Chapter 70 of the Weapon Replicator of the Academy

Auction (2)

On the appointed day, Elodie arrived at the city of 'Akre' where the auction house was located. Levert was with her, of course.

Stepping out of the car, Elodie savored the sense of freedom she hadn't felt in a long time. In Constel, she was so famous that people always stared at her wherever she went.

Elodie, who didn't enjoy such attention, had grown tired of it long ago.

"I've confirmed. Lord Levert de Risha, Lady Elodie de Risha. Please proceed inside."

"Tsk. My sister is Elodie de 'Inies' Risha. Write it correctly—"

"Brother, just go in."

Elodie pushed Levert's back firmly and entered the auction house.

The auction house was quite crowded. It seemed that Levert's words about a remarkable item being up for auction were true.

The interior of the auction house was like a movie theater. The seats were arranged in a slight curve, and the stage where the auctioneer and items would be displayed was set up at the front.

"Are you nervous? Elodie."

"Nervous? I'm not a child, and this isn't my first time at an auction."

"But it's been a very long time."

Levert said. He was right.

This was actually Elodie's second time at an auction. The first time, she remembered holding her father's hand and following him.

The item her father had bought then was a 'Wizagram,' which he had given to Frondier.

"…Who is that guy?"

Suddenly, Levert spoke through gritted teeth. Indeed, his face had turned fierce like a predator's.

There was only one person who could make him react this way, as far as Elodie knew.

"…Frondier?"

Slightly ahead of Elodie, on the left, Frondier was seated.

That jet-black hair, that lethargic face. It was definitely him.

Judging by his expression, he looked like he was about to fall asleep.

"How dare he be here…"

"Brother, it's just an auction. Anyone can come if they reserve a seat."

"…Right."

While trying to calm Levert, Elodie herself was also puzzled.

Frondier at an auction? Looking around, it seemed he had come alone, without anyone from his family. So he wasn't here on behalf of Ampere or Azie.

But if his family wasn't with him, Frondier would be penniless.

"Be careful, Elodie. The head of the family might have just given him some money to gain experience."

"Experience?"

"Yes. Nobles often encounter high-value transactions, whether they like it or not. An auction is a place where the value of items fluctuates constantly. You can see how unpredictable the flow of money can be."

Levert's words made sense.

If Frondier were a typical noble's child, that is.

But Frondier is Frondier. The outcast of the family, whom Ampere hadn't spoken to in the past five years.

Would they suddenly give him social experience?

"Also, they usually give such a person a specific errand."

"An errand?"

"To buy a designated item. In this case, it's 'Vipargang.' Whether it's Lord Ampere or Azie, Vipargang is a very important metal for warriors."

"…So, he's my rival in the auction?"

"Yes. An enemy."

I asked if he was a rival, but why did you change it to an enemy after agreeing?

She was about to argue but the auction started before she could.

"The distinguished guests who have joined us today, I, the auctioneer 'Gilles Broso,' extend my greetings on behalf of the committee."

The auctioneer stepped onto the stage and announced the start of the auction with familiar phrases.

While the auctioneer talked about the season, the weather, and how much everyone must have suffered to get here, Elodie lowered her voice and asked.

"So, when? The Vipargang?"

"It's the last item. The most valuable one of today's auction."

Levert handed her a pamphlet listing the auction items.

When did he get this? Elodie carefully examined the list of items.

…Looking at it, there were many interesting items. Elodie, lacking both the eye and knowledge, couldn't tell how much they were worth.

The auction began in earnest, and items were revealed one by one.

Elodie alternated between checking the pictures in the pamphlet and the actual items on display. Levert watched her with a smile.

"…The items look good."

"The first items in an auction tend to be of higher value. It's to set a high standard for the auction. Items of lower value or with defects that come up in the middle are more likely to see prices rise unexpectedly."

Indeed.

She had heard that when people think rationally, 'auctions' ensure the fairest price. But people don't think rationally as often as one might expect.

Elodie glanced at Frondier. He hadn't moved at all during the auction. Was he really after the Vipargang?

As the auction progressed past the early stages, items of lesser value started to appear, as Levert had predicted.

It was hard to tell if they were valuable, but they were unique and peculiar, certainly stimulating curiosity.

One of these items was now up.

"Next, we have the 'Cursed Cloth.'"

As the auctioneer said, the item revealed in the center was a plain blue cloth.

There was nothing artistic about it. The material was unknown, but it was utterly ordinary.

The only thing that set it apart was its name.

"This blue cloth has passed through the hands of a noble lady. She decided to cut it into a handkerchief. After cutting it to the right size, she put it in her pocket to use when needed. But a few days later! The handkerchief, which should have been in her pocket, had vanished."

The auctioneer led the story with a theatrical expression and tone.

Elodie listened intently.

"The lady examined the original cloth again, just in case. To her surprise! The cloth was back to its original size and shape. Only then did she realize that the cut piece had disappeared and returned to its original state. No matter how she cut, tore, or unraveled it, it always returned to its original state. She realized that this cloth was cursed!"

The auctioneer's voice rose, and he concluded the story of the curse.

However, the participants' interest waned.

Everyone was thinking the same thing.

Elodie whispered from the side.

"…Isn't it just enchanted with a restoration spell?"

"Probably. Everyone here will think the same."

But no one asked the auctioneer. Even if they did, they wouldn't get a proper answer.

Judge the value of the item with your own eyes. That's the rule of this auction house. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

"However, if this item isn't enchanted with a restoration spell."

"Then what?"

"Then it's even worse. The price will drop even further."

"Why?"

"Because it's truly cursed and has no practical use."

Elodie thought for a moment and then realized.

"…Oh, right. You can't cut it."

"If you can't cut, tear, or unravel it, what use is such a cloth? The noble lady probably put it up for auction for that reason, attaching a catchy name to deceive people."

Elodie nodded in agreement with Levert's explanation.

Indeed, it had no practical use. A cloth by itself had no meaning.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer announced the starting price. It was 100,000 quir. Although it was clearly lower than the previous items, no one raised their hand.

Levert whispered.

"Even if you bid half of that, no one would buy it. The nobles gathered here aren't that stupid."

Levert's words stopped abruptly.

"139! 139, 100,000 quir! Any higher bids?"

The auctioneer called out excitedly, clearly surprised that anyone would bid. It was either a lucky sale or a fool's purchase.

Elodie and Levert's heads turned in unison. Their gaze landed on Frondier.

Frondier was holding the paddle numbered 139.

"…Is he that stupid? Frondier."

"Don't say that. Maybe he has a use for it."

"Hmm. It's not a high price, after all. Maybe he just wanted to experience buying something."

Levert seemed to have convinced himself.

That 100,000 quir, while not a small amount, wasn't a high price for today's auction. It was probably the lowest price item.

The auctioneer called out the bid three times, and the 'Cursed Cloth' became Frondier's.

Of course, no one envied him.

…And time passed.

The moment they had been waiting for arrived, and Elodie unconsciously straightened her posture.

"Then, the final item of today."

Everyone's gaze followed the item as it was brought to the center.

As the cloth was removed, a few people let out exclamations of amazement.

"The mythical metal, Vipargang!"

The auctioneer's confident voice raised the audience's excitement.

The biggest reason for this was the enormous size of the Vipargang. With that size, it could easily produce two, or even three, proper weapons.

Amidst the exclamations, Elodie said.

"Can we really buy it? It's so popular."

"Of course. The competition doesn't matter. The one with the most money will get it."

"…That's true, but—"

"So, Elodie, I'll leave this auction to you."

Elodie's eyes widened.

"Me, me?"

"Yes. It's your item, after all. Experience an auction."

Levert handed her the paddle. Elodie hesitantly took it.

Levert warned her, as if giving instructions.

"And keep an eye on Frondier. He's not much, but he must have brought a lot of money to buy Vipargang."

Elodie nodded. Indeed, Frondier seemed to be looking at the Vipargang with a somewhat curious gaze.

…Finding that glint in those sleepy eyes was probably only possible for Elodie now.

"The starting price is 5 million quir. Then—"

A starting price 50 times higher than the 'Cursed Cloth.' But it didn't stop there.

Everyone raised their paddles, and the price skyrocketed.

Elodie participated enthusiastically. She didn't ponder deeply or consider others' reactions. Her hand just kept going up without a second thought.

Levert watched her, trying not to laugh.

Actually, Elodie was the most intimidating opponent to others.

She didn't have a strong desire for the item, yet she raised her paddle as if she were just here for fun. No one knew how high her hand would go.

Of course, Elodie didn't raise her hand every time the price went up.

But unlike others, the reason Elodie didn't raise her hand was simply because she found it bothersome. She thought someone else would do it anyway.

Meanwhile, Frondier remained unmoved.