Ed came down with a condition that made him laugh whenever he heard "I will die in your service"
Ed had only wanted to confirm his suspicions, but he never expected that this demon was playing a game of cat and mouse with him.
That's a good division; isn't this saying that Duma's affairs are Duma's affairs, and Marba's affairs are Marba?
What is the matter concerning Marba?
Of course, it was to lead the Holy Crusaders to attack the Tree God.
What is the matter concerning Duma?
Of course, it was at the appropriate time to submit to the Tree God.
Okay, okay, is this how you play it?
Ed understood the deeper meaning behind the devil's words and sensed that the other person was the kind who couldn't stand not telling riddles for a day.
He thought for a moment and said:
"Okay, you want this matter to be dropped, but what's the price?"
cost?
As expected, the Tree God was still concerned about his probing, and Marba fell into deep thought.
His initial idea was that if he accepted the Tree God, he planned to stay by its side, doing some work while also finding some enjoyment.
But now it seems that the other party has many capable people around them, and doesn't seem to need another one like me.
Just take this dragon for example. If she were given another 30 to 50 years, one dragon would probably be worth an army.
Since the Tree God can create undead soldiers at a very low cost, the importance of the commander will be significantly reduced. After all, with an undead army, strategy seems less important.
Like the Blood Corpse, none of the seven Grand Dukes were particularly skilled in command, yet they were still able to lead Corpse Tide across the world. Wasn't that precisely because of their ability to continuously assimilate their enemies?
Now that the Tree God's resurrection spell is more effective than the Blood Corpse's infection, my importance is not as prominent as I had previously imagined.
Duma thought for a moment and said:
"I am willing to serve the Tree God."
Ed shook his head:
"That's what you wanted all along, otherwise you wouldn't have gone through all this trouble. Besides, that's too vague. If you're willing to go to the ' High-Quality Charcoal Processing Plant,' that's a service in itself."
Duma then said:
"I can offer you some advice regarding the war."
Ed shook his head again:
"You wouldn't happen to be the kind of devil who likes to offer people three options—superior, middle, and inferior—to shirk responsibility after a failure, would you?"
Duma gritted his teeth and knelt on one knee, lowering his body to the ground.
"I would die for you, Lord Tree God."
Ed's eyelids twitched; he was genuinely a little overwhelmed by those words, since everyone, human or non-human, who had heard them seemed to be dead.
Oh, Bennett and Adelaide don't seem to be dead yet, but one was turned into an engine and the other was sealed away, so they don't seem to be much different from being dead.
"That's too harsh a statement; I can't bear it right now."
Ed waved his hand to indicate his refusal, attempting to avoid the hidden curse in phrases like "I'll die for you, sir."
He was naturally concerned with the first half, since the fate of all those who were killed was not good, but Duma clearly focused his understanding on the second half.
So you felt the title " Tree God " was too heavy?
Duma nodded secretly, planning to find a more suitable way to address her later. Of course, having a unique way of addressing her would be even more effective in building a closer relationship.
Just as he was about to rephrase his words and find a more appropriate way to communicate, Ed offered his opinion:
"How about we sign a contract?"
"Contract?"
"It's a contract."
Seraphina explained from the side that, as a powerful being with the ability to impartialize, she cared a great deal about such matters.
Ever since she learned the terms "deed tax" and "stamp duty" from Ed, she had started charging for notarized contracts and similar matters.
"What kind of contract is it?"
Although he had already planned to sign, Duma still subconsciously asked about his understanding of the matter.
Because of the previous tests, the young Tree God cannot fully trust me yet. Therefore, it sought out a dragon with the ability to act as a notary, attempting to impose additional constraints on me through a contract to prevent similar acts of rebellion from occurring.
As expected of the Tree God, he is wise and meticulous, and even in a period of decline in absolute strength, he can still make flexible use of everything around him.
Ed was unaware that Duma's brain was already showing early signs of dementia, but he clearly didn't think so.
The memories of the other world did make Ed more meticulous in his work, but his meticulousness was not reflected in his wariness of his subordinates.
Ed never denied the importance of camaraderie in maintaining power, but he also never exaggerated its effects.
The key to uniting the Second Holy See lies in combining friendship with interests.
By forming an alliance with Ed, Seraphina can gradually increase her wealth, Willow can see hope for revenge for her family, Xilǐ'er is able to return home, Gray is able to qualify to compete for the title of Grand Foundry Master, NPCs have a new way to make a living, and even players can find enjoyment in it.
But Ed hadn't yet figured out what else this demon wanted besides pleasure.
Since that's the case, let's start by paying him some salary.
With that in mind, Ed had already taken out the standard employment contract he had prepared beforehand, and wrote the position he had assigned to Duma in several blank spaces on it—[ Soul Returner Legion Commander ], and generously offered a high salary of one hundred gold coins per month.
One hundred gold coins a month is indeed a huge sum, but considering the demon's abilities, Ed felt it was well worth the money.
After capturing Fir City, the Second Holy See had taken control of the entire Aduolin Province.
When the Second Holy See was still operating on a small scale in a small town, the Holy City probably didn't care about its existence.
But if the Holy City hasn't reacted by the Second Holy See has already occupied a province, then it can only mean that the three cardinals' brains have been quietly devoured by the Blood Corpse.
Ed intends to give Duma, the Soul Returner Legion Commander, the first task: to defend the current border between the Second Holy See and the Tree Worship Church, and to block the Tree Worship Church's first counterattack after learning of Aduolin's fall.
The long border requires Marba to personally plan defense strategies; the ever-present threat of attack demands his immediate response; and the ever-changing nature of players necessitates his coordination...
From the perspective of this hands-off manager, 100 gold coins a month is really not expensive.
Moreover, Ed never intended to pay immediately. After filling in the job title and salary, Ed added a note below, "[The first eight months after starting the job are a probationary period. Salary will be paid after successfully passing the probationary period.]"
This is a win-win situation: 100 gold coins per month, 800 gold coins in eight months.
Ed just happens to owe Seraphina eight hundred gold coins. What a coincidence!
In short, after coordinating this transfer payment plan, Ed handed the contract to Duma.
Duma respectfully accepted the contract with four hands, holding only one corner in each hand as he unfolded it and began to examine it carefully.
Two minutes later, he still hadn't signed. Ed looked up and saw a single, glistening tear fall onto the contract.