“NOOOO!! KING LEONHART!!!” [Terdim]

The struggling Terdims roared and screamed with their leader dead. They glared at Leodor, who stood over his headless corpse, a bloody sword in hand.

“Shut up for a sec.” [Ryner]

Ryner lightly raised his hand and the strings tightened around their victims. It strangled their necks and prevented them from talking. Also, more came out from his clothes and wrapped themselves around Leodor. He absentmindedly stared at his dead brother and offered no resistance. Just like with his family, a golden sphere was formed, completely encasing him inside.

“So? What were you saying?” [Ryner]

Ryner loosened his hold and looked at each of the dog-headed beastman in turn. They instinctively froze up because of the pressure his gaze released. But, after gulping audibly, they glared and growled, rousing their fighting spirit, and began voicing their grudge.

“We’ll avenge him! Avenge him and carry out his wish! No humans will be safe from us!! DO YOU HEAR!!? WE’LL-!!” [Terdim]

The cacophony didn’t last long because the strings tightened once again, but this time, it went beyond shutting them up. Like razor sharp wires, the strings tore through their flesh and bones, and cut them into pieces. Their bodies that only received minor cuts from swords couldn’t protect them. Getting beastification didn’t make a difference.

All twenty Terdims became chunks of meat in a pool of dark red blood. The only ones who saw such a ghastly scene were Evelyn and Maya, who were still tied up, as well as Ryner, the perpetrator. After getting rid of them, he one-sidedly put the vampire and the former Catallard in spheres and quietly stared at the relic. He considered the idea of destroying it, but decided not to.

So, with his main goal, which was ensuring Evelyn and Maya’s safety, fulfilled, he flew out of the ruin with several golden orbs right behind him.

The situation in Ofauvra was dying down. The instigators were either killed or subdued. Also, with the royal family back safe and sound, the people of the city finally had their king to lead them. Leodor put his guilt, sorrow and everything else aside and focused on dealing with the turmoil.

That was how a war between two races was averted.

Eight days later, after things calmed down and everything was going back to normal…

“Seriously, seriously seriously seriously seriously…” [Ryner]

Ryner, in wolf form, was having a panic attack inside Suky’s house.

“What’s the matter, Ryner?” [Da]

“Wha, what the hell am I doing?!” [Ryner]

The old tiger asked and the frantic wolf suddenly shouted. For the past few days, Ryner was acting restless and dazed out more and more often. Now, whatever was worrying him just abruptly exploded. Other animals were watching from afar. The pack of puppies had distanced themselves out of fear. Only Mi was close by, worriedly looking at him.

“It’s been way too long I lost track of time! Why the hell am I waiting for those girls to find some clue!? I should just go up and force some god to tell me what he did to me!!” [Ryner]

“God?” [Da]

“The god! The god that dropped the relic in my fortress and turned me into a wolf! It’ll be faster! It’ll be faster! Use life force but it’ll be faster! This isn’t my body. It’s not my body. It’s not my body. It’s not my body. It’s not who I am.” [Ryner]

“Ryner, I don’t really get it… But you should calm down for now.” [Da]

“I AM CALM!!!” [Ryner]

His roar caused those around to flinch and back away in fear. Da was tongue-tied, unsure of what to say or why he was so angry.

“Um, Ryner, are you alright?” [Mi]

Mi uneasily approached instead of backing away from him.

“No! Yes! I mean! I’m a wolf! A freaking wolf! But I’m not supposed to, I’m not! That’s why I-I-I’m slipping!! Everything’s turning fuzzy! I mean! Damn! Damn! They died! I died, right!?! Then is this death?! It’s like some sick joke to make me think I’m alive! So it’s not real! None of this is real! It’s not real, then what about me?!!” [Ryner]

He started loudly blabbering nonsense that no one could follow.

“I, I exist. I know I exist… That’s right! My name, I know my name. Ryner. It’s Ryner. That’s what I chose. What else? What else? I was born… I was born way before, but when? Was it real then…? How many really died? How many were killed? A-and, and my big sister. What about my big sister? Did she exist? It’s, it’s, I was supposed to be, to be… D-damn… Damn! Damn damn damn damn DAMN IT ALL!” [Ryner]

Then, he started muttering to himself like a delirious patient and got angry at the end. Furthermore, his eyes were wet with tears.

“Pro-pro-promise! There was a promise… I forgot to whom, but there was a promise… There were too many dead… Too many kills… The blood… There was blood…? It turned black. The blood… Blood. Blood! Blood!” [Ryner]

The animals in the living room were too afraid to go near him. Even the old tiger didn’t dare approach when he was in this state. However, one small red puppy did. She trotted over to the crazy wolf that was mumbling, shouting and pacing back and forth without fear.

“It’s ok, Ryner.” [Mi]

Mi said as she looked up at him.

“Um, I’ll definitely always play with you. And when I grow up, I’ll be bigger and stronger than you. And I’ll protect you!” [Mi]

All she knew was that he was in pain, so she clumsily tried to comfort him. Her attempts might have gotten through because he finally stopped moving and looked at her.

“That’s it! When I grow up, I’ll be your big sister, okay? Then, we’ll be a family!” [Mi]

“…” [Ryner]

Mi seemed thrilled about her idea because of how she happily wagged her tail. Ryner simply, silently stared at the little puppy as tears were spilled and wet his fur. The light of sanity was slowly returning to his eyes.

“What’s with the commotion here?” [Suky]

Suky, dressed scantily, broke the silence as she entered the living room. Wearing a pair of black panties and sports bra, she approached Ryner while scratching her stomach.

“Ryner, did you do something?” [Suky]

“Woof woof woof woof! (Shut up! I don’t have time for you!)” [Ryner]

“Huuh!? Are you badmouthing me? Are you?!” [Suky]

Barely ten seconds passed before Ryner made her angry and they were once more locked in a wrestling match.

“Giving up now?” [Suky]

“Woof! woof woof! Woof woof woof woof! (Shut up! Go! I need to go fix this!)” [Ryner]

Just as she got him pinned down, his body suddenly started glowing.

“Huh?” [Suky]

Before a wide-eyed Suky could get away, a blinding flash of light filled the room and robbed her of her vision. The other animals were making a racket and whining as well. While she was momentarily blinded, the half-naked beastman could feel a pair of arms grabbing her and pulling her down. All of a sudden, she was on her back and held in place by someone.

“Look, brat! I don’t have time! I need to go! Go beat some god, yeah, some god. Maybe that guy. He knows. I think he knows.” [Ryner]

As her vision slowly returned, she could see who was talking to her. A young man with black hair and pale skin was staring right at her face as he muttered to himself.

“… Who the hell are you?” [Suky]

It was a human.

“R-Ryner. I’m Ryner. Ryner. That’s why…! Hey… My arms…!” [Ryner]

Ignoring the dumbfounded Suky, Ryner finally noticed that he had turned back to normal as he checked his arms and the rest of his body. He made sure that everything was how he remembered it. He took out a hand mirror from his pocket dimension and looked at his face. It was definitely his face. Then, he examined his numerous scars.

Seeing his face, his white eye and the scars lifted the fog from his mind. The oppressive feeling that filled his chest and was threatening to burst open, to strangle him and split his head in two was fading. He was calming down. His panic attack was receding like a wave.

“I’m back… I’m back…! I’m Ryner. I’m Ryner. I’m Ryner. I’m Ryner. I’m Ryner.” [Ryner]

He got up, paid no heed to the animals that were making a fuss and took out some clothes to put on. He felt deeply relieved and honestly happy that he got his old body back.

“Thanks for taking care of me, Suky. I’ll be leaving now. See ya.” [Ryner]

He lightly waved his hand to Suky, who was still on the floor, and made his way out of the house.

“…” [Suky]

As for Suky, she was still frozen stiff. After all, he was naked. A young man was on top of her, pinning her to the ground while naked. Obviously, she saw everything. She saw his face that wasn’t too bad on the eyes. She saw his horrible scars that told her of the many battles he fought and of the times he danced with death.

But, more importantly, she saw his forged body that was wonderfully packed with muscles.

“… Not bad.” [Suky]

She murmured in a daze as her cheeks were dyed red.

Having returned to Myra and Snow’s house, Ryner, was training in the backyard. It’s been a day since he stopped being a wolf and he was now busy working out. It was to get used to his usual range of movements once again. Having turned into a canine that walked on four legs forced him to change how he usually moved. As such, he was in the middle of verifying his human body’s capabilities.

Wearing clothes that were easy to move in, he punched, kicked, blocked and dodged as he walked about. The chain of movements made it look like a slow dance that integrated martial arts techniques. But, after a while, the routine would turn into a simulated combat as Ryner increased his pace. He would dish out a flurry of strikes, run through the yard, jump in the air and perform other acrobatic feats.

As he thoroughly checked the limits of his body, Evelyn was standing by the door and intently watching him with a white towel in hand. Although she never figured out how to turn him back into a human, he was there, right in front of her. Seeing as how he suddenly went back to normal, his transformation probably had a time limit. But, she didn’t really care about that. What was important was that he was human again.

“Ryner, here.” [Evelyn]

Once he was done with his training routine, Evelyn approached him and gave him the towel. She was a bit sad that it was over. She would have liked to gaze upon his dashing figure for a few more hours. It was a good thing that she recorded it on her cellphone.

“Oh, thanks, Evie.” [Ryner]

Ryner took it and wiped his face. He was sweating from continuously moving and exerting all of his strength. He used to train every day so as to not grow dull, but he stopped. Now, such diligence only ever happened when there was a new technique he wanted to master. Thankfully, his body didn’t forget how to fight so easily anymore, not to mention that he often had plenty of chances to remember. After all, trouble tended to gravitate towards him.

“Your clothes are soaked with sweat. You should take a shower and get a fresh change of clothes. I’ll come over later to take the sweaty ones.” [Evelyn]

“I’ll take one later. I’ll be going to see those Catallards to pick a fight. So I’ll be sweating again probably. Now that I think about it, Maya is there.” [Ryner]

“Yes. She and her family are making preparations to mourn for the deceased. Their clan head and his wife were among them. The commotion nine days ago was a huge blow to them.” [Evelyn]

“Her parents kicked the bucket. Wonder if she’s doing fine?” [Ryner]

“The last time I saw her, she seemed to be holding up. She told me she wanted to properly mourn for her parents, even if they didn’t have the best relationship.” [Evelyn]

“Well, it’s her choice. Ah.” [Ryner]

Ryner stopped wiping his face and looked up.

“If they’re mourning, am I allowed to go bother them?” [Ryner]

“I think it will be alright. From what Maya told me, they are still making preparations, but not everyone is busy. Only those who have a job to do will not have time to spar with you. This mainly includes the branch family members. If you’re going to go and fight someone from the main clan, then they should be free.” [Evelyn]

Evelyn dutifully answered his query all the while staring at the towel that was soaking up his sweat.

“Of course, I do not think that now is the right time and they may refuse you.” [Evelyn]

“That so… Whatever. I’ll just go ask them.” [Ryner]

Ryner pondered for a second before shrugging his shoulders and casually decided to push forward with his plan to go and bother them.

“Then, before you go, you should still take a shower.” [Evelyn]

“Why?” [Ryner]

“So that you are presentable. I would like you to help me cheer up our hosts.” [Evelyn]

That was all she needed to say for him to understand. Myra and Snow lost Taniel who betrayed them and the country. The two fox-eared beastmen were forcing themselves to act like they usually do, but it was a poor attempt. Their smiles were much too stiff and sadness was visible in their eyes.

“We should give them time for this sort of stuff. And I’m not really good at cheering people up.” [Ryner]

“Nevertheless, I think it is better if you say something to them. Please.” [Evelyn]

“… It’s not my strong point, but fine. I’ll try and give them a pep talk. Don’t expect much.” [Ryner]

After scratching his head, he sighed and accepted Evelyn’s request.

“Thank you. Then, please go and wash off your sweat. I’ll take the towel for you.” [Evelyn]

Ryner passed the towel to the vampire and went off to take a quick shower. Once he was gone and she made sure that there was no one, Evelyn buried her face in the towel and sniffed up the scent.

“Ahhhh~. Ryner’s sweat~. It smells so goooood~.” [Evelyn]

She couldn’t help but blissfully mutter her thoughts out loud. Blushing, grinning and hungrily sniffing like a dog, her inner pervert was released.

“To be able to soak in his sweat as he rubs you on his body, what an envious situation! I wish I was his towel too! *Sniiiiifff*” [Evelyn]

She took in the smell, rubbed her face on the soft fabric and even chewed on it. Then, she looked back at the house.

“(He’ll be taking a shower… And his sweaty clothes… I said that I would pick them up to wash them later… Uhuhu… Uhuhuhu…)” [Evelyn]

Evelyn would soon be able to collect new treasured materials and enjoy them. That thought made her feel so ecstatic that she couldn’t help but drool. Of course, getting her hands on his clothes wasn’t the reason why she asked him to shower. Although it certainly was one of her objectives, she truly wanted him to cheer up Myra and Snow.

“(Please, make those two smile again, even if just a little.)” [Evelyn]

The vampire took out her cellphone and brought up a list that she was in the middle of making. She stared at it with such a serious expression that it made it seemed like her earlier display of perverseness never happened.

“(Make them rely on you, trust you, confide in you.)” [Evelyn]

On the screen, a short list was shown.

List of possible candidates

- Maya Catallard

- Myra Elkind (pending)

“(With how vulnerable they are, now is a great time to pull them to your side.)” [Evelyn]

Although there was a bit of bitterness rising in her, she forced it down. Her feelings didn’t matter. What mattered was Ryner. That was why, for his sake, and especially for hers, she needed to gather allies that would never betray him.