This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 596 - 530 Three Questions

Chapter 596: Chapter 530 Three Questions

Time slowly ebbed away, and Amberser tried to recall the most unforgettable memories of his life, reason telling him that these memories could stir his emotions and slow his loss of self.

But what were the most profound memories?

The fear and rage when he was kidnapped and had his limbs chopped off?

The sorrow when a friend passed away?

Or the helplessness of being manipulated by fate over and over again?

Oh, he shouldn’t think about the last one; whenever he did, Amberser longed even more for death.

Amberser suddenly realized that he had never before calmly reflected on the centuries he had lived through like he was doing now. Previously, due to the painful nature of those past events, he habitually avoided them.

Thinking about it now, there were still some happy times.

Like when he first crossed over—Amberser was ambitious, thinking that he could reach the pinnacle of life, controlling the clouds and rain at will. The first time he completed an alchemy experiment, he was so delighted that he showed his achievement to everyone he knew. The first time he successfully cast a spell, although it burned half of his house down, he stood in front of the flames, hands on hips, laughing loudly, feeling incredibly powerful.

But as time passed, life became less and less joyful.

Since the subsequent development wasn’t like a light-hearted novel plot, Amberser realized that he was neither a useless nor a genius protagonist, just an inconspicuous one among the masses.

Throughout his life, everything he could influence was limited to a few small circles.

Amberser couldn’t help but sigh, "I actually managed to repeat such days for hundreds of years."

The instinct to survive was so strong that even if one slacked off, one would still continue, but now Amberser had lost this desire, as if someone kept whispering in his ear, "stop thinking."

So tired, why not just give up thinking, and become an ordinary Magic Mirror plug-in.

Amberser’s figure gradually faded from the mirror, he was already beginning to forget his original appearance.

Just as Amberser was about to dissipate, the God of Alchemy finally returned to the Divine Realm, holding something that resembled a Clown Mask in his hand.

The white mask bore exaggerated marks of tears and smiles, its appearance both comical and sacred.

The God of Alchemy had no time to explain, simply tossing the mask gently.

The Clown Mask floated in front of the Magic Mirror, facing the nearly transparent Amberser, and in a singing tone akin to an aria, said, "Oh perplexed mortal, I come on behalf of my master, Ogma, to ask you three questions."

The illusory figure on the mirror moved slightly and asked in an indifferent tone, "What questions?"

The Clown Mask continued, "The first question, how can the world see more splendid poetry, elegant melodies, and profound entrancing paintings?"

The figure in the Magic Mirror fell silent for a moment before responding, "Among billions of mortals, countless serfs live their entire lives not knowing they have perfect pitch. Let them have enough food, let them have time to ponder their own lives."

The Clown Mask, however, gave a little shake, as if shaking its head, and then countered, "Suffering is the soil from which art is born. Prosperity and stability only produce moaning rubbish."

Countered by Ogma’s Envoy, the figure in the Magic Mirror showed no panic and calmly said, "Indeed, when writing books and composing becomes a way to easily feed oneself, a multitude of rubbish will erupt. But when everyone can freely read all the stories in the world, clichéd plots will no longer be popular, and only truly thought-provoking masterpieces can become classics. Do not mind those emerging piles of trash, for they are the best fertilizer for masterpieces."

The Clown Mask laughed and said, "An interesting perspective, different angles of thought lead to different insights, regardless of right or wrong. Second question, do you think a world where everyone can have enough food and clothing and freely read all books can be realized?"

This time, the Magic Mirror answered more succinctly, "The Deity is omnipotent, it’s just a matter of willingness, not ability."

The Clown Mask shook its head again and countered, "The Gods indeed are omnipotent, but they are antagonistic to each other. Light and darkness, good and evil, all need to maintain balance. The world you speak of is too ideal, no Evil God would wish to see it."

The Magic Mirror answered once again, "That is because their minds are too narrow. I have never seen prosperity prevent sin, nor have I seen poverty breed more sin. What crime is there in a starving person stealing a loaf of bread to satisfy his hunger, yet it is the wealthy who often engage in clever robbery and murder at will?

"Human desires are never satisfied, good people choose to satisfy themselves in a way that does not offend others, evil people choose to oppress others to satisfy themselves, and the standard is not wealth or poverty, but merely the way of satisfying oneself. If everyone had enough food and clothing, they would not fight over food to fill their stomachs, but over more wealth, more beautiful mates, higher power, and the sins committed might not be less than before."

This time, it was the Clown Mask’s turn to fall silent; after a long while, it started speaking again, "Your words are too extreme, yet they hold some merit. Third question, if you had a wish, how would you choose?"

"I..."

The figure in the Magic Mirror had faded so much it was almost invisible; all previous exchanges had been logical rebuttals, but this last question required a strong self-awareness to answer.

When a person is completely annihilated, even his desires invisible, what wish could he possibly make?

The Clown Mask did not rush him, just quietly waited.

The God of Alchemy clenched his fists; this was Amberser’s last chance. He had acquired this Clown Mask from Ogma, and as long as Amberser’s response satisfied Ogma, this almost all-knowing great Deity would grant Amberser a chance at rebirth.

But now, Amberser had fallen completely silent, as if time had run out, his completely dissipated self no longer able to comprehend the meaning of a wish.

Seeing his disciple about to vanish completely, the God of Alchemy couldn’t help but say, "Let me make a wish for him..."

The Clown Mask turned around and said to the God of Alchemy, "This is not your place to substitute. But rest assured, I will wait here, I won’t leave until he makes his final response."

The God of Alchemy, agitated, said, "What use is waiting any longer? He has already lost consciousness."

For a completely dissipated self-awareness, no amount of time has meaning, no matter how long one waits, nothingness remains nothingness.

The Clown Mask did not respond, still quietly waiting in front of the Magic Mirror.

This mask, like the Magic Mirror, was just a tool, operating according to a set program, and unless Amberser spoke up himself, it would stay stuck in this eternal stand-off, until a miracle occurred.