A grand, opulent carriage, adorned with intricate golden inscriptions, gracefully advanced along a path that seemed to lead to a majestic auction house.
This spectacle unfolded under the enchanting glow of Gaia’s evening rays, casting a warm, golden hue on the entire scene.
The Place it headed to was called «Underground Auction House » a curious choice considering it conducted its business in broad daylight, right in front of a bustling crowds.
However, the moment Night falls and gentle rays of moon shone all the area with it’s soothing light, the covert and illicit activities start to take momentum — From Slave Trading to Forbidden Artifacts, everything in one place.
Within the lavish carriage, a precocious five-year-old boy sat, his gaze fixed on the world outside.
His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of amber, blended harmoniously with the orange-tinted sunlight, lending an ethereal quality to his presence.
As he peered out the window, his jet-black hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, completing the picture of this beautiful scenery.
{ Ryuk’s Present illustration in Comment }
….
As night descended, the scene outside the auction house transformed into a realm of enchantment.
The sky darkened, revealing a canvas of stars, and the entire venue began to glow with the soft, radiant light of mana-infused lamps.
These magical lamps cast a warm, ethereal glow, illuminating the cobbled streets and the ornate architecture of the building.
The noble carriages, their gilded details catching the lamplight, lined the streets like a procession of shimmering jewels.
“Oh, Lady Carlien, have you heard the news about the sudden disappearance of Count Dravin?”
One of the noble ladies gazed at a woman with enchanting beauty, her features enhanced by light makeup, her eyes calm and innocent. She looked towards the lady and spoke with a melodious tone, “I hope he is fine; he’s almost too kind for his own good.”
The woman shook her head as the other ladies joined in giggling, unaware of the visible frown concealed by Lady Carlien’s fan.
‘Hm, that fool probably threw himself into the lion’s den. Why should I even care about such a bastard?’
Beneath their perfect facades, these noble ladies concealed their true natures, revealing the cruel monsters that lurked inside.
The nobility, now enveloped in the elegance of the night, continued to arrive, their finery illuminated by the enchanting light.
All eyes suddenly fell on the carriage that had just arrived, adorned with golden inscriptions, unmistakably belonging to the Selvius Royal family.
The grand doors swung open, and a striking figure emerged. His amber eyes burned with an icy intensity, and his raven-black hair billowed in the breeze.
His gaze, once again, fixated on the noble assembly, but this time it held a particular focus on one of the noble ladies.
Baroness Carlien, Baron Carlo’s wife and the proprietor of the bakery Ryuk planned to visit soon, unknowingly became the centerpiece of his intentions.
Ryuk’s selection of a single cake piece from a plethora of choices had been no mere coincidence; he chose a cake that was specifically from Carlo’s bakery due to their unique style, everything for just to enhance the sufferings of a stubborn girl.
A congenial smile graced Ryuk’s lips as he directed his attention towards the lady.
Her face lit up at the prospect of the future king of Selvius Kingdom acknowledging her presence.
Seizing this golden opportunity, she approached him, diverting the noblemen’s attention from their revelry.
Bowing gracefully, she began, “Greetings, Your Highness. My name is—”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baroness Carlien,” Ryuk smoothly interjected, catching her off guard. Her initial surprise quickly transformed into pride; why not revel in the moment when securing a place in the future king’s favor promised an even brighter future?
“No, Your Highness, the pleasure is entirely mine to be remembered by someone of your stature,”
Baroness Carlien’s voice carried a sweet and soothing tone, accentuated by the lamplight, rendering her the epitome of a perfect noblewoman in the eyes of those present.
But to Ryuk, she was nothing more than the memory of a woman’s lifeless body, burned alive and skinned, at least that’s what he recalled.
“I will visit one of Baron Carlo’s bakeries with Princess Olivia in two days,”
Ryuk informed her, not waiting for her response as he headed towards the auction house.
Her mind raced with thoughts of the benefits her business would gain from his visit. Not wanting to miss any opportunity, she followed behind Ryuk, who didn’t seem to mind her company.
After all, she was one of the key pieces in his intricate plans.
.
.
.
The grand hall was a breathtaking display of extravagance. Its towering ceilings sparkled with crystal chandeliers, casting a shimmering glow over the nobility below.
The nobles were dressed in opulent attire, each one showcasing their wealth and status.
Their hushed conversations were filled with anticipation and curiosity, creating an electric atmosphere.
On the balcony, Ryuk sat in his dark attire looking down upon the proceedings with an air of indifference, His intense gaze remained fixed on the events unfolding below, giving away nothing of his thoughts.
The auctioneer, a portly man in a finely tailored suit, took center stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, our auction begins tonight with an extraordinary item—a sword of legendary craftsmanship, forged in a time long past.”
The bidding began, gold coins changing hands in a flurry of excitement, The prices soared with each bid, creating a sense of high stakes.
The room buzzed with energy, but Prince Ryuk’s expression remained stoic.
A faint frown creased his brow as his fingers drummed rhythmically on the intricately carved armrest of his chair as if waiting for something.
As the evening progressed, a succession of rare and precious items graced the auction stage.
“Up next,” the auctioneer announced with palpable anticipation, “a masterpiece painting by the renowned artist, Sir Elric.”
The ensuing bidding war was nothing short of spectacular, with the elite of high nobility competing passionately for ownership of the artwork.
As the name of the painter reached his ears, a faint smile crept onto his face. ‘A renowned artist,’ he mused, his mind conjuring images of grandeur and talent.
However, it was not lost on him that this ‘Sir Elric’ was, in fact, employing his artistic prowess on a masterpiece painting that rightfully belonged to the true ‘Son of Heaven.’
He couldn’t help but find the situation rather amusing. That guy must be quite young, yet his skills surpassed many adults. ‘Indeed, a son of heaven.’
But for Ryuk, this matter held little significance.
Without the need to activate his system, Ryuk had effortlessly extinguished that man’s life, even with his celestial Halo making desperate attempts to save its owner — It conjured comrades, including heroines and entire armies, but all their efforts proved futile against Ryuk’s power.
Ryuk hailed from a world steeped in science from an early age, granting him a profound understanding of the real-world applications that could be interwoven with magic.
Over time, he had crafted his own theories, some of which were founded on scientific principles and explanations.
Ryuk’s mastery over magic was rooted in his profound understanding of Earth’s popular theory of energy and mass relativity.
He saw mana as nothing more than a form of energy, a concept he utilized to great effect.
With precision honed through practice, he instilled vibration into the mana particles, granting them an unprecedented rigidity.
The result was a mana sword, a materialized form of energy with strength surpassing that of steel. However, crafting this weapon demanded an immense amount of focus.
Drawing from another Earthly theory that related volume and density, Ryuk harnessed the vast reservoirs of mana within his body.
By increasing their density, he could amplify his sword aura in various forms, adapting to his needs.
When agility was required, his sword aura took on an amber hue, mirroring his eyes. When strength was the order of the day, it transformed into amethysta, and so on.
Ryuk’s practical applications of these theories set him far ahead of traditional methods.
Even if someone possessed a powerful technique, Ryuk needed only to decipher the underlying theory to grasp it.
This was the path that had shaped him in his past life, enabling him to overcome countless challenges and adversaries, crushing them with a mind sharpened by the pursuit of knowledge that was far beyond the comprehension of those hypocrites.
….
{ A/n : There is a correction in appearance of Jenny, while writing I noticed many characters having silver hair that may confuse readers, I corrected it to Pink, So, Check Comments for her Illustration }
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Auctioneer announced, “prepare yourselves for the next lot. This, my esteemed guests, is a truly unique offering.”
Then came the moment that sent shockwaves through the assembly. The auctioneer introduced a girl with delicate, light pink hair, being offered as a slave.
Gasps and whispers swept through the hall like a sudden gust of wind. Nobleman raised their paddles eagerly, offering their gold coins in ever-increasing amounts.
One of the noblemen, with a haughty air, declared, “A slave with such rare features deserves a place in my household.” He brandished his paddle, covered in jewels, as his bid soared.
A voice shattered the bidding war, and it was none other than Baroness Carlien, who bid enthusiastically, “One thousand gold coins.”
Ryuk, who had been growing somewhat impatient for this very moment, couldn’t help but smile, fully aware of the fate that awaited Jenny as he noticed the expression of Carlien that seemed to look at a toy.
Jenny’s POV
Once again, I found myself standing on that very stage, destined to be sold to the same man.
But this time, it was different. I had made up my mind.
Just as I had repaid him in my past life, causing him to set me free from slavery, I would do it again, I would earn that money back in an even shorter time.
The bidding among the nobles began, and I patiently awaited that man’s voice, the one who had saved me before.
In the past, I had been naive to believe he was my savior, but now, armed with knowledge from the future, I knew I could overcome any adversity on my own.
With unwavering determination, I locked eyes with Ryuk, silently challenging him.
I wanted to show him that I was not a helpless girl, that he should never look down on me.
‘What’s with him’
But his smirk caught me off guard, confusing my thoughts.
Was he laughing at my situation?
Don’t tell me even in his previous life he had planed everything from the moment he saw me here?
I gritted my teeth, my fingers clenching my dress. He was looking down on me, just as he always had in my previous life, even when I was a slave.
He had always sided with that wretched Alia. I had forgiven him for killing my family, but this time was different.
” One thousand Gold coins! ”
Then, Lady Carlien’s voice pierced through my thoughts, bidding a thousand gold coins. I knew her from the past, after he had killed my family.
He had orchestrated false allegations against her, accusing her of violence and assault against children, and even though everyone knew it was impossible for Lady Carlien to do such things, that tyrant had his way.
I gritted my teeth again and turned my gaze towards Ryuk.
‘ Why wasn’t he bidding?’
In my previous life, after Lady Carlien had bid, he had bid against her, and that had been the real reason behind him killing her.
Perhaps only I knew this. I had once been happy, thinking he was angry for me, but I gradually understood that he simply didn’t want anyone to oppose him.
…..
The bidding continued, and Ryuk made his move, bidding for the Soul orb. He left no room for further bids, offering an extravagant sum of ten thousand gold coins.
He could have easily bid a smaller amount, given his status as a prince, and no one would have dared to challenge him.
However, his intention for the high bid was something else as his eyes shifted in a certain direction, a glint passing through them.
‘Caught You’
