After all four of the Duke's were robbed, they were informed of this new at almost the exact same time. Furious was an understatement for how they felt when they learned that even with Immortal Emperor Realm protective measures and Immortal Emperor Realm guards, nothing prevented the thieves from stealing everything from them.
Two of the Dukes had even been informed of the deaths of dozens of Immortal Kings and a handful of Immortal Emperors. That night, the skies erupted with four immensely powerful auras, all of which displayed might well into the Immortal Emperor Realm!
Duke Ashford was especially livid. After all, he had lost nearly a hundred King Crystals. Combined, they were worth more than the Treasuries of every other Duke. Yet, they had been stolen, and their rightful buyers would soon need to be informed of this plight.
So as to not attract the ire of both his own Empire and the exterior forces he was colluding with, Duke Ashford worked to immediately rectify his mistake. He sent out his own force of fifty well-trained Immortal Kings, a special force of five Immortal Emperors, and a secret army that was sent as backup by his backers. They numbered nearly ten times his own force and were armed with the very best equipment that the Saberspire Province had to offer.
As hundreds of Immortal Kings and dozens of Immortal Emperors set out in the dead of night on a bounty hunt, Azmodeus and the father-son duo returned to the First Layer. Specifically, they returned to the Jade Dragon Store Association. Contrary to last time, the place was lively and teeming with commerce, just as the Merchant said it would be.
"I guess you really are a businessman through and through," Azmodeus praised.
The Merchant's cheeks flushed red. "Oh, this...? This is nothing much...!"
Azmodeus's face contorted in disgust. "Stop being all weird about it," he said. "It's creeping me out."
Thud!
The Merchant slumped to the floor with a downcast look on his face. "H-He said I was weird... He said I was weird," the merchant mumbled repeatedly.
Aflon rushed through the doors of his father's store, only to see him slumped to the floor with a complexion devoid of color. He hurriedly approached him and asked what was wrong. To which the Merchant responded with grunts and groans.
After a few seconds of trying to get through to him, it eventually worked as he rose off the ground like a zombie and caught up to the Good Sir.
The Merchant wiped the perspiration off his forehead. On one hand, this was a deal that could give him immense benefits, but it was also a risky one. Just one wrong move and both he and his Jade Dragon Store Association would burn.
He already had assassins, a Duke, and who knew what else after his head. Did he really need yet another thing to worry about!?
The answer was, of course, no!
But...
'I'm a businessman, through and through, just as the good Lord said!'
Azmodeus had thoroughly brainwashed the Merchant with his subtle dialogue. As such, he was completely wrapped around his finger, enough so that his reason was skewed enough to answer:
"You have yourself a deal, Good Sir!" He extended his hand out for a handshake, all while maintaining a greedy gleam in his gaze. "I'll take everything you can spare!"
Azmodeus smirked. "Very good," he said as he reciprocated the merchant's handshake.
A mutual interest for profit had been established, and now it was time to reap the benefits!
Over the course of the next few days, Azmodeus and the father-son duo kept their heads low. During which, the Merchant took all of the good sir's acquired goods and used his extremely large workforce to sell the goods in the most discreet way possible. As this was happening in the shadows, Azmodeus strolled on over to the Bounty Hunter's Association and claimed the bounties on the heads of all the Thieves he killed.
They looked at him as if he were the freakiest of freaks, but he had proof of the kills, so they gave him what he rightfully deserved. Still, this was an occurrence worthy of notice, so they promptly reported to any relevant superiors.
....