V6C125 (2/2)

Then, she pressed those paws onto Haru’s chest.

“Cat Knight Secret Technique, Paw Resuscitation!”

I thought I heard that as Haru woke up with a groan.

Then, I said to Haru.

“Don’t faint this time.”

” … Yes, I apologize for what happened just now.”

Haru’s tail stood on end. She sensed it. The presence of a ghost.

Then, I won’t hide it anymore.

I showed Haru the ghost mouse that had fallen to the ground.

“Haru, can you defeat it?”

” … Is it alright to?”

Haru asked. Whether it was alright to defeat something I had weakened to that extent herself.

“Sorry, I phrased it wrongly.”

I grinned and told Haru.

“Defeat it!”

Three words. With just those three words, I felt the hesitation and fear disappear from Haru’s expression ― or rather, her tail.

The Fire Dragon’s Fang ― sliced through the ghost mouse.

The ghost mouse shrieked and quickly disappeared, leaving just a ghost sphere.

“I can … cut it?”

Haru picked up the ghost sphere and stared at it.

“Yeah, you can. If it’s an opponent that Haru’s sword can’t cut, won’t it be someone at the level of your master?”

I joked.

” … Thank you, master.”

Haru said and bowed down low.

“Hey now Haru. That was where you were supposed to say you would someday overtake me.”

“I will someday become a knight that is capable of protecting you.”

I said as I raised Haru’s head and stroked her ears.

Seriously ― doesn’t she understand that it is the man’s job to protect the girl?

But, thinking back to how I fought while entrusting my back to Haru ― that combination fits us surprisingly well. Even though Haru’s specialty, her agility, is lost when I entrust my back to her, with her protecting my back, I can demonstrate greater power than usual.

“I’ll be counting on you, Haru. And also Carol and Marina … ”

“Don’t make such a face. That’s so ill-omened before we go exterminate the dragon. Don’t underestimate the power of words.”

Marina poked fun at me.

“Otto, that’s right. We’ve become stronger so … let’s go exterminate the dragon … ”