Chapter 3 – The Dark Elf, Sold

Sold!

“…A Dark Elf?”
“…Is there really anyone who’d buy one?”
“…Get involved with one, and it might just be the end of you.”

The audience stirred at the Dark Elf’s appearance.

Unlike with the elf earlier, this time, the murmuring had a distinctly unpleasant tone to it.

This reaction wasn’t without reason.

A widely believed legend among the people of the Northeastern Continent claimed that Dark Elves brought misfortune to anyone who interacted with them.

It was even ingrained in children’s cautionary tales.

“The Dark Elf will come for bad children, and their entire lives will be cursed with misfortune.”

That was the kind of story passed down.

Whether it was true or not was unknown.

After all, it was just a story.

But on the Northeastern Continent, there was practically no way to verify it.

Dark Elves were even rarer than regular elves.

Even in the imperial capital, there might not be a single person who had ever seen one.

With no actual encounters to rely on, the only thing that spread were these exaggerated, negative rumors.

Since no one could confirm the truth, people simply accepted the stories as fact.

“――She is a young maiden of fifteen! She has some knowledge of magic and has even ventured into dungeons! Not only is she well-suited for bodyguard work or adventuring, but she is also skilled in household chores, possesses outstanding beauty, and has an incredible figure! We can even guarantee that she is an untouched virgin! You may take pleasure in being her first!”

The emcee hyped her up.

However, the audience’s reaction was… lackluster.

And this was despite the presence of so many wealthy people.

I figured at least one of them would be willing to buy her just to see what happens, but apparently not.

…No.

Maybe it was precisely because they were wealthy.

Rich people cared about their reputations.

If even the slightest misfortune were to happen, people would immediately blame the Dark Elf.

And that anger would undoubtedly be directed at the buyer as well.

“It’s your fault for bringing that into our home.”

If their household were to fall into ruin, they’d be blamed for everything.

The truth didn’t matter.

People fabricated convenient explanations, linked unrelated events, and twisted them into cause and effect.

And among the upper class, where relationships were already delicate, this kind of thing would be even more common.

“――W-While she may be viewed as an ill omen on this continent, in other lands, it is quite the opposite! In some regions, Dark Elf women are revered as maidens who bring fortune!”

The emcee was sweating.

His face made it obvious—this was not going as planned.

They had claimed to be a traveling auction group, so they were clearly from another continent.

Judging by his level of desperation, it seemed that Dark Elves were highly valued elsewhere.

Even if bad rumors existed there too, they must not have affected the price at all—otherwise, they wouldn’t have presented her as the grand finale.

But here, that logic didn’t hold.

The result?

Total failure.

“――Alright, get ready for a bleeding discount! This Dark Elf starts at 150,000 Robs!”

That was an exceptionally low starting bid.
They must be banking on the possibility that, starting so low, the bids would heat up from there.
They could have withdrawn the item or postponed the auction to another venue, but they’re not doing that.
Perhaps it’s a matter of pride for them, making a living off these slave “auctions.”

“――N-no one is bidding!?”

Contrary to the organizer’s expectations, still no one raised a hand or made a bid.
Some people appeared interested, yet their expressions were hesitant, as if wondering whether it was really safe to make the purchase.
It wasn’t about the money—it was the uncertainty of whether acquiring one was a wise move.

And anyway, 150,000 Robs…
That’s exactly the entirety of my current savings.
Maybe I could actually end up buying one.

At first, I had only intended to observe, but as the event progressed, my mindset began to change.
I decided, on a whim, to join in for the fun.
Fortunately, I didn’t harbor the same deep-seated aversion to Dark Elves that the stories suggested—I wasn’t naïve enough to let mere tales dictate my choices.

Besides, even if I didn’t have a Dark Elf, my luck was already so dismal that my house might burn down regardless. Even if misfortune truly rained down, it wouldn’t be much different from what I’d already endured.

And according to the emcee, if anything, she might even bring good fortune instead.

“150,000”

I raised my hand and declared the amount.
In that instant, all eyes turned to me.
Were they thinking, “What a sucker!” or something similar?

“――150,000 Robs! 150,000 Robs! Is there anyone else? If you miss this chance, you may never have another in your life!”

The emcee earnestly tried to sell the Dark Elf.
Some people raised their hands tentatively only to pull them back, while others furrowed their brows in indecision.
Yet no one made a clear, decisive bid.

I figured that at least one person might be emboldened by my bid and join in, but judging by the scene, I might just win the auction outright.

In fact, without further bidding, I ended up winning her.

“――S-since no one else is bidding, the Dark Elf is sold for 150,000 Robs!”

Today, I ended up acquiring a Dark Elf slave.