[Nightmare]

Chapter 145 [Advertising]

[A/N: Welcome to the mystery-driven Trash of Thrones arc, complete with occasional commentary. That's the vision, anyway.

Helix has ~30 days to gain the full cooperation of a country and military—as a nameless 18-year-old...... lol.

This arc examines what would happen if a real mc—powerful or not—tried to take over... anything. Enjoy!]

—

"Samma Shaw, you say?"

"Yeah, THE Samma Shaw has come back and this is the [first] auction in a decade."

"Samma's Exotic Fashion Bizarre is back? Preposterous!"

"No! It's real. I saw a glimpse of the first items by accident."

"We absolutely must obtain items!"

"When is the auction?"

"The first is exclusive for the Earthians…."

"What!? Earthians! Leaving out nobles?

Hah. What type of foolishness has been fed to the merchants?"

"This is a scandal. Samma Shaw's products being sold to commoners and leaving out the nobles!?"

"That… please exercise restraint, Charell, Irene.

The clothing line is Earthian designs."

"What!?"

"Yes. A mysterious Earthian named Helix Margrave returned from Kozen and claimed to have partnered with Shaw.

So be careful that you don't offend Samma Shaw."

"Humph. Nonsense."

"Are you going to the participant auction?"

"Participant auction?"

"Yes. The demand to see the clothing ahead of tomorrow's auction is so high that the mysterious partner is auctioning fifty seats to anyone wishing to participate.

There are items exclusive to the auction, but they've opened nobles up for limited participation."

"Pay for tickets and have limited participation? That's ludicrous!"

"It's within our favor. An Earthian designed the clothing.

Therefore, the auction is being held on their behalf.

Most of those brats have exorbitant sums of money built up from leeching on the kingdom.

So the boy won't let the nobles or Earthians bid against one another."

"Hah! That's absurd. He just doesn't want them to not have a shot!"

"It doesn't matter. I'm going!

I must get in at any cost!"

"What!?"

"Roger and I have already made arrangements as well."

"Irene, Charell, are you certain that you want to miss out?"

—

"Manifesting… manifesting… manifesting…. Cat Ears!"

"Forget it, Samuel, they're mine!"

"You better prepare to fight me for them.

I've barely left my room for four months.

I have a mountain of unused gold that says [cosplay knows no price tag]."

"Haaaaaaaah. Well, it's lucky there are multiple pairs."

"Yeah…. Guys… what do you think the [other] cosplay items will be?"

"Oh… you know… I haven't thought about that."

"Me neither. So much has happened since Helix and the Goddess' showed up [yesterday]."

"Wait, they showed up yesterday!? It feels like they've always been here."

"Right!? They showed up in the middle of the first day of training."

"Hah. Look at us. Helix has us wrapped around his fingertip now."

"Who cares? It's better than Ronka, right?"

"Yeah, you can say that again. To be honest, I want to stay."

"David, what do you think about Helix and those women?"

"I… uh…."

"Why are you so nervous?"

"Hello and welcome!"

"W-War… I mean Riley!"

"No reason to be nervous. Please call me whatever you wish."

"I… yes. Thank you, War Goddess Riley."

"Thank you, Riley."

"I appreciate your kindness, Ms. Riley."

"I don't know why you're thanking me, but you're most welcome."

"We…."

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.

So I came over because David is quite shy."

"I-I…."

"No reason to be bashful. David is Helix's best friend.

It's been that way for over a decade now."

"What!? Why didn't you say that!?"

"I-I… I don't…."

"It's true. So please take good care of David.

He's very special to all of us. Enjoy the auction and farewell."

"Bye War Goddess Riley!"

"Goodbye Riley!"

"See you later!"

"B-Bye, Riley…."

"David, you've [GOT] to… David, why are you crying?"

"I-I… I'm just… so happy."

—

"This… is super hot."

"Hot? What are you talking about, Charlotte?"

"It's [bold]. Hellie's publicized a noble cloth sellers auction isn't open for nobles without payment."

"You're right… this is a lot of attention."

"Yeah~ If that wasn't enough, he's making them pay to get in. It's a powerplay."

"Come to think of it… we've only been here for a full day. That's insane."

"Right? Hellie isn't defenseless anymore, but for some reason I feel like this is only natural."

"Yeah… Hellie was doing this from the beginning with Emelia's fashion…."

"The only difference is that he's powerful enough to defend himself. It's ex~citing."

"Yeah… Helix deserves this. Remember when—"

—

"Haaaaaaah. Protecting this boy is impossible!

Even when he's not trying, he pulls everyone's attention. Now it's on purpose?

Helix advertised his slight to nobles by holding the action [in the Kina District]!

Are you kidding me?"

"Macron…."

"If people attack him, I'll pull his teeth and use them as ammo to kill his enemies with a slingshot."

"Ahhhh…huuuuh…. Macron. It's okay to give up."

"Give up!? Master Tyrene will cash in a favor from a necromancer if I don't protect this boy."

"Ahhhh…huuuuh…. Macron. It's also okay to stop pretending like it's for Tyrene."

"...."

"We can't protect Helix from being Helix.

The best we can do is support him when he's hurt or needs help.

Besides…."

"Heh. Ironic statement from you, Elsa…."

"...."

"Besides what?"

"Ahhhh…huuuuh…. As much as we don't like it, people need Helix now.

I know it, Tyrene knew it, and you should too…."

"Ahhhh…huuuuh…. You're right. Heh. The irony is brutal."

"Irony? It's always been that way."

"No, not his leadership—our mannerisms. Helix sighs less, and the rest of us have had to pull the slack."

"Haaaaaaah. You're right. Damn kid."

"It's… weird. It's almost distressing to see Helix looking so damn confident all the time."

"I think so too, but not for the same reason you do."

"Hmmm? What are you talking about?"

"The only time Helix doesn't genuinely sigh is with those girls.

When he's not with them, he holds them back for the sake of the others."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Watch him. It's cute watching his facial muscles cramp up as he tries to breathe normally."

"Look at you giggling, Elsa. You're looking… motherly."

"Hmmm. I wonder. He's called me his [chosen mom]."

"Wait… say that again? Does he not like his parents?"

"No, it's not like that. Helix says that true friends are [chosen family].

They don't replace family; they increase your family.

Friends are like siblings, and he sees me as a mother figure.

I understand the feeling. I think of Helix as a son, almost."

"Oh… that makes sense…. I guess? Kinda weird."

"Oh yeah? You look like you're jealous. Are you going to apply for [chosen dad]?"

"Stop giggling, woman. If you don't, I'll rip out your vocal cords and…."

"Announce your application with them?"

"Woman!"

"Don't snap at me! I'll show you what it means to back up threats."

"Haaaaaaah. God damn it, Elsa. Yes, mam, and stuff."

"Humph."

"Fine. But can you at least drop the smug face?

If you're gonna mock me, might as well start watching for danger again while you do it."

"Yeah…."

—

"Wow… it's almost like the nobles know Sir Helix was in the city before we did."

"Your majesty, I humbly request that you don't giggle.

He may be strong, but he can't survive all of the nobles in the city."

"Hmmm. I wonder…."

"Please exercise prudence, my lady. He's still just one man."

"It's not that I think he is powerful by strength. It's just…."

"Your majesty… the giggles….."

"It's just… you saw how he used these clothes to manipulate our little problems right?"

"Now… that you mention it, that was unbelievable."

"Indeed. I'm certain Helix will do the same for the nobles.

Moreover… I don't think that's all…."

"Why do you think so?"

"The group has suspiciously set up amplification circles for outsiders to listen in."

"Your Majesty, that's a common form of advertisement."

"I wonder… I think there's more to it than that. Knowing him, there is."

"How… do you know so much about this boy?"

"Hmmm? Oh. I've been watching him for a long time.

I've even received letters via carriers while he was in Kozen."

"My lady! You mustn't take interest—understood."

"Thank you, Mark. It's almost time."

—

"For someone that caused this mess, you sure look melancholy.

Is that regret? Or is this not enough for your crazy ass."

"Ahhhhhh… huhhh… thank you for your commentary, Miskie."

"Welcome, cult lead."

"I appreciate your straightforwardness."

"You a masochist or somethin'?

Careful. I'll tell your girls if you say yes."

"No…. I don't do these things for fun, Miskie."

"Hoh? That's hard to believe."

"Ah… huuh. Tonight… will be one hell of a night."

"Well, I hope it's just as crazy as you intentionally made it.

You're almost up. I suggest you drop dem sighs.

They're bad for business."

"Heh. Don't worry. I'm becoming a master at that.

Just watch me work."

—

Power stones and grammatical errors = more content. :)