NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88: Come Work for My Company!
“You just said, ‘Can’t it be any sooner’ didn’t you?”
Hearing the Lich’s comment, Edward smiled as if he’d expected this response all along. “Actually, I happen to have a way to speed up the process. I just need a little help from you.”
“……”
The Lich, realizing where this conversation was going, slowly sat back down. The soul flame in its skeletal eyes occasionally glanced toward the Imaging Crystal on the table as it spoke, trying to maintain its composure. “Go on, human. What do you want from me?”
Clearly, the Lich assumed that Edward was setting the stage for a negotiation, intending to use this “movie” as leverage to demand something—perhaps power, the secret to immortality, or even the Lich itself.
However, none of that mattered to the Lich. It had been so bored it was considering self-destruction and eternal slumber before Edward and his group arrived. Now, having found something that actually piqued its interest, it was hard to stay indifferent.
In fact, from the moment it finished watching the beginning of Fate/Zero, the normally composed Lich found itself obsessing over the story’s continuation. Realizing it couldn’t proceed without Edward, it abandoned any thought of negotiation entirely.
Noticing the Lich’s thoughts, Edward carefully chose his words and spoke: “What I need is simple. I want you to come work for Edward Film Studio.”
“????”
The Lich was utterly baffled.
Edward quickly began rambling, explaining all about Edward Film Studio and the nature of the job. In essence, his pitch boiled down to: Join our company! We provide room and board, full benefits, and a salary that will absolutely satisfy you!
Edward’s nervousness made him ramble even more, his words turning into a runaway train of humor and exaggeration. By the time he finally stopped, the Lich was thoroughly overwhelmed.
“Ahem. In short,” Edward finally clarified, “I want your power to help us create the best visual effects for our movies! During this time, I won’t restrict your freedom, nor will I use your power for anything unrelated to filmmaking. How about it?”
Edward’s voice was a little shaky. After all, he was negotiating with a being far more terrifying than the Headless Horseman. If the Lich got upset, it could erase him with a thought, and he’d have no recourse.
Still, despite the danger, Edward made his proposal. His desire for the Lich’s assistance was evident.
“Movies? Special effects?”
The Lich tilted its eerie head. “You’re asking me to help you make these… movies?”
“Exactly! I’ve been considering this for a while now. The Fate/Zero script has extremely high demands for visual effects. For our first two films, I could handle most of it with my Grand Mage-level abilities. But this one is simply beyond me. With your help, though, our production timeline could advance by leaps and bounds. We might even complete the rest of the story within a month! Then, we could immediately start filming Parts 2 and 3 of Fate/Zero!”
The primary headache for Edward had always been the special effects. Unlike the previous two films, Fate/Zero was a nightmare for visual effects artists. He knew it was impossible for him to manage it all alone. And when it came to special effects, what could be better than enlisting the help of a super-tier Lich?
“Wait, you mentioned Parts 2 and 3 of Fate/Zero? This movie has more than one part?”
“Of course! What you just watched was only the opening of Part 1. In my plan, Fate/Zero is a long-term, large-scale project.”
“……”
Hearing this, the Lich, now realizing just how long its wait for the rest of the story would be, nearly despaired.
“Fine,” it finally said with a sigh. “I can help you make your movie. But let me be clear: I’m an undead. While you, a strange human, might be willing to interact with me, I don’t believe others will be so accepting.”
This was why the Lich was even willing to engage with Edward in the first place. From their first meeting, Edward hadn’t shown fear. Instead, he treated the Lich as an equal, something almost no one else would do. Most humans would either flee or be drained of their souls by the Lich.
“I understand,” Edward replied. “I know how humans feel about the undead. But don’t worry! Even Belldia has integrated into our community and runs a bustling tavern. If you come, even with your skeletal appearance, I’m sure you’ll fit in soon enough. Of course, you mustn’t use your power recklessly or harm anyone. Otherwise, you’ll lose the privilege of watching movies, no matter what. Not even killing me will change that since soul manipulation magic doesn’t work on Grand Mage-level beings.”
Edward smiled, a mix of bluffing and stating facts.
The Lich, chuckling dryly, raised its bony hand. In it rested a phylactery—its very essence, burning with soul fire.
“Take it.”
Edward froze. Staring at the phylactery in his hand, then at the Lich, he couldn’t fathom how the being was willing to entrust its life just for the sake of watching movies.
“You said I have to control myself to keep watching movies,” the Lich explained. “Honestly, self-control is not my strong suit since becoming undead. Belldia can vouch for that. Consider this insurance—to keep myself in check.”
“Uh, wouldn’t a soul-binding contract work better?”
“I can’t read!”
“…Wait. How did you even become a Lich, then? Lat—Latisha?”
Edward stumbled over the name that emerged from the soul fire within the phylactery. Staring at the obviously feminine name, then at the skeletal figure before him, his expression grew stiff.
The Lich, its soul flame briefly flaring, replied irritably, “How should I know? You’re the one asking!”