Obedient Only to Me! Sir Knight - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It was the same sword shown in the catalogue. A black blade set with a red gemstone. In the booklet illustration, the holy script had been etched only along the hilt, but seeing it in person, the script wound around the entire blade. Lowie, who knew nothing whatsoever about holy inscriptions—magic was one thing, but this was another entirely—studied it with idle curiosity.

That’s the holy sword? It doesn’t look holy so much as… ominous.

Of course, this was hardly something Lowie—who had never once prayed to a god—was qualified to say. If he were to excuse himself, it would be that mages tended to exist at a certain distance from the divine.

Does it have divine power or something? I can’t really tell.

From Lowie’s perspective, it was impossible to judge whether the sword was truly holy or not.

“As you may know, a holy sword chooses its master! Of course, its true owner is not present here today. Might the Holy Knight Commander be among us?”

Laughter broke out here and there. What was so funny? Lowie tilted his head.

“Or perhaps there is someone here who wishes to slay demons? If so, I regret to inform you that you must first receive baptism from Elysion.”

The laughter grew louder. Lowie’s mood soured slightly. The auctioneer continued to hype the crowd.

“The chosen one shall raise the holy sword and cleave the demon asunder, and the heavenly conflagration shall burn evil to ash.”

Amen. The auctioneer added the word playfully, and the audience responded with laughter.

“A verse from the scriptures of Elysion. Even if you are not the sword’s chosen master, that is no matter. While you may not summon holy flames, it will certainly ward off malignant energies! Observe this exquisite forging! And these inscriptions—symbols of protection and purification!”

Using an artifact, the auctioneer magnified the sword so all could see. Indeed, characters Lowie could not read at all were carved with breathtaking precision.

“And this gemstone… according to our findings, it is a sealing stone. Who knows how many demons may be sealed within? If you listen closely, you might even hear them—their anguished cries.”

The auctioneer lowered his voice theatrically. Murmurs of admiration rippled through the crowd seated near the stage.

“Hm….”

The reaction was quite favorable. If so many people were interested, then surely those in the private rooms would be as well. Everyone was Lowie’s rival now. In truth, Lowie—who knew nothing about swords—could not find a single remarkable feature in it. And yet, he knew he had to have it.

Because—Lowie glanced at Ban beside him. Ban’s face was rigid, his gaze unable to leave the holy sword. His clenched fists were white with tension, his jaw trembling as he bit down hard. Lowie thought Ban looked as though he might cry at any moment. …And so, Lowie made up his mind. He would place that sword firmly into Ban’s hands.

“Now then, ladies and gentlemen, we shall begin the auction! The opening bid is fifty million sen!”

Fifty million sen? Ban’s mouth fell open as he stared holes into the holy sword. Fifty million?

“Sixty million sen!”

With the chime of a bell, the auctioneer called out. The auction had begun in earnest. Fifty million had only been the starting price.

By the gods. I should’ve sold it sooner.

The former owner of the holy sword—the baptized one, the former Holy Knight Commander—harbored an irreverent thought. Faced with a price that defied reality, Ban abruptly recoiled. Though he had only ever seen it from afar, he knew for certain that sword was genuine. And if it was real, and if it had appeared before him by the will of the gods…

“Seventy million! No—eighty!”

…No matter what, this was far too expensive!

“M–Master! Why are you trying to buy that?!”

Ban cried out in alarm, but Lowie paid him no heed, ringing the bell without pause.

“One hundred million sen!”

“Have you lost your mind?!”

Ban panicked and snatched the bell away. One—hundred—million? A sum he’d never even spoken aloud before drained the color from his face.

“Why?!”
“No—it’s far too expensive! You don’t even need a sword! You couldn’t lift it anyway—it’s too heavy!”
“Who said I’d use it? You said you wanted it! Give it back—we’ll lose it!”

Lowie seized the bell from Ban’s hand. It was the fastest movement Ban had ever seen from him. The bell rang again and again. As the price skyrocketed, the auctioneer’s voice grew louder. The price had already climbed high enough. Most nobles withdrew, watching the frenzy with amused smiles. At this point, only three bidders remained—including Lowie.

“Three hundred million sen.”

The chime rang again, and another unbelievable figure was announced. Ban now covered his ears, trembling. Was that amount of money really about to vanish—just because he wanted that sword?

“Three hundred ten million sen!”

With the price surpassing three hundred million, one competitor dropped out. But one still remained, immediately matching every bid Lowie made.

“It’s nothing special—why are they so obsessed? Who is it?”

Flushed with excitement, Lowie raised his voice. Ban, seeing this unfamiliar aggression, didn’t know what to do.

“Four hundred million!”
“…Four hundred ten million sen!”
“Tch!”

The relentless pursuit infuriated Lowie. If there was something he wanted, he would have it. That was how he had lived his entire life. Lowie picked up the bell engraved with an alarm spell. A one-way communication formula was carved into its surface, transmitting alerts directly to the auctioneer.

Lowie brushed his hand over the sigil. Having chewed mana stones already, twisting a simple spell like this was easily within his means—even without magic tools. The bell soon connected to the entire auction hall. Lowie raised it to his lips.

Ah—can you hear me?

“Hello?”

His languid voice echoed through the hall. Gasping sounds arose everywhere at the sudden intrusion. The auction hall fell deathly silent.

“I’m taking that. If you have a problem, come see me in person. I’ll bid five billion sen.”

The auctioneer, pale with shock, frantically looked to the staff behind him. After receiving hurried instructions, he turned back to the stage and shouted,

“F–Five billion sen! Do we have any higher bids?!”

“Five billion…?”

Ban’s jaw dropped.

“If there are no further bids—sold! Five billion sen!”

Lowie smiled in triumph.

“Let’s ask for a refund.”
“I’ve never done that.”
“Would you like to try it for the first time?”

Hmph. Lowie snorted. Ban followed behind him in a panic. They were currently heading to an inner reception room with the guide to receive the purchased holy sword. Normally, the item would have been delivered to their private room, but Lowie had insisted on paying in cash yet again.

Carrying five billion sen in cash? Ban’s eyes shook uncontrollably. Five billion sen—on hand? The guide’s eyes were shaking too…

Given the immense sum, time was needed for verification. Once confirmed, the holy sword would be handed over, along with light refreshments. Not that Lowie had much appetite after being disappointed by the strawberry ice cream.

“Five billion sen… and after paying that, do you still have money left?”

Ban whispered into Lowie’s ear, terrified someone might overhear. Huh? Do you need money? Lowie whispered back, confused. How much do you need?

“My god. Elion above.”

Dizziness washed over Ban as he called upon his god. Without exaggeration, this was more terrifying than standing before a great demon. Truly ignorant of how dangerous the world could be. He couldn’t exactly keep all that money on him—what was he supposed to do?

Ban scooted closer to Lowie. They were now pressed together with barely any space between them. Two grown men clinging together on a spacious sofa looked rather ridiculous, but the guide—entirely preoccupied with the physical presence of five billion sen—paid them no mind.

“Please wait here a moment. Once verification is complete, we will deliver the item immediately.”

The guide bowed deeply after handing the money to the guards with trembling hands.

“Would you care for some wine while you wait?”
“Wine?”

Lowie’s eyes sparkled for a moment. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since he’d had alcohol. In fact, he’d only ever drunk once—at his coming-of-age ceremony.

“No alcohol.”
“Why?”
“You’ve been taking headache medicine.”

Ban shook his head firmly. Lowie obediently nodded.

“Mmm. Then bring something sweet. Anything. The ice cream wasn’t good.”
“Ahem, I see it didn’t suit your taste. If you’ll wait just a moment, I can fetch something from a nearby shop.”

The guide bowed politely and left the room. Once they were alone, Ban moved even closer to Lowie—though they were already practically glued together, forcing Lowie to lean aside slightly.

“You really paid five billion sen for that sword?”
“I already bought it. I’ll give it to you.”
“I don’t need a sword worth five billion sen.”
“Just take it. You said you wanted it. Using a good sword is better, right?”
“I already have a sword.”

Ban tapped the sword at his waist. It was one Lowie had bought him as well. Still, Lowie’s expression remained sulky.

“That one’s cheap. Using an expensive one is better.”