A Single Knight's Dream

By the way, are we part of the story in the chapters we've visited now?

Leaving you in would be a rookie mistake! I've fixed everything so it's back to how it was originally.

Ah, so we don't need to worry about altering the story.

Yes, but don't overdo it, okay? It'd be more work for me.

Hear that, Miyu?

How rude! Are you going to hold it against me that I was a very willful child? I wish you never knew!

Yeah...sorry, I forgot you're so mature and full of common sense now...

I am!

Not that I don't enjoy listening to your friendly teasing, but don't forget you've got a job to do.

We're back in your room.

Oh dear... Why did you drag it home, Princess Miyu? You cannot keep it.

I didn't "drag" it home! I found it.

Looks like they're having a bit of a disagreement there.

...Ah. Yes, I remember that time.

What happened then?

Bertrand found out about my secret friend and I got told off.

Your secret friend?

Oh, I get it. You brought a pet home? That's not unusual for a child. Feinne and I also...

Wait a minute! That's your pet?!

You will have to take it back to where you found it.

I don't remember where it was!

Besides, it'll be happier here! It must be hungry. And...

I'm not angry.

Don't be afraid. I'll protect you. Even from Bertrand!

Lady Miyu, you cannot keep this creature.

Why do you say that! Aren't we friends, Felmina? Why do you side with Bertrand!

You have a very big heart, Princess. That is all very well. However, you cannot keep a monster as a pet. They do not take well to life in captivity.

It's not capti...vivi...ty! It'll be happy here with me!

Let's try another approach. This monster is not fully grown. It's still a baby.

That's right! It's a cute baby monster.

Its mom and dad back at the forest are very worried not knowing where it is. Don't you think it misses its parents too?

On no!

I didn't think of that. Do you miss your mommy and daddy?

I'm glad you understand. It can be very hard to say goodbye. Let me take the monster back to the forest for you.

No! I'll take it back myself. I'll find its mommy and daddy!

Princess Miyu, monsters don't think like us. They may not understand you're returning their baby and instead think you mean it harm. What will you do if they attack you?

But I didn't do anything bad!

Of course you didn't, but they may not understand your intentions...

Why? I just want to take the baby to its parents!

I'm not getting through...

Let's go together, then.

Felmina, you know as well as I do that the princess is not allowed in the forest.

Okay, you can come with me! We'll take the monster back to its family together.

Before we go, I need you to understand that the forest is a very dangerous place.

Yes, I know that! But you will keep me safe, won't you?

......

*sigh* Promise not to run off on your own.

Right!

Teehee! Adventure time!

We must make sure nobody sees us. I'll let you know when it's safe to go. It would cause an uproar at the court if His Majesty were to find out that the princess had a pet monster.

Please stay close to us at all times, Princess Miyu.

Duh! You don't have to say it again.

So that monster was your secret friend...

Yes, I liked it a lot. But I was really scared of Bertrand getting mad over it.

Going to the forbidden forest together was really thrilling, though. We were accomplices!

They had to put up with a lot for you.

It'll be some time before they leave the castle. If we loiter in the castle, we may attract unwanted attention. Why don't we wait by the forest entrance?

Sounds good. I wonder what this Bibliovore will be like.

Wow! The forest is pretty at night, too!

Shhh! We must keep quiet.

We're taking you back to your home, little monster friend! I hope you're happy!

Let's gooo!

The forest is so different at night. I didn't expect it. I thought it'd just be, well, dark.

It's impressive, isn't it? I've always loved this forest.

The plants give off just enough light to get around easily. Oh, we better hurry or they'll leave us behind!

Hmm... Where is your home, little monster? Hehe, it's so fun in the forest!

Oh, there! Is this your daddy? Or your mommy?

Princess, don't make any rapid movements. It may provoke the monster to attack.

Unfortunately, it's as I feared. It seems to think we're hostile. It thinks we stole its baby.

So the Bibliovore finally appears!

No, Aldo! We did encounter this monster. It's not a Bibliovore.

Then where is it?

Over there!

Took me by surprise, pouncing on us from above.

It went fairly smoothly, though. We really are Bibliovore specialists now!

Our job's done and we could go home but... I'd like to see what happens next in this story.

Good evening! Are you this monster's daddy? Or its mommy? It got lost at the castle, so I'm bringing it back! It's not hurt, you see?

I don't think it can understand you, Princess.

Leave the baby monster here and let's go. Even if it's not its parent, it will surely take it back to their nest.

Be very calm and don't make noise. Take a few steps back, that's it. Now, let's go back.

Oh...

Really...

Take cover behind me, Princess!

Wow! That's so cool! So many monsters came out to say hello!

What do they want?

They're dancing to say thank you for bringing back the baby monster!

I can't quite believe that.

And yet... They do not appear aggressive.

You both look really confused! We should dance, too. To show the monsters that we were happy to help.

Bye bye, monster friends! Let's play again some time!

That was a spectacle I would never have dreamed of.

The princess got across to those beasts. It's as if she sent her pure thoughts to them and spoke directly to their hearts.

You think you have the world figured out and then she comes along and you see everything in a new light.

She opens our eyes to wonders of the world we would have otherwise remained oblivious to. She just has such a positive attitude.

Thanks for taking me to the forest. It was great! Can we do this again?

I'm afraid not. This was an exception and we were lucky nobody saw us.

You're no fun, Bertrand!

But you'll take me to the forest, Felmina?

I will always be with you, wherever you go. But you're not allowed in the forest, at least not until you can hold your own against the monsters that lurk within.

But...I don't know when I will be strong enough!

If I train a lot with Bertrand, it won't take long, will it? Let's practice when we get back!

Princess, we could not possibly do that at such a late hour. Everyone at the castle is asleep. We can practice tomorrow morning, if you wish.

I'm not sleepy at all. I don't want to go to bed yet.

How about I stay up with you until you get sleepy?

You promise?

Yes. Just one more exception today.

Yay! Thanks, Felmina!

Aww, this is so nostalgic.

No wonder this day remained so clear in your memory. It was a fun adventure for you. And I think it was just as special for Felmina and Bertrand.

It was. A night of wonder and amazement.

Hey guys, everything all right? Good job there.

We had it really easy this time round.

It was just a routine battle with yet another Bibliovore.

Oh, you jaded veteran Bibliovore slayers, you! But no complaints from me! There's just one more Bibliovore left. It's the homestretch!

We've been doing this for so long, it's hard to believe it's almost the end.

Makes me a little sad, in fact.

I know what you mean. By the way, Chronicle. What will happen once we defeat the last Bibliovore?

Hey, now. What's the point in worrying about that? You've still got one more job to do.

Will you leave us?

Oh come on, let's not get all tearful now, all right? Nothing bad is going to happen, so chin up and don't think too much about it. Let's keep it fun! And when it's time to say goodbye, make it quick. No melodrama. Okay? Anyhow, one more monster's waiting for you two.