The Knight's Oath
Leona rose from her seat and pulled me up by the hand. Her other hand naturally came to rest against my chest, and I felt the steady beat of my heart beneath her palm.
Well, well. One touch and she's already like this. lol
The corner of my mouth curled upward.
"I'll show you more of Elaris."
Leona smiled brightly.
"Yeah?"
I glanced around. The gleaming streets and orderly buildings already filled my vision.
"This place is pretty enough as it is."
"Well, let's go anyway."
I shrugged lightly and turned my gaze back to her.
"We've got plenty of time."
Her expression visibly brightened. Leona took my hand without hesitation and began walking, showing no intention of letting go. Her steps were light as she pointed here and there with her free hand.
"That's the Celestial Academy over there."
A spire soared toward the sky, dazzling in the sunlight.
"It's where Lunaris's finest talents gather to study magic and technology."
We walked along the gravel path, the stones crunching softly beneath our feet. Buildings lined both sides of the road, their gentle curves and intricate details catching the light in a soft blue glow.
"And over there is the Ethereal Market."
"Goods from every region gather there."
I turned my head, taking in the sights. People. Merchandise. Everything felt unfamiliar yet perfectly ordered.
"It's all so beautiful…"
"Far more than I expected."
Leona's shoulders lifted slightly, a quiet satisfaction spreading across her face.
"Elaris is my hometown."
She looked around with pride and affection before her gaze slowly returned to me.
"There are so many places I want to show you."
"The Crystal Falls, the Whispering Forest, the Celestial Observatory…"
Step after step, her explanations flowed naturally. Every so often—very rarely—her eyes lingered on my profile, as if checking the sunlight on my face. When our gazes met, she quickly looked ahead again, but her hand never let go of mine.
Before long, the road led into a forest.
"Leona."
"Yes?"
She turned her head.
"You've been training for a long time, haven't you?"
I looked her over from head to toe—shoulders, waist, legs. A perfectly balanced physique.
"You're already at the commander level, right?"
I gave her shoulder a light tap, lips curving upward.
"But damn, your body's no joke."
My eyes naturally drifted to her muscles.
"Look at that. Seriously impressive."
Leona gave a small laugh and dipped her head slightly before lifting it again.
"Thank you."
Her voice was calm, but pride shone through.
"I've been training since I was seven."
She continued walking as she spoke.
"To join the Aegis Knights, you have to start preparing young."
Her gaze turned forward.
"I had talent, and I never slacked off in training."
"Thanks to that, I was able to rise through the ranks relatively quickly."
She lifted her head for a moment.
"My current position is the result of years of effort."
I nodded.
"That explains it."
I looked her over once more.
"You've got real presence."
Leona glanced sideways as if holding back a laugh, but her expression soon turned serious.
"Elcia is…"
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"…currently at war."
I stopped walking, and Leona naturally slowed her pace.
"What?"
She met my eyes briefly before continuing.
"There are four nations on this continent."
"And one island nation across the sea."
Her hand tightened ever so slightly around mine.
"Each country possesses different magic and military power, and they've maintained a balance for a long time."
Her voice dropped a tone lower.
"But not long ago…"
A brief silence.
"…our Lunaris Kingdom conquered the Empire of Fire."
"Whoa…"
Leona's eyes lowered for a moment before rising again.
"Their queen is currently a prisoner."
My eyes widened.
"You captured their queen?"
"Yes."
She nodded firmly.
"The queen is both the symbol and the heart of her nation."
"Since she surrendered while still alive, their main forces have been absorbed into ours."
"They've now been integrated into Lunaris's military."
I was momentarily speechless.
"What kind of war scale is this…"
Leona spoke again.
"But the war isn't over."
"The remaining two nations are fighting fiercely right now."
Her gaze drifted into the distance.
"Once that battle ends…"
"…we're likely next."
I exhaled slowly.
"Why not strike first?"
Leona shook her head.
"Her Majesty is a generous ruler."
"She won't launch an unprovoked invasion."
She fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"And the island nation is a mystery."
"They barely interact with the outside world."
"We don't even know their true strength."
I let out a long breath.
"This world is… a lot harsher than I thought."
Leona looked at me quietly.
"That's why…"
She took a step closer.
"…your existence is even more important."
Oh, fuck.
If I'm not careful, this could go south fast.
There was no avoiding it.
If I didn't want to die, I'd have to work my ass off again.
A small sigh escaped me.
Ah, well. That's just my fate.
"Got it."
I nodded once.
"If I can help in any way, that'd be great."
At that moment, Leona's eyes trembled violently. Surprise and anticipation flashed across her blue irises at the same time. She took another step closer and grasped my hand again, as if drawing strength from it.
"Jun…"
She smiled softly.
"To think you'd willingly offer to help in this unfamiliar world…"
She shook her head slightly.
"It's more than I could have ever hoped for."
Her expression was one of disbelief. Her other hand rose to my cheek, her thumb brushing slowly across my skin.
Whoa… what's with her?
Has she completely fallen for me already?
Does this mean I can make a move?
She won't kill me… right?
Warmth. Softness. And a touch filled with unwavering resolve.
"With your knowledge and perspective from another world…"
Her blue eyes held mine steadily.
"I believe you can bridge the gap between our two races—"
Ah, for fuck's sake. It's gender, not race!
"—and become the key to opening a new era of understanding and cooperation."
I looked at her and chuckled.
"Alright, alright. I'll do my best."
Damn it.
A harem right in front of me.
I'd better stay alive.
This really is my fate.
As soon as I finished speaking, Leona's breath caught, and her chest rose and fell sharply. She seemed about to say something, then hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.
"Jun…"
"Thank you… truly."
Her voice trembled slightly, and her blue eyes glistened with moisture.
Perfect timing.
"Hold on a second."
Leona lifted her head.
"Yes?"
I looked her straight in the eye.
"If I'm going to help your country…"
"…you need to be more honest with me too."
Leona's eyes wavered slightly, but I kept my gaze fixed as I continued.
"From now on, no lying to me."
"You have to answer everything honestly."
I took a short breath and added one final condition.
"And protect me."
I pointed at myself with a finger.
"That way, I can properly help you all."
I stared deeper into her eyes.
"I'm weak."
I relaxed my shoulders and exhaled.
"By this world's standards, I'm the weakest of the weak."
I raised my hand and waved it lightly.
"I'm scared I'll wander around and die before I know it."
If I die too soon, I won't get to build my harem.
That'd be a real shame.
The thought made the corner of my mouth twitch upward.
Leona's expression froze for an instant. For the briefest moment, her blue eyes trembled.
"…"
She seemed to think for a moment. Then she slowly nodded.
"Yes. Of course."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Don't just say it."
I looked at her directly again.
"Can you swear it on your honor as a knight?"
In that moment, all hesitation vanished from Leona's face, and her gaze sharpened. After a brief pause, she took a step back, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her chin slightly. Her lips were pressed firmly together, her blue eyes blazing. The softness from moments ago disappeared, replaced by the face of a knight.
Then she slowly dropped to one knee.
Thud.
Her right fist pressed against her chest, and a short metallic clang rang out as it struck her armor.
The Knight's Oath.
Her blue eyes looked up at me steadily as she spoke clearly.
"I,"
"Leona Baylor,"
"of the Aegis Knights of the Lunaris Kingdom,"
She drew a short breath.
"swear upon my honor as a knight."
Thud.
Her fist pressed against her chest once more.
"That I will answer Jun without falsehood from this day forth."
Her voice grew firmer.
"And that I will lay down my life to protect him."
lololololol
Damn, that's badass.
Leona lifted my hand and pressed her lips gently to the back of it. It was a brief but burning kiss.
"Is that… some kind of ritual?"
"It is."
"The Knight's Oath."
Didn't she say no touching?
So this is allowed?
I really don't get this world sometimes.
The city's noise seemed to fade into the distance. Leona remained kneeling on one knee, looking up at me.
Alright, let's test this.
See if she actually keeps her oath.
I spoke with a perfectly calm expression.
"What do you think of me right now?"
Leona maintained her posture and answered.
"I am deeply and sincerely grateful."
Her blue eyes never wavered.
"Your open heart."
"Your courage in facing an unknown world."
She exhaled softly.
"I am deeply moved."
I watched her for a moment before speaking again.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
I tilted my head slightly.
"You don't have any other feelings right now?"
Leona's eyes trembled ever so slightly.
"What do you mean…"
I shrugged, the corner of my mouth lifting.
"Like, does your heart race?"
"Do you feel nervous? Things like that."
A short silence. The air grew so quiet it felt frozen. Leona's expression hardened, then slowly flushed red. The faint, misty aura around her body wavered for a brief moment, as if tinged with red—before returning to its pale glow.
Leona couldn't speak. She kept her head bowed low. Several seconds passed in silence. Then a very small voice slipped out.
"Yes…"
Her breath trembled.
"It is racing…"
lololololol
Got her.
She's completely mine.
If I play this right, I can have her.
I steadied my breathing internally and kept my expression as neutral as possible.
"That's right. That's how you be honest."
"As expected of a knight who values honor."
Leona's face grew even redder, but this time she didn't look away. A small smile formed on her lips as she nodded slightly.
"Thank you."
Her voice had softened considerably.
"Hearing those words from you…"
She paused for a moment, her blue eyes locking onto mine.
"…makes me happier than words can express, Jun."
Leona took another step closer, the distance between us shrinking noticeably. Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper.
"With you, I feel like…"
"I've found someone I can truly connect with,"
"not just an ally."
She took a short breath before continuing.
"Someone who sees the real me beyond rank or reputation…"
Her hand slowly rose and came to rest on my chest, her palm gently covering my heart.
Thump.
Thump.
My heartbeat pulsed against her skin.
"I believe it."
"That together, we can accomplish something great."
Her eyes lowered briefly before rising again.
"For Lunaris."
"For our people."
And then, in the faintest whisper, almost like a breath:
"And for us…"