The auction was unexpectedly heated, and the room was still filled with excitement.
Even at the break time, few people left the hall.

As we walked out of the building, Tino and his friends came running up to us.
When they reached me (and Liz and Cicely), they put their hands in front of them and bowed deeply.

'I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean for this to happen. ......'

'What ......? Oh, no. I don't mind, but ......'

I had originally asked Tino to fill in for me. I was certainly surprised that it was Greg who was supposed to have dropped it, but it was nothing to be upset about.
Greg's face behind me was as pale as a ghost, even though it had been a while since the doll auction had ended. He was in a cold sweat. He was looking around suspiciously, and I sympathized with his smallness.

He is the hero who lost the highest-priced item in the first half. He has not yet been surrounded by people because he has removed the number tag that he may have worn during the auction and his face has not been revealed, but his name will probably spread soon.
In the Zebrudia auction, the names of successful bidders can be easily checked to ensure fairness. For this reason, some people use proxies, which may have been a bit of a burden for Greg-sama, a mid-level hunter.

Tino excuses himself, looking at Liz with a worried expression. Liz was smiling silently.

'Um, ............ really, I tried to be in charge. But I ...... wasn't ready for that ...... and I realized it the moment I checked the signal from ...... Masutaa. I don't know the hand sign to participate in the auction.

Tino is pretty out of it,........

But it is true that there are many kinds of hand signs, so it may be understandable that you don't know the hand signs if it is your first time to participate in an auction.
In the event that you're a newcomer to auctions, you may be able to participate in the bidding by shouting out the price or holding up a bill with the price written on it, but most people who participate in auctions use hand signs.

So I left it to ...... Gregg, who knew how to do it. We divided our roles between watching for the signal from Masutaa and participating in the auction. ...... We didn't expect this to happen. I thought I'd let Greg do it the first time, learn how to do it, and then I'd be in charge of the real thing. And then--'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah. ......'

And then you ran out of money on the golem before the main mission.
But I never imagined this situation, so I guess I can't help it.

Liz taps me on the shoulder and tilts her head in a gesture of decapitation. I won't cut my head. .......
I'm not going to cut your head off," he says, trying to reassure a shaken Tino.

'You don't have to be so frightened. You did good, good. Yeah. Just like I thought.'

'Cry. That ...... looks like it's way over budget, is ...... that okay?'

Is that why Master Greg was so pale?
The amount of the bid is 100 million guilders over the amount I had told him in advance. If he couldn't pay, there was a possibility that the crime would spread to Mr. Greg, so his expression was unavoidable. By nature, an agent is a relationship of deep trust.

Of course, I have no intention of causing trouble to Mr. Greg.

'Oh, don't worry about that either. I have the money.

It's not mine, though.

I get down on my knees in my heart to Lucia and cut a check for 110 million right there and then and give it to Sitri.
By the way, it's drawn on Lucia's bank account, but it's already been processed, so my signature won't be a problem. I'm used to it.
You might want to think about how to pay her back and how to make her happy before she comes back.

Citri carefully tucked the check he had received into his waistband bag. That's one billion six hundred million guilders, plus cash.

Tino checks with a downcast look.

'Sure, and ...... that ............ treasure trove of yours is ......'.

'Ah, that's enough of that. We got what we came for. I'm a little tired, and I'm going to leave now.

'......What?

The auction has only just begun. The area around the auction site is crowded with people.

More and more rare treasures are sure to appear. I'm interested in them, but it's very tough to be shown them when I have no money left. It's fine if it's just tight, but considering the possibility of Lucia spending the rest of her savings, I'd rather not be here.

Above all, the mask is no longer available. My auction is already over.

I'm sure the lady is getting all warlike right now, but I don't have to deal with that. You've won. Yeah, you've already won.

Let's go home and take a nap.

'So, Mr. Krei. I'm going to go with Greg to pick up the item I won!

Citry lifted the trunk case full of white coins with a big smile on his face. It was a good thing that he was able to keep this smile.
But she must have really wanted that huge golem ...... to be so impatient to pick it up right away.

They may be gone, but the auctioneer should have some materials on hand.

'Oh, hey, it's against the rules to look up information on a competitor. ---- No, it's nothing.'

Well, it's against the rules, but it's easy to find out if you want to. It's understandable that you're curious about it since you've been following it so closely.
I don't think they'll let you see the documents, though. It's against the rules.

'Well, Mr. Greg, thanks for your help today. See you soon. Sitri, take care of it.'

'Yes, sir! Thank you, Mr. Crye! I'll see you later!

Eva, I wonder if he'll be mad. I'm sure she will. ....... But I can't help it.
I think I'll be taking Tino around for a while when I want some ice cream.

I left the auction room with a big sigh and a feeling of accomplishment.


§ § § §



'Time is up. The unidentified 'Meat Mask'. Sold for 200 million guild by the famous Eclair Gladys!



The thunderous applause from the seats downstairs reached the dignitary's table. Eclair, who was sitting shallowly in one of the seats, sighed heavily.
His eyes were moist, and even his eyes that had always been lifted were now relaxed.

What was there was not elation or joy at having won the battle, but deep relief.

The battle had ended much more easily than Eclair had expected. It seemed that all of Montour's prior suggestions had been unfounded.
Eclair's 200 million guilders were not enough to win the bid.

Unlike the rumors, the battle was one-sided.
Perhaps it was a good thing that word had spread that Lord Gladys was serious. The power of the nobility is quite strong in this empire. There is no one in the Chamber of Commerce or the Hunters who would outwardly oppose them. Of course not.

He looks up proudly at his father, Van Gladys, sitting next to him.

He has well-groomed dark brown hair and sharp eyes.
The father only replied a word or two to the words of praise from the surrounding nobles, and stared down at the stage.
The expression on his face was not one of joy at his daughter's victory, but a quizzical one, as if he had found something suspicious.

Van Gladys frowned when she noticed Eclair's prying gaze. The words that came out of his mouth were something that Eclair did not expect.

'Did he give up the win?

'......What?

Montor, who was standing behind her, agreed with her in a low voice.

'So it seems. The "Thousand Transformations" have already left the venue. None of those who participated in the mask auction are under its control.''

It's not just a rumor that he's a scheming man,...... level 8 hunter,...... like the other hunters. Just like Ark said, he's an interesting guy.

'What do you mean? Father! I've shown you that I've won!

Eclair followed her father's strict orders and successfully collected the funds and won what she wanted, albeit with the help of Montour.
For Gladys, a warrior, achievement is earned. In accordance with the family motto, she had thus defeated the famed Level 8 Hunter, the man who had mocked the Gladys family.

Eclair shouted in a high-pitched voice, and Van Gladys gave her a sharp look that was not meant for her family.

'Eclair, you have indeed won the treasure. But this victory is not a victory worth having. I thought it would be a good experience, win or lose, but you're not even on the same playing field, you know. I underestimated him. And you're not even aware of that fact?

'What?

''My Lady. The Thousand Transformations had indeed raised far more than 200 million guilders. I've received word that Citri Smart has sold off his equipment and potions. The hunters we had stationed nearby for surveillance were turned away, but they left in the middle of the day. In the meantime, before the auction of the treasure begins, you'll find a lot of people who are looking for a way to get rid of it.

As Eclair froze in shock, Montour explained in a calm voice.

'Why? Why didn't you even join the fight?

I didn't understand. The one who wanted that treasure first was "Thousand Transformations". Eclair only entered it from the side as if she was half expecting it.
Then why would he give up halfway? Eclair was so focused on the bidding that he didn't notice that the man hadn't even participated in the bidding.

'He gave up his victory, my lady. If the lady hadn't collected more than 200 million guilders, she might have participated as promised, but this battle has already turned from a battle against the Lady Eclair personally to a battle against the Countess Gladys. It's not much of a fight, and even if you do manage to defeat Miss Eclair--there will be a tail.

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

Montour's words were met with silence from Eclair.

Many emotions swirled in his mind. Confusion. Relief. Confusion, anger.
With a strangled voice, he countered.

'I told you it would be a fair fight, .......'

'We've negotiated with the merchant associations we'll be competing with beforehand. Young lady, since you were born in Gladys, you have a duty to win. Hunters and nobles are a bit alike, at least, and if you stumble here, you may be underestimated in the future because of this. And today, the young lady defeated a level 8 hunter.

'It's obvious to anyone with even a modicum of discernment that the victory was conceded. That's outrageous. The only thing I've learned from spending 200 million is the degree of "thousand changes".

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.

I'm not sure if I'm ...... being merciful or not. Have you been underestimated?'

'Not insulted, I suppose. Whether that's a victory for you depends on how you feel about it.

No. This is not a victory.
No victory? No. There's no way you can convince Eclair's feelings with such words.

It would have been more satisfying to lose in a head-to-head match. He grits his teeth until they just barely creak.

I lost. I won the match and lost the game. Now I can't deliver the treasure to Ark with pride.

'You owe me.

'...... It can be said that the lady who collected 200 million guild even after consulting with her family as promised was acknowledged in no small way. It's hard to believe that the leader of the infamous Ghosts of Sorrows would back down just because he's a high profile nobleman.

'...... Either way, you owe me. ............ If this is not the true purpose of that man's desire for the unidentifiable treasure?

In the event that you've got a lot more than one of these, you'll be able to find a lot more.

'...... I didn't see any intervention of other people's will in spreading the information. The fact that the young lady followed Mister Ark to the Clan House was also of her own volition. It's just a coincidence, isn't it?

Count Gladys's expression did not relax even after hearing the words from her right arm.
He ordered Eclair, who was still frozen in place.

'Eclair, do what you want with the treasure you bid on. But I forbid you to interfere with that man any further. He's not someone you can handle.



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

I'm sorry. I thought I was playing a game, but I was just dancing on the palm of my hand.
I'm too miserable, too far from the ideal.
But then, what should I do? What am I supposed to do?

I've always tried to be resolute, as befits a nobleman. But right now, all Eclair could feel was helpless anxiety.

'Do you understand? Answer me!

'...... yes ...... father'.

In response to his father's reprimand, Eclair bit his lip, choked back a sob, and replied.