Chapter 47:The Thesea Auction

Several days after Finu and the others returned home, Banaji received news that Thesea’s land was up for auction in a large-scale real estate bidding event.
The seat he originally planned to buy was also listed in the same auction, and he heard about Thesea while gathering information.

“Reina. Are you absolutely sure Finu was talking about Thesea?”

Banaji pressed Reina for confirmation.
He thought he’d thoroughly researched resort development, but the name Thesea was new to him.

“No mistake. The earth spirit told her.”

“But that night, you were passed out, weren’t you? Could you have misheard?”

“That was because that useless maid mixed up the cups! Anyway, I didn’t mishear!”

Reina snapped back, bristling.

On the day Finu and the others came to the Diner ducal house, the plan was to slip Finu a sleeping drug, making it look like a drunken Finu had come to Banaji for a night of flirtation.
The goal was to paint her as a “pathetic woman who couldn’t forget her ex-fiancé” to Hawk, driving a wedge between them.

But in the end, Reina was the one who fell asleep, and the plan failed.
It seemed likely the maid serving the cups had mixed up the one laced with the drug.

“You’re really, really sure you didn’t mishear?”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t mishear!”

Reina’s voice sharpened with anger.

“Alright, I’ll trust you. We’ll buy it up, no matter what.”

Fimu’s information from the earth spirit had already proven reliable with the Naruto gold mine incident.
There was no way he’d let this profitable opportunity slip.

That evening, when Banaji arrived at the auction venue, more carriages than expected were parked outside.
They likely belonged to the participants.

(It’s definitely drawing a lot of attention.)

The turnout rivaled that of prime real estate in the capital.

Inside, the atmosphere was even more charged, with people eagerly awaiting the start.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering today. The first plot is—”

At the auctioneer’s signal, bids flew one after another.
Banaji watched the scene closely.

“Next is Thesea. Starting at a minimum of 5 million rin.”

The auctioneer’s voice boomed.

(5 million? Cheaper than I thought.)

Per square meter, it was a fifth of the price of the seat he’d been eyeing.

“6 million.”

Banaji placed his bid.
Immediately, another participant countered with “7 million.”

The price climbed steadily—8 million, 9 million.

“20 million.”

Banaji bid again.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

“20 million has been bid. Any other offers?”

The auctioneer’s excited voice prompted the participants to glance at each other.

(I’ve got this.)

Banaji smirked, but then a voice called out, “30 million.”

Startled, he looked toward the voice.
It came from a man in a silk hat—unfamiliar, probably a wealthy commoner.

(How dare he!)

Irritated, Banaji shouted, “35 million.”
The same man countered, “40 million.”

An even louder stir swept through the venue.

(40 million!? No way!)

At 40 million, it far exceeded the aggressive price of the seat he’d originally targeted.
Considering development had already started on the seat, it was unthinkable for untouched Thesea to fetch such a sum.

(I’m a duke! I won’t lose to some nobody!)

“50 million!”

“60 million.”

The moment Banaji bid, the man raised again.

Banaji gritted his teeth.

(What now… But if Finu heard it from the earth spirit, it can’t be wrong.)

His budget for the day capped at 35 million.
He was already well over.

“Come on, 70 million!”

“80 million.”

Banaji glared at the man, who bid with a cool expression.
Whether he noticed Banaji’s glare or not, the man remained unfazed.

“100 million!”

Banaji shouted.

“100 million! 100 million!”

The auctioneer yelled, thrilled.

(Take that!)

Banaji shot a fierce look at the man, who shook his head slightly.

“100 million! Thesea’s land sold for 100 million!”

The auctioneer declared Banaji’s win.

(Yes, I won.)

Satisfied, exhaustion hit him like a wave.
He slumped back in his chair.