Ren’s mouth fell open when he heard Lythera’s proposal.
She, on the other hand, was smiling as if she had just found the perfect solution to all her problems.
— E-Engagement?
— Yes, yes!
Ah, how did I not think of this before?
Ren scratched the back of his head, visibly awkward.
— S-Sorry, but…
I don’t think you’ll like me.
We barely know each other and…
Lythera immediately interrupted him.
— It’s fake!
It’s just so my father will stop bothering me about leaving the kingdom to my brother.
— Ah… even so…
Lythera gave him a small smile.
Then she spun around once, almost as if she were showing herself off.
— Oh, I’m not that ugly.
Come on, it’s not exactly a sacrifice.
Ah, and I’m wearing a lab coat, haha!
Ren’s eyes widened slightly.
— But you’re not ugly.
You’re beautiful.
That’s not the problem, it’s just that…
Lythera interrupted him again.
— B-Beautiful?
She froze completely for a moment.
— I-I’m beautiful?
Ren blinked.
— Y-Yeah, of course.
Don’t you have a mirror?
The two of them fell silent for a few seconds.
Lythera then gave a small smile and looked away.
Little by little, her face began to turn red.
Ren noticed and became awkward as well.
— S-Sorry…
I didn’t mean to say it like that.
I-I just…
— R-Relax, Ren.
I understand.
Thank you.
Lythera took a deep breath.
— We’re done here.
Ren got up from the examination table.
— So, can I leave now?
Lythera gave a small jump, surprised.
— I-I thought you were coming with me!
Ren looked at her incredulously.
— You want to go now?
— Of course!
You’re going to introduce yourself as my fiancé.
It doesn’t matter if you’re human…
I think.
Ren’s eyes widened.
— You think?!
— Oh, come on!
You help me with this, and I’ll…
— I’m worried about my friend!
Ren immediately interrupted her.
Lythera sighed.
— Aah, fine…
Let’s see your friend first.
Then you’ll help me, right?
She extended her hand toward Ren.
Ren sighed and took it.
— Ah…
I never thought I’d end up getting engaged like this…
Lythera frowned.
— It’s fake, Ren.
Now let’s go see your friend.
Ren gave her a small smile.
— Thanks, Lythera.
The two of them began walking toward the lobby.
However, as soon as they reached the hallway, Lioren suddenly appeared.
Lythera jumped in surprise.
— L-Lioren?!
Don’t scare me like that!
Lioren calmly looked at her.
— How is the research going, Lythera?
— We’re making progress.
Soon we’ll know what the barriers of this world are and how to open them.
Lioren nodded.
— Good.
I’m glad you’re keeping your end of the agreement.
Lythera then pointed at Ren.
— But now we need to take care of something personal involving Ren.
After that, he’ll help me with something too.
Lioren’s expression immediately darkened.
— Absolutely not.
You said you were going to focus on your research!
— I can’t do anything if my patient has imposed conditions.
This procedure can’t be forced, you know?
Lioren looked at Ren.
Then a threatening smile appeared on his face.
— How about I tear off his arms and legs?
That way, he’ll be lying on an examination table of his own free will, right, hero?
Ren immediately took a fighting stance and raised his fist.
— Our fight isn’t over yet, you bastard!
Lioren’s claws slowly emerged from his hands, while his canine teeth grew slightly longer.
Lythera immediately stepped in front of Ren.
— What are you doing?!
Have you already forgotten our deal?
Lioren narrowed his eyes.
— You’re the one who forgot!
You’re going to go wandering around with this human?
Ren took a deep breath.
— I promised I’ll help, as long as you help me too.
I’ve already realized that you won’t accept it any other way.
— That’s enough!
Lythera turned toward Lioren.
— Put those claws away!
And stop provoking Ren.
I don’t want the two of you destroying the castle!
Lioren remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he asked:
— By any chance… are you starting to like this human, Lythera?
Lythera’s eyes widened.
— W-What are you talking about?
Ren was completely stunned as well.
— I-Impossible…
Lioren let out a small laugh.
— Ah… now it makes sense.
This human wouldn’t have been willing to cooperate without your charm, Princess.
But it seems that charm has affected you as well.
Ren blinked.
— Charm?
Lioren stared at Ren for a few moments.
Then he turned his gaze back to Lythera.
— Don’t make me take the long way around, Lythera…
The next instant, Lioren’s body began to disappear.
Within a few seconds, he simply evaporated into thin air, until even his presence had completely vanished.
Ren stared at the spot where he had been standing.
— T-That guy…
I don’t like him!
Lythera sighed.
— Ah, he’s from an ancient race.
They were believed to have gone extinct.
Ren looked at her.
— Look, Lythera… just to be clear.
I don’t know if you used that… charm on me, but I don’t mind helping you after we go see Garrick.
Lythera immediately turned red.
— D-Don’t talk about that, okay?
Forget it.
She looked away.
— And…
Garrick?
Is that your friend?
— Yeah.
My best friend in this world, at least.
Hehe.
Lythera gave him a small smile.
— D-Don’t pay any attention to what Lioren said, okay?
— I don’t like him…
There’s something strange about that guy.
Don’t worry about him.
We have a cooperation agreement.
She then turned around.
— Now… let’s hurry so we can come back quickly!
Ren followed her for a few steps.
— How can you trust me like this?
Lythera looked at him.
— What?
— I could just run away.
Lythera smiled.
— You’re strong, but I’m stronger.
And besides, you’ve already made a contract with me.
Ren stopped.
— You’re kidding, right?
— Through your words and the magic I cast at that moment, our agreement was registered.
Ren’s eyes widened.
— S-Stop lying, Lythera!
She pointed toward the door.
— Then try walking out that door by yourself!
— Sure.
But don’t come complaining afterward that…
Ren took a step toward the door.
BAM!
Suddenly, all the strength left his legs.
— Huh?
THUD!
Ren collapsed hard onto the floor.
— A-Agh!
For several seconds, he remained completely immobilized.
Lythera calmly walked over to him.
— See?
She smiled.
— Ah, come on.
It’ll be fun.
Ren slowly managed to get back on his feet.
— Remove this spell.
Now!
— I’ll remove it after we introduce ourselves as fiancés.
Ren frowned.
— Look… that’s not how trust works.
Lythera smiled.
— You’re right.
But you’re in my territory now.
So you’ll have to adapt, okay?
Ren sighed.
— Ah… fine.
Whatever.
Lythera watched Ren for a few moments.
She noticed that he was avoiding her gaze.
She adjusted her hair and then walked toward him.
— H-Hey, what are you doing?
Lythera stepped closer and placed both arms around Ren’s shoulders.
— C-Close your eyes.
Ren looked confused.
— Huh?
W-Wait… seriously?
Lythera raised her hands and gently touched Ren’s eyelids with her fingers, closing his eyes.
— I… want to give you something.
— O-Okay.
I’ll close my eyes, but you don’t have to go that far just to…
Smooch!
Ren felt a light pressure against his forehead.
At the same time, a sweet and unexpectedly warm sensation spread throughout his body.
He opened his eyes.
Lythera was standing in front of him, her face slightly red.
— I-I gave you a present…
Don’t be mad at me, okay?
Ren stared at her.
Lythera’s cute face was completely red, and she kept looking away, clearly embarrassed.
Ren gently held her arms, still slightly trembling.
— Y-You went through all that trouble to do this…
He lowered Lythera’s arms.
— Thank you, but… d-don’t make that face at me again, okay?
Ren’s own face was red as well, and he avoided her gaze.
Lythera blinked.
— W-Why?
You didn’t like it?
Ren stepped back slightly.
— That’s not why…
It’s because…
He took a deep breath.
— I might get spoiled.
Lythera’s eyes widened.
— Whaaaat?!
Ren looked straight ahead.
— Well, let’s go, okay?
W-We have waited long enough.
Lythera nervously began playing with her own hair.
— O-Okay…
Let’s go.
The two of them finally left the castle.
As soon as they reached the entrance, Lythera turned toward the guards.
— Guards!
This is my fiancé.
If any messenger from my father shows up, tell them that!
The guards looked at each other in silence for a few seconds.
Then one of them spoke.
— But… he’s human!
Lythera frowned.
— So what?
The guards quickly lowered their heads.
— N-Nothing!
Hehe…
Good luck!
Woohoo!
Lythera simply smiled.
The two of them then mounted the horse and rode away.
Once they had gotten some distance away, one of the guards looked at the other.
— The king is going to kill that human the moment he sees him.
The other shook his head.
— No, no.
He’s going to kill him when she tells him he’s her fiancé.
The first guard began laughing.
— Either way… that guy is dead.
Meanwhile, several people were gathered at the top of a peak.
One of them was holding up a staff.
— More humans?
Mirelya looked at the staff in confusion.
— Huh…?
It suddenly changed course!
It’s… on the road.
Lysera’s eyes widened.
— Ren is on the road now?
Garrick gritted his teeth and looked toward the indicated direction.
— We’re coming to you!
Hang in there, Ren!
At the Last Drop Tavern, Miharu was closing up the establishment after serving the last customer of the night.
She walked the man to the door and smiled.
— Good night, sir.
And don’t overdo it tomorrow, okay?
The man, completely flushed and stumbling, raised one hand.
— O-Okaaay…
See you tomorroooow… hic.
Miharu sighed as she watched him walk away.
After closing the tavern, she began walking toward her home.
The night was peaceful.
A gentle breeze moved through the air, making Miharu’s hair sway.
She took a deep breath.
— It’s a beautiful night tonight…
Miharu continued walking until she reached her house.
As soon as she entered, she placed the bread she had brought from the tavern on the table.
She sat down and began eating.
— I need to prepare for tonight’s contact.
After finishing the bread, Miharu picked up a bottle of water and took a few sips.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood up.
Then she began undressing.
She poured the water into a large cauldron, placed some firewood underneath it, and lit the fire.
A few minutes later, the water was already hot.
For several minutes, everything remained completely peaceful.
Then she thought:
“This night is almost too peaceful…”
Suddenly, she felt a faint vibration inside her head.
— Hnn…?
Miharu closed her eyes.
— Damn it… right now, while I’m in the bath…
She took a deep breath and began controlling her breathing.
She inhaled slowly.
Then exhaled.
With every exhale, it felt as though her body became a little lighter.
She repeated the process several times.
Until…
Miharu opened her eyes.
She was now standing on a hill beneath a completely clear sky.
Her body was dressed in light, comfortable clothes.
She looked around.
— I’m still not used to this… but it’s the only way I have to communicate.
A woman’s voice appeared beside her.
— Hello, Miharu.
It’s been a while.
Miharu turned her head.
A woman was standing beside her.
Her body gave off a soft, almost ethereal glow.
Her long hair was white, and she wore a long white dress that also emitted a faint light.
Miharu smiled.
— How are you, Lysa?
Any new developments?
The glowing woman, Lysa, replied:
— Well… we’re still trying to deal with Xarath.
Actually, Kael still hasn’t mastered all of the forms.
Miharu frowned.
— But what are you doing?
Why hasn’t he managed to master all of them yet?
— Give him time.
You know very well that mastering all the forms requires being in excellent physical and mental condition…
Miharu nodded.
— Yes.
I’m going through the same process, but I have a few things to deal with here.
Lysa then asked:
— Have you discovered how to weaken the daimon keeping you trapped?
Miharu shook her head.
— No. And the worst part is that she gave a large portion of her power to a king.
And he’s a complete idiot.
Lysa looked toward the horizon at the edge of the hill.
Then she stretched her arms.
— If Xarath hadn’t weakened me, I could help you much more.
Miharu remained silent for a few moments.
Then she remembered something.
— Speaking of which…
I met a strange guy a few days ago.
Lysa immediately became curious.
— A strange guy?
— I felt… a strange energy coming from him.
It was similar to yours.
Miharu paused for a moment.
— And it also felt similar to the energy of the daimon here.
Lysa’s eyes widened slightly.
— Huh?
Really?
She became thoughtful.
— Then he might be able to learn how to control Oris more easily.
Miharu shook her head.
— He doesn’t have a single bit of magic.
— What?
— His name is…
Matsuda Ren.
That’s it.
Lysa thought for a few seconds.
— Hmmm…
I don’t remember anyone from the Hyoren clan with that name.
— He’s not from my clan.
But he said he knows someone with the same eyes as me.
Lysa’s eyes widened.
— Then he knows someone from the Hyoren clan!
She smiled.
— Ah, Kael is going to be so happy!
Miharu frowned.
— Stop babying that kid.
Sure, he survived the clan massacre, but he’s already a grown man, Lysa.
Lysa laughed awkwardly.
— Hehe…
S-Sorry.
It’s just that, to me, all of you still seem so young.
Miharu sighed.
— Of course.
You’re practically a goddess.
Lysa immediately puffed out her cheeks.
— I’m a daimon!
Miharu shrugged.
— Okay, fine.
She then widened her eyes.
— Oh, damn it!
I forgot to ask what the name of the planet he came from was.
Lysa blinked.
— Who?
Miharu looked at her incredulously.
— Ren!
Do you have memory problems?
Lysa puffed out her cheeks and turned red.
— D-Don’t tease me!
I-I’m still recovering!
Miharu sighed.
— If you can get the help of another daimon to deal with the daimon of this world, please hurry.
Lysa calmly replied:
— I’m doing what I can, Miharu.
— And what are you doing right now?
Lysa thought for a moment.
— Well…
I’m still not strong enough.
Even while feeding on Kael’s Oris, we’re heading to the Continent of Lust.
Miharu choked.
— Agh!
Agh!
WHAT?!
Lysa immediately began smiling awkwardly, trying to hide her face.
— T-The people from my planet are the ones who call it that!
Miharu stared at her for several seconds.
Then she sighed.
— Fine.
When Kael is ready, bring him into our mental conversation.
I wanted to talk to him.
Lysa nodded.
— Miharu, help this Matsuda Ren.
Miharu became serious.
— If you really felt that he possesses our energy, he could be a great help in dealing with the daimon of your world.
Lysa paused for a moment.
— And besides, he might be able to tell us who the Hyoren he knows is in his world.
Miharu thought for a few seconds.
— Alright.
I’m going now.
I need to finish my bath.
She waved.
— See you later.
Lysa smiled.
— See you later.
The environment around Miharu slowly began to darken.
The colors disappeared.
The sky, the hill, and even Lysa were swallowed by darkness.
Miharu opened her eyes.
She was back inside the bathtub.
She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.
— Lysa, Lysa…
Miharu sighed.
— Even now, I still don’t know how I can communicate with her without suffering any interference from the goddess Luminarya…
She then stood up from the bathtub and grabbed a towel.
As she dried herself, she repeated Lysa’s words in her mind.
— Help Matsuda Ren…
Miharu remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
Then she nodded.
— Okay.