Chapter Eighteen: Money, Money, Money

Kai was accompanied by the princess on his way out. He didn't dare to stay for too long, for being in the castle makes everyone turn all their attention to him for some reason. The princess' presence is not helping his situation either, only garnering even more eyes on him.

"It's a pity my brother missed your visit. He went out earlier with our teacher to personally check on the situation in the capital. Brother was really looking forward to meeting you again." Princess Edith smiled helplessly as she sighed. While Kai's expression didn't change and he remained with a calm composure, he was sighing as well inwardly.

Because of his dislike towards him, Kai really doesn't want to meet that prince.

But still, it is an inevitable thing and they will have to meet later anyway.

Kai didn't reply to the princess' words and continued walking. 'The teacher she is talking about…' his mind wandered for a while. The main character of the novel is a person that doesn't age. An immortal.

He was cursed by the Gods to never die. Even if he does, he will continue to reincarnate. There is no such thing as an eternal death for him.

In this world, the main character has lived for more than a hundred years. He had vast knowledge and is currently the strongest. He is simply someone different from everyone else.

He is regarded as the Great Sage in the continent and lives in this kingdom. He is also the minister who aided and guided at least four kings, including the current King Adamas. The main character is truly someone with a great reputation and abilities.

But how did he even notice a mere duke of Zein, the abandoned and powerless duke?

If there was one thing that Kai thought odd about the novel, it is the relationship between the two, the male lead and the main character.

The romance felt so forced but at the same time, it was written well. It's simply Kai's opinion but the two leads are not suited to be romantic partners. He's also read a lot of romance novels, manwhas, manhuas, and mangas. There was simply no chemistry between them as lovers and they were more on the platonic side rather than the romantic side.

But the plot made up for that so Kai simply overlooked that and went on with the story.

The main character not only serves the king as his aide and minister but also teaches the king's children.

As a child of the king as well, Helix is included.

To think that the main character and the antagonist of this novel actually had this kind of relationship in the past, it's quite unprecedented. Even Kai was a bit surprised while reading the main character's backstory to see Helix being mentioned here and there.

'Two talented people, one with great knowledge and above average talent and the other that learns quickly and with a talent so exceptional that it can only be seen once in a millennium… If only they worked together rather than pointing their blades against each other's throat, they could've owned the world…'

They both own the scary potential to either bring the world to ruin or bring prosperity to everyone.

But now, one is cursed and is made into a killing machine by the empire while the other lives humbly within the king's shadow.

One day, Helix's chains will be broken, and will seek vengeance. To prevent that, the main character will finally step out and reveal himself to the world to stop his former student with the male lead.

Kai is definitely not looking forward to that.

His goal is to change the whole story. He will change it so badly that if there is a reader that is reading the story he is making, they will be disappointed and drop it immediately.

After all, the story doesn't have to be good. As long as everyone is happy…

The green-jade colored eyes narrowed slightly while his lips unnoticeably curved upwards. A familiar pretty face with eye-catching beautiful purple eyes and a deep frown flashed in his mind.

As long as everyone is happy, Kai is very much willing to mess up a perfectly written plot.

Even Kai himself didn't know. The fact that his goal is slowly bending for the sake of one person…

-

Kai and the princess separated after bidding their farewells to each other in front of the castle. So yet again, Kai wandered around the capital. He was not in a hurry to go back to the inn and meet Helix again.

He remembered that among the clothes he brought here, he forgot to bring something formal for the celebration later. He checked his money and made sure that he brought enough gold coins.

He had about a hundred or so…

He didn't know why he brought so many with him. All the street foods he bought didn't even cost him a silver. With these golds, even making a mansion would cost him only half of it.

Well, he's a responsible adult that won't spend money here and there. So there's nothing to worry about⸻

Stepping out of the luxurious store, Kai held more than ten bags filled with clothing, shoes, and accessories. The bags were puffed up, proving that they are filled to the brim with the items inside. Because it's mostly clothing, Kai didn't find it hard to carry it all.

Only, the fact that he stood out with all the bags he held, is a bit troublesome.

He blankly stared at the crowded street while his mind wandered off to who knows where.

When he closed his eyes, his hold on the bags also tightened. He sharply inhaled large amounts of fresh air and sighed deeply. His lips were twitching and he could barely keep his composure and his emotions calm.

Having so much money is truly, truly very, very, good.

All the things he bought in the stores he went to only made him spend five gold. Enough to buy a small house in the capital…

Money really buys one's happiness. Whoever said that it could not, probably didn't have enough to buy his own happiness. How sad.

Kai looked at his haul from the stores and smiled with delight. He, of course, didn't forget to buy gifts for Helix. Actually, most of the contents of the bags are for that person. Kai noticed that Helix would only wear robes. His robes are similar to the traditional clothing from some Asian countries in his world if he remembers it well. It's very similar, actually.

There's also a bathing robe in this world but they are two different types of clothing.

This made Kai wonder if there are countries similar to the ones from his world. Or actually, maybe it's just the protagonist's influence.

The protagonist liked to wear clothes like that too. Probably, since he's so skilled at everything, even in tailoring and sewing, he made these clothes himself. Also, he probably got an idea for more comfortable clothing from one of his reincarnations.

Well, anyway.

Kai wholeheartedly agrees that Helix looks good, even if he wore rags and tattered clothes.

But Kai also wants to see what Helix would look like wearing all kinds of clothing. Especially the one he bought himself. Although he could only wish Helix would agree to his requests, Kai was nevertheless happy.

The grin on his face was irremovable.

Now that he is satisfied with all the things he bought, he should go back to the inn now, shouldn't he? He also planned on buying magic herbs, pills, and books but he didn't notice the time while he was browsing around the stores looking for clothes. Well, since it's a bit of a pain to buy those now that his hands are full of these things, he'll just go buy them tomorrow or the day before he leaves the capital.

He won't be needing those while he is here anyway. He doesn't have enough equipment nor does he have a peaceful environment to concoct pills. It's quite a shame, the duke of Zein does not even have a manor in the capital to stay at. Although he is very much welcome to stay in the royal castle, he can't bring Helix with him. If people from the castle find him, chaos will ensue. Kai can't also just leave Helix behind in the inn, can he?

When everything's finally stable, Kai will probably build a place to stay in the capital… Though, when that time comes, won't he already be back in his world?

The sky is getting dark with the sun setting. The horizon looks crimson, giving the surroundings a warmer tone. Kai looked at the setting sun and sincerely wished that this happiness and peace will last for a while longer…