The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 61 - Goddess Aelthra

Chapter Sixty One

[Ping!]

[Why did Host come to Library?]

To relax before the duel.

[Ping!]

[Seriously? Don’t you wanna use trade points to redeem some cool skills. We have a lot of cool skills.]

You sound like a scammer trying to sell their old stock at a high price.

I chuckled as I walked past the shelves, surfing to find some book of interest.

[Ping!]

[Host is really just gonna into the duel with one circle? That sounds like you want to get beaten.]

There’s no fun in beating an opponent who’s too weak. I miss those fights I used to have in the back alley as an orphan. There’s nothing more fun that losing all senses except the will to survive. Plus, it’s a friendly duel.

[Ping!]

[I hope Host knows that he needs to form second circle soon. You’ll need to go in seclusion for a week for that.]

I know, Sysi.

I sighed.

Is there something you have for that? Some dimensional space or something? That you know like slows time inside it. I can’t just leave these morons unsupervised for a whole week.

I mean, I trust them. But, I don’t trust them that much.

[Ping!]

[There is. It’s just that you’re too poor to afford it right now.]

How much is it?

[Ping!]

[It’s not available till you get the trade shop to Grade A Tier Three. And, just so you know, you’re still at Grade B Tier One.]

Damn it. I guess I’ll save the Trade Points for now in case there is some unforeseen circumstances.

[Ping!]

[That’s smart. Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry much since your circle one is kinda equivalent to a circle five or six swordsman here.]

I know that part. But, this place is very unpredictable. Could you have imagined we’d find a fox kin by yesterday?

[Ping!]

[No! That’s only because Host keeps moving instead of resting. You could have delayed the visit to mountain but you had to go. Then, you promised the people academy and hospital. Who’s even going to teach in that academy?]

My feet came to a pause as my eyes fixed to a title.

’The Creation Of Universe.’

Oh look! This seems interesting, Sysi.

My hand reached out to take out the book from the shelf but before it could even touch it Sysi’s scream rang in my head.

[Ping!]

[Don’t touch that book!]

What’s wrong, Sysi?

[Ping!] 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

[Don’t tell me Host is a pussy who believes that God created the universe and sits there granting all his creations wishes cause he loves them.]

Sysi, why are you reacting so strongly? We’ll pick another book. There’s no need to curse God.

[Ping!]

[So, you believe in him?]

No, Sysi. I acknowledge that there might be a God who created us. But, I don’t believe in him.

[Ping!]

[Host must never believe in someone else except him.]

Not even you?

...

Sysi?

[Ping!]

[No. Not even me. We scammed you, didn’t we?]

A chuckle left my lips as I moved forward, suppressing the curiosity of reading that book in my chest.

If you want, you can scam me again. However, there are not a lot of people who can scam me successfully.

[Ping!]

[We’ll see.]

"My Liege."

A very familiar voice made my steps freeze as I turned around to look at the figure dressed in armour as if we were departing for war.

"Lady. No. Squire Elena of First Order. How was your first day?"

[Ding!]

[Due to increase in Squire Elena’s Loyalty, 40000 Trade Points Are Awarded!]

[Grade B Tier Two Trade Shop Unlocked!]

[Note: Host can earn Trade Points from increase in Loyalty of non- SSS Rank character. However, you cannot view their Loyalty Points.]

Wait... You are telling me all this time I could have earned Trade Points from people of the fief as well.

[Ping!]

[Yes. You can earn Trade Points from anyone. But, Gacha Points can only be obtained from SSS Rank Characters and above.]

Haaah... Does that mean none of the non key characters have felt any increase in Loyalty till now!?

[Ping!]

[Yes.]

Wow. I’m raising a bunch of ungrateful rats.

"-our Grace?"

"I’m sorry, Elena. I was... lost in thought. What were you saying?"

"Ah! It’s okay, My Liege!" Elena beamed, her face flushed from exertion and joy. "I was just saying... I’ve never felt this happy! Ever!"

"You’re happy about running laps and getting barked at by Kaelen?"

"I am! I outran all the young knights in the Second Order today! I even won this training sword through a bet!" She patted the hilt at her side with pride. "Thank you for this chance, My Liege. I swear on the name of the Goddess Aelthra—Your Grace!?"

The moment the name Aelthra passed her lips, my world inverted.

A searing, white-hot agony erupted in my bone marrow, as if my very blood had turned into molten lead. My vision fractured into a thousand jagged pieces.

"Kuegh!"

I collapsed, my knees slamming into the stone floor with a sickening thud. A violent spasm racked my chest as I sprayed blood across the floor.

[Ping!]

[Sit down on the floor, Host. Immediately!]

What is happening, Sysi?

[Ping!]

[It... It’s probably from overwork! Host shouldn’t work so much.]

My heart was pacing frantically in my chest as I regained my vision a little.

For some reason, I could feel Sysi was holding onto some information.

But, for some reason also, I didn’t want to push her into answering.

"Haah..." I exhaled, a ragged, shuddering breath that tasted of iron.

"My Liege! Please, stay with me! Are you okay?" Elena’s voice was frantic, her hands hovering over my shoulders as if she were afraid that touching me would cause me to shatter. Her face was a mask of pure terror.

Haha. Looks like I have people now who’ll care if I die.

[Ping!]

[Host won’t die. Stop saying ominous things!]

"I’m fine, Elena," I rasped, wiping the back of my hand across my blood-stained lips. The pain was receding into a dull ache, but my pride was still in tatters. "Just... let me be alone for now. Please. Go."

How am I still so weak... After everything. This weak. Pathetic.

"But, Your Grace, you’re bleeding! I should fetch Lady Selia or Sir Kaelen—"

"Go, Squire," I snapped, my voice cracking with a sharp authority that cut through her panic. I looked her in the eye, my gaze hard despite the sweat bead rolling down my forehead and weakness in my veins. "It’s an order. Return to your drills."

Elena flinched, her jaw tightening as she swallowed her protest. "Got it, My Liege."

Haaah... I fucking hate this. I miss my past life where I wasn’t weak.

[Ping!]

[We’re sorry. We’re sorry, Host. It’s all our fault.]

Sysi, calm-

"Master!"

Ugh.