I'm falling in and out of consciousness. As the trial — or negotiations — continue, I keep making the same mistake. I look at that handsome beast and start fantasizing about stuff.

Completely inappropriate things.

And the fantasies keep going and escalating and stray far away from reality until I catch myself.

Then I became embarrassed.

The System can read my mind, including these dirty thoughts. Get a grip, Leona.

This is a serious situation. I can't let Alexandra down. Focus. Look him in the eye.

And as soon as I look at that handsome face again, I'm going on another loop.

Come on. Not during these serious negotiations. But at least they don't expect me to talk.

Fenna is the first to speak up out of the blue.

She provides her eyewitness account of the Champions. Then Hana recounts the same events.

Charlotte confirms what she can, and the trial turns into a semi-official court case.

I'd be in trouble if I had to talk, but they manage without me. Thank God.

"Your accounts convinced Us that Omerta is innocent. We approve of the solution the Thirteenth Champion offered. We name her Our Ambassador." The Demon Lord concludes.

I didn't even have to tell about the time I fought the First Bride, and Omerta didn't have to confess. He had all the details to make this decision, but I'm worried about what's next.

"As for handing over the Princess—"

"No." It's a single word, that's all my kinky fantasies let me bark, and Omega looks surprised.

"We didn't even—"

"A no is a no. I'm not giving you that poor girl. She's like fourteen." Finding my voice and roots in reality, I surprise myself too. "You have to explain first, what you want to do with her."

Yes, he's a freaky asshole.

He wants children's blood and has a harem. Bad.

Don't fantasize about him, especially not something like getting rough-handled against your will.

No matter how good it would be. I mean bad. Very bad. Terrible.

So bad it would feel so good. Oh, shit, here we go again on another loop, but someone distracts me.

"Wow, girl, you got some balls to talk down to the Demon Lord like that." A Beastfolk in a red tunic and a ridiculous pointy hat meows in the silence. When did she get here?

She looks so out of place that it's impossible to miss. So who did I?

[Notice: You were comatose, for the last two hours.]

What?! Two hours? That's how long the negotiations went about Omerta?

But that was such an obvious case. And what was I doing at that time?

[Repeat: You were comatose.]

This Demon Lord guy is dangerous. Even if he's weak, — but he doesn't look like it, — he has scary effects on the mind. I'm sure everyone else struggles with the same feelings.

[Nope, it's only you.]

I'm sure everyone else present has the same issues.

[Repeat: It's only —]

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There is no way the others aren't affected by his insane brainwashing powers, end of the argument.

So who's this catgirl in red? Another Bride? She also looks like sixteen, jeez.

[Notice: You can ask her. Using your mouth. You won't listen to me anyway.]

You know what? I will.

"I made myself clear before this meeting, that I'm not handing over innocents for a blood sacrifice. Whether it would take her life or not, it's not the balls, it's the spine you need for that."

[Notice: You talk about the spine while playing sexual fantasies in your head on repeat. That shows that you don't have one. And you didn't ask for her name.]

Shush. Everything when the moment is right. Also, screw you, System.

"We aren't in a place to discuss all Our secrets with you." The Demon Lord is getting impatient and he knows I'm not Alexandra. So why won't he expose me?

Is it because I know he's weak, but didn't expose him either?

Are we in some 4D chess match without me realizing it?

Let's hope I'm winning that, I have a crazy high WIS score after all.

[Notice: And you act like it was a negative score.]

I'll show you what a high WIS looks like.

"And I'm not in the place to hand over my guests to someone acting so hostile. I need guarantees and explanations first, then we can talk." Crossing my arms, I hold my ground.

"Guarantees?" He raises his eyebrow, his crimson eyes dancing around like flames.

It's hard to hold his gaze but at least this threat helps me suppress my wild fantasies.

"Yes. We formed a Neutral League bound to defend each other from the nearby tribes. Whether it's the First Bride's armies that come to harass us, or yours."

"I don't care who rules the land, but we won't go to war for anyone. And we don't want any war rage within our borders either. Whoever threatens our autonomy is an enemy."

"And you started the negotiations by demanding an innocent child to use her blood. You arrived with an army to judge your Champion. Of course, I'm wary of your intentions."

The dead silence from both sides tells me I've overdone it.

[Notice: They are only surprised. You didn't contribute in the last two hours, looking like a teenager in love. Your statement in comparison was harsh and uncompromising.]

I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult, but that's how I felt.

The Demon Lord takes a deep breath and nods.

Looking at him now, even I'm surprised I could get those words out.

"We acknowledge the Neutral League. If you promise not to side with the enemy, We will allow the other tribes to gather under the Thirteenth Banner too." He makes the concession.

Another long silence. Then my Orcs and the other tribesmen gathering in the last hour burst into applause. Wait, did I win? Did he promise to leave our league alone?!

"But." Oh no, he continues. "We need a solution about the Princess and her royal blood."