Lustful but Cowardly

Time flowed by imperceptibly, and before anyone realized it, the day of the auction had arrived.

In the preceding days, it was undeniably Ren Daozhen who found himself most consumed by activity.

To amass sufficient funds for the impending auction, he had spent the past few days meticulously sketching every maid outfit he could recall from anime and games. Some designs, he even took the liberty of modifying.

Ciel, however, was discerning; she wouldn’t accept every design draft. She outright rejected overly common or uninspired concepts. Yet, in contrast, any design that truly captivated her promised a significantly higher reward.

Ren Daozhen lamented his limited knowledge of maid outfits and the fact that he was no professional artist. He pushed himself until his well of inspiration ran dry, ultimately delivering a staggering hundred design drafts. These included detailed three-view drawings and intricate internal compositions. He was immensely grateful for the magic pen; without it, he surely would have collapsed from exhaustion.

Upon reviewing the designs, Ciel was utterly delighted. She accepted them all and promptly paid a generous sum of ten million in remuneration. Furthermore, she assured Ren Daozhen that she would secure both the phone and the natural potion at the auction, even offering to cover any shortfall in funds.

Before their official departure, Ciel escorted Ren Daozhen to a tailor, where he was fitted for a new ensemble.

“This attire feels incredibly uncomfortable,” Ren Daozhen grumbled, “and… isn’t it a tad too flashy?”

He scrutinized the garments he wore: a quintessential Western noble’s ensemble. It featured a tight-fitting tunic that accentuated his physique, complemented by breeches and polished leather boots.

Crucially, beneath it all, he wore a rigid vest, akin to a posture brace, which forced his back into an unnaturally straight position. The discomfort was considerable.

The tunic itself was heavily adorned with shimmering gold trinkets, giving him the appearance less of a refined noble and more of an ostentatious parvenu.

“Your current identity is that of a young noble master,” Ciel explained. “I don’t expect you to master intricate etiquette, but at the very least, your steps must be steady, and you must not slouch. It’s perfectly normal to feel unaccustomed at first; you will grow used to it.”

“As for adornments, I personally favor gold over diamonds or other gemstones. It is, in my opinion, the most exquisite precious metal in all the realms.”

“Oh? So, Head Maid, you have a fondness for gold,” Ren Daozhen mused aloud.

Ren Daozhen pursed his lips. He suddenly recalled Ciel’s transformed half-dragon appearance from before. ‘Could it be,’ he wondered, ‘due to the inherent draconic craving for gold and treasure?’

Once suitably attired, the two embarked in a carriage, journeying towards the Pine Scent Rat Merchant Guild, the esteemed organization hosting the auction.

At the far end of the bustling street, a colossal commercial edifice materialized before their eyes. Even from its exterior, the building’s sheer size was striking, easily rivaling that of a grand sports arena.

A formidable queue already snaked from the auction house entrance, with the line at the main gate extending beyond the reach of sight.

Conversely, the smaller side door beside the main entrance was largely devoid of crowds. Yet, a long red carpet and elegant flower stands graced its approach, unequivocally signaling it was not for common folk—it was, undoubtedly, the exclusive VIP passage.

Ren Daozhen observed briefly, noting that attendees at the auction house generally fell into two distinct categories: adventurers clad in practical, sturdy gear, and affluent nobles or merchants adorned in opulent attire.

The merchant guild, however, was indifferent to social standing; wealth was its sole criterion. Sufficient funds granted entry via the VIP channel, a privilege enjoyed by numerous wealthy merchants and nobles, and indeed, a select few high-ranking adventurers.

“Let us proceed, Young Master,” Ciel murmured softly.

She then stepped onto the crimson carpet, leading the way.

Ren Daozhen drew a deep breath, straightened his posture, and, adopting a formal stride, followed closely behind Ciel.

He keenly sensed the eyes of others upon him, their gazes laced with envy and even jealousy. This subtle attention gratifyingly indulged his vanity, and he couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

He mused that if some haughty noble were to pick a fight now, it would perfectly embody the classic ‘protagonist feigning weakness to outsmart a foe’ trope.

Yet, Ren Daozhen was acutely aware that his current splendor was merely borrowed, a reflection of Ciel’s formidable presence.

As Ciel, walking ahead, presented her Star Card and S-rank adventurer’s emblem, the guards at the entrance promptly granted them passage.

Once inside the corridor, a striking maid, clad in a revealing outer garment, approached them. A closer look revealed a pair of pointed ears; she was an elf.

“Welcome, esteemed guests,” she greeted, “Please, follow me.”

With that, the maid turned, leading them deeper into the venue. Her gait was alluringly graceful, her swaying waist and shapely hips subtly visible with every fluid step.

Ren Daozhen, captivated by the alluring sight, felt his cheeks flush involuntarily. He quickly averted his gaze, a thought bubbling up in his mind: ‘Is she an elf, or perhaps a succubus?’

Moments later, the maid ushered them into a compact private room. Though no larger than a small karaoke booth, its interior was exquisitely appointed. A plush leather sofa beckoned, promising to envelop anyone who sat, while a table overflowed with an assortment of gourmet foods and fine wines.

‘Is this,’ Ren Daozhen mused, ‘the world of the affluent? It seems that in any realm, capital truly reigns supreme!’

“My lord,” the half-elf temptress purred, “would you care for my humble self to attend to you?”

The half-elf attendant showed no haste to depart. Instead, she perched delicately on the armrest of a nearby chair, leaning intimately towards Ren Daozhen.

Ren Daozhen was assailed by a wave of fragrant air, followed by the soft, warm press of her body against his. A young man who had never even experienced a courtship, how could he possibly withstand such a provocative trial? His face burned an even deeper shade of crimson.

The half-elf maid’s lips curved into a subtle smile. Completely disregarding Ciel, who stood nearby, she continued to flirtatiously preen before Ren Daozhen.

“Young Master, your maid is truly exquisite,” she purred, her gaze lingering. “She must be exceptionally well-fed, wouldn’t you agree? Still, it’s always pleasant to sample something new occasionally, don’t you think?”

With a seductive smile, the half-elf maid’s hand gently brushed Ren Daozhen’s chest, slowly descending towards his lower abdomen.

Ren Daozhen could only manage a series of incoherent gasps.

Rendered speechless, Ren Daozhen felt his primal instincts stirring. The conflicting forces of logic and desire left him utterly flustered, prompting him to glance desperately at Ciel.

“Please, Young Master, take your time and enjoy,” Ciel stated calmly.

With a slight bow, Ciel turned and exited the room, appearing to have no intention of intervening.

“No, no, no… don’t leave!” Ren Daozhen stammered, frantically waving his hands. “It’s not necessary… really, thank you for your kind offer… but please, you may go now…”

Awkwardly, Ren Daozhen practically shooed the half-elf attendant out of the room, then hastily slammed the door shut behind her.

“You truly needn’t concern yourself with me, Young Master,” Ciel’s voice drifted through the closed door. “It’s quite natural for a man to have such desires. If you find yourself pleased with that half-elf attendant, you could even purchase her and bring her home to… enjoy at your leisure.”

“No… no thank you,” Ren Daozhen replied, his voice a little strained. “I prefer to maintain a certain… purity of conduct.”

A flicker of regret crossed Ren Daozhen’s heart as he spoke. While Ciel might verbally express no objection, he was loath to leave a negative impression of ‘lechery’ or ‘lack of restraint’ in her estimation.

He still depended heavily on Ciel’s protection. He certainly wouldn’t risk diminishing her goodwill for a fleeting moment of impulsive desire.

Settling back onto the plush sofa, Ren Daozhen noticed the auction’s item catalog resting on the table. He picked it up and began to peruse its contents.