“Welcome everyone to Meribi! The auction will begin shortly!”

The announcer’s call ended the light conversation between the two.

“I had no idea Your Grace was interested in places like this.”

She said while keeping her gaze fixed on the platform.

“I received information about an interesting item coming up.”

Unlike her, Rashid answered while looking at her.

“Really?”

“They say it’s from the Western Continent.”

“My! I’m curious. Is it something like jewelry or accessories?”

She turned her head slightly toward Rashid only after hiding her face behind an open fan. When their eyes met, Rashid leaned towards her and whispered in her ear.

“A magical artifact.”

“……Are you allowed to buy such things?”

“There’s no reason why not. There’s no law against it.”

“I don’t think they’ll like it.”

“That’s not our concern.”

“You care a lot about it though.”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t?”

The conversation flowed smoothly even without mentioning the subject. Someone who doesn’t care about the Emperor. Indeed, there’s no such person in the empire.

“You’re different though.”

“Are you worried about me?”

Hmm? His question caught her slightly off guard. Well, it would be troublesome if problems arose before the divorce……

“About my wellbeing.”

Rashid chuckled at her answer. She could feel people around them watching him. Everyone wore expressions as if they were witnessing something strange.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by people’s attitudes, she decided to focus on the auction. Ah, come to think of it, she forgot to ask what kind of magical artifact it was. A magical artifact worth him coming to the auction in person. What could it be?

She watched to see which item he would bid on. Meanwhile, items found their owners one by one.

“Next is a court sword made 200 years ago!”

After several items had passed, finally something that might interest Rashid appeared. It was an elegant sword with a shining blade and a red jewel embedded in its hilt.

She watched to see when Rashid would raise his hand. But he seemed uninterested in the sword.

“Currently at 100 freti.”

The auctioneer called out the price. 100 freti would be about ten million won. Though not a small amount, it seemed that here such an amount wasn’t even considered money. The sword made long ago by an unknown craftsman wasn’t very popular.

「A sword bearing ancient blood revealed itself.」

At that moment, a striking sentence came to mind. She looked carefully at the sword being auctioned. Being called a sword bearing ancient blood makes it sound quite impressive. Rashid would be better at recognizing such things than me, so why isn’t he interested?

「However, the great sword concealed itself, and none recognized its true value.」

“If there are no more bids, then—”

Ah, no.

She raised her hand without thinking. Double.

“200 freti has been offered. Will anyone continue?”

The first bidder gave up without following. It seemed it would be sold at this price.

“400 freti!”

Patricia raised her hand to increase the price.

When she looked at her, Patricia smiled sweetly. She was clearly doing this on purpose. What should I do? Should I give up and let her have it?

But……

“500 freti!”

The earlier sentence kept bothering her, so she raised her hand once more.

Fortunately, Patricia didn’t follow this time. She seemed to have given up after the price doubled. She probably stopped because it would be troublesome if I gave up after she raised it further.

The sword was sold to me as is.

“A sword! Are you thinking of displaying it?”

Madame Spendal asked in bewilderment. That’s right. Since I can’t use swords, that’s all it’s good for. At least fortunately it wasn’t an amount I couldn’t handle.

The sentences kept tempting me, leading to an impulsive purchase. Is it really something extraordinary that others just failed to recognize? This ability keeps making me doubt somehow.

“Did you want to have a sword?”

Rashid added a comment. How should I explain this? Having nothing particular to say, I just nodded vaguely.

Various items continued to be auctioned. Befitting the empire’s finest regular auction held once a year, there were many sparkling, beautiful, elegant, and fascinating items.

I won several additional items. Three paintings, one magical ornament, and four pieces of furniture.

“My, you’re really focused on preparing for the banquet!”

Madame Spendal clapped her hands after counting the items I had won. It was certainly contrary to her wins, which were mainly precious metals like necklaces and earrings.

“Your taste is unique and distinctive.”

It was hard to tell if it was a compliment or not, but it made sense.

‘I bought mainly what the sentences urged me to buy.’

Of course, various other sentences appeared too. I focused on items where the sentences acted as barkers, saying things like ‘unexpected item,’ ‘hidden value,’ ‘will become extraordinary in the future.’ Perhaps because they seemed unremarkable now, there was little competition and prices were low.

‘Thanks to that, I bought various things.’

I’m not sure if they’re really diamonds in the rough, but I figured this ability wouldn’t lie to me.

While Madame Spendal and I bought various things, Rashid occasionally made small talk with me but didn’t participate in bidding. When would this magical artifact he came for appear?

Just as I was wondering, the auctioneer raised his voice and began elaborating with various expressions.

“Pay attention. This is an item you must watch in this auction. We’ve managed to present something extremely precious with great difficulty.”

“Ah, that must be it coming up.”

Madame Spendal also started focusing, craning her neck. I too listened intently.

“From a mine that exists nowhere else, exclusive to fairies! The very jewel that only shows itself when permitted by God! I present to you the Celestial Necklace.”

As the auctioneer spoke, the attendants lifted the cloth covering the item. People gasped in amazement.

It was a necklace with a mysterious black jewel. From one angle it looked purple, from another it looked blue. The radiance that changed color depending on the light and viewing angle was extremely beautiful and brilliant, capturing everyone’s hearts.

“How amazing. The rumors were true! This is my first time seeing it in person!”

Madame Spendal made a fuss.

“Is it that extraordinary a jewel?”

“Of course! There might be five of them in the world, if that. Most of those would be in the imperial family’s possession.”

People’s hands moved busily. The auctioneer’s words accelerated accordingly. 100 freti, 500 freti, 1,000 freti…. The units rose in an instant.

Madame Spendal raised her hand enthusiastically.

“5,000 freti has been offered. Any more?”

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, someone gestured to raise the amount.

“5,500 freti. Will anyone go higher?”

5,000 freti…. That’s enough to buy ten Sparkles. A round, pure white shadow appeared and disappeared over the jewel boasting its expensive price.

“Did you see that? The moon of the night sky just passed over it! This mysterious jewel turns blue in daylight, gray in rain, and dark at night!”

The auctioneer shouted excitedly. A jewel that changes color according to the weather and light of the day…. People were rushing for it because it was very mysterious and rare in the world.

I too wanted to have it just as much. Especially since it was something so good for showing off, it would be even more useful.

Should I raise my hand? Or not? Should I?

After hesitating, I raised my hand to increase the price.

“6,000 freti!”

Beside me, Madame Spendal gestured again.

“6,500 freti!”

Someone else gestured.

“7,000 freti!”

The price rose by 1,000 freti in an instant. They were truly mad.

Even though I knew it was an insane race, I kept feeling strangely anxious.

‘How much more can I spend?’

I gauged my remaining budget. Though I still had money left and could raise the price several more times……

Glancing sideways, I saw Rashid looking indifferent. No, I couldn’t tell if he was really bored. That’s just how he appeared to me.

‘I feel self-conscious….’

When the money’s owner wasn’t around, it felt like my world, but with him sitting prominently beside me like this, it felt somewhat awkward to spend freely. Especially in situations like now where people were raising prices frantically.

“10,000 freti!”

The price had already risen to 10,000. 10,000…. That’s an amount reaching one billion won.

Come to think of it, even in the original world, rare jewels would cost several billion won, I think. Since I only encountered it in news articles, I don’t remember the exact amount. So maybe this price is natural for such a rare jewel.

The next bidder was Patricia.

“15,000 freti!”

She doubled the price in one breath. Madame Spendal rushed to match.

“20,000 freti!”

Again, it was Patricia’s turn.

“40,000 freti!”

“She’s crazy!”

When Patricia doubled the price again, Madame Spendal threw up both hands. Understandably so. Though I expected the price to go up, it was heading toward ridiculous amounts. She’s a lady of House Limnike. If she came prepared, she would have been ready to go up to 50,000 or even 100,000.