This Lich is a Better Landlord Chapter 67

The people from the City of Alchemy arrived faster than expected.

Ambrose was still checking to see if any of the equipment could be salvaged with a good wash when Gustavo Flynn, the Sixth Seat of the Council, arrived at the scene.

Looking at the street turned to ruins, the legendary alchemist's expression was very grim.

Gustavo Flynn stared at Ambrose and said, "You sold that bar to me just so you wouldn't feel bad when you demolished it, right?"

Ambrose waved it off nonchalantly. "You're the Sixth Seat of the Alchemists' Council; a bar is nothing to you."

"I can overlook the bar, but look at what you've done! Fighting inside the city—were you afraid people wouldn't notice? How are we supposed to cooperate now?!"

This was the real reason for Gustavo Flynn's anger. The City of Alchemy had consistently declared neutrality, only providing the Paladins with some basic information about Ambrose—information they could have found themselves with a little time.

Likewise, the City of Alchemy hadn't revealed any of the Paladins' activities to Ambrose.

This put Ambrose in a completely passive position, forced to play defense at the start.

It was only after Withered Rose sent him intelligence that Ambrose painfully spent a large sum of money to set up this ambush.

And thanks to Gareth's good relationship with that wealthy female Orc—who had many connections among the adventurers in the City of Alchemy—the assassination plan could be implemented smoothly.

But thinking about it now, it was still a bit of a loss. After all, Gareth had to step in at the end anyway, which could have been done for free.

Facing Gustavo Flynn's interrogation, Ambrose smiled and said, "My dear Flynn, don't you understand? I did this specifically to give you an excuse to intervene. Think about it: if these Paladins attacked my castle and I captured them, and you suddenly abandoned neutrality to save them, what would the Ryan Empire think?

"Even if the Ryan Empire didn't suspect anything, what would others think? I am technically a Lord of the City of Alchemy. Outsiders came to hit me, and not only did you not help, but you also sided with the aggressors? With people's hearts so volatile these days, aren't you afraid the lesser lords might rebel?

"Now, I took the initiative and destroyed this street. Doesn't that give you the perfect reason to step in? You can publicly declare that I violated the laws of the City of Alchemy and caused serious damage, leading to 'stern representations' or 'severe condemnation'—you can pick the wording.

"Then, I can hand the people over to the City of Alchemy. Our transaction will be complete, and no one can find fault with it."

After listening to Ambrose, Gustavo Flynn felt there was some logic to it. However, he also knew clearly that Ambrose said this to block any talk of accountability or compensation. Once Flynn agreed to this narrative, the City of Alchemy would have to pay for the repairs themselves.

But precisely because he guessed Ambrose's thoughts, Gustavo Flynn didn't pursue it further.

This damned Lich would do anything for money.

If Flynn continued to haggle over compensation, Ambrose might actually dare to kill a few of these Paladins.

Gustavo Flynn asked directly, "When do we make the trade?"

Ambrose wagged his finger. "Don't be so hasty. If we're going to put on a show, we have to go all the way. Let me take them back and lock them up for a few days. Then you guys create a big spectacle, and I'll send them over. That will make it look realistic. The Ryan Empire has prophets, too; this cooperation needs to be cautious."

This sounded reasonable, but Gustavo Flynn felt something was vaguely wrong. Ambrose wasn't in a hurry to get his payment? That was quite out of character for him.

And he mentioned prophecy.

Gustavo Flynn subtly rubbed the ring on his hand.

An enchantment was activated, granting Flynn the ability to detect lies.

Flynn asked Ambrose, "Do you have other plans? You aren't planning to breach the contract, are you?"

Unexpectedly, Ambrose just smiled faintly and didn't answer the question at all. He conjured dozens of Mage Hands to grab the Paladins and carry them away.

Gustavo Flynn frowned. Did he notice? It was a concealed spell specifically targeting undead perception; this skeleton was too sensitive.

Ambrose didn't give him another chance to probe. He stuffed all the Paladins into a Dimension Door, teleporting them to his castle.

Before leaving, Ambrose said to Flynn, "By the way, with such a big mess in the City of Alchemy, does the Chairman not intend to make an appearance?"

The Chairman was a legendary figure. Within the City of Alchemy, perhaps only the Council members had seen him. Ambrose had only corresponded with him via letter and had never met him in person.

"Why do you ask?" Gustavo Flynn retorted warily.

"Just curious. I've been thinking about a question for the past few days. What kind of trouble is hidden in the sewers of the City of Alchemy that would force you proud lunatics to ask for outside help? Is it something even the Chairman can't solve? He is the alchemist closest to the gods, after all."

Gustavo Flynn replied coldly, "That is not for you to worry about."

Ambrose didn't press further and left the ruins with Gareth.

Upon returning to the castle, Ambrose said to Gareth, "Those crazy alchemists definitely have a conspiracy. Those bastards, they might be trying to scam me."

Gareth was still sighing over his helmet. The fact that his hand-hammered helmet had been broken by a Divine Smite annoyed him greatly.

Hearing Ambrose, Gareth asked strangely, "Didn't you two have a nice chat just now?"

"Nice my ass. Gustavo Flynn tried to use lie detection on me. Did he think I wouldn't notice his little tricks? The cooperation was going smoothly, yet suddenly he doesn't trust me. That means they have a guilty conscience and are terrified I know something. That old guy is usually reserved and steady; even if an elf aimed an arrow at his head, his hand holding a test tube wouldn't shake. But lately, he's frequently losing his composure. It's completely out of character. There must be a problem."

Ambrose rubbed his chin, trying to connect Flynn's behavior with the prophecy he had received earlier, but he couldn't come up with an explanation right away.

After thinking for a moment, Ambrose took out the Codex of the Undead and sent a message to Withered Rose.

[Tiga Ultraman: Lady Rose, you've entered the City of Alchemy by now, right?]

After waiting for a while, Ambrose received a reply.

[Withered Rose: Just entered. I'm wandering around the city under the guise of an academic visit. Why do you ask?]

The Council had long since detected Withered Rose appearing near the city with an army. If the City of Alchemy were attacked by the undead right now, it would be a huge trouble.

Withered Rose hadn't intended to conquer the city with just that "honor guard"—that would be underestimating the alchemists too much. Neither side wanted a war, so Rose found an excuse, and the city "warmly" invited her in, effectively to monitor and investigate her.

[Tiga Ultraman: There's a big secret hidden in the sewers of the City of Alchemy. I'd like to ask you to help investigate it.]

Ambrose told Withered Rose some of the information he could share, such as the false prophecy about godhood in the sewers and the recent strange actions of the city.

Withered Rose replied quickly: [Okay, I'll keep an eye out. But I also warn you to be careful. Sister Palebone is about to lose her patience and come looking for Gareth. She is very angry right now.]

Ambrose: ...

No way. Skipping straight to the head-chopping part of the plot so soon?!