This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Gareth’s Passive Ability Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Gareth’s Passive Ability Amberser hovered above the ground as he inspected his territory and found that everything was in order.

The human settlers who had come seeking refuge had built their own houses, and their efforts to cultivate the land were bearing fruit. With the help of magic potions, they expected a bountiful harvest in a few days—a very large one, at that.

The humans were calculating the food they needed to offer as tribute and soon realized that life was indeed better than before. The sight of the ripening wheat eased much of their anxiety.

After the last battle, lords like the Porcupine Knight had suffered heavy losses. They dared not target Amberser anymore, instead turning their gaze upon their peers. With three lords perishing on the battlefield, no one knew what plans the Porcupine Knight and the others had made, but they were rapidly encroaching on the territories of the three fallen lords.

Amberser was unclear on what pretexts the Porcupine Knight used or whether he could recoup his losses, but he knew that in recent days, a large number of freemen had fled, coming straight to his territory as a lich.

The population of the territory had now exceeded three hundred, which was no small figure.

The sudden influx of people hadn’t troubled Amberser, because Raul had become a competent administrator.

Amberser felt somewhat emotional. Indeed, adversity was the best teacher. Raul, who once couldn’t read and had blindly run to his territory, now had the air of a human official, managing the few hundred people with order and efficiency.

The development of the territory was on the right track, requiring no worry on Amberser’s part.

As for the three captives, they had not given Amberser any trouble either.

Harvey was quietly reading a book in the cell, treating it like home—so much so that Amberser had to consider the matter of rent. Allen and his priest companion routinely prayed and exercised like prisoners, living quite disciplined lives. After all, the paladin kept his word. He promised to be a peaceful captive and didn’t cause any mischief for Amberser.

This was something Amberser respected; it was rare to find someone who could do as they said.

Then Amberser visited Isabel’s laboratory and found that the young girl’s alchemy skills had improved significantly. Many more complex potions could now be prepared by her. Amberser was very satisfied and rewarded her with an enchanted ring.

It was equipment plucked from a Light Priest, regrettably limited to humans in its use. Giving it to Isabel was perfect as the ring had a healing spell fixed onto it, usable once a day, capable of healing external injuries and treating common diseases. Isabel was now helping her brother manage the freemen; a healing spell was more useful than other offensive spells.

After inspecting the territory, Amberser took out his Life Casket and meticulously cared for it.

Then, he unexpectedly found himself with nothing to do.

He used to be busy every day with experiments that never ended and always had less gold than needed. But after closing the deal with Withered Rose, they had sent the first payment, and Amberser’s coffers were finally full.

However, the second stage of cultivating Living Mercury hadn’t started yet, as it required a large amount of metal ore. He had to wait for Withered Rose to take action before he could possibly buy out the bankrupt mines.

This left Amberser suddenly free.

This wasn’t good for a lich.

Without the limitations of a body, there were no worldly desires. Amberser had to find something to do, or he would experience boredom and emptiness far beyond that of ordinary people.

“Why not, count the gold coins?”

Amberser thought about it and found the idea foolish.

Gold, no matter how much counted, won’t multiply. As a rational lich, he should enjoy the process of earning money and that of spending it.

Amberser thought for a moment and decided to go have a drink with Headless Bro.

After all, he had given a gift of several hundred thousand gold coins upon their meeting. It wouldn’t be proper for Amberser as the host to let Headless Bro mingle alone every day. It was only right to extend the hospitality as the lord of the land.

Dressed in his shapeshifting guise, Amberser left the castle and flew toward Alchemy City.

It had been a while since his last visit, and Amberser vaguely felt that Alchemy City had become more desolate. There were more closed shops than before, fewer passersby on the streets, and their expressions were even more serious. Occasionally, he could see quite a few people standing at the roadside with signs looking for work, citing they couldn’t afford food and had elders and children to support.

“This situation, something’s not right, hasn’t that group of alchemists reached an agreement with the Silvermoon Tribunal yet?”

In Amberser’s estimation, Alchemy City, no matter how insane, couldn’t possibly maintain these crazy prices forever. This was international trade, and sometimes it wasn’t just an economic issue, but one of national power competition. Alchemy City couldn’t just watch its economy collapse and do nothing. Was the Magic Automaton army, which cost so much money to maintain, now useless? Were they waiting for the money to run out before selling them as scrap metal?

Shouldn’t the Magic Automaton army be dispatched directly to the Silvermoon Tribunal as a military threat to force them to the negotiating table? That’s the right move, right? But there was no news whatsoever about any such actions.

“The Alchemist Council might be crazy most of the time, but they’re not fools. I really don’t get it.”

With a heart full of doubt, Amberser headed to South Cross Street, where adventurers gathered, and entered the Iron Slag Ashes Bar.

Upon entering, Amberser immediately spotted the Headless Bro he was looking for.

The Headless Bro, disguised as a human adventurer, was having a drinking contest with a two-meter-tall orc. Large cups of fiery spirits were gulped down by both men. The orc grimaced from the burn but still insisted on pouring the liquor down his throat. Headless Bro seemed much more at ease, his face unchanged as he emptied the head-sized goblet without spilling a drop.

After one cup, the orc was already swaying, but Headless Bro had picked up a second cup and drained it in one go. Encouraged by the shouting of the crowd, the orc lifted his second goblet, but collapsed halfway through, flames spreading along the spilt liquor over his body, burning him so that he cried out in distress.

The onlooking crowd was thrilled, howling with cheers for Headless Bro.

Amberser watched speechless. You, an undead, challenging others to a drinking match? Isn’t that just taking advantage?

Headless Bro, laughing like a child, slammed his cup hard on the table and declared loudly, “I win, drinks are on me today!”

“Hooray!”

“Praise you, my friend!”

“Gareth! Gareth!”

…

As all the patrons shouted Headless Bro’s name, Amberser chose a quiet corner and said to the familiar orcish bartender, “A mug of beer, please.”

“Master Ultraman, it’s been some days since your last visit. Please hold on, it’ll be ready in a moment,” replied the orcish bartender, as elegant as ever, his pouring motion delicate and uncharacteristic of an orc.

“What’s the situation?” Amberser asked, gesturing towards the surrounded Headless Bro,
The orcish bartender glanced at Headless Bro and sighed, “Ask Gareth. This old guy is an interesting one. I haven’t seen a customer with such a good capacity for drink and generous character in many years.”

“No, I’m talking about the treat. It’s my first time hearing about the winner buying drinks,” said Amberser enviously.

“How else would you describe his generosity? Well, actually it’s our boss who’s paying,” hinted the orcish bartender with a look,
The boss?

Following the orcish bartender’s glance, Amberser turned towards another corner of the bar.

There sat a female orc with fiery red skin, as muscular as a male lion, yet her gaze towards Headless Bro could be described as sultry.

This… was Headless Bro being kept by this female orc? Was Headless Bro’s Legendary Grace a one hundred percent seduction spell that got him kept by a rich patroness?

In a daze, Amberser could almost see a scene where a Bone Dragon obliterated the bar with a single breath, leaving ashes in its wake.