Red Dragon has magic

Chapter 401: Like a duck in water
Leon had long forgotten about the demon hunting. He neither started a killing spree nor continued to pester Bell. He followed Bell and left to the other party's office on the top floor of the forge.

Climbing up the spiral wrought iron staircase, this forge dedicated to supplying weapons and equipment for bloody battles and building hell war machines was of an astonishing scale, much larger than Lyon's factory on the outskirts of Watchport. It took a long walk to finally reach Bell's office.

Bell clapped his hands gently, and immediately a charming and seductive succubus maid brought black tea and exquisite snacks, then withdrew respectfully.

"What can I do for Lord Red Dragon?" Bell took a sip of black tea elegantly. His every move showed his aristocratic demeanor and he was polite and courteous, like a gentleman from upper society.

In contrast, Leon was a bit of a second-rate guy. He slumped in his chair without any image, crossed his legs, and responded nonchalantly: "It's not that you can help me, but that we benefit each other - after all, we are talking about a deal, right?"

Bell didn't respond, but just looked at him quietly, waiting for his next words.

Leon stared at Bell.

Cunning, cruel, and with perhaps the most tactically savvy brain in the Nine Hells, Bell is a master of betrayal, double-crossing, and ambush, using his sharp mind to always stay one step ahead of his opponents.

In fact, there is another way to describe Bell - Bell is undoubtedly a calm and scheming military genius, but also a conspirator who can carefully assess risks and rewards.

As a thorough realist, Bell is well aware that demons are endless and are more than happy to accept any possible helpful assistance, even from mortals.

If the adventurer comes to him with a reliable proposal to fight against the demon army, Bell will listen with sincerity and may promise to provide assistance and protection. And those allies who continue to provide him with help may even receive safe passage, treasure, or intelligence as rewards.

Bell is difficult to fool, but can be a trustworthy ally if approached with respect. He will not attempt to corrupt the souls of adventurers who are truly useful, but it must be remembered that he is just as enthusiastic about corruption and torture as any other devil.

To sum up, Bell may not be a good trading partner for other demons, but for non-devils who cannot challenge Bell's position in the Nine Hells, Bell may really be quite reliable.

Leon was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair, and said, "I originally just wanted to come to the forge to take a look, but after meeting Lord Bell, I changed my mind... I want your blood."

"My blood?" Bell's expression remained unchanged, his fingertips stroking the edge of the teacup, "Can I ask what it's for?"

"Forging weapons." Leon said straightforwardly, without hiding anything. "Of course, it doesn't have to be your blood. As long as it's a large enough blood of a great devil, it will do."

Bell nodded thoughtfully. "Zariel once forged a weapon, forging the blade from adamantium. To give that sword its power, she tempered the newly forged sword in the blood of powerful celestial beings, demon lords, and devil dukes... She contributed one portion herself and sent her servants to collect the other two."

"Since Zariel's blood can be used, mine is naturally even more useful." Bell's mouth was slightly tightened, and it was obvious that he was competing with Zariel. "The question is... what price can you offer?"

"How is Zariel's fate?" Leon smiled meaningfully, "Of course, I need your help."

"I'm sorry, but I can't obey your order." Bell shook his head and said, "I am your lord's loyal advisor."

"Asmodeus's decree?" Leon deliberately dragged out his tone.

Bell's pupils suddenly contracted: "I suggest you not to address the great ruler of the Nine Hells by name."

“It doesn’t matter.” Leon spread his hands. He had already lost his bones and had a new body. His strength was definitely not as good as Asmodeus’. As a quasi-divine power, he was not inferior to the other in status. They were all comrades.

Leon knew that he couldn't get anything out of Bell, so he said, "Let's talk about practical matters. I can help you disrupt Avernus and attract the demon lords to attack Avernus... If Zariel loses in the bloody battle, and you, a military genius, stand up and raise your arms to save the collapsing empire, you will definitely be able to replace Zariel."

This was originally Leon's plan, to escalate the bloody battle, watch the demons and devils consume each other, and finally reap the profits, just in time to make a deal with Bell.

"To disrupt Avernus... Lord Red Dragon, are you sure you have the ability to do that?" Bell raised his eyes and glanced at Leon. He had to admit that he couldn't see through him.

"After the task is completed, you will pay for the blood I need." Leon said, "If I fail, you will not lose a single cent."

Bell suddenly laughed and said, "I am a military genius, but Zariel is no worse than me. Her enthusiasm for war is unmatched... If Zariel can't deal with the demon army, if even she can't stop the demon torrent, it will be difficult for me to turn the tide."

"Okay." Leon said affirmatively, "I will help you, not her."

"You are too confident." Bell glanced at Leon, shocked by his courage. "This is a bloody battle, not two mortal city-states playing house in the material plane."

"If I can disrupt Avernus, I will naturally be able to fulfill my subsequent promises." Lyon said, "If I can't do the first thing, there is no way to talk about the second thing. You don't have to worry about demons invading Avernus."

Leon and Bell talked for a long time. Finally, Bell raised his hand and drew a purgatory contract with sulfur flames in the air.

Leon just took a look and said, "Remove all the patterns... Everyone knows that the devil likes to play tricks in the patterns and hide miniature additional treaties in the Infernal language." "I promise these patterns have no special meaning." Bell swore.

“Haha, I’ve heard too many similar things.” Leon said, “Such as ‘As long as you confess voluntarily, it will be treated as a self-surrender’, ‘Your case is not a big deal, you can leave after you explain clearly’, ‘You don’t need to read the transcript, it’s the same as what you said, just sign it and leave’… I can’t believe even my uncle, let alone the devil.”

"If Lord Red Dragon doesn't trust you—" Bell waved his hand and erased all the complicated patterns on the contract. "Are you satisfied now?"

“It’s not over yet.” Leon tapped his fingers on the Purgatory Contract. “My level of Purgatory language is limited, so don’t play word games with me. Replace all the obscure professional terms.”

"This is a standard contract," Bell said. "All infernal contracts use this format."

"Don't try to be so pretentious in front of me. I've seen a lot of stupid people." Lyon said, "Standard contracts can't be changed? It can be changed as well, as long as you insist... Since you want to talk, show your sincerity. It's a two-way choice. If you don't want to change, then forget it."

"As you wish." Bell drew his fingers, and the words on the Purgatory Contract began to twist and reorganize.

Leon re-examined the contract, his pupils moving slowly with each line of text.

"What is quality service? Who defines quality service? All promises must be quantified, such as the pass rate must reach 99 percent and the response must be within 24 hours."

"I don't allow the word 'etc.' to appear in the contract. A complete list must be listed. I hate to be repeatedly charged additional fees later... You don't know how many cases I have seen where contracts are won at a low price and then additional investment is continuously required."

"Party B must compensate Party A for all losses if it breaches the contract for any reason... And isn't this a no-liability clause? No, the scope of compensation must be limited or a compensation cap must be set."

"There are no attachments here. Please see the attachments for specific standards, but it is not acceptable if the attachments are not provided... I require that all attachments be attached and that it be stated in the contract that the attachments have the same effect as this contract."

"And this, what is force majeure, policy adjustments, market changes?"

"Whoever accepts 'disputes must be brought in the court where the other party is located' is biased... You want the final right of interpretation, and I also want the final right of interpretation. This final right of interpretation must be performed by a neutral person. I suggest that Tassela should be in charge, or Cecilia can also do it... They are as fair as Singularity."

Leon kept proposing a series of revision suggestions, and suddenly found that Bell was staring at him with a strange look. He said, "Any questions? If the conditions I proposed are not changed, I will not sign this Purgatory Contract."

Bell slowly rested his elbows on the armchair, crossed his fingers and rested them on his chin, and asked, "Mr. Red Dragon... doesn't seem to be a resident of the Nine Hells? Otherwise, I would recognize him."

"This is my first time in the Nine Hells," Leon said. "I have always lived in the material plane."

"So, Lord Red Dragon, have you studied contract studies before?" Bell continued to ask.

“I don’t have the time.” Leon laughed, “It’s all thanks to the experience I’ve gained as a social animal.”

Leon really didn't expect that the experience of being exploited by a black-hearted boss in those years would become a weapon to see through the devil's contract trap.

Bell couldn't remember how many times he had revised the contract. He gritted his teeth and said, "Now, are you satisfied, Your Excellency?"

Of course, Leon was not satisfied. He had not yet set the trap. He said, "There is only one last thing left. The price of breach of contract must be changed."

"If I break the contract, I am willing to give up my 500,000 gold coins, which are everything to a dragon." Leon paused, looked at the gleam in Bell's eyes, and grinned ferociously, "As for you, if you break the contract, how about being reborn as a lesser demon?"

Bell nodded slightly. For a giant dragon, losing the gold coin was a very cruel condition. Everyone knew that dragons were creatures that would risk their lives for money. Even if Tiamat could receive a gold coin offered by a dragon, it would be enough to make her happy for a long time.

"A two hundred year deadline is just a blink of an eye for you, right? How about we limit the time to within two hundred years?" Lyon said, taking advantage of the opportunity.

He wished he could complete the contract tomorrow, but what if something unexpected happened... He couldn't imagine how powerful he would become in two hundred years. Maybe by then, crushing Bell would be like crushing an ant.

Bell fell into deep thought.

In the long river of time of the Eternal Blood War, two hundred years is really insignificant. Even if it takes a thousand years to replace Zariel, it would be worth it.

The former Lord Avernus' fingertips unconsciously stroked the edge of the contract... This time it was his turn to repeatedly review the terms of the Purgatory Contract, fearing that the red dragon would take advantage of him.

He didn't trick the Red Dragon, it felt like the Red Dragon was tricking him, and he really couldn't see what was wrong.

(End of this chapter)