Chapter 280 - An Unannounced Fortress Visit
In a corner of the Royal Capital lies a warehouse district. Suddenly, a massive, imposing wall appears, a structure so formidable that anyone would instinctively call it a fortress. The surrounding old warehouses are gradually being redeveloped, but the fortress’s peculiar nature seems destined to remain unchanged.
This sturdy fortress was built by our Kikyo Society back when the Royal Capital was still in the early stages of reconstruction. We handed it over to Rosmerta when we left the city, and now she uses it as a base for her own private forces and as a personal residence.
It’s much more relaxing to visit here than to go knocking on the Duke’s mansion. I’m glad I gave it to her.
When I arrive at the fortress’s gate in a vehicle, a knight in striking armor made of Aurora Ore greets me. The distinctive white armor, which seems to reflect light like a rainbow, is the mark of the Duke’s personal Aurora Torch Knights.
It’s unheard of to visit the kingdom’s most powerful figure unannounced, but I’m her best friend, so it’s no big deal, right?
I was about to lower the vehicle’s window to state my business when the young knight, with a knowing look, greeted me and continued.
"The Lady is expecting you. Please come inside."
Apparently, my arrival in the Royal Capital was noticed almost immediately. The city is vast, but it’s almost perfectly under Rosmerta’s control. It might be impossible to do anything secretly around here.
Well, objectively speaking, I am someone who should be watched. I’m the head of a criminal organization, and I have a bounty on my head from other countries. Even considering my special friendship with the Duchess, it’s reasonable to be considered a person of interest.
In any case, it’s good that things are smooth.
"Paula, you can stay here."
"Alright, I’ll go stretch my legs then. See you later."
I step out of the vehicle and walk into the fortress. A quick scan with my magical senses reveals a significant number of troops, even though it’s not wartime. This is probably due to her position.
Following the guide, I’m led directly to Rosmerta’s private chambers.
"Hello, Yukarinowe. I must say, I’m surprised by your sudden visit, but I’m glad to see you."
"Sorry for the surprise. Here’s a little something I brought along."
I present her with a high-level, ultra-complex recovery potion, something not found in the market. She needs to stay healthy for as long as possible.
"Thank you. Is that a medal or something on your chest?"
Explaining the Skill Insignia would be a hassle, so I brush it off with a casual remark, and we start chatting on the sofa.
"Paula isn’t with you?"
"She’s out exploring. She probably won’t be back until tomorrow morning at the earliest. By the way, if you could arrange for a room for Paula and me for the night, that would be great."
"Ah, an overnight stay? Of course, no problem."
Rosmerta immediately instructs a maid to prepare the room.
We chatted for a while over high-quality tea, discussing recent events in Donditch. Since we’ve been exchanging letters, we’re mostly up to date on each other’s lives. I decided to ask about something that had been on my mind.
"By the way, I heard you started a school in Exembra?"
"I didn’t start it; I took it over. The school was struggling financially under the previous Chairperson, a struggling Earl. Despite my financial support, the repayment plan wasn’t working out. So, I took it over."
So, you took it over as collateral...
"Ah, I see. So, you’re the Chairperson now?"
"That’s right. I’ll mainly be overseeing it through a proxy, though I don’t expect to be directly involved much."
She’s one of the busiest and most influential figures in the kingdom. Even if there’s a school in the Royal Capital, she probably doesn’t have much time to get involved, let alone in Exembra.
Come to think of it, she did build an orphanage and is known to like children. It makes sense that she’s interested in education and school administration.
"The school is in the Exembra district, right? It’s not in the territory of the Three Great Families, so there’s a low chance of me getting involved, but if you ever need help, let me know."
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
There are still some procedures to complete, and it seems she’s going to be more actively involved from the spring. I’ll help if there’s a problem, but generally, it’s not my concern.
"Oh, by the way, what’s that?"
On the edge of the table, there were a few books, either newly bought or half-read. One of them caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but ask.
The luxurious book with a glossy red cover and golden plant patterns was clearly expensive, but it had no title. It didn’t feel ominous, but as a book lover, I was curious.
"You can take a look."
She handed me the ornate book. It was thick and large, resembling an encyclopedia.
I flipped through it casually and found a photo and description of an old teacup. The pages were filled with photos and descriptions of various items, with no clear theme.
"What is this?"
"It’s an auction catalog. The auction is tonight."
"Really? A list of items up for bid?"
It was fascinating. I’ve been to the black market in Exembra a few times, but I’ve never participated in an auction. While it’s not unusual for auctions to exist in Exembra, I’ve never been invited to one. As a wealthy person, I would expect to receive invitations, but I haven’t.
In the Kingdom of Brenark, the Gavel family is in charge of auctions, and no one else is permitted to host them. They are held irregularly in the Royal Capital, so it’s understandable that I wasn’t aware of them. While there are no restrictions on trade between merchants or individuals, auctions are the best way to sell rare items at a higher price or to create a buzz. As a result, many valuable items end up in the hands of the Gavel family, regardless of whether they are legal or not.
Auctions are typically attended by invited royalty, nobles, and foreign guests. Additionally, a few select invitees are allowed to attend.
The auction in question deals with high-value items such as artwork, antiques, and special magical artifacts. Common items like fish or vegetables are not included. For example, the Gavel family doesn’t get involved in the auction of fish or vegetables.
Still, it’s surprising that one family has such control.
An auction requires several rare and valuable items to be successful and efficient. Many valuable items are either brought to the Gavel family or solicited by them. They must have extensive knowledge of high-value items and excellent organizational skills to be entrusted with this task. However, it ultimately comes down to control and profit.
In Exembra, including my territory, the black market for stolen goods operates openly, but it rarely involves items of immense value. Therefore, auctions are not common there.
However, valuable treasures can involve large sums of money, which could attract the attention of the underworld. In the new Royal Capital, I haven’t heard much about the underworld, but who knows what’s happening. Oh well.
"Are you going to the auction? Is there something you’re interested in?"
The catalog was quite thick, with over three hundred items listed. There’s bound to be something interesting among them.
"Well, just a bracelet this time."
Just one? That’s modest for a wealthy and powerful person, but it must be something special.
"Really? A bracelet. Which one?"
"Hehe, to be honest, I’m not particularly interested in the bracelet itself."
I recognized that mischievous smile.
"Are you trying to sabotage someone? Someone you don’t like is interested in it?"
"Once, someone unnecessarily drove up the price. This is a small act of revenge."
Auctions have various bidding methods, but the most straightforward one is used here. Bidders keep raising the price, and the highest bidder at the end wins. If multiple people really want an item, the price can skyrocket beyond its actual value.
"Hmm."
She’s a fixer in every sense. The young king is still a figurehead, and the Duke, who is the only Duke in the kingdom, is bedridden. Rosmerta effectively runs everything. She is the de facto highest authority in the Kingdom of Brenark.
However, with great power come enemies. While there may not be major incidents, there are likely many minor annoyances and jealousies.
She’s ruthless with political enemies, but she’s not the type to get angry over small slights. However, she believes in payback, no matter how minor the offense. If she lets it slide, the offender might escalate. It’s important to set boundaries.
If she’s going to retaliate, doing it in the same setting is a good idea. If someone screwed her over at an auction, she’ll do the same. It’s a reasonable move, even for someone as ruthless as her.
"...Oh, this one."
As I flipped through the catalog, filled with rare and interesting items, I was caught off guard and blurted out.
"Did you find something interesting?"
This wasn’t just interesting; it was something I absolutely had to have.
"Did you say the auction is tonight?"
"Yes, but..."
"I’m going too. How do I bid? Can I just raise my hand?"
"You’ve suddenly become eager... What do you want?"
I showed her the catalog and pointed to a ring.
"Just a ring... Oh, the one from Akki? I remember you mentioned being a fan."
"I can’t let this one go."
The description revealed that it was an item originally donated to a charity auction by Akki. It had passed through various hands and ended up here.
The ring, made of Carmine Ore and high-purity Mithril, was a limited edition item from Akki’s own brand, launched about five years ago. Missing this opportunity might mean waiting a long time for the next one.
The ring had no magical properties and was a simple design, but it was a rare item, originally priced at around 200,000 Gist. Thanks to Akki’s popularity and its limited edition status, the starting price was set at 800,000 Gist. For me, it’s not a significant amount. I’m determined to get it.
My interest isn’t just because it’s a limited edition. I’m not one to collect every item, but this is a special piece, the very first one with serial number 001, worn by Akki herself. The starting price is almost too low.
Its value is higher because it was worn by Akki herself. Yes, it’s a must-have.
"Hehe, sure. I’ll arrange for an agent to represent you."
An agent? That makes sense. A high-born person wouldn’t raise their hand at an auction. Using an agent would also keep the buyer’s identity hidden.
As long as I can get it, that’s fine. I’ll leave it to her.
"You can’t enter the venue without an invitation, but as my guard, you’ll be fine. Are you coming to watch?"
"Of course."
Rosmerta excused herself to prepare, and I enjoyed dinner and dessert while waiting for her to return. I’ll owe her one for this last-minute arrangement.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Yukarinowe."
The Duchess appeared in a chic black long dress, adorned with subtle, elegant accessories. Her updo exuded a mature charm. Her beauty and presence are truly impressive.
She always dresses impeccably, but in a dress, she looks even more commanding. The auction is a gathering of the elite, and attire must match the occasion. While her outfit isn’t flashy, every piece, from the dress to the shoes and accessories, is expensive and rare, as the maid boasted earlier.
"Shall we go?"
I’m wearing my usual black coat, made from ultra-high-quality material, suitable for formal occasions. The Kikyo Society emblem on my chest and the row of Skill Insignia badges give it a military look, making me appear like a guard. No need to change into a dress.
We moved to the auction venue, accompanied by Rosmerta, me in my sunglasses, and a few Aurora Torch Knights in white uniforms.
It’s my first auction, and I’m quite excited. This should be fun.
It’s been a while since Akki was mentioned. She’s a celebrity of interest to Yukari. I hope to feature her in the main story someday.
This is a site episode, and I plan to continue in this style for a while.
Next time, we’ll dive into the exciting "Thrilling Auction" where the money flies!