Then, the next one is this girl.
I really don't understand why such a weak girl would challenge an enemy so much stronger than herself. Madness? It can't just be anger; that would be really stupid. Judging by her reaction, she doesn't seem to be a bad person. Ahh, I was followed for no apparent reason, and I saved her for no apparent reason. It's all really inexplicable. But it looks like it should be fine. Since I saved her, I should at least give her some reward, right?
But I didn't think too much when I rescued her.
"Um... I... am very, very grateful to you for saving me."
The girl seemed to have almost recovered. A simple examination revealed no abnormalities, not even a scar.
"Can I ask your name?"
Genji looked at the girl. She was about 155 cm tall, looking delicate and thin. Could it be malnutrition? But her eyes... they're really beautiful, like sapphires.
"Um... benefactor... may I ask... your name?" Since there was no response, Milia asked weakly again.
Um? I had been thinking about it for a while and didn't respond.
"Ah... I'm Genji."
Milia showed a very happy expression and kept bowing to express her gratitude.
"Thank you, Master Genji, for saving my life. I will remember it for the rest of my life."
She looked very fierce when I first saw her, but why is she acting like a little child now? She's really strange...
"Milia."
Milia? The girl in front of him looked at Genji with a hint of pity, while he was still wondering how to gain something useful from the person he had rescued.
"My name is Milia Cathy Leakes."
The girl was very shy when she said her name. But I still couldn't figure out what value I could get from this girl, so I decided to let it go. We had just met, so it was better not to make things difficult for her. But since this had happened, I'd tell her to go home.
"Master Genji... um... you're very strong..."
Huh? This girl's answer surprised Genji. Was it really so affectionate to call him that for the first time? Her voice was very soft.
"Milia, how old are you?"
"Fifteen."
Wait a minute. This little one is only fifteen? She looks so determined. Ah, she's already thinking about revenge at such a young age. She must be quite strong.
"So, how old is Lord Genji?"
Realistically speaking, he's over 60, since he traveled through time and lived his life in loops, always around 30 years old. But it wouldn't be good to say that out loud.
"Twenty."
I said it decisively. After all, I couldn't just tell her that I wasn't even human.
"Are you married?"
Milia asked, her eyes full of expectancy. Her hands were nervously twisting her clothes.
Ahem, what's this girl talking about? It's not very polite to ask such personal questions when we've just met.
"No."
At hearing this, her eyes changed noticeably. Before Genji could react, Milia suddenly hugged him.
Um... What is she doing?
"Lord Genji! Marry me!"
Wait, she's so young—this is a crime! Even in another world! No, no, I'm not interested in someone so young.
"No, I have something else to do. I have to leave."
If I delay any further, it might get even more complicated.
Tears welled up in Milia's eyes. She kept crying while hugging Genji. Her body was shaking, as if she was holding on to something for dear life.
Why is this girl's thinking so strange? Is she even human?
"Milia won't be trouble for Lord Genji. Milia is very powerful, really... even though Lord Genji is stronger."
"But... if I lose you, I don't know where I will go... Milia has no family... at least let me follow you."
Ah, this is really a troublesome girl. I shouldn't have saved her. I've really dug a big hole for myself.
Genji took out all ten gold coins he had earned in the past few days from his waist bag. He stroked the little girl, who looked so pitiful.
"Take this money and go somewhere else."
Milia didn't take it. She just stared at the ground.
"Milia... I don't know where to go..."
"Milia wants to stay with Lord Genji forever."
Ah, this girl, why is she doing this? I just saved her, and now she's clinging to me, refusing to leave?
"No, the place I'm going to is very dangerous."
"Don't be afraid, Milia. Milia can stand in front of Lord Genji!"
Though I didn't ask her to do this, was this feeling real?
"You're very weak right now. Following me will only cause me trouble. Come find me when you're stronger."
"Really?"
Milia raised her head, her eyes full of hope.
"You have to keep honing your skills. When you become a 'Steel Level' adventurer, I'll come find you."
"Steel level? Is that the case for Lord Genji too?"
Genji nodded and took out a short knife from his waist bag (the waist bag was concealed from others and directly connected to his player's backpack). It was a short knife with a faint blue glow.
"The Blue Sea is the name of this knife."
This could be considered an artifact-level weapon, but it was too short and had never been used. Genji had spent money to draw it earlier, but because it wasn't convenient, he'd never used it.
Even though Milia didn't want to accept it, Genji still forced it on her.
"If you have any trouble in the future, shout 'Ainz Ooal Gown' to the sky, and someone will help you. Then tell them you know a guy named 'Genji.'"
"Ainz Ooal Gown?" Milia asked, confused. "Far away?"
"Then I should go. Do your best, Milia."
"Well, I'll definitely become stronger, and then... marry you!"
Looking at Genji's gradually receding back, the girl murmured silently.
"Thank you... Lord Genji."
That day, the girl met a man—a very powerful man. That day, she secretly made a promise to herself: to become a 'Steel Level' adventurer and follow in the footsteps of that man.