38 Alliance?

The suggestion to work together was an absolute surprise to Dean.

To think that one day he would have an offer from the people who took part in a scheme that killed his friend and nearly himself.

It was not an exaggeration for Dean to feel somewhat speechless.

Making the offer much better was that the prime person involved is the very mastermind who planned for him to be murdered.

Having mixed feelings, Dean paused to contemplate in silence.

Anne and Pierre finally got Dean's attention and saw that he was already considering their proposition. To further the effect they brought more information for Dean to digest.

Starting the conversation, Anne tried giving context

"I'm sure you've heard of the engagement between Rose and Christian. Many important people were invited and allowed Christian to start gathering his own connections"

Dean nodded as he had already heard this from rumors in a canteen and it was not out of expectation for Christian to start developing a wider range of connections.

It was tough as he now had the connections from his family and with the other connections he got from school, he would be overall be a worry.

To make matters worse is that he couldn't underestimate Christian anymore.

Anne and Pierre were just first years who had reached Nascent Soul 1 at the very minimum!

Christian was approximately two years older than Dean meaning he has greater experience and cultivation.

Thinking that the [Battle Intent Manual] was unstoppable, Dean felt surprised at the pure strength Christian must have gathered in his years at Redwood Academy.

The idea to fight one on one in a battle seemed impossible at this information.

However his shock couldn't be shown to Anne, so Dean nodded in response.

Anne continued

"Lately, he has been taking advantage of his peers and juniors... he-"

Pierre suddenly cut in with a shallow killing intent hidden in his voice

"He is utterly disgusting. Trying to create a harem is fine but without consent is...scummy."

Pierre pulled Anne even closer to him and Dean finally got the gist of why Pierre had such a strange reaction to Anne's words.

The implication was that Christian was a lusting beast who wants to create a harem even if it means the sacrifice of his subordinates' wives.

Dean felt it was reasonable for Pierre to draw the conclusion that Christian was disgusting to try and take another person's wife however still waited for what they exactly wanted.

Stamping the ground in frustration, Pierre added more information

"Many of my brothers have suffered this disgrace and their wives have been humiliated to be forcefully claimed."

Anne softly whimpered before taking a deep breath and reclaiming her calm manner while Dean was left in thought.

For all that Dean could know was that this whole thing is an orchestrated act to later kill him.

This seed of doubt was planted and grew at a substantial rate however Anne exposed the reason for betrayal.

"Long ago, our actions were inexcusable but you should take it in your heart to somehow understand that Christian forced it to that."

"I had originally thought that he would've brought great fortune upon Pierre but if it comes at such a heavy cost...both of us can't accept it."

There was a slight sob as water ran down her face before it buried into Pierre's arm.

The act was extremely reminiscent of Dean's childhood but that made him even more guarded against what they could possibly plot.

Pierre saw that Dean was still contemplating and thought it was better to disperse and talk another day.

Walking deeper into the forest, Anne and Pierre's silhouette disappeared leaving Dean to stroll in the opposite direction.

If Dean was to snitch on Pierre and Anne then it was very unlikely for Christian to believe a random stranger, especially one that was sabotaged by him.

Dean would essentially be courting death if he desired to warn Christian but he decided until Pierre could give him something promising to go off of, would he consider helping.

The foundation of an alliance was trust.

Anne and Pierre had already learned their lesson of visiting without a disguise could cause a commotion.

Christian would surely have heard of this if they had brought Dean out during a busy day however they were thankful for the fact that most students were resting after an event.

The offer was overall a great deal but Dean was still stuck with suspicion. Leonard was too busy with alchemy, meaning Dean couldn't ask for help yet.

Sighing, Dean headed to the edge of the forest.

Unexpectedly a shadow had gotten in the way of that as the figure cloaked in black interrupted Dean's return

Under the figure's breath it muttered

"It is you...isn't it?"

The tone was extremely familiar and was not wrong to be accused of being a voice that could be rarely heard.

Dean had heard this voice only a few times.

He could never mistake it as she was the one person who watched, doing nothing.

A person that he considered to be neutral yet someone with enmity against him

Ayesha

She removed her black clothes one by one until it revealed casual wear, fit for school.

Chill temperament that appealed to most teenagers within the school, beauty that is capable of exaggeratedly destroying a country...was not effective against Dean.

It was not wrong to just simply say she was beautiful for anyone to appreciate but Dean thought her cold looks were similar to a snake.

Go too close and it'll hurt you.

All the trauma from his past was being brought out in front of him and the temptation on going on a rampage was difficult to resist yet Dean kept his hand.

More news and info was brought down upon Dean as Ayesha told him the reason for her visit.

"I need your help ... i'm being betrothed."