This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 407 - 379 Those Behind the Scenes

Chapter 407: Chapter 379 Those Behind the Scenes

The rank stench and nauseating feeling informed Amberser that this was the blood of the Yixi Manta Ray, and had Aige chosen to dive deeper just now, he likely would have truly fallen into the enemy’s trap.

Once contaminated with this specially concocted demon blood, Aige might become tainted.

But the situation was no cause for optimism, as above them was a dense swarm of Yixi Manta Rays, and these Demon Blood Descendants, knowing they could not harm the Ghost Ship, began to engage in a fierce internecine slaughter.

Using their mouths and tentacles, they crazily attacked their own kind, and the blood tinged with demonic aura flowed, staining the entire ocean red.

Beneath them was a rapid surge of poisonous blood, and above them, too, was spreading poisonous blood. These disgusting substances stretched sinuously through the waters like a net formed of muscle, threatening to completely envelop Aige.

This time there really was no escape.

But just as Aige’s Ghost Ship crashed into the toxic blood, the enormous Ghost Ship simply vanished.

All the Yixi Manta Rays were stunned; they, too, were creatures of wisdom. Although bound by the sea’s environment and unable to build a civilization as splendid as on land, they too possessed the emotions of intelligent beings.

They couldn’t understand why Aige had suddenly disappeared. Did the Ghost Ship have this ability?

As these monsters wondered, Aige’s Ghost Ship angled its way through the school of fish, successfully breaking the encirclement.

It was an illusion. Amberser had used Laila’s True Illusion to make Aige’s translucent state completely disappear from view.

Normally this kind of Illusion Technique could not be used underwater because it doesn’t make one immune to the influence of water currents, which for these sea creatures are more useful than their own eyes.

But Aige’s ghostly state was hardly affected by the water currents, thus not causing any disturbance in the water.

Therefore, the Ghost Ship created by the illusion became flawlessly impenetrable.

They fooled the group of Yixi Manta Rays with an illusion of self-mutilation and then passed through another group of Yixi Manta Rays that were not involved in the carnage, successfully escaping the encirclement.

"Your premonition really was right," Aige said, looking at the sea area shrouded by the poisoned blood, growing more envious of Amberser’s abilities. "Diviner Mages are really too powerful; it’s no wonder there are so few people in the world who can become Diviner Mages. With a few more people like you, the world would be in chaos."

Amberser chuckled and said, "Everything has a price. I can stand here because I am blessed by the Goddess of Fate, but if my death is decreed by fate, no amount of foresight would be of use."

Others thought Amberser was simply being modest after receiving a favor; that ability to foresee danger was something many envied to the point of rolling on the ground.

Aige then asked, "What now? Should we take on these Yixi Manta Rays to force out the mastermind behind them?"

Always seeking Amberser’s advice, for so many years Aige had never delegated decision-making to someone else. Now it seemed that the members of the Elegy Poetry Society had reached a consensus that asking Amberser always led to the best answer at crucial moments.

But this time, Amberser shook his head and said, "These Yixi Manta Rays are clearly just cannon fodder, killing them all would be useless. Moreover, I feel these ambushes are not aimed at you."

"You mean, these Yixi Manta Rays are specifically targeting you alone?" Aige asked.

Amberser nodded and said, "It’s just a guess, so I need to verify it. Let’s split up next."

Gareth hastily said, "How can that be okay? If the mastermind is targeting you alone, how can we abandon you?"

Even Melina, who had been quietly taking notes, spoke up this time, saying, "Father, I want to go with you!"

Amberser reassured, "Don’t worry, it’s not that dangerous. I have mastered a powerful illusion; as you’ve just seen, this illusion can even deceive deities, so escaping won’t be difficult. Moreover, I am a Lich, my Life Casket is placed in a very safe place, you really don’t need to worry. Right now, saving Sevres is key, staying with you would only slow down your rescue efforts."

Although Gareth was reluctant, he had to agree with Amberser’s reasoning.

The priority indeed was to rescue Sevres. Other matters could be discussed later; the Undead had plenty of time, and as long as they existed in this world, they could afford to wait.

But Melina still firmly said, "Father, I must go with you!"

No matter the reason or rationale, Melina could not let Amberser venture alone.

"Alright, if you want to come, then come. I originally wanted you to follow Gareth to learn something," Amberser said and then turned to Gareth, "Brother, take my advice, don’t bring your wife to the battlefield. Back in the day, when you cut through Laine, it wasn’t just with your fists but with your brain too. With Pale Bone at your side, all your attention is on her, and you can’t unleash your power."

Gareth replied somewhat awkwardly, "It was a momentary lapse, it won’t happen again."

Having been a son-in-law for so many years without a proper opponent had indeed made Gareth a bit rusty.

But as a natural-born warrior, it wouldn’t take long for him to get back in shape.

Amberser took out a set of armor from his personal space and handed it to Gareth, saying, "It’s the modified Hell Knight Armor. It may not be as good as your previous set, but this thing can fly..."

Amberser then explained to Gareth how to use the Hellfire Armor and proceeded to distribute his Magic Mirror to everyone else.

By the time Aige finally surfaced, Amberser, with Melina, had already flown out.

The flying backpacks moved swiftly, and the father-daughter duo quickly turned into two white streaks across the sky, disappearing from view.

It was only after Amberser vanished that Aige said to Gareth, "He’s the youngest of the Elegy Poetry Society, and he saved us all. We should really work harder otherwise it would be downright embarrassing."

Gareth felt the sentiment too, realizing he indeed needed to rouse his spirit. He turned to Pale Bone and said, "You don’t have to join the battle. Just like before, ensure we have a final escape route. I’ll handle everything else."

The Hellfire Armor clad Gareth, and he grasped the Darkflame Longblade in his hand. In that moment, Gareth thought back to the days in Laine from many years ago.

It was time to get serious. Otherwise, how could he live up to the longblade in his hand, his old comrade in life and death?

Though Pale Bone was a bit unwilling, she wasn’t a real spoiled miss. At such a crucial time, she could only agree, "Don’t worry, I’ll hide myself well and always keep the way back open for you."

Looking at the pair before her, Aige suddenly felt a bit envious. She really needed such a reliable partner by her side—was it time to find another Ghost Ship?

————

On Amberser’s side, he and Melina quickly flew in another direction.

He wasn’t heading home but was looking for a place to land and await the forthcoming pursuit.

Amberser had already confirmed that the Yixi Manta Rays were indeed after him. After he flew a distance, the Yixi Manta Rays burst out of the sea, chasing in the direction where Amberser was headed.

However, their swimming speed couldn’t keep up with the jetpack, and they were quickly left behind.

Amberser wasn’t in a hurry to flee. First, he needed to figure out how his pursuers were tracking him, and it seemed there were only a few methods.

There was just one that he couldn’t dispel.

Amberser now needed to find a place to land and prepare for the chase that was to come.

The Diviner Mage’s premonitions were always accurate. Searching for land in the vast ocean was a slim hope, but Amberser managed to find it after flying a hundred kilometers or so.

It was a small island, the part above the sea surface totaled perhaps two thousand square meters—hardly big enough for a large castle, but it was the best option available.

Amberser, with Melina, landed there, and then he got busy.

Melina became his porter, moving a huge number of items from his personal space that looked like metal jigsaw pieces.

Under Amberser’s instructions, these metal jigsaw pieces were assembled by Melina into a makeshift Teleportation Circle.

"Father? Is this a Teleportation Circle to Gloomyland? Are we going back?"

Amberser shook his head, "Of course not."

Melina asked in surprise, "Then what’s the use of this Teleportation Circle?"

"To call for reinforcements," Amberser replied definitively.

Soon, the Teleportation Circle lit up, and Withered Rose, leading a group of Death Knights, stepped out of the circle.

"Mother!" Melina ran over excitedly. Although it wasn’t her first time away from home, it really was her first time going far away, and she began to miss everything in Gloomyland.

But Withered Rose focused all her attention on Amberser, and asked anxiously, "I came as soon as I got your message. What exactly is going on?"

After receiving Amberser’s call for help through the Necromancy Codex, Withered Rose immediately put aside all else and rushed over with her most elite guard.

Amberser replied with a wry smile, "What else could it be? Must be some powerful figure I’ve offended who wants revenge. Don’t worry, I’ve gotten used to it over the years."

Amberser’s list of enemies could fill an entire thick directory. Such instances of being hunted were too numerous to count, so he wasn’t the least bit panicked.

What do I need to do now?" Withered Rose asked.

Amberser said, "Please fortify this small island and resolve the issue here. As for me, I fear I will need your help to buy some time. I must have a chat with the masterminds behind this."

"Those?" Withered Rose sensed something in Amberser’s wording, and images of several Goddesses flashed through her mind.

As expected, after Amberser tasked Withered Rose with defense, he started chanting a prayer to summon a deity—prayers to summon the Dark Goddess Shael.

Moments later, a thick fog rose from Amberser, transforming into the figure of a tall woman.

Shael said with a smile, "You’re always the smartest one. You guessed it was me, didn’t you?"

Amberser replied with a hint of resignation, "Who else could find me anytime, anywhere, but a Goddess like you? Let’s save time. Which Goddesses have joined forces against me this time?"