"You really are like a doll."
Bell could clearly see how different the Sword Princess was from other adventurers. Her heart was pure—whatever she liked or disliked showed plainly on her face.
If someone like that were weak, they'd get taken advantage of in no time.
Only her overwhelming strength, along with the support of her companions, allowed the Sword Princess to grow this far without stumbling.
"Doll" might not be the most flattering term—it could even sound insulting.
But honestly, it suited her perfectly.
"A lot of people say that."
"It's not exactly a compliment, Sword Princess."
Watching her calm, almost emotionless expression, Bell couldn't help but think she really lacked some basic common sense.
Without friends around to cover for her, she'd definitely end up in trouble someday.
Still, that wasn't something he needed to worry about.
With Finn and the others watching over her, there was no way the Sword Princess would be seriously taken advantage of. At worst, she'd just get burned a little—enough to learn and avoid it next time.
"Sword Princess, is that all you have to say? What do you think of them?"
Ais's gaze, rare in its focus, settled on the Siren.
Outwardly, she looked like a monster. But there was nothing monstrous about the way she carried herself.
Ever since that day, Ais hadn't held as much hatred toward monsters.
"They don't seem like monsters."
She stated her impression of the Xenos plainly.
"Oh~ your perception's way more direct than Finn's."
"That's because Finn thinks too much."
Ais's agreement came quickly, and she clearly believed it. Sometimes, she really did think Finn and the others overanalyzed things. She completely sided with Bell on this.
But her response made Bell give her a strange look.
'Sword Princess, do you even realize you just called yourself simple?'
He shook his head with a faint smile. As much as he wanted to comment, there wasn't anything wrong with her way of thinking.
Life was full of worries. Sometimes, not overthinking things made everything a lot easier.
Of course, that approach probably only worked for someone like the Sword Princess.
Adventurers were usually more cautious by nature. Being an adventurer wasn't a solo game—you had to interact and cooperate with others.
Only someone like the Sword Princess, raised in a protected environment, could afford to think like that.
"Still, that's not something to be proud of."
Bell pointed out what she was lacking.
"Finn has to carry the burden of the entire Loki Familia. He has to consider things from every angle and face challenge after challenge."
"With that kind of responsibility, every decision he makes affects the whole Familia. It's only natural he'd be careful."
"Sword Princess, do you carry any of Loki Familia's responsibilities?"
"..."
Bell's words brought Ais to silence.
She hadn't carried any responsibility. In the past, it had always been Finn and Riveria handling everything she should have been involved in—while she lived free of that weight.
Realizing that made a trace of shame creep onto her face.
"No."
Thinking it over carefully, aside from recently taking an interest in everyone's strength, Ais hadn't taken on any real responsibility as a Level 5.
She thought about the work Finn and Riveria handled daily. Though she had picked up bits and pieces by watching them, if she had to actually do it herself... she'd be completely lost.
When she tried to think of something she could do for the Familia, nothing came to mind.
She had never considered this question before, and now that she had, she felt completely at a loss.
"That's fine."
Bell wasn't surprised by her answer. Adventurers didn't produce anything—they weren't craftsmen or farmers. That was just the reality.
He glanced toward the Xenos.
"You should start thinking about what else you want to do. What do you think your parents would have wanted you to do?"
"Right now, power is a necessary condition. It's what you need to free your parents—but once you've done that, once your enemies are dead, then what?"
"What would your parents hope for you after that?"
Bell's question made Ais fall into deep thought.
She didn't know how to answer.
She knew freeing her parents' souls required strength she didn't yet have. So lately, she had started shifting her thinking—her focus gradually turning to the companions around her.
Now that she understood she couldn't do it alone, Ais knew she needed the strength of her comrades...
"Heh~"
The heavy atmosphere was suddenly broken by Bell's laugh.
Ais paused and looked at him, puzzled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I'm not laughing at you, Sword Princess."
Bell tried to stifle his laugh and offered a brief explanation.
"Adventurers aren't really supposed to think about retirement. Even Finn, who's been leading the Loki Familia for years, hasn't once brought it up."
"Maybe I brought it up too early."
Seeing Bell struggle to hold back his amusement, Ais still didn't understand what was so funny.
"Why do you think it's too early?"
"If we're able to think about things like that... wouldn't that mean we've already defeated the Black Dragon?"
Her words were so startling they could leave a room full of people speechless.
Defeating the Black Dragon?
That was the same monster even the combined forces of Zeus Familia and Hera Familia couldn't bring down. In this era—an era without heroes—did she really believe they could pick up the banner those two Familia left behind?
Most adventurers would probably laugh off the idea as ridiculous.
Anyone thinking realistically would think it impossible.
But Bell's laughter stopped cold. He looked at Ais, eyes serious and filled with curiosity.
"Sword Princess, do you really believe our generation of adventurers can accomplish the feat of defeating the Black Dragon?"
"We can!"
Her answer was firm. Her eyes calm and unshaken, as if the Black Dragon she spoke of was just some minor threat that happened to show up one day.
"I will do it."
Then she turned her gaze to Bell.
"You will too, right?"
"Heh... I mean, yeah, the Black Dragon is my goal too. But whether I can actually defeat it—that's another story."
"That's enough."
Her gaze didn't change. This time, she had heard the answer she was hoping for—and that alone made today worthwhile.
"Bell Cranel, please help me."
In that moment, the doll-like Sword Princess extended her invitation to a boy still unknown to the world.