This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 655 - 575: Regardless of Life or Death

Chapter 655: Chapter 575: Regardless of Life or Death

Spreading a message is actually a simple matter, especially when Amberser had a friend who was very good at writing stories.

Hake Stone was dragged over by Amberser to spin a tale around the concept of "Lighting two candles after dark and reciting an incantation to a Magic Mirror will summon an all-knowing Devil."

The story had to be captivating, making the reader unable to resist trying the incantation themselves.

Initially, Hake Stone wanted to say, how could it be so simple to spread an incantation? Wasn’t that asking too much of someone?

Later, Amberser gave him an idea to write the protagonist as a down-and-out alchemist, who because of failing an exam could only remain an apprentice until he peeked at his master reciting an incantation to the Magic Mirror at midnight and discovered that all of the master’s knowledge had come through dealings with a Devil.

Then the apprentice stole the Magic Mirror and found that he could only ask it three questions. While avoiding his teacher’s pursuit, he used these three questions to reach the pinnacle of life.

Amberser said to Hake Stone, "The protagonist’s name is Aladdin, and this devil will be called the Blue Elf."

The Dwarf Vampire remarked that this Blue Elf sounded more like an Air Giant Spirit from the Elemental Plane than a Devil.

Amberser replied that as long as the heroine is written to be a bit sexier, it doesn’t matter if the Devil looks just like a Goblin.

Hake Stone agreed and expressed high praise for the design of the three questions, which could be used to weave a complex and thrilling story.

Perhaps inspired, Hake Stone wrote the story titled "Aladdin and the Magic Mirror" that very night. Amberser glanced at it and found it even more exciting than the original version he had read.

"No wonder you’re a best-selling chart topper!" Amberser exclaimed as he had Hake Stone submit it to the supplement of "Legendary Spells".

Alchemists are a group with generally high knowledge. A publication as authoritative as "Legendary Spells", which they buy without fail every issue, even if it means selling all their possessions, lest they fall behind the times. Imagine, the things one has painstakingly researched have already been made by someone else; that would be a sheer waste of money and time.

The supplement was also popular amongst them, serving as a diversion from their mundane alchemy experiments. If the story could get into the supplement, it could quickly be seen by all alchemists.

Originally thinking of spending a fortune on publicity, although the supplement was mainly filled with gossip and small stories, it wasn’t easy to get published. Who could have imagined that as soon as the manuscript was sent, the editorial staff would approve it for the next issue’s lead story in the supplement and even inquire if there were more stories of the same style, offering to start a dedicated column for serialization.

Amberser hadn’t expected "Aladdin and the Magic Mirror" to be so popular and after some thought, he decided to also upload the story to his created Hell Magic Mirror system. After all, it was already stuffed with a bunch of novels; one more wouldn’t hurt and might even bring in some extra royalties.

If one were to tally it up, the various novels Hake Stone had written had already earned Amberser several thousand Soul Currencies.

As for Hake Stone’s royalty cut... there wasn’t any need for that. Hell collected Soul Fragments, which were useless to a Vampire, tantamount to not making any money. And if there’s no profit, then there’s no need for a share.

The fermentation of the story would take time, and Amberser was patient; he could afford to wait.

After making arrangements with the Alchemist Association clear and out in the open, Amberser then discussed the matter of relocation with Isabel.

As the conflict between the two parties grew more pronounced, Isabel faced increasingly overt targeting within the Alchemist Association.

Despite her youthful achievements, she bore the strong mark of Amberser and, having repeatedly turned down Gustavo Flint’s overtures, had become a thorn in the side of many association leaders.

This castle was still too close to the Dwarf Capital; in the event of any accident, Isabel would be the first to bear the brunt.

Although the castle was equipped with a Teleportation Circle, this contraption wasn’t foolproof. There were many ways to block teleportation, and in such an event, Isabel might not even have the chance to flee.

"You could go to the overseas Gold Coin Island and Silver Coin Island, or directly move to the Fury Tide Kingdom. In any case, you’re now taking over the affairs of the Alchemy Factory; I don’t have the energy to be distracted by these matters. Take your brother with you; we can leave today. This castle can be left here; I doubt they would go as far as to seize my castle."

The only valuable thing in this rundown castle was the library, which could be easily moved. The remaining materials weren’t worth much; Amberser had now become a significant magnate, far above such trivial possessions.

Presumably, the Alchemist Association wouldn’t care for it either. Once Isabel left, they probably wouldn’t bother demolishing the castle.

However, when Amberser mentioned her brother, Isabel let out a sigh and said, "Teacher, my brother has completely severed ties with me."

Amberser, surprised, said, "Raul has lost his mind? At one point, he was willing to die for you."

Isabel forced a bitter smile, "I don’t understand either."

The rivalry between the siblings had lasted a long time, mainly due to Amberser’s unpredictable whereabouts and the alternating good and bad news, which had put a lot of pressure on both of them.

Isabel withstood the pressure and wholeheartedly stood by Amberser’s side, unwavering regardless of the news she heard.

But Raul couldn’t handle it. He was always eager for power, and after tasting the sweetness of controlling power, he changed completely. When bad news came from Amberser, Raul’s first reaction was how to protect what he owned.

The Alchemist Association tried to recruit Isabel through Raul, which led to the first fierce argument between the siblings.

After Isabel made her refusal clear, Raul moved out of the castle directly. Later on, when Raul made some money from the slave trade and married a malicious woman, the woman’s instigation only worsened the relationship between the siblings.

When Amberser first heard about it, he reminded Isabel not to act like a helpless girl but to tackle that kind of woman as the Alchemy Prodigy she was. However, Isabel was ultimately not that kind of person, and nothing came of it.

Later, when Amberser was confirmed to have been sacrificed in the battle against the Magic Dragon, Raul believed that Isabel had completely lost her backer and would give up for good. Raul came back to the castle, wanting to have a heart-to-heart with Isabel and persuade her to completely side with the Alchemist Association.

However, Isabel refused again and decided to help Withered Rose protect Amberser’s alchemy business by fighting against Gustavo Flint with all her might.

The siblings had another intense argument, and Isabel had no choice but to expel her brother from the premises.

From that day on, they completely burned bridges, and there was no further contact between them.

Amberser frowned at the news; Raul was, after all, too narrow-minded. Perhaps in his eyes, the people of the Alchemist Association were already at the pinnacle of the world. And himself, already dead—the dead lord was no longer a lord.

"Isabel, you leave first; I’ll entrust the alchemy factory matters to you. As for your brother, I’ll give him one last chance for your sake, and we’ll see if he can grasp it."

Isabel nodded, although still somewhat worried for her brother, she knew that Amberser had made a decision, and it was not her place to oppose it.

This teacher usually seemed amiable, but when he made up his mind, not even a Deity could stop him.

Brother, I hope you come to your senses.

Isabel, with Jiana who was still unaware of what had happened, began to pack their belongings as swiftly as possible and then left the castle via the Teleportation Circle.

And just as Isabel disappeared from the Teleportation Circle, the castle’s circle shimmered again, and a figure shrouded in black appeared above it.

The sound of mechanical operations emanated from the black giant as it moved with heavy steps toward the Magic Mirror. A silvery liquid flowed from the black Heavy Armor, gathering into another silvery figure.

Both eerie creatures knelt reverently before the Magic Mirror and said to Amberser, "My lord, Hasting (Hales) is at your command."

Hasting and Gareth, the backstabbing brothers, were transformed into Undead by Amberser. Although they had grievances against each other, the brothers found life under Amberser to be far more comfortable than before, and as Amberser’s status kept rising, both brothers saw a bright future ahead.

Their master was destined to ascend to godhood, and by then, they too would bask in the glow.

The brothers hadn’t been Undead for long, and their Souls had been strengthened by Amberser during the transformation. Moreover, during the time Amberser was away, they liked to sleep deeply to gather Dark Magic Power, so their minds remained quite sharp—at least they could still think like humans about gains and losses.

Amberser looked at the brothers and smiled, "It seems like you’ve managed quite well during my absence."

Hasting’s mechanism had been fully upgraded. Its Magipuppet Automatons’ core was crafted by Amberser, while the other parts were interchangeable. Having several advanced Magipuppet Automatons’ bodies made for himself as well, Hasting was now fully equipped, with combat power that was incomparably stronger.

Hales, the Mercury Puppet, had also changed. He used to be not very adept at shapeshifting, but now he could adopt a human form flawlessly, and the Dark Magic Power within him was on a completely different level. It seemed they hadn’t squandered the time.

Amberser had initially thought these two might be inadequate for any serious tasks and considered borrowing some Undead from Withered Rose, but now, it seemed the two were more than sufficient.

"Go, bring that little Raul to me."

Hasting asked, "Master, in case of resistance, should we ensure—?"

Amberser calmly stated, "Regardless of life or death."