Chapter 18 Lesson 3-4 - A Stupid Demon Is A Useful Thing To Have (Part 2)
"Now listen, do you know the secret to getting people to tell you stuff? Go ahead, tell me." As Mammon gave me a long, hard look, I immediately thought up of an answer. "In most cases, it would be some form of compensation, like money." As I told Mammon this, I thought of how it doesn't always work, but when it does it help in lots of different situations.
"EXACTLY! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! I guess you DO get it! If ya wanna pry valuable information outta someone, you've got to offer 'em proper compensation!" Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Mammon crossed his arms and nodded his head. But that changed when he realized what this was about. "Wait a second... Uh-oh, I know what this is about! You tried to climb those stairs, but Lucifer stopped you, right? That's totally it, isn't it?" As Mammon gave me a look of indifference, I nodded, answering his question.
"Well, then there's something you really need to get straight now. If you think you can just offer Mammon here a little bit of money and he'll spill the beans, you're dead wrong." When Mammon said that, I raised an eyebrow, knowing fully well that he would do ANYTHING for money. 'How would a little bit of money for even the tiniest piece of info about what's in the attic not interest you? You're the Avatar of GREED for Pete's sake!'
"I mean, pretend I told you somethin' I shouldn't. Lucifer would beat me half to death. Actually, I'd be lucky if that's all he did. If I WEREN'T lucky, he'd have me eliminated. It'd take a good two hundred million years to recover from that." Mammon begins to shiver in fear at the mere thought of Lucifer eliminating him, and I knew that Lucifer would undoubtedly do it. Suddenly, Mammon pulled a piece of paper out of his school uniform pocket, and started writing numbers.
"Still, if you're bound and determined to buy this information off of me... Then you'll have to offer me, let's see... How about the monetary equivalent of the world's total oil production? Two hundred million years' worth. That might do it." With a smug smile on his face, Mammon wrote the total of two hundred million years' worth of oil in money, and showed it to me. "In other words, I ain't gonna tell ya. Is that clear enough for ya, blockhead?" Seeing the ridiculous amount, I glared at Mammon, who was still smiling smugly. All of a sudden, I had an idea, and I begin smile.
"Oh? Afraid of Lucifer, are you?" I continue to smile, as I try to manipulate Mammon and play on the negative parts his personality. I don't enjoy doing this, but I need to know who or what is in the attic so I can finally sleep in peace. "WHAT?! Whoa, what'd you just say? You think I'M actually afraid of Lucifer?! Me, the Avatar of Greed? You've gotta be kidding! I'm not the least bit afraid of him, got it? Not even a little!" Mammon vehemently and angrily denies being afraid of Lucifer, and I knew I was on the right track.
"Be honest, though. You're scared, aren't you?" I kept pushing, still smiling and started giving Mammon a you-can't-lie-to-me look. Mammon steadily grew more angry, looking like he was about to explode any minute now. "I told you, I'm not! I mean, that's crazy! Listen now, most of the time, I don't let people see the full extent of my power! What I'm sayin' is that even if I did face off against someone like Lucifer, I wouldn't even have to use all of my strength to win! Understand?!" With his emotions out of control, I knew now was the time to ask Mammon anything, as he wasn't thinking clearly.
"Ok. Then tell me what's up those stairs." I stared down a very ticked-off Mammon as I give the same smug smile that he gave me. "All right, fine! I will!" Mammon slammed his hands on the table and glared at me, and I knew he would tell me something worth my effort.
"You can't get up the stairs because Lucifer's blocking the way, right?! You need to do somethin' to get rid of him, right?! Well, guess what? Distracting Lucifer is easy as pie! Listen up, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once, so, clean outta your ears for a change and pay attention! You know that series Levi likes? What was it called...um, The Tale of the Seven...Seven... Seven Ways to Get Rich Quick...wait, no. That's the book I was readin' the other day." With Mammon not even trying to get it right, I wanted to slap some sense into his head. 'You have been alive lord knows how long, LITERALLY, with Levi, and you can't even try to remember what he likes!'
"It's The Tale of the Seven Lords!" Trying to keep calm, I told Mammon in a slightly annoyed tone. "Right, yeah. That's the one. Anyway, you need to get your hands on a vinyl edition copy of the soundtrack for that Tale of the Seven whatsawhosit. If you have that, you can use it to distract Lucifer no problem!" Mammon began to laugh, looking so proud of himself.
I was about to ask why would Lucifer want The Tale of the Seven Lords vinyl edition of the soundtrack when Mammon stopped me. "Don't ask why, 'cause I've got no idea Lucifer's interested in somethin' like that either. But if you wanna climb those stairs, you're gonna have to start by gettin' your hands on that soundtrack." As Mammon said this, I thought that Levi would most definitely have something like that. However, me and Levi aren't exactly friends, and he may not let me borrow it.
"I'm going to need your help." Knowing I couldn't do this by myself, I ask for Mammon's help. "Wha? I don't understand. Why should I help you? If ya want that soundtrack, then go find Levi and work it out with him yourself, dummy. Welp, time for me to go. As much as I hate goin' to class, I don't have much of a-" With Mammon trying to leave me with this problem, I quickly got out of my seat and controlled my emotions. The pact symbol on my hand began to glow faintly.
"Mammon...come!" At my command, Mammon stopped immediately and came to me. "HEY! Wh-What's goin' on?! Dammit, my body...it's movin' on its own! Grrr...!" I smirked as Mammon tried to fight against the power of the pact. "F-Fine, all right! I'll go with you, okay?! It feels like you've got some kinda invisible cord tied around my neck. ...Aaah, stop pullin' on it! ...I said stooooooop!" Mammon struggled as I pulled him to follow me to Levi's room. 'Man, pacts are very amazing and useful to have.' I begin to hum to myself, ignoring Mammon's desperate complaints as we head to our destination.