Fuhren

"Alex-san. Say aaah."

Alex skillfully ignored the offered piece of meat and bit down on his own food. The holder of the skewer was once again sullen.

"Alex, come here."

"Hmm. What is it?" Alex bent down a little and his head came closer to Yue.

"Hmph. Be nicer to Shea" Yue flicked his forehead. She even used a little magic. Now, her finger hurt. She had time and time again asked him to be nicer and gentler to Shea.

"Fufu Alex-san, you better be good to me or no meat for you." Having Yue's support made Shea's mood spring back up and she became bolder too. She once again held the meat skewer in front of him and blushed slightly.

Alex sighed and chomped down on the meat as Shea beamed with joy. 'Delicious. Shea is really the best cook.'

"Aaah." Yue joined in too.

***

The merchant state of Fuhren.

There were long lines at the gate and every person and carriage was checked many times. There were four layers of security and nobody was allowed in without a pass from the guards, no matter their identity.

Alex already had a hunch but Yue and Shea were equally puzzled. They once again illusioned their way through the gates and entered the city.

The city was unusually deserted of civilians with a lot of soldiers patrolling here and there. The few shopkeepers and customers talked in a hushed voice as if afraid to alert someone. The entire city projected a sombre ambience.

There were a few people with backpacks and carriages probably leaving the city for the capital.

Alex and co walked up to a person and asked him a few too many questions. The random passerby was overwhelmed but still answered.

"Two days ago, the guild got the news t-that demons have begun invading the human border with thousands of monsters. Even the heroes betrayed us. The town of Ur was completely destroyed with no one surviving." According to him, people wanted to go to the capital where it was the safest but they were scared of demons intercepting their way.

Shea opened her eyes wide while a strange thought flashed in Yue's mind. Alex, on the other hand, wondered how just one person became the entire party of heroes. Rumors sure are exaggerated. But the demons did succeed in shaking the faiths of the people on the heroes.

After getting a few more details, they sent the person away.

Settling down in a relatively quiet restaurant, they ate some food in silence.

"How cruel. the demons didn't even spare little children." No matter how many she had killed or would kill in the future, they would all be her enemies. Still, the bunny girl had a very kind and compassionate heart and the fact that an entire town filled with thousands of people was destroyed was a hard pill to swallow for her.

Alex didn't say anything but rustled with her hair as he drank a smoothie. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the rare moment of affection.

"Yue, what's wrong?" Yue had been strangely quiet all this time.

She lifted her gaze from the table and looked at him intently.

"Alex. You knew."

Alex nodded and didn't deny it. It was easy to figure out anyways.

"Does it not matter to you if humans die?"

"Why should it matter? Do I know them? I only care about you and Shea. Others don't matter."

Yue seemed a little disappointed with the answer. Alex smiled at her and picked her up with his free hand and put her on his lap so that she could drink his blood.

"My perverted Yue is enough for me."

Yue still bit his nape obediently. After having her fill, she licked her lips and looked Alex in the eyes. She spoke in barely a whisper.

"I want you to stay a human. I don't want you to become what you would have been in the abyss. I want you to have lots of people surrounding you..."

These were merely a few words but they entailed more than what could ever be said.

In the abyss, he was already half a monster both in mind and body. Yue, who he met in there was someone who anchored what little vestige of humanity he had left. Their relationship couldn't merely be described in words.

As for Shea, Alex was her light. He saved her and her family when they were at the edge of a cliff without anywhere else to rely on. Alex too would have to say that he relied on her and cared about her a lot.

Alex hugged her tighter and hugged Shea with his left arm. Alex knew they both loved and cared about him even more than they showed on the surface.

He decided.

At that moment, his strong yet lost heart found its way. That's right. Just as the ones who loved him, he would live for their happiness. Those who might care about him, he would care for them. As for those who hurt them, he would obliterate them. Nothing changed about his personality or his acts but his heart was never firmer before.

Alex showed the most dazzling smile he had ever made in both his lives. Shea who could see his face was stunned and a hot, red hue spread on her face. Happiness bloomed in her heart and her eyes got a little wet as her feelings finally touched Alex's heart, albeit a little.

Alex stood up with Yue still in his embrace and said to both of them.

"Let's go. We have someone to save."

They both got a little excited seeing Alex so enthusiastic for the first time.

All the people in the little restaurant were left dumbfounded wondering just what did they watch.