Chapter: 196
“Oh no, this is bad.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one with that thought.
The Sloppy one checked the opponent’s face while maintaining a calm expression and spoke up.
“Countess Artea is one of the wealthiest on the continent. It will be very difficult to win against them in this competition.”
His opinion matched mine exactly.
The moment that woman decided to go for the stone tablet, winning the auction would be impossible for me.
This is a place for money versus money, with no other tricks involved.
If I had known Isabel would show up, I would have prepared another plan, but considering I didn’t even know Lucy was banned from entry, I had no other options.
“For now, let’s keep going. But please don’t get your hopes up.”
Having said that, the Sloppy one held up the sign, but the opponent was relentless.
As the price soared, I could feel Isabel’s determination.
That woman is definitely serious about getting the stone tablet.
“Three hundred! Three hundred gold!”
The auction price climbed sharply until it hit my savings in an instant.
Didn’t I expect it to go this high?
In the auction house, there was a bustling sound, the host’s face was full of joy, but silence enveloped our private room.
I could see everyone glancing at me.
Ah. Damn. Everything is going wrong.
What should I do?
There is a way to quickly scrape together some money.
I could transfer several valuable items in my inventory to the Sloppy one and use that cash.
I’ve got a lot of items saved up from the Georg family and other places, so I could pull in quite a bit.
But would that really change anything?
It would just force Isabel to spend more, and ultimately, that item would end up in her hands anyway.
I remembered an event from the game where Isabel put down one thousand gold at once to buy what she desired.
Sighing, I shook my head in silence.
Then the Sloppy one lowered the sign.
“Three hundred! Three hundred! Three hundred! Sold!”
Let’s think positively.
The fact that Isabel has the stone tablet means it will be stored in her warehouse. It won’t go elsewhere.
That’s much better than it going missing.
Moreover, Isabel is a somewhat devout follower.
Her methods may be very different from ordinary fans, but it’s clear she believes in Lord Jushin.
So later, whether I take Phoebe with me, use Grandpa as collateral, or in the worst case, reveal my identity…
This isn’t a good idea. It’s going to get weird.
[You’ve been unlucky.]
‘Yeah, I guess so.’
I went through all this trouble to dress in Gothic Lolita only to lose the item right in front of me!
It feels like I did this just to please that Perverted God and that Sloppy Fox!
How unfair!
So unfair!
The only fortunate thing is that the stone tablet came out relatively early.
If the items I wanted came out before the stone tablet, I would have had to give them all up in tears. And I would have lamented losing the stone tablet too.
Thinking about that situation, this isn’t all that bad right now.
I should still be able to collect the items I originally wanted.
“The auction is heating up! The next item is the Bracelet of Recreation!”
They say when one’s stress builds up, it’s best to spend money freely.
Let’s try a bit of overspending.
“I’ll start at one gold!”
I’m going to spend all the money I have today.
*
Fueled by the heat of the moment, I carelessly tossed money around, but I failed to use all of it.
Most of the items I aimed for focused more on practicality than luxury, so their prices didn’t go up much.
Although I managed to buy most of the items I targeted, I ended up using only half of the money I was holding.
After the auction ended, I didn’t immediately head outside.
Right now, I’m not embodying Lucy.
I can’t use one of Lucy’s powers, Crowd Parting.
I need to navigate through people and draw their eyes to myself, but it’s better to leave slowly after most of them have cleared out.
“I’ve received the items. Young Lady.”
After receiving the items I bought in this auction, I lingered for quite a while before finally stepping out of the private room when the outside quieted down.
There were still several people in the auction house, but it wasn’t enough to block my path.
Alright. Now I just need to hurry home, throw off this shabby Gothic outfit, and change back into my regular clothes.
“Hey, wait a moment.”
Once I confirmed the gaze of the man approaching me, I pulled down my hat to cover my face.
He seemed polite, but the emotions in his eyes were clear.
What’s the reason for this nobleman I don’t even know to approach me with such greed?
What else could it be?
It’s obvious.
“Greetings. I’m Young Master Rumuli.”
As soon as the man tried to approach me, Possell and Erin blocked my path, and at the same moment, the Sloppy one stepped forward to confront the man.
“Who are you?”
“I’m someone who serves Lady Sartus. Our Young Lady seems to be a bit shy, so if you speak to me, I can relay the message.”
The Sloppy one defended himself with a posture so polite it was impossible to find any fault, but that approach only works under the assumption that the other party is sane.
“Step aside. I want to talk directly.”
“Still…”
“Don’t you understand? This isn’t a request. I’m ordering you as the heir to House Rumuli.”
If the opponent is a complete idiot, that response would be useless.
Ah, it’s already frustrating enough that things aren’t going well, and now this idiot is here to annoy me.
“You’re thinking slowly, as expected of a lowly being. Think about it. This is a chance to turn your life around at an unnamed, lower noble house. Though your family might be lowly, your face might just allow you to become a concubine.”
My thought process was short.
He’s making such a fuss asking me to vent out my frustration. I should grant him his wish.
As I stepped forward, Possell and Erin tried to stop me, but I ignored them.
What’s the big deal? The auction is already over. What can he do? Chase me off?
Reaching the Sloppy one’s side, I looked up at the man.
Giving a light smile made the man burst into laughter.
“Haha. Look, even the Young Lady wants to talk to me…”
However, that laughter didn’t last long. As he continued speaking, I kicked between his legs.
The man’s face, once filled with happiness, turned blue, and his body toppled backward.
I couldn’t strike very hard since I’m not in good condition, but he sure is being melodramatic.
“Brother?!”
As soon as the man fell to the floor, a woman came running from behind, accompanied by several attendants.
Her face was familiar to me.
Avery.
She’s the second in command of the Young Ladies’ group Joy belongs to and hates me but is caught in my grip and can’t do anything.
In a sense, a far more villainous Young Lady than Joy.
Her family is Rumuli, huh?!
The moment I recognized her, I felt the heat in my head cool down.
What are the odds of getting tangled with someone I know from the Academy?
The reason I’m maintaining my composure now is that I believe today’s events will end with today.
But if the fact that I’m running around in Gothic attire spreads elsewhere and doesn’t end today…
No way.
That would be really humiliating.
“How dare you! How bold are you to attack our brother, the one who will inherit the Rumuli family! What confidence do you have?!”
Did you forget that Pervert jerk was the one who approached me first? You’re only thinking of your own interests, huh?
Those words rose to my throat, but I forced them down.
The moment I say anything, my identity will be exposed.
[This is why you shouldn’t let emotions sweep you away to act. Learn this day as a lesson.]
‘Grandpa, is now really the time for that?!’
[What does it matter? No matter what happens, it will only result in being kicked out of the auction house.]
But then my identity would be revealed!
You really have no sensitivity whatsoever!
[What can be done? What has already happened has happened. The best you can do is to clean it up before the attention gathers.]
I suppose that makes sense.
Yeah. Let’s think positively.
Anyway, Avery has no choice but to follow my orders, right?
Even if she discovers my identity, I just have to cover her mouth, and there won’t be any problem.
“Why are you keeping silent like a mute? Answer me!”
Noticing Avery raising her voice, I lifted one hand to slightly pull back my hat, revealing my red hair to her.
Then, I used the voice I had been hiding.
“Shoddy Young Lady♡”
I spoke quietly so only Avery could hear, and her hand stopped dead.
The prideful and firm light in her eyes just moments before now spiraled aimlessly in the void.
“…Lady Allen?”
“Could you kindly remove your filthy hands?♡ It’s nauseating to be this close to someone like you, I feel like throwing up♡”
Avery didn’t deny or doubt it.
The moment she heard my voice, she confirmed my identity and hastily pulled her hand back and gathered her hands in front of her.
“I’m sorry!…”
“Don’t tell me you think that pig-like voice of yours is pretty?♡ Shut up♡”
“… Yes.”
I grabbed Avery by the collar, leaned closer, and whispered in her ear.
“Listen carefully. Today, nothing happened. Even a brain-dead goldfish Young Lady can understand this degree, yes?♡”
We didn’t meet at the auction today.
Your brother was just taken down by a mysterious Young Lady who stepped forward, relying on his power.
Because I said so, didn’t I? Avery nodded vigorously instead of answering.
Good. She seems to have understood.
As soon as I released her collar and stepped back behind the Sloppy one, Avery started to scatter people.
The attendants didn’t understand this command, but they didn’t disobey Avery’s orders either.
Thus, we were able to exit the auction house, leaving behind the man bubbling on the floor.
I heard later that, unfortunately, Young Master Rumuli’s sexual function is still intact.
I was kind of hoping to break at least one or two.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t hit hard due to my poor condition.
*
Days after the incident at the auction, which had me kicking my blanket several times at night, a letter arrived from the Ducal Lord Partlan family to our family.
There were two letters.
One was an invitation from the head of the Partlan family.
And the other was a letter from Joy to me.
[Lady Allen. How about coming over a few days earlier to spend time together? I want to introduce you to the Partlan territory.]
My reply was already decided.
How could I refuse when my favorite character wants to play with me?
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