This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 735 - 613: Intelligence Worth a Million Souls_2

Chapter 735: Chapter 613: Intelligence Worth a Million Souls_2

Under the leadership of the hero Bartle, the Mercury Avatars settled by the Mercury River and began to develop frantically. Today, their number has reached an exaggerated three-digit figure, while their fighting power has increased several times.

Bartle had already made the next battle plan, which was to lure those demons to come for another hunt. But this time, it was not for intelligence but for research.

The race of Mercury Avatars, through inherited memories, devised a new type of biological modification technique from the engine transformation techniques of Hell Demons, theoretically capable of using demons’ bodies as raw materials to strengthen the Mercury Avatars.

No one knew who proposed this theory; it started as a simple idea. As it circulated within the race, more Mercury Avatars added technical details and new content, quickly turning it into a highly feasible plan.

But this theory remained only on paper; now was the time to conduct the real experiment.

At Bartle’s command, several Mercury Avatars who had obtained transformation talents morphed into the appearance of demons. They were indistinguishable from the real thing and were responsible for acting as bait, drawing a few demons to the edge of the Mercury River.

Bartle raised his scepter, bestowing various enhancement effects upon his companions, making them look even more like demons.

"For the Bone God!"

Every Mercury Avatar responded loudly, vowing to make sacrifices for that great Deity.

However, at this time, no one noticed the slight changes in this small area.

Hircine flew over this battleground, sweeping across most of it until he finally arrived in front of Zariel’s official residence.

Standing before this palace that looked as though it were made of bronze, Hircine directly dispelled the Illusion Technique and entered with the demeanor of a Deity.

The door sensed Hircine’s presence and quickly opened automatically, but before Hircine could enter, Zariel’s phantom appeared at the door.

Zariel’s tall projection looked down at the Earth Puppet before him, and the Fallen Angel frowned and asked, "Hircine? Why are you in Hell?"

Hircine also frowned—Zariel was really impolite, not even letting him in?

His puppet was just a powerless avatar; was Zariel being too cautious?

But since he was here to ask for help, Hircine could not afford to argue with Zariel.

"I need to repair a fragile soul. I know that devils are experts in this area, so I wanted to seek your advice."

Hircine briefly explained Harvey’s soul condition. Zariel didn’t even listen to the explanation thoroughly and casually said, "Go find Bayer. Inside the Blood River Fortress, there’s a machine to repair souls. He will tell you what price to pay."

After dropping that remark, Zariel was ready to turn away.

Hircine felt something amiss again. Why did Zariel sound deceitful and impatient while speaking?

The Prince of Lies was not only flawless in his own lies but could sense when others were lying to him.

And once the seed of doubt was planted, Hircine felt increasingly uneasy.

Zariel’s behavior was abnormal, not aligning with a devil’s greedy nature. How could he possibly pass a profitable opportunity to Bayer, who was hardly a close comrade but rather a deadly rival?

Thinking this, Hircine tentatively said, "Wait, Zariel, isn’t Bayer your subordinate? I came to make a deal with you, and you’re sending me to your subordinate? Are you looking down on me that much? Don’t I deserve to be invited in for a drink of Magma Drink?"

Zariel disdainfully said, "Hircine, why should I offer you a drink? Do you really think the title ’Prince of Lies’ entitles you to special treatment in Hell?"

What a joke, Zariel was about to return to Heaven Mountain, and everyone knew the Lord of the Dawn and the God of Justice there were Hircine’s sworn enemies. How could he possibly have a drink with Hircine at this crucial time? If it weren’t to prevent him from detecting anything amiss, Zariel would want to slap this avatar to death.

But Zariel really dared not make a move now, for the separation from the Hell Law was at a critical juncture. He currently had no combat power to speak of, only barely managing to maintain his disguise; any action would reveal his true state.

Zariel’s response made Hircine feel uneasy, and the Prince of Lies could now be certain that Zariel was hiding something, although Hircine did not publicize it.

Everything has its order of priority, and this descent into Hell was to find a way to heal the Soul; that goal needed to be achieved first.

Thus, Hircine did not continue to argue with Zariel but silently left, flying in the direction of the Blood River Fortress. Seeing Hircine walk away like that, Zariel sighed in relief and quickly closed the gate.

Hircine soon reached the Blood River Fortress, and with his identity, he quickly secured an audience with Duke Bayer.

Unlike Zariel, Bayer did not discriminate against Hircine. He was rather courteous to Hircine until he heard that Hircine was there to ask for help, then he showed the Devil’s most common smile, pleased like spotting a fat sheep at his doorstep.

Bayer made a huge demand: the use of the machine that repairs the Soul could be lent for two million complete Souls. Any intelligent Race would do, as long as the strength of the Souls met the standard.

Of course, Hircine could not agree. Having been a lunatic for so many years, where would he get so many followers to sacrifice? Not to mention two million, even twenty thousand would be difficult.

With the Gods watching him now, Hircine could not possibly conduct a large-scale massacre and sacrifice on other Planes, there was no way he could produce two million Souls.

Besides, Bayer was not planning to sell the machine, only to lend it, and a large amount of Soul Currency would still be needed during the repair, which Hircine would have to pay for himself. The price was outrageously exorbitant.

Even though Hircine was very skilled at deceiving, Bayer was genuinely uncompromising.

This was very much the style of a Devil — not in a hurry himself, the price was high, he would rather let go of the deal than lower the price, fleecing as much as he could.

Hircine, helpless as he was truly impoverished, simply could not afford an equivalent price. He certainly couldn’t share his Divine Power with Bayer.

In the end, with no other options, Hircine suddenly changed the topic and asked, "Bayer, I have a piece of intelligence that might be worth far more than two million Souls."

Bayer raised an eyebrow, smiling as he said, "Let’s hear it."

Hircine laughed heartily. The Devil really thought his title of Prince of Lies was for naught — once the intelligence was spoken, it would become worthless.

"Bayer, stop trying to take advantage with such boring tactics. Both our times are valuable. If I say it’s worth two million Souls, then it’s no ordinary matter. Let’s sign a contract, with the Hell Law as witness, if this intelligence isn’t worth two million Souls to you, I’ll pay the difference. If it exceeds, then you will have to compensate me with the Soul Currency needed for the repair."

Initially, Bayer didn’t take it seriously. What sort of intelligence could Hircine, someone who didn’t stick around in Hell, possibly offer that would interest him?

But Hircine’s statement made Bayer curious.

Where did he get this confidence? Such valuable intelligence could influence the outcome of the Blood River Battlefield.

After much hesitation, influenced by the abilities of the Prince of Lies, Bayer couldn’t help wanting to learn about this so-called important intelligence.

With the Hell Law as safety, the Prince of Lies couldn’t cheat an Archduke of the Devils in a contract.

They signed the contract in the most formal manner, and then Hircine asked Bayer, "Have you seen Zariel recently?"

Bayer, not understanding why Hircine was suddenly asking this, replied with confusion, "Why do you ask this?"

Hircine spoke in an amused tone, "I just went out to find Zariel. Something about His situation seemed off. How long has it been since you last saw Zariel? Haven’t you noticed anything wrong? He seemed rather weak."

Initially, Bayer intended to object — Zariel controlled the Power of Laws of the first layer of Hell, how could He be weak unless demons had taken over the first layer, which in turn would mean the entire first layer of Hell was Zariel’s Divine Realm.

However, Hircine seriously said, "No rush, just test and you will know. If I am wrong, then consider that I lost, I’ll compensate you with enough Souls. But what if I am right? Then, would this intelligence be worth two million Souls?"

Bayer spoke gravely, "If what you’re saying is true, not only will I not charge any fee, I guarantee to repair the Soul for you. Moreover, I will give you half of the wealth of the Blood River Fortress as a fee for hire.

"If Zariel has really become weak, Hircine, you and I join forces, and we kill Zariel together!"