Ch. 267

Since I was sitting relatively far back, a horrifying number of eyes turned to me all at once. ‘I loathe attention.’

—My apologies! It was dark, so I didn’t see you. I apologize. 15 Mithril… will you bid 10 Golden?

“No.”

—In that case…?

“20 Mithril.”

It was a huge relief that the unit had changed to Mithril. The coins would be lighter when they were made.

The audience buzzed again, and I cleared my throat lightly.

[Rai, how many Mithril coins can you make?]

[Um… is there any point to that?]

[I guess not, right?]

[If you give me time, I can make enough to fill this entire space.]

They may be counterfeit, but they were still pure Mithril, so there was no problem.

Because if I said there was no problem, there wasn’t one.

[It would be easier if I could just spit out a lump of Mithril, but since I have to make them into coins… it should take about ten minutes to make a thousand.]

[They have to be identical to real coins.]

[Of course! Not even a Dragon could tell the difference! They’re metal made by a Metal Spirit!]

A satisfied sigh escaped me.

Yeah. This was what it was all about.

Having a Metal Spirit was wonderful—at least when it came to spending money.

To think Rai, who used to struggle to make even a single silver coin for me, could now spit out Mithril with ease. It felt strange.

‘I’ll have to thank Magi for this, at least.’

The ability to produce infinite currency was all thanks to the Dragon Heart Magi had donated.

—Gasp, 20… 20 Mithril! We have 20 Mithril! Will anyone raise the bid?

“…21 Mithril.”

It was already an absurd price for a single slave, and though this was my first time at an auction, even I could tell.

This was no longer about determining the item’s value. It was just a battle of pride.

A contest of who would be the first to back down and lower their placard.

‘Meaningless.’

“Double.”

I was here to buy a mirror, after all. The Dark Elf was just a bonus.

My plan was to win the bid, take his bracelet, and dump some annoying tasks on him.

—Pardon?

“Whatever that woman bids, double it.”

(T/N: Gahdammit Geenie! Can I be your slave? )

Everyone needed to realize quickly that there was nothing more pointless than flaunting money in front of me.

That way, I could buy the mirror without wasting any more time.

I smiled and waved the placard like a victory flag.

Behind me, I could feel Ash trembling.

To feel someone trembling that clearly just from them standing behind me… my ability to sense presences must have improved.

[I don’t think that’s it.]

[Mwahahaha!]

[Well, if you’re happy, Master, then I don’t mind either way.]

Even Ash probably never imagined I’d waste money in units of Mithril.

If he had, he never would have made such a promise.

—42 Mithril! 42 Mithril it is. Any more bids? Anyone willing to raise the price? This is your last chance.

The Dark Elf trapped in the iron cage glared at me with terrifying intensity.

The stage was far from my seat, but it was impossible not to notice someone staring daggers at you like that.

Judging by the murderous intent in his gaze, he didn’t recognize me. He just looked like he wanted to tear me to shreds for the humiliation of being sold.

We’d only met once, if at all—and that was months ago.

There was no telling how well an elf could distinguish human faces anyway.

It was probably like how humans have trouble telling dwarves apart.

—Thank you! Sold for 42 Mithril to the customer in row N. This Dark Elf is a young male, so he will serve wonderfully as a night slave.

“…What kind of slave?”

“A, a night slave…”

[He means a sex slave, right? Ugh, gross.]

I scrunched up my face and shook my head. Ash and Rai reacted the same way.

Rovenin alone had so little presence it was hard to tell if he was even there.

The auctioned items were taken backstage, and this time was no different.

I watched the portable iron cage containing the Dark Elf get covered with cloth and disappear, then motioned Ash closer.

“Ash. Go ask how we’re supposed to claim what we won.”

“I can’t. I cannot leave you and the young master alone.”

“Then send him.”

Ash turned his head, met Rovenin’s eyes briefly, and immediately shook his head.

“He says he doesn’t want to.”

“What? He didn’t say anything.”

From what I could see, Rovenin was standing in the same posture as before.

His expression hadn’t changed either—no, it couldn’t have. He was wearing a mask.

All I could see were his golden eyes, which resembled Ash’s but lacked their light.

“I can tell from his eyes even if he doesn’t speak. He says he won’t do what you ask anymore.”

“What an ass.”

“…The reason you two don’t get along is because you say things like that to his face.”

“He just cursed me with his eyes, didn’t he? Right? Look.”

I grabbed Ash’s face and forcibly turned it toward Rovenin.

Ash didn’t interpret Rovenin’s gaze anymore, but the answer was obvious.

‘What an incompatible guy.’

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Whatever. We won’t fight, so you go and hurry back.”

“How can I believe that?”

“I have to buy the mirror, too. I have no intention of causing a scene. We’re not ten-year-olds—are we going to fight the moment you look away?”

“…But.”

“If we’re going to fight, we’ll fight even if you’re here.”

[Ha, so persuasive.]

At my nagging, Ash hesitated, like he was considering dragging Rovenin along.

But he must’ve decided leaving me alone was also a risk, because he leaned in and whispered something to Rovenin for a long time.

Then he came back to me for my word.

“I’ll be right back, so don’t fight. Understood?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t go anywhere. You must stay right here. You can’t go anywhere else.”

“I said I get it.”

Only after nagging me like I was a disobedient ten-year-old did Ash finally leave.

Even though I’d been left alone with Rovenin, a strange sense of peace settled over me.

I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t grinding my teeth.

It was just… quiet.

Rovenin was the type of guy you had to see with your own eyes to know he was there. He was naturally quiet unless provoked, and it was always me—with my fiery temper—who exploded first.

Until now, I’d been furious because I couldn’t stand how he ignored me and looked down on me.

But suddenly, it occurred to me that I should be grateful for it.

It was far better than having a guy I despised be fond of me.

‘Far better than Rovenin liking me as a woman.’

I was truly, tearfully grateful.

For him hating me.

Because I hated his guts too.

In that respect, we were a good match.

And this merit of his—discovered far too late—was enormous.

No matter what his physical preferences were, he didn’t just not treat me as the opposite sex.

He openly showed his distaste.

“Hey, Rovenin.”

I tilted my chin up and leaned back like I was about to lie down, and Rovenin came into view upside down.

Using polite speech with a guy like him was a waste. The fact that he was about six years older than me didn’t even cross my mind.

“What did Ash say?”

“……”

“You two were whispering without me.”

He wasn’t even looking my way, so was there any chance he’d answer?

I hadn’t expected one anyway.

Strangely enough, being ignored made me feel better.

We had a wonderful relationship of mutually ignoring each other.

[This is what you call a red light!]

[…What’s that?]

[A path of blood, I guess.]

Feeling lighter, I turned my attention back to the auction.

Just in time, something worth buying came up.

—Accessories with Polymorph Magic cast on them are always popular items that sell out fast. This time, the item is an earring! If you wear this earring, your hair color will change to brown! Let me show you.

“Ooh! I have to buy that!”

[That? What are you going to use it for?]

[For when I cause trouble.]

[That’s our Master! You have no intention of not causing trouble!]

[Of course not!]

I raised my placard high, actively joining the bidding.

The gazes around me had changed from before.

People dropped out dejectedly the moment they confirmed I’d raised my placard. The disdain in their eyes was gone.

I easily won the bid for the Polymorph Magic earring.

It didn’t change my face like Ash’s necklace, but I was satisfied.

“It’s nice that I won, but… when do I get it? Why do they keep taking my things backstage?”

[Let’s wait and see. Ash went to find out.]

“I can take it with me today, right?”

The auction order seemed to be general jewelry, then slaves, then magical tools.

The items that caught my eye were, of course, the magical tools.

Ordinary jewelry was rolling around like stones in Magi’s lair.

And most of it had now become Rai’s flesh and bone.

“That Dark Elf from before…”

“Hm?”

I suddenly heard Rovenin mutter.

“He looks familiar. His face is familiar.”

He wouldn’t answer my questions, but he’d say whatever he felt like.

That guy definitely had a problem with his conversation function.

If he were a machine, I could at least return or exchange him. But what was I supposed to do with him?

“You know someone who looks familiar? I mean, he’s a Dark Elf, but.”

“I can distinguish between a Dark Elf and a human.”

“If you can’t… you should go to a hospital…”

[You’re so unhinged, Master.]

It was surprising in more ways than one.

That Rovenin knew a Dark Elf, and that there was someone Rovenin found familiar.

So he didn’t erase every being from his mind.

“He looks like that Dark Elf we ran into before Toomdra.”

“Ah, so before he was caught?”

“I remember him being quite strong.”

Of course. He remembered him because he was strong.

With a look of understanding, I asked, “Dark Elves are rare, so it must be him. Where did you meet him?”

“In a forest.”

“Fucking hell. Half the continent is forest. You think there’s only one or two? Can’t you speak with a little more sincerity? Who told you to live so half-assed!”

“Hmph.”

“Hmphhh?”

Absurdly, he clammed up after that.

He started and ended conversations entirely as he pleased.

To have a proper conversation with Rovenin, Ash’s presence was essential.

“Hey! Rovenin!”

Calling him by his first name wasn’t because we were close.

It was simply because his last name was too peculiar.

The moment I lost my temper, Ash returned and rushed to stand between me and Rovenin.