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Chapter 31
“Th-this is it! The jewels I specially prepared!”
Before the auction even began, Xavier—who had already swapped out several jewels—lined them up on the table and grinned.
Just as Aria had expected, he was in the empty waiting room, obsessed with stuffing his own pockets.
Xavier had gathered a handful of easy marks… no, nobles with whom he’d long had connections, and was busily inflating the value of the jewels before them.
Though in truth, every single one of them was a fake that Aria had switched out in advance.
“Oho, this one is quite to my liking!”
“Really, dear. Just look at this shine!”
Unaware of the petty scheme, the nobles couldn’t take their eyes off the table and kept exclaiming in admiration.
‘See?’
Sell them like this instead of through an auction, and they go completely mad for it.
On top of that, by slapping on the label of “rare items you can’t even get at auction,” the faces of the luxury-blinded nobles were flushed with excitement.
Just a little more like this and—
“I’ll take this ruby necklace.”
“Then I’ll choose this necklace. Ha… I quite like that ring too, though…”
They really were handing over their money all on their own.
Xavier held back the urge to openly mock these foolish people before him and continued speaking.
“An excellent choice! If you look closely, the craftsmanship is also quite exceptional…”
Selling goods to customers was actually very simple. First, figure out what the other person wants. Then explain enthusiastically in a way that matches it.
Do that, and not only will they open their wallets themselves, they’ll also stimulate the people around them.
The anxiety-inducing thought that if they hesitate even a little, what they’re looking at might disappear.
“I want to buy it too. I’d like this one.”
“Oh my, I picked that first, sir!”
The sight of them rushing to claim things was almost ridiculous.
He’d gathered only people like that in the first place, so it was only natural—but seeing it in action was still absurd.
“Please wait just a moment. I’ll wrap all the items you wish to purchase beautifully for you.”
While others were inefficiently running the auction, Xavier was grinning as he made a killing here and filled his pockets.
The accessories were sold out in the blink of an eye. And his purse, now bulging beyond envy.
It couldn’t have been a better day.
As Xavier retied the ribbon around the boxes of accessories, the nobles handed over their money one after another.
They’d been buying high-quality jewels from him for several years already, so this level of trust was only natural.
The fact that they themselves were targets to be slowly bled dry like parasites—
They didn’t realize it, not even in this moment.
“Here you are, sir.”
Even as they received the boxes, they still didn’t notice.
“Thank you as always. To be able to see such fine pieces.”
Marquis Odilon smiled brightly as he accepted the box. What he’d bought today wasn’t for his wife, but a gift for a woman he’d met in the pleasure district.
Having heard that there were items he wanted among the auction goods, he’d come here personally, and now he was grinning to himself as he imagined his lover’s delighted face.
“Honestly, I prefer what you bring more than the auction. Pretty, flashy, and with perfectly balanced quality.”
“You flatter me too much, my lord.”
“Is there a next time planned? If so, it might be nice if you gave me a discreet heads-up.”
The marquis stroked his chin as he gently broached the topic.
Xavier, hiding a vile smile behind a mask, replied with the smile of a pleasant man.
“Not yet. If it’s too frequent, it tends to leave a trail.”
“True, holding another one right away would be difficult.”
“My apologies.”
“No, no. We’re just paying money and buying things. You’re the one doing all the hard work.”
“You’re too kind.”
Xavier bowed deeply. At that moment, another noblewoman beside them made a tempting suggestion.
“If I were to pay a deposit in advance, could I reserve the next items that come in?”
“Madam, reserve them?!”
A noble who heard the secret proposal jumped up in protest, angered by the idea that she might monopolize everything.
To prevent things from getting overheated, Xavier skillfully calmed them down.
“Once the next items are selected, I will send the list to everyone present here.”
“Is that truly so?!”
At his words, the nobles beamed.
Xavier nodded with a broad smile. Of course, even in this moment, he didn’t forget to rack his brain over how to make even more money.
‘If only I can rise to the rank of count.’
Then he wouldn’t have to sneak around selling things like a criminal—he could trade openly, at ease.
If he rebuilt the merchant group, he could bring in more imported goods and gradually fatten his profits with them.
Once he properly secured a title, the nobles would naturally trust him more.
He’d be able to attend more parties, connect with even wealthier nobles. Just thinking that far made him feel as though his heart was already brimming with abundance.
If he kept sweeping up money like this, the other nobles wouldn’t be able to look down on him anymore. The finger-pointing about his nearly fallen house would disappear. He’d reclaim the honor of being a proper count’s family, a true noble.
‘That fool—I’ll sell it off at a high price.’
Muttering that he would sell anything that could be turned into money, Xavier smacked his lips.
After roughly finishing selling off all the goods, he gathered every last bulging money pouch and bowed deeply.
“If you wait just a little while, I will promptly compile the list and send it to you.”
“I’ll be waiting!”
One noble raised his voice, sounding extremely eager. Xavier, looking deeply honored, bowed several times in return.
Taking hold of the door handle to open it himself, he said:
“Then, please return safely.”
The moment he opened the door—
“…!”
“Kya….”
Large knights stood there in full armor, swords drawn. On their armor was engraved a golden lion and two swords crossed neatly.
“Kyaaaah!”
The Imperial Knights.
To raid the place where Xavier was, two conditions were necessary.
First, no one must learn of our movements.
Second, we needed the Imperial Knights.
Of these, the latter was naturally secured first.
With Lady Odilon’s help, they were already waiting outside the theater.
At the signal, they were ready to storm in at any time.
That left the other condition.
We simply had to make sure that no one saw us heading toward the waiting room where Xavier was.
And this—
“Please come this way, madam!”
—was solved thanks to the theater layout we’d reviewed in advance.
“Be careful. The secret passages are all dark and winding.”
“…You should be the careful one, young lady. Your hand is injured, after all.”
Despite saying that, Lady Odilon followed me without complaint.
In truth, I could have moved alone, but—
—Then I’ll go with you. My uncle and my husband might be there too.
—……
—I’ve always wanted to see the look on their faces when they get caught red-handed.
…She followed me while citing a rather dopamine-filled reason like that.
