Chapter 36: Bargaining
Amos grabbed the floating paper in front of him and was surprised that it was a Devil's Contract.
Amos tore it hard, but the paper didn't even wrinkle, he sensed the texture and the power of magic and determined that what was in his hands was the famous Devil's Contract.
This thing was not cheap, and there was nowhere to buy it. Amos glanced at the Old Shaman and thought that it was worthy of a tribe that had been inherited for ten thousand years.
"Scanning!"
[Name]: The Devil's Contract
[Introduction]: One of the key products of the devil in Barto's hell; it is one of the most trustworthy contracts and best-selling of the entire multiverse, made by the devil using secret methods. It is one of the most trustworthy contracts in the multiverse, but only if you are not pitted against or duped.
The devil's contract itself was a piece of blank paper and had to be written by the contractor himself. Once both parties have signed their real names, the contract takes effect and has a powerful binding force even on the gods, which effectively ensures that both parties on the contract fulfil their promises.
Therefore, there is a slang saying in the astral world: An angel's promise is no match for the devil's contract.
But as the system says, the prerequisite for trustworthiness is not being pitted against. The devils of Barto hell were the representatives of lawful evil in the multiverse, and they indeed strictly abide by the contract, yet the devils' means of playing with words were also top-notch, which was also a painful lesson that our ancestors learned in exchange for their souls.
In historical records many years ago, the devils famously sold a kind of patterned contractual paper, claiming to be aesthetically appealing, as a result, only to see the creatures who used it silently turned into devils' slaves.
Therefore, the god of justice came forward and exposed the devil's conspiracy.
It turned out that the seemingly meaningless decorative patterns on the contract paper edges were densely packed text when viewed under a high-powered magnifying glass. The most important clause written was this:
the above agreements are all invalidated, and the contractor voluntarily becomes the slave of the devil-XXXX.
Later, in an effort to quell public anger, the Great Satan executed those involved and announced that such forms of contracts were all prohibited, but the dead victims could not be resurrected.
Moreover, as long as there is a huge profit, there will never be a shortage of people who took risks. So far, there were still many demons taking private jobs and making various prohibited contracts. This was almost an open secret in the multiverse.
An undiscovered crime is not a crime or is it?!
In this way, the devil's contract made people both love and hate them.
As Amos went over the contract paper several times, he confirmed that there were no abnormalities, except for the Old Shaman's handwriting on it, and then began to check the contents of the contract.
The general content of the text was as such:
<ol role="list" class="css-13a5a39">The White Dragons will immediately leave Skull Crusher Island and never step into it.
The White Dragons cannot retaliate against the Skull Crusher Ogres by any means.
Return the battle staff of the Caucasus that belonged to the Skull Crusher clan.
The White Dragons are to pay compensation to the Skull Crusher Clan, the compensation content:...
The Old Shaman looked at Amos who was checking the contract with bitterness in his heart. If the skeleton bit Amos, it would've been a different situation now.
After Amos scanned the contents of the contract, he found that the conditions were not harsh. The Old Shaman just wanted to keep the Skull Crusher Clan and fight for some benefits.
However, that would make success so simple.
"I reject it!
Old Shaman was shocked and threatened with a blank face.
"Don't you worry that I will curse and sacrifice your brother?"
After a pause, he continued: "A piece of legendary equipment exchanged for the life of a young white dragon. I think without that, I will refuse this cost-effective deal!"
"Of Course I care about my dear brother."
Amos took out the Caucasus combat staff and sounded disdainful.
"But! It's up to you, dirty Ogre, who wants to threaten the Great White Dragon."
The Old Shaman was not a blind man. He had long seen the extraordinary deep feelings shared among the white dragons, and he couldn't hide it from him. Amos conceded it generously.
"You can sacrifice, and I can also call Her Majesty the Dragon Queen, with the help of a sincere high-ranking priest, to present a piece of the best legendary equipment in exchange for the help of Her Majesty. Do you think her Majesty would refuse?!"
Amos spoke persistently in a questioning tone.
The Old Shaman was uncertain hearing his tone, this strong dragon was indeed more likely to be favoured by Tiamat. Amos was different from the ordinary white dragons. If he was willing to serve as her priest, there is no question about his request going unanswered.
Amos could contact Tiamat at will. He was not even an ordinary believer; a disbeliever, but that did not prevent him from raising the banner of a tiger.
Amos knew perfectly well that he could not be egged on in negotiations nor let his opponent see the depth of his side, and if he was led by the other side, he would lose completely.
The Old Shaman thought for a while, his expression relaxed.
"Such valuable legendary equipment! You! A dragon! Are you willing?!"
The Old Shaman tightly held the Caucasus skull in his hand, seeing that Amos knew that the Old Shaman's heart was not as calm as it was, saw his goal being reached.
"As you said! Although this is useless to me, it is also a legendary piece of equipment, a collection worth showing off."
Amos wanted to make the Old Shaman anxious.
"So, let's discuss it and change the content of the contract."
"You don't want the fishes to die because of our conflict right?"
The Old Shaman's expression changed, but he couldn't refute it. He had no other hands to play now.
In this way, both sides determined the main tone of the peace, after all the dead fish was no good for anyone.
Amos observed the Old Shaman's expression, whether he answered or not, using the magic he erased the content of the contract. This was one of the advantages of a Devil's Contract before the parties sign both can change the content at will.
After changing the contract, Amos sent it to the Old Shaman with the Mage's Hand.
The Old Shaman checked the contents of the new contract.
"The Skull Crusher Clan can promise to become your subordinates, but the clause 'The White Castle will provide the necessary protection to the Skull Crusher Clan', this condition is too general and can be broadly speculated, instead, 'White Castle' must be replaced by 'Amos'..."
"All right, take a step back!..."
"When the number of Ogres is less than eight hundred..."
"This is too much, up to two hundred, don't be greedy! I have already made a big concession! And..."
"..."
In the end, The Old Shaman and Amos eventually came to an agreement that was acceptable to both parties.
The contents were as follows:
<ol role="list" class="css-13a5a39">The Skull Crusher Clan Ogres will never betray after they are subordinated; however, Amos must make every effort to maintain the legacy of the Skull Crusher Clan.
When the young Ogres aren't on the battlefield, and when the number of adult Ogres is less than 300, the Skull Crusher Clan has the right to refuse the call of the White Dragon Lord.
Skull Crusher Clan Ogres are not to make mistakes, and the White Dragon Lord is not to kill them at will.
The White Dragon Lord will exchange Causcasus's Battle Staff for the Causcasus's Skull and shall not forcibly take legendary staff later.
The White Dragon must provide enough survival supplies to the Skull Crusher clan.
Amos smiled at the spontaneous fireless contract.
Needless to say one or two of the contract, Amos himself intended to train the Ogres as the primary combat unit, and naturally, he would not abuse the Ogres.
For rule number three, unlike other ordinary dragons, Amos was different. He was vicious against his enemies and has never killed his subordinates. All his subordinates were well-to-do.
For fourth, exchanging a useless piece of equipment for a useful piece of equipment was acting in mutual benefit; Amos would naturally agree.
For fifth, unlike other dragon lords, Amos kept his dependents spread out and gathered them together only when they battled, which meant that he intended on providing the Ogres with ample resources to increase their numbers and strength.
Moreover, when Amos left, he could justify taking away all the wolves on the grounds of Article 5. The people rely on food as the sky, as long as the survival resources of the Ogres were firmly controlled, and there was still a worry whether the Ogres would behave as he pleased
Based on different levels of cognition, the Old Shaman thought he had taken advantage of it.