Akasha...?
It was a word I'd heard before. I leaned forward to get a better look at the massive humanoid figure that had been brought onto the stage.
I squinted at it for a while, observing the mechanism, and after a good thirty seconds, it finally clicked.
It was the giant golem that had attacked us in the wasteland before.
The strange mark that had been on its head was gone now, and since I'd only ever seen it up close, I hadn't recognized it at first.
But why on earth was it up for auction? That thing should have been left abandoned in the wasteland after Liliz fought it to a standstill.
When prey was too large or too heavy to carry, it was standard practice for a mage to use Levitation magic to transport it. If you didn't have access to such means, it was a waste, but there was nothing you could do — you just had to leave it behind.
Materials from monsters slain outside the city tacitly belonged to whoever had killed them. If the killer didn't take them back, ownership generally passed to the next person who found them.
Someone — I had no idea who — must have found the thing Liliz had abandoned and hauled it back to the city.
But that thing wasn't just some doll. It was a golem.
I had been attacked by that very golem. It was the kind of thing I never wanted to encounter again. I had no intention of staking a claim to it now, but if possible, I'd appreciate it if someone would melt it down and make it vanish.
But some eccentric out there apparently wanted it, because the bidding — which had started at thirty million Gill — shot up with more force than anything else today.
I couldn't for the life of me see its value. If you were going to spend that kind of money on a mere golem, you might as well buy a Treasure Weapon.
Here I was, finally getting to participate in a Treasure Weapon auction, and it was already a letdown. As I was suppressing a yawn, I heard Liliz speak to Citry.
"Citry, that thing..."
"...Y-Yeah."
Citry's eyes went wide, and her shoulders were trembling. That was when I first noticed something was off with her.
For someone who was always calm, the expression on her face was completely out of character as she stared down at the black golem. Her hands, resting on her lap, were clenched tight.
The auction was heating up. Someone out there really wanted that thing — two bidders were driving the price up furiously. The price blew past one billion, and even the announcer's voice had taken on an excited edge.
Citry was an alchemist — in other words, a golem specialist. Maybe she had thoughts about it.
"You want it?"
"...N-No."
Citry fell silent for a brief moment, then slowly shook her head. But her eyes were glistening.
The introverted Citry rarely voiced her own opinions. Especially when they conflicted with mine, she had a tendency to back down.
Perhaps noticing the look in my eyes, Citry tried to explain in a small, almost apologetic voice. But buried in her words was a powerful current of emotion.
"B-But... that thing... it was created through years of trial and error... the cost that went into it was enormous, but — that... that's not the only important part..."
Her voice trembling, Citry explained desperately. I didn't understand a word of it, but apparently, it was something remarkable.
Apparently she wasn't the only one who knew its value, because the price showed no signs of stopping. The announcer himself probably never expected an auction that started at thirty million Gill to break two hundred million. And the price kept climbing.
I could only identify them by number, but the bidders had increased from two to three. They had to be seriously wealthy.
"That thing... I'm not sure what everyone else thinks of it, but it's sort of like a keepsake of a comrade..."
"...Something with memories attached?"
That was ridiculous. That golem was supposedly created by Akasha, according to Liliz, so it had nothing to do with Citry.
Citry shrank in on herself, looking down as if to hide her expression.
"...No... it's nothing like that... Klye-san, there's... no need to worry..."
I let out a small sigh. Reaching over, I placed my hand over hers where it rested on her lap.
"Citry, you're a terrible liar."
My eyes might be blind, but I knew my childhood friend far too well.
Even if she hadn't been my childhood friend, I never would have believed words spoken by someone who looked like she was about to cry at any moment.
The price soared into the sky, already surpassing three hundred million. One bidder dropped out, leaving two.
And one of those two was me.
It was Citry's money to begin with. There was no Treasure Weapon in the world that I'd want so badly I'd ignore my childhood friend's tears to get it.
I licked my lips and put on a show of confidence.
"This is what money's for, isn't it?"
A keepsake of a comrade. That probably didn't mean it in the literal sense.
Akasha was a dangerous Arcane Society with a bounty on its head. The chances of Citry's comrade being a member of that society were practically zero.
But Citry's expression was far from normal. Normally, Citry was the type to endure just about anything.
Maybe it meant that the golem incorporated technology created by one of Citry's alchemist comrades.
The announcer had called the golem not a "golem" but a "puppet."
That meant the appraiser hadn't been able to identify it as a golem.
In other words, yes. My theory was this: The latest golem-building technology developed by Citry's comrade had been stolen by the Tower of Akasha, and that golem was loaded with it.
As a result, the moment Citry saw that golem, she was hit with a shock she couldn't contain.
Maybe that comrade really was dead after all.
Arcane Societies never did anything good. If it meant acquiring technology — and monopolizing it — they wouldn't hesitate to kill one or two people.
It was just my imagination, but I was probably on the right track, wasn't I?
Today, I was... sharp.
Honestly, I didn't understand how Citry felt. Even if she explained it to me in detail, I probably wouldn't be able to grasp it.
But that didn't mean I'd act the wrong way. Before I was Thousand Transformations, I was the leader of the Mourning Specter.
Tinno was looking at me nervously, going "Huh? Are you sure? That weird doll? Wouldn't you rather have the Treasure Weapon?" but... it was fine. This was the one thing I was sure about.
Besides, it was Citry's money...
"...Huh?"
At my words, Citry's eyes went wide. She probably thought I'd prioritize what I wanted over her tears.
I really was hopeless. Citry needed to show her own desires a bit more.
Liliz, who always wore her wants on her sleeve and seemed to live a stress-free life, looked at me with round eyes.
"Eh? Wait... Klye-chan, you're actually doing it!"
"...Still, Arcane Societies really never do anything good, huh."
The trembling in Citry's fingertips gave way to strength. She was staring at the stage with rapt intensity. The sight reminded me of Citry from the old days, back when she had no confidence in anything.
Liliz crossed her legs the other way and shot me a sidelong glance.
"But hey, Klye-chan, what about the mask? I can hold out, you know?"
"...Yeah. I'm fine with it. Compared to that thing, the mask is practically worthless."
"Hehe... Could it be that you're putting on a brave face?"
This was exactly why childhood friends were the worst. Just as I knew Citry inside and out, Liliz knew me just as well.
As Liliz poked my shoulder with a teasing laugh, I frowned back at her.
"...I'm not. I did want that Treasure Weapon, but this is far more important."
"...Th-Thank... you. Really, I never expected this — Klye-san. ...I will definitely make it up to you."
There was nothing to make up — it wasn't even my money...
"Don't worry about it. Besides, it's not like we've won yet. Don't thank me too early."
"...Yes."
Citry's voice sounded overwhelmed with emotion. Whether from excitement or something else, her normally pale skin had turned crimson all the way to her ears.
Even if the mask had been won at auction, I wouldn't have been that moved.
For that matter, I hadn't actually given up on the mask.
The signal I'd given Tinno was to raise the price one unit at a time.
The budget Citry had prepared was roughly nine hundred and fifty million Gill. If her plan worked and we could grab the mask for a little over two hundred million, that would leave seven hundred and fifty million for our side.
I didn't know much about alchemy, but even cutting-edge technology wouldn't cost seven hundred and fifty million per golem.
Sitting back comfortably in my chair with a relaxed expression, I watched the golem's price tick upward.
Two hundred million to three hundred million. Three hundred million to — four hundred million. Four hundred million?!
Wait, who the hell was that?!
A golem being treated as nothing more than a doll, and someone was willing to spend that kind of money on it? Unbelievable.
Four hundred million. With four hundred million, you could buy four Treasure Weapons worth a hundred million each.
The auction hall had gone silent at the unexpected price surge. Whoever had brought that thing in must have been stunned too.
It started at thirty million. It had started at thirty million. I'd said I could go up to seven hundred and fifty million, but I'd expected to get it for around three hundred million.
Citry was clutching her hands to her chest, watching the proceedings with bated breath. Reluctantly, I crossed my arms without breaking my composure.
Is anyone actually out there? Citry, do you really want that thing that badly?
No, sorry. It's fine. It's Citry's money. It's fine, but...
Not that it was my place to say, but Citry had a pretty warped sense of money. She wouldn't drop out midway, would she?
The price continued to climb steadily. There was one opponent... just one.
Who would have guessed that a doll no one had been paying attention to would jump to such heights? When the mask had been sucking up all the attention at this auction, who could have imagined this?
"This is — who could have predicted this! Five hundred million Gill! It's finally broken the five hundred million barrier! From this point, the minimum increment is twenty million Gill! Five hundred and twenty million! Five hundred and twenty million!"
Five hundred and twenty million... Were they some ultra-wealthy tycoon? Well, even that was still far short of my total debt.
Was this another downside of auctions? The competing bidder probably never expected someone else to drop five hundred million or more on a single doll either.
The price kept creeping up in twenty-million increments. That nerve-wracking tension and strange exhilaration was the thrill of auctions, but since this wasn't something I wanted, all I could do was pray the other side would give up soon.
When the price passed six hundred and sixty million, Citry spoke with a look that was on the verge of tears.
"...Klye-san... that's enough. At this rate, you'll be the one who..."
This price was way beyond expectations. If I hadn't come fully prepared to buy the mask, I never could have afforded it.
But let me make one thing clear — that was all your money. Citry and Liliz and Tinno pitched in a little, but since I was broke, I hadn't contributed a single Gill. Sorry about that.
I spoke so as not to burden Citry.
"There's nothing to worry about. ...Actually, I had been saving up to buy a golem from the start."
"!? I... had no idea at all... I thought you were doing your usual thing again..."
My usual thing... I said nothing and turned my gaze back to the stage.
Give it up, come on. I've got seven hundred and fifty million over here. Back off already.
Please, just back off. Would a full prostration do it? If I got on my knees, would you quit? I'd do it in a heartbeat.
My prayers went unanswered. The announcer cried out with excitement: "Another hundred million on top! Seven hundred and sixty million — number twenty-five, seven hundred and sixty million!"
Who the hell is number twenty-five?!
Tinno, who knew my budget and the general situation, was staring up at me with wide eyes. In silence, I gave him the thumbs-up to continue.
My stomach was churning. As long as this lady didn't give up, my future of obtaining the mask was gone.
But if that was the case, then I would absolutely — absolutely — get my hands on this golem. I would find life in the face of death.
Maybe the other party's budget was far beyond ours and there was no way we could win no matter what, but if I gave it my all and still couldn't win, then even Citry would accept defeat.
The other party must have been suffering too. The starting price for that thing had been thirty million Gill.
There was a chance of winning... I thought. That hundred-million jump had to be their absolute limit. Even if it wasn't the limit, it had to be close.
I took a deep breath and sent a new signal to the trembling Tinno.
This would be — the killing blow.
"!? Another hundred million! Eight hundred and sixty million Gill! Number sixty-six, eight hundred and sixty million Gill!"
I felt like I was going to throw up. It had been a while since I'd spent this kind of money on a single item.
My stomach was roiling. "Ten figures of debt" might sound like a joke, but when you were fundamentally poor at the core, accumulating that kind of debt was nothing short of stress.
A bone-chilling thrill. A hundred-million jump must have caught even the other side off guard — there was no sign of a new voice rising.
Though no swords had been drawn, this was undeniably a battle.
Eight hundred and sixty million Gill — how many bills was that? How many kilograms? A check?
"Is there anyone else? Eight hundred and sixty million Gill. Eight hundred and sixty million Gill. In thirty seconds, number sixty-six wins the bid!"
Die. Just die. Give it up!
I took a deep breath. I could only pray to a god I'd never believed in.
Citry was huddled up as if waiting for a storm to pass.
The end was just within reach.
If you had eight hundred and sixty million Gill, you could live off it for the rest of your life. What on earth was Citry going to use all that wedding fund money for?
Useless thoughts were spinning through my head. Call it escapism.
It hadn't even been thirty seconds yet!? Every second felt like minutes, like hours.
Time stretched to infinity. The black golem gleamed dully under the chandelier light. The tuxedo-clad announcer beside the stage was about to open his mouth.
And then, the announcer's eyes went wide.
"N-Nine... hundred and sixty million Gill."
"!?"
"Nine hundred and sixty million Gill! It's here! Number twenty-five, nine hundred and sixty million Gill!"
This time, I truly felt my blood run cold.
What the hell was this? A trading company? A noble? Impossible. It was just a golem!? Why would anyone pour that kind of money into a golem?
Citry was staring blankly, her eyes wide open. A single tear slid down her cheek from those large, unblinking eyes.
Liliz let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Ah man. Tough luck... Klye-chan losing is pretty rare. You should've sold off a weapon or something. ...Well, can't be helped, I guess."
I had a collection of Treasure Weapons, but the auction rules didn't allow payment in kind for auctioned items. It had to be check or cash — nothing else.
Citry lowered her face. Tinno was staring at me with a dazed expression.
I could feel my cheek twitching. I gave a small nod.
And then, amid the murmuring crowd, the announcer's voice rang out: "One billion!? Number sixty-six — one billion, six hundred million Gill!"
"...Huh?"
Citry, still tear-stained, looked at me with a confused expression.
Citry's budget had been nine hundred and fifty million Gill. Considering the severe penalty for winning an auction and failing to pay, anything above that was off limits.
I felt... calm. The turbulence that had been roiling inside me just moments ago had vanished without a trace.
Still as a mirror, tranquil as still water. At last, I had reached that state. A gentle smile crossed my face as I squeezed Citry's hand.
"See? I told you there was nothing to worry about... Well, I wouldn't mind if you worried a little."
If I had to be specific — well, come kneel on the floor with me in front of Lucia.
Oh no. I'd gone and spent more than half of Lucia's savings without permission. But I didn't regret it. I didn't regret it, not one bit.
AAAAAAAAAAAH!
"Time's up! The winner of this fierce battle — number sixty-six — Treasure Hunter Gregg Zangief! The massive metal humanoid goes for one billion, six hundred million Gill! Let's hear it for this valiant Hunter who fought his way to victory!"
Amid a thunderous round of applause, Gregg, who had been sitting beside Tinno, looked up at me with a pale face.