Chapter 39
A blackened room filled with countless people.
“Thank you all for attending today.”
Jerik’s voice echoed from the central podium, and polite applause rippled through the crowd.
“Before we introduce today’s main item, let me first present the prepared jewels.”
At his words, a display of gemstones appeared on the stage, each shimmering with a vivid brilliance.
“Starting the auction with the diamond on the left!”
The auction proceeded as usual, and as time passed, anticipation among the attendees grew.
Finally, the documents were brought to the podium.
“As you all know, there’s a prominent building in the capital these days.”
Since buildings occasionally appeared at auctions, people began to pay attention. When the name Razein was announced, a roar of applause erupted once more.
Some were suspicious, but everyone raised their paddles under Jerik’s prompting. A few, sensing the value might increase even further, glimmered with excitement in their eyes.
“The auction begins!”
Bids soared immediately. Amounts that might have taken decades to save were lifted without hesitation. Yet, because it was a building, the numbers were high, and gradually some lowered their paddles.
In the end, only one paddle remained.
“Number 39! Is there anyone else? Then number 39 wins!”
The final bidder rose triumphantly.
Ascending the podium, the winner received the documents and faced the audience. Normally, those present concealed their identities with masks, speaking as little as possible. But this bidder was different.
He pulled off his mask with a flourish and smiled.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
It was the Marquis of Linotein, the building’s former owner. Naturally, all eyes were drawn to him, though some considered it a mere side event and paid little attention. Applause followed from a few.
Others gradually joined, filling the room with clapping. Just then…
Clang.
A sudden sound cut through the crowd, and the ambient lighting dimmed instantly. The stage itself glowed more brightly in contrast.
Interesting.
From the shadows came the click of heels, and a commanding voice halted the applause.
A woman in a black dress and red heels, her face concealed by a black mask, stepped onto the stage. All eyes shifted to her.
“Is cheating your hobby?”
She walked from the darkened corners into the spotlight. The expressions of the Marquis and Jerik, who had been eyeing her as if she were insane, shifted completely.
No matter the mask, they would recognise a familiar voice and posture.
“Hello.”
Beryan, the rightful owner of Razein, smiled faintly at their distorted faces.
Earlier, in the carriage, Az had explained:
“Several carriages set out after receiving the letter, but one didn’t even receive it and still entered the auction.”
“Where?”
“The Marquis of Linotein’s residence. Apparently, he had dealings with Jerik before. Likely, as the former owner, he wanted to ensure Razein’s return. Whatever the final bid, he would buy it.”
“Though wealthy, he’s not the only one. Other rich buyers will attend too.”
“That doesn’t matter. Jerik is hosting the auction. As long as the two cooperate, no one needs to spend a penny. The auction is probably just for show—to convince people the transaction was legitimate. A young, inexperienced lady had previously handled the club poorly, so the property reverted. He recovered it, showing his face and seal if necessary.”
“All eyes will be on us. Can we still leave?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Even though she had hidden behind the stage, she thought:
Isn’t this a bit much?
Jerik had the audacity to cut off the lights outside the stage. Even she was surprised.
“…What?”
Jerik stammered, flustered.
“Where are the guards?”
The Marquis also looked stunned.
Stepping forward, Beryan snatched the documents from the Marquis.
“Who gave you the right to transfer ownership?”
Reading the papers in her hand confirmed it—the same documents that had been forced upon her before.
“This is ridiculous. I raised this trade company with my own hands. Even if it was sold, would I ever put it in an auction where it might end up in anyone’s hands?”
“Beryan…”
The piercing glares from Jerik and the Marquis no longer fazed her.
“Wow—how much did the bid go for?”
Jerik, pressing the paper tightly as if startled, scoffed, finally regaining composure.
“Trying to tear it up? Do you think I only made one copy? Even if you do, I have backups elsewhere. I could execute the transfer immediately. Foolish.”
He muttered, glancing down at her as if he’d already won.
“Is that so?”
Beryan’s gaze shifted to the now-darkened audience.
“But these documents won’t get you anything.”
“What do you mean…”
Jerik muttered, flustered.
“All rights written on this paper are no longer mine.”
A murmur ran through the audience.
“What?”
She recalled a recent conversation with the Duke:
“I have a request, Your Grace.”
“Anything.”
“Could you take custody of Razein’s ownership? If possible, all other associated rights too.”
“…What?”
“I trust my father, but I also feel uneasy. I won’t sign the papers myself, but until this is finalised, I ask that you hold them.”
“My lady, that’s not a request to make lightly.”
“I don’t make decisions lightly. But I trust you, so I ask.”
“None of the rights belong to you?”
The message spread through those Az had planted in the audience.
Masked auctions are vulnerable.
Beryan smiled and laughed aloud.
“Fools. How could you put this up for auction without checking the actual ownership, Jerik? The seal below has no effect.”
The voices from the crowd grew louder.
“You frauds.”
Beryan looked at Jerik and the Marquis in turn, a bright smile crossing her face.
Impossible.
Impossible, impossible, impossible!
How did she get here?
They had planned for the possibility of her escaping a sealed room but never imagined she could reach the auction in person. The event was secret, and the location barely visible. Even finding it would take days.
His hands trembled, but he could not show it.
“Impossible.”
Leaving the frozen Marquis behind, Jerik approached Beryan.
“We didn’t know. And the transfer she mentions hasn’t even been recognised by the administration yet, right?”
She had heard the news reaching the authorities.
“Even if the contract was signed, the papers would still be meaningless, but we didn’t know. So it’s not fraud.”
The tense auction buzzed with whispers.
Jerik leaned close to Beryan, whispering:
“Don’t try shaking me with such a weak move.”
She stared at him, expressionless. Her red lips, so seemingly mismatched, made his hand twitch.
“Do you think this is all it takes?”
She revealed a pendant-like item from her neck. As she handled it, the expression he had barely maintained crumbled.
“This is over. The business was tempting, but it’s a shame to give it up.”
“Do you know forcibly executing contracts is illegal?”
“…All these knights are mine. Even if reported, only worthless commoner knights would come. A few coins and they’d be quiet.”
A clear recording of his voice played.
… When did she make that?
The sound emanated from the pendant in her hand, reaching the audience. When it cut off, she merely smiled, as if anticipating everything.
How could this be? A recording? She’d never seen such a pendant before. Her mind collapsed in an instant. Everything she had built was distorted in a single moment.
“Intimidation of nobles, fraud, coercion to sign documents… Jerik Fade, I will sue you.”
