Chapter 287: What the Dragons Want
Springblossom had inns specifically for outsiders, all operated directly by the elves. Private businesses weren't allowed.
Even taverns packed with adventurers lacked the usual rowdy chaos. That had its advantages: there wasn't the overwhelming stench that often marked places where too many orcs gathered, nor stepping in something unpleasant by accident.
Still, while the elves could maintain cleanliness and elegance, they had no control over the patrons themselves.
Ambrose chose the liveliest tavern. The moment he pushed the door open, a wall of noise hit him.
"You intend to find privacy here?" Gareth's voice echoed from inside his helmet, the hollow reverberation giving him away immediately.
Ambrose shot him a look. "You're undead. Do you really have to speak out loud?"
A moment later, Gareth felt Ambrose reaching out to establish a soul link.
It was a natural ability among undead: after all, low-level skeletons and zombies couldn't speak and moved sluggishly, so this was the most efficient way to communicate.
Gareth accepted without hesitation.
Soon, the link extended to include Milena as well, forming a small network of shared thought.
Ambrose spoke directly into their minds. "There are a lot of people here. That makes us less noticeable. If we rented a room and shut ourselves inside, that would draw far more suspicion. We'll act normal—drink and chat, like ordinary patrons—but exchange important information through the link."
Ideally, they would have spoken within his extradimensional space, but the divine domains couldn't be stored there. This was the next best option.
The tavern was so crowded they couldn't even find a table. Ambrose casually cast a few sleep spells, sending several adventurers slumping over mid-drink.
Within moments, their companions carried them out, grumbling about their terrible alcohol tolerance.
Ambrose claimed the table and sent Gareth to buy drinks.
Elven wine was outrageously expensive, and Gareth was rich enough to afford it. Ambrose certainly wouldn't waste the gold to do so, not when the undead couldn't taste anything anyway.
Gareth didn't even notice the scheme. For someone whose personal funds were measured in the tens of millions, a few bottles of elven wine meant nothing.
"I'll take three of your finest," he said.
The elven bartender froze for a moment as she eyed the armored figure. The armor's craftsmanship alone suggested he wasn't some drunk troublemaker.
She quickly brought out three exquisitely crafted bottles.
"These are our finest wines, made from—"
Before she could finish, Gareth tossed down a storage pouch and walked off with the bottles.
The bartender opened it and nearly went blind from the gleam of gold within. The pouch had enough gold to buy thirty such bottles!
What kind of customer was this?
Watching his retreating figure, she felt a strange admiration for him. This wasn't someone trying to show off—he genuinely treated wealth like dirt.
A pity he wasn't an elf. Otherwise, she might have tried to get to know him better.
Ambrose finally understood why Gareth was so popular with women. Wealth was part of it, but even more important was the attitude.
Like beauty that didn't flaunt itself, true charm lay in natural ease. The less deliberate the display, the more captivating it was.
Men were the same. Flaunting wealth outright diminished it. Letting it show unintentionally was what drew people in.
Still...
"We're here for a secret meeting, and you buy the most expensive wine possible? Are you trying to attract attention?!" Ambrose roared through the soul link.
Gareth replied calmly, "It's just a little gold. Who's going to notice? Since when were the elves that poor?"
Ambrose turned to Milena. "Don't learn from him. Got it?"
Milena nodded obediently, though she didn't really understand the situation. As a princess of the Umbral Depths, gold really didn't mean much to her.
Nothing seemed wrong about Gareth's spending habits, but Milena trusted that her father was right.
The undead uncorked the wine and drank it straight from the bottles, with zero appreciation for the vintages.
Several patrons watched in pained silence, muttering under their breaths about wasted treasure.
At the table, the three seemed quiet, but their minds were anything but.
"Gareth," Ambrose began, "I'm planning to give your side the spider domain. Any objections?"
Gareth grew serious. "One of the four domains concerns the drow, doesn't it?"
Ambrose nodded. "Indeed. Are you unhappy with how I've divided the spoils?"
"You initiated all this, so it's only right you decide," Gareth said. "We'll accept whatever you give us. But the drow domain is extraordinary. The dragon race wants it. Name your price and we'll make up the difference."
Gareth knew full well he hadn't contributed much. It had all just been a leisurely trip underground, with no real danger nor any worthy opponents. Even getting one divine domain out of the deal felt generous.
As such, rather than requesting the drow domain outright, he was hoping to be able to negotiate with Ambrose.
Ambrose narrowed his eyes. "Planning to use the power of the drow to return to the continent?"
"No," Gareth replied. "Our pact, witnessed by the gods, forbids our return en masse. But with that domain in hand, the drow could act as our proxies. The overseas islands are barren, and we miss what the continent offers."
Ambrose considered this, then turned to Milena. "Does your mother want any of the domains in particular?"
Milena shook her head.
"Mother said to leave it all to you."
Good. Black Rose remained as reliable as ever.
"Then I'll give you the domain over corruption," Ambrose replied.
Corruption sounded like a narrower domain than darkness, but the latter was dominated by Shara. As a result, the darkness domain was the least valuable of the lot, even when used as a trading chip with the gods.
Business was about reciprocity. Black Rose had treated him well, so he would return the favor where he could.
Milena accepted the small box obediently.
"Be careful," Ambrose warned. "You can't teleport while carrying that. You'll have to travel on foot. Can you handle it?"
"There are entrances to the Umbral Depths everywhere. Once I'm underground, it'll be fine."
Ambrose wasn't entirely convinced. After all, Milena didn't have the best track record. Her fighting ability left nothing to be desired, but what if someone were to trick her?
A divine domain was too important to leave to chance. Perhaps he should escort her back.
Milena seemed pleased as well. She was more than happy to linger a while longer at Ambrose's side—compared to her imposing, awe-inspiring mother, her down-to-earth father who seemed capable of anything was far easier to like.
With that matter settled, Ambrose turned to Gareth. "I originally intended to sell the drow domain to the elves. Otherwise, I wouldn't have arranged to meet you here. Gareth, you know what the drow mean to the elven race. I doubt the dragons can match that price."
Business was business. He might offer a friendship-based discount, but this particular domain was too important. The dragons' determination simply couldn't compare to that of the elves, and Ambrose had no intention of selling himself short.
Gareth waved it off with his usual easygoing manner. "Just name your price. I'll ask the dragons. Whether it works out or not won't affect our relationship."
Ambrose didn't beat around the bush. "My original plan was to use this domain to join the elven pantheon. I've offended too many gods. Once I ascend, they'll come hunting for me. I want the elves' protection in exchange. If the dragons can offer the same, then of course I'll sell it to you instead."
Gareth was just as direct. He pulled out his Necromantic Codex and sent a message to Alabastra.
Ambrose had expected a long deliberation, but to his surprise, Gareth received a reply within minutes.
"Sorry. The dragons aren't willing to pay that price."
Ambrose felt a flicker of disappointment, though he wasn't particularly surprised.
The Lord of Dawn had agreements with the dragon gods, and the conflict between the Dragon Tyrant and the Lyon Empire still hadn't fully played out. The dragon gods were likely bound by all kinds of restrictions.
Gareth sighed as well.
"Seems like luxury isn't all that important to the dragons after all. Bringing goods from the continent is really just to keep the younger hatchlings satisfied."
"Younger hatchlings?" Ambrose asked curiously.
"Yeah. You know how dragons love collecting rare treasures and luxury items? The ones born overseas over the past millennium haven't had much chance to build collections. The islands are just too poor. And as for food... well, you can't live on fish forever."
Ambrose considered this for a moment, then said, "In that case, you don't need the drow at all. If it's luxury goods and food you want, I can take care of that."
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