Chapter 30: Charlotte and the First Day of the Auction

The auction would be held over four days. Today was the first.

Since asking Trishel for protection, there hadn’t been any suspicious movements. At least, not from Trishel himself. The word was that the assassin squad would be arriving today.

Which meant, if anything were to happen, it would start today. Ugh, I hate this. I just want to live safely, peacefully, and with moderation!

"So why exactly do I have to come along?"

"Because we’re going to see the auction, of course."

Next to me stood a very displeased-looking Riven.

It wasn’t just that he was in a bad mood from waking up. No, it was because I had dragged him out just for the sake of going to the auction.

"Is that guy’s sword going to be there?"

Judging by his tone, he was already irritated. The only reason he was tagging along must have been because he had a purpose.

"Let’s see… that’s scheduled for the third day."

I opened the catalog I’d brought along to confirm. It was surprisingly heavy, but essential if you wanted to enjoy the auction.

After all, you’d want to know what was coming up, and of course get hyped for the main attractions.

"…I’m leaving."

"Wait, wait! Please don’t go!"

The moment he realized his target item wasn’t up for sale today, he immediately tried to leave. I hurried to stop him.

I knew this would happen!

"Come on, let’s just enjoy the auction. Look, see? Even on the first day there are plenty of—"

"Do you even understand our situation right now?"

He grabbed my wrist and glared at me.

…Scary.

I knew what he meant. He was saying this wasn’t the time to be so carefree.

An assassin squad might come after us at any moment. In that case, there was no room to be enjoying some auction.

But that was the wrong way of looking at it.

"…I do understand."

"Then—"

"But that’s exactly why."

I pushed the catalog against Riven’s face.

It might have looked reckless, but from experience I knew he wouldn’t actually get mad over something like this. He only snapped when you ignored what he was saying.

"Do you realize how tense you are right now?"

"…What did you just say?"

"I don’t know what exactly it is you’re so afraid of. But when you’re that wound up, even things that could go well won’t."

You need room to breathe. A plan that only works on the razor’s edge is no plan at all—it’s already broken.

And the same applies to people. If your mind is always running on the razor’s edge, you’re already broken.

You need to loosen up somewhere. That was something I learned back in my wandering days.

In the beginning, I trusted no one, kept my guard up at all times. I refused to let anyone in, convinced I had to survive alone. Everyone around me looked like one of the attackers who had destroyed my village.

The result was that my vision narrowed, and I cornered myself more and more.

What I learned was that if you don’t rest, you can’t even fight.

"The auction hall will be under the Alliance’s full protection. If any item were stolen, it would be a disaster."

"…That’s true."

"Which means, we’re about to go to the safest place in this entire city. So tell me, is there really any need to wear such a grim, desperate expression?"

Logic. When in doubt, rely on logic.

If it’s just emotion, he could brush it off. But with logic, he couldn’t.

Unless he had the strength to insist “Even so”… and from what I could see, he didn’t.

Being that anxious meant he was afraid of something. Being afraid meant there was something he couldn’t afford to lose. And that meant failure wasn’t an option.

Logic leaves no escape.

"But still—"

"But still what?"

"Urgh…"

I met his eyes head-on.

I understood. That anxious feeling that makes you think you have to do something, anything, and you just can’t sit still.

But that’s exactly when you make fatal mistakes.

He knew it in his head. But he couldn’t stop. Because if he did, the anxiety would crush him.

"You already know it yourself, don’t you?"

"……"

"Come on, let’s go. It’s fine. Nothing will happen for just a short while. I’ll guarantee it."

Riven looked away, staring down and to the side.

But I didn’t lower the hand I offered him. I knew he would take it.

I had decided—I would be his support this time. So I would do what I believed was right.

"…Fine. You’re right. I was letting myself panic too much."

He looked back and took my hand.

I breathed a sigh of relief inside. If he had insisted otherwise, I’d have been at a total loss.

All I could do was be there for him like this.

So I’d do what I could. If I did, then surely things wouldn’t turn out too badly.

That’s what I wanted to believe. Smiling, I pulled him along.

"Wow! This place is amazing. It’s almost as big as the Alliance’s own facilities!"

The auction hall was in the upper district of the city—the kind of place adventurers normally never set foot in.

The middle district was where the citizens lived. The upper district was where the administrative class resided.

So why was the auction held there?

Because most of the customers were from that administrative class.

And could the likes of us even enter such a place? Well, this catalog served as both admission and identification.

It was proof of invitation—and proof of trust by the Alliance. Someone careless enough to lose their catalog wouldn’t have been invited in the first place.

That was why the auction was held in the upper district. It also conveniently gathered capable adventurers into one place…

"Ah, and please don’t get into fights with anyone, okay?"

"I know. One look is enough—the people here are of higher standing."

"Exactly. Even a small quarrel could turn into a huge deal, so please keep that in mind."

I didn’t think he’d go around picking fights indiscriminately, but if something rubbed him the wrong way, he might. Best to warn him ahead of time.

Even if he did end up starting something, it’d still be better than not saying anything beforehand. At least then I could resign myself to it.

At the entrance to the hall, the guards blocked our way.

"I’m Charlotte. This is my escort, Riven."

I showed them the catalog and introduced Riven.

They checked our appearance and relaxed their guard.

"Lady Charlotte, yes. We’ve been informed. Please, your escort may pass as well."

We were let through without issue, stepping into the hall.

A luxurious corridor stretched out before us, glittering decorations everywhere. I couldn’t tell, but even the paintings on the walls had to be expensive.

"Hoh… not bad at all."

He’s just as I thought. No wonder he was raised well—he can tell the quality of things.

As for me, all I can think is “amazing.”

"The name I just heard was…"

"No, that’s just what I’ve heard…"

"Then she is…"

…Wait, are we attracting attention?

I get it, being first-time adventurers means people would notice us.

And as a pair—a beautiful girl and a handsome guy—it’s obvious we’d stand out.

But isn’t this a bit much?

Before I knew it, we were being kept at a distance.

The faces of the people surrounding us—none were familiar. In other words, they were all upper-district residents.

Why?

"…We’re drawing quite a bit of attention. Are adventurers really that rare and uncouth?"

"No, I don’t think so. Famous adventurers can even receive direct requests from them."

Right, adventurers are also useful go-betweens. Being connected to capable adventurers meant you could get dungeon materials that would otherwise be impossible to acquire, even if the Alliance handled the formalities.

This auction was also a place for the Alliance to connect the upper class with trustworthy, skilled adventurers.

The auction wasn’t just about the items. We adventurers were items too, in a sense, under their gaze.

I’d heard about this, but I didn’t expect it to be so blatant.

As I kept moving, trying not to let it get to me, suddenly a man blocked my path.

Judging by his attire, he wasn’t an adventurer. So, he was an upper-district resident.

"Ah, what a beautiful lady."

With an overconfident, showy smile, he greeted me.

…Even if I were a girl, I’d be creeped out. Being a guy, it’s even worse.

"Nice to meet you. I’m Charlotte, an adventurer."

Still, I had to maintain courtesy—he was upper-district, after all. Losing face here would put us at a disadvantage.

I carefully arranged my words and performed the proper bow I had learned.

Back in my Crimson Sword days, I’d also handled front desk duties. I knew how to behave.

"Oh! For a rough adventurer, that’s a surprisingly elegant bow. My judgment was right about you!"

He suddenly grabbed my hands with both of his. Wait, what!?

"Tell me, Charlotte. Will you be my concubine?"

"…Huh?"

…What? Did I hear that right?

Uh… I don’t think I understand this.

"I won’t let you live in want. A beautiful woman like you doesn’t need to risk her life as an adventurer."

"Wait, wait a minute!"

"I’ll allow any luxury within reason. It’s a problem if your beauty suffers. Money? Don’t worry about it—"

He rattled off his words so fast, I could barely keep up.

This wasn’t what I imagined! I thought he’d propose some adventurer-as-a-pet thing. I even prepared my refusal lines for that scenario. This… this was totally different!

Taking advantage of my silence, he tightened his grip on my hands and tried to pull me closer.

"Enough."

Riven’s left hand steadied me by resting on my shoulder, while his right hand grabbed the wrist of the man holding me.

"…Who are you?"

"Me? You look like you’re not even listening, but do I need to answer?"

"W-wait a minute!"

Biting back an upper-district resident was dangerous. It could affect future dealings, and it was still only the first day of the auction… Participating in later days could be jeopardized.

I tried to protest, but a hand gently covered my mouth, and a soft whisper told me to stay silent.

"Catching an adventurer and immediately asking her to be your concubine—that’s quite the lack of decency."

"A beautiful person like her shouldn’t be put in danger. As a gentleman, I can’t allow it."

" Gentleman? Ha, a lustful man like you a gentleman? Seems the culture in this town is… quite something."

"What did you say? Who do you think I am?"

Riven snorted, a mocking smile on his face, looking down at the man before him.

"I don’t really care. Even if I knew, my response wouldn’t change. Begone. You are not welcome here."

"…Ugh."

With just a bit of intimidation from Riven, the man stepped back a few paces, gasping. My hands were freed, and Riven released his grip.

I could feel the pressure even from standing next to him. It was the kind of intimidation an average person without resistance would feel as if they were being choked.

"F-for today, this will do. The auction’s about to start anyway. But I’ll remember your face…"

With that, the man spat out his words and ran down the corridor.

Finally, I was released from Riven’s arm.

"…Hey!"

"Quiet. I’m guessing you want to say it’s unwise to interfere. I get that much."

Then why did he even intervene?

Thanks to him, we also drew more attention… Ugh!

Anyway, your face has been remembered for sure! What now?

Why did he have to protect me like that?

I was briefly flustered, but I’d dealt with guys like that many times before. A bit of guidance and moving the location would solve it. There was no need to cause a scene here! Sure, I might be marked later, but…

I opened my mouth to comment, but Riven’s next words erased all that.

"A bow."

"…Huh?"

"I admit I wasn’t calm. That’s a bow to wake me up. So, I’ll accept a bit of disadvantage. It’s the only debt I can repay right now."

He said that and went ahead.

…Ugh, what the hell!

"W-wait!"

I hurried after Riven, not wanting to be left behind.