This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 69

The viscount, who used to confidently call out amounts in increments of 500,000 or 1 million, called out noncommittal amounts.
But this time.
‘That’s the final bid.’
Han Ji-hyuk’s expression twisted.
However, he couldn’t simply bid an amount higher than that.
To spend over 3.84 million for an ancient furnace?
The money he painstakingly collected over several years through various schemes was only 4 million.
Earned while narrowly escaping the brink of death.
‘Using such money just for one furnace…’
In that moment of contemplation, Erylotte’s voice came to mind.
“Jihyuk-ah.”
“…!”
“You musha had a hawd time untiw now.”
‘Damn it.’
He quietly raised the placard with both hands to his face.
“3.85 million…”
Han Ji-hyuk said weakly with a pale face.
Then, the auctioneer shouted.
“3.85 million! Any more bids?”
“…”
“…”
“3.85 million! The ancient temple’s furnace goes to the gentleman in the white suit!”
Viscount Vasselin looked at Han Ji-hyuk with an incredulous gaze.
It was a face that seemed to say, ‘You’re something else too…’
Han Ji-hyuk bowed his head.
***
Back at the Daymond Jurisdiction.
I received the box Han Ji-hyuk handed over.
Quickly unwrapping it, the desired item was revealed.
‘The ancient furnace!’
I exclaimed with a brightened face.
“Gwood job!”
“…Yeah.”
Han Ji-hyuk, who was already emaciated as it was, looked older in a few days.
“Hey, that’s my entire fortune, so handle it carefully—whatever!”
While he was talking, I was flipping the furnace. As the black stone inside tumbled down, cracks appeared on the furnace.
Han Ji-hyuk grabbed me in shock.
“Lwet go.”
“What were you thinking, winning that bid—”
“The fuwnace ish usheless.”
“What?”
“Thwe impowtan pawt ish thwis stone.”
Han Ji-hyuk looked at the small stone amidst the spilled nails.
As large as the furnace was, there seemed to be at least 300 of them.
“What’s this?”
“Weinfowcmen shone.” (Reinforcement stone.)
“Reinforcement stone?”
“Yeah, is a tweasure tha double thwe stwength of bwessing. Humanity’s treasure.”
Han Ji-hyuk’s eyes widened.
***
Noble Council Meeting.
After the attack incident, the suspended meeting resumed.
Of course, Marquis Tolisso’s posse got exposed through the attack incident against Duke Astra, and they had since scattered.
The newcomer noble who filled the vacant seat cautiously observed the elders.
‘Like walking on thin ice.’
Even among the worn-out nobles, those who occupied the pinnacle of the pyramid gathered in this place.
Even the least influential dared not open their mouths.
“Shall we conclude the discussions here?”
Marquis Boucherz’s words received nods from the other nobles.
Duke Astra rose from his seat.
“Duke Astra, are you leaving already?”
“Is there more to discuss?”
“But it’s not like that… After the meetings, you always seem in a hurry to leave. How about sharing a drink together as we age—”
“Pointless chatter.”
Marquis Boucherz shrugged his shoulders.
Other council members chuckled and exchanged a few words.
“A drink can be quite helpful. People tend to reveal their true selves when they’re intoxicated.”
“Well, intoxicated Marquis Boucherz selling the ancient stone for a good deal is a case in point.”
At the mention of the ancient stone, Marquis Boucherz raised his hands in surrender.
“Don’t even mention it. Do you know how much regret I had after sobering up? But I did promise, so I have no choice but to sell it.”
The ancient stone.
It was a special stone that extended the duration of the blessing by about 10 minutes.
In battles, those 10 minutes could be the difference between life and death, making it an invaluable item.
Yet, everyone was eagerly waiting for Marquis Boucherz, who had laboriously found the ancient stone, to let go of it.
‘Crafty fellow.’
The Duke frowned.
He suspected there was a reason for unveiling the ancient stone during a drinking session.
Perhaps to create a new faction within the council.
So, even though Marquis Boucherz would never sell it, he purposely revealed it during a drinking session.
The Marquis chuckled.
“I’m glad if it pleases the lords.”
“Words are one thing. It aids in battles and, with its increasing rarity, who knows how much its value will rise in the future. Thanks to it, we’ll have some fun.”
“Well, unless a legendary treasure like a reinforcement stone appears, the value of the ‘ancient stone’ will never decline.”
Duke Astra’s eyes turned cold.
