This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 103 - 103 98 All Are Friends in Life and Death_2

?Chapter 103: Chapter 98: All Are Friends in Life and Death_2 Chapter 103: Chapter 98: All Are Friends in Life and Death_2 Viscount Leiteman took several deep breaths, retracted the leaking electricity, and then instructed, “Let me meet the envoy of the Dwarf King.”

In another room, Amberser was reviewing the reply from Hake Stone.

[Dislikes Humans: I’ve found the King’s Hand—he is the Dwarf King’s cousin, and almost all of the Golden Kingdom’s administration, military, and diplomacy are managed by him.]

[Diga Ultraman: Good, please ask the King’s Hand to wait because the Elves are once again lobbying my friend Viscount Leiteman, hoping he will sign a contract. I’m not entirely clear on the terms of the contract, but it’s unlikely to be much different from the previous ones. Senior, I’ll be direct. What kind of terms can the Golden Kingdom offer so that I can persuade Viscount Leiteman to reject the Silvermoon Tribunal’s contract?]

[Dislikes Humans: He said that Viscount Leiteman could retain his original territory as long as he nominally submits to the Golden Kingdom. The Golden Kingdom’s policies are not much different from those of Alchemy City, where different races and beliefs can live freely.]

[Diga Ultraman: That’s hardly sincere. This territory already belongs to my friend. If you Desert Dwarves want to take it, you’ll have to at least deploy troops and attack. Keep in mind, my friend worships the Lord of the Storm, Thanos. Whoever wants to take his land will have to pay a bloody price.]

The Necromancy Codex was silent for a good while before sending a new message.

[So what does Viscount Leiteman actually need?]

Amberser smiled faintly and began to write vigorously.

[First, a substantial amount of gold. Alchemy City actually isn’t lacking in basic supplies, food and daily essentials are abundant, but because of an economic crisis, the prices here have become very chaotic. Whether it’s Viscount Leiteman or other Lords, they all need a large number of Gold Coins to stabilize the prices in the war zone. I know the economic pillar of the Golden Kingdom is archaeological excavations, so the economic crisis caused by the Silvermoon Tribunal doesn’t affect you, and you certainly aren’t lacking in gold.]

[Secondly, the Dusk Guards sent out by the Elf Tribe are masters of assassination. Many Lords have signed contracts under the threat of force, and if they want to resist, they need capital for self-preservation. I believe the Golden Kingdom can provide a portion of its power to protect these Lords.]

[Lastly, aside from ensuring that these Lords keep their territories unchanged, I suppose you also need some “vacant” land, right? The Golden Kingdom needs this land purely for strategic relocation, so you’ll definitely be conducting immigration, and that naturally requires a lot of land. I can help you identify which Lords have already sworn allegiance to the Elves. Their territories could be targets for your immigration. But to take down these territories, you’ll certainly need to rely on the local power. Perhaps consider hiring them as a way to establish initial cooperation…]

Amberser’s fingers didn’t stop writing, quickly enumerating many vague but comprehensive terms.

It was unclear what kind of intense discussion the other party had, but before the servant knocked on the door to have Amberser meet Viscount Leiteman, Hake Stone finally sent a new message: [The King’s Hand agrees in principle to your suggestions, but the specific details still need to be discussed.]

Amberser swiped his fingers and replied, “Of course, I’ll now express the Dwarf King’s sincerity to my life-and-death friend Viscount Leiteman.”]

Closing the Necromancy Codex, Amberser then walked out of the small reception room, content.

Following the servant through several turns, Amberser reached the high tower of the castle, where he met his “friend in whom he could entrust the Life Casket,” Viscount Leiteman.

Viscount Leiteman, with a stern expression that brooked no humor, got straight to the point upon meeting Amberser and said, “Master Ultraman, you mentioned you have a message from the Dwarf King?”

“Indeed, but don’t you think, Viscount Leiteman, we should have a drink before we settle into our discussion?”

Viscount Leiteman said impatiently, “My time is precious and cannot be wasted on such fruitless courtesy.”

Yet, Amberser calmly replied to him, “I understand your urgency, but haste won’t solve any issues, especially when dealing with a matter as critical as the survival of your domain. Viscount Leiteman, tell me first, have you signed a contract with those elves?”

Viscount Leiteman furrowed his brow and lied, “What elves? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sincerity is paramount in negotiations, Viscount Leiteman. I’m aware that the Silvermoon Tribunal has already dispatched their Twilight Guardians to make contacts. Every lord is their target, and some, unfortunately, have been deceived by this Elf Tribe and signed contracts. If you have already signed one, then what we need to discuss is a different kind of transaction.”

Viscount Leiteman scrutinized Amberser carefully, finding no hint in his expression and could only nod in admission, “The elves have indeed presented their demands, but I have yet to agree.”

Amberser said with satisfaction, “Good, it seems the task entrusted to me by the Dwarf King might have a chance of success. Since you’re so forthcoming, Viscount Leiteman, I’ll get to the point. This land needs a new ruler, and the Dwarf King of the Golden Kingdom is the best choice. He is a friend to whom I can entrust my life, and he has promised me that as long as you submit to the rule of the Golden Kingdom, everything will remain as it is. Your domain will not change in the slightest, and we will not drive you from your homelands as the elves would.”

Viscount Leiteman frowned and said, “Is that it? Offer nothing and expect me to submit with just a single sentence?”

Amberser laughed, “Viscount, perhaps you haven’t fully grasped the situation. Right now, there are only two bidders, one wants your domain, the other does not. Which side offers the better price, I trust with your wisdom you can see clearly.”

“Your proposal makes no sense. To accept the terms of the Golden Kingdom would be to fall out with the Silvermoon Tribunal, plunging my domain into war immediately. That would be like using my own flesh and blood to help the Dwarf King weaken his enemies, and you say there’s nothing in it for me?!” Viscount Leiteman sneered, “You must think me a fool, don’t you?”

Amberser praised, “Viscount, I admire your wisdom, and your point is very persuasive. So here’s what I can promise you: the Golden Kingdom will provide you with genuine military support. However, you must understand that the Laine Empire is currently at war with the Golden Kingdom, and redeploying troops is not so simple. On the side of Alchemy City, we have more than one potential partner to consider.”

“What do you mean? Are there different levels of cooperation?!” Viscount Leiteman said angrily.

“Of course, as there are noble titles like duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron, there would naturally be levels among partners. However, the Dwarf King is sincerely interested in collaborating with you; it’s just that he needs a reason from you, Viscount Leiteman, to prioritize assistance to your domain.”

Amberser suggested enticingly, “For example, offer some gold, some resources from your mines, as payment for the mercenaries. With these assets, it’s only fair for the Dwarf King to assist you first; no one could find fault with that, right? I swear on my friendship with the Dwarf King, the terms will definitely be within what you can accept.”