Young girls in the throes of adolescence might have such fantasies: dreaming they're princesses who capture the heart of a handsome prince at first sight, with a devoted knight by their side who never abandons them. After experiencing various trials and hardships, they eventually achieve true love.
At some point, the standard requirements for princes expanded beyond being handsome to include the rigid requirement of riding a white horse with a flowing mane. People gave this the beautiful title of "Prince Charming," but such character types generally only appeared in fairy tales. Once girls passed puberty, they no longer indulged in such fantasies, knowing these were fictional existences.
So then,
What exactly was this man who appeared before me?
He was the true embodiment of Prince Charming from fairy tales, with the sole difference being that he wore noble knight's armor. Perhaps calling him a "White Knight" would be more appropriate?
I had previously experienced the interference of Enrique's [Charm] attribute. Still, I had to admit that compared to this knight, Enrique's [Charm] was like comparing a small witch to a great sorcerer.
The knight's handsome beauty could only be described as bewitching. Any woman would involuntarily focus their gaze on his dignified face—his features were so exquisitely perfect that even the most nitpicky person couldn't find a single flaw. I was the same. The moment I saw the knight's bewitching appearance, I could no longer look away—
I bit the tip of my tongue, barely managing to maintain my self-awareness.
Wasn't this too exaggerated?
I had heard that when [Charm] reached its peak, it formed a curse-like effect that could enchant across genders and even species. I had definitely just been affected by enchantment.
Even after calming down, I had to admit this knight was extraordinarily handsome, though this wasn't a judgment from a female perspective.
"Noble lady."
The knight dismounted, his voice very magnetic and possessing the magical effect of automatically providing shoujo manga backgrounds and otome game BGM, constantly assaulting my nerves.
"I am Sir Ivanhoe of Smylie, dispatched under orders to protect such a delicate flower as yourself. This is truly the highest honor."
"Uh... Sir Ivanhoe of Smylie, have you perhaps... mistaken me for someone else?"
"There is no mistake."
The knight gentleman who called himself Roland of Smylie showed a refreshing smile.
"Count Smylie has decreed that Rothschild's most beautiful flower requires a knight's protection. Guarding ladies is a knight's sacred duty. However, I am truly a knight burdened with deep sin. Lady, from the moment I laid eyes upon you, I knew you had been deeply captivated by me."
"........................"
Not really.
I admit you're handsome, but I don't think being handsome gives you the right to spout complete nonsense.
"Oh! Noble Father God! You granted me the honor of protecting the weak and rescuing the suffering, yet why did You also bestow upon me a countenance that bewitches countless noble ladies! Your Holiness the Pope! Your Grace the Saint! I beseech the earthly representatives to forgive my grievous sins..."
Eh...
Did the mental hospital in the Kingdom of Michel forget to lock their doors?
I listened in bewilderment as Sir Ivanhoe agonized over how he had enchanted too many women and how unforgivable this was, then passionately declared that his soul would never surrender to this devil's flesh, vowing to uphold the teachings of the Abrahamic faith for life.
I learned a profound truth from him.
Handsome people look handsome doing anything.
When a handsome guy likes anime, it's a personal hobby. When an otaku likes anime, he's a pathetic loser. A society based on looks has always been this brutally honest.
Even though Sir Ivanhoe completely ignored me and indulged in his one-sided monologue, it didn't change the fact that he was indeed handsome.
I even inexplicably listened carefully to his entire soliloquy from beginning to end, mentally constructing the image of a knight with a noble soul whose damned flesh constantly attracted women's adoration, always on the verge of falling into carnal desire and struggling in anguish. I felt like my brain might have short-circuited.
[Congratulations! Affection +0]
"...........Huh?"
Af... affection?
This person—he's an adventurer (player)? You're telling me this behavior makes him an adventurer?!
Speaking of which, Smylie... in my memory, that should be a count's territory in the Kingdom of Azrael and one of the few players to have achieved the rank of count.
Count Smylie sent this mentally problematic person to farm my affection?! I won't deny he's really incredibly handsome, but his mental trauma looks seriously severe—maybe he's read too many chivalric romance novels?
When Texas and Enrique forcibly gave me gifts and discovered their affection hadn't increased, they showed emotional changes. Ivanhoe remained completely unmoved, still immersed in his lengthy self-narration. I suspected he hadn't even noticed the affection change notification.
I should just quietly slip away... when the forest is big enough, you'll find all kinds of adventurers...
"Lady, where do you intend to go? Your faithful knight is willing to share life and death with you."
The place I'm going isn't that terrifying. But he immediately noticed I was planning to make a quick escape—I really don't know if his self-absorption is genuine or an act.
"Sir Ivanhoe of Smylie, your sword and your loyalty should be dedicated to bringing honor through protecting princesses or noble ladies. I'm just an ordinary maid—you really don't need to draw your sword for a mere servant..."
I tried to persuade Ivanhoe to leave, but he stubbornly shook his head.
"Forgive me, lady. I will comply with any request you make, except for asking me to leave your side—this I cannot obey. In recent years, the phenomenon of undead attacks on cities has become increasingly severe. I believe every person worthy of protection should have a knight by their side ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment."
Before Ivanhoe could launch into another lengthy discourse, his delay had given the players from Rothschild time to rush out and surge toward the forest like a tide.
Seeing this, Ivanhoe couldn't help but laugh heroically. "This is the moment to demonstrate my loyalty!" With that, he remounted his white steed.
"Lady! Please watch! Even if the enemy has thousands of troops and ten thousand horses, your faithful knight fears nothing!"
The knight drew his sword, roared, and alone, bathed in my dumbfounded gaze, charged into the surging crowd of adventurers.
He was a strange person in every sense.
I'll just pretend nothing happened.
[Spatial Transfer]!