"Sold for 150,000 gold coins!"
The Ruby Dragon that had been used for a special promotion to Gold Rank was auctioned off under Enrique's name.
And it was Marquis Greed who won the bid.
In the seat beside him, Marquis Medicine was gritting his teeth.
Marquis Medicine also served as the Master of the Alchemy Guild.
With the recent shortage of medicinal supplies, he had entered the auction with a firm resolve to win when he heard that an almost fully intact dragon had been listed. He was certain he could secure it.
With that, the shortage of medicines would be resolved and many lives could be saved.
A dragon's body could be used with nothing going to waste.
Fangs, blood, bones, claws, wings, meat — and so much more.
High-grade potions made from diluted dragon blood.
Everything else could serve as alchemy ingredients, and even the materials unsuitable for that could be used as crafting components for weapons and armor, with the proceeds helping fund the Alchemy Guild's operations.
But he was unable to win the bid, and trudged home looking dejected.
"It can't be helped, Dad. Let's wait for the next item."
Annie, his daughter and also an alchemist, offered words of comfort to her dispirited father.
Her father had only recently begun to show streaks of white hair, and she couldn't help but think that this setback had added a few more.
◇◇◇
"Marquis Medicine, I am in agreement with your principles and would like to transfer the Ruby Dragon to you."
Marquis Greed, who had won the auction for the Ruby Dragon, had come to visit the Medicine residence.
"Is that true?!"
Count Medicine was so elated he nearly leaped out of his chair.
"That said, I'm afraid I can't simply give it away for free. How about 200,000 gold coins?"
The Count's excitement evaporated as if someone had thrown cold water on him.
"Your Lordship won the auction at 150,000 coins, I believe? Even so, that price is... Besides, wasn't it because you sympathized with my principles?!"
"Indeed, I sympathize with your principles — but that and the matter of money are two separate things entirely. A whole dragon, every last bit of it. You'd give anything to have it, wouldn't you? Hmm?"
"But... that is..."
"I'm no devil. I have a proposal. How about I let you have it for 100,000 gold coins?"
"Your Lordship, what exactly do you mean..."
"It's quite simple, really. I would like Lady Annie to serve in my household for a"
"little"
"while."
"I want"
"to"
"hire her."
He understood what the Marquis was getting at.
Surely it wasn't that he wanted his daughter for her alchemy skills.
The Marquis had a son of marriageable age, and there were even rumors that the Marquis himself was quite vigorous.
"No, I... that's..."
"You needn't decide right away. Come again another day. I'll be looking forward to your answer."
◇◇◇
The House of Medicine had built its success on its expertise in alchemy.
But recently, even the Alchemy Guild had been running short on medicinal ingredients, wasn't earning much, and was struggling to pay its members' wages.
He had to think about their livelihood, but when told to hand over his daughter, he couldn't exactly just comply.
"Dad, I heard everything. I'm fine with being hired by the Greed family."
"Annie, it's not that simple..."
Annie probably didn't understand.
She was a daughter he'd raised with nothing but alchemy.
She likely figured it was nothing more than playing maid at the Greed household.
Still, as a father, he felt reluctant to spell out every sordid detail to a daughter her age.
Would he become a monster who sent his own daughter away?
Or would he keep his daughter home and leave all the members of the Alchemy Guild destitute?
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Annie Medicine (Age 17)
Skills: [Healing Alchemist] [Good-Looking] [Daddy's Girl] [Hard Worker] [Light Magic] [Water Magic]
Thank you for always reading 😊