Diplomatic Means

Chapter 44: Diplomatic Means

Amber Xiu wasn't keen on getting involved in other people's domestic disputes, but Headless Bro was a guest, and he felt obligated to offer a few words of caution. Once the guests were happily sipping free drinks, Amber Xiu pushed through the crowd to Headless Bro's side.

"Yo, Diga, little brother, you're here for drinks too?" Headless Bro enthusiastically slung an arm around Amber Xiu's shoulders and introduced him to the lioness-like female orc beside him: "This is my brother."

The female orc put on a shy expression and said to Amber Xiu, "Master Diga Ultraman, I've heard your name. Last time, you tricked a Lyne Empire Paladin out of several thousand Gold Coins in just three sentences. Your methods are admirable. I'm the owner of this bar, Ona Hellfire."

Hellfire, Amber Xiu seemed to have heard that surname before. It should belong to a rather famous tribe among the orcs.

As expected, another rich woman.

Amber Xiu politely greeted the bar owner, then pulled Headless Bro aside and asked in a low voice, "Big brother, what have you been doing these past few days? You're a married man!"

Headless Bro let out a drunken burp and said dismissively, "So what? I haven't done anything. I just came for a drink. Can't married men go out for a drink? By the God of Undead, I don't even have a head, don't I have the right to have a drink?"

"Just having a drink? You were practically making those eyes at that female orc!"

Amber Xiu didn't believe it was just about drinking. Anyone with eyes could see that Madam Ona Hellfire was practically drooling over Headless Bro.

"Ona... she's a good woman, but I only see her as a sister."

Classic scumbag talk. Before Amber Xiu transmigrated, people who said things like this were often stabbed to death with kitchen knives.

"Gareth, I have no opinion on your love life, but you need to consider that if your wife finds out, it could trigger a war."

The fury of the Bone Dragon Princess was something even Alchemy City would have to face with all its might. One wrong move could turn half the city into ruins, and Amber Xiu's territory might even be reduced to ashes.

Hearing Amber Xiu mention his wife, Headless Bro poured himself another drink and sighed, "I'm starting to think this marriage might have been a mistake."

Amber Xiu offered no response. This was not a topic he could discuss.

After transforming into a Lich, Amber Xiu's heart no longer beat, nor did he secrete hormones that affected his thinking. The emotional experiences of his past life were now just faint impressions eroded by centuries of time. Abandoning joy and sorrow for solitary eternal life—this trade might not have been a loss, but Amber Xiu was slowly feeling its side effects. Like now, he could only stand as an observer, analyzing purely with logic.

Amber Xiu couldn't even understand the situation between Headless Bro and his Bone Dragon wife. They weren't just both undead; their species and even their physical sizes were vastly different. The fact that they could get married, he could only say that love is truly magical.

Perhaps there was some untold story between them.

But before Headless Bro could complain to Amber Xiu about his marital life, the tavern door was suddenly pushed open. A man in a golden-red robe entered, followed by two all-metal construct robots—these were the golem puppets of Alchemy City.

Upon seeing the man's attire, everyone in the bar put down their drinks and looked at him nervously.

That golden-red robe was the mark of an Administrator from Alchemy City.

Thanks to the Alchemist Council's focus on academics, Alchemy City's administrative structure was simple, with only two levels from top to bottom: Council Members and Administrators. All of them were Alchemists.

Administrators were responsible for all practical matters such as livelihoods, administration, military affairs, and law. Perhaps only those within Alchemy City could distinguish who managed which department. To outsiders, they all looked the same, with no discernible differences.

But the people of Alchemy City shared a consensus: the appearance of these Administrators never boded well.

Alchemists preferred to hide in their laboratories tinkering with vials and bottles. Whenever they had to work outside, they wore stern faces as if everyone owed them millions of Gold Coins. And unless absolutely necessary, Administrators would rather remotely control their golem puppets than appear in person.

Now, this Administrator, with a dark expression, walked into this bar. It was clear that something very troublesome required an Administrator's intervention.

Ninety percent of the patrons present were adventurers, and ninety percent of adventurers had engaged in illegal activities. Therefore, upon seeing the Administrator, everyone was tense, fearing he was there to cause trouble for them. Two drow elves had already quietly moved towards the window after seeing the Administrator, preparing to climb out.

The Administrator held his head high, completely ignoring the gazes of these patrons. He walked directly to the bar, took out two vials of magic potions, and said to the orc bartender, "I'm here today to investigate a missing person case. This vial on the left is a powerful truth serum. Drinking it may cause brain damage and turn you into an idiot. This vial on the right is a lie detector potion. If you lie after drinking it, your internal organs will corrode. Choose one to drink."

The orc bartender looked at the two vials with strange colors and glanced pleadingly at his boss.

Ona Hellfire stood up and walked in front of the Administrator, negotiating, "Esteemed sir, we've been operating legally. Whatever you want to investigate, just ask. We will cooperate. There's no need for such intense interrogation methods."

The Administrator was only as tall as Ona's shoulder, but even facing the lion-like female orc, he remained indifferent.

"This is a diplomatic incident officially raised by the Lyne Empire, concerning the diplomatic relations between the two countries. There is no room for leniency. Choose a vial to drink, or I will imprison all of you for obstructing an Administrator's investigation."

The Administrator's words were decisive, causing Ona's fierce face to contort.

Headless Bro put down his wine glass and said to the bar owner, "Ona, do you need my help?"

Ona gave Headless Bro a gentle smile and said, "It's alright, Gareth. I can handle it."

Headless Bro shrugged helplessly, while Amber Xiu breathed a sigh of relief.

That Administrator was lucky. He was almost turned into meat paste.

Ona said to the orc bartender, "Tell the truth, don't hide anything." This meant he should choose the lie detector potion. As long as he didn't lie, it should be fine.

The bartender was helpless but could only grit his teeth and drink the lie detector potion.

After he finished the potion, the Administrator began to ask, "A few days ago, did a Paladin named Allen Watson come here?"

Hearing this question, Amber Xiu also put down his wine glass.

Diplomatic means? So that's how they play?