"Huh, isn't it obvious? Add me to your harem," Drishti calmly stated with her tilted head while observing Ryuk's blank gaze.

'System, did that pain have some effect on her brain?' Ryuk was at least sure from her expression that she was serious about her words, which was more of a problem.

[Host, the Reincarnation Wand has healed her body to its—]

Before the System could complete its words, Ryuk ignored it and slightly nodded, replying back to the woman, "Lady Drishti, I will try to take your words as a joke."

There was no reason to think much about those words. The chances of someone who does things for interest and now her randomly proposing something like this would always lead to trouble.

For example, Something like her interest in seeing his reaction.

"Are you really acting ignorant or something?" Drishti looked at him for a moment, feeling amused with his blank gaze fixed on her, which seemed to not understand her words, prompting her to clarify things, "Tell me, how many people carrying the impure Devereaux Bloodline have you seen in Crawford territory?"

"..." Hearing her words, Ryuk pointed out the huge number of refugees present inside the Crawfords did not have amber eyes like him, understanding impurities among them.

"Twelve thousand," Drishti said, seeing his gaze reveal comprehension, further adding with a soft smile, "Do you understand what that means?"

'Don't tell me,' Seeing that smile, Ryuk could only conclude one thing from her words: those people were not native to Ardoros to begin with.

Indirectly suggesting that if inhabitants of Ardoros possessed impure Devereaux Bloodlines, and at that there were such large numbers, with people of all age groups present.

'!?'

"Did those Flagbearers?" Ryuk's intent was clear; the simple conclusion from all this was that those people were children of some Flagbearer roaming around the world, finally brought here.

"Bingo," feeling satisfied with him understanding things so quickly, the woman further solidified his words, "Roaming around the world, they witness beauties and fall for many, indirectly leaving their seed behind—"

"By forcing themselves on them," Ryuk's gaze turned cold as he interrupted.

It was not like he expected everything to be heavenly and all good about someone holding this strong position.

"Hm, some but not everyone. Do you expect any woman to reject marrying someone with such a Bloodline? And even if they did, does it matter?" Drishti's gaze reflected the same coldness of the young man in front, clearly stating one thing: powerful people are the ones who make laws here.

"But it doesn't give me an answer about your earlier statement," ignoring the dark reality behind Flagbearers, he reminded her about her earlier words.

"....aren't you gonna form a team of beauties like other flagbearers?" the woman inquired.

'.....' Ryuk finally realized that things were not much different in this place too; everything was similar to Heindal, where the ones holding power had every right to have whatever they wanted, irrespective of morality or ethics.

Of course, he was aware of all this, but now confirming this, he doesn't need to hold back.

"I don't need any team," Ryuk clearly stated, his words already laced with previous experiences about how a team filled with women even brought the man known as the Son of Heaven to his knees, just by having them in his team.

[Host, your stamina has reached the limit. Rest is suggested.]

"Though, I will appreciate your accompanying me outside this Continent," but there was no reason for him to reject her offer.

Someone of her caliber, who possessed knowledge of the outside world and the strength to protect herself, was the perfect companion for him.

Being his first time venturing outside, he needed a guide, and with someone not weak enough to always keep an eye to protect, it would just lessen his burdens.

"Fine then, I will be in your hare—team," Drishti nodded with a composed expression.

Her instincts were telling her that the flow of this whole thing would be much more interesting for her to watch.

thud

'Damn it,' stumbling due to his leg finally giving up, he tried to balance himself.

Until now, his whole body was supported by sheer will, but it seemed to finally hit the wall.

In that moment, where his eyes were blurring with darkness slowly shrouding him, a hand wrapped around his shoulders before a soft voice reached his tired ears, "You can take some rest..."

.

.

.

.

.

'How many hours have passed?' Ryuk's eyes, bathed in morning rays, fluttered open, his first inquiry directed towards the time.

His mind was filled with several thoughts regarding the upcoming future.

He had somehow managed to deal with Drishti and even secured a guide, but he couldn't bring himself to trust her.

It was clear that the moment she lost interest, it would be over, but he couldn't control someone's mood.

[Host, it has been 10 hours since you fell asleep.]

"You're awake." A soft yet soothing voice reverberated through the hall, causing Ryuk's eyes to slowly reveal their amber hue as he turned towards the source.

'What are they doing?' Ryuk's eyes reflected all the Crawfords kneeling in front of a woman seated on a regal throne, situated on a platform surrounded by several other thrones in a series.

Identified as the Main Hall of the Crawfords, the central throne was occupied by the head of the family, with smaller thrones surrounding it, all gleaming in white marble.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, filling the hall with enough light to make Ryuk realize that he was sleeping on a bed placed in the middle of the room.

"..." Looking at them blankly, he couldn't understand why he was placed here instead of in a room.

His eyes met with the woman who had been watching him since he woke up. Unable to control himself, he inquired, "Why am I in this place instead of a room?"

Remaining lying on the bed, covered in a silk white blanket, he didn't pay much attention to his present state. He was truly feeling the aches in his body—the aftereffect of exerting himself continuously after waking from his five-year slumber.

"I wanted to see you sleeping," Drishti said calmly, her chin supported by her hand placed on the armrest with elegantly crossed legs, her soft smile indicating her reason.

"…And why couldn't you do it inside a room?" Not wanting to dwell on the reason for her desire to watch him sleep, he directly addressed the main issue.

After all, he couldn't do anything if someone wanted to watch him sleep, especially not with his exhausted body at the moment.

"I felt uncomfortable sitting on a small chair," Drishti stated the obvious, her preference for sitting on a large throne or bed with enough space hindering her ability to comfortably observe him while he slept.

".....Then you could have just chosen not to observe me while sleeping?" There appears to be no reason for her to watch him sleep except for one which he found more plausible.

"I will do that from now on." Without much change in her facial expression, she nodded slightly, her head still supported by her chin with her legs folded.

'....' Looking at her expression while being aware of the reason she kept watching him all night, Ryuk turned to the other side of the bed, closing his eyes, with a single doubt in his mind: 'Should I really let this woman accompany me?'