Volume 4 Chapter 26-2 A Man’s Battle
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The staff handed me a tabletop mirror, beautifully crafted with golden detail.
Its surface gleamed with crystal clarity, the frame etched with an intricate magic circle.
It was a mirror for appraisal.
”Indeed.”
I took the mirror.
”Next, we will present the proceeds from the sale of the ‘Princess’s Dress and Tiara set.’”
Laid out on the tray was silver metal that shimmered with a rainbow glow.
Each bar radiated a solid, weight0 shine, stamped with the kingdom’s crest and detailed engravings.
There were ten of them.
These were ingots of mithril.
Alongside them lay a large pile of gold coins.
”From the sale totaling 120 million Aurum, after deducting fees, the net amount is 108 million Aurum.”
It was my first time seeing mithril ingots up close.
Without prior lessons from Lifia, I might not have recognized what they were.
Each one must be worth around 10 million Aurum.
And the gold coins made up another 8 million Aurum.
”I’m honestly surprised. Receiving a sum this large all at once on the same day…”
I voiced my honest reaction.
I’d assumed the payment would be settled later or split up.
”Yes. We’re just as surprised──same-day lump sum payments of this scale are quite rare.”
The staff couldn’t hide their astonishment, their gaze dropping to the mithril and gold on the tray.
Even among the wealthy, accustomed to high-stakes deals, few can produce this kind of cash instantly.
”Would you like to take the payment with you as is?”
The staff asked.
My eyes fell again on the mithril bars and the pile of coins.
Carrying all this around?
Not exactly practical.
”If you’d like, you could open an account with our bank here.”
Apparently, this place also functions as a bank.
I see ── this is an auction handling serious money.
Settling payments within the bank is convenient for both sellers and buyers.
It also made me realize that the dress buyer didn’t actually have that much cash on hand.
Well, that makes sense.
”Alright, let’s do that.”
It was the perfect opportunity.
I decided to open an account too.
From now on, I’d use the bank for transactions.
Handling hundreds of millions in cash?
No thanks.
Next, the staff approached me with a proposal regarding payment for a hair growth tonic.
The buyer who won the bid wanted to discuss their payment options.
”You can refuse, if you wish. What will it be?”
I give a slight nod to the staff’s confirmation.
”I understand. I’ll hear them out.”
With my consent, I’m led to a room where I’m to wait.
* * *
The room I’m taken to is even more luxurious than the last──a grand reception hall.
A dazzling chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and the walls are adorned with exquisite decorations.
It’s the kind of room nobles would use.
Waiting for me there are 2 men, their heads gleaming.
These are the nobles who had joined hands to bid on the hair growth potion at the auction.
Did they win the bid?
”Welcome, Sir Seller.”
One of the nobles, a dignified man in his early twilight years, speaks in a composed voice.
”I am Count Dokihens. This is Baron Zubo. We are the successful bidders today. We appreciate the provision of such valuable goods.”
Baron Zubo gives a light bow in turn.
”I am Taro, the adventurer. Thank you for your purchase, gentlemen.”
I return the gesture with a slight bow of my own.
Once the pleasantries are over, we get down to business.
”Now, let’s get right to it…”
Count Dokihens proceeds cautiously, choosing his words.
”Regarding the payment for this transaction, we would like to discuss a few things.”
His tone is noble, but his expression is somewhat stern.
”Firstly, we are considering a payment plan.”
Of course, they would.
”No problem.”
My immediate response eases their expressions, if only slightly.
”We appreciate that.”
Indeed, the buyer of that dress was quite the exception.
No, the difference is in the number of digits.
Comparing them might be a mistake.
The winning bid was 1.85 billion Aurum.
Even for nobles, it’s not an amount to be thrown around lightly.
”And one more thing…”
Baron Zubo cuts in.
”Would it be possible to pay a portion of the payment in kind, rather than in cash?”
I see.
”You mean a trade-in.”
I glance at the staff, but they show no particular objection, simply nodding quietly.
Such transactions aren’t exactly uncommon.
”Very well… If it’s a high-grade spellbook or a magic bag, we would accept that as part of the payment.”
”Understood. In that case, we can make the necessary arrangements on our end as well.”
It seems that the market price for high-level spellbooks and magic bags ranges from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of Aurum.
Not a bad chunk to put toward the bill.
Suddenly, something came to mind.
”And, if possible… maybe an airship?”
The Count shook his head with a wry smile.
”Unfortunately, that’s a no-go. It’s not the kind of thing we can just hand over on a whim.”
”Yeah, I figured as much…”
Clearly, it’s not something that’s easily acquired.
I just thought I’d throw it out there as a Hail Mary.
Still, I’d love to get my hands on one someday.
”Well then, I’ll contact you later about any spellbooks or magic bags we can submit. Let’s proceed with the transaction after that.”
Just as Baron was wrapping up the conversation, the Count unexpectedly spoke up.
”By the way, Lord Taro. With your skills, you could do quite well in my territory. Ever thought about joining my service?”
The Count was appraising me with a keen gaze.
Apparently, my abilities have caught his eye through both my exploits in the dungeon and this auction.
A dungeon adventurer capable of fetching high-priced items.
Hiring me would indeed benefit him as well.
But──
”I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think serving at a court is really my thing.”
I gently declined.
I have no desire to be tethered to someone else’s service.
In the grand scheme, with my ‘Love Hotel’ business, I don’t really need to work.
They seemed a bit disappointed, but didn’t push it further.
”I see. Well, you must have your own reasons. I won’t pressure you.”
The nobles nodded in understanding.
* * *
After wrapping up the discussion with the Count about future payments, we left the auction venue.
At the exit, a large crowd still lingered.
Everyone was buzzing with excitement over the auction results.
Talk of what they managed to bid on, what they had hoped to snag, and so on.
Yet, inevitably, the topic turned back to my auction items.
Women were discussing the ‘Princess Dress,’ while men were murmuring about ‘Hair Growth Potion.’
Honestly, it felt a bit awkward being the center of attention like this.
But it wasn’t all bad.
So, where’s Gaedaf hiding, anyway?
If I can’t find him, I might as well just head home.
As I ponder this, a deep voice suddenly booms through the air.
”Can’t we do something about this?!”
”Well, it’s not like I have any solutions…”
It seems like there’s a spat going on.
And one of those voices belongs to Gaedaf.
As I turn to look, a hefty man is glaring at Gaedaf, his face flushed with anger.
”Gaedaf, what’s going on?”
He looks troubled, so I step in.
”Ah, Taro. Actually, it’s──”
Gaedaf glances at me with a sigh.
It seems this bulky guy is making some demands of him.
The young man looks well-off, dressed nicely and quite sturdy.
A noble, perhaps, or maybe a wealthy merchant.
Just as I’m sizing up the situation, the man turns his gaze towards me.
And then──
”Huh?!”
He gasps, his expression twisting in shock.
But his eyes aren’t on me; they’re directed behind me.
Is it Lifia and Tifi?
No doubt they’re both stunning beauties.
Moreover, they’re dressed elegantly in fine gowns.
It’s no wonder he’s captivated.
Still, something feels off.
”Ms, Tifi…”
He strains to call out Tifi’s name.
Do they know each other?
”Huh… Sir Iberigo?”
Tifi’s eyes widen as she murmurs his name in surprise.
Who’s that?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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