🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 20
“No, there are plenty of seats around, so why there of all places…?”
Alter sat down leaving one seat between us. But since he was so big, it was almost like sitting side by side.
Wait, so that Carlos guy must have thought Alter was with me and got scared?
“What a sneaky bastard.”
Still, why would he be scared when I’m fully covered, only my eyes visible?
Could my profile look scary, too?
Just as I was about to check, Alter suddenly turned his head sharply just before our eyes met.
“Clearly, you have problems with both your sight and hearing. I told you to look ahead.”
Geez, he came and sat down, then acts like that.
I thought about sending him away with some snarky “Are you embarrassed when I look at you?” but unfortunately, the auction started before I could say anything.
“Good evening. I am Frederick, the auctioneer in charge of tonight’s night auction.”
The first category was jewelry.
I quickly pulled out my opera glasses and focused on a distant display case.
Rubies mined a hundred years ago, diamonds cherished by some princess of a kingdom, and even blessed sapphires imbued with holy power.
Just looking at them felt like a study session.
“I have another goal, but I can’t miss this opportunity.”
I diligently took notes on the features, stories, and prices of the auction items, all while keeping an eye on Carlos.
The last item in the jewelry category was the aquamarine I had consigned.
“This aquamarine was purchased by a collector at an auction in the eastern continent and is said to have adorned the famous Captain’s compass. It comes with all certificates and appraisals, and the saturation and condition are both top-notch for this teardrop-cut aquamarine. Starting bid is one million gold. We now accept bids.”
Auction paddles popped up instantly as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
The crowd’s bidding felt like a quiet applause that sent thrilling chills down my spine.
The busy auctioneer struck his gavel three times with a sharp rap.
“Closing at 3.8 million gold. Sold to customer number 27.”
“Wow…!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
The price was much higher than expected.
After fees, I’d get just over 3.4 million gold, but that was still a huge profit.
Grandpa bought that aquamarine for 900,000 gold.
“So, it was from a pawnshop’s stock.”
“Yes!”
“Is it really that satisfying to sell something for a high price?”
“Of course, the good price is nice, but it also means many people are eager to buy our shop’s items. It feels like our good eye is being recognized. I guess that’s why people do auctions.”
Whether Alter sneered or not, I smiled widely and whispered.
He looked at me for a moment, then abruptly turned his head away again.
At that moment when our eyes met, I felt a slight unease.
“I thought it was just because it’s dark earlier, but his eyes are still gray? Maybe it’s the shadow of the mask?”
But the ongoing auction gave me no time to think deeply.
Jewelry, historical relics, commemorative coins, tea cups and bowls—the auction proceeded busily.
The tea cup set I had consigned was sold for 700,000 gold. Although I had lent 100,000 gold as a pawn loan that wasn’t repaid, it became pawnshop property. Even factoring in overdue interest, the profit margin was good and I felt proud.
“Now only ‘The Forest of Colonia’ is left.”
Categories were being crossed off one by one.
This round’s category was weapons, followed by paintings, and then the problematic old books and documents Carlos had brought.
Waiting for the paintings’ turn, I glanced at Alter.
Until now he had been leaning against the chair back with arms crossed, but this time it was different. It was clear that weapons were his interest.
“You were looking for a pearl-inlaid sword, right? Is that that important?”
But there were no swords on today’s list.
Shields and axes sold one by one, the ominous veins on the sleeves of the rolled-up arms appeared and disappeared as if ready to smash them.
“Not yet?”
Then he bluntly asked.
Normally I would have told him to add a subject and object to his sentence, but I understand well what it feels like when your hopes are dashed.
So I just answered straightforwardly.
“Swords that have newly arrived haven’t come yet.”
“Yeah. I never thought it would be easy to find one.”
His unemotional voice revealed a hint of feeling.
“Why do you answer such questions, but avoid easy ones like why you came here?”
I regretted my choice from five seconds ago.
I had momentarily forgotten that this guy was a question-murderer.
The only good thing was I knew how to stop his questioning.
“Well, why do you think so—?”
“…Enough. And look ahead.”
I suppressed the uneasy feeling in my stomach, winked at him, and he turned his head again sharply.
His straightforward reactions were strangely amusing, so I smiled a little and looked forward.
Soon it was the turn for “The Forest of Colonia.”
“This painting is a private collection and was painted 25 years ago by an unknown artist who is now deceased. It depicts a forest in the northwest region. It is an oil painting using common pigments and there is a small crack about the size of a word in the lower left corner.”
Silence was the rule, but the listeners murmured.
“Lett? Who’s Lett?”
“A pine forest painting like that is too common, isn’t it?”
“Not even expensive pigments, plus it has a crack? Who’d buy that? It’s obviously going to be unsold.”
Clearing his throat, the auctioneer quieted the crowd briefly, perhaps wary of collusion rules.
Calming the audience, the auctioneer opened an envelope.
It contained the starting bid set by the seller.
The auctioneer visibly flinched after checking the contents.
“Uh…”
How much is it? 1 gold? 10 gold? People held back giggles.
The auctioneer swallowed and spoke.
“‘The Forest of Colonia’ starts at 100 million gold. Bids are open.”
“What—?!”
After the starting price was announced, only one person laughed in the auction hall — me.
“Is it a famous artist’s work under a pseudonym?”
“No, but even 100 million is ridiculous.”
“It’s a private collection, right? Could it have been brought from the royal palace’s storage?”
“Does that make sense? Seeing the crack, it must have been poorly kept. No way it’s from the palace’s storage.”
There was only one conclusion.
“Who would buy that for that much?”
Everyone was noisy, but I stayed quiet, feeling Alter glance at me.
“No bids? Counting down to close. One, two, three.”
Bang, bang, bang.
The gavel struck three times.
“‘The Forest of Colonia’ remains unsold. Unsold items will appear again in the next night auction.”
“Geez. If it’s expensive, people think there’s a hidden story and someone will buy it right away. Whoever thinks that is a fool.”
I heard Carlos’s mocking voice.
But I wasn’t angry at his sneer at all.
“That’s fine.”
It meant the painting left a strong impression on people.
Not just Carlos, but everyone would surely talk about this unsold painting.
I smiled secretly.
“This is my trap.”
How long before Hugo and Rosanne hear about “The Forest of Colonia”? A day? Half a day?
As I calculated, Alter’s voice suddenly reached me.
“That forest painting — is that the consigned item you submitted?”
I didn’t have to tell the truth.
He was likely a criminal, and if he found out the connection between me and the painting, who knew where he might spread it.
But I was curious. Why did he think so?
“Why? Do you think I’m an inexperienced rookie who submitted that painting?”
“An inexperienced rookie?”
Alter chuckled as if that was funny and shook his head.
“No. At least not that.”
“So you know a lot about paintings?”
“I know about the mechanics. An inexperienced rookie wouldn’t stage such a big event.”
“……”
“To me, 100 million gold is just a step. A step to gain something even bigger. It reminds me of someone’s method.”
His indifferent voice was surprisingly accurate, and I was a bit surprised.
‘Someone’s method,’ huh? Who could that be?
No, more importantly, he looks pretty smart. So why use that smart brain for self-human-trafficking proposals and other bad stuff?
While I was thinking, Alter suddenly looked at me sharply.
“So, you’re saying you have nothing to do with that painting?”
His question was half-accusatory, half certain.
