Full Team to Rescue Fujimoto

Right after breakfast, Aioze gathered the team in the courtyard where the carriages and supplies were kept.

The atmosphere was tense, yet controlled; each person there carried a different burden on their shoulders.

Aioze glanced over at everyone.

"Make sure you only take what you need. We need to be quick," he said . Aioze

Yuuki was more serious than usual.

(Damn… unfortunately I'll have to leave Himeno here with that monster Hiroshi. I hope he doesn't try anything against her.) — she thought . Yuuki is worried about Himeno .

She had no idea what had really happened the night before.

Gerald was adjusting a clean suit of armor.

Lysandra was writing strategies in a notebook, intently.

Aioze prepared his swords.

While they gathered supplies, small conversations took place.

Yuuki and Himeno were talking.

"I'll feel a little bad leaving you in a place where Hiroshi is," he said . Yuuki .

"But I'm relieved to know that Koharu , Shana , Max, Yumi , Filna , and Shouta will be here to help you if he tries anything," she continued . Yuuki saying.

Himeno smiled.

"Hey, Yuuki ... have you forgotten that I know how to defend myself?" she said. Hymen .

"I know... but I worry about you a lot," Yuuki replied.

"I'm worried about you too. So... I hope the mission is successful. That you bring Fujimoto back. And that no one dies," he said . Hymen is worried.

"Don't worry. Nobody's going to die," he stated . Yuuki .

"And we're going to rescue Fujimoto ," he continued . Yuuki stating.

Himeno smiled… but when Yuuki turned away, her gaze darkened.

Filna and Yumi were also talking.

Filna approached her sister, noticing her dejected expression.

"Are you acting like this because I'm going on the mission without you?" he asked. Filna .

"A little," Yumi replied .

Filna smiled and touched her shoulder.

"Don't worry. I already know how to solve this," he said . Animated film .

Yumi blinked, surprised.

Filna walked over to Aioze and stood before him with a firm posture.

"Mr. Aioze , I would like to make a request," he said , bowing slightly.

— Tell me. — he replied .

"I request that Yumi come with us on the mission," he asked . Filna .

Yumi froze.

Himeno's eyes widened.

Lysandra stopped writing, suspicious.

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow, smiling inwardly.

And then, the entire courtyard seemed to hold its breath.

Aioze let out a long, tired sigh.

— Filna … do you know that this mission could be extremely dangerous? — he asked. Aioze .

Filna maintained a firm stance, without hesitation.

"I know. And I also know that Yumi is strong enough to help. Besides… even without her, this place will remain well protected. Everyone who stays here is of a high caliber," he replied . Filna .

Aioze glanced at Yumi .

She remained rigid, her expression cold, almost unwavering.

He ran a hand over his face, lost in thought.

— Filna , understand… I chose the team based on balance, function, and minimal risk. I prioritized keeping the base secure. Including Yumi changes part of the strategy. — she said Aioze .

Filna then stepped forward.

"I understand…" she said firmly.

"So, if something happens because of us, we'll both take responsibility," she continued . Filla in a firm manner.

Aioze remained silent for a few seconds, assessing that determination.

Filna rarely asked for anything, and when she did, it was for a real reason.

The leader sighed, defeated by her conviction and Yumi 's obvious potential .

— …Okay. — he said Aioze .

He looked up.

— Yumi . You're coming with us. — Aioze agreed.

Yumi held her breath for a moment, imperceptible to everyone except Filna .

Filna smiled with relief and quickly hugged her sister.

"Thank you, Mr. Aioze . I promise we won't disappoint you," Filna said gratefully.

Yumi simply nodded.

"I won't get in the way. I hope you trust me," he said . Yumi .

Aioze smiled slightly.

"We trust you. Everyone here knows your potential," he said . Aioze .

At the time of departure.

Aioze climbed into the chariot first.

Yuuki , Gerald, Lysandra , Filna , and now Yumi have completed the group.

Before going up, Yumi turned her face away for a second.

Hiroshi stood at a distance, watching her with a mischievous smile, as if to say, "I know what you did."

She immediately looked away and got into the carriage without saying a word.

Aioze raised his hand.

"We're leaving now! We're going to bring Fujimoto back!" he shouted. Aioze .

The horses charged forward and the carriage disappeared through the gate.

Those who stayed behind— Koharu , Shana , Max, Hiroshi, Himeno , and Shouta —silently returned inside the base.

Shana approached Max.

"Max, can we talk... alone?" he asked. Shana .

Max simply nodded, his expression even more blank than usual.

Hiroshi watched the two of them climb the stairs toward their rooms, his gaze assessing their every move.

Then… someone nudged his arm.

Hiroshi turned around immediately, annoyed, but froze when he saw the face before him.

It was someone familiar.

It was Koharu .

"Are you trying to scare me to death? For a moment I thought it was Sakori ," he grumbled .

Koharu shook her head.

" Sakori is with Himeno , serving tables and tidying up the hall," he explained . Koharu .

She then took a deep breath, serious.

"I need to talk to you alone. Urgently," he said . Koharu .

Hiroshi assessed her tone and smiled.

"Okay. Let's go outside," said Hiroshi.

The two crossed the inner courtyard, still silent now that the main team had left. As soon as they were far enough away, Hiroshi crossed his arms.

"So, what's the urgency?" Hiroshi asked.

Koharu looked away, touching her own hair as if trying to hide her unease.

"You have me... and you have Lysandra . But I know that's not enough for you," she said .

She looked at him sideways, determined:

"You want to build a harem. So I'd like to know... which girl do you intend to seduce and make yours next?" he asked. Koharu .

Hiroshi had to suppress a laugh.

(I think I can tell her everything… Koharu is mine. And if she betrays me, everyone will hate her for what she's already done.) — Hiroshi thought confidently.

He leaned his body forward.

"Since you asked... I'll tell you," Hiroshi said .

And he told his story.

He recounted everything he had done the previous day: how he had brought Shouta under his control, how Yumi had become part of his plans, and how Himeno had surrendered to him during the night.

Koharu listened with her mouth agape, shocked, but not out of morality. Rather, out of ambition.

"So you currently have two slaves... and four wives? You're getting even smarter, Hiroshi, " she murmured with a wry smile.

"It won't be long now. Shana , Yuuki , Alisiya , Filna ... and then Fujinomiya ," he replied , with calculated coldness.

He smiled.

"When that happens, my harem will be complete," he concluded . Hiuroshi .

Koharu then took a few steps until she was very close to him. She stood up on tiptoe.

"Don't worry about Shana and Yuuki ," Koharu whispered in his ear.

A mischievous smile curved his lips.

"I have a plan to deliver both of them to you," he said . Koharu .

Hiroshi felt his ego inflate.

"And tonight... you'll have me, Himeno , and Shana in your room. The three of us. Just for you," Koharu concluded in a low voice.

Hiroshi's smile widened, satisfied.

"Thank you for your contribution, Koharu ," Hiroshi said .

He touched her chin with his fingertips.

"I'll make sure you all have a great time," Hiroshi said .

The two went back inside the base as if nothing had happened.

At the top of the stairs, Shana descended slowly, her expression downcast, clearly shaken by the conversation she had had with Max.

Hiroshi noticed her vulnerability immediately.

He walked up to her, with the same gentle smile he always wore when approaching a new target.

— Shana … — he called.

"Can we talk for a moment?" Hiroshi asked.