After the afternoon break, the Mithril Section finally began. This section had a minimum bid price of ten billion Flon.

"And now, the auction has reached its final section, the Mithril Section. This time, we have an especially impressive lineup of highlight items, making this auction more exciting than ever. Let’s get started right away!"

The first item up for bid was insane.

A magic sword, tightly sealed with chains on a cart. Just looking at it gave off an ominous aura, the kind of weapon that would absolutely curse you the moment you equipped it.

"Yeah, this one's bad news."

"...Yeah. I have a really bad feeling about it."

"It does seem to be sealed, but..."

Even Fleur had a strained expression. This really had to be a dangerous item. It was strange that not many people in the audience were reacting the same way. Maybe this level of menace was within their acceptable range.

In the end, it was sold for fifteen billion Flon. I had no idea what would happen to it after that...

Following that, the auction continued with a series of high-value items: the Earth Dragon’s magic stone, heart, and reverse scales—all of which were sold for absurdly high prices. At this point, I had no more words.

"Our next item! A criminal slave from the vampire race, Elvirinos Jewels!"

...Huh? A slave? The auction even dealt in that?

I glanced over at Fleur, but she just looked on with mild interest, as if it were nothing unusual. So, this wasn't out of the ordinary?

"They auction off slaves too...?"

Rio furrowed her brows.

"Yes. Slaves are valuable commodities, after all."

If Fleur said so, then I supposed that was how things worked. Still, this was something I might not be able to get used to.

As I frowned, instead of a cart, a cage was wheeled onto the stage. Inside was, of course, the slave named Elvirinos Jewels.

"Pfft!"

The moment I saw her, I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

Because she was completely naked.

She had long, snow-white hair that reached her waist and crimson-red eyes. Her skin was pale and almost translucent. Her ample chest looked as if it could rival the size of melons, and her slender waist emphasized her curvaceous figure. The only thing she wore was a collar, which somehow made her look even more provocative.

"Hey, Shu?"

As I continued staring, Rio’s sharp voice called out to me.

"What is it?"

Still not looking away, I answered, only for her to pinch my cheek.

"Oww..."

"Where are you looking?"

"I was just checking out the item on display..."

"Oh, really now..."

"Ahaha..."

Fleur chuckled awkwardly at our exchange.

"Rare slaves sometimes get put up for auction," she explained.

The announcer continued with the details. Apparently, this vampire slave was over two hundred years old. They didn’t disclose what crimes she had committed to become a criminal slave, but I couldn’t help but wonder.

When I asked Fleur, she told me that in this commercial nation, there was no discrimination based on race. Vampires weren’t persecuted here, so this woman must have simply been caught for regular crimes. Since this was a legitimate auction, they wouldn’t be selling anything illicit.

"Bidding starts at ten billion Flon!"

"Eleven billion!"

"Twelve billion!"

She was incredibly popular—among the men, that is. Not a single woman placed a bid. I could understand why. But hey, I had Rio, so I wasn't tempted or anything.

The vampire woman crossed her arms under her chest, subtly lifting her breasts, and scanned the audience with a sultry gaze. She made no effort to cover herself. Her eyes eventually locked onto mine.

For a brief moment, she gave me a faint, seductive smile, and her red eyes seemed to glow.

—What was that?

I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to keep her by my side—

"Fifteen billion Flon!"

Before I knew it, I had shouted out a bid.

"Hey! Shu!?"

"Guh!"

Rio immediately jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow.

Snapping back to reality, I looked around. Rio was glaring at me, her eyes filled with suspicion.

The bidding had already surpassed my offer and reached eighteen billion Flon.

"What exactly were you thinking?"

Rio’s quiet fury was palpable, but I was the one who wanted answers.

That sensation just now—I recognized it. It was similar to what I felt when the Third Princess of Arclight Kingdom handed me that brooch.

"...Was that charm magic?"

"What?"

Both Rio and Fleur exclaimed in unison.

"That damn woman... A slave, using charm magic on customers? She’s got some nerve."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

"I mean, the moment she looked at me, my mind got hazy. I'm fine now, though."

"Then...!"

"Yeah. It was just like when I got that brooch."

"Charm magic...? But the slaves in these auctions are supposed to be under commands that prevent them from doing anything like that..."

Fleur looked perplexed, and even the vampire slave in question tilted her head in apparent confusion.

I glared at her. She responded with another faint smile, her eyes glinting again—but it didn’t affect me this time. Realizing that I wasn’t bidding anymore, she subtly shifted her gaze to another person in the crowd.

...Was she using charm magic to artificially raise her own bid?

As that suspicion settled in, the Mithril Section of the auction entered its latter half.