I could only hope he wouldn't freak out when I finally spoke up.
"Hey! Are you looking for me?... The voice you're hearing right now is me—the ring."
The bronze knight scanned his surroundings, finding no one nearby, then fixed his gaze on me. "Are you the one speaking?" His stare lingered.
"Yeah! It's me. I'm talking to you right now," I answered quickly.
"I thought I was hallucinating... but no, it's really you." The knight sighed, then bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me for killing you, master."
"My master? What nonsense are you saying?"
He gestured toward Daylor's corpse. "Isn't that your dead master right there?"
"Of course not! That guy stole me from..." I stopped myself—because technically, he didn't steal me. He just picked me up off the street.
"From?" the knight pressed, suspicion flickering in his voice.
"From my true owner—Aliss Steenswis," I said, hoping he would believe me.
"Aliss Steenswis... daughter of the noble Steenswis family? She's your owner? Hmph. I think you're lying." His tone was sharp, mistrust still heavy.
"Trust me! Ask Aliss yourself. I only want to return to her."
He studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine... but if you're not hers, I'll hand you over to the church instead."
With that, we headed back to the city. Neither of us spoke further. I couldn't think of anything worth saying—though something strange about him caught my attention.
In the forest, his armor had been cracked and bleeding. Yet now, not only was it whole again, but his stride carried no sign of injury. It was as if none of it had happened.
I asked about it, demanding answers, but he just kept walking in silence. No reaction. Not even a grunt. I pestered him again and again, but he ignored me completely.
Soon, the city gates came into view. A guard hurried over the moment he saw the knight. "Sir! We recovered the stolen items. The captain sends his thanks for your assistance."
"Good. And the two Cavernsnares?"
"They were taken to the church already."
"Excellent. If more trouble arises, let me know. I'll gladly assist." He moved on without hesitation.
As we passed, I overheard guards whispering among themselves.
"He handled two Cavernsnares alone? Incredible. Maybe the rumors are true..."
"I told you they were true! You lot refused to believe me." One guard smirked smugly.
"He really is the Bronze of the Twelve Holy Warriors..."
The rest of their words faded as we walked further. But I understood now why this knight was so strong. He was one of the Twelve.
...But if that's the case—didn't that mean he already knew me?