The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 76 - Let’s Go Fishing

Chapter Seventy Six

"WHAT!?"

Kaelen’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. He surged upward, his chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. The rest of the council remained eerily still, their gazes fixed on the grain of the dark wood table as if it held the secrets of the universe.

"Sit down, Kaelen," I said, my voice flat and tired.

"How could the Emperor try to kill you using Baron Vische!?" he demanded, his face flushing a deep red.

I looked at him and felt a pang of pity. He still believed in the stories they told children about the nobility. "It is not exactly a secret. Hans and Eatassh already told me the Emperor hates me. What were you doing then? It was just me who was being delusional. I spent years playing along with my brother’s whims just to prove I loved him."

Haah... Who knew reading Veryon’s diary may come in handy, right now?

[Ping!]

[Host must not make a mistake. Or, they’ll grow suspicious of you.]

Don’t worry. I don’t plan to speak much in the first place.

"Master, I knew he hated you," Kaelen stammered, finally sinking back into his seat. "But to use Baron Vische and feed you opium? That is a low even for the Emperor."

Hans spoke up, his voice raspy from years of service. "Underhanded tricks are a part of politics, Kaelen. No one wants to get their hands dirty, but they still need the work done. You are a knight. You live by a code. You won’t understand."

"But Lord Hans," Kaelen argued, looking desperate. "Aren’t Emperors supposed to be the representative of the Goddess? The Imperial Doctrine says the throne belongs to a righteous and strong leader. It does not mention backstabbing."

Wow... He’s definitely a knight through and through.

[Ping!]

[Obviously he is! He’s handsome and a good natured kid. Unlike someone.]

Hey! I’m good natured too.

[Ping!]

[What makes Host think he’s handsome!?]

So, you’re saying I’m not handsome? I even got proposed to by Elena!

[Ping!]

[That makes her blind. Not Host handsome.]

Whatever.

Garrow let out a dry, hollow laugh interrupting my thoughts. "That is a naive thought, Kaelen. If the world worked like the Doctrine says, do you think I would have been exiled in the first place after fighting a war for the people?"

He leaned forward, the shadows of the room pooling in the hollows of his cheeks. "The throne belongs to the one who can manipulate opinions and seize it. A king does not need to be powerful or righteous. He does not even need knowledge. He just needs to know how to control the people who have those talents."

Wow... How did they get exiled if they were so smart?

[Ping!]

[We’re wondering the same.]

Haah... Seriously. Is there no way to teleport me back to my original body? I really don’t wanna do this anymore.

[Ping!]

[We really wish. We are tired of listening to Host too.]

... How rude.

Vizen stared at me. His eyes looked like cracked glass, surrounded by skin as wrinkled as a dried plum. "What have you decided now, Your Grace?"

"You all need to find if there are any spies in the fief," I commanded. "Garrow, Eatassh, Kaelen, and Zein will handle that. I have been using teleportation, so the rats should not have seen me arrive. Either way, the word must not get out that I am alive. Understood? They must be executed on spot."

"Yes, Master." Kaelen’s voice came out excited before Garrow and Eatassh, who smiled at his enthusiasm before responding.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Yes, My Liege."

"What happened, Zein?" I turned my head to look at the little guy deep in his own thoughts.

"Just thinking... Isn’t it better for me to cultivate magic? A kid coming along with knights... The fragile ego of the knights will be hurt. Plus, I need to get stronger before I leave for the capital to investigate Lune’s case."

Ah... I completely forgot he has to leave for castle soon.

A sigh passed my lips.

[Ping!]

[Host needs rest.]

I would rest if you stop sending me those weird dreams.

[Ping!]

[Sleep in morning.]

... Wow. That’s all your worry amounts to? You’re really mean, Sysi.

"I forgot about that. Vizen, write his permit and bring it to be in evening. On that note, Hans and Vizen, you are in charge of taking care of a special guest I will be leaving behind. He will look after the duchy while I am gone."

"Who, Your Grace?" Hans asked, his brow furrowed.

"An Elven High Priest. Try not to annoy him. He will not bother you if you leave him be. He’ll just wander around Lune like Zein does around Lily."

The room went dead silent. In this part of the world, Elves were figures of myth, beings who lived in the deep forests and spoke to the stars. The idea of one sitting in our dining hall was absurd.

Plus, to say so casually an elf will be running behind a fox kin made it even more absurd.

"My Liege," Hans whispered. "Where did you meet an Elven High Priest?"

"Don’t worry about that," I replied, waving a hand dismissively. "He is my friend."

Friend might be a strong word. But in a world where Veryon’s own brother wants him dead. A grumpy elf who owes me a favor and is willing to help me grow stronger is the closest thing I have to a really good ally. Not just a subordinate.

[Ping!]

[Host has us too.]

... Seriously? You are even more unreliable. I haven’t forgotten about the lie, Sysi. I’m just trying to be normal.

Don’t try to get close. I don’t need anyone close. You are a system. I am your Host. Stick to that.

Unless, of course, you can tell me about things that concern me, honestly.

...

A sigh passed my lips as I stared at the blank screen, feeling a headache arise in my head.

Kaelen looked uneasy. "Master, how are we going to lure out the spies though? If they are professionals, they will be hiding in plain sight."

"Oh that... Get ready to go fishing, everyone."