"Th-This..."
At those words, Aki Adagaki was rendered speechless and could only stammer, "The past was the past, and the present is the present. The people of the Island Nation today are completely different from before."
"Different?"
Ye Yunchuan sneered, then said teasingly, "They're the same. If I hadn't wiped out the Koenji Clan in one strike, you and the other families would probably still be resisting to the bitter end, wouldn't you?"
"..."
Aki Adagaki fell silent again, because she had no way to refute Ye Yunchuan's words.
"If I weren't ruthless enough, would your family have obediently offered up a little beauty like you to me?"
As he said this, Ye Yunchuan could not help pinching Aki Adagaki's chin and lifting her face.
Her brains might not have been much to speak of.
But Aki Adagaki's looks and figure were genuinely outstanding, and paired with her long legs in black stockings, she was simply breathtaking.
Even Ye Yunchuan had to admit that she was a rare beauty.
And very much his type.
"You're shameless!"
Aki Adagaki turned her face away.
"You still dare insult me? Do you believe that if I merely point in the direction of your home, it'll go Boom and fly into the sky, just like the Koenji Clan's territory?"
"D-Don't! You can't do that!"
"Why can't I?"
Ye Yunchuan wore a teasing expression as he spoke, while his wandering hand reached toward that mysterious absolute territory.
"Because..."
Aki Adagaki's face turned red. It was impossible to tell whether she was too embarrassed or too furious to speak.
"You still don't seem to understand your position. As a hostage, aren't you being far too arrogant?" Ye Yunchuan whispered as he breathed in the fragrance of the girl's hair.
"I..."
Aki Adagaki wanted to retort, but