'What the hell is going on with ......? Did I do something wrong?

Clutching the hunter-related gossip magazine handed to me, I clucked my tongue for the first time in a long time at the inevitable situation.
On the open color page, there was an article about a high-level hunter leading a certain clan who was running around to obtain a certain treasure to be sold at the next Zebrudia auction.
Although my name is being withheld, there are only a few hunters and clan masters who are treasure enthusiasts, so anyone who sees this article will immediately recognize me.

Negotiations that had seemed to be going well until halfway through were suddenly thrown into confusion by the interruptions of those around me, and completely ruined by the intrusion of Sir Gladys' daughter. The Reverse Face, which was about to be purchased for 10 million guilders, was to be auctioned off again by Arnold.

Arnold seemed to be perplexed by the sudden situation, but more than anything, it was I who was perplexed.
I didn't expect that so many people would want that seemingly creepy mask, and I also didn't understand what the Countess meant when she said it was the strongest treasure.
In the meantime, I tried to tell Miss Eclair that it was not the strongest treasure, but a dangerous treasure, but she did not listen to me.

In fact, the Reverse Face is not the strongest or anything. It is just a treasure tool that changes your appearance, and does not increase your fighting ability. It can make you look and feel more muscular, but it doesn't actually increase your muscle strength, and since it only wraps your body in flesh, there is even the disadvantage of making it difficult to move if you change your body shape drastically.

Well, I'm lying too, because even though it's illegal, it's not dangerous. It was too much to try to take it away from me just because I wanted it.
That's not a violation of the rules, but it's clearly a breach of etiquette. Do they not have any morals? Don't you expect morals from nobles and hunters? Hahaha.

But I guess aristocrats have money.

Eva gave me a few more cold glances than usual and asked.

'So, what are you going to do?

After asking me to repay an unrelated debt, she plans to purchase a treasure before the root of her tongue is dry.
Whether you think about it calmly or not, he's a completely useless person. And after the fact. Somebody please do something about me.

However, if I may make an excuse, the "Convertible Human Face" may only be available at this auction! It's not an exaggeration to say that it will affect your whole life.
If you have ten digits of debt anyway, an increase of eight digits will only increase your debt by one percent. Don't you think so?

'............ Answer me, Mr. Kry?

Oh, yes. ...... You don't think so. ....... I guess I'll just have to give up now. .......

A hunter's income depends largely on the treasure trove he can find. Ten million guilders is a lot of money for an ordinary person to earn even if it took them a year to earn it, but for the Ghost of Sorrows, it is enough to cover the cost of a single search.
However, if the price is 100 million, the story is a little different.

It's simply ten times as much. The Ghost of Sorrows is a party of seven, including Eliza, so if we were to make money from that, we would have to bring back more than 700 million worth of treasures or rare materials by simple calculation in order to get 100 million per person.
Only a few of the treasures can be sold at a high price. Treasures with a value of over 100 million are called "Billionaire's Items", and are a dream for hunters.
It is difficult for our party to earn 700 million at a time, because we have to pool our reserves.

Well, it's only difficult, but it's not impossible, but it takes a lot of courage for me to pay 100 million at once when I'm in debt.

And the biggest problem of all was that it seemed that 100 million would not be enough.

Eva continued in an emotionless voice.

'There is information circulating that Countess Gladys is actively trying to obtain the treasure.

'......'

'......It seems that several large merchant houses are also working to acquire it. The price will probably go up as well.

'............ Ahhh.'

'It's not ah! It's not ah!

The one that the nobles are looking to buy.
It's far more than just something a hunter is planning to acquire.

The Earls of Gladys are a prestigious family that has supported the Empire for generations. In the first place, as a nobleman of Zebrudia, one of the most powerful countries in the world, the Chamber of Commerce, which has no connections, would want to get close to him at all costs.

The treasure trove is a product of nature and is extremely rare. Powerful treasures have been used as tribute in many countries throughout the ages.
Regardless of whether that lump of flesh was worthy or not, Miss Eclair's announcement of her purchase must have immediately reached the ears of the Chamber of Commerce, which was getting nervous about the upcoming auction.

Treasure hunters have high incomes, but it's not hunters who have the most money in this country. It's the merchants and nobles.
They may not be willing to spend all their money to get it, but they were too powerful an opponent for a debtor.

Aside from the Chamber of Commerce, what does Miss Eclair plan to do with such an illegal treasure .......?
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. It's not possible. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so excited about this.

'So, what are you going to do?

'............'

'Think carefully about whether you really need this treasure. You have many treasures, don't you, Cry?

Eva's words were gentle and admonishing.
But I want it. I want it desperately. I want it if I can. ............ I guess I don't want it.

I frowned and ruffled my hair.
You can't compete with the aristocracy or the merchant class on money, let alone raise 100 million. And the auction is coming up soon. There's no way I can win if I search the treasure house now.

Moreover, I am a genuine consumer. I'm not like Citri, who can make as much money as he wants given enough time.

'............ Huh. If you're going to look like that, why did you go to the trouble of applying for a loan and spreading the information around?

'I don't remember doing anything like that. .................. Hmm... I wonder how much was in Lucia's account-- no, I'm kidding. I'm kidding!

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure what to do.
But if I may excuse myself, Lucia has told me that if I ever run short of money for any reason that I really can't control, I can withdraw it at will.
If you want to borrow money from someone, please borrow it from me, says my sister, who is a good person.

But ...... hmmm ............ it can't be helped. I'll just do it and give up if it doesn't work.
The amount I can raise won't be enough to stand up to the nobility or the merchant class. And with Citri, the timing is too bad.
I'm sorry, but I think I'll ask Tino to accompany me to the sweet shop for a while.

Just as I was coming to a conclusion, Sitri walked in, breathing lightly and unsteadily.

'This is why I hate ............ merchants and nobles. They always use violence of money and power in a despicable way to steal away Mr. Kray's prey.

Instead of the bag he always carries on his back, he holds in both hands a large trunk case that could hold a man.
His expression was calm, but there was a strong light in his eyes.

I'm not going to lie, Citly hates to lose. He has a gentle demeanor, but his core strength is as strong as Lizzie's.
I've already lost half of my mind, but it seems that Sitri still intends to compete.



'Mr. Crye, the money is at ............. You can still fight. Let's give a blow to the nobles who turned their back on me after I delivered them the secret potion and the merchants who got fat selling my potion at a high price. We can kill two birds with one stone.

You seem to be more serious than I am... but hasn't that changed your motive?
The intervention of the Chamber of Commerce seems to have ignited a strange fire.

Citrie places a trunk in front of me and unclasps it. What emerges from the trunk is a silvery white coin, different from the imperial gold coins commonly used.
It was an imperial white coin, worth ten times as much as a gold coin - a hundred thousand guineas. Not a hundred or two hundred. The trunk full of white coins spilled out and fell at my feet.

The expression on Eva's face, a former merchant, is tight. It must be the first time for Eva to see so many white coins.
Normally, when a transaction is so large as to require a trunk full of white coins, a check is used.

The polished white coins reflected the sunlight and shone brightly.
I asked ...... Citrie how he reacted.

'...... What's wrong with this?

I thought you said you didn't have any money? The amount of white money in front of you - it's well over a hundred million.
Citry's skin flushed faintly white and said.

'I saved it without telling my sister--it's my wedding money. It's about 800 million.

'!

'Marriage money?

I see. A wedding fund? .......

Ava's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here. And how long have you been saving? There are many things I want to say, but there is no way I can accept such important money lightly.

It's too heavy. It's too heavy, Citri. It's not something you can just take out of your savings.

'No, no, no, you can't take that kind of important money. ......'

'No. Originally, I was planning to use it for Kry-san, so I thought I could use it first. ......'

Citrie's ears reddened as she said something she didn't quite understand.

'What ......? I'm not sure if it's my wedding fund or not.

Even though we've been friends for a long time, you've been saving money for me, a man who is not even related to you by blood? No way.

'? No, it's my wedding money. ......? You can think of it as a kind of betrothal money. ......'

'The man pays the betrothal money.

It's also something you pay to the person you're marrying.
Sitri looked puzzled and clapped his hands.

'That's right ......, but you see. I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that if I were you. I'm the type of person who will do everything for you. ...... giggle......'

'Yeah, yeah, you're right. Hahahahaha......'

You're a little more outgoing than I thought.
Eva, who had been quiet until then, suddenly shakes my shoulder as we chat.

'What are you laughing at, Mr. Cry? If you keep this up, they'll make you get married!

'E...... no, no, no, that's ridiculous.'

Eva's expression was serious. What the hell is Citly in Eva's mind?
It's the usual Sitri bridal joke. Apparently, he has a desire to get married.

I'm ...... married......? I've never thought about it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so you should think long and hard about it after you retire from hunting and settle down with a regular job.

'When you get the treasure from the auction, you can use it as an engagement ring for Crye'.

I don't like ....... You can't use a meat mask as a ring.
When I became calm at the excessive suggestion, Citri continued in a passionate voice.

'I'd be happy to ...... give you one of the rings from ...... Kry's collection, if that's okay with you.

That's no problem. The collection is important, but Citri and the others are even more important. I don't mind sharing one of my ring-shaped treasures.

But wouldn't that give me too much of an advantage?
It's hard to find a finger worth 800 million, even a bound finger.

As I crossed my arms and pondered how I could reward Sitri, Eva stepped forward, slapped the desk hard, and looked down at the smiling Sitri.

'Mr. Citrie, ...... you said you would pay back all of Mr. Crye's debts, didn't you?'

'What ......? No, no, don't mind me. ...... Our bond is not so shallow that it can be broken by the presence or absence of a debt.

'The primary reason why Hunter's party broke up was because of financial troubles! I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that.

'What ......? No, no, no. I'll take care of the sloppy Mr. Krai, so don't mind me.

'That's not what I'm talking about!

Even against high-level hunters, Eva's response was firm and resolute.
I've already told Liz and the others not to mess with the staff, but even so, their words are heartfelt.

'Ours! To the Clan Master! You're making strange promises! You can't do that! Please don't! Please! There's a rumor going around! What if it gets out! What are you going to do? I'll pay off your debt. I promise. I'll pay back all of Mr. Citry's wedding money as well. Is that clear?

'...... Huh. This is why I hate merchants.

Sitri cowered in resignation. Eva's expression was tight as she watched.


There's nothing to stand on. I've been a complete coward.

Forget it. Citri's marriage is more important than Reverse Face. I just thought if I could get it reasonably cheap, I'd want it. I'm sorry for my financial insanity.

...... I'm going to puke.

'Watch me, Mr. Cry. I'm going to get it for you.'

'I guess I don't mind. ...... It's definitely going to cost a lot. It's possible that 800 million won't be enough--'

I'm sure you'll be able to find some good reasons for stopping me, but I'm not sure that 800 million is enough to cover the cost of the ...... treasure.


'Don't be ...... shy. I can collect more. I'll get them any way I can. For now, let's spread the bad word about the treasure, it's easier to lower the price than to collect money!

'Oh, yeah.

I saw the glint in his eyes and decided to do whatever I could to stop his rampage.