The place I entered was an auction house. Since this place was the pinnacle of luxury, it naturally attracted many eyes. The nobility, who were the primary clientele, always kept their attention focused here.
‘It’s because they have to flaunt their wealth.’
They called it flaunting, but in reality, it was a display of their power and riches. To satisfy their desire for self-importance, they spent money on things others could not understand. It was a way of saying, ‘I can spend this much money on such useless things. Look at my wealth. Isn’t it amazing?’
‘It’s basically the same thing as social media.’
While the modern world had social media, this world had auction houses.
‘And it’s quite diverse too.’
I had come to this particular one because it was directly operated by the royal family.
“I heard several rare items are coming out today.”
“Like what? Oh, just so you know, I’m not paying a fee for this information.”
“Cheeky… Fine, I understand.”
It was exactly as Arne said.
‘They really are rare.’
Word was that the sword and shield used by the previous king were going up for auction. And they were authentic.
‘They were probably just kept in storage for decoration and never actually used. Still, the symbolism is there.’
For instance, if someone bought a useless item released by the royal family, it sent a signal.
‘I am loyal to the royal family to the point of buying something this useless.’
That was the message. While modern social media was purely about vanity, here, it was combined with political signaling. Because of that, one couldn’t just spend money or buy things recklessly. A purchase made out of necessity could be misinterpreted as a political move.
‘But it’s different if my goal is to draw attention.’
I had to achieve my objective here.
“Please enter here. Since this is your first visit, you have been guided to the Sapphire Room. Regardless of status, for all nobles —”
“I know. So just hurry up and open the door.”
The beautifully adorned guide led us to one of the rooms in the auction house that was about to open. They called it the Sapphire Room, but in reality…
‘They’re looking down on us. For nobles, the Sapphire Room is just the starting point.’
The rooms had ranks: Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, and Crystal. Among them, Diamond was the highest, while Crystal was the lowest. Interestingly, for those who weren’t nobles, like Merchant Guild Masters, the Sapphire Room was the highest they could reach. They started from Crystal.
As for nobles? They started at Sapphire. After that, as they accumulated results, they moved higher and higher. Or, if they were highly noticed!
‘It really feels like a class-based society all over again.’
It was a perfect system for inflating vanity. I didn’t know who created it, but considering they were using this level of marketing in this era, they were a natural!
However, the rules were rules only in name.
‘Normally, they wouldn’t guide our family to the Sapphire Room.’
Despite appearances, my family held the title of Count. The number of Counts who received their titles directly from the King was small even in this kingdom. There were exactly four. Yet, they put us in the Sapphire Room. It was obvious how much they looked down on our family. It also showed how petty they were being politically!
‘At the very least, it should have been Emerald. I expected Ruby.’
I felt the weight of reality once more and straightened my clothes. It was my way of firing myself up for the coming battle.
“Phew. Let’s go in.”
“Wait! You have to wear your mask!”
Arne handed me a mask she had brought along.
In an auction house, wasn’t money king? However, there were certainly cases where people couldn’t participate in an auction even if they had the money because their titles were lower. They had to be mindful of others.
The masks were created for such situations. But by now, everyone who mattered already knew. They called them masks, but since people kept wearing similar ones, it was impossible not to know each other’s identities.
Even so.
“Fine.”
I put the mask on immediately. If a knight had a helmet, this mask was my combat gear.
“Let’s do this flamboyantly.”
***
The auction began less than ten minutes after we entered. It started with low-value items.
“This is a special robe crafted at the Malexia Magic Tower! It has been enchanted with two different spells: Armor and Shield! You can use them as needed! They are even stronger when used together!”
Aside from the five great Magic Towers, including the Under, the kingdom’s primary tower was the Malexia Magic Tower. It was owned by the royal family. Even so, it was a place with a considerable number of high-class Mages. Considering their hidden strength, there might even be a few 6th-class Mages. However…
“Young Master, how about that one?”
“It’s trash.”
The very first item presented was garbage. They claimed the magic could be used as needed.
“That’s just a 3rd-class Shield spell with an Armor spell applied over it using a magic circle application.”
“Then isn’t it decent?”
“Not at all.”
If someone tried to use Shield and Armor at the same time, there was a very high probability that it would overheat. It might not be able to handle the overload and simply go *bang*!
While trying to block an enemy’s attack, the user would end up dying instead. ‘It’s not for defense; it’s perfect for an assassination.’
I didn’t know who made it, but it was a monstrosity. Still, maybe it could take the attacker down with the user during the explosion? Like a suicide attack.
Despite being such trash…
“Now then, we have 2,000 gold coins!”
“3,000 gold coins!”
“3,500 gold coins!”
The price continued to soar.
‘Magic items have always had insane prices.’
Well, magic items weren’t necessarily always stable. Occasionally, a masterpiece would emerge from among such monstrosities, so they were considered to have value.
“4,000 gold coins!”
Even so, for such a junk item to reach that price was insane.
‘That’s the equivalent of 4 billion won back on Earth.’
It was a price that wouldn’t even be covered by winning the lottery several times in my past life.
‘I suppose even 300,000 gold coins might not be enough to really flaunt my wealth.’
But this was a bit much! The price had already surged to 5,000 gold coins.
“Wow. People are really bidding high on something you called trash, Young Master.”
“Right?”
Even trash had value. Just as “pretty trash” could have value!
‘This is a perfect debut.’
The current price had reached 5,500 gold coins. It seemed there was even a loyalty premium attached because it was made by the Royal Magic Tower.
As if I cared.
I raised my hand and shouted.
“55,000 gold coins!”
“…Excuse me?”
Ten times the current bid.
A sudden silence fell over the room.
At most, the item was worth 10,000 gold coins. Even as a monstrosity, being able to use two spells made it worth at least that much, if only for experimental purposes. But it was certainly not worth 55,000 gold coins.
It was only natural for everyone to fall silent.
Amidst everyone’s stares, I didn’t say a word and walked toward the auctioneer.
“I can receive the item immediately if I pay the balance, correct?”
“Y-yes, that is correct. Does that mean you will pay the balance right now…?”
“That’s right.”
*Clatter—*
Gold coins were poured into the prepared area. Once the amount reached about 50,000 gold coins, they were measured by weight. The royal family, being thorough in these matters, had items prepared to verify the gold coins through magic.
100, 200, 400… 50,000, 55,002.
The space was filled with gold coins in an instant. It reached exactly the number I had stated.
“I-I have confirmed the amount. Here is the remaining 2 gold coins…”
“You keep it. Call it a tip.”
“T-thank you so much!”
Even an auctioneer was just a merchant. Specifically, a merchant belonging to the royal family. It was rare for them to receive an amount as large as 2 gold coins so easily.
‘The royal family is just too stingy, after all.’
I reached out my hand.
*Thump.*
“H-here it is.”
The auctioneer quickly caught on and presented the robe.
‘It’s quite heavy.’
I took the robe and returned to my seat immediately. All while I was walking back, I could hear the buzzing of the crowd.
—”Who is that?”
—”They’re in the Sapphire Room, right? Aren’t they a lower noble? Where on earth did they get that kind of money?”
—”Is he crazy?”
—”Is there actually some kind of secret story behind that robe?”
With 50,000 gold coins, one could operate a small castle if they were frugal. In this world where the economy was underdeveloped, the value of currency was quite high. Except for the Magic Towers or the royal family, it was difficult for anyone to be truly wealthy. Most people lived similar, modest lives.
Yet, I had bought it. With that much money.
“So you bought some pretty trash?”
“I did.”
“Others might not know, but I can tell.”
“What?”
“I think your heart is burning black with regret, Young Master. Hehe.”
“Just wait and see.”
I had bought trash.
‘I can just modify it and use it myself.’
Still, I had definitely achieved my goal. Everyone was paying attention to me. And I had no intention of stopping there.
‘I’m still hungry.’
For attention.
Amidst the murmuring, the auctioneer continued the auction. And his proceeding didn’t last very long.
“Now, if I were to speak of this item, it is once again a precious, high-grade Mandragora. Cultivated directly by the royal family, its quality is guaranteed…”
“50,000 gold coins.”
“Pardon?”
“I said 50,000 gold coins. Bring it here.”
To be precise, it couldn’t be long. I bought every single item that came out. Whether it was worth 10,000 gold coins or 5,000 gold coins didn’t matter. Even if it was only worth a few thousand, I didn’t care.
‘It’s all money I’ll get back anyway.’
No matter how much a noble flaunted their wealth, there was usually a set limit to their spending. There weren’t many who would pay several times the value like I did.
“…”
“…50,000 gold coins has been bid. Are there any other bids?”
“…”
The surroundings fell silent.
“S-sold!”
Everyone’s attention was focused solely on me.
“The next item is from a Great Knight who belonged to the currently chaotic Owen Marquisate —”
“50,000 gold coins!”
“S-sold!”
As I collected trash in an instant, the area grew quieter, and the number of people staring at me increased.
“Next are jewels that were obtained with great difficulty this time. Look at these. They are perfect for engraving magic circles…”
“50,000 gold coins!”
“50,000 has been bid. Any others?”
It was then. Someone stepped forward with a flushed face, perhaps displeased that I was receiving all the attention.
‘Another attention seeker?’
It was the person who had bid up to 5,500 gold coins for the robe earlier. He was in the Diamond Room. He was a VIP of this auction house.
“55,000 gold coins!”
He raised the bid.
“55,000! Any other bids!”
‘Was he trying to show off his spirit?’ Other nobles began to step forward as well.
“60,000!”
“65,000!”
“70,000!”
“75,000!”
“Oh! It has reached 75,000!”
‘Now, should I enter this fight? Or should I back off?’
‘The answer is already decided.’
As always, I remained faithful to my goal. I raised my hand again and shouted.
“150,000!”
“1-150,000 gold coins has been bid!”
The money I had used to buy the pretty trash was 150,000 gold coins. My remaining balance was another 150,000. I immediately called out double the current price.
“…”
“…”
The surroundings fell silent once more. 50,000 gold coins and 150,000 gold coins were different. No one dared to call out a higher price.
*Clatter—*
Once again, I poured the money out ostentatiously.
‘I feel like I’m doing all the flaunting I’ll ever do in my life.’
1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 100,000… 150,003.
All of my remaining money was completely spent. To the point that there wouldn’t even be any left if they shook my pockets! Every last bit of it!
“Give it to me.”
“H-here it is.”
Everyone was staring at me. All eyes were focused on me, a first-time visitor, and everything was revolving around me.
‘This is the perfect time.’
It was time to slowly reveal who I was. Directly stating one’s name and revealing oneself was for amateurs. Instead, I could give them a hint.
“I assume it’s possible to put items up for auction immediately?”
It was time to turn the Royal Auction into my own stage.