Chapter 456: The Demon Auction House (IV)

Her lips curled up slightly.

"Oh my..."

The silver-haired princess looked at Gray for another second, and the irritation that had filled her expression while speaking to the Crimson Moon Princess was replaced by something much more curious.

She took a slow step forward.

"I’ve heard about you."

"That makes two people today..." Gray raised an eyebrow.

The silver-haired princess smiled.

"Then perhaps I should introduce myself properly. I am Princess Elira Veylith of the Violet Moon Royal Family."

The moment she said the name, several nobles nearby lowered their heads a little deeper.

Gray had heard the name before.

Violet Moon Royal Family.

Another one of the major royal demon families.

Their bloodline was closely related to lunar attributes, illusion techniques, spirit arts, and several strange abilities involving the mind.

They were not as openly aggressive as the Crimson Moon Family.

They were worse in a different way... the kind of people who usually would make extremely long-range plans before proceeding.

Gray looked back at Elira.

"So you’re the Violet Moon Princess?"

"That is indeed true."

Her gaze moved over him again.

"You really do look different from the stories."

"What stories?"

"The ones about the examination. Some people described you as a madman covered in blood who stood in the middle of a crater while an enormous black sword fell from the sky."

"People tend to exaggerate a lot..." Gray shrugged.

"Others said you were barely conscious afterward."

"Those people were more accurate."

That made Elira laugh.

"So you admit it?"

"I never denied it."

The Crimson Moon Princess stepped slightly between them.

"What exactly are you interested in?"

Elira looked toward her.

"Must I always explain myself to you?"

"When you look at one of my guests like you’re deciding how much he costs, yes."

Elira’s smile widened.

"Interesting."

She looked at Gray again.

"One of your guests?"

The Crimson Moon Princess’s expression became colder.

"Yes."

"Your Incubus?"

"Again with that?" Gray’s eyebrow twitched.

Elira smiled.

"I heard that title pretty often too."

The Crimson Moon Princess frowned.

"Who is spreading it?"

"Your own students."

"I’ll deal with them."

Elira gave a soft laugh.

"You see? Still so serious."

"And you’re still irritating."

"Yet you’ve remembered every insult I’ve ever given you."

"Because you repeat them."

"I have to repeat them as you keep giving me new reasons to insult you."

Gray watched the two of them.

It was becoming increasingly obvious that this rivalry had survived for years.

They knew how to hurt each other. More importantly, they knew precisely which subjects would get under the other’s skin.

Elira suddenly looked at Gray again.

"You really are fascinating."

Gray gave her a faint smile.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. You’re an Incubus, yet you don’t behave like the ones I’ve met."

"How many have you met?"

"Enough."

She looked at his rapier.

"Most of them rely on their natural charm, mental techniques, illusions, or spiritual arts. You destroyed hundreds of students with a sword technique."

"I didn’t... exactly destroy them."

"You know what I mean."

"I do."

She took another step toward him.

"Your cultivation is also strange."

Gray’s expression became slightly more guarded.

"Is that a compliment?"

"No. It’s an observation."

She tilted her head.

"You’re a Peak Saint... at least, according to the academy, and yet, you fought people several stages above you."

"I got lucky."

"And you’ve already earned a reputation after being here for almost no time at all."

"That wasn’t my intention." Gray shrugged.

Elira looked amused.

"You’re lying."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

The Crimson Moon Princess’s expression hardened.

"Don’t pry into him."

"Oh? Have you become quite protective of him? Did something happen between the two of you?" Elira gave her a soft smile.

"I am simply protecting my guest from an irritating person."

"Of course."

Elira turned back toward Gray.

"Tell me, Gray, what brought you to the auction?"

"Resources."

Her eyes brightened instantly.

"Cultivation resources?"

"Among other things."

"I see."

She looked at the black suit he was wearing, then at the rapier at his hip.

"You don’t look poor."

"I don’t look poor?" Gray smiled lightly.

"No. But you also don’t look like someone from one of the old royal houses."

"I’m not."

"Then where does your money come from?"

Gray thought about it.

"Several places."

Elira’s lips curled upward.

"So you’re secretive."

"Very."

"That’s unfortunate."

"Why?"

"Because I was about to make you an offer."

The Crimson Moon Princess immediately looked toward her.

"What kind of offer?"

Elira smiled.

"A financial one."

Gray’s eyes changed slighly at those words, though, deliberately. As an incubus, since he didn’t seduce people... he should at least show some greed for money.

The two princesses instantly noticed the change, especially Elira, whose smile instantly widened, almost scarily so.

"...Oh."

The Crimson Moon Princess looked at Gray strangely.

"You like money."

Gray remained silent.

Elira laughed softly.

"That reaction answered my question."

"I appreciate money."

"That’s a more respectable way of saying it."

"I’ve never claimed to be above material things."

Elira folded her hands behind her back.

"Then perhaps this will interest you."

She looked toward one of the attendants behind her.

"Bring the box."

The attendant immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Crimson Moon Princess narrowed her eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m conducting business."

"With him?"

"Why are you suddenly concerned?"

"I’m not."

Elira smiled.

"You sound concerned."

"I sound annoyed."

"You always sound annoyed around me."

"Because you always give me a reason."

A servant returned carrying a small black box.

Elira took it from him and opened the lid.

Inside were several thick black crystals.

Gray’s eyes shifted to them, and they widened in surprise.

Demon Gold... and there were several dozen pieces.

The princess held the box casually.

"I’ll give you these if you accompany me for the rest of the auction."

Gray looked at the box, glancing at Elira before his eyes moved back to the box. The Crimson Moon Princess immediately noticed his expression.

"Gray."

"Mhm?"

"Do not."

"Do not what?"

She pointed toward the gold.

"Whatever you’re thinking."

Gray gave her an innocent expression.

"I haven’t said anything."

"You are looking at those coins."

"I am."

"You’re seriously considering it?"

Gray looked at the gold again.

"...How much is there?"

The Crimson Moon Princess closed her eyes.

"Unbelievable."

Elira laughed.

"I was wondering whether the rumors about you being an Incubus were true."

Gray looked toward her.

"And?"

"I think I have found your weakness."

"I wouldn’t call it a weakness."

"What would you call it?"

"An appreciation for good opportunities."

Elira smiled.

"I like you."

"No!"

The Crimson Moon Princess immediately intervened, speaking for Gray.

Elira looked at her.

"I wasn’t talking to you."

"I know."

Gray looked between them.

Elira held up one finger.

"Thirty Demon Gold."

Gray’s eyes sharpened.

The Crimson Moon Princess stared at him.

"Don’t."

"Thirty is a little low."

Elira blinked before laughing.

"You are negotiating?"

"Of course."

"You haven’t even asked what I want."

"You want me to walk beside you during the auction."

"Correct."

"Then thirty is low."

Elira’s smile became more interested.

"You really are an Incubus."

"Why?"

"Because everyone else would spend ten minutes wondering why a royal princess was making an offer. You asked for a higher price before even considering whether you wanted the job."

Gray nodded.

"Money first. Questions later."

The Crimson Moon Princess rubbed her forehead.

"I cannot believe I’m watching this."

Elira looked delighted.

"Forty."

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

"That’s better."

"Forty Demon Gold, and I’ll pay for every purchase you make during the public auction up to a limit."

The Crimson Moon Princess immediately turned toward her.

"You’ve lost your mind."

Elira shrugged.

"He looks useful."

"You’re trying to buy him."

"I’m renting his attention."

Gray coughed.

"That sounds worse."

Elira laughed.

"Then what should I call it?"

"An invitation."

"An invitation worth forty Demon Gold?"

"Now we’re speaking the same language."

Elira smiled.

"I’ll make it sixty."

Gray’s eyes instantly lit up.

The Crimson Moon Princess immediately grabbed his sleeve.

"Gray..."

He looked at her.

"What?"

"You’re not actually going to agree because she keeps adding money, are you?"

Gray stared at her.

"I don’t see the problem."

"The problem is that she’s trying to steal you away during the auction."

"I wouldn’t call it stealing."

"You are standing beside me."

"I know."

"You came here with me."

"I know."

"You accepted my invitation."

"I know."

"And now you’re considering leaving because someone offered you sixty Demon Gold."

Gray looked at the Violet Moon Princess.

"Seventy?"

Elira smiled.

"Eighty."

Gray nodded.

"Done."

The Crimson Moon Princess stared at him.

There was genuine disbelief in her eyes.

"You betrayed me for eighty Demon Gold."

Gray looked at her.

"That is an emotionally loaded way of describing a business arrangement."

"It is exactly what happened."

"I haven’t even moved."

"You accepted!"

"Yes."

"You accepted immediately."

"She made a reasonable good offer."

The Crimson Moon Princess stared at Gray for several seconds before turning toward Elira with an cold expression.

"You really are shameless."

Elira smiled.

"You were the one who brought him here."

"I invited him to inspect treasures."

"And now I’m paying him to inspect treasures beside me."

"Because you’re annoying."

"Because I’m smarter than you."

"Don’t push your luck."

The air between the two princesses suddenly became colder. Several nobles nearby quietly moved farther away.

Gray looked at the attendants.

They were doing the same thing.

One of them had already taken three steps backward.

’Phew~... I really picked the right day to come here.’ Gray sighed.

Elira turned her attention back to him.

"Then it is settled."

She extended her hand.

"Come with me."

Gray looked at her hand, and then, at the sixty-eight Demon Gold she had added after the first offer.

"...You said eighty."

"I did."

"You counted wrong."

She blinked.

Gray pointed toward the first box.

"You said sixty, then added another twenty."

Elira smiled.

"You’re right."

She snapped her fingers.

Another pouch was brought forward.

The sound of metal hitting metal came from inside.

Clink... clink... clink...

She placed it in Gray’s hand.

"Eighty."

Gray weighed it.

His smile became much warmer.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

The Crimson Moon Princess stared at him.

"I have never seen someone change sides so quickly."

Gray glanced at her.

"...What do you mean by changing sides? Didn’t you say that I was a mere acquaintance? If we were friends, I’d consider staying with you, but... we’re just acquaintances, aren’t we?"

Hearing those words, the crimson moon princess froze slighly.

It was true.

Those were her own words.

Elira laughed at Gray’s words.

"You really are entertaining."

Gray looked at her.

"And you’re paying me to keep being entertaining."

"Exactly."

The Crimson Moon Princess crossed her arms.

"I refuse to believe this is happening."

Gray gave her a faint smile.

"You could always make a better offer."

The princess froze.

Elira’s eyes widened before she started laughing.

"You are horrible."

The Crimson Moon Princess slowly turned toward Gray.

Her expression was flat.

"Are you seriously asking me to compete with her?"

"You don’t have to..." Gray shrugged.

She stared at him for several seconds before a faint smile appeared.

"You know, I was going to buy something expensive today."

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

"How expensive?"

She smiled.

"Now I’m considering whether I should buy you instead."

Elira laughed louder.

"Finally! That sounds like the Crimson Moon Princess I know."

Gray looked between the two.

"...This auction is going to be a disaster."

The princess turned away.

"Stay close."

Gray followed.

Elira walked on his other side.

And behind them, the two groups of guards followed while the nobles around them silently watched the strange sight.

A Crimson Moon Princess.

A Violet Moon Princess.

And a mere incubus.

Gray looked toward the auction hall ahead.

His eyes became sharp again.

Whatever happened between the two royal families was interesting.

But the treasures inside mattered more.

And now, thanks to one very generous princess, his purchasing budget had become much larger.

’This is going to be a profitable afternoon~’