Fate (1)
“Rohan. Why are you going so overboard?”
Ellie, knowing my financial situation, quickened her speech. Unlike her, I remained calm.
“I liked it.”
But that wasn’t the whole reason.
「Silent Promise」
In the original, this ring wasn’t supposed to appear at the royal auction.
It was a ring Grace had custom-made for Michael by commissioning a workshop herself in Episode 107.
The fact that this ring showed up here, and earlier than in the original timeline, meant one thing.
A revision in the plot.
「……Maybe someday, I’ll end up reading a story I don’t know.」
That bizarre thought had become reality, vividly unfolding before me.
Already, the story had deviated three times.
As a result, I was now reading a story I didn’t know.
―100 million. Bidder No. 653 has placed a bid of 100 million without hesitation. It seems the Empire still has hope.
The question was—did Michael desire that ring? I had a faint idea of the answer.
“…Come on.”
The moment I murmured that.
[No. 1321 ― 110 million ℛ]
The real battle began, cloaked in the guise of charity.
***
Even including the custom commission, that ring's original cost was under 10,000 ring. But the value inside it—couldn’t be bought even with someone’s entire fortune.
―Bidder No. 653, 570 million ring. Ah, bidder No. 395 is shaking their head.
The ring, which had started at just 1 ring, was now approaching 600 million. Although there had been several other bidders besides Michael, they had all withdrawn their hands from the pad by now.
Everyone gathered here knew the ring’s actual value.
Even giving it the most generous evaluation, 100,000 ring.
To buy it for dozens or hundreds of times more—was just for the sake of “charity.”
Then, once again, a number popped up on the screen.
―Bidder No. 1321 bids 600 million! 600 million to seize the throne of the donation king!
As the competition intensified, the atmosphere in the room heated up as well.
Just how much would someone pay for that ring?
Just how much would someone pay for useless lower-class citizens?
“600 million? How many brand-new Infernos could you buy with that?”
“This is insane. For that kind of money, you could get five or six decent art pieces.”
That’s why most people had dropped out of the bidding. But not all.
That, at least, meant the Empire hadn’t rotted completely yet.
“Isn’t that Rohan, former vice-captain of the Éclat Knights? Wow, to go that far for the common folk—he’s a model citizen, just like Lady Euclid.”
“I heard he followed Lady Euclid to Springwind and became an assistant professor. They say she went there for the people too. Such devoted individuals.”
“Yeah. Let’s hope the world doesn’t become a place where people like them are considered fools...”
Meanwhile, the price of the ring continued to soar.
700 million, 800 million—finally breaching 1 billion, drawing gasps from the crowd.
I turned my gaze upward.
...Still white.
That white aura had only grown clearer the moment it passed 1 billion.
Michael had no intention of giving up. But neither did I.
[653 ― 2 billion ℛ]
[1321 ― 2.5 billion ℛ]
[653 ― 3 billion ℛ]
...
[1321 ― 5 billion ℛ]
Eventually, the bids jumped by the billions.
Every time a single digit changed, the excited crowd shifted in their seats.
Occasionally, I even received small cheers in my direction.
At last.
[653 ― 13.6 billion ℛ]
That was my entire fortune. If it went any higher, I’d lose to Michael. And still, that aura—was white.
〔 Plot Revision 〕
Then it happened.
―13.6 billion, 13.6 billion, 13.6 billion! The 86th auction item, “Silent Promise,” is hereby awarded to bidder No. 653! Congratulations!
...The aura remained white. Michael had no intention of giving up. But he gave up.
Why?
That question wouldn’t leave my mind.
―In truth, this auction item was a small event prepared by the royal family. Therefore, the 13.6 billion ring will be fully donated to marginalized groups on behalf of bidder No. 653, paid for by the royal treasury. On behalf of the royal family, we thank you for your sincerity. Now, for the final item…
I was completely drained.
I didn’t hear a single word.
I simply slumped back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.
But I could feel the corners of my mouth rising.
A world I knew, telling a story I didn’t.
It wasn’t such a bad feeling.
***
“This is the ‘Horizon Pendant’ won by Miss Ellis Éclat, along with its certificate of authenticity.”
Crescent moon-shaped, with the Horizon family crest embossed in 3D above it.
The pendant looked exactly like how I’d read it in the original.
Ellie, holding the pendant up, peered into the finely cut Aether Stone.
“Fifty billion, huh. Not bad. I like it.”
We managed to buy this pendant for 50 billion instead of 300 billion.
The reason was that Michael hadn’t placed a single bid.
Maybe he left right after the 86th auction, or maybe something else happened.
Whatever it was, it worked in our favor.
“How is it? Does it suit me?”
Ellie tapped my shoulder, proudly displaying the pendant around her neck.
I gave her a thumbs-up.
“Worth every penny. It suits you.”
Ellie grinned widely, clearly pleased.
If she had that pendant, I could be at ease. Because the one with the purest heart in this world—just like her feelings for Grace—was you, Ellis Éclat.
Then Ellie grimaced and pressed her thighs together.
“Ah damn, hold up.”
“…What? What’s wrong?”
Don’t tell me the pendant has some side effect.
“I need the bathroom. I’ve been holding it for hours… Be right back!”
…I was an idiot for worrying.
After she dashed off, I stepped forward and presented my ID to the staff.
“Ah! So you were No. 653, Mr. Rohan! Here’s the item you won. 13.6 billion—wow, that was seriously amazing. You’re the best, the best!”
“Thank you.”
Dodging the unexpected praise, I accepted the white case containing the ring.
Wow, even the case was high-quality.
Can’t believe I got something like this for free.
Life really is a gamble...
“653.”
A voice called out my number, and I turned around like a scene from a horror movie.
“So it was you, Rohan.”
There stood Michael Lippenstein, head tilted slightly like Michael Myers from Halloween, watching me.
I was sure I’d checked that he wasn’t around. Getting caught like this was bad.
“1321. You’re getting your item delivered by courier, aren’t you?”
“...”
But unlike I expected, Michael didn’t scold me. Knowing his personality, even if he didn’t get angry outright, I thought he’d at least say something.
Yet he said nothing.
That somehow made it worse.
Clack Clack
Michael Lippenstein, walking away. But the one who grabbed his ankle—was me.
“Mr. Lippenstein.”
He paused and turned just his head to look at me.
“The 86th auction item. Why did you give up?”
His face had calmed somewhat. But his eyes, as they briefly flicked toward the case in my hand, wavered slightly.
“Who knows.”
There he goes again with that infuriating tone.
It was basically saying, If you want to know, figure it out yourself.
“I sensed desperation.”
“…?”
“I didn’t want to trample on a heart carried in the mere number 13.6.”
…Yeah.
To someone else, that number could be their everything. But to you, it was just a “mere” number.
Still.
To someone like me, who had watched all of his actions until now, that answer was truly unexpected.
“Because I feel the same.”
Everything I did, said, expressed, and felt for Grace—I had to admit, wasn’t all that different from Michael’s feelings for Ariel.
Then Michael straightened up and continued speaking.
“If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have backed down. What a shame. But compared to the prank you pulled on me, it’s nothing.”
Just as I tensed.
“Still, let’s call it a draw for today.”
Clack Clack
And with that, Michael left the auction hall.
***
We stopped by a restaurant nearby for dinner.
While Ellie studied the menu, I played with the ring case in my pocket, gazing out the window.
「“Hey! Don’t do that here! This is peak sweet potato*.”」
(*T/N: A Korean fandom slang for frustrating plot turns.)
I cursed him.
「“…That bastard’s kind of cool though.”」
Sometimes I praised him.
「“Please, someone split his head open already.”」
And cheered for him.
「“Why… Why does he have to give up on Grace…”」
And resented him.
That’s how I had lived—back in “those days.”
Michael Lippenstein. He had, one day, become my protagonist.
Sometimes, I’d recite his lines.
Other times, I’d ponder what he must’ve felt.
Each time, I found my own answers in life.
Every one of your actions became my answer sheet.
Maybe it was jealousy—because Grace loved you.
Maybe I wanted to be like you.
“…Rohan!”
I snapped out of my thoughts, drawn by the vibrant sunset sky outside.
When I turned my head, Ellie was holding up the menu in front of my face.
“What’re you gonna eat? You’ve been zoning out like a statue. Ah—well, I was a bit speechless back there.”
“Speechless, huh. Did you order?”
“I couldn’t because of you. Hurry up. I’m getting this, and this, and this, and this, and this.”
“…Let’s order all that and share.”
After placing our order, I massaged the stiff nape of my neck.
Fatigue I’d forgotten crept in.
Ellie spoke.
“Who’s that for?”
“Huh?”
Her eyes glanced toward my pocket.
Only then did I realize I’d been fiddling with the ring case.
“Who could it be, I wonder. The one who’ll receive the ring Rohan almost traded his entire fortune for. Just be honest. It’s me, right?”
…What nonsense is she spouting?
“Ah, but now I feel bad.”
With a sigh of mock pity, Ellie added:
“I have someone I like. It’s a secret though.”
I know. It’s Grace.
“Yeah. I guess since we’ve known each other so long, you might’ve developed feelings. And well, I am pretty lovable.”
…Can I spend 1P of Plausibility and give her a forehead flick?
Opening the Setting Shop now!
“Our poor Rohan, what a pity. Bought a ring and has no one to give it to. Fine! Out of the goodness of my heart, I’ll let you put it on my finger. Just once. Here.”
…So that’s what this was really about—she just wanted to try it on.
“No.”
“Come on, I’m offering.”
“No.”
“Just once.”
“I said no.”
“Ugh, stingy. Fine, whatever. You miser.”
“What?”
“Pfft.”
What a cute little pest.
I’d let her try it on if I could, but I’m sorry—There’s someone else who has to wear this ring first.
…But how do I give it to her?
“Rohan.”
“You’re more persistent than I thought.”
“That’s not it—how’d you know?”
“…Know what?”
“You know… That I started training early mornings…”
Her voice grew small, clearly embarrassed.
Truthfully, I’d only said that to stop her from getting chewed out by Michael. But it wasn’t an empty statement.
“Because I believe in you.”
“Huh?”
“I believed you’d do something like that. The Ellis Éclat I know… has always been that kind of person.”
“…What the heck… Idiot…”
Flustered, Ellie hid her face behind her hair.
Since her hair was red, I could easily imagine the face hiding behind it.
Then I shifted my gaze slightly and looked at our reflection in the glass window.
More accurately, I was looking at something else.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ【Your Fate — Page 19】
『Death』 《━━━╋━━━━━●━╋━━━》 『Death』
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ「Death」 ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ 「Death」