"Ryuji, are you going to treat my niece with care, affection and respect?" Alan asked in a serious tone.
"I swear I will," Ryuji answered firmly.
"Liana, do you want to date Ryuji, even if your father and sister are against it? Maybe you might lose your current treatment and be left with Ryuji to fend for yourselves."
She looked at him before lifting her head to look at Ryuji, with her lips curling into a faint smile. "Uncle, if we were to be kicked out, do you think that Ryuji would let me suffer? He's quite rich and very powerful."
"Hahaha..." Alan burst into laughter. "You're right, Liana. Ryuji's like a wild man and could live even if we gave him a club and nothing else. But you.."
"Uncle, Ryuji and I are in love. Please help us convince father and sister. I know the Father would consider us, but in reality, I know that he is still quite against me being with a 'false' hero, but to... Uncle Ryuji is the only true hero in this world."
Alan was stunned because of the look in her eyes and how deeply her words resonated with him. 'It's true; we could only watch her fade away...' before turning his gaze towards Ryuji; though a good friend, he couldn't stand imagining these two together; it made him feel dirty.
"Boy, if you're treating Liana as a plaything, I would never forgive you, even if you're a hero, even if you become a damn demon god! I will cut you into pieces and slay you!"
"Uncle Alan, I know how much you cared for me and how much you loved my mother. I know that you were the one who introduced Ryuji to my father. I also know that you support Ryuji more than anyone else in the kingdom. But deep inside, I know you think the same as I do. He's a true hero. So, uncle, please help us convince everyone."
"I will try. But don't hope for too much. Your sister's mind is like a steel wall, and your father is like a moving mountain."
"Thanks, Uncle Alan. Ryuji and I are so grateful to you."
"Okay, both of you, please try not to go too far... You are still my cute niece, and I don't want to see you get pregnant so soon! If you want to do those things, please get your own home, and... Ryuji, although Liana is mature, remember she is still not fully recovered from the curse that ailed her for so many years. Liana, can you go and check your spare room for clothes and other items.
You may stay here, but remember, take things slow!" Alan said while showing a harmless smile.
Liana then stood up from Ryuji's lap, but suddenly, he pulled her back and hugged her tightly. "Sorry, I should be the one speaking." His whisper made her fair cheeks pink.
"Don't worry. I wanted to show my feelings so that Uncle would understand me." She giggled and gently kissed him. Alan averted his sight, feeling nauseated.
"Ryuji, can you stop kissing Liana in front of me?" Alan complained.
After a long kiss, Ryuji released her and smiled. "Sorry, Uncle Alan. We will behave."
"Okay, Liana. You can go and check your spare room while, boy, come with me to the backyard. I need to chat with you."
"Yes, uncle!"
"Don't call me uncle, motherfucker!" Alan cursed, but seeing the innocent Ryuji, he couldn't say anything more and started walking outside.
"I was about to call you, old man. I was waiting for the right timing." Ryuji followed him while holding his laughter.
"Old man, motherfucker... Hahaha.."
Liana watched the two vanish, a small smile forming on her face. "Uncle, are you jealous that I am taking Ryuji away from you or because he is taking me away? It's a little hard to tell when you act so strange... But thank you for accepting my feelings; next is to convince my sister. Then, I can finally face Father. Fufu, step one of my plans is finished.
Just wait, Yumiko and Erika. I will nurture Ryuji's dark and difficult feelings so all of us can be happier."
****
Meanwhile, in the garden, Ryuji stood opposite Alan. The atmosphere between the pair seemed a little tense.
'This brat! Haah. Liana, I really accept him. Though he is a demon god in the making, I know that he is my dear friend. No, he is probably my soulmate. The exact opposite type of existence, but perfect to become my best friend.'
"Hold your breath, activate your demon form, don't look away, don't lose focus and don't let your guard down; this strike, I will use all my strength and power. If you die, then forgive me, my friend."
Ryuji was stunned. Alan's voice sounded extremely serious and carried a hint of killing intent that made the air vibrate.
He could feel the air pressure around him was increasing. The surrounding grass bent to the ground, and the trees near him started to crack.
Even the flowers and garden around him were flattened, and the beautiful pond that was there vanished. The water turned into mist as Alan's body turned golden, a pillar forming into the sky as he lifted his arm, creating a blazing aura around his hand extending into the sky.
"RYUJI TAKE IT SERIOUSLY!" Alan shouted, his voice rumbling the area as the house started to shake and Ryuji felt like his heart was being hit with a sledgehammer.
'Holy shit! Fuck, he is not even attacking yet!'
"BRAT DON'T ZONE OUT. THIS IS THE POWER OF THE HUMAN HERO!" Alan's shout made Ryuji tremble as he activated his demon form. He could feel his mind clear as his demonic power increased, activating his instincts and senses.
'Good, boy, use your strongest defence!' Alan observed.
Ryuji didn't have any special defensive spells. Instead, he converted all his rage into defence, then holding both hands into the sky, he began gathering blood magic, forming the strongest, most durable shield he could imagine.
'Good, boy, use your strongest shield because my attack is not meant to test your defence but your vitality!' Alan, with a grin, swung the glowing beam of light down against Ryuji's shield and chest.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck!' Ryuji watched as Alan's hand sword arrived at his chest.
'BOOM!'
"URGH!" Ryuji groaned.
Alan's sword hit Ryuji's chest. His entire body was blown back into the garden, shattering all trees and shrubbery. Ryuji smashed into the stone wall of Alan's house, turning it to rubble.
"ARGH!" Ryuji roared while gasping for air as his ribs broke and his body was bleeding. The further he flew, the more damage accumulated; as the beam shot out and continued to assault Ryuji, the poor barrier of blood shattered instantly like an at against a hammer.
'Fuck, this bastard. How can he have such an absurd amount of power!?'
Alan landed, walking towards Ryuji, whose body was trembling as he lay in a crater of rubble and dirt. "Damn... you actually survived and barely suffered any damage."
"Fuck you, Alan. More than half my body is broken, and my organs would be failing if not for my demon blood!"
"Haha....Hahaha, Ryuji, I'm truly glad I accepted you. That someone like you came into my life... To see you like this made me realise that just because I lost twice doesn't mean I should act scared and keep hiding... Now that Liana has chosen you, I will definitely help you both to be happy; when I am gone, I'm counting on you to keep them all safe."
"Alan, you bastard, we are even, right!?"
"Hahahaha, sorry, brat. We are nowhere near even. I used 50% of my power, and it only damaged you a little, so you should try harder."
"Fuck you, damn good-looking bastard; I'll beat you so hard; just you wait!"
"HAHA, BRAT, YOU'RE TOO CUTE LIKE A CAT HISSING. BUT I DIDN'T EVEN USE MY HERO STYLE!" Alan laughed while walking inside, leaving a cursing Ryuji lying in the crater.
'Alan, your sword is so painful! But... I don't want to protect them when you are gone. Such a lonely thought makes me want to stop you from fighting...'
Ryuji's forlorn eyes watched the back of his friend, a feeling of emptiness along with the unbearable pain in his body. "Can't you ask me to fight with you instead of being determined to go alone... Am I too weak for that?"