Chapter 78: Suspiciously Wealthy (4)

Chapter 78: Suspiciously Wealthy (4)

“Hey.”

Carla, cluelessly, put a grape in my mouth.

I was a bit flustered, but no one seemed to care about her doing so.

They were just shocked by the 100,000 gold I had bid, their mouths agape.

The host, recovering first, asked in an incredulous tone,

“100,000 gold... are you serious?”

“If you sum up all five, it’s 100,000.”

As I confidently reiterated, the entire auction hall burst into an uproar.

“That’s impossible! How much has he spent, and now this? Another 100,000 gold?!”

“Wait, did he say total? So, it’s 20,000 gold for each! Who on earth is he representing...”

“I thought he wasn’t interested since he wasn’t looking at the slaves. Maybe he’s just very selective. Now he even buys a male... Is it all about good taste? Hmm, such peculiar tastes.”N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

“Excuse me, last guy, it’s not like that!”

While caressing Carla, who sat on my lap, I tried to convey that I didn’t have such tastes.

However, Elisha seemed to appear betrayed for some reason.

No, no. That wasn’t the message here!

Avoiding Elisha’s gaze, the host, after calming the crowd, continued,

“Ahem. Sir? I don’t doubt you, but, well... 100,000 gold is a substantial amount. Our auction house rules...”

“I’m aware. I can pay in cash or something equivalent in value, right?”

“Exactly. Could you, perhaps, show me a little proof of your sincerity?”

In other words, he wanted proof that I could afford it.

Well... 100,000 gold was an amount even a duke or an earl would struggle to gather.

There weren’t many who could handle that amount, and I wasn’t one of them, so it was natural to be skeptical.

Though it was an unnecessary concern.

I chuckled and pulled out a pouch from my inventory filled with platinum coins.

Clink.

Each coin was worth 100 gold, the highest currency denomination.

Though called platinum coins, they were far more valuable, made from a precious alchemical alloy.

They were made with rare minerals and the skill of high-level alchemists, which made counterfeiting virtually impossible.

I levitated the heavy pouch, which contained 1,000 of these coins, towards the host.

“Oh, we could have sent someone to collect it. Thanks for the consideration... Wait?!”

The host froze as he opened the pouch, and the dazzling glow of the platinum coins met his eyes.

Nervously, he checked the authenticity of the coins.

If he couldn’t recognize such hard-to-counterfeit coins, he wouldn’t have lasted long as an auctioneer here.

Soon, with a trembling voice, the host announced,

“100,000 gold... confirmed. Any other bidders?”

“...”

It was unlikely.

With everyone staring at the slaves, dazed and disappointed, the host nodded and began to speak.

“So, all the slaves from the Silvan Magic Tower will be sold together for 100,000 gold...”

“Wait!”

Someone urgently raised their hand, stopping the host.

I turned to see a familiar face.

Even looking at the manager of the Gef Auction House, there was nothing odd about his behavior at H&A.

But why did I recall Carla’s words before she arrived?

About the possibility of the Boiling Silence Church being behind the fall of the Sylvan Magic Tower. They surely would have visited the auction house to ensure their affairs went smoothly.

Why would he ask such a question—not when I was with Carla, but when the door was half-open and several servants were present?

The Levantine Empire’s royal family and even the Alliance of the Holy Cults had spies.

Could it be possible that the Boiling Silence Church had ties with Gef Auction House, the best on the continent?

Even if the manager wasn’t a cultist, could he possibly have connections with the cult?

Could I really be sure there was no issue in the game?

In a brief moment, a sense of danger close to instinct rang alarm bells in my ears.

Of course, all of this could have been a misunderstanding.

...But it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

Without showing any emotions, I lifted the corner of my lips as naturally as possible.

“Hmm... It’s a business secret, but considering the future, it wouldn’t be bad if the Gef Auction House knew about it.”

“Oh my...! I was so curious, I thought I’d lose sleep for days... Thank you!”

After dodging some plausible-sounding words, I racked my brain to find a credible reason.

Then, I asked,

“Do you know that the child of a slave is also considered a slave, right?”

“Of course. Unless granted clemency for some special reason, their descendants will also be slaves.”

“So, the offspring of the elves here would also be slaves.”

“......!”

Only then did the manager’s eyes widen as if he had realized something.

“Elves have a long lifespan. However, their gestation period isn’t much different from humans, and their growth rate is similar. ...If luck’s on our side, we might even get a High Elf.”

Looking at Elisha and Iris, he seemed to appreciate them, nodding his head as if in admiration.

“...You’re thinking of establishing a farm, aren’t you?”

“Something like that.”

Good. That must have sounded utterly absurd, right?

It was a lie that would be uncovered in a few years anyway, but if the Boiling Silence was involved, those few years would be very useful.

I shrugged and asked the manager,

“How about it? Are you satisfied with the answer?”

“Of course. I presume you’ll ask for various conveniences when you do business through us.”

“We’re on the same page.”

“We, as a group, will do anything if there’s money involved. It’s only right to do whatever it is. But...”

“But?”

“There have been a few who’ve had the same idea.”

“.......”

What? There were actual attempts at an elf farm?

That was insane. A fantasy take on slavery.

“Previous attempts all failed, but considering your starting scale, you might succeed.”

The manager bowed politely once more.

“I look forward to our next meeting.”

It was an incredibly unsettling farewell.

“Yandel! How... How could you do this to me? You shouldn’t... You shouldn’t do this to me!”

Oops. I made Elisha cry!