A Deal with a Demon?

The sovereigns and nobles in Francroft City were surprised to learn of the dragons' arrival and Crown Prince Luke's victory.

When the nobles heard of the victory, they raced to the frontline to declare their glory and falsify their contributions.

True to his word, Prince Lukas had deserters executed and cowards flogged regardless of peerage or station.

However, nobles were given an option to pay a hefty fine instead of public flogging. A fine every noble gladly paid. The fine was used to pay soldiers' salaries and purchase more goods and rations.

The army did not stop for an extended rest until they arrived at the Kingdom of Icer and the Dukedom of Kro border. There on the border, the Allied Army built a fort.

The Dukedom of Kro shared a border with the Rhaziesian Empire. Retaking the Dukedom of Kro would allow them to amass a big force before entering the demon stronghold.

But the Dukedom of Kro presented a massive challenge. South of the Dukedom the Kingdom of Zhekid.

If they did not retake both sovereignties it would expose their flank and allow unfettered access to the overland supply line.

The Allied Army could not afford to have an enemy force surprise them from behind, while they were attacking the demons.

At the moment no one had a good solution, not even Will. The only option at the moment was to thin the army out across the sovereignties and build forts along the Dukedom Kro and Zhekind border with the Rhaziesian Empire.

Since they didn't have enough troops, waiting on the Icer, Kro was the best solution.

While the soldiers built the fort, Will cast [Cast] and stepped into his Fermion Guardian newspaper.

When he stepped out, Mei and Diego were talking by the printer. Will could see they looked nervously at him.

Will knew his last article describing the Allied Army's defeat and his injury dealt a blow to people that the Allied Army was invulnerable and victory inevitable.

Hopefully, his new article describing the dragons' aerial support, would lift the public spirit and renew their trust in the Allied Army. This, hopefully, with more realistic expectations.

"Greetings Boss Will, there's a demon here to see you," Mei and Diego said nervously.

"Did he threaten you?" Will asked casting his spell [Domain].

"No, Lord Mammon was courteous and informed of our etiquette," Mei said.

"He's in my office waiting for you," added Diego.

"Here's today's article. I'll go meet him, please bring me yesterday's newspaper and a cup of tea," Will said walking to Diego's office.

"At once, sir," they answered.

Inside Diego's office, Will saw a handsome human-looking man with horns sitting in the guest chair.

"Greetings Lord Mammon I am—"

"William vont Ballard. The newly entitled Grand Marquis of Fermion.

"It seems you are acquainted with, but I am unfamiliar with you," Will replied sitting in Diego's chair with only a small desk between them.

"I am Lord Mammon, the demon of greed and love of money. I can here because I believe we can work together on a profitable enterprise," he said with a smile.

"I never knew demons could transform into humans?" Will said impressed.

"Yes, most demons lord possess this ability. But this skinsuit is uncomfortable," the demon said blasé faire.

"If we are to be potential partners, we should be comfortable with one another," Will suggested.

"Ha-ha," I thought we may be like-minded, but I never expected you to be this comfortable," Lord Mammon laughed.

Then he quickly transformed into his demonic form. He was a portly, red skin, short, finely dressed demon. He was not tall or muscular, like the demons he'd seen on the battlefield.

"Ah!" May screamed as she brought in a tray of fresh tea and yesterday's newspaper.

"Now, that's the response I was expecting. You're no fun Will," Lord Mammon said.

"Put the tray down Mei and leave. Return to the bank and say nothing to anyone," Will advised.

"Yes, Boss Will," Mei curtsied and quickly left.

"Since you addressed me informally, may I ask you a question before we get down to business?" Will asked.

"Of course."

"Tell me about Limos?" Will asked curiously.

"Ha-ha. You are not what I expected! Usually, someone would ask why we invaded Terra. Or negotiate our departure. Or ask why we eat humans or drink souls. But no, you ask about that annoying brat. Ha-ha!"

"If you like, you can answer those questions as well."

"No, I agreed to answer a question. Singular. And that is what I shall answer. Limos is the demigod, and his specialty is starvation, hunger, and famine.

He and his sister Aite were party poopers. Years ago, they upset Demeter. For men of wealth like us, they are our opposite. I must say, I am happy they are gone.

But that wound you have is pretty nasty. It looks like you're having trouble healing. I can help you with that, for a fee!" Lord Mammon said.

"I shall consider your officer. Now, tell me about this profitable enterprise?" asked Will interestedly.

"I plan to print millions of counterfeit Great Eastern Empire coins, unload them on the streets and rooftops, and then stand aside as the Eastern Empire's economy collapsed," Lord Mammon laughed joyously.

"That's not a profitable enterprise," Will explained.

"It is if you exchange the counterfeit for the real thing. We'll make millions while saddling the empire with worthless debt," he smiled showing off his razor teeth.

This was not the first time Will heard of this plot. He'd done the same thing to snuff the eldest prince, Prince Nolan, and ruined the Fermion's Eastern Region.

But, Lord Mammon wanted to elevate the ploy on a national scale. Something this wicked was last proposed by the Nazis during the Second World War against the British.

The dubious idea of printing enemy currency was meant to send the British economy into superinflation.

The brutal efficiency of Hitler's war machine made it easier to print English banknotes on a vast scale, in greater quantities than any counterfeit bills were ever produced before.

It was not beyond calculation that the Nazi plot could devastate the economy of Britain and its empire, whose worldwide commerce was transacted through the financial nerve center of the City of London, which enriched Britain's gentry while financing its wars.

The Nazis planned to dump the notes over Britain in quantities large enough to equal 30% of the currency in circulation.

It was decided to proceed with the printing in the printing works of the Reichsbank of 30 billion of forged banknotes of £1 and various other notes. Transferring these forged notes to foreign countries would be done through diplomatic bags.

After they flooded the money markets with an enormous quantity of forged pounds. This would be when their planted spies would whip up citizens through a coup.

"Why not the Qhosnir Empire?" Will asked.

"You know as well as I, that empire is near collapse on its own. The lords have already declared their independence and their finance minister fled the country with the last of their gold. But you knew that already," Lord Mammon told Will.

"Then why the empire, and not Fermion or another kingdom?" Will asked.

"I thought about Fermion. I'd enjoy our chess match. The other kingdoms would be too easy, where is the fun in that?

Only the Great Eastern Empire's piles of gold are enough to entice me," the demon said honestly.

"Regrettably, I must refuse. I am the Imperial Crown Prince Luka's teacher and an honorary imperial marquis. I cannot plot against my benefactor," Will advised.

"I've read your newspaper. Anyone with sense can tell you're making your disciple out to be the world's messiah.

Won't my scheme only strengthen the image? You can swoop in and save the day?" Lord Mammon said modeling a heroic pose.

"I am not certain I can beat you," Will said humbly.

"Oh, you wish to charm me. I only accept coin, words are worthless to me," Lord Mammon announced.

"How much would it cost to leave the empire alone?" Will asked.

"Hm, yes, that is a good question. I would say negotiations should start at a million gold," the demon smiled.

"That's 10,000,000 copper. Do you think money grows on trees?" Will shouted angrily.

"No, but I believe that's the amount I'd earn with my counterfeiting scheme," Lord Mammon smiled, knowing that he'd put Will's back against the wall.

"Ah, I see, you want the empire to pay you a ransom to stop your ploy. And, after they ransom, you'll go along with your plan anyway," describe Will admirably.

"Wait, how did you figure out my true intentions?" Lord Mammon asked frustratedly.

"Because that's what I would have done," Will shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.