This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 496 - 457: Searching for the Githyanki

Chapter 496: Chapter 457: Searching for the Githyanki

What it meant to be a historian was something Amberser hadn’t been clear on but, seeing Hake Stone continuously recording, he actually felt quite impressed.

Although he had no idea what he was writing.

The ink this guy was using was some mystery to Amberser, as his perception couldn’t even sense the words on the page; even more outrageous was that Hake Stone flatly refused to tell Amberser.

According to Hake Stone, recording history was an extremely serious matter, and typically, the subjects were not allowed to see the record, to prevent dissatisfaction from influencing the historian’s work and affecting the accuracy of these materials.

While Amberser suspected this guy was exaggerating, he had no proof and could only let it go, for the time being.

If he ever dared to publish a "history" that didn’t match the facts, Amberser would go to his house and move all the gold there as compensation for the distress.

Once he started to attend to more pressing matters, Amberser didn’t pay much attention to what Hake Stone was writing anymore.

Amberser only stayed in the castle for half a day, spending most of that time looking for materials, giving less than an hour to Isabel to check on this little goose that laid the golden eggs and discuss the alchemy problems she had encountered.

Amberser then discovered that Isabel’s alchemy skills had become very high, even surpassing his own in certain areas.

Isabel specialized in the formulation of magic potions; the Delayed Thawing Potion she duped the Desert People with was her own research. There were potions that served the same function before, but none of them were transparent.

Isabel had successfully improved the potion’s effects and appearance. This time, it was not a fluke but truly her own research achievement.

No wonder Gustavo Flint, that wily old fellow, kept hinting at Amberser, hoping to make Isabel his student.

With talent, diligence, and concentrated focus on alchemy without the distraction of fame or fortune, this kind of student was bound to be successful. Amberser also subtly indicated that Isabel could go and study with Gustavo Flint.

There’s no need to keep a talent tied to one’s side, as smart people tend to be temperamental.

Previously, Isabel was just an apprentice, and Amberser could exploit her however he wanted, but now Isabel’s status had changed and required suitable respect.

What if she harbored dissatisfaction and made a "mistake" at a critical moment?

So, in the absence of overt conflict, Amberser still preferred a win-win situation, based on mutual affection, bound by shared benefits, a collaboration that was the most stable and unlikely to encounter problems.

However, Isabel refused without a second thought.

"Teacher, I only want to learn from you," she said resolutely.

Amberser felt somewhat helpless.

"I don’t have much left to teach you now. Gustavo Flint is not only adept at concocting magic potions, but he’s also among the world’s best at crafting enchanted equipment. Learning from him won’t do you any harm."

Although Amberser had swindled Gustavo Flint many times, he never underestimated the formidable skills of his opponent. If Flint were not genuinely skilled, he wouldn’t be treated as an honored guest by so many kingdoms.

Upon hearing this, Isabel became flustered, her face reddening a bit, unsure of how to explain. Finally, as though she had found a reason, she told Amberser, "Master Flint has recently been too cozy with the people from the Goblin Bank, and he’s been borrowing money at a very high frequency. I suspect he’s in big financial trouble."

Isabel’s choice was normal and, upon hearing this, Amberser instantly understood.

"That won’t do, you can’t be implicated by this. Students are obligated to help pay off their teacher’s debts. That old rascal has been scheming against me here."

Amberser did not expect that by tricking Gustavo Flint with the Artifactual Coin, he would cause him a financial crisis, and that he’d seek loans from Goblins, a race more parasitic than Vampires!

He would have to be cautious with future collaborations—in case the old rascal went bankrupt, Amberser would end up being hassled by those Goblins.

Hake Stone watched the two of them, his feather pen never stopping: "The brilliance of wisdom, like a never-ending light in an ancient library, illuminates the corners of knowledge and also inadvertently the heart of a student. It’s a pity, however, that a Lich, ultimately being a heartless creature of evil, can never appreciate this subtlety..."

Amberser looked over curiously and asked, "What are you writing now? Does this also have something to do with dealing with the Koutoa Mermaid Goddess?"

Hake Stone hastily replied, "You wouldn’t understand. The reason you are facing the Koutoa Mermaid Goddess at all is essentially a conflict of interest, isn’t it? If I don’t meticulously record the relevant intel, how can I conduct a dialectical discourse?"

"You talk as if it’s true."

Amberser mocked, but he didn’t take it to heart. In money matters, he did not feel guilty; he always dealt fairly in business. He could stand by his word and deliver on his promises.

You record well then, let the world know I’m honest and trustworthy, the best partner to cooperate with.

Having left the castle, Amberser decisively returned to the Fury Tide Kingdom.

The construction for the Alchemy Factory had begun with foundations being laid. The craftsmen, hired from the Dwarves, were masters who worked unaffected even on the island. In not much time, the factory was planned according to the blueprint, suggesting the construction wouldn’t take too long to complete.

On the bustling construction site, Amberser found Princess Airel, who was actively directing the fishermen of the Fury Tide Kingdom to assist the Dwarves in building the factory.

The arrival of the first batch of food had brought an unstoppable smile to Airel’s face.

For the first time, the people of the Fury Tide Kingdom tasted soft bread and tried different kinds of meats, more nutritious than fish, giving them the strength to work harder.

Seeing the Fury Tide Kingdom moving in a positive direction, Princess Airel was naturally overjoyed—their efforts over this period of time had finally yielded fruit.

For this reason, when she saw Amberser again, Princess Ariel had forgotten all about her royal identity and greeted the Lich courteously.

"Master Ultraman, have you come to inspect the construction of the Alchemy Factory too?"

Ever since Amberser had used the World Weaving Spell to transform the terrain, sparing the people of the Fury Tide Kingdom the trouble of relocating, Ariel thought highly of Master Ultraman’s character, finding him not as greedy and cruel as the rumors suggested.

After all, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to drive away some of the kingdom’s populace, and the kingdom, despite its reluctance, would have had to compromise on such matters. But he did not force the issue; instead, he used his powerful magic to solve the problem.

In this world, which mage would be so easy to talk to, let alone a Lich? Among the undead, such a temperament was already exceptionally benevolent.

"Your Royal Highness the Princess, I need your help with something."

Amberser’s request was somewhat sudden, but Ariel quickly agreed, saying, "I will do my utmost, Master. What do you need?"

"I know that the sea is vast, with many islands that may not be suitable for human habitation, but they should be able to sustain thousands of Githyanki living on them.

"Your Royal Highness, I need to find these Githyanki. The races that live under the sea only know which trench has the most fish, only the people of the Fury Tide who live on the islands know where there is enough land for sustenance. So I need your help."

Ariel agreed without hesitation.

It was just guiding the way; how could she refuse such a request?

"There’s absolutely no problem with that. I will personally lead the most experienced navigators, my vessel..."

Before Ariel could finish, Amberser interrupted, "Princess Ariel, that was your best vessel in the past, but now, please accept this gift from me."

Amberser led Ariel to an open space where a twenty-meter-long blue warship appeared under the glow of the Teleportation Circle.

"Just crafted by the Dwarven craftsmen, specially customized for you. As a token of our cooperation, please name this warship."

Naturally, this warship couldn’t compare with the multiple-improved Black Tide, but it was still one of the finest vessels recently commissioned by Amberser.

Since Gustavo Flint had used Gold Coin, the cost of the warship was largely passed on to Gustavo Flint, adding in the price of the Pseudo-Soul, the cost was merely twenty thousand Gold Coins.

And this small sum was perfect for giving away as a favor.

Ariel looked at the blue warship, which even had a triple Lightning insignia of Talos specifically left for her, clearly a gift prepared in advance.

Ariel was moved; this Lich gentleman was truly sincere.

"Thank you. If I may name it..." Ariel pondered for a moment, then said, "Let’s call it Gray River."

Amberser fell silent for a moment, embarrassed by the name.

This was also why he disliked restarting his identity; it led to such awkward situations.

All Amberser could say to Ariel was, "One must look forward."

Ariel smiled and said, "You’re right, Master, but looking forward doesn’t mean we have to give up remembering the past."

Amberser held Princess Ariel in even higher esteem, seeing that she could speak such words, she truly had grown a lot since their last meeting.

"Well then, since that’s the case, please prepare yourself, Your Royal Highness. I am quite pressed for time."

Ariel nodded and then turned to leave. She was going to gather the best navigators and the most sea-wise sailors to help Master Ultraman find the group of Githyanki.

And after Ariel left, Hake Stone, the Vampire, appeared at Amberser’s side, umbrella in hand.

"By the God of Alchemy, have you been hiding behind me all along?" Amberser asked in surprise.

"Did you really think I couldn’t do anything? After all, I am Legendary," Hake Stone couldn’t help but say. "You really are something. The Undead Queen, the Elf Queen, the Goddess, and now this Princess Raging Tide... What charm does your skeletal frame possess?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, I’m just delighted to see you act as if you know nothing," Hake Stone said, as he resumed his fervent writing: "His mannerisms, like a melody in a classical music piece, are harmonious and charming, always inadvertently making those noble ladies’ hearts flutter. Unfortunately, there is no living heart beating in his chest, only the hollow moans when the cold wind sweeps through, he is a being forever incapable of understanding emotions..."

Amberser looked at him and warned, "Remember, I am a Diviner Mage, my intuitions are very accurate."

Hake Stone said excitedly, "I swear to the heavens, everything I write is true, not a single lie, I swear on my honor as a historian!"

Amberser sneered, then said, "I hope you can afford my emotional damages when the time comes."

Soon after, Ariel arrived with a group of sailors whose faces were etched with the weariness of the sea.

With a grand gesture, Amberser said to Hake Stone, "Let’s go, historian, to find those Githyanki."