This Lich Requests More Remuneration

Chapter 72 - 72 72 Can I Trust You

?Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Can I Trust You? Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Can I Trust You? Inside the box were all Life Caskets.

Each one was only the size of a palm, forged entirely from mithril, and imbued with powerful defense magic, as well as filled with undead essence, making it impossible to differentiate them from the outside. Only by breaking the magic and opening the casket, could one confirm what exactly was inside.

This box of Life Caskets cost Amberser many Gold Coins; one could say that within the entire castle, the most valuable item was this box of Life Caskets.

Amberser casually picked one, sent it to Withered Rose via the Necromancy Codex, and then sent another message: “Lady Rose, please, my life is in your hands. This is our secret between us, please do not tell anyone.”

“Withered Rose: Don’t worry.”

Amberser closed the Necromancy Codex with satisfaction, then grabbed Harvey, who had been immersed in reading books in his cell.

Harvey had been living quite comfortably these days, with an abundance of magical notes and ancient books to peruse at leisure, no worries about food and drink, nothing to do, and even the Skeletons that were watching him seemed to become more refined.

Suddenly being pulled out by Amberser, Harvey was a little surprised, thinking that another ritual was about to be conducted.

But Amberser placed a delicately crafted small box in front of him and said, “Harvey, can I trust you?”

Harvey was confused and unsure of how to respond.

He was, after all, a prisoner, right?

But to deny it would likely not bode well, so Harvey could only pluck up his courage to say, “My lord, what would you like to command?”

Amberser said, “I am about to face trouble, so, I need someone trustworthy to do something for me. Harvey, can I trust you?”

Amberser asked again, this time with an even more serious tone.

Harvey didn’t dare to take it lightly and earnestly replied, “My lord, even though I am your captive, I have indeed benefited much during this time under your care. If you have any commands for me, I will do my utmost to carry them out.”

These were sincere words; Harvey had never seen an employer as generous as Amberser. Places like a library would normally have hundreds of locks, and they’d likely charge by the second for borrowing—never simply allowing someone to browse as they pleased.

Just for that, it wouldn’t be too much for Harvey to address Amberser as a teacher.

Harvey also knew that after taking such advantage, he would eventually have to repay it. The last time he presided over the prophecy ritual was just the beginning; after all, his board was two Gold Coins a day, with everything else extra.

“Good, I knew I could count on you.” Amberser handed over the silver-white small box to him and said, “Take my Life Casket, and then leave this place, leave Alchemy City, the farther, the better.”

Harvey’s eyes widened in shock; he had thought that he was going to preside over a second magic ritual, but he never imagined that he would be entrusted with the Life Casket.

This was a Lich’s Life Casket; how could it possibly be given to him… to a prisoner?

“My lord, you’re not joking, are you?”

“Who is joking with you? You take my Life Casket and leave, then just find a place to bury it, and don’t tell anyone about it. The fewer people know, the safer I’ll be,” said Amberser very seriously.

Harvey felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. The trust was too sudden and too preposterous, so much so that he didn’t even know whether he should accept.

Staring intently at Amberser’s face, he tried to discern some hint, but no expression could ever be made out on that skeletal visage.

After a long thought, Harvey asked a question very seriously, “Sir, there are many books related to the School of Prophecy in your library, authored by ‘King of Alden,’ and many of them are unique copies that I have never seen elsewhere. Do you know this author?”

Amberser said with slight embarrassment, “Well… actually, that’s my pseudonym. Some books haven’t been published, so they’re not really unique copies, just my own research notes.”

Over the hundreds of years since his arrival in this world, Amberser had taken many aliases and used many pseudonyms when submitting his books. When he first entered the School of Prophecy with great aspirations, he had chosen the rather juvenile pseudonym of King of Alden. However, after abandoning the power of prophecy, he never used that name again, and the remaining manuscripts were never published.

Harvey revealed a relieved smile and then said, “I understand, sir. I will take good care of your Life Casket. By the Magic Goddess above, I will defend this Life Casket with my life.”

This change actually surprised Amberser. What was going on with this man, suddenly becoming so serious? Swearing an oath to a deity was not something trivial, and even someone who was not a Paladin would not dare to be reckless.

“How did you come to ask about my pseudonym?” Amberser asked curiously.

Harvey showed a strange expression and said, “You might not believe me, sir, but it was by chance that I obtained your ‘Beginner’s Guide to the School of Prophecy’ that I became a Mage Apprentice. Strictly speaking, you are my mentor.”

“Wait, you mean to say that you simply learned by reading the book, and moreover, it was the School of Prophecy?”

Amberser was surprised. The School of Prophecy was known to be the most difficult to master, and not every student could make it even with a teacher’s direct guidance. This Harvey had self-taught his way into the school—that was an exceptionally high talent.

Harvey said with a smile, “It’s only now that I’ve realized why I had the intuition to charge into battle alongside Paladin Allen. Indeed, being captured was the greatest fortune of my life.”

In fact, Harvey had been aware for some time now, for the magical structure that Amberser used in designing the previous prophecy ritual was very similar to the style of “King of Alden.” An expert could easily recognize the signature methods, and Harvey had guessed that Amberser was somehow related to “King of Alden.”

He had thought they were magic-using friends or perhaps mentor and apprentice… but he never expected them to be the same person.

Harvey bowed deeply to Amberser with sincerity, saying, “Thank you, teacher, for not only helping me become a Mage Apprentice, but also for allowing me to become a true Mage of the School of Prophecy. Your Life Casket, I will protect it with my life.”

“Ah, well… you don’t really have to go to such lengths…”

Amberser felt a bit regretful; this youngster had even greater talent than he had imagined. If he could be used later, he would be even more valuable, and it would be a shame if something happened to him.

However, Harvey didn’t catch the subtle issues in Amberser’s words and firmly said, “Teacher, I will leave now, and when you are done with your matters, you can find me in Salokma.”

Salokma, also known as the Golden Desert Kingdom, the Land of Time, Dreamland… was a country inhabited by humans, dwarves, and many desert races. Like Alchemy City, it was a realm where the Undead could roam freely.

“You little rascal, you were planning to run away all along, weren’t you?” Amberser said.

“A captive who doesn’t think about escaping isn’t doing their job right,” Harvey said with a smile. “Teacher, goodbye.”

Amberser nodded. With Harvey’s current abilities, as long as he was careful, he wouldn’t run into much trouble in Salokma.

“Oh, and when you leave, tell Raul to come see me,” Amberser instructed.

Harvey promptly agreed, then left quickly with Amberser’s Life Casket. In a little while, Raul arrived in front of Amberser, trembling with respect, and said, “Master, may I ask what you require?”

Amberser once again pulled out a delicate small box and said to Raul, “Raul, can I trust you?”