Chapter 116: The Mithril Section
After finishing the afternoon break, we finally arrived at the Mithril Section. The minimum bid for this segment was set at a staggering one billion Fron.
“Well then, we have now reached the final segment of the auction, the Mithril Section! This time, we have an array of eye-catching items up for bid, making it more exciting than ever. Without further ado, let’s get started!”
The first item that appeared was something truly alarming. A Demon Sword, tightly sealed with chains on a cart. Just looking at it sent shivers down my spine, and I could tell that equipping it would surely lead to a curse.
“This is bad news, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah, it feels wrong.”
“It seems to be sealed, at least…”
Fleur’s expression was tense as well. It made me wonder if it was indeed as dangerous as it looked. Surprisingly, there weren’t many guests who seemed put off by it. Perhaps this level of danger was within acceptable limits? Ultimately, it was sold for fifteen billion Fron, but who knows what would happen next…
Next came the Earth Dragon Magic Stone, its heart, and reverse scales, each fetching absurdly high prices without exception. I had nothing more to say.
“And now, the next item! A crime slave from the Vampire Clan, Elvirinos Jewels!”
What? A slave? They’re auctioning off something like that? I glanced at Fleur, who wore a look of mild fascination. It didn’t seem particularly strange to her… or was it?
“Slaves are auctioned too…”
Rio frowned, her brows furrowing in concern.
“Yes. Slaves are considered valuable merchandise.”
If Fleur said so, then it must be true. I suppose I would need to adjust my perspective on this matter. Just as I was pondering this, a cage rolled out from the back of the stage instead of a cart. Inside was presumably the slave named Elvirinos Jewels.
“Ha!”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing the moment I saw inside. She was completely naked.
With waist-length, pure white hair and eyes dyed a deep crimson, her skin appeared almost translucent. Her voluptuous curves were reminiscent of melons, and her figure, accentuated by a well-defined waist, radiated sensuality. The fact that she wore nothing but a collar made her seem even more provocative.
“Hey, Shuu?”
As I continued to observe, a sharp voice cut through my thoughts—Rio.
“What is it?”
I replied without tearing my gaze away, only to have my cheek pinched.
“Ouch!”
“What are you looking at?”
“I was just curious about what kind of item had come up.”
“Hmph…”
“Ahaha…”
Fleur watched our exchange with a wry smile.
“Sometimes, rare slaves appear at auctions…”
The host continued explaining. Apparently, this slave was over two hundred years old and belonged to the Vampire Clan. They didn’t elaborate on what crimes she committed to become a crime slave, but I couldn’t help but wonder what she had done. Fleur informed me that in commercial nations, there was no discrimination based on race, so being a vampire wouldn’t lead to her being ostracized. This meant she was likely captured under normal circumstances. After all, this was a legitimate auction, and items with a whiff of crime wouldn’t be presented here.
“Now, we will start the bidding at ten billion Fron.”
“Eleven billion!”
“Twelve billion!”
Wow, she seemed to be quite popular, especially among the men. Not a single bid came from the women. I understood why; I had Rio by my side, so I wouldn’t be swayed.
The vampire woman crossed her arms, lifting her breasts as she scanned the audience. She showed no intention of hiding her body. Her gaze eventually landed on me, and for a moment, she smiled alluringly, her red eyes glinting.
—What is this?
I suddenly felt an urge to possess that vampire.
“Fifteen billion Fron!”
I realized I had shouted it out loud.
“Hey, Shuu!?”
“Guh!”
Before I could process what had happened, Rio’s elbow jabbed into my side.
As I regained my senses and looked around, I saw Rio glaring at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. The bidding had already surpassed my offer, reaching eighteen billion Fron.
“What are you thinking?”
I could feel her quiet anger radiating toward me, but I wanted to question the auction staff instead. That sensation felt familiar—similar to when the Third Princess of the Arclight Kingdom had handed me a brooch.
“Is that… charm or something?”
“Eh?”
Both Rio and Fleur exclaimed in unison.
“That damn woman… to charm customers while being a slave, she’s got some nerve.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just that after she looked at me, I felt a fog clouding my mind… I’m fine now, though.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. It felt similar to when I received the brooch.”
“Charm… but slaves at auctions are supposed to be ordered not to do anything…”
Fleur appeared puzzled, while the slave in question tilted her head in confusion. When I shot her a glare, she smiled faintly again, her eyes sparkling, but it didn’t affect me anymore. Perhaps realizing I wasn’t going to bid again, she feigned indifference and shifted her gaze to someone else. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was trying to drive up the price.
With that unsettling thought in mind, the Mithril Section of the auction moved into its latter half.