Seeing the teacup in front of Shiroyasha was empty, Kurousagi quickly stood up to refill it.
However, as she poured the tea, her mind drifted slightly.
Kurousagi truly didn't want to give up hope of restoring No-Name to what it once was. For that, she was willing to sacrifice everything.
But... some things couldn't be achieved by sacrifice alone.
Even if Kurousagi was willing to pay any price, could she, as merely a Four-Digit, really accomplish it?
Wasn't even Shiroyasha looking utterly helpless?
This hope could only be called a faint glimmer.
"Ehem, Kurousagi, the cup's almost full." Aslan whispered, gently reminding the daydreaming Kurousagi. Spilling tea would be a bit impolite.
Kurousagi snapped back to reality and smiled apologetically at Aslan and Shiroyasha.
But as she looked at him, her eyes paused for a moment, and without anyone noticing, a hint of sadness flashed across them.
After all, if not for the unknown Demon Lord's attack, Aslan would most likely have become her friend—or even her junior.
Kurousagi was well aware of the strategic value of Aslan's abilities, as well as his exceptional talent in logistics and business.
Although Little Garden was a super-magical world filled with gods and demons, and even Three- and Two-Digit beings could create worlds without difficulty. For Seven-, Six-, and even lower Five-Digit communities in the lower layers, spatial items and dimension-related Gifts were extremely expensive.
Most communities still transported goods by horse-drawn carts and had to pay special fees when crossing boundary gates.
The item cards Aslan created could completely solve this problem. If sold, they would surely be in high demand.
As for strategic value, the ability to freely travel between Little Garden and the outer worlds was valuable enough on its own.
Especially within No-Name—a community without any adults—they desperately needed a reliable, mature adult, or a leader.
As for Kurousagi herself? She didn't feel she could bear that responsibility.
It would be wonderful if Aslan could join No-Name.
But the reality was, Aslan had now become Shiroyasha's god's follower, practically joining Thousand Eyes.
The person who should have been her ally had already been taken by Shiroyasha.
Yet, Shiroyasha seemed to notice the sadness in Kurousagi's eyes. She glanced sideways at Aslan, then back at her.
A mischievous smile appeared in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Staring at my god's follower for so long?"
"Kurousagi likes my follower?"
As she said this, Shiroyasha pulled Aslan forward, patted his shoulder, and pinched his cheek.
"Look at this strong body, this handsome face, and this incredibly promising Gift."
"Kurousagi, it's natural you'd be enchanted."
"Hey, boss, that doesn't sound like a compliment, does it?"
Hearing Shiroyasha's description, Aslan's face involuntarily filled with dark lines.
"It sounds exactly like you're selling a male slave!!"
"Ehem, don't focus on the details."
Shiroyasha casually waved her hand, signaling Aslan to keep quiet.
But upon hearing the word "enchanted" from Shiroyasha, Kurousagi felt a little flustered. Her face turned red.
Even her originally blue-pink hair and rabbit ears turned bright cherry pink, showing just how intense Kurousagi's emotional shift was.
Oh no, this is bad!
Desiring someone else's follower, and now being caught by the owner—how could she handle this awkward situation?
In Kurousagi's mind, Shiroyasha had already realized she was eyeing Aslan and intended to take him.
Most importantly, she did genuinely want to take Shiroyasha's follower.
And the intuition of powerful beings was terrifying. Clearly, Shiroyasha had already seen through her intentions.
"So, Kurousagi, do you want to buy him?"
"Sorry, Lord Shiroyasha, I shouldn't have thought of taking Mr. Aslan!"
Kurousagi and Shiroyasha spoke at the same time.
But Kurousagi was momentarily stunned by Shiroyasha's words.
Meanwhile, Shiroyasha wore a sly smile, watching Kurousagi fall right into her trap.
Satisfied, Shiroyasha picked up her fan and tapped it against Aslan's still-sturdy body.
"So, Kurousagi, how about three photo books in exchange for him?"
"Hah?"
Aslan and Kurousagi froze in silence.
"So, boss, you're just selling me like this?"
Aslan said sorrowfully, clutching his chest. The boss he had just acknowledged, the great boss he had just found?
Was she really going to abandon him like this?
It hurt—indescribable heartbreak!
"You brat, act normal!"
Shiroyasha couldn't take it anymore and smacked Aslan's forehead with her fan, creating a large bump on his head just like in anime.
Smoke even seemed to rise from the bump.
Aslan immediately winced in pain and crouched into a corner,
Hugging his head and crying...
"I only told you to guard them at the No-Name base. This is a test for you!"
Did she really have to bring Aslan along with her instead of leaving him at No-Name for training?
Sorry, Aslan wasn't a beautiful girl.
And Shiroyasha didn't want any other male creatures in her life!
"Alright, boss. Good that you're not abandoning me."
Overjoyed, Aslan immediately lunged forward and tightly hugged Shiroyasha's leg again. In Little Garden, without a powerful boss, it was like playing chess without a helmet.
It was completely unsafe.
How comforting that the great boss wouldn't leave him.
Then, Shiroyasha recoiled in disgust, distancing herself from him.
Well, that was one reason. At least Shiroyasha wouldn't like a male creature who kept hugging her leg.
So sad and angry—when will we men ever rise?!
Only Aslan remained, crouched in the corner.
"So, Kurousagi, what's your decision? Three photo books to employ this guy for three years?"
Shiroyasha said confidently. For just three photo books, she could get a high-potential asset—a Five-Digit god working for her for three years.
It was a win-win, wasn't it?
"I... "
Kurousagi looked at Aslan crouched in the corner, hesitating. She felt uneasy involving him.
Moon Rabbits were a dedicated and self-sacrificing race, but they only sacrificed themselves—they never considered sacrificing others.
She even felt guilty just for involving an innocent person like Aslan.
Shiroyasha, of course, saw exactly what Kurousagi was thinking. She lightly kicked Aslan.
"The photo books will be increased by one."
Instantly, Aslan perked up. He looked at Kurousagi, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
He couldn't wait to dedicate himself to Kurousagi!
Sorry, sold? What was sold?
This was clearly the boss's kindness!
This was clearly the boss's test!
(Boss Shiroyasha, I deeply respect you!)
(Boss, you're truly the best boss in the world!)