A Sweet Girl Won't Be Fooled By The Villainess - [Vol. 2] Chapter 30

[Vol. 2] Chapter 30: Spinning in Place

“An exotic journey?”

As Ifia listened to Amelia’s whispered words in her ear, she blinked in surprise. Her obsidian-like black eyes showed both astonishment and eagerness, indicating that she was not opposed to this proposal.

While Ifia enjoyed lying down and being lazy, it didn’t mean she disliked traveling. Especially since she had not ventured outside the capital of the Sith Empire since she arrived in this world… except for that one time when Archbishop Gerard mistook her for a witch and kidnapped her!

Instead of being just an exotic journey, this was an adventure in another world for Ifia! And it’s free!

Considering all these factors, only a fool wouldn’t be excited.

“Well, do you want to go?”

Amelia patiently awaited a response, completely disregarding the underdeveloped tourism industry of the Sith Empire. It seemed as if, with just a word from Ifia, she could take her anywhere, even to the ends of the earth.

Under Amelia’s gaze, Ifia didn’t hesitate and cutely nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, yes, yes!”

At times like these, who cares about studying? She wanted to travel, relax, and enjoy life!

Discovering that Ifia didn’t resist the idea of traveling abroad, Amelia smiled, thinking that she had completed the first step of her plan after obtaining Ifia’s agreement.

Following the prophecy from Saint Tiffany, Amelia planned to go to the Taric Kingdom to find materials that could help restore Ifia’s fragmented soul. While Amelia could ride Azhdaha and return from the Taric Kingdom in just a few days, the previous absence allowed others to take advantage. Additionally, arranging demon guards this time was countered by Saint Tiffany.

After careful consideration, Amelia decided on the safest method—taking Ifia along. Given her understanding of Ifia, she knew Ifia wouldn’t refuse a trip. Indeed, seeing Ifia’s eager and excited expression, Amelia wondered if she should frequently take Ifia out for a spin.

Maybe after successfully repairing Ifia’s fragmented soul, the world’s rules would no longer directly attack her. In that case, the lost memories might return. When Ifia remembered everything, Amelia could accept her true identity, and they could embark on dragon rides together.

Only she and Ifia on this journey. It was quite something she looked forward to.

While Amelia chatted with Ifia, the King on the other side was quite proactive. In the central area of the banquet venue, which had several layers of curtains, the maids swiftly lowered the curtains after receiving orders, dividing the banquet into two zones: inner and outer. Though not completely isolated, there was still a hindrance, instantly distinguishing between the higher and lower ranks.

The King summoned the nobles of high-ranking titles from the Sith Empire and then released the news about Duke Barlen preparing to invite ten people to explore the new sea route. It was like dropping a drop of water into hot oil, it exploded immediately.

“Oh my, can we really visit Duke Barlen’s new sea route?”

“I heard Taric Kingdom is full of gold, and they have plenty of aromatic coffee too.”

“But isn’t Taric Kingdom inhabited by uncivilized primitives who love violence? Isn’t there a risk of danger when traveling to a foreign land along the new route?”

“No need to worry about that, Duke Barlen will surely arrange everything properly. Instead of fretting over these concerns, we should think about how to qualify for boarding.”

Amidst the whispers, unspoken words were understood by the intelligent present. Although it seemed like an invitation for boarding and exploration, it was, in fact, a ticket to share in the opportunity. This golden chance could not be missed!

Observing the nobles’ eager expressions regarding the new sea route, the King didn’t keep them in suspense this time. However, instead of him initiating the conversation, it was Prince Carloy who had been instructed earlier.

He stepped forward at this moment, representing the King to preside over the scene, and directly announced the arrangement for the boarding qualifications, “This time, we will use an auction format. Ten slots will be bundled together for bidding, and the highest bidder will win.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the maids distributed the bidding tablets prepared on the spot to each high-ranking noble. Once the bidding started, participating only required raising the bidding tablet.

“Due to time and space limitations, this auction will only accept coins as payment. The starting bid is 100,000 gold coins, and each subsequent bid must not be less than 10,000 gold coins!”

Even though Prince Carloy had received detailed instructions from the King, he still found it somewhat unbelievable when it came to the stipulation that each bid must be no less than 10,000 gold coins. The value of this new sea route far exceeded his expectations. If he could completely control this new route, he…

Prince Carloy began to hesitate, earnestly considering the benefits he could gain from marrying Amelia. Such a union could bring him considerable advantages. Marrying Amelia meant everything would be within easy reach. Lost in these thoughts, Prince Carloy subconsciously looked in the direction where Amelia was. However, he found her engrossed in a lively conversation with a stranger, not sparing a glance in his direction.

It seemed like she considered him dispensable, another familiar instance of being ignored! The reasons for Prince Carloy’s dislike of Amelia went beyond her being the daughter of Duke Barlen. It also stemmed from Amelia’s indifferent attitude towards him, occasional sarcasm, and her indifferent to conform to the obedient demeanor expected of other noble daughters.

Moreover, Amelia’s extraordinary talents in various fields overshadowed him, with everyone remembering her remarkable abilities, thereby overlooking him as the royal heir. Prince Carloy had heard more than once comparisons between him and Amelia, and no matter how hard or earnestly he tried, everyone seemed to believe he couldn’t match up to Amelia Barlen. It was a disgrace!

Thinking about how others praised Duke Barlen and Amelia while dismissing him, Prince Carloy quickly cast aside his hesitation about the marriage alliance, reaffirming his original choice. He believed that once Duke Barlen was dealt with, those sea routes would be his. There was no need to rush and compromise himself!

“The Kefid Family bids 300,000 gold coins.”

While Prince Carloy was lost in these thoughts, the auction had already begun, and surprisingly, someone quickly raised the bidding from the initial 100,000 to 300,000. However, it wasn’t surprising to learn that it was the Kefid Family. Lately, the Kefid Family had been acting mysteriously and strangely, accumulating wealth through various means, even though they concealed their actions well, some well-informed nobles had managed to find out. For example, Nornada Kefid, who served as a nun in the church, had been arrested by the imperial police for theft. Rumors even suggested that she embezzled a staggering amount from the royal relief fund!

However, after Sister Nornada was arrested, the Kefid family chose to cut ties immediately, announcing that they had expelled Sister Nornada from the family, stating that her crimes were unrelated to the Kefid family. This was tantamount to a death sentence for Nornada!

If the Kefid family was willing to pay a certain amount, Nornada’s guilt could be somewhat mitigated. However, the Kefid family treated Nornada as if she were already dead, unwilling to spend a single coin on her.

“The Rachel family bids 500,000 gold coins.”

However, the Kefid family’s impressive entry was quickly overshadowed by other families. When everyone looked at the bidder from the Rachel family, Ifia was surprised. She hadn’t expected Austin to participate in the auction. It seemed that completing her undercover mission in the church as a nun not only benefited the newspaper but also solidified Austin’s position within the family.

Other bidders from various families were middle-aged, and Austin’s youth stood out conspicuously among them. However, members of the Kefid family, upon seeing Austin, displayed a glint of hatred in their eyes, evidently aware that Austin was the one who exposed Sister Nornada’s embezzlement and theft.

“Currently, the Rachel family has the highest bid. Are there any other families continuing to participate in the auction?”

“The Hugh family bids 510,000.”

“The Barrenza family bids 540,000.”

Although the bidding price had already risen to 500,000, the allure of the new sea route was irresistible, prompting some families to grit their teeth and insist on participating, eagerly aiming to secure these ten slots!

As long as they obtained the qualification to participate in the new sea route, acquiring as much gold as they wanted wouldn’t be a challenge. Clearly, no one present was a fool, and thus the bidding prices gradually escalated.

Formerly harmonious aristocrats became competitors at this moment!

Among them, the Kefid family, in particular, harbored even more resentment. Besides their urgent need for money, if they could control the transportation on the new sea route, they could send people to capture individuals from Taric Kingdom, smuggling them into the Sith Empire. By doing so, they wouldn’t have to spend money purchasing sacrifices for the demons.

It was like hitting two birds with one stone.

Therefore, the Kefid family must not lose in this auction!

Therefore, when the bidding price skyrocketed, the Kefid family dropped a bombshell.

“The Kefid family bids two million gold coins.”

Two million gold coins were not a small sum. Other families participating in the auction sighed in regret, realizing that their family background couldn’t sustain further bidding. Only the powerful and traditional families of the Sith Empire didn’t consider two million gold coins a significant amount.

“The Rachel family bids three million.”

“The Lilace family bids three million five hundred thousand.” [1]

“The Keogh family bids four million.”

Ifia watched the live auction in astonishment, feeling like she was still in a dream. She shook Amelia’s arm in disbelief and whispered, “Amelia, are all the nobles in the Sith Empire this rich?”

That was several million gold coins! Why did they make it sound like it was just a few hundred coins? Moreover, how could they come up with several million gold coins? Without credit cards and considering it was all in gold coins, it would be impossible to move such large quantities.

“Do not underestimate the family’s assets. Although the bidding is conducted in gold coins, in transactions involving large amounts, fixed assets such as land, mines, and the like are converted into money,” explained Amelia carefully, immediately enlightening Ifia.

“The Kefid family bids six million!”

Just as Ifia’s confusion was answered, the Kefid family crazily raised their bid again. This left Ifia astonished, wondering how much money Sister Nornada had stolen from the church to make the Kefid family bid so high!

“Ifia, who do you think will be the final winner?”

“Although the Kefid family currently has the highest bid, I have a feeling…”

“Oh?”

In contrast to the increasingly tense and anxious atmosphere of the auction, Ifia and Amelia chatted easily, even speculating on which family would ultimately obtain the qualification for the new route. Amelia thought Ifia would mention the Kefid family, but Ifia seemed to have a different choice, arousing her curiosity.

Facing Amelia’s puzzled gaze, Ifia smiled triumphantly and directly revealed the family she was betting on, “I think the Rachel family will emerge victorious in the end.”

She chose the Rachel family simply because of Austin. Being able to disguise herself as a nun to investigate the church for firsthand news, Austin went to great lengths to obtain what she wanted, even using encounters with the Saint to her advantage.

This showed that Austin was determined to achieve her goals at any cost. In that case, she wouldn’t give up on the qualification for the new route. However, in the seemingly certain victory of the Kefid family, Ifia wondered how Austin would secure the win.

TL Note:

[1]

It’s Jessica’s family.