Without Ailsa, Ryu couldn’t afford to ignore the little one for long. So, he had no choice but to continue Little Gem’s treatment on his own based on Ailsa’s plan.

Sarriel blinked several times, seeing Ryu take out such an adorable little beast. She almost wanted to rush over and nuzzle with it. But, thinking of Ryu’s personality, she had no choice but to hold her womanly instincts back, pulling all the will power she could muster together.

Surprisingly, Sarriel wasn’t able to see through Little Gem’s origins. However, Ryu wasn’t very surprised by this. The curse on Little Gem was a far greater barrier to seeing through her true potential than any powerhouse could hope to put up. If it wasn’t for Ailsa and Ryu seeing Little Gem hatch personally and Ailsa having knowledge of this curse, they would have had no idea.

’The Black Vein Spirit Seeking Lilies…’

Ryu shook his head again, still not having an answer. He could only ignore it for now.

Little Gem stuck out her little pink tongue and yawned. Nowadays, whenever she finished having her fill of Ryu’s energy, she would hop around a bit and immediately feel too tired to do much of anything else. In the end, the little one collapsed into a deep sleep, her little paws grabbing a hold of Ryu’s clothing.

Ryu smiled lightly, scratching around Little Gem’s gem. The little one seemed to like when he did this a lot, even to the point where she smiled in her sleep.

”… How do you know the way to Tri Palace?” Sarriel tried to break the ice with Ryu again. With him, it almost felt like she had to do so literally.

”The key directs me.” Ryu replied.

”Oh…” Sarriel felt that she had hit another wall.

She tugged at her robes a bit nervously. Though Ryu didn’t seem to feel awkward in the slightest, the silence was killing Sarriel. Even at their speed, it would still take several days to reach the Tri Palace. If things continued like this, she would die of a pounding heart before they ever got there.

”… Why did you call me to join you?” Sarriel tried again.

For such a shy girl, she seemed intent on getting Ryu to talk. Or, maybe it was just that she was less shy and more socially awkward than anything else.

Sarriel believed that Ryu must be socially awkward as well, but the truth couldn’t have been further from this. Ryu could socialize just fine. It was just a matter of if he really wanted to or not.

Ailsa had tried to convince Ryu to make his own faction in the past, but he outright rejected. More recently, Ailsa had hoped that Ryu would make some friends after entering Osiris, hoping that the environment of more talented youths would help this along. But, once again, most had been stone walled by Ryu.

He hadn’t even tried to say goodbye to the members of Violet Olive, not that they could truly be considered friends to begin with.

Ryu didn’t believe himself to be a good leader, so he never wanted a faction. Even if he was, he might still choose this path. He was certain that his family only fell so swiftly due to betrayal, there was no other explanation.

The mountain that lay before him was already tall enough. He didn’t want to make it any taller by having to worry about being backstabbed.

”You know the answer to that already, don’t you?” Ryu replied, still petting Little Gem. “You are a beautiful woman and the easiest way for me to draw a line between me and them.”

Sarriel blushed profusely. “But, there was Isatalia present as well. She’s also beautiful. Why me and not her?”

Ryu seemed to remember that there was indeed one other woman amongst those youths. She was indeed quite a beauty, and much more seductive judging by her clothing. If you could ignore the scent of death on her, she was, indeed, a ripe fruit to pluck.

However, Ryu still found Sarriel’s question to be ridiculous.

”There’s no comparing your true appearances. Plus, you’re the only one I could guarantee would follow.”

Sarriel’s blush deepened even further. But, when she looked at Ryu’s side profile, she almost passed out.

Only one he could guarantee would follow? Sarriel was certain that Isatalia would had jumped at the chance had she had the opportunity. It was like Ryu wasn’t even aware of his own charms.

Truthfully, Ryu had spent much of his first life ignoring women. It wasn’t like Elena was the only woman to throw herself at him. Just his status as a Scion alone warranted this, let alone the potential of passing on four Ancient Bloodlines to his descendants.

Plus, since he was a mortal, theoretically, it was marginally easier for him to have children.

However, Ryu’s charm in this life was very much separate from his status and his use as a sperm bank.

”… What do you like in women?”

”In women?” Ryu rose an eyebrow. “I like confident and strong women. I like women who are arrogant and prideful.”

Sarriel blinked, not having expected Ryu to really answer. She really couldn’t get a read on this man. Theoretically, Ryu should have abstained from answering at all.

However, she soon lowered her head. Confident, arrogant and prideful. These were all things that she was not.

”Are there any exceptions?” Sarriel asked softly.

”Exceptions?” Ryu’s mind fluttered to the memory of a certain half Faerie, a guardian that had always been by his side. “I guess there are, yes…”

Of course, Sarriel had no idea that Ryu wasn’t talking about her at all. But, her heart still fluttered wildly, completely out of her control.

Ryu suddenly turned his head toward Sarriel, only to find that she was as red as a tomato, even down to her long, drooping ears. She looked quite adorable at the moment.

”You still haven’t explained what a Fey like you is doing in a world as small as this one.” Ryu said.