This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 289 - 267 Damn Fate_2

Chapter 289: Chapter 267 Damn Fate_2

"Do we know each other?" Amberser asked curiously.

Aldalian walked up to Amberser with a dark expression and whispered, "Tiflin’s Kingdom of Impure Hymns, Red River Town..."

"Red River Town?"

A distant memory stirred in Amberser from before he became a Lich.

Back then, the Youth Magic Potion wasn’t expensive; one bottle could last over thirty years.

It was in this place that he had a great battle with a Drow Elf, from the bed to the floor, ultimately killing the Drow Elf in self-defense.

It wasn’t a big deal, and Amberser would have forgotten all about it if Shael hadn’t mentioned it was Rose’s Chosen of God.

But why would this Elf lad bring up Red River Town? What do Drow Elves have to do with High Elves?

"We met two hundred years ago?" Amberser inquired.

"No, it was over four hundred years ago!" Aldalian said, suppressing his anger.

"Four hundred years... sorry, I don’t remember." At that time, Amberser must have been quite young, possibly just starting out as a Diviner Mage. It really was too long ago, and he genuinely couldn’t recall.

"You don’t remember? You tell me you don’t remember? My entire fortune of thirty Gold Coins, you tricked me out of all of it! I starved for a whole month!"

"Ah, this..."

Amberser felt slightly embarrassed; so this was one of the dupes he’d conned.

But even with Aldalian’s explicit recounting, Amberser still couldn’t remember. He truly couldn’t recall; there were too many people Amberser had cheated in his life for a mere thirty Gold Coins to make a mark in his memory.

Compared to Amberser’s calmness, Aldalian was entirely different. His memory went back to that time centuries ago when he, still a minor, followed his parents’ footsteps to become an Adventurer.

As an Elf Ranger with exceptional talent, things went smoothly at first. Just when Aldalian believed that adventuring was all about joy and bounty, he encountered this black-haired, black-eyed youth on Tiflin’s turf.

Such striking features were unlike anyone from any kingdom, and Aldalian was immediately intrigued. Their conversation went well, and after a few drinks, flushed red with enthusiasm, Amberser made Aldalian feel as though he had found a soulmate, someone who understood him better than his own parents.

Grateful for the blessing of the Elven Gods, Aldalian soon learned what treachery lay in the human heart.

Amberser not only duped him out of all his adventuring gains but also borrowed a large sum of money under his name.

Aldalian didn’t even understand when he had signed the promissory note.

In one day, Aldalian became utterly destitute, and even his reputation was destroyed. Local Adventurers saw him as an untrustworthy Elf brat, certainly a Drow disguised as a High Elf trying to pass off as more noble.

For an Elf, this was a grave insult, severe enough to justify a duel to the death.

But Aldalian couldn’t refute it; the promissory note was indeed signed by him, even though he hadn’t received a cent of the money.

In the end, it took Aldalian a month to pay off the debts and had no choice but to return to his parents, admitting he had underestimated the adventurer’s profession. It was also after this incident that Aldalian became more cautious, one might say his first step towards maturity, but the price was far too high.

"Why did you deceive me! I thought we were friends! I thought you were my first true friend in life!"

Aldalian, the Elven King, had red eyes as he questioned Amberser; such was the treasured friendship of pure youth.

Amberser’s face was one Aldalian would remember for a lifetime, initially believing it was just a minor experience from his youth, leaving nothing but sighs. Yet upon seeing Amberser again, his sense of injustice and anger hadn’t diminished at all, he wished he could split the lich before him in two with his sword right now!

Listening to Aldalian’s detailed account of his being tricked, Amberser slowly began to remember part of the story.

Amberser explained with a bitter smile, "Your Majesty, I remember now. It might seem to you like an elf was having a pleasant chat with a human, but in my eyes, you were the one with bad intentions then, weren’t you?"

"How was I well-intentioned?" Aldalian asked angrily.

"Do you remember the first thing you said? You told me my clothes were tattered and torn and that I must be in a terrible situation, even suggesting that if I followed you, you could take care of me. Honestly, anyone who’s been an adventurer knows this means you’re looking for a fool to be cannon fodder!"

Amberser had principles when it came to tricking people; generally, he would not offend unless offended.

Aldalian was known as an adventurer with a bit of fame right from the start and, being an elf, naturally carried a sense of pride. When he spoke to Amberser, it was with the attitude of someone superior.

Aldalian lacked experience, but Amberser did not; at that time, he had already accumulated years of adventuring.

An adventurer who seemed well-known, telling a complete stranger to "follow me and I’ll take care of you," with such a domineering attitude had only one explanation: he needed cannon fodder or a fat lamb.

Amberser had seen too many of such people and had decisively chosen to feign compliance, then tricked the man out of his money and fled.

He couldn’t remember the specifics, but it was just a minor embellishment to his adventuring life, after all.

Who would have thought that an elf he had once deceived would become the Elven King?

Amberser couldn’t help but reflect on his tumultuous life; his first teacher had been the God of Alchemy, the Drow Elf he randomly picked up and killed was Rose’s Chosen, the Elf Ranger he randomly swindled was now the Elven King... Amberser began to wonder if the Silvermoon Knight had also been an enemy in his youth, and he had just forgotten.

Such was this damned fate!

However, Amberser felt no guilt; instead, he proudly said to Aldalian, "Your Majesty, four hundred years ago, you were an adventurer, and so was I. It might have been a misunderstanding at the time, but I only have one life.

"As an insignificant person, I am always concerned about saving my own life, and perhaps I didn’t investigate thoroughly then. If you really want to hold a grudge, I can say I’m sorry to you."

"But if I had to do it over again, I would still do the same. Because I couldn’t be sure whether your so-called goodwill was hiding malice; that’s the daily life of an adventurer."

Such was the sadness of those at the bottom; Amberser was just another person who could die in the wilds at any time. Perhaps there were many such misunderstandings in his life, but it was Amberser’s cautious and guarded attitude that had kept him alive to this day.

These were his past sins. He wouldn’t deny them, nor would he feel remorseful. When you’re at the bottom, often there’s no choice.

If the Elven King really wanted to pursue the matter... Amberser wouldn’t mind blowing himself up again, as changing bodies was easy for him now.

After hearing Amberser’s apology, Aldalian remained silent for a long time before saying, "You’re right, that’s the way of adventurers, and I only learned that later. However, don’t expect me to stand on your side this time. I’ll do everything I can to help Laine and make sure you, as a Heroic Spirit, don’t fetch a good price."

Since political excuses were not important, personal emotions took precedence.

Aldalian decisively chose to retaliate fiercely, determined to make Amberser suffer huge losses in revenge for the thirty Gold Coins back then.

Amberser looked at the still-young Elven King and chuckled inwardly.

In the realm of business, he was invincible!