“Oh yeah, Evie, about the ball they’re thinking of throwing in a few…” [Ryner]

Ten minutes later, Ryner, who forgot to tell Evelyn a message, returned to her room and opened the door. However, the vampire he expected to find at the desk was nowhere to be seen.

“That’s weird.” [Ryner]

He said as he tilted his head. Evelyn should still be in her room. Unlike him, she wouldn’t sneak out to play when she still had work to do. He walked over the desk and looked at the documents stacked on it. He surveyed the room and found nothing out of place. However, a gut feeling told him that something was wrong and he confirmed it when he saw her pen on the floor. That diligent vampire wouldn’t just leave it there. Alarm bells rung in his head as his eyes sharpened up.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket dimension to find her.

“Mhh… Mhh… Wha…?” [Evelyn]

As her heavy eyelids slowly opened, Evelyn found herself in an unfamiliar place. There were brick walls on all four sides with no windows. A heavy door was the only entrance and exit. Magic stones lighted the room which felt too bright for her. Her body was heavy. It felt heavy and sluggish as if her muscles had gone numb.

When she tried to move her powerless arms, chains rattled and stopped her movements. Shackles bounded them together and a hook dangling from the ceiling held them above her head. Thanks to it, she was more or less standing even though she couldn’t put any strength in her legs.

“You woke up.” [???]

A male voice finally made her realize that she wasn’t alone. In the corner, sitting at a table was a man dressed in a black cloak. Sausages, cheese and bread were on a plate before him. He put down the bread he was chewing on and turned around to face her.

“I didn’t think you’d faint the moment I put those magic shackles on you.” [???]

He slowly walked up to her while staring at her body from head to toe as if undressing her with them.

“It’s like you’re one of those elves. Maybe you are one. You’re definitely as beautiful as them.” [???]

“Who… Who are you…?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn asked while watching him cautiously, but drowsily. Her mind was on full alert yet her body desired sleep. The kidnapper, looking at her struggle to free herself, smirked and pulled down his hood, revealing the face of a man in his thirties. He had black hair and bright blue eyes. His sharp features showed that he spent a good deal of time training. His body under his cloak was toned and sturdy.

“I’m Orga.” [Orga]

Orga gave his name and stared at her with the air of someone who won, yet was cornered at the same time.

“What do you want?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn, having memorized his face, asked weakly. At that question, his eyes narrowed.

“What do I want? What I wanted was Garroth, but things didn’t work out.” [Orga]

He said bitterly as he thought back on how his plan failed. While he was working undercover in the capital city, he made contact with the unsatisfied and greedy nobles. Inflating their ego, he skillfully talked them into joining him and changing the kingdom into a better one. It would be one where they stood at the top. They agreed and would have stood on Sirius’ side once he took over the throne. They would have supported whatever new politics he wanted to implement, no matter how unreasonable they were.

Although he had to retreat the first time when Sirius jumped the gun and an unknown force actually took out the giant monster that was given to him, he still retained his connections with them. Since the Order he worked for wouldn’t supply him with anymore men or resources, he had the nobles take care of it. They listened to him once he used his prided silver tongue and funded the rebel army. Mercenaries, even bandits and thugs joined at the promises that he spouted and the fortunes he offered.

He had roped in Sirius once again to make him a puppet king. The city was attacked from the inside by the traitors that joined him and the royal family was about to be executed. Yet, once again, someone ruined everything. Thinking about it, he couldn’t help but clench his fists and click his tongue.

“I can’t go back empty-handed. I’m stuck here until I come up with something else. So…” [Orga]

His eyes darkened with desires.

“For now, what I want is you.” [Orga]

Once again, he examined the blonde woman he just kidnapped from the castle. Although he initially desired the First Princess, who somehow survived after getting stabbed by Sirius, he switched targets when he saw Evelyn. Her dignified figure as she dealt with nobles, her prowess as she finished up mountains of paperwork and most importantly, her incredible beauty captivated him.

“How did you even managed to capture me. I didn’t notice anything.” [Evelyn]

“That’s because I put those magic shackles on you right away and you fell unconscious.” [Orga]

“But, how did you break in. I remember I was sitting at my desk.” [Evelyn]

Orga smiled arrogantly. Besides his silver tongue that managed to get him nobles to pay for his rebellion, this was the other thing he was proud of. Suddenly, in front of her eyes, he sunk into his own shadow. The unnatural black mark on the ground faded away. His presence vanished. The next moment, Orga reappeared in the corner of the room where the light didn’t reach. He stepped out of the shadow and spread his arms.

“This is how I sneaked inside the castle. I call it Shadow Step. My unique skill allows me to hide in my shadow and jump to any other shadows so long as they’re close enough. I can even enter a building without passing through the door. I showed up behind you while you were working and dragged you here like this after cuffing you.” [Orga]

He explained, gloating a bit. His power was what allowed him to survive since he was but a kid living on the street. It was also what got him noticed by the Order and made him an operative under their command. It allowed him to gather information easily. It allowed him to sneak behind enemy lines and invade their headquarters. It was what made him who he was today.

“Truth be told, I could have assassinated the queen and her family. I already put that curse on her before. But, my plan required Sirius to take the throne without resorting to anything as underhanded as assassinations. Tsk! It was a mistake to leave it to a buffoon like him.” [Orga]

He couldn’t help but feel irritated at the incompetence of the now dead prince. He could have saved him while he was held hostage, but he chose to let him die. The first reason was that he would probably ruin his next plan. The second and most important reason was that Sirius forgot his deal with him and tried to kill Tiffany. The First Princess should have been given to him. He regretted not taking her away sooner, though he now had Evelyn in his hideout. Blondes were more of his type anyway.

“Why do you want the kingdom?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn asked, trying to get him to talk until her strength recovered.

“Is it for yourself… Or for whomever you work for? You said you couldn’t go back empty-handed.” [Evelyn]

However, her attempts were futile since he noticed her aim.

“I’m tired and I want to rest.” [Orga]

Orga put his hand on her cheek.

“Why don’t you help me relax?” [Orga]

His face approached hers as he puckered his lips. At the last second, Evelyn turned her head to the side, causing him to kiss her on the left cheek.

“You worthless insect… To dare kiss me… I’ll kill you!” [Evelyn]

She growled and, despite her weakened state, fiercely glared at him. Her red eyes were filled with killing intent and she bared her fangs which made her look more ferocious. Still, Orga kept his composure and only smiled thinly.

“Your canines are rather long. It’s cute.” [Orga]

He had watched her for several days, finding the right moment to spirit her away. He knew how she acted around a certain man. In front of him, her cool gait was gone and what was left was a blushing, needy woman that wanted his attention.

“He doesn’t seem to want you. What was his name? Ryner?” [Orga]

“Filth like you shouldn’t speak his name!” [Evelyn]

“You really seem to love him, want him. But, he doesn’t. Shouldn’t you settle for a man that feels the same way as you? Instead of wasting your time and youth, shouldn’t you enjoy life with a partner that loves you?” [Orga]

He grabbed her face with one hand, squeezing her cheeks and lifting her head. Although the glare from her seemingly glowing red eyes was terrifying, he didn’t shy away. Keeping her from moving, his face once more approached hers.

“So what do you say? Want to settle for me?” [Orga]

The woman-loving Orga whispered playfully as he aimed for her soft, red lips. However, he was once again prevented from touching them. Suddenly, the ceiling loudly collapsed, raising a cloud of dust. Before he could react, his face was caught in a vice-grip.

“… Oi, brat, what are you doing?” [Ryner]

A cold, deep voice asked, sending shivers down his spine.

“You want to kiss her?” [Ryner]

He was scared. It was unnatural. The last time he was this scared was when he was still a child. His mind was frozen. Escaping using Shadow Step wasn’t even considered.

“Haven’t you ever heard of the date rule?” [Ryner]

The man that caught him and wouldn’t let go no matter how much he struggled was terrifying. His sheer presence invoked fear in his very soul.

“No kiss on the first date… Or the father will kill you.” [Ryner]

He was thrown against the wall. The force was great enough to cause cracks to run through it. If he didn’t use body strengthening or wasn’t A rank, he bones would be broken. Sliding down the wall while coughing, he looked for his attacker. The dust settled and what he saw left him speechless. A man clad in darkness stood next to Evelyn. He had white feathers for hair and a single black horn crowned the right side of his head. The sharp, golden eye that emotionlessly watched him prevented him from moving.

“Ryner…” [Evelyn]

Evelyn murmured in an emotional voice. Orga knew the name. He knew who he was, but he didn’t know he could do this or look like that. Was it a unique ability? Frankly, he didn’t have time to wonder or care about it.

Golden strings emerged from the strange man’s overcoat and wrapped around the magic shackles. They pulled them apart as if the steel was no more than paper, leaving Orga stunned once more. His captive began falling since her legs couldn’t support her, but a hand quickly and gently caught her. Supported at the waist, Evelyn leaned on Ryner as she felt her strength slowly return.

“How did you find me?” [Evelyn]

She asked while taking in his majestic appearance.

“All cellphones have a GPS system.” [Ryner]

“GPS?” [Evelyn]

“I’ll tell you later. Right now…” [Ryner]

Sensing danger, Orga snapped out of it and activated his prided ability. He couldn’t teleport to shadows that were very far, but he could exit the room and, more importantly, hide from the monster that kept making him tremble in fright.

But, as his body sunk into his shadow up to his ears, golden strings wrapped themselves around him.

“What?!” [Orga]

They pulled him out like a fish and held him in the air. They didn’t let him go despite his violent thrashing.

“Nice trick. I’m guessing that’s how you kidnapped her.” [Ryner]

The man spoke calmly. Orga could tell that he still had plenty of leeway.

Desperate, Orga started chanting to attack the man that caught him, but more strings appeared and gagged him. He instantly switched to a basic, simple spell that he mastered and didn’t need to chant. Several fireballs were shot out and headed straight for Ryner and Evelyn. However, they were all stopped by a curtain of floating swords that appeared out of nowhere.

Before he could gawk at the scene, the strings started moving. Like a puppet, his right arm was steadily raised to his side and forced straight horizontally. In the next second, his elbow was bent in the wrong direction and a muffled scream leaked from his gagged mouth after the crunchy, snapping sound.

“That was a warning. Attack me again and I’ll literally break you like a doll.” [Ryner]

The cold tone that allowed no refusal or negotiation made him nod his head desperately. The strings unwrapped from around his mouth, allowing him to talk again.

“I surrender. I know I can’t win against you.” [Orga]

While pale from the pain and the pressure assaulting him, Orga rapidly spun words to ensure his survival.

“Ugh, I’ll give you whatever you want, Ryner. It is Ryner, right?” [Orga]

“Then it’ll make things easy. I want information.” [Ryner]

“Of course. My name is Orga. No family name. And I’m one of the soldiers of the rebel army.” [Orga]

“You’re a soldier only?” [Ryner]

Ryner asked while staring straight into his eyes.

“Yes, that’s right.” [Orga]

Just as soon as he finished speaking, a string wrapped itself around the index finger of his left hand and forcibly uncurled it.

“Wait! What are you doing?!” [Orga]

Orga yelled as he felt his finger being bent backwards.

“Are you lying?” [Ryner]

“No, I’m not! I’m a rebel hiding here after the prince was captured! Gahhh!! W-why?” [Orga]

His finger snapped from the strain and pain assaulted him.

“You mind telling me the truth?” [Ryner]

“I told you… I’m a soldier from the rebel army and-.” [Orga]

This time, his middle finger was uncurled. Like the first time, he resisted with all his might, but his finger was slowly bending backward.

“W-wait! It’s true! Stop! Nggh!!” [Orga]

It snapped as well when it touched the back of his hand.

“Want to try again?” [Ryner]

“… I’m Orga…” [Orga]

After breathing hard from the pain, Orga spoke up with a resigned voice.

“And I lead the rebellion to take over this kingdom.” [Orga]

He didn’t know how, but Ryner knew that he was lying. So, to protect himself, he told him everything. He told him of his unique ability, the role he played in the failed coup d’état and even his first attempt to take over Garroth. He didn’t dare lie.

“Who are you working for?” [Ryner]

Finally, when the question came, Orga’s face scrounged up bitterly.

“… It’s a group of people… they call themselves the First Order.” [Orga]

He said in almost a whisper. His employers would kill him for this. They killed all traitors, but right now, Orga had to prevent Ryner from killing him.

“And? Why do they want you to control this country from the shadows?” [Ryner]

“To keep the balance in the world. That’s what they always said. I don’t know how it helps, but I had to take over Garroth. The First Order is an organization that’s been around for a long time. Maybe more than ten thousand years. I don’t know the details. I just receive orders and carry them out.” [Orga]

“Who’s in the Order?” [Ryner]

“I don’t know all of them. I swear. Sometimes, I work with others. I can tell you who they are, but they’re just workers, like me. The high ranking members are incredibly secretive. It’s called the High Council and they’re the ones making the biggest of decisions. I directly reported to them a couple of times, but I never saw their faces. I’m valued, but that’s the most I can do. The grunt soldiers at the bottom don’t even know they exist.” [Orga]

Orga then started telling the names and describing the faces of those he knew were working for the First Order. Still, he doubted that anyone of them had any valuable information. Just like him, they were mostly kept in the dark.

“That’s all I know. I swear.” [Orga]

“… Alright. I believe you.” [Ryner]

A sigh of relief nearly escaped his lips. He tightened his expression before feigning a friendly smile. What came next would determine his fate.

“They’ll find out I told you. They always do. So, I’m out of a job. How about it? Would you like to employ me?” [Orga]

Ryner was powerful. That much was clear. If Orga could attach himself to him, he could hide under his strength.

“With Shadow Step, I could sneak inside anywhere, gather information with ease and even kill off anyone in their sleep. The First Order recruited me for this skill and I climbed up the ladder thanks to it. I did a lot of missions that no man could come back alive. I offer you my skills. Think about what you can do with a man like me under your absolute command. I’ll do any dirty work you want me to, no matter how impossible it is.” [Orga]

Orga enumerated all of the advantages and benefits his unique skill would bring. He appealed to Ryner with all his might, trying to convince him of his usefulness. He had to somehow convince him that it was better to keep him alive. However, the only answer he got was his leg being raised horizontally.

“Eh?” [Orga]

His expression froze.

“You’re pretty good. A part of you is always calm and analyzing the situation to find the best way to survive. You’re like a sly fox.” [Ryner]

“W-w-wait Wait! Wait! Wait!” [Orga]

Strings held his thigh in place while those wrapped around his shin were pulling it up. His leg was trembling as he desperately resisted the pull.

“You don’t believe me, right?! Then, it’s simple! Put a slave collar around my neck! Put the Slave Curse to keep me under control!” [Orga]

“Brat, you’re not the first fox I met that’s trying to trick me.” [Ryner]

His appeal was cruelly ignored.

“AAAARRRGGH!!!” [Orga]

His knee bent in the opposite direction and he screamed in pain.

“Arrgh… God…!” [Orga]

He groaned and clenched his teeth to endure the agony. His arm, two fingers and his leg were broken.

“P-please… Please don’t kill me, Ryner, no, Lord Ryner. You can’t, argh, you can’t do it. You can’t kill a man in cold blood like this. What would, what would the queen and king think? Or their daughters who respect you?” [Orga]

His tolerance to pain was reaching its limit, but his tenacity still held. Even with broken limbs, he raised one reason after another, telling Ryner that brutally torturing and killing him was morally wrong.

“And… Ugh… And Lord Ryner, Evelyn is still here. You can’t show her this… This ghastly sight. What kind of knight in shining armor would you be?” [Orga]

But, the moment he mentioned the vampire, he dug his own grave.

“You want to use Evelyn to save yourself?” [Ryner]

The unknown pressure he constantly felt from him suddenly changed. It became heavier, stickier and more ominous. It was like a predator was breathing down his neck with its mouth open, ready to bite his head off. However, it soon receded and Orga released the breath he was unknowingly holding.

“So he said. What do you think?” [Ryner]

“… Ghastly sight?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn, who had been entrusting her body to Ryner, took a step forward. Her strength had recovered.

“You believe I would find your death to be a ghastly sight?” [Evelyn]

She walked towards Orga and stood before him.

“Ev… My lady… I-mmmngh!!“ [Orga]

Her fingers pinched his lips together.

“You tried to kiss me… You sullied my face with these lips…!” [Evelyn]

Her nails dug into his skin, ripping apart the flesh and spilling his blood. Her kidnapper howled in agony as she tore most of his lips off. His bloody teeth could be seen as he took ragged breaths and leaked pained groans. The voice that came out of his lipless mouth was weak and high pitched.

“You… What’d you do, you bi-.” [Orga]

This time, the vampire’s fingers dug into his chest like claws. The strings, while keeping her prey immobile, moved out of her way.

“Gahh! Agh! ARRGGGHH!!!” [Orga]

She was ripping apart his flesh like a mad beast. It was harder than normal since he was using body strengthening to protect himself, but that was no problem for her.

“Settle for you?! You think I see you as a man!? You dare insinuate that you’re Ryner’s equal?! HIS BETTER?!!” [Evelyn]

“GAAAHH! Waiit! WAAIIT!!!” [Orga]

Blood flew wildly, dyeing the clothes of both the victim and the tormentor. Evelyn went from his chest, to his stomach and to his arms. Nothing was safe from her wrath as she clawed him to pieces.

“These hands touched me!” [Evelyn]

She tore his fingers off.

“ARGH! STOP! FORGIV-!!” [Orga]

“These eyes looked at me!” [Evelyn]

She crushed his eyes in their sockets.

“AAAAAGH!! N-NO! I CAN’T DIE-!!” [Orga]

“This tongue spoke to me!” [Evelyn]

She ripped his tongue out.

“You looked at me like I was your woman and spoke ill of Ryner! You don’t even come to the soles of his feet!! Insects like you should be groveling on the ground and speak only when spoken to!! You believe yourself to be special because of that shadow power?! In your pathetic hands, it’s worthless! Garbage like you!! You could never be useful to Ryner! You shouldn’t offer yourself! You shouldn’t talk to him! You shouldn’t speak to him!! You shouldn’t look at him!!” [Evelyn]

Her incessant, crazed tirade was punctuated by the sounds of wet meat being ripped apart, droplets of water hitting the ground and blood-curling screams that quickly turned into weak groans.

“And I belong to Ryner!!! EVERYTHING!!! For an insect like you!! For an insect like yoouu!!!” [Evelyn]

“Evie.” [Ryner]

Despite her maddened, berserk state, the moment his voice called her by her nickname, Evelyn stopped what she was doing and turned around. Ryner had gone back to his normal human form at some point.

“Y-yes?” [Evelyn]

“He’s dead.” [Ryner]

When he plainly declared the fact, she took a look at her handiwork and her own state. Before she knew it, the strings were gone. She was on her knees, straddling what would be Orga. A huge piece of meat in tattered clothes was on the ground. A couple of chunks were spread around the room that had turned red. The corpse was unrecognizable. The skin and flesh were clawed off. The limbs were missing and the head was no more than a blood-covered skull with hair.

Evelyn, gasping for breath, stood up, feeling unsatisfied. Her black dress was wet and smelled of iron. Her hands, feet, face and hair were dyed red. Her kind drank blood as it was a delicacy to them, but there was no way she would swallow a drop of his filthy blood. She turned around and faced Ryner in her horrifying appearance. He wordlessly stared at her without batting an eyelid.

“… Come on, kid. Let’s get you clean up.” [Ryner]

He said in an almost gentle voice and proceeded to take care of her. From his pocket dimension, he took out a barrel of fresh water and poured it on her naked body. As for her dress, he stored it away for the time being. Once the blood was washed off, she wrapped herself in a towel and motionlessly stood there while he pulled out a clean shirt and pants for her.

Evelyn lifelessly stared at her feet. Her hand went up to her left cheek and began scratching it. She scratched and scratched and scratched as if she wanted to get to something underneath her skin. Very soon, blood flowed out from the self-inflicted wounds.

“Hey hey!” [Ryner]

Ryner grabbed her hand.

“What the hell are you doing?” [Ryner]

“… He kissed me here.” [Evelyn]

She replied to his question in a low, quivering voice.

“I can still feel it. I need to get rid of it. I need to rip my cheek out.” [Evelyn]

A dangerous light dwelled in her eyes. Ryner knew she would really do it. As such, he quickly decided on what to do to calm her down. Putting one hand behind her head, he kissed her forehead.

“He’s dead, Evie. Don’t let it control you. Trust me. You don’t want to let it control you.” [Ryner]

“… I…” [Evelyn]

It didn’t work. He wanted to make her flustered, to overwrite her emotions and reset her mind. But, she was still vacantly staring into nothing. A quiet fire burned in her eyes and her hand was trying to get to her bloody cheek.

“I…” [Evelyn]

“Damn it, Evie!” [Ryner]

“I didn’t want, anyone to touch me, but you…” [Evelyn]

She said as tears quietly spilled from her eyes. Ryner looked at her crying expression. She was hurt more than he thought. It surprised him a bit since he believed that nothing could truly break her. But, he was wrong.

That was why he took a deep breath, readied himself, and took the plunge.

“Mnn!?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise as Ryner suddenly kissed her. His face was so close. His addicting smell filled her nose and his lips were incredibly delicious.

“… Feeling better now?” [Ryner]

He asked once he separated from her and all she could do was nod absentmindedly. Her face was flushed red.

“Ryner… Kissed me…” [Evelyn]

Her mind was trying to wrap itself around an unbelievable fact, one that she always dreamed of.

“Ryner… Kissed me… On his own…” [Evelyn]

“Yeah, yeah. So I like you enough to kiss you. Let’s not shout it to the world, got it?” [Ryner]

“… Ryneeeer!!!” [Evelyn]

She jumped into his chest and hugged him tightly, not minding that only a towel covered her body.

“Ryner! Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner Ryner!!!” [Evelyn]

“Gah! Evie, let go! If you’re fine now, then it’s actually about time we leave! I just punched a hole through the roof of a noble’s mansion to get to you. The guards should be-.” [Ryner]

“SEARCH THE PLACE!! FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED HERE!!” [Guard]

“Speak of the devil… Time to go!” [Ryner]

Since the blushing, grinning and giggling vampire was firmly glued to him, he lifted her in a princess carry.

“Ryner…” [Evelyn]

She looked up at him with feverish eyes. Furthermore, she was drooling.

“Can we continue later?” [Evelyn]

“… Maybe this was a bad idea.” [Ryner]

So, after transforming, which made Evelyn hug him tighter, Ryner flew out of the hole he came from and escaped.