The girls seemed to be rather afraid that I would suddenly decide to be scared of them and run away. Instead of just letting me walk at their side like a dog, they had decided to carry me all the way to the town, where their next destination was.

Apparently, they had decided to take a break after exterminating both Gorn and Morgana and their armies. The idea didn't come from the hero but from his companions. The strongest voice had been Myra, who had exhausted her mana several times within a few days, and the beastkin girl who was carrying me now.

 

«She said she needed a break. Why is she carrying me around?!»

 

My gaze wandered towards her face. Her eyes were almost the same color as her dark-grey hair, making them look dark and stern. This couldn't be further from her real self. She had been gentle and welcoming towards me, just as much as the other girls. At least they weren't hating animals.

Her name was Azu, at least this was how the other girls had called her when they were playing in the water before. Even though she wasn't human, she wasn't exactly hated by the other girls, they were rather distant, however. The naive and happy-go-lucky Myra was the sole exception.

A light sigh left Azu's lips as we reached the edge of the forest. Her steps got slightly slower and I felt her heart beat faster than it had done before. It was obvious that she felt more comfortable and safe even in the underwood, where she could be attacked at any time.

 

«Maybe she isn't good with people?»

 

My guess couldn't be further from the truth. It wasn't that Azu avoided strangers, but rather that humans disliked or flat-out hated beastkin.

When we reached a large farmland that had about a dozen men building something that looked like a large barn, I saw it clearly in the faces of the strangers. There were curiosity, envy and contempt, the later of them aimed at Azu who tried to keep her gaze down so she wouldn't accidentally meet their eyes.

Azu was so tensed up that she didn't even realize that her hold onto my body had gotten tighter. Her arms were shaking slightly, they seemed as restless as her heart. I couldn't help but pity her.

 

«The demon's would have accepted her without thinking twice ...»

 

When we reached the construction site, which was located near the road connecting the forest to the town, Azu's grip got tighter again. Her fingers were piercing into my flesh. I couldn't help but scream out in pain. A loud yelp left my mouth, it petrified the beastkin instantly.

 

"So- sorry," she said. "I didn't want to hurt you."

 

I couldn't help but licking her now far more gentle hand. Azu seemed surprised, but her expression quickly changed into a gentle smile.

 

"Thank you, Ahri ..."

「If you would really be thankful, you wouldn't call me with the name the hero gave me!」

 

Azu didn't understand my loud protest, instead, she was interpreting it as some kind of invitation. Before I could even decide on whether it was better to yell at her or just bite her, she had already turned me onto my back. A gentle hand started petting my chest and stomach.

 

「Don't hold me like a baby! I could be your mother!」

"Such a happy little fox you are~"

「I'm not a fox! I am a demon! A succubus! I have lived longer than you by decades!」

 

She ignored my protests yet again. Everything I said, everything I did, she interpreted as just a little fox pup begging for even more pats and attention. It didn't take long for me to give up, especially since the other girls have been glancing on us in envy and suspicion.

 

「I shouldn't make her life any harder than it already is ...」

 

A vibrating sound echoed through my body. I didn't do it on purpose, I didn't even know how to do it in the first place, but I did not fight it either. There was no reason for me to do so.

 

«It feels good. So what?! Anybody would like this!»

 

I closed my eyes, letting a vivid picture of Karion lying on his back appear. I was gently petting his muscular chest and stomach. The purring noise got louder, but I just accepted it.

 

«This is the best~»