This Lich is a Better Landlord Chapter 98

However, when Ambrose claimed to bring a message from the Golden Kingdom, the elf staring at Ambrose changed expression. Even though he stood far away, as long as Ambrose's soul could sense him, he could "see" the change in expression.

And the member of the Leitman family in front of Ambrose also revealed a surprised look.

"The Golden Kingdom? A message from the Dwarf King? This isn't something to joke about."

"Feel free to report it. Whether it's a joke or not, you will know soon enough. Of course, you can also expel me now, but before the war comes, before signing a contract with the Elf race, don't you plan to hear the Dwarf King's offer?"

Ambrose showed a confident smile, without a single flaw.

An undead's expression was whatever expression they wanted to show you; no one could tell if it was real or fake.

The Leitman family member pondered for a moment, then said to Ambrose, "Understood. Honored guest, please follow me."

The elf Ambrose was watching quickly disappeared into the distance, presumably to report to their leader.

Ambrose followed the noble into a carriage, passing through the satellite town outside the main city.

Inside the carriage, the minor noble leading the way probed indirectly for information, wanting to know Ambrose's background and the so-called Dwarf King's message. Ambrose merely circled around politely with him, saying nothing except his name.

While dealing with the other party's probing, Ambrose took out the Codex of the Undead and sent a message to Heggie Stone.

[Tiga Ultraman: Senior, can you contact the Royal Family of the Desert Dwarves right now?]

The Vampire Senior seemed to have plenty of time and replied immediately.

[Hates Humans: I chatted with them before, but the reply wasn't that fast. What's wrong? Caught a new elf?]

[Tiga Ultraman: Didn't catch one, but I ran into a new Elf Twilight Guard. They've targeted a friend of mine, Viscount Leitman. The Silvermoon High Court put a lot of pressure on my friend. I am currently discussing with Viscount Leitman to see if we can leverage the power of the Desert Dwarves. You don't need to send troops to help immediately; just a verbal promise would give him some confidence to continue stalling the elves.]

[Hates Humans: Oh, brother, you really have a wide circle of friends. Alright, I'll contact the Royal Family now.]

[Tiga Ultraman: Please. This Viscount Leitman is a friend of many years, a relationship where I could entrust my phylactery. Viscount Leitman is a Grand Lord with a population of tens of thousands. If he surrenders to the elves, it probably won't be good for the Golden Kingdom. I hope the Dwarves can treat this seriously.]

[Hates Humans: Don't worry, I will convey it accurately.]

Ambrose was writing magical text on the Codex of the Undead that others couldn't see. The minor noble of the Leitman family asked curiously, "Master Ultraman, what are you writing?"

Ambrose said seriously, "I am reporting to the Dwarf King. The Dwarf King attaches great importance to my mission, so he asked me to report to him anytime and anywhere. Sigh, it's a pity the task is heavy, otherwise I really would like to go back early and enjoy the Royal Family's special supply of Date Honey Wine."

"Report anytime? The Dwarf King values us so much?" The minor noble found it incredible.

"Correction, what the Dwarf King values is me. It was I who suggested he communicate with the lords of the City of Alchemy in advance. I think you understand that with the disappearance of that group of alchemists, this land will sooner or later welcome a new king. The elves of the Silvermoon High Court have their eyes on this land, but everyone knows the elves' xenophobia. In contrast, the Golden Kingdom is the most inclusive nation. Their policies are no different from the City of Alchemy's previous ones. I believe you can make the correct choice."

Ambrose's speech bluffed the minor noble into a daze.

The carriage quickly passed through the town and entered Viscount Leitman's main city through the tall city gates. Upon entering, Ambrose saw the tall statue of Talos in the center of the city.

Sure enough, a lunatic who believed in Talos. Ambrose was relieved; the Leitman family shouldn't agree to sign a contract with the elves so easily.

The carriage entered the roughly styled castle, and Ambrose was arranged to wait in a spacious room.

On the other side, the minor noble guide had already run to Viscount Leitman's room to report everything he knew in detail.

Viscount Leitman looked forty or fifty years old, with a tall, robust physique. His bald head was tattooed with patterns resembling thunder and storms. He wore silver chainmail, and a large beard covered everything below his nose.

He seemed to maintain an angry expression forever; even without frowning, the furrows between his brows were very distinct.

This was the typical look of a Storm Priest: forever angry, forever ready to destroy everything.

Viscount Leitman said to the clansman before him, "Could he really be an envoy of the Dwarf King?"

The clansman replied, "He looks like it. I didn't see any trace of lying on his face."

"Silvermoon High Court, Golden Kingdom... do they really treat this land as ownerless territory? Hmph, truly arrogant to the extreme."

Viscount Leitman slammed the table in front of him. The thick marble tabletop shattered directly. Thunder gathered within his body, and tiny electric sparks flickered constantly in his beard.

His clansman dared not speak, only lowering his head humbly.

Viscount Leitman took a few deep breaths, retracting the leaking lightning, then ordered, "Let me meet this envoy of the Dwarf King."

In another room, Ambrose was checking Heggie Stone's reply.

[Hates Humans: I found the Hand of the King. He is the Dwarf King's cousin. The Golden Kingdom's administration, military, and diplomacy are almost all managed by him.]

[Tiga Ultraman: Good. Please ask this Hand of the King to wait a moment because the elves are lobbying my friend Viscount Leitman again, hoping he will sign a contract. I'm not clear on the contract terms for now, but I imagine they won't differ much from previous ones. Senior, I'll be direct. What conditions can the Golden Kingdom offer that will allow me to persuade Viscount Leitman to refuse the Silvermoon High Court's contract?]

[Hates Humans: He said he can let this Viscount Leitman keep his original fief. He only needs to nominally submit to the Golden Kingdom. The Golden Kingdom's policy is not much different from the City of Alchemy's; different races and different beliefs can live freely.]

[Tiga Ultraman: That is entirely too insincere. This territory belongs to my friend already. If you Desert Dwarves want to occupy it, you'd at least have to send troops to attack. You must know, my friend believes in Talos, the Lord of Storms. Whoever wants to occupy his land must pay a price in blood.]

The Codex of the Undead fell silent for a good while before sending a new message.

[Then what exactly does this Viscount Leitman need?]

Ambrose smiled slightly and began to write furiously.

[First, a large amount of gold is needed. The City of Alchemy actually doesn't lack basic supplies; food and daily necessities are sufficient. But because of an economic crisis, prices here have become very chaotic. Whether it's Viscount Leitman or other lords, they need a large amount of gold coins to balance the prices in the war zone. I know the economic pillar of the Golden Kingdom is archaeological excavation, so the economic crisis caused by the Silvermoon High Court has no impact on you. You certainly don't lack gold.]

[Secondly, the Twilight Guards sent by the Elf race are experts in assassination. Many lords signed contracts under the threat of force. Even if they want to resist, they need the capital to save their lives. I trust the Golden Kingdom can spare some power to protect these lords.]

[Finally, besides guaranteeing that these lords' original territories remain unchanged, I believe you also need some "vacant" territories. The Golden Kingdom needs this land purely for strategic transfer, so you will definitely conduct immigration, which naturally requires a lot of land. I can help you confirm which lords have thoroughly defected to the elves; these lords' territories can serve as targets for immigration. But to conquer these territories, you will definitely need the help of locals. Why not use a method of employment to achieve early cooperation...]

Ambrose's fingers wrote ceaselessly, quickly listing many vague but comprehensive terms.

He didn't know what kind of intense discussion the other side was having, but just before the attendant knocked on the door to ask Ambrose to meet Viscount Leitman, Heggie Stone finally sent a new message: [The Hand of the King has agreed to your suggestions in principle, but the specific details still need to be discussed.]

Ambrose slid his finger and replied: [Naturally. I will now express the Dwarf King's sincerity to my life-and-death friend, Viscount Leitman.]

Closing the Codex of the Undead, Ambrose walked out of the small reception room with satisfaction.

Following the servant through several turns, Ambrose arrived at the castle's high tower and met his "friend to whom he could entrust his phylactery," Viscount Leitman.

Viscount Leitman maintained a solemn, unsmiling expression. Upon meeting, he got straight to the point: "Master Ultraman, you say you bring a message from the Dwarf King?"

"Correct. But Viscount Leitman, don't you plan to invite me for a drink first and chat slowly?"

Viscount Leitman said impatiently, "My time is precious and cannot be wasted on useless pleasantries."

Ambrose calmly said to him, "I know you are anxious, but impulsiveness cannot solve problems, especially when it concerns the survival of your territory. Viscount Leitman, tell me first, have you signed a contract with those elves?"

Viscount Leitman frowned and lied, "What elves? I don't know what you are talking about."

"Negotiation requires sincerity first. Viscount Leitman, I know the Silvermoon High Court has sent their Twilight Guards to contact everyone. Every lord is their target, and unfortunately, someone has already been deceived by this group of elves and signed a contract. If you have already signed the contract, then what we need to discuss is a different kind of transaction."

Viscount Leitman stared carefully at Ambrose, finding no way to read anything from his expression, and could only nod in admission. "The elves have indeed made their offer, but I haven't agreed yet."

Ambrose said happily, "Very good. Then it seems the task entrusted to me by the Dwarf King has a possibility of completion. Since you are so direct, Viscount Leitman, I won't beat around the bush. This land must have a new king. The Dwarf King of the Golden Kingdom is the best choice. He is a friend to whom I can entrust my life. He promised me that as long as you submit to the rule of the Golden Kingdom, everything can remain as before. Your territory will not change in the slightest; we will not drive you out of your home like the elves."

Viscount Leitman frowned. "That's it? Giving nothing, wanting me to submit with just one sentence?"

Ambrose laughed. "Lord Viscount, perhaps you haven't seen the situation clearly yet. There are only two buyers now. One wants your territory; the other doesn't. Which side offers the best price? I trust with your wisdom, you can certainly see clearly."

"Your suggestion is meaningless. Agreeing to the Golden Kingdom equals falling out with the Silvermoon High Court. My territory will immediately plunge into war, equating to me using my own flesh and blood to help the Dwarf King weaken his enemy, and you're actually saying there are no benefits?!" Viscount Leitman sneered, "Do you take me for a fool?"

Ambrose praised, "Lord Viscount, your wisdom commands my respect. Your reasoning is very persuasive. How about this: I can guarantee you that the Golden Kingdom will give you genuine military aid. However, you should also understand that the Ryan Empire is currently at war with the Golden Kingdom, so diverting troops isn't that easy. And here in the City of Alchemy, the object of our cooperation isn't just you."

"What do you mean? Is cooperation divided into ranks?!" Viscount Leitman said angrily.

"Of course. Nobles have ranks of Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron; how could cooperation partners not have ranks? However, the Dwarf King cooperates with you sincerely; he just needs Viscount Leitman to give him a reason to prioritize aiding you."

Ambrose used an inducing tone, "For example, taking out some gold, some minerals, as a cost of employment. As long as these supplies exist, and the Dwarf King prioritizes aiding Your Excellency, it will be reasonable and fair, and no one can pick faults. Don't you agree? I swear as a life-and-death friend of the Dwarf King, these supplies will certainly be within your acceptable range."