Higashino Makoto looked at the hand she had extended.
"Your body?"
"Yes, including my body."
Echidna's lips curled up slightly, but the smile was shattered the next moment.
"Not enough. I can have any woman I want, why should I sacrifice so much for you?"
Higashino Makoto looked completely at ease with himself.
"I possess power, even the ability to resurrect, to grant immortality, to manipulate memories... There are very few things in this world that I can't do. Do you think I'd lack women?"
"Or do you think I can't handle a soul? To be honest, I'm perfectly capable of getting what I want directly from your mind; you have no right to bargain."
Higashino Makoto was not lying.
Isn't the so-called soul just something similar to a ghost?
Ghosts are not particularly special beings in the world of YGGDRASIL.
Whether it's killing or controlling ghosts, it's something he can do.
"Want to try? See if I can kill or even enslave your soul."
"You're really shameless to even do something like this."
Echidna's smile vanished completely. She sat down again, took a sip of tea, and calmed herself down.
"So, what is the real purpose of all this talk between the powerful Higashino and my weak and pitiful witch soul?"
Higashino Makoto sat down, picked up a cup of tea from the tea table, and began to drink.
Hmm, the citrus-flavored black tea tastes good.
"Heh, haggling, huh? I've revealed my trump cards: the existence of New World, magic for resurrection and immortality, and the power to kill you. Now, shouldn't you renegotiate your offer?"
Higashino Makoto picked up his cup of citrus-flavored black tea, took a small sip, and looked at the silver-haired witch across from him through the rim of the cup with his golden eyes.
After Echidna finished speaking, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and a cunning glint flashed in her dark eyes.
She leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped on her knees, her posture as elegant as a cat that had just cornered a mouse.
"My knowledge and Wisdom are at your disposal, along with the souls of the remaining five witches."
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying an undeniable certainty.
"In return, you must take me to other worlds and resurrect us."
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"You're quite the businessman."
Wouldn't it be more efficient to solve all the problems at once?
Echidna tilted her head, her long, silvery-white hair slipping down her shoulder.
"Besides, you just said you don't lack women. What if there were six? Six unique and special female souls, each with their own distinct characteristics, becoming your personal collection. Is that price enough?"
As she spoke, she turned the information about the other five witches into a booklet and handed it to Higashino Makoto.
Looking at the photos, Authority, and strategy guides above...
Higashino Makoto felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth; it wasn't like he was playing a visual novel.
He looked at her, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.
"Not enough."
"Why?"
"Because they are not yours, you have no right to make decisions for them. However, if they wish, I can grant them some small wishes."
Even so, he still picked up the booklet containing information about several witches.
Echidna's smile froze for a moment.
Then, a voice exploded from behind her.
"Echidna--!"
The voice was crisp and sharp, carrying a suppressed, impending outburst of anger.
A golden light condensed behind Echidna, transforming into a petite figure.
Dark brown skin, short grass-green hair, and crimson eyes.
She was wearing a blue and white striped sundress and a blue floral headpiece, and she stood there looking like a cat with its fur standing on end.
Typhon, the Typhon Witch.
She stood with her hands on her hips, her bright red eyes glaring at Echidna, her cheeks puffed out.
"You've made decisions for others without their consent again! It happened last time, and the time before that too! Can't you even ask for someone else's opinion?!"
Echidna didn't turn around; she simply picked up her teacup and gently blew on the steam.
Even if I asked, you wouldn't agree.
"Then you should ask even more!"
Typhon stomped his foot, the ground making a dull thud.
"I disagree! I disagree with selling myself to a stranger! I disagree with going to some other world with you! I disagree--!"
"Typhon."
Another voice came from the shadows, languid and hoarse, as if just waking from a long afternoon nap.
Long, crimson-purple hair cascaded down from the darkness, almost completely covering her body.
Her skin was a sickly bluish-white, and her lips were almost bloodless.
The Sloth Witch, Sekhmet.
She lay slumped on the table, too lazy to even lift her head, simply staring at Typhon with her half-open, half-closed eyes.
"Stop arguing... I'm so tired..."
"Sekhmet! Say something too!"
"What are you saying... Anyway... it's all the same wherever you go... just lie down..."
Typhon's lips twitched, then he turned his head and glared in another direction.
"Daphne! And you? Are you really willing to be sold off?!"
A huge, Centipede Coffin made of wood and metal slowly emerged from the darkness.
Inside the coffin, a gray-haired girl with pigtails was curled up, tightly bound by a straitjacket.
Her eyes were covered by a black blindfold, but a relaxed smile played on her lips.
Daphne, the Gluttonous Witch.
"Sell? No, I'm not selling."
Her voice was youthful yet calm, carrying a composure beyond her years.
"It's a deal, Echidna is negotiating a deal. And that man smells interesting."
"Interesting?!"
Typhon's voice rose an octave.
"What's so interesting about it?!"
"Everywhere is interesting."
Daphne tilted her head, her gray hair brushing against the straitjacket.
"He smells of the outside world. He just said he doesn't belong here. I want to go see the outside world, to see if there's anything to fill my stomach."
Typhon opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.
She turned her head and looked in another direction.
"Carmilla! What about you? You won't be doing the same—"
A figure emerged from the darkness.
She had long, light red hair that reached her waist, a slender figure, and a lovely but ordinary face, like any girl from a village.
She lowered her head, her light red eyes staring at her toes, her hands clasped together in front of her, her posture timid and shy.
Carmilla, the Witch of Lust.
"I..."
Her voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.
"I... I feel... if... if I could live a peaceful life... without... being looked at like that anymore... without... making others lose control anymore..."
She raised her head, her light red eyes glancing at Higashino Makoto through the gaps in her hair, before quickly lowering her head again.
"I... I do."
Typhon's mouth gaped open even wider.