Great Harvest

Chapter 30: A Bountiful Harvest

The Hag lay on the ground, laughing so hard she was about to suffocate, but she was completely unable to escape the effects of the Laughing Spell. It wasn't until the Druids bound the Hag tightly with vines that Amber Xiu dispelled the magic.

Not much time had passed, but the Hag's body had already suffered severe damage. She had almost laughed her lungs out just now, and her mouth was now full of blood, rendering her unable to speak.

The Druids of the Golden Vine Tribe stood guard at a distance, wary. They dared not approach Amber Xiu, this powerful Lich, and instead pulled Naomi aside to question her carefully about the whole affair.

Naomi naturally did not conceal anything. She recounted how she met Amber Xiu at the tavern and then cooperated to rescue people from the sewers.

All the Druids found it incredible. Cooperation between a Druid and an Undead was simply unheard of. According to Sylvanus's teachings, beings like the Undead, who disrupted the balance of nature, should be purified immediately.

But the Druids had witnessed Amber Xiu's might firsthand. If they attacked now, they would be the ones to die.

Considering Amber Xiu had saved them, they decided not to adhere to the Deity's doctrines this time.

That's how the Druids convinced themselves.

Van Jones reluctantly accepted the fact that they had been saved by an Undead, and then proceeded to scold Naomi fiercely.

Cooperating with an Undead aside, venturing into the sewers could be attributed to Naomi's concern for everyone. However, her appearance with the Sylvanus Statue was an act of utter rebellion.

Van Jones said furiously, "Naomi, how dare you steal the statue! Do you know the consequences? Even if all of us died here, it wouldn't compare to the importance of the statue. If anything were to happen to this divine artifact, the entire Golden Vine Tribe would be annihilated!"

Naomi said excitedly, "It was the Great Elder's order! He told me to take the statue!"

Van Jones asked in surprise, "How is that possible? Has the Great Elder gone mad?"

Naomi countered, "The Great Elder must have seen the future again. Didn't we also act according to his orders this time?!"

Van Jones wanted to ask more questions, but a fellow Druid beside him quickly grabbed his arm and glanced in Amber Xiu's direction.

Van Jones immediately shut his mouth. Such matters concerning the tribe's secrets were not suitable for debate at this moment.

Amber Xiu, however, paid no mind to this group of Druids. He had already taken several magical items from these clients. An Enchanted Ring, Leather Armor enchanted with nature spells, and a Magic Shortbow... These items combined were worth nearly ten thousand Gold Coins.

Having received his payment, Amber Xiu lost all interest in the Druids.

He was now standing before the Ranger, Second Husky, and said, "See? You're saved now, entirely because of me. In all rationality, I am your savior, am I not?"

Second Husky nodded repeatedly. He had considered betraying Amber Xiu earlier, but he never imagined the Lich would be so formidable. He truly had been blinded by greed to even consider targeting such an important figure.

Second Husky said excitedly, "Thank you, Lord Lich, for saving me. I am truly grateful."

"As a Lich, why would I want your human gratitude? Give me something tangible."

Amber Xiu extended two fingers and gently rubbed them together.

Second Husky understood the gesture, but he said with a wry smile, "Lord Lich, I'm a poor man. I don't have much money."

"How much do you have?" Amber Xiu asked.

Second Husky took out his meager coin pouch. This was no Space Pouch. Upon opening it, he revealed only two Gold Coins and some loose copper coins.

"Is that all?" Amber Xiu said, displeased.

Second Husky said sheepishly, "Lord Lich, my brother and I are poor. We truly don't have any more money."

"Is that so?" Amber Xiu said helplessly, "Alright. I see you have unusual potential. Making you into a Skeleton might be somewhat useful."

Upon hearing this, Second Husky's legs went weak with fear. He quickly said, "No, no, no! We do have money, we just don't have it on us. My brother and I can't afford a Space Pouch, but we have one at home. If you escort us back, Lord Lich, we'll definitely bring the money."

Amber Xiu was slightly satisfied. He said to Second Husky, "Look, I'm not an unreasonable person. I charged ten thousand Gold Coins to save six Druids. For you two brothers, I'll charge each of you a two-thousand Gold Coin 'thank you fee.' That's not excessive, is it?"

Second Husky counted on his fingers and said, "Sir, is the math correct? Six Druids for ten thousand Gold Coins means less than two thousand per person."

"Haven't you heard of rounding?" Amber Xiu retorted.

The Soul Fire in the Skeleton's eye sockets burned fiercely, as if it would turn Second Husky into a Skeleton at any moment. Second Husky quickly said, "Yes, yes, I have! Sir, your math is excellent."

"Hmm, good. You're a smart one. Here, sign this IOU."

Amber Xiu produced a piece of parchment and clearly wrote down the debts of Big Black and Second Husky, even detailing the interest for delayed payment. It was just shy of Alchemy City's legal limit for usury.

Upon reviewing it, no one could find any fault with the contract.

Second Husky sadly signed his name and looked back at his unconscious brother. He said to Amber Xiu, "Lord Lich, my brother is still unconscious. May I sign for him?"

Amber Xiu, however, said, "There's no need for such trouble."

A spell of light fell upon Big Black, and the Thief, whose face was still contorted in a look of lingering pleasure, quickly awoke.

Big Black mumbled groggily, "Goddess? Goddess, where are you?"

As the illusion's effect faded, Big Black stared blankly. Upon seeing the Hag bound tightly by vines, he immediately vomited until he was weak.

Seeing Big Black's pained expression, Amber Xiu suggested, "I know the Forgetfulness Spell. Three hundred Gold Coins per use, guaranteed to precisely remove specific memories without adverse effects. Would you like one?"

Big Black decisively signed the contract. Forget three hundred, he'd scrape together three thousand Gold Coins if he had to. Otherwise, he'd live with psychological trauma for the rest of his life, possibly resulting in permanent functional defects.

Amber Xiu contentedly collected these contracts. He wasn't worried about Big Black and Second Husky defaulting; he had plenty of ways to bleed these two adventurers dry.

Next, Amber Xiu took out another piece of parchment and had Naomi draw the location of the Slime nest. The young woman had now reunited with her tribesmen and was unlikely to continue acting with Amber Xiu. Naomi dared not violate the contract and diligently drew the Slime nest location she knew before leaving with her tribesmen.

After collecting all the valuables, Amber Xiu finally turned his gaze to the dying Hag.

The most valuable thing from this trip to the sewers wasn't the magical equipment or the tens of thousands of Gold Coins, but the ugly monster before him.

Amber Xiu walked up to the Hag and said very seriously, "Now we have time to chat. Tell me more about the prophecy of the sewer Deity."