Ryuen moved side by side with Aika, his eyes closed as usual.
But he could sense Erina's movents in the trees; it was slow this ti, not as quick as before.
His mind replayed the brief battle earlier—from the girls' speed to how Erina killed the beast without breaking a sweat.
He was sowhat excited that he had found himself in a world where the impossible was possible.
He could imagine how his students would react if they t Erina.
"You seem oddly calm for soone who nearly beca a beast's food," Aika uttered, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Ryuen glanced at her. "If you call it 'Razard,' then I'll give you a reply."
Her brows furrowed, and she couldn't deny that the na was good—and very creative.
Heaving a sigh, she opened her mouth. "You seem calm for soone who nearly beca the Razard's food."
She repeated it, earning a smile from him. He simply shrugged and faced forward.
"Why would I be worried when it's a normal thing? Besides, you two had it covered."
Erina suddenly appeared beside him, her fluffy tail swaying in random directions behind her.
"You're very confident, mortal. Is this how your kind are?"
Ryuen chuckled. "Let's just say there are strong and weak-hearted people."
As they approached the palace, Ryuen could hear Haruka's voice from afar.
He imagined they would be in a particular room, restricted, but the king seed accommodating enough.
Aika pushed the entrance door open and nearly fainted.
Her gaze fell on Haruka, who hurried into the throne room, wearing what looked like the king's robe.
Akari followed, holding a dusting brush and a spray bottle.
Kenta went in after her, laughing heartily. He looked normal until he erged from the room again, wearing the king's crown.
He vanished down the hall, dragging Yuta, who had a scarf wrapped around his face and sunglasses.
At least he was the only one who didn't...
He was holding the king's staff.
"Who are those?!" Erina asked, trying hard to suppress her laughter at Aika's expression.
"My... students..." Ryuen trailed off, equally shocked.
Erina clasped her hands together. "My goodness, mortals from your world are really amusing," she giggled.
"Compared to the greedy ones here," her tone dropped as she said that, but she exclaid again.
Without saying another word, Erina hurried off, her hair bouncing with every step.
She vanished through the throne room door, leaving a stunned Ryuen and Aika.
"Uhm... sorry."
Aika snapped her head at him. "And why are you still here?" she said between gritted teeth, her crimson eyes glowing fiercely.
Ryuen chuckled nervously and took a step away from her.
He stopped to think for a mont, still staring into her eyes, then did the most unthinkable thing.
He patted her head, winked, and hurried off the second she scread in frustration.
As Ryuen made his way into the throne room, he saw the king on his throne, seated comfortably with his legs in a basin and a towel around his head.
Beside him was a very familiar bag, with curlers peeking out of it, and a comb.
His gaze shifted to his students, performing so kind of play for him.
And Yuta was actually talking.
"Unbelievable," he mumbled, his shock doubling.
His gaze moved back to the king, expecting to see a look that scread death. But no, what he saw were the eyes of a father playing with... his kids.
"Aren't kings supposed to be terrifying?"
He asked no one in particular, but Erina replied.
"My father is not like those pride-dripping kings. He's a simple, free being." She paused and sighed.
"He was raised by a king strict enough to kill whoever breathed too loud near him."
Ryuen glanced at her. "Is that king still alive?"
"Very much, yes. And as lively as my father, he's at the palace I live in, with my mother," she shrugged.
Ryuen's eyes grew wide, unable to believe how the royal family was.
Everyone was so easy to get along with.
Well, except Aika and probably their grandfather.
"Ryuen!" Akari yelled, calling his attention imdiately.
He smiled, proud that she had finally called him by his na.
He straightened his posture, only to get shoved aside by Aika.
"The audacity of you filthy mortals!"
"Aika, let them be," King Arel interrupted before she could say anything else.
He leaned against the armrest, exhaling.
"Earthlings are fun creatures. They an no harm."
Ryuen covered his mouth, almost choking.
How much Ryuen wished they stepped foot on Earth and saw how diabolical humans could be.
They might as well be worse than the mastermind behind the whole war and apocalypse.
However, he maintained his composure and remained silent as Aika made her way to the king.
"Father, why would you let them disrespect you? They're wearing your crown!"
"So?"
"That's forbidden!"
"Tell your grandfather that. Besides, that's the dressing crown, not the main one," he answered lazily, raising his hands to his face, admiring them.
"And why are you like this?" she asked, her tone growing softer.
"The human girls gave a... leg make-up?"
"Pedicure?" Aika asked, and he nodded. "Father, you're a king, for crying out loud."
"A lord deserves to be pampered," he countered, earning a frown from her.
"Now I need you to get ready to leave."
"Leave? And go where?"
"I didn't actually co to help you hunt down a beast," Erina answered before the king.
He sent a knowing glance at Ryuen, who imdiately understood.
He called his students over and whispered a few words to them.
He watched as they handed over the king's crown, staff, and robe, then hurried out to do what he instructed.
Aika stepped away from the throne, giving the king room to move and see the room.
She stood beside Erina and Ryuen, waiting for what he had to say.
"Erina, you're late. Why?" he asked, his tone switching to a more serious one.
"Grandfather made help with transferring the prisoners to the outlands," she replied softly and smiled.
"You look good, father."
"All thanks to your sister and mother," he answered, mirroring her smile. "I see he got you to like Cleopatra's style."
"Cleopatra?" Ryuen thought, confusion settling in. "Is there soone nad Cleopatra?"
"Heavens no," Arel chuckled. "The mortals here sohow got so magazines from their trips, sothing with a train ride..."
"They had pictures of fashion styles that my girls seed to like."
Ryuen mumbled an "Oh," realizing they were not the only ones who ca through the train.
King Arel's gaze suddenly turned dark. "How are you still standing without a mark?"
"Ah," Ryuen chuckled nervously. "I didn't actually get hurt."
"He's really brave for a mortal, father. That explains why he's with Aika," Erina chid in, earning a groan and a chuckle from both ends.
"This young man," the king explained, his mind going back to their first encounter.
"Has incredibly fast reflexes, keen senses, hidden weapons, and a strong heart."
Before anyone could say anything else, a figure stepped into the throne room.
His golden eyes glowed faintly as he set his gaze on the king and his sisters.
His sharp features and imposing stance exuded authority and elegance.
His eyes locked onto Ryuen, a flicker of envy, disdain, and irritation passing through his eyes.
He made his way closer to the group, his head held high.
Who could bla him, with green hair framing his perfect face, eyes like gold pearls, and a voice like silk?
"Father," he called softly, stopping beside Ryuen, who imdiately caught a whiff of his sandalwood scent.
And so did he, oddly amused by how good a re mortal could sll—like lavender and incense.
However, he did not let himself get carried away.
He continued, "Is this the mortal you've spoken so highly of?" he asked, glancing at Ryuen, who did not move an inch, as expected.
"Indeed," Arel replied.
"Is that why you summoned ? I was busy with the city's barriers, father."
"That's not why I called, but I need everyone to et him," the king answered, smiling.
"Ryuen Takeru has proven himself to be a better mortal, and capable too. You could learn a few things from him."
"What did mother say about this?"
King Arel smirked. "She's, I dare say, smitten with the young man."
"What?!"
The four yelled in unison, much to the prince's displeasure.
"How dare he flirt with our mother?"
"I did not flirt with anyone," Ryuen defended calmly, earning a glare. But he did not back down.
"Ryuen, this is Jun... Jun Shirokami Wang," the king said, a smile on his face, which Ryuen returned with a small one.
He turned to the prince, who sized him up before scoffing.
"It's a pleasure eting you, your majesty," he said flatly.
Erina chuckled softly and moved to Jun's side.
"You look good," she leaned closer, pressing her body tightly against his, "and you sll good too."
"Thank you, and you look as beautiful as always suster," Jun complinted her.
He pushed his fingers between her ears to rub, but a glare from her made him rethink.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
She nodded and moved back to her position.
"So, father, what is the real reason you called us?"
"I need you four to visit a dungeon that opened in the middle of the city."
"Again?!" Aika exclaid, frustration laced in her voice, but Erina patted her to calm her down.
"What class are the beasts?"
"Class D, it shouldn't be difficult for you three. I'm worried about the human," he said, shifting his gaze to Ryuen.
Who only smiled and dipped his hands into his pockets.
"You don't have to worry about , your majesty."
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