.
* * *
Julie had never been to an auction in her life. She lived thriftily and with simplicity all her years. She had grown so accustomed to that lifestyle that she became lost to thought and agony when she bought a single fur coat. That was why she had been using the same coat she received as a graduation gift ten years ago.
However…
─Number 777, 4.3 million Elnes. Is there any higher bid?
As expected, Deculein didn't seem interested in acting economically at all.
─Ancient Rune Tongue Necklace, sold to Number 777 for 4.3 million Elnes!
He bought seven out of ten items as the auction continued. His frenzy caused the entire auction house to feel pressured.
"Tsk…"
Julie shook her head. His prodigality was envied and admired by others, but to her, it was just pathetic. This moment showed how different they were in every way; their ideals were too far apart from one another. That was the very reason why they couldn't understand each other no matter how hard they tried.
Julie definitely did her best to do so in the beginning. As part of her duty as a knight, she had determined to give it her all to love her husband. She also knew she shouldn't defy the will of the family she served.
But Deculein thought her love was something that could be bought, and he treated her in the most derisory way. Everything went wrong, even on the day of their engagement.
Their first meeting was only the start of her misfortune.
"I guess you're here to find an accessory."
At that moment, the noble next to her struck up a conversation with a gentle smile. Julie's shoulders shrugged, already anticipating such a question to arise.
"…Yes."
The Snowflake Obsidian, also known as the Fire of Winter. It was a rare metal that contained both heat and cold. Its existence was magical, making it difficult to control. Mere blacksmiths could neither forge nor refine it.
"It's time for me to acquire my own sword."
She had her own greed for a sword as a knight. Well, it was widely accepted that, as a knight, being cheap towards one's swords was wasteful. And she knew that saying was somewhat correct.
Swords became more valuable as the wielder's mana imbued into them over time. That process was known as "communion."
She decided to focus only on the Snowflake Obsidian with that reasoning, making her decision to attain ownership over it a non-lavish act. Moreover, it was well-known that she didn't possess a sword of her own. Hence, people would simply perceive the situation as Knight Julie finally acquiring her own weapon.
The same would go for the noble sitting next to her.
"Well. Your skills as a knight are famous even in the empire. Your interviews with the Knight's Journal never cease to amaze."
"…I just spoke about my convictions and beliefs."
Julie nodded elegantly. Even if it was just flattery, she felt pleased when he mentioned reading the interview, but she knew she shouldn't carelessly display her emotions.
"As expected. Your husband…"
"He isn't my husband."
At that moment, Julie's eyes narrowed sharply, and the noble laughed awkwardly before shuffling away.
─5.5 million Elnes. Is there any higher bid? Dark Floor Carpet, sold to Number 777 for 5.5 million Elnes…
Deculein threw his money away ceaselessly. His overwhelming aura drew people's attention towards him, and to her as well. She was officially his fiancée, after all. Her face began to redden, but she had no choice but to hold on until the event was over.
Her goal was to buy the Snowflake Obsidian.
She had already confirmed that the allowances and salaries she deposited into her account since the day she was born reached a total amount that far surpassed her expectations, allowing her to believe that she could purchase it.
Julie steadied her heart, giving it her all to ignore the word Number 777 that kept echoing through the auction house as she maintained her posture through deep breaths.