Princess Ellis and the others brought me to a busy marketplace where many merchants had gathered.
Unlike most parts of this country, where women dominated, this place was full of male merchants.
They were all foreigners, apparently.
According to Princess Ellis, this time of day, right before closing, is when the auction is most lively.
"Is there an auction house around here?"
"This way to the bidding market."
I didn't have any money, so the only option was to sell some of my belongings. Of course, I couldn't sell things like my smartphone or battery. In this medieval-level world, the only item that might be recognized as valuable was my watch.
Fortunately, perhaps thanks to previous visitors from other worlds, this country uses the 24-hour system and 60-minute divisions, just like my original world. They ring bells every hour using a sundial and measure smaller units of time with hourglasses. They even have crude mechanical clocks with gears, but I heard they're not accurate.
(I never thought my watch collection would come in handy.)
In my world, young people had mostly stopped wearing watches. But I had a hobby of collecting them, treating them like fashion accessories.
We entered a hall like that of a stadium in the real world. In the middle was a stage and surrounding it was seats filled with many merchants.
I stepped up on the stage next as one other auctioneer stepped out of the stage after selling a magic potion for 100,000 Cols.
"La... I mean Gentlemen, today I'm here to sell this piece of art."
I started off as a professional auctioneer and took off my watch and offered it to the auction.
"What is this?"
"Looks like a time measuring piece."
"It looks so small.... Is it meant to be worn on the arm?"
"The craftsmanship is like a jewel."
"What is this material? Doesn't look like iron."
The merchants gathered, voicing their thoughts.
As I expected, even in this world, it seemed to hold value.
"500,000 Cols."
"I'll offer 520,000 Cols."
"530,000 Cols."
They raised their hands one after another, announcing their bids.
It was probably a large sum of money here, but for rebuilding a country, it wasn't even close to what I needed.
"This watch was made using technology from another world. It contains precise machinery that winds itself while worn on the wrist, and it can continue working almost indefinitely."
I added some explanation.
"From another world?!"
"It keeps working on its own?!"
"Dayumn!"
Gasps of surprise rose from the merchants.
"Then I'll bid One Million Cols."
"1.05 Million!"
"1.5 Million!"
The price suddenly doubled, but still, it wasn't enough.
"This watch is made from a special stainless steel unknown in this world. Because of the building material, the watch in itself will never rust. That's why we are starting the bidding at 10 Million Cols."
"Ten million?!"
The merchants were shocked by the huge amount.
"It could be fake. Even if it's from another world, I can't pay that much."
"Are you truly from another world?"
"What if it breaks right away?"
Now they began questioning me, probably trying to drive the price down.
(Damn it, maybe I rushed this too much.)
"I, Elistia von Frigia, guarantee this man is indeed a visitor from another world."
A beautiful voice rang out.
Princess Ellis had stepped up and vouched for me. She really came through in this crucial moment.
"Isn't that princess Elistia?!"
"If even the princess says so, then he must be the real thing."
"So this is the rumored 'Seiou' from another world?"
The merchants clearly trusted her, and seemed to accept that I was genuine.
"If the watch breaks, I'll be happy to accept a full return and refund."
I had to trust the quality of Japanese craftsmanship. It should work without any issue for at least five years.
"Hmm."
"But Ten Million Cols… I don't have that kind of money on me."
"Could you lower the price a little?"
"I'd like to do business with you in the long term, after all."
When they realized they couldn't discredit me, they changed tactics, trying to lower the price by appealing to trust and future dealings.
In the end, none of them seemed to have that much money to begin with.
(Damn, these small-time merchants aren't worth my time.)
I clicked my tongue. I needed a massive sum to rebuild the nation. Honestly, even ten Million Cols wouldn't be enough.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Princess. How rare to see you at an auction."
From the back, a well-built middle-aged man appeared.
He wore extravagant clothes with a large turban and a big exposed belly. His thick beard and abundance of jewelry made him look like a wealthy merchant straight out of Arabian Nights.
Clearly a man of high status, the other merchants quickly made way for him.
"Lord Morris, it's been a long time."
Princess Ellis held her dress and bowed gracefully.
"I hear a unique item is up for auction today. Something brought by a visitor from another world?"
"Yes indeed. This treasure was brought by Lord Seiou from another world here."
She handed the watch to Morris.
"This... is a magnificent item. I've never seen such precious craftsmanship."
As expected from a top merchant, he instantly recognized its value.
"Compare its accuracy with our hourglass."
"Yes, sir."
Morris gave the watch to a large man beside him, likely a servant, who instantly tested its accuracy side by side with an hourglass.
"It's incredibly precise sir. It matches perfectly with our company's hourglass."
Of course it did, it's a modern high-end watch. Honestly, I should be the one to praise the hourglass for being so accurate.
"This texture... and this metal... I've never seen anything like it. It must truly be from another world."
Morris looked delighted as he held the watch.
"I know it's in the middle of an auction, but how about this, I'll buy this piece for Twenty Million Cols. Would you accept?"
"Twenty Million?!"
"Amazing!"
"As expected of Lord Morris!"
The other merchants gasped in admiration.
"... Very well. I'll be happy to accept."
I agreed.
Honestly, I wanted to sell it for even more, but currently if he was the only buyer capable of paying here, I had no choice.
(The real deal starts now.)
Even 20 Million Cols wasn't enough for rebuilding. The rest, I'd have to borrow.
And right now, there was no one more suitable than this man for that, someone who could casually pay 20 Million Cols on the spot.
"Sir Morris, if possible, I'd like to visit your manor to teach you how to use the watch. Would that be alright?"
"Having a visitor from another world at my home would be more than an honor to me."
Morris gladly accepted my offer.
The auction was just a warm-up. The real negotiation was about to begin.
Morris looked at me, eyes filled with curiosity and calculation.
Clearly, he was thinking the same thing I was!