This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Cautious Amberser Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Cautious Amberser Alchemy City moved swiftly, and Amberser’s requested recipes and designs were all prepared in less than a day, delivered right in front of Amberser.

Gustavo Flint knew well of Amberser’s abilities, so he didn’t tamper with the recipes, which could be said to be quite sincere.

Besides that, Gustavo Flint also brought news.

The Conviction Knight Order had already dispatched an envoy, who would arrive in Alchemy City officially in three days. Including various diplomatic procedures, Amberser might only have about five days left before the Conviction Knight Order would receive information on Allen Watson.

Amberser sat in his laboratory for several hours, roughly reviewing all of the design documents and then drawing a large number of parchment drafts.

Luckily, as a Lich, he didn’t need to eat, drink, or deal with bodily needs, saving Amberser from wasting a single second.

Looking at the large pile of drafts in front of him, Amberser furrowed his brows and said, “Five days, it’s a bit tight, I hope Isabel won’t let me down.”

Having said that, Amberser picked up a large pile of things and found Isabel, who was mixing potions.

“Put aside everything in your hands,” Amberser told Isabel.

Isabel was startled, and the glass bottle in her hands suddenly exploded into a cloud of smoke, ruining all the contents.

But before Isabel could apologize, Amberser had already placed two glass boxes and several parchments in front of her.

“Don’t talk, listen carefully, the task coming up is dangerous, and any mistake could be fatal.”

Amberser’s words were grave, which immediately tensed Isabel up, as she quickly took out a notebook to prepare for notes.

Pointing to the two glass boxes, Amberser said, “These contain the Bone Proliferation Virus Prototype, have you heard of it?”

Isabel shook her head and replied, “No.”

“Sigh, you should read more often, it’s a failed product of alchemy…”

Amberser could only explain patiently to Isabel.

The Bone Proliferation Virus was originally called the Bone Healing Biological Agent, which was meant to treat patients with fractures or disabilities by promoting rapid bone regeneration. The initial experiments were very successful, but it turned out to be too successful.

People infected with the virus could heal any bone injury rapidly, with severed bones regenerating in a matter of seconds and disabled individuals regrowing the bones of the corresponding limbs within minutes.

But the effect was too powerful. After a few days, all patients injected with this agent began to develop severe side effects.

The virus couldn’t comprehend what was meant by normal wear and tear.

With over three hundred bones in the human body, even lying idle, the movement from breathing and heartbeat would displace bones, naturally causing slight wear and tear, similar to how excessive running can injure the knees. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but the Bone Proliferation Virus didn’t care.

It would heal any injury with uncontrolled growth.

The patients initially felt joint pain, much like rheumatism, but over time the joints became stiff, and countless bone spurs grew from within, piercing muscles and skin until the entire body turned into a statue of bone.

This process was irreversible and caused extreme agony.

A proper treatment drug thus turned into a deadly poison. If not for the high costs and stringent conditions for infection, it could have become the perfect murder weapon for home and travel.

“Your task,” Amberser said, “is to cultivate more of the Bone Proliferation Virus for me.”

“I’ve already written down the modified cultivation process. Follow the steps; don’t make mistakes, especially when transferring the culture plates. If you get infected by accident, there’ll be no saving you.”

Isabel’s hands were trembling. She was just an apprentice; was she really supposed to face such a terrifying experiment so soon?

Seeing Isabel’s expression, Amberser reassured her, “Don’t be nervous. The virus isn’t highly infectious. Be careful, and you’ll be fine. Even if you do get infected, come directly to me.”

Isabel was moved for a moment, but then felt something was off and asked, “Master, didn’t you say that there’s no cure for this virus?”

“Yes, it’s incurable, but don’t worry, I can help you become an undead, so it won’t hurt anymore. As for the bone proliferation issue, once you’re completely dead and the supply of nutrients is lost, the virus will also die off quickly.”

Isabel: …

Amberser patted Isabel’s shoulder and added, “Relax, whether you choose to be a skeleton, zombie, ghost, or some other type, it’s up to you. Even if you want to become a Death Knight, I can think of a way.”

After saying that, leaving Isabel alone, Amberser quickly left the laboratory.

There wasn’t much time, and he had many things to take care of.

Using a flight spell to reach another laboratory, what was laid out here weren’t bone herbs or similar materials, but a collection of mechanical parts of various sizes.

Amberser took out a large stack of blueprints and then began selecting parts for assembly.

Originally, it was Alchemy City’s newly launched portable magic conduction cannon. It functioned on pneumatic pressure; you could load stones to be used as cannonballs, which, upon firing, would result in pure physical attacks that could bypass many magic-type shields, making it top-notch for sieging.

Amberser had long known about this device, but the magic conduction cannons he bought were all equipped with anti-tampering measures, which made them useless once disassembled. Now with the blueprints in hand, Amberser quickly found the crucial element—the magic array within the cannon that condensed air. This magic array was ingeniously designed, with low energy consumption and impressive efficiency in compressing air. Most importantly, it was stable and not prone to barrel burst.

The design of this magic array alone could sell for several million gold coins. Had Alchemy City not been on the brink of ruin, they would never have made such core technology available.

With a detailed diagram of the magic array, modifying it was simple for Amberser. In just a few minutes, he had assembled a long tubular device. A thin metal tube replaced the original cannon barrel, turning the magic conduction cannon into a peculiarly shaped magic-guide rifle.

With a snap of his fingers, a Kazik type two skeleton appeared at Amberser’s feet.

He skillfully disassembled the alien skeleton’s scythe-like claws and then attached the magic-guide rifle, which fitted perfectly onto the pre-set clasps on the skeleton’s bones.

Under Amberser’s control, the modified skeleton aimed the rifle barrel at him.

Whoosh!

A faint sound, and the powerful pneumatic pressure thrust a bone bullet from the barrel, which landed against Amberser’s shield.

The bullet spun wildly before finally hovering in midair.

The alien skeleton emptied the magazine, and Amberser intercepted all the bullets. Though they didn’t break through his shield, he was already very satisfied with the results.

“The power is pretty good, stronger than ordinary bolts, and it’s simple to operate and easy to aim. There’s no need to create arms for skeletons to pull back the bowstring… but the consumption is a bit high. The magic array can fire a maximum of nine bullets before it runs out of energy. It’s a pity, there’s no time to design replaceable magic cartridges.”

Time was too short to turn all alien skeletons into rifle infantry, but selecting some to equip with these magic-guide rifles could lead to the formation of a special unit. Sadly, there was still not enough time. Against these Paladins, no matter what type of undead they were, they were easily countered, and the most suitable force was supposed to be the Mercury Avatars.

But even though he had obtained all the information on living mercury, it was impossible to create them in such short notice.

Amberser busily started assembling more magic-guide rifles. Besides these, there were many other things he needed to prepare to ensure that those Paladins couldn’t even get through the castle doors.

At that moment, Headless Bro came in with a smile and said to Amberser, “Brother Diga, I’ve reached an agreement with Ona. The bar is directly transferred to you, and she’s ready to move… Um, what are you busy with?”

Without looking up, Amberser said, “The Conviction Knight Order is about to arrive, and I have to get ready for them.”

Headless Bro confidently said, “What’s there to fear with me around?”

Amberser replied without a hint of amusement, “Of course, I know you’re around, and you definitely wouldn’t let anyone kill me, right?”

Headless Bro slapped his chest and said, “Of course, I don’t even take a few Paladins seriously.”

Yet Amberser countered, “But even with your full protection, I’d be left with only a head.”

Headless Bro fell silent all of a sudden. That prophecy was indeed terrifying, and he quickly shed his complacency.

“That pale-skinned woman could very well be one of those Paladins. Gareth, even if the future is set, and I’m destined to be beheaded, I hope my Life Casket can be preserved. You are my greatest hope and protection, but I don’t want you to suffer any mishaps due to negligence.”

Amberser put down the parts in his hands, placed his hands on Headless Bro’s shoulders, and spoke very seriously, “Gareth, I entrust my Life Casket to you, please do whatever it takes!”