Volume 4 Chapter 25-2 The Sound of the Hammer Echoes at the Auction
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Next up is another magic tool. The name is… ‘Command Bracelet (Ant)’?”
As if answering my question, the host began to explain.
”This magic tool called ‘Command Bracelet (Ant)’ is made using the magic stone of a steel-armored ant queen.”
A golden bracelet was brought up on stage.
Its shiny metal surface was engraved with delicate patterns, and a red gem was set right in the center.
”Steel-armored ants are monsters about the size of a puppy. Whoever wears this bracelet becomes the queen ant’s substitute, able to command these ants. You can control any steel-armored ants living within a certain range.”
So, you can actually control monsters.
”Though small, steel-armored ants have tough shells and amazing vitality. They can help in battles or serve as guards.”
It sounds interesting, but I wonder how practical it really is.
”How strong are these steel-armored ants, exactly?”
”One alone is about as strong as a goblin. Even a swarm could probably be handled by adventurers on the dungeon’s second floor.”
Gaedaf next to me explained.
But second floor level… that’s useless on the fifth floor.
”I see. Not much use as serious firepower then.”
”Also, a downside to this kind of magic tool is you need to replenish the monsters you command.”
Tifi added some info.
”Using them in battle wears them down. You have to catch new ones to replace those lost.”
”What a pain.”
”Yeah.”
Tifi smiled wryly.
If you need to restock, you’d be useless if you’re far from where those monsters live.
”So, who exactly would use this?”
It might be good enough firepower for lower-level adventurers, but they probably don’t have the cash to buy this bracelet.
And they definitely don’t have the strength to catch more ants to replenish.
”Likely, it’s for nobles or rich people’s self-defense.”
”Makes sense.”
If you control monsters, you don’t need to fight yourself.
And if it’s just a last-resort backup, you don’t have to worry about them wearing out or restocking them.
I even considered using it as Tifi’s guard, but goblins aren’t strong enough.
Can’t exactly keep a bunch of ant-sized monsters on standby within the adventurers’ guild, can I?
And I can’t afford it right now.
Besides, the price keeps skyrocketing, and it’s already over ten million Aurum.
It seems it wasn’t even within the range of what could be bid on.
While I was mulling this over, the auction was already drawing to a close.
I put up 2 items for auction.
Both are from the ‘Love Hotel.’
Their turn to appear is coming up.
I hope they sell for a high price.
As I was thinking about that, the auctioneer started introducing the next item.
”Alright, everyone, hold onto your seats! From here on out, we have the secret lot items. Let’s start with this one!”
A sword with a pitch-black sheath was carried onto the center of the stage.
”This sword, ladies and gentlemen, was provided by the Gold Rank adventurer party ‘Star of the Dawn,’ and it is a magic sword!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
If it’s a magical sword from a Gold Rank adventurer, the quality must be top-notch.
”Why didn’t you use it yourself?”
I asked Gaedaf, who was sitting next to me.
”Ah, we all have weapons that suit us. That one’s more like an extra.”
”An extra, and it’s a magic sword?”
I chuckled at the extravagance.
Gold Rank adventurers sure are something else.
”So, the final bid is at 55 million Aurum!”
Just like that, the bidding for the magical sword ended.
”That’s impressive, isn’t it?”
”Yeah, I was hoping for at least 60 million, to be honest.”
Upper-tier adventurers have a whole different sense of money.
The sword was won by a man who looked like a noble.
Although he’s a noble, he’s got the vibe of a warrior too.
He might even use it himself.
The auctioneer moved on to the next item.
”And now, for our next item!”
The crowd stirred.
In particular, there were sighs of admiration coming from the women’s section.
On stage was a pure white dress and a delicate tiara set.
”How beautiful…”
”It’s like a princess’s dress.”
The dress, studded with jewels, shimmered under the spotlight’s glow.
The sewing was incredibly detailed, and the fabric flowed as if it were wrapped in light itself.
The tiara was just as exquisite, decorated with finely carved silver and adorned with high-quality gems──elegant yet striking.
Truly a gown straight out of a dream.
The announcer stood beside the dress, raising their voice.
”This is the ‘Princess Dress,’ a rare treasure pulled from a dungeon treasure chest!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, scrutinizing the item closely.
This is the first item I prepared──one of the cosplay costumes sold at ‘Love Hotel.’
I wonder how much it will fetch.
I can’t wait.
”Let’s begin the bidding, starting at 10 million Aurum!”
The starting price is already sky-high.
You can feel the host’s determination.
”10 million Aurum!”
From somewhere in the crowd, a high bid is shouted instantly.
Then more bids fly in from other seats, pushing the price up fast.
”15 million!”
”20 million!”
As expected, the price keeps climbing steadily.
With each raise, the room heats up, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
How high will this go?
”30 million!” “35 million!”
A woman leans over to whisper to the man next to her, probably her husband.
A lady who looks like a mistress pleads with a nobleman nearby.
Scenes like this play out all over the auction hall.
No wonder it’s a costume from ‘Love Hotel.’
The women’s eyes flash fiercely as they dive into the bidding.
Finally, the bids break past 100 million.
”100 million Aurum! Anyone going any higher? If not──”
”120 million!”
The room falls utterly silent in an instant.
No one follows with another bid.
The tension feels like time itself has stopped.
Looking back, a noble-looking woman stands at the rear of the hall.
Is she the one who bid that?
”120 million Aurum…”
The announcer calls out again, double-checking.
”120 million Aurum! Anyone else? No higher bids?”
That question echoes through the silent room.
A long pause stretches out.
In the end, no one else speaks up.
”Sold for 120 million Aurum!”
The announcer declared it loudly.
Cheers and applause exploded from the crowd.
Excitement filled the whole room.
Amid the words of blessing, the woman who won simply smiled quietly, staring hard at the dress.
120 million… is this really coming to me?
The amount is so huge it doesn’t feel real.
After some fees get taken out, it’s still over 100 million Aurum in earnings.
”Master, you did it!”
”Mr. Taro, that’s amazing!”
”Congrats, Taro.”
Lifia, Tifi, and Gaedaf all congratulated me while I was still dazed.
Then finally, it hit me.
”Y-Yeah. Thanks, everyone.”
The words finally came out.
Just recently, I was struggling to get by with a few thousand Aurum──it feels unreal now.
I let myself savor the joy.
The auction kept going, but my second item still hadn’t come up.
Waiting and waiting, the time came to announce the final item.
I never thought mine would be the closing act.
Guess it really is a ‘Love Hotel’ item worthy of the finale.
The announcer climbed the stage, beaming at the crowd.
”Everyone, have you enjoyed the auction so far? Sadly, we’ve come to the last item!”
A mix of bittersweet sadness and eager anticipation hung in the air.
”And now, the perfect piece to end the show!”
Staff carefully rolled out a pedestal.
On it sat a small bottle.
”What’s that…?”
”A potion?”
”Perfume?”
Amid the murmurs, the announcer proudly spoke.
”Everyone, the moment you’ve been waiting for! This is a miracle elixir! It’s a hair growth tonic!”
Suddenly, the whole room fell completely silent.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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