Silent City.
"We've got a huge business opportunity!" Mephisto's high spirits were impossible to miss.
"This is a meeting to discuss the future of the Nine Realms." Odin interrupted Mephisto unhappily. Thor and Loki stood behind him. Odin had brought both of them along for the sake of training them.
"As it happens, my business is closely tied to the future of the Nine Realms." Mephisto paid no mind to Odin's displeasure. It was clear that he was determined to push this major deal through. However, this deal likely required the cooperation and support of everyone at the meeting. Otherwise, with Mephisto's temperament, he would have started already.
"The Energy Bank's expenditures have been rather high lately." Ancient One sat calmly in her seat and spoke lightly.
"That can't be helped. Those are necessary expenses for expansion." The Soul Fire in Mephisto's eye sockets flickered twice as he said calmly, "After all, according to the rules, I have to pay the employees, and the Energy Bank's largest group of employees currently consists of the devils and demons from my Hell Dimension. There are also some loan expenses. I have followed the agreed rules and signed contracts completely. Luke has backup data for every expenditure. I can stand up to an audit!"
"Your hands are clean, but that does not mean we have not found your weakness. Trust me, the Sorcerer Supreme is quite skilled at calculating energy consumption and understanding dimensions." Stephen Strange beside Ancient One spoke up.
A thick stack of bills suddenly appeared in his hand. He sounded somewhat helpless as he said, "For example, these travel expenses were established by the Energy Bank's first bank president, you, Mephisto, against all objections. Well, actually, it was an autocratic decision. You did not even notify us shareholders."
"I believe