"So, are you ready to talk now? Or are you about to try and rip my heart out again?"
Third times the charm they say, but that didn't mean that I didn't get a shiver down my spine when I remembered how impulsive the demoness that was standing in front of me was.
Thankfully, it was great information to have, as it might lead to situations where I could capitalize on it. Just like it was a weakness during battle, it was also a very big weakness during negotiations and conversations.
Still trying to look as composed as possible, Ezral just crossed her arms, making her huge chest jut out even farther, "Just get on with it. Seems like you are even worse than a human, you are more like a cockroach who never dies anyway, so might as well get it over with."
Crossing my right leg over my left, I took the position I had begun to find the most natural for me and prepared myself for the verbal battle about to start. Although I had a feeling it would be more of a slaughter.
"It's a shame... I wouldn't have minded spending a bit more time conversing with a beautiful woman like you... Alright then, let's begin. First of all, I assume that you have already figured out my identity, right?"
Without missing a beat, she confirmed my thoughts, "James Jackson, a former student at Ainu. Rumored to be a great talent, but sold his soul in order to summon a demon. Also, there is no doubt that you had a small trip to Trill before coming here, however, I do not know the details of your visit. If I had to guess, you were biding your time before making your way to the capital, and the reason for that is obvious. There is something you want from me."
The amount of information she had managed to gather was quite reasonable. Nothing too deep, but showed that she had at least a somewhat decent understanding of my position coming here.
'It's good that the head on her shoulders isn't all that bad... Then there is no doubt that she understands the dynamic of our negotiation going forward.'
I took a second to ponder what the best way to go forward would be, inadvertently resulting in me rubbing my chin. "You aren't wrong. I am, indeed, that James Jackson that you have gathered information about. So, why do you think I have come here? What kind of reasons could I possibly have to meet up with one of the strongest demons in existence?"
Her body relaxed a bit when she heard my words, seemingly quite weak against compliments. Placing her hand on her cheek, she took some time to think her answer through, not wanting to give up too much information just to see if her guess was correct.
'Loki sure does have some nice tricks...'
The strategy of stating questions in order to find information and lead a conversation was a page I had stolen straight out of the god's book. There was a multitude of reasons why he had been the one controlling our conversations, but the fact that he was the one asking questions was at least one of them.
Finally, she had constructed her answers and was ready to give them to me. "First of all, the fact that I am the strongest demon does not carry weight in this situation. There is no way that you truly think that you could make me personally do your bidding, nor do I see a reason why you would want that. Now, for the reason why you are here, you want to blackmail me into keeping you safe, or something along those lines."
She had accurately pinpointed one of the most important reasons that I was here. Yes, I did indeed need to find a place where I could safely grow, not just in strength but also to grow the reach I had in this world.
"Good, then, I think we are set to begin our negotiations. First of all, I want you to enter a mana contract with me so that I can be sure that all of the specifics are enforced. On the contract..."
*BAM!*
"Don't fuck with me, human! Who do you think you are to think that I would ever enter a contract with you?!"
'Whoa! How sturdy the floor must be! That's crazy!'
After a moment of appreciating the expert craftsmanship that must have gone into making a floor that was durable enough to endure the tantrum of the demoness, I reminded her about how I truly didn't give a shit about her honor and pride.
"Did you already forget? If I so chose, I could instantly sell you out, ruining all the plans you have to take control of Kurat. Hmm... I do wonder what that king of Mensch would do if he found out..."
Gritting her teeth, I knew I had gotten her back on track, "Hnnrg! Fine! I'll get that damn contract! So, what's the actual deal then?"
Feeling the ends of my mouth rising, I couldn't help but feel elated knowing that I was truly the one holding the rope. The absolute bliss of knowing that even a demoness couldn't fight circumstances and information was too intense to ignore.
Leaning my head against my hand, I stated the general conditions of the contract we were about to enter, "So, Erzal... You must have quite the knowledge about human culture, as you were the first one to be sent over."
If her skin weren't so perfect, I was sure that her forehead would have creased because of her confusion, "I do... What about it?"
"Have you ever heard of the concept called a sugar mommy?"
==========
"How in the world would this be fair?! So all I get is the fact that you won't tell anyone about my secret, and in return, I will have to do all of this for you?!"
Ezral wasn't particularly happy about the details of our contract that I had written up, her lovely figure making figures in response to her intense gesticulations. Although some people might have gotten bored with her extremely vivid reactions, it only further stroked my ego.
Seeing an exasperated demon countess, trying her best to get out of the unfair situation that I had put her in, did truly give me a feeling of overwhelming power. This was how one ruled the world, it wasn't through pure strength or intelligence, it was by using every single little opening one could find.
Of course, it would mean little if there was no thought or power behind one's actions; That would merely lead one to get destroyed in the end.
After basking in the glow of victory for a while, I leaned forward in the armchair and stood up. While fixing my suit, which didn't have a single crease, I pretended to be on my way, "Is it not good enough? Well, I guess that's that... A shame, truly. I thought we were about to embark on the path of eternal friendship. Hmm... I wonder if I'll get pardoned by that king if I deliver the information about Kurat to him?"
Placing her hands on my shoulders, she gently pushed me back into my seat, now looking a lot more amicable, "No, please don't say that... I was just thinking that there should be something else for me to gain... I was too greedy..."
Her acting wasn't half-bad, it was actually pretty good. Seeing her now take up the disguise of an innocent beauty, consciously moving her body incredibly sensually, I could see how it was a good idea to send her over first. 'I wonder why she hasn't tried to charm me yet...'
It was pretty weird how she hadn't used the same spell on me that she had used on the king, a thought that quickly led me to believe that maybe she couldn't. That there was some sort of restriction that made her unable to charm several people, or maybe there was a precondition before she could use it.
Going back to the 'negotiations', in which I didn't let her negotiate, it didn't take long until she accepted my terms.
"Is that so? Then, I take it that you accept the deal? How great! Then, let's get to signing the contract!"
"Yes... I accept the contract..."
Her acting coy and polite all of a sudden wouldn't make me go soft on her, and I sure wouldn't change any of the terms that I had written down. They were all necessary for me to be able to find a suitable place to grow for the foreseeable future.
*Tch!*
Simultaneously, we bit our thumbs and placed a bloody signature on the contract. Within a second, I felt a weird sort of connection to the demoness, a connection I assumed she felt as well. Raising my arm, I gestured with my hand towards her, "Happy making business with you, partner!"
Sadly, she didn't take my hand, instead opting to continue her sulking like a ten-year-old.
"Shut up! You... you demon!"