Reinhardt stood in the command center of the mansion, looking over the holographic trade maps Venelana had prepared. The border between the Beelzebub and Asmodeus territories was a mess of fire and blood, exactly as he had planned.
"Lana, let's start the first phase of Ashborn Enterprises," Reinhardt said with a sharp grin. "The 'Double Dealer' protocol."
Venelana adjusted her glasses, her eyes reflecting the cold logic of a master merchant. "You want to fuel the fire, don't you? Tell me the specifics, Rein."
The Double Dealer Strategy
The Goods: Reinhardt ordered the production of 'Grade-B' weapons—swords and armor that looked impressive and held a sharp edge, but were designed with a hidden "durability cap." After 48 hours of intense combat, the mana conduction would fail, causing the weapons to shatter.
The Price: Because the Old Satan Factions were desperate after the Sitri supply cuts, Venelana sold these items at 300% market value.
The Result: Both the Beelzebub and Asmodeus forces equipped their front lines with Ashborn gear. They felt powerful for the first two days, causing massive casualties on both sides, only for their equipment to fail simultaneously, leading to a brutal, grinding stalemate that drained their treasuries even faster.
Inside the Mansion
While the world burned, the atmosphere inside the Bael-Phenex estate was strangely domestic. Katerea Leviathan was no longer the hollow shell of a woman. She was currently in the library with Morgan and Albedo, pouring over ancient Leviathan scrolls to reclaim the lost magic of her bloodline.
"You missed a syllable in the third incantation, Katerea," Morgan noted, not looking up from her own book. "If you want to freeze a sea, you need to mean it."
Katerea blushed—a healthy, lively pink this time. "Thank you, Morgan. I'm... still getting used to having teachers who don't want to sell me."
In the kitchen, the Pleiades were working in perfect harmony with Misla. Lupusregina Beta was "accidentally" eating the garnish while Yuri Alpha scolded her, and Artoria (Lancer) was caught trying to sneak a third helping of lunch before it was even served.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Ashborn Enterprises: Initial Profits]
Revenue: +1.5 Billion Devil Coins.
Market Influence: High. The Old Satan Factions are now economically dependent on you.
Current Balance: 4.93 Billion Devil Coins.
[Urgent Report: The Gremory Move]
Zeoticus Gremory, realizing that Ashborn Enterprises is the one fueling the war, has sent a formal "request" for a meeting. He claims he wants to discuss a "joint venture," but your spies report he intends to demand a 50% stake in your company in exchange for "protection" from the Anti-Maou Faction.
Reinhardt leaned back in his chair, a cold smirk playing on his lips as he looked at the request from Zeoticus Gremory.
"Lana, ignore the message," Reinhardt said, waving it away like a bothersome fly. "In fact, increase the taxes and transit fees for any merchant flying a Gremory banner. If the Crimson King wants a stake in my company, he can start by paying the 'entry fee' for doing business in my shadow."
"And the second part of the plan, Rein?" Venelana asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"We go to the black market. Leak the shipping manifests for the low-quality weapons, but scrub our name from them. Replace 'Ashborn Enterprises' with anonymous links back to Gremory-owned shell companies. Let the Old Satan Faction believe that the 'New Faction's' golden boy is the one selling them the trash that's killing their soldiers."
The Chaos Unfolds
The plan worked with surgical precision. Within forty-eight hours, rumors began to swirl through the trenches of the Underworld. High-ranking generals of the Beelzebub and Asmodeus clans sat in their tents, holding shattered blades with "anonymous" Gremory seals found in the black market crates.
The reaction was instantaneous. The Old Satan Faction, already bleeding and desperate, turned their rage toward the Gremory territory. Supply lines were raided, and Gremory outposts were suddenly hit by "rogue" suicide squads from the front lines.
Back at the Gremory estate, Zeoticus Gremory slammed his fist onto his desk, shattering the mahogany.
"Who is doing this?!" he roared, his face as red as his hair. "I'm being accused of war profiteering by the Old Satans, and my own outposts are being burned! Is it the Lucifers? Or is it those Anti-Maou upstarts trying to frame me?"
He was completely blind-sided. He suspected everyone—the old rivals, the new revolutionaries—but he never looked toward the "Bael Grandson" whom he had just tried to bully.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Strategic Success: The Gremory Scapegoat]
Result: Gremory House is under intense political and military pressure.
Economic Impact: Gremory stocks have plummeted; Ashborn Enterprises has acquired 15% of their secondary trade routes for pennies.
Current Balance: 6.43 Billion Devil Coins.
Inside the mansion, Katerea Leviathan walked into the study, carrying a report.
"Rein," she said, her voice now steady and confident, "The Gremory house is being spread thin. Sirzechs is being forced to pull his personal guard to protect their borders. This means the defense around the Old Satan Capital is weaker than ever."
At the same time, Albedo walked in from the other side, her wings tucked neatly. "My Lord, the Pleiades have finished 'cleaning' the traces of our involvement. We are invisible. Shall we strike while they are distracted?"