“Liang, Liang, wake up!”
Rias’s excited voice rang in his ear, and then his arm was shaken nonstop.
He opened his eyes with some reluctance.
“It’s still early.”
Ever since signing the contract yesterday, Liang had decided to close the shop temporarily tomorrow and take the girl out for a walk.
Who knew she’d be so excited she barely slept all night, constantly asking Liang about the outside world.
Last time she sneaked out, she was too busy stealing food and got chased the whole time, so she never really noticed her surroundings.
Liang didn’t want to dampen the girl’s enthusiasm, so he rubbed his eyes and got up.
Rias was already wearing a collar, spinning once beside the bed.
“Does it look good?”
The girl’s face was already delicate, but her dark red bangs hung down, covering her right eye and revealing only half her face.
On either side of her head were broken horns.
On her snow-white neck was a simple collar that looked somewhat out of place.
Liang nodded and complimented, “Looks good.”
Upon hearing this, the corner of Rias’s mouth lifted slightly, then quickly suppressed the smile.
But her lively little whip-like tail wagging behind her fully revealed her current mood.
The two tidied up and stepped outside.
It was Rias’s first time walking normally on the street like this, and she nervously clung to Liang’s arm.
When the people around saw a succubus openly appearing in the city, all eyes turned to her.
Only when they noticed the collar around her neck did they slightly relax their vigilance.
In the current wartime situation, demon slaves were common, though usually only the nobility could afford such slaves—especially a succubus, whose price was even higher.
Appearing in this small border town was definitely conspicuous.
Soon, Rias gradually relaxed and started curiously examining the nearby shops.
Liang followed behind her, watching the girl’s lively demeanor.
“Shop Owner, how much is this?”
Rias stopped in front of a store, pointing curiously at some dried fruit.
The shop owner lifted his eyelids, and seeing a demon slave standing there, his expression instantly darkened. He snorted coldly, “Ten silver coins.”
Rias froze upon hearing this, clutching the five silver coins in her pocket and feeling at a loss.
Those five silver coins were given to her by Liang in the morning to buy things, but was this really that expensive?
Rias hesitated.
Seeing this, the shop owner sneered, “If you can’t afford it, then scram, demon beast.”
Hearing the insult, Rias instinctively wanted to teach this hateful human a lesson but quickly held herself back.
“No, I can’t cause trouble for Liang.”
The girl whispered softly.
But the shop owner continued to sneer, “Who’s the idiot who bought a succubus? What use is a demon beast anyway…”
Before he could finish, an angry boy suddenly appeared in his vision, and the boy’s fist rapidly grew larger in sight, crashing hard into his face.
With a scream, the shop owner covered his bleeding face and collapsed to the ground, roaring, “Who? Which little beast dared to hit me?!”
Meanwhile, the culprit, Liang, had already pulled Rias away from the scene.
The girl was tugged along, running, her hair tousled by the wind.
When they finally stopped, she looked at Liang with some hesitation.
“Is what you did earlier… okay?”
Despite her words, an excited smile still lingered on her face.
“Well, that guy was talking trash.”
Liang was unconcerned.
After all, the man wouldn’t die from a punch.
Then, waving his fist playfully, he smiled, “So? Wasn’t it cool?”
At that moment, Liang seemed to shed his mature exterior and truly looked like a teenager.
Rias blinked, then the corner of her mouth twitched upward, nodding, “Very cool.”
The boy had really looked impressive standing up for her just now.
Aside from her mother, it was the first time she’d felt protected like this.
Sure enough… he was someone worth trusting.
“That guy simply hates demons and purposely set the price so high for you.”
Liang explained.
If that man hadn’t spoken so rudely, he wouldn’t have lost his temper.
Afterwards, when he strolled through the city with Rias, he didn’t let her buy anything herself but took care of it.
After all, in this border town, many people despised demons.
He had overlooked this point.
Even though Rias had the status of a slave and could walk freely in the city, most still discriminated against demons.
Seeing the girl’s excitement fade into disappointment, Liang felt a bit guilty, so they returned home early.
Liang pinched the bridge of his nose and apologized to Rias, “Sorry, my fault. I should’ve anticipated this.”
“It’s okay, I still had fun.”
Rias shook her head.
She clearly understood the conflict between humans and demons.
If Liang went to the Demon Domain, he’d probably be eaten outright.
Seeing the girl still somewhat downcast, Liang decisively changed the subject, “By the way, how do you demons usually increase your strength?”
“You want to take revenge on your sister, right? Let me see if I can help.”
Rias snapped back to attention and briefly explained.
The demons’ method of strengthening was simple: absorbing magic power and activating the bloodline within to evolve.
They could also grow stronger by devouring other Magic Beasts and humans.
Eating humans often brought the greatest benefit, which was why demons waged war against humans—a fundamental survival conflict.
“Purifying the bloodline through magic power?”
Liang thought deeply.
Could he create a potion to speed up magic absorption?
Such a potion wouldn’t only work on demons but would greatly enhance humans too.
After all, most human professions required absorbing magic power, though they used it differently.
Some relied on Godly Power bestowed by the gods.
Liang shared his idea with Rias.
Her eyes brightened for a moment before dimming again.
Her lips moved: “In theory, yes, but maybe it won’t work for me…”
Liang was puzzled. “Why?”
The little succubus bit her lip, seeming to gather courage, and stared straight at Liang.
“Don’t… be afraid…”
Her rare show of bravery made it impossible for Liang to refuse, and he nodded.
Rias lifted her right-side bangs, revealing the bandages underneath.
Liang knew that since he’d met her, she’d never removed the bandages on her face.
Now, she slowly untied that layer before him.
Her right eye was tightly shut, with no scars visible above it.
Just as Liang was about to say something, his arm was grabbed, and he clearly felt the girl’s hand trembling slightly.
She was scared.
Without hesitation, he reached out and held Rias’s other hand.
Her hand was soft and tender to the touch, but Liang didn’t focus on that now.
Rias seemed to calm down gradually.
Her right eye’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened it.
Liang’s gaze froze, his entire body stunned.
Because there was nothing in her right eye. Nothing at all.
Only an unsettling emptiness.
The next moment, she immediately closed her eye again.
“Liang… I…”
Her voice was unusually flustered.
Liang didn’t give her a chance to continue and gently pulled her into his embrace.
“It’s nothing… it’s nothing. I’m here.”
He whispered comfortingly in her ear.
Her soft, delicate body trembled, then gradually relaxed, simply feeling the security in the boy’s protective chest.