This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 647 - 569: The Approachable Amberser

Chapter 647: Chapter 569: The Approachable Amberser

Lies are said to not hurt people, but the truth is a sharp knife.

The Dwarf King can usually keep his cool, but when you tell him that he is no longer favored by the deities, that’s when he really gets angry.

Because he is well aware that this is likely the truth.

Every kingdom has its own patron gods, and even when Katherine caused the great trouble of Mana Addiction Disease, the Elven Gods would step in to provide guidance. No matter how cruel that guidance might be, the gods would not stand idly by.

So when the dwarves had most of their territory taken from them, why didn’t the Dwarven Gods intervene?

It’s not like they were betting with the Lord of the Dawn with some restrictions. Issuing a divine decree should have been no problem.

But they did not do that, at least there is no official record of any such divine decree.

Having dealt with deities for a long time and after having seen many, Amberser often first considers issues from the perspective of the gods.

If a child is about to be beaten to death, why wouldn’t the parents feel distressed?

It’s very likely because the parents also want to use the situation to get rid of someone.

Thinking carefully about the behavior of this Dwarf King, it’s not hard to understand why the gods have abandoned him.

In the past few years, the Dwarf King had been bedridden for a long time. Being frail was one thing, but he was also an unpredictable tyrant, making a mess of everything inside his kingdom.

Instead of mending relations with the Laine, he continued to make blunders, giving the Laine plenty of excuses for invasions and leading to needless sacrifices from the Desert People.

Many worthy subjects were killed by the mad Emperor, causing a talent drought within the kingdom until it absorbed the refugees from Alchemy City, which somewhat restored the situation.

All of this could be attributed to the illness of the Dwarf King.

This illness muddled his mind and amplified his irascibility.

So, after transforming into a Vampire, the Dwarf King wanted to rectify his ways. At least after relocating the capital, his blunders diminished, and he vigorously developed alchemy and economy, appearing determined to revive the dwarves.

However, to the gods, a dwarf who has been transformed into a Vampire is no longer a dwarf.

Amberser sighed, "The Undead are the Undead. Zombies are not human, Bone Dragons are not dragons, and Dwarf Vampires are naturally not considered dwarves. Sadly, Your Majesty, you still don’t understand this principle. You think you’re making amends. But in reality, I suspect that the gods have long been preparing to replace you."

Amberser’s words made the furious Dwarf King smash his fist onto the Magic Mirror, shattering it instantly, and glass shards fell to the ground.

But the next second, the broken Magic Mirror restored itself, and a beam of light fell upon the Dwarf King, fixing him firmly in place.

"Calm down, Your Majesty. Don’t think you can overpower me. If I kill you now, the Dwarven Gods will only thank me and then bless me."

To his shock, the Dwarf King found himself completely powerless to resist.

This was impossible. He was Legendary, too, and even if he was somewhat unaccustomed after transforming into a Vampire, a simple Stopping Spell couldn’t possibly control him. He was clad in a whole array of Magic Equipment.

What the Dwarf King didn’t know was that Amberser was not using the powers of mortals at all.

Aige had long sent over that special Divine Artifact Ring, and it seemed the Guild Leader of the Elegy Poetry Society didn’t mind Amberser using the ring.

This ring itself is a Divine Artifact that can convert ordinary magical power into divine power.

The Dark Magic Power transformed back then was alive, akin to the power used by the Grim Reaper.

Amberser was now using this power above the ordinary to cast spells, which to mortals was like a dimension-reducing strike.

Magic Resistance? Magic Immunity?

Sorry, mortals are mortals, and gods are gods. That is the essence of the disparity.

The only issue was the high consumption of power, as Amberser was no longer a Lich, and the efficiency of converting magic power was lower. This divine-level Stopping Spell had already used up a considerable amount of stored power.

It might not be enough for a fight, but it was more than sufficient to intimidate someone.

Feeling the stark disparity, the Dwarf King finally calmed down. After the Stopping Spell was lifted, he retracted his bat wings and looked at Amberser with a sullen expression.

"Master Ultraman, have you come to threaten me?" the Dwarf King inquired. "Do you wish to expose my Vampire identity and then force me to abdicate?"

Amberser shook his head and said, "Of course not. As you’ve mentioned, any king seated in this position would make the same choices because it all comes down to blatant interest and the struggle between nations. If a Pure-blood Dwarf ascends to the throne, he would make the same decisions, and might even gain the support of the Dwarven Gods.

"What should I do then, kill again?"

The Dwarf King retorted angrily, "So you just think I’m easier to control?"

With a smile, Amberser replied, "Of course, what else? Your Majesty, back when I was a mere Lich, you kings looked down upon all from your lofty perches, controlling the fate of others with just a word. The world’s rules are exactly like that, whoever has the bigger fist controls more.

"That’s the rule. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to play, but once you’re out, no complaining. Not to be disrespectful, but the fact that I’m talking to you this calmly already shows great respect on my part."

These words were not intended by Amberser to belittle his counterpart.

Whether it be Zariel, Mammon, or Duke Bayer who safeguards the Blood River, any one of these Grand Dukes of Hell carries more weight than a so-called Dwarf King. They all treat Amberser with courtesy, and the fact that Amberser hasn’t slapped the Dwarf King already shows considerable restraint.

The Dwarf King felt a surge of anger but could only clench his fists and suppress the rage within him.

Amberser continued, "Mortals always try to guess the thoughts of the deities from their own perspective, just as you are doing now. With a Vampire identity and wishing to rule the Kingdom of Dwarves for a long time, you are without a doubt a castoff abandoned by the deities. I can assure you that the Dwarven Gods have already been seeking a new candidate within your kingdom to replace you.

"Give it some time, and many heroic figures will emerge among the Dwarves. By initiating war with Laine now, you’re providing the best stage for these heroes, making it easier for them to dethrone you.

"Coincidentally, I promised my friend I would save Laine. So, I’m giving you a choice: Agree to negotiations and accept Laine’s reparations. The desert can be returned to you, but you cannot wage war against Laine. If you agree, then I can still offer you some advice."

The Dwarf King asked in a grave tone, "Offer advice? What sort of advice?"

"Of course, it’s helping you to regain the favor of the Dwarven Gods," Amberser explained. "Did you really think you wanted to be a Vampire forever? Besides, mortals eventually have to show submission in the face of the deities and plead for forgiveness. Only if the Gods accept you will you become a true Dwarf King."

The Dwarf King exclaimed in shock, "You have a way? You can communicate with the Gods?!"

It had been many years since he heard the voice of the deities. The Dwarf King longed to return to the sight of the deities, but he really had no ways of achieving that. Amberser spoke so casually about it—could it truly be possible?

Had it been anyone else making such a claim, the Dwarf King might not have believed them, but this Lich was different. He couldn’t clearly discern what Amberser was anymore. And given his own previous glorious achievements, communicating with the deities didn’t seem so far-fetched.

A hope was kindled, and the Dwarf King suddenly felt some anticipation. As for Laine... well, that would have to do; retrieving the desert was already an achievement, other matters could wait.

Amberser nodded, having finally persuaded the Dwarf King.

Although Amberser knew he would undoubtedly complete the task, the process had been relatively smooth. Apparently, the Dwarven Gods hadn’t directly intervened to stop him, suggesting they too felt uneasy and hadn’t made up their minds about disposing of the current Dwarf King.

After all, he was their nurtured offspring, and despite their distaste, they seemed willing to offer him one more chance—providing he could seize it.

All of this was just Amberser’s speculation, but a simple conversation with the Dwarven Gods would confirm it.

And this wouldn’t be difficult, for at the upcoming international conference, the Lord of the Dawn would be present. Other deities would likely turn their gaze to this meeting that could impact the world’s arrangement, making communication with the Gods much easier.

With just a few words to bamboozle the Dwarf King, Amberser managed to bring down Laine’s reparations to three billion Gold Coins. As for the rest... it could be considered a commission.

Gold was not particularly valuable to Amberser now, but he couldn’t work for free.

After finishing their talk, Amberser returned to Allen’s side.

Having taken a rest, Allen’s spirits had improved significantly. When he heard from Amberser that he had successfully persuaded the Dwarf King, Allen was stunned on the spot.

"I slept for just a few hours... And... it’s solved just like that?"

Allen was experiencing an unreal sensation at the moment. A major issue concerning the life and death of millions of Laine people was resolved with a casual conversation by the Lich Lord?

Amberser couldn’t be bothered to explain further and instead asked Allen very seriously, "With the Dwarf Kingdom now settled, there shouldn’t be too many issues with the other Kingdoms. Allen, now you should be considering the second issue.

"The Laine Royal Family is beyond redemption and cannot take the reins of the Laine Empire again, and you must become the new leader of Laine. Tell me, do you want to be the Emperor of Laine?"