It was obvious that the Trisna before Ambrose had become an incarnation of Shara.
Gods could not descend freely; they required an anchor.
One method was through divine statues imbued with faith. Previously, the Spider Queen had descended through her idol, and the other three goddesses had likely relied on her consent to manifest alongside her.
The second method was through an exceptionally devout believer. The High Inquisitor of Lyon could draw the gaze of the Lord of Dawn, unleashing divine power great enough to destroy half of Alkhemia.
The third was through special divine artifacts, like the coin the God of Alchemy had given Ambrose. Such items allowed direct contact and even descent.
That black dagger was clearly one of Shara's prepared artifacts, which was why she could manifest through Trisna's corpse.
Faced with Shara's questioning, Ambrose remained perfectly calm.
"I followed your instructions, my lady. I drove the dagger into this drow's heart. My task was complete. Your profit or loss from my action is not my responsibility."
Shara stared at him, then let out a low chuckle.
"Let's skip the pointless probing. I know you won't give up what you've gained so easily. But do you even understand what a divine domain truly is? It looks like irresistible bait, but a deadly hook lies within. The day you ascend will be the day you fall."
Ambrose replied evenly, "I understand. Once one becomes a god, the rules change. Conflicts between gods are far more brutal and direct, and newly ascended deities are especially vulnerable. That's what you mean, isn't it?"
Shara hadn't expected such composure. With a hint of disdain, she said, "Do you think the leader of the Elegiac Society will protect you? Don't be naïve. That will never happen. Or perhaps you're relying on your master? The God of Alchemy can barely protect himself. Do you think he can shield you?"
Ambrose countered, "If it were truly as dangerous as you claim, the weaker gods would've all been devoured long ago. Do even the evil gods pick and choose their prey?"
Shara shook her head, her tone almost pitying. "You still don't understand. Those weak gods live in constant fear, hiding day after day. Only when they establish their own divine realm can they finally take refuge and avoid being consumed."
"So as long as I establish my own divine realm, I'll be safe?" Ambrose asked.
Shara laughed softly. "Others, perhaps. Not you. The domains you've obtained were stripped from the Spider Queen. Just as I can find you with ease, she will sense you the moment you ascend. There will be nowhere to hide. Even if you take refuge in your master's divine realm, you'll only drag him down with you.
"Oh, and one more thing: you've accepted my knowledge of the Weft. My mark is already on you. I can find you at any time. Right now, I still need an artifact to descend. But once you ascend... I'll come for you immediately."
Her threat was naked and unrestrained. It was clear that Shara was furious. If she could, she would kill Ambrose on the spot.
Those four divine domains should all have been hers.
Moreover, Shara's domain aligned perfectly with the Spider Queen's. Absorbing those domains would greatly enhance her divine power.
Most importantly, among them was the racial divinity of the drow, a prize Shara coveted above all else, and one the Spider Queen could not afford to lose.
But she couldn't let Ambrose know that. Otherwise, this greedy lich would demand an outrageous price, perhaps even something as absurd as her divine realm.
Yet despite her threats, Ambrose showed no fear.
He hadn't even received the domains yet. He was still mortal, and Shara's threats meant little as yet. She had, after all, beheld the Spider Queen's fate. Unless Shara wanted to "donate" her own domains as well, she could only threaten him, not act.
"My lady," Ambrose said lightly, "talking about how miserable I'll be after ascension feels a bit... distant. Why don't we discuss something more practical? Surely you don't expect to obtain something so valuable through threats alone?"
His composure only fueled Shar's anger, but she knew she had no choice but to negotiate.
Gods had little leverage over mortals who did not worship them. If she wanted Ambrose to yield, she would have to pay a price.
"I can grant you a powerful blessing," Shara said.
"What kind of blessing?"
"I can bestow upon you a divine spell and make you one of my Night Judges."
Night Judges were Shara's personal agents, akin to the priests and paladins of the Lord of Dawn. They could wield divine magic that she granted directly.
Unlike arcane spells, which were learned, divine magic depended entirely on the god's will. Lose Shara's favor, and the power would vanish.
It sounded impressive, but Ambrose was hardly impressed.
"That's it?"
"Watch your tone, mortal!"
Ambrose paused briefly, then said, "My lady, when doing business, one must show sincerity. Do you really think that blessing is worth even a ten-thousandth of a divine domain?"
There were plenty of Night Judges, and few were remarkable. If Shara could make him as powerful as the Silvermoon Knights, unstoppable in the mortal world, he might consider it.
"What do you want, then?" Shara demanded.
"How about an exchange? You offer one of your own domains. Something weaker is fine. It will be a fair trade. As for the difference, once I ascend, we can join forces against the weakened Spider Queen, seize the rest of her domains, and split them evenly. A win-win situation."
It was, by Ambrose's standards, a generous proposal. He knew he would face countless dangers after ascension, so he didn't mind sharing some benefits to secure an ally.
After all, he was taking a shortcut to godhood. He'd likely be a minor deity regardless, so his particular domains mattered less than survival.
But Shara refused without hesitation. "Impossible. I will not trade any domains with you."
Ambrose sighed. "Then there's nothing to discuss. I can't make a losing deal."
He truly didn't want to fall out with Shara, but her attempt to take everything for free was unacceptable.
Shara let out a cold laugh. "You may be reluctant now, but soon, you'll realize how gravely mistaken you are.
"Lich, your greatest problem is this: no one can protect you. You stand alone. You cannot join the pantheon of the lawful good, nor receive their protection. Yet you've offended so many evil gods in the meantime.
"The Spider Queen, Tiamat, Levitra, and myself—we're all waiting for the day you ascend. And when that day comes, we will descend upon you without hesitation... and tear your soul to pieces."
Her voice faded. Trisna's corpse collapsed once more, lifeless.
The black dagger that had merged with her body reappeared behind it.
Ambrose sighed. "Why leave so quickly? I was just about to say, Lady Rose plans to trade a divine domain for divine assistance. You could've negotiated with her."
Shara was a terrible trading partner, impatient, temperamental, and stingy.
Looking at the corpse with the dagger embedded in it, Ambrose abandoned the idea of turning it into undead.
The dagger was too strange. Who knew what tricks Shara had left behind? Creating a high-level undead only for it to betray him at a critical moment would be disastrous.
Still, it would be a waste to leave it unused.
After thinking for a long while, Ambrose muttered to himself, "I wonder... would the elves be interested in a drow corpse?"