CH 80.1

A fire that has burned once doesn’t disappear so easily.

Until the day of the auction, I was hoping that the rumors would somehow subside. But in the end, the mayhem over the 『Reverse Face (Facial Transformation) 』 never subsided. It might have been because Sytry poured more oil on the Ojou-sama’s fire. Rumor has it that her father, Gladys-kyo, has been forced to raise a lot more funds. Even if usually she appears a bit more grown up, she is after all just a child. Her control over her emotions is still weak.

Every year there are always rumors about some of the highlights before the auction but this year, one of the hottest topics is the 『Reverse Face (Facial Transformation) 』in the Imperial Capital. As rumors got so inflated, it seems that some Hunters will definitely get on board and the situation got extremely confusing unlike what I estimated. Even if I go to the Lounge, every topic is about it.

It seems that only Eva and the supposed main culprit, me, are tired of this. When I was lazying around in the Clan Master room, Sytry who is full of fighting spirit, put a trunk case one size larger than the one she showed before in front of me.

Her light pink eyes were silently burning. It isn’t something full of energy like Liz, but it is a quiet battle spirit that doesn’t lose against Liz’s burning spirit.

“Including the marriage funds, we gathered about nine hundred and ten million Gils. We will definitely secure the product. Tino-chan has also contributed a little bit.”

Didn’t I said that it wasn’t necessary to gather more… You even went and told them a fake upper limit and even double check everything… There is an immature funny laugh coming out of you.

I feel like as if I had fallen into a bottomless swamp. Now that I have come so far, I have no choice but to bring the reason why I want the 『Reverse Face (Facial Transformation) 』 with me in my grave.

Eva who was running around and killing herself to calm the situation for the last few days, says in a tiring voice.

“Cry-san, you have now started to approach the eleventh digit.”

“…… I know.”

The only one who won in this story will probably be Arnold, the one who brought the Relic here. The auction fee should increase in proportion to the price sold but no matter who wins the bid, compare to the initial amount he expected, an enormous amount of money should end up in his pocket.

The coin was tossed. The path where I pull out is no longer existant but even if I do retreat, it is not like the fire will subside. I can’t see the end game at all. This is… No matter how it ends, I can’t see any benefit for me at all.

“… What do you think about it?”

“Honestly, even coming until this point, we are in a disadvantageous position. If you take into account Count Gladys’ House and they ask for a loan, then there should be an unlimited number of companies ready to agree. It will depend on how much Gladys-kyo is willing to listen to Éclair-jou’s 『Request』. But Gladys-kyo also has some extreme tendency so…”

Ever since the turmoil related to the auction began, Eva’s look doesn’t look good. Authority, assets and finally power. For a genuine noble, who possess all three of them, it will be difficult for us, ordinary people, to face them from the front when they are serious. It was something I knew.

This is why I went to persuade her. And I quickly made a few mistakes though.

The intelligent Sytry may have the same opinion. She made a small nod and look at me over my shoulder.

“You are right. If I wanted to be fully prepared, I would have also liked to negotiate with some companies and borrow some money but…”

“It is not necessary.”

“But…”

“Unnecessary.”

She is an excellent Alchemist who never fails to study, so the potion she produces are more effective than those made by other Alchemists or Herbalists, she can produce a huge wealth. If she tries to find a company willing to offer her a loan, then she will find many. However, with this timing, the others side will also understand the meaning behind her loan request. I said it after she sold her spare equipment and stockpiled potions but if she makes a loan now, it may adversely affect Sytry’s future activities. I can’t let that happen.

Sytry slightly puff her cheeks although she shows a dissatisfied behavior, when I start to laugh, she gives up and smiles.

“… I understand. If Cry-san says that, then it surely won’t be necessary. I don’t know what your intention is but… There is a possibility that Onee-chan will bring back highly valuable Relics.”

“Aaah… Un, un, you are right.”

I nod but it is unlikely that Liz will bring back a valuable Relic. During this period of time, Shrines near the Imperial Capital is Hunters main focus. Even if a Relic appears, it will be immediately taken. In the first place, a Relic is not something that appears so often. Liz is strong but there is a limit to speed running Shrines that can be soloed.

No matter what the results will be, this time I have bothered everyone. Sytry and Liz, Eva and Tino… And also, Martis-san. And because I, their Clan Master, is at the center of this mayhem, there may have some Clan Members who has been trouble by it.

This auction isn’t a war. It is a festival. It was supposed to be something more fun.

This put me through so many hard times. I will never ask a loan to buy a Relic from anyone anymore.

I massage my eyebrows and loosen my facial muscle. Right, enjoy the auction. This is not a war. It isn’t like I will die if I don’t have that Relic. It isn’t my problem if the Ojou-sama get disappoint by it.

“After coming until here, we can only leave it up to luck. Shall we celebrate again after the Auction ends?”

“It will be wonderful. At that time, let’s also call Éclair-Jou.”

Sytry says with a big smile. Apparently, she seems fully on board to win this. If you think carefully about it, isn’t this Ark’s fault? Since everything went wrong because he brought the Ojou-sama here

Ok, let’s have Ark invite us at the celebration. I didn’t show it on the outside, but I carved this in me. One day before the auction starts… And finally, the fight begins.

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Thanks for reading! Haha Cry you are going to make Ark pay while he doesn’t even know why you have a grudge against him XD Finally, the auction will start soon! Let the war begin! Tchao à plus