Salvation Through Delusion C38

Chapter 38

 

Of course, my knees were trembling at the thought of paying 400,000 gold, but I managed to keep a smug expression, pretending it was nothing. The sudden stir I caused drew whispers all around me.

 

“Haah, Adeye…”

“Damn, it’s over.”

“She totally came here for this.”

 

Thanks to the reputation Dr. Kim had carefully built for Adeye, it looked like I might get the diamond without any competition.

 

The strongest rival, Gollum No. 1, glared at me furiously, breathing heavily, but he seemed hesitant to raise his hand again—the amount was clearly beyond his reach.

 

Alright then. Once I bring that diamond back—

 

“Five hundred thousand gold.”

 

A voice I hadn’t expected suddenly rang out from behind me, joining the auction. Everyone instantly turned toward the direction of that voice.

 

As for me, I couldn’t even bring myself to look. It was a voice I knew too well—one that was anything but welcome.

 

…Shit. Why the hell is Tyroc here?

 

A curse slipped from my mouth before I could stop it. I didn’t need to turn around to confirm it. Every person in the hall was already standing, bowing their heads toward him.

 

The only exceptions were me and Solongo beside me, whose face had hardened into a dangerous glare. Even then, she stood halfway out of courtesy and gave a small nod. I couldn’t even manage that. I simply couldn’t believe it.

 

Why him, and why now?

 

I turned around, my glare even sharper than Solongo’s, and met those familiar golden eyes that gleamed like lightning.

 

He stood leaning lazily against a marble pillar, one shoulder slouched, his mouth twisted into a crooked smirk. Everyone else stared at that smile as if entranced, but my face only grew darker. Seeing that, amusement flickered in his eyes.

 

Ugh. What an infuriating bastard.

 

“Remember,” Solongo muttered under her breath, “Tyroc is our only hope of saving the Koon household and Lord Rue’s world.”

 

Her warning helped me calm down—for about a second.

 

“Ah, w-we have five hundred thousand gold!” the auctioneer stammered. “Anyone else?”

 

That snapped me back to my senses. Wait—I’m supposed to take that gem! I quickly raised my hand.

 

“Six hundred thousand gold.”

 

“Seven hundred thousand.”

 

Tyroc immediately upped the bid. I clenched my fists, seething, but held my tongue under everyone’s watchful eyes.

 

Ha. You want to play the money game, huh?

 

Just as I was about to channel my inner Dr. Kim and up the price again—

 

“Eight hun—”

 

“Lord Adeye Rue has no right to participate in this auction!”

 

Gollum No. 1 suddenly stood up, shouting at the top of his lungs. “He’s the one who donated that gem!”

 

Yeah, I knew you’d pull that stunt. His petty tattling sent a wave of gasps and murmurs rippling through the crowd.

 

That wave quickly turned into a sea of disapproving stares aimed right at me. Donating an item and then buying it back yourself? What kind of scam was that?

 

Everyone looked appalled—but thankfully, no one seemed suspicious. My predecessor Ru’s reputation as a greedy collector worked in my favor for once. I was just a self-absorbed noble, not a conspirator.

 

Still, all this unwanted attention was annoying as hell.

 

“The donor bidding on their own item is… unprecedented,” the auctioneer said awkwardly. “We may need to pause briefly to discuss—”

 

But before he could step down, an unexpected voice cut through.

 

“The Tear of the Demon King belongs to Adeye Lantua,” Tyroc said smoothly, his lips curved into that same insufferable grin. “It’s not property of the Adeye family, but a personal possession. Therefore, her representative, Lord Rue, has every right to bid.”

 

Why. Just. Why.

 

I wasn’t the only one who thought it was strange that he’d speak for me—but no one else dared to say a word. Whether his claim was right or wrong didn’t matter; when someone of his rank spoke, people simply obeyed.

 

And even if rank didn’t matter—his face did. That face could make any lie sound divine.

 

Look at them now—everyone who was glaring at me a second ago is nodding in agreement. “Well, if Lord Tyroc says so, it must be fine.”

 

Unexpected help, yes—but I couldn’t feel even a shred of gratitude. Just disgust.

 

What is he, a judge now?

 

“Ahem. Then, shall we resume the bidding? Lord Rue has offered 800,000 gold.”

 

“900,000 gold,” Tyroc countered immediately.

 

Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he started walking—straight toward me.

 

His long legs carried him across the hall in seconds. He stopped beside my seat and glanced down at the person next to me. That poor soul jumped to their feet in panic.

 

“Ah, y-you wish to sit here, my lord—?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tyroc answered casually and sat down, draping one arm lazily over the back of my chair, turning fully toward me as though he owned the place.

 

And yet… everyone in the hall was rooting for him.

 

“Well, it’s Adeye, after all.”

“Guess even the Grand Duke couldn’t just stand by.”

“That gem belonged to the Koon family to begin with.”

 

Their eyes shone with excitement, like they were watching a villain finally get what she deserved.

 

I didn’t mind being cast as the villain. What bothered me was his expression—his lips curved in amusement, but his eyes didn’t smile. Those sharp golden eyes lingered—on my mouth.

 

Right. The lips he’d bitten not long ago.

 

The wound had healed, but the memory was still raw.

 

His gaze flicked up, meeting mine, and when he saw the fury in my eyes, his tongue flicked across his lips in mockery.

 

You son of a—

 

“N-Ninety hundred thousand gold!” The auctioneer’s voice trembled. “Any higher bids?”

 

His eyes turned toward me expectantly. I almost raised my hand—until Solongo tugged hard at my sleeve.

 

“Don’t,” she hissed.

 

Her meaning was clear: don’t push him any further. Tyroc was humanity’s last hope, remember?

 

But I had another problem. The gem. It had been screaming in my head the entire time.

 

[So many filthy souls!!! This place is disgusting!!! I want to go homeeee!!! Please, let me go homeeee!!!]

 

As I hesitated, Tyroc murmured under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

 

“Coward.”

 

That did it. I shot to my feet.

 

“Five million gold!”

 

The crowd exploded in gasps and chatter. I clenched my jaw and shouted over the noise, addressing the auctioneer directly.

 

“But that gem carries a curse that brings misfortune to whoever possesses it! No one should own it. The moment I win it, I’ll throw it into the pond on the temple’s western grounds!”

 

A bombshell of a declaration.

 

When I turned, Tyroc’s grin was gone, his eyes cold. But somehow, I felt better.

 

Ah. So that’s why he smiled every time I lost my temper.

 

“Now explain yourself.”

 

The moment we were back in the waiting room, Solongo pounced with fury.

 

I clasped my hands together, bowing slightly in guilt. “I’m sorry.”

 

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I just want to know—why did you do that?”

 

Her tone made it even harder to meet her eyes. I mumbled weakly, “It just… slipped out.”

 

“What slipped out?”

 

“The five million gold.”

 

“Ah, the donation amount.” Her brows furrowed. “Yes, that was a bit extreme.”

 

“I’m sorr—”

 

“Only five million?” she interrupted sharply. “Come on. Who’d believe Adeye would donate such a measly amount? Even the ants living in the Adeye mansion would have more pride! Of course, you probably assumed Lord Tyroc would raise the price again. Am I wrong?”

 

“…Right.”

 

I stopped myself from asking how much money Adeye actually had.

 

“So what are you really curious about?” I asked.

 

“If you were going to donate anyway,” she said, narrowing her eyes, “why pick a fight with Tyroc?”

 

Well…

 

I turned my gaze to the adjoining room. Through that door lay the sobbing gem, which had only quieted down after being left alone.

 

I explained briefly about the “crybaby diamond,” then added, “She said she sensed her home near the temple pond, but she never confirmed that it’s her home. If it’s not, throwing her in there would be a waste—and getting her back would be impossible.”

 

Not to mention the temple’s crawling with dangerous Gollums who’d love to snatch her up.

 

When I finished, Solongo, who’d been listening intently, finally spoke in a grave tone.

 

“So… you’re saying the Tear of the Demon King actually curses people?”

 

“That’s the only part you heard?”

 

“The curse is real… what a terrifying gem.” She shuddered slightly. “Ah, that explains everything. That must be why Emperor Koon Nuu made such foolish choices—and why he lost the throne so pathetically.”

 

Koon Nuu. The name rang familiar. I’d read about him while studying the history of this world at the Adeye estate.

 

He was the one who created the Eye of Hell to deal with the monster crisis—but unexpectedly, the divine beast vanished, and he lost the throne soon after.

 

And with him… the Koon family fell as well.