The next morning.
Clear skies.
I resume my journey.
Eventually I leave the Sonora Wasteland behind.
Before me stretches a plain dotted with wild grasses and groves of trees.
Continuing onward, I enter a forest.
As I walk between the ancient trunks—
「Kyaaaa!」
A scream pierces the air nearby.
「……」
Curiosity gets the better of me, so I turn toward the sound.
There I find a young girl.
She couldn’t be more than ten years old.
Beside her lies an overturned basket, its contents—various ores and medicinal herbs—scattered across the forest floor.
Three lizard monsters surround her.
They stand on two legs, each nearly as tall as the child.
(Should I intervene…)
I step forward.
With precise strikes enhanced by psychokinesis, I dispatch the creatures.
「Ah…ah…」
The girl trembles uncontrollably.
The aftermath of terror still grips her small frame.
But gradually, her breathing steadies.
(She’ll be fine now.)
Seeing no further need for my presence, I turn to leave.
But—
「Ano…!」
The girl’s voice stops me.
I pause.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I respond.
「What?」
「Th-thank you…for saving me!」
She bows deeply, her voice shaking but sincere.
「…Yeah.」
My reply is curt.
Again I move to leave.
At that moment—
「Milina!」
A new voice rings out as someone approaches at speed.
A female knight.
Her blue hair streams behind her in a ponytail.
She wears polished armor of white and blue, a knight’s cape billowing at her shoulders.
(This one…she’s strong.)
I narrow my eyes.
From her emanates power similar to what I sensed from Derek—the unmistakable aura of a true warrior.
The knight first checks on the girl, then turns her gaze to me.
Her eyes sweep the scene before she speaks.
「What…happened here? Did you save Milina?」
So the girl is named Milina.
I answer plainly.
「Yeah. Those lizards had her cornered. I dealt with them.」
「…I see.」
「You her guardian? Should take better care of her. No second chances once someone’s dead.」
「No…not her guardian exactly…」
Her response comes haltingly.
Clearly no relation between them.
…The difference in their attire makes that obvious enough.
Milina wears simple peasant clothes while this knight bears the marks of nobility.
I shrug.
「…Whatever. Just see her home safe. I’m leaving.」
With that, I turn to depart.
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