Chapter 147

Chapter 147 \n<h1>FPS 147</h1>\n

 

Kay: Wasn’t me!

_ _ _ _ _ _ 

In the reception room at the Marida Company’s headquarters, I was able to discuss may things with the Malta couple. Apparently, there’d been various products made in regards to Shaft that were selling well. But it was also extremely embarrassing. Even in the previous world, the PC Peripherals and controllers I used were sold with the Schwartz model names. 

Manufacturers often made equipment with attached pro-teams for fans. The products that took advantage of Shaft’s popularity were no different, so it was easier to accept it. 

And what remained was the King’s Festival, which was the purpose of my visit. 

“First of all, the King’s festival will be held a week from now, in the first district at the auction house ‘Hirashia’. It will be in three days to sell a wide variety of weapons, magical tools, fine arts, and magic stones, etc.” 

I listened to Malta-san’s explanation about how the festival was arranged. The participation fees and goods were divided daily throughout the three-day auction, sponsored by the Royal family. Participation was not restricted by social status but their participation fee on the third day was set quite high, which eliminated any low status person. Naturally, many expensive items would be put out every day. \n

The dungeon core I collected and exhibited by Malta-san was scheduled to be put out on the third day. It seemed that the list of items to be auctioned were posted in the lobby at the auction house. The aristocratic messengers and merchants were already checking the list for when they wanted to come. 

The auction format, which was common in my old world, was that people would bid on an item and the highest bidder would win. When you paid the participation fee, you’d be given a wooden tag with a number on it, and it seemed that you’d need to raise it and say the amount of your bid. There were also other rules, but you had to check with them directly at the Hirashia Auction House. 

When we were almost finished with our talk, I saw a light spot rushing towards the reception room on the map. I looked at Malta and Marida who sat in front of me, then put on my mask and switched my consciousness to Shaft. The light spot stopped at the door and I heard my sensors pick up taking a small breath. 

Knock Knock. 

There was a modest knock on the door. Both Malta and Marida smile. No, I did as well. 

“Excuse me!”

The voice was clearly tense, but it was Minnea, the couple’s only daughter, who entered. 

“Father, mother, I’m back now. Shaft-sama, i-it’s been a long time!” \nMinnea showed me a curtsey, picking up the hems of her skirt slightly with a small bow. Since it was done, I returned her greeting. I stood, pulled one leg and bent one arm horizontally across my chest and bowed. 

“It’s been a long time, Minnea.”

“Yes! Congratulations on subjugating Garo’s Labyrinth!”

“Oh, thank you. It seems you’re using that brooch.”

Minnea wore a blouse with a flapping blue bird brooch on her chest. I bought it for her during our sightseeing tour of the capital after the kidnapping case was resolved.

“Yes! I wear this every time I go to the academy.” 

“It seems you like it very much.”

“Minnea, go change your clothes for the time being. Shaft-sama, will you be staying here tonight?”

“Yeah, I’ll be out tomorrow so I’ll be in your care only for tonight.” \n\nWhen I saw Minnea off, she kept looking back again and again as she waved. I noticed the light spots slowly surround me and Melta from a distance. I could hear whispers such as ‘Is that really the Black Mask?’, ‘Eh? Is he coming to the Royal Capital?’

If I stood out too much, I may attract unwanted attention so I began to move to my next errand. 

“Meltia-san, I’ll walk to the General Guild. You can go back to the Marida Company.” 

“If it’s the guild, I’ll guide you there.”

“No, I don’t want to travel too much in a carriage with the company’s crest. Tell Malta-san that I’ll be there the night after tomorrow.” 

“Understood. Please be careful.”

The reason I wanted to go to the guild from the academy was to get the reward for subjugating Garo’s Labyrinth, which I’d put on hold on claiming. I didn’t know how much the reward would be, but as long as it works as Shaft, I want to collect it before something happens. No… I hoped nothing would happen, but… The capital’s General Guild library was another place I wanted to visit. 

I needed to gather more information on the next labyrinth raid. I also wanted to find more information about this world and the sender of that email. There was also the northern part of the kingdom. The place I was teleported to by the circle, where it was. I needed to search for that information, even if I found only a little. There was a lot of stuff to look up and things to do that’d probably keep me until the sun went down.

With this in mind, I walked down the main street of the capital.