“1.1 million gold, 1.1 million gold, 1.1 million gold.”

Fortunately, no paddle was raised until the auctioneer’s final call.

The person in the dog mask hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not raise their hand and gave up.

“Phew, thank goodness.”

I sighed in relief as my bid was confirmed and the auction moved on to the next item.

Though the expenditure was larger than expected, it would soon be recouped once I extracted the magic stones.

“Could you refill my glass?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Relaxing from the tension, I sipped my drink while observing the rest of the auction.

Having secured what I wanted, I suddenly felt at ease.

Since entering the mansion, Carl had been unusually silent, merely standing by my side.

With the final auction item, a relic of an ancient kingdom, my first auction experience concluded.

In the hall, only the successful bidders remained after the other attendees left.

We were to settle payments and collect our auction items once Lord Arco returned from a brief absence.

‘I need to hire workers to mine the magic stones first. I must complete the temple donation within the deadline…’

While I was organizing my plans in my head, a man loitering by the window shouted.

“Oh! What’s that carriage?”

His extremely surprised expression piqued the curiosity of others, who gradually moved to the window.

I also looked outside.

A carriage with a red flag was cutting through the darkness, entering the Arco Mansion.

I squinted to examine the bird drawn on the flag.

‘What is that? Is it the police?’

It seemed familiar, and I tilted my head until someone provided the answer.

“If that’s the vulture emblem, it’s the Duke Celsior’s carriage.”

Ah, so it was a vulture.

‘…But Duke Celsior?’

The unpleasant young lady I met at a recent party came to mind vividly.

Why show up at an auction that’s already over?

Though I thought it wouldn’t concern me, an inexplicable unease settled in.

‘No way… Does the young lady know the secret of the Barron Silver Mine?’

The chances were slim, and she couldn’t forcibly take what was already auctioned.

Nevertheless, feeling anxious, I eagerly awaited Lord Arco’s return.

But he showed up only after quite some time.

Skillfully appeasing the grumbling bidders, he lined them up and called me separately.

“The successful bidder for the Barron Silver Mine, please come this way.”

Why does this feel ominous?

Standing there with a reluctant face, he urged me, saying he had something important to discuss.

In the end, Carl and I followed him to a room inside the hall.

A woman was sitting there.

She had long, dark hair and wore a new mask.

“Lady Celsior?”

“…You have sharp eyes. You recognized me immediately.”

The young lady removed her mask, revealing her elegant and beautiful face.

I also lowered my mask, meeting her face-to-face. She would likely recognize me anyway due to my distinctive hair color.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting for the successful bidder of the Barron Silver Mine. I asked Lord Arco for a favor because I have something urgent to discuss… Is it really you, Miss Sharofe?”

“Yes.”

The young lady, displeased that it was me, furrowed her delicate brows and spoke in a haughty voice.

“I’ll pay triple the winning bid for the Barron Silver Mine.”

“I refuse.”

I answered without hesitation.

The magic stones buried beneath the mine were worth far more than just 3.3 million gold.

Is she crazy?

“…Why?”

“Because I have no reason to sell what I won to you, Lady.”

“Ha, is it because you’re short on money?”

The young lady muttered loudly, brushing back her hair.

“Anyway, the greed of those without is terrifying.”

What nonsense, the greed of those with is scarier.

Crossing her arms, she lifted her chin as if looking down on a subordinate.

“Fine. Then ten times the amount.”

“Even if you offered a hundred times, I’d refuse. Blame yourself for being late and leave.”

“…What?”

Waving my hand dismissively, the young lady’s face twisted. She seemed genuinely angry, her complexion turning red.

Regardless, I handed the money bag Carl was holding to Lord Arco, who had been standing back.

“1.1 million gold. Please give me the deed for the Barron Silver Mine.”

“Ahem, why don’t you listen to the young lady’s offer—”

“Whoa? Are you about to break your own rule that once auctioned, it can’t be canceled or transferred? Would people continue to trust your auctions if this became known?”

I pressured Lord Arco, who seemed inclined to side with the young lady.

Startled, he hesitantly handed over the deed, glancing at the young lady for approval.

“Take good care of this. Don’t let it be taken.”

Just in case, I entrusted the document to Carl and was about to leave the room.

“Miss Sharofe!”

But the young lady was quicker.

“Can’t you act sensibly?”

She stood up abruptly, grabbing my wrist.

Her long, sharp nails pricked my skin painfully.

“Being at odds with me won’t do you any good. I really need that mine.”

“If it was that important, you should have come yesterday. Don’t do something so disgraceful after the auction is over.”

“You’ve been testing my patience… What makes you think you can be so insolent to me? Watch your mouth.”

“Since you didn’t watch yours first, I’m only responding in kind.”

Smiling brightly, I grabbed her wrist in return.

“If you don’t like it, be nice to me. I’ll reciprocate.”

“……”

“Then, farewell.”

I released her hand and turned away. Who does she think she is, trying to pull her status here?

Carl quietly followed behind me.

Just as we reached the door,

“Stop them.”

The young lady commanded in a chilling voice from behind.

The knights standing in the room quickly moved to block our path.

Looking closely, I realized they were different from the knights guarding the hall earlier.

With uniforms bearing the vulture emblem, they seemed to be the young lady’s personal knights.

“What are you doing?”

I snapped, turning my head sharply.

The young lady, now seated with her legs crossed, shrugged.

“I don’t want to talk to someone who doesn’t understand reason anymore.”

Seriously, who do you think should be saying that?

Turning her head arrogantly, she spoke to Lord Arco.

“How about canceling the auction for the Barron Silver Mine due to unavoidable circumstances? I’ll explain your situation to people.”

Her red lips curled into a wickedly smooth smile.

“In my name and my family’s.”

Even to my ears, it was a tempting offer, and Lord Arco, unsurprisingly, was swayed.

“Understood. Let’s do that.”

“Wait a minute, how can this be fair!”

I immediately protested.

You bastards. I fought tooth and nail to win this!

But having already decided to side with the young lady, Lord Arco glared at me and even threatened.

“Return the deed while I’m asking nicely.”

“No. I obtained this fairly through the auction.”

“That auction has been canceled.”

“According to whom? I absolutely do not agree.”

With a sneer, Lord Arco mocked me.

“Get real, Miss. Do you think a mere count’s daughter can stop something the Duke Celsior’s family wants?”

They say they discriminate based on wealth and family, and that was right. His face growing closer was utterly despicable.

Like our manager sucking up to the CEO’s nepotist son.

“Hand over the deed!”

“Ah…!”

While I was momentarily distracted, Lord Arco lunged at me unexpectedly.

To protect Carl, who held the deed, I spread my arms wide in front of him and braced myself.

Carl pulled me back and kicked Lord Arco.

“Ugh!”

The former knight, Lord Arco, rolled pathetically on the floor.

Seeing this, the young lady grimaced and urged the knights.

“What are you doing? Why are you not helping the Lord!”

The knights, taking orders, disgracefully rushed Carl in a group.

You shameless scoundrels!

How can so many gang up on one person…!

‘There’s none?’

I stared blankly at the scene before me. With each move Carl made, the knights fell away like leaves.

“Ah!”

“Ugh!”

“Oof—!”

Carl, silently beating people up, showed not a hint of hesitation.

The cute rabbit mask covering half his face felt almost like a horror.

“You bastard!”

Screech—

Perhaps angered by the one-sided beating, one knight drew his sword with a flushed face.

He’s truly no knight.

How does it make sense to draw a sword against an unarmed civilian?

“Carl, be careful! Don’t get hurt!”

Worried that Carl might fall victim to that cowardly scoundrel, I raised my voice.

He glanced at me briefly and nodded.

Why is he so unusually silent today?

“Hiyaa—!”

The knight shouted as he charged at Carl with his sword raised.