SILHN Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Originally, Cronen’s goal must have been the sword I’d allegedly submitted to the exhibition under false pretenses.

But the moment he saw the “holy relic” we actually entered, he jumped straight into the bidding.

Well, it was the sword that had gone missing, after all…

It might have been someone’s scheme to target the princess, and though it was already a done deal, the public still didn’t know that the fake relic had been destroyed in the temple fire.

In other words, if they wanted to hold the dedication ceremony smoothly, they had to secure a relic again—somehow.

However, a priest couldn’t just openly go around buying a sacred artifact, nor would he have known where to find one. So when something like that suddenly appeared at auction, he had no choice but to bid on it, even if it was humiliating.

As Cronen declared he’d join the bidding—his face twisted with irritation and resentment—I couldn’t help but smirk.

“I’ll send someone to retrieve it right away. Since I’m the one who bid on it, don’t you dare hand it to anyone else!”

“Y-Yes, of course, sir! Then, let’s move on to the next item!”

When Cronen whispered to his aide, the man hurried off—no doubt to fetch the money.

The auctioneer cleared his throat dramatically.

“A tense moment indeed! Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is the true highlight of tonight’s event! Many of you came here specifically for this piece.”

Nabira disappeared backstage at his cue and soon reappeared, carrying a long wooden box in her arms.

It was slim and elongated—perfect for holding a sword or a staff. The sight of it alone sent a wave of excitement through the audience.

“Oooh!”
“No way…”
“Can it be?”

“Our auction house,” the host continued, “does not question the past of an item! We simply pass it on to those who can recognize its current value!”

Ha. What a fancy way to say “don’t ask where the stolen goods came from.”

Nabira set the wooden box beside the auctioneer, then disappeared backstage again—this time returning with an iron cart. Its metal wheels screeched loudly against the floor as she pushed it out. The “cart” was more like a cage on wheels.

And inside that cage—

Kiiiiiiik!

—a living beast stirred.

It looked like a giant vampire bat: glowing red eyes, slick black wings that gleamed like oiled leather. It hissed and flung itself against the bars, saliva flying. Anyone could tell it was dangerous.

Yet, instead of recoiling, the audience’s eyes glittered with anticipation.

“A top-grade item we’ve just obtained! A holy sword that slays monsters! Shall we call it the Sword of Divinity? Ha-ha! Surely this must be a day blessed by the gods—first a relic, and now a sacred blade! I’m trembling from the thought of such divine providence!”

Instead of divine providence, they’d just been blessed with me showing up…

(—So shameless, Contractor! How dare they covet me, your precious and only sword! (｡•́︿•̀｡))

‘Yeah, yeah, I know.’

“Now then, allow me to demonstrate the sword’s power! Fear not—if you wield this blade, you need never fear a monster again! Some exaggerated rumors claimed it shortens the wielder’s lifespan, but according to our appraisal, there’s no curse whatsoever!”

Of course not—it’s a fake.

That thing was a forged replica, using magic stones borrowed from the Castrain family to make it glow.

In truth, not many people had actually seen the real Emoji Sword in person at the imperial palace.

When the incident happened, I’d been the one using it—swinging it as it shone so brightly that everyone remembered only the light, not the sword’s appearance.

As rumors spread, the legend of “the sword that radiates light” only grew.

And since the real sword didn’t look much different from other famous blades, they could easily make a fake one with a similar shape and slap in a glowing magic stone (courtesy of the Castrain family).

The auctioneer opened the wooden box. A faintly glowing sword gleamed under the lights.

“Ohhh, there it is!”
“The fabled blade that slays monsters!”
“A treasure of the imperial family!”
“They say the sword talks to people?”
“Pfft, wasn’t that just what the young princess claimed?”
“Exactly—she probably made that up, afraid someone would steal it!”
“I heard those unchosen by it get punished if they touch it…”

Wow. Those rumors really got out of hand. I clicked my tongue.

(Hmph! What’s so impressive about that? （´＿｀） Humans must have sawdust for eyes! How can they look at that dull, flimsy fake and think it’s me!)

‘Don’t be jealous of the replica.’

(It’s NOT jealousy! (⊙︿⊙) I’m merely lamenting the ignorance of mortals who fail to recognize my magnificence! But… fine. I’ll forgive you for making such a poor imitation, since it means you didn’t want to be without me!)

‘Yeeah… thanks so much…’

(Why do you sound so lifeless, Contractor?!)

While I was bickering mentally with my sword, Nabira unlocked the cage with a key. Clack. The latch opened, and the beast growled lowly.

The auctioneer then lifted the fake sword from the box. Even when he gripped it with gloved hands, nothing happened. Murmurs spread through the crowd—

“It’s fake.”
“There’s no reaction.”
“That ‘chooses its wielder’ story was nonsense.”
“The princess must’ve lied.”

My ears itched from all the gossip.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen! Feast your eyes upon…!”

Just as Nabira raised the sword high for everyone to see, the crowd’s attention focused on its tip. People held their breath, waiting for light to burst forth—for the beast to be turned to ash.

But then—

Rumble.

A tremor.

Rrrr-rumble.

Not just a tremor—the ground was shaking.

Flux, who’d been quietly observing, shot to his feet, his face twisting in alarm. Debbie silently rose too, eyes scanning the air. Licianthus gripped his sword, his expression sharp as a blade.

(Contractor! Monster presence detected! It’s real this time!)

The Emoji Sword’s voice was urgent.

(Below us! At least twenty of them!)

“What—what’s happening?”
“What is that?”
“Are we in danger?”
“Host! Explain this at once!”

The auctioneer stammered.

“Ah… ahem… D-Dear guests, please, there’s no need to panic! I’m sure it’s nothing serious, we’ll assess the situ—”

He didn’t finish.

The stage collapsed.

Or rather, something burst up through it—and bit the auctioneer.

“AAAAAHHHH! HELP ME!”

“KYAAAAAAA!”
“What IS that?!”

Thankfully, Nabira wasn’t caught like the auctioneer. The moment she sensed danger, she had yanked open the cage, released the “monster” that was just a trained bat, clutched the fake sword to her chest, and bolted—at a terrifying speed. She’d be fine.

I turned to assess the chaos.

It was carnage.

Monsters poured up through the shattered floor in a frenzy. Their forms varied—

Birds with grotesquely oversized beaks, rats with tusks like elephants, snakes with clawed scales—all screeching as they hunted down prey.

Since this auction house had been built in secret to begin with, there were no proper escape routes. People panicked, trampling over each other, and the beasts tore through the crowd.

Debbie, Flux, and I stood back-to-back, guarding each other as we took stock. Licianthus was at the perimeter, sword flashing as he shielded us.

The monsters weren’t attacking us—yet. They were too busy chasing the fleeing guests. But that wouldn’t last long.