This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 402 - 374 The Dragon Race’s Innate Flaws

Chapter 402: Chapter 374 The Dragon Race’s Innate Flaws

Transforming into an undead is not an easy task; it’s not as simple as finding a place with a strong presence of dark magic power, stabbing yourself, and then sitting back to wait for the transformation.

Doing so would result in a seventy percent chance of becoming rotting flesh and bone, becoming nourishment for the dark magic power, and perhaps your soul would also be devoured by this land of death, with no future beyond that point.

The real difficulty in undead transformation lies in preserving the integrity of the soul; the body is actually incidental.

The ritual for Amberser to transform into a Lich cost him a lot of his savings, and the success rate wasn’t particularly high; he had to gamble the remaining few Dice of Destiny to ensure a higher chance of success.

Transforming into a Bone Dragon was even more troublesome, as the strength of a Dragon Soul far exceeds that of other creatures. To retain it completely intact during the transformation into a Bone Dragon would mean an abysmally low success rate.

Amberser made inquiries and learned that over a thousand years, the Dragon Race only had five Bone Dragons.

Before Pale Bone successfully transformed into a Bone Dragon, the Dragon Race only had Sevres, the Rainbow Dragon, whose magic power was strong enough to achieve a smooth transformation.

Sevres did not volunteer for this transformation; it was because at that time the Dragon Race had no one capable of taking on the responsibility of nurturing a bunch of wyrmlings. Sevres was severely injured and had to take the risk out of desperation.

It was a bit of mercy from fate; thus, Sevres’ transformation was successful, barely maintaining a shred of vitality for the Dragon Race.

Later, dragons of other races passed away one after another, their skeletons filling the Dragon Tomb, but only five were able to transform into Bone Dragons.

The other dragons that died completely became the scattered bones across these lands.

After listening to Sevres’ explanation, Amberser stroked his chin and said, "That doesn’t seem right. These dark magic powers are almost developing a consciousness of their own. In such an environment, the success rate of transforming into a Bone Dragon shouldn’t be this low, right?"

Sevres replied helplessly, "Most dragons do not wish to transform into undead; they prefer to head to the Dragon’s Divine Realm after death. It’s just that they simply don’t understand that this war hasn’t ended yet; we cannot go to the Divine Realm."

Amberser was taken aback. This old dragon is saying the war hasn’t ended yet?

Not many people would be privy to such information.

Amberser, who brought Arthur Laine’s Heroic Spirit to the Silvermoon Tribunal, had inquired about it from the Old Elven King who participated in the war back then and had deduced the outcome by himself.

Back then, the Lord of the Dawn and the deities of the Dragon Race had agreed not to directly intervene in the wars of the Mortal Realm, and there wasn’t even a clear divine decree. Since the defeat of the Dragon Race till now, the Lord of the Dawn could only watch as the Laine Royalty fell into decay, unable to even explain the situation to other followers, apart from withholding blessings.

Similarly, the Dragon Race’s deities could only watch helplessly as the young dragons were exiled overseas and struggled to survive. To this day, the number of overseas dragons barely exceeds a hundred.

"How did you know the war hasn’t ended?" Amberser asked. "Which one of the Dragon Race’s deities broke the rules and told you, letting you wait for the day of the Dragon Race’s return?"

Sevres shook his head and said, "I guessed it myself because I’ve never seen any dragon receive spiritual guidance after death. Their souls would only shatter completely and merge with this Dragon Tomb. No matter what I say, they don’t believe me, thinking that I deceive them just to gain more Bone Dragons."

After expressing his sentiments, Sevres said to Amberser, "I’ve been wrong so many times today. You already know all of the Dragon Race’s secrets. What are you planning to do now? Will you help us return to our homeland, or will you use the name of the Elegy Poetry Society to become an enemy of our Dragon Race?"

It was clear that after Amberser revealed the secret of the Dragon Tomb, Sevres had adopted an attitude of having nothing left to hide.

Using the power of deities to extract dark magic power was indeed the Dragon Race’s biggest secret, and the remaining young giant dragons didn’t really understand anything.

Over time, Sevres came to understand something, though unsure of Amberser’s true intentions, he was certain that the Lich didn’t come just for revenge for his daughter.

Although a bit slow to realize, now that he had discovered the truth, Sevres understood that he couldn’t outmaneuver this Lich in cunning, for the intelligence he possessed far exceeded his own expectations. It was time to lay the cards on the table.

In his heart, Sevres actually hoped that Amberser would offer help. If the Elegy Poetry Society could be turned into an ally for the Dragon Race, returning to their homeland would become much easier.

His daughter and son-in-law were members of the Elegy Poetry Society, and that relationship must be closer than any Lich could have with the living, right?

Just as Sevres thought Amberser would seriously consider the proposition, Amberser chuckled and said, "Lord Sevres, as you have seen, Arthur Laine’s Heroic Spirit is temporarily under my management. You should understand my stance by now, right?"

Sevres frowned and said, "You’re a Lich! Don’t think I’m unaware of the current state of the continent; the Laine Empire is the most hostile towards the undead. Moreover, Arthur Laine himself has said he would accept the return of the Dragon Race."

Hearing this, Amberser extended a finger and wagged it disdainfully, "Lord Sevres, that’s a bit shameless of you. Just now, Arthur Laine’s Heroic Spirit was present, and I showed some respect for your Dragon Race. But now you’re using Arthur Laine to argue your point? He was my dearest friend, my brother in arms, and you claim he would accept the return of your Dragon Race?! That’s really too much!"

Taken aback by Amberser’s response, Sevres hurriedly explained, "No, didn’t you just hear what they were saying? He’s willing to grant the Dragon Race this chance, hence the pact was made!" Having said that, Sevres turned to Gareth and remarked, "Is your friend alright, or is there something wrong with his soul?"

Gareth remained silent; suddenly, he didn’t know what to say.

Based on his understanding of Amberser, whenever the Lich adopted such an attitude, someone was definitely about to have a stroke of bad luck, and this time it was surely going to be his father-in-law.

But Gareth couldn’t help feeling secretly thrilled; he had never liked the old man!

Ever since he married Pale Bone, the old man had been nothing but condescending and critical. Coming from an era of Dragon Race supremacy, the old fossil’s thoughts were all about dragon superiority. Gareth, transformed into an Undead from a human, could only imagine how many conflicts the two had.

If it hadn’t been for such a stubborn and racially prejudiced father-in-law, Gareth with his abilities wouldn’t have been labeled a ’live-in son-in-law.’ He could have dismantled the Dragon Tomb by himself. The only reason he had endured until now was his deep love for his wife.

And now, with Amberser about to trap the old man, Gareth felt like applauding and cheering.

Therefore, Gareth put on an act and said, "This is my father-in-law, the Dragon Tomb’s Master, an elder of great importance within the Dragon Race. Remember the times we fought side-by-side in Alchemy City, brother, do me this favor."

Amberser glanced at Gareth. Why did that phrase sound so familiar?

Fought side-by-side in Alchemy City? Was he referring to the time they joined forces to trap and kill those Paladins from the Conviction Knight Order?

Realizing this, Amberser sighed and said, "All right, for the sake of Gareth, I’ll put it another way. Lord Sevres, Arthur did indeed give your people a chance to return, but what was the prerequisite?"

"Are you referring to the recognition of the continental nations?" Sevres retorted.

Amberser, however, shook his head and said, "You see, that’s where the problem lies. What Arthur truly meant was atonement; only after atonement can we speak of forgiveness. So, tell me, what has the Dragon Race done in these past seventeen hundred years to atone? Just name one thing for me to hear?"

Sevres was silent.

It wasn’t that he had no answer, but rather that there was nothing to say.

Amberser continued, "I wasn’t there for that grand war, but I like to read. After the dragons were exiled, all I’ve heard is of sailors encountering Giant Dragons and being cruelly killed. Never have I heard of a distressed human being helped by a dragon. Your Dragon Race still harbors hatred for the Race that overthrew your rule back then."

"Lord Sevres, if your people truly knew their wrongs, you wouldn’t have gone seventeen hundred years without a single act of atonement."

Amberser’s words left Sevres speechless; indeed, he had never considered the idea of atonement. His heart was only filled with thoughts of victors and losers. Had he not heard from the Heroic Spirit of Arthur Laine himself the reasoning behind the last rule, he might have thought it was another attempt by Arthur Laine to humiliate the Dragon Race and force them to bow down.

The things Amberser said at the end were not merely a ploy to bamboozle the Bone Dragon; they were also spoken from a place of reflection.

Arthur Laine’s actions were very much in line with his faith. Adding the rule that forgiveness allowed for a return was fair, but he underestimated the deep-seated nature of the Dragon Race... no, of all Races.

Human nature is universal, and the vast majority of intelligent beings are unwilling to admit their mistakes, constantly chanting the mantra of ’victor and loser.’ Hence, they never learn from history and continue to spiral into recurring cycles of evil.

Being lenient with oneself and strict with others is everyone’s nature; only those who can overcome this and avoid any form of double standards are Saints.

One Arthur Laine emerged more than a thousand years ago; seventeen hundred years have passed, and not a second one has appeared.

Amberser admired that, but he still thought Arthur Laine was naive and foolish.

And it was because he knew what the standard for a Saint was that Amberser understood he was just an ordinary person, and he didn’t aspire to play the "fair and square is still fair" games like other transmigrators.

How could he earnestly wave that banner of something he couldn’t achieve himself?

So, it’s best to keep life simple, doing whatever is beneficial is far more relaxing.

Amberser now had no qualms about trapping Sevres; Sevres had been so confounded by his words he was no longer thinking clearly, unsure if it was self-reproach or anger. This related to the dragon’s obsession, and now, he was unable to stay calm and think.

It was time to deliver the final blow.

In a very sincere tone, Amberser said to Sevres, "Lord Sevres, do you think lording over others once you return home is good for the Dragon Race? This time, there will be no Arthur Laine to face; if the Dragon Race is defeated again, your people will surely be exterminated.

"Have you considered what the Dragon Race truly needs?"

Sevres looked up, puzzled, and asked, "What is it?"

With a smile, Amberser calmly replied, "I don’t know, but why not ask those living Giant Dragons? Perhaps, you could introduce me to them, and we could sit down and talk. After all, the truth becomes clearer through discussion, doesn’t it?"