The next morning, during breakfast, Leya savored the roasted game Roy had prepared, all while maintaining her graceful demeanor.
Perhaps her appetite had diminished significantly after transforming into a girl, or perhaps it was simply because divine beings could survive without sustenance. Regardless, Leya’s enthusiasm for food had waned considerably compared to her previous life.
After only a few bites, she lost her appetite entirely.
Yet, to avoid disrupting Roy’s meal, Leya continued to pretend to eat until the very end. She knew that if she didn’t, Roy would foolishly rush to pack away the remaining food and stand guard outside.
“Uh… I’m truly sorry, Miss Leya. I always seem to eat the most every day…”
Roy had once again devoured an entire, impressively large roasted rabbit with great gusto. However, glancing at the unsightly mess beneath his own seat, strewn with discarded bones, and then at Leya’s impeccably clean spot, a pang of guilt struck him. This scene, he realized, mirrored many past meals.
“Well… it’s fine. It’s perfectly normal for boys to eat a lot,” Leya replied. “And given our current circumstances, when food is available, one absolutely must embrace the spirit of ‘not wasting a single grain!’ You should charge at your food like a hungry beast pouncing on its prey, roaring as you go!”
“Pfft—hahahahaha—ugh… cough, cough, cough… cough, cough, cough!”
“Hey… Roy, what are you laughing at? What’s so funny?” Leya said, a hint of amusement in her heart as she watched a red-faced Roy, head bowed, fumbling for water. “It’s baffling. Look how you’re choking.”
“Whoa—phew—that was close, I almost choked to death…”
“Indeed, quite fortunate. By the way, Roy, did you find a path to the city today?”
“Ah! Right, Miss Leya, I was just about to tell you!” Roy exclaimed, his eyes shining. “You won’t believe it, but while I was scouting earlier, I miraculously discovered the road the expeditionary forces used during their retreat! Following it, I actually managed to find a path leading to a nearby city!”
“Is that so? Then you can finally leave, Roy.”
“Mm-hm, yes! This way, we can finally… wait? Me? Mi—Miss Leya, shouldn’t it be *us*?”
“…Roy, did I ever say I wanted to leave this forest?”
Roy froze instantly, his entire being stunned. “B-but, Miss Leya, I…” he stammered, dumbfounded.
“Enough, Roy, say no more. As a Knight, one should possess a decisive and resolute character, acting swiftly and boldly in all matters! Therefore, do not utter such words about wanting to remain here.
Such defeatist and decadent remarks, devoid of ambition, I trust a young man aspiring to become the greatest Knight would never make such an imprudent choice, would they? Roy!”
“Yes, but… this… this…” Roy stammered, his mind reeling.
‘This isn’t how it was supposed to be!’ ‘No, this isn’t the plot development I expected! My script wasn’t written this way, Director!’
“I promised you, Miss Leya, that I would always stay by your side! Moreover, I have officially sworn my undying loyalty to you, so…”
“So? Roy, no, there is no ‘so.’ Your current hesitation is your greatest enemy. Hmph—fine, in that case, please don’t blame me.”
“Huh?”
Roy looked at Leya, utterly baffled.
Fortunately, she did not keep him waiting long, swiftly adding:
“Before you make such a foolish decision, please understand one thing, okay?”
Suddenly, Leya’s gaze was filled with a bone-chilling coldness! Those eyes, devoid of even a trace of emotion, were terrifyingly cold, sending shivers down one’s spine. They were frightening beyond measure!
This was absolutely the first time Roy had ever seen Leya like this. He simply couldn’t imagine that the girl who usually smiled like a spring breeze, refreshing and serene, who never showed excessive emotion, only a faint smile at most, could wear such an expression!
“From the very beginning, I never promised you anything. Everything has been nothing more than your own wishful thinking! So, Roy, I hope that in the end, we can still part ways amicably. I also hope you can act in a manner befitting your rightful image, instead of continuing with these futile efforts…”
“No, while it may be my wishful thinking, I do not believe this is a trivial matter!” Roy retorted, his voice unwavering. “As a Knight, since I, Roy, have already sworn my fealty to you, then no matter what, my sword shall be wielded for you and you alone! If you do not wish to leave, then I shall accompany you and grow old in this deep forest, without a single word of complaint or weariness!”
“Hmph—I had anticipated some trouble, but your stubbornness far exceeds my expectations. Roy, you truly disappoint me…”
“I…”
“Enough, Roy. I no longer wish to hear any more superfluous words. But now… have you ever considered why I still address you as ‘Roy’ despite knowing your name?”
Roy’s body stiffened noticeably, and he bit his lip, trembling slightly.
‘So that’s it…’
“I… I understand!”
“Oh?” Leya looked at Roy, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. A change of heart was good, of course, but wasn’t this a little too quick? She had, perhaps, considered that her words would be a significant blow to him.
“What do you understand?”
“As a Knight, I am too weak, so weak that I’m easily defeated,” Roy declared. “To think that on our very first meeting, I had to trouble you, Miss Leya, to personally rescue me! So, after hearing your words, I understand everything!”
“My strength is too meager; I lack the power to safely protect you. As a Knight, this must be the most shameful thing of all. Therefore… therefore, I must become stronger, much stronger! Strong enough to protect you, strong enough to ensure you are never in danger, no matter the circumstances! So… I’ve made up my mind!”
“Oh… oh… is, is that so? It’s truly wonderful that you’ve come to this realization. There’s no time to lose; once a decision is made, it shouldn’t be delayed for a moment! Yes, Roy, you can do it!”
Although Leya had been listening in a muddle for a while, she still didn’t quite grasp what Roy meant by all this. Something seemed off. She had simply wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
But fortunately, even if she didn’t fully understand his meaning, it certainly sounded impressive! More importantly, Roy had finally been convinced by her and decided to leave. From the outcome, wasn’t this excellent?
“Phew—Miss Leya, I… we will definitely meet again, right?”
“Huh?”
“Yes! It must be so!” Roy declared, his voice filled with conviction. “When I become much stronger, strong enough to do whatever I wish, I am certain that by then, I will make you, Miss Leya, speak my name yourself and acknowledge me as your Knight!”
“Mm… mm, just like that. Goodbye, Roy!”
‘Never to meet again—’
‘Indeed! Something really *is* off here!’
Leya watched Roy disappear into the distance, a whirlwind of emotions in her heart. Yet, influenced subconsciously by her divine consciousness, she didn’t take him too seriously.
The reason for their parting was simply that Leya was accustomed to living alone. She couldn’t quite accept the idea of suddenly living with another person for an extended period.
Moreover, in this unfamiliar otherworldly realm, following someone else would mean losing all agency. And as the saying goes, ‘you know a face, but not a heart’! Who knew what Roy might do once he brought her to the city?
Despite his current upright appearance and his talk of ‘knight’s spirit,’ Leya, a product of modern society, had no such romantic notions.
Furthermore, even if Roy were a good person, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t encounter other villains upon entering the city. How would she defend herself then?
While she used to find it absurd, Leya now had to consider her own position as a Goddess. In a world where strength commanded respect, and especially since she currently possessed none, there was no such thing as being too careful with the outside world!
Yes!
Ultimately, everything came down to her own lack of strength!