Episode 2 of the Overly Competent Villain

Black Market (2)

“Again, human greed caused fleeting blood to be shed.”

Even in the thick darkness, she seemed to shine like a twinkling star.

[To blood——to. Feet, mind–]

“baby. Do you want to live?」

Her eyes were full of deep and mysterious greenery, and her voice was as clear and pure as a fairy whispering.

A creature with a mysterious atmosphere, as if harboring the secrets of the world. Later, when I escaped from the place called Village 43 and ran away, what I met was—

[Pietro!]

“Pietro?”

Raise your hand to cut off the voices of the two. I met a green gaze looking up at me for a moment.

“·······.”

“·······.”

I couldn’t imagine what my gaze would be like when I met the dark-haired girl.

He prides himself on having restrained and controlled himself for a very long time, but it is difficult to control himself in front of the girl in front of him.

Just to hide the emotions that will be revealed, I smile leisurely like usual.

“Hey, you’re talking to me. Where are you looking… Hey?”

A blonde girl who makes eye contact with me. The golden eyes of the horse poop looked at me and swallowed my breath.

“Now, Jacques Pietro?!”

The frozen Aris Mayer dropped the pamphlet she was holding and stepped back.

“Oh no. The pretty lady looks frightened. Didn’t you think you’d meet a criminal while visiting this black market?”

“Who, who was scared!”

Hot Aris Meyer. Elysia scolded her behind her back.

“What are you doing with the child?”

“Ellie~ You can’t be considered an ordinary child just because you came to this black market.

“Ugh…”

Aris flinched and took a backward step, then shifted her position behind Mir’s back.

On the other hand, Mir only stares at me quietly and attentively.

But the standoff didn’t last long either. Because the staff came.

“Dignified guests, the auction will begin soon. Please take your seats.”

The participants headed for their seats one after the other guided by the staff.

“Aren’t we going?”

“We are on a different level from them. A lion sits in a pack of foxes to use it.”

“???”

Elysia nodded. At that time, the head of the security office approached us a little while ago.

“Mr. Pietro. I’ll guide you to the VVIP seats.”

Follow the guidance of the head of security and head to the box seats where only the two of you can enter. It was Jacomong’s consideration.

[Perhaps it is a business to make the customer who is holding money feel special.]

‘Isn’t that the way to make money?’

Of course, I’m in a good mood, so I’m thinking of opening some money bags for business.

“This way, Mayer ladies.”

The two Mayer ladies entered the box seats that were different from ours.

‘It won’t be easy.’

I expected it, but against Aris Mayer, I had to be nervous too.

* * * *

The famous black market of Grand Cruno has a structure inspired by a splendid opera house.

Various items presented by the host are displayed between the stages covered with gorgeous red curtains, and comfortable high-quality leather chairs are widely placed, giving a strong image that only a small number of customers participate.

Even there, the masterpieces are the seats for VVIPs decorated with box seats.

The box seats, where you can look down at the black market participants gathered only by customers who are willing to spend money, stimulate a sense of psychological superiority.

“There’s also wine and beer. Would you like some popcorn?”

“I’m done.”

I ordered browned sausage and popcorn, and soon dressed waiters brought food and drinks.

“It seems that the rest of the VVIPs are not filled.”

The only five box seats in the auction house were filled with me and the lady from Mayer.

In other words, the real competition is only those girls.

[Though things won’t end so easily.]

‘Let’s enjoy shopping for now.’

Check the auction catalog placed in the box seat. It is not known where most of the goods circulated here during this time went.

In other words, it is said that there are only things that are hard to find if not now.

“Oh, that’s a lot of nice stuff.”

There were only really rare items in the catalog. Even the items to boost the start of the auction are different from the ordinary.

Of course, it would be foolish to ask for the source, as it is an item that is being auctioned in this black market.

“Ellie, if you want to buy something, take a look.”

“Is there anything I can buy with 5,000 Guliks?”

“If you order food, you’ll have some change.”

Just looking at it, our Ellie is so thrifty that it’s even embarrassing.

[I repeat, but is it all because of you?]

I know, sorcerer.

-Nice to meet you. Dear guests. Before we begin, a word of thanks to all of you–

The emcee’s voice resonates widely and the lights focus on the stage. the auction has begun.

While listening to the emcee’s rhetoric-filled progress, I lightly touched Elysia’s shoulder.

“Ellie.”

“Why is that?”

“See it over there? On the ceiling. Don’t show it. Look.”

＜The Villain’s Illusion＞ detects even an animal’s gaze and warns it. Where I looked and winked, there was a bat hanging there.

A bat lurking so secretly that you wouldn’t even find it unless it was an intuitive warning from ＜Phantom of the Villain＞.

“Familiar?”

“There is a wizard.”

“It’s a black market, so it’s not strange.”

Yes, this is a black market where goods are illegally distributed. The main customers using such a place are unexpectedly many magicians.

Usually, the rarer the magic item is, the more it is controlled by the central government. Just as in the past, steel that could be made into a weapon was distributed only through a government agency, magic items in this era are in a similar situation.

The Empire created a systematic education system for nurturing wizards, but at the same time thoroughly controlled them.

“It’s not just the wizards. See the robed crowd in the right corner over there?”

“Yes, I see.”

“They are prisoners.”

“no way······.”

“Ordinary prisoners don’t come to this black market. Shall we bet? I’ll bet all my winnings today on what they call the ‘Brotherhood’.”

“The Brotherhood…!”

A notorious group of anti-imperialists in the North.

Made entirely of beastmen, they are the strongest on the continent among simple military groups. Above all, the leader who leads them is Cromwell, the mad king of beastmen.

Later, along with me and Sharha, he was one of the top 3 executives of the society.

[Did Cromwell come in person?]

‘If that’s the case, it wouldn’t have ended at the level of a casino being blown away.’

Originally at this time, the case of the death of Jacomong, the owner of the Grand Cruno casino, and the destruction of the black market is a fairly famous anecdote even in the future.

I also found out that the Prisoner Brotherhood was involved in the investigation of the incident in my district, and found out that the item involved in this auction was a natural terranite wind forest jade.

[By the way, the warlocks were here too. Where is it?]

Warlocks also have a lineage, and the organization they depend on is different. The thing to watch out for most is the black magicians belonging to the ‘Golden Dawn’.

Humpty, who was Osman’s arch enemy and quickly dealt with in Sigar and Snow Mountain, was a mid-level executive on this side.

‘They must be big enough to target Terra Knight.’

[Did the subordinates you purged help?]

I shook my head.

‘Among the subordinates I dealt with, there is no one who took the warlocks to Kelbeg. There must be a bigger player behind.’

[Is that the man you were talking about?]

I nodded and talked to Ellie, who was watching the auction nervously.

“Ellie. Assume that there are warlocks or knight-level enemies here.”

“······Shouldn’t we have to call the high-ni squad?

“There’s only one companion a participant can bring. You’re at full power right now.”

“Does that mean that there are a maximum of two of them?”

“Yes. But they probably won’t be ordinary people.”

Elysia thought deeply about what I said and then opened her mouth.

“Actually, I felt the intent to kill before entering the auction house. Very intense…”

“To you?”

“No. Maybe it’s Mayer’s side. I heard them say it.”

“I think I know.”

[Because the exploitation of prisoners by the Mayer Group is famous.]

The mining development company established by Chairman Rocheller G. Mayer, who is called the king of steel, is an energy development company with the highest market share in the world.

They are also notorious for their gossipy working conditions and dubious business partners.

[Sounds like a bad company.]

‘And prisoners are a fairly convenient exploitation class.’

Two young girls from the company are in the same space with an extremist anti-government terrorist group.

[If this is the way it was, you can guess what happened.]

‘Unfortunately.’

“Ellie. If it’s possible, it’s not the Mayer sisters… Anyway, take care of that too. Don’t die in this auction. Well, as long as Mir exists, I’ll defend that much.”

“Do you know someone?”

“Personally.”

But I can’t be relieved. Now that I knew there was a bomb, I had to stop the burning of the wick.

Poongrim jade is with me anyway, so the primary cause has been removed.

“Let’s enjoy shopping for now.”

Since the black market is an illegal market, there are many items that cannot be obtained normally.

With the 30 million Gulicks I won today and my personal property, I should be able to buy a few decent items.

-The first product I would like to introduce is——

The first product presented was a first-of-its-kind product.

A seemingly ordinary gold bracelet. However, the magic hidden inside flows along the engraved letters.

-Look at this delicate and artistic engraving. It is said to have been stolen by the legendary El Dorado expedition. This is an object from at least 3,000 years ago, and an appraiser’s report is enclosed. The starting price of the auction is 250,000 Gulic. 250,000 Gulik.

[Pietro. That is genuine.]

‘okay?’

[This is an item obtained by accidentally defeating a warlock of the Golden Dawn in the past. Through that, we went on an adventure to the real El Dorado.]

‘You mean the guardians of the sanctuary?’

[Yeah, Roden and I had just taken down Humpty at the time, and we were hiding. One of the guardians of the sanctuary said he was going on an adventure, saying he had achieved amazing results.]

‘Looks like it didn’t go well.’

[They never returned.]

However, Osman insists that the bracelet itself is authentic.

In other words, it means that this auction house has been passed over to the warlock for some reason, which leads to the inference that the warlock in this auction house belongs to the Golden Dawn.

The Golden Dawn… Are they them again? Even after Humpty died, they were quite active.

-1 time 300,000 Gulik!

As I raise my hand, the moderator’s voice echoes through the auction house.

-Ah, right away 34 times 350,000 Gulik! No. 1 400,000 Gulik!

There were customers who held signs out of curiosity, but they were not enthusiastic enough to follow right away.

Well, El Dorado is an unknown land whose existence has not been revealed at this point.

The expedition team that went to El Dorado 100 years ago is now ridiculed as a liar.

The authenticity of that bracelet that was brought from El Dorado is bound to be questioned.

It’s me, Osman, who told me about it, so I’m betting it with confidence, but who besides me would pay that kind of money for that antique——

– Oh, five hundred thousand Gulik! It’s 500,000 Gulicks for the third guest!

huh?

– 50 thousand! 500,000 Gulicks! Are you all right?!

Some crazy guy said this kind of money… When I turned my head, I saw a blonde girl in a box seat with a bright smile.

Aris Mithril Mayer. Number 3 pointed at her.

The Eldorado adventure is interesting, but is it worth spending more than 500,000 Gulicks when you’re busy with work right now?

I stopped bidding here because I was aiming for other items as well.

– 50 thousand! 500,000 Gulicks! It’s the 3rd bid!

-Cheer up!

Aris, who won the bid for the bracelet, was delighted.

– Clap clap clap!

Applause follows, followed by the next auction.

– This is a pink diamond famous for cursed objects! Do you know about the tragedy of Count Fellnoa?

The next item was also pretty good. A treasure that was quite famous in the archaeological world. To be precise, a powerful defensive artifact that reveals its value only when it is cursed with a jewel.

The protector shield automatically deploys just by injecting magic power, but it’s useless for me, who usually wears a protective suit made of knight’s coat material.

But if you hire a decent healer to purify the gems and put them up for auction, you’ll make a good fourfold profit.

-1 time 300,000 Gulik! No. 3 600,000 Gulik Yes! No. 17, 900,000 Gulik!

Aside from its actual performance, Secreta is a famous artifact, so it quietly catches up. However, buying that jewel for 1.2 million gulic is worthwhile.

Shall we go a little harder here?

-1, 1.1 million Gulicks!

“Keukheop…”

Elysia, who was watching from the side, almost threw up the drink she was drinking.

-1, 1.1 million Gulicks! 1.1 million Gulik! Are there any more!

It came out to 1.1 million, the end of the gearco cost performance. I’m a little bit worried. If you think of it as insurance to replace your coat in case of emergency, you can try up to 1.3 million or 1.4 million…

In the midst of such agony about whether or not to say it… a name that quickly blew away that concern continued.

-No. 3 guest! 2 million! That’s 2 million Gulicks!

Seriously why are you like that…

-77 customer successful bidding! It’s a winning bid!

weird.

no hesitation at all

Even if she is the direct eldest daughter of the Mayer Group, how can she be so outspoken?

-What should I buy next? quickly.

-Here is the tiara. that’s okay

ah.

Right.

Next to Aris is Mir, who has the protection of the Dragon Star. One of her ‘mysterious powers’ is Cheonan.

It is the eye that penetrates the root and potential of all things.

If Mir was by his side, it was enough to guess the value of any item.

Everyone else is a normal person, but it’s like participating alone with an emotion skill.

[Is it that eye…….]

In addition, Aris’ own ability was also a problem.

The eldest daughter of the Mayer family. The granddaughter of rejection who is among the top three in this world.

Aris, who later became a supporter of the society, has characteristics that any modern earthling… no, any human would envy.

golden rule.

A person who was born with ubiquitous fortune, a fortune star from which gold rolls even when he is lying still.

Every business he undertakes is successful, a stone he picks up on the street is a diamond, and an offering given as a momentary sympathy returns dozens of times.

A child who is truly loved by a golden star.

Unlike the power that is easy to understand like the swordsman Elysia or the murderer Ulfric, the power of the golden castle Aris just looks like a lot of money at first glance.

However, Aris’ golden protection was one of the truly terrifying powers. Considering that that child would later be called the ‘Golden Witch’.

Anyway, how does the golden rule work in an auction house like this?

Simple. It is like a ghost to notice investment items whose value in the future will be inflated.

‘uh? Could this be?’

Aside from the anxiety, the auction continued.

A combination of Cheonan and the Golden Rule. And there’s endless wealth.

-Blackbeard’s Silver Burn Box, 1 Million Guliks! A million Gulik!

– Two million rings from the ancient kingdom of Umbra! Two million!

-3 successful bids! 3 bids! Taktae 3 times!

“Kyaaak! You have to buy that! You have to buy it unconditionally!”

– 10 million gulliii profit! aaan! Are there any more aaa!!

stop······.

The big players gathered in the black market are numerous.

Nazac Pietro too.

Warlock of the Golden Dawn.

Even terrorists who are prisoners of the Brotherhood.

Before anyone could do anything, they sank into Aris Mithril Mayer’s crazy money.

“············.”

“············.”

“············.”

Everyone puts on a dumbfounded expression. Either that or not, the blonde girl just smiled at the listing I won the bid for.

‘Now I know why the casino was blown up in the previous round.’

[Did you think that too? so do i······.]

What’s certain is that Aris M. Mayer pulled a lot of aggro.