NOVEL NEXT Chapter 397
The auction for the unicorn concluded fiercely, ultimately resulting in Elizabeth being the winning bidder.
The price was a staggering 40 Throne.
‘I’m not sure what to make of this.’
The Throne is the peak currency unit of the Kingdom of Seophone.
Although it’s difficult to compare it directly to the original currency from my past life, Karem instinctively felt that the auction price for the unicorn easily surpassed hundreds of millions.
‘Isn’t that too expensive…?’
The combat horse of a knight is often compared to a sports car.
It’s trained for battle, showcasing ferocity, loyalty to its master, and an unyielding calmness even when facing enemies. It possesses the strength and stamina to bear armor weighing several hundred kilograms, among other attributes.
The unicorn surely surpasses those qualities.
Moreover, it is said to wield magic and, given its exceptionally hard and special horn, it can even stand against users of magical energy.
‘There’s no part of it that’s disposable, after all.’
I’ve heard that even its waste products have some kind of value.
“Your Grace, if it’s alright, may I guide you to where your auction item is located?”
After a portion of the crowd departed, the director approached directly.
The path to the storage room where the auction items, now referred to as purchased items, would be kept was heavily guarded. Considering that significant sums were involved, this level of caution seemed normal.
“So, Catherine, what are you scribbling down?”
“It’s a calculation.”
Scratch, scratch—Catherine, who had been jotting something down in a small notebook since the auction ended, bit the nib of her quill.
“I’ve been dealing with unicorn byproducts for quite a while, so I’m just refreshing my memory. It was decades ago, but I still haven’t forgotten completely.”
“But the usage is still unclear, isn’t it?”
“The usage is as you previously mentioned, Your Grace.”
The feather that was bitten by Catherine pointed toward Elizabeth, who had been conversing with the director.
“My lord, it’s for the health of the Duchess and the unborn child. Given that it’s a unicorn, it should be easier than before.”
Flipping to the next page, Catherine remained nonchalant. Considering the desperate measures parents take for their children, this was quite a wholesome approach.
‘I wish this had happened during the early stages of my morning sickness.’
The unicorn’s horn is a valuable material that can be used in crafting, art, alchemy, and magic.
Naturally, it is also used in medicine, and the unicorn’s horn is mentioned as one of the most representative materials for the elixir, often referred to as a panacea today.
If a potion made from a unicorn’s horn existed, Elizabeth, weakened by her severe morning sickness, could have easily jumped up from her spot.
“But in the end, what the Duchess is interested in is the unicorn’s horn, right?”
“Yes. Other byproducts, in total, wouldn’t match the efficacy of the horn. It would be even better if it was directly permitted and transferred by the unicorn.”
“In that case, there should be meat left over too, right?”
Scratch.
Catherine’s quill paused momentarily at something spoken in a hushed tone. Just for a second.
The scratching sound quickly resumed, but Catherine lifted her gaze from the notebook to look at Karem, as if to say, “Here we go again.”
“Yeah, I wondered why you didn’t pass that by.”
“Is there any curse for killing a unicorn?”
“That’s a superstition. While unicorns are treated as spirit beings alongside their horn and hooves, killing one won’t bring a curse. But where did you hear that superstition from?”
“Well, I don’t really remember where.”
Karem couldn’t very well admit that he had read about it in a magical academy story where an orphan defeated a demon king in his past life.
“Anyway, let’s set that aside. What about the hooves?”
So Karem decided to steer the conversation in a more natural direction, as he had something troubling him.
“Are those hooves the ones that touch the ground?”
“Yeah, those hooves.”
“Do they have any special effects like the horn does?”
“They’re not materials for a panacea or an elixir.”
Tap—Catherine handed her quill to Mary and tucked her notebook away.
“The unicorn hoof talisman brings good fortune to its bearer.”
“Eh? Good fortune? Like a rabbit’s foot talisman?”
In the past life, he had learned that, like dream catchers, a rabbit’s foot was supposed to bring good luck, but in reality, modern dream catchers genuinely ward off nightmares, and the effects of a rabbit’s foot talisman were indeed real.
However, as far as Karem knew, the luck from a rabbit’s foot wouldn’t have a dramatic effect. It was unclear when its effects would manifest.
“As a reference, the Patrikios potion made from four-leaf clovers has similar effects.”
“Eh? Even four-leaf clovers?”
Mary nodded her head.
“Yes. They’re similar in that all three are said to bring luck, but the effects of a unicorn hoof are on a completely different level.”
“If the effects are different—”
“In a crisis, a swung sword could become a decisive blow, or a sneak-attack enemy could trip over a rock, or you might accidentally detect the true nature of a mimic disguised as a treasure chest.”
The effects are significantly clearer than expected. The examples Catherine muttered only got weirder as they went on.
What? Avoiding arrows with a cough?
“But even a unicorn hoof isn’t omnipotent.”
“Ah, I see.”
“As with luck, there are times when it has no effect, and identifying when it does or doesn’t can lead to overestimating one’s own abilities.”
“Plus, you’ll also be targeted by others who covet the hooves?”
“Yes. And it’s not like hunting a unicorn is easy like hunting a rabbit.”
They passed through a heavily guarded corridor and entered the storage room. The similarly guarded storage space was bustling with people receiving or moving purchased items, and as Elizabeth passed, everyone paused their activities to greet her.
They arrived at the innermost part of the storage room. As they entered an even more heavily guarded space, the priests welcomed the group. The leading elder bowed to Elizabeth.
“And over here is the unicorn that the Duchess has bid on.”
“Oh, finally! After being surrounded by these filthy men, I can finally—”
“Shut your mouth! Who allows you to speak such nonsense in a place of safety! Where’s the gag?”
Karem, who had seen the unicorn several times, asked Catherine with a disgusted glance.
“You said that’s not the average unicorn, right?”
“Yes, thankfully.”
As the elder commanded, “Ugh! Now get that filthy hand off me!” the priests promptly pulled away from the unicorn after putting a gag on it.
“Phew. So, Your Grace? Do you need any assistance from the church?”
“Oh, that’s alright.”
Elizabeth waved her hand lightly.
“I instructed my maid to prepare in advance. People will be arriving from the castle soon.”
“Oh, then there shouldn’t be any problem.”
“It looks like there’s a lot of work to do, so it’s fine for you to leave now.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
After dismissing the elder, Elizabeth, though less than before, remained thoughtful amid the noisy surroundings.
“Karem, can I ask you something?”
So sudden? Karem briefly made eye contact with Catherine.
“You don’t have to ask for permission. Feel free—”
“Isn’t it problematic if I consume the horn of this unicorn?”
“What did you just say? I didn’t hear you well.”
With the surrounding noise, it was easy to wonder if he misheard.
He quickly checked his ears and rubbed his eyes, but nothing changed.
In her serious contemplation, Elizabeth looked at the quivering unicorn, deliberating whether to eat honey or a generously oiled salmon like a bear.
“Are you asking if it’s fine to eat that horn?”
“…Hearing it from someone else makes it sound particularly strange. But Karem. You heard the unicorn’s statement clearly at the auction’s end, right?”
“I did hear it.”
“Isn’t it natural to feel worried about that?”
Well… Karem couldn’t say a word.
At first glance, it felt more like a donkey-corn than a unicorn, but it was still technically a unicorn. The byproducts shouldn’t necessarily differ greatly.
However, the problem lay not in the byproducts, but rather in the fact that it was a unicorn.
Honestly, outwardly, it looked like the model of an ideal unicorn and was akin to how the virgin defender horse was being meme’d in his past life.
Deep down, or just as a meme, that might be acceptable, but openly saying such things was naturally concerning.
“…Your Grace. I understand your feelings, but—”
So Catherine, who had been silently listening, decided to enlighten Elizabeth about the reality.
“Sadly, there’s no doubt that is indeed a unicorn. I may not have seen one many times, but I never expected one like this.”
“Contractor. I have a question. What is an ‘Honorable Virgin’?”
“How would I know that?”
Catherine waved away Mary’s sudden inquiry.
“So, Your Grace, you can rest assured. Its efficacy shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Then, could it be, the condition of that unicorn is completely normal… !?”
“Your Grace, please mind your words.”
“?”
“Your words are pleasing the unicorn.”
As Catherine suggested, although her language was a bit softer, Elizabeth’s remarks, which were close to disdain, made the unicorn smile widely even with the gag on.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
Turning at the elderly voice, the elder who had just left the room was holding a splendid box.
“I apologize for bothering you by coming here personally. Here, a golden apple that you purchased at auction.”
“…Um, could we drop the honorifics?”
The elder handed the box to Karem, chuckling and waving his hand as if to say not to make absurd remarks.
“Oh, you are humble as Iona mentioned. But just looking at the divine power you possess shows your piety and favor. Excessive humility can also be harmful.”
This Iona fellow… Karem felt as if Iona, who wasn’t present, might shrug and laugh to just go along with it.
More importantly, the issue arose when the elder led the priests away before appearing.
Elizabeth blinked rapidly and quietly asked,
“Karem. Karem. What do you mean by ‘Your Grace’?”
I knew this was coming. Karem was left with no choice but to arrive at a conclusion that felt surreal. He sent Catherine a questioning glance, but since Elizabeth had already heard, there was no way to backtrack.
Fortunately, it seemed the surrounding people hadn’t caught on due to the noise, and Karem didn’t want to imagine what would happen if they did.
“That… well, maybe it’s because the divine beings have bestowed their favor upon this inadequate person; thus, I carry such divine power.”
“I had heard you deal with divine power, but being called ‘Your Grace’ is a bit much?”
“Usually, all titles are attached.”
“So then, should I call you a title–”
“No, no, no! You don’t need to do that, please.”
Oh my, Elizabeth had found a new source of amusement.
*
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Many people may not know this, but animals feel pain when their horns are cut off.
Of course, that’s expected as the nerves and blood vessels are connected. There are sayings about drinking blood when antlers are cut, and the cut surface is noticeably red.
Thus, the Felwinter Duke Family gathered a swordmaster named Giant and Grand Wizard Catherine together to prepare for any possible unruliness of the unicorn, ready to hunt it down quickly while minimizing damage—
“Ah, if the ‘Honorable Virgin’ and her companion need the horn, then we can’t help it. Here, you can take it right away!”
As if to say, “Hey, you should have said something sooner instead of preparing thoroughly,” in a scolding tone.
Thud— Bang, bang, bang clatter— Thud—
The rainbow horn that fell from the unicorn’s head clinked against chains and weights before dropping to the ground with a thud.
Everyone present was taken aback by how straightforwardly the issue was resolved.
“Huh? Why is everyone staring vacantly like a baby unicorn caught by a wyvern? Hurry up and take it!”
“Wait a moment, you. What do you mean by ‘the unborn virgin’?”
“That’s referring to the girl who will be born next year from that ‘Honorable Virgin.’ My lord!”
Did he just casually say that?
No, more importantly, a daughter?
In that moment, the unicorn, temporarily housed in a building converted into our stable, became the honored guest of the Duke’s family.