The carriage ride wasn''t too bad for Ryuji. However, he couldn''t help but be intrigued by Sheila''s mixed signals after his actions—Erika and Yumiko seemed tired. Both of them were sleeping on either side of him, using his shoulders as pillows.

    ''Well, even Simon is sleeping—it''s only Paul who keeps using the ring to make more runes and Alicia who keeps flicking her gaze towards me that is awake.''

    Ryuji looked at the sleeping Sheila. A strange feeling in his chest made him want to attack her. Since she showed hostility, he wanted to kill her. This bloodthirst, the demon inside of him, now able to control himself, he held it back for now.

    Because Ryuji held a different taste, he wanted to at least savour her flavour before killing her.

    ***

    As the carriage came to a halt, Alan''s face appeared at the door, a mischievous grin on his lips. "Hey there, ready to have some fun with your little fox? Take Erika. She could use a break and will return to the mansion tomorrow. I''ve already arranged your accommodations."

    "Thanks, Alan, I''ll make sure to repay you." Ryuji still valued Alan more than the party and the things he did and gave him. These were things Ryuji wouldn''t forget.

    Alan slipped Ryuji a key and then a piece of paper when he looked up. Alan placed his finger on his lips, indicating to be quiet.

    Ryuji nodded, before opening the slip slightly, Yumiko and Erika slowly stirring beside him.

    "Then I''ll be taking the carriage to my mansion; these knights also need to return to their barracks."

    However, the moment he saw the text inside the piece of paper burned. His gaze on Alan became conflicted and filled with anger before it calmed down after he took a breath.

    "Wait... Alan!"

    The piece of paper said [Yumiko is also a hero]

    "I do not know the answer other than there was a great error during the summoning of your group. Maybe the fact you are both connected as calamity stars is evidence for you to believe me." Alan could only give a bitter smile.

    From his atmosphere and strangely apologetic mood, Ryuji realised that Alan really didn''t seem to know and felt bad.

    "It''s okay... I''ll be going."

    Though he knew Alan wouldn''t write that to cause trouble, it did make some strange things feel believable. The heroes would grow at a faster rate than most people who were native to this world before reaching a certain level when it would become even again.

    For Yumiko, who said she couldn''t remember her past and appeared in the beast kingdom a decade ago...

    ''It explains a lot of strange discrepancies... but was she summoned alone in the past, or maybe part of our group, and there was some kind of issue or mix-up?''

    Ryuji hoped the system would confirm his guess as it sometimes chimed in.

    However, this time, it seemed that he would have to discover the truth slowly. He gazed at Yumiko but didn''t find any falsities in her words. She truly believed that she was born in this world, and her race changed completely...

    ''Whatever, she''s my woman. If she is a former human, so what? It doesn''t affect my feelings or lust towards her.''

    ***

    "You say stop... but look how much you''re smiling!"

    Ryuji enjoyed tormenting her a bit, knowing Erika feared Yumiko because of the tense atmosphere the fox girl kept emitting.

    Yumiko''s kicks became weaker as her laughter slowed down after Ryuji stopped and they stared into each other''s eyes, their lips moving closer subconsciously.

    ''Damn, her breath smells so sweet I can''t help but want to taste her!''

    Ryuji kissed Yumiko despite Erika''s eyes, watching them so closely. This time, the dark of a cave did not hide her reactions—she blushed, showing a jealous look while creeping closer.

    The girl pinned under him couldn''t resist and could only submit to his actions.

    After their lips separated, Yumiko didn''t struggle but panted with half-lidded fox-like eyes. Her tail stroked Ryuji''s arms and stomach while she stroked his fingers with hers. "Should we take a bath, then..."

    "Haa... alright, Yumiko. However, you''re bathing with Erika today."

    Ryuji wanted Erika to ease her feelings and stop his cute fox girl from fighting with her by building a stronger friendship. He knew in the future, there might be no Paul, Simon or even Sheila to save their asses.

    ''We need to work together better!''

    However, Ryuji didn''t realise Erika''s eyes had already become greedy for their kiss as Yumiko used her tail to guide him off her. "Fine, Erika isn''t annoying, and you will just put things inside me if we bathe together! Hmph..."

    "Oi! Says the one who begs for my thing inside her like a dog in heat!"

    "..."

    Yumiko became bright red after Ryuji''s words and couldn''t refute it; instead, her tail grabbed Erika''s wrist before dragging her into the large bathing room attached to the bedroom.

    "She''s cute when acting embarrassed."

    While the two girls vanished, Ryuji threw himself back on the bed, removing the cloak and tunic and tossing them aside. The past two days had been filled with an intensity that made him feel alive, but now, back at the inn and ease, he realised both things made him feel good.

    ''Sometimes rest is needed, even if I am my mother''s son.''

    Before he knew it, his eyes closed, and Ryuji fell into a peaceful sleep. The sound of water splashing and girls chatting together was the background music to his dreams.

    Unknown to him, Ryuji slept through the day until early evening; Erika and Yumiko would put their clothes on and argue before sitting on either side of him and looking down at his sleeping face—both feeling conflicted about whether to wake him after their long journey.

    Erika watched Yumiko teasing him first—unable to hold back, Yumiko licked Ryuji''s cheeks, her nose sniffing his scent while her tail wagged in happiness.

    "Erika~ Ryuji tastes delicious! Come on; have a taste, too—his skin smells so nice—other humans are nasty, but Ryuji is the best! His cheeks are so squishy..."

    "Stop Yumiko; wake him, or he will get angry with us for letting him sleep all day," Erika said, yet her body acted differently.

    Erika leaned forward while brushing her hair behind her ear. She placed her nose beside his neck, sniffing twice, before placing her lips on his cheeks, which triggered Yumiko to slap Erika away with her fluffy tail.

    "You can''t kiss... he''s mine!"