Felix immediately spotted the flaw in Vishy's words, and sure enough, Ash asked it too. "In other words, there was actually no need to undo the Ruby Chains from the start?"
"I don't want to argue with you." Vishy gazed faintly at Ash and said in a low voice, perfectly justified, "I just wanted to take advantage of the situation and trick you into removing the chains. What's so hard to understand about that? Did you really have to embarrass me at a time like this?"
Why are you making it sound like it's my fault... Ash was caught between laughter and tears. He thought for a moment, but still shook his head. "I told you I'll help you complete the Trial. You don't need to face it alone."
"But don't you still need to help the Sword Maiden Witch?" Vishy's voice was weak and listless. Even this low-level argument exhausted her so much that she looked like a half-drowned dog fished out of the water, a thin sheen of sweat seeping from her whole body. "You don't have to bother with me. Wouldn't it be better to focus on helping them?"
At any other time, Ash would have wondered if Vishy was jealous and saying the opposite of what she meant, but the current Vishy had no room for Sarcastic Insults at all. She genuinely thought that.
As Ash wiped the fine sweat from Vishy's neck, he asked, "Why do you want to complete the Trial on your own so badly?"
"Because I can. Isn't that reason enough?"
"Not enough." Ash suddenly cupped Vishy's face, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Were you lying just now? Do you have a Wish you need my help to fulfill?"
Vishy wanted to look away, but Ash leaned right in front of