This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 648 - 570: Laine’s Future

Chapter 648: Chapter 570: Laine’s Future

Amberser’s question caught Allen off guard.

The Royal Family of Laine had indeed completely decayed, but Allen had never considered this question. Now, the identity Allen claimed to the outside world was merely that of an envoy of the Laine Empire, and he didn’t actually have any officially recognized status.

But Allen’s reputation spoke for itself, so everyone took it for granted that he could represent Laine.

And during this time, Laine had been in complete chaos, teetering on the brink of collapse.

The nation was on the verge of extinction; who would have the mindset to care about who became the Emperor? Even if there were those who harbored such thoughts, they wouldn’t bring it up at this time. Becoming the ruler of a fallen country is not an enviable position.

But since Amberser had broached the subject, he must have been confident about saving Laine.

That meant the issue could not be ignored.

The vast Laine Empire, what path should it take moving forward?

If the Lord of the Dawn chose the old way, allowing Allen to ascend the throne and then continue the imperial succession, that, of course, would be unproblematic—nothing is greater than the deity.

But Amberser felt that the Lord of the Dawn did not entertain this idea.

If he wanted to maintain the status quo, the Lord of the Dawn would have required Allen to focus on domestic affairs, not grant him the freedom to act on his own.

Negotiating with foreign powers is not something the national leader should handle personally, considering it involves a lot of compromise and concession. Especially since Laine was at a disadvantage, any result Allen negotiated would ultimately taint him.

It wasn’t him who ordered the massacre, nor was it him who ordered the invasion of other countries. But now the enemy had pinned the sins on Allen, subjecting him to all sorts of revenge, and inside the country of Laine, people would blame him for the "admission of guilt" that led to Laine having to cede territory and pay reparations.

Logically and emotionally, the humiliation should fall on the Royal Family or those fanatics deeply loyal to the regime, not on Allen, the pristine new leader, to bear it all.

What did the Lord of the Dawn want to do?

Amberser didn’t know, but clearly, the deity had granted Allen enough freedom.

To let Allen choose, to decide the Empire’s fate.

Since the Lord of the Dawn did not mind, then Amberser also wished to have a say.

Faced with Amberser’s question, Allen pondered for a long while, then sighed and said, "The nation of Laine should continue to exist, but it should no longer carry on in the same state as before. If you ask me if I want to be the Emperor, then I can answer you now—I will not be the Emperor, and Laine should not continue to maintain the imperial system either."

Allen knew the ancient secrets of Laine; from the second Emperor of Laine onwards, the country had strayed from the right path.

Without timely guidance from the deity, mortals would only veer further towards extremism, one main reason being that the Royal Family had acquired absolute power. No matter how well the Holy King had distributed power when founding the nation, he had underestimated the prestige he had left for his descendants.

For a long time, the Emperor of the Ryan Empire remained its absolute controller, and it was during this time that the Empire plunged into fervent worship of both faith and bloodline.

The Imperial Family indulged in the glory of their ancestors, treating the Magic Dragon Armament as the key to the Empire’s success, and they committed countless mistakes in pursuit of this bloodline resonance. Meanwhile, the rest of the Empire spent their days preoccupied with the achievements of the Holy King, fearing that they might dishonor the hero with their inadequacies.

The result was ongoing radicalization, leading the Empire toward its downfall.

They forgot that Arthur Laine didn’t raise the banner of rebellion to become a hero, nor did he swing his sword at the Magic Dragon for so-called glory. He only wanted everyone to live in peace and prosper.

"Although imperial rule can concentrate power, no one can ensure that their bloodline will not produce a tyrant. His Majesty the Holy King left behind a good system of separation of powers, but a system from over a thousand years ago obviously doesn’t fit the present age anymore. I will suggest to everyone that Ryan becomes a parliamentary system country. Ryan will continue to worship the Lord of the Dawn, but we no longer need another Emperor."

Amberser asked, "Do you really think a parliamentary system is better than a dictatorship?"

Allen shook his head and said, "I don’t know, but I do know that Ryan must change."

"Then it seems you only have a superficial understanding of these matters. Perhaps you have seen the Druids of the Emerald Dream Forest live in peace for over a thousand years, and you have witnessed the rapid development of Alchemy City in a short time, and thus you think this system is better. I do not deny that democracy is more advanced than dictatorship, but you’d better investigate first and see if Ryan is suitable for this parliamentary system. If the millennium-long imperial rule is changed overnight, how many can accept it? Don’t wait until after you’re dead for someone to jump out and call for a restoration; that would really be harmful."

Amberser’s words stirred Allen, who quickly asked, "Where should I start the investigation?"

"Are you the Emperor, or am I? Always asking me, can’t you think for yourself?" Amberser scolded, but still reminded, "Start by understanding what concerns the Laine People most right now. You are a follower of the Lord of the Dawn, whatever decision you make, letting the Laine People see hope first is never wrong."

In fact, Amberser was also going by the book.

Despite living for several hundred years as an adventurer, he had never undertaken such a revolutionary task. In his previous life, the books he read only touched on these issues but didn’t elaborate on how to carry them out. What exactly was right for Ryan? Amberser didn’t know, and he couldn’t provide specific advice.

He could talk big without substance for days and nights, but what suited Ryan was ultimately up to the Laine People to decide.

Out of respect for Arthur Laine, this was Amberser’s final mercy to the Laine People.

Of course, Amberser had another reason for reminding Allen: not for the few trifles of Ryan, but for the Withered Rose.

After all, the Withered Rose was also a legitimate heir to Ryan, and now it seems the only legitimate heir. Even if this Empire was coming to an end, she still had the right to inscribe its epitaph.

Therefore, Amberser said to Allen, "Go back, I have already negotiated with the Dwarves. You just leave a representative here to sign the agreement, and I assure you the Dwarves will not send troops. You have many things to deal with, and when you’re ready, just tell me, and I will bring the most important people to witness the end of this Empire."

Allen didn’t know who Amberser was referring to, but he knew Amberser wasn’t joking with these words. Why this Lich had suddenly changed his ways, he didn’t know, but the important persons he spoke of must be no ordinary people. This could very well be Ryan’s last test.

If he failed, the calamity this Lich brought upon Ryan would be greater than the Dwarves and Orcs combined.

Allen didn’t even know why he was thinking this - how could a Lich be more terrifying than two Kingdoms? But time and again, it was proven that the words from this Lich carried more weight than those of a King.

But no matter how many difficulties lay ahead, Allen could not shrink back.

Allen clenched his fist and said to Amberser, "Don’t worry, I will be prepared, and so will Ryan."