Arche paused for a moment.
"What?"
"Why should I return them to you? I didn't steal them; they were sold by your parents and then sent to me. I heard it cost three hundred gold coins."
Arche's lips were trembling.
"I... I can give money... although I don't have that much right now... but..."
"Then go borrow it."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Or, have your parents pay it back. They sold it, so they should be responsible."
"They... they won't..."
That's their problem, not mine.
Arche's tears welled up again.
"Higashino Makoto, I beg you—"
"Don't treat me like some big bad guy, that would be terrifying. After all, if I were to do something bad, you wouldn't be able to stop me."
Higashino Makoto disliked this situation, and his words revealed some dissatisfaction.
How did I suddenly become the villain who broke them up?
"Quiet."
Higashino Makoto's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of pressure.
"Domination Word"
It can forcibly control the bodies of enemies of a lower level than itself. In the original work, Demiurge used it to control the Lizardman and the Bloody Emperor's group.
However, Demiurge can only Dominate enemies below level 40.
However, Higashino Makoto is stronger and of a higher level than him, so he can Dominate enemies at level 50.
If you dedicate yourself to studying it, the level you can Dominate might even increase.
Arche closed his mouth.
It wasn't that she wanted to shut up, but rather that her mouth wouldn't obey her commands.
No, it's not just the mouth.
Her body, her limbs, every muscle in her body was out of her control.
She stood there, like a statue.
Hekkeran placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
What did you do to her?
"Keep her quiet."
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip of black tea.
"You're making too much noise. I'm talking to a guest."
Hekkeran drew his short sword and charged at Higashino Makoto.
"Stop."
But as soon as he took a step, his body froze.
He stood there, holding a short sword in his right hand and resting his left hand on another short sword, his posture like that of a statue.
Imina and Roberdyck were also unable to move.
The four people stood in the center of the hall, like four statues under a spell.
Jircniv sat opposite Higashino Makoto, watching everything with his deep purple eyes and a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
"Mr. Higashino, your magic... is truly amazing."
"A little trick."
It's really just a trick. Higashino Makoto learned it mainly because it's easy to show off.
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup, stood up, and walked over to Arche.
He looked at her, at the fear, anger, and despair churning in her emerald green eyes.
Then he raised his hand and waved it gently.
"Put a weapon against your teammate's neck."
Arche's right hand moved.
She didn't move on her own; she was being controlled by something.
She raised her hand to the short sword, placing it against her neck.
Then, Hekkeran's right hand moved as well.
His short sword was pressed against Imina's neck.
Imina's rapier was pressed against Roberdyck's neck.
Roberdyck's mace was placed on Hekkeran's head.
Four men, four weapons, pressed against the vitals of the four men.
"What... what did you do?"
Arche's voice trembled.
"Let you all calm down."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Now, can we talk properly?"
He raised his hand and waved it again.
All four people regained control of their bodies simultaneously.
But their weapons were still held to each other's necks.
It's not that they're controlled by magic, but that they're afraid to move.
Because if they move, their teammates will die.
"Put down your weapons."
Higashino Makoto said.
All four men laid down their weapons at the same time.
The clanging of metal echoed through the hall.
Higashino Makoto walked back to the chair and sat down.
"Sit."
Four people sat down opposite him.
Arche sat in the front, Hekkeran sat beside her, and Imina and Roberdyck sat in the back.
They all looked very unwell.
Besides fear, there was also shock.
They had never seen this kind of magic before.
No, they had never seen such power before.
Absolute control.
Higashino Makoto.
Arche's voice was hoarse.
What exactly do you want?
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"I don't want anything; you came to me of your own accord. You didn't act like guests at all; you were like a bunch of thugs."
"I... we..."
You were too impulsive.
Higashino Makoto interrupted her.
"I understand how you feel. Your sister was sold, and you're anxious, angry, and desperate. But that's no reason for you to yell at me."
He paused.
"I didn't buy your sisters; someone bought them and gave them to me. I accepted them, but I didn't do anything to them. They're well-fed, warmly clothed, and sleep well with me. They're free; they can go wherever they want."
Arche's pupils contracted slightly.
"Free?"
"Yes, freedom."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair.
"They can stay here, go back to their parents, or go with you. I said, they are free."
"Then... then can you let me take them with me?"
"Can."
Arche's eyes lit up.
"Real?"
"It was true originally."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"But now, there are conditions."
What are the conditions?
Six hundred gold coins.
Arche's smile froze.
"What?"
"Six hundred gold coins. Give me the money, and I'll give you the person."
"But... you just said..."
"That was just now, and freedom isn't free. I originally only planned to take three hundred, but I just changed my mind."
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm.
"Your parents sold them for three hundred gold coins. I took them in, provided them with food and shelter, and ensured their safety. All of this requires money."
He paused.
"Six hundred gold coins, not a single one less."
Arche's lips were trembling.
"I... I don't have that much money right now..."
"Then go borrow, go earn, go find a way. I don't want to hear your grievances."
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip of black tea.
"I'm not a bad person, but I'm not a good person either. I won't give things away for nothing, even if I don't need those two little girls, and you're their older sister."
Arche lowered his head and looked at his hands.
A tear dripped onto the back of my hand, splashing out a small puddle of water.
Higashino Makoto.
Hekkeran's voice rang out.
"I can borrow, and I can earn. But it takes time."
"Okay, how long?"
"Three months."
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"I don't care. But I only have time for the next two months, and I can get the money to ransom them anytime within those two months."
He paused.
"I have to go out of town in two months, and I don't know when I'll be back. But don't worry, I won't do anything to them, nor will I resell them. I can just focus on making money from now on."
Higashino Makoto stood up.
"You may leave."
Arche stood up and bowed deeply.
"Thanks."
She turned and walked toward the door. Hekkeran, Imina, and Roberdyck followed behind her.
After taking a few steps, Arche stopped without looking back.
Higashino Makoto.
"Um."
"You just said not to treat me like some big bad guy, that would be scary. After all, if I were to do something bad, you wouldn't be able to stop me."
She paused.
I believe it now.
She stepped out of the hotel.
The door closed behind her.