The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 40 - Greatest Necromancer

Chapter Fourty

"Daddy! You’re here!"

Lily’s voice was like a sugar-coated cannonball. She sprinted across the room, her new, overly-frilly dress swishing with every step, and launched herself at me. I caught her, lifting her into the air.

Ugh! My heart feels so much calmer seeing my little money bank. Every time she smiles, I can practically hear the sound of my gold coins clinking.

"How’s shopping going, baby?" I asked, booping her nose.

"Daddy... I..." Lily’s lower lip wobbled. Her big eyes turned into shimmering puddles.

...Who made my money bank cry?

"What happened, Lily?"

I walked over to the couch, adjacent to the one Lady Selia, Lady Elena, and that perpetually grumpy orphan boy and Lily’s friend, Zein, was sitting on.

I sat down, settling Lily onto my lap, petting her hair. "Who hurt you, baby? Tell daddy."

"No one hurt me. But... but... Can Lily buy clothes for the other kids in the orphanage too, Daddy?"

I blinked.

She was scared to just request that much?

Before I could answer, Vizen leaned in, his voice a frantic whisper in my ear. "Your Grace... These clothes are too expensive. It will probably take away half the fortune you invaded from the Barony."

"Will it? Hmm," I hummed, tapping my chin.

"Daddy, is Lily causing trouble?" Lily whispered, looking heartbroken.

My sweet money bank. Don’t cry. You’ll make me more money than these little pennies.

"Lily, you don’t have to think about the others. Just buy for yourself," Zein snapped, crossing his arms. He looked like he wanted to fight the concept of charity itself.

"But, Zein, they are kids too!" Lily squinted her eyes at Zein.

"They aren’t particularly nice to you, Lily! Don’t be a saint!"

"But, if they hadn’t sent me out in the cold to find help, I would have never found Daddy and died."

"You wouldn’t have died! I went to get medicine for Winter Blight!" Zein’s face was turning a frustrated shade of red.

"I was fine, Zein!"

"You were sick! Instead of going themselves when they were completely fine, those cowards sent a person who was in pain to ask for help! They are no worse than the orphanage director! Spineless! Ugh!"

"They are kids, Zein," Lily said softly.

"And what are you? A senior citizen!?" Zein groaned.

Why do they sound like a married couple? I don’t like it.

I raised a hand to cut through the bickering.

"Enough." I turned my gaze toward the boutique owner, who was currently trembling so hard I thought he might vibrate through the floorboards. "What’s your name?"

"Horsesheat, Your Grace," the man squeaked, bowing so low he was practically eating the rug.

Horseshi—

[Ping!]

[Don’t complete that thought, Host. Maintain your dignity.]

I have dignity? What’s that?

"Horsesheat."

I really, really want to say ’Horseshit’, Sysi.

[Ping!]

[No.]

"Yes, Your Grace," the man stammered, oblivious to my internal battle with Sysi.

"How much would your entire catalogue for children, male and female, cost?"

The man’s eyes glazed over as he did the math. "For the current stock and the incoming winter lines... Half a million gold, sir."

"That’s daylight robbery!" Oldie shrieked, clutching his heart. "They are just pieces of cloth! Are they woven from the golden hair of angels!?"

"Vizen, calm down. You’re scaring the merchant." I looked at Horsesheat. "How much of a discount can you give for a bulk order?"

"I... I can sell it for 450,000 gold, Your Grace. That is my absolute bottom line! I’ll go bankrupt if I go lower! But, why do you ask, Your Grace? Are you planning to send clothes for the crown prince and princess?"

Hah... As if.

"From there... to there..." I said, dragging my finger across the shelves. "And everything from your catalogue that you didn’t bring. Pack it up. Send it to the Duchy. I’ll buy it all."

I flicked my hand. "Vizen. Handle it."

"But, Your Grace—!" Oldie looked like he was about to faint.

"Vizen. Do you want my daughter to wear the same clothes on repeat?"

"I..."

"This matter is closed. Handle it at once and come to my room later."

"Yes, Your Grace," Vizen sighed, defeated. "Please come with me, Sir Horsesheat."

As they left, the room finally felt quiet. I looked down at the small girl on my lap. "Lily?"

"Yes, Daddy?"

"If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me. I’ll always buy it for you. Whether it’s clothes, toys, or a small country."

"But... won’t I become a burden on you?"

I felt a pang in my chest. I pulled her into a hug, resting my chin on her head. "Lily... you can never be a burden. I’ve gifted you those clothes. They belong to you now. You can do whatever you want with them. Burn them, throw them, rip them, or give them to every orphan in the North. It’s all up to you."

"Hic... I love you, Daddy," she sobbed, burying her face in my clothes.

"Don’t cry, baby. You’ll ruin your dress." I wiped a tear from her cheek. "Can you go with Lady Elena and Lady Selia to freshen up? It must have been tiring. Rest a little then wear some good clothes for daddy?"

"Mhn! I wanna try the clothes Daddy bought for me and show Daddy!" She hopped down, her mood swinging back to pure joy in a second.

"Good girl. Lady Selia, Lady Elena, she’s in your hands."

"Let’s go, Princess," Lady Selia said with a warm smile, leading the chattering group out of the room.

I sank into the couch, the silence of the room finally allowing the weight of the Emperor’s letter in my pocket to feel heavy again.

What should I do?

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[DING! CHARACTER INFORMATION EXTRACTION SUCCESSFUL!]

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[Character: Zien]

[Position: Orphan]

[Age: 11]

[Potential: SSS-Class (Great Potential To Become Greatest Necromancer)]

[Mana Circle : 1 (Can only summon dead spirits for now)]

[Charm Points: 9999999 (Cutie)]

[Loyalty Points: 0 (Suspicious You Want To Take Advantage Of Lily’s Kindness)]

[Likability Points: 45 (Only Because You Make Lily Happy)]

[Description: There’s only Lily in his brain and heart.]

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"Zien, was it?"