Destiny always loves to play jokes.
Not long ago, Ambrose was thinking about how many elves to kill on the battlefield to teach them the aning of a Lich's wrath. Now he had to consider how to pacify this war. While others might find this situation fascinating, Ambrose felt his soul going into shock.
Destiny, you are always like this.
Just when you have your life plan sorted out, unknown waves crash into your face, leaving you dizzy and disoriented. You finally grab a life-saving straw, only to find a fishhook hidden inside... Recalling past mories, Ambrose felt a draft through his bones, chilling him to the marrow.
However, Ambrose was also very clear that his decision was not wrong.
Since mastering the power of prophecy, his premonitions had always been quite accurate. Even though he actively sealed this ability, he could still make vague judgnts about the future. This was a passive effect; completely removing it was impossible.
Now that the power of prophecy had fully rebounded, becoming Ambrose's Legendary Boon, as long as he focused his attention slightly to think, those premonitions would beco extrely intense, making it impossible to ignore them even if he wanted to.
Therefore, Ambrose's desire to negotiate with the elves wasn't recklessness; he had already foreseen that this choice could achieve his goal.
"I'll have to find a god to pray to later, asking them to help seal this prophecy ability again."
Ambrose muttered about a possibility that likely wouldn't happen, then entered his private dinsion.
The elves trapped in the cell were still in a state of [Ti Stop]. The little girl nad Naya and Cicero remained frozen in their argunt.
When Ambrose released the [Ti Stop], they didn't imdiately notice his existence.
"I really shouldn't have agreed to let an underage elf join the Twilight Guards, even a so-called genius!" Cicero said angrily.
Although Naya knew she had ssed up, she said defensively, "I can swear to the gods, I really didn't say anything! That Lich used so spell to read my mories! It must be so!"
Ambrose stood outside the cell, saying cheerfully, "I don't have the skill to remove the blessing of the Elven Gods yet. However, exaggerating the enemy can indeed lower one's guilt. I understand you well. But saying that, isn't it a bit blasphemous?"
Hearing Ambrose's voice, all the elves jumped in fright.
Just a mont ago, there was no one there. What spell did this Lich use to appear without any warning?
Ambrose's words also made the elf girl turn pale. Was she really blaspheming the gods?
Seeing Naya's expression, Cicero imdiately put away his anger and comforted her, "Don't listen to this Lich's nonsense. He is ssing with your mind. The gods won't bla us for unintentional mistakes."
But after comforting her, Cicero felt extrely nervous himself.
The Lich before him was the most troubleso enemy he had ever t, not just because of his power, but also because of his mouth, which could talk the dead alive and talk the living into suicide.
He could breach a person's inner defenses with a casual remark and judge a person's inner thoughts from the tiniest expressions. To him, the Elven race's blessing of immunity to mind control was practically nonexistent.
Ambrose stood there without saying a word, just staring cheerfully at Cicero with his human face form.
A few seconds later, Cicero felt he couldn't hold up anymore and shouted loudly, "Lich, what exactly do you want?! Kill us if you have the guts!"
"Hehe, the sa old lines. What benefit is there for to kill you and send you to the Elven divine realm?"
Ambrose walked into the cell, slowly passing through the elves until he reached Cicero. Smiling, he said, "Relax. I didn't co today to torture you, nor to extract intelligence. I already know what I want to know. I ca today simply to notify you that in a few days, you will be sent to the desert. Please prepare yourselves. At least wait until the transaction is complete before considering suicide. I guarantee that if you don't die here, I won't desecrate your corpses. How about it?"
Before Cicero could speak, Naya exclaid, "What do you an? What transaction?!"
Cicero shouted, "Naya, shut up!"
"But..." The elf girl flushed red with anxiety, but under Cicero's angry gaze, she chose to shut her mouth, only able to stare at Ambrose with resentnt.
Ambrose continued smiling. "Calm down. I said I'm not here to torture you; why be so nervous? You should know that it's not just the Elven race eyeing this land. The Desert Dwarves have been beaten into retreat by the Ryan Empire and are about to collapse. This land is their strategic retreat space.
"As for the rights of a native like ... well, neither elves nor dwarves would care. The weak are prey to the strong. I'm not preparing to complain, just telling you that the Desert Dwarves spent money to buy you for interrogation. And I have agreed. I'm just here to notify you so you won't be too emotional during the transaction.
"I heard that elves can die of a broken heart? You elves are troubleso. Other captives just need so [Sleeping Potion], but you insist on being difficult, forcing to give you a heads-up. So, please maintain a good mindset."
Ambrose's words were too much for Cicero, who said agitatedly, "You sold us to those Wind-Eroded Rocks?!"
Ambrose hurriedly reminded him, "Whoa, such racist terminology. Don't use that when the ti cos, or the dwarves definitely won't mind teaching you a lesson."
Perhaps due to their living environnt, Desert Dwarves were shorter than dwarves from other places—being shorter made it easier to stabilize oneself against the storms. Desert Dwarves also had rougher skin than other dwarves; the marks carved by wind and sand did indeed make them look sowhat like wind-eroded rocks.
However, Desert Dwarves hated this nickna; it was practically pointing at their faces and calling them ugly.
But Cicero said disdainfully, "Such an artistic title. If they don't like it, I can also directly call them ugly dwarfs."
Ambrose had no intention of fighting for the dwarves' right to approve nicknas. He just stared at Cicero, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
"Alright, changing the subject. Verbal insults, venting extre emotions—these tricks are aningless to . You don't need to hide your inner unease. You are afraid that after being sent to the desert, the dwarves will use you to gain an advantage in the war. Guilt and impotent rage need an outlet, so people often act foolishly when in despair..."
Ambrose comnted unhurriedly on Cicero's behavior. The feeling of his scars being exposed made Cicero unable to bear it any longer. "What exactly do you want to do? Lich, don't waste everyone's ti. You definitely didn't co just to notify us about being sold!"
"Haha, finally maintaining so rationality. That works. Only those who can still think at a ti like this are qualified to negotiate." Ambrose put away his mocking expression and said very seriously to Cicero, "What I want to do is simple. Let the Elven race pay to buy you back. What do you think? That way, Elven intelligence won't be leaked."
Cicero said agitatedly, "Elves will not be threatened!" But for so reason, upon hearing Ambrose's suggestion, his heart skipped a beat.
Not just him, but the other elves as well.
Indeed, if they could be ransod, Elven intelligence wouldn't be leaked, and they could go ho alive.
As for the intelligence Ambrose had guessed earlier... sorry, they didn't want to think about that detail right now.
Although the Elven race was naturally elegant and full of wisdom, in terms of willpower, they were quite inferior compared to the fanatics of the Ryan Empire. At the very least, they were afraid of death.
Hearing Cicero say this, Ambrose didn't refute him. Instead, he bypassed him and addressed the other elves directly. "Regardless of whether this transaction succeeds, it's a chance to negotiate. Actually, I have no grudge against you elves. Think about it: I am the native here; I am the victim of invasion. The invasion of the Desert Dwarves and the invasion of the Elven race are the sa to , except the dwarves aren't as arrogant as you elves.
"And now, if you are willing to put down your arrogance and talk to , I could put you back on equal footing with the dwarves. This is beneficial to your Elven race's strategic goals as well. This isn't just for yourselves, but for the other Twilight Guards.
"You don't think the outco was any different for the other Twilight Guards who encountered , do you?"
Ambrose claid to be the victim, considered the problem from the Elven standpoint, and brought up other elves as a reason. Throwing out these sets of rhetoric silenced the elves; even Cicero didn't continue to argue.
These words made sense, yet ant nothing.
But sotis, right or wrong isn't needed—just a staircase to step down.
Bring out the overall interests of the Elven race to cushion the feet of these elves, and they would put down their arrogance and walk down the stairs.
Naya was the youngest and the quickest to be persuaded by Ambrose's words.
Naya whispered to Cicero, "Cicero, perhaps... he's right. We have to consider the overall strategy of the Elven race. If we are sent to the desert, things might go badly."
Other silent elves also spoke up one after another. If there was a choice, naturally being ransod was better. Perhaps being captured was a disgrace, but as long as they lived, there was always a chance to wash away the sha.
Cicero looked at the kinsn beside him, realizing that refusing was aningless now. The Lich before him understood manipulating hearts too well. The morale of the Twilight Guards had scattered. Even if he refused, soone else would be willing to be the ssenger, and the Elven race would certainly consider Ambrose's proposal.
The final result would likely be the dwarves and elves sitting together at the negotiation table, bidding against each other, allowing this Lich to make a fortune.
From the mont they failed and were captured, everything had been within this Lich's calculations.
Cicero said helplessly, "Fine. If you release , I will take your words back."
Although he agreed verbally, Cicero decided that once back, he would report the terror of this Lich in detail, alerting the Elven race to be vigilant against him, avoiding being completely led by the nose in the upcoming negotiations. Recalling the details of the battle with Ambrose, Cicero felt many details could be analyzed deeply. If he recorded everything and sent it to the Elven race, they might be able to analyze many things.
Ambrose smiled and said, "What are you talking about? I didn't say I'd release you."
amidst the surprised expressions of the elves, Ambrose said to Naya, "Little girl, you heard everything I said just now. Go back and repeat it to your people."
Hearing this, Cicero hurriedly tried to refuse, "Wait! Naya... she..."
Ambrose frowned and mocked, "Minors first, ladies first. Is there sothing wrong with that? No way, surely the leader of the Elven Twilight Guards isn't planning to run away himself and let a child remain a captive?"
At these words, all the elves couldn't help but glance at Cicero.
Cicero gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He began to regret agreeing.
That child, Naya, would be sold by this Lich and would still help him count the money!
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