Walking down the street back to the inn, Leya considered the situation.
Hmm, at this point, there were about three minutes left until her transformation ended.
She glanced back at Erica, who was still clutching her clothes.
Erica’s head was wrapped in an unknown piece of fabric, a clear attempt to conceal her elven identity from prying eyes.
“Erica…”
“…………”
Even though Leya had only whispered her name, she could distinctly feel the tremor running through Erica’s arm.
Alas…
What a mess this was!
Truth be told, Leya was once again contemplating sending Erica away.
However, given the current circumstances, especially with the chivalry amplified by her transformation and the overwhelming sense of justice it fueled, Leya had to reluctantly put that idea aside for now.
“Sister Leya…”
“Hmm?”
Leya regarded Erica with keen interest, for this was the first time Erica had spoken throughout their journey.
“You’re going to change back, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right. About two minutes left…”
She surveyed the secluded street she had carefully chosen, noting its emptiness, and nodded in satisfaction.
Although the path back to the inn had become longer, it was also much safer.
After all, her secret transformation could not be exposed yet, lest those who revered Artoria discover it and unleash unknown havoc.
“Um… could you… could you not change back?”
“…………”
‘This girl…’
Leya was momentarily speechless, thinking, ‘Am I really that unattractive in my original form, you brat? Do you truly not wish to behold such devastating beauty?’
” ‘Sister Leya like that… she just feels… terrifying…’ ” Erica murmured softly, a hint of unease in her voice when Leya didn’t respond.
” ‘Terrifying?’ Leya couldn’t help but be taken aback, a chuckle escaping her. ‘You’re the first one to call me terrifying in that form…’ ”
Indeed, Roy, Dean, and Elina all likely considered her to be an exceptionally good person, judging by their attitudes towards her.
Yet, Erica was probably the first in the world to find her original appearance frightening, though Leya couldn’t guarantee that number wouldn’t grow in the future.
” ‘Erica, have you forgotten what I told you? No matter which form I take, though my appearance may differ, my thoughts remain the same…’ ”
” ‘Liar…’ ”
” ‘Hmm?’ Leya couldn’t quite hear her.
However, as time continued to tick by…
Now, less than five seconds remained of her transformation.
Four…
” ‘If it were…’ ”
Three…
” ‘If it were Sister Artoria as she is now…’ ”
Two…
” ‘If it were her, Sister Artoria would never have sent me away then!’ ”
One…
Transformation dispelled!
” ‘Yes… what you say certainly holds merit…’ ”
Suddenly, Leya halted.
” ‘Sister Leya, you…’ ”
Upon seeing this figure again, a sight that stirred such profound complexity within her, Erica felt an inexplicable surge of… fear from the depths of her heart!
” ‘But alas, I am not her… not that noble, great, and virtuous King of Knights!’ ”
“…………”
” ‘In fact, even now, I can’t fathom what benefit saving you truly brings to *me*—yes, to the me standing here now!’ ”
” ‘Sister Leya…’ Erica bit her lip, wanting to speak, yet her words remained trapped.
” ‘You can think of me as a bad person; I have no desire to explain myself. Just a few more days…’ ”
” ‘In a few more days, I will personally escort you back to the elven tribe.’ ”
****
Silence reigned for the remainder of their walk.
This silence enveloped both Leya and Erica.
Not another word was exchanged between them until they had entered the inn and returned to their room.
While this was not the outcome Leya desired, at present, she was powerless to change the situation.
Swish, swish, swish—
Hmm, Leya, feeling vexed, no longer even harbored thoughts of peeping, even with Erica currently bathing.
‘[Leya: What the hell! I never had such thoughts to begin with!]’
” ‘Wuwuwu… wuwuwu…’ Strange, muffled sobs seemed to emanate from the bathroom.
” ‘Host… even I find it distasteful to see you tormenting such a young, adorable loli…’ ”
Leya: ‘…………’
” ‘So you’re still alive, System.’ ”
” ‘Uh… well, you haven’t died yet, after all.’ ”
Leya: ‘…………’
Alright, she had to admit, that explanation was quite convincing.
” ‘Sigh… she’s unhappy, and you’re blaming me?’ ”
” ‘Or should I blame this System instead?’ ”
“…………”
Fine, fine, fine!
Leya instantly concluded that pointlessly wasting her life arguing with the System here was the most foolish thing imaginable.
” ‘Hey, System, the reward from last time for teaching Harvey a lesson—the Garter Saintess Sword—could you bring it out for me to see?’ ”
” ‘As you wish…’ ”
Ding—
How delightful, how utterly delightful!
She had expected its appearance to cause a commotion as grand as last time, but to her relief, it simply materialized and landed softly upon the crystal-topped table.
Compared to the ostentatious gold of the Sword of Kings, the entire blade seemed to possess a subtle reduction in lavishness, replaced by a deeper sense of profound meaning.
For instance…
” ‘Justification by faith…’ ”
Upon closer inspection, Leya noticed an inscription on the blade, mimicking the Sword of Kings, bearing the four characters: ‘Justification by Faith’!
Furthermore, unlike the heft of the Sword of Kings, this Garter Saintess Sword was remarkably light, weighing approximately thirty *jin*.
After all, ancient longswords typically weighed only one or two *jin*.
Freaks like the Sword of Kings should stay as far away as possible, she mused with a wry grin.
Now, even Leya could barely manage to swing this longsword!
This filled her with a thrilling sense that she had finally found her proper companion blade.
However…
Swish—
Leya swung the sword with all her might at a seemingly fragile wooden board.
Bang—
The sound was deafening!
“…………”
Yet the result was… utterly unharmed!?
Leya was stunned!
” ‘Hey, System, can you explain what’s going on? Don’t tell me I’ve received a fake, a knock-off!’ ”
System: ‘…………’
” ‘Speak up, hey, hey, hey! I want to complain, I want a refund!’ ”
” ‘You are not a saintess, nor do you possess faith, so you should not speak!’ ”
Leya: ‘…………’