Although he thought he had slept well, it turned out to be a long hibernation.
Still, he felt that about ten years was a reasonable amount of time, but a strange suspicion crept in.
'Could it have been more than ten years?'
The kid seemed quite clever, but it was hard to fully trust the number he gave.
Just the fact that he called him 'mom' made him doubt if the kid had a proper sense of reality.
'I should meet Christina, Rai, or at least Byakuya.'
With his resolve firm, he quickly scanned his surroundings.
He found a blanket at a suitable distance and on top of it, a bracelet artifact that could transform into a human form, and a yellow mana stone.
The mana stone emitted a familiar aura.
After gauging the engraved magic, he nodded in understanding and picked up the stone.
'This mana stone will teleport me directly to where Christina is.'
It was probably a thoughtful gesture for when he would wake up.
He put on the artifact bracelet and transformed into a human form.
'This form has grown too.'
Though still small, he was pleased with his appropriately longer arms and legs.
Rune extended his fist quickly and smiled in satisfaction.
After some light stretching with jumping, kicking, and shouting, he brushed off his clothes.
"Outside. To meet the others."
The kid's fox ears drooped.
"Wasn't Rose your main body? How can you walk if Rose doesn't have legs?"
At that, Kuromi's face fell like a rejected puppy, and she quickly hugged his arm with both hands.
Then, rubbing her soft cheek against his arm, she said,
"Rune-sama, if you take me, it's possible!"
"…Ah. Is that how it works?"
After a moment's thought, Rune understood the child's words.
Since the main body, the Demon World Rose, was bound to him, he had the authority to allow the servant to move.
"Alright. Let's go, Kuromi."
"Woo-hoo! I'm so excited!"
The drooping ears perked up instantly.
Kuromi, who let go of his arm, giggled and hopped around.
Meanwhile, Rune, holding the teleportation mana stone, fell into thought.
'How do I explain that I have a kid now after waking up from sleep?'
…Upon thinking about it, the phrasing felt a bit off, but he shook his head.
"Stop jumping and come here. Let's go."
Kuromi, who ran over barefoot, nestled into his arms.
Rune, who had anticipated this, held her securely and immediately activated the mana stone.
Christina, Byakuya, and Rai were surprised to see him appear as the mana stone activated.
It seemed they were having a tea time together, as snacks were neatly laid out on a white table.
Byakuya quickly flew over, perched on Rune's head, and ruffled his hair with her feet.
'This guy… is he trying to become a rooster?'
Rune had also grown during his sleep.
First, his black feathers had increased to three, and his down had grown a bit longer.
In contrast, Christina and Rai looked exactly the same.
"Finally awake! How's your body?"
"Feeling better after a good sleep."
At that moment, Kuromi, who had been hiding behind Rune's leg, peeked out.
Everyone's gaze turned to the unfamiliar black-haired child.
"That kid… I've never seen him before. What's going on?"
He couldn't tell them everything that happened in his dream. As Rune hesitated, trying to organize his thoughts, Christina's blue eyes turned cold.
"This is a demonic aura."
"That's right. It's the spirit that dwelled in the black room's Demon World Rose, a succubus."
He couldn't explain the process of merging with the spirit 'Kuromi' through the dream, so this was the best he could do.
As Christina's power swept over Kuromi, Kuromi folded her black ears and shivered slightly.
The girl clung to Rune's leg, eyeing Christina warily.
Noticing Kuromi's tension, Rune gently stroked her head.
After her inspection, Christina nodded in relief.
"It seems the spirit that dwelled in the Demon World Rose absorbed your energy and was born. However… due to being bound to a dragon, the original succubus nature has been diluted."
Now looking at Kuromi with curiosity, Christina smiled.
"Though she's a demon, she's also a therianthrope. The core of this child… I don't understand how this is possible."
She was now purely curious.
"I know this world is vast, but this is the first time I've seen such a being. If I had to guess, maybe a fox therianthrope?"
'Well, she's the offspring of a nine-tailed fox.'
Beings with animal characteristics but not dominated by animal instincts, resembling humans and possessing intellectual abilities sufficient for communication.
Of course, that wasn't the important part.
"Anyway, she's not dangerous, right?"
"Yes. As your bound servant, she'll be loyal, and it's fine to be around her."
'At least it's a relief that the core is the spirit of Kuromi.'
With Christina's permission, the issue of Kuromi's residence was resolved.
"Though I'm allowing it, raising her is entirely your responsibility. Understand?"
"I understand. Don't worry."
While they were talking, Byakuya, who had been listening, made eye contact with Kuromi.
Instantly, Kuromi's eyes lit up.
Kuromi, looking as if she had seen delicious food, licked her lips.
Feeling the threat, Byakuya flapped her wings in panic.
'Is it okay? A fox and a chicken…'
Though it shouldn't happen, a scenario flashed through his mind.
Kuromi, baring her fangs and holding a drooling Byakuya in her mouth, running over to ask for praise after a successful hunt.
At that moment, additional information came to mind.
- Animalistic instincts and behaviors remain.
Even if she doesn't eat, it means her hunting instinct is still alive.
Even a cat, well-fed at home, sometimes hunts human heels.
'Something about feeling superior after a successful hunt, I think.'
Despite his concerns, Byakuya… had many similarities with a rooster.
Rune, who had been pondering, looked down at Kuromi.
At that, Christina smiled gently and prepared a teleportation spell.
"It's been a long time since we all ate together."
While she seemed happy, Rune's eyes were distant.
'Should I tell her that the food is to prevent her from hunting Byakuya?'
Rune thought about the civilized meaning of 'hunting' as a meal and the instinctual 'hunting' desire.
'Perhaps monster hunting is the best option.'
While various training methods were good, practical experience was the most effective.
Thanks to the ten years of hibernation, he had grown stronger and needed hunting experience.
Chapter 35: It should still work, right?
Christina went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for Rune, who hadn't eaten with them in a long time.
Rune introduced Kuromi and Byakuya and subtly placed Rai between them.
The sparkling light spirit was a good lure.
Byakuya and Kuromi chased after Rai's light, which was fleeing.
Rune, with his arms crossed, sat in a dining chair and watched.
The two were completely focused on chasing Rai, who was flying just out of reach. This allowed Rune to naturally slip out of their attention.
Alone, Rune relaxed and fell into thought.
'Now, how should I propose it?'
It was a topic he wouldn't have brought up if not for Kuromi's hunting instinct.
The lair of the Gold Dragon, a race of light, was almost incompatible with demons.
Most monsters, let alone in this area, were scarce due to the dragon's aura.
Thus, to hunt monsters, they would need to go to the field or a dungeon.
'Neither option will be easily approved.'
'Protection is good, but it's this difficult to leave the lair?'
At that moment, Christina returned from the kitchen.
"Did you wait long? The meal is ready. Bring those kids over."
While Rune called Kuromi, who was biting Rai, and Byakuya, who was pecking at her, the table filled with food.
Drawn by the delicious smell, everyone found their seats.
Only Rai, looking nervous, flew to Christina's side.
"I hope it tastes good. Try it."
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
Kuromi, watching Rune, repeated the thank-you, making Christina smile warmly.
Rune took a bite of the simplest pancake.
The taste of her cooking, which he hadn't had in a long time, even a simple pancake,