Chapter 62
With barely a week left to live, I had no time to waste. These two venues were precisely what I needed. Silverstone Trading Company was known for its extensive inventory, even dealing in mermaid scales.
With the Demon King dead and the knights dispatched to the west, the atmosphere was ripe for the merchant lord to offer some truly rare items to liven things up. And then there was Lady Rain.
She was the one I held a secret anticipation for. A breathtaking beauty, she harbored a quiet rivalry with Hestia, the social butterfly. This rivalry had led her to snatch several items right out from under Hestia’s nose at auctions, items I myself had intended to purchase.
However, Lady Rain had no idea how to use something like a medallion forged from a compressed troll heart. Whenever she hosted a charity party, the items she’d won at auction would invariably reappear, offered up for the world to see once more.
“This will be fun.” I held the two invitations, my eyes gleaming.
“Excited? It has been a while since we’ve been to an auction. Anything in particular you have your eye on? I’ll buy it for you.” Hestia, clearly delighted by my renewed energy, beamed at me.
I declined her offer, telling her to leave everything to me today. Such reckless spending, with no thought for the consequences, a complete depletion of my fortune, this was the kind of insane indulgence only someone with a death sentence could afford. This was what it felt like to have a wild fling with death at my doorstep.
***
After stopping at the bank to issue a check for the remaining balance in my account, I was immediately met by a retinue of knights. Since two knights hadn’t been enough to prevent my kidnapping, Clovis had assigned a full six this time.
Ordinarily, I would have been mortified, but such trivial emotions no longer concerned me. I accepted their escort as my due, boarding the carriage with an air of confidence. Hestia watched me with a puzzled expression, clearly wondering what had gotten into me.
The carriage ride was smooth, delivering us swiftly to the auction house. Thanks to Hestia’s presence, I gained easy entry. Holding Hestia’s bidder number, number one, naturally, I awaited the start of the auction. Soon, a boisterous auctioneer gestured toward a golden object being wheeled out on a trolley.
“Now, you’ve all been patiently waiting. As this is a gathering of esteemed individuals, we have prepared some truly exquisite items for you today!”
With the practiced ease of a seasoned salesman, the auctioneer gestured to a table on the dais.
“This dazzling piece is an incense burner from the distant Paean Empire! Note the intricate carvings and the inlaid red rubies! It is said to possess mystical properties that increase resistance to poison. Bidding will start at 50 gold…”
“One thousand.” It was a decent item. I’d give it to one of the magicless knights heading west.
“O-one thousand? The lady in white, did you say one thousand? Then, are there any other… Very well. The incense burner goes to bidder number one for one thousand gold!” The gavel fell with three sharp cracks, and every eye in the auction house turned to me.
“Adelina, one thousand? It’s lovely, but not worth that price.” Hestia whispered, but I replied calmly, “It’s fine.” With my fate uncertain, I needed to acquire everything quickly and then seek the help of the elven mage.
“Now, for our next item. This is a decorative tassel for a knight’s sword hilt. While it may appear ordinary, it is anything but. This tassel was crafted by the previous High Priest, whose healing powers were unparalleled in history…”
“Two thousand.” The auctioneer was struck speechless, and a hush fell over the room. Ignoring the stares, I waved my bidder number impatiently. Hurry it up.
“Well, then, next…”
“Three thousand!”
“The next item is…”
“Two thousand.” The next fifteen items followed the same pattern. I offered such exorbitant prices that no one else dared to bid.
“Then, that concludes today’s auction…” Despite achieving record-breaking sales, the auctioneer looked uneasy. The atmosphere of the prestigious auction had been thoroughly disrupted, which was understandably problematic for the organizers.
“Adelina, do you even know how much you spent today? Of course, I can buy you anything you want, but…”
“You said to leave it to me today. It’s fine.” I urged Hestia to wait for me in the carriage while I settled the bill, and then entered the auction house office.
“This is… well, we are certainly pleased, but with such high bids, we cannot allow a lengthy delay in payment.”
The auction house owner, who recognized me from my frequent appearances alongside the princess at major auctions, looked at me expectantly. I presented him with one of the checks.
“This is a check from the Goldberry Bank’s main branch. Consider the remaining amount a contribution to your future acquisition of fine goods.” The owner’s eyes widened as he took in the sum written on the check. The thrill of throwing money around was exhilarating. A novel experience.
“Please have all the items loaded into the carriage.”
I lifted my chin haughtily and exited the office. The auction house staff scrambled to carry the precious items outside to the waiting carriage.
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