Ryuji and his group left the dungeon after a while once he finished the quest and collected dozens of goblin ears for their proof of subjugation. He held Yumiko''s hand while she pranced around. Her mood seemed great while singing and dancing.

    I don''t think a peaceful future awaits me. Somehow, I feel like I will miss the quiet days soon enough.

    However, there was a problem with the sudden change in Yumiko''s race. Beastkin didn''t have multiple tails, and most humans would know this, so it made things difficult. Ryuji wondered how they could deal with this truth when Yumiko just shot her buttocks, and one of her tails turned into smoke, vanishing.

    "Well, It seems we worried for no reason." Ryuji couldn''t help but swallow his breath, a feeling of relief while Liana''s face looked a little moody, but also her aura became distant after everything that happened.

    The only other one who appeared relieved was Sariel. She felt like her Master now had more of a reason to accept her, with Yumiko also being a monster. Then, the future became safer because Sariel taught Yumiko she could hide her tails. With this, she believed Ryuji wouldn''t toss her aside so easily compared with before.

    The Succubus promised herself never to lose, especially to the human princess who called her several insulting words.

    "Say, why does everyone care so much about having multiple tails? Seems stupid that something so important is linked to one''s power." Ryuji didn''t want to question their culture so much, but it did feel a bit stupid.

    Liana''s lips pouted as she poked Ryuji''s shoulders. "Stupid... It''s important because female beastkin are thoroughly linked to real animals through some strange evolution in the distant past. However, they can only adapt and evolve through a logical path; they cannot become magical creatures and beings just willing it to happen."

    "Is that so?" Ryuji pretended he understood it, but he didn''t believe he could force it even if he tried. Though, thinking about his abilities and the magic in this world... it seemed quite plausible.

    "Anyway, we should head back. We have been constantly busy lately, and the practice Alan is doing won''t let you mess around for the entire night. I really need a bath and my bed..." Liana''s voice became drowsy, her movements lost a lot of their energy, and she rubbed her eyes while yawning. "Why does my body feel so drained?"

    "Hahaha! That''s because you are a human-"

    "Shut up!"

    Liana zapped Sariel''s tail, but the two girls seemed to get along. Well, the fact Sariel already admitted Ryuji wouldn''t touch her in such a short amount of time seemed to cause both girls some relaxation as it let them focus on other things.

    ***

    The journey back to the city felt much shorter, with Sariel covering her body in magic to make herself invisible while clinging onto Ryuji''s back, much to the jealous chagrin of the Princess forced to walk ahead of them with her face mask covering her nose and lips as they returned to the guild with both quest sheets and the bags of their proof.

    Ryuji tossed the bags of goblin ears on the counter with a proud smile while Yumiko took the sack of magic cores from the slimes and both sheets they took for the guild.

    "It seems you managed to succeed in such a short time; thank you for the hard work." The receptionist began to list their names and seemed to weigh each ear, core and other items they handed over.

    This caused Yumiko to grow a little bored as she looked towards the bar, the taste of the ale still on the tip of her tongue.

    "Let me go into the back and secure the rewards and convert them into money; that''s what you desire, right?" The receptionist chuckled before walking into the back of the guild, where Ryuji assumed their vault or other such stuff was stored.

    His first time in a guild felt strange, but coming back after completing his first quests made Ryuji feel different; he didn''t hesitate and took a table while ordering a beer for himself and Liana; the succubus would just have to make do without for now.

    "Yes! We''re rich again!" Yumiko cheered before using her index finger to drink the foam from the ale while sitting on Ryuji''s lap. "Now we can spend the entire night enjoying each other!"

    "Heh~ Making me walk all alone, how mean!"

    Ryuji flicked her nose, causing her to cover it with her hand while staring at him with eyes full of annoyance because she knew Sariel would be with her and that he was worried Alan might sense something like Liana. "Can you go with her, Sariel? Keep any men away from them, thanks."

    "Master~ the first request you made... maybe it should make me jealous of another woman, but I will forgive you."

    The succubus'' sensual body appeared from thin air, making Ryuji choke on his spit as she wore nothing at all, but when he looked around, nobody else looked in this direction. "Since you looked so troubled? Master~ only you can see me, fufu." Her pink garden was so neat and alluring that he pushed her away and rushed back to Alan. Otherwise, he felt he would have to taste her.

    Our compatibility seems too high...

    Sariel giggled at Yumiko''s hate-filled stare and didn''t mind the fox as she enjoyed Ryuji''s reaction to everything. It was evident to her that he wouldn''t cast her aside as long as she didn''t act too haughty or make stupid demands and instead tried to get to know those around him first. In reality, Sariel was pleased because she felt intimidated by Ryuji in honesty...

    and so it felt like a dangerous thing to her to tease or annoy him.

    "Really, they''re gone..." Liana sat down with a sigh and turned her gaze to Ryuji, who held out his hand for her.

    "Ah... I hope you''ll come tonight. Though I don''t have that right, without you, I don''t think things will be as fun." Ryuji didn''t realise Alan stood a few steps away while listening to their conversation, his jaw open wide and shock painted on his face as he chanted the words ''The witch blushed!'' ''The world is going to end'' jokingly.

    While Liana felt Ryuji''s honest feelings and words reached her heart, which is what she feared... "I..." Liana felt frustrated.

    Her heart and soul wanted to act as she did earlier in the day, imitating Yumiko and flinging herself towards him. But back then she thought he might just be a demon, but the demon king...

    This man would become her father, mother and even Alan''s enemy one day and she felt her insides churning, like someone put her inside a mincing machine.

    Of course, her deep familial love couldn''t be compared to the small budding feelings in her chest, yet... They felt intense, and she feared losing this chance as she looked up at him with wet eyes, tears of frustration seeping down her cheeks.

    "Eh? W-wait a moment, did I say something strange? Are you angry? Did I offend you?" Ryuji was surprised while grabbing her by the arm and wiping the tears with his thumbs as people stared at them while the guild became silent. "Please tell me; I didn''t mean it! I just want to get along with you since you are important to me."

    "Idiot!" Liana didn''t care about the people watching, and her face grew more determined as she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear with a hot breath that travelled into his body like lightning. "You will regret this... I am a high-maintenance woman."

    From the moment she touched him, the black lightning assaulted his body, and Ryuji remained unphased. Instead, he hugged her tighter, only knowing the emotions she showed were the same frustration his mother would often show when close to her end.

    Thus, Ryuji took every word she said to heart and seriously. "I''ll never regret this, neither will you. Lia."

    This action caused Alan to look stunned, his little niece and her face like that.

    How could he not understand those feelings?

    Then, his best friend endured the curse she suffered from with a smile, wiping her tears away with a tender gaze. It became a complicated and difficult thing for him to watch, his eyes closed for a moment, while considering the best action.

    Yet he couldn''t... Only difficulty and challenges would be waiting for them both.

    "You two..." Alan muttered, realising that one day his brother might really become his brother by familial ties.