Eri finished wrapping the goblin's body and threw it into her storage space. It was very timely that Uryu invited them to his home. They may be able to learn more about the land of demons from his mouth.

Except, he said he's not a fox demon but a celestial fox...lord?

"You said you are not a demon. Does that mean you are a beast-man?"

"You're a beast! Your mother is a beast!"

Uryu pulled a face of disgust.

"..."

Did he have to curse at my mother again? Eri rubbed the back of her neck in confusion. He's not a demon nor a beast?

"Then what are you?"

"Huh, you don't even know this? Humans are really ignorant. Celestial foxes are fairies!"

"Fairy......"

Everyone fell silent. Eri imagined an unearthly beautiful girl with a pair of wings, fluttering in the air. She looked up at Uryu. He had a muscular build and was almost seven feet tall. Although those golden eyes and waist-length silky white hair did appear very ethereal...she couldn't match the picture of the two together.

A 90kg fairy with bulging muscles?! Eri shook her head to dispel the picture.

Uryu patted his robe and turned to leave.

"Wait! Where are you heading?"

Eri was worried. If he was a fairy, then they can't travel to the land of demons. She wants to find a place where Rei can fit in and live without unnecessary attention from others.

"To the east, of course!"

"Eh? You are heading for the land of demons?"

"Why wouldn't I be, you bumpkin!"

"Er...don't fairies live in a fairy country?"

Uryu's nostrils widened with disbelief. Which backwater dung did these bums sprout from??

"Did you not take history classes? Fairies have no designated land! We live where we want."

He was getting impatient. When they get there, wouldn't he have to explain every little thing to these bumpkins? God, what kind of lackeys did he find...

... ...

After Uryu left in a huff, Eri turned around and found Rei studying the golden pearl.

"Is that the inheritance of light?"

"Yes...it feels very fresh..."

"I wonder, what's so special about this? Uryu didn't take it."

"Because the goblin was too ugly, my Eri."

"But you're giving it to me?"

Eri squinted jokingly.

"I cleaned it. Open up."

Rei looked up with a smile. He reached for Eri's chin and stuffed the pearl into her mouth.

"Umf!"

Eri widened her eyes. Rei's finger turned into slime and pushed the pearl down her throat.

Gulp...

"Rei! Why did you do that!"

"It's a gift, my Eri."

Rei traced her cheek with a finger and dropped into her hands in the form of a slime.

Plop...

"...You...you're escaping the conversation!"

Eri squeezed and kneaded the blob of slime in her hands.

Nurunuru~

The slime bubbled happily.

"Rei..."

Rei didn't know how to explain to her. He just had a feeling that this pearl was a good thing. A really good thing. Although Eri is not a demon nor a beast, he felt that it could still be eaten by her—much like how demons and beasts absorb each other's nuclei for growth.

Oh, he was in a good mood.

Nurunuru~

Eri let out a sigh and carried Rei back into the tent. What is he up to? He's moving up and down. Is he dancing? Pfft...

... ...

Although Eri felt no big change in her body, she felt a little more refreshed and awake. It was as if the smell of the grass and the sound of water flowing was clearer and sharper than before. Even when she was eating the fish they had grilled earlier, she didn't feel the need to add spices or condiments. The taste of everything was much more prominent than she was used to. In fact, it was so strong she felt that they could have skipped marinating the meat before cooking it.

After washing up, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Rei watched over her and looked at her chest rise and fall peacefully. A small golden light flashed between her eyebrows and disappeared before he could see it clearly.

A small green tentacle from his body and touched the place that just flashed.

It's hot?

Rei retracted his finger. He bubbled contentedly in Eri's arms and went to sleep.

... ...

The three of them rose by dawn and packed up their tents. Eri carried the food waste from last night and disposed of it when they travelled away from the waterfall. As someone from the 21st century, the conservation of nature was ingrained in her. Such a beautiful place should be preserved~

Eri took out an old map Gwendoline gifted her before they left. According to their current location, there should be a small village up ahead. They can rest there tonight and hopefully stock up on food before they reach the border of the demon's land.

The dense trees of the forest dwindled as they continued forward. Finally, they found a path that was clear of vegetation. This must be the way to the village.

Before long, they saw a wooden signpost nailed into the ground. It was unkept. Moss grew over it and the words were faded.

"Why is it like this?"

Eri flashed a dagger out of her space and scraped away the moss. The words were faded away, but this should be the place they are looking for. They followed the path and reached a short stone wall. It was still late in the afternoon, but there was no one guarding the entrance. In fact, they could not hear the sound of people at all.