episode_0023

What is the implication market?

It is a huge auction that happens unbeknownst to the empire, an event where the darkest and most sinister items are sold.

However, this implication market was quite unusual.

“Long time no see, Lord of Evil.”

It was because she was in the VIP room with Beatrice.

Perhaps it was prepared by Ryu, meaning it was okay to enter freely because it was a room owned by Beatrice.

No.

I didn’t expect her to be half-naked.

“I didn’t expect you to come in so suddenly.”

Seeing her nonchalant expression as soon as she entered, she seemed to have some idea about it.

Well.

Beatrice doesn’t show emotions on her face anyway.

“Would you like to go on a trip together?”

“Oh, I have to attend trade negotiations in the desert this time, so it would be good to go once.”

And if I solve the paranormal phenomenon, I should receive a suitable reward.

She must have been thinking about making a profit already.

Well then, since it’s already like this, let’s take all the key figures with us.

Rebecca… seems busy with the affairs of the Holy Empire for a while, so she probably can’t come with us.

“I also want to be with the Lord of Evil, but I don’t have much free time. Today was a tough day for me.”

I thought so.

It seemed likely.

You’re the only one who received an exemption for the banquet because you’re so busy.

Theresia just doesn’t come out; it’s normal for her.

“Beatrice, how is the palace these days?”

“Well, if I had the time, I would always want to be by the Lord of Evil’s side… but considering that I can’t do that, the situation at the palace doesn’t seem good.”

Beatrice said with a casual smile.

It must be because it’s been a long time.

Seems like she has a lot to say.

“They say harpies will appear today, maybe that’s why the auction seems dull right now.”

No wonder everyone seems more interested in money than big sums of money.

Are harpies really that good?

Having beast legs isn’t that special, is it?

“The future of the empire seems dark… I wonder when a system that can run smoothly even without me will be established.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s starting to get interesting now. The slaves are more competitive in auctions than magical artifacts.”

Is that so?

With magical artifacts being mass-produced, maybe people aren’t satisfied unless it’s something unique.

I didn’t expect the slaves to be more competitive.

“The numbers keep going up, right? They must be increasing from over there.”

Usually, it’s made of glass that you can see inside but not outside, but mine was different.

I could just see through it.

“Black hair, red eyes, and fancy clothes.”

“Hmm… It seems like the Crown Prince of the Decarson Kingdom himself came. It’s a kingdom that doesn’t have a good relationship with the Lord of Evil or the empire…”

Indeed, his name was mentioned during the previous dinner.

People even went to him personally.

Thinking about that, it seemed like they were not just on bad terms but openly showing their teeth to the Lord of Evil.

Abel even said he would grab and tear out all the teeth at once later.

Not just pulling them out, but tearing them out.

“But the knights next to him are quite skilled as well.”

Of course, those near me are not ordinary skilled individuals, so compared to them, they are much weaker.

In terms of swordsmanship, the Sword Master was powerful enough to easily defeat them.

Well, compared to the monsters gathered in the Demon Cult, there would naturally be a difference like that between the sun and microbes.

“If today ends, I’ll leave on a journey, so I need to prepare too.”

“Are the magical artifacts you bought earlier related to this?”

“Yes, unlike other executives, I’m no different from an ordinary person, so if I get hit by an arrow, I could die.”

Seeing them say such things so casually, I can’t help but think it’s a fantasy world.

If this were the original world, they wouldn’t have casually mentioned the possibility of traveling and dying.

“And above all, we have no choice but to worry, no matter how strong the evil spirits are. So, we should prepare in advance.”

“Thank you.”

“In the end, we gathered here for the sake of the evil spirits, helping each other for that purpose. Ultimately, no matter what value we offer, the evil spirits reign supreme.”

Well, in the end, everyone gathered in the cult of evil spirits for their own purposes, but the fact that they believe in me remains unchanged.

So, favoring these children, wanting to fulfill all their desires becomes natural.

They believe in me, support me, and care for me, so how can I not favor them?

“Finish preparing for the trip tomorrow and let’s all go together.”

“Aren’t you participating in the auction, Lord? It will be most interesting from now on.”

“Huh? The slave auction is not something…”

“From now on, you can see how despicable people are and how they worship slaves. It’s like proving that we didn’t release the slave system for no reason.”

I stood up from my chair and looked down below.

The sight of people bringing money to children, even children sold by their parents, was clear.

As if not even trying to hide their intentions, one human being is valued more than a magical creature.

To be so enthusiastic about owning slaves.

Indeed, is this their own romance?

“Because they quench a thirst that could not be quenched before, there is no choice but to be enthusiastic. Since they don’t punish having slaves, there is no reason not to have them.”

Especially the nobles, who are obsessed with showing off their wealth.

Having an efficient means of display like slaves, they invest more money in it.

That money flows into the royal family and the cult of evil spirits, creating more slaves to obtain that money.

It’s a constant cycle.

“Just looking at it is amusing. In the end, pulling money to have even one more life in your grasp is ridiculous.”

Saying this, human trafficking seems to happen without any concern.

It might have been terrifying in the past, but now I feel no emotions.

Is it because of your actions, or is it because I am an evil spirit?

I may not know the exact answer, nor do I need to.

“Yes, it’s disgusting.”

Even I, who calmly watches the scene here, is no different from the many others here.

“Oh, right. And I heard that some of the professors who worked at the academy also came up in this slave auction… I heard it was something done by the evil spirits.”

I mentioned the events that took place at the academy while sitting back in my chair.

Words about punishment for crossing a certain line.

“You handled it excellently. Of course, I would like to see another side of the evil spirits, but shall we save that for later?”

Seeing her smiling mischievously, I wondered if I said too much.

Come to think of it, I only knew about Abel and Veronica.

I didn’t mention that I roamed around the banquet as a woman.

“Now, the most important one is coming.”

Following Beatrice’s words, a slave appeared wearing a collar.

Legs like a bird’s legs, wings instead of arms, the typical creation of a harpy.

Hey, give us back our harpy.

Just draw a human and don’t insist on swapping legs and wings, calling it a mythical creature.

“All right, everyone! The product you’ve been eagerly waiting for has appeared. This crossbreed captured at the edge of a cliff! Aren’t you excited already? A harpy who can always sing with a beautiful voice!”

The crowd’s cheers erupted like madness.

If nobles are enthusiastic about such things, they must be easy to handle.

They struggle with slaves, thinking it will be easy to control them as slaves.

“Six million gold! Is there anyone willing to go higher? Oh, the gentleman has offered nine million gold!”

The amount gradually skyrocketed to reach 12 million gold before long.

Wow, how much money is that?

It’s probably about a month’s worth of budget for a decent kingdom.

“Wow, 15 million gold! A record-breaking auction price!”

A price more expensive than a whole castle.

Do they really think a slave is worth that much?

Shouting with flushed faces just to acquire one slave, truly despicable.

Beatrice must have a lot on her plate because of this.

On the flip side, this is why cultists can easily get involved in operations.

“Auctions seem to be more entertaining than I thought.”

“Well, with so many enthusiasts, and since the country doesn’t actively crack down, they come recklessly.”

“And take advantage of that.”

After some contemplation, I placed my hand on the auction table.

“22 million gold! An unbelievable amount of gold has been bid!”

“Cultist?”

“Seems fine to bring in another new believer.”

Harpy.

I wonder what will happen if she gets sold; it’s so obvious it’s like looking at fire.

Why does this insufferable hypocrisy suddenly want to burst forth?

“Well, where is the reason for this hypocrisy?”

Just trying to ease their minds.

Thinking so, I raised the bid.

“26 million gold! It keeps rising! The atmosphere here today is hotter than ever! At the moment, an increase of 500,000 gold!”

The one continuously raising the bid now seems to be a prince from the Decarson Kingdom. Looks like it’s him over there.

Through that glass window, seeing those red eyes wide open, it seems like he really wants it.

Yes, that rare species, a harpy, considered so precious.

Despite being quite hairy, they have an exquisite appearance and a gentle voice.

Quite desirable.

“30 million gold!”

Is the atmosphere in the auction hall overheated?

Or is it the vanity, greed for something new, or the curiosity of a certain scholar?

Which one has become the issue?

Even without my participation, the money kept increasing steadily.

“60 million gold! We’ve now exceeded the gold we predicted at our auction! It’s going higher, now at 63 million!”

After hitting 70 million gold and calming down, it quickly rose to 80 million gold.

“85 million gold! We’ve reached the highest amount in our history. Is there anyone willing to bid more? 3! 2! 1…. Sold!”

The winning bidder was me.

No matter how wealthy you are, it must be difficult to invest nearly half a year’s worth of a country’s budget in a mere slave.

On the contrary, for me… well, if things don’t work out, I might consider borrowing money.

Ideally, since it’s my followers’ auction, there should be discounts or something… well, there must be something like that.

Looking at it this way, I seem to have acted quite irresponsibly.

Oh well.

I already know plenty of ways to easily make money on my own.

“Well, then let’s conclude today’s auction with this. Thank you to all participants.”

With the host’s final words, the auction came to an end.

“Cultist, is there something special about that girl?”

Since I can’t just say I’m being hypocritical, let’s act like there is something, vaguely hinting at it.

I just smiled without saying anything.

She looked at me like that and sighed before speaking.

The fact that the demon lord has taken action must mean that he has found an equivalent value. I need to improve my ability to judge people as well.

Of course, nothing was done, but it seems to have had a quite positive influence on her.

Thinking so, as I tried to leave the VIP room, the door suddenly opened.

And I hit my head on that door.

“Are you okay?!”

Cecilia exclaimed as she gently supported my body, looking surprised.

Of course, I was fine.

“Demon Lord, it might be a bit awkward to talk in this situation, but… can I ask why you bought the harpy?”

“You’ll find out after the trip.”

I smiled mischievously, and Ryu handed me a piece of paper as if there was no other choice.

It was a contract indicating ownership of the harpy.

“Sigh… Demon Lord, I hope you won’t extinguish that child’s life.”

With these meaningful words, the ominous merchant closed the door.