This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 446 - 418: The Qualification to Sit at the Table

Chapter 446: Chapter 418: The Qualification to Sit at the Table

The conversation went smoother than Amberser had imagined.

The Mermaid High Priestess before him was quite straightforward. You couldn’t say she was foolish, but rather that she didn’t suffer much from persecution paranoia.

Amberser was envious, for only those who were seldom deceived could develop such a habit.

For someone like Amberser, who had been buffeted by the winds of fortune for centuries, even an offer of a drink from someone else would be met with suspicion of being drugged.

Mermaid Airel, on the other hand, was very methodical. As long as Amberser could present a logical speculation, Airel wouldn’t argue with him or suspect malicious intent.

Amberser disclosed all details about Aeolus to the Mermaid High Priestess—from his origins, questionable intelligence in his actions, to his close connection with the sea, and so on.

When the Mermaid High Priestess heard that this Aeolus was seeking to marry a woman named Airel, she showed an expression of anger.

"The Deity of Whip Scourge would even reach into the domain of other gods, She’s truly mad," she said.

No high-ranking woman could accept being forcibly taken home as a wife. This wasn’t a story of twisted romantic love but a struggle over race and belief, far bloodier than family melodramas.

The Mermaid High Priestess had already made up her mind—if that eyesore dared to propose marriage to her, she would skewer him with her trident and dump him into a volcanic fissure at the bottom of the sea.

However, Amberser did not make such a definite claim, adding instead, "All these are just my conjectures. Aeolus has always claimed to be a follower of Talos. We’re still uncertain about the real divine power behind him."

The Mermaid High Priestess shook her head, "It doesn’t matter. Whichever god Aeolus is truly serving, his actions are disrupting the order of the sea. By Goddess Yizhuoluo, the sea is chaotic enough, with one problem after another."

At this point, the Mermaid High Priestess couldn’t help but give Amberser another look.

The greatest trouble in the sea was caused by the Lich before her, who had banished an entire kingdom, adding a vast area to the Azure Sea.

The Mermaid High Priestess asked, "There’s something I’d like to consult you about. By what means did you manage to banish an entire kingdom?"

Amberser smiled, "The High Priestess is a bit too direct. After all, this is a significant secret, no matter whom you ask."

The Mermaid High Priestess bluntly stated, "I heard Master Ultraman is quite fond of Pearl Dew. I can personally offer you some as a gift, and if needed, you can always trade with our Mermaid Tribe."

"Deal," Amberser agreed without a second thought.

"Oh, you didn’t even ask about the price."

"Of course, I’m not concerned about cost anymore; the availability of a channel is much more important than the price of goods," Amberser said calmly.

The Elf Tribe had started to establish air routes, and Amberser had opened up trade routes with several kingdoms. No matter what was sold on these routes, even if operated at a loss, substantial profits would flow into Amberser’s pockets.

So Amberser didn’t care about the price at all; he was only interested in a wider variety of goods and specialties.

He didn’t do the buy low, sell high kind of business. He was building a commercial network, letting the producers and consumers bear their own profits and losses, while Amberser extracted his share of benefits. As long as this commercial network maintained a monopolistic position, Amberser would never be at a loss.

Having already frightened the whole world into not daring to speak loudly in his presence, of course, he would set the rules for the business platform. Would he still be a profiteer?

But the Mermaid High Priestess didn’t understand any of these things. Despite the Mermaid Tribe’s large population and vast power, their form of business was still very primitive, consisting of bartering and a self-sustaining economy within the tribe. Explaining these complex concepts would be troublesome, so Amberser simply threw out a few keywords for the High Priestess to mull over.

Having already agreed, Amberser wasn’t too secretive and briefly explained the story of the Impure Chant’s banishment.

The Mermaid High Priestess was amazed, and she couldn’t help but remark, "Your friend is truly great. Even the plans of the Hell Lords have been thwarted by you. The Diviner Mage is even more formidable than the rumors say. But, if I understand you correctly, the price of banishing a kingdom is extremely high?"

Amberser nodded, "The Goddess of Fate would not allow anyone to forcibly control what belongs to Her. My friend has completely ceased to exist, without leaving any trace. That’s why, it’s generally something I don’t do."

The Mermaid High Priestess interpreted Amberser’s implication that in desperate times, the Lich would rather destroy his soul than perish together with his enemy.

Diviner Mages were too rare in this world; no one could really understand the difference between Amberser and Mr. Misfortune. Amberser couldn’t pull off cutting destiny’s threads, and he could only hope that Harvey would grow up quickly and be usable like a nuclear bomb.

But it didn’t matter. In others’ eyes, they were both Legendary Rank Diviner Mages. What Amberser couldn’t do wouldn’t be much different.

"Master Ultraman, I understand the information you have provided. This is indeed a major matter that needs to be reported to the deities. I will arrange a ritual as soon as possible," she said.

The Mermaid High Priestess had made up her mind—for her, Amberser was more terrifying and more valuable for cooperation than the Silent Night Pirate Group.

But Amberser said, "May I speak with Goddess Yizhuoluo? Aside from bringing information, there’s something I’d like to discuss with Her."

The Mermaid High Priestess looked at Amberser and couldn’t help but say, "Master Ultraman, do you realize what you’re saying? Such an attitude is akin to blasphemy against a deity."

What does it mean to chat with a Goddess? What status does a mortal have, and what right to utter such words?

Mortals are beings under the dominion of Deities, the world’s wind, rain, lightning, and everything are created by Deities. With such an unequal status, how dare a mortal "chat" with a Deity?

Prayer is a humble request for the attention of Deities, not sending them a glowing message, expecting a prompt reply.

This Lich’s attitude is not at all proper.

Amberser said with a smile, "Trust me, I have the utmost respect for every Deity, but I do have important matters to discuss with Goddess Yizhuoluo. However, this matter doesn’t concern the Mermaid Tribe; it is a personal request."

Although the Mermaid High Priestess didn’t want to entertain Amberser’s nearly blasphemous request, she still said, "I will report to the Goddess, but whether or not she will accept your audience, I cannot guarantee."

"Of course, I will wait for your response."

The secret talk soon ended, and both parties obtained what they wanted. The Mermaid High Priestess acted swiftly, immediately commencing a large-scale ritual.

Goddess Yizhuoluo belonged to an absolutely neutral faction, and She did not delight in blood sacrifices, only in lively and vibrant scenes.

Therefore, worshipping Goddess Yizhuoluo was simple—offer the most bountiful harvests of the tribe as proof that the Mermaid Tribe was living well, and the Goddess would gladly communicate with Her followers.

The Mermaid Clan brought forth the best-cultivated corals, seaweeds, and the fattest fish they raised as offerings, led by the High Priestess in singing songs of praise.

Amberser waited on the side, musing to himself, "The mermaids’ singing is truly enchanting; no wonder so many people wish to capture a mermaid as a slave. If I formed an idol group and organized a concert tour on the mainland, I wonder if I could make a fortune."

Aige curiously approached and asked, "If you do manage to summon Yizhuoluo, are you confident you can persuade Her to share Her worshippers with me?"

Any Deity, even a Concept God, had use for worshippers. The God of Alchemy, though not actively demanding worship, could have averted falling to a Weak Divine Power had He had a large following after being severely injured last time.

This is the power of belief, exceedingly precious to any Deity.

No matter how absolutely neutral Yizhuoluo is, could She really permit Aige to share in Her worship?

Had it been before, Amberser would only have been fifty percent sure, but after witnessing Lady of Mist Laila becoming a Lesser God under the Father of the Oak, Sylvanas, he had gained some insight into these matters.

Belief is important to Deities; hence, they cannot forsake their followers. During hostilities, they threaten to slaughter each other’s followers, while in cooperation, they tell each other what they can do for each other’s followers. Unless it’s a total clash of stances, it’s all about doing business.

And Amberser’s status was truly different now; he could produce many things that even Deities would find tempting.

Didn’t he restore the God of Alchemy from Weak Divine Power to Intermediate Divine Power in a short time? His influence over this plane had become so great that even the Deities cannot ignore him, qualified to sit across from a Deity and throw down his chips.

Moreover, countless Deities were reminding Amberser that a great divine war was on the horizon, the Elf Tribe maligned to harm Rose, the Ocean Deities began to compete for worshippers, and the bet between Lord of the Dawn and the Dragon Race Deities would soon reveal the final outcome... Yizhuoluo wasn’t silly; She too needed help. At such a time, She should be more inclined to cooperate with others.

In the end, it was just a business deal. Since Amberser was confident enough to throw down his chips, he was certain he could win the gamble, perhaps even achieving a win-win situation.

The only concern now was whether Yizhuoluo would grant Amberser an opportunity to communicate.

The ritual continued, but Aeolus grew restless and anxious. He truly wanted to remove the mask of the Mermaid High Priestess to see if she was indeed his wife, but he had promised Amberser to wait patiently, which felt extremely torturous to him.

Just as Aeolus’s discomfort became apparent, a strange voice entered his mind: "Poor mortal, played with by sea turtles, yet blind to the truth. Aeolus, did your father send you here merely to play the fool and be deceived time and again?"

The voice was harsh, like something sharp scraping on bone, and carried an almost neurotic variability in pitch.

Aeolus, taken aback, looked around, but could not sense anyone speaking to him; it seemed as if everyone was absorbed in the ritual, paying no heed to him.

"Who are you?" As soon as Aeolus formed the thought, the eerie voice replied, "You wish to know who I am? Want to find your true wife? Then come to me, and I will reveal the whole truth. If you don’t believe it, then continue to be your sea turtle here, hahaha!"

The neurotic laughter tormented Aeolus’s nerves, causing him an excruciating headache.

Aeolus glanced around once more to make sure no one had noticed him, then he merged into the sea and swam in the direction the voice had indicated.

Whoever it was, as long as they could lead him to Airel, Aeolus was willing to try.

However, just after his departure, both Aige and Amberser turned their heads in confusion. Why had the lad suddenly run off? Had something happened?

But before they could react, the ritual seemed to yield a result.

A divine light fell upon the Mermaid High Priestess, and her body began to radiate a rainbow glow.

A calm yet majestic voice came from the mouth of the Mermaid High Priestess, "As you wish, student of the God of Alchemy, I shall grant you the opportunity to have everything explained."