kscans

Chapter 205 - Actually, She's Corrupt

Since Kaede-chan and Arc had gone to the bathroom, I first returned to my room, took off my clothes, and changed into Eleanor-san. Then, I put on a tracksuit, went back to the living room, and picked up my smartphone. Just then, a call came in from Claire.

"You know, you need to learn to wait. You're so persistent."

It was the same with Nanapon. If I don't answer, just wait for me to call back.

'Seriously! This is no time for that! What in the world are you doing!?'

Claire's loud voice echoed from the phone.

"Isn't it my usual, surprising auction?"

'There's a limit to these things! Thanks to you, the President called me directly!'

My friend is as hardworking as ever.

"I was planning to hold the auction after taking a bit more time, but information about me and Frontier got leaked. I had to move up the schedule."

'I want to hear the details about that. Is this what you meant before when you said you'd show me gold?'

Hm?

"When did I say that?"

'Come on, you were talking about some underground ruins or something.'

Ah, she meant the gold bars.

"That's a separate matter. I went to get the gold bars from the underground ruins."

'Gold bars!? What are you talking about!?'

"I just found them lying around, so I picked them up. Sorry, but I can't sell these to you. I've already arranged to sell them to the Guild. Plus, some are for my personal viewing."

I'm going to sip wine with Kaede-chan while admiring them with wine glasses in hand.

'I can't sell gold at my shop anyway! Dammit! I should have forced my way in and gone with you.'

No, you couldn't have. Foreigners aren't allowed to participate in that investigation.

"Well, the gold bars don't matter. What you all want to hear about is the area in Frontier, right?"

'Yes! That! What's the deal with it!?'

"I got it from the King."

'...Hey, you're not actually a princess of Frontier, are you?'

Claire, who had been rattling on until now, asked in a low tone.

"Of course not. When I told a real princess that people thought I was one, she made a terribly disgusted face."

That Arc!

'Huh? A princess?'

"I met the royal family in Frontier."

And one of them is in my house right now.

'Why!?_'

"A lot of things happened. I can't go into the details. Anyway, after all that, I received an area of Frontier."

'That's not something they just give away easily, is it!?'

It wasn't easy. It's a big deal for the royal family.

"The details don't matter, do they? What I can say is that it's a genuine area of Frontier. Apparently, you can mine gold, rare metals, and various other things there, so tell my friend to participate in the auction."

'Are you really going to hold an auction?'

"It will fetch a higher price that way."

'The price will be astronomical.'

"How wonderful."

I might become the richest person in the world.

'You're not willing to sell it to us directly?'

"I imagine other countries will say the same thing."

Japan certainly will.

'Well, I knew that, but it seems it's a no.'

Of course it is. Trying to get a head start isn't fair.

"Worst case, I'll sell it to you. Like if the auction gets canceled or something."

'It will definitely be held. The question is how.'

"We'll sort that out as we go."

'Also, I want to confirm something with you. What did you mean at the press conference when you said it was your 'final auction?''

As I thought, Claire was curious about that.

"It seems I've stood out a bit too much, so I'll be going into hiding for a while. But don't worry. Our contract will continue, and I'll still entrust you with the sale of potions and item bags."

'I'm relieved to hear that. I thought you were going to disappear completely. The President even asked if you were planning to return to Frontier.'

"I'd hate a place like that. And besides, I'm not from Frontier."

Even though I'm telling Claire the truth, she doesn't believe me at all.

'Well, that's fine. Anyway, as long as the sale of healing potions and item bags continues, I have no problem.'

"Then we're good. The rest is a matter for the governments. Tell your side to do their best not to lose to Russia, China, and the countries whose Gates were closed."

'I'll pass that on to the President.'

Do that.

"Then I'm hanging up. You can call me if you must, but wait for me to call back, okay? It's annoying."

'Wait! Just one last thing.'

There's more...

"What is it? My panties are white today."

'I'm not interested in the color of your panties!'

She can't even take a joke.

"Then what is it?"

'If our country wins the auction, would it be possible to connect that Gate not just to our country, but to other countries as well?'

Wow, what a thought. In other words, she's thinking of a joint lease.

"What's this? Planning to share it with some allied nation?"

'It's just a hypothetical question.'

"Hmm, well, I guess that's fine... As long as I get paid, I don't care. But it will lead to fights, you know."

'Perhaps they're confident they can handle that part well? And their best friend won't complain.'

This has to be about Japan.

"Do as you please. 'Friends' is such a nice word."

'It really is. So, pretend you never heard this, my friend.'

So she's telling me not to mention this method to other countries.

"Fine, but can you tell my friend something for me? Tell him to announce his participation in the auction tomorrow. Also, tell him that if the Guild doesn't approve, I'll authorize an auction hosted by America."

'Putting pressure on the Guild, are we?'

"Something like that. I hate delays."

It will definitely drag on with discussions. What a pain.

'Understood.'

"Then I'm counting on you. I'm going to bed. Good night."

'Your English is as terrible as ever.'

"Shut up."

I hung up the phone.

"Are you finished?"

I turned toward the voice and saw Kaede-chan standing there.

"Yeah. Is Arc in the bath?"

"Yes. He was having a great time."

Such a kid. Well, Yoshino-san and I were excited when we went over there, too.

"When Arc gets out, you go in, Kaede-chan. I'm going to make some potions."

I needed to prepare the items the King had requested, which had been put on hold.

"Okay. Then I'll go first."

"Mhm. Let me know when you're out."

With that, I stood up and returned to my room to make potions.