~Chapter 73~
Maybe it would be smart to have some insurance, just in case.
While I was deep in thought, Penny suddenly trembled and shouted,
“Ugh, I didn’t want to go this far…!”
I hadn’t even meant to reject her offer, but it seemed I had unintentionally played hard to get.
Penny pulled a basket out from under the display counter.
“This is my aunt’s new product, but I’ll let you try it first, just you.”
Inside was a black bottle filled with something that looked like ominous, dark liquid, along with some tree branches.
“It’s alchemy for items possessed by a curse.”
“Items possessed by a curse?”
“There was a time when people used magic to bring misfortune to others out of jealousy. It was kind of a trend.”
That’s… quite the trend.
“Don’t worry! At worst, the magic only causes small injuries.”
Penny giggled and continued.
“But after that, a lot of people started suffering from nightmares. The magic always worked, but those who cursed others ended up overwhelmed with guilt.”
Shouldn’t they have just not cursed people in the first place?
“This alchemy is for them. They sometimes see things—hallucinate objects moving—and say they’re haunted.”
She handed me the basket.
“If you’re bored, give it a try. The older the item, the more effective the result.”
“I’ve never cursed anyone, so what’s the point?”
“It’ll make your life more interesting?”
I couldn’t hide the skeptical look in my eyes.
“Do this at 9 PM sharp. Pour the black water on the item and wave the zelkova branch five times. Everything must be done exactly at 9.”
“This sounds so shady.”
At that, Penny stood proudly.
“Don’t worry! I never play tricks on people who pay me.”
“….”
“You think I’m easily fooled? Fine, I’ll bet all this money on it!”
Finally, I accepted the basket.
Penny clasped her hands together and looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
“Do you feel my warm affection for you now?”
Probably more affection for money than me…
***
The next morning
“A magical item that preserves beauty and youth? We’ve never made anything like that.”
Lily frowned, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
“…Is there something similar, maybe?”
“There is something, but it’s a type of hallucinogen.”
So it only makes you think you’re younger and more beautiful?
“There was once an empress obsessed with her youth. One of her retainers, while plotting rebellion, used her obsession to uncover the Emperor’s weaknesses.”
“….”
“But the rebellion failed, and the empress was executed. Since then, the hallucinogen disappeared from circulation.”
Lily sighed.
“So, how did it end up in the Tower?”
“Apparently, the Empress’s nanny had it. It was passed down through her family, and recently they handed it over, saying it was cursed and to take care of it.”
A hallucinogen… That doesn’t quite fit someone like Ailins, the great archmage responsible for all Imperial magic.
“I never planned to auction the item, but now that things have gotten this complicated…”
Lily nervously played with a coin in her hand.
“…I’m thinking of changing the auction date and location. What do you think?”
“Hm.”
I thought it over for a moment.
“Let’s keep things as planned.”
Lily looked surprised by my answer.
“The Moon’s Shop only allows guests we invite. It’s a secretive place, and most guests feel special for being chosen. If someone uninvited shows up, we’ll lose their trust.”
“Exactly.”
“And you still…?”
Lily clicked her tongue like she regretted asking.
“If we change the date, who knows what will happen on the original auction day?”
“What do you mean?”
“There could be a fake auction.”
Lily froze at my words.
If someone wanted to spread Ailins’s name, they wouldn’t need the Moon’s Shop to do it. The people receiving invitations are probably some of the Empire’s most influential nobles.
“But our guests’ trust is still important.”
“…”
“So we’ll hold the original auction as planned. But we’ll also hold another one on a separate day just for the true Moon’s Shop guests. That way, even if something happens on the first day, we’re covered.”
Still, I wasn’t 100% sure, so I left the final decision to her.
“Of course, it’s up to you, Lily.”
***
In the end, the auction was split over two days.
As Lily walked down the stairs beside me, she spoke up.
“Let’s hope Lord Peril doesn’t get angry.”
“Well, then he shouldn’t have disappeared.”
She scratched her head in frustration, then quietly asked,
“Bianca… one of the Moon’s Auction guests has heard the rumor about the necklace. Is that going to be a problem?”
The hallucinogen turned out to be a necklace—one that made the wearer believe they had regained their youth and beauty.
But it was just a trick of the mind.
The empress’s maids probably had no choice but to lie when she asked if she looked younger.
Lily grew more anxious.
“The head of the Hinas Merchant Guild contacted the shop. He wanted to confirm if the necklace would really be auctioned.”
“The Hinas Guild Master?”
They were the ones who discovered a new trade route to the desert. Probably the richest guild in the Empire.
“He’s our biggest investor. So I couldn’t give him a proper answer…”
Lily looked regretful.
…Well, money talks.
I tried to speak lightly.
“My guess is, the necklace will show up on the first day.”
“The first day?”
“Yes. They’re using Peril’s name, so they need a magical item impressive enough to match the hype.”
A mere hallucinogen isn’t enough to carry Ailins’s name.
“They’ll probably aim for the free auction time.”
After the official Moon’s Shop auction ends, there’s a session where guests can bring out and trade their own items.
That’s the only time the necklace could appear.
“We’ll buy it ourselves and put it back up for auction.”
“Oh my goodness—that’s brilliant!”
“But there’s a problem…”
I wanted to do that, but—
‘Hestia’s the problem.’
She’s the Imperial Princess.
She probably has more money than I could even imagine.
“Ah, Lady Lily!”
Just as we reached the first floor, the gathered mages suddenly cleared out.
“…Duke Hessen?”
At Lily’s words, I snapped out of my thoughts. And sure enough, there was Ricardo standing awkwardly.
“What brings you all the way here, Your Grace?”
Lily was surprised and quickly approached him.
“He came to thank us for our work in the Orphen Kingdom!”
A mage exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Lily’s hand.
“Come outside, quickly!”
“H-Huh?”
Lily, looking dazed, was dragged away by the mage.
“I’m Lord Peril’s direct disciple, Brown! Please allow me to greet you, Duke!”
“No, I was Lord Peril’s favorite!”
The entrance became chaotic—like a marketplace.
It was a total mess.
All the mages were practically throwing themselves at Ricardo, desperate to gain his attention.
‘Impressive, in a way…’
They weren’t even scared of his terrifying face?
I tried to slip away quietly.
“Where are you going?!”
Ricardo’s voice stopped me, as if I were his savior.
“I’m heading home.”
“…!”
“My lord, enjoy yourself.”
I smiled sweetly.
A little revenge for last time.
This non-magical peasant will be leaving now, thank you very much.
I offered a polite farewell and walked out of the tower.
There, I found Lily standing outside.
“All of that…”
She stared in awe at the cart full of rocks.
“What’s all that?”
“Magic stones.”
Ricardo, who had followed me out, answered in response to my mumbling with a side glance.
“Looks like the mage you worked with did a great job,” Lily said
“I had to show Lady Lily some sincerity. I had no choice.”
Ugh. Can’t he let one thing go?
Ricardo gave a small chuckle and held out his hand to me.
“Would you grant me the honor of escorting you home?”