Gareth's Passive Ability

Chapter 43: Gareth's Passive Abilities

Amber Xiu's feet didn't touch the ground as he patrolled the territory. Everything seemed normal.

The humans who had come seeking refuge had built their homes, and the land reclamation was already showing results. With the help of magical potions, the first harvest would be ready in a few days, and it was expected to be a bountiful one.

The humans calculated the grain they needed to hand over and realized their lives were much better than before. Looking at the nearly ripe wheat, more than half of their unease dissipated.

After the last battle, the Porcupine Knight and other lords had suffered heavy losses. They no longer dared to scheme against Amber Xiu, instead turning their attention to their companions. Three lords had died on the battlefield. After returning, no one knew what plans the Porcupine Knight and the others had discussed, but they were rapidly encroaching on the territories of the three deceased lords.

Amber Xiu didn't know what excuse the Porcupine Knight was using, nor if he could recoup his losses. All he knew was that recently, a large number of Freemen had fled, heading straight for his Lich's Territory.

The territory's population now exceeded three hundred, which was a considerable number.

The sudden increase in population didn't trouble Amber Xiu, as Raul had become a competent administrator.

Amber Xiu felt a pang of emotion; hardship truly forged people. Raul, who once couldn't read a single character and had fled to his territory in panic, now possessed some of the demeanor of a human governor, managing these hundreds of people with great order.

The territory's development was on track and required no concern from Amber Xiu.

As for the three captives, they also didn't cause Amber Xiu any worry.

Harvey quietly read books in his cell, treating the place like home, making Amber Xiu consider charging rent. Allen and his cleric companion performed their routine prayers and prisoner's exercises, living a very disciplined life. After all, the Paladin kept his word; he had said he would be a captive and not cause trouble for Amber Xiu, and he wouldn't.

Amber Xiu admired this quality; few people could do as they said.

Then Amber Xiu visited Isabelle's Laboratory and found that the young girl's Alchemy skills had improved significantly. She could now prepare many more complex potions, and Amber Xiu was very pleased, rewarding her with an Enchanted Ring.

This was equipment he had "acquired" from a light cleric. Unfortunately, it had a race restriction, usable only by humans. It was perfect for Isabelle. The ring had a solidified healing spell, usable once a day, capable of healing external wounds and common illnesses. Isabelle was currently assisting her brother in managing the Freemen, and the healing spell was more useful than other offensive spells.

After inspecting the territory, Amber Xiu took out his phylactery and carefully maintained it.

Then, to his surprise, he found himself with free time.

He used to be so busy he couldn't stand still, with endless experiments and never enough Gold Coins. But after striking a deal with Withering Rose, their first payment had arrived, and Amber Xiu's treasury was finally well-stocked.

However, the second phase of the Living Mercury cultivation work had not yet begun. This required a large amount of metal ore. Amber Xiu could only acquire the bankrupt mine after Withering Rose made their move.

This left Amber Xiu suddenly idle.

This was not a good thing for a Lich.

Without the limitations of a physical body and thus no worldly desires, Amber Xiu had to find something to do, or he would feel a hundred times more bored and empty than mortals.

"Perhaps I should count my Gold Coins?"

Amber Xiu pondered, then decided it was a foolish act.

No matter how many times he counted, the Gold Coins wouldn't increase. As a rational Lich, he should enjoy the process of earning money and the process of spending it.

Amber Xiu thought for a moment and decided to go for a drink with Headless Bro.

After all, Headless Bro had given him hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins as a welcome gift. As the host, it wouldn't be right to let Headless Bro entertain himself alone every day. He had to fulfill his duties as a host.

Casting a Transformation Spell on himself, Amber Xiu left the Ancient Castle and flew towards Alchemy City.

It had been some time since his last visit. Amber Xiu vaguely felt that Alchemy City had become even more desolate. More shops had closed, fewer people walked the streets, and their expressions were more somber. Occasionally, he saw many people holding signs by the roadside, looking for work, pleading about not being able to afford food at home, and having elders and children to support.

"This situation is not right. Haven't those Alchemists reached an agreement with the Silver Moon High Court yet?"

In Amber Xiu's estimation, no matter how crazy Alchemy City went, it couldn't maintain such insane prices indefinitely. This was trade between nations; sometimes, it wasn't just an economic issue but a competition of national strength. Alchemy City couldn't just watch its economy collapse without doing anything. They spent so much money maintaining their automaton legions; why not use them now? Were they waiting until they couldn't afford maintenance and had to sell them as scrap metal?

Directing the automaton legions towards the Silver Moon High Court to exert some military pressure and force them to the negotiating table would be the correct course of action. Why was there no news of any related developments?

"The Alchemist Council might be crazy at times, but they aren't fools. I really don't understand."

Amber Xiu, filled with confusion, arrived at Southern Cross Street, where adventurers gathered, and went to the Iron Scraps bar.

As soon as he entered, Amber Xiu saw the Headless Bro he was looking for.

Disguised as a human adventurer, Headless Bro was drinking with a two-meter-tall Orc. They downed large cups of flaming liquor, the Orc grimacing from the heat but still persisting in drinking. Headless Bro, however, was much more relaxed, emptying the head-sized cup without changing his expression, not even spilling a drop.

After one cup, the Orc was already swaying. Headless Bro, however, picked up the second cup and drank it down again. Amidst the cheers of the onlookers, the Orc picked up his second cup, but halfway through, he collapsed. Flames spread along the liquor, covering his body and causing him to yelp in pain.

The surrounding crowd watched with great excitement, cheering for Headless Bro.

Amber Xiu was speechless. You're a Lich, and you're arm-wrestling someone? Isn't that just bullying?

Headless Bro laughed like a child, slamming the cup onto the table and exclaiming, "I won! Drinks are on me today!"

"Long live!"

"Praise be to you, my friend!"

"Gareth! Gareth!"

As all the customers chanted Headless Bro's name, Amber Xiu chose a quiet corner and said to the familiar Orc bartender, "A mug of ale, please."

"Master Ultraman, it's been a while. Please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."

The Orc bartender was as elegant as ever, his pouring motion delicate, unlike what one would expect from an Orc.

"What's going on?" Amber Xiu gestured towards Headless Bro, who was surrounded by people.

The Orc bartender glanced at Headless Bro and sighed, "If you ask Gareth, he's quite an interesting fellow. I haven't seen a customer with such a high alcohol tolerance and such a generous personality in many years."

"No, I'm talking about the treat. It's my first time hearing about someone treating people to drinks after winning," Amber Xiu said enviously.

"Otherwise, why would they call him generous? Hmm, though in reality, our boss is footing the bill." The Orc bartender gestured with his eyes.

Boss?

Following the Orc bartender's gaze, Amber Xiu looked toward another corner of the bar.

A female Orc with fiery red skin sat there. She was as robust as a lion, yet the way she looked at Headless Bro could only be described as a seductive gaze.

This... Is Headless Bro being kept by this female Orc? Could Headless Bro's Legendary favor be a Charm spell that guarantees being kept by a rich woman 100% of the time?

In a daze, Amber Xiu seemed to see a tragic scene of a Bone Dragon turning this bar to ashes with a single breath.