Will you be my knight?
He’d been five years old when he first heard those words. For such an old memory, it remained remarkably vivid: All of a sudden, the world had fallen away, bleached into whiteness. The next thing he knew, a beautiful woman was standing before him. She extended her hand to him and spoke those words he remembered so well. At the time, he knew very little about what knights were and what it meant to be one. Nevertheless, he nodded his head, because he saw in the woman’s eyes a profound sadness. Not wishing to cause her any more sorrow, he said yes to her request.
A-Aah! Sain, dear! What do you think you’re doing?!
A year had passed since the boy became a knight.
“Huh? Well, I’m fighting off monsters...”
Fighting off monsters?! Y-You’re too young to be doing that! I think it’d be better if you, um, you know, waited until you’re a little older!
“But the monsters are causing everyone a lot of trouble. Besides, I’m strong, so I have to do it.”
Drawing upon the strength of a knight, the boy came to people’s aid time and time again. Each time he used the power he received from the woman to help someone, his heart surged with pride. The woman, however, always worried about him—a lot. In fact, she probably worried about him more than his own mother did. This did not bother him though. He knew the woman to be warm and tender, and sheer kindness emanated from every word that passed her lips.
Sain, dear, what’s that you’re eating?
“Some sweets Mother made for me. Would you like to try one, miss?”
I... can’t, so don’t mind me. Just the thought is enough.
“I see. That’s... too bad.”
Three years had passed since the boy became a knight.
He learned he had become what was known as a holy knight and that the woman who had chosen him was a goddess. At first, he was shaken by the realization, but the shock soon passed. Had he not been picked, the boy would have likely continued to help people regardless, and whether or not the woman was a goddess probably would’ve made no difference to their relationship. So, he continued living as he always had.
The boy’s earnest and good-natured personality became known throughout the kingdom. Soon, he found himself to be an object of admiration for all sorts of people. Loved by those around him, the boy’s face never lacked for a smile, and neither did the goddess’s as she looked upon his feats. Her eyes, however, held a hint of longing.
The nuance in her gaze did not escape the boy’s notice.
Sain, dear, you really are terrific. You’ll become the best holy knight there ever was.
“That’s not true.”
The goddess often lavished the boy with praise, but her words rang hollow in his heart. The reason he worked so tirelessly to save people, again and again, was because it brought the goddess joy. However, he realized his efforts would ultimately be in vain. No matter how many people he saved, it would never bring him closer to saving her.
One day, she came to the boy with a question.
Sain, dear, is there anything you want? You know, a wish of some kind?
“Not especially. What about you, goddess?”
Me? I... Hm, well...
After a long silence, the goddess continued.
I... I wish—
Her voice cracked a little as she spoke. Upon hearing her next words, the boy knew what he had to do.