"Sometimes the best thing to do probably won't work. The - core skill - of working in this world where Asmodeus is a power, where the Worldwound is a thing, is doing the best thing, even though it probably won't work and definitely won't leave the world in an acceptable state afterwards. Just, figuring out something that could matter that you can actually do and doing it even if you're still almost definitely going to fail. 

I don't actually know that you need to master this skill, though, because it sounds to me like you have five Wishes that he wants, and if you can't buy the stuff you need to have a functional working relationship with your ex from him for five Wishes then this magic item price inflation is really getting out of control."

"Sometimes the best thing to do probably won't work. The - core skill - of working in this world where Asmodeus is a power, where the Worldwound is a thing, is doing the best thing, even though it probably won't work and definitely won't leave the world in an acceptable state afterwards. Just, figuring out something that could matter that you can actually do and doing it even if you're still almost definitely going to fail. 

I don't actually know that you need to master this skill, though, because it sounds to me like you have five Wishes that he wants, and if you can't buy the stuff you need to have a functional working relationship with your ex from him for five Wishes then this magic item price deflation is really getting out of control."