This Lich Requests More Remuneration
Chapter 602 - 535: Currency Tides

Chapter 602: Chapter 535: Currency Tides

In Zariel’s mansion, which had been destroyed and reconstructed countless times, Zariel and Mammon were discussing business related to the Soul Bank around the Magic Mirror.

At first, Zariel was able to follow along, but as the conversation progressed, she started to feel dizzy.

The matters Amberser and Mammon talked about were comprehensible when taken separately, but when linked together, they became enigmatic.

With a look of disdain, Amberser controlled Mage Hand to tear up Mammon’s loan plan, which a bunch of goblins had taken great pains to calculate. The figures were so intricate they could make Zariel’s head spin just by glancing at them.

But Amberser shredded it without a second thought, and Mammon had to patiently ask, "What is the reason?"

"Those goblins designed too conventional loan plans, utterly failing to catch up with the situation. We possess an absolute advantage in wealth, and here we are, only thinking of traditional loan-sharking. Loaning, loaning, always focusing on that bit of interest. What’s the use of calculating it so precisely? Not only should we not raise loan interest rates while our capital is abundant, on the contrary, we should lower them, significantly reducing them in the shortest time, inducing a devaluation of the Soul Currency."

"You’re mad, if the Soul Currency devalues, that’s our loss!" exclaimed Mammon angrily.

Amberser shook his head and said, "The devaluation of Soul Currency will force all Hell Lords to stop hoarding it. We need their money to circulate. Otherwise, why would we run a bank? With the Soul Currency devaluing, they’ll need to find ways to spend it. But being inherently poor, what do they do when they want to upgrade their fortresses or invest in other industries, and the money is not sufficient?"

"That’s naturally when they come to our bank for loans. We should lend to them at low interest rates, opening wide the borrowing floodgates. We can also issue bonds, letting them secure loans with fixed assets. Are we afraid they won’t pay us back? With me around, are you worried we won’t have enough Soul Currency? As we print money, the devaluation of Soul Currency is an inevitable future. We should take this opportunity to acquire more."

Mammon frowned and said, "What’s the point of all this? In the end, Soul Currency devalues, and our wealth doesn’t increase by much. It only fattens these Hell Lords, and when they inevitably run into trouble and can’t repay, we’ll be at a complete loss!"

However, Amberser continued, "Think more broadly. With your current power and authority, having more Soul Currency isn’t so significant for you anymore. Each master of the Nine Layers of Hell controls an entire Plane, and Soul Currency can strengthen individual devils, but it can’t bolster all of Hell. We should target things that we can’t usually obtain, like a devil’s loyalty or real control over those lords under you."

"Lower interest rates on loans is just the first step. Once these Hell Lords have borrowed enough to get used to this way of receiving large sums of Soul Currency, their territories will develop rapidly. Remember, none of the Hell Lords is benevolent; they are all insatiable. If you develop, won’t your neighbors become afraid?"

Mammon’s eyes lit up as he picked up on Amberser’s line of thinking, "Oh, I see what you mean. By providing low-interest loans to assist them in their construction, and then taking a share of the contract. After a while, the fortresses of all Hell Lords will undergo major upgrades. Those who don’t take out loans will fall far behind or even get devoured. This forces them to use loans to increase their power."

Amberser nodded and added, "Exactly, but no matter how much they improve, the control of Hell is still in your hands. This is called ’internal friction’. And no matter how much they strain, their fundamental status doesn’t change much; instead, they’ll be whipped onward like slaves, because if they don’t advance, they’ll be devoured by the competition. Formerly, you had to threaten and command those defiant devils to serve you. Now, you need only lift a finger, and they will swarm to you, offering everything they have for your ’support’."

"But the power developed in this manner is an illusion, like a bubble. When there’s a hiccup in the lending process that can’t keep up with the rapid development needs, we can adjust interest rates, tighten our monetary policy. This is called the ’monetary tides’. In the rise and fall, we harvest whatever is valuable from these Hell Lords. To us, currency is just numbers, but they can serve as a lever, prying all resources in Hell. We have military support, and we can print money at will—this is our greatest advantage."

This was the first time Mammon had heard of the concept of monetary tides. However, upon consideration, he found the strategy astoundingly ingenious. It was a vicious, ruthless harvesting method. How on earth did this person come up with it?

Mammon couldn’t help but remark, "It’s a waste you’re not in Hell already. Better to have died sooner—what’s the point of wasting centuries in the Prime Material Plane."

Amberser: ...

This wasn’t his own original idea; it was the favorite tactic of some hegemonic country before he’d crossed over. With the advantage of military strength coupled with the power to print money, this dual approach was unstoppable, and countless small nations had fallen under such schemes.

So this game was only suitable for the archdukes managing each layer of Hell—lower-ranking Devil Lords didn’t even qualify to play.

Originally, Amberser didn’t want to employ such methods because they were too cruel. It was basically pushing all the Hell Lords to a dead end, and moreover, it was a ’blatant scheme’ unblockable by anyone.

But upon further consideration, this is Hell, where the Hell Lords are devils among devils, sinners among sinners.

So what is there to hesitate about?

Just roll it all up, it’s a damn blessing for sinners!

However, when Mammon asked Amberser for a detailed plan, Amberser replied, "Great Duke Mammon, are you sure you want me to draft the specific terms? Aside from whether I can do it, are you really comfortable entrusting me with the details?"

Mammon immediately laughed and said, "You’re being too formal, how could I possibly not trust you?"

Even though he said that, Mammon decisively changed the subject.

"You’re absolutely right, why should you bother with such trivial matters? I will send some goblins to you, please train them well."

Amberser responded with a smile. Mammon was not really failing to consider these things, he was clearly testing him. This fellow had already roughly understood the effects of the currency tide, and didn’t really need Amberser to personally get involved.

If Amberser had agreed, Mammon would have concluded that Amberser had ulterior motives.

Although Mammon could not completely let down his guard, the small concession that Amberser made allowed Mammon to breathe a sigh of relief. After all, those goblins were Mammon’s men; they would scrutinize the specific terms carefully to ensure Amberser had not tampered with anything.

Amberser didn’t mind either, as he was never a finance expert to begin with. He could judge the general direction based on what he had seen in his previous life, but for the specific details, he might not be as precise as those goblins.

"There’s no need to send them over, it’s too much trouble."

With a wave of his hand, Amberser summoned several basing-sized magic mirrors which flew out from another mirror and landed in front of Mammon.

"Running back and forth is a waste of time and teleportation costs. Business should be about efficiency. Take these magic mirrors and have them communicate with me. Of course, the costs will be accounted for. Even though we are as close as brothers, we must still settle accounts clearly."

Mammon took the magic mirrors, feeling that Amberser was trying to gouge him, but he didn’t refuse.

Amberser was right; the First and Third Levels of Hell were far apart, and teleportation was extremely expensive. Mammon indeed coveted the simple and convenient communication tool of the magic mirror.

As a powerful devil, instant communication with other Hell Lords was not difficult, but maintaining large-scale, long-distance communication over time was exhausting.

The magic mirror was a creation of the God of Alchemy, powered by an entire Divine Realm. The power of a Concept God is so outrageous that when you use an alchemy product and it has an impact, it’s like charging the God of Alchemy.

The greater the influence of alchemy, the stronger the power of the God of Alchemy becomes.

Mammon was envious, but He knew very well that envy would get Him nowhere. He could only acknowledge that the God of Alchemy had a talented pupil, and that it was only a matter of time before He became a formidable deity in His own right.

And He was not far behind. If He were to work closely with Amberser, He too could someday have banks throughout the Nine Layers of Hell!