Chapter 12 ––
“3, 3, 300 million! 300 million Larc! Customer number 1 has bid 300 million Larc! Since the bids are now in the hundred-millions, if anyone wants to win, you’ll need to bid 400 million!”
“…….”
“400 million! Anyone for 400 million?”
Of course not.
Even Leonard, the one who put the sword up for auction, thought the same. Probably everyone in the room did too.
“The sacred sword blessed by His Majesty! A historic artifact from the founding of the Empire! Raise Messer! 400 million! Anyone?”
Even though he was nervous, the auctioneer spoke smoothly and confidently.
Leonard, impressed by the auctioneer’s professionalism, started clapping without realizing it. The auctioneer then raised the gavel.
“Then Raise Messer will be sold to Customer Number 1 for 300 million Larc. Three, two, one—”
“Wait!”
Lloyd suddenly stood up and shouted, stopping the auctioneer again.
The auctioneer didn’t seem upset though. He looked pleased when he saw Lloyd holding up his panel by mistake.
“Three hundred million for that rusty old sword? Are you insane?”
“Customer number 32 has raised the panel! 400 million! Customer 32 has bid 400 million!”
“What?! No! I didn’t raise it!”
Lloyd was shaking all over. He had only pointed at customer number 1, not raised the panel—at least, that’s what he meant to do. But in doing so, he accidentally lifted it.
“You raised it.”
“You definitely did.”
“Come on, Matthias. You clearly lifted the panel just now.”
“You idiots! I told you I didn’t!”
If Lloyd admitted to raising it, he would have to pay 400 million Larc.
No wonder he was freaking out, even if he wasn’t acting very smart.
“You’re all in this together! This is fraud to raise the price! Is this some shady back-alley store forcing customers to buy things?!”
“The rules for handling panels are clearly written on the first page of the catalog, sir,” the auctioneer said calmly with a polite smile. He’d clearly dealt with difficult customers before.
“You’re not saying you don’t have the money to pay, are you?”
The auctioneer looked so calm that it was scary. Lloyd flinched.
“W-who said that?!”
“I knew it! In our 48 years of business at the Loelle Auction House, not once has someone backed out of a bid due to lack of money!”
There was polite laughter in the crowd as the auctioneer dramatically finished his speech.
“Don’t be silly! This is *the* Matthias. He’s the future Count! He wouldn’t act so dishonorably!”
“Haha, exactly. Now, let’s continue. Anyone wishing to bid for Raise Messer, please raise your panel. The next bid is 500 million! 500 million!”
“I mean… uh…”
Lloyd hesitated, raising his hand halfway. He looked completely lost.
If things stayed like this, he would have to pay 400 million for that worn-out sword. But he didn’t have that kind of money.
He looked around desperately for help. But the Second Prince avoided his gaze.
Lloyd turned to customer number 1 with a pleading look.
She looked thoughtful and said, “Oh my. Someone actually bid 400 million? Now it’s 500 million… What should I do?”
“…….”
Lloyd looked at her with hope—but that was it. She didn’t help.
She still had her pride, it seemed. If Leonard were in that situation, he would’ve gotten on his knees to cancel the bid.
But Lloyd couldn’t even beg. He just mumbled with trembling lips.
It was pathetic—but also satisfying, like finally scratching an old itch.
Just then, as if enjoying his agony, customer number 1 lifted her panel right before the auctioneer slammed the gavel.
“I’m really curious if young master Matthias can afford 400 million… but oh well. I can’t give up on that sword.”
“500 million! Customer number 1 has bid 500 million! Since the price has jumped three times, the next bid must be 700 million! Anyone?”
This time, no one responded.
Everyone held their breath, afraid they’d accidentally raise their panel like Lloyd.
After waiting a bit, the auctioneer finally hit the gavel.
“Raise Messer! The sacred sword blessed by His Majesty has been sold to Customer Number 1! That concludes today’s auction!”
500 million. A massive amount. People started clapping and even whistling.
Customer number 1 stood up gracefully, took off her mask—and, as expected, she was the **Marchioness Blair**.
“Knew it! Who else but Marchioness Blair could bid 500 million?”
“I was sure from the moment she took seat number 1! Why the mask though?”
“Otherwise it would’ve been obvious I came to bid for my fiancé’s item.”
Though far away, Irene’s voice reached Leonard clearly.
‘Wait… did she come here *because* of me? So I wouldn’t be able to refuse her offer?’
It could be true. After all, Raise Messer was the only thing she bought.
But then—why did she bid 300 million?
Leonard only needed 30 million. That would’ve been enough.
As if she read his thoughts, someone approached Blair with a furious look. It was Lloyd.
“Marchioness Blair! Are you insane? Why did you bid 300 million for that useless old sword?!”
“Oh my, why ask me? *You* were the one who bid 400 million.”
Leonard chuckled. Others joined in. Lloyd’s face turned bright red.
“T-that’s…”
“I’m sure you didn’t accidentally raise your panel like an amateur, right?”
“…….”
Then, unexpectedly, someone helped Lloyd—it was the **Second Prince**.
“I’m curious too. So, why did you do it, Marchioness?”
“Your Highness,” Irene said, bowing politely.
But the Prince waved it off. “I’ve heard of your achievements. But I didn’t think you’d waste money like this.”
“Waste, Your Highness? If I may, can I ask you something first?”
“What is it?”
“Why didn’t you bid on Raise Messer?”
The Second Prince flinched slightly—and Leonard wasn’t the only one who noticed.
But only Leonard guessed why. He was shaken too.
‘Does she know about my deal with the Second Prince?’
The Second Prince seemed uneasy too. His voice turned sharp.
“That’s a strange question. Why would I want that old sword?”
“Because it’s old.”
“What?”
“It’s a rare relic directly blessed by the Emperor and recorded by the Royal Scribe. A treasure from the Empire’s founding.”
She looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone.
“I was nervous seeing Your Highness here. I feared that because of my selfish bid, a sword that should’ve belonged to the royal family would end up in private hands.”
“Selfish bid?”
“Didn’t anyone wonder why my fiancé put such a precious sword up for auction?”
Thanks to her clever words, the sword was no longer just Leonard’s heirloom—it was now seen as the **first emperor’s sacred sword**.
With that, its value rose even higher—despite its old appearance.
“Come to think of it…”
“Why *did* Count Elpheus put that sword up for auction?”
Others, pretending not to eavesdrop, now joined the conversation.
While they chatted, an auction staff member carefully brought the sword to Irene.
She had asked to receive it immediately.
She held out her hand. Her assistant passed her a checkbook.
She calmly wrote a check—for **500 million Larc**.
After confirming the check, the staff handed her the sword, which she hugged with great care.
She smiled like a girl in love—or a warrior who had just won a fierce battle.
“I asked him to. I wanted the whole Empire to know how deep our love is.”
“What… does that mean?”
“The 500 million Larc I paid—minus 10% auction fees—is 450 million. That’s my **dowry** to Elpheus.”
“W-what?!”
A dowry of 450 million Larc?!
The auction house was in total shock. And Leonard finally realized—
That 500 million bid… after fees, **450 million** would go straight to him.
Enough to pay off all his debts—and still have over 400 million left.
