[Ch. 32] A Feral Protector

Ryu swayed before collapsing on the ground. Panzram rushed toward him and turned him over to see his face. Although Ryu's body was as cold as a corpse, Panzram could tell he was still alive because of the goofy-looking face he had whenever he slept.

Panzram sighed and picked him up. He held Ryu in his arms and started walking out of the door, or what was left of it, with a serious expression. Nezu squeaked as Panzram carelessly pushed him to the side.

Nezu hurried after Panzram, "Ah! Let me see you back. I feel responsible for this matter and you didn't even get a chance to enjoy your meal."

Panzram shot him a frightening look, "No need."

"Eep!" Nezu froze.

Although Nezu was handsome and elegant, he was in fact quite a cowardly person.

He wouldn't dare go against a person like Panzram.

Ryu groggily opened his eyes and looked around. When he sat up, he noticed that he was back in his room. He scratched his head, messing up his already disheveled hair.

"You're up?"

Ryu flinched at this deep and curt voice and looked over to see Panzram sitting at the table with his arms crossed. Under his sharp distrustful eyes, Ryu yawned and stretched. He crawled over to the table and rubbed his eyes, "How long have I been asleep?"

"You missed your shift." Panzram responded coldly.

"Ah. Oops." Ryu shrugged not really caring too much about it. Missing his shift was a common occurrence. He also didn't care because he already placed safeguards just in case something was to happen while he wasn't there.

Ryu looked at the table in front of him and noticed that it had several tea cakes and mochi on it. Panzram noticed he was looking at the food and drinks in front of him, seemingly not interested in any of the food. Instead, his eyes rested on the prepared tea.

Since Ryu made no effort to grab anything, Panzram poured him a cup of tea. Ryu grabbed it greedily. As he sipped it, he spoke. "What happened?"

Panzram glanced at him, "I had to carry you home."

Ryu spat out his tea in surprise.

He looked at Panzram with wide eyes, "You carried me home!?"

Panzram nodded once.

Ryu groaned and rubbed his head. He had a feeling that the workers and the Madame were quite pleased to see this. Ryu peeked through his fingers and saw Panzram looking at him with a scowling face. Ryu dropped his fingers and put on an enticing face.

He leaned towards Panzram with a flirtatious expression, "Panzram…"

Panzram raised an eyebrow.

Ryu blinked coyly and whispered, "Can we just forget that ever happened?"

"No." Panzram responded bluntly.

Ryu's head hit the table, "Urg…"

Panzram pushed a plate towards him, "Eat this."

Ryu shoved it into his mouth and swallowed it without giving it another thought. Panzram clicked his tongue as he shook his head. Ryu looked at him in confusion, "What? What is it?"

Panzram glanced at him with sharp eyes, "Do you really just eat anything put in front of you?"

Ryu opened his mouth to defend himself but hesitated. He puffed out his cheeks, "Maybe…"

"What if someone poisons your food?"

Panzram was always careful and distrustful of everything. After witnessing Ryu be attacked by mercenaries so quickly, he was even more distrusting. He even began to question if every meal was poisoned by mercenaries.

Ryu chuckled, "Then I get poisoned."

Panzram made a serious expression, "How can you be so carefree?"

Ryu thought for a moment before answering, "Well, I suppose that's because I don't have much to care about."

Panzram looked at him and saw his innocent-looking face. Panzram could tell that Ryu was not lying about this. However, this made him feel troubled for some reason. Panzram looked into Ryu's eyes with a sharp gaze.

Ryu met his gaze and felt something in his chest stir. He looked away blushing coyly, "Well… I do care about one thing."

"That is?"

Ryu smiled at Panzram and winked coquettishly, "You."

Panzram stared back at Ryu with a scowl.

Ryu could not keep up his flirtatious look and pouted in disappointment. He looked at Panzram timidly and saw that he was not entertained at all. Panzram clearly looked upset by the situation. More upset than usual.

Ryu thought to himself: Why is Panzram acting so irritated? Usually, he does not care about a thing. He should not care about whether or not I were to be poisoned… Unless… Could it be? Maybe Panzram actually thinks of me as someone close to him. Perhaps even a friend…

Ryu tilted his head, "Panzram... Could it be… That you're worried?"

Panzram scoffed and crossed his arms, "How could I be worried?"

A genuine smile slowly spread across Ryu's face. It was such a warm smile that it felt like a ray of sunshine when Panzram saw it. Panzram felt his breath catch in his throat as he stared at Ryu who was smiling back at him with such a soothing smile.

Ryu felt a bit guilty for making Panzram worried. He looked around the room trying to come up with an idea to appease him. Then, his face lit up from a sudden idea. He went to his closet and dragged out an old trunk. Panzram watched him with a raised eyebrow.

Ryu pulled out a sword and handed it to Panzram, "Here."

Panzram took it into his hands and looked at the katana in front of him. It had a red lacquer sheath with white rabbits and peonies carved into the side. Hanging from the hilt was a black embroidered tablet slat that had the Taira clan's insignia on it. The slat contradicted the sheath itself, making it seem as if it did not belong.

Panzram unsheathed the katana and heard the sword sing against the sheath. He couldn't help but admire the blade.

It was sharp and flawless.

Panzram saw his fierce expression reflected in the blade. He looked up at Ryu, "What's this?"

Ryu noticed that he liked the blade and smiled in pleasure at it. Ryu leaned forward at him with a coy smile, "It's a sword gifted to me from my family. I do not use the sword and I have no skill at it. So, I have decided to give it to you."

"Why?" Panzram felt suspicious of receiving this sudden gift.

"You seem concerned for my wellbeing. Since I do not use this sword, what if I gave it to you to use? Your brute strength is incredible, but I think you would be better off with a katana at your side."

Panzram slammed the katana back in its sheath, "This katana is priceless. Why would you give it away so carelessly?"

"I'm not giving it away carelessly. I'm giving it to you." Ryu leaned toward Panzram with an alluring smile. He placed his hand on Panzram's thigh to steady himself, "If you still have a problem, take it as payment for protecting me."

Panzram's eyes widened in disbelief, "Haah?"

Ryu giggled, "Protect me."

"Haah? Protect you?" Panzram said in disbelief as he looked at Ryu's confident face.

Ryu nodded, "Sure! Why not? If you become my bodyguard, then I will help you achieve your goal."

"My goal?"

Panzram rolled his eyes thinking to himself: This again?

Ryu smiled, "I will awaken your ancient bloodline bestowed onto you by the gods."

"And how do you intend to do that?"

Ryu had an innocent smile as he answered, "No idea."