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"Master, I won't cause trouble anymore. Please stop hitting me, my butt's all bruised," Jibril said, clutching her sore butt with a face full of grievance.
"Hmph, serves you right for talking nonsense," Riku said calmly, eyebrow raised. He wasn't about to admit he was addicted to spanking — the feeling was just too good.
"By the way, master, that orc and the mech-girl next to you are glaring at us. Oh no, so scary~" Jibril's eyes twinkled mischievously as she flopped over Riku like a cuddly bear, teasing him.
Riku couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Jibril really didn't miss a chance to take advantage of him. He suspected she might "attack" him at night later.
Taming a nympho Heavenly Wing obsessed with his body was kinda messed up...
But Jibril was right — he couldn't leave Fia and Jubi hanging any longer.
Thinking that, Riku rubbed his temples. Explaining Jubi's situation to Fia was hard enough, now with Jibril added in, plus Koa waiting... managing this harem was definitely no joke.
No matter how annoying, he had to face it. Without hesitation, he picked up Jibril and headed toward Hatsuse Fia.
Why did I say "picked up"? Because Jibril looked pale and weak, saying she had no strength left at all.
Even though Riku knew she was faking it, he had no choice but to carry her.
"Hubby, I'm so glad you're okay. But what about her...?" The moment Riku got down, Fia rushed over, tugging his sleeve, first expressing relief, then glaring fiercely at Jibril, eyes full of undisguised hostility.
Jubi was one thing, but Jibril? She really couldn't accept her as an enemy.
"Riku, little girl lover~" Jubi also stared at Riku, softly muttering.
Nearby, Shinku and other weak forest spirits looked on, wanting to leave but afraid. Seeing this scene, their expressions twisted strangely.
Was this going to turn into a love triangle after the battle...?
And that Jibril actually got tamed so easily... this human...
Shock and disbelief still lingered in Shinku's eyes as she scanned back and forth between Riku and Jibril.
"Ahem, Jibril lost to me, so she's my servant now," Riku put Jibril down and patted Fia and Jubi's heads, trying to sound gentle.
"Hmph, womanizer," Fia muttered quietly. It was faint, but everyone there heard it.
Riku just pretended not to notice and kept a calm expression.
"Darling, I really don't trust her," Hatsuse Fia said seriously, looking up at him. "If she finds out where our base is and reports it to the other Flügel, we're screwed."
"Oh my, little beast cub, who are you saying is untrustworthy?" Jibril asked with a sweet smile, eyes fixed on Hatsuse Fia.
"And who can say for sure?" Fia shot back without hesitation.
"Alright, enough already," Riku said wearily, giving both of the girls beside him a light tap on the head. "Let's focus on the matter at hand."
As he spoke, Riku shifted his gaze toward the elf-like Forestborn standing a short distance away.
Fia, Shubi, Jibril, and the other beastkin all turned to look at them too—like a pack of hungry wolves eyeing a stray lamb.
Even though Jibril wasn't entirely clear on the backstory, she could more or less guess Riku's intentions based on the current situation.
That's why she was pretty intrigued now. She wanted to see how her new master would deal with the Forestborn.
"L-Lord Riku… is there something you need?" Shinku took a step forward, summoning her courage despite the chill crawling down her spine.
They were like prey now—trapped in the sights of predators. And the kind you couldn't escape from. One wrong move, and it'd all be over.
"Darling, when I negotiated with the Forestborn, they weren't cooperative at all. When I helped them, I could sense killing intent directed at me. Then when we encountered Jibril, and I stood up for them, they immediately tried to use me as a shield. They could've helped, but didn't even consider it." Fia stared at Shinku, her voice unwavering and honest as she laid everything out.
"I don't think they ever had any real intention of joining us," she added coldly.
Her feelings toward the Forestborn were pure disgust now. They insulted Riku—unforgivable. Their whole attitude rubbed her the wrong way. In her eyes, even if they joined the alliance, they'd just be playing along on the surface.
"Oh? Is that so? How interesting," Riku said with a small chuckle, though his eyes flickered with killing intent.
He was smiling, but to Shinku, it felt like standing on the edge of death.
"You've got it all wrong! I didn't mean it like that!" Shinku tried to explain, her voice dry and shaky. But everything Fia had said… was true.
"With beastkin senses, you think you can fool me?" In a blink, Riku was right in front of her, staring down with a faint smile.
In that instant, a wave of deathly pressure crashed over her, paralyzing her with fear. She couldn't even think about resisting.
The other Forestborn wore twisted expressions—rage, fear, confusion—but none dared speak, let alone fight back.
They had all seen what Riku could do. Going against him meant instant annihilation. No exceptions.
"Lord Riku… It's true we didn't think things through at the time. The situation was chaotic, and we didn't have time to make proper decisions. But now, I'm willing to lead the Forestborn in joining your alliance to fight the War God together," Shinku said bitterly.
She used to look down on humans, calling them monkeys. Now, she was practically groveling, calling one of them "lord." What a joke fate could be.
Still, she had once doubted him. After all, how could a human possibly stand against the War God, the strongest being in the world? But after witnessing Riku's strength, a sliver of hope sparked in her heart.
Their creator had also been slain by the War God. They shared a deep, unresolvable hatred.
"....."