Volume 9 Chapter 21 How To Crush An Auction
As we entered, Demons were busily carrying wooden boxes.
"Customers, over here!"
"Ah."
We followed the guide, moving as instructed.
It was a large room with many chairs lined up. Other Demons were seated, waiting with intense focus, staring straight ahead.
At the front of the room, there was a stage, and a cheerful-looking Demon walked up to it.
He stroked the Rune-inscribed area around his throat. But it wasn't an attack; it was more like preparation. He held a memo-like note in his hand.
"Well, what's today's merchandise? Wow, there's a lot today... You're really pushing it, Auctioneer. Geez..."
He muttered something, sounding like an employee.
More Demons emerged from behind us, taking their seats one by one. Then, numbered tags started circulating. The 3 of us exchanged glances, sensing something.
"Is this an auction?"
"Maybe... It sounds like a procurement deal, but maybe that's what it is..."
Ice looked around, familiar with the scene. I just made an educated guess from Ice's tone, but it seemed nostalgic.
"Auction...? Wild grass...? What are you 2 talking about? That's something that grows on its own, and you don't need to buy it, right? So silly~♡."
Rollo, on the other hand, didn't understand anything.
"Ah, it's starting..."
As I looked forward at Ice's voice, the auctioneer-like Demon's throat glowed with Rune light.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome, everyone! Now, let's begin today's auction!"
The Rune sorcery seemed to be amplifying the sound, and despite the large room, the voice carried well.
I mean, is this an auction or not? I thought auctions were for personal sales, but this seems like a procurement facility...
"This might be an auction for antique dealers... It's a procurement, but there are more unique items, so..."
"Ah, I see. Then it's not a mistake."
The auctioneer raised his voice, as if to confirm my understanding.
"Let's start with this item! This item is――――."
The auction began, and the atmosphere around us grew more heated. The items up for bidding were varied, including antiques, artifacts, rare magic beasts, and demon sl*ves.
"You're still making that pitiful face, but you won't get a high price for it... You're still a beginner when it comes to sl*ves, huh～."
Rollo was teasing the sl*ve, taking a dominant stance.
In the midst of this, I crossed my arms and asked Ice in a low voice.
"What do we do, Ice?"
"Hmm... what should we do...?"
The 2 of us exchanged whispers. Since our initial plan wasn't working out, we needed to rethink our approach.
Originally, our plan was to negotiate with the shopkeeper, threaten them, and make them deal exclusively with Clay's shop.
But now, it seemed unlikely that we could even meet with the shopkeeper. We needed to come up with a new plan or find a way to get in touch with them....
"Hmm..."
I was lost in thought, wondering what to do.
For example, if we caused a commotion here, what would happen?
These demons would die, but they would revive at their own bases. News of my actions would spread, and it was possible that it would even reach the Demon King's army. It was a pointless risk.
The shopkeeper wouldn't show up either. If the auction was disrupted, the customers would die and revive. This plan was a no-go, and I quickly dismissed it.
What I realized was that, since our opponents were demons, simply causing a ruckus wouldn't accomplish anything.
Demons didn't have physical deaths. Unless we could bind them without killing them or force them to submit mentally, we couldn't do anything to them.
In that sense, the only ones I could deal with were a limited number of people, unless the situation was extremely favorable.
I could use gravity magic to take them down all at once, but if they remembered it, it would ultimately be the same.
As I was thinking this, Ice spoke up.
"I've been thinking of a plan, but Wade-kun, how...?"
"Oh, I'm counting on you. Tell me."
"Y-yes... um, well...?"
Ice started talking, looking a bit flustered.
"First, let's freeze this entire auction and take the merchants hostage, right? If we freeze them without killing them, they'll still be useful as hostages, and then we can make the auctioneer come out and negotiate, or something."
I was thinking the same thing, using gravity magic to immobilize everyone and make them surrender.
As I thought that, Ice added more to the plan.
"With this method, the frozen merchants won't remember anything... and..."
"...Whoa."
I let out a sigh of amazement. That's right, if we do it that way, it'll work out. You're amazing, Ice.
I had similar simulations running in my head, but I guess Ice can pull it off.
Just as I was thinking that, Rollo peeked in on us and smiled slyly.
"Hey, you want to meet the auctioneer? I've got a great idea too!"
"Really? Tell me about it."
"Hehe~. Why don't master put Rollo up for sale as a sl*ve? Then we can make a deal with the buyer and get connected to the auctioneer. What do you think? It's a great plan, right?"
"Rollo, you're making me want to cry."
How many times does someone have to be a sl*ve to come up with a plan like that? It's like they've given up on their dignity.
"My brother Renril said it~, but I guess it's true that I've been broken and are just going with the flow~. It's like I'm destined to be a demon or something."
"So, Wade-kun, wh-which one...?"
"It's Rollo's plan~♡ Right, master?"
Ice and Rollo pressed in on me from both sides. Without hesitation, I said:
"Ice, I'm counting on you."
"Okay...! Leave it to me!"
Ice's hand produced an ice bird, which flew out. Rollo protested loudly.
"What~?! You're not using my plan~?!"
"It's not bad, but it'll take too much time and the threat is too weak."
"Huh? I don't get it..."
Seeing Rollo pout, I couldn't help but laugh.
The single ice bird near the ceiling split into dozens, which landed on the demons' heads.
Ice didn't even give the demon merchants time to panic.
"Ice Blow!"
Everyone at the auction except for us froze in place.
"And now, on to the next merchant...?"
The emcee's tone weakened, and they stared at us with a blank expression. The other employees who tried to make a quick escape were immediately caught by the Ice Bird and frozen in place.
"The emcee, let's negotiate,."
I said, and the emcee replied in a trembling voice, "Y-yes."
"Bring the manager here. If you try to run or let them escape, you'll be frozen too at that point."
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