There are types of surprises that I really like, but when it’s something beyond me, I’d hate it.

***

After saying such audacious words, the King himself picked up on of the broken—no, precious shards of the [Dungeon Core]. He tossed one out to me and everybody’s eyes were glued to the shard while it was flying towards to me. When I caught it with one hand, I looked at it carefully from top to bottom.

“You see young man; our city has its own [Dungeon Core]. In every 5 years, due to continuous exposure to high quantities of Mana, it molts its outer shell. Although it’s not as great as the shards from a broken [Dungeon Core], it still has many uses.”

So it’s a really valuable item! I have to get my hands on that!

Just when I was about to speak, the others suddenly raised their voices and spoke to the Dwarven King overshadowing me.

“You’re highness! Please sell that to my country!”

“NO! Sell that to me! I have lots of Magic Scroll, trade that with it!”

And bla bla bla… They are saying such things after seeing such item in front of them.

On the other hand, I saw Sir Theethys glanced at me for a second. Out of a sudden, he looked away while rubbing his eyes. Did something get caught in his eyes?

“Before everything else, why are you selling such precious item to an upstart noble? Even if he’s a descendant of someone you know, isn’t it too unreasonable to just sell it to him?”

Okay, that pissed me off…

The one who scowled at me is Sir Yuiche. He’s pointing and yelling at me like he’s gone mad. By the way, he’s the guy who wanted to trade the [Dungeon Core] for a bunch of scrolls.

Since I’m a calm and collected type of man, I answer him with a cool tone.

“I understand you Sir Yuiche, but you’re such a petty man to try to trade an item such as [Dungeon Core] shard with a bunch of Magic Scrolls. I would have liked to inquire on your scroll business, but since you’re like that, I have to drop down that idea. What a waste.”

Okay, not exactly calm.

Mocked, Sir Yuiche pulled out a small magic wand *pfft!* and started chanting. His guards also pulled out their swords and looked like they’re about to do a jump on me. Amly and Sanjeet panicked a bit and then pulled out their weapons also.

Everyone tried to stop Sir Yuiche, but I was way faster than them.

“>”

In an instant, the magic I invoked materializes. Ice crystals suddenly appeared around Sir Yuiche and his guards. The next moment, these ice crystals enlarged and became blocks of ice and their bodies sunk into it. I left their heads above the ice to let them breathe.

“Sir Chardelier! That’s too brutal!”

Because I resorted to violence, Miss Mayly raised her voice in anger. But after seeing such spectacle before her, she’s careful not to let my anger get directed to her. I’m not some kind of mad man, Miss Mayly.

The others also pulled out their weapons after that. But when I glared at them, everyone is shaking visibly. I feel weird about it.

Out of a sudden, the Dwarven King bursts out of laughter. Because of that, everyone became dumbfounded including me.

“That feisty nature of yours, it’s like you’re a younger version of your Grandfather, truly amusing!”

“You’re Majesty!”

Because the Dwarven King is laughing too much while rocking his chair, he ended up falling down together with the chair. When Miss Mayly tried to help her, but the King only continues his laughter.

When everyone has finally calmed down including the king, we sat back on our chairs.

“Sir Chardelier, can you please unfreeze Sir Yuiche? He may be quite an ill-tempered man, but he’s still our city’s guest. We can’t have our guests fighting against each other in such an important meeting.”

Miss Mayly cautiously and politely requested me so. She’s still being weary of me. I’m not mad anymore, you know, after freezing that guy that is.

After a flick of my fingers, the ice block that Sir Yuiche and his guards are in breaks down. Then after that, the three of them are hugging their own bodies because they feel cold. It’s ice after all.

Before sitting down, Sir Yuiche glared at me together with his guards. I guess I made unnecessary enemies today.

“Continuing to what we were discussing a while ago, I am now interested in the [Dungeon Core]. But after seeing what Sir Yuiche’s reaction just now, I’m guessing I can’t easily acquire it.”

“So you understand, young man.”

Because the air would become tenser if we kept our silence, I spoke to the king first while leaning my arms on the table and leaned my back on my seat. I’m also crossing my legs so I’m guessing my appearance is now really audacious to the others.

“I can see that everyone here is a representative of their own countries. Although I, myself am a representative from Valeshtyre Kingdom as a noble, I am not one right now, but your common magician. Because you caught my interest with the [Dungeon Core], I want to obtain it for personal reasons. Everyone can understand right?”

I may not look like it most of the times, but I’m actually the type of person who’ll do anything in my power to obtain something that will pique my interest. I could feel the surprised air from Sanjeet and Amly beside me after my change of character.

“That’s one frightening expression there young man. Yes, everyone here is a representative of their countries, thus putting this [Dungeon Core] as a political item. Obtaining this not only puts the magician’s society’s eyes on you, but the other countries as well. And after showing that much power in front of us, I doubt that the others here will let you take this.”

Then after that, the man who is called Sir Senmael speaks out his opinion. He’s the type of guy who even guys could say ‘handsome’. I think he’s just around my age.

“That might be the case right now, your highness. As a magician myself, I am interested in Sir Chardelier’s power and as well as cautious of it. Even so, we are not talking about that, but the ownership of the [Dungeon Core]. As a representative of Sel’ak Muraz Kingdom, letting Sir Chardelier obtain it would be dangerous.”

After saying some negative comments against me, he looked at me with a grin.

“Then again, he’s a trader representing his country. Out of us here, he’s probably the wealthiest man just by listening to what his Highness had said.”

Ah, I see. This guy’s all business huh. Just by looking at him, everyone understood and then switched their gazes towards me. I guess it’s time to play poker.

“If I recall, Sir Senmael, you have this jewelry business, correct? Can I visit your shop tomorrow? I’m quite fond of precious crafts myself.”

“I would be delighted.”

“Sir Voslog, can I reserve your pub tonight? I hear that you have exquisite selection of liquor. So I want to have a small celebration together with everyone here with that in mind. Since we’re all business men here, I’d like to become acquainted with you with good intentions.”

“Then I’ll bring out the best liquor we have. It will empty your pockets though.”

“Is that a challenge?”

They understood what I meant, good… I guess bribing in this world is normal. Just by looking at the others, I could tell that they have the same thought. Well everyone except Sir Yuiche. Sheesh, I guess I’m going to get busy this week.

*From Amly’s point of View*

When I was still in my hunting days, I never ever once thought that I would be beside nobles.

My parents once said that the only things that are scarier than monsters and beasts are nobles. When I remember that, I thought that it was only a joke. However, today, while looking at the men in front of me, I now understood what they meant.

While I’m standing beside Sir Chardelier, I could see that he’s making a very sinister smile with his handsome face. And as if replying to that, the man called Sir Senmael, who is also as handsome as Sir Chardelier, smiled while leaning his head on his clasped hands.

Even if they’re making carefree expressions, the air inside the room is very heavy that Sanjeet and I could barely breathe calmly.

After the long pause, Sir Chardelier initiated the discussion once again.

“So? How much does the shards of [Dungeon Core] worth? Although I personally have no problem with finance currently, I want to know if the worth is really enough for a country to put their eyes on me.”

Normally, Sir Chardelier is a carefree guy. He even converses with us commoners like its normal despite being a noble with a status. But right now, his nature changed drastically as if he’s possessed by someone else. Is he driven by greed perhaps?

When I looked at the Dwarven King, he gives a scary smile while stroking his large beard.

“I’m starting the price at 1000 gold pieces. Certainly, everyone here can currently afford this. Ain’t that right?”

1000 gold pieces?! With that much money, I could start my own business and build a new house for my parents! Even lower ranking nobles would find it hard to acquire that much money! Is that small gem really that precious!?

While I was in shock, I noticed that Sir Chardelier is giggling for some reason. Did he find it amusing or something? No! If I remember correctly, didn’t I see him counting a thousand pieces of gold coins from his money pouch?! If he’s carrying that much money around every day, how wealthy is he?

“I raise it to 1100.”

Out of a sudden, the Beastfolk raised his hand. I didn’t know we’re already having an auction here!

“1150.”

Then, it’s Sir Chardelier.

“1500.”

“1590.”

“1630.”

“1750.”

“1800.”

Before I noticed it, the bidding already reached twice than the original amount. The shock is too much for me that I became dizzy.

“Amly! Keep it together. You’ll embarrass Key if you’re like that.”

“B-but I can’t help it. They’re conversing in a way that’s too much for a commoner like me to handle.”

“Just get used it. Just think they’re talking money, ‘kay?”

Thankfully, Sanjeet is here to support my mentality. If he wasn’t here, I may have fainted of shock.

“2500 gold pieces.”

Sir Senmael raised the bar higher. To my surprise, Sir Chardelier is still calm despite having the value raised like that. I wonder how rich is he really?

“2500 gold pieces and—”

Before continuing his words, he grabbed the box that Sanjeet is carrying and put it in front of him. I don’t know what’s inside it but it seems to be his trump card.

“—a bar of high quality [Mithril]. Surely, as a dwarf, you won’t turn down this offer would you, your highness?”

Oh!? I didn’t know we we’re carrying something really important! Where did Sir Chardelier hide that during the journey?

Everyone froze at that moment. It seems that everyone here is curious about the high quality [Mithril] Sir Chardelier is about to show.

Slowly, he opens the box while visibly breaking magic symbols that are on the box. So it wasn’t just simply a box but a magical one huh. Magicians…

When opened, there, like what Sir Chardelier had said, a bar of purest colored ivory is lying down on a red cushioning inside the box. Because it was handled in a very precious way, I can’t tell if it’s treated normally or as national treasure.

Seeing such a precious item, the Dwarven King cracked the table from leaning on it too much using his only his weight. His eyes are full of surprise that it looked like it was about to pop out.

“T-t-that! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?”

The Dwarven King cried out to Sir Chardelier. He looks so ecstatic that bubbles seemed to jump out his mouth while yelling.

“This? I have my own ways. Sadly, I only have one right now. Although I feel a bit reluctant in using this as an exchange with the shards, I can still get more [Mithril] anytime I want if I feel like it so I’m just going to use it now.”

Even though the surrounding people were in shock from the King’s change of character, Sir Chardelier himself remained calm while swinging the [Mithril] bar like it doesn’t weigh anything. Is this Magic?

Out of a sudden, Sir Chardelier tossed the [Mithril] bar towards the King. After receiving, the king smelled the bar to check if it was real. Unlike Sir Key, I could tell that the bar really weights a lot just by looking at the veins on the King’s right arm.

“When you said ‘anytime’, does that mean that you know a source?”

“More or less. I’m not planning on disclosing such information. But I’d be glad to do so if we do it more privately.”

It seems that the King understood what he meant.

After making fake coughs, he calmed himself and tossed the [Mithril] bar back to Sir Chardelier.

Did Sir made the bar fly towards his hands just now?!

“I yield. Sir Chardelier here can take the [Dungeon Core] for himself.”

Out of a sudden, Sir Senmael who kept on competing with Sir Chardelier raised both his hands surrendering. Even so, he gives a triumphant smile at Sir Chardelier like he got something that he wants already.

Answering that, Sir Chardelier’s eyes and lips became like crescent while looking at the others. Scary!

“Then I’m expecting that the contents of this gathering will remain private.”

***

After that fiasco inside the room where all the wealthy traders met up with Sir Chardelier, we are now heading downtown of the Dwarven City.

Even though Sir Chardelier himself was the victor in the auction, for some reason, he looks really troubled while looking outside the carriage.

“Hey Key, what’s with you?”

Noticing the same thing, Sanjeet asked Sir Chardelier. How come he can care-freely call him by his name?

“It’s about Sir Senmael.”

“What about him?”

Before answering, Sir Chardelier massaged his forehead with his right hand. He’s really troubled.

“I’ve been careless. I didn’t notice it immediately but, it looks like he’s also a member of the [Grey Legion].”

“[Grey Legion]!? Isn’t that the group where that fire guy came from?”

Did they say [Grey Legion]!? Isn’t that the group of people that is made up by various religious men? I heard that they are made up of strong people that could even wipe a whole city in a day! If Sir Chardelier is troubled like that, there must be something going on between them. Looking at him, it mustn’t be a good one.

“Yes. It took me a while to remember what the emblem on his chest meant. Judging from his confidence, he’s not someone I can make lightly of.”

“How are you so sure about that? Don’t you have limitless power?”

“Even after I showed chantless magic in front of him, an intermediate one at that, he remained calm as if he knew about it.”

“But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re powerful than him, right?”

“No, even though I have infinite amounts of mana, my spells are not that strong. In fact, I still haven’t really recovered from what happened this morning. I’m pretty sure that Sora noticed it but didn’t speak out.”

Then with a snap, Sir Chardelier’s appearance changed like dusts leaving from his body.

What Sanjeet and I saw is that, Key’s clothes are soaking in blood and is tattered all over. Although his hair is undamaged, his face is slightly burned. Frankly, he looks really bad.

“Sir Chardelier! Drink this Potion!”

In a panic, I immediately pulled out a bottle of recovery potion from my bag. However, Sir Chardelier raises his hand and pushed back the bottle back to me to deny my offer. Why?

“I’ve already drank 6 bottles of healing potions so drinking that might be useless already. I can feel myself healing anyway so it’s fine.”

“But if you’re already hurt like that from the start, wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t attend the meeting?”

Before answering, Sir Chardelier patted my head and smiled softly at me. I’m afraid it made my heart skip a little.

“Thank you for your concern, but I can’t give the people there a bad impression of me.”

“Geez! Sir Chardelier, don’t act cool. It’s very uncool.”

“Just call me Key like Sanjeet. It sounds like you’re having a hard time pronouncing it.”

Evading my retort, he ruffled my hair like I’m a kid. Geez! Why does everybody looking down on me just because I look small!?

Then he turned his gaze to Sanjeet while pulling out something from his pocket.

“Sanjeet, I’m giving you this key to open the chest of gold. Ask Ghena for help in counting the money and please deliver it to Miss Mayly. You know the way right? Go to the pub downtown when you’re done. But if they ask where we are going, tell them we’re going to meet up with someone and will go home tomorrow.”

“Sure. But where are you going right now? Ah! Wait, before that, why aren’t you using magic to heal your wounds now?”

“I don’t know any healing or recovery magic. I can’t ask Cherry to heal me yet because she might feel bad if she sees my wounds.”

“Then where are we going Sir Char-Key?”

Since the topic averted a little, I repeated Sanjeet’s question.

Before answering my question, Sir Key gave me a mischievous smile.

“We’re going out drinking tonight!”

Despite getting wounded all over, he still has that in mind huh.