[In Wilhelm, a land of mystery and magic, the magnificent Floating City of Free City hovered in the sky. Its City Lord, Annan, was known for his charm and intelligence. To the north, the Montablinlock Duchy was ruled by its heir, Grand Duke Girardi, renowned for his Contract with the eastern Empire.]
[Yet the situation on the Allen Continent was unpredictable. Dark forces were quietly rising, threatening the peace and stability of Middle Earth. To meet this threat, City Lord Annan and Grand Duke Girardi had decided to form an alliance against those who sought to rule the land through Chaos and evil.]
[This Contract, founded on friendship, trust, and mutual benefit, would establish cooperation in trade, military affairs, culture, and more.]
[Signatories: City Lord of Free City, Annan Reeves. Grand Duke of the Montablinlock Duchy, Girardi Montablinlock.]
Annan set down the alliance Contract and looked at its author, Ingrid. "The magnificent Free City?"
"It will be someday."
"You're right. I have no objections." Annan passed the Contract to Girardi.
At least Annan had gotten "charm and intelligence." All Girardi got was "heir"—the down-and-out duke had nothing else worth praising.
"No objections from me!"
Girardi eagerly signed his name without even checking for loopholes. "So we're allies now?"
"Not so fast. There's one last step."
"What?"
Annan reached out to an old friend—Brudona.
"This will give our Contract its power," Annan told Girardi, who was staring blankly at the Devil's phantom.
"Is he your new debtor?" The Apprentice Devil assumed Annan had gone back to kidnapping and extortion. Looked at that way, he was the one who seemed like a Devil.
"No. This time it's a real Contract..."
Annan held the Parchment out before Brudona.
A whisper only Annan could hear suddenly sounded. "Too crude. No loopholes, no flourishes or