Chapter 624: Bribing Step-Brothers

The dining hall of Damian’s residence had been prepared for six guests, though only four chairs were occupied when the servants began bringing in the first course. The table was long enough to accommodate a dozen demons comfortably.

Platters of roasted meat, bowls of spiced vegetables, steaming soups, and delicacies gathered from the finest kitchens in the Imperial Capital covered its length. At the centre stood several bottles of wine, alongside a golden pitcher filled with chilled fruit juice.

Damian sat at the head of the table, dressed in a loose black robe embroidered with gold. His black hair, streaked with purple and gold, fell over his shoulders as he leaned back in his chair. Elsa occupied the seat to his right, looking considerably more composed than she had the previous evening. Her golden hair was arranged neatly behind her head, and the emerald-green gown she wore contrasted with the dark furnishings of the hall.

Across from them, Brolly had already begun eating.

The enormous Prince of Gluttony sat hunched over a platter of roasted boar, his brown robes stretched across his massive frame. He held a leg of meat in one hand and a golden goblet in the other, alternating between biting into his food and washing it down with wine. A second platter had been placed beside him, followed by a third that the servants had barely finished setting down before he reached for it.

Beside him, Aien looked as though he had been dragged from bed against his will.

The Prince of Sloth reclined in his chair, pale face resting against one hand while a succubus attendant poured wine into his goblet. His narrow shoulders slumped beneath his loose robes, and his expression suggested that even lifting the cup required more effort than the occasion deserved.

Damian glanced at the growing collection of empty plates in front of Brolly. "I hope you haven’t eaten before coming here."

Brolly paused with a mouthful of meat.

"Why would I do that?" he asked after swallowing. "You invited us for a meal. It would be disrespectful to arrive with a full stomach."

Aien closed his eyes. "He ate three whole chickens on the way here."

"That was a snack!"

"Four, if you count the one you stole from the coachman."

Brolly frowned at his companion. "You said you weren’t paying attention."

"I wasn’t. Unfortunately, you made enough noise to wake the dead."

Damian laughed, while Elsa covered her smile with her goblet. It was the first time she had seen the two Princes behaving like this, and their familiarity was almost surprising. Aien possessed the languid indifference expected of Sloth, while Brolly seemed entirely content to let the world burn so long as there was something to eat. Yet neither appeared uncomfortable in Damian’s residence.

That alone was worth noting.

The Princes had spent thirty thousand years competing for territory, devotees, and influence. Most would not have accepted a private invitation from a newly established rival without suspecting a trap. Aien and Brolly, however, had arrived without guards or attendants beyond their personal servants, apparently trusting that Damian would not waste their time.

Or perhaps they simply considered the prospect of a free meal worth the risk.

"How are you finding the Imperial Capital?" Damian asked.

"Crowded," Aien answered immediately. "Noisy, too. There are too many people walking around with urgent matters to attend to. I saw three officials arguing over a carriage this morning. One claimed the other had stolen his right to pass through an intersection."

"What happened?"

"They were still arguing when I left."

"You could have settled it."

"Why would I involve myself in something so exhausting?"

Brolly snorted. "You should have eaten their food while they argued. That would have settled everything."

Aien turned his head towards him. "You would have eaten the carriage."

"If it were properly seasoned."

Damian shook his head in amusement while Aien laughed quietly into his goblet.

For a while, the conversation remained pleasantly aimless. They discussed the crowds gathering around the Imperial Palace, the quality of the local wine, and the irritating restrictions imposed by the city’s defensive arrays.

Brolly complained that the regulations had prevented him from flying directly to the residence, forcing him to endure a journey through the streets. Aien complained that the restrictions had not prevented the noise from reaching his ears.

Elsa participated more than Damian expected. She asked Aien about the condition of Nulldeep’s territories and whether the Imperial Capital’s arrangements had inconvenienced his attendants. She spoke to Brolly about the quality of the food served in his realm, listening with genuine interest as he explained the differences between the roasted beasts of Gluttony’s domain and those raised in the mortal worlds.

Brolly’s descriptions grew increasingly elaborate. He explained how the meat of certain demonic creatures became tender only after being exposed to volcanic heat, then launched into an argument about why ordinary cooks ruined perfectly good ingredients by using too much salt.

Elsa nodded at the appropriate moments, occasionally asking questions that encouraged him to continue.

Damian watched her with faint amusement. She was doing exactly what he had hoped. Aien might control his own decisions, but Brolly was far easier to approach when he felt comfortable. And while food alone would not secure Gluttony’s political support, a pleasant evening could make the eventual proposal considerably easier to accept.

When the servants brought out a fresh course of roasted ribs glazed with dark honey, Brolly leaned forward with renewed enthusiasm.

"Now this," he declared, lifting a rib from the platter, "is excellent cooking. Whoever prepared this deserves a reward."

"I’ll pass the compliment to the kitchen," Elsa said.

"Tell them to prepare more tomorrow."

Brolly burst into laughter. Even Aien smiled.

Damian allowed the laughter to settle before setting down his goblet. "Since we’re all enjoying ourselves, perhaps we should discuss something that concerns us all."

Aien’s smile faded slightly. He did not sit upright, but his eyes opened.

"There it is," he murmured. "I was wondering how long you intended to feed us before asking for something."

"Would you have come if I had told you the subject beforehand?"

"No."

"Then I made the correct decision."

"Perhaps." Aien took a sip of wine. "Although I would have appreciated a warning that this was going to become work."

Brolly continued chewing.

Elsa placed her goblet on the table. "I imagine you have both been thinking about yesterday’s council meeting."

"Questions that will probably require more meetings," Aien muttered.

Damian rested his forearms on the table. "The immediate question is whether we allow the Dark Continent to dictate the course of our war against Heaven."

Brolly paused to reach for another rib.

Aien regarded Damian with greater attention. "You mean Astaroth’s proposal to consider a truce?"

"Yes. And I intend to oppose it."

The declaration was calm and direct. Brolly’s hand stopped above the platter, while Aien’s expression became slightly more alert.

Elsa continued where Damian left off. "We cannot afford to let the threat distract us from the advantages we can still gain in the war. Heaven holds more territory in the Dark Continent, but its forces are suffering losses just as ours are."

"Which is why we cannot give them time to grow stronger," Damian added. "I have no intention of doing that."

Aien leaned back further. "You would rather continue the war while another enemy threatens both sides?"

"I would rather ensure that Heaven cannot use the threat to its advantage. We have lost territory over the past century. Our armies are stretched, our resources are being drained, and the angels have grown complacent because they believe their advantage is secure. The Dark Continent changes the situation. If their attention is divided, we should use that opportunity to strike."

Brolly finally lowered the rib onto his plate. "You want to attack Heaven while it is dealing with the Totems?"

"Exactly."

"And if the Totems become more dangerous?"

"Then we will deal with them. But I will not surrender our position in the war because another threat has appeared. We can defend our colonies while expanding into Heaven’s territories. What we cannot do is allow the angels to exploit our hesitation."

Aien rubbed his forehead. "You make it sound simple."

"It isn’t simple. It’s necessary."

"Necessary for what?" Aien asked. "I have no interest in conquering Heaven, nor do I particularly care who becomes the next Demon Lord. If I wanted to spend my days fighting, I would have chosen a different inheritance."

"You want to preserve the freedom to do nothing," Elsa said.

"I want to preserve the freedom to do nothing personally," Aien corrected. "There is a considerable difference."

Damian smiled faintly. "Then perhaps we can help each other."

Aien’s expression suggested that he already disliked where the conversation was going. "I was afraid of that."

"The council will vote on whether to continue the war or pursue a truce. I intend to vote for war, and I want your support. We need to reclaim our lost territories, seize opportunities created by Heaven’s divided attention, and expand our influence before the Dark Continent becomes an even greater threat. If we allow the angels to consolidate their power while we hesitate, we may eventually face both enemies from a position of weakness."

"You want us to support an offensive campaign," Aien said.

"Yes."

"And what do you expect from us?"

"Your votes, and the continued participation of your armies in the war."

Aien sighed. "There it is."

Brolly resumed eating, apparently satisfied that the discussion had reached a point where someone else would be doing most of the talking.

Damian lifted his goblet. "I would prefer to have your support without offering anything in return, but I am realistic enough to understand that political alliances rarely work that way."

"Good. At least you understand something about politics." Aien placed his goblet on the table. "Let us speak plainly. Why should Sloth support your position? I have no desire to conquer Heaven, and I certainly have no intention of personally leading armies across the mortal worlds. If the war continues, I would prefer to remain where I am and let my subordinates handle the unpleasant work."

"You want to preserve your freedom without abandoning your responsibilities," Elsa said.

"That is a generous interpretation."

"An accurate one, nonetheless."

Aien inclined his head towards her. "You have a sharper tongue than I expected, Your Majesty."

Brolly laughed around another mouthful of meat, nearly choking himself. Aien shook his head, and even Damian looked entertained.

When the laughter subsided, Damian returned to the matter at hand. "Your armies still require funding, don’t they? Your forces in the mortal worlds need resources to maintain their operations."

Aien’s expression changed slightly. He was no longer looking at Damian as though the conversation were merely an inconvenience.

"Financial assistance," he said. "From where?"

"Gildreach’s treasury can support the arrangement. Velmora will contribute as well. We can establish a regular allocation for your military operations and separate funding for your forces in the mortal worlds. Your generals would retain authority over their campaigns, but they would no longer need to trouble you personally for every additional resource."

Elsa took over before Aien could dismiss the offer as vague. "We would establish a clear budget with your administrators. The funding would cover your existing operations and provide additional support where the war demands it. In exchange, we expect Sloth to vote against a truce with Heaven and support Damian’s proposal to continue the offensive."

Aien turned towards her. "And what would prevent this funding from becoming an excuse to interfere with my administration?"

"Clear terms," Elsa replied. "Your generals retain command, and your officials remain responsible for managing your forces. We would review expenditures to ensure the money serves its intended purpose, but we would not demand that you seek our permission for every military decision."

"Not to obstruct the campaign is a modest demand," Aien observed.

"Then it should be easy to fulfil."

Aien’s lips curved faintly. "You certainly know how to make an offer sound like an obligation."

"Because it is an obligation. Damian is offering resources to support your realm, not purchasing the right to command it. In return, he expects your political support and cooperation in the war. Both sides must receive something of value."

Damian smiled. "You see why I wanted her involved?"

"I am beginning to understand why you brought her," Aien replied.

Elsa ignored the remark and continued. "We would also need reasonable oversight. The precise allocation can be determined after our administrators review your expenses. We should not promise an unlimited supply of money before knowing what your operations actually cost."

Aien gave her a long, tired look. "You are beginning to understand me."

Elsa concealed a smile. "We can arrange for our officials to communicate directly with yours. You will not need to attend the negotiations yourself."

"Excellent. That removes my greatest objection."

"Your greatest objection was the possibility of having to work," Damian said.

"Precisely."

The Prince of Sloth lifted his goblet and considered the wine before taking a drink. "Very well. I will support your proposal to continue the war against Heaven, provided the funding is reliable, the arrangement does not become an excuse to interfere with my administration, and my officers are not required to seek your permission for every expenditure."

"Agreed," Damian said.

Elsa added, "We will have the terms written down and reviewed by both administrations. Neither side should have to rely on vague promises."

"Excellent." Aien settled deeper into his chair. "Then I believe we have concluded the most exhausting part of my day."

Damian raised his goblet. "To an arrangement that allows you to sleep peacefully."

Aien clinked his goblet against Damian’s. "Now you understand the true meaning of diplomacy."

While the two Princes drank, Brolly finally swallowed the food in his mouth and wiped his hands with a napkin. He had followed the discussion with only intermittent interest, his attention repeatedly drawn back to the dishes in front of him. Yet when Damian turned towards him, the Prince of Gluttony seemed entirely prepared to negotiate.

"Now, what about me?" Brolly asked. "You mentioned funding for Sloth. Does Gluttony receive nothing?"

"I was waiting for you to finish eating."

"I can eat and negotiate at the same time."

Damian continued, "I am willing to provide financial support for your personal food supply. In these stressful times I want to make sure you have the best of everything in abundance. In exchange, I want your vote in favour of continuing the war against Heaven."

Brolly stared at him.

Then he looked down at the table, where the servants had just placed a fresh dish of roasted meat.

"Alright... Let’s go with that.’