It’s been a day since Evelyn’s punishment was decided. Ryner was currently inside a town that Avalon had stopped at. Since she was sentenced to confinement, he left the ship and came down to the town by plane. Mi, on the other hand, was left behind so that her fluffiness could soothe the vampire and, perhaps, heal her perverted tendencies. Now that he settled things with Evelyn, he needed to deal with the other culprit.
“(And that’s how it is. I’ll have Evelyn grounded for a while. Maybe a week or so will be enough.)” [Ryner]
“(That’s quite serious, Master~. She must be feeling very lonely~.)” [Maya]
“(Don’t talk like it doesn’t concern you. You’re next, idiot. You’re getting the One Hundred Spanks Punishment when I see you again… You’re not into that, are you?)” [Ryner]
“(Oh my~, Master, do you want me to enter my mating season? But, it’s over already~. Please wait next year. I’ll invite you to the festival with me~.)” [Maya]
“(… You two are damn perverts.)” [Ryner]
Sitting at a counter that served drinks, Ryner was telepathically talking to Maya. Behind him were a bunch of round tables where people donning armor and carrying weapons sat at. Those around him gave him weird looks because of his getup that entirely hid his skin, but quickly lost interest. Some, however, whispered to their friends when they saw him because of the rumors they heard about him. They heard about the strange hooded man dressed in black that became an adventurer.
“(Evelyn really loves you, Master~. It’s sad that you didn’t accept her feelings.)” [Maya]
“(Your seriously think anyone would in that situation?)” [Ryner]
While quietly sitting with a glass of milk in his hand, Ryner kept exchanging words with Maya. The beastman’s easygoing voice resounded in his head as he told her that he discovered what they did to him, that he talked about it with Evelyn and that she was now stuck aboard the Avalon as punishment.
“(But, you don’t hate her, right?)” [Maya]
“(Everyone’s got dark secrets, even saints and heroes. No one is completely good and I sure as hell knew that she’s not perfect. I took care of her for centuries. This was one of her dark facets and I’ll let it go this one time.)” [Ryner]
“(Really~?)” [Maya]
“(‘There is no black and white, only shades of grey.’ It’s a saying I’ve learned that applies for quite a few things. Hers was more on the white side on my personal Judge-o-Meter… That and frankly, I’ve seen way worse.)” [Ryner]
Ryner said to the beastman that he couldn’t see and lifted his glass of milk. But, he was wearing a mask that covered his entire face. So, he detached the lower half and took a sip of the fresh milk. A few people muttered “That mask can do that?” when they saw him drink his beverage.
“(Really~? So, you do like her~.)” [Maya]
“(She’s lucky I’ve seen way worse dark secrets of those I knew, or she would have hit the dirt already. The same goes for you.)” [Ryner]
He asserted that he would forgive her once since she didn’t move because of her hatred, but her repressed love for him. Having experienced worse types of betrayal that mostly ended in the traitors’ demise, hers was like a prank compared to them. That was why he chose not to cut ties with her.
“(What the hell were you thinking, anyway? I can’t believe you joined her in that stupid stunt. You wanted me to hate you?)” [Ryner]
“(Mhhh, that’s not exactly it. It’s hard to explain, but I felt like that was how we could get closer to you.)” [Maya]
“(… The hell gave you that idea?)” [Ryner]
“(My instincts~.)” [Maya]
“(Your instincts suck! Throw them away and get some new ones that aren’t so messed up!)” [Ryner]
Despite being found out, Maya only said “I see~.” and kept talking in her easygoing manner. Even though they were talking about her crime, she didn’t seem perturbed at all. Her flippant tone made one wonder if she even felt any guilt.
“(Fufu~, but I think we had to do it to get someone like Master to trust us.)” [Maya]
“(No, that’s just the exact opposite of earning my trust. How the hell did it play out in your mind?)” [Ryner]
“(I felt that there was this… Distance that I couldn’t cross to reach you. If I took a step forward, you would take a step back, like you were afraid of me. It became obvious when I saw the same thing with Evelyn, and you were much closer to her than me. That’s why I felt that I had to forcefully cross it to really stand by your side.)” [Maya]
“(… And that was your answer?)” [Ryner]
He said, implying the night the two of them carried out their plan in an unhappy voice.
“(Master, you now know our ugly sides and how we feel about you from the bottom of our hearts. Wouldn’t you trust us more now that you do? Isn’t it better than not knowing what we’re hiding?)” [Maya]
“(That’s messed up logic.)” [Ryner]
She believed that he would trust her if she revealed all of her cards, all of her deepest secrets. It was a notion that was born after interacting with the man known as Ryner.
“(Fufu, that’s because it’s Master we’re talking about~.)” [Maya]
“(You’re saying I’m messed up? You picking a fight?)” [Ryner]
It was a twisted logic to get close to a twisted person.
“(I wonder if your brain didn’t get affected after being alienated by your family since childhood.)” [Ryner]
“(Oh my~, how rude! I’m currently one of the candidates to be the next Catallard head~… Still, whatever the reason was, what we did was inexcusable… I deeply apologize, Master. I will accept any punishment.)” [Maya]
Maya respectfully apologized and Ryner could easily picture her kneeling on the floor. Her voice had lost its light tone from before. Regret, guilt and bitterness was mixed in as well. He remembered what she told him back in Ofauvra.
“I will return to you soon, Master. You can punish me however you want then. Even if I become the clan head and am a Catallard once again, I am still Maya, your sword, your shield… And your slave.” [Maya]
She was fully prepared for this to happen. Although, whether she knew how deeply her actions would affect Ryner like Evelyn saw was uncertain.
“(Obviously, idiot… But, by the sound of your voice, you already knew it would end like this.)” [Ryner]
“(Fufu, that’s because Master is kind even if he tries to hide it~.)” [Maya]
The easygoing tone returned in her voice.
“(Annoying… Fine, whatever. I forgave one. I’ll forgive you too, but just this time. And you better be ready to work like hell to make it up to me.)” [Ryner]
“(Of course. As your slave, I will dedicate everything that I am to you.)” [Maya]
“(Then act more like a slave.)” [Ryner]
“(Once I’ve taken control of my clan and have them pledge their allegiance to you, I’ll be there right away.)” [Maya]
“(Wait… That’s why you stayed behind?)” [Ryner]
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“(With every Catallard clan members at your service, you’ll have a small fighting force to help you, Master. Wouldn’t that be useful~?)” [Maya]
“(Don’t. Using a kingdom’s elite force sounds like it comes with too many strings attached. Just mourn properly, damn it.)” [Ryner]
Although Ryner rejected her plan, she just lightly laughed and changed the subject.
“(Fufu~. By the way, Master, I can’t seem to reach Evelyn. Is she ok?)” [Maya]
“(… I took away her choker. I’ll be taking yours too.)” [Ryner]
“(Ehhh~?)” [Maya]
“(You don’t have the right to complain, idiot.)” [Ryner]
Ignoring Maya’s complaints, he ended the call one-sidedly. Compared to Evelyn’s case, their conversation was much more relaxed and casual despite the heavy topic. Having spent less time with Maya, her betrayal didn’t affect him as much as Evelyn’s did. He might have shown her mana purification to keep his promise, but he never fully trusted her. That was why she was only taught the first degree of purification. If she ever turned on him or spread the method around, he could still deal with the problem with some room to breathe.
“Those idiots…” [Ryner]
Ryner muttered under his breath. Some stared at him, but no one heard him. He thought about this experience that he went through by the hands of the blonde vampire and the beastman slave.
“Idiots…” [Ryner]
He muttered bitterly once more.
“What’s this, what’s this?” [???]
“Oi, stop it.” [???]
“Drunk again… Come one, adventurers need to watch their reputation.” [???]
Approaching Ryner, who was drinking milk alone, was a visibly drunk man in light armor. His two friends were trying to get him to return to their table, but he didn’t budge at all. He stared at Ryner with an arrogant smile on his face and a mug of beer in his hand.
“Is it you? The masked guy that became one of us adventurer yesterday?” [Adventurer]
He asked while knowing the answer. The man that was the most recent topic joined the adventurer guild and was always hiding his face. He was dressed in black, wore a jacket with the hood over his head and a black mask that didn’t have any holes for the eyes. Inside the guild where people took on jobs or ate and drank, there was only one person who fit the description, and he was drinking milk at the bar counter.
“I heard, you know. They’re thinking of creating a new rank just for you. A G rank!” [Adventurer]
The adventurers’ words reminded Ryner of yesterday’s events. To see for his own eyes how ranks were determined and for the sake of collecting more information on the one that held a Heaven’s Blade, he went to the guild and registered as an adventurer. When he went to the counter and asked one of the receptionists, he was taken to a large room on the second floor where several people waited along with the device in question. It was a platform that consisted of two huge silver bells on both sides. Their height was easily two meters and their clapper was replaced with some sort of blue gem.
When he stood between them, they began moving back and forth, but didn’t produce any sound. Instead, the bells scattered white particles of light that resembled phosphorescent powder every time the mouths were aimed at him. When those in charge of the device saw that there was no reaction when the powder came in contact with him, they made a commotion, saying that such a case had never happened before.
Apparently, the light and color of the powder would change when it touched a person and that was how they could tell how large their mana pool was. However, in Ryner’s case, it didn’t change at all. No matter how small, everyone had a mana pool in them which would cause the powder to turn slightly pink.
“Is the Bell Finder broken?” [Someone]
“No, it’s working perfectly fine.” [Someone]
“Then he’s really born with no mana?” [Someone]
“This is a new discovery.” [Someone]
After a few more useless checks and some redundant questions, they asked him to stay in town for a while and let him go, finally finishing his registration as an adventurer. Now, he was officially allowed to loiter around in the guild. For some reason, the building also functioned as a restaurant for adventurers only. As such, sitting at the bar and drinking milk required one to have the adventurer badge.
“You seriously don’t have any mana?! Are you normal at all?! Hahahaha!” [Adventurer]
While blankly staring at the rowdy and drunk man who didn’t listen to his friends, Ryner was slowly emptying his glass.
“Hey! You don’t look too strong either! And you’ve got no gears to boot! Are you too poor to even buy a simple sword! How are you going to be an adventurer?! Ah, that’s right! You could do jobs for fifth class for the rest of your life! Look for stray dogs while I go and take on orcs and ogres! Gahahaha!” [Adventurer]
“… Who are you anyway?” [Ryner]
Ryner asked after he put the mouth part of his mask back on.
“Me? You never heard of me?! I’m-!” [Adventurer]
“No, I don’t really want to know. I was just asking to be polite.” [Ryner]
He raised his hand and interrupted the burly man’s introduction.
“If you want to be polite, then let me finish speaking! I’m-!” [Adventurer]
“Like I said, I don’t want to know. I don’t really care that you’re called Johnny.” [Ryner]
“Who the hell’s Johnny?! I’M-!!” [Adventurer]
“Then, Dave. You look like a Dave. Or maybe a Louis. You look like a Louis.” [Ryner]
“WOULD YOU STOP INTERRUP-!!” [Adventurer]
“By the way, who are you?” [Ryner]
“THAT’S IT!! YOU’RE ON!!!” [Adventurer]
The red-faced adventurer was rearing for a fight as he tried to approach Ryner. He yelled at his friends who grabbed onto his arms to restrain him, telling them to let him go.
“I need to teach this bastard some manners! He’s got no mana and he’s making fun of a D rank like me!” [Adventurer]
“You can’t! You’ll get your badge revoked if you cause trouble here!” [Adventurer]
“That’s why I said not to drink so much!” [Adventurer]
The other adventurers noticed the commotion and intently watched on to see what would happen next. Some even betted on who would win if a fight broke out. While calmly looking at this scene, Ryner turned his whole body around to face them.
“If you’re selling me a fight, then I’ll buy it.” [Ryner]
“Huuuh? Stop acting cocky! Wait until I break that sleek mask of yours in piec-!” [Adventurer]
“However! The loser will be punished.” [Ryner]
Once again interrupting him, Ryner thrusted his right fist at them and held it there for a second. Then, he flipped his hand over and raised his index and ring finger. Held between them was a single gold coin.
“A, a gold coin…!” [Adventurer]
“Yup. He’ll have to pay a fine to the winner.” [Ryner]
Seeing the coin that many would never see in their entire life, the drunken man calmed down and stopped struggling. His friends were wide-eyed as well. Once his brain processed the information, the corners of his lips were raise into a smile.
“… Heh. Hehe! What do you know? You’re pretty rich, after all. That’s fine. That’s fine, so bring it o-!” [Adventurer]
“Oh yeah, it’s not just one coin.” [Ryner]
Ryner clenched his fist and flipped it again. Now, held between his curled fingers were three gold coins.
“Let’s make it three.” [Ryner]
This time, the adventurer’s mouth was agape and the spectators were talking to each other excitedly.
“… Al, alright. You, throwing so much money away like that, you’ll regre-.” [Adventurer]
“Nah, on second thought…” [Ryner]
Once again interrupting his opponent’s words, he flipped his hand for the third time and uncurled his fingers. What were in his palm were five gold coins.
“F-f-f-fi, five gold coi-?!” [Adventurer]
“That’s right. If you can beat me in a game of arm-wrestling, then you’ll win five gold coins.” [Ryner]
“““OOOOOOHHHHHH!!!””” [Everyone]
“Did you hear that?!” [Adventurer]
“Damn! Five gold coins! I wished it was me that picked the fight instead!” [Adventurer]
“I could use it all on wine and women!” [Adventurer]
“Don’t you already do that?” [Adventurer]
While the crowd was getting excited by the sum offered to the winner, the drunk that started the commotion was both feeling delighted and nervous. He didn’t have that much money. If he lost, he would be in debt.
“(He was actually really rich! Could it be the rumors weren’t true and he’s really strong? No, wait! That couldn’t be! If a newcomer was C rank or above, we would know. Yeah, that’s right! There’s no way I could lose against him in arm-wrestling! I’m a D rank and he’s got no mana for whatever reason! That money’s good as mine!)” [Adventurer]
But, in the end, he convinced himself that there was nothing to worry about and found his drunken confidence once more.
“Heh! Get ready to never see those coins aga-!” [Adventurer]
“So, watcha gonna do?” [Ryner]
“Kuh! Like I was sayi-!” [Adventurer]
“Watcha gonna do?” [Ryner]
“I-!!” [Adventurer]
“Watcha gonna do when they come for you~?” [Ryner]
“STOP DOING THAT!!! IT’S ON, DAMN IT!!” [Adventurer]
Five minutes later…
“Uuuuuuuhh~…! *Sniff* Uuuuuuh~…!” [Adventurer]
“That’s why I told you not to do it! The rumors about him having no mana were definitely lies!” [Adventurer]
“You should have known not to mess with him. I mean, that guy looks damn shady with his getup and all.” [Adventurer]
The result was an overwhelming victory for Ryner that left the crowd speechless. While he returned to sipping milk at the bar, his challenger was lying face down on the table and crying his eyes out.
“A… A debt of f-five gold coins… In an instant…” [Adventurer]
Since he didn’t have the money on him, he was told that he owed him a favor equivalent to five gold coins. In short, he would be the masked man’s errand boy.
“(Well, that was a good distraction. And I got myself a pawn… Though I don’t know how useful he’ll be.)” [Ryner]
While he was leisurely enjoying his drink, a man and a woman approached him.
“By any chance, are you stupid?” [Woman]
That was the first thing the woman said to him.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, aboard the Avalon…
“Mhhhhh~! Mhhhmmhhmmhhh~! Hehehe~. He forgave me~. He forgave me~.” [Evelyn]
Evelyn was still giddy about the fact that Ryner didn’t hate her, even though it happened yesterday. Rolling around on her bed while sporting a huge smile on her blushing face, she kept humming, giggling and talking to herself.
“Wonderful~! He’s so wonderful~! Ah! But, he didn’t tell me if he loves me too!” [Evelyn]
She stopped rolling and raised her upper body with a shocked expression.
“… Oh well! He doesn’t hate me and wants me to stay with him. Then I’ll stay by his side forever and make him happy~!” [Evelyn]
One beat later, she lied down and happily rolled left and right again. It had happened countless times already, but the blonde vampire was on cloud nine, too happy to have noticed. She would have looked very much like a pure maiden in love if not for the fact that she was hugging Ryner’s boxers to her chest and greedily sniffing it.
“Ahhh~! *Sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff* … Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh~! That’s right! I should write my daily report to record this feeling! Until Ryner comes back and my punishment’s over, I need to wait for him patiently. For Ryner! I love you, Ryner!” [Evelyn]
The punishment didn’t seem to be too effective for the moment.
As for Mi, who stayed aboard the Avalon, she instinctively knew better than to enter the vampire’s room when she was like that. That was why she was currently taking a nap in Ryner’s room.