TEB Side Story Ch 2

In the original work, it was a region that was casually mentioned in other chapters, but since Liev’s interest was in that direction, he couldn’t help but be left with a strong impression. Moreover, the manager of the laboratory where Liev worked had once conducted research there, so he had only heard about it through eavesdropping. It was a place where one could observe wild animals that had become demonic without the interference of artificial facilities, and because of the long and proud talks he had heard, he had always harbored a wish to visit if the opportunity arose.

He didn’t expect it to become a reality, but he had vowed not to miss the chance if it came, so it was the first thing that came to mind.

“What is that? So what’s so good about that?”

When Renard asked, tilting his head in confusion, Liev, uncharacteristically excited, couldn’t calm down and replied,

“What’s good about it is that you can observe not only paradise birds but also various groups of other creatures. It’s a place that’s completely isolated from the outside, so it can form its own ecosystem without being threatened by large predators.

Liev rambled on, his voice growing louder without realizing it, until he saw Renard’s expression, which seemed not to understand at all, and suddenly felt a rush of embarrassment.

Ah. That’s right. Ordinary people wouldn’t be interested. Moreover, to Renard, other demonic creatures or wild animals would only be prey, so there would be no interest in birds with fancy decorative feathers that wouldn’t even make a snack. Liev covered his blushing cheeks with the back of his hand and mumbled,

“Ah… That’s just something I’m interested in, so don’t worry about it. We can go later.”

Although he had often shown affection for other animals in front of Renard, such as cats encountered on the street or dogs brought to the temporary clinic (?) by the palace workers, it was the first time he had been caught with such a professional interest.

Even people who didn’t know Liev well knew that he had taken care of animals and had a considerable interest in non-human species, but this seemed a bit… too much, and his face continued to burn. As Liev fumbled and trailed off, Renard replied with a somewhat dissatisfied look.

“Do you really want to go that much?”

Seeing the eyes filled with obvious jealousy, Liev wasn’t shameless enough to respond affirmatively. When Liev didn’t immediately answer, Renard let out a long sigh as if he had no choice.

“As long as Liev likes me the best.”

At the ambiguous statement, Liev felt his ears perk up. It was as if his ears had literally pricked up like a dog’s, and Renard added gruffly again,

“I like you more, so there’s no helping it, hmph.”

Isn’t it a bit strange to see the magical creatures as competitors? Liev couldn’t help but laugh, unable to contain the excitement of the permission granted.

Seeing such childish jealousy somehow looks cute, it doesn’t seem like you like me more. Liev swallowed the thought that wouldn’t do any good if said out loud and, with a snort, pinched the cheek of Renard, who had turned his head away. His face, which did not match his large build, had a soft cheek that added to his youthful impression.

“How many times do I have to tell you? You’re the one I like the most.”

Then, as if petting a puppy, he stroked the fluffy hair, and it seemed to lighten the mood as the corners of the mouth twitched adorably.

Anyway, he got permission and there were plenty of times when he thought all that was left was to enjoy the wonders of nature as if he were on vacation.

Uh… why is your hand coming this way?

There was no need to rush on the way to the southernmost tip of the Danib Peninsula. As soon as the suggestion was made to pass through famous tourist cities, even lodging was swept up in the atmosphere. There was no reason to push away anymore, and there was a sense of debt because Renard had accepted a proposal he didn’t like, so it couldn’t be helped. Every time they were left alone in the lodging, the inability to refuse the hand that naturally slipped between the clothes led to a display of affection.

“Even though I didn’t touch it, it stood up straight. Were you looking forward to it?

No, I have to harashy refuse… When he came to his senses, he found himself pleading with Renard while being pierced by something below. Thanks to receiving Renard’s dragon heart, there wasn’t a physical strain, but is this really okay? Is it okay to do this much? Just as the last bit of reason in his head tried to apply the brakes, Renard shamelessly kissed him.

“Open your mouth, Liev. I want to s*ck your tongue.”

The straightforward sentence and the clear, shining eyes made him fall for it again, and it was mostly his fault for being too weak for the being that embraced him.

Then it had been more than a month since the start of the everyday life of touring the Danib Peninsula and its surrounding archipelago. Recently, Liev, who had been renting a villa in the inland part of the island owned by a local noble, woke up feeling that his condition had definitely changed. It must have been because he had been tired lately, especially since he had been out late last night showing Renard the glowing insects of the seashore.

“My stamina shouldn’t be this weak now.”

It was strange to feel fatigued to this extent even after receiving the dragon heart. For a moment, feeling a sense of discomfort, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter as he looked down at Renard, who boldly wrapped his arm around his waist.

“Let’s get up and eat, I’m hungry.”

As he got up and clumsily headed to the kitchen, he found fruits, bread, and cheese, which the villa steward had brought early, laid out in the kitchen.

“I’ll feed you.”

As he pulled out a chair to sit at the dining table, Renard made another unexpected request, so he was about to refuse when Renard quickly cut the bread and generously spread fresh cheese on it. The cheese, likely made from fresh milk obtained from a local farm, was white and fluffy, boasting its form as it was pushed in front of Liev’s mouth.

“Say ah… come on.”

It had already been decades since Liev had become his guardian and fed him directly in the past, and now the expectation in his eyes for doing the feeding was quite intense. g What are you doing so shamelessly? Without caring how many eyes were watching.

Liev was about to open his mouth to accept the food, feeling like he had no choice but to eat it.

“….?”

When suddenly, a foul and fishy smell hit his nose. What’s that? There seemed to be nothing wrong with the bread and cheese in front of him. Normally, he would have first thought it smelled delicious, but an unbearable nausea surged, and he turned away.

“Ugh.”

Why am I feeling nauseous? This shouldn’t be happening. Confused by his own reaction, Liev didn’t know what to do, which made Renard tilt his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Do you feel ill?”

As he said this, he put down the bread and, like Liev used to do when he was young, reached out his hand to check his forehead temperature, but as soon as the bread was taken away from his face, the nausea subsided somewhat. It seemed that the cause was solely the fishy smell coming from the cheese. Liev couldn’t believe it and quickly picked up the bread again, but as soon as he brought it close, he felt a surge of rejection from within.

“Do you feel sick?”

Looking at Renard, who was startled and didn’t know what to do, Liev wondered what was going on.

“My forehead feels a bit warmer than before.”

Renard, who had touched Liev’s forehead with his palm, mumbled uncertainty, not sure what to make of it. The strange fatigue, the recent increase in oversleeping, the slight fever, and now a sudden avoidance of food that he used to eat without any problems.

Could it be?…

No, it can’t be. He was said to be impossible unless I wanted it myself. Liev tried to shake off the numerous scenarios that flashed through his mind, closed his eyes tightly, and grabbed Renard’s collar.

“You, what have you done to me!?”

In a situation where there could only be one expected cause, Liev screamed. Something was clearly wrong. This couldn’t be real.