"That falls short of a lie only by being the sort of statement that defines itself into truth regardless of realities."

"It leaves our negotiations at something of an impasse, I'm afraid.  It is not at all Asmodeus's policy to sell souls to those seeking mercy for them; it's not contrary to His nature as a god, but He does consider the inescapability of Hell's horror to be part of its whole aesthetic as pleases Him.  Letting you buy souls for whom you seek mercy would quite diminish whatever pride I gained within His sight by winning for Him His contest with Irori, if something like that proved to be the case."

"It somewhat diminishes the price at which I ought to be willing to buy you.  Are you willing to make Me a lower offer, to gain the souls of Peranza and Asmodia?  Your true self will have left you at least some negotiating flexibility, though only Aspexia Rugatonn is supposed to know that and only she has been given your true price."

"That falls short of a lie only by being the sort of statement that defines itself into truth regardless of realities."

"It leaves our negotiations at something of an impasse, I'm afraid.  It is not at all Asmodeus's policy to sell souls to those seeking mercy for them; it's not contrary to His nature as a god, but He does consider the inescapability of Hell's horror to be part of its aesthetic.  Letting you buy souls for whom you seek mercy would quite diminish whatever pride I gained within His sight by winning for Him His contest with Irori, if something like that proved to be the case."

"It somewhat diminishes the price at which I ought to be willing to buy you.  Are you willing to make Me a lower offer, to gain the souls of Peranza and Asmodia?  Your true self will have left you at least some negotiating flexibility, though only Aspexia Rugatonn is supposed to know that and only she has been given your true price."

"That falls short of a lie only by being the sort of statement that defines itself into truth regardless of realities."

"It leaves our negotiations at something of an impasse, I'm afraid.  It is not at all Asmodeus's policy to sell souls to those seeking mercy for them; it's not contrary to His nature as a god, but He does consider the inescapability of Hell's horror to be part of its aesthetic, and its incentives.  Letting you buy souls for whom you seek mercy would quite diminish whatever pride I gained within His sight by winning for Him His contest with Irori, if something like that proved to be the case."

"It somewhat diminishes the price at which I ought to be willing to buy you.  Are you willing to make Me a lower offer, to gain the souls of Peranza and Asmodia?  Your true self will have left you at least some negotiating flexibility, though only Aspexia Rugatonn is supposed to know that and only she has been given your true price."

"That falls short of a lie only by being the sort of statement that defines itself into truth regardless of realities."

"It leaves our negotiations at something of an impasse, I'm afraid.  It is not at all Asmodeus's policy to sell souls to those seeking mercy for them; it's not contrary to His nature as a god, but He does consider the inescapability of Hell's horror to be part of its aesthetic, and its incentives.  Letting you buy souls for whom you seek mercy would quite diminish whatever pride I gained within His sight by winning for Him His contest with Irori, if something like that proved to be the case."

"It somewhat diminishes the price at which I ought to be willing to buy you.  Are you willing to make Me a lower offer, to gain the souls of Peranza and Asmodia?  Your true self will have left you some negotiating flexibility, though only Aspexia Rugatonn is supposed to know that and only she has been given your true price."

"That falls short of a lie only by being the sort of statement that defines itself into truth regardless of realities."

"It leaves our negotiations at something of an impasse, I'm afraid.  It is not at all Asmodeus's policy to sell souls to those seeking mercy for them; it's not contrary to His nature as a god, but He does consider the inescapability of Hell's horror to be part of its aesthetic and its incentives.  Letting you buy souls for whom you seek mercy would quite diminish whatever pride I gained within His sight by winning for Him His contest with Irori, if something like that proved to be the case."

"It somewhat diminishes the price at which I ought to be willing to buy you.  Are you willing to make Me a lower offer, to gain the souls of Peranza and Asmodia?  Your true self will have left you some negotiating flexibility, though only Aspexia Rugatonn is supposed to know that and only she has been given your true price."