Pride

2 Weeks Later

They reached the gates of the Kingdom of Thornwild.

The guards stationed there immediately saluted the group.

"State your business here," one of the guards said, his tone gruff.

The kingdom was grand and impressive, with its high stone walls, towering spires, and elegant architecture.

Yuto steps forward, "Hello, I believe the adventure guild sent notice of us coming here?"

The guard's eyes widened with recognition, and he immediately saluted again, this time with more respect.

"Ah, yes. You must be the group they informed us about"

"We've been expecting you"

He motioned to the other guards, who quickly opened the gates to the kingdom.

"Please, come in. The elders have been waiting to speak with you"

"Huh?"

Yuto looked confused.

They only came to check out the kingdom, not speak to any elder.

"What for?"

The guard's expression remained serious, but Yuto could've sworn he saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"The elders have a matter they wish to discuss with you. They are waiting for you in the council chamber."

He motioned towards the center of the city, where a large, well-guarded building loomed.

Yuto sighed, he looked at Luna and Catherine, at Lilith, who had an annoyed expression.

And he knew that they were being treated as a joke.

Yuto stepped forward, "And if we don't?"

The guard's expression turned firm at Yuto's question, but he didn't falter.

"It is not a request, sir. The elders demand your presence"

The other guards behind him shifted, their hands on the hilts of their swords, clearly prepared for any kind of resistance.

"And who's gonna make me meet them?"

The guard's expression darkened, and he took a step closer to Yuto, his hand moving to his sword.

"I strongly advise you to obey the elders' orders, sir. We have our instructions."

The other guards took a step forward, their eyes now wary, hands on the hilts of their weapons. 

It was clear they didn't like Yuto's defiant attitude.

Blood Lust Tier 5

"If you pull out your sword, prepare to lose your hand"

The guard's hand froze on his sword, his eyes widening in fear and shock.

The aura of bloodlust emanating from Yuto now overwhelmed the area, making even the most hardened of men feel a hint of mortal terror.

The other guards also tensed up, their hands clenching their weapon handles, but they didn't dare to draw them.

Just before anything else could happen, Catherine whacked Yuto's head.

"Ow... what was that for?"

Catherine regarded him with a cold glare, her arms crossed.

"You were about to start a fight. I thought that was obvious"

Luna gave Yuto a disapproving look. Her arms crossed as well.

"She's right, Yuto. Picking a fight with the guards is not the way to handle this situation"

Lilith, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up.

"Agreed. Let's not escalate things unnecessarily"

Yuto frowned, rubbing the back of his head where Catherine had struck him, but he didn't argue further. 

He knew they were right, even if his pride stung. 

With a muttered curse, he nodded at the guard.

"Fine, let's get this over with"

The guard, now visibly relieved, motioned for them to follow as the gates creaked shut behind them. 

They moved through the city's stone streets, the grandeur of Thornwild evident in the intricacy of the buildings and the sweeping, verdant landscapes that surrounded them.

As they made their way toward the council chamber, Yuto could feel the intensity of the situation growing. 

Something was off about the way the guards acted, and they were too serious for a simple greeting. 

They finally arrived at the large, imposing building at the heart of the city. 

Two more guards stood at attention in front of the grand doors, and with a simple nod from the first guard, they opened the doors and gestured for the group to enter.

Inside, the room was vast, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and banners of the Kingdom's crest. 

At the far end of the chamber stood a council table, around which sat several beast folk.

One of the elders, an elderly lioness with a regal mane, rose from her seat and addressed them.

"Welcome," she said, her voice commanding but respectful. 

"I trust your journey here was not too arduous?"

Yuto gave a nonchalant wave. 

"Not too bad, I guess"

The lioness's golden eyes glinted as she studied him. 

"Good. You've been summoned here for a reason"

Yuto crossed his arms, standing tall but sensing the weight of her gaze. 

"What's this about? We were only planning to take a look around the kingdom, not get tangled in some kind of mess"

The lioness, who appeared unamused by his casualness, exchanged a glance with the other elders before continuing.

"We are aware of the threat looming on the horizon"

"The army of the Demon Lord is advancing, and their scouts have already been spotted on the outskirts of our territory"

Luna's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing. 

"So, you're telling us that the army is coming after Thornwild?"

"Exactly," the lioness confirmed. 

"And we need all the help we can get"

"The warriors of Thornwild are formidable, but we lack the numbers to face an army of that scale. And time is not on our side"

Yuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. 

"What do you want from us, then? We're not soldiers"

One of the other elders, a hulking bear with a deep, gravelly voice, spoke up. 

"We've heard stories of your prowess, of the feats you've accomplished. The Elven King himself has spoken highly of you"

Yuto's lips curled slightly at the mention of the Elven King, his mind flicking back to their brief meeting. 

"Senki, huh? Never thought I'd be the topic of conversation in royal halls"

"Your reputation precedes you," the lioness continued, her tone more serious now. 

"We have reason to believe that the army is coming here not just for conquest but for something far darker"

"A relic hidden in our kingdom. And we can't afford to let them find it"

Lilith spoke, her voice cutting through the tense air. 

"A relic? You didn't think to mention this sooner?"

"We didn't know until recently," the lioness replied. 

"We've kept its existence a secret for centuries. But now, with them closing in, it's only a matter of time before they discover it"

"And when they do, there may be no stopping them"

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of her words sank in.

"You want us to stop them," Catherine said, her voice quiet but resolute. 

"What exactly is this relic?"

The lioness hesitated for a moment before answering. 

"It's an ancient artifact, one of unimaginable power. It could turn the tide in the war, but in the wrong hands... it could destroy everything"

Yuto uncrossed his arms, his gaze flicking to his companions. 

"And you think we're the ones who can protect it?"

The lioness met his gaze. 

"We believe you are our best chance"

"You have the skills we need, and you're not beholden to any kingdom or faction"

"You can move freely without attracting the attention of the enemy"

Yuto considered her words for a moment, then turned to Luna and Catherine. 

["This is too soon for them…"]

"This relic... why is it here?" 

Yuto finally asked, his voice more serious than before. 

"And why us? Surely, the elders have enough power to defend it themselves"

"It's not a matter of power," the lioness said, her tone grave. 

"The relic can only be protected by those chosen to wield it, and we cannot risk its discovery by the wrong hands"

"We need your help now before it's too late"

Yuto glanced at Luna, then at Catherine, who gave him a subtle nod. 

This wasn't just about helping a kingdom; and it was about protecting something far more dangerous.

"Alright," Yuto said, his voice firm now. 

"We'll help. But we need to know everything. No more secrets"

The lioness nodded solemnly. 

"We will provide you with all the information you need"

"But know this: should the Demon Lord find it first, the consequences will be dire for everyone"

Yuto chuckled as he took off his coat, pushing one of the elders off the seat.

"Is that so?"

The elders watched with growing surprise and consternation as Yuto settled into the seat.

The lioness narrowed her eyes at his audacity, but before she could speak up, Yuto leaned back and crossed his legs, a smirk on his face.

"So," he said, his tone almost sincere.

"No more lies, this relic is bullshit, it's just an excuse for us to help, right?"

The room fell silent, the elders' expressions ranging from surprise to annoyance. 

The lioness's golden eyes narrowed further.

"Excuse me?" she said, her voice cold.

Yuto chuckled, completely unfazed by her stern expression.

"You heard me"

"You're just using this 'relic' as a cover story to trick us into helping you"

The elders exchanged glances, and the bear with the gravelly voice spoke up, "Watch your tone, boy"

"Or there will be consequences"

Yuto chuckled again, his smirk growing. 

"Oh, did I hit a nerve? Let's not pretend anyone's fooled here"

Luna and Catherine watched from behind Yuto, both impressed and anxious about his audacity.

"And here's the thing"

He put a protective shield over his group.

Blood Lust Tier 12

"Don't you dare threaten me!"

The elders and the guards tried to withstand the pressure of Yuto's blood lust, but it was an overwhelming force. 

They tried to stand, but their bodies wouldn't respond.

The lioness tried to muster up a response, but her voice was trembling with the weight of Yuto's blood lust.

"What... are you...?" she gasped out, struggling to breathe.

"Shut it"

The room fell silent again, the only noise coming from the heavy, labored breathing of the beast folk.

The lioness tried to meet Yuto's gaze, but she couldn't lift her head under the force of his blood lust.

Catherine and Luna watched with a mix of concern and awe, not sure whether to intervene or just observe. 

Lilith chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Yuto.

"Enough, my love... they have had enough"

Yuto's eyes drifted towards her, and as soon as he saw her warm gaze, his blood lust slowly subsided. 

The elders and the guard let out heavy exhales, their bodies relaxing as the pressure loosened. 

Yuto's expression softened, and he let out a heavy sigh, his gaze drifting to the elders again.

"Get up… all of you"

The elders slowly pushed themselves up, some of them rubbing their limbs to get rid of the numbness.

The lioness looked at Yuto with a mix of shock and a hint of fear in her eyes.

"You..." she began, but her voice trailed off.

The other elders were silent, clearly shaken by the display of power Yuto had just shown.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, and it was the elderly bear who spoke first. 

"You... you're not human, are you?" he asked, his usually gruff voice now trembling slightly.

Yuto chuckled as he turned to face him.

The grin on his face was rather uncomfortable.

"Careful now, a nosey bear is a dead one"

The bear swallowed nervously, his eyes wide. 

The lioness, recovering from the shock, managed to find her voice again.

"You... what are you?" she pressed, her gaze shifting from Yuto to the girls behind him.

Catherine and Luna stood stiffly behind Yuto, their expressions unreadable.

Lilith continued to hold onto Yuto, her arms wrapped around his waist, a small smirk on her face.

The bear's eyes continued to flit between Yuto and the girls, a hint of fear and disbelief in his gaze. 

The lioness looked at Yuto's smirk, and the way Lilith held on to him, and her gaze narrowed as a realization formed in her eyes.

"You... you're demons, aren't you?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

As soon as that sentence dropped, Yuto stomped on the floor with his right foot.

The room shook as Yuto's foot crashed into the stone flooring, shattering the ground in a wide circle around him. 

The elders and the guards flinched, their eyes widening in shock. 

The lioness's jaw dropped, her usually calm expression giving way to surprise.

Even Catherine and Luna looked startled for a moment. 

Lilith giggled as she laid her chin on Yuto's shoulder.

The room fell into stunned silence as they stared at the massive crater Yuto's stomp had created. 

The bear's eyes were wide, his body leaning back as far as he could to get distance.

The lioness finally found her voice, her eyes locked on the shattered ground.

The other elders were already in a combat stance.

The air thickened with a mix of shock, fear, and awe. 

Everyone was visibly shaken, their bodies tense, and their eyes still on the crater. 

Yuto's expression was amused, his grin wide as he looked at the elders. 

"Sit down… all of you"

The elders and the guards hesitated for a moment, their trepidation clear. 

But the weight of Yuto's bloodlust and the knowledge of his strength made them sink into their seats without protest.

The room fell quiet again, the tension still heavy in the air. 

The elders and the guards sat stiffly, their eyes on Yuto, who leaned back into his seat, his expression nonchalant.

The lioness swallowed, forcing herself to speak again. 

"What... What are you? You're not human, that's clear"

Yuto wasn't paying attention as he let his hair run through her hair.

"What a beautiful mane you have."

The compliment seemed to throw the lioness for a loop. 

She swallowed, her eyes narrowing slightly, but there was no doubt a flicker of pride in her eyes.

"Th-Thank you..." she said, her voice betraying her surprise.

The other elders looked at Yuto with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, wondering where this conversation was going.

Yuto felt the girl's glare on his back.

He let out a low cough before continuing.

"Tell us the real reason you need our help"

The lioness looked at her fellow elders, then back at Yuto. 

She seemed to be struggling to find her words, but then her expression shifted, and a resigned sigh escaped her lips.

"We... we didn't tell you the full truth," she admitted, her voice soft. 

The other elders looked uncomfortable, their expressions guilty.

Yuto's smirk widened, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction.

"I knew it," he said, his tone filled with smugness. 

"Spit out everything this time"

"No more lies"

The lioness hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to her fellow elders.

They all seemed reluctant to speak, but the bear finally spoke up, his voice a low rumble.

"Our king has fallen in battle…"

The words hung in the air like a heavy blanket, and the elders' expressions shifted to ones of mournful regret.

Catherine and Luna exchanged looks, their expressions thoughtful.

Lilith seemed unperturbed, her chin still resting on Yuto's shoulder.

The lioness's eyes dropped to the floor, her voice soft. 

"Our kingdom is in shambles. The demon tribe has been growing more powerful, and now..."

The bear cut her off, his voice heavy with despair. 

"And now we're losing…"

"So why lie about a relic?"

Luna asked, stepping closer to the destroyed table.

The elders flinched at the question, but the lioness answered. 

"We... we were desperate"

"We thought if we promised you a powerful relic, you'd be more likely to help us"

"We never thought you would see through our lie so quickly...."

Just then, a creepy grin formed on Yuto's face, the same one he gave the Elven queen.

He saw an opportunity, and he was taking it.

He stepped in front of the lioness lady, who was clearly in charge.

He extended his hand, "And what would you give me in return?"

"If I save this kingdom?"

The room grew uncomfortably silent, the elders and the guards watching anxiously.

The lioness's eyes flickered between Yuto's face and his outstretched hand. 

Her expression betrayed a mix of worry, doubt, and hope.

Finally, she spoke, her voice quivering slightly.

"... Anything"

The other elders looked at each other, their expressions a mixture of surprise and worry. 

That was the last answer they expected.

The lioness swallowed, her gaze still on Yuto's hand, her expression a mix of anxiety and resolve.

Yuto's grin widened, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Anything?"

Yuto repeated, his voice almost taunting.

The lioness nodded once, her expression serious. 

The other elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their eyes darting from Yuto to the lioness.

Yuto's eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction.

"Be careful what you promise," he warned, his tone filled with a hint of danger.

The lioness's gaze never wavered, her expression resolute. 

"I'm aware," she said, her voice firm. 

The other elders and guards exchanged glances, their anxiety palpable.

Lilith giggled, an amused smirk on her face.

Yuto chuckled, a low, mocking sound. 

"Quite the desperate kingdom, offering anything and everything to get help," he said, his eyes still on the lioness.

The lioness's expression hardened slightly at the mockery, but she stayed silent.

The other elders shifted in their seats again, their eyes flickering between the two.

"Hmmm, wait... could you be the princess?"

The lioness's expression suddenly changed from resolute to shocked. 

Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and for the first time since he first entered the room, she seemed stunned and speechless.

The other elders froze, their expressions now a mix of surprise and worry.

Even Luna and Catherine seemed taken aback.

Lilith simply chuckled, enjoying the show.

"Your name was... Lola?"

The room went dead silent as all eyes moved to the lioness, who looked like she was suddenly at a loss for words.

The other elders watched with wide eyes, their mouths slightly agape.

Finally, the lioness - no, Princess Lola - nodded slowly, her voice soft and weak.

"H-How... how... Do you know my name...?"

Yuto chuckled again, that same mocking tone in his voice. 

"Lucky guess," he said, his eyes still locked on Lola.

Despite his nonchalant demeanor, it was clear he was enjoying her reaction.

The other elders and guards looked on in shocked silence, their eyes jumping from Yuto to Lola.

Even Lilith chuckled, seemingly enjoying the show.

"But why should we help?"

The room went dead silent again. 

Lola looked at Yuto, her expression a mixture of hopelessness and determination.

The other elders and guards held their breaths, their eyes flickering between Yuto and Lola.

Finally, Lola spoke, her voice trembling faintly with an undercurrent of pleading.

"Please... our kingdom... we're desperate…"

Yuto's smirk widened just a fraction, and he crossed his arms over his chest, clearly enjoying the situation.

The elders and guards continued to watch in silence, their expressions various shades of worry and anxiety.

Yuto's eyes seemed to flash with a flicker of maliciousness as he spoke.

"And if I say no?"

The room seemed to freeze, the air feeling almost heavy.

The elders and guards sucked in a collective breath, their eyes wide on Yuto.

Lola's expression was a mixture of fear and despair.

Finally, after a long moment, she spoke, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Then... we're doomed...."

Yuto put his hand out and flicked her forehead.

"STAND WITH PRIDE!"

Everyone in the room seemed to flinch at Yuto's sudden action.

Lola's eyes widened, her hand flying up to her head where he had flicked her.

The other elders and guards started with shocked expressions.

Even Lilith looked surprised for a moment.

Yuto continued to look amused, his eyes fixed on Lola.

"ARE YOU NOT THE PROUD BEASTMEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR THEIR SURVIVAL!"

Yuto's words had a profound impact on the room. 

Lola's expression went from shock to determination, her hand lowering from her head.

Even the elders and guards seemed to straighten their backs, an expression of determination replacing their fear.

Lola took a deep breath, her voice firm and resolute.

"We are!"

"STAND WITH BLOODY PRIDE THAN!"

The room seemed to crackle with an unexpected energy, a sense of renewed determination in the air.

Every member of the beast folk, from Lola to the elders to the guards, stood straighter, their expressions defiant.

Lola's eyes shone with a fierce, defiant light as she spoke, her voice strong and clear.

"WE STAND WITH BLOODY PRIDE!"

"WHO ARE YOU ALL!"

Everyone in the room shouted in response, their voices united in a rallying cry.

"WE ARE THE BEAST FOLK OF THE KINGDOM!"

The room was filled with a sudden sense of unity, the beast folk's voices echoing off the stone walls.

Even Lilith seemed impressed by the change in atmosphere.

Yuto smirked, clearly satisfied with the shift in attitude.

He got off the broken shambles of the table and extended his hand towards Lola.

"We will gladly help your people"

The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment, the tension thick.

Then, Lola took a shaky step forward, her eyes on Yuto's outstretched hand.

Slowly, she reached out and placed her hand in his, her fingers trembling slightly.

The elders and guards stared at the scene with surprise and relief, their eyes flickering between Yuto and Lola.

The contract was formed.

Night

Yuto was in the room provided for him. 

The rest of his group were sharing a room.

They left him alone that night as punishment for his behavior.

Yuto sat on the edge of his bed, his arms leaning on his legs, his expression thoughtful.

The room was strangely quiet; the only sound was his slow, steady breaths.

Outside, the night was dark, the moon hidden behind thick clouds.

"They should have told me they were mad…"

Yuto let out a heavy sigh, his thoughts swirling through his head.

He knew he was being punished for his behavior, but he couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed. 

He glanced out the window, the night sky a dark and cloudy blanket over the kingdom.

"Still, looks like I might be here longer than expected"

Before he could get himself comfortable, he heard a knock on his door.

"Who is it?"

The knock came again, softer this time.

Yuto sighed, pushing himself to his feet, and walked over to the door. 

He pulled the door open, revealing the last person he expected.

In front of him was Lola, wearing a very skimpy dress.

She was now in her demi-human form.

She had such gorgeous gold-colored eyes.

With beautiful brown and blonde hair. 

"M-miss Lola?"

Lola looked up at him, her eyes meeting him. 

Despite her now more vulnerable form, her expression was serious. 

She didn't seem phased by his surprise, and her voice was steady when she spoke.

"May I come in?"

Yuto was caught off guard by the request, but he managed to compose himself. 

He stepped back slightly, making room for her to enter.

"Of course," he said, gesturing for her to come inside.

She nodded, stepping past him and into the room. 

The space suddenly felt a lot smaller with her presence, her small frame, and the alluring scent of roses that clung to her, filling the air.

Yuto closed the door behind her, trying not to get too distracted by her appearance.

Lola looked around the room, taking in the sparse furniture and the simple decorations. 

Yuto leaned against the door, watching her silently, his mind swirling with questions about her sudden visit.

Finally, she turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his.

There was a moment of silence, the atmosphere in the room thick with an untold feeling. 

Lola seemed to be searching for the right words, and Yuto waited silently, not wanting to break the tension.

Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but clear.

"May I ask you something?"

Yuto let out a low cough.

"You may"

Lola took a deep breath, her small frame seeming strangely fragile as she spoke.

"Why did you agree to help us?"

He leaned against the door.

"Just because"

Lola's brow furrowed slightly, not accepting the vague answer. 

She took a small step closer to him, her eyes never leaving his.

"There has to be a real reason, a real motive…"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Not really"

A hint of frustration flickered across Lola's face as she crossed her arms over her chest. 

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she pressed the point.

"You mean to tell me that you agreed to help a kingdom for absolutely no real reason?"

Yuto didn't hear as he was looking at her tail.

It was swishing from side to side.

The frustration seemed to grow on Lola's face. 

She followed his gaze down to her tail, her cheeks heating up as she realized he was staring at it. 

A small hint of embarrassment tinged her voice as she repeated herself.

"Are you even listening to me?"

Yuto put his hands up.

"Reverse question: why did you come to my room so late at night?"

The change in subject caught Lola off guard, and her eyes widened as she struggled to switch tracks. 

She swallowed, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress. 

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, her voice soft and shy.

"I... I wanted to talk to you in private…"

"Is that–"

Yuto couldn't finish as she practically jumped on him.

Their lips smashed together in a deep, wet kiss, the scent of roses filling his senses. 

The surprise lasted only a moment before an instinct took over, and he wrapped his arms around her small waist, pulling her even closer.

This was gonna be one hell of a night.