Wilhelmina and Alastor were truly in two different positions. At this moment, they couldn't reach an agreement, let alone have the same thinking.
Wilhelmina bore a greater responsibility.
Including Shana, and also the entire Flame Haze Army.
Meanwhile, Alastor's thinking was far simpler. He was always protected by Wilhelmina.
At this moment, he finally had Shana, whom he could protect to prove himself.
He definitely wouldn't let go of this opportunity.
In a certain sense, his attitude was indeed somewhat extreme, but those who are cherished tend to be bold.
Perhaps Alastor didn't think at all about how difficult the Flame Haze Army's position in the world currently was.
The silence between the two of them didn't last long.
Alastor was the first to speak.
"I don't care how you think, but I feel my thinking isn't wrong, and won't affect the entire Flame Haze Army and Shana."
Then he stared sharply at Wilhelmina, as if very dissatisfied with her decision.
"On the contrary, the hypocritical words you spoke actually place Shana in a dangerous situation."
Wilhelmina showed no emotional turmoil because of Alastor's words, because she also knew that persuading him about Shana's protection couldn't be done with just one or two sentences.
"Listen to me. We're in a very dangerous situation. I can't always protect you all, and protect the entire Flame Haze Army at any time."
Wilhelmina's eyes no longer showed the hope like when she looked at Shana.
"The person who just came, we have absolutely no power to stop him. It's hard to predict how many more people with such power will come here to seize Shana."
Shana was indeed very valuable to them, symbolizing hope.
But what worried them more was whether they had the power to maintain this hope.
Clearly, Hikaru's appearance had shattered their confidence.
And the conditions he proposed were very tempting.
In other words, actually it wasn't them who were being recruited, but rather Hikaru himself who was actively protecting them.
Although nominally not so noble, but from practical benefits, it was indeed like that.
Wilhelmina stepped forward two steps, embracing Alastor.
"We're all for the entire Flame Haze Army, for Shana!"
Wilhelmina's eyes were full of persuasion, full of hope to hear Alastor nod.
But the more it was like that, the more complicated Alastor's heart became.
He slowly pushed away Wilhelmina's hands that were on his shoulders.
He calculated carefully in his heart.
"Alright."
Just this one simple word made Wilhelmina feel relieved.
The relationship between them actually couldn't be called negotiation, let alone notification.
What Wilhelmina hoped for was that their thoughts were truly aligned, like what she saw now.
The smile at the corner of Wilhelmina's lips couldn't be hidden: "Just waiting for these words from you."
She pulled Alastor's hand, and immediately walked out toward the outer hall, completely not noticing Alastor's gloomy expression behind her.
Hikaru saw the two of them come out carrying Shana, and smiled casually.
He thought to himself, didn't expect it would be finished this quickly.
"Indeed Wilhelmina, efficiency is truly your synonym."
"The Shin Emperor praises too much. We already feel honored to achieve cooperation like this."
Alastor didn't listen to their conversation at all.
Instead, he stared sharply at this stranger whom Wilhelmina respected.
He didn't understand what magic this person possessed, that made Wilhelmina surrender and tell him to follow.
What was worse, she even handed over Shana whom they had always cherished!
Alastor firmly would not let something like this happen.
He definitely wouldn't let Shana fall into the hands of a villain.
Hikaru glanced at Alastor beside Wilhelmina.
He didn't mind too much about it.
"May I see Shana?"
Hikaru's speaking style was always so simple and direct. He didn't want to waste other people's time at all, let alone his own time.
Frankness was his motto.
Alastor tightly protected Shana in his embrace, with no intention of releasing her at all.
Instead, Wilhelmina quickly eased the awkwardness that almost occurred.
"Of course."
Wilhelmina nudged Alastor's waist with her elbow, a small gesture.
Alastor only then came to his senses from his sharp stare earlier.
He only stepped forward slightly, gesturing that Hikaru could only take a quick look.
He also had no intention of handing over Shana.
Hikaru also didn't mind these small matters, but gazed at Shana who was enveloped by Alastor's suspicion.
At this moment Shana was still in baby form, completely hard to imagine her valiant figure when she was on the Transcendent List.