Chapter 41: Charlotte in Unease

The third day of the auction had arrived. This was the day of the decisive bidding war.

I’d asked Trishel to set something up just before we parted yesterday—would she pull it off? With her ability to gather information, I figured she’d manage just fine.

"So, is everything ready?"

"Yeah, no problem. Yesterday, I already met with Reynard and the people he brought."

Apparently, they’d been holding that meeting right after Trishel and I had left. While we were plotting on our side, they were doing the same over here. Judging from Riven’s face, he seemed fairly confident about it. Well, that was reassuring.

"Heh, then let’s see just how good you really are."

"...Why is she even here?"

"Huh?"

"She’s Reynard’s ally. Why is she walking around with us?"

Unlike the first two days, today Trishel was with us from the start. Even on the way to the auction hall, the three of us were walking side by side like this.

"Oh, come on, that’s cruel! I didn’t even sign up on Reynard’s side this time—I wasn’t interested. So I’m free to go in with whoever I want."

"As a bodyguard, you can enter without prior registration. She’ll be going in under my pass."

"But she could’ve gone in with them, too."

Well, I got where Riven was coming from. Those two basically didn’t get along, so of course he didn’t want her around. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about keeping her by my side all the time either. But just for today, it worked out better if she was here.

No need to explain all the details. I wanted him focused on the auction, anyway.

"Let’s not get bogged down in the little things. I promise I won’t get in the way."

"...Was this your idea?"

"Huh?"

His eyes turned to me. Suspicious eyes. Guess that showed how seriously he was taking this auction.

"Ah, well… yeah, sort of. We talked a bit yesterday, and I asked her to do some things for today’s auction."

In the end, I’d come up with a plan and asked Trishel if she could handle it. She said yes without hesitation, so I left the execution to her. How it would actually play out, I had no clue. Hopefully it wouldn’t clash in some weird way with Riven’s own scheme.

"...Fine. That’s acceptable."

"You’re okay with this?"

"Yeah. I just…"

He looked like he was about to say something else after that, but no words followed.

A brief silence. Unable to stand it, I forced a new topic.

"By the way, Riven, how much can you actually bid today?"

"If I forgo my operating funds, about four hundred."

"Four—what?!"

I was at a loss for words. That was on a completely different level. We weren’t talking silver coins—he meant gold. I’d spent years scraping together fifty, and he could drop eight times that. So this was the power of royalty.

Then I felt eyes on me. When I turned, Trishel was looking eager to say something. Might as well hear her out.

"I-I’ve got money too, Charlotte-chan!"

"...Borrowing from you sounds terrifying, so I’ll pass."

"Rude!"

Of course. Borrowing money from acquaintances was a bad idea. If it were really okay, I’d have bought my citizenship long ago. But because of the fallout that would’ve caused, I earned the full amount myself.

Just as we were about to reach the auction hall, someone suddenly stepped into my path. Riven moved to block me from sight.

"Step aside, filthy foreigner."

"I refuse."

That voice…! That damn idiot! I hadn’t looked properly last time, but he’d actually been lying in wait? Riven must’ve noticed and stepped in for me.

"If you’ve got something to say, then spit it out. Or is that pompous mouth of yours just decoration? Want me to make you a new one?"

"Why you—!"

"Oh, so you can talk after all. How about trying to say something meaningful next?"

Wow. He was laying it on thick. Was he enjoying this because he’d had some pent-up frustration? Or because this guy had openly declared war?

Unsure where to look, my eyes drifted until they met Trishel’s. She gave me a complicated expression… then winked. …Wait. Was this part of the plan too? But if so, why did she know Riven’s strategy?

"So? Unlike you, we actually have things to do. If you’d keep it brief, that’d be helpful."

"You dare speak to me like that—!"

"Hard of hearing? If one time isn’t enough for you to get it, I’ll gladly repeat myself."

I couldn’t even see his face, but I knew it was bright red. The fact that he was at a loss for words just proved how much of an idiot he was.

"Let’s stop there~. Poor guy’s pathetic enough already."

Trishel?! Her voice practically laughing?! She stepped out from beside me to stand next to Riven and joined in the taunting. Why was she piling on too?!

"Hmph, fine. If you’ve got nothing more to say, we’re leaving."

"Yeah, yeah, let’s go~. He’s not worth our time."

The two of them started walking off. Wait, I had to follow them, right? No way was I being left alone with that moron. And besides, you two can’t even get into the hall without me! Hold it right there!

I hurried after them, trailing as they passed by the fool. As I glanced at him, I saw his face blazing red, jaw clenched so tight it screamed humiliation.

And then, we passed. I kept an eye on things behind us while following the other two. Would he just let this go?

"Wait!"

A voice rang out like a crack of thunder.

We stopped in our tracks and turned back. I caught a glimpse of Riven, smiling faintly.

"You’ve got something you’re planning to win at today’s auction, don’t you?"

"...Yeah, I do."

"Heh. Then too bad. I’ll be the one who wins it."

Ah. He seemed to have regained a bit of composure. Looked almost relieved, like he finally got to say what was on his mind.

"Oh? Is that a declaration of war?"

"I might even let you have it—if you give up on that girl."

His eyes shifted in my direction.

...Me!? In this context!?

From behind came a derisive snort.

"That’s all you’ve got to say? Hardly worth responding to."

"You degenerate, keeping such an innocent young girl caged! I’ll put you in your place!"

Do I really look that young!? Sure, I’m short, but still! That’s just plain rude, mister—seriously, wow.

"My place, huh. And what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Hmph. It’s simple. That girl you’ve coerced into staying with you—I’ll see her freed. Count on it!"

...Wow. What a leap in logic. When did I become some kind of hostage? Our very first meeting? Mmm, no, I wouldn’t exactly call that coercion.

So this is the real thing, huh. Even knowing what to expect from dealing with Trishel, it still hit differently in person. Honestly? I’d prefer he just disappeared. Immediately.

But no one cared what I thought. To them, I was just some trophy sitting on display.

"Go ahead and try—if you can."

"Better start planning how you’ll crawl away after your loss!"

With that proclamation, the idiot stormed off.

What the hell was that about.

Once his figure disappeared from view, I heard muffled laughter, like someone trying not to burst out. Looking over, both Riven and Trishel were visibly struggling to contain their amusement.

"To think he’d go that far. I’d heard about it, but still—beyond what I imagined."

"Ahh, that was hilarious. Hey, Charlotte-chan, just wait till the trap is sprung—it’s going to be so much fun!"

"Uh… y-yeah. Sure."

That guy’s downfall was already guaranteed, but honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it as much as they did. All I wanted was to never have to cross paths with him again. That was my only wish. People like him? If I didn’t absolutely have to deal with them, I wouldn’t.

If necessary, sure, I could string him along. But it was exhausting.

"Hey. Since we’ve got the time, tell me about that little scheme you two cooked up."

"An exchange of information, huh? Fine, I’ll help you out this time."

"...Just don’t start fighting each other, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it~."

The two of them happily discussed the details of the trap they’d set. I just watched their backs and let out a sigh.

Honestly, that idiot was already half out of mind. Between Trishel’s information and the plan I asked her to execute, his ruin was inevitable. My worries lay elsewhere.

Doubts had begun creeping in as the auction drew closer.

Every item here had a seller, naturally. Which meant the keepsake sword Riven sought also had a seller.

But who? Could it be the one who killed his friend? For a foreign blade, belonging to someone who must have fallen in a faraway land, to end up here—it didn’t add up.

Riven had surely searched for it before. Yet until now, it had remained out of reach. Someone must have kept it hidden. So why reveal it now, of all times?

The timing was too perfect. Everything about it felt deliberate, orchestrated.

Could it be that we were already caught in a web?

...At this point, with the day upon us, all we could do was play it as it came.

My fingers traced the magic tool ring I’d prepared. It wasn’t exactly reliable, but the thought that I might need to depend on it filled me with unease.

The square before the auction hall bustled with people, unchanged and lively as ever.