Chapter 34

“I really hoped this episode wouldn’t happen.”

 

This was no ordinary low-grade mana stone.

 

It was a synthetic stone—an emptied, spent stone forcibly re-infused with mana.

 

And this thing would later have a massive impact on the Hunting Festival episode.

 

“I could tell by the light.”

 

Unlike natural stones, a re-infused mana stone emitted an otherworldly glow.

 

A stall selling such ‘high-purity stones’ at cheap prices was bound to attract attention from passersby.

 

But this stone shattered easily with impact.

 

“If it’s low-grade, it just breaks apart… but medium or top-grade ones? They explode.”

 

The more mana compressed inside, the stronger the reactive backlash.

 

These synthetic stones would later be used as catalysts for the barrier magic circle at the festival.

 

“Because of these stones… Freyer gets hurt…”

 

I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

Standing near the barrier circle, Freyer would be caught in the explosion—injuring his leg permanently.

 

The Tragic Prince would, as his epithet foretold, once again fail to escape his fate.

 

“The imperial side also purchased a top-grade mana stone at Gortu’s auction.”

 

Just minutes ago, I had sworn I wouldn’t interfere.

 

I told myself I wouldn’t get involved, wouldn’t become an obstacle.

 

But I couldn’t just sit still and watch my favorite character walk into danger.

 

If direct involvement was too risky, then I’d help Freyer indirectly.

 

“Right. I’ll go with the ‘secret helper’ strategy.”

 

I hurriedly pulled on the hooded cloak hanging on the rack, and slipped out of the trading company unnoticed.

 

 

***

 

 

“Hm. No customers.”

 

The employee managing the stall scanned his surroundings.

 

It was getting late.

 

“Well, I sold enough today that the boss won’t nag me.”

 

He casually inspected the goods.

 

Only mid–low grade stones were left.

 

The lowest and low-grade stones brought today had nearly sold out.

 

Stretching his stiff body, he murmured:

 

“No point staying longer. Might as well pack up.”

 

Selling the remaining mid-low stones wouldn’t earn him much commission anyway.

 

He swept the leftovers into a pouch and reached to fold up the stall.

 

Tap—

 

Someone’s hand pressed onto the stall.

 

The employee frowned and slapped the hand away.

 

“All mana stones sold out.”

 

“Not even one left…?”

 

A gentle, elegant female voice.

 

He looked up—and saw a figure cloaked in black.

 

A noblewoman.

 

He knew instantly.

 

The cloak hid her face, but the fine dress beneath, the quality shoes—not something commoners wore.

 

Even with her face hidden, everything else screamed ‘nobility.’

 

‘Hah. If I say I’ve got something special just for her, she’ll buy it.’

 

He didn’t care why a naïve noble girl came alone without a servant.

 

He just saw an opportunity.

 

“Yes. All sold.”

 

“I heard this place sells mana stones cheaply…”

 

Suppressing a snicker, he opened his mouth.

 

“If you really want to buy one, I can show you the stones I personally own.”

 

“Please do! Show me the highest-grade stone you have.”

 

He scratched his brow, pretending troubled.

 

“Well, I do have one, but… I really need it myself. So I’d have to charge a higher price. Would that be acceptable?”

 

“Of course! I’ll buy it!”

 

He spun around, rummaged through his pouch, and carefully presented it.

 

“A mid-low-grade mana stone.”

 

He was proud—

 

But the noblewoman sighed in disappointment.

 

“Ah…”

 

He panicked.

 

“A mid-low should be plenty, shouldn’t it? What do you need it for?”

 

“My talking toy is old. A mid-grade stone doesn’t have enough mana anymore. I came to buy a medium one.”

 

Low grades were easy to find.

 

But medium or above? Hard to come by.

 

‘A medium!?’

 

Nobles truly lived in a different world.

 

Even mid-grade made commoners gasp.

 

He put the stone back in his pouch.

 

“I don’t have medium stones.”

 

“That’s too bad. It’s hard to get top-grade stones at the Tower these days, so I hoped this place might have some…”

 

Jingle—

 

The noblewoman opened a heavy purse and pulled out coins.

 

“I even brought a lot of money to buy one.”

 

Gold.

 

His eyes bulged like plates—no, like cauldrons.

 

Her hand was full of gold pieces, and the remaining pouch looked even heavier.

 

‘How much did she bring!?’

 

His commission from selling a 1-silver stone was maybe 2 copper.

 

This was unimaginable.

 

“If you know a place that sells top-grade stones, I can compensate you generously.”

 

He remembered rumors—

 

A secret auction held somewhere.

 

“Y-You’ll really reward me?”

 

“Of course. It’s only right to repay useful information. Do you know any place?”

 

She held up a gold coin.

 

He swallowed.

 

“There’s an auction in a few days at midnight, under Alle House. They sometimes sell top-grade stones!”

 

“Wow! An auction! Can anyone enter?”

 

“N-No… not exactly.”

 

You needed your name on the list.

 

“If you tell me your name, I can put it on the list for you!”

 

“Would you?”

 

He bobbed his head frantically.

 

She handed him the gold coin.

 

He nearly crushed it with how tightly he grabbed it.

 

“A-And your name, miss?”

 

“Lillie.”

 

 

***

 

 

The night of the secret auction arrived.

 

‘I told the others I’d be working late at the company today…’

 

There was no way I could tell Norman or Winnie the truth.

 

They’d forbid me immediately.

 

The lie was unavoidable.

 

I pulled my hood low again.

 

“Name?”

 

“Lillie.”

 

The guard at the entrance of Alle House eyed me, checked the list.

 

“Basement, second floor.”

 

‘Yes.’

 

The employee who took my bribe must’ve added my name properly.

 

I passed with no issue.

 

I had expected a small, hidden event under a modest shop—but the hall was surprisingly large and lively.

 

Proof of how influential the Gortu Trading Company was.

 

I sat in an empty seat and looked toward basement level one.

 

“The imperial agents should be up there.”

 

Unlike level two, level one required additional screening.

 

My goal tonight: stop the imperial side from buying mana stones.

 

‘I brought plenty of money. I have a chance.’

 

I clutched the bidding paddle tightly.

 

Magic lights dimmed, illuminating the stage.

 

A large-bellied man with a mustache appeared.

 

“Thank you, honored guests, for visiting our auction despite the late hour. I am Gortu, the proprietor.”

 

He bowed.

 

“Without delay, let us begin our first item.”

 

An attendant rolled out a cart with a case.

 

“This necklace, said to be born of the Sea God’s jealousy, slept in the deep ocean.”

 

He lifted the case to display the amethyst-set necklace.

 

“Starting bid: ten gold.”

 

 

***

 

 

The first necklace sold, followed by pottery, ornaments, and more.

 

The hall grew more excited with each item.

 

Then Gortu cleared his throat.

 

“Ahem. Now… the true reason we gathered today.”

 

The lights abruptly went out.

 

Darkness filled the chamber.

 

“Behold.”

 

A single light shone on Gortu’s hands—

 

revealing a mana stone the size of a fist.

 

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

 

“A top-grade mana stone, purity seventy percent! Bidding begins now!”

 

Whispers exploded.

 

“Seventy percent? That’s nearly ultra-high purity!”

 

“I didn’t expect something that refined!”

 

Top-grade stones were already rare.

 

Seventy percent purity?

 

The Tower typically only offered about fifty.

 

“This stone was mined from our company’s very own mana stone vein.”

 

Gortu placed the stone in a box, laughing grandly.

 

‘Utter lies.’

 

If it were truly mined, it wouldn’t explode.

 

Someone was supplying him with synthetic stones.

 

But in the original story, the supplier was never revealed.

 

‘First thing: stop the imperial side from buying it.’

 

No matter what they bid, I had to win this.

 

I strengthened my grip on the paddle, staring daggers at the stone.

 

“Starting price: two hundred gold.”

 

I froze in place.

 

‘The opening bid is too high!’