Chapter 21: The Lich's Centuries of Cunning

Amberser counted the Gold Coins, even took out a piece of parchment and wrote down the contract content, and nailed it on the tavern's bulletin board as a public notary.

After so many ceremonies, Amberser finally said to the Paladin, "Come on, cast your Evil Detection."

The Paladin warned, "If you use magic to resist and it prevents detection, that will also be considered a breach of contract."

Amberser responded, "If you are not at ease, you can bind my magical power first."

The Paladin shook his head. That wasn't necessary, as he would know if Evil Detection was affected or not. Amberser was still extremely confident up to now, making the Paladin almost believe he was guilt-free.

The glow of the spell lit up, falling upon Amberser.

The spell of Evil Detection relies on light to discern effects—the purely good are naturally enveloped in flawless white light, while those with evil hearts show black or dark red spots. The greater the level of evil, the more intense these tainted lights are.

Generally speaking, the evil thoughts in a mortal's heart produce a few black spots the size of fingertips, about the equivalent to coveting money and beauty without acting on those desires.

Followers of an Evil God, cultists, typically have much of their light dimmed, indicating significant corruption, a clear sign they have committed many misdeeds.

However, when the spell of Evil Detection fell upon Amberser, a dense darkness spread and completely enveloped him.

Harvey: ???

Paladin: !!!

Tavern Patrons: Huh?

...

Everyone thought they were under an illusion. What level of darkness was this? Even cultists weren't this outrageous — could he be the avatar of an Evil God?

The Paladin was the quickest to react, bellowing, "You are an Undead Creature!"

If anything besides an Evil God could result in this effect from Evil Detection, it would only be an Undead Creature.

This wasn't an issue of the individual's misdeeds; the Undead as a race are the antithesis of other living beings. To living creatures, Undead are inherently evil, representing a fundamental conflict.

As such, all Undead are enveloped in profound darkness, without exception.

Amberser, unconcerned, waved his hand, dispersing the darkness, and then said, "I'll happily take my five thousand Gold Coins."

The Paladin's anger nearly turned tangible, drawing his sword as Holy Light condensed on the blade's edge.

This was the Paladin's most famous move—Holy Slash.

With one strike, an average Undead would be completely annihilated, not even ashes left behind.

The Paladin said furiously, "Filthy Undead, what right do you have to take this money?"

Amberser pointed to the contract on the bulletin board.

"The contract states that if I risk undergoing Evil Detection, this money is my moral compensation. It doesn't say that I have to be pure and flawless to receive indemnity, does it? Look, my Undead identity is exposed, everyone knows, isn't it right for me to get some compensation for such a hit to my self-esteem?"

No sooner had Amberser finished speaking than the patrons came to their senses, cursing loudly.

"Right, right, I despise the Undead the most, filthy and shameless creatures."

"Indeed, there's nothing more despicable than the Undead, what even is that skeleton frame?"

"Destroy the Undead, everlasting light!

"Ah, sharing a tavern drink with the Undead, I'm going to be sick."

...

The overly exaggerated acting made the Paladin's hand gripping the sword hilt quiver slightly, seeming as though he were on the verge of exploding.

Amberser shrugged his shoulders, then spread his hands out.

"See, isn't my reputation damaged? This money is the reparation."

"Despicable, shameless!"

The paladin had only these phrases on repeat. Sometimes being too well-mannered could be a disadvantage, having too few words in their arsenal to curse with. As far as Amberser was concerned, there was no attack effect at all.

Just as he was about to lose control and unleash Holy Slash, Harvey hurriedly walked over and advised, "My lord, in Alchemy City, being undead isn't a crime, but if you purify the undead here, you will be breaking the laws of Alchemy City."

Harvey gave a signal with his eyes, making the paladin notice the small movements of the other patrons in the tavern.

At the nearest table, two Lizardman warriors had already grabbed the long handle of their axes; a Drow elf in the distance was winding his hand crossbow; even the Dwarf singer, who had been wailing all along, put down his lute and drew a short sword; and even more ridiculously, the Orcish bartender had taken out a bunch of empty bottles, placing them where they could easily be grabbed.

Looking around, the whole place was filled with enemies.

When you indiscriminately discriminate against all non-human races, you must also bear the hostility of all races. Faced with the paladins of the Laine Empire, they would rather stand with the undead.

Paladins weren't very popular in Alchemy City, and they had fallen into the trap Amberser had dug. If they were to start a fight, it seemed likely that the entire tavern would seize the opportunity to join the fray.

Powerful as the paladins were, they couldn't handle the assault of dozens of adventurers in the cramped confines of a tavern. The paladin could only watch helplessly as Amberser pocketed the Gold Coins and then reluctantly re-sheathed his sword.

"Indeed, the choice to go out and experience was the correct one, in Laine, I might never have the chance to learn this lesson. Thank you, Master Ultraman, next time we meet, I will purify your soul with my sword in a glorious battle."

Leaving these words behind, the paladin left the tavern with his companions.

To be able to let go and regain his composure swiftly, this paladin was indeed a figure of note.

The patrons of the tavern cheered as if victorious, whistling and booing as they saw off the trio of paladins. Just as he was about to walk out of the tavern's doors, Harvey turned his head and gave Amberser a deep look.

He had a vague premonition that this undead, disguised as a human, might very well be the master of that ancient castle. There was no basis for it, just pure, straightforward intuition from a mage of the School of Prophecy.

If he wasn't mistaken, today's events weren't necessarily a bad thing. At least, when the time came to invite the paladin to deal with the Lich, the likelihood of him agreeing would be much higher. They might meet again soon.

Amberser was also curiously observing Mage Harvey. Although he claimed to be a magic apprentice, Amberser instinctively felt that this young man was not simple, even more noteworthy than that paladin. His feeling had no basis either, also stemming from the intuition of a former mage of the School of Prophecy.

Before he was reborn as a Lich, he advanced to Legendary as a prophet of the School of Prophecy; it was just unfortunate that the Legendary Grace he received had nothing to do with the School of Prophecy.

After the trio of paladins left, the tavern's excitement didn't stop. A Drow elf in the crowd joked, "Just a few words and you made the paladin spend five thousand Gold Coins. You, as an undead, are probably going to be on the wanted list of the Laine Empire."

A Lizardman added, "Yeah, since you won't live long anyway, why not spend the money? How about buying everyone here a drink?"

"With five thousand Gold Coins, it's enough to buy drinks for the whole place for a month!"

"Not bad, start me off with ten drinks!"

Jeering voices rose one after another, but Amberser didn't hesitate for a second and firmly stated, "Don't even think about it! You, you just said you'd vomit drinking with an undead! And you, you just called me dirty and shameless! And you, saying you wouldn't even feed a bag of bones to a dog! I should buy you drinks? I'd rather pray for the God of Wealth to rain down Gold Coins!"

"No, I didn't, don't slander me!"

The Drow elf who had insulted him just now, saying "what the heck is a bag of bones", refuted excitedly. Since when do Drow get tricked and smeared like this? It was absolutely outrageous.

The patrons also grew angry, saying wasn't this just playing along with his performance? And now he's turning his back on us?

"Stingy damned undead, you scammed even us!"

"Was this in your calculations too? Shameless to the extreme!"

"Save your Gold Coins for a coffin!"

"Undead really are heartless!"

"We should've let him taste the Holy Slash just now!"

"xxxx!!"

"xxxxxx!!!!"

...

The insults gradually became more offensive, but Amberser remained unfazed. What a joke, did these atmosphere makers really think a Legendary like him couldn't beat that paladin?

Just a bunch of kids, trying to outsmart a centuries-old monster, was really too presumptuous.