This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 663 - 580 The So-Called Emotional Value

Chapter 663: Chapter 580 The So-Called Emotional Value

In the distant Hell, Amberser watched Parurier brimming with self-satisfaction.

The succubus was toying with a freshly acquired Soul Currency, seemingly unable to part with it.

Amberser had just allowed Parurier to personally act in tormenting Gustavo Flint on a spiritual level. The old man had gathered no intelligence and even lost a useful assistant.

In the manipulation of human hearts, Parurier was far superior. Amberser couldn’t force them into mutual destruction with just a few words, but this madwoman could. Her ability to directly sense the emotions deep within others was formidable, accurately seizing fleeting psychological vulnerabilities and easily driving people to despair.

"What is so special about this soul?"

To Amberser, the assistant’s soul was mediocre at best, barely basic quality and unremarkable when stored in the bank.

But Parurier said, "You’re not a devil, you don’t understand the preciousness of this soul. Youthful ambition, vast prospects, yet at the moment when courage was most needed, he chose the wrong side out of fear of death. The taste of despair and regret... hiss~ truly unforgettable. If you were to tell Mammon this story, the value of this Soul Currency would increase by hundreds of times.

"I told you before to give me Raul’s soul, yet you were unwilling. His soul is very special as well, far superior to the one I hold."

After deciding to cooperate with Amberser, Parurier liked to discuss the past with him; things that happened to Amberser after Parurier went to Hell. Not wanting to respond was futile for Amberser, as this madwoman could directly sense his emotional shifts and nearly accurately guess his thoughts.

Unless Amberser hid completely within the Magic Mirror, ignoring Parurier altogether, but since they were now collaborators, many matters had to be discussed in person, and Amberser ended up being drawn into many conversations by this madwoman.

Yet Parurier actually took an interest in Raul, someone ordinary and unremarkable, which surprised Amberser considerably.

"What’s so special about Raul?"

To Amberser, Raul seemed merely a mortal obsessed with power—such men were a dime a dozen, which serf didn’t harbor dreams of rising above their station?

"You don’t understand. Do you think this man turned against your student purely for power? A man who protected his sister from childhood, would he turn against her merely out of ambition? It’s all about clinging to power, isn’t it? Clinging to the Alchemist Association is considered clinging, but not his own sister? Being a minor Slave Master, whom he clings to hardly matters, so why the fallout?"

Parurier’s words plunged Amberser into deep thought.

Honestly, he had never paid much attention to Raul’s thoughts. Despite their long acquaintance, they had barely interacted deeply. In Amberser’s view, there was nothing noteworthy about this man, yet Parurier suggested there were other secrets about Raul?

After some contemplation, Amberser finally managed to say, "Are you suggesting Raul couldn’t accept the shift in his identity? He was once the head of the household, the protector, and then suddenly his sister no longer needed his protection."

"Exactly, no wonder you’re the man who could have killed me. You are much smarter compared to other uninteresting failures."

Amberser rolled his eyes and said, "I really appreciate your high regard."

"Have you seen many of those parents, or elders, who treat their children as if they were pets? Just like this foolish man, once the pillar of the household. But then suddenly, one day, ah, their little ward has grown up—not only not needing their nurturing but even capable of bestowing benefits upon them.

"The child’s wings have hardened, hardened too quickly. How has it suddenly become that he is now the one controlled? He can’t accept it. It must be bad luck; if given the same chance, he was sure it would be him who prospered.

"Your beloved child has turned into the enemy you must overcome. How complex and delicate is this transformation of feelings! If in the end he dies by the hand of your student, gazes into his sister’s eyes before his death, and recalls all that happened in their childhood... Tsk tsk, such a soul is far more precious than some triumphant young hero, since people who are both emotional and ambitious are rare."

Watching Parurier with her face full of enjoyment, Amberser once again confirmed that he did not share the same values as the devil, and replied disdainfully, "I get it, emotional value is still value, right? But are you sure you’re not just making this up?"

Parurier detected Amberser’s disdain and mocked him, "You always wear that prideful facade, even though you live such a miserable life, looking down on everyone."

Amberser retorted, "Spreading rumors, huh? I’m such a humble person."

As someone who had traversed realms with nothing and lived a tragic life mostly hungry and pursued, how could he have the mindset to be proud?

Parurier continued mocking, "If you were truly humble, would you always fail to fit in anywhere? In life, which adventuring party could you stick with, how many days could you last working for a Lord, and after hundreds of years you ended up as a Lich which you transformed into yourself, with not even a single guardian by your side.

"If it’s not because you don’t fit in with everyone, then what is it? Because you like to be alone?!"

If there was someone Amberser respected for their sharp tongue, it was this madwoman before him. Every single sentence she uttered could pierce into someone’s heart. Back in the day, Amberser had wished he could strangle her.

But now, smiling, Amberser said, "I used to like being alone, but now it’s hard to get some peace, considering I have a lover, students, friends, and even a daughter now, unlike some who have ascended to near-divine power and don’t even have a single follower."

Parurier narrowed her eyes and said scornfully, "You think I lack followers? I simply refuse to associate with idiots. Do you think I even glance at those devils I’ve brought back these days?"

During this time, Parurier had been busy, beginning her planned conquest of the neighboring Lords.

Parurier’s capabilities were undeniable; without deploying a single soldier, she brought several Lords to Melina, making them swear allegiance and even sign contracts to offer up their souls.

In a short time, Melina’s territory had doubled in size, the previously crowded population stabilized, and now she was starting comprehensive territory construction, temporarily easing the problem of scarce resources.

Parurier said impatiently, "Can you make your daughter take her duties more seriously? Is she really your biological child? I see no capability in her to manage a territory."

Amberser scoffed and retorted on the spot, "It’s not your place to judge my daughter. Melina’s talent isn’t in managing territory, but isn’t it your job to expand her horizons? This is the destiny you’ve always pursued. If you’re not happy, go duel the Goddess of Fate."

Parurier immediately change her expression to one of gritted teeth.

For both Parurier and Amberser, destiny was a taboo word, but their sensitive points were different. Amberser hated people telling him what was "meant to be," while Parurier detested when others said she "didn’t understand fate."

Successfully breaking the madwoman’s defense, Amberser decided to stop while he was ahead and quickly changed the subject, "I am lending you the Magic Mirror’s access for now. Use the knowledge exchange feature sparingly; our goal is to make the Alchemist Association collapse internally. You can harvest some souls from it, but don’t mess up my bigger plan."

"I really don’t care for the souls of ordinary people, but why are you dumping this on me—from managing the territory to even handling Mammon’s grandiose Hell Bank business? What have you been so busy with lately?"

Parurier stared deeply into Amberser’s eyes, as if trying to peer into his inner thoughts.

Amberser, smiling, said, "It’s something very important, I swear. It’s closely related to our goal to end the blood battle."

Amberser wasn’t lying because he was truly busy with something very important—the God of Alchemy was about to complete his ascension.