"...You said you wanted to talk to me?"
Chrollo's elegant voice rang out.
"If you're willing to land the airship right now and release me, I could actually spare your friends after I kill you, provided they pass Pakunoda's inspection and she confirms that no one else will ever know those secrets of yours."
A Luo: "..."
What a joke!
If she hadn't wanted to live, why would she have spent so long matching wits with the Spiders? She could have simply slit her own throat on the first day she met them.
After considering for a moment, A Luo sneered at Chrollo.
"You said you have no value as a hostage?"
Chrollo said nothing.
A Luo burst out laughing.
"Chrollo, aren't you taking rationality a little too far?"
Chrollo had no idea why A Luo would say that.
A Luo stopped keeping him in suspense and said bluntly,
"You're right that the Phantom Troupe can't be tempted by fame or fortune. But you're wrong when you say you have no value as a hostage."
"I can't speak for everyone, but Pakunoda, Machi, and even Shalnark, Uvogin, and Franklin definitely don't care as little about whether you live or die as you claim!"
The little cloth pouch swayed slightly, as though the man inside wasn't quite as calm as his tone suggested.
"Yes! The Troupe Rules say the Phantom Troupe comes first. Even you shouldn't stand above it, and they can abandon you if necessary. But Chrollo, do you really think you're so easily replaced? If the Phantom Troupe loses you, where will they find another head for their Spider who can measure up to you?"
"You're taking far too much for granted, thinking it doesn't matter if you die at any moment. But Pakunoda, who can see this as