This Lich is a Better Landlord

Chapter 134: Everyone is Scheming

Hoffman Ironfist had completely lost the desire to continue targeting the Elf Queen. The other side was already preparing to pack up and go home; the Dwarves should just go with the flow.

If something happened to Catherine now, the Elves might change their strategy, and they might not be so easy to talk to.

Although this informal meeting couldn't finalize anything, Hoffman Ironfist understood through this exchange that a turning point for the Dwarves had truly arrived.

If they could completely swallow the territory of the City of Alchemy, it would mean the Dwarf Kingdom would have double the population and simultaneously acquire a complete alchemical industrial system.

Once, this was something unique to the City of Alchemy; other kingdoms could only look on with envy.

For the same Healing Potion, the production cost in the City of Alchemy was half that of other kingdoms, while the output was dozens of times higher.

But envy was useless. This was a production line built by countless alchemists over many years. Other kingdoms lacked this talent reserve; giving them the blueprints to copy would be futile.

With this alchemical industrial system, the Dwarf Kingdom could mass-produce magic potions and enchanted equipment. Added to the doubled population, the Dwarf Kingdom's military power would increase exponentially.

In this way, even if the Ryan Empire broke through the Death Line, the Dwarf Kingdom would have the strength to fight again.

Hoffman Ironfist couldn't wait to report this good news. There could be no better outcome than this.

After Hoffman Ironfist left, Catherine asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid he'll refuse such an exorbitant demand?"

The price Ambrose quoted was a bit ridiculous. The Dwarf Kingdom was beaten to the point of collapse and retreat by Ryan. How much manpower and resources would migration cost? Ambrose asking for tens of billions of gold coins at this time didn't seem logical no matter how you looked at it.

"I originally intended to ask for an astronomical price, and I thought they couldn't afford it. But looking at Hoffman Ironfist's reaction, I'm afraid we both underestimated the wealth of the Dwarf Kingdom." Ambrose stroked his chin, unable to help saying, "Is grave robbing really that profitable?"

Catherine asked again, "Why did you say you were working for us Elves?"

"Isn't that to ask the Dwarves for wages? I sold myself to the Elves for love and peace. Since the Dwarves gained huge benefits from this, isn't it reasonable to ask them for some worker's compensation?" Ambrose replied.

Catherine was speechless. This Lich would truly do anything for money.

However, Ambrose, who was just thinking about making money, suddenly changed his expression and said to Catherine, "Don't you think Hoffman's visit this time was a bit strange?"

Catherine looked puzzled and asked, "Strange in what way? As the other party in the negotiation, coming to inquire about the situation after I was attacked isn't wrong, is it?"

"That's what one would say, but I still feel something is amiss. When he came, he seemed to have another purpose, but when he left, he seemed to have abandoned that idea... Forget it. Politicians have dirty hearts. Their minds are complicated; guessing is useless."

Ambrose didn't care too much because this matter shouldn't affect him greatly; otherwise, he would have sensed it long ago.

Everything was ready, just waiting to sign the contract in two days, and then he could wait to collect the money.

Ambrose was happy inside. Although this chaotic battle still caused considerable casualties, compared to a real war between two nations, the numbers were much smaller, likely just a fraction.

Moreover, Ambrose would help the Elves solve the problem of Magic Addiction. Tens of millions of Elves would not die painfully under the torture of Magic Addiction.

Adding all these things together, Ambrose really lived up to the slogan "Love and Peace." Who knew how many lives he had saved and how much suffering he had prevented?

Calculating it this way, the Maiden of Pain was probably screaming, scratching, and rolling on the floor.

Thinking of this, Ambrose felt his soul become transparent. To use a phrase from his past life, his thoughts were clear, and he felt his life had been sublimated.

***

Hoffman Ironfist returned to the nearly completed castle with excitement.

He couldn't wait to tell the Dwarf King the news. However, there was no response from the other end of the magic communication. The Dwarf King's body probably couldn't hold out, and he was resting.

At this time, no one dared to disturb the volatile Dwarf King. Hoffman Ironfist was helpless and could only choose to leave a message for him.

Just as he was preparing for the upcoming formal negotiations, the magic circle lit up uncontrollably, and the image of a hideous dragon head appeared above it.

Hoffman Ironfist was both shocked and angry. This was originally a one-way contact magic circle. How did the other party transmit an image when he hadn't initiated contact with the Cerberus Family?

Geronimo spoke in a low voice, "Don't be so surprised. Dragonkind's control over magic transcends all creatures. Controlling this magic circle isn't difficult. I just sensed you using the communication circle, so I connected the two sides. You don't mind, do you?"

Hoffman Ironfist wanted to cut the connection immediately and leave this place.

He had already obtained what he wanted from the Elves and didn't want to be involved with this group of Hell believers anymore.

But people who worshipped Hell were mostly lunatics, and the Half-Dragon before him gave Hoffman Ironfist a feeling of extreme brutality. If he cut off communication now, who knew what the other party would do?

Suppressing his inner disgust, Hoffman Ironfist said to Geronimo, "Why have you suddenly contacted me?"

"Of course, it's about the previous cooperation. Didn't you say you'd help me create an opportunity to catch the Elf Queen alone? It's about time you notified me of the time and place, right?" Geronimo asked.

Hoffman Ironfist shook his head and said, "It's not that simple. I went to see that Elf Queen today, but unfortunately, there's no way to lure her out. It seems our cooperation must end."

Geronimo stared at Hoffman Ironfist with a pair of vertical pupils, giving him a shuddering feeling.

"End the cooperation? Just one simple sentence? Use us and throw us away? Isn't that said a bit too lightly?" Geronimo said.

Hoffman Ironfist snorted coldly. "No chance means no chance. If you don't believe it, you can try it yourself. If you have the skill, break into the castle and kill them all."

Geronimo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Fine. Since you say so, the cooperation ends. In that case, I believe the Elves' retaliation will arrive soon. We are preparing to leave this place."

Hoffman Ironfist breathed a sigh of relief. It was best if this group of Hell believers left; it saved him trouble.

Hoffman Ironfist said to Geronimo, "Leaving is your freedom. Good luck."

"Heh, it's not that simple. Migration requires huge expenses. Lord Hand of the King, giving a former ally a little funding isn't excessive, is it?" Geronimo said.

Hearing such a threat actually made Hoffman Ironfist feel more at ease.

Hell believers were not good people. If Geronimo left so readily, Hoffman Ironfist would have been suspicious. asking for money now was actually a good thing; the probability of them genuinely leaving increased significantly.

Hoffman Ironfist didn't want to waste time and asked indifferently, "How much?"

Geronimo said, "Not much. Five hundred thousand gold coins. I want it tonight, right here in my territory. You should know the location."

Hoffman Ironfist was a bit disdainful. Having just discussed a deal worth tens of billions with Ambrose, the figure of five hundred thousand gold coins really wasn't worth mentioning.

However, the Cerberus Family was originally just ordinary minor nobility. Their entire fortune wouldn't amount to much, so asking for five hundred thousand gold coins was normal.

"Fine. I will have someone deliver the gold coins."

"No, you'd best come in person because I have a gift for you. I wonder, are you interested in Hell Gates?" Geronimo said.

"Hell Gates? You're actually giving up those things?!" Hoffman Ironfist said in shock.

"Of course. Although Hell Gates can be moved before they are opened, the farther the distance, the more complex the ritual required for movement. I am not just leaving the range of the City of Alchemy, but crossing half the continent, far away from the territories of the Dwarves, Elves, and the Ryan Empire. I can't take the Hell Gates with me. Instead of throwing them away, better to give them to you."

"Lord Hand of the King, I trust you will use these two Hell Gates in an appropriate place." Geronimo said.

"You would be willing to give the Hell Gates to me? Do you think I'll believe that?"

Hell believers wouldn't be so kind; there must be a conspiracy here.

Geronimo didn't seem to intend to hide anything either, saying to Hoffman Ironfist, "Of course, I'm not giving them to you so easily. Aren't you at war with Ryan? Ryan has already occupied a small half of the desert. I have only one request: open the Hell Gates within Ryan's territory. Let these humans experience the meaning of Hell.

"This is the request of the Master I serve. You know, if anyone has the worst relationship with Hell, it's definitely Ryan. This is also a good thing for you Dwarves, isn't it?"

Hoffman Ironfist hesitated. Although he still felt this Half-Dragon wasn't being entirely truthful, two Hell Gates were indeed very attractive. If used properly, these two Hell Gates could stall the Ryan Empire for a long time, allowing the Dwarven retreat and migration to proceed more leisurely.

After hesitating again and again, Hoffman Ironfist nodded. "Fine. I will personally deliver the gold coins."

Geronimo opened his mouth full of sharp teeth and laughed aloud.

"Hahaha. Then I will wait for Your Lordship in the castle."

The magic communication cut off. Hoffman Ironfist left the secret room and found his Captain of the Guard.

Hoffman Ironfist said to the Captain, "There is a special mission tonight. I need you to use Polymorph to turn into my appearance and escort a shipment of gold coins..."