33. Fire Camp

The curtain was wide open, basking the room with dim moonlight. Elena was already there, sitting cross-legged on the sofa and leisurely taking a sip of her favourite liquor.

"Took you long enough, Ryo." Greeted Elena.

"Well... a little girl almost bumped into me in the hallway, so we have a small chat," replied Ryo while he sat on the opposite side of Elena.

"You mean Freyr? Huh, That saved a lot of time to introduce her."

"Who was she?" asked Ryo, but it looked like Elena was not in the mood to explain to him. So Katya intruded on their chat.

"A child, which her mother was exterminated by Elena. Yet, due to her kindness... She took the child and promised her mother to raise her. Beautiful story, isn't it?"

At first, Ryo couldn't believe what Katya said. A woman with high self-esteem, who looked so dignified, like Elena, took pity on an exo-creature like her. But after a moment, he realized why Elena's face was somewhat a bit tired.

"Hmm... That explains why you have those eye bags," said Ryo as he leaned to examine her expression.

"Enough with the chit-chat. You found something useful?"

"Something indeed? I think I found the whole scheme behind all this non-sense. Apparently, there is a crackhead in Underworld putting a heavy bounty on my head."

Katya just listened calmly. She just took a glance at both of them while Elena was smirking and taking a full shot of her liquor.

"First, Alucard himself came here. And that wretch Abyssal Queen was tricked by someone in World Government to hunt you. Now, that moron recruited a bounty hunter, what a joke."

"Whatever their plan, they just want to toy with me!" Ryo was quite upset because he couldn't score his revenge.

"Right, so what happened to the guy who attacked you?" asked Elena while she poured another shot.

A bloody moment that he had seen not so long ago rushed to his head. That was his first experience witnessing someone's beheadings. Ryo took a moment before saying anything. He took Elena's glass and chugged down the burning liquor in one gulp.

"I slashed his hand, and Emma finished him."

Elena, who had slashed countless enemies, was smiling brightly and somewhat so proud that Ryo finally experienced his first.

"That's what humans did since ancient times, Ryo." Katya chirped suddenly from her desk. She took pity on Ryo but he needed to endure such cruel world that he lived in.

"Yeah, I know... So what's the next plan to catch these bastards?"

"Easy enough, just let them come. I'm sure they will appear at the Fire Camp. Two weeks from now," answered Elena as she took back her glass.

Ryo was intrigued because he had not heard any information about the Fire Camp whatsoever before.

"Fire Camp?"

Elena chuckled quite loudly and couldn't hold back her amusement.

"Yes... our annual surprise event for the first year!"

Katya shook her head, cause the Fire Camp was Elena's idea a decade ago and had always been held since.

"The official announcement will be released on Monday morning," added Katya.

"Well, I will leave that for the future me, I guess? I think it's time for me to take some rest. I will return to my dormitory."

"It's already too late at this hour. The dorm supervisor won't allow you to just walk in. You can use the room that you used when you just came, it was well kept to ensure you can use it whenever you want."

He suddenly halted his step as he realized Katya's word was right. It would be bothersome if the dorm supervisor caught him creeping to the dormitory in the middle of the night.

"Or perhaps you prefer Elena's room?" teased Katya with a sly smile on her face.

Ryo immediately hid his reddened face, and a certain part on his crotch hardened in instant.

Even Elena was almost choked by her burning liquor, and her eyes got teary.

"Mother!" Elena screamed.

"Haha, just kidding... Get some rest, Ryo. Tomorrow is your free day after all."

He couldn't hide his awkwardness and stiffly smiled, "To be frank, I prefer my small yet comfy room rather than the spacious room."

Thus, Ryo exited Katya's office shyly and hid the bulged part on his crotch by keeping down his shirt.

"What was that for?!" asked Elena after she was sure Ryo was away.

"Well, I know you were holding yourself when Ryo was around," said Katya with an amused smile.

"Tsk!! What do you know about me!"

Katya let out a heavy sigh. She knew Elena was not her daughter nor someone she could call blood-related. Practically Elena was herself, yet she had her own consciousness and a strong-willed ego, a completely different entity that was made by Katya.

"I know everything... Because... I am your mother, although you won't accept it as it is. But you are still as good as my sole daughter, Elena."

Elena was in awe after hearing that. The more she wanted to despise Katya, the more affection she received for the last hundred years. She sat solemnly and wiped a tiny tear on her eyelids.

"No need to thank me, just go. Don't make a mistake like I did. He is your mate after all," said Katya as she looked at the night sky through the windows.

Thus, Elena rose up from her seat and exited the office.