"What the hell?! A-are you... a man...?"

A young, blonde-haired female knight stood in front. She looked down at the boy with confusion... but also a hint of disgust. Drawing her bright-green [Tryrant's Blade], she flaunted it in the air before nudging the point of the blade into his neck.

"Is this how you greet someone, you brute."

The female knight was taken aback by his statement.

"T-that's no way to talk to me, animal!"

The boy looked up at her apathetically.

"Eh... maybe I have to teach you some manners."

"You're the one who needs some manners!"

Suddenly filled with anger, the female knight raised her [Tyrant's Blade], with the intention of cutting him down.

In response, the boy quickly got up, drawing his own weapon. A dark, miasma-like aura leaked out of the sheath as the boy took out the elegant yet decaying [Fallen Knight's Rapier].

"You need to learn your place, f-filthy... m-m-man...!"

With a bit of hesitation, she swung the sword at him. He raised mine and parried it. There was a loud clang, followed by bright sparks as our two blades connected. He took a few steps back. She swung again with more strength. Watching her movement, he blocked the attack. Her blade slid off of his as she looked more frustrated.

Suddenly, a white aura began gathering around the edge of her [Tyrant's Blade].

The aura condensed, gathering around the side of her blade. It swirled around like a vortex, changing into a shade of red. He could feel the pressure emanating from it.

"Eastern Style, Doppler Variation: Third Sword!" she shouted.

Like a fireball, her blade crashed into the boy's. He had managed to block the attack with his [Fallen Knight's Rapier], but the force of it was too strong. The boy's sword slammed onto the ground as it slipped out of his hand.

Without a moment of hesitation, the female knight rushed forward. She slashed at his body. The boy just barely dodged it, twisting his body.

"Aha, men are all weak creatures, after all~!"

"You still haven't killed me, you know."

The boy pretended as if he was trying to pick up his sword. Seeing that, the female knight charged at him. She swung her [Tyrant's Blade], trying to cut off his head. However, he ducked and easily evaded her attack.

In his next movement, he kicked her ankle. Then, he grabbed her right arm. Pulling her in, he swung her over his back. After falling through the air, she crashed straight into the ground. Dirt splattered everywhere.

"...gah..." she coughed as she frantically tried to breathe.

Before she could get back up, the boy stepped directly onto her wrist. Following a little crunching sound, she let go of her [Tyrant's Blade]. Holding her wrist in pain, she rolled around on the ground.

"Ahh!...! What..." she was still trying to comprehend her situation.

"Isn't it embarrassing? To lose to a weak creature such as I."

"How... I..."

The boy was now sitting on top of the knight, pinning her two arms down with his legs.

"You know, you're pretty cute."

"G-get... off of me...!"

She tried to struggle, but it was to no avail. The boy was physically much stronger. He stroked her face with his hands, feeling the soft, clear skin on her cheek. Moving his head closer to hers, he stared into her eyes. He put his hands around her neck.

"What's your name."

She didn't respond.

"Come on~ there's no need to be so hostile," he continued.

He looked down at her, slowly tightening his grip around her neck until she eventually answered.

"...i-it's Seia... Knight of the Druryn Kingdom..."

"That's a nice name. I'll give you a choice, Seia."

"W-what choice..."

"Do you want to live? Or do you want to die?"

"I-I don't... want to die... yet..."

Tears were gathering in her eyes. Her expression had completely changed. She began crying like a young girl. Her large hazelnut eyes were looking up at the boy, searching for mercy. With the back of his fingers, he wiped the tears from her eyes.

"That's what I like to hear. I need someone to guide me around this new world."

"W-what do you mean... new world...?"

"Ah, basically, I'm not originally from here."

"Not... from here...?"

"It's a pretty long story. You want to live right? You can be my servant—well, that'd be the easiest way to describe this relationship."

"The servant... of a man...? That's too humiliating..."

"Oh, come on~ you can call it something else if you want."

"No... men are terrible creatures..."

"So, that's what the women here think of us."

The boy slowly pulled himself off of her. Even though he was no longer pinning down her arms, she didn't move. Instead, she was quietly sobbing to herself. The boy began pulling down her socks, revealing her pale, ivory skin. However, as more of her skin was revealed, he saw some dark patches—resembling large bruises.

He ran his fingers around her ankles, feeling her silky, smooth skin.

"W-what are you... doing...?"

"You've been abused, haven't you."

"...That's none of your business!"

She was now in a seated position, looking at the boy who was holding her ankle.

"I'll protect you."

Suddenly, the female knight felt something... like the skip of a heartbeat. Shaking her head, she glared at the boy with an unpleasant expression.

"I-I don't... need you to protect me..."

"Oh?"

She couldn't look him in the eye.

He let go of her, this time, he leaned towards her ear.

"I'll protect you. In exchange, you can show me around. How does that sound~?"

"No... no... I can't..."

He caressed her hair, running his fingers through the strands.

"There's no need to be afraid. After all, it's important to keep your pets in good health~"

"A... pet... you're evil..."

"You don't have another choice, do you?"

Eventually, her arms fell limp. She looked at him with a desperate expression. After a large sigh, she finally gave him the words he wanted to hear.

"I'll... follow you..."

"Good."

"B-but... can you tell me your name...?"

"It's Lake Ryeokja."

"Ryeokja...? But... that's the last name of... there's no way!"

---

"Are you thinking about Ruby? Yes. She's my sister."

---

[Intro END]