Chapter 167: Purchased by the Royal Family
Starting with the Long Dragon, then the Terrano Dragon, and the Armored Dragon, auctions were held at intervals of 20 to 30 days. When I handed over the four Whip Dragons, I was told that the compulsory summons had ended.
For the auction of the four Whip Dragons, since every participant desired one, it was decided that the auction would conclude when only four participants remained.
Just as it was being discussed whether the auction would end with the next Crimson Snake, Fran and the others from Osius’s Fang, the Dragon Subjugation group, came to my house.
“You said your house changed, but isn’t this too much of a change?”
“This isn’t a house, it’s a mansion.”
“Did you become a noble or something from the Dragon Subjugation?”
“Shinya-san, this is really overdoing it, isn’t it?”
“Milene-sama said she’d give me a house as thanks for her becoming an Earl, so I expressed my gratitude. Then, she told me a house had been found, and when I came to see it, this is what it was. Ah, ask Murado about the rooms and use whichever ones you like. As for that stuff, the last of the creatures we subjugated during the scouting mission will finally be put up for auction soon.”
“Why is it taking so long?”
“Consider their size. What we subjugated during scouting were a Long Dragon, a Terrano Dragon, an Armored Dragon, four Whip Dragons, a Crimson Snake, and a Scorpion. One is put up for auction, and even if it’s sold, no one can take it home whole, so it has to be dismantled. After it’s cleared away, the next one is handed over to the Guild. Then another auction. The dragons are practically rotting in my Spatial Storage.”
“Someone as black-hearted as you probably wouldn’t get a stomachache even if a dragon rotted in your Spatial Storage,” Fanna teased.
“Even if I got a stomachache, I can heal myself, so it’s fine,” Fran added.
“So our earnings are going to be in your Spatial Storage for a while then, huh?” Tanza grumbled.
“For now, I’ll give 500 Gold Coins to each party, or rather, to each person. Let me tell you, Tanza’s Search request portion sold for a high price, but if people find out more dragons will be auctioned, I think the bid prices will drop significantly.”
“How much did Tanza’s portion sell for?”
“The Long Dragon was 6,388 Gold Coins, the Terrano Dragon was 5,421 Gold Coins, the Armored Dragon 5,147 Gold Coins, and the Whip Dragons were 1,046 Gold Coins each, times four, so 4,184 Gold Coins. The total is 21,140 Gold Coins. After that, it’s just the Crimson Snake and the Scorpion, but the Scorpion is probably for display. The Snake meat is reputed to be exquisite, so there are high hopes for that.”
I explained while looking at a memo.
“The Guild takes a 1/3 cut, and the remainder is…”
“About 14,100 Gold Coins. From that, subtract the 20% auction commission, so it’s a little over 11,280 Gold Coins, I guess.”
“Uh, um, 21,140 Gold Coins minus 11,280… 9,860 Gold Coins! Isn’t that a rip-off?!”
“The Guild really makes a lot of money, huh.”
“This time, the Royal Family’s Healing Magician was active, so the number of casualties was much lower, meaning less compensation was needed, making it even more profitable for them.”
“Even the near-dead and severely injured were healed so easily by that amazing Healing Magician, so everyone went to the subjugation without fear.”
“Is that amazing Healing Magician also an acquaintance of yours?”
“Yeah, she’s the daughter of Marks, who’s in charge of security for this house and guarding the servants.”
“So, you’re the one who taught her, then.”
“More importantly, isn’t there any good booze and snacks?”
“I’ve asked Karen, the head maid, to prepare a feast, so please wait a little longer.”
“Shinya-san, you’re really rich, aren’t you?”
“Why are you an Adventurer?”
Hawkin, Felzan, and the others asked with great interest, but Fran and I just looked at each other.
“My Adventurer Registration was with Fran, and we were both newbies, practically broke. After I met Fran again, there was some trouble, and I guess luck came my way.”
“That was more than just ‘some trouble.’ How many times did we nearly die?”
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
I was taken by the Magic Squad’s Vice-Captain to have an audience with Prime Minister Brighton, where my achievements in the Dragon Subjugation were recognized, and I was deeply moved by his words of praise.
After that, I was led by an attendant to a wide, luxurious room. In a room lined with Royal Guards along the walls, we were made to stand in a single line. At the words, “His Majesty, the King,” I hastily knelt.
“These individuals, as members of the Kingdom of Wilandall’s Magic Squad, demonstrated outstanding skill during the Dragon Subjugation.”
As we knelt, we heard the Prime Minister’s voice again, and something was placed on my bowed shoulder.
“To you, Chaos Deelgo, I grant the rank of Baron.”
Eh… What?
“Chaos, thank His Majesty.”
The Prime Minister’s words confused my mind, and I didn’t know what was what…
At the words, “Good, continue to strive,” I reflexively bowed my head.
I heard the person next to me also being told “…Deelgo, the rank of Baron,” so I understood that we had been recognized for our achievements in the Dragon Subjugation and made Barons.
Returning to the Prime Minister’s office in a daze, he said, “As members of the Kingdom’s Magic Squad, your achievements in the first Dragon Subjugation have been recognized, and you have been granted the rank of Baron as pensioned nobles, though for one generation only. As for your family name, I’ve taken the liberty of assigning one based on the Dragon Subjugation site.”
The Vice-Captain, who was waiting beside us, was informed of his promotion to Captain of the Magic Squad.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
The day after the banquet, I took everyone, still hungover, to the Commerce Guild. For those with Commerce Guild membership cards, I had 500 Gold Coins, 50,000,000 Dahla, transferred from my account.
For those without membership cards, I had them make cards, and then transferred 500 Gold Coins into them.
I had 500 Gold Coins moved to each of the 29 accounts, so I requested a balance confirmation.
A transfer of 14,500 Gold Coins, 1,450,000,000 Dahla, from my account. The clerk was flustered by the large sum.
The paper handed to me showed the numbers: 4,160,720,000 – 1,450,000,000 = 2,710,720,000 Dahla.
It was far more than I expected, so I checked the deposits and withdrawals. 4,480 Gold Coins, 448,000,000 Dahla, were being deposited annually… It’s the payment for Flower Nectar, Honey, and Cold Mash.
There were no house maintenance costs, and I’d been paying for other necessary expenses out of my own pocket, so I hadn’t looked, but this is a bit too much.
What kind of faces would they make if I took out the leather pouch with the Royal Family Crest from my Spatial Storage here?
I’m sure there are a little over 15,000 Gold Coins remaining, but I’ll let them sleep in my pocket.
“A lot of money came in, but it doesn’t feel real, does it?”
“If I dispose of what’s sleeping in my pocket, it’ll increase even more.”
“I was satisfied with just Fanna, you know.”
“And I was just happy that my magic was improving…”
“Well, thanks to getting involved with Shinya, we don’t have to worry about food anymore.”
“Yeah, I never dreamed things would turn out like this.”
“We seem to be standing out, so shall we leave?”
Behind the counter, they’re rushing around with paperwork due to the large sum of money moving, and 30 Adventurers, including me, stand out too much.
Everyone noticed my words and quickly left the Commerce Guild.
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
The day after Tanza’s Guild portion was dealt with, I received another visit from Prime Minister Brighton’s herald.
At Murado’s “What shall we do?” everyone in the living room looked at me at once.
Well, the herald didn’t just say “you” but “all of you,” so it’s understandable.
“You, even the Gold Coins you advanced us was an incredible amount, and now the Prime Minister-sama is visiting…”
“What on earth did you do?”
“And hearing that, he coolly says, ‘Tomorrow morning would be fine.'”
“But why us too?”
“Surely they’re not going to say they want to hire us for the Kingdom, right?”
“Shinya-san, will it be bad if we don’t kneel? We might get yelled at again.”
“Fran is the same as ever.”
“Because we’ve been getting punched around from the start whenever Shinya-san is involved. We know very well that nothing good comes from Shinya-san getting involved with nobles.”
“Well then, tomorrow when you meet the Prime Minister, just stay behind me. If I don’t kneel, just act nonchalant.”
“That won’t get us struck down, will it?”
“Do you think they’d try to force their way against this much fighting power?”
“This is it! Shinya is surprisingly quick to pick a fight.”
“Yeah, yeah, and he sometimes makes harsh sarcastic remarks too.”
“The guy he called ‘Mr. Wet-Pants’ is still called that behind his back.”
＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊
When morning came, everyone was restless and fidgety.
Seeing them like that, Marks was grinning.
Guided by Murado the steward, Prime Minister Brighton arrived, but his only attendant was an adjutant; the guards seemed to be waiting in the entrance hall.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
“Not at all. More importantly, what business do you have that required gathering everyone?”
“Regarding the Dragon Subjugation, since I hadn’t promised any reward, I will present you with the Magic Bag I entrusted to you. Please handle the user registration and user restrictions yourselves.”
Since a happy commotion was occurring behind me, I silently bowed my head.
However, I’ve ended up with yet another Magic Bag.
“The reason I had you all gather is none other than this. I would like the Royal Family to receive one each of the Terrano Dragon, Armored Dragon, and Snake that you subjugated. Of course, we will add a certain amount on top of the auction price.”
If it’s the price without the auction commission, that would be most welcome, I thought as I turned around, and everyone was nodding vigorously in unison.
If it’s unanimous, there’s no reason to refuse.
“What about the handover timing?”
“How about after the Tanza Adventurers Guild’s share has been processed?”
“Understood. We will hand them over once the Crimson Snake auction is finished and the Guild’s Dismantling Area is free, so please have the Royal Family handle the dismantling request.”
“You can leave that to us. Once the dismantling of the Royal Family’s share is complete, you can continue with the auction for the remaining Dragons. After all, yours is the only group that brought back whole Dragons.”
“Were Dragons also found in Hyulzass and Kryunzass?”
“After receiving your report, we recruited volunteers and sent them to the remote regions. Along with the Magicians you trained. They managed to subjugate a number of Dragons, but it seems they’re dismantling them on-site as there’s no one who can bring them back.”
Saying that, the Prime Minister shook his head.
Since those experienced in Dragon dismantling are extremely few, I couldn’t help but hope they hadn’t turned the Dragons into mince.
Expanding the capacity of someone with Spatial Storage… How would one even do that, I wonder?