"Ah, why can't I control these hands?"
Amber Hugh sighed deeply, rubbing the gold coin between his fingers, a lament from the depths of his soul.
This team, preparing for an adventure into the sewers, had generously handed him a gold coin as an "interview fee." Even if no partnership materialized, Amber Hugh would still walk away a coin richer.
Though mages were highly esteemed, and offering a fee to invite one to join an expedition was reasonable, a whole gold coin seemed excessive—almost as extravagant as tipping a dwarf bard just to silence him.
Any hesitation Amber Hugh initially felt vanished the moment he accepted the coin.
However, with the coin in hand, his unease grew stronger.
Adventurers, after all, were often little more than drifters, with few genuinely trustworthy individuals among them. Offering such a sum either indicated great power or signaled that the task was perilous—or worse, a trap designed to sacrifice a teammate.
After all, mages were typically well-off. Looting a mage's enchanted gear could easily fetch thousands, even tens of thousands of gold coins.
Yet, if that were the case, Amber Hugh would be even more pleased.
Double-crossing? Who wouldn't know how to do that?
In self-defense, Alchemy City wouldn't have grounds to pursue him. Amber Hugh could strip the adventurers of their valuables and turn a tidy profit.
Even a second-rate legend was still a legend. With the advantage of concealing his lich identity, bullying a group of adventurers would be child's play.
The real problem lay in the mission's difficulty. If this team wasn't planning to backstab him, they must have encountered something truly troublesome.
If double-crossing wasn't an option and the task itself was a nightmare, the deal suddenly seemed far less appealing.
Of course, he could always opt out, keeping the coin without further involvement.
Amber Hugh sat quietly in a corner of the tavern, waiting for the adventurers to arrive. The orc bartender mentioned they were coming from outside Alchemy City and would likely arrive around midnight.
During the wait, Amber Hugh devised several plans for a potential double-cross, as well as a few negotiation strategies.
However, the moment the adventurers appeared, he realized his scheming had been in vain.
The trio consisted of a fully armored knight, helmet obscuring his entire face, a war priest in chainmail with a massive hammer at his side, and a young mage who looked rather underwhelming in comparison.
"Paladins and war priests of the Rhine Empire?" Amber Hugh muttered in surprise.
There was no mistaking it—the insignia of a rose entwined with a dragon adorned their armor, a symbol exclusive to the imperial paladin corps.
By noble standards, these two were at least viscounts with their own fiefs.
No wonder they were so generous. Compared to ordinary adventurers, these two were powerful and affluent figures.
But what were paladins and priests of the Rhine Empire doing in Alchemy City? Their nations barely tolerated each other. Alchemy City disdained anyone without knowledge of alchemy or magic, while the Rhine Empire harbored disdain for all non-human races. Like villains loathing other villains, their mutual contempt never ceased.
The Rhine Empire saw Alchemy City as a haven for heretics of every race, while Alchemy City viewed the empire's incessant chants of "Holy Light, evil, and glory" as no better than barbaric war cries.
Though not openly hostile, tensions ran high.
The arrival of the two drew immediate attention from the tavern's patrons. Among them were lizardfolk and drow elves—who knew if the paladins would suddenly declare, "For the Holy Light, the evil here is worthy of battle!"
Amidst the tense atmosphere, the young mage stepped forward to ease the situation.
"Haha, it's lively here, just like my last visit. You two find a seat—I'll fetch some fine ale."
Amber Hugh was unaware that this young mage, Harvey, had once ventured near his domain with the Porcupine Knight.
Harvey's lighthearted words eased the tension. It wasn't their first visit, so perhaps there was no cause for alarm. After all, no disastrous diplomatic incidents had occurred last time.
Even so, several patrons hastily paid their tabs and left. Sitting near paladins was torment for those with guilty consciences.
The paladins, accustomed to such reactions, naturally took a corner seat, their backs to the wall—an instinct born of training, knowing well what kind of enemies they might face.
Harvey, bustling about, was soon drenched in sweat.
To secure these imperial figures, the Porcupine Knight had exerted great effort. Though their purpose in Alchemy City remained unclear, he successfully recommended Harvey as their guide.
When they expressed a sudden interest in exploring the sewers, Harvey had no choice but to assist. The process of gaining entry permits and assembling a team nearly wore him out.
Finding teammates was particularly difficult in Alchemy City, where human adventurers were scarce, and specialists in certain magic disciplines even rarer.
Several potential mages had declined or left negotiations on bad terms.
As the interview fee rose to one gold coin, they finally found a new candidate today.
The orc bartender warmly introduced Amber Hugh to Harvey.
"Hello, I'm William Harvey, mage apprentice."
Seizing the moment to observe the dark-haired youth before him, Harvey noticed that Amber Hugh's features—his hair, eyes, and facial structure—didn't match any known human ethnicity, though there was an ethereal elegance reminiscent of elven heritage.
But good looks meant little to a mage. Intelligence, not charm, was a mage's weapon.
"Hello, I'm Diga Ultraman," Amber Hugh casually introduced himself, borrowing his chatroom alias.
"Greetings, Master Ultraman. I assume you're aware of our requirements. We need a mage proficient in ice magic..."
Before Harvey could finish, Amber Hugh raised his hand, conjuring a sphere of frost energy in his palm.
Recognizing the spell as Frost Ray, a basic ice cantrip, Harvey prepared to question him, only to see the frost split into two identical spheres.
Dual casting? A sorcerer's trick? No—it was pure magical control.
A true master's skill was evident at a glance. Harvey's initial courteous "Master" now felt fully deserved.
Harvey glanced at the paladin, signaling his approval of Amber Hugh's abilities. While Harvey was tasked with evaluating the mage, the decision to collaborate rested with the imperial duo.
"This is our fifth candidate," Harvey discreetly reminded them, hinting that this might be their last chance.
Unmoved, the paladin addressed Amber Hugh in a cold, emotionless tone. "Master Ultraman, my faith forbids me from associating with the wicked. I wish to cast Detect Evil upon you. Do you consent?"
Amber Hugh: …
End of Chapter