You Can Do It Alone!
You can do it by yourself!
While I was telling Leah old tales of knights, in the central conference room of Dawn's Light Guild, representatives from Korea's major guilds and leaders from overseas guilds were gathered for a meeting.
The white LED lights on the ceiling made the already chilly conference room feel even colder, and with all these high-ranking figures from various countries assembled, an inexplicable tension hung in the air.
—Click.
In the center of the room, at the middle of the oval table finished in black glass, a man quietly pressed the microphone button.
"Thank you all for attending this meeting despite being so busy dealing with ghost stories."
Seo Ji-hoon's voice echoed through the conference room. He was the head of the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters, Korea's central defense force and possessor of apocalypse-grade ghost story powers. Dressed impeccably in a suit and standing still, the aura emanating from him was anything but subdued.
"As you all know, today's topic is unprecedented, so please share your opinions freely without holding back."
With a light gesture of his hand, the entire wall transformed into a virtual screen, displaying a girl's photo and profile. It filled the screen with information on the beautiful girl with fiery red hair and shimmering purple eyes like jewels—Leah.
"The meeting topic is simple. What to do with the girl you're seeing now... no, the self-proclaimed mengmang-grade ghost story Noblesse."
A short silence followed as Ji-hoon finished speaking.
"......"
"......"
Most people held back from voicing opinions enthusiastically, opting for caution instead.
"Shall I start? This isn't about her treatment, but..."
Breaking the silence, Elissa Hayes spoke up, her sea-blue eyes gleaming.
"Our research team has conducted regular examinations on Leah five times in total, plus occasional quick checks, but no ghost story energy has been detected at all. And her body is completely identical to that of a human."
"Hold on, what's the implication of sharing that info now?"
An American agent sitting across from Elissa raised his hand and interjected.
"Hehe, no deep meaning. I'm just a researcher. I have a duty to report the facts based on experiments."
"Hm, that's true, but your statement could lead people to think of the Noblesse as 'human'."
"Oh my, does that mean everyone here is the type to change their minds based on a mere researcher's word?"
"No, that's not..."
Right as the meeting began, the US and UK clashed. Though not stated outright, UK's Eden Guild viewed Leah as simply a girl who had lost her memories, while the US's Eternal Guardians Guild saw her as a unique ghost story with sealed powers. With their views directly opposed, conflict was inevitable.
"Ahem. UK and US, please show some restraint."
Ji-hoon calmed the two as their voices began to rise.
"To clarify first: the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters will not reach a conclusion on the Noblesse here. Whether she's just an ordinary girl or truly hiding powers."
"So Korea is neutral?"
"Only 'in this meeting'. If she's proven human in the future, we'll actively protect and care for her. But—"
Ji-hoon manipulated the wall screen a few times, adding a photo next to Leah's of a girl with silver hair and flashing golden eyes standing tall.
"If even a trace of ghost story energy is detected from her, we'll immediately classify her as mengmang-grade and proceed with 'appropriate measures'. We can't go through another nightmare like the Collector."
"By 'appropriate measures', do you mean what we think?"
"I don't know what the US thinks, but you all know how guilds worldwide have handled ghost stories, right?"
"So, you'll kill her in the end."
"......Only if confirmed as a threat."
As Ji-hoon's statement ended, the room began to buzz.
His stance was clear: Eliminate if threatening. The old him might have leaned toward leniency for Leah, but after the Collector incident, he upheld a zero-tolerance policy toward ghost stories.
"That red-haired girl... Leah, was it? Could you tell us about her current living situation?"
Chris Evans, representing the US, directed his question at Victoria Crawford, the UK representative.
Victoria, leaning against Elissa with her small frame, furrowed her brow slightly and replied.
"Chris, I told you last time too. That girl's being cared for by a civilian. And she's in a very stable condition."
"Hm, a civilian... Isn't that a bit dangerous? If she suddenly goes berserk, that guy might get hurt. I could take her off your hands if—"
"Don't talk shit. If we handed her to you, she'd rampage on the spot."
"Huhu, seems I'm hated by you."
"......Fucking asshole."
Chris just flashed a sly grin even as Victoria's blue eyes blazed like fire.
"Well, the US is already getting regular samples from the Noblesse for checks, so no major complaints... But if that civilian ever tires of caring for her, let him know we're willing to take her anytime."
"You talk big. Ease up on those inspections. Leah's body is exactly like a human girl's. Wounds don't heal well."
"The karma of the girl calling herself a ghost story... or should I say her mistake? We have to accept that much. In a way, it's like you, isn't it? Haha."
"...This bastard, getting cocky..."
Bam!
In an instant, Victoria kicked off the floor and closed in on Chris before anyone could react. Without giving others a chance to intervene, she drew the sword from her waist and pointed it at his throat.
—Shing.
"...Wow, as expected of Eden's master. Bringing a sword to my throat in that tiny body, so fast I couldn't follow with my eyes."
"Chris... How many times have I told you to watch that mouth?"
"Wh-what are you doing?! Victoria Crawford! Put that sword down right now!"
"No thanks."
Though those around hurriedly tried to stop her, Victoria showed no sign of sheathing her blade. But Chris, even with a trickle of blood at his throat, calmly addressed her as if unbothered.
"Victoria, that's enough. I apologize for my rudeness."
"What, already? Tucking tail quick today."
"Huhu, I'm no good at fights, so I'll surrender."
"Too bad. Was gonna slice you if you resisted even a little."
Victoria turned away from the surrendering Chris, hands up, and returned to her seat.
"Masters of UK and US, please exercise restraint."
"Yes, sorry, Headquarters Chief."
After Ji-hoon sorted the slightly chaotic atmosphere, the group continued discussing Leah's treatment for hours. Hardliners argued to eliminate her immediately before it was too late, while moderates insisted on observation to avoid harming an innocent child if wrong. But without a clear resolution, they had no choice but to end the meeting.
Whether to kill or spare Leah.
Oblivious to the heavy debate in the conference room, the girl herself was peacefully nestled in my arms, resting.
"Ooh...! Si-hyun, this body was moved by your story. The Knight King ruling over the 12 knights! Their awesome journey! It was a very fun tale!"
"Haha, knew you'd like it, Leah."
"Uung! Si-hyun is a natural-born storyteller. Do more from now on."
"Haha, if the knight requests it, anytime."
I smiled, poking the nose of the purring cat-like girl in my arms.
If Leah likes knights, figured she'd love the Arthurian tales. Though I tweaked most of it myself, minus the motifs.
Starting with a female Knight King, adding a traitor among the knights—pure invention. It went off the rails a bit to keep her from getting bored...
Whatever. As long as Leah enjoyed it.
—Smooth.
I carefully set the girl down and asked,
"What part of my story did you like most, Leah?"
"Uum... First, the Knights of the Dining Table sounded cool."
"Not dining table—Round Table."
"Hah? Th-this body thought it was Knights of the Dining Table all along...!"
Leah's purple eyes widened in shock.
"Uuu... This body can't even remember the story right, what a fool..."
"No, that's impressive instead? You saw through the hidden truth in the tale!"
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
I pondered how to comfort Leah as I stroked her sullen cheek.
Truth is, she was wrong. And there was no hidden truth. But!
Changing one detail like that won't kill anyone. Our knight's feelings matter more to me.
If my Leah says dining table, then from now on, that's canon!
"Leah, secret... Actually, the Knight King shared oaths over meals with the 12 knights. But the scribe recording history changed it to Round Table 'cause Dining Table didn't feel epic."
"R-really...?"
"Yeah. Uncovering secrets like that? You're amazing, Leah."
Suddenly perking up, Leah struck a proud pose.
"Ahem...! As expected, this body is great!"
"Hahaha, yeah. Our Leah's amazing~! A great knight like you must be good at errands too, right?"
"Err...and?"
"Errand, not err-and. Remember? Special lesson today."
I straightened Leah's clothes as she tilted her head, handing her a small bag.
"Leah, there's a card in the bag. Go to the mart, buy pudding you like and cooking ingredients, then come home. Can you do it?"
"Uum... This body worries if it can without Si-hyun..."
Honestly, I'm worried too. But trusting and waiting is a guardian's duty!! I have to believe in her first for her to believe in herself.
—Squeeze.
I pulled the slightly anxious Leah into a tight hug.
"Don't worry, Leah. You can do it. If you're still unsure, believe in me who believes in you. Got it?"
"U, uung...!"
With a resolute expression, Leah nodded and headed to the door.
"Si-hyun... If this body fails to get the pudding... I entrust my back to you."
What, why so dramatic for an errand? But I can't crush her pure heart!
Match the mood!
I put on a serious face like Leah and said,
"Leah, don't say that. I can't live without you...! So... come back safe!"
"Sniff...! S-Si-hyun likes this body too much...!"
Leah wiped a tear and toddled back to me.
"For good luck on my last trip, hug this body tight!"
Blushing but coy, Leah asked for a hug.
She's too cute!
I immediately reached out with a laugh.
"Hahaha, anytime."
—Whoosh!
Hugging her tight, I gave my final reminder.
"Leah, one thing to watch out for on your errand."
"Uung, what?"
"If a stranger offers pudding, never~~~ follow, no matter what. Even if it's vanilla—your favorite—plus chocolate, strawberry, banana. Never~~~~ follow. Got it?"
"Ung! I'll remember!"
Leah opened the door with brave steps, off on her grand pudding quest without a worry.
"Hmm, let's see... if our Leah passes the mill without issue? Hehehe."