Chapter 6 - You only profit Me twice

 The night falls as birds hide in their nests, and the monsters and bats wake up in search of food. Alisha invites Isayao to her room, and she follows her. They sleep together as midnight falls.

Alisha stands up from the bed and silently locks the door as Isayao sleeps. She then lights a red lamp and slowly strips herself. As Isayao rolls in the bed, Alisha crawls on top of her, blushing. Alisha's breathing wakes up Isayao, who looks at Alisha on top of her.

"Dear princess, what are you planning to do?" Isayao asks as Alisha giggles. Alisha places her palms on Isayao's cheeks, making Isayao feel uncomfortable. "Don't worry, dear Isayao, let the princess handle you, okay?" Alisha replies. Isayao closes her eyes in disbelief. "If you say so," she responds.

Alisha slowly takes off Isayao's clothes, and as her sweat falls onto Isayao's neck, Isayao slowly realizes she is about to experience the same thing her older sister experienced.

Meanwhile, Xialdre and the three girls are eating and drinking in a bar. Natalia and Asabe are drunk, and Clementine looks at them in disbelief, shaking her head. "Natalia, Asabe, how the hell did you both get drunk after just five shots?" Clementine asks.

"HUh!!? You tAlk BiG desPitE beIng juST a kid, ClemaTiinee," Natalia's voice gets louder with each word. Xialdre tells Clementine, "Don't mind them, Clementine."

Asabe then speaks, slurring her words. "HHHuh, dOn't m-miNd uS. WhAat aRe yoU tAlking abOut, MaaaSTer!!??"

Xialdre then knocks both of them out by hitting them on the back of their heads. As Clementine watches, she sighs at the hopeless sight.

"Clementine, let's head back to our hotel room. I'll carry both of them," Xialdre says.

"Yes, of course, Master!" Clementine responds.

As Xialdre carries both of the girls back to their hotel, Clementine realizes she is alone with Xialdre in the night since both Asabe and Natalia are asleep.

"Master," Clementine said, getting Xialdre's attention. "What is it? Want me to carry you as well?" Xialdre responded.

"No, no, umm, you see," Clementine stammered. "Do you remember last year when we both went on an adventure to look for the flower that Ayane, your sister, told us to find?"

Xialdre nodded as Clementine sighed. "Well, we spent the night looking at the stars above us, didn't we? The time we looked over the million stars and the infinite world we live in."

"We slept together, and I hugged you tightly all night as you comforted me. We cuddled in such a small space. Oh my god, your breath was so close to my—eh, wait, I'm starting to sound like Asabe. Sorry..."

Xialdre replied, "No worries."

As Clementine looked at the sky, she smiled, remembering a time when everything was just alright until Satra came and ruined everything. Xialdre glanced at her and then also looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Isayao moaned in the princess's bed as Alisha giggled, touching her inappropriately. Tears streamed down Isayao's face as she realized this moment would be etched into her childhood trauma, marking her betrayal of her only comrades.

As Xialdre and Clementine made it to the hotel, Xialdre spoke to the receptionist. Mika giggled, placing her palm against her cheek as Xialdre asked for their hotel key.

"Excuse me, are you listening, Mika?" Xialdre asked.

Mika snapped back to her senses and apologized. "Eh, sorry, could you please repeat that? I'm very sorry."

After Mika handed over the key, Xialdre walked away, his expression remaining unreadable. Clementine, still looking at Mika, sulked and muttered, "Pervert..." before running upstairs. Mika realized that Clementine had fully read her thoughts from her expression, causing her to cover her face in embarrassment. Her coworker, Yumi Tanaka, giggled.

"Ehh? Having another hard time handling Xialdre? Just confess to him already," Yumi teased.

"Stop teasing me and SHUT UP...!" Mika retorted.

In their room, Xialdre laid both Asabe and Natalia on the bed before walking toward the window and looking at the sky. Clementine joined him, both gazing at the stars as they had done before.

"Oh, wait right!" Clementine exclaimed, opening the window. She then jumped out, holding onto the edge of the building, and offered her hand to Xialdre. "Master, take my hand. I'll show you a better spot where we can see the stars better."

Xialdre hesitated for a moment but then took Clementine's hand. She skillfully guided him along the ledge, and they climbed up to the roof of the hotel. The view was breathtaking, with the night sky spread out above them, glittering with countless stars.

"This is much better," Clementine said, smiling as she looked up at the sky.

Xialdre, usually so composed and calculated, allowed himself a moment of genuine appreciation for the beauty of the night. For a brief time, the stars and the vastness of the universe provided a sense of peace amidst the chaos of their lives.

As Xialdre lay beside Clementine on the roof, gazing up at the stars, Clementine spoke with a sense of wonder and reverence.

"Master, as we lie beneath this vast tapestry of stars, I can't help but feel a sense of awe wash over me. Look at them, each one holding a story, a dream, a hope."

"It's as if the universe itself is speaking to us, sharing its secrets in the quiet of the night. And here we are, together, just two souls lost in the beauty of it all."

"So, Master, let's keep gazing at the stars, for in their brilliance, I find a reflection of the wonder that is you and me, intertwined in this cosmic dance of fate and serendipity."

Xialdre turned his gaze to Clementine, his thoughts a stark contrast to her poetic words.

"The stars, what a spectacle. Twinkling lights in the vast expanse of nothingness. People find comfort in their beauty, searching for meaning in their patterns."

"But to me, they're just distant specks of dust, meaningless and random. A reminder of the void that surrounds us."

"It's all just a facade, isn't it? A comforting lie we tell ourselves to feel less alone in the darkness. But in reality, there's nothing out there but emptiness."

He didn't voice these thoughts, keeping them locked inside. Instead, he allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to touch his lips for Clementine's sake.

"Yes, Clementine," he finally said aloud, his voice soft. "Let's keep gazing at the stars. They are beautiful, aren't they?"

In this moment of silence, with the vast night sky stretching out above them, Xialdre found a rare moment of peace. Even if the stars were just specks in the void to him, lying there with Clementine, sharing in her awe, gave him a sense of connection he rarely allowed himself to feel.

As Xialdre gently laid Clementine down beside Natalia, the room was enveloped in a quiet calm. Natalia stirred awake, her head throbbing from the hangover.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Xialdre asked softly.

"Not really. I usually wake up around this hour," Natalia replied, wincing as she sat up and rubbed her temples. "Ow, ow... Master, sorry for asking, but what happened after I got fully drunk last night?"

"Don't worry, you did nothing major. Besides, it was my fault for bringing you guys back to that bar, so you don't have to feel sorry about your actions," Xialdre said reassuringly.

"Eh!? Master, don't feel sorry. It was our fault for easily getting drunk. I'm very sorry... And also, we're your slaves. We gotta be the ones to always say sorry to our master," Natalia insisted, a look of genuine concern on her face.

"Really? Is that how it works?" Xialdre asked, slightly confused.

"Not really, but at least that is the way for you. But it's probably just in my perspective," Natalia explained.

"I see. Anyways, wanna take a walk around the town?" Xialdre suggested.

"Yes, I'd like that," Natalia agreed, smiling faintly despite her headache.

Xialdre helped Natalia to her feet, and they quietly exited the room, leaving Clementine and Asabe to rest. As they stepped out into the cool night air, the town was serene, with only the faint sounds of nocturnal creatures and distant voices breaking the silence.

As they walked through the quiet streets, Xialdre glanced at Natalia. "Feeling any better?"

"Yeah, the fresh air helps. Thank you, Master," Natalia said, looking up at the stars. "It's peaceful out here, isn't it?"

"It is," Xialdre agreed, his thoughts drifting back to the complexities of his plans and the simplicity of moments like these.

They continued their walk, enjoying the tranquility of the night, each step a reminder of the delicate balance between their roles and the genuine connections they shared.

As Xialdre and Natalia walk hand-in-hand through the early morning streets, they find a bench and sit, watching the sun slowly rise. The first light of dawn spreads across the landscape, casting a warm glow that heralds a new beginning. Natalia smiles, feeling the serene beauty of the moment, and pulls out her wand to chant a gentle blessing.

"Whispering winds of morning light,

Carry forth your gentle flight.

Through the trees and over seas,

Bring to us your softest breeze.

With each breath of dawn's embrace,

Let tranquility fill this space.

As sun ascends, and shadows cease,

May your touch bring inner peace.

Bless us with your gentle kiss,

In the early morning's bliss.

By air and sky, by land and trees,

Let the morning breeze set us free."

Xialdre, curious, asks, "What kind of spell was that?"

"It really isn't a spell. It's more like a blessing, similar to what a priest prays," Natalia explains.

"Where did you learn that?" Xialdre asks again.

"From a previous comrade of mine in the past," Natalia responds.

"I see."

"Why do you usually only respond with 'I see'?" Natalia asks, turning to him.

"Even if you ask me, I don't know myself. It's probably because I really don't understand other words such as 'alright' or 'that's cool,'" Xialdre admits.

Natalia chuckles softly. "Well, not like it matters anyways..."

Meanwhile, Isayao stands in the castle garden, unable to sleep after what happened. She walks around, her thoughts drifting back to the days when she, Natalia, Asabe, Clementine, and Xialdre adventured across the Satra territory, traveling to the next country on foot. She sighs deeply, wondering if they have already left her behind since they were expelled from the castle.

The morning light in the garden is beautiful, yet it brings her no comfort. The memories of camaraderie and the harsh reality of her current situation blend into a bittersweet longing for simpler times. Despite her doubts and the betrayal she feels, a part of her hopes that Xialdre and the others haven't abandoned her completely.

As Isayao realizes her tears are streaming down her face, she feels a deep sense of guilt and loss. Meanwhile, in the forest, Xialdre and the girls execute a meticulously planned strategy. They stop at a specific spot, and Clementine approaches a tree to cast a spell, watched intently by Xialdre and Asabe.

Clementine chants:

"In silence deep, we gather here, No spoken word, no sound to hear. Within this space, a sacred shroud, Where silence reigns, no voice allowed. Mute domain, where silence dwells, Within its grasp, our spirit swells."

"In quiet stillness, we find our way, In wordless communion, we choose to stay. Let gestures speak where words may fail, In silent language, we prevail. Bound by silence, yet truly free, In this mute domain, blessed be."

A shimmering bubble of silence envelops the area. With the spell complete, Clementine and Asabe head back toward the capital, while Xialdre takes a different path, approaching the castle from another direction.

As noon turns to afternoon, Natalia remains at her spell's location, preparing for the next phase. Xialdre hides in the bushes, keeping his eyes on a giant rock, anticipating the right moment to act. When the time is right, Natalia begins another incantation to summon rain clouds.

"O spirits of the sky and sea, Hearken now and heed my plea. With power ancient, deep and wide, Bring forth the rain, let it coincide. From cloud to ground, let droplets fall, Answering my whispered call."

"With every word, with every rhyme, Let raindrops dance in perfect time. By moonlit glow and starry sight, Awaken storms, unleash their might. Let thunder roar and lightning flash, As rain cascades in a watery splash."

"I, mage of water's endless flow, Command the skies to weep and sow. With magic woven, spells entwined, Let rain pour forth, in nature's design. So mote it be, by magic's decree, Let rain descend, set our spirits free."

"Rain Fall after Storm!!"

Dark clouds gather, and the sky turns ominous. Clementine and Asabe, cloaked by an invisibility spell, approach the castle. Clementine chants quietly, casting the spell:

"In shadows deep, I make my stand, A phantom blade, a silent hand. Cloaked in darkness, unseen by light, I vanish from the mortal sight. With whispered words and silent grace, I slip between time and space. Invisible to mortal eyes, I move unseen beneath the skies. By moonlit gleam and starry night, I fade from view, out of sight. Invisible, I walk the path, A shadow in the aftermath. With stealth and guile, I weave my fate, Invisible assassin, silent and great. By unseen hands, my foes shall fall, Invisible, I conquer all."

"Spell make both me and my comrade invisible!"

Now invisible, Clementine and Asabe slip into the castle, undetected by the guards and staff. The storm outside provides the perfect cover for their stealthy infiltration, as Xialdre and Natalia coordinate from their positions, ensuring that the plan unfolds seamlessly. Each member of the group plays their part with precision, setting the stage for the next move in their intricate scheme.

As the two stealthily climbed the ceiling, they followed Isayao as she walked down the palace hallway, admiring the gigantic windows of luxury. Suddenly, Alisha stumbled into her.

"Oh dear Isayao, would you please like to do it again with me?" Alisha asked.

"Well, you see, princess," Isayao started, but Alisha quickly cut her off.

"Are you resisting?" Alisha demanded, noticing Isayao's hesitation.

"It's not like that, Princess. It's just that I'm still a minor and you..." Isayao trailed off.

"I'm still a minor as well, dear Isayao, and besides, we've already done it once. Why not do it again? Wasn't it refreshing when both girls do it?" Alisha replied, moving closer to Isayao.

As Alisha advanced, Isayao pulled out her bow from her portal domain, threatening Alisha to stay away from her, trembling in fear.

"You piece of sh*t! You dare point that bow at me? How disrespectful," Alisha snarled.

"S-stay away from me!" Isayao cried, fear evident in her voice.

"I literally f*cking saved you from that wretched sociopathic Xialdre! You should be grateful I'm having fun with your body since I'm literally a princess," Alisha said, her voice growing angrier with each word.

With a forceful cry, Alisha chanted, "Gale's might, swiftly soar, unseen force, forevermore. WIND IMPACT!"

Caught off guard by how quickly Alisha chanted, Isayao was hit and thrown out the window, shattering the luxurious glass. She flew several meters away from the castle, landing hard on the ground and rolling through the forest. Her body crashed into rocks and branches before coming to a stop against a huge boulder. Coughing up blood, her body heavily wounded, she leaned against the rock as her head bled. Despite the pain, she smiled, realizing she was about to die.

"Looks like I'm dying this way. I can't understand why, but at least in this terrible life of mine, I had some light—big brother, Natalia, Asabe, Clementine, my friends, family, and comrades. They were the light in this darkness."

As she closed her eyes, expecting to die, she fell unconscious. The rain grew heavier, and a large thunderclap echoed. She heard footsteps approaching and woke up, struggling to move her head to see who was coming.

The footsteps grew louder as Isayao saw a familiar pair of shoes. She looked up and saw Xialdre standing over her, rain pouring down around them. "What is this? What is the meaning of this? Is this light flashing before my eyes?" Isayao thought, as Xialdre spoke, his voice cutting through the rain. "Pathetic."

Coming back to her senses, Isayao realized this was real. Tears streamed down her face as she looked down. "Sorry," she whispered.

"You think that's going to fix everything?" Xialdre responded, his gaze cold and unyielding.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me," Isayao pleaded, but Xialdre's expression remained unchanged. She saw the true nature of her older brother in that moment.

"You're foolishly begging for forgiveness, Isayao. Do you want to be useful?"

"Yes, as long as I can go back with you guys!" Isayao cried out, looking into Xialdre's dead eyes. He stared down at her, his presence intimidating.

"Do you regret what you just did?" he asked.

"Yes, big brother!"

"After what you just did, you still have the guts to call me big brother?" Xialdre retorted.

"I'm sorry, I mean please forgive me. I'll lick your shoes, I'll be your dog, I'll offer you my body. Please, I'll do anything."

As Isayao struggled to move, Xialdre remained unfazed by her desperate offers, his face expressionless. "Tell me, will you give up your entire life to me? Because you'll do anything, right?"

"Of course!" Isayao said confidently, tears still streaming down her face.

"Then kill yourself." Xialdre threw a dagger at her lap. Isayao realized he wanted her dead for all she had done to them.

There was a brief silence. She smiled through her tears as she struggled to grab the dagger, her entire body trembling from the pain. She pointed it at her chest.

Just as she was about to kill herself, Xialdre kicked the dagger out of her hand and hugged her, making her feel a strange comfort. Isayao cried out loud, fully offering her entire life to Xialdre and swearing her loyalty to him.

In his thoughts, Xialdre reflected, "She got child trauma as she slowly heals. She got attacked as I let her break herself, and now she swears her entire loyalty to me. And that's how you manipulate with your hands, by using harsh words, regret, trauma, and forgiveness. I can't believe it's this easy to manipulate mortals."

As Natalia emerged from the bushes, she found Isayao already unconscious. She quickly began chanting a healing spell over her. "Light and love, heal and mend, Isayao's spirit, strength extend."

As the spell took effect, Isayao's wounds began to close, and she slowly regained consciousness. She looked around, her eyes eventually focusing on Xialdre standing before her. She smiled weakly at him.

"Big brother, what is your first order?" Isayao asked, her voice filled with newfound determination.

"Become my slave," Xialdre commanded, his gaze stern and unwavering.

Isayao nodded, her resolve firm. "Certainly, big brother," she replied, fully committing herself to his will.

Alisha slept soundly in her bedroom until a strong gust of wind disturbed her. When she opened her eyes, she found herself tied to a tree in the middle of a forest. Before her stood five familiar figures: Xialdre, Clementine, Asabe, Natalia, and Isayao. Realizing she had been kidnapped, she immediately tried to chant a spell.

"Through time and space, I swiftly soar, to distant lands, forevermore. With this chant, my journey starts, teleport me back to—"

Before she could finish, Natalia interrupted with a loud incantation. "MAGIC'S HOLD, NOW BE UNDONE! BY MY WILL, THIS SPELL BE GONE!"

*Disturb Magic!* Alisha's spell was abruptly broken. Xialdre stepped forward and began kicking her in the stomach relentlessly. Natalia cast another spell. "MAGIC CEASE, ONLY I USE IN MY DOMAIN AS YOURS DISAPPEARS."

Alisha, realizing the extent of Natalia's power as an S-class adventurer, screamed for help. "HELP! ANYONE, PLEASE HELP! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED!"

Xialdre coldly retorted, "No one is going to help you here. We're in the middle of a thick forest at midnight, and Natalia has cast a mute spell on this domain."

"What are you planning to do with me?" Alisha demanded, trying to maintain her confidence and determination. However, fear crept in as she met Xialdre's cold, sociopathic gaze.

"You seem to be scared, princess," Xialdre observed. "Now answer me correctly: will you become my slave?"

Alisha hesitated, and Xialdre began to count. "Three, two, one. Too bad."

Asabe grabbed a bucket filled with ice water and slowly poured it over Alisha. Natalia created a cold breeze, making Alisha tremble uncontrollably.

Xialdre asked again, "Now, will you become my slave?"

Struggling to speak due to the cold, Alisha couldn't form a coherent response. Xialdre started counting again. "Three."

"Y-" Alisha began.

"Two."

"Ye-"

"One."

"No, please, no more," Alisha pleaded, but her time was up. Asabe poured another bucket of ice water over her, and Alisha felt herself slipping into unconsciousness.

Xialdre leaned in and whispered, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. When you pass out, I'll find a random homeless person or a Tambaloslos to keep you awake by raping you until you go crazy."

This threat snapped Alisha back to full consciousness. She froze in terror at Xialdre's words.

"Now tell me again, will you not become my slave?" Xialdre asked.

"Yes! Wait, no, no, no. You tricked me, that's unfair. How dare you!" Alisha cried out.

"How dare me?" Xialdre's voice was low and menacing. "Can't you see the position you're in? You're below me, and you dare talk like that to my face? Clementine, do what you have to do."

Alisha looked at Clementine and saw a maniacal smile on her face, the smile of someone who had offered her soul to the devil himself. Clementine pulled out an assassin's pin and pointed it directly at Alisha's left eye. She then began to stab repeatedly, causing Alisha to scream in excruciating pain.

Alisha slept soundly in her bedroom until a strong gust of wind woke her. She found herself tied to a tree in the middle of a forest. Before her stood five familiar figures: Xialdre, Clementine, Asabe, Natalia, and Isayao. Realizing she had been kidnapped, she immediately tried to chant a spell.

"Through time and space, I swiftly soar, to distant lands, forevermore. With this chant, my journey starts, teleport me back to—"

Before she could finish, Natalia interrupted with a loud incantation. "MAGIC'S HOLD, NOW BE UNDONE! BY MY WILL, THIS SPELL BE GONE!"

The spell broke abruptly. Xialdre stepped forward and began kicking her in the stomach relentlessly. Natalia cast another spell. "MAGIC CEASE, ONLY I USE IN MY DOMAIN. YOURS DISAPPEARS."

Realizing the extent of Natalia's power as an S-class adventurer, Alisha screamed for help. "HELP! ANYONE, PLEASE HELP! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED!"

Xialdre coldly retorted, "No one is going to help you here. We're in the middle of a thick forest at midnight, and Natalia has cast a mute spell on this domain."

"What are you planning to do with me?" Alisha demanded, trying to maintain her confidence and determination. However, fear crept in as she met Xialdre's cold, sociopathic gaze.

"You seem to be scared, princess," Xialdre observed. "Now answer me correctly: will you become my slave?"

Alisha hesitated, and Xialdre began to count. "Three, two, one. Too bad."

Asabe grabbed a bucket filled with ice water and slowly poured it over Alisha. Natalia created a cold breeze, making Alisha tremble uncontrollably.

"Now, will you become my slave?" Xialdre asked again.

Struggling to speak due to the cold, Alisha couldn't form a coherent response. Xialdre started counting again. "Three."

"Y-" Alisha began.

"Two."

"Ye-"

"One."

"No, please, no more," Alisha pleaded, but her time was up. Asabe poured another bucket of ice water over her, and Alisha felt herself slipping into unconsciousness.

Xialdre leaned in and whispered, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. When you pass out, I'll find a random homeless person or a Tambaloslos to keep you awake by raping you until you go crazy."

This threat snapped Alisha back to full consciousness. She froze in terror at Xialdre's words.

"Now tell me again, will you not become my slave?" Xialdre asked.

"Yes! Wait, no, no, no. You tricked me, that's unfair. How dare you!" Alisha cried out.

"How dare me?" Xialdre's voice was low and menacing. "Can't you see the position you're in? You're below me, and you dare talk like that to my face? Clementine, do what you have to do."

Alisha looked at Clementine and saw a maniacal smile on her face, the smile of someone who had offered her soul to the devil himself. Clementine pulled out an assassin's pin and pointed it directly at Alisha's left eye. She then began to stab repeatedly, causing Alisha to scream in excruciating pain.

"Didn't your mother warn you about me? This is a lesson to always trust those above you and follow their command," Xialdre said as Clementine finally backed away, grinning. Alisha could do nothing but scream as blood poured from her eyes.

"Now, let me give you a new question," Xialdre said as Alisha continued to scream and yell. "UGHHH!!! MY EYE! I'M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"

"Wrong answer," Xialdre replied. Alisha responded, "What?! But you haven't even told me the question ye—"

Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her left arm. She looked down and realized her left arm had been severed. As she bled, she cried shamelessly. Asabe began to eat her severed arm, her eyes glowing red.

In her thoughts, Alisha screamed, "I WAS WRONG! I WAS F*CKING WRONG TO MESS WITH THEM! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF MY DUMB DECISION! WHY AM I SUFFERING LIKE THIS?! WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!"

"Anyways, I'll just force a slave contract on you," Xialdre said as he bit his finger and wrote a symbol on the back of her head with his blood. As the contract burned into her skin, Xialdre decided her punishment for disobedience.

"Whenever you disobey, you'll feel a d*ck thrusting into you, and I'll control how fast it goes and for how long," Xialdre said. As the forced contract took hold, Natalia healed Alisha so she wouldn't die. "Light and love, heal and mend, Alisha's spirit, strength extend."

"No, JUST LET ME DIE, PLEASE!" Alisha begged.

"Ara, ara, feeling suicidal? So be it," Natalia responded.

"How can you guys be this cruel?" Alisha asked.

"If you don't take that back, you'll get a punishment," Xialdre warned.

"I TAKE IT BACK! I'M SORRY!" Alisha shouted.

Despite her apology, Alisha felt the punishment begin. She moaned constantly as the invisible force violated her. "Even if you took it back with words, the punishment will still happen because you didn't take it back in your heart," Xialdre explained.

"Slowly, please slowly. Be gentle with my body, please. I'm a lesbian! And still a virgin!!" Alisha pleaded.

Asabe, watching the scene, became aroused. Natalia noticed As Asabe commented, "Ara, ara, Master Xialdre, please be gentle with me." As Natalia turned to Asabe and said, "You pervert."

"Are you satisfied now, Isayao?" Xialdre asked.

As Alisha's eyes went to Isayao, who was grinning at her, Isayao responded, "No. Please, my dear Oni-chan, make her suffer more, just like she made me suffer."

Xialdre remained cold as Alisha continued to moan. He pulled out his dagger and handed it to Isayao. "I'll give you this chance to let your anger out, Isayao."

"Really, big brother? Don't worry, I'll make sure to enjoy it to my fullest," Isayao replied gleefully.

As Isayao walked slowly towards Alisha, tears continued to fall from Alisha's eyes as she moaned, her tongue lolling out. "Now, should I cut your fingers or your tongue first? I'm so excited. Why not start with the nails, then the fingers, the eyes, and the ears?" Isayao said maniacally.

Hearing this, Alisha lost all hope and emotion. Hours later, at three PM, she regained consciousness, still tied to the tree. Trembling in fear, she looked up at Xialdre.

"B*tch," Xialdre called.

"Yes, Master," Alisha responded.

"From now on, you'll do anything I ask. I will send you back to the palace, and if you dare betray us, we will make sure to make you suffer ten times more. Understand?" Xialdre warned.

"Yes, Master!" Alisha immediately answered.

Xialdre sighed and asked Natalia if she could still use teleportation magic. Natalia nodded.

"Good, send her back to the palace," Xialdre ordered.

"Understood," Natalia replied. "Through time and space, I swiftly soar, to distant lands, forevermore. With this chant, teleport Alisha back to her room and instantly heal her along the way."

As Xialdre watched Alisha get teleported away, he thought to himself, "This was such a big step towards my goal to find Adonai. Since the moment I theorized what was going to happen, I knew all of this would occur. That's what it takes to be a genius."

"The moment Alisha helped us from Satra was when I confirmed my theory that all of this was going to happen. There is only a very low chance a royal would be that kind, which led me to conclude that Alisha needed something from us. The way she pushed Natalia away from Isayao and Clementine immediately revealed her true interest: Isayao and Clementine, with no regard for the rest of us."

"And the only reason she knew my name was likely because she had overheard Satra calling out to us in the crowd. This situation only benefited me, as Isayao wasn't fully under my control."

"I used this chance to make her fully loyal to me. When Alisha invited us to the castle, I agreed because I had already guessed that she would target Isayao. Since Clementine is fully under my control, I didn't protect myself from Alisha's manipulation on purpose. I wanted her to take Isayao away from me and make Isayao regret trusting her."

"This strategy was meant to break Isayao so I could fix her later and make her my slave. At the same time, I planned to make the princess my slave as well. I succeeded in my plan, and now look at what I've accomplished: Isayao's full loyalty and Alisha's complete subjugation. Just like the rest of my slaves."

Xialdre's cold logic was clear in his mind as he watched Alisha get teleported away. He had manipulated events perfectly to his advantage, securing unwavering loyalty from Isayao and complete control over Alisha. With every step calculated, he reaffirmed his belief in his own genius and his unwavering path to his ultimate goal.

"I view all people as mere tools, each serving a purpose in the grand orchestration of my ambitions.

Like instruments in an ensemble, they harmonize with my desires, each playing a unique role in achieving my goals.

Relationships, alliances, and interactions are not based on genuine connection but on strategic utility.

This perspective grants me a detached efficiency, navigating through a world where individuals are valued not for who they are but for what they can contribute to my objective."