"So let me get this straight… you used your ability on Ruri and made her turn into what she looks like now?" Rubina asked the two as she looked at Ruri, who had grown a little and whose hair had changed to resemble Logan's, black with white streaks.
"Yes…" Logan answered while looking down. He knew Rubina was angry. She had entered the room to give him today's news when she spotted Ruri's new look and had them standing next to each other while looking at her.
"Logan… you know what? I won't even get mad at this all being illegal. I just want to know why you didn't consult with others first. I am sure that together we could have even planned this better."
"Well, sorry about that… So, what can we do now that it happened?" Logan asked, hoping there was a magic that could help Ruri hide at least her hair.
"Nothing, Logan. We do nothing. You know why?" Rubina asked, giving it more thought.
"Why?" the boy asked with hope.
"Because there is only one thing you will need to do. You need to win the next fight and then take this land as your own. Start your own kingdom, Logan. You will have the power soon, and with it, you won't need to be shackled by the laws of the other countries." Rubina sighed at the amount of work that would come in the future.
"You will need to also absorb the land to the north and south, the empire's woodlands to the east… buy them off with the crystals. Kryst can keep making so many you will be able to sustain yourself. As for the rest, I am sure if Marie and Ruben stay, you can make this a great place for business." Rubina began to imagine just how strong Logan's territory would be in the future, especially now that he could designate monarchs for different races.
"Would I need to fight to get more land?" Logan questioned, fearing the need to start useless wars for land.
"The power of money, Logan. You don't think I would suggest such a barbaric method against my kingdom… right?" Rubina emphasized her prior meaning.
"No, you wouldn't… it's just I thought it would have to be something like that. Fights always start for land in my world…" Logan informed the girl.
"Everyone will need the crystals your slime creates, so you won't have to resort to force… Now… tell me, who else did you change? You wouldn't just do this to Ruri for no reason… you were told to by someone… but who and why?" Rubina looked at Logan, who slightly fidgeted as if she were a wife who had known her husband for years and sensed that he had bought a car in secret.
"Uhmm, well, two others… actually my second tamed being in this world was Lisa…" Logan decided to tell Rubina the truth, partly because he was tired of hiding so much from those who helped him.
"No… another hero? Are you crazy, Logan? A maid is fine, no one will care, but a hero!" Rubina had to sit to gather her thoughts. They really needed to create a small, new kingdom with its own rules, and quickly. Logan needed to not only hurry to defeat the demons but also become a powerhouse in this world.
"Well, if Lisa is one, then you know you will have to do the same with me, you know. Ruri, could you leave us alone for a while, please?"
Ruri did not know why, but she felt relieved she could leave and did not waste a moment to get out of that room.
Logan was still standing, looking at the ground and thinking about all his mistakes, when he heard Rubina's suggestion, which caught him off guard.
"What?" Logan looked at Rubina, who stood up and got in front of him, staring into his eyes while holding his shoulders.
"Right?" she said, almost placing her forehead on his.
"Right… where do you want the mark?" Logan asked as he looked at her face up close.
"Where is Lisa's mark?"
Logan looked down at his finger where the blood that dripped that first day had made a ring-shaped mark as Rubina's eyes followed his.
"Don't tell me it was intentional." Rubina felt Logan shake his head.
"Well, you have one choice then. It will have to be on the same finger, just a little above that one." Logan looked at his finger and sighed.
I will have to wear gloves from now on, huh...
"Alright…" he began to pinch his finger to carefully mark Rubina. It was the hardest mark to date as he had to take into account Lisa's mark. He did not know what would happen if they overlapped, and he did not want to find out.
As soon as Rubina saw the mark on her finger, she smiled before feeling the pain that everyone experienced when evolving. She did not know what would happen as she dropped to her knees, which gave out.
Unlike the others, she began to revert back to her demon form. Her wings extended wide, her horns grew and curled a little, and her body slightly grew. But her hair was probably the one thing that grew the most.
At least she kept her voice down to prevent the others from rushing here.
As soon as everything calmed down, she got up. Her skin now glistened with a light shade of red, and she looked hesitantly at Logan.
The boy did not like the fear in her eyes. He helped her stand and then kissed the back of her hand.
"As lovely as always, don't worry," Logan smiled towards Rubina, who softened her look of fear and smiled.
"Idiot… how am I supposed to respond to that?" Rubina blushed as she slowly changed her look back to her human figure, trying to revert what she could except for the slight change in height that could not be hidden.