As soon as Hadavy was freed, he took a deep breath, collapsing to the ground and coughing violently.
Confused, he put his hand to his chest, frowning. It took him a moment to get his bearings, looking around. He found himself in a completely different environment. At first, he just looked around, his skin rapidly turning metallic, ready to defend himself from any harm, but the next moment he froze.
Not Ringo, not Aesop, but Ames, sitting there calmly, still with her glass of wine in her hand, looking at him with evident interest.
Hadavy closed his ass so fast he could have cut a carrot.
His eyes wide, his mouth open, his breath caught, no, his whole body was frozen, staring at the woman with the greatest shock of his life.
Ames let out a soft snort, finding it fun, clearly, this situation had amused her.
Hearing the soft sound, Hadavy seemed to wake up. He knelt down so quickly that he even confused Ringo. Hadavy's speed seemed to have doubled for a brief moment. Had he activated some kind of ability just to kneel?
This only left Ringo even more speechless than Ames, who stared at Hadavy in surprise.
-I apologize!- Hadavy shouted as loudly as he could.
He regretted it, damn it! Why did he mess with a Grade S subordinate? Now he's not only been captured, but taken straight to the Dragon Emperor!
Hadavy didn't think about running away or fighting, he'd already seen a BGA fight in person, he wasn't stupid enough to think he could do anything but die.
Hadavy used the second of his tricks, when running away doesn't help, apologize! Apologize in the loudest voice and as low a posture as you can!
Under the stunned gaze of Ringo, Aesop, and Ames, Hadavy dared not move, even his metallic body was retracted. He knew it would be of no use now, it made no difference whether he kept it or withdrew it. He could only die if Ames wished it so.
Ames let out an amused laugh, she seemed to understand why Ringo brought this guy along, he was genuinely funny. Ames went from indifferent and slightly curious to amused and entertained, for Hadavy, that meant only one thing, he no longer had the option to refuse.
-Hadavy, isn't it?- Ames asked curiously, setting her wine glass aside and resting her chin on one hand, her posture appearing both intimidating and suggestive.
Hadavy did not raise his head, he simply replied. -Yes, Oh, great and mighty Dragon Emperor!
This time neither Ringo nor Aesop could contain themselves, both burst into laughter, Ames' lips trembling, concealing an emerging smile.
Taking a deep breath, she made up her mind, she found Hadavy interesting enough, so she spoke. -Two options, die...
Hadavy almost cried when he heard that, he could barely contain himself from turning and running, but even so, any option was better than death.
-...or become my subordinate.- Ames concluded.
Hadavy froze, literally, he stood there like a statue, still not looking up. It took him a moment to slowly raise his eyes, his doubts evident, but he wanted to confirm if Ames was serious.
She was.
-Excuse me, Dragon Emperor, do you want to recruit me?- Hadavy swallowed hard before asking with some difficulty.
The woman merely raised an eyebrow, not deigning to reply, instead, her eyes glowed with an uncanny green as Hadavy felt a force field envelop him.
Hadavy's eyes widened, he shouted quickly. - I accept! I accept! I will be your subordinate! Your most loyal subordinate! Your greatest shield! Even if it's a Grade S, I will stand in front of you! ...
Hadavy wanted to continue speaking, but Ames rolled her eyes and sealed his mouth, preventing him from speaking, only his sad eyes remained, staring at her with evident fear.
He didn't want to die.
A subordinate of a BGA? Hadavy never considered it, he didn't think anyone deserved a subordinate as good as himself. Besides, he wanted to become a BGA himself, he didn't think he was inferior to any other BGA, he just needed more time!
Of course, for the moment, Hadavy set aside any unrealistic dreams, even if Ames asked him to take off his clothes and let her use him right there, he would do that favor reluctantly.
If Ames knew what Hadavy was thinking, she would have already squeezed him into a mass of meat, luckily, Hadavy isn't that stupid.
Ames shook her head, this guy is a bit amusing, but that's it.
She removed the force field and looked at Ringo. -Since you brought him, show him around and explain the rules to him.
-Sure, should I bring him to training later?- Ringo raised an eyebrow, amused.
Ames looked at Hadavy, still confused, but simply waved her hand. -Do whatever you want.
Ringo smiled, grabbed Hadavy's shoulder and helped him up, pushing him away as he went.
Hadavy didn't complain, instead, he quickened his pace as soon as he stood up, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.
Holy shit! He regretted it so much! Looking at Ringo beside him, he knew that this was another Grade A subordinate of Ames.
Ames had four known Grade A subordinates, Ringo being the least known among them.
Black Spider was the most famous among them, followed by Bradd and finally Trax, Ringo was among the most hidden. Well, now with Hadavy, there are 5.
Since he didn't know much about Ringo, Hadavy didn't say much. Usually, he could ignore another Grade A, but he had just joined the Floating Dragon, so it was best not to irritate his 'Guide'. Instead, he asked curiously.
-How did I get here?- He asked, lifting his shirt and looking at his smooth chest, without any depression, if it weren't for the surroundings, he would have thought everything he witnessed was a dream.
-Teleportation. - Ringo shrugged.
Hadavy had expected a longer response, but seeing that Ringo wasn't speaking, he rolled his eyes and let it go, instead thinking about something else, his eyes widening. - And my ship?
Ringo spoke slowly. -It was taken by Black Spider, don't worry, since you're one of us now I won't steal from you.
Ringo didn't want Hadavy to leave randomly, he could have chased after him, but it was better for him to stay of his own accord, so Ringo didn't plan to make things difficult for him.
Hadavy sighed with relief before saying. -Thank you.
-You're welcome.- Ringo glanced at him briefly, then looked away. The fellow was polite when he wanted to be, Ringo's first impression of him was of a suicidal idiot, but at least he was talkative.
Hadavy finally put that aside and asked curiously. -What's this about training?
Ringo simply smiled, without looking at him, and replied with a weak laugh. - Ah... you'll like it a lot.