This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 622 - 552: The Fate of the Sinner

Chapter 622: Chapter 552: The Fate of the Sinner

Following Lorencos through the fortress, Amberser once again felt the enormity of this stronghold.

Even the Laine Imperial Capital seemed like a mere trifle compared to this fortress, and this military stronghold was entirely built for war, with its structure twisting and turning in such convoluted ways that even the demons within might struggle to navigate all its paths.

And yet, despite its vastness, there were records of the fortress having been overrun by demons, though it was later recaptured, which only highlighted the formidable strength of the demonic hordes.

Duke Bayer, who had presided over the Blood River Battlefield for so many years, clearly possessed outstanding command abilities, but unfortunately, greed is a vice that no devil can control, and in the end, it was this greed that led to all sorts of troubles.

So what exactly did this insatiable general want from him suddenly?

With questions in mind, Amberser walked a long distance, finally arriving at the central area of the Blood River Fortress.

Duke Bayer, like a giant, sat in the center of the hall, with dozens of Magic Mirrors floating before him, continuously monitoring every area of the Blood River Battlefield. The unceasing war demanded eternal vigilance, perhaps even serving as a form of punishment. Even as an Archduke of the Devils, one must abide by the laws of Hell—sins must be atoned for.

Apart from Bayer, there were several other giant chairs on both sides, eight in total, seemingly for eight other devils to sit on an equal footing with Bayer. However, most of these seats were empty, save for a repulsive giant fly and a devil with the head of a dog seated beside Bayer.

Amberser had heard about these positions; they were likely the eight Hell Governors, who were roughly of the same status as Bayer. But as the premier warlord with illustrious military achievements, the other eight governors would usually heed Bayer’s commands under normal circumstances.

Amberser couldn’t tell who exactly the fly demon and dog-headed demon were; he only knew that being looked down upon by these three giants was quite a pressure.

All three were entities capable of crushing a mortal with just a flick of their fingers.

As for the enemies Amberser expected to encounter filling up the room... they were probably hiding in unremarkable corners on both sides of the hall. Anyway, the area was so shadowy that even Lorencos, upon entering, quickly blended in, not daring to expose himself to the gaze of the three Archdukes of the Devils.

The Magic Mirror floated towards these three beings, the pressure growing more palpable as it approached, and even the height of the floating mirrors steadily decreased.

Just before touching the ground, Amberser stopped, respectfully greeting the three Archdukes of the Devils.

"Duke Bayer, and the two respected deities, may I know what orders you have that require the service of a mortal like me?"

Bayer did not speak but fixed his scarlet eyes on Amberser, as if he intended to suck his soul out from the mirror.

However, unfortunately for Bayer, while Amberser appeared on the mirror’s surface, he was almost simultaneously present in countless Magic Mirrors. Bayer’s perception could not lock onto his position, and the only thing he could seemingly do was to crush the mirror before him, which would be pointless.

With a hearty laugh, Bayer said, "No wonder you can move freely. With Zariel’s temperament, you should have been impaled on an iron spear and roasted over a hellfire for several years."

"Duke Bayer, you flatter me. It’s just a trivial little trick. A mortal has no power of resistance before the deities. Duke Zariel simply didn’t bother with me; it’s not that he couldn’t deal with me."

Amberser still maintained the necessary humility in his voice.

Extremes should be avoided in actions, but even more so in words, one of the life lessons Amberser had learned.

"Quit showing off your fancy words, ’Deceiver’—that name is well known even in the Blood River Fortress. But no matter what, you are a sinner condemned to Hell, and this Blood War Battlefield bears your responsibility. You just brought in quite a lot of supplies, so consider it an advance on your meritorious service award. From now on, this battle zone is under your command."

Bayer drew a circle around one of the dozens of projections, and one in particular was magnified before Amberser.

It was a volcano spewing lava ceaselessly, with the flowing magma forming two rivers dividing the battlefield.

About a dozen spatial rifts surrounded the volcano, with demons constantly emerging to clash with the devil troops stationed nearby.

"Your task is simple, seal these spatial rifts so that the forces of this battle zone can be dispatched to other locations. I’ll teach you how to seal the rifts. Although it can’t permanently halt the erosion from The Abyss, a three to five-year seal shouldn’t be an issue..."

As Bayer went on talking to himself, Amberser listened in confusion, quickly interjecting during a pause from the Archduke of the Devils, "Wait, Duke Bayer, I fear I’m not up to the task; I’m not versed in leading troops into battle."

Bayer said nonchalantly, "If you cannot lead, then fight as a soldier. We don’t care whether you’re a commander or a footman. We just need you to get the job done."

Amberser sighed and decided to be more frank.

"Duke Bayer, the items I just took were promised to me by Duke Zariel. They were not any battlefield merit reward. If you have an issue with that, perhaps you could discuss it directly with Duke Zariel."

Who wants to go to the battlefield, especially to this kind of war where there’s no victory or defeat, only meaningless sacrifices? The sudden summons from Bayer was for him to go to the battlefield, but something felt off—it wasn’t like any situation Amberser had predicted.

Could it be that this idiot wasn’t trying to recruit him to deal with Zariel but instead had the face of a minor villain, sending him to the battlefield to be cannon fodder?

Amberser couldn’t figure it out, so he could only see if he could avoid it.

However, before Bayer could speak, the other two Archdukes of the Devils burst out laughing.

"This kid thinks he has a choice?"

"How foolish, the so-called Deceiver, and he can’t even see this?"

Amberser looked at the two unfamiliar Archdukes of the Devils calmly and said, "Perhaps Your Graces are not too familiar with me, but I’ve dealt with not a few deities. The God of Alchemy, the God of Mermaids, the Lord of the Dawn, and so on. Each deity that has befriended me has gotten something they desired, and I’ve always enjoyed a pleasant cooperation with these deities.

"Of course, there have been unpleasant times, but then both sides were unhappy. I have been to the Divine Realm of Talos. The Tower of Ruins is very desolate, very empty. It not only has room for one Koutao Mermaid Goddess but could accommodate a few more deities without feeling crowded. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

The message from Amberser was simple: Any deity that crossed him suffered. Shael, Rose, Brivodoup—each met a more miserable end than the last. He didn’t want to fall out with these Archdukes of the Devils, but now that the threat was laid out before him, he had no choice but to offer a gentle reminder.

If pushed too far, Amberser genuinely dared to spend money to have Zariel and Mammon send these flies and dog-heads to Talos as pets.

Kidnapping a deity was just an old routine for him now.

This was Amberser’s grand feat that put him above mortals, allowing him to maintain an equal footing in the face of the three Archdukes of the Devils.

Amberser’s words silenced the two Archdukes, their anger materializing into fierce flames that enveloped the body of the fly and the dog-head. Even the Magic Mirror began to warp slightly as if it would melt at any moment.

But Amberser didn’t care about a Magic Mirror; it had no effect on him.

If these fools destroyed the mirror right away, all the better for Amberser; he’d find an excuse to escape. As for who wants to be on the battlefield, well, someone else can take his place.

Bayer evidently didn’t expect Amberser to be so bold.

Although he’d heard the name Deceiver many times, in his long life, this was the first time he had seen a mortal daring enough to threaten a deity to their face.

And Amberser’s threat was rather effective.

He actually managed to kidnap a deity with Intermediate Divine Power and deliver her to Talos as a concubine, a feat that counted as a grand accomplishment even among deities.

No wonder even Zariel dared not act against him directly and could only resort to schemes and plots.

Bayer was pleased; a mortal that could irritate Zariel was a friend to him. This talent must be kept at the Blood River Fortress.

Therefore, Bayer waved his hand, signaling the two Archdukes of the Devils to draw back their fiery anger.

Bayer said to Amberser, "You think you can choose freely, and on the surface, it seems the case. You are unrestrained, and we cannot affect you. But surely your ambition extends beyond this, right? You’re not planning to be trapped inside this broken mirror forever, are you?"

Amberser, detecting a deeper meaning in Bayer’s words, asked with curiosity, "What does this have to do with going to the battlefield?"

"The sinners who descend into Hell ultimately need redemption, no matter the method. I don’t know your current situation, but no one can escape the Law of Hell; you are a sinner destined for Hell. If a sinner wishes to break free from their mortal shell and become a true deity, there is only one path.

"Enter the Blood River, join this war, and then win the meritorious deeds sufficient for ascension. Otherwise, your sins will forever lock you in your current state, and no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to break free.

"Deceiver, I knew the moment I saw you, your ambition is greater than mine. You desire to become a deity, even one more powerful than Zariel and me. Therefore, the battlefield is your only choice.

"Die in the Blood War or be reborn through the flames of battle—that is the fate of a sinner!"

Amberser listened silently to Bayer’s words, then revealed a cold smile and said to Bayer, "You just said... fate?"