This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Straight to the Point Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Straight to the Point When Amberser saw Allen Watson, the once spirited Paladin was despondently sitting on the ground.

The longsword lay beside him, its blade riddled with cracks and notches—clear signs of an exceedingly fierce battle.

Allen was bruised and swollen as though he had been thoroughly beaten, and his formerly handsome face was now unrecognizable. However, his mental trauma seemed to be far worse than his physical injuries, the light had left his eyes, aging him by what looked like over a decade.

Meanwhile, Headless Bro stood to the side, casually filing his nails.

Amberser asked in surprise, “What did you do to him?”

Headless Bro shook his head, and with some disdain, said, “Just gave him a little lesson. Today’s Paladins are nothing like they were back in the day. It’s laughable that someone of this skill level would dare to go out and train alone. The Laine Empire has really fallen.”

Amberser asked curiously, “Sounds like you hold a personal grudge?”

Headless Bro said, “His father is the Supreme Decree of the Laine Empire, so it’s his bad luck.”

“You hold a grudge against James Watson too?”

Amberser was somewhat surprised; Headless Bro didn’t seem like a scholar. Surely he hadn’t suffered from old-fashioned racial prejudice and had his articles rejected by such an elder, right?

“James Watson? Who’s that? I’m talking about Moody, it was he who issued the warrant for me back in the day.”

Amberser: …
This Headless Knight sure held a grudge; who knew how many generations back Moody was a former Supreme Decree. Yet he took it out on Allen—it just seemed like bad luck for him.

“Is it fun to bully a kid?” Amberser asked.

Before Headless Bro could explain, Allen spoke up first, “Not at all, Mr. Gareth kept his strength and speed equal to mine, but I was still completely powerless to fight back.”

Amberser consoled him, “That’s normal. You don’t realize how many years he’s lived. His martial skills being above those of ordinary people is not something to be shocked about.”

“Ordinary people…” Allen chuckled wryly after hearing this.

He was a Paladin of the Laine Empire, rigorously trained from a young age. His swordsmanship was considered outstanding among the younger generation, and the Empire Emperor had even personally conferred honors on him, praising him as a pillar of the Empire’s future.

But coming up against this scruffy middle-aged man, Allen experienced his first crushing defeat in life.

It was brutally overwhelming. The man hadn’t even used a sword, just extended a finger, and with his fingernails alone had defeated him.

The swordsmanship that he had once taken great pride in seemed like child’s play before this man. With the slightest hint of motion in his arm, the man’s fingernail was already poking at his throat, eyes, heart, and other vital areas. His sword skills, honed for over a decade, had so many flaws that he himself had not even noticed.

The man also purposefully toyed with him, repeatedly making sure Allen fell face-first to the ground. His nose had been broken early on, and even his front teeth were wobbly. The injuries weren’t serious, but the psychological blow was immense.

It was an utter and absolute defeat, with no excuses to be found.

Now, hearing Amberser’s assessment, Allen felt even more humiliated.

To a real powerhouse, he was nothing more than an ordinary person.

After confirming that Allen wasn’t badly injured, Amberser couldn’t be bothered with him any longer and left the cell with Headless Bro in tow.

Amberser shared the seven Prophecy Shards he had obtained with Headless Bro, hoping to get some information out of him.

Though Headless Bro was not a learned scholar, he had lived longer than Amberser and had surely seen more, so perhaps he might be able to discern something.

But the result was a disappointment to Amberser; not only could he not fathom what lay within the sewers, but he seemed far more concerned about the wrecked tavern.

Headless Bro asked urgently, “Brother Diga, is this prophecy certain to come true? Can it be changed?”

“Worried about your orc sister?” Amberser asked with a smile.

“Ona is innocent,” Headless Bro said with a strong sense of responsibility.

Amberser stayed silent for two seconds, then spoke, “Saying that would only make your wife angrier.”

However, seeing Headless Bro’s anxious look, Amberser still tried to offer some advice.

“I can’t say for certain whether a prophecy can be changed. I, too, am a coward who dares not face fate, but you can approach the future in a different way. The prophecy only states that the tavern will turn to ruins, but it doesn’t show the orc owner’s body, so whether she can survive is still unknown.

“Alchemy City is sure to be largely destroyed in the near future. It would be better to persuade her to leave early. If one is alive, a destroyed tavern can be rebuilt, can’t it?”

Upon hearing this, Headless Bro’s spirits lifted immediately.

“Brother, you really do have a way! I’ll go talk to her right now and persuade her to leave Alchemy City.”

Headless Bro had just finished speaking and was about to find his orc sister when Amberser called out to stop him.

“Wait, when you see the owner, pass on a message from me. If she wants to sell this tavern, I’m willing to buy it, though I’d want a favorable price.”

Headless Bro said in confusion, “Didn’t you say the tavern is doomed to destruction? Why would you take it over if you’re sure to take a loss?”

Amberser countered, “What else? Do you still have any money left? Without money, how is your orc sister supposed to survive after giving up the tavern? You think she can live without eating and drinking like the undead? I buy the tavern, and she’ll have the money to start afresh elsewhere.”

Headless Bro was so touched that he hugged Amberser tightly and said, “Good brother, I will not forget this favor. Rest assured, whoever takes off your head, I, Gareth, will be the first to avenge you!”

“Can’t you protect me before someone takes off my head?”

“You’re the one who said all that’s seen in prophecies will come to pass.”

Amberser: …
This statement made even the Soul Fire within Amberser quiver with irritation; indeed, the most annoying thing in the world was prophecy, especially those foretelling misfortune.

After Headless Bro left, Amberser began to prepare for the arrival of the influential figure from the Alchemist Council.

It wasn’t long before a massive Floating Craft descended in front of Amberser’s castle.

A stern-looking middle-aged man disembarked from the Floating Craft, dressed in a golden-red robe similar in style to the Governing Officer Amberser had seen before, but with even more extravagant patterns.

Amberser adopted a human appearance and greeted him with a smile.

Amberser greeted him warmly, “My dear Gustavo, it’s been too long. I believe the last time we met was over a decade ago.”

Gustavo Flint, the sixth seat on the Alchemist Council and a Legendary Rank alchemist, whose published works could fill Amberser’s library—a truly influential character.

The fact that Alchemy City had sent him showed they placed great importance on Allen Watson as well.

Gustavo Flint, upon seeing Amberser, showed no change in expression and said in the most straightforward manner, “I know you well, old friend. Name your price, this paladin is quite useful to us.”

Amberser said happily, “What I like most about the council is you, I appreciate your direct approach. Twenty million Gold Coins, and I’ll hand over the person to you.”