The moment Anbaixiu claimed to bring word from the Golden Kingdom, the elf watching him turned pale. Even at a great distance, as long as Anbaixiu's soul could sense him, he could "see" the subtle shift in the elf's expression.
The member of the Leitman family standing before Anbaixiu showed equal astonishment.
"The Golden Kingdom? A verbal message from the dwarf king? This is no laughing matter."
"Go ahead and report it. Whether it is a joke, you will know soon enough. Naturally, you could expel me right now. But before war comes crashing down, and before you sign a pact with the elves, wouldn't you care to hear the dwarf king's offer?"
Anbaixiu wore a confident smile devoid of any flaw.
An undead's expression was precisely what they chose to show; no matter who came looking, none could tell truth from falsehood.
The member of the Leitman family pondered for a moment, then said, "Understood. Honored guest, please follow me."
The elf Anbaixiu had been watching swiftly vanished into the distance, likely scurrying off to report to his superiors.
Anbaixiu boarded a carriage with the noble, traversing the satellite town outside the main city.
Inside the carriage, the minor noble serving as guide probed repeatedly, trying to uncover Anbaixiu's origins and the nature of the supposed message from the dwarf king. Anbaixiu merely parried his inquiries with polite evasions, revealing nothing beyond his name.
While deflecting the questions, Anbaixiu took out the Necrotic Codex and sent a message to Heji Stone.
[Tiga Ultraman: Senior, can you get in touch with the royal house of the desert dwarves right now?]
The vampire elder seemed to have plenty of free time, replying almost instantly.
[Dislikes Humans: I spoke with them before, but they aren't quick to reply. What's the matter, caught another elf?]
[Tiga Ultraman: Not caught, but I ran into a new elven Twilight Guard. They've set their sights on a friend of mine, Viscount Leitman. The Silvermoon High Court has put heavy pressure on him, and I'm currently discussing whether we can leverage the strength of the desert dwarves. There's no need for an immediate troop deployment—just a verbal commitment to give him the confidence to keep playing for time against the elves.]
[Dislikes Humans: Oh, you certainly have a wide circle of friends, brother. Fine, I'll contact the royal house right now.]
[Tiga Ultraman: I'm counting on you. Viscount Leitman is an old friend of many years, the kind I could entrust with my phylactery. He is a major lord ruling over tens of thousands of subjects. If he surrenders to the elves, that would hardly bode well for the Golden Kingdom. I hope the dwarves treat this with the gravity it deserves.]
[Dislikes Humans: Rest assured, I will convey it accurately.]
As Anbaixiu traced magical script invisible to others across the Necrotic Codex, the young Leitman noble asked out of curiosity, "Master Ultraman, what are you writing?"
Anbaixiu replied with utmost solemnity, "I am reporting to the dwarf king. His Majesty places great importance on this diplomatic mission of mine and requested that I keep him updated at all times and from anywhere. Ah, what a pity the workload is so demanding, or else I would love nothing more than to return early and savor the date mead reserved for royalty."
"Report at all times? The dwarf king values us that much?" The minor noble felt it was utterly inconceivable.
"Allow me to correct you: the one the dwarf king values is me. It was I who advised him to open communication with the lords of the City of Alchemy in advance. Surely you understand that with the vanishing of the alchemists, this land will eventually welcome a new sovereign. The elves of the Silvermoon High Court have set their sights here, but everyone knows how xenophobic they are. In contrast, the Golden Kingdom is the most inclusive realm of all, with policies virtually identical to those of the former City of Alchemy. I trust you will make the right choice."
Anbaixiu's speech left the young noble thoroughly dazed and impressed.
The carriage soon traversed the town and passed through the towering city gate into Viscount Leitman's primary stronghold. The moment they entered, Anbaixiu spotted a massive statue of Talos standing in the center of the city.
*Madmen devoted to Talos, just as expected.* With that, Anbaixiu felt relieved; the Leitman family would not easily yield to signing a pact with the elves.
The carriage rolled into a ruggedly styled castle, where Anbaixiu was placed in a spacious room to wait.
Meanwhile, the young noble who had led the way rushed to Viscount Leitman's quarters, thoroughly recounting everything he had learned.
Viscount Leitman appeared in his forties or fifties, tall and burly, with lightning and storm motifs tattooed across his bald scalp. Clad in silvery-white chainmail, a thick beard concealed everything beneath his nose.
He seemed perpetually gripped by rage; even without knitting his brows, a sharp vertical furrow remained etched between them.
This was the archetypal look of a storm priest: forever furious, forever poised to bring ruin to all things.
Viscount Leitman looked at his kinsman. "Is it truly possible that he is an emissary of the dwarf king?"
The kinsman replied, "It seems likely. I could see no trace of deception on his face."
"The Silvermoon High Court, the Golden Kingdom... do they truly think this land belongs to no one? Hmph, arrogant to the extreme."
Viscount Leitman slammed his fist onto the table before him. The thick marble top shattered on impact. Thunder surged within his frame, tiny sparks of electricity crackling through his thick beard.
His kinsman dared not utter a word, bowing his head in humble submission.
Taking several deep breaths, Viscount Leitman reeled in the escaping arcs of lightning and ordered, "Take me to meet this emissary of the dwarf king."
In the other room, Anbaixiu checked Heji Stone's reply.
[Dislikes Humans: I reached the Hand of the King. He's the dwarf king's cousin, in charge of practically all administrative, military, and diplomatic affairs in the Golden Kingdom.]
[Tiga Ultraman: Good. Please ask the Hand of the King to wait a moment. The elves are lobbying my friend, Viscount Leitman, trying to get him to sign a contract. I'm not clear on the exact terms yet, but they likely aren't much different from before. Senior, allow me to be blunt: what sort of terms can the Golden Kingdom offer so I can convince Viscount Leitman to reject the Silvermoon High Court's offer?]
[Dislikes Humans: He says Viscount Leitman can retain his original fief, requiring only nominal submission to the Golden Kingdom. The policies of the Golden Kingdom are not much different from the City of Alchemy; people of all races and faiths can live freely.]
[Tiga Ultraman: That lacks sincerity. The territory already belongs to my friend. If you desert dwarves want to take it, you'd at least have to march an army and fight for it. You should know that this friend of mine worships Talos, the Lord of Storms. Whoever tries to claim his land will pay a price in blood.]
The Necrotic Codex remained silent for quite a while before a new message arrived.
[Then what exactly does this Viscount Leitman need?]
Anbaixiu smiled faintly and began writing furiously.
[First, a substantial amount of gold. The City of Alchemy isn't lacking in basic supplies—grain and everyday goods are sufficient—but having endured an economic crisis, local price levels are in complete disarray. Viscount Leitman and the other lords desperately need a massive influx of gold coins to stabilize prices in the war zone. I know the Golden Kingdom's economic pillar is archaeological excavation, so the economic crisis caused by the Silvermoon High Court barely affected you. You certainly aren't short on gold.]
[Second, the Twilight Guards deployed by the elves are seasoned assassins. Many lords signed the pact under threat of force. Even if one wants to resist, one needs the means to survive. I trust the Golden Kingdom can spare a portion of its strength to protect these lords.]
[Lastly, in addition to guaranteeing that these lords retain their original domains, I assume you will also need some "cleared" territory. The Golden Kingdom desires this land strictly for a strategic migration, which means you will undoubtedly move populations here, requiring vast tracts of land. I can help you identify which lords have fully defected to the elves; their domains can serve as targets for resettlement. However, to conquer those lands, you will certainly need the aid of locals. Why not use mercenary arrangements to establish early cooperation...?]
Anbaixiu's fingers moved tirelessly across the page, quickly listing a series of ambiguous yet comprehensive terms.
Whatever intense deliberations were underway on the other side, just before an attendant knocked on the door to escort Anbaixiu to meet Viscount Leitman, Heji Stone finally sent a new message:
[The Hand of the King agrees in principle to your suggestions, but the specific details will require further negotiation.]
Anbaixiu flicked his fingers and replied:
[Naturally. I will now go convey the dwarf king's sincerity to my life-and-death friend, Viscount Leitman.]
Closing the Necrotic Codex, Anbaixiu stepped out of the small reception room with satisfaction.
Following the servant through several corridors, Anbaixiu arrived at the castle's high tower, meeting the Viscount Leitman whom he could "entrust with his phylactery."
Viscount Leitman maintained a grim, unsmiling demeanor, getting straight to the point the moment they met: "Master Ultraman, you claim to bear a message from the dwarf king?"
"Indeed. But Viscount Leitman, aren't you going to offer me a drink first so we can talk at leisure?"
Viscount Leitman replied with overt impatience, "My time is precious. I have none to waste on useless pleasantries."
Anbaixiu remained perfectly composed. "I know you are anxious, but rashness solves nothing—especially when the very survival of your fief hangs in the balance. Viscount Leitman, tell me first: have you signed a pact with those elves?"
Viscount Leitman furrowed his brow and lied, "What elves? I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Negotiations require sincerity above all, Viscount Leitman. I know the Silvermoon High Court has deployed its Twilight Guards to make rounds everywhere. Every lord is a target, and some have already been unfortunate enough to be duped by those elves into signing. If you have already signed, then the deal we are discussing will be an entirely different matter."
Viscount Leitman scrutinized Anbaixiu intently. Finding it impossible to read anything from his face, he had no choice but to nod in admission. "The elves have indeed stated their terms, but I have not agreed to them yet."
Anbaixiu beamed. "Excellent. Then it seems there is hope of completing the task entrusted to me by the dwarf king. Since you are so straightforward, Viscount Leitman, I won't beat around the bush either. This land must have a new sovereign, and the dwarf king of the Golden Kingdom is the finest choice. He is a friend to whom I would entrust my very life. He has pledged to me that so long as you submit to the rule of the Golden Kingdom, everything will remain as it was. Your territory will not change in the slightest, nor will we drive you from your home like the elves."
Viscount Leitman frowned. "That is all? Offering nothing at all, expecting me to submit over a mere sentence?"
Anbaixiu chuckled. "My Lord Viscount, perhaps you have yet to grasp the situation clearly. Right now, there are only two buyers. One demands your land; the other does not. Which side offers the superior price should be plain to a man of your wisdom."
"Your suggestion is utterly meaningless. Agreeing to the Golden Kingdom's terms is tantamount to a break with the Silvermoon High Court. My territory would immediately be plunged into war, meaning I would use my own flesh and blood to weaken the dwarf king's enemies, yet you claim there are no benefits whatsoever?!" Viscount Leitman gave a cold sneer. "Do you take me for a fool?"
Anbaixiu praised him warmly. "My Lord Viscount, your wisdom commands my respect, and your reasoning is deeply persuasive. How about this: I can guarantee that the Golden Kingdom will provide you with genuine military assistance. However, you must also understand that the Ryan Empire and the Golden Kingdom are currently at war; redeploying troops is no simple feat. Furthermore, here in the City of Alchemy, you are not our only partner."
"What do you mean? Are partnerships divided into classes and tiers?!" Viscount Leitman said angrily.
"Naturally. Even nobles are distinguished by ranks of duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron—how could partners not have tiers? Nevertheless, the dwarf king sincerely wishes to collaborate with you. It merely requires that you give him a reason to prioritize your aid."
Anbaixiu spoke in an enticing tone: "For instance, offer up a modest amount of gold and some minerals as a retainer fee. With these resources in hand, it becomes entirely justified for the dwarf king to prioritize aid to Your Excellency, leaving no room for anyone to find fault. Wouldn't you agree? As a life-and-death friend of the dwarf king, I swear that this contribution will fall well within what you can afford."
Chapter 98