Apparently, Fiammeta wanted us to assist her in a kind of suicide. She no longer had the strength left to lift her sword nor the strength to escape. In her mind, her only hope was for us to end her life instead of taking her prisoner.

"It seems your plans are to be consumed by your own power," I said, looking into Fiammeta's red eye.

Fiammeta did not really have heterochromia; her eye simply showed us part of what was happening inside the girl's body. It was to be expected Fiammeta was not a magician; she was self-destructing by using the magic of such a powerful Gift with no affinity for it.

Her case was very different from that of Nili, who had an elven body, and the magic she used from her Gift was minimal.

"A sword in the belly, or falling dead destroyed from within... They are better options than being eaten alive," Fiammeta said mockingly. If you expect me to give up, it's because you haven't seen what I have.

"I've seen quite a few things... but they are anecdotes for another time. Now, the truth is that I'm getting tired of wasting time."

"What are you talking about?" Fiammeta said, spitting out more blood as she stepped back a little, probably for the futile attempt to pick up her sword, which had fallen a few meters behind her.

"My lord means for you to shut up and learn to listen," Nili said, positioning herself behind Fiammeta and blocking her path.

"First of all, we are not from the city guard, nor have we come at their request," I said after letting out a sigh at the absurdity of this situation. And, of course, we have no intention of capturing you or causing you any harm… at least not more than what you just incurred.

"And what do you want then?" Fiammeta said, annoyed. She staggered, and Nili had to hold her so she wouldn't collapse.

"You, of course."

"Me?"

After a few minutes of silence, Fiammeta's expression changed to one of surprise; it seemed that she had finished processing what she had just heard. Her gaze alternated between me and Nili.

"You aren't just any magician if you carry around an elf... But I'm the leader of the Fire Fists; I'm not going to sell myself that cheap."

"The Fire Fists are mostly behind bars; I don't think they are a card able to elevate your price..."

"That's not what I mean..." Fiammeta said, lowering her head. "They are what is left of the Canimios House's servants, a bunch of brainless who wanted to follow me even though I was no longer anyone. I can't leave them behind."

"I see... What do you think of this?" I said while thinking of my wallet and suffering inside because of the decision I had just made. "What do you think if, in addition to your bail, I also pay the ones of the members who were caught? I plan to make you one of my magic knights; later, I can employ the rest of the Fire Fists as magic soldiers.

"Are you serious?" Fiammeta raised her head; her bloody eye was closed, but the emerald one was open wide, and she shone with hope." Not only would you make me a magic knight, but would you also accept all of my people?

"Of course. I've had my eyes on you for days."

Fiammeta slowly looked at me and then at herself.

"Do you want me to undress now, or will you check my body later?"

"…" Me and Nili.

It's true that unlike Nili, who had a more athletic body, Fiammeta had a bit more flesh, especially on her thighs, so I was quite curious about… Why am I thinking about this?! This is neither the time nor the place!

Nili blushed furiously again and let go of Fiammeta in her surprise, who almost fell to the ground, but she managed to grab hold of a nearby wall.

"Ahem… The first thing is to make a magical contract to control the situation of your body. We won't do something as elaborate as the elf ceremony, but this is definitely not the place."

Fiammeta almost drowned when she appeared in the tower. But it was to be expected as she went from walking through the alley to finding herself underwater in the next moment. Even Nili, who knew what she was in for, couldn't help but swallow some water.

After everyone had recovered from the shock, Anna took Fiammeta to bathe and change clothes. They weren't artifacts, but I had collected some over the years for women as well, thinking I could have some female companions in the future who might need them.  

The thing was, they were kind of sexy, not by my decision (really!) I have already explained that in today's world, magicians like to show off the bodies of their followers, and armor and clothes of that style were the most popular and best made... It's not that I'm complaining, though.

Anna took a reasonable amount of time choosing what to dress Fiammeta with. According to her, the same Fiammeta who had offered to show herself in her entirety just hours ago had been quite embarrassed by some of the options. But in the end, she decided on one that showed off her best qualities regarding her body… she also knew it was her thighs.

Anna returned to the room of water surrounded by pillars, followed by Fiammeta. While we were waiting for them, I was showing Nili some parts of the world that I could connect the image with, but when the girls arrived, my attention focused on the contract.

But not before taking a look at Fiammeta's new clothes. She wore a white blouse with very wide sleeves and gold and red embroidery from her bust-up. Under this, there was not much more clothing.

From what appeared to be the top of a "corset armor" dropped a golden cloth that divided itself in two above the exposed navel and parted to reach both sides of an open skirt. This opening revealed armor in a shape similar to the bottom of a wide bikini. To finish, she was wearing red boots that went above the knee.

"Master, you don't need to undress her with your eyes; just give the order, and I'll undress her for you!"

"!" Nili.

"Ahem! Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. Fiamme, it's contract time."

"Fiamme?"

"Yes, I was thinking of following the tradition of this group. Does it bother you?"

"I like it, thanks, Argyros." Said smiling the newly named Fiamme.

The contract didn't take long; while Fiamme repeated traditional words of loyalty, I circulated my magic inside her. She didn't even have to wait a day for her red-eye to regain its scarlet color. The magic circle also disappeared. It will surely reappear when necessary.

It is worth mentioning that I will wait to give Fiamme an artifact; she first needs to get used to using the true power of her Skill.

Also, naturally, I revealed my true identity to her. She almost fainted from surprise, but it took her much less time than Nili to treat me normally again.

Now. It was disappointing that Fiamme didn't have real heterocromía; it's an interesting look. Maybe in the future, I will find someone who does. But I also need some male followers, or instead of an army, people will believe I'm making a harem. I won't force it, though; magick knights of the opposite gender are pretty standard. It helps both sides to connect; you can imagine why.