The carriage ride wasn''t too bad for Ryuji. However, he couldn''t help but be intrigued by She''s mixed signals after his actions—Erika and Yumiko seemed tired. Both of them weresleeping 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 She. 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 vour before killing her.


    ***


    As the carriage came to a halt, n''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 amodations."


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


    n slipped Ryuji a key and then a piece of paper when he looked up. n ced 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 n became conflicted and filled with anger before it calmed down after he took a breath.


    "Wait... n!"


    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 cmity stars is evidence for you to believe me." n could only give a bitter smile.


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


    "It''s okay... I''ll be going."


    Though he knew n 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 be even again.


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


    ''It exins 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 changedpletely...


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


    ***


    Ryuji and the two sleeping beauties climbed off the carriage and found themselves in the cosy vige from a few days ago, the two inns and pubs starting to open for business.


    "Well, let''s put our things away first." Ryuji thought to himself while checking the amount of gold he now owned. There was no worry of going broke anytime soon.


    "Nn..." Erika began waking first, her body wrapped tight by Ryuji as she rubbed her cheek against his neck.


    "Are we here?" Her cute, sleepy voice that Ryuji loved made his heart skip a beat as his demon side made him desire Erika.


    "Yes, n arranged a room, and he said you could stay if you wanted."


    The Misty Forest Inn remained the same, but their rooms this time were special. n wanted to help Ryuji celebrate after clearing his name. This made Ryuji smirk, knowing that n wanted them to be prepared for the chosen battles soon. While Erika started waking up fully, she still didn''t remove his arm from her waist, looking around with zed eyes.


    "Ryuji, where are Alicia and She? Are Paul and Simon looking at the pubs? We can join them after putting our things away."


    "No, Erika, they all went back. It''s just you, me and Yumiko here tonight." Ryuji found her fluffy attitude different from her normal flirty and gal-like atmosphere. It was really cute.


    "Eh... just us three, well then, why not? It will be fun to rx and enjoy a meal together—also..."


    Erika kissed Ryuji''s neck, making his demon side pulse, his lustful intent spreading outwards, wanting to throw Erika down. However, she seemed to realise her action and pulled away her face bright red. "Ah... that, you just smelled so nice, it''s not THAT okay? Okay!?"


    "Alright, Alright, no matter how seductive you act, Erika, I know you are a pure girl at heart. So, shall we go up?" Ryuji enjoyed her shy attitude.


    He shouldered Yumiko, who slept like a log. Her nose blew bubbles while she wrapped her tail around his arm so tight that it cut off the blood cirction, turning his arm slowly blue.


    "Hmm, Yumiko sleeps like a child, doesn''t she?" Erika couldn''t help but giggle.


    Ryuji unlocked the key n gave him, finding thergest and most luxurious room on the top floor with a bath in the centre. However, there was a minor issue: there was one massive bed but no other room. This meant the trio would be sleeping together, though he didn''t mind and knew Yumiko might make a jealous remark or two, but the girl who just turned bright red from an idental kiss...


    "Erika, just share the bed with us! Yumiko won''t have a problem if I make her calm—you must have noticed how close we have beentely." Ryuji couldn''t help but tease her.


    Erika became bright red. "Fine, Fine, but nothing will happen between us... ah, you can''t touch me! Right? Then It''s fine, Ryuji; please prepare the bath while I wake Yumiko."


    "Sure."


    Ryuji could only chuckle after putting Yumiko down on the soft bed; she rolled around instantly, iming the centre, but the moment Erika moved over to Yumiko, whose fox ears were asionally flicking, her fluffy tail lifted, showing her exposed lower half, before pping her away once she sniffed the air.


    ''Ah... this girl was pretending to sleep for so long! She needs to be punished.'' Ryuji thought, sneaking towards the bed.


    Erika sat on the ground, rubbing her nose from Yumiko''s tail attack, when Ryuji pounced, grabbing the naughty fox girl''s legs.


    Her fox-like eyes shot open, realising it was him, before seeing Ryuji''s demonic expression—a slight tinge of fear and excitement appeared in her eyes, her right leg kicking out towards his face before he tilted his head and climbed up her body, pinning her down in an instant.


    "Ryuji~ what are you doing? ah, stop..."


    Her struggles were weak, and she couldn''t escape his grip after all, his strength more than triple hers. Ryuji pinned both her arms above her head using his left hand, while his demon urges wanted her to be punished because Erika suffered for her actions—his hand not rough, gently tickling her stomach, making Yumikough uncontrobly.


    "ah... Ryuji, sto... p... hahaha!" Tears flowed from her fox-like eyes as Erika watched on with her mouth open wide. She hadn''t seen the strong-willed Beastkin act so normally before; her legs kicking the air while Ryuji tickled her made Erika feel a lot less apprehensive of Yumiko.


    "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 herughter 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 She to save their asses.


    ''We need to work together better!''


    However, Ryuji didn''t realise Erika''s eyes had already be 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 therge 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 sshing 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 ced her nose beside his neck, sniffing twice, before cing her lips on his cheeks, which triggered Yumiko to p Erika away with her fluffy tail.


    "You can''t kiss... he''s mine!"