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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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“Let’s go in, Saintess.”
Rebecca, though looking displeased, took my hand, and we entered the auction stage together. Despite our timely arrival, there weren’t many seats left.
“I’ll show you to your seats.”
We followed an attendant wearing a different animal mask to our designated seats. Naturally, they were next to each other.
–We would like to inform the distinguished guests attending the Masked Auction hosted by Ataraxia that the auction will begin shortly. Please take your seats and wait. Thank you.
They called themselves Ataraxia, but back alleys were back alleys.
The magically amplified announcement signaled the start of the auction. I took my seat and looked around.
The auction house was surprisingly extravagant for a place located in a dark back alley. Colorful decorations shimmered throughout the venue.
A subtle rose scent filled the air. They had certainly gone to great lengths to create an atmosphere of luxury…
“Ugh.”
It seemed our Saintess wasn’t impressed.
“You shouldn’t be so openly disgusted.”
“I know.”
“Your expression suggests otherwise.”
I ignored her glare from behind her mask. As murmurs and laughter rippled through the auction house, I examined the auction catalog placed beside my seat.
“Plenty of interesting items.”
As expected of a black market where only those with permission could enter and conceal their identities, the quality of the items was exceptional.
From elixirs comparable to the Blue Jade Elixir to relics rarely seen in ordinary auctions. There were even works of art that seemed valuable, even to someone like me.
My target was elixirs. While I was wealthy, I wasn’t arrogant enough to flaunt it in the black market. Everyone here could afford these items.
“The elven slave is last.”
“Naturally. It’s customary to save the highlight for last.”
It kept the guests interested in other items while they waited for the main attraction.
A common auction tactic. I discreetly checked my funds.
I currently had… 3,000 gold.
Considering that 1 copper was worth 100 won, 1 silver was worth 10,000 won, and 1 gold was worth 1,000,000 won, my current assets were around 3 billion won.
It was a considerable sum, but I wasn’t sure if it would be enough to purchase both the slave and the elixirs.
“Saintess.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any money?”
Perhaps the Saintess had some donations or offerings? I was a little short on funds for the elven slave.
“Um… 3 silver?”
I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.
–Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Masked Auction. I am your host for this evening, Ai.
The amplified voice of the auctioneer echoed through the hall, and the lights dimmed. The chatter and laughter subsided as all eyes focused on the stage.
–Normally, I would begin with an opening address, but I know our guests value their time, so let’s proceed directly to the first item.
Something was already being brought onto the stage. I stared intently. From now on, my focus had to be solely on the items and their prices.
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Rebecca stared, mesmerized, at the artwork on display.
It was a type of pottery she’d seen a few times at the Church. But the elegant curves and vibrant colors of this piece set it apart from mass-produced items.
Deron had said the more valuable items would appear later. That meant this pottery was among the least valuable in the auction.
‘Honestly…’
…Rebecca had never considered attending an auction before. Having grown up in modest circumstances, auctions were a luxury she couldn’t afford.
Moreover, having lived as the Saintess, frugality and thrift had become ingrained in her. Even the clothes she was currently wearing felt extravagant.
She would have strongly opposed it if Deron hadn’t insisted that proper attire was required for entry. How many people could she have fed with the money spent on these clothes?
The thought of such excessive spending filled her mind. It pained her to see so much money wasted on mere clothing. That’s why, aside from her Saintess’s robes, she only owned about seven sets of clothes. Money was meant for the less fortunate.
“Isn’t that bid too high?”
“It’s about status and prestige. You’re not buying the object itself, but the status it represents.”
Rebecca wasn’t convinced by Deron’s explanation. The first pottery piece, and the item that had just been sold, were both excessively priced.
One gold was enough to feed a family of four or five for two to three months. Yet, these paintings were valued at tens, even hundreds, of gold.
“Seriously, these nobles…”
“Aren’t you sitting next to one of them?”
“You’re in no position to criticize me for saying that.”
They were playing the role of lovers, after all. Rebecca met Deron’s gaze. His obsidian eyes gleamed from behind his mask. Eyes so perfectly shaped they seemed like works of art.
A face that drew attention, even more so than the necklaces and pottery on display. She quickly averted her gaze. Deron’s face possessed a certain allure, drawing people in.
–200 gold. Do I hear any more bids? Then this antique painting goes to guest number 12!
Number 12. A number she’d heard frequently. They were purchasing artwork indiscriminately, as if they had too much money.
To Rebecca, it seemed like a frivolous waste of money.
Her gaze darted around the room.
“Number 12. Number 12. Ah…”
A woman wearing a golden lion mask. The strands of lavender hair visible beneath the mask were striking.
What caught Rebecca’s attention was that number 12 was also looking in their direction. She briefly met the woman’s gaze before looking away.
–500 gold. 500 gold. 500 gold. The Grand Tiger Elixir goes to guest number 7!
While she had been distracted by number 12, Deron had already purchased an elixir.
A yellow orb. But its potent aura, palpable even from this distance, left no doubt about its efficacy.
“Is that why you wanted to come to the auction?”
“Yes. The Grand Tiger Elixir is incredibly rare. I purchased it hoping it might improve my condition. And if it strengthens my body as well, all the better. I got it for a good price.”
A good price? Rebecca stared at Deron, slightly aghast.
“It is a good price, considering the elixir’s effects.”
“Still, a good price? 500 gold could buy so many barley loaves.”
“Saintess, are you still eating barley loaves? Even the academy cafeteria wouldn’t serve those.”
Deron asked, puzzled. Rebecca puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
“That’s not the point.”
“Fine, fine. Let’s pop those puffy cheeks, shall we?”
Deron poked her puffed-out cheeks, deflating them. It was part of their act as lovers, but Rebecca felt a flicker of disgust.
He, Deron, seemed to have completely lost his memories of the past.
She wondered how he would react if he ever remembered.
Deron didn’t participate in any further bidding. He must have come solely for the Grand Tiger Elixir, even though he clearly had more money to spend.
The auction continued, steadily and passionately building towards its climax.
And finally…
–The moment you’ve all been waiting for!
The highly anticipated item appeared.
–We went to great lengths to acquire this item. It was incredibly difficult to obtain, and I believe you all understand its rarity and value!
The auctioneer’s impassioned words were followed by the rattling of chains. The highlight of the auction was being dragged onto the stage.
“….”
Rebecca’s eyes widened. Golden hair, meant to shimmer in the sunlight, was now dull and lifeless. Skin as white as snow was now cracked and dry.Even in this state, her beauty, her grace, somehow lingered.
Rebecca had doubted it when Deron first mentioned it, but now, seeing her with her own eyes, she was certain.
The battered woman on stage was definitely an elf.
The elf’s long, pointed ears twitched nervously. Her hunched posture betrayed her fear.
–Given the rarity of this slave, the starting bid will be 1,000 gold!
Rebecca gasped and turned to Deron. 1,000 gold? Even for him, that must be a considerable sum.
But as she turned, she froze.
Deron’s expression… his face was colder than she had ever seen it.
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