The Magic Empire for 20,000 years

Chapter 289 I Sell Arms to the Devil

While ordinary demon warriors might not understand the laws governing the operation of the planes, Zariel, as the commander, knew very well that Elian's words had hit the nail on the head.

Even if Zariel successfully controls this level, he cannot become the Abyss Lord of this level and gain the authority to reshape and dominate the level. He can only control this level by stationing troops and guarding every pit portal leading to other levels of the Abyss.

The abyss itself abhors the demons of hell!
Of course, the will of the abyss is capricious and could suddenly decide to appoint a hellish demon as its lord; it's not entirely impossible.

However, this probability is so small that it can be almost ignored.

For the Hell Legion, even if they occupy the first layer of the Abyss by military means, the only way to completely control Pazunia in the [Abyss Plains] is to gradually change the alignment of the forces that erode the Abyss layer over a long period of time, from chaos to order, and eventually turn it into a part of Hell.

However, this process is extremely time-consuming, potentially taking hundreds or even thousands of years. If the abyss demons were to regain control of the current level midway through, all previous efforts would be in vain.

"Yes, I cannot and do not intend to become a lord recognized by the will of the abyss. This blood-red wilderness is merely the land I must conquer."

"But... so what?"

Zariel raised his proud head and looked down at Elian:

"As long as our army can control this place and seize control of this abyss, it will be enough to gain the upper hand in the endless bloody battle."

El-Erian smiled:
"The devil cannot be the lord of the abyss, but I can."

"I once glimpsed the will of the abyss. As long as I can control the entire territory of this layer, I can immediately become the abyss lord of the [Abyss Plains]!"

"At that time, a force that favors order will take control of this layer of the abyss."

“We can make a pact in the name of the Lord of Hell. If I gain control of this layer of the Abyss, I will immediately reshape the terrain, adjust the positions of all the portals from the Myriad Abyss Plains to other layers of the Abyss, and have the control to open and close these portals at any time.”

"All these portals are open to you and the Legion of Hell. They can also be closed at any time as needed by your Hell faction. It all depends on Grand Duke Zariel's decision."

"As demons of hell, you should have many ways to ensure that the contract is fulfilled."

"How about it? This is much more convenient than you directly conquering this level, using a large garrison to control the portal, and controlling a true Abyss Lord, isn't it?"

Zariel leaned forward slightly.

The fighting spirit in his eyes flickered, but his face remained deliberately expressionless.

This sounds surprisingly...

Is it tempting?
She seemed to see all the abyssal portals in this layer opening to her, the flames of conquest raging across the hundred layers of the abyss. There was no longer any need to advance step by step from the bloody front lines of Avernus.

She didn't say anything, but just glanced at Belle beside her.

Hmph, Bell has been suspicious of the negotiations from the very beginning; he probably doesn't agree to cooperate...

El-Erian glanced at the silent Bell beside him and said meaningfully:
"Cooperation means that you will not have to fight a force of unknown strength that already controls most of the resources on this floor."

"A large number of unnecessary casualties could have been avoided."

"The Empire only needs a stable forward territory. We are willing to share this strategic benefit with the Nine Hells."

Bell suddenly had a thought.

Reduce casualties...

To avoid a deadly battle with Eldoron...

No more fighting?
Is there such a good thing?

As Bell pondered this, he glanced at Zariel's expression beside him, trying to decipher the devilish Grand Duke's meaning.

Then, he immediately saw it...

Zariel's eager, warlike eyes.

Damn it! This warmonger doesn't seem to have any intention of stopping the war.

Seeing that neither of the two great devils made a statement, Elion seemed to have expected this and continued:
"Incidentally, Eldorum has a large number of experienced production mages who are skilled at producing high-quality magical weapons, equipment, and constructs."

"If we reach a cooperation agreement, Lord Zariel might be interested in the weapons we offer..."

—Compared to the abyssal demons who tend to use claws and fangs and engage in bloody hand-to-hand combat, the hellish demons use weapons and armor much more often!
Steel Demons, Legion Demons, Bearded Demons... there are countless demonic soldiers who wield weapons.

Therefore, Elion was well aware that the demons of Hell, especially the demon legions that participated in the bloody battle in the first layer of Hell, had an enormous need for weapons and equipment.

They may be Eldorlon’s best arms customers!

“I can provide three steel golems as samples first.”

"And we are willing to sign a contract to refrain from attacking each other and to share information about Pazuzu for a period of time, as a sign of our sincerity."

"Lord Zariel and Overseer Bell may review the terms themselves."

Bell's eyelids twitched.

To willingly make a pact with the devil?
This human really dares to bring that up...

Zaril waved.

"Leave the items and contract terms here, let me take a look."

"Now, you can go."

Her tone implied that she was seeing the guest out.

El-Erian nodded slightly and said no more.

He tossed three miniature golems from his pocket, snapped his fingers, and made the three steel golems transform into their original sizes. After transferring control of the lesser golems to Zariel, he handed Zariel a draft contract parchment and turned to leave.

Silence returned to the tent.

“Lord Zariel, about this matter…” Bell immediately began.

"Enough, enough nonsense." Zariel interrupted him. "I am the Grand Duke of the First Layer of Hell. I have full authority to decide this matter. You should not interfere."

“Yes,” Bell replied, bowing his head.

He left the main tent. Zariel watched his departing figure, flames silently burning above his head.

Bell is too cautious, always overly conservative; there's no need to heed his opinions...

I'll handle this collaboration with Eldoron privately myself...

After Bell left, Zariel turned his head and looked at the three enormous steel golems and the parchment in his hand that recorded the methods of controlling the golems, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Is this steel giant some kind of weapon of war?
……

late at night.

There is no clear concept of day and night in this wasteland. When the blood-red sun's rays begin to fade, it is as if night has fallen.

Elian remained in the makeshift tent, as if patiently waiting for something.

He wrote a lot on the parchment he handed to Zaril.

This includes all types of weaponry that Eldoron can produce...

Even, a floating war fortress suitable for bloody battles...

He believed that this warlike, devilish grand duke could not possibly be uninterested in this!
In the original history, many centuries later, after Zariel was overthrown and restored to power by Bell, he built an aerial war fortress powered by soul energy and personally commanded the bloody battle against the demons of the abyss from this aerial fortress.

Elion, having grasped the preferences of this warlike Grand Duke, had proposed his vision for a great war that Zariel hoped to achieve many years earlier.

Whoosh.

A figure that almost blended into the shadows quietly emerged.

coming.

He is one of Zariel's devilish henchmen.

"Your Majesty El-Erian"

The devil's messenger's voice was extremely low:

"Lord Zariel, we are extremely interested in your cooperation proposal, including the military equipment that your Eldoran can provide."

"We are willing to discuss the details of cooperation with you in depth."

"But it is imperative to keep this a secret from Governor-General Bell."

"He's a bit too conservative."

El-Erian remained calm:
"understand."

"Please tell Lady Zariel that I can demonstrate to her more golem combat abilities and the various weapons and equipment that Eldoron can produce tomorrow."

"If you are satisfied, we can discuss the further plans for advancing into the abyss."

“Very good.” The envoy nodded and silently retreated into the shadows.

Another two hours passed.

Another, more cautious figure approached stealthily from another direction.

He is a trusted confidant of Bell's Chain Demon.

"Your Majesty El-Erian"

The envoy became even more vigilant, repeatedly checking his surroundings before speaking:
"Overlord Bell believes your proposal has its merits. Reducing casualties and avoiding pointless battles is in the best interests of the Nine Hells."

"We are willing to negotiate the specific terms of the contract."

"Lord Bell has already secretly reported this matter to Asmodeus, the Lord of Hell."

"But until the basic details of the cooperation are finalized, we will keep this a secret from Lady Zariel for now. Her recklessness will only lead the cooperation to its destruction!"

Elian chuckled inwardly, his face betraying no emotion.
"understand."

"Please tell Governor Bell that I can secretly sign a draft contract with him tomorrow."

"Your Excellency the Commander will be satisfied." The Chain Demon Envoy breathed a sigh of relief and quickly disappeared.

Inside the account.

Elian was all alone.

The corners of her mouth curved up in a very shallow arc.

……

Inside Zariel's private tent.

Zariel picked up a magical scroll and began writing a secret report to Asmodius, the lord of the Nine Hells:
"Lord Asmodius..."

"I have discovered a force that can provide us with a powerful war machine, help the demon legion sweep across the abyss, and gain the upper hand in bloody battles..."

"Requesting authorization for cooperation..."

……

Earlier, in Bell's private tent.

He also picked up a scroll and was writing at that moment:

"Honorable Lord of the Nine Hells, the Great Asmodeus..."

"I've found a potential partner who can significantly reduce casualties in bloody battles..."

"But Lord Zariel's excessive radicalism and recklessness in matters of war pose the greatest risk..."

"I wish to be authorized to bypass the current Grand Duke Zaril and gain the power to directly contact the other party and reach a cooperation agreement..."

(End of this chapter)