The young man stretched out his scarred palm and gently pressed it against the other's icy forehead, doing his best to pass his warmth on to the girl.
"We're home now. The fire pit was just lit. Hold on a little longer—the house will warm up soon."
Daigrian slowly nodded, then asked in a feeble voice:
"Is that so..."
"Okay... Rian will be good and listen..."
"But... where are Grandpa and Brother? Where did they go?"
Ye Chen turned to glance at the two monster corpses beside him, their eyes still wide open in death. He then forcefully pinched the spot between his fiercely twitching brows before gently explaining to the girl:
"They went out to buy groceries. They said they were going to make you a splendid feast, so they won't be back for a while yet."
Daigrian answered blankly.
"I see... Rian understands."
"But I feel so sleepy right now... I want to sleep for a little while..."
"When it's time to eat... can you wake me up?"
Ye Chen slowly nodded in agreement.
"Of course. Of course. I'll wake you when the food is at its most delicious."
Upon hearing this, the girl extended her shattered claws toward the young man and spoke in a blurry voice:
"Then... it's a promise..."
As the young man stroked the girl's cheek, he grasped her blade-like claw as well, answering with a bitter smile.
"Mm. Sleep without worry, little one."
"Once everything is ready, I'll wake you right on time. Then all of us will enjoy the feast together beside the fire pit..."
"No one will be absent."
"I promise you."
"When that time comes, no one will be absent."
Daigrian nodded to Ye Chen one last time. Her pale face showed an expectant smile, and at last she slowly