At Lena’s clinic, Mirelya’s eyes widened when she saw the man talking to the doctor.
In one swift movement, she grabbed her staff, rushed to Lena’s side, and pointed her weapon at the man.
— Run, Doctor!
Quickly!
I’ll hold him off.
Take Garrick with you if you can!
Lena looked at her with a confused expression.
— M-Mirelya?
Mirelya placed one arm in front of Lena while keeping her staff pointed at the man.
— Go!
I’ll hold him off!
The man calmly raised his hands.
— I believe I can explain.
Lena looked at Mirelya.
— Mirelya… you really know this man?
Mirelya’s eyes filled with anger.
— This man poisoned Garrick!
Because of him, we had to change our entire route just to get here!
Lena looked at the man.
— Is that true, Goro?
The man, now revealed to be Goro, answered calmly:
— Well…
I wanted to explain that.
Mirelya began casting a spell.
Goro watched her for a few moments.
Then, unexpectedly, he knelt down and pressed his head against the floor.
Mirelya and Lena stared at him for several seconds, completely dumbfounded.
Mirelya was the first to react.
— W-What are you doing?
Goro kept his head lowered.
— I apologize for my actions, but I needed to bring the hero to these lands without being forced to do so.
Lena’s eyes widened.
— T-The hero?
She looked at the two of them and then at Garrick.
— What is going on here?
Goro raised his head slightly.
— I hurt these young people, but not because I wanted to.
The Seer’s prophecy was revealed to me.
Lena’s eyes widened even further.
— She asked you to do this, Leader?
Mirelya frowned.
— Leader?
Lena looked at Mirelya.
— Goro and four other people are the leaders of Drakthar.
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
— S-SERIOUSLY?!
At that moment, they heard a knock at the door.
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
Both of them looked at Goro.
He stood up.
— I came alone…
I’ll see who it is.
Lena crossed her arms.
— This is my clinic.
Finish apologizing to Mirelya.
Goro began sweating nervously.
— Y-Yes…
Mirelya made an awkward face.
He really is a leader…?
Lena walked to the door and opened it.
— Welcome to the clinic~~~
She stopped mid-sentence when she found two people standing there.
A warrior dressed in white, with a shield strapped to his back, and a purple-haired archer were standing before her.
Lena blinked several times.
— H-Hello?
Goro stood up and looked at the two of them.
— Hmm… you two look like experienced adventurers.
The man with the shield stepped forward.
— Good evening.
My name is Dargan Stonehearth, and this is Sylvara Nightveil.
We’re looking for the group Leon sent.
Sylvara crossed her arms.
— We were told they came here.
Are you them, by any chance?
A half-assed mage and a half-dead man?
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
— W-What?!
How dare you call me that, you… you…
Dargan sighed.
— Forgive my partner.
She tends to get impatient when she’s anxious.
Sylvara immediately retorted:
— Me, anxious?
Speak for yourself!
You’re the one dying to get back and stuff yourself with barbecue.
It’s disgusting watching you eat.
Dargan looked at her with a serious expression.
Goro watched the two of them for a few moments.
— You two are far too strange to be simple adventurers.
Mirelya pointed her staff at Goro.
— All of you are strange!
Especially you, Goro.
Do you really think I’m going to fall for that?
Goro sighed.
— Let’s talk outside, but first…
He walked over to Garrick.
Then he took a small vial from his pocket and poured its contents into Garrick’s mouth.
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
— GET AWAY FROM HIM!
She immediately pointed her staff at Goro.
Lena grabbed her arm.
— No, Mirelya!
Look!
Mirelya turned her eyes toward Garrick.
The small dark veins spreading across his chest began disappearing, one by one.
Lena watched carefully.
— That’s the antidote to the poison.
Mirelya was completely dumbfounded.
— B-But… what the hell is your deal, old man?!
You hurt us and now you’re healing us?!
Goro answered calmly:
— I never intended to kill you.
Only the hero could choose that option…
He turned toward the door.
— Let’s talk outside.
I believe a calmer environment would be better for this young man’s recovery.
Garrick suddenly stood up.
— AAAAAAAAH!
Everyone looked at him.
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
— G-Garrick?!
Garrick quickly raised his fist toward Goro.
Goro closed his eyes and lowered his hand.
BAM!
The punch landed squarely on Goro’s face.
The impact was so powerful that Goro went flying through the clinic, crashed through the front door, and landed outside.
Garrick gritted his teeth.
— You damn old bastardttt!
Mirelya immediately grabbed Garrick.
— Calm down, Garrick!
I don’t understand either, but he really doesn’t seem like he wants to kill us.
First, I want to hear what he has to say!
Garrick continued shouting.
— Let me go!
I’M GOING TO KILL HIM!
Outside, Goro calmly began getting back up.
— It’s good to be young…
The antidote barely took effect, and you’re already full of energy.
Hehe.
Garrick began dragging Mirelya along with him while she tried to hold him back from behind.
— GARRICK, HE GAVE YOU THE ANTIDOTE!
Garrick immediately stopped struggling.
He looked down and remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
Then he frowned and looked at Goro.
— Seriously?
Mirelya sighed.
— Put your shirt on and let’s hear what he has to say.
Garrick looked at Dargan and Sylvara.
— Fine… so where am I?
Meanwhile…
Ren was sprawled out on the ground.
After a few moments, he began to get up.
— You… what are you?
Lioren extended his hand toward him.
— I need you to come with me, hero.
Please.
Ren looked at his hand.
— Oh, sure.
You throw me off a horse and now you want to be polite?
Ren assumed a fighting stance.
— I don’t know who you are, but if you want to walk away from here in one piece, get out of my way.
Lioren remained calm.
— That girl seems to be carrying something one of your friends needs, right?
— I just want you to come with me and help me with something.
Ren stared at Lioren’s long canine teeth and red eyes.
— No way.
Ren threw a punch at the ground with all his strength.
BOOOOM!
The impact was so powerful that it opened a crater in the ground, sending a huge amount of dust into the air.
Ren thought:
Great… now I’ll run.
He began running in the direction the horse carrying Lysera had gone.
After a few steps, however, Ren stopped.
Lioren was standing in front of him.
— That trick won’t work on me…
Ren’s eyes widened.
— How do you know where I am?
Lioren answered calmly:
— Just give up and come with me.
Ren frowned and watched him for several seconds.
Then he said:
— Look, I didn’t want to hurt you, but I don’t have a choice…
Ren threw a punch toward Lioren.
Lioren easily dodged the attack and, in the same instant, grabbed Ren’s arm.
— I’d rather not hurt you.
Ren’s eyes widened when he realized Lioren was right beside him.
— Y-You… those teeth… you look like a… vampire!
Lioren narrowed his eyes slightly.
— Oooh?
Ren tried to hit him with another punch.
But Lioren simply disappeared before his eyes and reappeared several meters away.
— What do you know about vampires?
— Weren’t you a hero from another world?
Ren was surprised.
— Ah… in my world, there are stories and games about vampires.
You look quite a lot like one.
His eyes widened.
— Oh, no… do you want my blood?
Lioren made a doubtful expression.
— Stories?
He became thoughtful for a moment.
— So we actually reached your world?
I didn’t know that.
Ren gritted his teeth.
— That’s enough!
No vampire is going to suck my blood!
Ren pushed off with his feet and jumped.
In midair, he prepared his right fist to strike Lioren.
Even if I can’t hit him, I’ll hit the ground again.
I should be able to escape underneath.
When he was only a few centimeters away from Lioren, the vampire quickly moved past Ren.
Then he placed a hand over Ren’s face and, with a single movement, hurled him against the ground with all his strength.
— AAAAAAAH!
Ren crashed violently into the ground.
Now bleeding, he tried to understand what had happened.
— W-What happened…?
I-I didn’t even see…
Blood ran from his mouth.
Lioren looked at him.
— Like I said…
I’d rather not hurt you, but you gave me no choice.
He paused for a moment.
— But I learned something valuable about you.
Ren’s eyes widened.
Lioren crouched down in front of him, bringing himself to eye level.
— Your strength is monstrous…
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
— But your defense is extremely fragile…
Lioren then picked Ren up and placed him over his shoulder.
He began walking.
— I’ll take you to someone who will analyze you.
During the last few seconds he remained conscious, Ren muttered:
— D-Damn…
Then he closed his eyes.
Everyone at the clinic began coming outside, one by one.
Lena then looked at Garrick and said:
— Garrick, I suggest you avoid strenuous physical activity for the next few days.
Garrick bowed and replied:
— Thank you, Doctor.
Lena smiled slightly.
— Y-You’re welcome.
Now, everyone was outside.
Dargan looked at Goro and asked:
— You… your name is Goro, right?
— Yes…
Mirelya pointed at Goro indignantly.
— Start explaining yourself!
Garrick lowered Mirelya’s arm and said:
— What do you want, anyway, Goro?
Goro stared seriously at Garrick.
His mouth opened, but just as he was about to say something, Sylvara interrupted:
— Where is the hero?
Mirelya answered:
— He went to the main city to get the antidote with another companion of ours.
Sylvara nodded.
— Then let’s go there.
Goro watched the two of them for a few moments before asking:
— What exactly did you two come here to do?
Dargan looked at Goro and answered:
— We came to support Leon’s group.
Goro narrowed his eyes.
— Hmm…
I wanted Ren to come here, but you two aren’t his companions.
He paused briefly.
— So I’ll ask again: what did you come here to do?
This time, Goro’s expression was serious.
The atmosphere seemed to change completely.
Even the air around them became heavy and silent.
Dargan began to sweat nervously.
— Our mission… is…
Lysera appeared riding the horse, shouting:
— THE ANTIDOTE!
THE ANTIDOTE!
She quickly got off the horse and, upon seeing everyone outside the clinic, widened her eyes.
— Garrick?
What’s going on?
Then she noticed Goro.
— Aaaah!
Stay away from him!
What happened to you guys?!
Mirelya raised one hand.
He’s going to explain everything to us.
But… he gave Garrick the antidote.
Lysera blinked in confusion.
— Huh?
Sylvara watched Lysera carefully.
Then she reached for the small pouch attached to her waist.
Goro immediately noticed the movement.
Dargan, meanwhile, asked:
— Where’s Ren?
Lysera’s eyes widened.
— Ah!
We need to hurry!
A man pulled Ren off the horse!
Ren told me to come here and give Garrick the antidote!
Garrick’s eyes widened.
— What?!
A man pulled Ren off the horse?
What do you mean?
— They started fighting… probably.
Mirelya immediately grabbed her staff.
— Then let’s go help Ren!
Sylvara continued staring at Lysera with an utterly serious expression.
— Dargan…
Dargan immediately understood what she meant.
— I know…
Let’s wait for now.
Goro looked at the two of them.
— Come on, you two as well.
Didn’t you come here to support the hero?
Dargan and Sylvara, both sweating nervously, exchanged glances for a few seconds.
Sylvara was becoming increasingly impatient.
— Let’s go rescue this Ren already.
You two can continue your little romance later.
Garrick frowned.
— What’s your problem, girl?
— Too much talking makes me sleepy.
Come on!
Come on!
Where was this Ren, hood girl?
Lysera looked from side to side, slightly awkward.
— M-My name is…
Sylvara interrupted her again:
— Screw your name.
Just tell me already.
Let’s go!
Mirelya frowned and clenched her fist.
— Don’t you think you’re being a little too arrogant?
Lysera then pointed in a direction.
— Ren was that way!
Sylvara looked toward where Lysera was pointing.
— Ah, finally!
She then ran ahead of the others.
— Big guy, cover me!
Dargan sighed as he started running.
— Damn…
I already told you I’m heavy…
He began running more slowly behind her.
Goro then looked at Garrick.
— May I come with you?
Garrick stared at him.
— Answer me first.
What do you want?
Goro became serious.
— I am one of the leaders of Drakthar.
And Ren was foretold by the Great Seer of the Kingdom.
Goro continued:
— And I need him.
He really needs to hear about the future.
Lysera gritted her teeth.
— Damn it…
Then let’s go!
And everyone began running.
After several minutes, some of them were already exhausted.
However, Sylvara, with her lungs working at full capacity, still managed to ask:
— So?
Is this really the way?
Mirelya was panting.
— Hah… hah…
How are you… hah… not tired?
Lysera was also breathing heavily.
— It was this way… hah…
Sylvara observed the area.
— I don’t see a body or any blood.
Maybe our mage friend can sense the magic in the air.
Mirelya replied, still panting:
— No need to tell me… hah…
Dargan and Goro arrived together, side by side.
Dargan looked at Goro in surprise.
— Hah…
You’re not even tired, Goro?
Goro calmly answered Lysera:
— There’s a huge crater here… this is recent.
You said Ren was fighting here?
Then he must have lost.
Garrick’s eyes widened.
— What?
Ren?
No way!
Mirelya quickly replied:
— Of course not!
He already beat a dra…
She stopped speaking immediately.
— He’s pretty strong.
Sylvara and Dargan narrowed their eyes slightly but remained silent.
Then Goro noticed something on the ground.
A white strand.
He approached it, crouched down, and picked it up.
— Is this… hair?
Goro’s eyes widened.
— Oh, this can’t be!
He stood up.
— I think he may be very far away.
Dargan asked:
— How do you know?
Goro pointed at the ground.
— There are footprints here.
Random ones, as if a fight took place.
And I found this strange strand of gray hair.
Sylvara quickly pulled a blade from her pouch and lunged toward Lysera.
Lysera immediately drew her dagger.
The two blades collided with force.
CLANG!
The metallic sound startled everyone around them.
Lysera’s eyes widened.
— What are you doing?!
Sylvara kept her blade pressed against Lysera’s dagger.
— You’re an assassin-class!
Are you sure you didn’t help kill him?
Dargan immediately grabbed his shield.
— I find this suspicious as well.
And besides… she smells like a vampire.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
Sylvara continued:
— We’ve fought one of them before… and we almost died.
Lysera became even more confused.
— W-What?!
W-Wait!
Vampire?
The man got very close to me and pulled Ren away from behind me!
Sylvara pressed even harder against the blade.
— Then explain this!
— W-Wait!
Mirelya stepped forward, worried.
At that moment, a hand appeared over Sylvara’s arm.
It was Goro.
— That’s enough.
She’s Ren’s companion.
With a simple movement, Goro lowered Sylvara’s blade.
Sylvara was completely dumbfounded.
I-I didn’t even see him move…
And he didn’t even look that strong!
Dargan let out a sigh.
— Enough, Sylvara.
Let’s find the hero.
He can’t be dead!
Dargan crossed his arms.
— A strand of hair…
If we had a high-level mage, we could track whoever took this Ren.
At that moment, everyone heard Mirelya begin chanting a spell.
She raised her staff.
— By the traces left behind in this world, by the essence that remains beyond time… reveal the path of the one I seek!
Mirelya pointed her staff at the strand of hair.
— Tracking!
Everyone looked at her, impressed.
The tip of Mirelya’s staff, which had been normal before, began glowing red as it pointed directly at the hair.
Mirelya stared at the staff.
— I…
He must be pretty strong.
Sylvara’s eyes widened.
— Y-You can do that?
Lysera looked at her in confusion.
— Why would a tracking spell be difficult?
Garrick explained:
— Because of the distance.
The magic activates as soon as it locates the target, but it drains your mana drastically.
Lysera’s eyes widened.
— Oh…
She looked at Mirelya.
— Mirelya!
Mirelya began sweating and breathing heavily.
Then she dropped to one knee.
Lysera quickly ran over and caught her.
— I’ve got you!
Mirelya glanced at Lysera and smiled slightly.
— Hah…
Thank you, Lysera.
Garrick placed a hand against his body, still feeling the effects of the poisoning.
— I’m still not feeling that well…
Goro looked at him.
— In your condition, you’ll only be able to fight tomorrow.
You just had a strange reaction earlier.
Stay at the clinic.
Garrick shook his head.
— I can’t do that.
Ren already risked himself for us.
I’m not going to make up an excuse not to help him!
Everyone was surprised and looked at Garrick.
Sylvara asked:
— And what happens if we fight and you can’t help?
Garrick smiled slightly.
— At the very least, I’ll use my body as a shield for you.
Dargan’s eyes widened for several seconds.
Everyone remained silent.
Then Goro began clapping.
— Clap, clap, clap!
Excellent!
That’s a warrior.
Fine, I’ll go with you too.
Mirelya looked at him.
— What?
Goro answered:
— I wasn’t planning on coming along, but you really can’t die, Garrick, can you?
Garrick smiled.
— I appreciate the help.
Then Goro slowly bowed.
— I’m sorry for poisoning you.
I just needed the hero…
He hesitated for a moment.
— …for all of you to come here.
Garrick then said:
— I-It’s fine.
Raise your head.
All that matters now is finding Ren.
Mirelya suddenly raised her head.
— I did it!!
She pointed her staff toward an area filled with trees.
— He’s… in that direction.
A few kilometers from here.
Dargan looked toward the indicated location.
— But that direction is…
Sylvara finished:
— The Demon Kingdom!
Lysera swallowed nervously.
— T-The Demon Kingdom?
Mirelya began walking in that direction.
— W-We have to go!
Lysera looked at everyone and thought:
If it were just the three of us, we’d be screwed!
Meanwhile, Goro thought:
I’ll miss today’s meeting… but it’ll be worth it.
Heh.
Dargan walked behind Sylvara and spoke quietly.
— Sylvara, they’re hiding something.
—I noticed.
They corrected themselves before saying something that was almost revealed…
What do we do, big guy?
Dargan thought for a moment.
— For now, let’s follow them.
And that Garrick was serious!
Sylvara looked at him.
— What?
What are you talking about?
— He really will sacrifice himself for anyone here.
I saw it in his eyes.
I’m telling you because I don’t think you noticed.
Sylvara replied:
— I did notice, but…
I’m not going to let that happen.
Dargan frowned.
— You… protecting someone?
Sylvara frowned and began walking ahead of Dargan.
— Let’s go, Dargan.
The mage is already up ahead!
Dargan watched Mirelya in the distance and thought:
And this mage, too… she can track someone from this distance without completely exhausting herself?
Who are they?
Then Dargan began walking behind everyone.
Lioren carried Ren over his shoulder as he approached Lythera’s castle.
It took a little while, but at least I made it.
Upon reaching the castle, Lioren ran toward the building.
Then he bent one leg.
FWOOSH!
With a supernatural burst of strength, he leaped toward the castle and landed silently in front of a window.
Lioren opened the window and entered the corridor.
Without making a sound, he began walking lightly down the corridor until he reached a gray door.
He opened the door.
On the other side was Lythera’s laboratory.
She was inside, busy working with several vials.
Lioren entered while carrying Ren over his shoulder.
— Here is the hero. Get faster updates on g.com.
Lythera jumped in surprise and dropped one of the vials.
— A-Aah!
You scared me!
She looked at Lioren and then widened her eyes when she realized who he was carrying.
— Huhhh?
Is that the hero?!
What did you do to him?!
Lythera quickly grabbed a stretcher and pushed it toward the vampire.
Lioren placed Ren on the stretcher.
Lythera looked at him angrily.
— I told you not to hurt him!
Lioren answered calmly:
— You told me not to kill him.
And that is exactly what I did.
He turned his back.
— I did my part of the deal.
Now yours is left.
Lythera looked at him.
— Fine, but I have a lot of things to do first.
At that moment, a loud bang echoed against the door, as if someone had struck it angrily.
Lythera looked at Lioren.
He already had his hand on the door and was beginning to leave.
— You’d better fulfill your part.
You’re only the shortest path, Lythera… remember that.
Lythera frowned.
— Y-Yes, I understand…
What’s gotten into you?
Lioren simply continued walking away without saying anything else.
Ren was now lying on a stretcher, with several magical crystals pointed at him.
Lythera was standing beside him.
Ren slowly woke up.
— AAH, you’re awake.
These crystals are checking everything that exists within you.
Ren’s eyes widened.
— Huh?
Where am I?
What is this place?
He looked at Lythera for a few moments and realized she was watching him closely.
Ren became a little confused.
— I-Is this… a dream?
Lythera frowned in confusion.
— A dream?
You were knocked unconscious, and now you’re in my laboratory.
She pointed toward some nearby crystals.
— I’m not going to hurt you, but I need these crystals to analyze you.
Ren looked at the crystals.
— These crystals?
They can do that?
— What are you going to do to me?
She answered calmly:
— I’m going to analyze you and learn more about what you are… and also about the strange things related to this world.
Ren watched Lythera pick up a pen and begin writing something on a clipboard.
— W-Wait a second… this world seemed kind of… ancient.
And now I’m in a technological laboratory?
What the hell is this?
Lythera continued writing.
— Oh, I’ve been collecting almost everything that exists around the kingdom.
Ren’s eyes widened.
— Collecting?
I don’t understand.
— Surely you’ve seen something appear or disappear out of nowhere.
Or even some strange object you had never seen before suddenly appear.
Ren became thoughtful.
Then he remembered the pineapple vendor saying that the fruit had simply appeared.
Just like that time when they ate pineapple?
Lythera continued:
— You’re a strange hero.
You don’t behave like the others who came here.
And it also seems that Drakthar knows more about you than they’re willing to tell…
Ren’s eyes widened.
Drakthar…
I’m not in Drakthar?
Lythera then introduced herself:
— You’re in the Demon Kingdom now.
My name is Lythera.
Lythera Veyron, daughter of Kaelthar Veyron, the current Demon Lord.
Ren’s eyes widened even further.
— A-Ah… like in the manga I used to read?
Lythera tilted her head slightly.
— Manga?
What is that?
Ren swallowed nervously.
— A-Are you going to dissect me?
Lythera answered with the same calm expression as before:
— Open you up?
That won’t be necessary.
Ren stared at her.
She says that so calmly…
Lythera continued:
— I’m going to talk to you while these crystals absorb the energy you possess and some of your knowledge.
I’ll use that together with resonance and…
She gave a small smile.
— It’s better to do it than keep explaining.
Heh.
Ren remained lying down, simply looking at her.
After a few moments, he muttered:
— I feel heavy…
Lythera answered:
— You’ll feel better soon.
I’ve also restrained you for now and cleaned up the bleeding.
Lythera continued:
— As for these crystals, they used to be quite common.
They’re excellent!
Ren frowned.
— Why “used to be”?
Don’t people use them anymore?
Lythera sighed.
— Everyone stopped using them because of a commandment from the goddess Luminarya.
It appeared as magic engraved into the stones of her teachings.
Ren looked confused.
— Stones of teachings?
I…
I’m lost.
Lythera looked at him and laughed.
— You don’t even know the human kingdom properly?
What kind of hero are you?
Haha!
Ren puffed out his cheeks slightly.
— I-I just appeared in this world.
I wasn’t born here!
Lythera fell silent for a moment.
— Yes…
I know.
And do you remember your world?
— Yes, I remember.
Lythera asked curiously:
— And how did you come here?
Do you remember anything?
Ren looked at the ceiling and began remembering.
— I remember everything.
I remember that I was driving a truck…
It’s basically a large carriage that doesn’t need horses.
I was driving one and got into an accident because I was careless.
Ren paused briefly.
— I remember…
Misaki, my friends.
I remember that my sister is now… alone.
Lythera’s eyes widened slightly.
— A-A carriage without horses?
Misaki?
What’s your sister’s name?
Ren answered:
— My sister’s name is Matsuda Touka.
She was three years younger than me.
Knowing that she’s alone now makes my chest… ache.
Lythera watched one of the crystals.
A purple crystal began glowing faintly.
Ren continued:
— I feel as if she’s holding my hand.
Almost like she’s squeezing it tightly.
Sometimes, I hear her voice saying that I’m going to get better…
But all of that is nonsense.
I already died, and I’m here now.
Another crystal, this time red, began glowing faintly.
Lythera brought the nail of her thumb to her mouth, slightly startled, as she looked at the crystal.
Ren then looked at her.
— And what about your family, Lythera?
Lythera blinked.
— Huh?
Me?
Why do you want to know?
Ren smiled slightly.
— I told you about my family.
It would be nice to hear your side too.
Lythera smiled faintly.
— My father is the Demon Lord, and my brother is a deranged lunatic who only thinks about destruction.
My mother was one of my father’s subjects.
I haven’t seen her since I was ten years old.
That’s it.
Ren noticed her expression.
— Ah… you don’t seem happy.
Sorry for asking.
Lythera began laughing.
— Hahaha!
Ren became confused.
— W-What is it?
Lythera looked at him.
— It’s the first time a human has apologized to me.
Ren’s eyes widened slightly.
— Ah… really?
And do you ever go out?
Lythera tilted her head.
— Why?
— Ever since I woke up, I’ve had the impression that you just stay in here.
Lythera sighed.
— Ah, well…
I really don’t go out much.
I’m trapped in my research.
I want to learn more about this world.
There are many truths left unsaid in the commandments of this goddess Luminarya.
She then smiled.
— And later, you’re going to tell me more about that carriage that doesn’t need horses, okay?
Ren replied:
— After I find out if my friend is okay, then yes.
Lythera watched Ren for several seconds.
— You… seem very loyal to your friends.
Was this Misaki your friend too?
Ren’s expression completely changed.
— Misaki…
She was my girlfriend.
We broke up a few years ago, but I also had a group of friends.
Lythera was slightly surprised.
— She was your girlfriend…
I see.
She must have been devastated by your… accident.
Ren gave a small smile.
— She probably doesn’t even know.
She was in another country, enjoying her new job and… she had a fiancé too.
Lythera’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Ren and then at the purple crystal.
— She… is with someone else?
I’m sorry for bringing it up.
Ren began laughing quietly.
— Hehe.
Lythera looked at him, confused.
— Why are you laughing?
Ren answered:
— It’s the first time a demon has apologized to me.
Lythera was completely speechless for two seconds.
Then she smiled.
— A-Are you stealing my words?
Haha!
Ren smiled.
— Just a few.
Heh.
Lythera watched the purple crystal, which began glowing less brightly.
Then she asked:
— And… your friends?
Do you remember their names?
Ren answered immediately:
— Of course I do.
From school until I was twenty-five, we always saw each other.
Yamada Riku, Kanzaki Mio, Fujimoto Takeo, Yamamoto Souma, Takase Hina, Kurosawa Hanae, Takumi, and Sakamoto Aoi.
Ah, but she got married, so now she’s Yamamoto Aoi.
Wow…
I really miss them.
Lythera lowered her head slightly.
— F-Friends…
Ren looked at her.
— What?
Lythera quickly brushed it off.
— N-Nothing.
Just a little longer, okay?
Ren answered:
— Okay…
Lythera discreetly watched the purple crystal and thought:
The purple crystal… it activates something whenever he becomes restless.
I wonder what it is.
Ren then asked:
— What about you?
Besides your family, do you have friends or… someone special?
Lythera thought for a moment.
— The closest thing I have to friends are the guards here.
And someone special…
She sighed softly.
— We demons don’t base our relationships on love, but on power or status.
Even marriages.
Ren’s eyes widened.
— Seriously?
Ah…
Lythera continued:
— My father wants me to introduce a fiancé soon.
Otherwise, he’ll hand the kingdom over to my psychopath of a brother…
Suddenly, Lythera’s eyes widened and she dropped the pen and clipboard.
— WAIT!
Ren jumped in surprise.
— Aah!
I’m already lying down!
You don’t have to yell at me to wait!
Lythera quickly moved closer to Ren’s face.
Her eyes were shining, and a huge smile spread across her face.
Then she said:
— How would you like to pretend to be my fiancé in front of my father!?
Ren fell silent.
The room became completely quiet.
A few seconds passed.
Then Ren shouted:
— WHAAAAAT?!