This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The Last Chip Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The Last Chip “Regarding Allen Watson, I need your cooperation to put on a play,”
Upon hearing Gustavo Flint’s words, Amberser replied without hesitation, “A play? That’s going to cost extra.”

Suppressing his anger, Gustavo Flint said, “You haven’t even asked what kind of play it is.”

“Every play costs extra, it’s not personal against you, it’s just my principle in life.”

With a cold laugh, Gustavo Flint said, “Do liches even count as people?”

Amberser chuckled and said, “Racial discrimination? Then I’ll have to renegotiate the price!”

Gustavo Flint had no choice but to grit his teeth and bargain with Amberser.

Before setting off, Gustavo Flint already knew the Council’s final decision: no matter the cost, Allen Watson had to be obtained, but they couldn’t just hand him over to the Laine Empire too easily.

Alchemy City needed the help of the Laine Empire, but if it was just about sending the son of the Supreme Decree back, the favor wouldn’t be considered big nor small. Perhaps it could earn the personal friendship of this high-ranking individual, but to expect him to push forward significant cooperation between the two nations seemed insufficient.

After all, the Supreme Decree had chosen the most resolute approach to his son’s capture, clearly showing he did not place his son’s life and death close to heart.

This consequently lessened the value of Allen Watson.

Therefore, Alchemy City needed Amberser’s help to stir the waters.

The Laine Empire sent not just ten Conviction Knights to rescue the captive, and the Conviction Knight Order is second only to the Laine Imperial Guard in strength, each of its members could be considered a pillar of the Laine Empire’s future.

If these Conviction Knights were captured, and Alchemy City then intervened to ransom them back, that favor would become much greater. If James Watson disregarded his son’s safety, people might speak of his lofty integrity, but if ten highly promising Paladins were involved and James Watson continued to show indifference, he would be criticized.

However, Amberser refused, saying, “Nice calculation, but you want me to take on these ten Paladins myself? You think too highly of me. The Conviction Knight Order was specifically formed to fight the Undead, and they must possess ways to completely suppress Undead. I don’t think I’m a match for them, and I wouldn’t stand a chance even if I holed up in the castle.”

“Do you think they won’t bother you if you refuse?” Gustavo Flint believed he had Amberser’s weakness in hand.

The Conviction Knights came for Allen Watson, and there was no escaping for Amberser. Using this as an excuse to raise the price was absolutely out of the question.

Amberser chuckled decisively, “The worst-case scenario, I’ll tie Allen Watson to the castle gate and then make a run for it. The world is so vast, wouldn’t I, a Legendary Lich, find a place to conduct my experiments? If we part ways, I won’t get the formulas, and you’ll miss this chance to curry favor too.”

Gustavo Flint retorted, “You wouldn’t bear to. Thirty-two formulas and blueprints are a fortune, and you know it well.”

“Of course I do, but those formulas mean nothing if the Life Casket is destroyed. If you want me to take risks, then offer a price worth the risk. My old friend, you know me well, just as I know you. Your presence here indicates the Council has made its decision, so there’s no need to beat around the bush. Lay your final offer on the table.”

Amberser was very confident because the Prophecy Shard had proven that the Alchemist Council was powerless to control the crisis in the sewers, and they were the ones truly backed into a corner.

Alchemy City has too much at stake to simply walk away, but all Amberser needs to do is draw a Teleportation Circle and he can take away the treasures from the castle with ease.

He has a fallback while Alchemy City does not, which is why he definitely has the upper hand in this negotiation.

The outcome of the negotiation was just as Amberser had expected. Gustavo Flint was not foolish, but Amberser had seen through his bluffs long ago. It was an unfair bet from the start, and it ended with Flint revealing his hand prematurely in front of Amberser.

“I can agree to that, if you can cooperate and play this part well, the Council will agree to let you use the Wishing Machine once,”
After uttering these words, Gustavo Flint also felt somewhat relieved. With his cards on the table, there was no need for further disguise; all that was left was for Amberser to accept or reject.

Upon hearing the words “Wishing Machine,” Amberser expressed his surprise, “You… you’ve really created this thing?”

Many years ago, before the mysterious President had retired behind the scenes, a message had circulated in Alchemy City. The Alchemist Council planned to solidify the powerful magic of the Wishing Spell into a magical item, creating a Wishing Machine that could fulfill wishes.

The Wishing Spell is, theoretically, the most powerful spell next to Deity. As long as your wish is articulated with enough precision, and it’s within the Deity’s power to grant it, then it can be fulfilled.

For example, transforming a Lich back into a human, or bringing someone back to life who has completely died, their Soul dispersed.

Resurrecting loved ones is the most common application of the Wishing Spell; it has always been the dream of many people.

Of course, those with great ambitions could also use the Wishing Spell to elevate a mortal to Legendary status and bestow upon them immense power.

Regrettably, even a Legendary Mage might not be capable of wielding the Wishing Spell; the difficulty of casting such a Spell is immense, requiring a perfect blend of talent, effort, and luck.

These madmen, have they really solidified the Wishing Spell in Magic Equipment?

Wouldn’t that be just like having an unlimited use of the Wishing Spell?

Amberser scarcely thought before he scoffed, “Although I am Undead, are you trying to fool a ghost here? If the Wishing Machine exists as you claim, what crisis could not be solved?”

Gustavo Flint explained, “The Wishing Machine does exist, but it cannot cast the Perfect Wishful Incantation. After many years of effort, we’ve given the Wishing Machine the power to point out the correct path. I know there was an accident when you advanced to Legendary status, and you abandoned nearly divine powers from the School of Prophecy, which is why you are the least among the Legendary…”

“Insult me again and the price goes up,” Amberser said indifferently.

Gustavo Flint finally could not help but roll his eyes and had to change his phrasing.

“Regardless, you know very well that without the power of prophecy, you are not a qualified Legendary Lich. The Wishing Machine can help you find a solution to this problem—it will guide you to new powers. Of course, if you feel that this wish is not enough, you may propose another issue, and the Wishing Machine will surely provide the most accurate and detailed answer.”

Amberser carefully observed Gustavo Flint’s expression, and his intuition told him this man was not lying.

Amberser pondered for a long time and finally said, “Deal. I will hand over both the Conviction Knight Order and Allen Watson to you.”