’She wants him that bad?’
Vale sighed as he glanced at the Reaper of Knowledge
"I already told you I’m not willing to part with him."
Greed followed his gaze with a shrewd expression.
"I know, I know... but what about half of him?"
Vale’s eyes squinted, and he recoiled slightly.
"This is already half of him."
Greed blinked slowly and giggled.
"Then half of this half of him? Is that not fair?"
Vale looked Mias up and down.
’That is quite enticing.’
In fact, it was too good a deal to be true.
Half of Mias going with Greed would an he’d have intel on her as well as insight into what she knew about Pandora.
But that would also an the opposite...
Not the most promising prospect when Mias had already been bought off once with the promise of knowledge.
Greed, with a much deeper well of knowledge than Ophelia, would have an easy ti goading the Reaper.
Then there was also the weakening of Mias himself...
’While splitting already weakens him, the distance at which each part of him will separate would put insane strain on him.’
Vale didn’t exactly know what it felt like to live multiple lives from multiple angles, each processing different information, but Mias had already shown the strain he endured daily.
Ti and ti again, Vale had noticed Mias slow down when another part of him was doing a ticulous task.
In fact, losing connection with his other half seed, for a mont, a good thing, as it allowed both Mias to operate without the other hindering them.
There was also the fact that he’d be basking in the effects of Greed’s Traits and Aspect.
All they would have to worry about was whether marked Mias was alive.
But...
’Bottom line is...’
Vale looked over at the Reaper of Knowledge.
"I accept under the condition Mias himself agrees, and you tell the location of your dungeon before you leave."
Greed smiled delightedly.
"Well, then, Mias. What will it be?"
The Reaper barely spared a mont before he said:
"I’ll go with her."
Greed clasped her hands as her eyes narrowed.
"Wonderful, wonderful. We’ll make great partners, Reaper of Knowledge. And as for your second stipulation..."
Greed held out her hand, and a rolled-up scroll appeared in it.
Greed slightly unfurled one end of it, and what she showed Vale lit up his eyes.
’A map.’
A damned map of the world!
Greed rolled it back up and chuckled when she saw Vale’s reaction
"It seems you’ve already discerned what this is. That simplifies matters. This is far more valuable than the location of my dungeon — it contains the locations of every Vice Dungeon except Sloth, every remaining nation, topography and several key landmarks. So, I could tell you where my dungeon is. Or..."
Vale’s widened eyes filled with curiosity, but then he looked over at Mias.
"Once he goes with you, I could get this information from him. So, is it truly worth it to ?"
Greed’s gaze narrowed as she let a little of her authority slip.
"Would you, now?"
Vale shuddered as the cold feeling caressed his every nerve.
’Fair point...’
Greed recalled her ability, a pleased little hum slipping from her mouth.
Vale’s shoulders slumped slightly.
"Alright, then. Na your price."
Greed’s eyes crinkled slightly.
"Na your price, again? You’re not very good at this, Valentin. I could fleece you for all you have if these are your haggling skills."
’She loves to pick and choose when to use our real nas.’
Greed laughed at herself then continued:
"Since you’re new, I’m being nice. But this ti, I want you to make the offer."
Vale leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs.
’Hmm.’
What would be sothing worth this knowledge?
’A lot...’
This map would save him countless hours of scouting the land and searching.
It would save him the trouble of stealing a map. Sothing which would probably only be found in a capital city.
Needless to say, Vale could offer up the rest of Mias and Awilix, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
Not that he was intent on using living beings as a bargaining chip.
’I see...’
There was only one thing he had that Greed could legitimately have a use for — only one thing Greed didn’t have that he did, other than his prophecy.
Vale himself.
Greed had used his na to tip him off.
She also wanted to make his place clear by forcing him to make the offer.
’This sly fox.’
Greed, noticing the glint of realization in his eye, grew a heinous smirk.
Vale gave off a deep sigh, then said:
"I have nothing material you’d be interested in, and my knowledge pales to yours in comparison. All I have to offer at the mont are promises and favors..."
Greed chuckled:
"Is that so? Well then, what promise will you make ?"
Vale dipped into thought.
’Not Aether...’
Greed, being greed, probably had an abundance. There was no sensible amount he could offer.
"How about constant updates on what Kindness is doing?"
Greed covered her mouth.
"I’ll be getting those already."
Vale leaned back in his chair and tapped his foot.
’I didn’t want to offer this...’
"Knowledge of every Champion I summon in the future?"
Greed glanced at Mias.
"I will have that as well. No promise of silence is strong enough to hold back. But don’t feel too bad, Mias will be able to give you plenty of knowledge about my forces as well."
Vale cringed. But Mias seed unperturbed at the threat.
’What else...?’
"A promise to co to your aid if need be in the future."
Greed grew an amiable expression.
"That’s close enough for to accept, but I’ll add a few conditions of my own."
Greed cleared her throat.
"If I request of you, you, Valentin, must co in person, only if you have the capability. If I need aid, you will send either Xina or Salo, and yourself in the force. Finally..."
Greed gave Vale a wide smile.
"If Envy needs aid, it will be your duty. Even if it is Chastity attacking her."
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