Chatting with Russell was not particularly pleasant, because he was the only one enjoying it. A'e was not the first person to want to die, nor would she be the last.
"Since you don't want to answer, we'll temporarily define your gender as 'neither male nor female.'"
Russell claimed to be very open-minded and not the sort to nitpick. Putting aside his joking manner, he said seriously, "Answer me. Why are you following Perseus, and who ordered you to do so?"
The black arms tightened around her, choking A'e until she could not breathe. Her face flushed bright red, and she could not help crying out in pain.
The arms loosened slightly. A'e immediately said, "I can't answer that question, but I can guarantee that I won't harm Perseus. I've always been protecting him, and I've helped him through several difficult situations."
"Really? Where were you during the tsunami?"
Russell dismissed her words. The black arms tightened again, making every bone in A'e's body creak and crack beneath the strain. Her body twisted as she wailed in agony, sweat pouring down her face.
After loosening once more, a black arm extended from behind Russell. A Black Flame Greatsword protruded from its palm and pressed against A'e's brow. "Last chance. Whose orders are you following?"
Sensing Russell's tangible killing intent, A'e felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. Enduring the pain, she said with difficulty, "I can tell you, but you absolutely must not tell Perseus."
"No problem."
Russell readily agreed. A'e sighed. Though she knew he had no sincerity whatsoever, she still began recounting everything that had happened.
"First, my name is A'e. I was a human who refused ascension to godhood. Because of that, I was cursed and became immortal."
At the mention of immortality, a