I look at Zaku, who suddenly offers to help, with a sharp, wary gaze.

"You kidnapped Leah and now you want me to believe you ......?

　Last August, this guy kidnapped Leah and held her captive.
　Somehow he's hiding us now, but he's not someone to be trusted so easily.

"Haha!　It's heavy, cold, and extremely deadly. ......!　It looks like you've been through a lot of rough patches in the past few weeks!

　Zaku smiled belligerently and stared straight back.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"...... I think I'll be fine.

"Leah ......?

　Unexpectedly, a voice came up in Zaku's defense.

"Listen, Allen. When I was locked up in the Phantom Institute, one of the researchers took advantage of the fact that my hands and feet were shackled to go to the ...... and try to do something strange to me. ...

"...... what?

　I've never heard of it.

I've never heard of that.

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's something you'd want to do.

(How dare you humiliate the immobile Leah? .......) You've got a lot of nerve, .......

　As soon as the blood rushed to my head, a black darkness began to cover my body.

I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to make of it.　I'm glad you feel that way, but you need to calm down!　That was a last minute attempt, and I really didn't do anything to you!

　Leah looked flustered and waved her hands in a wide, flapping motion.

"Well, that's good to hear .......

　As I patted my chest, she continued her story.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I'm talking about. When I was about to be attacked by a dangerous researcher, Zaku saved me.

Zaku saved me when I was almost attacked by a dangerous researcher. I miss it now. I've missed it now. ...... Ngh, puh-lease!

　Zak opened the second bottle and poured the bubbling liquor down his throat.

I'm not saying he's a good guy, but he's not a bad guy either. In fact, even now, he's hiding us. ....... I'm not saying he's a good guy, but he's not really evil.

　Leah said with a serious expression, such a suggestion.

...... Yeah, maybe.

　If what you're saying is true, then it seems that this guy is a straight up bad guy.

(Come to think of it, Zak is a former holy knight. ......)

　He didn't tell me why he switched from being a holy knight to joining the Kuro Organization. .......
　You can be sure that he was once a man of justice.

(As Leah said, it might be better to ask for Zak's help here. ......)

　This room we're in now is the tenth floor of Belios Castle, the living quarters of the general population.
It's not practical to sneak out of the castle without the help of an insider.

"...... Zaku, can I have a word with you?

"Haha, of course I can!　It's really interesting to know what the purpose of the "rare glitter" is for coming to the empire. ......　I'd love to hear it!

　And so, in order to gain the cooperation of my former enemy, Zak Bombar, I decided to briefly explain the current situation.