Negotiations Between Alisiya and Hiroshi.

Hiroshi smiled, satisfied like someone who has been preparing a trap for a long time.

- …Interesting. — said Hiroshi.

— Nyaaah ! — Alisiya gasped, clenching her teeth, a crackling sound of energy cutting through the air.

Part of her clothing succumbed to the invisible sabotage, leaving her only her cloak, which she quickly rearranged as a coat, covering herself with dignity.

She fixed her eyes on Hiroshi.

"I understand the game now," he said firmly.

"Really?" Hiroshi raised his chin.

"You have a slave capable of shrinking people and objects. He miniaturized himself, took a shrunken artifact, and threw it into my mouth just as I was about to kill you," he said . Alisiya .

Hiroshi's smile faltered for a second.

"This device prevents me from killing you and forces me to tell the truth when you ask," he continued . Alisiya .

Silence. The desert held its breath.

"Looks like I was right," she concluded.

" Futaba , unhook her and drag her by the coat!" Hiroshi clicked his tongue and ordered.

A tiny figure jumped off Alisiya 's back , grew to normal size, and tugged at her coat, knocking her down.

Alisiya whispered , twisting the fabric. In a fluid gesture, the cloak returned to its normal form; the tug had lost its effect. She extended her left hand, concentrating a sphere of energy, and launched it, missing by a hand's breadth.

Hiroshi laughed.

"My slaves carry my energy. As long as they are bound, attempts to harm them against me will be futile," Hiroshi said with a smile.

She opened her right palm, revealing a clear drawing.

Hiroshi narrowed his eyes.

"A tattoo... no. A seal," Hiroshi said .

— Seal of slavery. I don't control the mind, but I control movements. — Alisiya didn't look away.

"If you want to use me to remove the artifact, you'll have to touch me. Useless," Hiroshi taunted .

Alisiya chuckled softly, ironically.

" Hahaha ... I have three slaves better than yours. I can call them and put an end to this," he said . Alisiya is confident.

Hiroshi's eyes blinked.

"Names?" Hiroshi asked .

She bit her lip, and the artifact betrayed her.

— Yumi , Filna and Shouta . - he responded Alisiya .

Hiroshi's crooked smile widened.

A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.

"I'm leaving," he said . Alisiya .

"No way! Take refuge!" Hiroshi shouted .

The desert trembled. The sand rose and molded itself into a colossal labyrinth, reliefs forming Hiroshi's face like a mural of dunes.

Alisiya tried to take flight and felt the invisible weight pulling her back.

A slave woman clad her body in metal and launched a barrage of punches and kicks. Alisiya spun, retreated sideways, cut corners, dodging everything.

"No, Futaba . You only stayed hidden because you trapped your body in my clothes. If you touch the ground alone, the wind will carry you away." Futaba took a step, and Hiroshi's order came, curtly.

— Understood, master. — he said Futaba .

Alisiya launched a sphere beneath the sand; the blow ricocheted and struck her own abdomen, sending her crashing to the ground.

— Ugh ! — he shouted Alisiya .

" Sugito reflects attacks. The labyrinth returns what goes in," Hiroshi said coldly.

She began to rise. A jet of water enveloped her, trapping her in a bubble.

— Good, Takame . — said Hiroshi.

The bubble cracked. She fell to her knees and the ground beneath her feet turned to ice. She slipped and tumbled.

"Excellent, Rika ," Hiroshi approved.

"I'm glad my change of elements is useful, master," the slave replied proudly.

A viscous splash brushed against the remaining fabric and fumed: slime .

"Very good, Sahara ," Hiroshi praised .

"I can turn into slime for a few seconds," the girl said proudly.

The last one appeared in front, his hands outstretched towards her head.

— Tagaki , switch bodies with her! — Hiroshi ordered .

"Yes, master!" he replied . Tagaki .

Alisiya 's temple and arched his back, contorting himself.

— M… master…! I can't… steal her body! — he said Tagaki .

— Hahahaha ! — Alisiya let out a clear, albeit breathless, laugh.

Hiroshi clenched his jaw.

"You're at a disadvantage! There's no reason to laugh!" Hiroshi shouted angrily.

"A little, yes. Because I can't kill you or harm your slaves. But mine... can," he admitted .

The wind changed direction. Sand rose like a veil.

And then three figures cut across the horizon, landing beside Alisiya : Yumi , Filna , and Shouta .

" Tsk ... damn it..." Hiroshi growled.

Alisiya adjusted her cloak, her eyes cold.

"Are you going to negotiate with me... or are you going to die?" he asked . Alisiya said ironically.

The desert fell silent. The labyrinth breathed along with it.

The desert wind of Tamarin blew like the breath of an impatient god.

Hiroshi watched Alisiya , Yumi , Filna , and Shouta before him, his gaze filled with distrust.

Alisiya smiled impatiently.

"Alright, Hiroshi. I don't have all day. Decide now," he said . Alisiya .

"I accept... to negotiate with you." The man hesitated, then said.

"How wonderful!" Alisiya clapped her hands, pleased.

Hiroshi, upon looking at her, noticed something about Yumi . Her ears.

"Wait... Yumi isn't human?!" Hiroshi asked , surprised.

"Half human, half elf . She's the best piece on my board," he replied . Alisiya , with pride.

She began walking in circles around him, the sound of her boots sinking into the sand.

"We have something in common, Hiroshi. You hate Fujimoto . Me too. You hate Koharu . Me too," he murmured .

She stopped in front of him, her eyes gleaming.

"I can give you the revenge you so desperately want. But you need to trust me," he said . Alisiya .

Hiroshi swallowed hard.

"I... accept," he replied , stammering.

Alisiya smiled felinely.

"I knew I would choose the right path," he said . Alisiya .

"How will this... partnership work?" Hiroshi asked cautiously.

I will send you Yumi and Filna. To help you in the battle. How about that? — he replied Alisiya .

He thought for a moment.

"Okay... but I need some information," Hiroshi said .

"What kind of information?" he asked . Alisiya .

"The skills of Fujimoto and his group," Hiroshi replied .

Yumi clenched her fists.

And then, cold as ice, Alisiya revealed every detail: the powers, the weaknesses, the fighting styles.

Yumi lowered her head.

"Since you have six slaves and they are also six, let's have a balanced fight, a team battle," Alisiya continued.

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow.

"And what about Yumi and Filna ?" Hiroshi asked .

"Only in an emergency. Especially Yumi ... she would end the fight too quickly," he said . Alisiya .

Hiroshi nodded.

"Then we won't suffer at their hands," Hiroshi said .

Yumi watched everything in silence, trying to decipher it.

Alisiya turned around.

"I'm leaving now. I'll be back tomorrow to help," he said . Alisiya .

"Alright," Hiroshi replied .

The two shook hands , and something about that exchange made the air heavy.

Alisiya set off towards the Mayumi sisters' house. Elfsei , leaving behind a trail of distrust.