Chapter 34: Cast Down Your Kings (Part 7)

"While being the voice of reason and restraint sounds a bit funny when coming from my mouth - I had a habit of defying conventionality in life - I feel it somewhat prudent to suggest that things might not go according to plan this time, Harris. You've managed to step on quite the number of toes thus far and your reputation will only last as long as no one tries to test it."

Chuckling at Robin's words as they strode through an ancient city of Lombardy Harris replied, "I just so happen to agree and have adjusted my plans accordingly. Thus I'm going to play this one conservatively, carefully and with a minimum of military shenanigans that can go wrong. From what we've heard so far Eae isn't the type to fall for my usual bluster and likes to think things through, which is a rather convincing counter to my usual brand of bullshit."

Disguised as they were as normal humans he still read the tactician's confusion as clear as day, said confusion clearing up a moment later as she mused, "Ah, a somewhat responsible stratagem this time? I feel almost cheated, such unconventionality made for excellent entertainment."

"Sorry, this particular victory is going to be downright boring and mean-spirited. You could go so far as to say I'm buying it an advance."

Rolling her eyes at his caginess the woman nonetheless gestured to their surroundings, commenting, "Well I can see where you're going with this just by the locale. Eae made good use of humanity, listening and interacting with them to outdo her foes…should I be worried for her sanity, after your little misdirection?"

"Depends on your definition of 'sanity'. And who said anything about a misdirection? I fully intend to kill two birds with one stone. Have Eae chase after a trail of nothing that will lead her nowhere and lay the foundation of good will and rapport between myself and people that have money. Everybody wins."

"Care to revise those last two words?"

"Everybody who I want to win wins."

"That sounds much less dishonest. And how shall we go about enacting this latest scheme of yours, Harris?"

Smirking at the clear intrigue Robin was showing he responded, "According to history Lombardy was home to a reasonably sized Jewish banking system, one that I can see being a rather useful partner in the coming weeks and months. After all, it never hurts to have friends with money to burn."

Yet again Robin was quick on the uptake, sagely nodding as she mused, "Something Ea will also doubtlessly notice, nor will she simply ignore it like a more arrogant soul would."

"Precisely. And things will only get better when, after Telenia caves and arranges a meeting between us, I'll subtly admit to having already spoken and interacted with them. If dumb Devils interacting with humanity was enough to rouse her suspicion and spark a full scale integration and investigation of their actions imagine how much more focused a 'smart' Devil will cause her to become."

An amused smile adorned Robin's lips, tone distant as she contemplated, "I can already imagine the headache our poor Angel foe will be suffering from. Assuming she doesn't just annihilate you on the spot during this upcoming meeting, she might just be smart enough to do so instead of letting you run wild as her peers did."

The shapeshifter shrugged, replying, "I ran a few tests with Est and we can go even further with your staffs, I'm sure we'll have a surefire way to escape her attempt at homicide if she decides to go down that route."

Their conversation trailed off as they arrived at their destination, a modestly sized building for the time adorned with the iconography of what would became the Star of David several centuries in the future, for now still retaining the distinct shape of the Seal of Solomon…a design he personally found more catchy. Not that there was anything wrong with two triangles but if you were going the route of shapes why not add a circle and a couple dots to the mix as well? It wasn't like it was hard to replicate or anything.

"Then again I don't recall countless generations of Jewish faithful asking for my opinion on the damn thing."

Shaking off those meandering thoughts he instead strode right inside, Robin right behind him as they took in the room at a glance.

It was understated elegance incarnate, consisting of a large greeting room staffed by a pair of what he assumed were clerks while an additional two men pretended to be busy elsewhere, carrying stacks of papers or boxes. But he didn't need to be some great martial artist to know that they were absolutely security, one of the fellows a likely user of more esoteric defenses if his slight build was anything to go by.

"Welcome to our humble place of business, strangers. May we perhaps know the purpose of your visit?"

Enter what was undoubtedly the owner or boss of this particular branch, an older man with a resplendent beard, robes and genial smile that suggested he knew more than what he let on.

"And there is no need for disguises or illusion here, we will not turn away guests merely due to appearance."

"My my, what a progressive attitude to have."

Harris' amused words conceded with him and Robin dropping their altered appearances as the other denizens of the room tensed, gazing warily at Robin's horns and tail with rightful apprehension.

Well, all except for the leader, his welcoming demeanor not flagging in the slightest as he replied, "To do business requires an accepting of many clients, regardless of their first impressions. Now, your business?"

"I'm here to warn you about a man named Hitler."

Regrettably holding off on the joke that wouldn't have been relevant for a millennia and change even if he wasn't planning on rewriting history the shapeshifter instead responded, "I'd like to discuss the probability of investing into a number of different aspects native to Lombardy, as well perhaps make a few purchases or take out some loans."

A bushy eyebrow raised itself slightly in mild intrigue, the man replying, "If you have truly come for monetary matters then you are in the right place. Please, step into my office. And excuse my poor manners, my name is Levi."

"Harris Xavier."

"Robin."

Following after the man as he lead them into a cool and modestly decorated room liberally sprinkled with religious iconography and plants alike they took up residence on a pair of offered seats while Levi did the same, folding his hands into an esoteric gesture-

-and a runic formation quite similar to the symbol emblazoned elsewhere in the building flared to life, Levi apologetically smiling as he reassured them with, "If nothing else I assure you this is not an aspersion on your character, merely a precaution on a simple Human's part. I am no great master of the arcane arts and must rely on outside help to dispel any potential forms of control or subversion."

Idly waving a hand Harris stated, "No offense taken, I'd do the same if our position were reversed. I take it such magics are a holdover from Solomon's days?"

"Indeed. The wise king, in his great foresight, saw the need for such safeguards in case those that dwell above and below would one day seek to exploit Humanity for their own purposes."

"Above and below, huh?"

Harris offered an amused smile.

"That sounds dangerously close to heresy, implying those that reside in Heaven are anything less than the perfect messengers of god."

"Ah, yet that is the detail that matters most. Prophets and word bearers may only recall what has been spoken to them, or twist such words to their own ends. Only god may speak with the authority of one."

The older man offered a crinkled, grandfatherly smirk.

"But you did not hear such blasphemy from me."

"Of course not. After all, we're here to discuss perhaps the greatest vice of all, money."

Nodding in agreement Levi folded his hands before him, primly stating, "While your manners and affability are appreciated they are ultimately mere surface details, never mind your as of yet unknown allegiances. If we are to properly do business then I must request that you tell me more of your origins and future designs."

"A reasonable enough request."

Deciding to go with an altered approach to what he had initially envisioned - Levi's realistic and rational approach to things a welcome hiccup - Harris instead divested himself of his shirt, allowing the mark of Monad to shine upon his chest as the banker gave it a scrutinizing look.

"I suppose a bit of common ancestry several centuries removed will get my foot inside the proverbial door?"

It had been a largely agreed upon historical fact that gnosticism had been borne of crhistian and jewish origins in the first couple centuries after Christ's death, despite the fact that it was heavily criticized and ostracized by aforementioned faiths upon implementation. And while most would probably wonder what the fuck he was doing leading with that when trying to convince a Jewish banker to hand him money the banker in question had shown that he was a reasonable and pragmatic sorts.

Improvise, adapt and overcome.

"Mostly improvise."

"If one were to ask me what denomination, pantheon or faith would walk through that door with the intent of doing business the one we broke ties with and decried as heretics generations prior would not be anywhere near the top."

"Life surprises."

"That it does. Nonetheless, it is no great feat for one of magic to make their chest glow. Do you have some other means of-"

Borrowing Monad's knowledge Harris shifted his body into a smaller version of the most pre-eminent of Archons, Yaldabaoth itself.

Levi gazed up with wide eyes into the lion head atop a wyrm's body, Harris quickly shifting himself back into his regular form and instantly causing the room to feel less claustrophobic. While he didn't actually know what to do with the Archon's power - it wasn't like his other shapeshifts where he had a firm grasp on their capabilities - the aura that had emanated from the creature was real enough.

"So you truly are an emissary of the Pleroma. Not here to settle old scores, I hope?"

Chuckling at the idle bit of levity Harris replied, "Purely for transactions and transactions alone. Before we get to that have you heard news of the wave about to roll over Lombardy?"

Settling into his seat Levi mused, "If you are referring to the Heavenly host led by none other than Eae I have heard rumors and hearsay but nothing concrete. In the years after Charlemagne's death reliable news has been a scarce resource."

"Well in this case it's no rumor, she's on her way to do away with the Leraje that have been working to exert and retain influence over the rest of the Humans that live here."

The banker stroked his beard, musing, "That is most interesting news indeed…Eae has showcased her strategic prowess on more than one occasion, many whisper she is on her way to becoming Heaven's best, if not one of the best."

Sensing Robin shifting with a desire to protest sharing her title of most incredible tactician ever Harris quickly added, "And then there's me, who was sent here by Lucifer to destabilize and remove those two from the equation so he can take Lombardy for his own."

To Levi's credit he didn't react beyond an arched eyebrow - a recurring theme with the man - before stating, "Well I fail to see why you would have need for money, then. It seems rather strange that one of Gnosticism in Lucifer's employ would be anything less than a conqueror taking the most direct route."

He spread his hands and offered a helpless shrug.

"And I freely confess I fail to see how presenting yourself as the worst of three options will endear myself to your cause. Eae is renowned for her lack of collateral damage and even by Devil standards the Leraje are quite restrained."

"Because there's more to the control and profitability of a land and its people than either of the factions are considering or have taken into account. Heaven only marches to remove the Devils and renew the people's faith in them. The Devils are much the same, Leraje aiming to bind Humanity to their designs and expel Heaven while Lucifer would rather just completely do away with the other two for no other reason than bragging rights that no one else is in control of Lombardy and that he was responsible."

He steepled his hands and leant back in the chair.

"My definition of victory? To see Lombardy - regardless of who controls it - prosper and thrive."

"Earlier we discussed that words are a poor substitute for the actual certainty of god's own message."

Smirking at Levi's rightful skepticism Harris responded, "And that's why - in order to prove my honesty and intentions - I need your help. Mostly in acquiring or purchasing arable farmland as well as a few other key matters. After all…"

He openly grinned as Levi stared at him in unabashed curiosity.

"I have it on good authority that Lombardy can grow quite the interesting variety of crops."

"You always leave me with the most difficult and thankless of chores, Harris. You got to have all the interesting parts of the conversation while I was relegated to quoting figures and prices like some glorified accountant."

"Division of labor, Robin. I'm the shock and awe while you're the stabilizing factor that keeps the shock from collapsing everything in its path."

Arching her eyebrow and pointedly raising the Latifundium clasped in her hand the tactician wryly commented, "What a truly inspiring task I have. I suppose I should just be grateful that I had practice using crops as a unit of measurement and transaction, else we might have been, to borrow one of your phrasings, screwed."

Plucking the ancient bit of legitimacy - Latifundium's had been used as records and proof of ownership for a great many things for quite a number of centuries - Harris idly commented, "But we're not and are now on the right track to get this little scheme well and underway."

"I would certainly hope so. Do you think this plot of yours has any real hope of succeeding? There's no shortage of things that can go wrong, and I say that hot on the heels of your last couple schemes."

"While you're right that this plan has a lot that can go wrong the beauty of it is that it doesn't really matter how many hiccups along the way there are. People's inclinations and wants will lead them towards a specific outcome and all I need to do is set it up. It's a big boon that Levi is the reasonable type, he'll help us out as long as we don't try to shit where we eat but he'll also no doubt talk to Eae, which is really just in our favor."

Once more catching on quick to what his ultimate aim was Robin smirked, remarking, "Which will lead to her focus on your plan to diversify Lombardy's crops, in turn making it far richer. All while the Leraje already have a means of communication through Serafall, yes?"

"Yes indeed. I wonder if they'll have any objection to their 'territory' undergoing a shift in productivity for the better."

"Of course they will."

"Just a shame they won't be able to hold back progress."

Chuckling at the thought Robin plucked the document from his fingers, also grinning as she stated, "Well it seems like we have no shortage of tasks on our plate. Merlin will be busy with testing the reality of growing these new crops, I'll be organizing our Extra Legions into a coherent force and you'll be busy dealing with an irate Devil and Angel apiece."

"Hmm…you think Grayfia will be mad that we neglected to mention our little field trip just now?"

"No more upset than Eae will be at your very existence."

Laughing at the thought Harris mused, "Maybe I'll just throw Sirzechs and Serafall at Grayfia to really annoy them, get some of that bonding started early."

"You wouldn't think of them as becoming lovers and friends based on their current opinions of each other. Time and circumstance truly are interesting, aren't they?"

"Hey, if in one reality you decided to shack up with Vaike I think something as simple as former enemies burying the hatchet is well within the realm of possibility."

A grimace colored the tactician's features.

"While I don't question that particular self's choice in friends I do worry about her dying early from an aneurysm."

"Different strokes for different folks. Now come on, we have a surly overseer and even surlier legionaries to greet."

Danger 5 has permanently altered my mental image of Hitler and now I always pronounce his name the way Colonel Chestbridge does. And think he's part of the FBI.