"Darien, they say that surviving disaster brings fortune. And now it seems it has—congratulations!"
Eliana smiled only after the contract was signed and the funds confirmed.
"Haha, I cannot deny it—without your help, this would have meant nothing to me," Darien admitted.
He knew well that, alone, he would have been nothing in the antique world. Selling on his own would have left him exposed, an easy mark.
"Oh, and I'll transfer the money to you, as promised," he added, unlocking his phone.
"Sorry?"
"The money from the antiques—I said if I managed to sell them, we'd split it fifty-fifty."
Eliana shook her head gently. "Darien, this is my father's shop. We only handle the purchases and payments. I cannot accept your offer, though I am grateful."
"B—but Eliana, I meant what I said. I cannot go back on it. Since this is your father's shop, giving you even a small sum seems only fair."
"No, please… I truly cannot accept it," she insisted.
Kindly, she declined. Knowing Darien had worked hard for it, she felt it was only right that he keep what he had earned.
"Alright, Elle. You know I rarely have company… Let me at least treat you to a lunch." He rested a hand lightly on her shoulder and met her gaze. After a long pause, she sighed and nodded.
"Fine…" she admitted.
Darien led her to Shake Shack at Madison Square Park. Over lunch, they talked casually, laughing and sharing small jokes.
Afterwards, he walked her back to L'Atelier des Antiques before parting ways.
Originally, he had considered inviting Lucien, but the old man had refused, citing his studies.
Darien didn't mind—it had been good to spend the day in Elle's company.
---
On the way home, Darien reviewed all he had gathered. Tomorrow, he would journey once more to the other world.
At first, he had been desperate to return to reality, frustrated by the lack of control over the passage. Now, free to come and go as he pleased, his perspective had shifted.
After all, a few simple biscuits had earned him a noble title, an old chalice, and half a million dollars. Any reasonable man would seize such a chance—and Darien was no exception.
Money wasn't everything, but life without it was far more difficult. He didn't aim to be the richest man alive; he only wanted the freedom to manage his own wealth, and that alone was enough.
Early the next morning, Darien was already on his feet.
Last night, he had carefully written a list dictated his course: procure every needed item. Before returning to Brindlemark, he must secure essentials—food, medicine, and supplies.
Now that he was the lord of Brindlemark, many civilians depended on him. He couldn't afford to ignore that responsibility. Judging by the town's economy and the people's living standards, the most pressing need was obvious: food—or, if necessary, money.
With only a cube-sized storage, Darien couldn't possibly carry enough food for everyone. He needed another solution. Perhaps bringing seeds and trying to cultivate them could work.
Another advantage was that modern food was highly valued in other worlds. If he traded it, he could earn a fortune—and with enough gold, the town's food shortage could be solved quickly.
So modern food had to come along. He packed a little of everything—bread, biscuits, chocolate, canned food, drinks, snacks, plus various meats, vegetables, potatoes, corn, rice, noodles, and even a few ready-made meals. Not much, just enough to make a difference. Of course, the most essential seasonings had to come too; Darien couldn't manage without them. He also added some daily necessities and a handful of commonly used medicines.
Electronics, however, stayed behind—for the time being. The risk was too great. If the king or the church discovered them, they would surely brand him a demon and burn him alive. That was trouble he didn't need.
Darian also picked up some extra clothes to have options for different occasions. A few sets of aristocratic outfits would help him blend in, even if the modern designs felt slightly off. In the kitchenware aisle, he couldn't resist buying bottles, cans, glasses, and a few small modern crafts.
Once his storage was full, he bought a large mountaineering bag to hold the rest. It took the entire day to gather everything, and by evening, he was completely exhausted.
He made a mental note for next time: get a car. Life without one was inconvenient, and he wanted to make travel easier in the future.
---
Darien messaged Eliana that night, informing her he would be leaving New York for a short period. He told her to reach out again in three days once the appraisal results came in.
Eliana pressed not for further detail, but merely counseled him to travel with care.
...
Early the next day, Darien, looking sharp and brimming with energy, hoisted a large bag.
With a steady breath, he unleashed his power, tearing open a shimmering passage before him.
---
🔍 Did you know?
- A single rare copper coin can sometimes sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction if its minting era or rarity is historically significant.
💰 🐧