The secret auction house was located in the basement, close to the city center, where noble mansions were abundant.

Contrary to the impression the word ‘basement’ gave, the interior was clean and splendid, with only a slightly stuffy atmosphere.

‘It looks like this place avoided any damage. Was it within the range of the protective barrier?’

Holding the Duke’s hand while descending the stairs, Rosha checked if the mask on her face was properly placed. It was a mask lent by Duke Echerzen after checking the items she planned to sell.

-If you don’t want to get caught up in unnecessary gossip, it’s better to hide your identity. Considering the kind of item you’re auctioning, they might want to check the seller’s name during the auction.

He was right.

And the feathered silver mask he lent her wasn’t just for concealing her face.

Rosha awkwardly touched her hair, which had changed from reddish-brown to jet-black, just like the Duke’s.

This mask had the power of disguise.

At that moment, the man holding her hand looked at her briefly and said:

“It suits you.”

“Excuse me?”

“That hair color.”

As they entered the auction hall, she couldn’t reply due to the ongoing auction. But her cheeks, hidden beneath the mask, felt a bit hot.

When they entered, the auction was already in full swing.

As they sat down, a servant approached with a number sign and poured a glass of wine for each of them. It seemed to be the standard service at an auction where many nobles attended.

‘I see a lot of faces from the Month of Abundance Banquet.’

Including Marquis Lycaon, several familiar figures sat in the front row. It was a world new to her, so she looked around curiously while sipping her wine.

Then she witnessed something significant.

‘Oh, there’s Cedric!’

Though he was lounging in a manner unlike his usual self, with his legs crossed and leaning back in his chair, he was instantly recognizable.

He was only about five spaces away from her!

“Um… I’ll hide for a bit.”

“Young lady?”

Whether the Duke looked puzzled or not, Rosha tried to angle herself in a way that Cedric wouldn’t be able to see her, clinging tightly to him.

In the meantime, several items found their owners without a hitch.

Finally, the corpse of the ‘Master of Trial’ that Cedric put up for auction was presented.

“Now, many of you have been waiting. This is the identity of the disaster that swept the capital just a few days ago!”

As the curtain behind was drawn, everyone gasped. There lay the enormous head of a snake, making one wonder how it was even brought there.

“It has been temporarily preserved, so you don’t have to worry about it decaying. The bidding for this item will start at the basic hundred gold. If you wish to bid, please raise your sign!”

People’s eyes gleamed. Among them were collectors, but also several magic power owners, including Marquis Lycaon, eager to jump into the auction.

‘Is it for research purposes?’

To Rosha’s knowledge, apart from the magic stones, the corpse of a demonic beast was pretty much useless. This remained true even for beasts like the ‘Master of Trial’ caliber.

Well, they probably didn’t know that. If they bought it out of ignorance, it would be a bonus.

At that moment, Duke Echerzen, who had looked subtly pleased from the start, whispered as he quickly raised his sign:

“How about helping Marquis Lycaon spend a little more money?”

Oh, really? That sounds wonderful.

* * *

“Three thousand five hundred gold!”

“Five thousand gold!”

“Ten thousand gold, anyone? Ah, we have it!”

“Eleven thousand five hundred gold!”

Marquis Lycaon felt like jumping out of his skin as he watched the price of the last item skyrocket.

‘Ten thousand was my initial ceiling, but it’s not stopping even after crossing that!’

He had already confirmed at the palace that the snake’s body had no magic stones. Although it was a slight disappointment, he still thought it was worth purchasing to examine. 

Who knows, there might be a magic stone hidden inside after all.

However…

‘These… These wealthy fools!’

Even for avid collectors, ten thousand gold was equivalent to the annual budget of a renowned noble house for two years.

Yet people got swept up in the bidding frenzy for one reason alone: because of Duke Echerzen, the de facto owner of this auction house!

‘Why is that guy suddenly doing this? Does he really intend to buy it?’

Given the Duke’s immense estimated wealth, it never occurred to Marquis Lycaon that the Duke was doing this just to earn auction fees.

Marquis Lycaon, surveying the crowd, shot a sharp look at Duke Echerzen who was cleverly driving up the price.

Just then, a black-haired woman sitting next to the Duke caught his eye.

‘Who’s that?’

Though her face was largely obscured by a silver mask with feathers, her long wavy black hair made her quite attractive. Seeing her whisper into the Duke’s ear, the Marquis suspected she might be the instigator of all this.

In the midst of this, only two remained vying for the beast’s corpse.

“Now, the bid has reached nineteen thousand gold! Is there anyone here who would like to give more?”

After a brief hesitation, Marquis Lycaon, with determination, raised his sign one last time.

Twenty thousand gold.

It was twice the expenditure he had initially planned for.

Even though his territory was a rich land in the central region with several gem mines, this was an exorbitant sum.

‘This is it. It ends here! I won’t bid any higher, buy it or leave it!’

But then.

“…”

Duke Echerzen didn’t raise his sign.

It was as if he saw right through Lycaon’s intentions.

“Yes, are there any more? 3, 2, 1, sold! For twenty thousand gold! It goes to Marquis Lycaon!”

He was relieved to have won the bid, but the immense cost weighed on him.

The feeling of having made a big loss was inescapable. Everyone in the auction house, including him, had been played by the Duke’s cunning.

‘At least it’s over now…’

Marquis Lycaon sighed deeply as the curtain closed behind. All he wanted was to return to his mansion, enjoy a warm tea, and get a shoulder massage.

However, just then.

“Everyone, believe it or not, this isn’t the end. We still have the final item of this auction left! Or should I say, items?”

…What?

“While it wasn’t initially planned, we’ve hastily included an incredibly valuable batch of items due to their sudden arrival. Especially since this is the first auction after the oderal, many of you would desire them!”

A large table was brought out and covered with a white cloth. And a man, with a sack over his shoulder, carefully poured out its contents onto the table.

Clatter-

From the plain sack, dozens of large and small crystals rolled out, shining brilliantly.

Magic stones.

Seeing this, Marquis Lycaon couldn’t trust his own eyes.

“These are magic stones! They’re rare crystals found in demon beasts. It’s said they are formed by the condensation of a new power called magic. Since there are many, we’ll auction off the larger ones individually and bundle the smaller ones.”

Magic stones at an auction!

The magic stone was an essential item for magicians. Because if it amplified magic at crucial moments, it could save lives.

Moreover, that one…

‘Given its size, unless it’s the magic stone of the demon beast that has just been sold at auction, it can’t be explained.’

Even if he didn’t know how, it was certain that it was stolen. Otherwise, such a size would be impossible!

Marquis Lycaon glared at the multicolored crystal on the table, which looked much larger than a fist, and muttered to his subordinate next to him.

“Bring three times its value in money. We must buy it.”

It wasn’t just the Marquis who had such intentions.

Those already familiar with magic stones, and magic power owners who can sense the magic within the stone, were also excited.

Fortunately, there were some foolish ones who didn’t understand its value. It meant fewer potential competitors.

Then, the auctioneer added, seeing the reactions of the crowd.

“By the way! The person who brought this said that for the buyers who want it, they’ll engrave a protective magic spell… is that right? Yes, yes, they will engrave a protective magic spell!”

A moment of silence.

The hall became even more chaotic than when they had unveiled the body of the ‘Master of Trial’. Nearby nobles exchanged conversations with stunned faces.

“Just now, did I hear that right?”

“A protective magic spell? Are we thinking… is that correct?”

As peace faded and a sudden era of chaos came upon them.

After the trial, the imperial family officially recognized the existence of gods and demon beasts.

They also revealed about abilities and magic to fight against beasts, and recommended having means to protect oneself.

So, there was no one who didn’t understand the term ‘protective magic spell’.

“If we buy that, they’ll do that for us?”

“It seems so.”

Nobles, rich but without means to protect themselves, widened their eyes in eagerness. Their secret instructions had their servants rushing out of the auction hall to fetch money.

Watching this, Duke Echerzen calmly raised his bidding sign and said:

“Let’s get started. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“This man…”

Only then did Marquis Lycaon realize Duke Echerzen’s scheme.

That man was trying to win the magic stone auction by purposely depleting his funds earlier!