"How did I climb to this position, and how did you climb to yours?"
Arthur raised his glass of red wine to clink with Thiers, a crisp ding sounded: "Did you, like me, sell your soul to the Devil?"
"No, it's worse than that." Thiers spoke eloquently: "I sold my soul to many people, starting with Lafayette, then to Sir Talleyrand, and of course, my soul now belongs to His Majesty the King. As for you, Arthur, if you've only sold your soul to the Devil, in my view, you're far luckier than I am."
Agares, smiling cheekily, also raised his glass and clinked with Thiers. The Red Devil chuckled and replied: "You're right, kid, you're far more on track than that little brat Arthur. If I didn't dislike short people, merely for this compliment, I'd be willing to make a pact with you."
