Kingdom of Beasts: 1-2 Stranded

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A blizzard traps Dahlia in an inn in Sierce. While bored, she finds herself intrigued by a mysterious auction...

Info

• Style:
• Event Logs: Mandrake*, Sierce**, Auction, Sulfur, Niter
• Recommended: Sunrise in Leto
• Perfect Score: TBA
• Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Opportunity and Choice, Blueprint: Young Merchant

(Should I continue bidding against her?)

• Continue bidding
  • No change
• Give up
  • Olive's goodwill will rise

*Choosing rebel in 1-1 will unlock Mandrake

**Choosing obey in 1-1 will unlock Sierce

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Guard A: What a chore. I don't get paid enough for this.

• Guard B: Stop complaining. She's marrying the Duke, after all. Who knows, we might get a handsome reward for delivering her to him.

• Guard A: In the meantime, let's head out and see if we can find some side jobs. The town has been sealed off. She couldn't get away even if she tried.

• The grumbling men's footsteps thump loudly on the floor above. I can't sleep at all.

• The inn is small and bare. Even with the firewood burning, my room feels cold.

(If "Obey" was selected in Chapter 1-1)

• Two days ago, my parents hired some guards and hastily sent me on my way without even preparing a dowry.
• I only had time to pack a few belongings, along with the letter and token Duke Cyrus sent me, before I was kicked out of the house.
• The journey hadn't been smooth. Heavy snowfall has made for a long, slow trip by carriage.

(If "Rebel" was selected in Chapter 1-1)

• Two days ago, my mother knocked on my door while I was packing my luggage and preparing to leave.
• She held a tray of toast and milk, a tender expression on her face.

• Mother: You must be hungry, Dahlia. You didn't have any dinner.

• Mother: Don't be angry. We only want what's best for you. I'm sure Duke Cyrus will treat you well.

• You: Have you come to persuade me to marry him?

• You: Save your breath. I won't agree to it.

• Mother gave me a compassionate look and held the glass of milk to my lips. I took a sip without even meaning to.
• I was taken aback by her gentle demeanor. It wasn't like Mother to be so nurturing.

• You: (Am I only worthy of my parents' affection when they need a favor from me?)

• A piercing pain shot through my head, and my vision began to blur...

• Mother: A mandrake is an effective sedative.

• My vision darkened. Mother's words and her smug smile made me realize what was happening.

• You: You... tricked me...

• When I woke up, I was in a carriage. Two strong guards took turns watching me, ensuring I didn't escape. I had nothing but a few meagre belongings and the letter and token Duke Cyrus had sent me.
• My own mother had duped me. All I could do was to bide my time.

• You: (Attempting to leave now would be unwise. I must wait for the right opportunity.)

• You: (Besides, I was headed to Leto anyway.)

• The journey hasn't been smooth. The snow is falling heavily with no signs of stopping, and the carriage is moving slower and slower.

• To avoid getting stuck in a blizzard on the outskirts, we head to the closest city, Sierce, and take shelter until the storm blows over.
• For weeks, snow is piled outside my window. Any time I open the window for a breath of fresh air, the cold rushes in, making me shiver.
• Today, the sky finally begins to clear.

• I open my door and catch the scent of alcohol. The guards are nowhere to be seen.

• You: (They've been slacking off lately. They must feel certain I won't try to leave during a blizzard.)

• The inn's hall is more crowded than usual. The long-awaited sunlight pours through the window, illuminating the room.
• When the inn's main door is opened, a thick layer of snow can be seen on the road outside. An inn worker passes by me. I wave him down.

• You: Excuse me, do you know when we'll be able to leave the city?

• Server: There's only one way out of the city. You'll have to wait until all the snow has been shoveled.

• Server: In the past, it only took one or three days, but after the blizzard...

• Server: I reckon it'll take at least five days.

• You: That's a long time.

• Server: Hah! It is indeed. Many of our guests have been stuck here ever since the city closed because of the storm.

• Server: See? They've all gone out for fun now that the snow has finally stopped.

• Server: You can go to the auction if you're bored, miss.

• You: Auction?

• Server: That's right. The city's biggest auction house is hosting an auction tomorrow.

• Server: I've heard they're auctioning off some highly unusual items. Sounds like it's worth a trip.

• You: Thank you. I appreciate the recommendation.

• You: (I guess I'll visit the auction house tomorrow. Maybe I'll find something unexpected.)

• The next day, I tell the guards I want to go out.
• Perhaps because I've been cooperative, or the fact that I'm not dragging any of my luggage behind me, or both, they don't object to me venturing outside.
• Before leaving for the auction, I go to my room and change my clothes.

• The auction house is grand and brimming with people. Everyone is speaking in low voices, talking about how the auction has been delayed.

• Passerby A: The auction house has always been punctual. Why hasn't the auction started yet?

• Passerby B: A friend who works here told me there's a problem with one of the items being auctioned today.

• Passerby A: What kind of problem? Is the item a fake?

• Passerby B: I don't know. We'll learn more once the auction begins.

• You: (Always punctual, but not today?)

• Their conversation has piqued my curiosity.
• I've been in the business of selling information for a while now. I know there's always a deeper reason for things deviating from the norm.
• If I pay close attention, I might learn something valuable...

• As I'm eavesdropping on their conversation, I accidentally bump into the lady in front of me. Fortunately, she's not angry.

• ???: You...

• The lady looks startled. I suddenly realize that I'm blocking the way.

• You: Oh! I'm sorry, I was in a daze...

• I step aside to let her pass.

• ???: It's no big deal, don't take it to heart.

• ???: The auction is about to begin. Why don't we go in together?

• You: (I don't know her, but she seems friendly and jovial.)

• You: (Maybe I'll chat with her and make a new friend

• You: All right.

• As luck would have it, we're seated close to each other. There are only two rows between us.
• I want to ask her for her name, but the auctioneer arrives, cutting our conversation short.

• Auctioneer: My sincerest apologies for the long wait, esteemed patrons!

• Auctioneer: Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was forced to delay the start of the auction.

• Auctioneer: But I promise you the wait will prove worthwhile!

• Passerby A: Stop holding us in suspense! Just show us the items already!

• Passerby B: Hear, hear! Enough teasing!

• Auctioneer: Good things come to those who wait! The rarest item will be the grand finale of today's auction!

• The crowd buzzes with excitement. Everyone's spirits are high as the auction officially begins.

• Auctioneer: The first item is this neckerchief that was worn by Earl Charles.

• Auctioneer: A neckerchief as suave as the man who wore it! The bid starts at 30 gold!

• You: ...

• You: (Is he serious? A used neckerchief? Will anyone even bid on it?)

• The auctioneer's thrilled voice answers my question.

• Auctioneer: We have 50! Going once, going twice, and sold for 50 gold!

• You: ...

• Auctioneer: Next we have a knight's longsword that was forged by Sierce's best blacksmith! The bid starts at 100 gold.

• Auctioneer: A necklace that belonged to the former queen! Going, going, gone! Sold for 3,000 gold!

• More jewelry and weapons are brought out. They're all very similar. There's nothing striking or unique about any of them.

• You: (This is boring. I wonder if I can leave early...)

• I don't think I'm the only one who's bored. The people around me appear to be getting restless.
• The air is suddenly permeated by a choking white smoke.

• You: (Huh? Why does it smell like sulfur?)

• Passerby A: What's that smell?

• Passerby B: Why is there smoke? Is something on fire?!

• Mention of a possibly fire makes everyone in the crowd look around for the source of the smoke.

• Passerby A: This is a dangerous problem! Why isn't the auction taking this seriously?

• Passerby B: Yeah! Are we a joke to them?!

• The crowd grows increasingly agitated, but the auctioneer remains calm.

• You: (Is the smoke just a ruse?)

• I had planned to leave, but instead I stay rooted to my seat.

• You: (I'm curious to know what tricks this auctioneer has up his sleeve.)

• The auctioneer claps for everyone's attention.

• Auctioneer: Calm down, everyone! What you're seeing is called "Cloud Smoke" and it's our next auction item!

• Passerby A: What is this, a trick? How can smoke be auctioned?

• Auctioneer: Excellent question! This is no ordinary smoke! It's extremely rare, and it can be created and controlled.

• Auctioneer: The "Cloud Smoke" is the result of a unique ratio of raw materials.

• Auctioneer: It can produce smoke and fire!

• Auctioneer: If it were used by a troupe or a theater during performances, the effects would surely draw large crowds.

• Auctioneer: The bid for the recipe to make "Cloud Smoke" starts at 500 gold! The bidding starts now!

• You: (Smoke that can be controlled? One of its materials must be sulfur...)

• I'm suddenly reminded of the information Martha mentioned in passing a month ago.

• You: (She said someone has been buying sulfur and niter in bulk, causing prices for those materials to skyrocket.)

• You: (I must write to Martha. There may be a connection between those materials and this "Cloud Smoke".)

• The auctioneer is doing his best to push the bidding, but the crowd isn't interested.
• He made a huge show of presenting it, but "Cloud Smoke" appears to have limited use. Few people have need of it.

• You: (The first mock-up of any new invention often goes unappreciated as its purpose isn't fully understood yet.)

• You: (Being able to control the smoke means the user could create a specific environment...)

• You: ("Cloud Smoke" must have other uses that haven't been discovered yet.)

• There aren't many bidders, and the price hasn't increased much from its starting bid. The auctioneer is disappointed.

• Auctioneer: 560 gold. Going once, going twice, and—

• You: 800.

• My high bid makes the auctioneer's face light up. Excitement colors his voice.

• Auctioneer: 800 gold! Anyone higher than 800?

• Auctioneer: 800 once! 800 twice! 800—

• ???: 1,000.

• I'm stunned. My competitor sounds familiar and seems to be nearby.
• The voice belongs to a lady who's sitting two rows ahead of me. She turns and smiles at me.

• ???: I'm interested in this item too. Don't mind me if I join in the fun.

• You: You...

• You: (It's the lady I bumped into before the auction...)

• You: (Should I continue bidding against her?)

Continue bidding

• You: Apologies. I won't be giving in.

• ???: What a pity. We'll just have to see who wins.

• You: 2,000.

• Auctioneer: Wow! A bid that's double the previous one! Anyone higher?

• ???: 3,000.

• Auctioneer: Heavens! 3,000! 3,000 going once! 3,000 going—

• You: ...5,000!

• Auctioneer: 5,000 going once—

• ???: Hmm. 10,000.

• You: ...

• You: (I have a sizeable amount in savings, but 10,000 gold for a recipe...)

• You: (That's not a good deal at all.)

• Auctioneer: Heavens! The "Cloud Smoke" is at a sky-high bid of 10,000! Going once, going twice, and—

• Auctioneer: Sold!

• The auctioneer bangs his gavel and ends this round of the auction. There's no doubt who won.

• Auctioneer: Congratulations to the lady on winning the "Cloud Smoke" recipe!

• The lady turns to me and smiles incomprehensibly.
• I pay her no mind as I turn my attention to the auctioneer and wait for the next round of bidding to begin.

Give up

• You: (She looks like her mind's set on winning. If I continue to bid, the only real winner here will be the auction house.

• You: (It'll be better for both of us if I don't fight her for it.)

• You: (As for the source of the "Cloud Smoke", I may be able to learn something about it if I follow up with Martha.)

• I nod at the lady and decide not to make any further bids.

• You: Not at all. The highest bidder wins. That's the rule of all auctions.

• Auctioneer: 1,000 going once! Going twice! And sold!

• Auctioneer: Congratulations to the lady on winning the "Cloud Smoke" recipe!

• The lady turns to me and smiles, expressing her gratitude.
• I pay her no mind as I turn my attention to the auctioneer and wait for the next round of bidding to begin.