The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 264

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 264
Chapter 264
[Silver Wind Guardian Ring]
A Mythic-grade guardian ring with no restrictions on who can wear it.
The moment that ring appeared on the auction block, countless participants raised their numbered paddles and shouted.
“One hundred million Gold!”
“My goodness, one hundred million Gold just to start?”
“Who is that?”
“That person must be one of the western magnates….”
The opening bid alone was astronomical.
One hundred million Gold.
But this was merely the beginning.
“Two hundred million Gold!”
“This is… insane….”
“Three hundred million Gold!”
“What kind of bidding increments are in the hundreds of millions?”
“Four hundred million Gold!”
“It keeps climbing!”
The price continued to rise relentlessly.
The lesser nobles lowered their paddles in an instant, their expressions growing grim.
Observing this, Duke Winchilsey contemplated.
‘Is this it?’
An opportunity to demonstrate his wealth and influence.
It seemed like now was precisely that moment.
If he purchased all three pieces of jewelry, not just the ring, wouldn’t he prove to everyone that his power remained undiminished?
“One billion Gold.”
“Duke Winchilsey as well…?”
When Duke Winchilsey raised his paddle, the Aristocratic Faction nobles lowered theirs, but.
“One point two billion Gold!”
“One point three billion!”
“One point five billion!”
The price continued climbing.
The Empire had many nobles belonging to the Emperor Faction and Neutral Faction, not just the Aristocratic Faction.
Beyond that were wealthy merchants—caravan masters confident in their fortunes—and influential figures holding prominent positions throughout the Empire.
Countless individuals raised their paddles without hesitation, competing against Duke Winchilsey in the bidding war.
As a result, even Duke Winchilsey found himself taken aback.
‘It’s becoming this expensive?’
It seemed he had underestimated the Mythic-grade guardian ring.
Indeed, with such exquisite beauty and such formidable power.
Since it was essentially equivalent to carrying a second life, those who understood the value of their own existence were willing to stake everything to possess it.
Yet I couldn’t afford to withdraw from the bidding midway.
‘If I back down now, the others might look down on me.’
Everyone among the nobles already knew I was participating in this auction.
I couldn’t stop here.
No matter how mythical-grade the ring was, at this rate I’d be paying far too much, and even Duke Winchilsey wouldn’t have enough capital to purchase all three accessories at these prices.
“…Two billion gold.”
“Yes, two billion gold! Next bid…!”
“Two point five billion!”
“Damn it.”
Duke Winchilsey had to keep raising his paddle.
With each bid, the ring’s price soared far beyond everyone’s imagination.
* * *
“Will it really go that high?”
“No, compared to previous Grand Auctions, this is record-breaking?”
“Is that so?”
“It’s because the Marquis fulfilled the nobles’ desires so well. Beautiful aesthetics, an extremely rare mythical-grade accessory, no restrictions on wearing it, and even a protective function that could be called a second life.”
“I did design it with this in mind….”
“Add the nobles’ competitive spirit and vanity on top of that? This is what happens.”
The Silver Wind Guardian Ring.
I’d crafted it specifically to fetch a high price at auction, so the results matched my expectations perfectly.
Yet it was selling for far more than I’d anticipated.
After deducting the Auction House’s commission, the amount would shrink, but even accounting for that, it was an impressive sum.
“Oh right, since it’s the main item, I’ve cut the commission as much as possible, so don’t worry.”
“I appreciate it. You’ve made arrangements for me, so I’ll pay you a separate commission.”
“No, that’s not necessary. Like I said, we’re in the same boat anyway, right? I’ll be satisfied if you just treat me well going forward. See.”
She’d even set the commission at the absolute minimum.
But why had Yuris been treating me so well since earlier?
For someone forced into a contract after her branch was raided, she was cooperating far better than I’d imagined.
I wondered why she was doing this, but as she said, I could simply treat her better in the future.
Thinking this way, I watched the auction continue.
Bang, bang, bang!
“And so the ‘Silver Wind Guardian Ring’ is hereby sold to Duke Winchilsey!”
“Ooooh!”
“As expected of the Duke!”
“Remarkable! Such wealth!”
“Even those wealthy nobles over there withdrew their paddles in awe!”
My item had been sold.
Truly, at a price that far exceeded what I’d anticipated.
“From now on, you can bid freely below that price.”
“But I haven’t received the payment yet—is that alright?”
“If you place a bid, it’s actually advantageous for the Auction House. You can bid freely by combining the price just sold with the gold you have, Marquis.”
“I see.”
“Ah, and do keep in mind the bidding price for Heuk-an as well. Since it’s an unapprased item, it’s being presented as artwork so it shouldn’t be too expensive, but just in case.”
“Right.”
The next auction began immediately.
The next item was an artwork titled “Morning Sunlight of Lugh Biancé,” but it wasn’t something that captured my interest.
The crowd seemed somewhat less enthusiastic, but the auction proceeded in a lively atmosphere, perhaps because the fervor from the first item had been so intense.
‘The Grand Auction House really is different.’
The feel of the items coming up was completely different from the user auction site.
The price range of the items was the same.
Artworks that users would question why anyone would buy were being traded at unimaginably high prices.
Items that users would go crazy rushing toward were being traded at unexpectedly low prices.
Of course, since many wealthy merchants were among the participants, even at bargain prices, a minimum seemed to be maintained….
“These items are being traded unusually cheaply this time. Perhaps everyone is saving their money to bid on your item, Marquis?”
“Surely not.”
“I’m serious. The first accessory just sold at that price, so they’re probably thinking they need that much capital to bid on the next item.”
Still, it seemed too low.
In that sense, I also participated in bidding on such items.
“The successful bidder is Marquis Mir! Congratulations!”
Honestly, it was too much of a bargain.
I could profit just by taking it out and posting it on the user auction site.
The merchants participating in the auction probably knew this too, but I suspected they were saving their money to bid on proper items rather than such small change.
Thanks to that.
“Marquis Mir, you’ve won the bid!”
“Congratulations!”
I was able to win the bid on quite a few items.
As for what items I won bids on.
[ Poison Heart of the Toxic Dragon ]
[ Worn and Broken Magic Core of Ancient Civilization ]
[ Concentrated Curse Blood Stone ]
….
Things like these.
Materials that nobles wouldn’t be interested in, with appearances that weren’t particularly beautiful.
Materials that were even off-putting.
The reason I deliberately won bids on these was partly because I could profit just by reselling them.
‘They seem like they’d be good to make into items.’
Just like I made the Evil God’s silver feathers into accessories.
These could also become good materials when used to craft something.
I bought them all, thinking that someday I’d find a use for them once I stored them in my subspace.
Before long, the auction had passed the midway point.
“The next item is something we’ve all been eagerly anticipating! Behold, the ‘Bracelet of the Silver Wind’s Protection!'”
“One billion!”
“Two billion!”
“Two and a half billion!!”
The bracelet’s turn at auction had arrived.
Thanks to the ring’s astronomical final bid, this time the opening price was set at one billion gold.
The subsequent bids were equally staggering.
As the bracelet’s price climbed steadily higher,
“Duke Winchilsey has won the bid once again!”
“Unbelievable.”
“Just how much capital does he possess?”
“At this rate, he’ll end up winning all three accessories.”
“He’s making every other wealthy bidder here look insignificant.”
“There were some unfavorable rumors circulating recently, but it seems they were all baseless.”
“A true legend, as expected.”
Duke Winchilsey had won the bid once more.
Though I thought I detected a slight tremor in his voice at the end, the fact that he’d secured the bracelet at an even higher price than the ring was remarkable.
He certainly lived up to his reputation as the leader of the Aristocratic Faction—his wealth was undeniable.
And then.
Finally.
“Next is Heuk-an, infused with the power of dragons! Even the Empire’s greatest Appraiser failed to identify it, leaving its true nature a mystery! But look at this! This mystical beauty! It’s as exquisite as a precious gem!”
“Marquis, it’s here.”
Heuk-an was brought up onto the auction block.
I’d been worried it might be a different item altogether.
Whoosh!
– Master.
“So it is.”
– Yes, it’s my Heuk-an.
My suspicions were confirmed.
“Though the appraisal failed, if we could successfully identify it, it might prove to be an extraordinary item! Even without appraisal, gems with this kind of presence are exceptionally rare!”
Therefore, I
“Now, let the auction begin!”
The moment the auction started,
“One hundred million gold.”
“One hundred million! We have one hundred million gold right away!”
I immediately raised my bidding paddle.
* * *
Duke Winchilsey, who had just won the bracelet, struggled to steady his trembling hands.
‘I never imagined I’d spend this much money here.’
The item he’d won pleased him.
Mythical-grade rings and bracelets to protect myself—I couldn’t help but be pleased.
I was delighted with both acquisitions.
Though I was far too pleased with those two items.
‘I’ve spent far too much gold.’
The amount I’d expended exceeded my imagination.
At this rate, purchasing the final remaining item—the necklace—would be impossible.
When the final lot came up, I could simply project an air of magnanimity, something like ‘I’m already satisfied, so I’ll graciously yield to others,’ and that would suffice.
I’d need to raise taxes in my Territory substantially to replenish what I’d spent, but that was no concern.
After all, the very purpose of my Territory’s inhabitants was to fill my coffers.
But right then.
“One hundred million gold.”
“One hundred million! We have one hundred million gold!”
Duke Winchilsey’s ears caught the voice of Marquis Mir.
Though Mir wasn’t participating in an auction for the first time, the nobles, including Duke Winchilsey, sensed something amiss.
“It appears Marquis Mir’s target is that item.”
“I concur.”
Mir had never been the first to participate in an auction until now.
When bidding on materials from grotesque and filthy-looking monsters stalled, he’d merely secure them at bargain prices.
The nobles had all mocked him for being a typical adventurer-turned-noble.
But this time, Mir was the first to raise his paddle and call out a price.
The nobles assumed Mir desired that Heuk-an.
“Shouldn’t we teach this lowborn adventurer, scrounging for cheap materials, a bitter lesson?”
“I agree.”
“One hundred million gold—he shouted boldly, but I’m curious how much a provincial noble can actually afford.”
To torment Mir.
“Two hundred million gold.”
They raised their paddles.
“Five hundred million gold.”
Mir glanced at them dismissively, then called out an astronomical price.
“F-five hundred million?”
The nobles couldn’t help but be flustered.
The Heuk-an appeared beautiful, but it was still an item that hadn’t been appraised.
If the appraisal succeeded, it might prove to be an extraordinary item, but since the Empire’s greatest Appraiser had failed to appraise it, there was no way to appraise it.
To bid five hundred million for such an item!
Did this make any sense?
A noble with considerable assets attempted to call out a higher price.
“One billion.”
“Good heavens….”
The nobles gasped at Mir’s next bid.
The other participants did likewise.
Since Mir was exuding an aura of “I will absolutely purchase this,” no one was willing to pay over a billion gold for such an item.
Thus, the nobles’ gazes naturally converged.
Specifically, toward Duke Winchilsey.
The message in their eyes was unmistakable.
“Duke Winchilsey!”
“Shouldn’t you teach that adventurer a lesson!”
“Surely you can stop him, Duke Winchilsey!”
They were urging Duke Winchilsey to place a bid.
However, Duke Winchilsey no longer had sufficient reserve funds to bid.
“…Such a crude item—a monster’s eyeball—seems perfectly suited for an adventurer.”
He offered a perfunctory excuse and turned away, ignoring the nobles’ imploring gazes.
With Duke Winchilsey’s withdrawal.
“Sold!”
Heuk-an’s successful bidder was Mir.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————