Chapter Ninety: What He Himself Liked

Since the day he was born, he had accepted his own ordinariness and prepared to remain within his family, to live out those few brief centuries in peace.

But after receiving the guidance of fate, he suddenly wanted to leave his family, to carve out a world of his own, to build a paradise that belonged solely to him, and he set himself to that task.

After thinking for a long while, Verin lifted his head and looked at Grey. “Sir, may I ask whether there is some magical item that can let a person’s consciousness enter a virtual space, where one can conduct simulated management and war games?”

“I’ll look.”

Grey took Verin’s suggestion and quickly searched through the projected magical catalog.

Before long, something that perfectly matched Verin’s vision appeared on the virtual screen.

Item type: Immersive Gaming Helmet

Grade: Bronze

Description: A virtual reality helmet powered by magic and modified from an unknown material world, with three single-player games built in. A child’s toy?

Value: 15 trade points each

Drawback: Extremely addictive. No self-control. Use with caution.

“Sir, I’d like to exchange for two of these immersive gaming helmets.”

“Two?”

Grey looked at Verin in some surprise.

“One to use, and one as a spare. After all, this may be the only chance in my life to meet you, sir. Better safe than sorry.”

“You are right. The world is vast, and the starry cosmos even more so. The first meeting may well be the only meeting.” Grey seemed to recall something, and his tone turned faintly wistful. “Then what do you want to exchange for with the remaining thirty points?”

“I’m not sure. Does sir have any recommendations?” Verin asked shamelessly.

“For that, I would suggest three stems of elemental vines. They form a perfect closed loop with the immersive gaming helmet, and there’s no need to consume any extra elemental crystals—in your world, I believe they are called magic crystals.”

“Then I shall follow your advice, sir.”

Seeing that Anriya had not yet returned, Grey pulled Verin into conversation again, speaking of his journeys.

His vivid adventures, the strange and wondrous races he had encountered, the various planar worlds governed by peculiar rules—all of it opened Verin’s eyes and filled him with longing.

Seeing the admiration shining in Verin’s eyes, Grey’s vanity was greatly satisfied.

For those he approved of, their admiration alone could delight him. For those he looked down upon, even if they praised him with a pious fervor fit for a god, he would not spare them a glance.

“Sir, your life has truly been magnificent.”

“Hahaha, not at all. I merely enjoy adventure, and along the way I collect all sorts of precious and rare plants to improve my botanical garden. Then I do a little business and make a few friends worth keeping.”

Verin felt envious of Grey’s experiences, yet he understood that a wandering life was not something he could choose. In his bones, he leaned toward stability.

No one knew how much time passed before the passage to Grey’s demiplane opened, and the fairy girl Anriya stepped out carrying a book.

Grey waved his hand lightly, and the book in Anriya’s arms flew into Verin’s hands.

“This is a storage book woven from leaves that possess spatial properties. It only works once. After you take out the contents, the corresponding page will be ruined and cannot be used again.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Just now, Verin had been worrying about how to carry the items back. He had not expected the other party to solve the problem so considerately.

“Since the trade is complete, we will no longer disturb you, sir.”

“Mm. Anriya, see them out for me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Then Verin followed the fairy girl Anriya out of the mansion.

Outside, Anriya spread the wings she had folded and began to cast her spell. An oval passage appeared before Verin.

“This is a temporary spatial passage leading three hundred kilometers away. I hope you have a safe journey.”

“Thank you, Miss Anriya.”

After offering his thanks, Verin led Karel and the two horses into the spatial passage.

After a wave of nauseating disorientation, the two men and two horses returned to Lake of Starfall. Seeing the town of Starfall only a short distance away, Verin felt as though he were dreaming.

...

After seeing Verin off, the fairy girl Anriya returned to the mansion and leaned beside Grey, asking curiously, “Master, isn’t he just an ordinary human?”

“He is not ordinary. I glimpsed fate upon him.” Grey stroked Anriya’s hair and explained in a gentle voice.

Anriya tilted her head and asked, “So this is your investment in him, Master?”

“That does not quite count. At most, it is an equal exchange, with a thread of goodwill in it.” Grey sighed faintly. “When we leave, we can go see him.”

“Master, how long do we plan to travel in this world?”

“A hundred years.”

“That long?”

“Not long at all. A hundred years may not even be enough to journey through this world.” Grey pinched Anriya’s cheek and said, “This world is far too vast. In the fifteen-hundred-plus years of your master’s adventures, it is absolutely among the top three worlds I have ever seen. And those stronger than me are countless. Just nearby I sensed a legendary being. Though I could crush her to dust with ease, the density of power here is a little too high.”

“Even though I don’t really understand, Master is definitely the most amazing.”

“Later I’ll show you something even more amazing.”

...

After returning to Lake of Starfall, Verin went straight to the castle, intending to store the storage book safely and, after some time, carefully plan where it would be best to build the plantation estate.

Aside from the golden apple tree that he would turn over to the family, the remaining five items were enough to carry him all the way to the rank of viscount.

His next goal was to expand his territory, develop the economy vigorously, train an army, and strengthen his own power.

“Ah, it seems I’ll have to make another long trip. I should at least try to bring everything back this year.”

Verin rubbed his temples. If it were not necessary, he truly did not want to leave his domain.

After riding for less than three miles, Verin noticed that there were many more people along the road. Most of them were bare-chested, working hard to smash large stones and lay them upon the road, while soldiers stood guard nearby.

“My lord.”

At that moment, an officer not far away came over and bowed to Verin.

Verin pointed at the commoners repairing the road and asked, “What is going on here?”

“My lord, too many free citizens have recently poured into Lake of Starfall. Lord Belde was worried about disorder, so he organized the young and able-bodied among the incoming free citizens and put them to work on matters of the territory—building roads, opening up wasteland, and so on. They are given two meals a day to ensure they can survive.”

“Mm. Continue with your duties.”

Verin nodded, patted the red-scaled horse, and took Karel up the mountain.

“Yes, my lord. I will do my duty faithfully.”

The officer looked at Karel following behind the lord and felt quite envious, then sighed at his own lack of ability. He could not become a knight and could only walk the path of a warrior.