Chapter 890
The Paradise Fae stared in astonishment at the vanished Red-haired Fae.
Shirou patted her hat. "Don't take Tristan's words to heart."
Artoria shook her head, puzzled. "Did I say something that might offend them...?"
The atmosphere between them was fairly relaxed during their shopping trip.
But then again...
Although Tristan's remarks were offensive, incredibly, they didn't leave a very bad impression on Artoria.
That evening, at the Fae Theater Company's residence.
"Everyone, I'm back!"
Oberon, who had disappeared after arriving in Gloucester, has returned.
As soon as he got back, he started showing off the auction invitation he'd somehow gotten his hands on.
"Sorry, this topic is over," Artoria said.
"What do you mean?" Oberon asked, puzzled.
Shirou said, "I've already obtained the invitation."
"You're kidding, right?! Is it true or not!?"
Oberon's expression was priceless; he looked as if he had gone to great lengths to finally get his hands on the invitation.
Artoria tells Oberon the story of their chance encounter with the Fae Knight Tristan on the streets of Gloucester.
"Hey... something like that happened?"
Oberon teased, "Shirou, you're way too popular with the Faerie Knight, aren't you?"
They'll become enemies sooner or later, is that a good thing? You're not going to go easy on them, are you?
Shirou said impatiently, "Stop arguing, this is my private matter."
Next, everyone discussed the arrangements for tomorrow's auction.
"Well then, I'm going to practice Magecraft."
Artoria got up sullenly.
Because the Fae Knight Tristan had specifically told her not to attend tomorrow's auction, she prepared to leave.
However, Shirou unexpectedly called out to her.
"Artoria, come with me tomorrow."
The Paradise Fae asked in confusion, "Huh? But Tristan said..."
Shirou thought for a moment and then said.
"This is a good opportunity; let's use it as the stage for the Child of Prophecy's debut in the Fae Kingdom."
Volume 11: Chapter 522 The pitiful fairy princess becomes a slave to evil humans...
Shirou's eagerness to participate in the Gloucester auction stemmed from his knowledge of the auction catalog.
One item in particular caught his attention. "The New Child of Prophecy."
Artoria is clearly the Child of Prophecy, so where does this "new Child of Prophecy" come from?
Although Shirou was certain it was a pointless lie, this presented a perfect opportunity.
This is an opportunity for Artoria to make a name for herself and to officially announce Artoria existence to the world.
The invitation has already been obtained from Tristan.
The Morgan Pound used for the auction were also not a problem; the Theater Company's operating funds could be used, and he made a fortune during this period.
In addition, he could use the Wales forests owned by Oberon as collateral.
"Shirou... you really have a lot of drive..."
Artoria said with a somewhat timid expression.
"You don't actually believe the rumors... that tonight's auction items are the real Child of Prophecy, do you?"
The Paradise Fae still lacks confidence as always.
Shirou wondered, "Could it be that my involvement is causing her to stagnate?"
However, her unease ended today.
Tonight—let the name Artoria resound Britain.
The auction in Gloucester was attended by fairy nobles dressed in high-society attire.
Shirou searched for a long time but couldn't find Tristan. It seemed she was in the VIP box prepared for her.
After finding a seat with Artoria, the auction officially began.
"Gentlemen and ladies gathered here, a warm welcome to the auction in Gloucester."
The emcee, a fairy, spoke eloquently on stage.
"The dream of this moment is greater than the dream of tomorrow or the future; the value of oneself (Brand) is greater than the dignity (Pride) of the clan (Pride)."
To meet everyone's desires, we have prepared a wide variety of goods for tonight.
Have you all browsed the catalogue? Did you find any items that surprised and delighted you?
The fairies in the auction hall erupted in excitement.
This scene was commonplace for Shirou during the Theater Company's performances.
It seems that Muryan is just like him, a guy who's good at stirring up the emotions of fairies, he thought to himself.
"Very good, it seems everyone is fully engaged. That concludes the opening remarks."
So please enjoy Lady Muryan's exhibition!
The auction has begun.
Artoria looked around nervously.
"The auction has started...! Oh, I see. Do we have to state the bidding amount upfront...?"
"Hmm? Shirou, what's wrong? You seem a little restless."
"Did you see item number 5 in the catalog? It says 'The Strange Hanging Cloth of the Sword Used by King David and Carried by the Knight Galahad '!"
"... Tongue twisters?"
"Perhaps it was a 'drifting object' that drifted here from Pan-Human History in the form of changeling..."
I'm so interested... I'm having this urge to splurge... No, I guess I'll just buy it anyway--"
"No! Hold it in!!"
Artoria held Shirou's hand, stopping his impulse.
The auction proceeded smoothly, and finally, the last item of the night was brought up.
"Now, let me introduce the last item of today, which is the hottest rumor right now."
They are despicable rebels who threaten our Queen.
He is also the victorious son of the oath promised by the noble Ainsel as the "Savior of Britain"!
Is the prophecy true or false? We urge you to verify it for yourselves!
Lot number, final! "Child of Prophecy"!
The fairy emcee brought the atmosphere of the auction to its peak.
Then, at this moment, a cage was brought onto the stage, and inside the cage was a pitiful-looking young girl.
"The prophesied... child?"
Huh?
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became very subtle.
The reason is that the fake Child of Prophecy in the cage is just as unremarkable and unsophisticated as the real Child of Prophecy sitting next to Shirou, completely lacking any savior-like demeanor.
The unprecedented cold reception also threw the emcee, Fairy, into a panic.
"Wait... wait a minute, everyone! This girl may not look very impressive, and she's not very strong... but, but!"
Didn't the prophecy say that the savior would grow, starting as just a weak country elf...?
"They say she's a weak, country bumpkin!"
Artoria protested from the audience.
"Shirou? What's wrong?"
She noticed Shirou's incredulous expression as he stared intently at the girl on the stage—
"Gareth?"
The girl who appeared in the cage was none other than Gareth, the youngest knight of the Knights of the Round Table.
Why would she be in a place like this?
Is she from the Fae Kingdom, Gareth's alternate-world counterpart?
Or perhaps...
"Huh? Is that someone Shirou knows? What should we do?! It seems like the bidding has already started!"
"Of course we should buy it."
Shirou made his decision without hesitation.
Fortunately, the surrounding atmosphere had already turned to "Why does this seem different from what I imagined?" and "This is a fake."
Judging from the atmosphere at the event, Shirou only needed a small portion of the operating funds, which should have been enough to successfully complete the film.
Starting bid: 1 million Morgan Pound!
"2 million! 3 million! 4 million! 4.5 million!... 5 million!"
"Lady Artoria and her party have asked for 5 million Morgan Pound! Are there any other fairies willing to offer a higher price?"
Artoria looked speechless: Why use my name!?
Shirou: Isn't this more exciting? "The Child of Prophecy personally bids for the Child of Prophecy," and then the Theater Company gets a new script too.
Artoria: Shirou!
"So, starting at 5 million... then, 10 million appeared! It's 10 million! The competition is getting fierce!"
"10 million, are there any other fairies willing to pay a higher price!?"
The fairy officiant asked, Artoria raised her hand without hesitation.
"30 million! 30 million Morgan Pound!"
"Artoria! Are you a wild boar!?"
The Theater Company's money comes from everyone's hard work, and this guy tripled the price when he raised it, which infuriated Shirou.
The room fell completely silent.
"30 million! 30 million Morgan Pound!"
No one responded.
"The die is cast now, let's bring down the gavel..."
A high-pitched girl's voice rang out--
"100 million Morgan Pound."