Hearing that Xia You was willing to trade the Orbs, Maxie felt a surge of delight, but his face remained impassive.
"A traitor like her naturally can't remain in Team Magma," he said flatly. "She's no use to me anymore. If I can exchange her life for the Orbs, at least that puts some trash to good use!"
There was no denying that Maxie's words were an absolute godsend!
But that also had to do with his personality. Since he had already decided Courtney was a traitor, everything about his former subordinate disgusted him. He wanted to kill her immediately, so how could he bring himself to say pretty words he didn't mean?
Xia You showed no reaction as he turned to Courtney. "Did you hear that? You don't belong to Team Magma anymore. Your leader said so himself. Once I get you back in this exchange, you'll belong entirely to me, body and soul!"
Courtney looked up at him, her gaze filled with complicated feelings.
She truly hadn't expected Xia You to be willing to trade the Orbs for her!
Just as they had mentioned earlier, her life was insignificant compared to all of Hoenn. She hadn't even held out any hope herself, yet...
All her countless thoughts fell away, leaving only one.
Looking up at Xia You, she gave him a faint smile and nodded, her eyes bright.
"I understand."
Turning his gaze back to Maxie, Xia You said calmly, "I agree to the exchange, but how do I know you won't go back on your word once you have the Orbs?"
Maxie snorted. "You have no choice but to trust me."
"That won't do." Xia You shook his head. "Your character is hardly trustworthy. This deal needs to feel safe for me, at least!"
Maxie asked in