This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 62: Chapter 62 The Divine Artifact of the Empire Chapter 62: Chapter 62 The Divine Artifact of the Empire Dark clouds drifted slowly from the sky and soon fell beyond the mountains.

In the wilderness not far from Alchemy City, a vast expanse of fog enveloped the region, obscuring everything within.

The dark clouds descended, transforming into a gigantic Bone Dragon that burrowed into the mist.

The seemingly dense fog was in fact only a thin layer, and passing through the outer vapors would reveal a land of decay.

The once verdant forest had completely withered, piles of Skeletons and Ghouls were restrained in place, and occasionally a Death Knight would emerge from the shadows, then vanish just as quickly, patrolling the surroundings ceaselessly.

The Bone Dragon landed and crept along the ground, a translucent wraith emerging from its skull.

In the form of the Dragon Soul, Miss Bone Dragon made her way to a silver palace in the center of this territory and approached a woman of noble beauty, pale as white jade.

Withered Rose, the Undead Queen of Gloomyland, a super-rich woman whose utterance could cause the mining stocks of the Nine Great Kingdoms to plummet.

She had stayed her undead army here for several days, having Miss Bone Dragon continuously monitor the movements of those Paladins.

This Miss Bone Dragon, known as Pale Bone, was particularly adept at stealth and surveillance spells, disguised as a clump of dark clouds, she could still observe every action of the people on the ground from thousands of meters in the sky.

Sitting beside Withered Rose, Pale Bone reported, “Sister Rose, those Paladins have bought hundreds of slaves, and I don’t know what they intend to do.”

Upon hearing this, Withered Rose put down the data on the Mercury Avatar, her expression revealing a hint of surprise.

“They’ve bought many slaves?” Withered Rose pondered for a moment, then smiled, “I didn’t expect them to bring out that Divine Artifact. It seems this time, the two of them are going to have trouble.”

“Divine Artifact? You mean the Magic Dragon Armament?!”

Shock crossed Pale Bone’s translucent face; the Magic Dragon Armament was the national treasure of the Laine Empire, every component a Divine Artifact, and when assembled, it had power nearly matching a Deity.

To deal with Amberser, the people of the Laine Empire actually dared to bring out such a thing? Without a large army to protect it, weren’t they afraid of losing it?

Agitated, Pale Bone exclaimed, “No, that heartless man won’t be able to withstand the power of the Magic Dragon Armament, I’ll bring him back home right away.”

However, Withered Rose shook her head and said, “No need to rush, the Divine Artifact I’m talking about is not the Magic Dragon Armament. It can only be used by the royal bloodline, and the current Laine Empire… In any case, they couldn’t possibly take out the Magic Dragon Armament. The Divine Artifact I’m talking about is another one, and most likely just a weakened imitation. It won’t affect your husband. But for the other one, it’s hard to say, because as a Legendary, he is far too weak.”

Immediately, Pale Bone complained, “Ah, sister, don’t just tell half the story, you almost scared me to death.”

Withered Rose looked at the vividly expressive Dragon Soul and remarked thoughtfully, “How interesting, what could be the reason that you, as an Undead, are so anxious over a Headless Knight. Sister, is your heart still beating?”

Withered Rose had always been baffled by the love between Pale Bone and Gareth.

The Undead had no heartbeat, and naturally, they had no desires of the living.

Could there really be emotions that are etched upon the Soul, capable of transcending the constraints of the flesh?

Oh, such emotions did exist, like hatred, for example.

But that stemmed from deep impressions left before death, mental imprints made while the heart was still beating. The Soul deeply remembered these emotions from life, which is why it could not forget them even after becoming an Undead.

Yet, the love between these two not only transcended species but was also born after they had become Undead.

Withered Rose shook her head; it was truly an unsolved mystery. She wanted to mimic it only because Amberser was asking too high a price, making it impossible to fully recruit him, prompting her to think rationally about replicating the encounter between Pale Bone and Gareth.

Pale Bone heard Withered Rose’s question and shook her head, saying, “I’m not very clear either, but I suppose it was love at first sight with that heartless one. Although my heart will not beat again, I’m certain it wasn’t an illusion. As for why, perhaps it can only be said to be the will of the Deity.”

Withered Rose did not continue to discuss this inconclusive issue but instead resumed speaking about the Divine Artifact.

“Alright, let’s talk business. If I’m not mistaken, in no more than three days, that group of Paladins will launch their first attack. They have never witnessed the power of such a Divine Artifact and will likely be caught off guard.”

Pale Bone asked in surprise, “Is it really that powerful? What does this Divine Artifact have to do with those slaves?”

Withered Rose explained, “The Laine Empire has turned the power of faith into an art form. The entire Imperial Capital is a massive altar, where every mortal who believes in the Lord of the Dawn continuously provides power to this altar, making the city virtually indestructible.

“To achieve this, it relies on the Loranda Crown, a Divine Artifact truly forged by a Deity, bestowed upon the Laine Empire. It turns ordinary mortals into an unmatched force.

“These Paladins must have found a way to mimic the power of this Divine Artifact, turning these mortals into their source of the power of faith.”

Pale Bone said skeptically, “But they are not followers of the Lord of the Dawn.”

In Alchemy City, with its mix of many races, places beyond the reach of the Lord of the Dawn’s light are where believers in this god of radiance are few.

“Do not underestimate the brainwashing abilities of these Paladins. Give them three days, and they are enough to turn these few hundred people into devout believers. However, a mere three hundred people; is faith alone enough?” Withered Rose sneered and then said, “I fear, they will not only offer their faith, but their very lives as well.”

Pale Bone asked oddly, “Using people for sacrifice? But that’s the Laine Empire, they wouldn’t do such a thing, would they?”

Although they were enemies, the Laine Empire, apart from its discrimination against non-human races, was in all other respects quite exemplary. Living sacrifices were strictly forbidden by the doctrines of light.

The most vicious rumor spread across the continent was merely that the Emperor of Laine had been cuckolded by a goblin, but there had never been any accusation of living sacrifice against the Laine Empire.

Withered Rose said, “Sacrifice isn’t necessarily forced; it can also be voluntary. A hero who chooses to sacrifice themselves to defeat evil—that too counts as a sacrifice, doesn’t it? If during a sacrifice, one offers oneself as well, it becomes selfless devotion.

“However, if such self-destructive devotion is not recognized within the Laine Empire, you will become an anomaly, unable to survive. The Laine Empire, sooner or later, will be destroyed by this fanaticism.”

Withered Rose uttered the last sentence through gritted teeth, revealing an expression of rare anger.

With her hands propped under her chin, Pale Bone said restlessly, “I’m starting to not understand, but sister, why do you know so much about the Laine Empire?”

Withered Rose put away her angry expression and shook her head, “Just some things from the past, not important. Let’s focus on how to help those two men with their problems. Gareth could get hurt if he’s not careful.”

Pale Bone said eagerly, “Then I’ll go devour that group of Paladins right now!”

Withered Rose said, “If your husband sees you appear, he’ll probably run off straight away. The Headless Knight, whom even the Laine Empire couldn’t catch, I’m not confident I can stop him for you.

“If I’m not mistaken, that group of Paladins must have reached an agreement with Alchemy City. Moreover, Alchemy City won’t just stand by and watch; they’ve already discovered us this morning, and have even sent over an invitation. If we don’t enter Alchemy City as a joint delegation representing Gloomyland and Dragon Tomb, we’ll have to go to war.”

“So what do you suggest we do, sister?”

Pale Bone felt somewhat helpless; if it really came to a fight, she definitely would not be a match for Alchemy City and would inevitably be blasted to bits by those Magic Conduction Cannons on the city walls, only to spend hundreds of years regenerating in Dragon Tomb.

“Don’t worry, I believe he will find a way. All he lacks is information.”

Withered Rose took out the Necromancy Codex, her fingertips trembling as she wrote a long message, sending it to Amberser.

Without waiting for Amberser’s reply, Withered Rose closed the Necromancy Codex and murmured to herself, “Don’t disappoint me, the man I have chosen.”