# Chapter 72: 72
Meanwhile, the auctioneer didn't know who Yves was, so he asked him directly.
—One billion rupees! Does anyone want to outbid the 1 billion Rupens bid?
Then a man in the audience laughed and stood up.
—You look very inexperienced, boy. How reckless!
Radis looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
The man continued saying, as he looked at Yves, that this was the type of person he hated the most.
Yves' expression changed instantly and he growled in a low voice.
—Franz Roderick...!
The moment he heard that name, Radis shivered.
Franz Roderick.
He was the head of House Roderick, one of the most prestigious families in the southern region. And at the same time, he was Robert's father, the captain of the subjugation squad.
Robert had once spoken to him about the relationship between House Roderick and House Russell.
The two families had been on bad terms for a long period of time and, in particular, Franz harbored a terrible resentment towards Yves Russell, as he had inherited the title of Marquis at a young age.
—I simply heard about the sword and came to witness its splendor, and here you are, taking that opportunity away from others. Is this the same thing that happened when that family that did not contribute to the founding of the empire five hundred years ago, headed south and put down roots there?
Franz looked around and spoke loudly, and the people around him burst into despicable laughter.
Casting a mocking glance at Yves, as if the laughter of the others had cheered him up, Franz spoke.
—You can't have it all, boy.
Then, he raised his voice as he took off his hood.
—One thousand one hundred million rupenes!
—Ohhhh!
The audience looked back and forth between Yves and Franz, their eyes shining with anticipation.
Although Marquis Russell's name was not explicitly mentioned, those who understood the meaning of Franz's words were able to infer who Yves was, or at least, guess that he was a representative of the Marquisate.
In an instant, the bidding for Pyrrh, the flaming sword, turned into an intense battle of pride between House Roderick and House Russell.
Reading the atmosphere, the auctioneer quickly recited the bid.
—One thousand one hundred million rupenes, at one o'clock!
When everyone looked towards Yves, he turned his gaze towards Radis.
Really? Are you really not interested?
It was such a beautiful sword that any knight would want to have it.
It was even the sword of his ancestor, Alexis Tilrod.
The moment he obtained information about the Pyrrh sword, Yves was sure that Radis would be absolutely ecstatic to have it.
But there, Radis only looked at Franz for a moment and then turned his attention back to that rusty iron sword.
Seeing his eyes shine like that, he really seemed to like that piece of rust.
After ten seconds of internal conflict, Yves lowered his hand.
—Ohhhh!
For the last time, the auctioneer shouted,
—At two!
Not expecting Yves to give up so easily, Franz took off his hood and looked back in doubt.
And then, the auctioneer lowered the hammer.
—Sold for one thousand one hundred million rupens!
Hoooo...!
Yves let out a huge sigh of relief internally.
Losing the auction wasn't very pleasant, but he hadn't shown his face here either.
So he could pretend he never knew about it later.
If Radis didn't want that sword, like Marcel had said, it would be like a mana sword that would be of no use to him.
Besides, that kind of sword wouldn't be practical as a decorative sword for a girl anyway.
When the sword sold for an unexpected amount of money, the auctioneer smiled and placed it back in its box, sending it towards the back of the stage.
The auction continued afterwards, but the atmosphere remained tense as people paid close attention to Franz Roderick and the man in the black cloak who they believed to be Marquis Yves Russell.
Now, the auctioneer pointed to the case where the rusty iron sword was kept and then shouted,
—Dug out in the southern wilderness, this sword was trapped in a thick layer of rust! Only the Lord of Time knows what history this trapped sword holds. The offer will start at 100,000 rupees!
Seeing the rust dirt, no one raised their hand.
The auctioneer shouted one last time, raising the hammer.
—Does anyone want to offer?
Radis raised his hand carefully.
—One hundred and ten thousand rupens...? Can?
—Of course, beautiful lady! One hundred and ten thousand rupees! At one! At both! Sold!
Yves couldn't understand her at all.
After the auction ended, Yves followed her to the back of the auction house to claim his purchase and asked her.
—I thought you wanted me to buy you a mana sword.
-That's how it is.
—Is that a mana sword? It's just a piece of rust. No matter how much they sharpen it, it will be difficult to use it again.
—That's all I need.
—Huh, seriously...!
Then, behind them, someone spoke with a deeply gloomy voice.
—I have no words.
Yves and Radis turned.
It was Franz Roderick.
"Is this another of your tricks, Marquis Russell?"
Valiz