Chapter~20
Seventh: Obtaining an Item from the Black Market
“The black market?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve been buying monster eggs and hatchlings distributed through illegal channels.”
Monster eggs…
Something came to mind.
The monster attack incident at next year’s Imperial Hunting Competition.
“Are they trying to raise monsters? We don’t know what they plan to do with them—we need to stop this.”
“Exactly. We’ve been trying to crack down on it lately… but a dragon egg has made its way into one of the illegal auctions there. They’ll likely target it, so we need to infiltrate and capture them.”
He took out a mask from a drawer and handed it to me.
Judging by the mana emanating from it, it seemed specially enchanted.
“We’ll go in with a small team—just the two of us. Once we secure a lead, we’ll move in immediately.”
“Understood.”
Just in case, I should inform Mephisto.
I nodded.
“To avoid suspicion, it would be best to define our relationship. Since we’re a man and a woman… should we pose as lovers?”
“…Lovers—ugh, yes… that would be best.”
He nodded, his face turning red.
“Th-this is all just an act! Don’t misunderstand! We’re superior and subordinate!”
“Yes. I won’t misunderstand.”
“…Right.”
He slumped his shoulders as if drained.
What’s with him all of a sudden?
* * *
—It seems the influx of high-grade monster eggs has been increasing lately. As expected.
“Yeah. What about the conflict with the Mage Tower? Going well?”
—It appears they’ve decided to take advantage of the increased monster circulation from our business. We’ve secured the necessary permits.
He sighed as he continued:
—They’re mixing high-grade monster eggs meant for the black market among low-grade ones.
“That’s troublesome. Our business is…”
—Artificially raising monsters to ensure a stable supply of monster materials, right?
“If the Young Duke starts moving, inspections will tighten. Getting eggs at all will become difficult. How stable are things now?”
—Low-aggression monsters like slimes are already stable. We’ve also signed a distribution contract with the Mage Tower, so this won’t disrupt us. In fact, supply shortages may help us establish our position more easily.
“I see.”
Then I can move freely.
I need fame anyway.
A knight who destroys a black market full of illegal auctions.
Perfect title, isn’t it?
“Then pull all your people out in advance. We’re raiding in a week.”
—Understood. Our revenue stream will shrink a bit…
“Don’t be like that, partner. You’re earning more than before thanks to me, right?”
—That is true. Hmm… you said infiltration?
After a brief pause, Mephisto added:
—I’ll assign you a guide. Better than relying solely on that unreliable Young Duke.
“Unreliable…?”
—Am I wrong? He can’t even read people properly.
“Haha…”
I laughed awkwardly.
Well, help is help.
* * *
Two weeks later.
In a back alley somewhere in the city, the Duke and I stood wearing masks, talking quietly.
“You said you secured a collaborator?”
“Yes. Someone very familiar with the black market.”
—or so Mephisto said.
He’s reliable, so it should be fine.
As we waited, someone approached us and spoke.
“Are you Mr. Phil and Mr. Ed?”
At the familiar voice, I froze.
“Uh…”
That voice…
“I’m Peles. I’ve come to escort you as planned.”
It was Mephisto.
What?
I quickly turned around—and saw that familiar gray hair.
He raised a finger to his lips as if telling me to stay quiet.
“Please follow me silently.”
A double meaning.
Not just physically—but also to keep his identity secret.
“Is this the man?”
“Yes… yes, that’s right.”
I didn’t expect him to come personally.
We nodded and followed him without a word.
After winding through dark alleys, he stopped in front of a building and casually asked:
“You two look well-matched. Are you perhaps married?”
“Cough—no, that’s—”
“We’re not married. We’re lovers.”
I cut Pierre off, hoping he’d calm down a bit.
Ever since that misunderstanding was cleared up, he kept hesitating whenever topics like lovers or marriage came up.
It made it look like he was conscious of our relationship.
Though in reality, it was probably just because of his embarrassing past.
“I see.”
Unfazed, Mephisto opened a shabby-looking door.
Inside was a passage leading somewhere.
“This way. Follow me.”
After walking for a while, the surroundings gradually brightened, revealing the interior of a luxurious building.
“Stolen goods handled here! Generous prices offered!”
“The auction will begin shortly. Those participating—”
“It’s noisy.”
“Indeed.”
The place was filled with people hiding their faces or wearing hoods.
Some looked like nobles in fine clothing, others like commoners in worn outfits.
“The monster byproduct auction is this way.”
“Do we have enough money, Phil?”
“…More than enough. I’ll buy you anything you want, Ed.”
Our plan was simple.
Over the past two weeks, Pierre had intensified inspections related to monsters.
Especially eggs and hatchlings—importing them had practically become impossible.
That meant everything currently in the capital had entered before the crackdown.
So, any black magicians seeking high-grade monsters would fixate on the incoming dragon egg.
After all, no one knew how long the crackdown would last.
“Didn’t you say a dragon egg would appear?”
“Yes. It’s the first time one has appeared in this auction house. It’s an extremely rare item.”
Mephisto smiled faintly.
“You may look forward to it.”
After some time, the host stepped onto the stage.
“Welcome to the monster auction! Today we have special materials prepared—particularly dragon-related items! Rare dragon goods will be the highlight!”
“A dragon egg, huh? They say it shines like a gem. Is that true?”
“No idea. Let’s take a look.”
The word dragon clearly stirred excitement among the crowd.
People murmured about wanting to buy one if possible.
Just to be sure, I asked Pierre again:
“Phil. No one can outbid you, right?”
“What a foolish question.”
He scoffed confidently.
“No matter who it is—I’ll outbid them.”
As expected of the heir to a wealthy ducal family.
“Let us begin!”
And so, the auction started.
“This item is a wyvern claw! Starting at 80 silver!”
“1 gold!”
“3 gold!”
“5 gold!”
“5 gold! Any higher?!”
One gold was roughly equivalent to a million won.
One silver about ten thousand, one copper about a thousand.
Watching a single claw go for millions made me feel a bit sick.
As the auction progressed, rarer items appeared—starting in the tens of millions.
“Whoa…”
“Impressive, isn’t it? The profits from this auction are enormous.”
“Yeah… this is insane… Are these auctions held often?”
“They are. Though items as rare and expensive as dragon materials are uncommon. Most illegal goods and stolen items are sold here.”
Mephisto smirked slightly.
“Sometimes, items whose true value isn’t recognized end up here. A necklace I cherish was one such case—I got it cheaply thanks to that.”
Ah—he means the Saint’s Heart.
A simple gemstone necklace and a holy relic are entirely different in value.
Getting a relic cheaply? That’s a huge win.
I could almost imagine his eyes smiling beneath the half-mask.
“I’m jealous.”
“You should keep a close eye on the items too, Miss Ed.”
So he wants me to spot hidden valuables.
But would something like that appear so easily?
Even in the game, rare items only appeared randomly—and very rarely—in shops or auctions.
Just as I thought that—
“Next item! A bracelet discovered in a dragon’s lair! Isn’t it beautiful?”
“…Huh?”
There it was.
A rare item.
