Yuda gazed down at her blankly. Her blue hair, free from the helmet and damp with sweat, shimmered like moonlight on a rippling river. But her appearance held his attention only briefly before his eyes were drawn to the wound on her right arm.
The joint, sliced by a blade, was soaked in blood. Yuda quickly pulled water from his 〈Inventory〉 and poured it over her wound.
“Mm…!”
The sting made her eyes twitch. Roughly washing away the blood, Yuda frowned at the wound’s severity. Perhaps due to wielding a heavy lance, the flesh was gaping. Blood kept welling up despite being rinsed. Thinking she was lucky not to have collapsed from anemia, he pulled out a potion, biting off the cap with his teeth.
As she watched the wound heal, Jeanne’s gaze fell on a ring on Yuda’s hand. It looked uniquely carved from a single mineral. She hadn’t seen it when they parted days ago… It was a captivating ring. And Yuda, wearing it, seemed somehow more alluring. Could a single ring change someone’s presence so much? Or was it because he’d helped her that she felt this way? Either way, she was surprised by her own emotions, though outwardly she didn’t show it much.
“Fascinating.”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
With the cap in his mouth, he looked puzzled by her words. What was fascinating? For now, treating the wound came first, so he poured the potion generously on her arm. The effect was remarkable. The wound bubbled as cells regenerated, closing rapidly. Just to be safe, he wrapped it with a bandage. When he tapped it lightly, she didn’t groan, but her twitching eyes suggested it still hurt.
“All done. Just in case, visit the temple when we get back to the castle.”
“Thank you for your help, Yuda.”
Jeanne bowed her head to Yuda. He merely smiled in response. She tested her fingers and flexed her arm. The potion’s effect was impressive; only a slight lingering pain remained, and she was otherwise fine. A temple visit didn’t seem necessary.
“But are you okay, Yuda?”
“Huh? I’m not injured.”
Applying leftover potion to minor cuts from Ea’s longsword, Yuda asked in a puzzled tone. Most of the blood on him was Ea’s. Jeanne shook her head.
“I’m not talking about physical wounds.”
She raised her previously injured right hand, poking Yuda’s chest with her index finger.
“I’m asking about the wounds in your heart. This was your first time killing a person, wasn’t it? Killing a beastly monster and a sentient being who speaks are different. I’m asking if you’re okay with that, Yuda.”
Her words were unexpected. Her finger, felt through his leather clothes, seemed to pierce into his heart with the question. Looking down at it, Yuda let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha, never thought I’d hear that from someone. Yes, I’m fine. It’s not like this was my first time anyway.”
“What? Not your first time…? No, forget I asked.”
Saying that with a curious look. Yuda sat beside her. With the martial knight’s corpse right in front, he couldn’t even lie and say the scenery was nice. He slowly recounted past events. Since he’d already shown her his shadow swordsmanship and sorcery, there was no need to hide anything.
“So that’s what happened.”
After hearing everything, she let out a small sigh.
“Since I answered your question, may I ask one?”
“Yes, anything.”
“The martial knight complained about me interfering in a knightly duel. Did you not mind it?”
Their gazes turned to Ea, lying in a pool of blood. Jeanne was silent briefly but soon spoke.
“How could I not mind? But the opponent is dead, and I’m alive. That’s all there is. Even if she hadn’t died, the fact that I lost to her wouldn’t change, and even with her dead, my defeat remains the same. It’s just a memory of loss I’ll carry for life.”
“Mm… I’m sorry. I didn’t interfere for nothing, did I?”
She let out a small chuckle.
“Yuda, what do you have to apologize for? All you did was save me from death and fight the martial knight. Didn’t you even win the battle against her?”
“…”
“You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I’m the one who owes you a debt I can’t fully repay. Since we’re on the topic, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
Here it was. Yuda’s gut told him she’d bring up repaying the debt. blue lance knights never forget a favor. The Byron Empire’s blue lance knights have a unique tradition.
They always repay a life debt.
They grant whatever their savior requests.
Be it killing another, betraying the empire, or teaching their lance and shield techniques, they fulfill any reasonable or possible request. This takes precedence over even the emperor’s orders, a fact the emperor acknowledges. If the emperor orders a blue lance knight to kill someone who happens to be their savior, they can refuse or even plead for mercy once.
Never abused within the honorable blue lance knights, this tradition is recognized by the emperor. And Yuda was undeniably her savior. Having appeared to save her from death.
“Is there anything you wish for? You’re my savior, so I’ll grant anything you desire.”
“Anything?”
“Yes, anything. Except for impossible requests like killing someone or obtaining legendary items-for example, a fragment.”
In the game, there’s only one choice: ask her to be a companion. But here, more options exist. Seeing her sweat-soaked, curvaceous form, fleeting thoughts crossed his mind. He could even ask her to be his wife or for her body. But Yuda had no intention of saying such things.
“That’s unusual. What if I asked for enough money to live comfortably forever?”
“I could provide it. But to make you live extravagantly like a noble… that would be difficult. I couldn’t give a lump sum either.”
“What if I asked for your body?”
“…If that’s what my savior wants.”
“What if I asked you to be my wife?”
Jeanne’s face flushed instantly. Her heart had raced slightly at the mention of her body, but the follow-up question left her speechless.
“…I don’t like cruel jokes.”
Hesitating, Jeanne continued.
“But if you want it… if you truly want it, I’ll do it.”
Yuda smiled brightly.
“Then, how about becoming my companion?”
“…What?”
“A companion. I’m planning to leave Serenia Castle soon. I was thinking it’d be great to have someone reliable to travel with. Will you join me?”
“You are mischievous. I’m curious what you’ll be like when you grow up.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
Jeanne sighed.
“Becoming your companion isn’t difficult. But… I can only stay with you for a year at most.”
“What? Why?”
This was unexpected. Yuda thought recruiting her would be easy, but this wasn’t in his plans.
“I’m still a trainee blue lance knight. Trainees get about three years of freedom before becoming mid-tier knights. During that time, they can do whatever they want—travel, hunt monsters as mercenaries, search for treasures as adventurers, or travel with someone like you as a companion. I volunteered to search for a fragment, which is an exception, but… about a year from now, my period of freedom will end.”
“Uh…”
If that’s the case, there’s no helping it. He hadn’t anticipated such an obstacle. In the game, regardless of time, you could visit a high-tier blue lance knight NPC in the Byron Empire to promote to mid-tier. They’d remain with the empire but could still function as companions. Here, that seemed impossible.
‘Damn it.’
Should he ask for something else and find a new companion? Names and info of potential companion NPCs in Serenia Castle flashed through his mind. …But none could replace her. The sorceress Riel was a strong candidate, but recalling her with Kain yesterday, there was no way to recruit her separately. Subjugation was an option, but he didn’t want to go that far.
“A year?”
“Yes, a year. Though, if I surpass mid-tier and become high-tier later, who knows…”
A year, huh. Yuda thought over his future plans and nodded. A year should be enough. He sprang up and extended his hand to her.
“Alright. A year’s fine. What do you think Jeanne?”
But she didn’t take his hand. She was just staring at it. As he moved to retract it, she grabbed it. He tried to pull her up, but she stayed seated, unmoving. Silent and unresponsive, she looked into his eyes and spoke.
“But are you really okay with that? You could ask for something else. Money’s possible, or even the mar…riage you mentioned. Since I don’t have a fiancé yet. Is being a companion enough?”
Her blue eyes gazed steadily at him. The intensity was slightly overwhelming, but he smiled.
“Of course. A relationship built on trust, that’s what I want. A year is enough. I need a companion I can trust more than anyone. That’s the debt you’ll repay and what I desire, Dame Jeanne, blue lance knight.”
Jeanne closed her eyes briefly, then with a gentle smile she held his hand and stood.
“Very well. If that’s truly what you desire, my lance and shield will protect you, Yuda.”
[Blue Lance Knight “Jeanne Atruare” has become your companion.]
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***Author’s Note***
“You, become my companion!”
…And the seal on the ego you’re thinking of is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Heh heh heh. Nothing short of physical impact can break it.
