This Lich Requests More Remuneration-Chapter 161 - 148 Gold Camel Bell Tavern

Chapter 161: Chapter 148 Gold Camel Bell Tavern

Chapter 161 -148 Gold Camel Bell Tavern

The endless yellow sands shimmered with a golden hue under the sunlight.

The entire Golden Desert gained its fame from this gold-like coloration; Amberser once thought that the sands here were made of gold, only to find out later that a powerful Mage had permanently altered the light effects with a “World Weaving Spell.”

Though they looked like gold, they were still just sand; beyond this desert, they were no different from other sands.

Many years later, Amberser saw this dazzling scenery once again and couldn’t help but remark, “There really are such bored people in this world.”

A Mage capable of using the World Weaving Spell must also be of Legendary Rank, and quite a formidable one at that.

Yet all they did was add a reflective effect to an entire desert; Amberser couldn’t find the right words to describe the deed immediately.

Katherine passed him a special pair of sunglasses and prompted Amberser to put them on.

These were designed specifically to shield one’s eyes from desert glare; without them, one would be blinded by the light after just a short walk.

But Amberser was a Lich, he asked Katherine in bewilderment, “Why? I don’t have eyes.”

Katherine excitedly replied, “Aren’t we pretending to be adventurers? What kind of adventurer walks through the desert without sunglasses? If someone sees you, our cover will be blown.”

Seeing Katherine engrossed in role-playing, Amberser had no choice but to don the sunglasses and quickly walked forward.

According to Katherine’s plot, Amberser was a newly converted Ranger, seeking the help of a Druid for his contracted beast companion, while Katherine was playing a female Orc Warrior hired for assistance.

She even enthusiastically wrote several pages full of their detailed backgrounds—how long they had traveled together, what spells the Witch they met on their last adventure was best at, and how many romantic encounters Amberser had on the road—ensuring all the details were covered.

Amberser was speechless.

It truly was an overexcited first-time adventuring Elf.

For someone like Amberser, an old hand, adventuring was just a job and one that he had stopped doing a long time ago. Having seen the scenery on this road for a century, he found it hard to be enthused.

With vastly different thoughts, the two trekked through the sea of sand. To keep up the appearance of authenticity, they rode camels instead of flying, spending a good half-hour before arriving at a towering city.

This was Dew City, the closest city to the desert’s death line and the location of the largest nearby oasis.

The thirty-meter-high city wall was made from massive rocks created with magic, and was further reinforced with numerous defensive spells capable of withstanding the worst sandstorms.

When Amberser approached the city gate, ready to enter Dew City, he was immediately stopped by the Lizardman Guard keeping watch.

The yellow-green-skinned Lizardman, wielding a long spear and fully wrapped in a cloak, extended his spear to halt Amberser as he approached.

The Lizardman flicked his tongue and said in a shrill voice to Amberser, “Human, state your name, identity, and purpose for entering the city.”

Amberser looked around and realized that many people were entering and leaving through the city gates; even Katherine by his side wasn’t intercepted, only he was stopped.

“Why are you only checking me?” Amberser asked in confusion.

The Lizardman replied firmly, “Because you are human!”

Amberser rolled his eyes; this was a baseless suspicion. They weren’t on the lookout for humans, but rather for people from the Laine Empire.

“Fine, my name is Barton, alias Hawkeye, a Ranger. I’ve come all the way from Alchemy City and, as for my purpose, an adventurer goes where there’s money. I’ve heard there’s a war going on around here, so I thought I’d try my luck,” Amberser explained briefly.

The Lizardman Guard couldn’t detect anything amiss. Amberser was indistinguishable from the adventurers they saw every day, with the demeanor, actions, and tone of voice of an experienced old-timer—just with a face that seemed a bit too young.

On the other hand, the tall Orc standing by his side looked somewhat peculiar, with shifty eyes, tightly pursed lips, and an overall questionable demeanor.

Yet, at a closer look, this Orc seemed harmless, trustworthy, and in need of care.

The Lizardman Guard shuddered; why would he think of protecting an Orc?

The Lizardman Guard quickly averted his gaze and continued to Amberser, “Human, prove that you are not a spy from the Laine Empire.”

Amberser spread his hands and said to the Lizardman, “Prove? How am I supposed to prove it? Should I recite to you the untold story of the Empress of Laine and the Goblin?”

The Lizardman laughed, “Ha ha, I’ve read that unauthorized history; it’s truly spicy!”

Amberser quickly added, “Exactly, especially the part behind the bath curtain, the writing is simply explosive.”

“I prefer the scene under the table at the court banquet… ahem, alright, you couldn’t possibly be from the Laine Empire. Go on in,”

Amberser’s literary taste aligned perfectly with that of the Lizardman Guard, allowing him smooth entry into Dew City.

After passing through the city gate, Katherine let out a deep sigh of relief and said to Amberser, “That scared me to death. I thought we were about to be discovered.”

Amberser reminded her calmly, “What are you afraid of? We simply shouldn’t reveal our true identities, but even if we’re exposed, there won’t be any problems. We’re neither Laine people nor wanted criminals of the Golden Desert. What’s there to be afraid of? The more nervous you are, the more likely you’ll be exposed. You might as well relax – the worst that could happen is drawing the curious stares of the residents of Dew City.”

In fact, the Lizardman Guard had already noticed the change in Katherine’s expression; she merely thought she’d performed well.

Katherine’s face turned red when Amberser pointed this out.

How could she have thought of all that? The moment Amberser was stopped, her heart almost leaped out of her chest.

Curiously, Katherine asked, “What history book were you two talking about just now? I’ve never heard of it.”

Amberser didn’t explain, merely saying offhandedly, “I’ll lend it to you later.”

Katherine nodded. Although elves didn’t interact much with the Laine Empire, this book seemed quite useful. If it could help them move unobstructed through the desert, it was worth a serious read.

Entering Dew City, Amberser didn’t waste any time and led Katherine straight to the largest tavern.

For mercenaries and adventurers, the rule on the continent was to gather in taverns, which served as the hubs for posting commissions.

These taverns, scattered across the continent, formed organizations that, while not guilds, functioned similarly.

A tavern called the Golden Camel Bell was bustling with activity, its large hall filled with over a hundred patrons drinking.

Upon entering, Katherine’s brow furrowed at the noise and the jumble of scents. As Elf Queen, she had never seen such a dirty, chaotic environment in her whole life. Inexperienced as she was, she could only follow closely behind Amberser, and seeing him sit down at the bar, she wanted to follow but found there was only one empty seat nearby.

Katherine saw Amberser sitting at the bar and felt at a loss.

What was she supposed to do, stand by his side and wait?

But Amberser wasn’t paying any attention to Katherine. It’s important to think for oneself – constantly relying on others’ hints isn’t meaningful.

Let the girl stand if she wants to stand.

Amberser casually ordered a drink that was neither expensive nor cheap and then started to chat with the bartender.

Interestingly, the bartender of the Golden Camel Bell was also an orc, just older and shorter than the one from Iron Slag Remnants.

The Orcish Bartender said to Amberser, “Is this your first visit to Dew City, guest? Do you need a guide? I can recommend a few good local guides.”

With a light ding, Amberser flicked a silver coin onto the table, then told the bartender, “I’m not here for sightseeing. I only go two places in this city: one is the inn, and the other is the tavern. I’m here to make money. Do you have any commissions suitable for a Ranger?”

“A Ranger? There are quite a few suitable commissions, but here we prioritize locals or regulars. Since it’s your first time here, you’d have to wait your turn at the back of the line. You must be familiar with the rule.”

Amberser nodded. Taverns served a kind of intermediary role, naturally giving priority to acquaintances. As a newcomer, without someone vouching for him, Amberser feared it might take a month or two to receive a suitable commission.

However, Amberser wasn’t there to make money – his earlier statement was just to reinforce his identity as an adventurer.

After chatting with the bartender for a bit and growing familiar, Amberser spoke up, “By the way, I’m planning to form an Adventurer Squad. I’m a Ranger, and my friend here is an Orc Warrior. I’m looking for locals to join the team. Preferably Spellcasters, Priests, Mages, Druids are all fine; let’s skip the Bards.”

It was foolish to directly post commissions in the tavern as a foreigner. The tavern would use various excuses to inflate the commission fee. Things like outsiders lacking guarantees or needing to pay insurance on first-time commissions were all reasons Amberser didn’t want to be taken for a fool and overcharged. Thus, this indirect method of inquiry was more appropriate.

The bartender said with some difficulty, “You want to team up with locals? That won’t be easy, as you are a human. You know, this identity can be a bit tricky nowadays.”

There was another ding, and this time it was half a silver coin that landed on the bar.

The bartender looked at the reduced tip with a slightly disdainful expression, but faced with Amberser’s “I’m a pauper” look, he understood that he couldn’t squeeze much out of him.

With some difficulty, the bartender said, “Priests and Mages are in high demand, and there are few available. It’s a pity you don’t want Bards; I could have introduced many.”

Amberser chuckled and then said, “Why do you think there are many Bards available? Don’t you understand why?”

The bartender’s face showed no embarrassment as he continued, “Since the guest is a true expert, I won’t beat around the bush and waste time. I might be able to inquire about a Druid, but…”

Amberser handed another silver coin over and said, “No commission posting. If you find someone suitable, five silver coins go straight into your pocket. If you post a commission, the intermediary fee goes to the tavern. Friend, the choice should be easy for you, right?”

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The bartender’s eyes swiveled, then he said to Amberser, “I work every other day. Come back here at the same time the day after tomorrow.”

Amberser nodded, an initial agreement reached, and there would likely be news the day after tomorrow.

Just about to call Katherine to leave the tavern, he turned and saw that Katherine was sitting at a luxurious gambling table, looking awkward.

Several Orcs with starry-eyed fascination surrounded her, continuously stuffing chips into her hands.