In a remote corner, where aesthetics gathered, yet far from its two heads, the Sun rose over Loyalty.
- And how long do you intend to keep your innocence, Lyon? - The dreamy gaze of his companion, fixed toward Asalia, did not escape the notice of the only knight of Sanbornia. - Twenty-seven years have passed since your birth, or is it already twenty-eight? The time has come, if not to find your destiny, then at least to taste the forbidden fruit and indulge in the pleasures of the flesh.
- I have nothing to answer you, my lord. I belong wholly to my lady.
- My lord, eh? I'm saying this for your own good. I think she herself would only be glad if her loyal knight found happiness across the expanses of this cold world, rather than suffering day after day from unrequited love.
- There is no suffering in my duty, and the feelings that bloom in my heart are my precious treasure.
- And how brightly does your treasure shine in the light of the sun's rays when Azurrion savors her secret bosom?
At that phrase, the brow on the fair face of the knight of Estellia twitched nervously.
- And you, like in times long past, with hope-filled eyes and trembling hands, check your mailbox for a new letter from the swamp maestro?
- Ha-ha, so you've dropped that my-lord nonsense after all. Didn't last long with you... She is my muse, that's different.
- Whatever you say. If it helps you sleep more soundly.
- Heh.
- Ha.
- Ha-ha-ha, - the two knights laughed in unison, clapped each other on the shoulder, bumped fists, and shook hands.
- A laughing matter, indeed. - For the first time during their conversation, Lyon smiled warmly. - And these are the best that Tezoth can offer? I'm beginning to worry for the fate of our kingdom.
- If it deserves the right to exist, it will withstand the challenges of history, and if not, then to Ifilla with it.
- What treacherous words... - The face of the knight of Loyalty darkened. - I have heard that your lord works with the Bloodsucker, pursuing some, surely impure, ambitions. I sincerely hope these are but rumors.
- And if not?
- It may come to pass that I will have to send you into the next cycle of rebirth.
- Well, if you've got the strength for it, then I'm all for it. That would mean that's all I was worth.
- And what of your duty? A knight's life belongs not only to himself, so he must strive to live as long as possible - for the glory and interests of his lord.
- What duty? The only one I serve is myself, and if I fall to the sword of a virgin, then better to wither on the spot and never open my eyes again, so that my shame scatters in the wind and is incinerated in the sun's rays.
- ... I had already forgotten what kind of man you are.
- A false knight in the service of a false lord, isn't that what the gossiping tongues say of me?
- Sometimes.
- Would you be able to drown all of Tezoth in blood if it allowed you to fulfill the deepest dreams of your soul, Lyon?
- No. - The answer of the knight of Loyalty was instantaneous. - I could not defile my feelings for my Lady with such villainy.
- That is where we differ.
- It's true, you never burdened yourself with the shackles of morale or... Anything at all, really, always doing what your heart commanded.
- Abstinence is torture for the soul; unlike your kind, masochism is not close to me. Why aren't you participating in the tournament, by the way?
- I am guarding my Lady.
- Oh cooome on, she can take down anyone herself, given... Well, not that it matters.
- And you?
- What about me?
- Why aren't you participating?
- Well, I was late, and besides - the final boss shouldn't appear in the prologue.
- What are you on about. - Lyon sighed. - Sometimes I think you're not from this planet at all.
- Maybe I'm not. There were visitors from beyond in the ancient past, after all.
- M?
- That's a story for another time; it would take too long.
- We'll have something to discuss at our next meeting... Assuming it doesn't happen on the battlefield.
- Yeah. Alright, Lyon, don't be bored. And do think over my words, or else your little loyalty might stop functioning altogether - you need to put it to use sometimes.
- Oh, you...
- Hahaha.
