This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 716 - 607 Sudden Realization_2

Chapter 716: Chapter 607 Sudden Realization_2

Consequently, Gustavo Flint had also deeply studied the habits of vampires. But he hadn’t lied, previously he had only speculated, lacking any evidence, and had never attempted to verify it.

The Dwarf King being a vampire had little impact on him.

Seth Yuri nodded in understanding of Gustavo Flint’s stance and continued, "This is precisely why I must kill him, we cannot allow a vampire to represent the dwarves at this council."

"Just because of that reason?" Gustavo Flint was surprised and even somewhat unable to understand.

"This is not a matter to be taken lightly," Seth Yuri said very seriously, "Just consider, if the Undead Queen were to attend the Council of All Nations in Laine’s place, deciding the fate of the Laine people while bearing the identity of the undead, what would the Laine people think?"

"That’s different, Laine and the undead..." Gustavo Flint struggled to find the words, not possessing Amberser’s eloquence, he simply knew it was unreasonable, yet found it difficult to encapsulate his feelings with precise words.

But Seth Yuri spoke for him.

"Laine’s faith is so devout, the Holy Light and the undead are mutually exclusive, hence the Undead Queen cannot represent Laine. Such a scenario for Laine would be graver than annihilation. Is that what you mean?"

Gustavo Flint nodded, that was indeed what he meant; the enmity between Laine and the undead was innumerable.

"That is exactly why his death is necessary. There was a time when our dwarves’ faith was just as pure, not tolerating any desecration by foreign races."

Gustavo Flint could not empathize with Seth Yuri’s sentiment, having not lived through the dwarves’ most glorious era, nor did he understand the nobility of their so-called faith. However, after the integration of multiple races, large-scale dedications to the dwarven gods in the Dwarf Kingdom had indeed become less frequent.

This provided Seth Yuri with a seemingly reasonable justification for wishing to kill the Dwarf King.

"But your plans must involve more than just murder. If the Dwarf King is dead, the Council of All Nations won’t be postponed, but it’s not like you could replace him and become the new Dwarf King in just one day."

"Then it’s better not to participate at all, or they can just send any dwarf as a representative to attend. I’m solely interested in purifying our faith, not in becoming the new Dwarf King. As long as a dwarf is sent, nothing else matters."

Seth Yuri’s approach had the zealot’s disregard for personal gain, focused purely on pleasing the deity.

Gustavo Flint then asked, "Why would the Goblin Bank cooperate with you?"

"Because the Dwarf King is too greedy and too cowardly. As you said, the habits of a vampire are hard to completely hide, and Chairman Donald has met the Dwarf King on numerous occasions, and he noticed the signs even before you did. Initially, he didn’t care whether the Dwarf King turned into a vampire, but the Dwarf King couldn’t accept that.

"Moreover, he’s long coveted the immense wealth stored within the Goblin Bank. After the dwarves withdrew from the desert, there was no stable source of gold, and the Dwarf King has always thought about how to extort money from various channels to maintain their lavish lifestyle. He’s more than once insinuated to the Goblin Bank to offer up vast amounts of gold. If this extortion continues, the Goblin Bank won’t be able to hold on."

Ultimately, it was a conflict of interests.

Seth Yuri was motivated by the interest of the deity, the goblins by their wallets, and Gustavo Flint for his power and status.

The conversation reached this point, and Gustavo Flint, without much hesitation, readily agreed.

"Alright, I accept your invitation. If it is just a one-time wish, I am confident I can fulfill it. However, I do not agree with sending just anyone to attend the Council of All Nations. This is a matter that concerns the century-long interests of the Dwarf Kingdom. If we send just anyone, then the interests of the Alchemist Association will also be impacted."

Seth Yuri frowned slightly and explained, "Once things have settled down, I will try to compensate you as best as I can."

Gustavo Flint shook his head and said, "Don’t tell me about the compensation after you become the Dwarf King; that’s meaningless. Compared with the division of interests across the entire world, what the Dwarf Kingdom can offer is insignificant. Lord Yuri, you may be a genius, proficient in all manners of magic and alchemy, but I don’t believe you have ever seen a true mountain of gold and silver.

"That’s an immense fortune formed from the destinies and dreams of countless individuals. The taxes paid by the Alchemist Association amount to one-fifth of the entire tax revenue of the Dwarf Kingdom, and this proportion is still expanding. You cannot fathom what an enormous number this is. Perhaps the goblin bank manager didn’t discuss in detail with you, but just the monthly welfare expenses for the alchemists of the Alchemist Association are so vast they could bankrupt the current Dwarf King."

"And the decision of the All Nations conference will determine whether the Alchemist Association can expand its market, whether it can earn more. If the negotiations go as well as hoped, the wealth generated by the Alchemist Association alone would surpass that of today’s Dwarf Kingdom. But if we send a Dwarf who knows nothing about this to negotiate and they fail... are you prepared to compensate me with your entire Kingdom, Lord Yuri?"

Gustavo Flint’s words indeed took Seth Yuri by surprise.

He knew that the Alchemist Association wielded significant influence, that the economic resurgence of the Dwarf Kingdom was all thanks to the Association’s presence—the foundation left by Alchemy City was too substantial, allowing them to feast to their heart’s content.

But as for the specific numbers, outsiders really couldn’t grasp a tangible sense of it.

He did not doubt the accuracy of this ratio, as a quick inquiry to anyone at the Goblin Bank would confirm it—no one would lie about such a matter. Now, the question was, how could he satisfy Gustavo Flint?

Seth Yuri was no fool; he swiftly understood the Alchemist’s intention and asked sincerely, "Master Flynn, since you have raised this question, I believe you already have a decision in mind. Please, tell me directly."

As long as it did not desecrate the Dwarves’ faith, everything could be negotiated.

Money was completely out of the equation for Seth Yuri, to say nothing of the Alchemy market.

"I just learned of your plan as well, and have a vague idea in mind... Give me a few minutes to think it through, and I will tell you what I want."

"A few minutes?" Seth Yuri felt this request somewhat odd.

"Yes, a few minutes are enough for an Alchemist."

With that, Gustavo Flint excused himself and left the room.

Upon exiting the door, Gustavo Flint discovered that the goblin bank manager was no longer there—silence surrounded him, and he was alone.

Taking a deep breath, Gustavo Flint reached into his Magic Pouch to pull out a coin and then produced a portable Magic Mirror.

"Oh great God of Alchemy, hear my call, your humble servant confesses to you..."

Murmuring the most abject of praises, after a while, the Magic Mirror displayed the visage of the puzzled God of Alchemy.

"This is the first time you’ve confessed to me. No, Alchemists who have confessed to me are few and far between."

The God of Alchemy had blessed numerous Alchemists in his life, but most of that lot were ungrateful, only remembering the few towers he had built for Alchemy City that were uglier than garbage—none appreciated his help.

For Gustavo Flint to now confess, it was indeed novel, so much so that it seemed unbelievable to the God of Alchemy.

A sudden enlightenment, and so thorough?

It was as if Gustavo Flint had come to a realization, speaking devoutly, "The moment I saw the underground magic array, I forgot all those trivial schemes and intrigues; all I thought about was how to improve this Magic Array, how to increase its efficiency. In that moment, I finally understood your teachings.

"As an Alchemist, I should indeed return to the earliest, most primal purity. My life should be spent in the laboratory, where I find peace and fulfillment. So, I’ve seen the light—I wish to dedicate everything to you, to express my remorse."

The God of Alchemy replied with delight, "Good, Flynn, you have not disappointed me. However, I have no interest in what you possess."

The God of Alchemy had mastery over all aspects of Alchemy—take that away, and the Alchemist Association was left with mere resources, of little interest to the deity.

"No, I know these things wouldn’t interest you, but I believe that your patron would be very interested. I have secured a position representing the Dwarf Kingdom to seek restitution from the Laine, and if the Lich handles this, I believe the Alchemist Association will become a truly world-influencing organization, and the development of Alchemy will proceed even more smoothly."