kscans

Chapter 232 - Hooray for the Winners

Since I had received information from my old neighbor, I reported it to Satsuki-san. After that, apart from the occasional shopping trip, I spent most of my time at home, waiting for the day of the auction.

Kaede-chan was always at home, and Arc and Lydia-chan had practically moved in. On top of that, Nanapon and Yoshino-san would sometimes visit, so I was never bored.

And then, a month later. The bidding had concluded, and various countries held press conferences, assuring their citizens that they would secure the winning bid. A few countries, however, condemned Eleanor-san and the Guild, calling the auction unjust. But they were the ones who broke the rules, so they had no one to blame but themselves.

I suspect that after the auction is over, the countries that failed to win the bid will also start criticizing Eleanor-san and the Guild.

Well, that's probably unavoidable, and I'm sure the Guild will handle it. Besides, Eleanor-san is set to disappear from the public stage after this auction, so there shouldn't be any problems.

I was currently sitting on my sofa at home, staring at my phone on the low table. Kaede-chan was sitting next to me, with Nanapon and Yoshino-san also nearby. Arc and Lydia-chan were sitting at the table as well. All five of them were staring at the phone on the low table, just like me.

As we all watched the phone in silence, it lit up and a ringtone echoed through the room.

I immediately pressed the answer button on my phone and took the call.

"Hello, Satsuki-san?"

'Ah, Eleanor? Is that you?'

I wasn't Okita-kun, I was Eleanor-san. Partly because Nanapon was here, but also because today was the day the auction results were being announced.

"Yes, it is... So?"

I felt like the people holding their breath around me were urging me on, so I got straight to the point.

'Right... guh... Well, you see... fufufu.'

Satsuki-san was broken...

"Calm down. Hold back your laughter and give me a concise report, please."

'The Emeraldus Mountains have been sold.'

"To which country?"

'Your friend.'

America... How predictable. It's not exciting, but excitement isn't what we need.

"Phew... And? How much? Or rather, how many tons of gold?"

I let out a breath and asked the question I most wanted to know.

'Thr... fwehehe.'

You money-grubbing fiend. What happened to your usual competent woman persona?

"Get a grip, you idiot."

'Sorry... It was 300 tons.'

Three hundred... tons!?

"What!? Tons!?"

'That's right. Tons.'

"How much is that in yen?"

'If gold is 4 million yen per kilogram... calculator, calculator... one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand... Yep! It's 1.2 trillion yen!'

That makes no sense!

"That's a number my tiny brain can't comprehend..."

'It's fine. I don't really get it either.'

Well, your brain is pretty fried right now too.

"I'll never have to worry about money for the rest of my life."

'My cut was ten percent, right?'

"I believe so."

I think that's what it was.

'So that's 120 billion yen... Suddenly, marriage and work don't seem so important anymore.'

That jealous woman has softened up. 120 billion yen is amazing!

"How will we receive it?"

'It'll probably be in several installments. For now, you just need to go to the headquarters and sign some papers. I'll be there too.'

"Got it. Tell them I'll be at the HQ tomorrow."

The sooner, the better.

'Understood.'

"Want to come over now? Should we open some expensive wine?"

'No, I'm going to sleep. I didn't get any sleep last night.'

I know exactly how she feels. I couldn't sleep last night either and had to force myself to pass out with alcohol.

"Alright then, let's have a 'Hooray for the Winners' party sometime soon."

'Yeah. Let's do that. See you.'

With that, Satsuki-san hung up.

"Phew... Hooray for the winners!"

"""Hooray!!"""

As I raised my hands and cheered, Kaede-chan, Nanapon, and Yoshino-san followed suit.

"Arc! Get some booze from the fridge!"

I ordered Arc, who was sitting at the table.

"I can't drink."

"The three shorties and the big-breasted teetotaler can have apple juice."

"Be right there!"

Arc dashed to the kitchen. He quickly returned with wine, apple juice, and enough glasses for everyone.

"Good work."

I took the wine and two glasses from him, placed them on the low table, and began pouring the wine. Arc also set four glasses on the table and poured the apple juice. Once everyone had a glass, we raised them.

"Everyone, you heard Satsuki-san's call, right? This auction ended with some incomprehensible price like one trillion. As of this day, we have joined the ranks of the winners! Yay! Cheers!"

"""Cheers!!"""

Yahoo!

"We're not really involved, are we?" Arc muttered.

"Arc, read the room. Cheers!"

"Cheers."

As the four of us, me, Kaede-chan, Nanapon, and Yoshino-san, cheerfully toasted, Arc and Lydia-chan chimed in a moment later.

"Wow! One trillion is amazing! Satsuki-nee-san couldn't even hide how shaken she was."

Yoshino-san, having downed her apple juice in one gulp, laughed gleefully.

"You can't blame her. I can't wrap my head around it either."

We've surpassed being millionaires. Well, after my cut and the guild's commission, it'll be less than a trillion, but still...

"Money just keeps coming in, and I haven't done a thing," Nanapon said, her eyes darting around.

"I told you I'd show you gold, didn't I?"

"M-Master...! I'm sorry for thinking you were just a piece of trash."

It's fine. I already knew you only had eyes for Eleanor-san. Okita-kun has given up.

"Still, that's an incredible amount. For some useless land in the middle of nowhere..." Arc said, sounding impressed.

"It might be useless to you, but it's necessary for us. Arc, this is business. You people give away areas of the Frontier so easily for supplies and such, but this is what they're truly worth. From now on, you should set a higher price. Use the money you make to buy food and medical supplies."

"Hmm, it sounds like you're saying something smart..."

That line alone tells me he's making fun of me.

"When you become king, shall I be your advisor?"

"No thanks, you'd ruin the country."

How rude. Don't lump me in with your kingdom's alchemists.

"If Arc doesn't want you, perhaps I shall hire you?" Lydia-chan said ominously.

Honestly, I'd rather not. She's the one who seems more like a witch.

"Senpai, forget about that, your glass is empty. Let me get that for you."

Kaede-chan, the high-class cabaret girl sitting next to me, tapped my shoulder as she spoke.

"Oh, thanks."

"My pleasure, my pleasure."

Kaede-chan refilled my glass with wine.

"Renaissance!"

"Renaissance!"

Kaede-chan and I toasted like aristocrats.

"Alright, let's drink until we pass out! We have Healing Potions, so hangovers are no problem!"

"Yes! It's a good thing we bought so many."

It really is, it really is.

"I don't like drunkards," Yoshino mumbled.

"You should be careful. I hear this one starts cutting things up when she gets drunk," Nanapon added.

"What a menace!"

What a noisy pair of big-breasted and short brats.

"I wonder if gold is hard?"

I glanced at the tower of gold bars in the corner of the living room.

"Senpai, please, seriously, stop."

Kaede-chan's face was suddenly not cute at all...