Less than five minutes had passed since Lu Ren's departure.
His figure reappeared in the still-open rift.
However… behind Lu Ren, there was actually a girl following him!
And she was a girl with a pair of Dragon horns!
After exiting the rift… Tohru curiously surveyed her surroundings, blinking in confusion.
Until…
Her gaze met Tamamo-no-Mae's... Clang!
The tray Tamamo-no-Mae held in her hand dropped to the ground, her expression blank.
Her large, watery eyes looked at Lu Ren, full of grievance.
One Yakumo Yukari was already troublesome enough!
Now, of all things... another competitor had arrived!
And... the other party was a Dragon Maid!
"She's the dragon the Mountain God mentioned, from deep in the mountains behind us."
"She was gravely injured, and I healed her."
"I saw she was listless, so I invited her over."
Lu Ren raised a finger and casually pointed at Tohru behind him.
After briefly explaining the situation, he stretched and lay down on the beach chair.
"Whew..."
"You scared me to death..."
"I thought you had summoned another Servant!"
Upon hearing Lu Ren's explanation, Tamamo-no-Mae patted her chest, finally relieved.
"A dragon...?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka exclaimed in shock.
She stiffly turned her head to look in Tohru's direction.
Tohru was wearing a tattered cloak, her pale skin now faintly visible.
"Mm."
Tohru responded concisely.
Her attention wasn't on the humans, but rather observing Tamamo-no-Mae.
Tamamo-no-Mae merely glanced at her.
After confirming that this dragon had no ill intent, she simply ignored Tohru.
"Master, the meat is ready."
"Let Tamamo feed you herself."
Tamamo-no-Mae brushed truffle sauce on the grilled Wagyu beef and happily ran towards her Master.
Tohru's appearance made her feel a sense of crisis.
Therefore... she began to express her love more vigorously than ever!
"Ah..."
Lu Ren didn't refuse, directly opening his mouth, like a spoiled young Master.
The tender and juicy grilled meat, roasted over charcoal, had an even richer aroma.
Taking a bite of the grilled meat, he narrowed his eyes in enjoyment.
"Miko, open me an iced cola."
"The full-sugar kind."
Young Master Lu, lying on the beach chair, bossed around his excellent employee.
"Oh..."
Miko had no complaints and acted extremely quickly.
She was Lu Ren's little follower, an absolute devotee!
Lu Ren had saved her... and given her a pair of bells for summoning Shikigami.
He also provided her with generous compensation and a place to live.
Although she didn't know much about Lu Ren or his affairs.
But those who have lost happiness are best at recognizing it, and best at cherishing it.
With Lu Ren, Miko found her sense of security and once again felt warmth.
In her heart, Lu Ren was like her father from childhood memories, towering and gentle.
Perhaps it was her humble background that made her afraid to easily voice these feelings.
However... Miko was a content and good girl.
As long as she could stay by Lu Ren's side, she was already very happy!
..."Little Tamamo, what about ours?"
"I want grilled skewers too, and I want iced beer!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka said indignantly, she had contributed too!
"Get it yourself!"
"Can't you see I'm busy!"
Tamamo-no-Mae rolled her eyes at her, but when she turned back, her face was still wreathed in smiles.
"Tch..."
"Always just fawning over Little Lu..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka grumbled unhappily, she stood up and looked towards Tohru's position.
For some reason... this dragon seemed a bit taciturn, or perhaps she was a bit unaccustomed.
She couldn't understand why everyone was holding a flat box [phone].
Nor did she dare to try those different colored potions in bottles.
She didn't know what cola was, or what "full-sugar" meant.
She could only sit by the bonfire, watching the others chat.
Until... Hiratsuka Shizuka, holding a tray, sat beside Tohru.
"Want some?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka gently placed the tray in front of Tohru.
"Mm."
Tohru picked up a skewer and swallowed the grilled meat on it in one bite.
The grilled meat was very fragrant.
It made Tohru's appetite soar, and she entered crazy eating mode!
She ate continuously, finishing her portion.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, witnessing this scene, was almost dumbfounded.
However... Tohru suddenly spoke up with a question at this moment.
"What is the relationship between that fox and Lord Lu?"
Tohru's voice echoed in Hiratsuka Shizuka's mind.
This was [Telepathy].
Anyone with a bit of power could easily do it!
"Master and Servant, I guess..."
"Little Lu is the Master, and Little Tamamo is the Servant..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka thought for a moment and gave a fitting answer.
"Servant...?"
"What is a Servant...?"
Tohru asked again.
She came from another world and didn't quite understand the rules here.
"How to put it..."
"Little Tamamo says she is a Shrine Maiden Fox who serves her [Master]..."
"It's probably similar to a [Maid] in noble culture..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka briefly pondered and gave an example Tohru could understand.
"Maid..."
"What is a Maid...?"
Tohru was still confused; there were no such things in the dragon world.
"Let's... change the topic."
"Miss Tohru, why do you ask?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka saw that explaining the history of maids would take a while, so she simply changed the question.
Tohru fell into a brief silence, she looked at Tamamo-no-Mae, then at Lu Ren.
Finally... she mustered her courage and spoke her true thoughts.
"I want to stay by that person's side..."
"To accompany him like that fox..."
"As for the reason..."
"He saved my life, and I want to repay this kindness in a gentle way."