Bab 141: Demons and the Ancestral Realm (1)
"Ancient Dragon Scroll, you've won the bid for 140,000 million gold! Our guest this time is someone incredibly wealthy, isn't it, everyone?"
The gold I spent to bid for the scroll was 140,000 million gold. A ridiculous amount of money that could easily buy a small city with change to spare.
But it didn't matter to me.
Eleanor de Rivalin .
Because she's a walking wallet(?), after all!
A hundred or two hundred million gold is nothing to the wealth of House Rivalin.
Her exact wealth remained undisclosed, making it impossible to pinpoint the precise extent of her fortune. However, it was clear that the figure was astronomical.
"The interest will be a standard one percent, plus a half a percent for every month you miss, and I'm going to tack on a share price, just so you know."
"Have it your way."
'... Shit, it seems like you're holding on until the bitter end.'
{jonna}
As expected, it was typical of Elenore.
She just casually talks like that on the subject of lending money.
{usury}
However, her restraint was less than his.
Any other untrustworthy loanshark would have charged at least two percent interest per month.
One way or another, the borrowed money must be paid back(?). It's a no-brainer.
'... Of course, with Eleanor's personality, she wouldn't lend money to her aunt if she didn't have a good credit history.'
Isn't Eleanor so thorough in her work? Unfortunately, this case can be said to fall into the category of an extreme exception. The reason was clear.
Trust in me.
The suspension is not based on trust in Nox Von Reinhafer, but in order to maintain his relationship with Nox, one of the important dealers of magical by-products, and the representative of Nox's Merchant Group.
This person is probably racking their brain trying to figure out the reported potential asset value of the demonic byproduct I've been hoarding.
In the worst case scenario, she thinks she'll be able to repossess it and get her money back.
Of course, that's not going to happen.
'Anyway, just looking at her engulfing the commercial district of the academy, it's evident that she's a finance wizard. I can't help but feel impressed by that.'
Eleanor is dangerous.
She's also a unit that's scary to turn against.
"Then why did you borrow 200 million?"
Eleanor asks, interrupting my train of thought. I furrowed my brow impatiently.
"What are you talking about?"
Eleanor sighed in frustration.
"No, you already had 120,000 gold. The book cost 140,000 gold. You could have just borrowed 20 million gold….. I just don't understand what you're going to spend the remaining 180 million gold on."
Well, I guess I could see it in her eyes.
I blurted out.
"Because I need to buy something else."
"Hmm... if you say so, but don't get too carried away."
For some reason, she sounded like Zitri(?) She always says that.
At first, she seemed a bit cold.
It seems she has become quite familiar during this journey. Well, it's a positive development in its own way. Regardless, Eleanor is one of the main units that need to be kept alive in the story. There's no need to create friction between the units and complicate things.
With that, the case is settled. After that, it was settled that the scroll was in my hands.
The resumed auction continued quickly.
With a tempo faster than before, items worthy of people's enthusiasm were listed as new items for bidding. Naturally, to our eyes, they were quite repulsive.
"Now, the next items next in line are the slaves you've all been eagerly waiting for! From humans to demi-humans! With a variety of slave types available, I, Herman, proudly declare that we can satisfy all of you today 〉
That's it, I'm confident!"
-Wow!
-I've been waiting!
-I wanted to buy an elf slave, so I waited patiently!
-Haha, what about the harpies?
The lowly nobles' lust for slaves sizzled and burned. The auction house was heating up fast.
However, being the devil that he is, Jagan waited until their emotions were at their climax before he spoke, smiling nonchalantly.
"Alright, let's start with slave number one, Su Yin..."
"Big Dipper 7."
{TN: Nox's placard?}
I raised the placard with my legs crossed in an instant. Along with it, the gaze of hundreds, concealed behind masks, focused on me. Yet, I remained unfazed.
I am now Nox von Reinhafer.
I'm the scoundrel son of the Reinhafer family.
With the power of my [Steel Mentality], I felt no panic, no ash, and I smiled toothily.
With the power of [Steel Mentality], I didn't feel any embarrassment and gave a toothful smile.
"One hundred and eighty million."
Instantly, the nobles' eyes widened in horror, and their mouths fell open.
They weren't the only one.
Jagan, one of the 72 demons, began to take a keen interest in me. He has a unique expression and a humorously contorted face, as if he's been playing with a very amusing toy.
'I can finally feel that things are starting to get better.'
Of course, this meant the second act.
I don't break eye contact with him.
He continues.
I ignore all the stares directed at me and cast my gaze toward one of the cages.
There's only one boy in there, a small, tiny boy. A brown-haired figure who must fall into my hands here.
Su Yin.
'A unit with the [Commanding Prescence] trait that is essential for the completion of Inner Lunatic... He's got a nasty temper, but that can't be helped.'
Also, do you know what the easiest route to getting him is?
That's right.
***
"One hundred and eighty million."
When Jagan heard the voice of a mysterious boy.
He was already a student.
The one who came in now and offered an outrageous sum.
He knew he was no VIP here in Abilat.
'He's not a guy with the skills to stay in a place like this for long.'
Of course, the gambling halls of Avilat are frequented by ridiculous dignitaries – nobles – who capriciously flaunt their wealth.
But even that is within the bounds of common sense.
A few hundred thousand is one thing, but over a hundred million?
If he does it over and over again, you have to be suspicious. Is he really a VIP here?
Or anywhere else. Maybe he's infiltrated the Imperial family or Eldain Academy.
-Really, you're going to pay 180 million to buy a slave?
-That's insane... I can't even begin to comprehend.
-It's not even an enchanted artifact. That's weird.
-I've known him since he bought that scroll for an outrageous price. He's definitely a cheater. Come on! This Avilat is rotten to the core!
The nobles stare at Nox, murmuring their displeasure.
But it is Nox's companions who are most surprised.
... To put it bluntly, Eleanor?
"No, the great catastrophe… What kind of slave are you burning 100 million won on? Of course, I feel sorry for them, It's pitiful, and it's true that it's too young. I admit that too. but... but it doesn't take that much money to save them..."
"Come on, I'm not losing money. Same goes for that money from earlier."."
Nox mumbled something unintelligible.
Eleanor's mind raced with stress, but she gave up. No matter what she said, it was too late.
He had already bid, and it was up to Himan, the auctioneer, to decide.
He thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"I ask you, noble lords and ladies, is there anyone who will pay more than the amount offered by the gray-haired man? If not, I will proceed with the auction."{1}
-No such person exists!
-Yep, that's right, it's a ridiculous amount of money!
Of course, there is no one willing to pay more than that.
Even if you put the ransoms of those twenty slaves together, it wouldn't add up to more than thirty thousand. Everyone knows that.
But Knox demanded six times that amount. Muttering some unspecified tale of redemption.
In more ways than one, his colleagues were left thinking.
Earlier, Nox had borrowed enough money to buy two cities, and he'd done it with a straight face.
He's a man of many minds, so he must have a plan, and since their goal is to expose the corruption in this city, he must have thought through the costs.
Still, it wasn't something any party would do.
"Nox… That's it, are you… Really rich?"
Talia cried out, while Zitri, still clinging to Nox's hand, quickly blinked her eyes as if she was anxious.
"A year's worth of funds to run Chaders is about fifty thousand… and considering that's with a full anti-demon squadron, I'm guessing that the amount you're committing(?) right now..."
Zitri cried and was about to collapse at any moment.
It was a dizzying amount of money, so it was no wonder. Probably not even a hundred million would be enough to run the Reinhafer Family's estate for a year.
Even in the continental premises of the Black Sword Knights, it was still only that much, even though it was a prominent knight order.
There was only one person who didn't care.
It was Leon von Marvas.
"Well… If it's Nox, there's no need to worry, as he can easily win more than enough. As for the amount of money, I'll take this opportunity to grow the Marvas estate a bit more, so it would be good to earn some more money."
A calm voice.
{dour}
However, the impact of the words spoken was considerable.
"..."
"..."
Everyone in the group started to think that there was really something going on with Leon. Even Nox was the same.
How could he get seven rolls in a row?
Knox was genuinely curious about that.
But for now, he had to put that question on the back burner.
"For now, we'll see. The noble lord... seems to have a way out of this situation, though it's a bit out of my control..."
Soon after Paracelsus' words.
The voice of Herman, the auctioneer, rises and turns to Nox.
"Congratulations, customer, you've won the bid again!"
A cheerful voice.
But underlying it all is a deep desire, an undercurrent of venality and filthy greed. There's no one who doesn't know that.
Soon the bidding was over.
Herman then personally escorted Nox to deliver his winning bid. But Nox had already guessed what it meant.
"Nox, are you sure you're okay to go alone?"
Talia asked, concerned. Nox had said he would pay for the goods and retrieve them.
However, if that were all there was to it, they wouldn't be worried.
What Nox had said about Herman at the end.
It was the last thing he said about Herman that stopped them in their tracks.
"I mean, he's a demon. Jagan, one of the 72 demons. So don't even get near him. You'll only get in the way of the fight and be a nuisance."
***
Moments later, I'm walking with Herman down a dark corridor.
We're in the second floor of the auction house, where the winning bids are delivered to the buyers.
Jagan, who is ahead of me, pauses for a moment and says nothing. He's probably got a lot on his mind.
'Why I bid so much for a slave, and what I want, I'm sure you're guessing. And a scroll made of dragon tongue. He'll demand to know how to use it.' {2}
Of course, what he will offer in return will not be reasonable.
Jagan would undoubtedly threaten my life to get something out of me.
But that's what I wanted, too.
First I pay him, and then I take the scroll.
It's an expensive item and requires special processing, so I have to disenchant it first, but it doesn't take long, so it's not a big deal.
Next, I encountered a boy in a cage.
A weak, bony little boy with brown hair and black eyes.
But those eyes were filled with determination and self-control.
'As expected, Frip, it's the right guy. Just like what you see in game. I can't believe his gaze is still there... Even though he must have been through all kinds of torture, he's amazing.'
Even to his enemies, Frip was the leader of a group of slaves. This is especially true when you realize that even though he could be killed by Jagan at any moment, he is an unsuspecting foe and seeks opportunities for escape.
Take advantage of any opening, Frip. This guy will lead his group and try to get them out, even if it means sacrificing himself.
He has no idea that he has a slave imprint on his body.
He would eventually be captured, but this boy had no magical knowledge.
Jagan smirked.
"Here is the key to the cage containing your purchased slaves. By the way, can you afford to take all of them with you? If you are a woman, I will lend you my carriage..."
"No, that won't be necessary."
I snapped.
I snatched the key to the cage from his hand, opened it, and slammed it back. Smashing it to pieces.
"Run!!"
With that, Frip's shout erupted.
The slaves started running out all at once.
But their footsteps were quickly halted by a spell Herman quickly unleashed.
-What the hell!
-My, my body is moving on it's own...!
Slowly, they began to turn back, dragged by the magic.
Frip gritted his teeth.
They probably have no idea when the slave imprint was placed on them.
That Jagan is a demon, and that there is no escape from his clutches without help.
"Well... You have to treat your slaves well. You'll lose a lot of money if they escape, won't you? You paid six times what it was worth."
"... It's none of your business whether I let him go or not."
"Haha. So you freed him on purpose..."
That was it.
In an instant, his expression turned grim and his pale skin was revealed to me.
It was the unmistakable mark of the devil.
"Now, if you don't mind me asking, young guest of House Reinhafer... what brings you here?"
A shy smile leaks out.
The whole thing is a bit of a pizza situation anyway. {3}
I remove my mask, clenching my fists and drawing on my magic at the same time.
Then, clearing my throat, I brush my wet hair from my face.
"Demon Jagan."
"... This is a little surprising, you already know my name. Where did you get the idea to investigate me? Reinhafer? If not that, then Eldain?"
"No reason for me to tell you."
"You'll want to tell me soon enough."
Jagan smirked and revealed his true form.
Two horns grew on his head, and his face began to twist into a scowl.
Then a long, pale skin that cried out in purple, and, of course, the fierce, black symbol of Baal on his tongue.
[You were wrong all along, did you really want to be so active? I am a great 72 devil. I am not Jagan, you worm, for a child like you to deal with!] {4}
Jagan's tone had suddenly changed.
His [Multiple Personality] trait had kicked in.
However, Nox only laughed.
The questioning Jagan used his long, sprouting nails to attack the enemy, rattling the ground several times.
When the claws finally closed in on my shoulder.
I used my telepathy to leisurely say.
[Go ahead, Chief].
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
{Glass shattering}
Kaboom!
{jaeaeng!}
A resounding noise followed the two words.
With that, all of the enchantment sheets that adorned the second floor of the underground auction house shattered.
Stepping out of it was a woman with pale blond hair and an aura that could only be described as light blue. {Pearlescent?}
The leader of the Lunatic Order and one of the Three Swordsmen.
Luna appeared in the gambling hall of Avilat.
Her eyes glowed with golden light, transparent with obligation.
"Well done, Shrine Eater. We'll take it from here." {6}
And now, Act Two.
You damned devil.
TN:
{1} : Lords/ladies sounded better than noble peer here, there isn't really a better word in English that I could find.
{2} : Might've messed up ancient language / dragon tongue last chapter.
{3} : Couldn't find what this means or a good replacement, please help.
{4} : Probably should've used Roman Numerals for these, I'll do that in the future. LXXII
{5} : Gyeongguk-ji color / justice reference, very cool
{6} : Reference to him clearing the entry test shrine, maw also works, but just doesn't sound right, lmk what you think.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone