Lich for Hire

Chapter 242: Master's Friends

With clear requirements in hand, Ambrose now knew exactly how to weave this soul.

A death knight's mobility came entirely from its mount. Even the summoning of such a mount could vary in quality. Ambrose decided to strengthen the soul's affinity in that area as much as possible.

Then there was the requirement for independent operation. This undead would need the ability to adapt to circumstances and devise its own plans in the field. Undead didn't need supplies, but they did need a means of recovery. This death knight had to possess some means of self-healing—a dark healing spell, or something similar. Its mana regeneration also needed enhancement, which meant increasing the soul's affinity with dark magic…

Ambrose first outlined these broad strokes, then refined them into detailed specifications to ensure no mistakes during the weaving process.

After all, the materials alone cost over a million gold. Failure would be disastrous.

He carefully wove the shimmering threads into precise patterns, integrating them piece by piece into the jellyfish-like soul.

Black Rose didn't stay to watch. Instead, she began strolling through the castle.

A thought lingered in her mind: Would this castle one day become hers as well?

Before reconnecting with Ambrose, she rarely thought of him. But now that they were in contact again, she couldn't help recalling that he had given her his phylactery.

Perhaps… it was time to make things clear. According to Alabastra, relationships shouldn't be left unresolved for too long. Otherwise, feelings might fade.Black Rose still didn't feel anything resembling love. But Ambrose had given her his phylactery. If she refused his affection, she was worried his love might turn into enmity.

There were still hundreds of millions of gold tied up in business deals between them. If things fell apart now, who knew how many years it would take before she could resume her campaign against Lyon?

Looking at it that way, accepting his gesture was surely the better option.

But should she be the one to bring it up?

Lost in thought, she considered asking Alabastra for advice, but as she wandered, she encountered a maid dressed in simple attire.

Cardina looked at the elegant, noble beauty before her and asked in surprise, "Might I inquire as to your identity and purpose here?"

It was only because Black Rose carried the unmistakable air of high nobility that Cardina spoke so politely. Otherwise, she would have already grown stern. Lately, too many people had been coming to see Isabel, and she had assumed this was another uninvited guest.

Still… someone this refined didn't seem like the type to intrude rudely.

Black Rose glanced at Cardina with mild surprise. "The power of time? How interesting."

Was that lich so extravagant as to use temporal magic to restore a maid's youth? Was he particularly kind to human servants, or simply fond of young beauties? He was difficult to read.

Cardina's tone grew firmer when Black Rose didn't respond.

"Madam, if you are not a guest invited by the master of this castle, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave."

Black Rose found Cardina's attitude novel. By her usual standards, she would have turned Cardina into an undead and "educated" her properly. But since this was Ambrose's servant, she exercised restraint.

"There's no need to be nervous. I'm a guest invited by your master. Go about your work."

Cardina frowned. "You're Miss Isabel's guest?"

Black Rose tilted her head. "Isabel? Who is that?"

"You don't even know Miss Isabel? Then you—"

Before Cardina could finish, Isabel came running from a distance at full speed. She stopped before Black Rose and bowed deeply, at an angle of almost ninety degrees.

"Lady Rose, I apologize. Cardina is new. Please forgive her rudeness."

"You are Isabel?" Black Rose asked.

"Yes, Lady Rose. I am my master's student—ah, I mean…" Isabel stammered nervously.

She recognized Black Rose. Ambrose had specifically warned her that the woman was an extremely powerful undead, and had to be treated with utmost respect. She didn't know just how powerful, but certainly powerful enough to crush her effortlessly. Moments ago, she had been genuinely worried that Cardina might have offended her.

Black Rose gave Isabel a brief look. Another beautiful girl. Was Ambrose one of those indiscriminately affectionate scoundrels?

…Not that it mattered. The Umbral Depths were filled with drow beauties.

She lost interest in further conversation and simply walked past them in her heels, not sparing another glance at the duo.

Only after she disappeared from view did Isabel finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Cardina immediately asked, "Miss, who was that?"

"I only know her as Lady Rose," Isabel replied. "She's a very important guest of my master. You must never anger her. If she's upset, my master will be upset too."

She understood how important business was to Ambrose. It was, after all, a matter of gold.

Cardina frowned. "Miss, ever since your master returned, it feels like you've become an outsider."

Isabel gave her maid a faint, wistful smile. "I've always been an outsider."

She was merely a slave he had picked up. Becoming his apprentice had already been an incredible stroke of fortune. She dared not entertain any other thoughts. The castle belonged to him. She was only living there temporarily, and even had to work to pay her rent.

But to Cardina, Isabel's expression looked like that of an abandoned mistress. Could Lady Rose have been the master's prior lover? Perhaps even his first.

Cardina wanted to encourage Isabel to fight for her place, but she couldn't get the words out. Lady Rose was like a noble swan. Isabel was, at best, a small sparrow.

And from earlier, it was clear Lady Rose didn't even know who Isabel was. The gap between them was enormous.

"Miss, don't worry. I know what to do," Cardina said.

At the very least, she would avoid causing Isabel any trouble. From now on, she would steer clear of Lady Rose.

In fact, she resolved not to question any of the master's friends again, lest she make things difficult for Isabel.

After the brief disturbance, the castle fell quiet once more.

But soon, the sound of jingling bells echoed from outside. A carriage had arrived. The bells that hung from the carriage served to alert passersby and to announce a visitor in advance.

Cardina hurried to the gate.

A luxurious black carriage waited outside. From it stepped a man in an opulent robe, an alchemist.

As a local, Cardina recognized his attire. Only important figures from Alkhemia wore such garments. The dark-skinned man's stern expression further emphasized his high status.

Cardina hurried forward. "Sir, may I ask who you are?"

Gustavo Flynn replied coldly, "I'm a friend of the castle's master. Tell him Flynn has come to visit."

A few hours earlier, Cardina wouldn't have dared to let him into the castle without first reporting to Isabel. But after her encounter with Black Rose, she didn't dare block his way. She quickly ushered Gustavo Flynn inside.

Originally, she planned to seat him in a reception room and inform Isabel of the matter.

But just as they entered the castle, Black Rose happened to pass through the main hall.

Their eyes met. Neither paid the other any particular attention.

Black Rose knew Ambrose had many connections. A visiting alchemist was nothing unusual. Gustavo Flynn merely noted her beauty and wondered why such women kept gathering around a lich. What use was beauty to a lich, anyway?

Sensing the awkwardness, Cardina quickly said, "Lord Flynn, please wait here. I'll inform the master immediately."

But before she could leave, Black Rose spoke. "Have you come to see him? He's busy right now. You can't disturb him. Come back another day."

Her imperious tone brooked no refusal.

Gustavo Flynn snorted. "What I have to discuss with him is extremely important. Tell him I'm Gustavo Flynn, and he'll come out to see me."

Black Rose replied coldly, "I said, he's busy. Come back another day."

Ambrose was currently crafting a soul for her, and had specifically instructed that no one disturb him. How could she allow this alchemist to interrupt? What if the process failed?

Gustavo Flynn was already convinced that this woman had an unusual relationship with the lich. Perhaps she was another foolish woman bewitched by him. He had no desire to argue with her.

But there was no time for further delays. The election was tomorrow. If he didn't secure Ambrose's support today, there would be no next time.

He spoke firmly, "If he finds out you turned me away, he won't let it slide. You don't understand him. Business matters more to him than anything else. Tell him my name. I'll wait here."

Black Rose frowned. Her perception locked onto the alchemist.

Was the man incapable of understanding human speech?