14 Take responsibility for this, alright!

Ryan grabbed a towel from nearby rack beside the locker before proceeding on to wear casual clothes. He wanted to shower himself, cleaning off his sweat and their lingering scent on him which was a clear telltale of what they had just did.

Then, what should I do with her now?

"Forget it. Looks like you're not in a condition to reply to questions."

Ryan looked nonplussed now that the facts had sank in and his reasoning was returning.

Looking at the lady who was out of commission–being entranced in the afterglow, Ryan felt unsure on how to go next after this.

"Seems like it was a bit too much for her after all..." Ryan had a dry smile seeing her laying weakly like that.

He went to grab a clean quilt as he covered her with it, in case he got another hard-on after looking at her defenseless, charming body. She might not be too busty for some people's preference, but what she had was fine enough to captivate him.

Just like the saying; medium is premium.

Well, in the first place, it was also partially her fault that made his lust grew so much insatiable that he could not hold it in after that fight. Who told her to use [Charm] on him, when he was already holding back much due to his dragon blood...

Wait a minute, if his resolve was easily shaken by some influence, doesn't it mean his will was not that strong to begin with in dealing with this kind of temptation?

'Holy... Aren't I hornier than I thought? I better be careful on this aspect then...

'But now, should I just leave her be? Or should I take a step further with her??'

He did have a thought to devour her to gain her immortality before. Then again, her immortality came from the fact that she was a part of Gaia.

Her true nature was an Incarnated Elemental; she was part of the group of "sense of touch" born from the Earth's Will (Gaia) to help Her in supervising the world. As long as Gaia continued to exist, she could swiftly recover even if her body was destroyed to smithereens.

If he really tried to devour her, would he also need facing Gaia while at it?

It was the question which had ultimately made him cease that thought. It was just too troublesome!

If he needed to face off Gaia at his current stage, it was no different than plain suicide. He might feel his soul was already strong enough, but to fight it out with the Will of Earth itself, it was just like hitting a rock with an egg.

Besides, her immortality came from the fact that she was part of this world to begin with. Once she lost connection with this world, her immortality would probably be useless. After all, his sight was not only limited to this world.

Ryan looked pensive at the thought. From this battle with her, Ryan realized his current strength was mostly able to stand to toe with a Servant, if not overwhelming them. She was no doubt still in weakened condition due to prolonged session of suppressing her own power, however even her current physical strength was enough to fight off several Servants as he remembered.

Looking at it that way, joining the Grail War at this point seemed quite bland to him now. Still, devouring those Servants would probably increase his arsenals greatly so he would still participate though. Whether as Master, or as the Grail itself...

Deep in thought, Ryan didn't realize that the lady had regained her senses, and was looking at him with undisguised humiliation and anger on her beautiful face. She tried to sit up only to find she was too exhausted to move much. She grabbed the quilt to better hide her naked body.

"...are you satisfied now? Bastard." She had a fierce look as she glared at Ryan.

"Oh, you're up quick, lady. Now, now, what shall I do to you?"

"You... What more do you want?!"

Seeing Ryan was moving closer to her, she instinctively moved backwards in attempt to distance herself from him.

She still vividly remembered these last few hours which was too exhausting, yet also too intoxicatingly pleasant to ignore for her. He had brought her to the edge from time to time, so much that she lost count on how many times she had reached it...

Even then, she still had to put up a fight if he wanted to assault her again.

Although, from the looks of it, she might not be aware of it herself, but she was honestly less fierce than before.

"Like I said before, I only want to ask some questions before letting you go, lady. Who asked you to use your [Charm] on me?

It was my loss you know. My precious chastity that I have been keeping for my future spouse was stolen by a perverted widow... How am I supposed to answer to my spouse in the future?"

His expression was so pitiful like a lady who was abandoned by her man. His (fake) tears rolled down like a waterfall, and his sobbing was heart-wrenching enough to even make grown man sad.

"You better take responsibility for this, lady. For example, how about you become my consort? It's like hitting two birds with one stone. I don't have to worry about my future spouse, and you got a nice man like me as your husband. It's a win-win situation, right? What do you say?"

"…" She had a 'What kinda nonsense are you spouting now?' on her face as she was speechless from anger seeing his shameless remarks.

It was one thing if he admittedly saying he desired her, but to reverse it and making her the one who intentionally seduced him, putting the blame on her… what a load of bullcrap!!

"…as I thought. He was right."

"Hmm?"

"You… you are not someone from this world, aren't you?"

Her remark came out of the blue, it made Ryan stupefied for brief moment.

Despite looking trembling and exhausted, she was definitely looking more spirited than few seconds ago after seeing Ryan's reaction.

"I don't know what our relationship in your world, but I am not her. Don't force your wish on me, young man."

Despite not calling her name, he obviously knew about her being a widow before, and now he even obviously hinted he knew she was a consort at some point in her life. In addition, with his familiarity over her battle style, she guessed that he definitely knew much about her. However, she was sure that she didn't know this young man before.

Before she set out on this order, Marisbury already told her that there was definitely a world out there wherein her wish had been realized. It was because someone from that parallel world –which was a world too identical with his desired wish– had unexpectedly slid into their world.

The reason why she grudgingly accepted Marisbury's offer despite her aversion in dealing with human was also because of this matter; she wanted to know by how and at what form that her wish had been granted to 'her'.

Then, if it was possible... She would like to recreate the sequential events in this world for her to reach that same wish...

Ryan's frivolous look from earlier had disappeared. He was staring at the lady with calm, astute eyes as though what he did earlier was merely a façade, while this was his true expression.

"Looks like Marisbury did send you here, didn't he? Who else beside you that he sent to me, I wonder?"

"Is that even important to you?"

After fighting him earlier, she already had a rough gauge on Ryan's current strength. She might not be using her full power yet, but he was also obviously toying with her in their previous fight. Even if she were to get serious, she believed he could still up his gear at moment's notice. That was why she said it didn't really matter whether he knew about the people Marisbury had sent to get him. At his current level, they were most likely a cannon fodder at best.

"Ah, perhaps you're right. But it's quite entertaining honestly. Our fight I meant; both in battlefield or on the bed."

"You..!" Remembering her shameful display from earlier, she was staring daggers at Ryan with furious look.

"And you got one thing wrong, lady. We don't have any relationship in other world. Don't expect me to take pity on you."

"No wonder. That's why you were such a horndog. What a pathetic man." She was sneering, looking at him with pitiful look as if he was lower than insect.

"Nah, you're overestimating yourself, lady. I just took a treat from the street when passing by, it's not like I would refuse such cheap offer." Ryan retorted back with a smirk.

"Loser."

"Perverted widow."

"Dickhead."

"..."

Both man and woman were staring daggers at each other in frightening silence. It looked like they wouldn't give in no matter what.

After some minutes like that, Ryan sighed slightly.

"Consider it my defeat. I didn't expect you to be so good at cursing... Just what the world has gone into... Even a vixen like you know how to curse now..."

He was walking out of his room as he wanted to take a quick shower before having dinner. Anyway, he was not running away because he couldn't swear back at her.

Cursing and swearing at someone isn't just my forte. What kind of man would use swear anyway, men solve things with action! This is just a tactical retreat, definitely.

In truth, he was feeling quite sullen at the moment...

What the... Aren't you quite pathetic, man??

She was bewildered at Ryan suddenly admitting his defeat.

"Hey! At this point, why are you still insisting to keep pretending?" She suddenly asked when Ryan was about to close the door.

Ryan was silent for a moment, before he said "…I don't know what you meant, lady."

He didn't turn back to look at her as he left.

"…hypocrite."

Looking at his retreating back who seemed quite lonely, she felt it was a bit... sad and funny at the same time.

"Pfft! Bah! Who cares about that bastard?! He can go to hell all he wants, like I would care even one bit about that!"

She had enough stamina to stand up now. After tidying up her clothes back, she was about to rush outside from the window to escape.

Looking at his room once again, she felt it was quite strange. At this place, once again, she was made to remember that long-lost feeling again...

'Bastard!'

Her face was beet red from anger. She was going to jump out before her sight landed on a certain notebook on Ryan's desk.

Grand Order (summary, events, and possible plotline) – that was the title written on it.

She stopped in her track. After looking around and not finding Ryan nearby, she went toward that notebook.

"Consider this a small interest." With a smirk on her face, she dashed outside as she brought the notebook with her.

Few minutes later, having done from showering, Ryan returned to his room. Then he found that his notebook had disappeared.

"Oh, as expected. She really did pick it up. Well, whatever, consider this my way of returning the favor to you. Even if it was also because of your own blunder, I still went ahead myself anyway. Now, I don't owe you anything."

He was thinking hard on how to deal with her after their accidental affair.

Devouring her wasn't an option. Killing her was even more impossible at the moment.

But to take a step further by being her partner... It would be lying if he said he was not tempted. But he also knew the chance was too low. Considering her wish to meet that man again...

Ryan shook his head helplessly.

What a pitiful woman.

Since her mission was mostly related with the "Grand Order", Ryan placed his notebook regarding his novel in random place which could be easily noticed. If she found it, then it's her choice whether to take it with her or not. Anyway, not all information written there was true... Kekeke~

"Dinner's ready, bro!"

Shirou's shout could be heard along the hallway to his room. Ryan picked up his pace as he went toward the living room.

"Yo, seems like we got a treat tonight, Shirou."

"What's taking you so long? We're almost bored to death here."

"My bad, my bad. I have some business in the bathroom. You know what I mean." Ryan whispered to Ryan in lower voice as there were Sakura and Taiga around.

"Geh. You should really get yourself a girlfriend!" Shirou was looking at Ryan with concern.

"What can I do? This brother of yours is just too outstanding, I can't just pick one flower over the flower fields, alright?"

"....."

You're too narcissistic, bro!

"Speaking of it, Sakura seems like a nice candidate. I can guess it; she must have a really nice figure underneath her clothes, Shirou. You don't mind if I try hitting on her, right? You're not her boyfriend anyway."

"...off."

"What??"

"I said, fuck off!"

"Oh my~ oh my~ lil bro is angry... Fine, I won't try hitting on her. It's just a joke. Bros wouldn't steal each other's girl." Ryan shrugged with joking laugh.

He was smiling with mischief as he saw how Shirou looked more agitated than usual. Teasing Shirou had been one of his enjoyment in his current life.

. . .

At another residence.

A man was humping his hips roughly as he occasionally growled like a beast. His rough breathing was mixing together with her aroused moan, filling the silent room with intoxicated smell of pleasure.

The young woman under him had her face slightly wet from sweat and tears as she looked at the figure on top of her.

The figure who was once she respected and loved as father... Once again, he had drowned himself in lust as he sought after her body with a seemingly insatiable desire.

It all started when her mother had run off with another man after unable to endure that man's habitual abuse. That night, under the influence of depression and alcohol, that man finally forced himself on her.

That was the beginning of her seemingly never-ending nightmare.

After tasting the forbidden fruit with his daughter, as if he had turned to a different person, that man did anything to seduce and force her to quell his growing lust.

Once, twice, and thrice. Eventually, he would ask for her body whenever it was possible, whether it was day or night. Behind her younger sister's back, that man would use every chance he got to assault her, training her body, crushing her heart and feeling with his sweet lies and threats. At that point, she was already nothing more than an outlet for his twisted, filthy desire...

Ughh!!

Along with his deep growl, that man spasmed slightly as he finally reached the peak. He sprayed his white, hot seed on her belly as he had pulled out seconds earlier.

"You're great as always. But it looks like you need some training in your expression. The customers won't like it if you look depressed like that. After all, we don't want to 'invite' your sister to join us, right, Kanade?"

"N- no! Anything but that!" Her face looked pale as she panicked upon hearing what that man said.

"Don't worry, I'll keep my promise, so you should also hold on to your bargain, Kanade. Let's just face it, I know you're also secretly enjoying this. The way you tightened up whenever I am close… it's like you want wring me dry as much as possible. You can say no all you want, but your body is truly honest, girl." That man smirked as he blew his warm breath on her ear, whispering and lightly biting on it.

"I- I am not… You're lying!" She tried to push him away, but his ticklish breath and licking made her felt weak. Her mind seemed to be enveloped in a fuzzy, pleasant sensation as his hand was softly caressing her body. It was as if he knew the best way to make her felt good, so much that even a light touch would light up her desire.

"You are my daughter after all. Back then, even your mother was much sluttier than you now. That bitch might have run off with a sleazy rich fuck, but she did good leaving two fine girls like you and your sister. Heh~ "