Hero Stories: Dear Mentor

Commander, there is a pile of dolls and handkerchiefs on my desk that I don't recognize.

It looks like someone has been sending you gifts. There's a note as well, Lady Iseria.

"Thank you for your guidance. Please accept this as a token of my appreciation"...?

Hmm...

You train the Sword's new recruits. It's probably one of them.

I see. But who in the world would send me all this...?

Tsk, tsk... It seems all of Lady Alexa's efforts will go to waste.

...I wonder how Lady Iseria likes my gifts.

I've known Lady Iseria for quite a while now, but I don't think I made a strong enough impression for her to remember me.

It's understandable since I'm just another one of her many students...but I'd be lying if I said it doesn't hurt.

I've wanted to become a knight for as long as I can remember. I never expected it to be easy, though. I'm fully aware that risking life and limb comes with this line of work.

I finally became a knight of the Order of the Sword!

I'm going to do my best to show everyone what I'm capable of! I'm going to be the greatest knight they've ever seen!

...Who's next?

Alexa Lovelace... Please come forward.

Y-Yes! Alex Lovelace, present!

I'm ready. Please give me your guidance!

Watch carefully. This will help you become an irreplaceable knight of the Sword.

I'm going to be your practice partner. Show me what you can do.

Yes, ma'am!

I've never seen anyone wield a sword so gracefully... She's amazing.

If I just follow her guidance, I can become a respected knight, just like her.

Where are you looking, Lady Alexa? Your eyes should always be following your sword!

Thank you for your help, Lady Alexa.

I already feel safer knowing that a member of the Order of the Sword is escorting us.

Let's work together to keep this area safe.

Of course.

This place is infested with monsters. There are so many more than I anticipated...

Eeeek! They're too gross looking, it creeps me out!

I didn't know they were this hideous... *sniffling* I think I'm going to cry...

Umm... Try to relax... Sister Achates?

I think we should start from over there! I'll go first!

S-Sister Clarissa! Wait!

*sighing* ...What should I do?

I'm supposed to be the first one to step forward and protect everyone... But that's easier said than done...

Maybe...I'm just not cut out for this kind of work.

*wailing* Mommy... Mommy...

Where are you...? I'm scared... *wailing*

There's a little girl in the bushes over there!

Are you serious? Ahh! You're right. She must be hiding from the monsters.

But the place she's hiding isn't really safe. She could get attacked any second now.

Hey, it's dangerous over there. Come to us so we can protect you.

Mommy... It's so scary here... *sobbing*

I think she's so panicked that she can't hear us. What do we do?

Hi there. Look what I have. Isn't this doll really cute?

...

It's yours if you come over here.

Huh? I think the doll got her attention.

Look, the bunny says hello. It's not so scary anymore, is it?

...

Phew, she lowered her guard a bit thanks to Alexa's doll. How did you even make this? It's so cute.

Ah, I just like making stuff in my free time... But I didn't know it would come in handy in a situation like this.

I'm glad everything worked out. Now that we've saved the kid, let's get out of here.

You're all here. Is everything all right?

L-Lady Iseria... Y-Yes! Everyone's safe.

I heard a child was found nearby... Is that...?

Yes, it's her right here. She was too scared to come out of the bushes she was hiding in, but fortunately, Lady Alexa rescued her just in time.

That's right. She convinced the frightened girl to come to us on her own.

Ah... It wasn't just me.

It wouldn't have been possible for me to get her to safety if not for Sister Clarissa and Sister Achates.

I see. Everyone did a wonderful job.

But...none of this ever would have happened if I had been able to hold off the monsters to start with...

That's not true. You protected this little girl with honor and dedication.

By that alone, you deserve to be a proud member of the Order of the Sword, Lady Alexa.

Lady Iseria...

What you experienced today will be a great stepping stone for your future.

As long as you keep moving forward one step at a time, you'll find yourself reaching heights you never thought you could.

...Thank you, Lady Iseria! I'll do my best!

A long time has passed since the day I saved that child and heard those words of encouragement from Lady Iseria...

But I still remember every word she spoke and the way my heart pounded like it was yesterday.

Lady Alexa?

Y-Yes! Lady Iseria!

The commander ordered us to patrol the area today.

Understood! Everything was set up yesterday and is ready to go.

All right. Let's go.

Since there are quite a lot of monsters, we should divide and conquer. Be careful, Lady Alexa.

I will, and you too!

You've improved a lot, Lady Alexa.

R-Really? Thank you!

...?

Something just fell out of your pocket...

Huh?

It's...a doll.

Ahhh!

No! Why did I have to drop a doll in front of Lady Iseria, of all people...! What do I say...?!

...I feel like I've seen this doll before...

Th-That's...

It looks a lot like the ones on my desk.

That... I mean, I spend my spare time making things. It's not like I carry dolls everywhere I go... I think I put it in my pocket and forgot to take it out...

I never knew you were this good with your hands, Lady Alexa.

Was it you who left those gifts on my desk?

Ah, yes...

I see. I was wondering who it was.

I-I'm sorry.

Don't be. Thank you for the gifts. I'm sorry it took so long for me to say that.

No! It's all thanks to you that I am where I am now! And I really appreciate you letting me come with you today too!

It's been a pleasure to witness the improvement you've made over the past few years. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Of course, Lady Iseria!

Lady Alexa, over here!

May the blessings of the Goddess be with you today.

It's great to see you all again!

What do we have this time?

Another case of a Machinery rampage. To be honest, I'm a little sick of it.

By the power of the Goddess, I'll teach those insolent machines a lesson. Let's get to work, everyone.

S-Sister Clarissa...

She hasn't changed a bit...

I see Machinery going out of control over there. It's time to do my best for the honor of the Sword!

Phew... I think the situation has been taken care of.

Excellent work, everyone. You're as energetic as ever, Sister Clarissa.

We have to give our all to return the blessings we've received.

And there must be consequences for those who defy the will of the Goddess.

We will become stronger as time passes, right?

Of course we will.

I found a new goal in my life.

I know I still have a long way to go, but I want to be strong enough to fight alongside Lady Iseria.

I'll strive to reach that goal every day.

Please wait for me, mentor!