"What skills to add to Alba… hmm, that's a difficult question," Sherry said, thinking deeply. "It already has an increase in magic power and an increase in magical defense inherently. Maybe we could go for resistances—like using a slime crystal for physical damage reduction—but Master already has the earrings for that."
I wanted to point out that I probably wouldn't be wearing those earrings, but decided to keep quiet for now.
While Sherry was brainstorming, Roxanne had already helped Anastasia fold the Alba neatly and set it aside on the table.
"Are there still more items left?" Roxanne asked curiously.
"Yes. In fact, I think this next one was Master's biggest win in today's auction," Anastasia said mysteriously, making the other girls lean forward in anticipation. She reached inside the bag and tried to take out another sword, but it was too heavy for her to pull out completely. She could only offer a wry smile under their eager gazes.
"Vesta, could you help her again?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, Master," she replied, moving eagerly to the other side of the table.
"Thank you, Vesta," Anastasia said warmly.
Vesta nodded with a smile and, with just one hand, effortlessly lifted a large, heavy-looking broadsword out of the bag.
"Is that a sword made from Orichalcum?" Sherry said, recognizing its distinct shine instantly.
"Yes, we were very lucky to find an Orichalcum sword in the auction today," Anastasia said with a proud grin. "Although… it did cost us a lot," she added with a sigh.
"Well, it even has two empty slots, so in my eyes it was definitely worth it," I said with a grin. Truth be told, it was the single most expensive thing I bought today—yes, even counting the girls from the previous auction.
Still, my discount skill had slashed the price for me, which made it sting a little less.
[Orichalcum Sword: Two handed Sword
Skills: Empty, Empty]
"Is this very costly?" Vesta muttered, stunned as she examined the sword she was holding in one hand.
"It's an Orichalcum Sword, after all," Sherry said, her eyes filled with fascination. "Mostly, only nobles or very high-level adventurers own one."
"It's also supposed to be quite heavy," Viviana added, looking at Vesta in surprise. "Only skilled swordmasters can wield it properly."
"Looks like Vesta's super strong after all," I said with a grin.
"Thank you, Master." Vesta's expression brightened at the compliment. After a quick consultation with Anastasia, she placed the sword on the table.
"Is it as strong as Master's sword?" Roxanne asked curiously.
"I doubt it," Sherry replied. "As Master has said before, Durandal has six skills embedded in it. Compared to that, this sword isn't much—but against a normal blade, it has no equal."
As they spoke, Vesta returned to her seat. Anastasia reached into the bag and pulled out a pair of boots.
"We were also very lucky to obtain these—Boots of Swift Acceleration," Anastasia announced with a bit of flair.
"Boots of Swift Acceleration? Not just Boots of Acceleration? That's an incredible find!" Sherry said in amazement, stepping forward to touch them.
"Is there a difference?" Roxanne asked.
"Yes. If you only add an Ox Skill Crystal, you get Boots of Acceleration," Sherry explained. "But when you combine it with a Kobold Skill Crystal, the effect strengthens, and the name changes to Boots of Swift Acceleration. Naturally, the boost it provides is much greater."
"Wow! Master can go even faster with those!" Roxanne said, staring at me in awe.
"They also have two empty skill slots," I added with a grin.
[Boots of Swift Acceleration: Equipment
Skills: Enhanced Movement Power, Empty, Empty]
Honestly, Alba, the Orichalcum Sword, and the Boots of Swift Acceleration—any one of them would have been an amazing find. Even Anastasia had commented on how rare these three were at the auctions.
Finding the waifus and these items in a single day!… My luck today must have been off the charts!!
"We'll be needing a Bat Skill Crystal for one of these slots, Master," Sherry muttered while examining the boots closely.
Anastasia then brought out a wooden crate from the bag. Inside were six clay bottles, each sealed with a stone stopper.
"Sniff sniff… is this alcohol?" Sherry asked, peering at the crate.
"You recognized it just by the smell?" I stared at her, stunned. "And you were saying you didn't like alcohol!" I chuckled.
"I don't, Master. I just… had a habit of drinking some regularly at my old house," Sherry replied calmly.
"So can you tell me which alcohol it is?" I asked curiously.
"I'll have to taste it, Master. I can't tell just by the smell," she said with a wry smile.
I was about to call her out for just wanting an excuse to drink, but someone else answered me first.
"It's Slime Sake," Erina said confidently.
"You're absolutely correct, Erina—it is Slime Sake." I looked at her, impressed, wondering if she also had a God Nose too.
"How did you know?" Sherry asked, looking at her in surprise.
In fact, all the girls were staring at her.
"Ah, I have used it extensively in cooking—and drinking—before, so it's not hard for me to identify," she said with a smile.
"Oh? Then how about this next one? Anastasia, if you will," I gestured to her.
"Yes, Master," she nodded, already knowing what I meant, and took out a larger, thicker clay bottle from the bag.
I glanced toward Erina, but someone else spoke up before she could.
"Ah, that's Dwarf Killer," Sherry said quickly.
"Yes, this is the famous Dwarf Killer. Did you figure that out through smell too, Sherry-san, like Erina?" Anastasia asked, looking at her in surprise.
Erina and the other girls also raised their eyebrows at her.
"No," Sherry replied calmly. "I just drank it once before, so I remember the bottle's shape—it's quite distinct from other alcohols."
"Even a small sip can keep you drunk for an entire night. Even dwarves find it too strong—that's why it's called Dwarf Killer," Erina said with a wry smile.
"Ah, that's scary!" Shea yelped, taking a step back in horror.
"It did taste quite good though," Sherry added calmly. "So, were these the things you said I would like, Master?" she asked, looking at me.
"Yes—after all, I know you like to drink," I said, meeting her gaze with a chuckle.
"I don't like to drink, Master," Sherry repeated in annoyance.
"But," I continued, "I don't want you to drink it all alone. When we have things to celebrate in the future, we could all enjoy these together—like a party." I smiled as I looked at the girls.
"Of course, Master," Roxanne nodded with a smile.
The others also nodded without question.
I knew today could count as a celebratory day, with so many new girls joining our family. But since we didn't know each other well yet, getting drunk now didn't seem ideal. I worried I might not be able to control the chaos it would cause afterwards.
Next, Anastasia pulled a small pouch from the bag.
"What's that?" Shera asked curiously.
"There are six All-Purpose Tablets in there—for emergencies," I said with a smile.
Remembering what happened with Elfina's sister while exploring the Labyrinth, I made sure to buy them when I saw them up for auction. They can help with almost any major ailment or injury.
There had also been a batch of 10 thousand Healing Pills on auction—it's a better version of a nourishment pill—but since I already have unlimited healing potions, I let those go.
"Yes, it will be helpful whenever Master is in danger," Roxanne said with a nod of understanding.
I wasn't only talking about using them for myself, but I let that one slide for now.
Next, Anastasia brought out a polished wooden box.
"Ah, the black tea," I said, recalling a certain pair of magnificent breasts.
"Oh! I have heard of tea," Lillia said with fascination.
"It's not just any tea—it's the Motto family's black tea. Very famous, and supposedly delicious," Anastasia said, placing it on the table with a smile.
"I remember you saying it was the most bitter tea you had ever had," Yasaka teased with a sly grin.
"T-that was because I was a child back then! I'm sure I would like it now," Anastasia replied, blushing slightly.
"I wouldn't recommend drinking it at night," Erina advised calmly. "It might keep you awake until the early hours."
"I've heard nobles drink tea in the afternoon while discussing important matters," Sherry said, nodding along.
Their chatter reminded me that I still needed to tell the girls about everything that happened at the auction—especially all the new interesting people I had met.
"This might be the last one," Anastasia muttered, rummaging in the bag before pulling her hand out.
"Wah! A necklace!" Shera's eyes sparkled.
"Is it made from amber?" Remu asked in awe.
The other girls stood up, craning their necks for a better view.
"You can come closer if you want," I said with a chuckle.
"Alright, but one at a time—and be careful not to damage it," Roxanne took charge, standing beside Anastasia to manage the line.
Shea and Shera were the first to approach, their gazes locked on the necklace. Soon, others followed—Yasaka, Viviana, and Jasmine, who were composed before; Kunou, who had been quite shy until now; and even Nyx and Setsuna, the most withdrawn of the group. Everyone stepped forward to take a look.
Looks like jewellery is one thing universally liked by all the girls.
"So, is this amber necklace for Roxanne-san?" Ram asked bluntly, fingertips brushing over the necklace.
"No, no. How could it be for me? Master must have bought it as a gift for someone else," Roxanne said quickly, shaking her head.
But Anastasia and Sherry both glanced at me knowingly.
I walked over and patted Roxanne's head and her soft dog-ears. "Who else would I buy jewellery for, if not my silly, devoted Roxanne? After all, you are my number one slave," I whispered with a smile.
"Master…" Roxanne's eyes widened in surprise.
"Come, try it on." I said as Anastasia handed me the necklace with a soft smile.
I brushed Roxanne's yellow-gold hair away from her neck and carefully put it on her.
"Beautiful," I murmured. "It really suits your amber eyes." My gaze lingered a little too long on her cleavage where the biggest amber was resting while shining its light down on her globes, my hands itching to grab and squeeze them tightly!
"Thank you, Master," she said, her shy smile blooming with happiness.
"It really looks beautiful," Sherry said, stepping closer to admire it as I moved aside for the others to have a look.
The rest of the girls stood up and gathered around Roxanne, offering their compliments. She smiled gracefully, thanking them. Still, I could tell that more than a few were jealous. After all, they were still girls who had only been here for a few hours—how could they completely hide their feelings when I so openly favored Roxanne?
"When we have time and a little extra money, I would like to buy each of you a piece of jewellery or two. I think you would all look beautiful wearing them," I said with a warm smile, while my mind pictured all of them naked just wearing those necklaces... it would be such a sexy sight!
"Really, Master?" Shea asked, practically bouncing.
"Ah… will I get a pretty necklace like this too?" Shera muttered dreamily.
"Thank you, Master, for your generosity," Jasmine said with a bow—prompting the others to follow suit.
"Our Master is obviously the best," Roxanne said proudly.
As the girls chatted, Anastasia suddenly spoke up. "Master, if we had bought that Palmasque Mirror, Roxanne-san could see how pretty the necklace looks on her," she sighed.
"Well, I can take care of that," I said, casting a Water Wall in front of them. "This should be clear enough for a reflection."
"Magic!" Remu gasped in awe.
"Wasn't Master an adventurer, Rem?" Ram asked, puzzled.
"Yes, Nee-sama. Master was definitely an adventurer," Rem replied, just as confused.
"How did you do that, Master?" Shea asked in surprise.
"Is it something like that magic bag?" Jasmine wondered aloud.
"It's because he's Master," Roxanne replied with a smug smile, as if that alone explained everything.
***
[Thrownlead has used his points to give Boots of Swift Acceleration (2 Empty Slots),to Michio!]
Thank you for your support!
***
[Grolis has redeemed an Extra Chapter this week]