As soon as I returned to the village, I reported back to Quiche. And immediately following, I welcomed Quiche as new

in her village chief's office at the cost of a lot of blood.

Naturally Quiche fainted. So I quickly dashed over to her side, and lent her my thighs to rest. Lash-san had been watching from the ceiling too.

Since she's a ghost I can't really tell from her look whether she's angry or sad. However, she's clearly missing her usual cheerful, inquisitive mood.

Even so, Quiche being alive was much more important for now. As she was sleeping with her head in my lap, I took a peek at the small bee tattoo on her cheek. Her cheeks were faintly red, making me touch them so as to nurse her.

Right now, your duty as Commander-in-Chief can rest. Get some good sleep…my friend. Even after you've become my bloodkin, I'll still treat you as a friend.

At that moment, Quiche's remark that she wouldn't go back with us after the Evil Dragon King was defeated crossed my mind.

You took in children with no family and rebuilt your home…Cydale together with them.

Considering the distance from Hekatrail to this village…and although you had some children with you who can fight like Arry or Taack, moving via the Hino village while taking several kids along that need protection should have been quite the adventure.

Well, even when we met for the first time at the Bewitching Baraydus Mansion, you had children with you. So it might not have felt like such a great adventure since you and them seemed to have plenty of combat experience.

And I knew that you strongly wished to become my bloodkin in an attempt to obtain the power of a Lucival for the sake of protecting everyone at the village and killing Underground Goddess Rolga.

Quiche…

As I have been watching your gentle disposition that causes you to cherish your ancestors and family as well as your way of life where you've been doing your utmost to act as a role model of a knight and leader…I've started to feel very proud of you.

This is something I never told you directly, but in my heart, I admire you as a great, hard-working knight and friend, you know?

That's also why a part of me didn't want to bring up the matter of bloodkin with you.

However, at this point you're already my kin, so it's moot to talk about it now.

If your friend Sherry finds out about this, she'll obviously become angry that you've gone through with this without talking it over with her.

I must meet Sherry when I get back to Hekatrail. I also must talk to Ledond, the leader of Bloody Longears, and although I don't really feel up to it, I should also have a chat with Chardonnay…

Quiche asked me to negotiate with Chardonnay in her stead…also, there's the dispute between Oseberia and Zamalia, and I think it'd be better if I met with Eris in regards to the guild, too.

I'll also check Kuna's store. I think she's already gone, but…that sturdy door doesn't seem to be anything that can be broken down easily.

As I considered all that I had to do and so on, I stared at Quiche's sleeping face. She still seemed to sleep very snugly. I gently poked the tip of her nose with my index finger, but she didn't wake up.

Anyway, I'm going to use the time until Quiche gets back up. It's the perfect opportunity to check my status.

While stroking Quiche's pretty hair and leaning back against the wall…

Status

Name: Shuuya Kagari

Age: 22

Title: Demonic Gigachad of the Supreme Spear (NEW) 1 Race: Light Demon Lucival

Combat Occupation: Spirit Spear Blood Chain Master : Sage Hands of the White Flames User

Strength: 26.3 → 26.7

Agility: 27.6 → 27.8

Stamina: 23.8 → 24.0

Mana: 29.3 → 28.0

Dexterity: 24.7 → 25.2

Spirit: 30.7 → 29.2

Luck: 11.5 → 11.0

Current Status: Normal

As I already expected, my Mana and Spirit went down. But, this was inevitable as all kinds of things occurred, such as me turning Quiche into my bloodkin, me welcoming Spirit World Knight Shuhelia as my own

, me acquiring

(NEW),

(NEW)

Permanent Skills:

(NEW),