Lars by now had allowed his "dreamy, bedazzled fanboy" state fade away and approached Duke Silvan with a serious and earnest expression as he gave his terms. At the same time, there was a twinkle of mischief in his eye as he spoke.

'Wait, wait! Lars! This is nothing like you! Just because of benefits?!? What's gone over you! Just when I was praising you for being someone completely loyal to your friends and allies, now you're going to betray not just them but let down all my expectations on you!?? How could you!! You, you can't do this! You're better than this! Are you really, really, REALLY going through with this? How can you betray your team?!? Don't you have a conscience at all?!? Why, how can you--'

'Calm down, calm down! Just hear me out, alright? I have a plan. Anyway, I don't have any guarantee that this guy is going to keep his word... Let's take a wait-and-see att.i.tude towards this guy and milk him for what he's worth...'

'You still haven't answered my question! I asked you if you're really going to betray your friends!! Lars! Lars!!! LARSS!!!!'

But Lars kept his expression the same as before even while Kizorik wailed away in his mental realm, ignoring his demon while thinking about how incredulous it was for a demon to be lecturing him on morals and loyalty. Who would believe him if he told them that his contracted demon was the one exhorting him to not betray his pals? Would they even believe him if he swore on his mother's life...? Not that he knew his mother...

Duke Silvan's smile only grew wider upon hearing this, but he kept calm and began grinning from ear to ear as he answered, "Of course, of course! Let me hear your terms and I a.s.sure you, whatever it is you demand that is within my power shall be done...!" He held his hand out to strike the deal with Lars.

Lars looked on with alarm as he saw with widened eyes that Duke Silvan had already prepared a contractual array to ensure both parties kept their end of the deal, and had powered it up with his mana, affixing his signature and showing his sincerity about this contract.

But he merely shook his head and said, "No, let me tell you my conditions first and see if you can meet them or not."

Duke Silvan frowned slightly as his smile grew the littlest bit stiff. Then he held Lars' gaze for a good 10 seconds before he asked, "Boy, do you think that I won't be able to fulfil your requests...? Do you think that lowly of my power, wealth and influence...? Or is that you're doubtful towards my willingness to keep my promise? If that's the concern, fear not; here - in my hand is an activated contract array. You may examine it first and tell me if you're convinced about my sincerity!"

Duke Silvan kept his hand extended and turned it so that the palm faced upwards, letting Lars pretend to peer at it intently and discern the contract array.

Then Lars said, "Please, your grace. Let me say my part first. I believe it is only fair to state my terms before requiring you to agree to them. May I speak...?"

At the same time as he spoke these words, though he looked Duke Silvan right in the eyes, Lars' spiritual sense was still engrossed with deciphering if there were any hidden elements within the contract array. After all, once it was signed, whichever parties had instilled the array with their mana signature would be bound heart and soul to it.

By that, it meant that the contracting parties would receive a tiny miniature version of the contract array into their mana cores, an array that would extend tendrils out to meld together with the mana core and be tied to their source of power. In the event that they did not hold true to the spirit of the contract, the array would rupture along with the parts of the mana core linked to it, potentially killing the party who broke the contract or at least crippling their mana cultivation.

For Lars, he was not too afraid. His plan was to affix this contract array with his secondary Expert-level mana core anyway!

However, he was also extremely curious as to what gave Duke Silvan such great confidence to strike up a deal when he didn't even know the terms. There HAD to be some sort of trickery hidden behind his actions! It was up to Lars to either set things up in a way that no amount of trickery could overcome, or discover the trap and set a counter trap!

Duke Silvan once again held Lars' gaze for a good 10 seconds, as if though upset that a mere child would dare doubt his clout and reputation - though, in truth, with his reputation as probably the largest supporter of organised crime in the Kingdom of the Sands, he should not have relied at all on his reputation for trust!

But after a moment more, he withdrew his hand slowly and then shrugged with a "don't care, suit yourself" look on his face as he said in a resigned and slightly displeased tone, "Very well, boy, I cannot fault you for your naivete, nor can I fault you for your gesture of humility and generosity. Go on, speak your terms."

Lars nodded and spoke his part, "First... Before we continue further, let my companions go. I'll only continue with this negotiation if they are all in safety in Duke Leanne's palace. Don't worry - I can wait until they're dropped off safely! Just like you said earlier, there's no hurry, right...?"

Duke Silvan's face instantly stiffened and began to change abruptly from a still-smiling - albeit a cold smile - expression into a sudden darkening, frowning mode. He could be seen to suddenly furrow his brows and clench his teeth as if though he could not believe a young pup would dare to question his integrity and demand a show of sincerity from the opening hand!

But despite his anger, Duke Silvan knew that it did not matter - the one "bargaining chip" he truly needed was right here in front of him anyway. As long as he could get Lars to sign the contract... There was a sinister glint in the man's eyes, one he obviously thought Lars did not notice as he began to open his mouth to speak, "Alright, I--"

"Wait!" Lars held up his hand and barked out the single-syllable word sharply, startling Duke Silvan - not because it was loud nor forceful, but because he would never have thought that a sniveling young boy would dare to interrupt him in the middle of his speech!

But Silvan consoled himself by telling himself that it was okay as long as the result was obtained.

'You little wretch!! Just you wait... Once you've signed the contract and become my slave... I'll make sure to treat you well and keep you safe, even while commanding you to do countless things that torture and destroy your conscience!! Hahahahah!!!'

He smiled, cheering himself up and forcing himself to act cheerful as he asked, "Y-yes, boy... Ahem, what is it you wanted to add...?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just that there's another of my friends in here that I believe you are holding. He's in the opposite room--" Lars' eyes shot over to the entrance and over to the next room where Joke, the Laughing Man had entered, then continued, "--And he's in a bad state. I don't know why he's here, but I want him to be released as well!"

Duke Silvan's smiling face froze again as the corners of his lips trembled. He felt like wringing the boy's neck right there and then at that very instant, but could only hold himself back in case he was accused of foul play ahead of the Nationals. He couldn't afford anything to tarnish the reputation and "clean" victory of his superstar team and get disqualified!

'So close...!!! I'll bear with you, boy! But you'll see who gets the last laugh here! Just you wait, just you wait! You and that blood Duke Leanne, that b.i.t.c.h will surely gladly spread her legs for me once this is over... All I need is to ensure that my team makes it past these Nationals; once that's done, I'm completely and absolutely a.s.sured of success in the actual Battle Through the Heavens...! Once my team gets that hidden treasure... Hahahaha!! I won't stop at being King of the Kingdom of the Sands; even being the Emperor of Yiluo Empire - no, G.o.d of this entire planet won't be too big of a task!! Hahahah!'

He kept on cheering himself up and convincing himself that this was all just part of the costs of achieving his long-standing ambitions as he swallowed his pride and rage, allowing his dignity to be trampled on as he nodded slowly and eked out a smile.

He turned towards the doorway and reached into his pocket and grasped a tiny badge in the shape of a coin-sized white smiling mask, then sent a sliver of mana into it and waited while Lars stood at one side.

In less than 15 seconds, the Laughing Man emerged looking exactly like he had before. However, there was a scent of blood around him despite there being no signs at all of the crimson fluids.

He still moved exactly as before, walking with a brisk and confident gait and appearing to be - as usual - carefree and relaxed.

But when he spoke, both Lars and Duke Silvan could sense a hint of displeasure and impatience in his voice.

"Yes, your grace! It is my pleasure to be of service once more. How may I help you...?" He bowed slightly as he spoke, one hand placed across his breast and keeping his gaze low.

Duke Silvan acknowledged his bow and spoke directly, "Joker, the boy has another friend in your "safe-keeping" in that room you just came out from. I want him released along with the boy's other friends and immediately sent back to Duke Leanne's palace safely. No delays!"

The Laughing Man did not move nor did he respond straight away. All he did was continue to be slightly bent over with his body inclined, frozen in the bow. However, the atmosphere in the room immediately turned frigid and chilly, making Lars feel as if though the entire building had just been submerged under water.

However, before he could react further, the sensation disappeared just as abruptly as it had came as the Laughing Man laughed delightedly and said, "Of course, of course! And the bill...?"

"Yes yes, you don't have to ask! I wouldn't have instructed so if I wasn't ready to foot the bill! Add whatever costs incurred and loss of business there is to my tab and I'll settle it this week along with any other transactions and services! Just hurry up!"

The atmosphere this time turned joyful and cheerful, which made Lars curious. But not curious enough to ask as he just watched as the Laughing Man seemed to be smiling as he bowed once more.

"Right away, your grace; it shall be done within 15 minutes... In the meantime, would the both of you care for some tea as you wait...? I have some top-grade Excelsior Tea from the Southern Tip of the Kilolokja Constellation that I'm sure you'll find delightful! Don't worry, this one is on the house!"

Duke Silvan raised his brows and frowned slightly, surprised at Joker's magnanimity and wondering if he had just been tricked of an immense sum of money. Regardless, he soon smiled and nodded as he took a seat, not caring whether Lars followed suit or not.

And thus they began to wait, though Duke Silvan wanted to cry as he was filled with shame, loathing and dread towards whatever the boy's next 4 requests held in store...