Holy maiden... She is too gentle!

For Anyi, the title of Eyes Hero was unfamiliar.

In his previous life, he knew only a few Heroes beyond the most famous ones. Based on her description, she was clearly an investigative Hero, likely with limited combat experience. Without the ability to stand out directly on the battlefield, it made sense she wasn't widely known.

"Kami-sama automatically assigns each Hero a team of four. Where are your other three teammates?" Anyi asked.

Layton narrowed his eyes, privately wondering if her team had met the same fate as Dus's fallen comrades.

Karen's expression turned cold. "I didn't gather with them."

"Understood," Anyi replied. "From what you've said about your abilities, I can already tell you're a skilled investigator. Given the castle's complex terrain, having an observer who can monitor multiple directions would be invaluable. For my part, I approve of Princess Karen joining us. What about you all?"

Anyi looked toward his teammates.

"If Anyi agrees, I have no objections," Ariana nodded.

Miruku, having returned to her place, spoke softly. "I don't, either."

Layton, however, frowned, clearly mulling something over. Finally, he shook his head.

"I neither agree nor object. You already have three votes in favor, so my stance is irrelevant. However, before we set out, we should talk and do some combat training." His suggestion revealed a trace of caution.

"Of course," Karen agreed.

"Wonderful! I'll have the soldiers help train you!" The king beamed, though the nearby soldiers' faces visibly darkened.

'What does this have to do with us?!' they seemed to think.

Karen took a step forward, smiling. "I look forward to working with you all—"

And then, mid-step, she tripped, tumbling down the stairs.

"Karen?!" The king's voice was full of alarm.

"Princess-sama?!" The guards scrambled forward. "Are you all right?!"

Anyi's team, on the other hand, remained calm; as Heroes, they knew a minor fall was harmless.

"I… I'm fine…" Karen murmured, pushing herself up, but blood trickled from her nose, dripping between her fingers.

"?!"

"It's nothing, really—I'm fine." Karen covered her mouth and nose, a faint stream of blood seeping between her fingers.

"Get a doctor! Quickly!"

"Does anyone have cotton? Block the nose with it!"

"I'll go fetch some!"

Watching the guards frantically whirl around, Ariana let out a small, amused sigh. With a flash of white light, her magic staff appeared in her hand.

'Holy Healing.'

A soft white glow enveloped Karen, soothing warmth spreading through her body as the pain in her nose eased, and the bleeding ceased.

"Huh?" Karen blinked in surprise, lowering her hand as the guards examined her for injuries.

"Thank you, Holy Maiden," she said, turning to the king and guards. "I'm fine now."

"But…" The guards gave her a wary once-over.

Karen, oblivious to any lingering concern, turned to face the Heroes. She held out the hand she hadn't used to cover her face.

"I hope we'll have a successful collaboration," she said, with a smile she clearly thought gentle and graceful.

But...

Karen's face was half-covered in blood, and her pristine platinum dress now bore large, scarlet stains, from the collar down to the hem of her skirt. Even the hand she'd held out—thinking it was clean—was dirtied from pushing herself off the ground.

Being blind, Karen had no real concept of "dirty." For her, cleanliness was just a word, without the visuals to tell her how it differed from dirtiness.

Her gentle smile, combined with the blood streaked across her face, had a chilling effect on those around her.

Ariana, rather than taking her hand, produced a handkerchief with a warm smile. Under Karen's surprised gaze, she carefully dabbed at the blood on her face, then cleaned both her "clean" hand and the one dirtied by the fall.

"There, good as new. After a bath and a fresh set of clothes, we'll be all set for our adventure. Looking forward to our partnership," Ariana said, tucking the handkerchief away and warmly clasping Karen's hand.

Karen's heart warmed, and she returned the grip, her smile softer and more genuine.

The surrounding servants watched the scene, dabbing tears from their eyes.

'Holy Maiden-sama... She's so kind!'

The king, too, wiped at his eyes, overcome.

'What a blessing! The Heroes don't mind her quirks! Just as Kami intended—strong in spirit and kind of heart'

"Prepare the Heroes' meals and quarters! Clear the training grounds and assign five hundred elite soldiers to train alongside them!" the King bellowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

…

Since the men's and women's quarters were separate, Anyi and Layton parted ways with Ariana and Miruku for the evening.

Anyi planned to check out the training ground after settling into his room, intending to gauge Karen's abilities. But just as he reached his door, Layton called him back.

"Anyi… to be honest, I don't really want the princess joining us," Layton admitted hesitantly.

"The place we're heading to is a complex terrain. Princess Karen's abilities are far better suited for recon than Miruku's," Anyi replied, before turning the question back on Layton. "What's your reason?"

"It's not that I don't like her or think she's a burden… I'm just not sure if I can protect her properly."

Layton turned, running a hand over the uneven grooves in the brick wall beside him.

Anyi leaned against the door. "You sound like you've lost confidence."

"…Yeah, maybe I have," Layton admitted quietly. "I keep saying I want to protect others, but when the time comes… they end up getting hurt. Always, right in front of me. I want to protect them, but I can't. It feels like I'm lying to them… and to myself. I keep telling myself I can do something I can't."

Anyi gave a slight nod, seeing the clarity that had dawned on his friend.

"Then maybe it's time for special training, Layton."

"Special… training?"

"You said you're struggling to protect others. Then we'll train for exactly that. I'm certain you'll learn how."