The Bond of Blood and Sand

Himeno looked at me, hesitant, but with serenity in her newly freed eyes.

"Calm down, Fujimoto . You can ask whatever you want. I remember everything I went through as a slave... so, ask away," she said softly.

Before I could say anything, Alisiya crossed her arms and took a step forward.

" Himeno ... do you know how Hiroshi got those artifacts he used to resurrect Florence?" she asked . Alisiya .

— Unfortunately, no. He just… placed the artifacts inside me. And that was it. — she replied . Himeno , lowering her gaze.

"I understand. In that case, our truce is over. I have personal matters to attend to." Alisiya took a deep breath, her voice cold.

Without even looking back , she turned and walked among the trees, disappearing into the forest mist.

"Hey, Fujimoto . Your sister is kind of crazy," he said . Shana , frowning.

" Huh ?! That girl is... your sister?" Himeno looked surprised.

— Yes. I discovered that when I arrived in this world. — I sighed .

Before anyone could say anything, a voice echoed in the distance, shouting the name of Hymen .

I looked ahead and saw a girl with brown hair, riding a white horse, coming at a gallop.

— Yuuki ?! — he exclaimed Hymen .

The girl stopped in front of us, breathing heavily.

— Himeno ! So you're no longer under Hiroshi's control? — she said . Yuuki , smiling.

Himeno nodded. "No. Thanks to them. Especially… Fujimoto ." She looked at me and the others.

Yuuki turned around, getting a better look at our group. When her eyes met mine and Koharu 's , she turned pale.

" Fujimoto ... and Koharu ... so you're not villains, like you were saying?" he asked . Yuuki .

"No. Let me explain everything," I replied .

And I explained.

Regarding the seal, Shana , Koharu , Hiroshi's plans... and everything that has brought us to this point.

When I finished, Yuuki seemed to have understood.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. You saved my friend. That's enough," she said .

At that moment, six knights appeared behind her, all wearing silver armor with the symbol of the sun on their backs.

"Who are these knights?" I asked , instinctively reaching for my sword.

"Don't worry. They're my colleagues. I'm the second-in-command of the Mercenaries for Good. The leader... is Stuart Aioze ," she said . Yuuki .

Cassandra's eyes widened.

— Stuart…? — said Cassandra.

Grinn froze.

"What is it, love?" Melissa asked .

Grinn looked away.

" Aioze Stuart... is my older brother," he replied . Grinn embarrassed.

Everyone was shocked.

"That's right. You told me he had joined an organization. But I didn't know he was the leader. How incredible!" Melissa said , smiling.

Grinn lowered his head, smiling sadly.

"I'd like to see him someday… But duty keeps me here. Yuuki , could you tell him… that I love him, even though he ran away?" she said . Grinn .

"Don't worry. The master loves you too, my king." Yuuki smiled sweetly.

She then turned to Hymen .

" Hymen , come with us," he said , extending his hand.

Himeno looked at me, undecided. I smiled.

"You're free now, Himeno . You can go wherever you want. Just because we saved you doesn't mean you have to stay with us. The choice is yours," I said firmly.

Himeno smiled, moved.

" Yuuki , tell them where the Good Mercenaries' hideout is. I want them to come visit me someday," Himeno said .

"Agreed," he replied . Yuuki .

She turned to me.

"It's located on the western border of the Aurelis Continent , between the glass deserts and the elven ruins. You can't miss it," he explained . Yuuki .

Then he looked at Hymen .

"Have you ridden a horse before?" he asked . Yuuki .

"Never," she replied .

"Then you'll be riding with me today. Sit behind me and hold on tight." She smiled . Yuuki .

— Okay. — he replied Hymen .

Yuuki helped her mount the horse and held the reins.

"Hold on tight to my back," he said . Yuuki .

" Okay ," said Himeno .

Before they left, they both looked at us.

"Thank you for everything!" they said in unison.

And they set off, with the other knights close behind.

Minutes later, silence returned.

"Shall we return to the kingdom? Tomorrow we'll decide on the attack against Hiroshi," he asked . Grinn .

I became thoughtful.

— Of course. I'm exhausted. — she said . Shana , yawning.

"But if we go today, maybe we'll catch him by surprise," he said . Koharu , crossing her arms.

"Did you forget that Alisiya is his partner? I bet she just arrived in the Tamarin Desert and told everything," he retorted . Shana .

"Why are they partners, anyway?" Cassandra asked .

"I don't think they're dating. But they're probably plotting something... against Fujimoto ," Melissa commented .

I remained quiet for a moment.

"It's complicated. To be hated without even knowing why... by a man I've never done anything to and by a sister I barely know," I murmured .

Shana sighed.

"So... what did you decide?" Shana asked.

"Let's rest," I replied .

Omeron 's palace .

But far away... the desert was boiling.

Tamarin Desert

The wind cut like blades. Sand and heat mingled with tension.

Alisiya was furious, her eyes overflowing with energy.

She was stepping on Hiroshi's chest, who lay on the ground, bleeding.

"Who gave you the artifact that you placed on Himeno and the other slaves?!" he shouted .

Hiroshi coughed, laughing.

— Hahaha … I can see from here… You're wearing… white panties. — he whispered.

Alisiya 's eyes flashed with anger.

"You think I'm joking?!" he roared .

An energy blade formed in her left hand, and in one swift blow, it severed Hiroshi's right arm.

— AAAHHHHHHHH!!! — he screamed.

"Next time you don't answer... I'll cut your head off," she growled .

Hiroshi breathed heavily.

"It was... Kaiou ... who gave me the artifact," Hiroshi replied .

— Kaiou …? And why did he order the artifact to be placed inside Himeno ? — she frowned.

"He said that with this... I could destroy everything. And that it was essential that it be her," Hiroshi replied .

(That itch... now it's on my back.) — she thought. Alisiya .

"I understand... And he gave you another artifact?" she clenched her fist.

Hiroshi remained silent.

"You're not going to answer, is that it?" She raised her hand, gathering her strength.

On the other side, Hiroshi smiled, sweating profusely.

Alisiya staggered.

— What…? — he murmured , falling to his knees.

She stood up again, unsteady on her feet.

He fired the energy blast and missed.

The lightning bolt struck the ground inches from Hiroshi.

"How... did I go wrong?" he murmured , breathless.

Hiroshi stood up, limping, and watched with a sickly smile.

— Alisiya … tell me, what do you know about Kaiou ? — Hiroshi asked.

"I... suspect... that Kaiou is an elf ... named Elfherinsei ," he replied without thinking.

She was in shock.

Suddenly, something cut through the air.

Her skirt was ripped, and Alisiya froze, her face ablaze.

"What... was that?!" he shouted .

Hiroshi smiled, his gaze wicked and satisfied.

(Damn it… what did he do to me…?) — she thought , taking a step back.

The desert wind blew, carrying with it the echo of the impending tragedy.