No Beast Girls on the Western Front

Page 36

I really envy the beast girls. They didn't have much affection for humans except for me, and they're also more thick-skinned and don't think about things that much.

Payne could feel Ruby's struggle; her legs were tightly pressed together, rubbing against each other in small, rhythmic motions, and her breathing was becoming increasingly heavy.

Let's help her relieve her symptoms and then get her to sleep.

Thinking this, Payne pushed aside her tail, sat up, and turned her around. "Alright, thank you for putting up with me for so long. Let's finish this sooner rather than later."

Ruby's ears and tail drooped down at the same time. "Still not working?"

"Um... I'm fine, don't worry about me." Payne could only try to brush it off.

But the little squirrel became visibly angry, broke free from Payne's embrace, and actually bent down to... fold the blankets.

Payne watched in bewilderment as she folded her own blanket, then proceeded to fold the blankets for the four beasts as well. Finally, she piled all the blankets together and plopped down on them.

Because summer quilts are very thin, five quilts stacked together are not very tall, about the size of a child's chair.

But this "chair" was enough for Ruby, who had a petite figure. She sat high on the quilt, looking down at Payne sitting on the bed, and gently swung one leg up.

Payne was stunned for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Uh... are you impersonating the Queen?"

"Well, it would be best if you could think that way." The little squirrel casually tossed its hair and stretched its foot out in front of him. "Since you've offered to do so, then give me a foot massage."

Although he didn't know what she was up to, Payne didn't think much of it. He took the foot in his hands and gently massaged it, just like playing with a child.

Anyway, I won't lose out.

But as he continued rubbing, he sensed something was wrong: Why was this guy intentionally or unintentionally pressing down a little harder?

To make things go smoothly, he patted Ruby's calf and said, "Relax, why are you straining so much?"

Unexpectedly, Ruby took advantage of the fact that he was only supporting the weight with one hand and suddenly exerted force, stomping down in one go.

"what!……"

Payne shuddered, then grabbed her ankle in a fit of rage. "You think you can't understand the hierarchy if I don't teach you a lesson?!"

But Ruby showed no fear whatsoever; instead, she exclaimed excitedly, "Now!!"

"What do you mean 'now'... Hey, who locked me up?!"

Just as Payne was about to take action, he suddenly felt a pair of strong hands pass under his armpits, cross his hands behind his head, and lock him firmly in place.

Feeling the intense pressure coming from behind, Payne immediately guessed who it was: "Grace, when did you get back?! And what are you doing?!"

A voice came from behind, a mix of apology, shame, and excitement: "Aha, sorry, Ruby asked me to make this."

"What nonsense is this? Ruby, what did you make her do... Ahhhhhh! Don't step on it! Don't step on it! It's going to break, it's going to break, ahhhhhh!!"

But Ruby completely ignored Payne's pleas for mercy. She used both feet simultaneously, covered her mouth with one hand revealing a devilish smile, and said:

"Hmph~ You always talk bad about me, saying I have a terrible personality. Today I'll make you regret ever knowing such a cold-hearted little squirrel like me!"

"I don't care what you've encountered or what difficulties you've faced. You promised at the beginning that you would wholeheartedly help me get through this crisis."

"But how did you do it? You just went through the motions, did a sloppy job, and your attention wasn't on me at all while you were doing it; your mind was completely elsewhere..."

"I gave you so many chances just now, trying to change your mood, but you didn't appreciate it at all..."

"Didn't you always feel like each day is an eternity while you wait? Didn't you say you would always love me? Then how dare you say something like 'the sooner it starts, the sooner it ends'?!"

"I can't take it anymore! Today, you must keep your promise, wholeheartedly help me get through the divergence, and only think about me!"

As the words fell, Ruby stepped down for the last time, and Payne's mind went blank as if struck by lightning, his thoughts instantly becoming crystal clear:

Although Ruby is not human and probably doesn't have much affection for humans, a considerable amount of time has passed since she met me, and her way of thinking is very similar to that of a human.

That day, when she was moving the injured Little Red Man, although she didn't say it, she seemed very guilty after she dropped the injured man.

Adding to the frustration caused by the splitter, she must have felt just as bad as I did.

Even so, this little guy has been trying in his own way to help me move on from what happened before.

Her demands clearly went beyond simply relieving the symptoms of the splitter.

For some reason, Payne suddenly felt like crying.

Thinking of this, he smiled and patted Grace's arm. "Alright, alright, let go of me. The problem is solved."

But Grace's hand only loosened slightly, and she hesitated to move it completely away.

Ruby hesitated for a moment: "...Wait, are you really okay? Didn't you say that PTSD recovery is a long process..."

Payne immediately raised an eyebrow and interrupted her: "Am I the beast tamer or are you the beast tamer?! Grace! Let me go! Now! Right now!"

"Ah, I understand!" Grace immediately released her hand reflexively.

"You take Lacey and Shawn to practice grenade throwing! Practice until the wee hours of the morning! Damn it, do you think I'm easy to bully if I don't show my power?!... What are you waiting for? Go now!!"

"Ahhh, I understand!..."

Realizing that Payne was serious, Grace gave Ruby an apologetic glance and then ran out of the tent, her face flushed. Outside, the sounds of a sheep and a dog could be heard.

"Hey, how did he know we were here too?"

"I told you not to do this kind of thing... See, you've been punished by your master now, haven't you?..."

After the sounds of the three beasts had completely faded away, Payne breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and looked at the dumbfounded little squirrel, a sinister smile creeping onto his face.

"Hmph~ Now it's just the two of us left, we'd better settle this score properly~~"

Chapter 54 LIV. Unable to Sleep Tonight

As the man in front of her stood up, his tall and imposing figure fully displayed before her, Ruby finally remembered her relationship with Payne.

It's not a relationship of equality, but a relationship of subordination, or even a relationship between an object and its owner.

My behavior just now... seems a bit excessive...

Especially in a place like the military, this kind of thing is, at best, disobeying orders, and at worst, it's mutiny...

Although Ruby wasn't worried about being killed because of her good relationship with Payne, she still trembled and huddled in a ball when she saw the sinister smile on his face.

"Please...please be gentle with me..."

But Payne didn't answer; he just kept getting closer. Ruby's heart skipped a beat—oh no, he's really angry this time.

Therefore, when she saw a large, calloused hand reaching out to her, she instinctively closed her eyes and tensed her muscles.

But Payne's movements were very gentle. He simply lay on the bed, pulled Ruby into his arms, and gently rubbed her little ears on her head.

Ruby opened her eyes with some concern, but Payne simply said, "What's wrong? Didn't you tell me to be gentle?"

"Ah...uh..." Ruby was speechless for a moment.

"Anyway, I want to thank you first."

Paine gave a somewhat reserved smile as he spoke, “Although your efforts cannot solve PTSD at its root, I am still very grateful for what you have done.”

"I'll try to figure out a way to overcome this myself."

"Ultimately, my PTSD is my own problem, and I shouldn't let it affect you."

"So... I also want to apologize to you."

"Yes, I did promise a long time ago that I would take good care of you."

"Moreover... I'm not doing this entirely because I'm kind-hearted. I also get a lot of... fun from you guys, so you could say it's a mutually beneficial relationship."

“I know you’re looking forward to this splitter, but I’ve been ignoring you these past few days… I’m sorry.”

"I can't guarantee that this kind of thing will never happen again. Please continue to remind me when that happens."

After Payne finished speaking, Ruby felt a little awkward for some reason. "Don't...don't be so formal. I'll definitely help you..."

But Payne said seriously, "This isn't about being a stranger. Sometimes, the closer the relationship, the more you need to be clear about things."

Ruby blinked twice, her voice weakening: "But...but I'm just an orc..."

"So what if you're an orc? Didn't I already say that even though you're not human, even though you were created, does that give you the right to be inferior to humans? Don't you have the right to love and be loved?"

Hearing this, Ruby felt a lump in her throat and instinctively said, "But...but...you still like other beastmen..."

Ruby was quickly jolted awake by the jealousy in her words—had I said too much again?

Although she didn't know where Payne's idea that "humans and beasts are equal" came from, the reality was that even if Payne lost her, thousands upon thousands of beastmen would still be assigned to her.

But if she loses Payne, it's almost certain she won't encounter another human as kind as her, one who's even willing to help her resolve the divergence.

Fortunately, Payne seemed to genuinely believe that he should treat orcs equally, so when Ruby was jealous, he wasn't angry at all; in fact, he was somewhat embarrassed.

"Um... well... I... I'm just more compassionate... that's all..."

Upon hearing this answer, Ruby immediately narrowed her eyes.

What a fine example of "universal love"!

While it's not entirely wrong to say it that way...

After all, he truly accepted all beasts without question.

Moreover, this doesn't just refer to physical relationships, but rather that he treated every beast as his friend, comrade-in-arms, or even family.

That would be great, of course, but if possible, Ruby still really hopes he'll only be nice to her, the only beast...

Sigh, forget it, I'd better not dwell on these unrealistic hopes.

Thinking this, Ruby coughed lightly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere, and then said, "How many beasts you have around is not something I can control. What I want to ask is... is my favorite beast?"

Payne was taken aback, then suddenly pulled the squirrel into his arms and gave it a good rub. "What are you talking about? My most precious animal is of course you!"

Ruby wasn't worried that he was just saying that to appease her.

According to her observations, during the year and a half she spent with Payne, dozens of beasts joined the team.

He would care for every animal equally, but he would pay extra attention to her.

Although Ruby was reluctant to admit it, it was mostly thanks to her big tail...

However, these were all minor issues, and Ruby wagged her tail happily upon hearing the answer.

Hehe, I'm definitely the cutest one~~

"Since...that's the case, you'd better take full responsibility."

"Yes, yes, I really need to thank you properly~~"