Chapter 191: The Silver-Haired Female Knight’s Feelings
After finishing their shopping, smashing a Theocracy noble’s face into the ground, and rescuing an unnamed Imperial noblewoman, Ryu and Stingray made their way to a slightly upscale restaurant.
Now, seated across from one another in a refined yet comfortable dining space, they were savoring the day’s special course meal, each dish carefully prepared and artfully presented.
“This is delicious~,” Stingray said with genuine delight, her eyes softening as she tasted another bite.
“Every place in the capital has been good so far,” Ryu replied, leaning back slightly in his chair, “but I think I like the seasoning here the most.”
“I agree. It’s hard to explain, but… it just feels right on the tongue.”
“Yeah, I get what you mean. It leans closer to Imperial flavors. The chef might actually be from the Empire.”
“In the end, I suppose nothing beats the taste of home~,” she said with a small, nostalgic smile.
After finishing their meal, they ordered tea and lingered, letting the calm atmosphere settle around them like a gentle embrace.
“This reminds me of the elixir journey,” Stingray murmured, her gaze drifting slightly as memories resurfaced.
“Ah, back when you were still insufferably arrogant.”
“Please don’t say that‼”
“You assumed I was just another spoiled noble brat and treated me terribly the entire time…”
“Stop it~‼ I’ve been reflecting on that ever since‼”
“Thinking back on it now, that’s one hell of a dark chapter. And all because you were a daddy’s girl.”
“Ugh… please, have mercy…”
Back then, Stingray’s father had never acknowledged her—yet for some reason, he openly recognized Ryu.
That disparity had sparked something ugly within her—jealousy, frustration—and she had taken it out on Ryu with cold, cutting behavior.
Ryu himself had long since forgotten about it.
But Stingray… had not.
Even now, the memory made her want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
“It was right after we arrived in the capital, wasn’t it?” Ryu continued. “When His Majesty got involved.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “We were eating at a place like this when His Majesty showed up. And the Mage of the Isolated Sea was with him too, if I remember correctly.”
“And then I realized I’d forgotten my wallet, dumped the bill on His Majesty, and we ran for it.”
“Fufufu… I still remember that pathetic ‘cool pose’ you struck back then,” she teased, her laughter light and musical.
Their tea arrived, steam curling softly into the air. Ryu took a slow sip, letting the warmth spread through him.
“And the very next day, we met Estelle for the first time.”
“Yes! We were talking about that so-called haunted mansion, and then suddenly she burst out of the door yelling ‘Noja—!’”
“Right, right. She was fuming, and I ended up winning her over with candy.”
“And after that, you spoke with Estelle-sama and successfully obtained the elixir.”
“…That might’ve been where everything truly began.”
“Yes… looking back now, it feels that way. Even the war with the Mantester barony might’ve just been a warm-up.”
“You and I went through the western front together too,” Ryu said.
“That was when you crushed those two heroes while ignoring Baron Kasa-whatever’s reckless charge, right?”
“Yeah. Feels like ages ago. That’s when I got close with Marquis Grace and Count Blanc.”
“Alice-sama’s father, right~? By the way, what ever happened to the third hero?”
“I snuck into a city in the principality and assassinated them.”
“…A mystery that’s lingered for years has finally been solved.”
“Wait, I never told you?”
“You absolutely did not‼”
(The full truth—that he had turned the female hero’s body into a vessel for the Dragon King Bahamut—was perhaps a bit too much detail. But in essence, it wasn’t all that different from an assassination.)
“And then,” Stingray continued, her tone softening, “you left me behind and went to Hinomaru with Estelle-sama.”
“Don’t put it like that.”
“And when you finally returned… you were already engaged to both Estelle-sama and Lena-sama…”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”
“Couldn’t you at least have consulted me?” she muttered, puffing her cheeks slightly.
“What would I even consult you about…?”
“Well… you know… as a knight who traveled with you for two months and even shared the same bed, I thought maybe you could’ve asked for marriage advice or something…”
“Stop phrasing it like that. People will get the wrong idea.”
“But it’s true~. Still, since you invited me on this dungeon expedition, I’ll let it slide.”
“I don’t really get it, but… thanks.”
“Hehe.”
Stingray turned her gaze toward the window, watching the sunlight spill across the streets below.
“…Before I knew it, those two had already gotten ahead of me… sigh.”
“Gotten ahead of you? What are you talking about?”
She inhaled quietly, as if steadying herself.
“…It’s not very knightly to keep hesitating like this, so I’ll just say it plainly.”
Then, with a voice that carried both resolve and vulnerability—
“I’ve loved you since that elixir journey, Ryu-sama. All this time.”
“…………”
The sudden confession left Ryu momentarily speechless.
“…Then you should’ve just told me directly,” he said at last.
“I couldn’t,” she replied with a small, bittersweet laugh. “My attitude at the beginning was so awful… I kept worrying you might actually hate me. It wasn’t until you chose me as your escort on the western front that I felt like I’d been forgiven. But during a war, there was no way I could say something like that… and before I knew it, you were already gone to Hinomaru…”
“…I see.”
Ryu finished his tea in silence.
“I’m sorry, Stingray,” he said quietly. “But I already have two wives. For their sake, I can’t take this any further.”
“Well, about that,” she replied, suddenly flashing a cheerful peace sign, “I’ve already gotten permission from Estelle-sama, Lena-sama… and even Iris-sama.”
“…………Stingray.”
“Yes?”
“Do you still love me?”
“Yes. Not just love—I adore you. Since the elixir journey. Always have. Always will.”
“…Then—will you become my fiancée? I don’t want to let you go to anyone else.”
“………………”
A radiant smile blossomed across Stingray’s face, brighter than anything else in the room.
“Yes—of course‼ I’d be honored‼ Please take care of me forever‼”
A faint shimmer of tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, glistening like dew.
◇◇◇
—On the way back.
“Hey, Stingray.”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes—what is it, Ryu-sama?” she replied instantly, her tone almost buoyant.
“This might be a bit late to mention after getting engaged, but… I’m not actually human.”
“Then what are you?”
“You saw those two dragons fighting in the dungeon, right? The green one and the silver one.”
“Yes! It was so shocking, I can still picture it perfectly.”
“…The silver one was me.”
“Oh wow‼ Then from now on, you’re Dragon Ryu-sama—!”
“What kind of name is that? By the way, the green one was Ryoma. The one I completely beat down.”
“I had a feeling… poor Ryoma-dono…”
Stingray suddenly clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
“Wait—does this mean that since we’re engaged, I might get to ride on your back someday?!”
“Of course. The sky’s a wonderful place.”
“I’m really looking forward to it‼”
“I’ll even make you a pendant from one of my scales.”
“Yay~‼ Hehehe…”
Then, almost unconsciously, Stingray tilted her head back and gazed up at the vast blue sky stretching endlessly above.
“…Ahh… you really are amazing, Ryu-sama.”
“I’m only who I am because of the people supporting me. Alone, I can’t do anything.”
“Then from now on, I’ll support you too‼”
“…Yeah. I’m counting on you.”