The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 79 - Nah. I Won’t.

Chapter Seventy Nine

Creaaaakkkk.

Ugh... Tired.

The bed groaned as I collapsed onto the mattress. It felt different like firmer, more supportive. Looks like they finally replaced that ancient spring mattress while I was out playing executioner.

[Ping!]

[Is Host seriously going to pack? You already have us. What are you even going to pack?]

"No. I'm not packing, Sysi. I lied so that I don't get disturbed. I need sleep. Real, unconscious sleep," I muttered into the pillow. "You always give me those weird, cryptic nightmares anyway. Let me have this."

[Ping!]

[Host is truly something else.]

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Goodnight, Sysi."

[Ping!]

[It is currently noon... but goodnight, Host.]

---

Woooshh!

My eyes snapped open. That prickling sensation on the back of my neck, the feeling of being watched,hit me like a bucket of ice water. I sat up, a long, involuntary yawn escaping my lips before I could stop it.

[Ping!]

[Please check your notifications, Host. You have unread messages.]

"Ugh... later," I whispered, rubbing the grit from my eyes.

"Good evening, Halcrest."

I froze.

That voice was too smooth, too melodic, and far too arrogant.

Did Sylvester teleport in my freaking room!? Creep.

I glanced toward the couch near the window. Sylvester was lounging there, legs crossed, looking as if he owned the damn stone it was built from.

"Do you realize how creepy it is to just teleport into someone's room, Sylvester?" I growled, my voice raspy from the short rest.

"In my defense, I arrived hours ago and went to see Lune first. I assumed you'd be ready," he said, eyeing my disheveled state.

[Ping!]

[Sylvester's Loyalty : 65]

[65,000 Trade Points Have Been Awarded!]

[It suddenly surged when Sylvester saw the treatment Lune was receiving from everyone.]

Hah... Lover elf?

"By the way, you didn't pack anything?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

I gestured vaguely at the empty room. "Are the Spirit Kings calling me there for a vacation?"

"No."

"Then what the fuck am I supposed to pack? I'll manage when I get there. There's nothing to pack really."

Sylvester tilted his head, his silver hair catching the dim light. "You're a weird human. You only ever wear that same outfit yet somehow you're more human than the ones who wear finest of outfits. I truly wonder why the Goddess of Life and Death cursed you. You also kinda lack the basic survival instincts of a man in your position."

"Maybe I stole her lunch money," I retorted, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "What do you want? Or should I sew your lips. Cause I can do that."

"Are you always this grumpy when you wake up? You do realise that I can undo it. Right?"

"I'm not grumpy. I'm drained. I haven't slept properly in days. I don't even remember the last time I saw a dream that didn't involve someone trying to gut me."

"Haizzz..." Sylvester sighed, a sound like wind through leaves. "You've lived a life of chaos and 'enjoyed' yourself for so long. Your fate is bound to be harsh now that you're trying to get back on the right track. The universe demands balance."

"Are you here to lecture me on karma? If yes, get out. I want to nap for another twenty minutes before we leave."

"You can't. The time is running," Sylvester stood up, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "And besides, I didn't come empty-handed. I've brought a few things from the Elven Tribe to help you survive the Spirit Realm. It isn't exactly 'human-friendly' this time of year."

"So, there are times when they are human-friendly? Teleport me that time."

"No... There isn't. I was trying to lighten your grumpy mood."

"Well, you failed. Miserably," I said, standing up and stretching until my spine popped in three different places. "So, what are these 'gifts'? Better be worth the room invasion."

Sylvester ignored my tone, reaching into the air as if pulling back an invisible curtain. He withdrew a small, ornate wooden box carved from weirwood, the grain shimmering with a faint, pulsing bioluminescence.

"First," he said, opening the lid to reveal three crystal vials filled with a swirling, emerald-colored mist. "These are Breath of the Yggdrasil. The Spirit Realm's atmosphere is saturated with pure white mana. To a human, breathing it is like inhaling shards of glass. These will coat your lungs for forty-eight hours each of the spirit realm, filtering the air so you don't spontaneously combust from the inside out.

"There's a time difference?" I took one, swirling the mist.

"Yes. One day there is like ten days here."

Great. Enough time to reach fourth circle as well depending on the situation.

"You need to manage my territory well while I'm away. Take care of kids too. Also divide the plot in the greenhouse between citizens to farm. You know how to establish an economy inside the fief. Right?"

This is the best decision. I'll need to work less when I return. He now has the highest loyalty after Lily too. I can entrust him the Duchy.

"I'm an elf who's lived for ten thousands of years. I can manage it just fine. Don't worry. Just return early. Or else, who knows I might upsurp your throne."

"You will?"

"No. I don't have any interest to rule over humans. I like a quiet life. So, return quickly."

"Okay. So, does this thing have any side effect? Like... does it turn my skin green?"

"Only if you're lucky," Sylvester smirked, though his eyes remained sharp. He then pulled out a cloak that seemed to be woven from literal moonlight. It was thin, translucent, and incredibly cold to the touch.

"And this. The Veil of the Hidden Glade. The spirits there are... territorial. They don't like the 'stink' of mortality. This will mask your presence from low-to-mid tier spirits. It won't hide you from the Kings, but it'll keep the lesser ones from trying to eat your soul as a snack."

[Ding!]

[New Items Acquired!]

3x Breath of the Yggdrasil (A-Grade Consumable)

Veil of the Hidden Glade (S-Grade Armor Accessory)

Wow... He really just gifted away S Grade and A Grade stuff? I like this elf.

I tossed the cloak over my shoulders. It was weightless, but a sudden chill settled over my skin, making the hair on my arms stand up.

"Great. I look like a glowing ghost," I muttered, checking my reflection in the window. "Are we done? Or do you have a magical map that tells me where I'm going to die?"

"The Spirit Realm doesn't believe in maps, Halcrest. The geography changes based on the mood of the High Spirits," Sylvester said, his voice dropping an octave. He walked toward the center of the room, and the air began to hum with a low, vibrating frequency. "The portal is ready. Do you not want to say goodbye before leaving?"

"No. It'll make it a little harder to leave."

As much as I hated to admit it. That statement was true. I'll miss those annoying voices.

"No matter how tough you look that's your limit, huh."

"There's no such thing. Just as much I said and take care of the fief. I'll be back soon."

"Don't die, Veryon."

"Nah. I won't."