This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 583 - 519 Melina’s Resolution

Chapter 583: Chapter 519 Melina’s Resolution

The magic array of Gloomyland finally dimmed.

The flesh that was once fresh had begun to emit the stench of decay, merging together and slowly turning a deep red.

The summoning had failed; Zariel had not given any response at all.

Withered Rose tried again, but the end result was the same. Zariel simply didn’t give them any chance, not even a thought’s presence.

After two consecutive failures, Withered Rose dared not truly place Melina at the center of the summoning circle; she truly feared that Zariel would suddenly descend and swallow her daughter as a sacrifice.

In this moment, Aige and Withered Rose both acutely felt the gap between themselves and Amberser.

Don’t be fooled by the Lich’s usual eccentricities, but facing Deities, he truly had a knack. No one could match his genuine lack of reverence for Deities.

And precisely because of this irreverence, Amberser was more able than others to grasp these Deities’ weaknesses.

Withered Rose frowned and asked Aige, "What do we do now? Zariel won’t even give us the chance to communicate."

Aige was equally helpless and could only suggest, "Perhaps we can ask the Guild Leader for help again."

Although he said this, Aige also felt that this suggestion wasn’t really reliable.

The Guild Leader had always been very mysterious and cautious, and usually didn’t take action personally. Moreover, they had already discussed this matter at the last meeting. If the Guild Leader had intended to help, he would have already made his move; there was no need for them to go begging.

However, Melina then stood up and said, "Mother, let me go! I can venture into Hell and rescue Father!"

"I can’t use you as a sacrifice!" Withered Rose flatly refused.

Zariel was not so easily fooled, and now that they were asking for a favor, Zariel would certainly not miss the opportunity to snatch up Melina as a "sacrifice," likely dragging her to Hell at the first chance.

But Melina said, "It’s not about summoning Zariel, Mother. This is the sword Father left me with, and I can enter Hell through this sword."

Melina raised the longsword in her hand, and a blaze of Hellfire ignited from the sword.

This was the "Proof of Contract" Zariel had left behind when he collaborated with Amberser, a Hell longsword filled with the essence of Zariel, which could also be considered a Divine Artifact. Even a Mage like Amberser could gain immense combat power when wielding this longsword.

However, Amberser knew that even becoming a hundred times stronger wouldn’t change the inevitable end that is death, so he simply gifted the sword to Melina.

Melina liked the sword very much, as her strength was too overpowering, so much so that not many weapons in Gloomyland were suitable for her. The Magic Equipment provided by Withered Rose, no matter how good, couldn’t compare to a weapon blessed by a Deity.

This Flaming Longsword not only wielded immense power and could enhance the user’s abilities in all aspects, but it could also open a small-sized Gates of Hell, summoning thirty Cambions as her subordinates.

Cambions are the offspring of Devils and humans, possessing formidable combat strength, comprising the elite among Devils, not inferior to High-order Holy Warriors.

It was just that Melina never imagined that one day she would need to use this sword to venture into Hell.

"Mother, all I need to do is open the Gates of Hell, and I can enter Hell, and then..."

Melina had not yet finished speaking when Withered Rose interjected, "No, you absolutely cannot do this!"

Melina asked in confusion, "Why not?"

Withered Rose retorted, "Why not?! If you enter Hell, you’ll be duped until your head is taken off your shoulders!"

Melina’s intelligence was such that she could be duped by a few words from the Subterranean Dwarves into mining for them; sending her into Hell, into that Plane where Devils lived? Withered Rose suspected that within less than an hour of arriving, she would be tricked into slavery!

Forget about searching for her father; it was questionable how far she could even make it in Hell.

Nevertheless, Melina said resolutely, "But what other choice do we have? I can’t let father fall into Zariel’s hands. Besides, Zariel once invited me, so I would rather exchange myself with him!"

Withered Rose patted her daughter’s head. The filial piety was commendable, but Melina had no idea of the huge disparity in value between the two.

To Zariel, Melina was merely an amusing toy, but to any Grand Duke of Hell, Amberser was the most precious and irreplaceable treasure in the world, an opportunity to shake the authority of the Lord of Hell.

For Melina to think of exchanging herself was a total overreach, as Zariel wouldn’t even consider the idea.

However, Aige didn’t think so and said to Withered Rose, "I think it’s worth a try. Melina might not persuade Zariel to release him, but at least she can convey the message to Zariel. As for your concerns..." Aige turned to Melina and said, "Melina, if you’re just delivering a message, don’t trust anyone before you meet Zariel, and if anyone tries to stop you, just kill them. There aren’t many dangers in the first layer of hell that can threaten you..."

"Aige!" Withered Rose interrupted, "What are you saying? How can you let her take such a risk?"

Aige calmly replied, "Rose, when you first created Melina, it was to create a powerful warrior. The blessings she possesses are inconceivably potent, yet you have always protected her without letting her true power show. Believe me, my judgment in this matter is more accurate than yours."

Melina became excited seeing Aige supporting her.

"Mother, I can do this! I absolutely can, I promise not to be deceived easily, I’ll just fight my way through to Zariel’s presence!"

Withered Rose still refused, "No, it’s too risky!"

"But every day we delay, Father suffers another day in hell. Mother, even if I run into some mishap in hell, the worst-case scenario is just getting caught and taken before Zariel to become one of his subordinates. So why not give it a try?!"

Withered Rose wavered, tormented by the thought of Amberser being tortured by the Lords of Hell.

Should she really let Melina enter hell?

Seizing the opportunity, Aige continued, "Rose, I know this is a hard choice, so let’s do this: we’ll send Melina to Gareth. If Gareth approves of her strength, we let her enter hell. If not, we’ll think of another solution."

"Gareth?"

Upon hearing the name, Withered Rose hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded.

Within the Elegy Poetry Society, apart from the inscrutable Guild Leader and Poet, Gareth was undoubtedly the strongest. Moreover, like Melina, he relied not on a clever intelligence but on sheer, overpowering strength.

If Gareth recognized Melina’s abilities, then she might really stand a chance in hell. If all else failed, they could use the Magic Mirror to keep in touch. This alchemical artifact could communicate across planes, even usable in hell.

Withered Rose finally nodded and said, "All right, I’ll have Gareth take this seriously."

Melina shouted excitedly, "That’s great! I will definitely go to hell and bring back Father!"

Withered Rose: ...

Could she really rely on her daughter?

Melina thought otherwise; wasn’t it just about proving her strength to the Headless Knight? She hadn’t even really used her full power since she was born, so by just being a bit more serious, even if she couldn’t beat the Headless Knight, with her Anti-Magic Barrier, she would be invincible!

But this thought did not last long.

Melina followed Withered Rose through the Teleportation Circle to the overseas Dragon Tomb Island, where she saw Gareth and Auntie Pale Bone basking in moonlight on the beach, looking utterly bored.

Once Withered Rose stated their purpose, Gareth grabbed his long knife and said to Melina, "Then be warned, I won’t let you pass easily."

Melina confidently drew her longsword, with hellfire wrapping around the blade, and the powerful strength suddenly infused her entire body, enhancing Melina in every aspect!

Gareth excitedly said, "Good, good, you look promising."

The long knife unsheathed, wrapped in purple flames, Gareth cut towards Melina in the simplest and most unadorned manner.

With a resounding clang, Gareth’s long knife clashed with Melina’s Flaming Longsword, sending her flying and embedding deep into the barren hills of Dragon Tomb Island.

In a near-unconscious state, Melina heard Auntie Pale Bone roar, "Are you an idiot for going so hard on a child?! If anything happens to Melina, I’ll kill you!"

Gareth said with utter grievance, "I really didn’t use much strength, at most thirty percent!"

Melina coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, then passed out completely.