Convincing Protaris was easier than first expected, most likely because he couldn't possibly see Agatha's county flourish in the first place. Besides that, Protaris also added a few conditions that would only make it harder for them, but Asta and Lucas signed the bet without hesitation.
As the time passed, Lucas and Asta had three candidates left to hunt, excluding Protaris from the list, they had Klaro, Isalen and Descartes left. Flying towards the home of Descartes, Lucas was still calculating some equations for his spells. Despite him being in deep thought, Asta felt a bit awkward, he couldn't help explaining himself.
"I was wondering when you would ask about why we need to gather all the coins."
Asta hadn't been exactly keeping it hidden, it was just never talked about. Having chosen his path, all Lucas did was support him. And while it felt incredible to have such support, not explaining his choice didn't sit right with him.
"It's not my place to judge your goal or methods. You brought me here to grant you a favor, one that will grant me benefits in the future. If you say we need all the coins, we need them all."
"Thank you. Truly."
Waving the thought away, "You would do the same thing if I asked it."
While spoken with a laugh, he truly meant it, and Asta perceived it the same way. They were friends, but were together for so long, they had grown close. "The coins of candidacy essentially boil down to the approval of the candidate."
"Not their entire backing then?"
"No, and that's the issue. If we get all but Alastor's coin, it's very likely they'll push me away and place Alastor at the top. Having all the coins means that there is no other candidate left."
"Granting you the seat automatically without any other voting rounds. Unless the Duke doesn't see you as a perfect fit, nothing stands in the way."
"Yes. Alastor will most likely get the coin from Agares, meaning we need to get the others."
"I don't know too much about them, what will they propose?", while he had talked to Protaris before and seen Isale act with Agatha, Klaro and Descartes were quite vague in his mind. He remembered them trying to take the spotlight in the subspace back at the banquet, but that was it.
"Descartes would most likely request nothing."
Confused, Lucas looked to his side to face Asta, "You're saying he'd rather not take a risk? Should we then head to Isale's place?"
"No, Descartes and Isale are both very protective, but if we first go after Isale, Descartes won't dare to engage us."
"This is just so much hassle. Why is killing them not an option?"
"You should know the importance of family more than me," said with a cold tone, Lucas sighed slightly, acknowledging he was right, he faced forward.
After flying for a few days, Lucas was surprised he didn't need to take a break to recover his mana. It had lost a lot of energy, yet the core still had enough for a fight or two.
Landing softly on the ground, Asta made his way inside the mansion. Confronted with his younger brother, Asta held his composure a lot better.
"Descartes, I believe you know why we've come here."
The man in question was dressed in light clothes, guards surrounding him all had white tunics with golden embroiled into them. Their red skin contrasted the clothing quite heavily, but they cared little.
"Brother, why do you even want to become the next Duke? You don't have any attachments to this place and even left us for years. I don't understand why you're bothering. Is it just to prove your strength? So that you can show the other Dukes that one can become strong without the use of Demonic Powers or Elemental Magic?"
Descartes wasn't stupid, far from it, he knew his place. If he had to fight against Asta, he calculated his chances at around 50% success rate, had he included Lucas into the fight, he dropped it down to 30%. He knew Lucas had a powerful aura, but thought that his strength ended there, just a single trick pony.
"While I do want the wider world to understand that strength is not determined at birth or the size of our horns, I care little if I don't succeed in that. My power is my own and if others deem me weak, I'll just prove my capabilities. Descartes, you wouldn't be able to understand my reasons."
Asta's cold and serious response made the guards tense up, making them reach for their swords, though not unsheathing them. Lucas made a mental note, but wasn't all that worried. The master of the mansion was Rank 3, how powerful could his guards possibly be?
"You say that, Astaroph, but I believe I can easily divine it. If you're not going to this length to prove your own techniques, why bother?"
"I have my reasons, ones you need not know. I have come here to ask you for your coin. We can have a spar, an all out fight with our forces or some competition. Tell me, where do you think you stand the most chance to win?"
Crossing his arms, Asta slightly raised his head to look down on Descartes, who glared at his older brother.
"Stop it, I'm well aware I'm not able to get the seat even if I try my hardest. Eldest sister has the biggest backing, and Alastor is a monster in a devil's skin."
"Are you willing to hand it over then?"
"Hah! I'm not stupid either, I know you want it, and it looks like you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Instead of a competition, I'm willing to give my coin to you if you're able to fulfill a single request of mine."
Asta looked at Lucas for a moment, who simply nodded slightly in response. To Lucas, Descartes looked like he was being genuine. Part of him thought it might've been a trap, or he's lulling them in a false sense of security, but his acting was quite formidable.
Besides, his reasoning made sense, going up against his eldest siblings was asking for a beating. Alastor might take it easy, but Agares might simply kill him.
"I have an ancient ground in the western area of my, or more accurately, father's county. There is a black temple that has been exuding a demonic aura, staining the ground black. Creatures and plant life die when they try to live there. I've sent some mages to the temple, yet they all died."
"So you're asking us to destroy the temple?", Asta hadn't heard of the place and couldn't find anything in his own mental sphere.
"No, of course not. This cursed temple is rumored to be filled with treasures. I want them all, but I don't have the strength to withstand the trials within."
"Why not send a Rank 4 mage at it, I'm sure dear father would be willing to lend a guard or two."
Descartes shook his head, "I have sent a Rank 4 mage to it, but they haven't returned yet. They aren't dead either, we don't know what happened to him."
Asta couldn't help but frown at his words. "You expect us to succeed where that man didn't?"
"Yes, supposedly, only the worthy ones will succeed. If you can give me all of those treasures, I'll gladly give my coin to you," the large smirk on his face proved he cared little if they succeeded or not.
Shaking his head, Asta sighed audibly, "Fine, what's the location?"
Snapping his fingers, a guard appeared from an adjacent room carrying a small tray with a single piece of parchment on it. "You'll find the location there, please let me know if you succeed in removing the curse of that place."
Asta frowned, yet still grabbed the paper and moved out with Lucas in tow. Descartes ordered his men to escort them out, leaving him alone in his room.
He waited for a moment, letting the emotion drain from his face. Taking out a strange disc, he moved to the back of his office before placing it on the ground. It didn't take long before a portal appeared, letting Descartes through.
Entering a large white hallway, he let his eyes adjust to the bright lights that hung from the ceiling. The light buzzed, it felt unnatural, but it wasn't his first time here. Stepping forward, the sound of the metal plates he walked on echoed in the hallway.
After some time, he reached a crossroad with a few signs on them. Taking the correct path, he eventually arrived at a small lounge. Red couches were prepared to sit on. Mages of all ranks and races were waiting around.
Descartes knew he was strong, a Rank 3 could start their own nation if they tried, but always felt inferior when he entered this place. Beings from all over were seated, some had gray skin, others looked like a plant came to life.
Demons like him, but also angels with two large white wings and a third eye were calmly seated next to one another. A mass of flesh and a ball of insects, creatures with impossible anatomy and mages of even Rank 8 were sitting around. Plenty were capable of killing him in an instant, yet none spoke up, all simply waiting for something.
Sitting down on a nearby couch, he waited until a voice appeared in the room.
"Descartes, you've arrived, one of our contacts has been waiting for you," as the words were spoken, the wall behind his couch opened up. Two pieces were moving to the side, revealing a small room behind.
Despite arriving later than the others, he seemed to given preferential treatment, yet none bothered to display any kind of annoyance, at peace with the decision. Stepping into it, the wall closed up behind him. A few seconds passed as the room he stood in seemed to vibrate slightly, and the wall split apart again, this time leading to a completely white office. From the floor to the ceiling, nothing had a speck of color except the person who awaited him.
Behind a simple white desk sat a man dressed in black with white gloves. "Ah, Descartes, welcome back. Have you succeeded in your part?"
Taking a step forward, he bowed slightly, "Yes, I've given them the mission as requested, I told them what was mentioned in the instructions."
"Good, you have fulfilled your purpose splendidly. After they return, you can hand them the coin and stay in the background. We'll prepare things on our end to uphold our end of the deal."
The man was all smiles, but Descartes couldn't join in. He didn't feel any happiness, not in the slightest. "Were you able to appeal my requests to the higher ups?"
Hearing that, the contact lost his smile, "Yes. According to procedure, I brought it up with my superior. He decided he wasn't high ranking enough and brought it his superior who came back to tell us it is an inevitability. We might be able to delay it for a couple of years, but to remove the root cause would sacrifice too much."
"So there's nothing you can do?", Descartes looked at the ground, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"No," the firm answer almost shook Descartes, "the bargain we have struck with you is all we can give you. I need not remind you of what will happen if you go against us. We will make sure your close family will be taken care off. Be sure to keep this with you. It will flash red when the time comes, please gather your family and use this portal to escape."
Presenting his gloved hands, one held a small rounded cylinder, the other a hexagonal disk. Taking the items with a hint of hesitation, Descartes knew this was the best outcome.
Sighing, he tried to change his thoughts. "Are you certain they'll make it back?"
The contact flashed a big grin, "Why of course, young one. They will suffer, but it won't be enough to kill them."
"Even if a Rank 4 couldn't do it?", Descartes knew his older brother wasn't arrogant for no reason, but to have so much faith in him felt misplaced.
"You're not of a high enough station for me to divulge anything important, all I can say is that you don't have to worry. Now, please make your way back to Sabaoth, we don't like to keep you here for long."
Nodding, he made a small bow before entering the room beyond the walls. Walking back down the hallway, he eventually arrived at his portal. Entering it, he was back in his office. Luckily no guards had shown up, and even if they did, they were prohibited from doing anything without permission of their master.
Sitting down on his chair, he sighed. 'There aren't even any treasures there.'
Back at Agatha's mansion Galen had been protecting Agatha as instructed, simply guarding her chambers day and night without taking a break. There were other soldiers here, but they were all too busy working with Nero to reshape the land to their wishes.
Instead, the man trained day and night to keep himself energized. Agatha often came outside to eat meals in her office, which Galen prepared for her. His job was just protecting her, but if she had certain wishes, he felt the need to at least attempt making them come true.
As the days passed, Agatha started to talk more and more to Galen, who gladly entertained her. During his time there, he repaired the mansion and cleaned it up, making it regain its former glory.
At a certain point, they had visitors. One of Nero's men came inside the office of Agatha. "Sir Galen, there are some demons here asking to see Agatha. They said they came in the name of Isale."
Galen shook his head slightly, "The name is not familiar to me. I will go to talk to them."
Agatha spoke up, something she hadn't done in a long time. "Wait!", Galen and the soldier were surprised to see her so perked up.
"What's the matter, my lady?", Galen took a knee, so his eyes would meet hers.
"Isale is here to-", fidgeting with her fingers, Galen understood her meaning.
"Get your men ready to fight," standing up, Galen cracked his knuckles. Agatha saw the imposing figure and felt her face heat up. As they left, she suddenly remembered that Isale is at least Rank 3 and her followers would all be Rank 2. To fight them is suicide since they weren't even Rank 1.
Agatha stood at the door of her office. She hadn't left her place since the banquet, and before that she was locked away here. Grabbing the door handle, she felt exhaustion wrap around her, the cold sweat on her back caused it to itch and irritate. Standing there, frozen in place, she felt her heart being thrown around.
When she heard the sound of battle not far away, she remembered Galen. Out of panic, she opened the door, just to find a clean and repaired hallway. It was empty, with the sounds of a fight coming from deeper within.
Closing her eyes, she took a step outside and kept running until she reached the stairs. Opening her eyes, nothing had gone wrong yet, she was still alive and well. Rushing down the stairs, she exited her own mansion. Shock covered her face as there were plenty of demons lying on the ground, entire holes were punched through their chests.
Galen stood over them with a bloody fist. "My lady? You exited your room?"
"Huh? They- they were all Rank 2?"
The soldiers started to clean up as Galen wiped his hands in some cloth. "I've fought Lucas on multiple occasions. Starborn are very strong, but they rely on their magic for everything. The moment you bring the fight close up, they panic and are easily overpowered. He's one of the few that was actually able to put up a decent fight."
Putting on a satisfied smile, Agatha blushed heavily as she stared at his toned body.
Standing outside was foreign to Agatha, who normally shielded herself from the others. Now, she saw the groups of people, all seemingly beggars, loitering around her mansion. Her heart froze for a moment before Galen swept her worries away. "Don't worry, my lady. These are your respectable citizens that live on your grounds."
As if on cue, Nero approached them with a bundle of papers in his hands. "My lady, I was going to visit you seen. Thank you for coming out, I need your help with something. We've cultivated the land enough for these people to live off of. Sir Lucas has requested we have them pay 60% taxes, but I believe 40% would be more than enough. What do you think?"
"Cultivate? The land?"
"Yes, if you remember, the Starborn has entered a competition with your brother Protaris. To achieve a county that flourishes better than his, we need to build up your county," Nero had been clued in on what Lucas and Asta would do in the meantime, but he felt it unnecessary to explain that to her. While they would work on improving the county, they focussed their efforts on tearing Protaris' county down.
"Huh?"
Agatha understood what Nero was saying, but the expectations for her felt too big to handle. Galen saw the panic in her eyes and stepped in. "Why did he propose 60% taxes?"
"Well, we are giving them the land for free and forcing them into a position of labor. This will on one hand give the people here something to do and earn money at the same time. Since we are practically pulling them out of poverty and providing a decent income, Lucas said we should be taking a fair cut and proposed 60%."
Galen shook his head, while he agreed that overall they were saving these people. It just wasn't right. "If they know more than half of their work will be for nothing, they won't exactly be motivated. Can't you put it even lower?"
"I'm afraid we would still need some tax to improve the overall state of the county. Plenty can be done through the powers of the Starborn, but money can't just be generated. If we want to attract merchants and business, we'll have to at least have some decent buildings. Besides, the moment we leave, other demons will have to take our place, and they will most likely want a wage."
Hearing them continue on about the correct level of taxes, Agatha instinctively knew the final decision would be for her. Standing there behind Galen, she understood both sides, no taxes would be unreasonable, not just for the county to continue working, but also for the bet her brother made.
Numbers jumped around in her head, none attractive. There was but one number that kept appearing. "What about 25%?"
Nero needed a second to think it through, while Galen agreed that they should keep it as low as possible. "Considering that we won't have any decent harvest any time soon, it's hard to say that 25% will be enough to win the competition."
Galen frowned, while that bet was important, these were still lives they were playing around with. Hearing the sound of horses, Galen cracked his knuckles again. "Did they already send back up?"
"No, those are my men," holding up his hand, he stopped Galen in his tracks.
"Weren't they with Augustinus?"
Nodding in response, they waited until they came close. One of them dismounted and reported to Nero. "Captain Nero! I bring news of Augustinus."
Taking out a scroll, he read it word for word; "Your soldiers are no longer needed. I'll continue to expand my business here. Around half of my profits will be sent over by a minion of mine to you every couple of weeks. Make sure he's protected."
Closing the scroll, the man awaited his next order. Nero laughed as Galen and Agatha were confused.
"What does he mean, business?", Galen asked, not wanting to be left out.
"He has established a brothel, a few casinos and has started to circulate addictive drugs in the areas around the capital. All of these have brought a decent income," the soldier reported with a clear voice, not dancing around the details.
Nero frowned, "The drugs won't lead back to him? We cannot stage any kind of rescue on our own, and he's quite far away."
"No, Captain, he made sure to that all production and distribution is done through a subsidiary with no official links to him. If they fell, they wouldn't be able to point towards Augustinus."
Satisfied with the response, he started to think about other potential problems not realizing Agatha, the small thing, stood right beside him.
"A brothel?", Agatha asked with an innocent look, making Galen stare daggers at the man.
The soldier, trying not to suffocate from the bloodlust, answered as calmly as he could. "It's a place where people come together and play some games."
"You don't have to worry about it, it will bring us money, so we can lower the taxes even more," Galen quickly stepped in to try and remove her curiosity.
"Yes, this is a first delivery," returning to his horse, the soldiers brought a bag filled with gold coins and mana crystals. Even if they were of a low rank, they would prove to be extremely helpful.
Seeing the possible cashflow, Nero scrapped his idea. "How about 10% for civilians, 5% for businesses?", while abysmally low, if they could drain the money from somewhere else, they can start low.
Agatha nodded, giving Nero the chance to start his true development of the county. Moving out in an instant, the soldiers followed Nero as Galen guided Agatha back to her office.