MFWSP 82

Chapter 82

The auction house was quite crowded.

Aside from the mines, the Frey family had put a considerable amount of assets up for auction.

Because the previous barons had been antique enthusiasts, people showed a lot of interest.

The auctioneer presented various items in turn—jewels, swords, paintings, and old books—and families competed enthusiastically for them.

The mines came last.

Of the five mines in total, the first three were gemstone mines, so the bidding became even more heated.

“Emerald mine! Sold to the House of Count Gideon for 20 million gold!”

“Iron mine! Sold to the House of Viscount Viege for 15 million gold!”

“Silver mine! 10 million gold! Sold to the Valroa Merchant Group!”

While each property found its new owner, I remained seated without making a move.

“Are you truly not interested in any of this?”

David, who had come with me, whispered.

In his hand were several gemstone rings he had just won.

“There were some decent items in there.”

“I only have an eye for magic stones. My sense for gems is sadly lacking.”

I replied.

“Unlike you, who used to buy gifts for women every season.”

“Hey, I just like beautiful things, that’s all.”

“And that’s why the moment you buy jewels, you’re already planning which merchant group to distribute them through?”

I pointed to the small notebook in his hand.

A moment ago, I had seen that notebook from the corner of my eye. In it, David had meticulously recorded the price, value, and distribution plans for the jewels he had purchased.

“Well, once I sell the jewels, I’ll have even more beautiful gold in hand. I’m well-paid, but a little pocket money on the side never hurts, right? Everyone here is here for that—everyone but the duke.”

David smiled broadly as he spoke.

“Not everyone.”

I gestured toward the opposite side of the auction hall.

“They haven’t placed a single bid yet.”

Where I pointed sat Grace, Duke Servais, and a few of their attendants from the Servais family.

Each one had the look of someone calmly waiting for something.

“Hah, this is already entertaining. I can’t thank you enough for letting me witness this.”

David’s eyes gleamed as he muttered.

“Ray said to remember everything and report it without missing a single detail.”

“That’s not just for sightseeing. You’re here as the head butler, remember…”

“Alright, let’s move on to the next auction! Another mine is up next!”

My grumbling was drowned out by the auctioneer’s booming voice.

“A coal mine in Dalon Village! Purchased by the Frey family 60 years ago!”

From a distance, Grace and Duke Servais sat upright.

I, too, leaned forward just like them.

“Coal mine?”

“Ha, I used to run a coal mine about that size a long time ago. You couldn’t even cover the management costs.”

“I heard the yield’s already poor. I wonder if it even produces 100,000 gold worth a year.”

“This’ll be a no-sale for sure.”

Everyone except for Grace’s side and mine rolled their eyes with disinterest.

They remained seated out of courtesy, but for them, today’s auction was effectively over.

“Starting bid is 2 million gold!”

Laughter burst out across the room.

Unless it was being given away for practically nothing, no one intended to invest at that price.

“2 million gold from House of Duke Servais.”

Then, Grace’s clear voice rang out in the hall.

The audience widened their eyes in surprise and stared at her.

“Wh-What? Why would Servais…?”

“Oh, maybe she foresaw something?”

Grace wore a small smile as if enjoying all the murmurs.

The auctioneer, delighted, pointed to her.

“House of Duke Servais has bid 2 million gold! If no one else bids, it’s sold!”

Grace’s eyes sparkled with confidence.

Perhaps it was because she believed she saw potential no one else could.

“No one? Then to Duke Servais—”

Just as he was about to declare the sale, I suddenly raised my hand.

“2.2 million gold.”

“…Excuse me? Really?”

Both the auctioneer and the spectators stared at me in stunned silence.

“Ah, 2.2 million gold from House of Duke Apellemion.”

The auctioneer stuttered as if he couldn’t make sense of it.

Through the crowd of curious gazes, I saw Grace furrow her brows in displeasure.

“…2.5 million gold.”

“Oh! 2.5 million gold from House of Duke Servais!”

“3 million gold.”

“3 million gold from Duke Apellemion?!”

No sooner had Grace spoken than I raised my hand again. The auctioneer looked back and forth between us with wide eyes.

Grace wore an expression mixed with irritation and confusion at the unexpected turn.

She took a deep breath, then slowly raised her hand again.

“4 million gold.”

“4 million gold! Will Duke Apellemion go higher?”

I smiled gently and raised my hand.

“10 million gold.”

A collective gasp echoed throughout the auction house.

No one could understand what was going on.

To them, the mine was barely worth 1.5 million gold. Two duke families competing over it was unthinkable.

Grace stared at me with wide eyes.

Her blue eyes locked onto mine, trying to read my thoughts.

I smiled at her again.

In the original story—the first life—it wasn’t until much later that I took interest in the mine. So, it was natural that she couldn’t understand my actions.

But on the other hand, my behavior would surely give her confidence in the value of the Dalon mine.

Regardless of timing, it would affirm that buying the mine was the right choice.

To Grace, I was a benchmark for every important decision.

After a few seconds of silence, she seemed to make up her mind and raised her hand again.

“11 million!”

Grace shouted sharply.

“13 million.”

I countered immediately.

“15 million!”

“20 million.”

At my words, Grace froze in shock.

Looks like she’s nearing her budget limit.

“Um, Your Grace, what if you actually win and don’t have enough money? Should we buy it instead?”

David whispered.

“Not a chance. Grace would sell her entire duchy if that’s what it took to buy the mine. Since she brought the Empress into this, she has no choice now.”

As if to prove me right, Grace clenched her hands tightly.

Her expression was a mix of fury and determination.

At the same time, the certainty in her eyes seemed to grow stronger.

Just as I expected, my actions had given her confidence in her investment.

“…25 million.”

Grace said quietly after a short silence.

Even Duke Servais, who had seemed calm, flinched slightly.

Looks like they’re just about done.

“…25 million gold.”

The auctioneer murmured in a dreamlike voice.

“Then at 25 million gold—”

He assumed it was over and prepared to declare the sale. But I raised my hand once more.

“28 million.”

The auction house fell silent as if doused in cold water.

Everyone now stared only at Grace.

Grace’s blue eyes burned with rage as she glared at me.

At last, she opened her mouth.

“30 million.”

Her whole body was trembling. As if she couldn’t endure any more.

In other words, she had spent every last coin.

“I’ll withdraw.”

I declared with feigned regret, and the auctioneer banged his gavel and shouted:

“Dalon Mine! Sold to House of Duke Servais for 30 million gold!!”

Everyone who had been holding their breath finally exhaled.

The murmurs of people trying to understand what just happened spread through the hall.

Grace, with her arms crossed tightly, continued to glare at me.

A twisted smile lingered on her lips, as if she wanted to declare her victory.

After staring at me for a long moment, she abruptly rose and stormed out of the auction hall.

“Well, then. Today’s final listing… the Sen mine.”

The auctioneer tried to continue, but the members of House Servais, including Grace, left without looking back.

“The Sen mine currently produces almost nothing… but it might yield something, and it has some archaeological value…”

The auctioneer went on, but no one was listening anymore.

“Ugh, that’s it then. I’ve got to talk to Lady Grace.”

“Me too! I need to know what the so-called prophet of Servais saw in that coal mine!”

Unable to contain their curiosity, several nobles stood up and rushed after her.

Just as I expected.

It was fortunate, too.

Thanks to their absence, no one paid attention to the fact that I purchased the final listing—the Sen mine—for a mere 50,000 gold.