After he finished with his shower, Ryner went to cheer up the two Elkinds like Evelyn had requested. Snow was in her room, probably crying to herself, so he decided to go see Myra. She was in the kitchen, making food even though they just had breakfast.

“Hey.” [Ryner]

When she heard his voice, she turned around. A bit of surprise was in her face, but it was soon changed into a soft smile.

“Oh my, Ryner.” [Myra]

She greeted the young man that was her and her daughter’s savior. Now that he was back to being human, she could clearly see his sleepy-looking expression. It was somewhat relaxing.

“You’re still cooking?” [Ryner]

“Yes. I like to cook and it calms me down…” [Myra]

Her face turned gloomy, but she quickly spoke up to chase away her negative thoughts.

“I learned to appreciate cooking even more ever since you saved us. To be able to prepare delicious meals for my daughter, to hear her say that it is yummy. Fufu, it’s a happy thing.” [Myra]

“Good food is one of the joys in life.” [Ryner]

Ryner crossed his arms and nodded in understanding with a serious expression. She couldn’t help but to find his appearance rather funny.

“Really now, thank you. No matter how many times I say it, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. If there’s any way I can repay you, just say it.” [Myra]

“Nah, I’m fine.” [Ryner]

Her desire to show her gratitude received an instant rejection that was spoken in a lax tone.

“… Are you sure you don’t want a reward for saving us? Most people would ask for one though.” [Myra]

“I’m actually super rich so there’s no problem.” [Ryner]

“Refusing a reward just like a hero. You’re really kind.” [Myra]

“How’d you come to that conclusion?” [Ryner]

“Then, you’re not? Even though you saved us twice? I’ll never forget how you saved me and my daughter from slavery.” [Myra]

“Yeah, we should make this clear. Back then, I was planning on interrogating someone. In short, I sneaked in to kill a man.” [Ryner]

He said casually, making her remember the sea of blood she witnessed upon his appearance.

“Just so you know, I was standing behind the door for a pretty long time. I didn’t burst in right away to save you like the hero you think I am. I was actually thinking of ignoring you two.” [Ryner]

“… Then… Why did you?” [Myra]

Ryner recalled when he first met Maya. The blood had rushed to his head and he slaughtered the bandits. The situation was quite similar, except for one big difference.

There was a door blocking his view. Such a simple thing played a significant role.

“I couldn’t see what was being done, but I could hear it. I could hear it all pretty well, and that pissed me off a lot. Usually, I only kill those who mean me harm, but there are cases like that too. It wasn’t to save, but to punish.” [Ryner]

Because he couldn’t see, he didn’t jump in right away.

Because their ugly lust was hidden from his view, he didn’t get the strong impulse to slaughter them.

“Then again, if the door wasn’t there and I saw you and Snow and the perverts, then sure, I would have charged in without thinking and killed them all. But, it would still be the same thing. I wasn’t saving you. I was killing them.” [Ryner]

It was something that he had witnessed countless times, but he never got used to it, probably because of his personal experience.

“So don’t call me a hero again. It makes me feel itchy.” [Ryner]

“… If you didn’t do it to save us, why did you offer your help? Why take us all the way back to Ofauvra?” [Myra]

“Because I stuck my nose in your mess. Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t do it for your sakes. I just really wanted to end them, but you two were still sort of the reason I went on a rampage. Leaving you in that room with the bodies just didn’t feel right.” [Ryner]

Ryner scratched his head and added “I said I’d take responsibility, remember?” as he stared at Myra who was seemingly deep in thought.

“… Thank you. I appreciate your honesty.” [Myra]

Then, her face broke into a small smile.

“Besides, you still saved us… You really are kind.” [Myra]

The young man she was thanking blinked twice, looking a bit surprised.

“You’re pretty weird, you know that?” [Ryner]

“Fufu, I think your sense of responsibility is weirder though~.” [Myra]

Myra put a hand to her mouth and laughed lightly.

“Oh? You’re laughing and it’s not a fake one either.” [Ryner]

“… My, did it look like I was forcing myself before?” [Myra]

She moved her hand to her cheek and put on a fake smile. Ryner hit her where it hurt.

“Pretty much. Evelyn’s noticed it. Hell, anyone would notice it.” [Ryner]

“I’m alright, Ryner. You don’t need to worry about this old woman.” [Myra]

“Old? How old are you again?” [Ryner]

“I’m thirty two.” [Myra]

“Just that? You should call yourself an old woman in ten years. Though you’ll always be a brat compared to me.” [Ryner]

“Oh my, aren’t you younger than me?” [Myra]

“I’m twenty, but in reality, I’m an eight hundred thousand year old fossil. Make sure you respect your elders, kid.” [Ryner]

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He said something ridiculous with a proud face, causing her to laugh once again.

“Fufufu, that I can enjoy these small moments is all thanks to you. It would have been nice if Snow was here now… And Taniel too…” [Myra]

Her smile disappeared and a gloomy mood seized her. Instantly, she regretted opening her mouth. But, the words spilled out from her lips, regardless of her will.

“I, I wonder… Did he ever truly love us?” [Myra]

She looked down and held her hands together as her eyes became moist.

“… Did my husband ever love me?” [Myra]

“I think he did.” [Ryner]

Slowly, she looked back up and silently stared at Ryner’s face.

“Remember I was there when he was dying. You can learn a lot about someone during their last moments. When he called out to you two, there wasn’t any scorn in his voice. It was actually… Warm, or something like that. For a guy that wanted you dead, he seemed to care an awful lot.” [Ryner]

Casually, he told her his impression of when he saw the dying Taniel talking to his wife and daughter.

“I think he did love you. But he hated humans more. So he chose revenge over you and Snow.” [Ryner]

After he finished talking, there was a moment of silence that floated between them. Then, tears spilled from Myra’s eyes. Without hiding it, she let them roll down her cheeks as she stared at Ryner.

“Crap. Not what I wanted to do.” [Ryner]

He said as he thought back on his words that didn’t sound really comforting. He was supposed to make her feel better, but instead he made her cry.

“Um, yeah, sorry. I was trying to cheer you up. Evelyn asked me to, but truth be told, your forced smile was becoming painful to watch. I’d like your gentle smile back. Really wasn’t smart talking about your husband’s last moments or that he loved revenge more than you and I’m gonna stop talking now.” [Ryner]

Myra’s voice was leaking out and she began sobbing in front of him. She covered her face with her hands and released her sorrow, causing Ryner to scratch his head with an uncomfortable expression.

“(Not my finest work.)” [Ryner]

“I’ll… Leave you alone for a while.” [Ryner]

In the end, after much deliberation, he chose the safest option: retreat.

However, the moment he took a step back, Myra’s hands grabbed onto his wrist. She looked up at him and gazed into his eyes of different color. Then, without warning, she closed the distance between them, put her hands on his shoulders and rested her forehead on his chest.

“Please… Let me stay like this… For a bit…” [Myra]

She pleaded and leaned on the sleepy-looking man that was younger than her, had immature bouts, acted weirdly, but felt so reliable. Ryner lifted his hand, hesitated for a second, and gently patted her head. Her fox ears stood up because of the unexpected action, but soon fell down again. There was no discomfort. Rather, it was soothing. She cried harder than before.

The two stayed like that for perhaps a dozen seconds.

“This isn’t good.” [Ryner]

“Kya!” [Myra]

However, Ryner broke whatever harmony was in the air and lifted Myra in a princess carry. With the widow in his arms, he went up the stairs at a brief pace, heading to the second floor where the bedrooms were located.

“R-Ryner?” [Myra]

She asked as she stared at him with her wet eyes wide open, perplexed by his actions.

“You shouldn’t be doing this with me.” [Ryner]

He said as he made his way to Snow’s room and kicked the door open, startling both its occupant and the woman in his arms.

“Sorry for barging in~. Ah, I’ll fix the door later.” [Ryner]

After unceremoniously declaring so, he entered the bedroom. Inside, Snow was crying to herself on her bed. Her face was wet with tears and she stared at the intruders while hugging her tail.

“W-w-what?! Ryner?! Mom?!” [Snow]

Ignoring the bewildered fox-eared girl, he put her mother on the bed right next to her. Myra stared at him, confused just like Snow.

“You should be doing this with your daughter.” [Ryner]

“Huh?” [Myra]

“It’s only the two of you now.” [Ryner]

Both of them, upon hearing his words, had their breath caught in their throat. Taniel was gone. Their family of three was reduced to a family of two.

“So cry together. Stop trying to smile and just cry.” [Ryner]

Ryner said in a tone that was nonchalant, yet commanding at the same time. Furthermore, he put his hands on the two’s shoulders and forced them to get closer.

“Cry until you can smile again.” [Ryner]

Snow, pushed by him, leaned on her mother and looked up at her. The warmth of her body made her eyes moist.

“Mom…” [Snow]

She said in a pitiful voice instead of putting up a strong front like she had been doing until now.

“*Sniff* Snow…” [Myra]

Myra whispered her daughter’s name and embraced her in her arms. As if that was the signal, Snow broke down in tears and wailed loudly as she clung to her mother. Myra also wept, joining her daughter as she shed tears once again. Hugging each other, they did as Ryner said and wholeheartedly cried. Like a broken dam, they expelled everything they built up with their wails and their tears.

Ryner watched the mother-daughter pair for a short while and then turned around to leave. The door was broken, so he closed it as much as possible before exiting and going down to the first floor. In the living room, Evelyn was waiting for him. She sat on the sofa with one leg over the other and watched him approach with her deep red eyes.

“Good work.” [Evelyn]

“Really? To me it looks like you’re disappointed.” [Ryner]

“Perish the thought. Why would I be?” [Evelyn]

“Your poker face’s gotten pretty good, but not good enough to fool me.” [Ryner]

“… I believe that I can fool you just fine, though? If you think about it, you might find yourself to be a surprisingly dense man, despite being so sharp.” [Evelyn]

“If you say so, Evie.” [Ryner]

She chuckled elegantly as she acted like a fine lady.

“(You never noticed how I felt about you for five hundred years, or that I steal your clothes, keep pictures and videos of you and use them every night when I’m alone. So yes, I do believe I can fool you.)” [Evelyn]

However, her thoughts weren’t exactly matching her high-class looks and were rather deplorable.

“Just guessing here, but were you trying to get them to rely on me more?” [Ryner]

“Myra and Snow still have influence because of their connections to the royals of this kingdom. They owe us a debt and travelled with us in the past to boot. Making sure that they’re on our side didn’t have any demerit. Plus, Myra is a beautiful woman.” [Evelyn]

“(There’s also Snow, but she is a bit lacking to be your partner.)” [Evelyn]

Evelyn kept her rude evaluation of the fox-eared girl to herself.

“So the plan was for me to comfort her when she was at her most vulnerable to get her to fall for me. That’s pretty devious. Devious, but unneeded.” [Ryner]

“Do you not find her attractive?” [Evelyn]

“You do remember that she just lost her husband?” [Ryner]

“Her husband betrayed her and wanted her dead along with their daughter. I doubt she still loves him.” [Evelyn]

“I’m not gonna start hitting on her because she’s free. You make it sound like I can only think with my lower body. Besides, if all you wanted were connections to influential people, you have some with the king and his family already.” [Ryner]

“Although you are right, I simply wanted to increase the number of trustworthy allies as much as I can, and the royal family does not clear my criteria for being a ‘trustworthy ally.’” [Evelyn]

Ryner scratched his head and sighed.

“Ah that so? But don’t make a plan that involves me flirting with women. It feels annoying.” [Ryner]

“Do you not find it pleasant as a man?” [Evelyn]

“If I want some fun, then I’ll go see some professionals. Besides, these types of plans aren’t really my style.” [Ryner]

Evelyn’s eyebrow twitched when she heard the word “professionals”, but her attention was soon focused on another matter. Ryner was staring right at her. His half-closed eyes were unusually serious.

“I’m willing to do a lot of things to achieve my goals, but there are also lines that I won’t cross. So I’ll say it again. Manipulating people to make them fall for me is annoying.” [Ryner]

“… Understood.” [Evelyn]

The vampire bowed her head to show her acknowledgement, but also to hide her face.

“(So, so cool! His face was so cool and dashing! I wished I had taken a picture! I’m sure it would have been fantastic to use it at night!)” [Evelyn]

She was blushing and trying to stop the corner of her lips from rising into a smile.

“If you get it, then that’s that. I’ll be going over to the Catallards.” [Ryner]

“Be careful on your way there.” [Evelyn]

When she heard that he was leaving, she somehow fixed her expression and lifted her head.

“I’ll be fine. I’m freaking immortal. Shouldn’t you be careful since you’re not? Vampires can regenerate, but they can still die.” [Ryner]

Ryner said jokingly and turned around to leave.

“There is no need to worry. I am the woman that managed to kill you, remember?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn rebuked in jest, but her words caused him to stop in his tracks. He stood there, silent for a few moments as an indescribable atmosphere drifted around him.

“… Sorry. I really shouldn’t have forced that role on you.” [Ryner]

He apologized in a voice that was filled with regrets.

“It’s all in the past now, Ryner.” [Evelyn]

Although initially surprised, Evelyn got her bearings back and smiled gently.

“In the past and in another world. That’s why it doesn’t matter anymore.” [Evelyn]

Ryner slightly nodded his head and left while waving his hand without looking back. The vampire saw him off until he exited the house and held her hands together on her lap.

“… Besides, I already got from you both my reward and my revenge.” [Evelyn]

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes as she gripped her hands tighter.