Dark Moon City.
Finance Minister’s residence.
Joseph. Alvin was listening to the report of his subordinate, Royce.
“Last month, our magic shop’s revenue fell the most by almost 35%. Due to the treasure, other aspects of the comprehensive revenue increased, but the increase was very small which was about 1%.”
Joseph frowned slightly, “The magic shop has dropped so much? Is it because of the Cloak Gang magic shop?”
Royce nodded, “Yes, since master Xingxing presided in the Cloak Magic Shop, the goods are sold out quickly every time. Our customers have gone there too. Other stores in the chamber of commerce have suffered from Princess Royal’s sanctions such as being unable to join the night market and adding similar competing stores near the original stores. In addition to the new chamber of commerce co-founded by the Custer Family and Princess Royal, Moonlight, it has pushed us to the edge of the cliff.”
“How about the Mellon Family?”
“As far as I know, the Mellon Family secretly befriended Princess Royal long ago. Their industry has not been affected as severely as ours. Moreover, 2 shops have even been allowed to join the night market.” Royce showed a mocking face, “The same is true for the small family that originally relied on us. Those guys are opportunists. They are simply unreliable.”
“From the very beginning, I didn’t plan to rely on these guys.” Joseph shook his head, “The appearance of this treasure has turned some of Princess Royal’s original mistakes into the most effective methods. For instance, repairing roads, renovating shops and so on. It was as if she was well prepared. I actually even sponsored half of the fee for free at the beginning. Thinking about it now, I seem to have fallen into a trap.”
Royce’s mind shifted as he revealed a thoughtful look, “I originally thought about it this way too, but the Fountain of Vitality should not be fake. The awakening of the human, Chen Rui, is the best proof. Furthermore, the bottles of Fountain of Vitality’s water that Athena brought back last time were sold for a staggering price at an auction yesterday. The buyer was a potion master from the Dark Shadow Empire. Judging from the Fountain of Vitality and the experiences of the endless stream of treasure hunters, the Blue Lake Mountain Range does have a mysterious treasure that was originally unknown.”
“Auction?” This new term intrigued Joseph.
“Sir just came back not long ago, so you may not know that the Dark Moon’s newly opened auction house is a new industry directly under the jurisdiction of the lord. It is located in the northwest block. It is large in scale and tightly guarded. They even specially invited several masters of the Dark Shadow Empire’s Mechanic Association through the Dark Shadow Empire’s Custer Family to set up a complex defensive magic circle. The degree of security is high. Guests can put some valuable things into the auction house, and the auction house will appraise and evaluate these items. An open bidding auction is held at a fixed time where the highest bidder will get the items. Meanwhile, the auction house will take 20% of the transaction amount as a reward.”
“20%?” Joseph was surprised. He was considered an expert in economics. This auction house is just a transfer function, so they are reaping benefits out of the blue. They can actually get a high profit of 20%. Furthermore, the greater the amount of transaction, the higher the profit. It is simply a cash cow.
“In addition to the Fountain of Vitality, there were also treasures provided by the palace and several families this time. The most outstanding ones were the few treasures commissioned by a treasure hunter from the Blue Lake Mountain Range. It attracted a large number of bidders. The scene was extremely lively. The success of this auction has caused many people to pre-order tickets for the next auction.”
Joseph’s eyes flickered, “As the lord directly manages the business, others are not qualified to follow suit. It is equivalent to monopolizing this huge benefit. What an auction house!”
Royce knew that Shea had not achieved anything previously. Joseph would definitely think of these things, so he said, “I believe the idea of this auction house is likely to originate from that Chen Rui. He should be copying the concept from the human world.
“Yes. I think so too,” Joseph frowned tightly, “The Dark Moon has changed too fast and too much in the past 6 months. The Princess Retail Store, Battle Ball, Night Market, Dark Shadow Empire’s Custer Family entered the Dark Moon and co-founded the new chamber of commerce, the renovation of the Dark Moon and the auction house… These changes are definitely inseparable from the idea of this human behind the scenes. Seems like I have been underestimating this small potato who I first thought was unimportant.”
You are actually the small potato in front of him with your current power. Royce said in his heart, but he looked worried on the surface. “The momentum of the Dark Moon has basically taken shape now. It will not help even if we kill this human secretly. The most important thing for us is to consider how to regain this disadvantage. Otherwise, as long as we continue to develop this way, we will completely collapse without the other party’s effort.”
Joseph nodded solemnly. His situation had been a bit bad lately. It was difficult both in the Dark Moon and the Red Spirit. Although in the case of “Charles”, his father, Josh, did not seize any conclusive evidence that he informed the capital, Josh had obviously begun to alienate him. There was a hint of sanctions against Town Mordo’s policies.
The only comfort was that Prince Obsidian from the capital expressed considerable appreciation for his loyalty to the capital and the regent this time. Prince Obsidian also implicitly pointed out that there were some shortcomings of the Red Spirit Lord Josh. It seemed like the regent was optimistic about Joseph’s future inheritance of the estate.
As far as the current situation was concerned, this “inheritance” was obviously far away, and the capital’s approval was only verbal. However, Joseph didn’t regret it. If “Charles” and Kanita were to cooperate, then he would probably not be passive now, but a failure in the true sense.
Moreover, it was not entirely impossible to “inherit” the position of lord ahead of time. This possibility was based on certain “accidental” situations such as Josh’s health problems… Not only did he have the long-term support of the capital, he also had an unfathomable ally, the heir of the Gluttony Royal Family, Aguile. Beelzebub.
He just got a letter from “Aguile” just now, inviting him to go to the Cloak Gang. It was the reminder of “Aguile” previously, which made him destroy Kanita’s huge benefits in time. This meeting might be an opportunity for him to get rid of the current predicament. “Aguile” invited him to meet at the second stronghold of the Cloak Gang in the northwest block. This was originally the Mellon Family’s place. The area was quite spacious and valuable. The Mellon Family was suspected of the assassination of the Cloak Gang’s leader and the smuggling of people, so they were forced to give up this place. It was transferred to the Cloak Gang as compensation by Princess Royal Shea.
In order to avoid the fact that the financial officer had a secret relationship with the Cloak Gang, Joseph specially came to the house in disguise this time. Soon, he was led to a newly constructed stadium.
The stadium was heavily guarded on the outside as if it was some kind of important place, but only after entering that one would discover that it was actually an indoor battle ball court. It seemed to be a standard 3-person venue. His old friend, “Aguile”, happened to be sitting at the side while watching a three-on-three battle ball match in the field.
Those players all wore strange masks. Their faces couldn’t be seen clearly. Apart from “Aguile”, Joseph was the only audience.
“You’re here, my friend.” “Aguile” did not get up, nor looked at him. He just pointed to the side, “Sit down.”
Joseph already knew that this “ally” was at least a great Demon King-level powerhouse. Given his current situation, the opponent’s attitude was considered good.
As Joseph sat down, “Aguile” said calmly, “As far as I know, you seem to have quite some troubles recently. Whether it is the Red Spirit or Dark Moon, it seems that the situation is not very good.”
“Yes, it’s really not good.” Joseph sighed and did not deny. He knew that this man had a lot of magical powers, especially intel capabilities. The collusion between Kanita and the foreign human was revealed to him by “Aguile”. It could be said that Aguile saved him from his predicament. Of course, Joseph was not very grateful because both sides were using each other. Aguile helped him because he still had usage value.
Contrary to the original relationship where he was stronger than the other party, Joseph was now on the weak side whether in terms of personal power or force. Therefore, he needed to show his own value and further use the other’s strength to try to reverse the current disadvantage.
Chen Rui looked at Joseph’s expression and said, “Then, do you have the courage to bet everything to turn the tables?”
“Bet everything?” Joseph looked confused. Even if I bet everything, how can I turn the tables?
Chen Rui nodded, but he didn’t go on to explain. He just set his eyes on the battle match in the field. Joseph couldn’t reply at that moment, Did you invite me here just to watch the game?
However, Joseph was not an impatient person. He knew that the other party must have a purpose, so he did not rashly ask for help at the moment. He watched the exciting game in the field with Aguile silently.
Gradually, Joseph discovered that this battle ball game was unexpectedly intense. It was also a battle ball, but they could change various unexpected arcs when passing or shooting. Whether in terms of skill, physical fitness or overall offensive and defensive coordination, it is better than any game I have ever seen including the 2 teams of the highest level of the Dark Moon, the imperial guards and the garrison guard. It can be said to be one level higher than them. “What do you think about this team?” The other party finally spoke.
“I have never seen such a superb game, I can’t believe that they are just Intermediate Demon,” Joseph answered truthfully, “If there are 11 people who reach this standard and cohesion, I believe they can defeat any official and private team in the Dark Moon.”
“To be precise, there are 20 people plus 9 substitutes. Just when the Dark Moon started experimenting with battle balls, they already had the highest level of the current Dark Moon team.” “Aguile” revealed a secret, “Because I created the battle ball.”
Joseph was taken aback. This battle ball has greatly increased the combat power of the Dark Moon’s army. It also brought unimaginable huge benefits in terms of economy. Unexpectedly, it is created by Aguile!
“I don’t need a Dark Moon that is dying and on the verge of death. What I need is a truly prosperous and powerful estate.” Chen Rui said in a tone as if the current Dark Moon is not controlled by Shea, but him, “Aguile. Beelzebub”.
“As I said, my true identity prevents me from controlling the Dark Moon publicly, so I need a spokesperson. It depends on whether you have the guts.” Chen Rui’s tone made Joseph’s eyes lit up. Could it be that “Aguile” already has a perfect plan where the Dark Moon will be his sooner or later?
“What do I need to do?” Joseph turned his mind and asked decisively. If he could control the Dark Moon and force Shea to become a real empty shell, then he would definitely be appreciated and affirmed by the capital. With the current Dark Moon as the foundation, no matter how much Josh suppressed him, he could still be invincible. When necessary, he could also expose the Beelzebub family to the capital in exchange for his own interests.
Chen Rui didn’t say much. He just pointed to the intensely confronting players in the field. Joseph frowned and suddenly understood something, “You mean the battle ball…”
“Actually, when you came to this place today, you should have seen the dawn of your victory.” Chen Rui laughed confidently behind the mask. “It depends on how you bet on this one.”
Joseph didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he fell into deep thought for a while before speaking, “With the chips in my hands, I’m afraid it won’t be enough to bet with that Princess Royal.”
“What if you include all the properties of the night market and the Cloak Gang?” Chen Rui continued to seduce this cunning enemy, “I will create some conflicts at the appropriate time and fight openly with Shea. However, I must clarify one thing first. I’m the real master of the Dark Moon. Your destination is not here, but in the Red Spirit. After the Dark Moon succeeds, I will fully support you in conquering the Red Spirit in the next step. Although your father who is in the middle stage Demon Emperor is in his prime, but… people always have some accidents, don’t they? Future sir lord?”
Joseph sensed that “Aguile” helped him just to make use of his financial officer’s identity and his capital relationship to control the Dark Moon openly. However, this happened to resolve his current crisis. It could be regarded as mutual use. If the other party helped him without asking for anything in return, it would be rather questionable.
The ‘Red Spirit Lord’ proposed by the other party also made Joseph tempted and excited. He had already received praise from the capital regent because of the whistleblowing. If some “accident” happened to his father at this time which caused the position of the lord to be vacant, his hope of becoming a lord should be far greater than Kanita.
“Aguile” lurked around Shea, cheated her trust step by step, and planned the emergence of the battle ball. He does not hesitate to gamble on the painstaking night market and Cloak Gang in order to control the Dark Moon and revive Beelzebub. Judging from the quality of battle ball players in front of me, as long as Shea falls into this trap, she will definitely lose.
It’s now a matter to get Shea into this gambling game. In this regard, I’m quite confident because the Dark Moon’s chamber of commerce and a considerable part of the economic power are still in my hands now. As long as I don’t hand it over, Shea is not considered controlling the Dark Moon completely.
No matter from which point of view, this plan is completely feasible!
Unless, “Aguile” suddenly loses his mind and wants to hand over the future of the Beelzebub Royal Family and their painstaking efforts to his enemy, the Lucifer Royal Family while sacrificing me, the financial officer, along the process.
Is it possible?
The look on Joseph’s face became more and more determined. He finally stood up without hesitation, “I’ll bet!”
The financial officer who thought he was winning might not know a phrase – Everything is possible.
I wonder what the ghost house in the amusement park of the Demon Realm would be like 🤪? Would there be demons wearing different costumes of the human world? Also, I never thought Joseph was susceptible to playing hard to get🤨.