Facing each other were princess Arima and Maximilian. Around them, the two guardians and the soldiers following her, plus Lin-Lin, the slave panda-girl who wasn't missing a single part of the conversation from the side of the group.

"So? What can you offer, Princess?"

"Before we begin, do you think you could release the four soldiers behind you? They look kinda silly whit their foot buried in the ground like that."

Looking behind him, Maximilian was forced to agree with the princess. The four soldier were really looking pitiful, trying to take off their boots stuck in the ground.

"Yeah, they do look silly... alright, free you are, you four, but please do not bother us again, stay quite while we discuss. And just so we're clear, next time you try something like that, I bury you all entirely."

They didn't say a thing, just nodded in agreement and get back with the others.

"So, now that this is taken care of, let's get back to business."

Straightening themselves, Arima and her two guardians took a formal pose, ready to bargain.

"So? What is it you offer me? And before some of your companions try something stupid, be sure to ask Arca if it is an intelligent thing to try forcing me."

Maximilian spoke with a smile on his face, but there was no mistake possible, he would not be kind if some of them tried to attack him again. Still, one of the soldiers asked Arca what Maximilian meant.

"It's obvious, don't try to attack him or you die."

"Die? But captain, he is alone and we are..."

"Not enough to hope to win. Believe me, don't attack him."

All looked at her, then at Maximilian, but no one talked, except for Alariel.

"He is that strong?"

Arca nodded in agreement and Alariel turned back her look to Maximilian, a new light in her eyes.

"I knew it, I knew my spell couldn't be that easily protected against. What level are you?"

"I don't think that information is going to be useful for our transaction lady Alariel, why don't we keep my secrets a subject for after we're done?"

Once again, the tone was joyful, the man was smiling, but there was no mistake to be made, no more will he spoke about him before they were done. Maximilian looked at Arima again, pursuing their conversation.

"Lady Arima? I'm waiting for an offer..."

She kept silent for minutes, clearly reflecting on the subject.

"Why not telling me what you want?"

"Interesting question, may I ask you how you came to it?"

"Logic. You said you found treasures, I suppose you're not in need of money. I don't have the authority to give kingdom's land, so proposing it wouldn't be right. I think it is better to directly ask you what you want then thinking about it for too long, it would be a waste of time, ours and yours. So it is my turn to ask you, sir Maximilian, what is it you wish for?"

Imitating Maximilian earlier, she joined her hands and crossed her fingers just under her nose, smiling at him. Surprising everyone, Maximilian burst in laughs.

"Hahaha, that's a good one Princess, using my question against me, very good idea. Alright, you win. You gave me a good opportunity to laugh, I'll answer your question. What I want from you are two things. First, an oath."

"An oath? What oath?"

"How to explain... today, I give you what you seek, and in exchange, you will, on your soul, promise that one day, you'll agree to something I'll ask you. You won't know what that thing is until that day come. It could be anything, something trivial, or something more than serious."

"You mean...like a pact?"

The word seemed to shock the others around her.

"That's...Sir Maximilian, that's what demons do, making a pact with humans to abuse them and in the end taking their soul. Is that what you want of me? You want my soul?"

"Your soul? What the hell would I do with that? No, I don't want your soul Princess. All I know is that having a noble, a Princess, even a possible queen in the future, owing you something, is very valuable. But if that can reassure you, I can swear on my soul to not ask yours, would that be good?"

Arima was thinking, then talk with Arca and Alariel, voice down enough to not be heard by Maximilian who waited patiently. After some minutes, they nodded at each other.

"Alright, I accept. How are we suppose to make that oath?"

"Simple, we use rune magic."

Alariel stood from her seat, visibly shocked.

"Rune magic? You can use rune magic?"

Maximilian shrugged.

"Well, yeah. How do you think Arca got her sword like that? We didn't meet a gnome specialist in runes on our way back you know..."

"But, but...how? Rune magic is one of the rarest kinds of magic, how can you know about it?"

"Remember lady Alariel. Some of my secrets, after the negotiation."

"But, but..."

"Butt, butt, yours is lovely lady Alariel, nonetheless, I still have business with the princess."

This time, it was Arca who laughed a bit and Alariel who got red on her cheeks.

"How rude of you."

"Not so much rude as I am honest, can we pursue, please ?"

"Alariel, please seat."

"As you wish princess, just know I am not a rune magic specialist, I will not be able to see if he try to abuse you."

"You don't have to fear that Alariel."

"Arca?"

"Beleive me, he doesn't need to abuse us. If he wanted to hurt the princess, he wouldn't have to hide it."

Seeing the tension in the group, Maximilian decided to intervene.

"Do not worry, lady Alariel. This magic I'll use is a proof of trust, nothing more. It will show the princess has chosen to trust me, and I trust her word in return, nothing to worry about."

Maximilian extended his hand, waiting for Arima to do the same. As she did, they shook hands, and for a few seconds, some runes appeared on Maximilian and the girls hands, the two hands needing to be connected so the runes were completed.

"What does it say, sir Maximilian?"

"By those words, let it be heard that I trust you as much you trust me.

By my soul, I swear to honour the pact and the promise uniting us, after years if this shall be."

The runes wrote in blood red letters shined an instant before disappearing as their hands separated. Arima looked at her hand, visibly impressed.

"That's strange, I didn't even felt anything. It didn't hurt at all."

"It wasn't supposed to, Princess. "

"So, that's it? This will assure you I'll keep my word?"

"That? No, I don't need any assurance you'll keep your word, this is just a reminder. Each time you and I will shake hands, and as long as we trust each other, the runes will appear."

"I'm honoured you have so much faith in me, sir Maximilian. May I know the second thing you want of me?"

"That one is simple. What I want is a guide. As I've told you, This land is new to me, and I want someone to guide me, at least a bit. I want one member of your group to stay with me and guide me, out of here at first, and after that to your kingdom. I want to see with my own eyes that brother of yours."

"My brother? Why would you want to see him?"

"Two possibilities. One, he is a demon worshiper and I'll have him told me what he knows because I don't know anything about demons. Second possibilities, he is as good as you all think he is and is a great guy I'd like to meet. Ever way, I could at least learn more about your land while travelling."

"One of our group? Who?"

"I don't know. I know your two guardians must stay by your side, so not lady Alariel or Arca. Of course, you're also out of the choice list, I'm well aware of that."

Looking at the group, Maximilian let a little smile passed on his face.

"So? Who's willing to stay with me when the others will teleport back to Griffinia? Just so we're clear, this will mean going back the way you came on foot, climbing level after level of this dungeon back so we can reach the exit."

As he expected, there were none of Arima's companions who proposed.

One of the soldiers spoke his mind, actually what a lot of them were thinking at that moment.

"Going back in this hell? Are you mad? We barely passed the first time, and we had energy, supplies and the entire group. Don't take it personally, but the one who'll come with you would be following you to his death. "

Around him, the soldier's companion's voiced their agreement.

"Soldier, will none of you have the courage to step further? This is the last thing that's needed to be done to accomplish our quest. Lady Arima, maybe a reward...?"

At arca's words, Arima nodded in agreement before standing and facing the soldier's group.

"To the one who will stay behind, I offer to double his promised reward."

Once more, the soldier spoke.

"And what use would it be for us if we die here? We're sorry princess, don't force us to choose someone to die here."

"I'll do it..."

A small voice came from the side of the group. All turned to face none other than Lin-Lin, who looked down, not daring to look at them.

"The slave girl?"

"Silence soldier."

As Arca made the soldier shut up, Maximilian got to Lin-Lin and crouched in front of her. Using his hand to gently raised her head, he saw her worry eyes as she looked at him.

"Don't be afraid to talk Lin-Lin. Are you sure about this, I don't want you to force yourself..."

She shook her head from right to left.

"If it helps my mistress, I'm ready to die here."

Maximilian smiled at her, although it was a sad smile. Seeing this young girl ready to throw her life away like that, it was impressive and depressing at the same time. Arima stepped nearer the panda girl. The princess, nearly a head shorter than the slave, looked at her in the eyes.

"Are you sure Lin-Lin? You know the dangers we faced in here before."

Lin-Lin simply nodded in agreement.

"I'm just a slave princess, my life isn't worth your worry. I'm glad if by my action you're able to help the prince..."

As if she only know realised who she was talking to, she looked down, avoiding the Arima's eyes once again. Maximilian stood again, facing the Princess.

"Alright, give her to me."

"You're okay with her ?"

"I am. She is a slave, so I suppose you have to give her to me or something like that?"

"Yes, you're right, Lin-Lin, would you kindly?"

"Yes, Princess."

Turning around, she took off the rag covering her, only wearing pieces of tissues covering her privates underneath. Maximilian opened his eyes wide as he discovered what was on her back.

On the withe fur covering the major part of her back, a symbol had been marked with a red-hot iron, she had been branded, like livestock. The symbol was representing two fists crossed, one holding a whip, the other a pair of medieval handcuffs. This monstrosity was marking the girl's right scapula, covering it entirely and showing to everyone watching the status of the panda-girl.

"Princess Arima..."

"Sir Maximilian?"

"If someday you have to sit on the thrown, I sure hope that day will see the end of that kind of thing. Who in his right mind would marked a child?"

"I...I understand how you feel, I'm not very comfortable with this myself. Here, give me your hand."

Doing as told, Maximilian let the princess guided his hand, putting it on the symbol. Under his palm, he could feel the scar on Lin-Lin's skin, and tighten his teeth to not say anything. Arima placed her hand on his, and with some words, transferred the ownership of the panda-girl to him.

"That's done. By Griffinia's laws, the slave Lin-Lin is now your property, she is yours to do as you please with, and your responsibility as well."

She hesitated a bit then said.

"Please be gentle with her."

"I will, believe me."

"Fine then."

As Arima was going back to her guardians, Maximilian took a look at Lin-Lin who was now simply waiting, still in her underwears.

"Hum...aren't you cold? Why not putting this back on?"

"Am...am I allowed to do so master?"

* Oh god damn it.*

"Yes, yes you are."

"Thank you, master."

They came back to the group. Maximilian realised the soldiers were actively packing the camp away.

"You're leaving?"

Arima was the one who answered to him.

"Indeed. Thanks to you, we now have found what we were looking for. I am more than thankful for what you've done for us. When you will finally reach Griffinia, don't hesitate to come to the castle, I'll make sure you'll be welcomed as a guest of honour, as it should be."

"Would you do me a favour princess?"

"What is it sir Maximilian?"

"Please don't be too hasty about your brother. Your love for him is a wonderful thing to see, but take the time to find something to help you in your demand. Be assured that some will oppose to you, and they will underestimate you because of your young age. You've got two guardians you can trust, let them help you in your research. When we'll finally meet again, I'll also help you in the process."

He looked at Arca, who was seemingly trying to find what to say. He took her apart of the group for a bit.

"I haven't forgotten what you've said earlier, and I'll come look for you, be sure of that. While you wait, keep protecting the princess like you've done so far. But if I may make a suggestion, be careful."

"About what?"

"If someone is powerful enough to frame a prince, it is certainly not someone who will seat kindly as the princess look around. You've said it yourself, they could come after her, so stay on your guards."

"I will, you can be sure of that."

They came back to the other two. Alariel looked kinda annoyed to not being able to discover more of his secrets, and it showed on her pretty face.

"We still have an unfinished conversation, Sir Maximilian."

"It seems so, Lady Alariel. But know I am a man of honour, I respect my promises. So now, I can promise you we'll meet again, and I'll take the time to answer all you may have to ask... or at least partially."

She crossed her arms under her breasts, pouting a bit. Although it was funny and sexy at the same time, Maximilian decided to indulge the elf a bit.

"Don't be like that, you look like a child. Here..."

Maximilian picked up the elf's magic staff she had put down and inscribed a rune on it. Instilling magic in it, it made the staff shined a bit before he gave it back to her.

"What did you do?"

"A little present for you. This rune mean "accumulate", it will allow you to, while not in a combat situation, use your mana to charge your staff. Doing this, you will have a substantial supply of mana at your disposition when needed."

"A charging rune? I've never seen one of them before...thank you."

They discuss a bit while the soldiers were getting ready. Maximilian learned the journey to reach the capital of Griffinia would take Lin-Lin and him more or less two months, less if they used mounts. Arima had the idea of taking Maximilian with them to the capital, Alariel able to use the teleportation spell. But it was too far and the difference in level was too important for it to worked. Everybody in the group had their own teleportation scroll as a way of getting back.

Lin-Lin being now under Maximilian's ownership, the soldiers took with them the big bag she was transporting before, being filled with the camping and cooking stuff.

"We're all set, Princess."

Paron came to informed them they were ready to go.

"Is that so? Thank you Paron, let the soldiers get back, we will follow after you."

"Alright, my Princess. Sir Maximilian, it was an honour."

Paron and Maximilian shook hands. Seeing Marta was helping Milne getting up for the teleportation, Maximilian helped her.

"Thank you again for what you've done, I'll be sure to repay you if we see each other again."

"Don't say 'if', say 'when'. It's a fact we will see each other again. Once you're back in town, rest for some times, one day or two should do the trick, and please, avoid poisonous giant spider for some time would you?"

Milne laughed a bit before hissing, her abdomen hurting her.

"Ahaaouch, bastard."

"I know I know, be well you two."

They nodded and used two scrolls to disappeared. The other soldiers did the same, then there was only the three lady with him and Arima.

"Until next time ladies, it has been a pleasure."

"Same for us, sir Maximilian, be careful in here, there are very dangerous monsters up there."

"Don't worry princess, I'll be fine."

Patting Lin-Lin head, he smiled joyfully.

"I've got someone to guide me now."

"Very well, it is goodby then."

"Goodby"

And they disappeared, Arca and Arima by reading a scroll, Alariel using her magic. The group gone, it was only Lin-Lin and Maximilian now.

"Okay, it's just us now."

Maximilian took a look at his new slave panda-girl from head to toes. The young girl looking down, waiting for an order.

"How about you take off your clothes?"

She looked him straight in the eyes, terror on her face.

"Master?"