These Demons Do it for Free

*[Though I was the one who suggested it, quite a bold demand you’re making, Contractor.]*

But Seir was the one who mentioned the demon hierarchy first, wasn’t she? It felt almost like the bureaucratic systems Jojo used to establish his advisors through pyramid schemes in Yeongcheon. 

*‘In that sense, it’s Leraje’s turn now.’*

Just like Jojo brought in Guo Jia, who in turn brought in Cui Yan, Seir had connected me with Leraje, who might, in turn, introduce another demon.

*[Me?]*  
*[Hmm... Leraje won’t be much help.]*  
*[What?!]*

Leraje immediately took offense, but Seir calmly shut it down.

*[Leraje has a very limited network.]*  
*[Th-that’s not true!]*  
*[Well, she has Abaddon, but he’s more like an overseer of Hell, so we can’t summon him.]*

For a conversation between archdemons, supposed dukes of Hell, their talk about “networks” rather than “demonic pacts” felt oddly trivial, nearly diminishing the urgency of the situation. 

*‘Then, Seir, do you have any suggestions?’*  
*[Of course.]*

As expected of Seir.

*[There are two possible approaches.]*

Two? Demon powers certainly were boundless. With a bit of creativity, outlandish solutions seemed to flow effortlessly.

*[You can either fight fire with fire or extinguish it with water.]*

As soon as the thought of using wind crossed my mind, Seir’s voice cut in.@@novelbin@@

*[With flames of this magnitude, wind alone won’t suffice.]*  
*[Couldn’t we create an oxygen-depriving barrier to cut off the fire?]*  
*[That would hold for us, but have you forgotten? We’re not alone here, are we?]*