“Waaah!!!” Lopera crouched on the ground, hugging her head tightly as tears streamed down her face. Her ample bosom pressed together with each shuddering sob.

Wude scratched his head. What should he do? Truth was, he wasn’t good at comforting girls. Alreis and Tini never needed it, and Elisa had been sensible since childhood.

Alreis watched Wude’s troubled expression, then glanced at Lopera curled up on the floor. Unacceptable. They were here for official business—wasting time like this was pointless.

She shot Wude a meaningful look: *Leave it to me.*

*You sure?* Wude’s eyes asked silently.

*Of course.* Alreis’s gaze was firm.

Hesitating slightly, Wude stepped back and walked out of the arena. He had no idea how she’d handle it—but since he was useless here, better not interfere.

Once he was gone, Alreis approached Lopera.

“Miss Lopera?” Alreis forced a “kind” smile. “Could you stop crying?”

“I can’t— I mean… okay.” Lopera had been ready to snap back angrily, but Alreis’s “kind” gaze softened her. She wiped her tears.

*Good.* Alreis wasn’t great with crying people either—she’d never done this before. But there were only two ways to stop someone: threats or bribes. She chose the first.

“Hmm. So, Miss Lopera.” Alreis had heard Wude’s explanation, yet still couldn’t grasp it. “I am my master’s slave. Does that bother you?”

“…No.” She hated admitting it, but after that… *skirmish* (if it even qualified), Lopera realized Alreis didn’t seem forced.

*(Truth was, she had been—at first. Alreis thought it, but obviously couldn’t say it.)*

“Then why attack me and my master without checking the facts?” Alreis pressed.

“Even if you weren’t forced, anyone who takes slaves can’t be good!” Lopera shot back, conviction clear in her voice.

“…Well, that’s true.” Wude wasn’t exactly a saint—Alreis knew that. As an Ascendant Sovereign, she wouldn’t lie.

Lopera blinked, surprised. She stared into Alreis’s eyes. “Then why follow *him*?”

“Because he’s my master!” Alreis replied with utter matter-of-factness.

“??” Two question marks popped above Lopera’s head. *What?! I asked WHY you accepted him—not “because he’s my master”! That makes zero sense!*

“Are you messing with me?” Lopera’s gaze seemed puzzled on the surface… but underneath radiated the pity reserved for someone mentally lost.

“Why would I lie?” Alreis remained perfectly self-assured.

This was the way of Ascendant Sovereigns. They acted beyond ordinary logic—thoughts deceptively simple, profoundly complex. Some drifted from society entirely. Their minds simply walked different paths.

Lopera was speechless under that unwavering certainty.

*Why?*

Being a slave meant suffering—beaten at will, treated as a tool, stripped of basic dignity. So why would anyone accept it… willingly? Proudly?

“Your name is Alreis?” Lopera suddenly asked.

“Yes.” Alreis answered, though puzzled.

“Do… do you *like* your master?” Lopera blurted out.

“Eh?!” Alreis’s composure shattered. A deep blush flooded her cheeks. “W-what?! N-no! Master and I… we have a purely professional master-servant relationship!”

“So it is.” Lopera sighed, standing up. *Too obvious.* She never imagined a slave could genuinely care for her master.

A pang of unease struck her. Among the slave owners she’d slain… were any loved by their slaves? Had she been wrong?

She doubted it. Most slaves thanked her gratefully afterward.

*Wait.*

She recalled the Supreme Scholar’s hypothesis: some abused develop deep attachment to their abusers—a bond mistaken for love, so strong it feels inseparable.

*Could Alreis and Wude be like that?*

“Um… does Wude hit you often?” Lopera pressed while Alreis was still flustered.

“Hit me?” Alreis remembered Wude’s playful forehead chops. “Yes!”

*Confirmed.* Lopera’s heart ached. *Stockholm syndrome.* She pictured it all: young, weak Alreis enslaved, enduring unspeakable acts, twisted into devotion. Even now, vastly stronger, she remained obedient.

Lopera’s face softened into a “compassionate” smile—pure pity in her eyes. *I must save her.* But alone? Impossible. Only the great Flame Master could help.

Alreis’s power was absurd. Lopera suspected Sage-level… never imagining Ascendant Sovereign. Few existed; she knew most. The Hunt among Ascendant Sovereigns was beyond Sage comprehension.

*Only the Flame Master—also an Ascendant Sovereign—can intervene. He’d never abandon such a girl. And a Sage-level asset? Vital for the nation.*

“Let’s go see the Flame Master!” Lopera declared, urgency in her voice.

“Hold on.” Alreis blocked her. “Why would I? Master and I came only for adventurer registration. You delayed us—and now you want me to chase the Flame Master?”

Alreis wasn’t slow-witted. She knew her purpose. *She’s the one I’m handling—not the other way around.* Wude would be upset. She wouldn’t risk it.

“…” Lopera froze. *Right. She thinks she’s fine. And she dislikes me. Complicated.*

“Don’t you want to meet the Flame Master?” Lopera pressed, genuinely confused. “Even a foreign Sage rarely meets another nation’s Ascendant Sovereign.”

“No.” Alreis didn’t hesitate. Disdain edged her tone.

“…” Lopera swallowed her frustration. *My revered sovereign… dismissed.* Normally, she’d fight. But… *she’s unwell.* She held her tongue. “If not you… what about your master?”

“…” Alreis paused. *Wude idolizes the Flame Master. But our meetings always end in battle—he’d be upset.* …*If she takes Wude instead? Might smooth things over.*

“Then I’ll inform my master,” Alreis decided.