I was taken aback as I witnessed the aggressive bidding of these aristocrats, who were willing to pay twice as much as the item's going rate in order to appease their egos and avoid looking inferior to others.
"...."
And after noticing that, I'm not sure if I would be able to make a winning bid on the item I needed.
I figured I'd have more than enough for that magic stone with what I had on me.
As, thanks to the award that I recently received of around 10 million CB for aiding in the suppression of a demon cultist and the income I derive from my social media accounts, I wasn't as poor as I had been.
I currently have more than 25 million CB in my bank account, to sum it all up.
When I learned that Aegis had posted pictures of me on social media without getting my consent, I called her to yell at her and demand that she delete all the social media accounts she had made in my name.
But after she sent me a mail with the amount I was earning from them, I made the decision to overlook her actions.
"...."
Well, who doesn't like getting free money? As Aegis is the one who manages my accounts, and I don't have to do anything while she regularly sends me money with no effort on my part.
"When did making money become so easy?" I muttered as I thought about how just a few days prior, I was filthy broke, but now, in a matter of days, I have a few million in my bank.
"...."
However, I have no idea how much money I will need to spend on this magical stone.
All I want is to avoid going broke once more.
[—Now, let's bring in our next item...]
While I was thinking, the auctioneer revealed the next item.
[—Despite being a little rusted now, this dagger belonged to one of the former SS-Rank heroes and is still a part of his legacy.
The starting bid is 500,000 CB with a 50,000 increment.]
"Who would pay that much money for a rusted, useless dagger?" Irethiel said while giggling.
But to our surprise, some idiot nobles just seem to want to flaunt their wealth.
!?
[—2.5 million CB. Is there a higher bid? For 2.5 million CB, the rusted dagger was sold to a guest from Room Number #7.]
"...."
We were rendered speechless after witnessing the price at which that useless dagger was purchased...
"Perhaps their only motivation is a hobby-related desire to amass memorabilia from past heroes," Silvia remarked as she continued to browse the catalog she had been concentrating on.
"Yes, I do believe you are correct because if you are wealthy enough, you can achieve any desire you set for yourself," I said, smiling faintly at Silvia.
...
And over the course of the following hour, many different items came and went as everyone aggressively bid for them.
Also Silvia herself even purchased a few items for extremely high prices.
"What item are you planning to place a bid on for Ares?" Silvia asked with interest.
"I'm going to make a bid on the black onyx magic stone," I replied casually.
!?
"Eh, Ares. What purpose does that onyx stone serve? Because there are other even better materials than that onyx stone for crafting a weapon.
If you wanted to make a sword you could use other more durable materials to do so," Silvia asserted.
"I need that stone for something else, not to make a sword.
And rather than the stone itself, I am just more interested in the properties of that stone," I answered.
"Hmm, What are its properties?" Silvia enquired.
However, the item I had been waiting for has finally arrived before I could respond to her.
[—Our next auction item is the Black onyx magic stone.]
And as the item was revealed by the auctioneer.
I squinted as I noticed the beautiful, gleaming black magic stone which was the size of an adult's palm.
And, as everyone observed the stone, the chatter could be heard all the way around the Auction house as many Noble seem to be interested in it as well.
[—After much effort, we were able to obtain this enigmatic stone of unknown origin, though it is small in size but it'd exquisite and endowed with many beneficial healing qualities.] The auctioneer made a statement.
"...What healing qualities does that stone possess? Why didn't he explain about it more clearly," Silvia complained in a dissatisfied tone.
"...."
Although he was not to blame for that since not everyone at the time was aware of all of its benefits.
Furthermore, if they had known about all of its properties, they would have labeled that item as priceless.
I was pondering when I felt Silvia's curious gaze on me, and as I turned to face her, she spoke.
"Would you mind telling me more about that stone, Ares? I'm curious what piques your interest in it," Silvia inquired, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"...."
"...The Black onyx magic stone/crystal is a potent protective magic stone that, by absorbing and transforming negative energies, aids in preventing personal energy drain.
Especially in stressful situations, apprehension, or sorrow, it helps in the development of stamina and endurance on the physical and mental levels," I gave a brief explanation to Silvia before pausing as its bidding was about to start.
"...."
When Silvia heard my explanation, she was rendered speechless.
"...Are you serious?" Irethiel asked doubtfully.
[—The starting bid for this item is 1 million CB, with an increment of 100,000 CB. Now let's start the bidding.] The auctioneer made an announcement.
...
[—Number #37 with 1.1 million CB! Oh, Number #3! 1.2 million CB!]
As soon as the auctioneer announced the beginning of the bidding, many nobles began to bid aggressively, and the price skyrocketed at an alarming rate.
[—Number #1, with 2.3 million CB.]
..
Beep!—
I made a bid by pressing my finger on the tiny crystal ball that was resting on my seat's armrest.
[─Ah! Our noble guest from Room Number #2, enters his bid with 2.4 million CB!] And my bid was acknowledged by the auctioneer as we were seated in room number 2.
[─Number 1, with 2.5 million CB!]
The person from Room Number 1, who had previously bid 2.3 million, countered my bid.
But I didn't think twice before tapping the crystal ball and immediately raised a bid, but the person from room number 1 did the same.
Beep!—
[─Number #2, with 2.6 million CB!]
Beep!—
[─Number #1, with 2.7 million CB!]
...
...
...
We waged a protracted bidding war against each other during which no other bidders were able to take part, and they appeared to have given up as its price was raised far above its estimated price.
[—Number #1, with 14 million CB! The increment had now been raised to 1 million CB!] The auctioneer exclaimed amusedly.
[—Would anyone else like to make a higher offer than 14 million CB?] Asked the auctioneer.
Beep!—
[—Number #2, with 15 million CB!]
Our bidding war continued as neither of us was willing to back down.
***