The knights looked at Ryuji with a delicate gaze now.

    This caused him to feel irritated, but Yumiko''s smooth hips, bumping into him while she swayed her hips, distracted him.

    Though he knew she did it on purpose, her eyes peeking at him from the corner of her eyes. She was like a cute little animal.

    He had already been a fool before, but now, with his mind no longer fractured, Ryuji ignored the useless thoughts and wrapped his arm around her curvy waist, pulling her towards him.

    "Alan, what is the plan regarding the future?"

    Alan turned, flanked by two female knights, his expression momentarily stern before a sinister smile crept across his face. "You are about to descend into a living nightmare," he warned, "and I will be the one to liberate you from the kingdom''s clutches."

    ***

    The words still shocked Ryuji, who sat on the comfortable royal red seat with Yumiko on his lap, her head leaning on his shoulder while her tail rested over his abdomen.

    He had never expected this kind of news, which is why the situation seemed so surreal. He could hardly believe what Alan had said. However, the truth felt so comforting to Ryuji as his sharp fangs nibbled on the neck of Yumiko, who started touching something she shouldn''t in public.

    "Lord Qwass will probably have his sights set on killing you somehow. Be it through the high-ranked heroes or assassins." Alan had explained.

    "What can we do to stop them?"

    "Nothing. We cannot stop them. So, we need to kill or crush those he sends before that."

    The words were like a hammer on his skull, yet there was no feeling of worry, disgrace or rejection. "True, killing them might be good. Crushing them is also a wonderful choice." Ryuji''s ocean-blue eyes flickered with a magical glint while he gripped tightly onto Yumiko''s waist, causing her to let out a groan, much to his delight.

    "I don''t understand the situation. The Kingdom had sent us here and treated us as nothing more than tools. Or is it that only the worthless become tools, and those worthy can become something more?" Ryuji asked, his deep voice calming and elegant, but he looked like a beautiful yet ferocious beast with a brutal animosity that caused the two female knights to hold their swords in fear of attack.

    Alan shrugged his shoulders, pouring two glasses of brown liquor.

    The scent was sweet, similar to caramel, and reminiscent of cigars and wood. He had a smile on his face as he handed one glass to Ryuji. "To be honest, I had never planned to tell you all of this. But you displayed your worth when I saw the images of you fighting those knights and the review Sheila and Simon gave about you."

    Ryuji accepted the glass and sniffed the contents. He wasn''t a big fan of liquor, but the aroma was nice. The smell felt nostalgic, and it was the thought that counted. He took a small sip, letting the taste fill his mouth, letting his new tongue slide around his mouth before gulping it down.

    "Delicious..."

    It seemed when his blood awakened, Ryuji''s taste also changed.

    "With summoned heroes, we treat them as pawns or chosen."

    "Why not? If they are strong, I want to test them. I want to fight powerful things and kill them. Mother said I should never show weakness no matter how strong the opponent is!"

    [Luna, the goddess of werewolves, feels amused at your words - She is now watching your progress.]

    [Ishtar, the Beastkin goddess of battle, thinks you are amusing - She has fixated her gaze upon you!]

    [Helena, goddess of peace, feels you are a menace. Her judgemental gaze is upon you.]

    [Aries, the human god of war, feels conflicted about your relationship with a beastkin. His gaze is following your choices.]

    "Well, there are the gods and their avatars. There are the demon lords, dragons, and angels."

    "Demon lord, dragons, angels..." Ryuji repeated the names, causing a glint to form in his eyes. "So, those are the strong beings?"

    "Ah... yes, they are the strongest," Alan said with a wry smile. "You are still at the level of goblin. Don''t think those in the dungeon were strong. A true goblin would come at you in packs of over twenty."

    "Tsk, I will get stronger."

    "You better! I spent over five thousand on you! Do you know how many female nobles wanted to hire you?"

    "Sex."

    "Pfft," Yumiko giggled at his dumb look. "My god, he is a natural lady killer, but he doesn''t seem to realise when girls want him."

    "Shut up, you!"

    "Make me!" Yumiko stuck her tongue out playfully.

    "I will!"

    "Please do, but not in front of the boss," she whispered, licking her lips seductively, her eyes gleaming with lust.

    "Ahem... by the way, I have a licence and freedom permit for your partner. I realised to you she is important and thus I will respect your choices. Welcome to my mansion, Lady Yumiko. Tomorrow, I will invite Shiela and Simon because they will be taking you to the Rank-C dungeon. ''Aberrant Cavern.''"

    "I will have someone guide you to your room. Rest well, Ryuji and Yumiko. I hope to become great allies."

    Alan reached over the table, his eyes completely sincere, while Ryuji nodded. Wanting to return that sincerity, he clasped Alan''s hand and made a promise that he would keep, even if the kingdom betrayed him.

    Only Alan would be forgiven.