Chapter 135 Baals Faction 2 (1/2)

Amaraline didn't know how to bring up the topic bothering her. In fact, the guilt eating at her conscience bothered her so much that she didn't notice the bank manager's arrival.

”Greetings esteemed guests of Lord Baal,” the manager greeted. He was a short demon who wore a neat business attire completed with a bow tie. Qin Yun smiled slyly at the goat demon and the manager shuddered. In the presence of the powerful fox demoness, the manager felt very nervous. However, he did not expect the succubus to speak on behalf of the group instead of the fox demoness.

”Please, let us leave the pleasantries and formalities for another day,” Coux countered. Amaraline kept her expression straight when the talks began. She felt slightly bad for the goat demon manager when Coux went all out, hammering details of the agreement.

”M-Miss...” the manager stuttered in panic when Coux had a contract drafted. ”We would require the approval of the directors for such a formal proposal. Of course, Souls & Sins United Bank wouldn't turn down such a rare deal. However, there is a limit to what I can do for you. Opening a new trade channel between Earth and the Abyss isn't something within my power to decide.”

Coux stopped pushing and sighed regretfully. ”I suppose you are right. There are proper channels with for these kinds of matters.”

The goat demon relaxed a little but Coux spoke once more that made him tense up almost immediately.

”I suppose as the manager of this branch you manage the accounts registered with the bank?”

The manager wasn't a fool. Someone informed him earlier that these ladies who claim to be Baal's representatives demanded to have his dormant account reopened for some sort of business transaction and loan.

”Of course,” he bowed.

Coux smiled. ”I'm sure you've heard about the little commotion going on downstairs earlier. I'll come straight to the point. We are Lord Baal's representatives and would like you to help us reopen his account.”

”We would be able to reopen the account if Lord Baal could come down to register and authorise you as his official proxy. I apologise but without the ability to verify his identification or the truth of your words, I am unable to take any action.”

Coux clicked her tongue. ”I understand your concerns. Normally I would praise the bank for being very thorough in their checks to prevent fraud. However, we are in a rush. There is an auction that is selling an item that Lord Baal wants and would need to take out a huge loan. This matter is of utmost importance. What can the bank do for us since we are unable to reopen Lord Baal's account?”

The manager looked at Qin Yun who lounged lazily without care and back to the mysterious lady who created the rare magic stone. As a banker, he smelled money. There was nothing more important to him than business. Although it was regrettable that he wasn't able to reopen Lord Baal's account for them, giving them a loan wasn't a problem.

”I apologise on behalf of the bank for not being able to reopen Lord Baal's requirements. However, I might be able to do something for your loan. The bank has the policy to loan to anyone who has some form of an equivalent collateral item should they be unable to repay the loan and its interest. I understand that this talented young lady is a mage with a very rare magic type. If we can get our hands on a few more of that magic stone, the bank would be able to process your loan immediately.”

Qin Yun raised a brow. Coux didn't fall for it. Asking for more than one high-grade magic stone of a unique magic type for a loan? If that was how the goat demon wanted to play, Coux would indulge him.

”I understand. How many magic stones of that sort does the bank want for collateral?”

The manager faltered. Whatever it was, he wasn't expecting to be given a blank cheque. From his years of experience in the business, he knew that there was always a catch. Something that was too good to be true was usually too good to be true. If he bit off more than he could chew, he would only be making a loss. On the other hand, selling rich man bread that poor man ate would be a waste.

Logically speaking, that one stone would be enough to cover the administrative charges for managing Qin Yun's account and give them a decent loan with spare change. However, he was the manager who was trained by the best businessman in the abyss. There was no way a follower of Lord Mammon would be satisfied with that. No. He would try to squeeze them dry. Who cared if they were truly Lord Baal's representatives? Only fools would play by the book in the abyss.

”I believe five stones of that sort would cover the cost completely. I'll be able to give you a lucrative interest rate with the longest term for repayment.”

Coux smiled charmingly. ”Only five, Mr Goat? You could ask for more, you know?”

The manager faltered a little and his confidence faded a little. More? Could he really ask for more? None of the ladies gave away anything and the manager frowned. Was this a gimmick?

On the other hand, Amaraline was panicking internally. Qin Yun continued sipping tea leisurely and Coux looked as if she was enjoying toying with a mouse. The cockatrice descendant didn't really know what was going on but when she heard five stones, she thought it was a good deal. It didn't take much out of her to create a magic stone. In fact, if she wanted to, she could create about a hundred of them without a hitch. The Spring of Vitality's effect was still strong in her blood.

Coux was having fun. That goat was a wolf in sheep's skin. Whoever he learnt his business tricks and persuasion skills from was good. However, Coux wouldn't lose to some cheap talk. She was a hard-core businesswoman who'd dealt with worse. The name of the Van Doux family lied on her shoulders. One puny demon wouldn't even leave a scratch on that great name. Five stones? Did he really think they would give the bank a chance to research on these stones for them to replicate?

Clearing his throat, the manager smiled once more with the business mask firmly in place. ”May I know how much are you intend to loan? Perhaps we can work towards something more concrete with actual numbers.”

Coux giggled. ”Why, I thought you'd never ask. Your interest in the magic stone we have must really be something.”

The manager didn't answer. Coux had him where she wanted and for the first time in his life, the businessman felt threatened. The lady before him wasn't a simple watered down demon descendant. She was on par with the arch demons in terms of business sense. He cursed his foolishness in underestimating them.

”It's not really difficult. I intend to take out a loan enough to buy a small store deed. As for repayments, I'll have it in two hours.”

Amaraline froze. Qin Yun grinned and the bank manager swallowed hard. Two hours? He thought that as representatives of Lord Baal, they would take out more loans. Asking for even one high-grade stone wasn't even ethical at this point. Nobody would agree to it, much less five.