The Archive of Expenditure and Acquisition felt marginally less hostile than it had upon Kenji Tanaka’s arrival. Thanks to the begrudging efforts of Imp Squad 7, reassigned from their existential bone-polishing duties, several towering stacks of scrolls in one corner now exhibited a semblance of order, sorted by approximate age and level of disintegration. The air was still thick with dust and the ghosts of forgotten transactions, but the immediate sense of being physically crushed by chaotic data had lessened fractionally. Progress. Infinitesimal, perhaps, but Kenji clung to it like a shipwreck survivor to driftwood.

He sat at his stone slab workstation, the heavy medallion of the Chief Overseer of the Infernal Treasury cool against his skin beneath his shirt. Its weight was a constant reminder of his improbable promotion and the terrifying responsibilities that came with it. He meticulously reviewed the crude budget structure he’d outlined on a large piece of shale – the nascent attempt to impose order on the Dominion’s catastrophic finances. Revenue streams, expenditure categories… it was a map of a battlefield, each line item a potential skirmish, each department a fortress ruled by a suspicious warlord.

The immediate crisis – the payroll panic – had passed. The voucher system, his 'Legion Enhancement Initiative,' had been met with confusion and grumbling but, crucially, not open revolt. Lyra reported sporadic incidents – a few Orcs trying to eat the vouchers, some goblins attempting to trade them for shiny rocks – but overall, the promise of better gear had held the line. The Enforced Collection Sigil sent to the Shadow Gnomes remained unanswered, a nagging loose end highlighting the precariousness of their cash flow. Still, they had breathing room. A cycle or two, perhaps, before the next major disbursement loomed.

Time he desperately needed. Triage was over. Now came the surgery.

He tapped a charcoal-smudged finger on the first major expenditure category he’d listed: I. Military (Legion Command – Gen. Gorgath).

It was the single largest drain on the treasury, the source of the recent crisis, and the domain of the most overtly hostile opponent he’d made so far. Auditing Gorgath’s war machine felt akin to volunteering to inspect the teeth of a starving Hell Hound. Every instinct screamed for self-preservation, urging him to tackle something smaller, safer first. Zaltar’s arcane budget, perhaps? Equally wasteful, undoubtedly, but Zaltar’s threats felt less immediately physical.

Yet, logic dictated otherwise. The military was the core of the Dominion’s power projection, the primary tool for achieving Valthor’s vaguely defined goals of conquest and terror. It consumed the lion’s share of resources. If Kenji couldn’t get a handle on military spending, if he couldn’t find efficiencies there, then balancing the overall budget was a fantasy. Furthermore, Valthor had explicitly granted him authority after the payroll crisis, specifically mentioning Gorgath’s need to accept scrutiny. Now was the time to press that advantage, before Valthor’s attention wandered or Gorgath found a way to undermine him.

Strike while the mandate is hot, Kenji thought grimly. Even if the iron is shaped like a nine-foot-tall demon general wielding a disproportionately large axe.

He looked up as Lyra glided silently into the archive, carrying a small tray with a steaming cup and a plate of dark, crumbly biscuits that Kenji had learned not to question the origins of. Since his promotion, Lyra had subtly shifted from reluctant guide to indispensable chief of staff, managing his schedule (such as it was), filtering communications, and providing invaluable context on demonic politics and procedures.

"Overseer Tanaka," she greeted him, placing the tray on a relatively clear corner of the slab. "The preliminary reports on the Citadel operational trials are compiled. Shall I present them?"

"Later, Lyra, thank you," Kenji said, gesturing towards his budget outline. "I've made a decision on the first major departmental audit."

Lyra followed his gaze to the 'Military' line item. Her serene expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "General Gorgath's command." It wasn't a question.

"It's the largest expenditure," Kenji stated, justifying the decision as much to himself as to her. "The source of the recent instability. And Lord Valthor explicitly ordered Gorgath's cooperation after… the voucher incident."

"His Lordship ordered compliance," Lyra corrected gently. "Cooperation implies a level of willing participation I would not anticipate from the General regarding financial scrutiny. His worldview holds martial strength and resource acquisition through force as paramount. Accounting, to him, is parasitic."

"Parasitic or not, he consumes more resources than any other department," Kenji countered. "We need to understand how. Troop numbers – real versus reported. Equipment costs – procurement, maintenance, loss rates. Campaign expenditures versus actual spoils recovered. Logistics. Supply chain leakage." His mind was already building the audit checklist.

"Overseer," Lyra said, her voice soft but carrying a distinct note of warning. "General Gorgath commands immense loyalty within the legions. His power base is second only to Lord Valthor's and Magus Zaltar's. He views any interference, especially from an outsider, especially concerning his legions, as a direct challenge to his authority and honor. Proceeding requires… extreme caution."

"I understand the risks, Lyra," Kenji said, though his stomach churned at the thought. "But avoiding the challenge won't make the deficit disappear. Valthor gave me this authority for a reason – he wants results. Showing significant progress in optimizing his war machine is the fastest way to solidify my position and gain leverage for other reforms." He took a deep breath. "Prepare a formal request for an audience with Lord Valthor. I need his explicit authorization for a full audit of Legion Command finances."

Lyra held his gaze for a moment, then nodded curtly. "As you command, Overseer." She turned and glided away, leaving Kenji with the ominous weight of his decision.

The audience was granted with surprising speed. Valthor, it seemed, was still in a mood of amused curiosity regarding his new accountant's strange methods. Kenji found himself once again in the Obsidian Audience Chamber, the lava channels pulsing like malevolent veins in the walls. Valthor was examining a newly delivered, disturbingly large skull encrusted with screaming jewels, occasionally polishing it with a silk cloth.

"Ah, Overseer Tanaka," Valthor greeted him without looking up. "Come to report on the screaming gourd harvest? Or perhaps the Shadow Gnomes have disgorged their ill-gotten gains?"

"Neither yet, my Lord," Kenji said, bowing stiffly. "I come to request authorization for the next phase of my duties – a comprehensive audit of the finances and resource allocation within Legion Command."

Valthor paused his polishing, finally looking at Kenji. One eyebrow (a surprisingly normal-looking feature amidst the horns and demonic visage) arched upwards. "Gorgath's legions? Already? You do not shy away from confrontation, do you, little accountant?" There was a hint of predatory amusement in his tone.

"My Lord," Kenji began, choosing his words carefully, framing it as Lyra had advised. "Your power rests upon the might of your legions. Ensuring that might is wielded with maximum efficiency, that every Kilo-Soul invested returns maximum destructive potential, is paramount to achieving your glorious ambitions. A thorough audit will identify resource drains, optimize supply chains, and ultimately strengthen the war machine you command."

"Strengthen my war machine… by counting spearheads and auditing soul rations?" Valthor chuckled, a low rumble. "A novel concept. Gorgath believes strength comes solely from hitting things very hard with heavy objects."

"Hard blows are more effective when the arm wielding them is well-nourished and the weapon is sharp and readily available, my Lord," Kenji countered. "Logistics and resource management are the foundation upon which military might is built. Even the sharpest axe is useless if the supply lines are cut."

Valthor stroked the jeweled skull thoughtfully. "Logistics… A tedious necessity. Gorgath despises it. He thinks supplies should simply… appear… when he bellows loudly enough." He grinned, showing sharp teeth. "Very well, Overseer. You have my authorization. Conduct your audit. Scrutinize Gorgath's expenditures. Let us see if your numbers can indeed sharpen my legions' claws. It should prove… entertaining, if nothing else." He waved a dismissive hand. "Inform the General his compliance is expected. Now, leave me. This skull requires further admiration."

Kenji bowed again, relief mixing with a fresh wave of anxiety. Permission granted. Now came the hard part: informing Gorgath.

He didn't have to wait long. As he and Lyra exited the Audience Chamber, they found the massive, armor-clad form of General Gorgath waiting in the corridor, flanked by two equally imposing Orcish captains. His red eyes burned with fury. Word travelled fast in the Citadel, especially bad news for powerful figures.

"Overseer," Gorgath growled, his voice dangerously low. He practically spat the title. "I hear… rumors. Whispers of interference. Of audits."

Kenji straightened, clutching the authority Valthor had just reaffirmed. "General Gorgath. Lord Valthor has just granted me authorization to conduct a comprehensive financial audit of Legion Command, effective immediately."

Gorgath took a step forward, looming over Kenji. The air crackled with barely restrained violence. "Audit? You? A scribe, a counter of beans, dares to question how I provision my legions? How I wage war?"

"Lord Valthor commands it, General," Lyra stated calmly from beside Kenji, her voice cutting through Gorgath's rage. "He seeks to enhance Legion efficiency through resource optimization. Your compliance is mandated."

"Efficiency?" Gorgath roared, drawing startled glances from passing demonic guards. "My legions bring glory and plunder! We spill blood, not ink! This is an insult! An attempt to undermine my command, orchestrated by this… this outsider!" His gauntleted hand twitched towards the massive axe on his back.

"My only goal, General," Kenji said, forcing his voice to remain level despite the terror screaming inside him, "is to ensure the resources entrusted to you by Lord Valthor are utilized effectively to achieve his objectives. Waste weakens the Dominion. Inefficiency costs lives – demonic lives – and hinders conquest." He met Gorgath's burning gaze. "I require full access to all Legion financial records, supply chain logs, personnel rosters, equipment inventories, and campaign expenditure reports for the past five cycles."

Gorgath stared at him, his jaw working beneath his helmet. Kenji could practically feel the waves of fury rolling off him. For a moment, Kenji was certain the General would simply cleave him in two, Valthor's mandate be damned.

Then, with a visible effort, Gorgath reined himself in. He knew defying a direct, recent order from Valthor was perilous, even for him. "Fine," he bit out, each word laced with venom. "You will have your 'access.' My clerks will provide you with the necessary scrolls." He gestured dismissively towards the pile of records Kenji already possessed from their last encounter. "That is merely the beginning. Expect mountains more. Drown in them, scribe."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a menacing growl only Kenji and Lyra could hear. "But be warned. Interfere with operations, question my commanders, demoralize my troops with your useless counting… and accidents happen. Scribes can get lost in the archives. Records can be tragically misplaced. Understand?"

The threat was unmistakable. Obstruction, intimidation, and potentially worse.

"I understand my mandate is to conduct a thorough audit, General," Kenji replied stiffly, refusing to be cowed, at least outwardly. "I expect the cooperation Lord Valthor commanded."

Gorgath let out a harsh bark of laughter devoid of humor. "You will get exactly the cooperation mandated. Nothing more." He turned sharply, his armored boots striking sparks from the stone floor as he and his captains stomped away.

Kenji watched him go, his heart pounding. He had the authority. He had the mandate. And he had just officially declared war on the most powerful military commander in Hell.

"Well," he breathed, turning to Lyra, his hands shaking slightly. "He took that about as well as expected."

Lyra adjusted the cuff of her perfectly tailored jacket. "Indeed, Overseer. General Gorgath is predictably resistant to oversight. Expect delays, obfuscated data, misplaced documents, and potentially 'unforeseen logistical challenges' hindering your investigation." She paused. "I have taken the liberty of assigning Imp Squad 7 permanently to your service. While unskilled, they can perform basic fetching, carrying, and perhaps act as rudimentary deterrents against casual sabotage."

Kenji looked towards the archive, towards the mountain of work that awaited him, now including the hostile territory of the military budget. Gorgath’s initial data dump – the scrolls already gathering dust – seemed even more menacing now. This wouldn't be an audit. It would be trench warfare fought with ledgers and loopholes.

He squared his shoulders, the weight of the Overseer medallion suddenly feeling heavier than ever. "Right," he said, forcing determination into his voice. "Let's get started. Lyra, instruct Imp Squad 7 to begin sorting General Gorgath's… contribution. By level of decay and apparent bloodstains, perhaps?"

The audit of the arsenal had begun. And the first casualty might very well be the auditor.