Crown Prince Sells Medicine

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“I must say, this isn’t exactly what I was expecting.”

“I share your sentiment.”

A touch of unease was audible in Demian’s voice. Hearing this, Raciel nodded his agreement. He looked out at the scene unfolding before him in the monster auction house.

It was as silent as a library. The typical bustling atmosphere one might associate with an auction house? An energetic auctioneer leading the proceedings? Buyers competitively raising their voices to place bids?

None of these familiar sights could be found. Everyone was quiet. Those bidding didn’t raise their voices, instead, they wrote their bids on small chalkboards the size of an A4 paper and held them aloft. That’s how they placed their bids.

The auctioneer, upon seeing this, would update the bid for the item. Then, silently sending out a look that asked, ‘Are there any higher offers?’ It was an entirely different picture than the typically noisy and chaotic scene one might imagine for an auction house.

“Do you think this is because it’s a monster auction house?”

“It seems that way. If the people were too noisy, it could stimulate the monsters.”

“Tsk, they already look like they’ve been heavily sedated.”

Indeed, the monster currently up for auction seemed to be sprawled out on the ground like a discarded trash bag. With that sight, Raciel suddenly remembered an incident about 30 minutes ago.

‘The mayor of Cremo was just as flustered.’

Had it been when they first arrived at the city gates? Their arrival had caused a bit of an uproar. It was unavoidable.

‘Out of the blue, the Crown Prince pays a visit.’

The Crown Prince and his entourage appeared without any notice or prior indication. From the perspective of the soldiers and officers guarding the gate, it must have felt like a bolt from the blue.

Of course, it was the same for the Mayor of Cremo. Hearing the news, the mayor hurriedly rushed over. He looked like a battalion commander who had unexpectedly received a visit from the division commander. Raciel felt a little sorry for him and somewhat burdened.

That’s why he said,

‘There’s no need for additional escorts. You don’t have to worry about that, Mayor.’

‘But Your Highness!’

‘I’ll see you at the mayor’s residence later, okay?’

… brushing off the Mayor’s offers for escorts.

A grand welcome?

An extraordinary reception?

He didn’t dislike it, but it felt burdensome.

Becoming the Crown Prince was too sudden, a recent event. He often woke up in the morning, wondering if he had returned to his ordinary life as a local oriental medicine doctor, Lee Han.

That’s why he hastily left the mayor behind and went directly to the Cremo Monster Auction House with his entourage.

‘Sigh, sorry.’

He let out a bitter laugh thinking about the Mayor of Cremo. His unexpected visit must have given the mayor quite a shock. He hoped he hadn’t been too much of a nuisance.

‘I should quickly take care of my business and return to the palace.’

Raciel resolved as he lifted his head. He observed the bustling auction house amidst the pervasive silence. In the meantime, multiple auctions continued. Various monster products were presented and sold to someone. However, Raciel was not interested in any other auctions.

‘Is there no Minotauru?’

His goal was solely to obtain a Minotaur. He needed to obtain a Minotaur gallstone. He had to make and test the Minotaur Clear Heart Pills. If successful, it would provide a stable source of income for his clinic.

‘That way, I can gain plenty of bonus lifespan!’

Reaffirming his resolution, he eagerly awaited the moment a Minotaur would be presented for auction. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the moment finally arrived.

“……ROOAAARR!”

For the first time since he arrived, a monstrous roar reverberated throughout the auction house. Everyone in the auction house flinched at the sound. Raciel’s eyes darted to the source of the roar. Then he saw it.

“Whoa.”

Eight horses were pulling a massive wagon. On top of the wagon was an even larger special cage. A super-sized cage that could easily be 10 meters in width, length, and height.

‘Is that a dinosaur?’

It was a cage big enough to hold a dinosaur. Inside was a 7-meter-tall Minotaur. Its massive size was truly reminiscent of a dinosaur.

‘What the…’

Its buffalo-like head was as big as a person. It seemed like one could make a hundred servings of a local dish, “sundae-gukbap,” with its head alone. Besides, its body was even more aggressive and crude.

Looking at its human-shaped body covered in black fur, one could easily imagine it lifting three tons in a local gym. The Minotaur was displaying its powerful presence beyond the iron bars. No, it was roaring.

“ROOOAAARRR!”

Its mighty roar, strong enough to make even Park Hyo-shin from the mid-2000s and MSG Wannabe bow down, shook the entire auction house. It was truly an overwhelming force. One could tell immediately.

‘……I have to get it!’

Meanwhile, the auctioneer held up a large chalkboard. The board read:

[Today’s Main Item]

[Species: Minotaur]

[Size: Extra Large]

[Condition: Excellent]

[Temperament: Extremely Ferocious]

[Special Notes: This is the finest product that has been captured after a three-month chase and luring effort by the top monster hunting group, an alliance of seven teams operating in the East Mountain Range. We highly recommend it for special purposes and ornamental use.]

“ROOOAAARRR!”

The Minotaur roared once again. Even though it should be deeply under the influence of anesthetics and sedatives, it could roar like that. The beast was impressive, that feeling instantly hit Raciel.

How incredible would its gallstones be? If he made Clear Heart Pills with it, how potent the medicinal effect could be? The more he thought about it, the more he wanted it. He absolutely didn’t want to let it go.

‘I will catch it. I will buy it. I must absolutely get my hands on it.’

But then it happened. The auctioneer scribbled something else on the blackboard. He held it up. The moment Raciel saw the content, he had to seriously doubt his own eyesight.

[Auction starting price: 50,000 Majen]

“……”

He was dumbfounded. It was unbelievable. He nudged Demian beside him.

“Hey, you know.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Isn’t there something wrong with the starting price the auctioneer wrote?”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t the other monsters go for a final auction price of 5,000 Majen, 6,000 Majen?”

“Yes, they did.”

“So why is that one starting at such a high price?”

“Why are you asking me about that…?”

“No, it’s just so unfair.”

“But even that should not exceed the funds you’ve prepared.”

“I suppose so. At least for now.”

Raciel grimaced. Yes, at least ‘now’ it was fine. 50,000 Majen? He can handle that. He brought 100,000 Majen with him.

‘But that one, the price will definitely go up.’

It’s an auction after all. There will surely be a price competition. Especially for such a forceful item, it’s bound to happen.

‘Ah, it’s bitter. I really don’t want to lose it.’

Raciel felt his taste sour. He desperately wanted to get it. But it seemed challenging. He could sense it by sneakily looking around.

‘Everyone’s gaze is no joke.’

It wasn’t untrue, the atmosphere of the auction house had changed significantly the moment the Minotaur appeared. The heat of the people went through the roof.

The man who looked like a professional monster wholesaler. The gentleman who looked like a high-ranking executive. The fat collector who seemed rich. All of them, everyone, their eyes were sparkling like the teenage fans at the concert of the idol group, BTS.

Seeing that, a desperate realization hit Raciel. An ominous certainty welled up.

‘I won’t be able to buy that at this rate.’

Calculations quickly ran through his mind. The total funds he brought was 100,000 Majen. That’s already a huge amount.

Compared to the cost of living in Korea? It’s an enormous sum enough to freely buy several high-end brand apartments in Gangnam, Seoul.

‘But it won’t be enough. The starting price is already 50,000 Majen. Considering the competition that will take place… the final auction price will definitely exceed 100,000 Majen.’

Raciel would have to forfeit due to lack of funds. But he didn’t want to let go. So, what should he do?

‘Think. Rack your brain. Stay strong, cerebral cortex!’

Raciel struggled hard, contemplated deeply. He thought intensively, squeezing out all his creativity. And finally, he came up with a brilliant scheme.

“……Demian.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

Raciel lowered his voice. He pulled Demian closer. He whispered in his ear.

“Whisper, whisper…… therefore…… like this and like that…… thus…… prattle prattle…… while…… yada yada…… do so. Got it?”

“……”

Upon hearing the instruction, Demian was at a loss for words. He looked at the Prince with disbelief.

“Are you really going to do that?”

“Of course.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.”

“……”

His too calm demeanor once again left Demian speechless. Unable to hold back, Demian eventually uttered a word.

“Your Highness. I hesitate to bring this up, fearing how it may sound, but the order you issued, truly…”

“Hmm?”

“It’s a devious plan.”

“Huh, and?”

“A crafty strategy.”

“Uh-huh, so?”

“…I shall proceed.”

“Good, go ahead.”

With that, Demian left his seat.

Meanwhile, Raciel waited, arms folded, seated and patient. The Minotaur auction began. A serene yet fierce competition unfolded. The moment the auction started, bids soared from every corner of the room.

Bids went up consecutively.

50,100 Majem.

50,500 Majen.

53,000 Majen.

55,000 Majen.

But all the while, Raciel did not partake in the auction. His eyes sparkled, waiting like a patient hunter.

Just like trying to predict where a seat might open in a crowded subway during rush hour. Or scanning for the biggest and most heavily topped slice the moment a pizza box is opened among friends.

He waited patiently. He waited for the moment his trick, as directed by Demian, would materialize. And finally, the moment arrived.

“Your Highness! Truly, I am infinitely grateful for your kind consideration!”

A loud voice disrupted the quiet auction room. Everyone’s attention was drawn by this unexpected outburst. Everyone looked towards the source, finding the Mayor of Cremo rushing in.

He was hoping to score points in the prince’s eyes. Perhaps today would be a turning point in his political career. With a thumping heart and palpable excitement, he arrived with a carefully prepared 100-man special escorts for His Highness.

Thump, thump, thump!

The Cremo mayor with an exaggerated expression, the special escorts with imposing authority, entered the auction. Nobody dared stop them. They surrounded Raciel instantly.

Like a mother bird protecting her final egg. Or like saving the largest piece in a bowl of instant ramen, as if it’s a treasured relic. They approached with such care and dedication, as if protecting the world’s most precious treasure.

Thanks to that, everyone in the auction understood. The person the Mayor of Cremo referred to as ‘Your Highness’, the young man looking weak in the center of a hundred guards, that young man was…

‘…Why is the Crown Prince here?’

Just as everyone was struck by this huge question and severe shock, Raciel, who had been biding his time, finally raised his bid.

[Raciel Adria Magentano: 60,000 Majen]

Simultaneously, Raciel thought to himself.

Now that they know who we are, they’ll all back out voluntarily. No one will dare oppose the prince’s blatant abuse of power(?). Thus, the auction race itself will end here.

‘If I have power at my disposal, why not use it!’

A bit unscrupulous, but what can you do? Raciel, feeling a victorious premonition, savored a wicked grin.

At the same time, everyone in the auction sighed, and they showered Raciel with the highest compliment one can hear from a competitor, making any Korean beam with pride.

…That bastard really knows how to screw up an auction.

(To be Continued)

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