The auction room was filled with excitement.

The seats surrounding the large stage in the center of the room were divided into three categories.
General seats for the general public, mainly members of the Chamber of Commerce and wealthy individuals. The Hunter's Seats, where treasure hunters were led to. Then there are the noble seats, where the nobles and other specially invited people are seated.

The noisiest seats are the hunters' seats.

Anyone can participate in the Zebrudia Auction as long as they pay the entrance fee, but for ordinary citizens, the entrance fee of 100,000 guilders is too high to pay just for a sight-seeing trip without any purpose. For this reason, most of the members who participate in the event are upper class people with a certain elegance and calm demeanor, but treasure hunters are different.

The entrance fee of 100,000 guilders is not an amount that a hunter of a certain level would hesitate to pay. These are people who live an ephemeral life by nature.
The hunter's seat was different from the other seats. Weapons, food and drink were not allowed, but the bloodthirsty members of the group were gathering there, and there were many shouting and laughing noises.

The seats were arranged in tiers so that we could see the stage clearly. The seats we were shown were in the highest position among the hunter seats, so we could have a bird's eye view of the entire hunter seats.

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice that sounded like a threat went up a few meters next to us.

'Aah! I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. What kind of hand is that? You have five seconds. Say it.

'...... what are you--'

'............, can you go stop that for me?

Lies was quickly threatening the hunter seated nearby.

A large man, a head taller than her, grabbed the hunter's arm and looked up at him sharply. The man was twice as big as the smaller Liz, but it was the man who looked pale.
The man's arm was creaking in his grip. Her strength is not as strong as it looks. She can break an arm or two without hesitation.
The man twisted to take a step back in pain, but the difference in strength kept him from moving an inch.

As I poked and prodded, the quiet Smart, who had been sitting next to me indifferently, stood up and called out to the troublemaker Smart.

'Sis, Mr. Cry wants me to swim!

'What, again? Boring.

'There's only so many people around right now, anyway! Come on, take a seat.

'....... Get lost. All right? The next time you show that ugly face in front of me again, I'm going to kill you.

When Liz let go of his hand, he ran away as if he'd eaten a bubble. I'm sorry that you had to pay the admission fee,.......
The place was quiet for a moment, but the commotion soon returned. This kind of jostling is an everyday occurrence. I don't want to be a hunter anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life peacefully in a sweet shop far away.

'I'm sorry, Cry. Sis, I'm sorry for being so noisy about something so small. ......'

Citry apologizes in a whispery voice. Hearing this, Ryss now lunges at her sister.
Glaring menacingly at her, she pulls hard on Sitri's arm.

I'm not going to let you get away with it. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it. I'm not sure what to say. When did you allow me to sit next to you? Don't touch me! Don't come within a one meter radius of Krai-chan!

'It's your sister's fault for being slow! You're the one who's supposed to do the job! Besides, I'm paying for it. ...... Hey, Krai-san.''

I'm not sure what to do. I don't care about that. Hey, Crye?

'Yeah, yeah, I guess so. ...... Ah, there are many other treasures on display. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that you like. ...... The lion's chain,...... hmmm,...... large chains are bulky and not that strong.

I crossed my legs and looked down at the catalog that was handed out at the entrance.

The name of the treasure trove, its features and effects, and the name of the appraiser in the seller's name. Danger level. Where to find it.
Although the quality of each item sold at auction is guaranteed by a dedicated appraiser, there is no guarantee that the item sold is authentic. If you are unlucky, you may be forced to pay a lot of money to get a fake.
Auctions are a place of connoisseurship and a place to build connections.

Rare books, armor, artifacts, and jewelry are also up for auction, but I'm only interested in jewelry.
As you would expect from a once-a-year auction, there are a number of treasures that I am interested in, even after a quick check.

Next year, I will definitely save up the money to participate. I didn't plan too well this time.

Far below, I can see Tino nervously discussing with Greg and the others.
In the distance, I can see Miss Eclair sitting with a tense expression on a very differently made dignitary's seat near the ceiling.

Perhaps because it was so much talked about, it seems that the target treasure is the centerpiece and will only appear in the second half.

I'm not sure if it's settled, but Citry sits to my left and Liz sits to my right. Finally, things quiet down a bit.

And the Zebrudia auction, which has been bothering me for a while now, has begun.

§§

The system of the Zebrudia Auction is simple.

There is a minimum price set for each item on display, and bidders set that as the minimum price.
The minimum unit for raising the price varies depending on the item, but it is often 100,000, 1,000,000, or 10,000,000 guilders.
If no one else raises the price within 120 seconds of the highest bid, the buyer with the highest bid gets the item.
Once a bid is placed, it cannot be cancelled. If, for some reason, the item is not purchased at the price offered, the bidder will be charged with a crime and will be subject to heavy penalties.

Bidding methods vary. Bidders may hold up a board with the price written on it, or they may raise their voice. You may also use a set of hand signals.

'--Yes. The Mirror Shield has been sold to bidder #413 for 10.5 million guilders!

A thunderous round of applause erupted in the hall. As the name suggests, a mysterious shield that reflects light like a mirror is carried off the stage.
As the auction progressed, the voltage in the hall rose as if the smoldering flames were gradually bursting into flame.

'And now for the next item--entry number fifteen. This is the strongest chain-type offensive treasure tool among the treasures of the chain clan, which is said to have been used by that advanced magical civilization.

The voice of the presenter is echoing in my brain. My body is hot.


I have only one object in mind. Therefore, the treasures that appeared before that time should be called preliminaries, but my heart was beating wildly, as if the enthusiasm of the people around me who were competing with each other had spread.

Why, why was the order of "Transforming Human Face" in the second half? If it had been the first half, I could have used the extra money to participate in the bidding for another treasure!

'Mr. Cry, your face is red.

'...... It's just my imagination.'

'Don't worry, I'll definitely use every means at my disposal, bet on this name, and I'll get that thing for you. Don't worry. If you can't afford it with your current funds, you can sell your ...... house.'

Citrie clenched his fist, not knowing what I was thinking. I was in no mood to ask for a little extra money to participate in the auction of other treasures.

Intense regret washed over me.
d*mn it, if only I'd saved a little money... no, if only Luke and the others had come back sooner...

No, wait. That's right. I've got Lucia's savings. I have Lucia's savings! ...... Hey, is there really such a thing as a brother who spends his sister's savings without permission?

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

I don't know if my timing is good or bad, but all that comes out are treasures.
Chains and rings with magical powers, cloaks that allow you to breathe underwater, and boots that allow you to float an inch in the air. A crystal ball that can predict the weather 70 percent of the time, a sword that can change its blade length from 30 centimeters to three meters.

I want it! I want it! I'm not a treasure hunter. I'm a collector of treasures. I want it even if it's not strong.

I'm gushing with greed that rarely comes out.
Rare treasures are sold for two to three times the price. Perhaps it's because I'm waiting for the highlight, but if I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
d*mn, if I could have bought "The Convertible Manface" at a discount, I would have gotten them all.

You're not buying this for investment, are you? Are you really going to use it? I will. I'm sure I'll take good care of it. Give it to me.

Enough. Enough with the "convertible faces"? Numbers over quality?
Watching the treasure being bought by unknown merchants and hunters in front of my eyes was as painful as watching the girl I love being stolen.

No, but I've come this far, and if I make a move here and lose the bid for the Convertible Human Face, I won't be able to face the people who have worked so hard on this.

I clench my fists so hard that my hands turn white. I persevere. I was afraid I might scream if I didn't.
Why am I not a millionaire? d*mn, is this my limit?

Tino was glancing up at me. It's as if he's waiting for a sign from me.
I've already told her what I'm looking for, but it's probably because she's so serious that she keeps asking me to confirm it every time. But now her beauty was backfiring.

She's being prodded. Tino is urging me.
Mastaaa, are you sure you don't want it? If you don't get it here, you'll never get it. I was sure I heard Tino's voice.

Was this an auditory hallucination? Or is it the truth?

I was not this upset when I was surrounded by Wolf Knights at the White Wolf's Lair, nor when I realized that the Citrine Slime was missing.
It was far beyond words like "sweaty hands". My hands were shaking and I felt numbness in my fingertips. When I pressed my chest, I could feel my heart beating hard as if I had just run as fast as I could.

My throat is parched. I need to drink water.
I want a canteen treasure that can make water flow endlessly! I want a ring that will stop me from getting thirsty! Somebody stop me! d*mn it!

Tino's telling me to buy a treasure. I can't even get this level of treasure, he's saying. You're not a good treasure collector, he says.

Are you sure about this? Is it really necessary to betray the expectations of your juniors to obtain that "transforming human face"?

He scratched up his sweat-damp hair and stared at the stage. The time to make a choice had come.
It would be a long time before the Transforming Manface appeared. This was an auction, but the strongest opponent was undoubtedly himself.

I'm not proud of it, but I'm not only physically weak, but mentally weak as well.

I hold on tight. I hold it in with my breath. I feel like closing my eyes and covering my ears, but if I do that, it's like admitting defeat.

'What's wrong? Are you okay?

'Yeah, ....... I'm fine.'

Liz looks at me with concern.

I close my eyes and ask myself.

Oh, I'm useless in battle and I'm useless in this place?

No, no. Sure, I'm a small fish. I'm a small fry, but that's why I can't betray the expectations of those who still expect me.
For example, if I were to give in to temptation and participate in the treasure auction right here and now, what would Marches and Eva think? What would the members of my clan think when they saw me running around in debt?

I'm sure they'll think I'm a useless person who can't control myself. No, I'm a bad person who can't even control myself. .......

What do you think Citly and Liz will think? What will they say if I use the money I've collected to buy other treasures?



It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

.................. Oh, yeah, that's right. Maybe they'll forgive you without saying a word.

I'm sure you'll be able to get by with a little spending, since you've collected far more than the 200 million you told the lady.
It's more stressful for me to endure.

Before I knew it, my body had stopped shaking. I took a deep breath and raised my head in determination.


揺らぐ決意を声を出すことで固める. 喉の奥から絞り出した声は酷く嗄れていた.

'時は……来たか'

良かろう,お前らの暴挙はここまでだ. 僕の真の恐ろしさを見せてやろう.
幼馴染に借金して宝具を買い漁るこの《千変万化》の姿を眼に焼き付けるがいい.

ちょうどステージに運ばれていたのは黒色の巨大な甲冑だった.

まるで人が入っているかのように聳え立つその威容に会場が静まり返る. 全長,四メートル近く. その身の丈に相応しい巨大な盾と剣もセットで配置されているが,明らかに人間の使うものではない.

いや,もしかしたらアンセムならば装備出来るだろうか？

皆が息を潜める中,司会が説明を読み上げる.

'続いてはエントリーナンバー四十四. 帝都近辺で最近発見された金属の巨大人形です. ご安心ください,動いたりはしません. 武装は一体化しており,鎧兜を分離することはできませんが,問題ないでしょう. 全長三メートル九十,内部に空洞なし. 特別な金属で出来ている事が判明しております. 鋳潰してよし,飾ってよし,剣と盾だけならば武器としての価値もございましょう. もっとも,合計で三トン近くあります,持てれば,の話ですが――こちら,三千万ギールからのスタートですッ！'

なるほど……武器じゃなくて人形なのか.
見事な意匠ではあるが……これは……いらないな. 飾るところもない.

ほっと一息つく僕の隣で,ふとシトリーが呆然とした声をあげた.

'あか……しゃ？ なんで？'