This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 623 - 553: Let’s End This Bloodshed

Chapter 623: Chapter 553: Let’s End This Bloodshed

Duke Bayer spoke at great length with what he believed to be very persuasive.

If it wasn’t for the last sentence, Amberser really might have been convinced by Him.

Sinners must atone; that is the rule of Hell.

According to Bayer’s guess, this logical argument should at least make the Deceiver understand the current state of Hell and let him know that some things are inescapable.

He believed that even if the Deceiver was dissatisfied in his heart, he would still participate in the battle as arranged.

But Bayer really should not have added the last sentence.

Rules, Amberser could accept, but destiny... that word was like a sensitive area for Amberser; he just could not stand to hear it now.

It was like Melina when she heard someone mock her intelligence, she would immediately initiate a duel.

When someone said to Amberser from on high, "This is your destiny," the resentment he had accumulated over centuries would explode in an instant.

Although he wouldn’t go so far as to throw a gauntlet at Bayer to challenge him to a duel, Amberser still firmly lifted his head and said, "Duke Bayer, as you said, I am a sinner who went down to Hell, but I think I have a different idea of how to atone."

Bayer narrowed his eyes in confusion and said, "Did you not understand what I said? Even if you flee now, how long can you avoid it? Sin is eternal; without redeeming it through merits on the battlefield, you will always be just a mortal. Don’t tell me you don’t have the ambition to climb higher, that would be a meaningless lie."

"Of course, I have thought about climbing higher, but not in this way. Duke Bayer, I became what I am now precisely because I was constantly manipulated by destiny. And the reason I want to become a Deity is to break free from the control of destiny completely. My destiny is to go to the battlefield? Sorry, I won’t accept it."

Amberser’s words took Bayer by surprise, who couldn’t help but explain, "That was just a metaphor; are you only concerned with the word itself?"

Amberser shook his head and said, "It’s not a metaphor, nor a slip of the tongue, nor nitpicking words. On the contrary, this is the Goddess of Fate reminding me through your mouth that I am still ensnared by the nets of destiny. Duke Bayer, your power may be greater than mine, but I understand what destiny is far better than you."

"What on earth are you talking about?" Bayer was highly puzzled, finding that the mortal’s words were more obscure than an oracle from the Deities.

The other two Archdukes of the Devils impatiently said, "Bayer, why bother with what he says? Just crush him."

"Indeed, I also want to see if he really can remain unscathed by hiding inside a mirror."

The Fly and the Dog-Head, the two Archdukes of the Devils, were about to make their move when Amberser ignored them entirely and instead turned to Bayer, "Duke Bayer, you must also be tired of this endless war. Otherwise, you wouldn’t think of rebelling. You actually want to use the power of the first layer of hell to ease your burden on the battlefield, and you even want to escape the war, don’t you?"

Bayer said disdainfully, "Trying to provoke conflict between me and Zariel? How boring. As the Deceiver, don’t you understand this? The enmity between Zariel and me has long been impossible to alleviate, and it’s only by the Lord of Hell’s command that we maintain the status quo."

"No, I’m not prepared to play such petty games of sowing discord right now. I want to talk to you about a more profound issue. Duke Bayer, have you ever thought about ending this war?"

Amberser’s question made the three Archdukes of the Devils pause for a moment, and then all three burst into mocking laughter.

"Hahahaha, do you know what you’re talking about? Ending this endless Blood War?!"

"This guy must have gone mad after descending into Hell; Zariel went through so much trouble for a madman, what a waste of effort."

...

Not only did the three Archdukes of the Devils find it ridiculous, but even the devils lurking in the shadows around the hall couldn’t help but let out mocking laughter.

They were all veterans of the Blood River Fortress; who didn’t know what the Blood War was about, who didn’t want to escape this endless torment?

But the Blood War could not be stopped; it had begun in the ancient era before the Prime Material Plane had even come into existence, and until now, it had been a constant back and forth without a single moment’s rest.

How could this mere mortal dare to make such bold claims?

However, Amberser did not explain but just stared at Bayer. The other devils present didn’t matter; the only one he needed to convince was Bayer, the Blood Battle Commander, the chief general of the Blood River Fortress.

Bayer initially showed a mocking smile, but after laughing for a while, he was still silenced by Amberser’s gaze.

Bayer said in disbelief to Amberser, "Are you serious? Do you have a way to end this war?"

"Not at the moment, but I will work towards it. Just like when I boasted that I would deliver the Koutao Mermaid Goddess to Talos, nobody believed a mortal like me could do it, but I succeeded in the end. I know nothing about the Blood War at the moment, but I don’t believe in this so-called destiny. Even if my Soul is eternally damned to suffer in the Blood River, my goal remains to completely solve this problem."

"Duke Bayer, and all of you, do you still remember how long you have waged war, how over these many years you’ve grown numb and accustomed to this eternal torment? I believe that a long time ago, you, like me, also fantasized about completely resolving this war and freeing yourselves from the suffering. I also believe that after countless failures, you’ve become desensitized and ultimately abandoned this ideal."

"What’s so funny about that? I’m simply like you once were. The only difference is that I haven’t accepted my fate. Therefore, even if I know nothing about the Blood War, I still intend to completely resolve this problem. I won’t allow myself to be manipulated by fate anymore!"

Amberser’s words were fervently spoken, the youthful aspirations that had been crushed over many years.

Reborn once more, not to tread old paths again, but to cherish this chance at rebirth, along with these still vibrant feelings.

What does it matter if one boasts, or if others mock?

Young ambition should dare to pierce the sky.

Amberser possessed the power to create souls and the ability to control all the devils of Hell, why shouldn’t he be a little bolder?

If money can make devils grind grain, then let all the devils of Hell serve him.

Otherwise, what was the point of establishing the Hell Bank and exploiting these devils from the top down? Was it merely to make money?

Amberser intended to use this power for something else, since fate had sent him to the Blood River Battlefield to atone, then let him completely resolve this war. He wanted to see what reaction the Hell Law would have without the Blood River Battlefield.

Bayer was shocked to find Amberser was serious.

What was even more outrageous was that Bayer, a mere mortal, felt slightly tempted by his words.

Because Amberser was right, Bayer had spent too long on the Blood War Battlefield, forgetting how many battles he had commanded, and even a Deity grows weary. Yet He dare not be the slightest bit careless, for if He lost this sole value, He would be forsaken by Hell and ultimately perish by Zariel’s hand.

How many years had it been since He slept peacefully?

Bayer hardly dared to close His eyes for an extended time, fearing unpredictable changes on the battlefield.

Of the Dark Eight Demon Generals under His command, nowadays, if only two could be spared to attend, the other six had no choice but to fight on the battlefield. How many times had this situation been repeated?

Bayer was a Devil, not a Saint.

He wasn’t like Arthur Laine, who steadfastly held to a promise, to the hopes of others, for a thousand years without faltering. Bayer was greedier, more fragile, and more irresponsible.

He was forced into the role of Blood Battle Commander, and He wished to end this war more than anyone.

It’s just that Bayer had failed so many times that He no longer believed the war would end one day.

Bayer knew Amberser was merely speaking big words, but He had once harbored such thoughts in His heart.

Give this mortal a chance?

If He tried, what was there to lose?

Even if he failed, what impact could it have on the entire Blood River Battlefield?

...

These questions repeated before Bayer’s eyes, and finally, the Commander spoke solemnly to Amberser, "Foolish mortal, you don’t know what you just promised. Every Devil has heard your words, and if you fail, the entire Blood River Fortress, the entire Blood War Battlefield, all the devils will be your enemies."

"So, Duke Bayer, you agree?" Amberser asked.

Bayer waved His hand and said, "Go ahead and try, I won’t force you onto the battlefield anymore, but don’t expect to take anything from my arsenal, not even a single nail!"

Amberser laughed heartily and then said to Duke Bayer, "Thank you, that’s enough. However, I’d like to ask for one more favor from you, Duke Bayer."

"I said I’m not lending you any equipment!" Bayer stated angrily.

Let the boy wreak havoc if he wants, but he wouldn’t frivolously spend the Blood River Fortress resources to help him. The items he had taken before, consider it approved by Zariel, and He would seek reimbursement from Zariel later.

However, Amberser then said, "No, I’m not asking for resources, but for a favor in sending out a notice to the Nine Layers of Hell. Inform all the devils of the Nine Layers of Hell that I have made a bet with you and that I am bound to lose. Any devil that bears a grudge against me, or those I have wronged that have ended up in Hell, now is their last chance for revenge."