The royal family’s sales tactics were impressive. For this era, they were quite sophisticated.
Thinking of differentiating items by grade and using magic items to facilitate faster transactions wasn’t something an average person could come up with.
However, as for me…
‘I spent my whole life studying things like this.’
I had the memories of Kim Seonggeon from my previous life.
When you graduate with a degree in business administration, the first and most popular field is marketing. How to sell. How to make it work. Thinking about those things was quite fun.
‘Well, I went into statistics because of the employment rate, but I still have all the memories.’
In fact, even if I hadn’t studied it, it wouldn’t have mattered. Had I not personally experienced and lived through the market trends of Korea?
I was a specialist in bizarre ways of extracting money!
“Heh…”
If you sell everything at once, it doesn’t make as much money. It’s not effective for inducing competition. Even if I were only selling a single set of armor…
“Let’s start with the helmet. For your information, this helmet has an ‘Armor’ enchantment on it.”
“It’s a helmet with Armor!”
“Of course, it also has a ‘Link’ enchantment. What kind of effect do you think you’ll get if you collect the whole set?”
“…Let the auction begin!”
Starting from the helmet to the greaves and gauntlets, selling them piece by piece was the way to go.
Of course, someone might easily give up on one piece because they failed to get another.
‘I can’t have them feeling discouraged if they miss out.’
I had structured the items to account for that.
“The defense increases whether you have two pieces or three.”
“That’s a scam! How can you even make a system like that? Even in the Enchantment School, that’s not easy…”
“That’s why it’s precious. Do you think we would run a scam at an auction house operated by the royal family?”
“…”
Someone from the Malexia School questioned me in the middle of it, but it didn’t matter. The atmosphere was on my side.
“If you feel it’s unfair, you’re welcome to buy it and research it yourself!”
“Damn it! 200,000! 200,000 gold!”
“Empty your pockets!”
With the right amount of provocation, even the mages who had no need for armor joined in.
‘Wow. 250,000. If we’re talking about the list price, it should be much cheaper than that.’
As the atmosphere overheated, inflation soared even higher. The price didn’t just follow an upward curve; it exploded.
The auction lasted for several hours. This was why selling in pieces was so terrifying.
One set of armor. One set consisting of a mage’s staff, earrings, and a ring. Five protection items were sold.
‘Scarcity is truly important.’
It was a complete sell-out. It wasn’t just a profit; it was a jackpot.
“Whew…”
“…My money.”
The nobles, mages, and merchants who participated in the auction were all drained of their funds.
“Heh. I’m back.”
Arne stared at me with blank eyes as I walked in after stripping everyone of their wealth.
‘It’s no wonder.’
The amount of money I earned was close to 2,000,000 gold coins. If the nobles at the auction house had more money in their pockets, I might have earned even more than that.
‘It’s almost the size of the Spiritual Land’s entire budget.’
I didn’t know if it was because our Spiritual Land was so underdeveloped, or if the spending habits of the nobles in the capital were just that large.
Regardless, the amount I earned was beyond substantial—it was incredible.
“Young Master… you’ve become a rich man, haven’t you?”
“Oh, please. This is just the beginning.”
“Don’t tell me… will you be able to continue production in the future?”
“Heh. Of course.”
And the important thing was that I could produce these items.
‘Reton will have to be ground down for that, but he’ll endure.’
The key to a magic circle is calculation. That calculation was easy for me.
After the calculation, it was possible for me to personally carve the magic circles in detail since I could use Aura.
The Internal Energy I infused along with it even helped the magic circle settle easily. Formations were a given. The effects had been significant since the Training Formation.
‘I just need to solve the problem of it being a complete home handicraft.’
Since I could do what others could not, I could create special items. For now, it was only me.
“You’re giving away information quite easily, aren’t you?”
“It’s better for me if this kind of information spreads far and wide. Wouldn’t clients come looking for me on their own?”
“…I really can’t beat you.”
While ignoring Arne, who was glancing at me, I looked at the host who was dripping with sweat from the long proceedings.
***
After a few more auctions ended…
“This is the long-awaited final auction. Personally bestowed by His Highness Malexia…”
Even the King’s Sword and Shield, which should have been the highlight of this auction house, were put up for bidding.
‘The mood has cooled.’
Originally, it was the item that should have been the most heated. Since it was something used by the King, it was perfect as a decoration. It was also the best for drawing attention.
However…
“…”
No one called out a half-hearted bid.
‘It’s no wonder.’
It was an item used by the King himself. If you called out a price carelessly, you might incur the wrath of the royal family.
Normally, it would be an item that would fetch at least 300,000 gold coins. It was supposed to be a precious asset for the royal family. The nobles must have brought plenty of money for that purpose, but…
‘I sucked all that money up myself.’
Now, everyone was broke. The only person here with money was me.
“Is… is there no one?”
The host wiped the sweat that kept flowing and looked at me with a subtle gaze.
It was probably a plea for help.
‘I have to follow the plan exactly until the very end.’
I raised my hand. Everyone focused on me through the eyes of my mask. They seemed to be gauging how much I would bid.
I calmly called out my price.
“150,000.”
“Did… did you say 150,000?”
“That’s right.”
Exactly half of the originally expected price.
‘This will be ambiguous.’
I was buying an item I didn’t need, but it was also money being offered to the royal family. Yet, it was an awkward amount. The royal family would be flustered.
This was a signal. Exactly half.
An ambiguous political signal that I—and our Count’s House—had no intention of swearing loyalty yet, nor would we join the Noble Faction immediately.
“150,000 has been bid! Is there anyone else!”
Regardless of my signal, the host shouted loudly. No one answered. Even if they wanted to show their loyalty, they had no money.
“Going once.”
One.
Two.
Three.
“Sold for 150,000!”
“Bring it here. And the rest of the money, excluding the commission.”
“Ye—Yes!”
All the spotlight that the King’s items should have had was now focused on me.
A rustic Count’s House from the border had overturned the entire dynamic of the auction house. I had definitely caught their attention.
I had sent a signal to everyone in the Royal Capital.
‘Now, how will you react?’
The auction ended in great success—at least for me.
***
Three days had passed since the auction ended. During that time, I stayed in my lodgings without going out.
‘The rumors need time to ripen.’
Sometimes, staying still like this helps rumors spread. Especially…
“Where did you learn this kind of information warfare?”
“It’s a secret. Was it successful?”
“Don’t underestimate the guild. It has spread throughout the Royal Capital. It’ll probably start spreading outside the capital soon.”
“That’s fast. Is the announcement ready?”
“I should put it up soon. I just need to say that House Ofern is recruiting talent, right?”
“That’s exactly it! Heh.”
When you involve an Information Guild, the rumors grow even larger.
‘This is what you call information warfare.’
The effect was certain, given how confident Arne was.
Even my Brother, who was completely ignorant about information…
“You’ve certainly caused quite a stir. Thanks to you, I’ve had a lot of trouble at the Academy for a while.”
“Heh. I didn’t let you down, did I, Brother?”
‘…I can’t stop him.’
He had even come to visit after hearing the news.
I heard that more people were looking for my Brother at the Royal Academy. Since they heard about the events at the auction, it had become difficult for them to ignore us.
There were two things I flaunted at the auction.
‘One is capital power.’
By spending money like water, I made it known that our capital power was substantial.
I didn’t just show off capital power; I also showcased our technology. I distributed sets of magic items that even the Royal Magic Tower would struggle to create.
‘It’s like distributing state-of-the-art weapons.’
These were nobles who were desperate to increase their power. There was nothing better than this to pique their curiosity.
“How did this happen?”
“It’s all thanks to the relics.”
“Hmm. It feels like one relic… solves everything.”
“Anyway, why don’t you take this?”
“Oh…”
My Brother was poking in with sharp questions. To change the subject, I handed him a set of armor I had prepared in advance.
‘The performance is even better than the one from the auction.’
Even for me, it was a top-tier item that only came out as one of a few. With the addition of a master’s craftsmanship, it was even a stylish set.
“This will save your life several times, Brother.”
“…This is incredible.”
My Brother’s jaw dropped after hearing the explanation of the magic enchanted on the armor.
‘It’s only just beginning.’
The things that would surprise my Brother hadn’t even started yet.
“Now, stop staring and let’s go out.”
“Go out?”
“Yes. I still have work to do.”
Now that the rumors had ripened, I had to go out and make them grow even more.
The Royal Capital was buzzing with talk about Rayrn, not the birthday of the Second Princess.
No one expected that Rayrn, who came from the outskirts, would cause such a stir. Since House Ofern had historically been unable to exert any political influence, it was no wonder.
The nobles who held power in the Royal Capital were…
“Ask if immediate purchase is possible! Right now!”
“…I will try sending a messenger.”
“A messenger? Do they still not even have a teleportation magic circle there?”
“There was a suggestion before, but the Marquis opposed it…”
“Ah. I see. Just hurry up and send someone!”
They began sending people to obtain the magic items that had been at the auction.
“Hyah!”
Many messengers headed toward House Ofern.
It was a speed that was unthinkable for nobles who usually moved so sluggishly.
The rumors spread among the commoners as well.
—I heard they’re looking for talent.
—Aren’t they only looking for people like administrators?
—No. I heard it’s possible as long as you have the skills…
—Hmm… they seem to have a lot of money there. But leaving home is a bit…
—Let’s think about it. Our income hasn’t been great lately anyway.
The rumors that the royal family wanted to block were starting to spread. The news that House Ofern needed talent had begun to circulate properly.
The royal family was thrown into a state of chaos.
“…Does the King have anything to say?”
“There is nothing yet.”
The royal family was the one that had been preventing rumors from spreading in the capital to stop House Ofern’s development.
The royal family, as well as many nobles of the Royalist Faction who followed them, were involved in this matter.
The capital was their domain. They were able to block the rumors quite effectively. They knew well that without administrators, the growth of House Ofern would eventually stop.
“There is simply no way to stop it.”
“It has already spread far and wide. Unless we kill all the commoners in the Royal Capital, it’s impossible to stop it.”
Rumors are like words without feet.
Once they catch a flow, no one can stop them. Right now, talented commoners were hanging around, looking for House Ofern.
“I heard many people have already visited.”
“Hmm…”
The brothers of House Ofern began to look them over. They started selecting people from the crowds that had gathered like clouds.
‘It’s difficult.’
The Royalist Faction put everything into increasing the power of the royal family.
To that end, they had moved all sorts of talent and kept the nobles in check. Among them, who had carefully created a balance…
‘Rayrn…’
Not even the Marquis or the Count, but a mere youngest son had come in and completely broken the balance. At the same time, he sent a signal to the royal family.
“…I don’t know what choice the King will make.”
The ball was in their court, and the choice had moved to the royal family.