This Lich is a Better Landlord Chapter 52

"Regarding Alan Watson, I still need you to cooperate in putting on a show."

Hearing Gustavo Flynn's words, Ambrose replied without thinking, "Acting? That costs extra."

Gustavo Flynn suppressed his anger. "You haven't even asked what the show is."

"Whatever the show is, I charge extra. Nothing personal; it's just my principle."

Gustavo sneered, "Does a Lich count as a person?"

Ambrose chuckled. "Racial discrimination? Then I'll have to renegotiate the price!"

Gustavo Flynn could only grit his teeth and negotiate with Ambrose.

Before setting out, Gustavo actually already knew the Council's final decision. No matter the cost, they had to secure Alan Watson. However, they couldn't just hand him over to the Ryan Empire so easily.

The City of Alchemy needed the Ryan Empire's help, but if they simply returned the son to the Supreme Adjudicator, the favor would be significant but not monumental. Perhaps they could gain the personal friendship of this big shot, but it might not be enough to compel him to push for major cooperation between the two nations.

After all, the Supreme Adjudicator had chosen the hardest stance to deal with his son's capture, clearly indicating he wouldn't let his son's life compromise his position.

In this way, Alan Watson's value would be discounted.

Therefore, the City of Alchemy needed Ambrose's help to fan the flames.

Hadn't the Ryan Empire sent ten Knights of Judgment to save him? The Knights of Judgment were a powerful legion second only to the Ryan Imperial Guard, and its members could be said to be the future pillars of the empire.

If these Knights of Judgment were also captured, and the City of Alchemy then stepped in to redeem everyone, the favor would multiply many times over. James Watson might be praised for his high moral integrity if he ignored his son's life, but if ten other Paladins with boundless futures were involved, James Watson would be cursed if he continued to remain indifferent.

Ambrose refused, however. "A nice calculation, but you want me to face ten Paladins alone? You overestimate me. The Knights of Judgment were formed specifically to deal with the undead. They certainly possess means to thoroughly counter us. I don't feel I'm their match, even hiding inside my castle."

"Do you think if you don't agree, they won't come looking for trouble?" Gustavo Flynn felt he had seized Ambrose's weak point.

The Knights of Judgment came for Alan Watson; Ambrose couldn't escape this no matter what. Using this as an excuse to raise the price was absolutely out of the question.

Ambrose chuckled, speaking with finality, "Worst case scenario, I tie Alan Watson to the castle gate and run away. The world is big; is a Legendary Lich afraid of not finding a place to do experiments? We go our separate ways—I don't get the formulas, and you don't get the chance to sell this favor."

Gustavo Flynn retorted, "You wouldn't bear to part with it. Thirty-two formulas and blueprints—you know exactly how much wealth that represents."

"Of course I know, but if my phylactery shatters, those formulas are meaningless. If you want me to take a risk, offer a price worth the risk. My old friend, you know me well, just as I know you. Your presence here means the Council has already made a decision. There's no need to beat around the bush; show me your final bottom line."

Ambrose was extremely confident because the Prophecy Fragment had already proven that the Alchemists' Council was powerless to control the sewer crisis. They were the ones driven into a corner.

The City of Alchemy had massive assets and couldn't just be abandoned, whereas Ambrose simply needed to draw a teleportation circle and pack up the valuables in the castle to leave.

He had a way out, but the City of Alchemy did not. Therefore, he certainly held the upper hand in this negotiation.

The result of the negotiation was exactly as Ambrose expected. Gustavo Flynn wasn't stupid, but his situation had long been seen through by Ambrose. This was an unfair gamble, and in the end, he could only reveal his hand early before the Lich.

"I can promise you, if you cooperate well with this show, the Council will agree to let you use the Wish Engine once."

After speaking these words, Gustavo Flynn felt a sense of relief. The trump card had been played; there was no need to hide anymore. He only waited for Ambrose to accept or refuse.

Upon hearing the words *Wish Engine*, Ambrose said in surprise, "You guys... actually built that thing?"

Many years ago, when the mysterious Lord President hadn't yet retreated behind the scenes, a rumor circulated in the City of Alchemy. The Alchemists' Council planned to solidify the powerful spell *Wish* into a magic item, creating a Wish Engine capable of granting desires.

*Wish* could be said to be the most powerful spell beneath the level of gods. Theoretically, as long as your wish was described precisely enough, and it was something a god could help you achieve, it could be realized.

For example, turning a Lich back into a human. Or bringing a person who was thoroughly dead, with their soul dissipated, back to life.

These were the most common directions for *Wish*. Resurrecting beloved friends and family had always been the dream of the vast majority.

Of course, for the ambitious, one could also use *Wish* to elevate a mortal to Legendary status, gaining immense power.

It was a pity that even Legendary Mages might not be able to cast *Wish*. The difficulty of this spell was too great; talent, effort, and luck were all indispensable.

Those madmen, did they really solidify *Wish* into magical equipment?

Wouldn't that become an infinitely usable *Wish* spell?

Ambrose thought for a moment and then mocked, "Although I am undead, are you trying to fool a ghost? If the Wish Engine had really been built by you, what crisis could possibly remain unsolved?"

Gustavo Flynn explained, "The Wish Engine truly exists, but it cannot cast a *Perfect Wish*. Through years of effort, we have imbued the Wish Engine with the power to indicate the correct path. I know an accident occurred during your ascension to Legend, and you abandoned the near-godlike power of the School of Divination. That is why, among Legends, you are at the very bottom..."

"Insult me again and the price goes up!" Ambrose said coldly.

Gustavo Flynn finally couldn't help but roll his eyes, forced to rephrase.

"Anyway, you know it yourself. Having abandoned the power of prophecy, you aren't a qualified Legendary Lich. The Wish Engine can help you find a way to solve this problem; it will guide you to find new power. Of course, if you feel this wish isn't enough, you can ask other questions. The Wish Engine will definitely give the most correct and detailed answer."

Ambrose carefully observed Gustavo Flynn's expression. His intuition told him this guy wasn't lying.

Ambrose pondered for a long time before finally speaking. "Deal. I will hand the Knights of Judgment and Alan Watson over to you together."