A lone knight of jet-black steel traveled down the highway laid across the long, open plains.
The vivid crimson cloak trailing from her fine, full-plate armor swayed left and right in rhythm with the gait of the horse she rode.
The chestnut steed beneath her carried a physique that seemed woven from titanium-alloy cables stretched through every fiber of its muscles—its appearance alone was enough to declare it a majestic warhorse. And the knight who rode atop such a creature, needless to say, looked every bit a hero. Against the peaceful, pastoral scenery around her, the sight was almost too striking, almost out of place.
…However, the truth of the knight and the horse was nothing like what appearances suggested.
Her name was Momon, or Momonga.
Her other name was Albedo.
A succubus—one far removed from the image of a hero.
Though the body within the armor was that of a breathtakingly beautiful woman capable of toppling nations, the soul inside belonged to a bottom-rung, small-minded Japanese salaryman. An odd mismatch of a being.
Despite the heroic visage, sadly enough, she possessed no grand ideals like "for the sake of the world" or "for the sake of others."
If she removed her helmet, the face of a goddess would emerge—but regrettably, the values she held were those common to an average adult man, the exact opposite of heavenly beauty.
The horse beneath her as well was a summoned construct—a golem born from the magic item Statue of Animal—Warhorse. No onlooker would ever be able to guess the creature's true nature from its appearance.
Thus, Momon—the perfect looking heroine—proceeded onward, leisurely guiding her horse toward the Royal Capital. She savored the carefree sound of pokkara pokkara, the easy clopping of hooves, enjoying her unhurried journey.
The plains stretched endlessly.
Clear air brushed gently through the blades of grass, and faint clouds drifted lazily across the blue expanse above.
It was a sight of pure beauty—something long lost on the Earth where Suzuki Satoru once lived.
( I wish I could show this peaceful view to Blue Planet-san… )
Bathed in warm sunlight, Momon recalled that old friend. To this day, she still wondered whether he was the one who should have come to this world instead of her.
The world was so beautiful. So gentle.
Just as Momon was beginning to think it might be time for lunch—
"…Hm? What is it?"
She tilted her head.
The horse had stopped.
A golem—untiring, unafraid, and absolutely obedient—had halted without receiving any instruction. It was certainly not asking for a rest.
Wondering if some malfunction had occurred, Momon began to dismount—
—and that was when she finally noticed a small silhouette further down the road.
The path stretched on endlessly, empty in every direction—yet at some point, that figure had appeared there.
It could only be described as…
…a knight.
Opposing her jet-black armor, the figure wore gleaming white-platinum plate. Here in the middle of a barren plain—without even a horse—the knight stood motionless and alone.
( …What is this? )
Momon herself had no right to judge others for standing out, but a warrior clad head-to-toe in full armor was conspicuous enough in this world. There weren't even any mithril-rank adventurers in full plate back in E-Rantel. Even Gazef Stronoff, the Warrior-Captain of the Kingdom, did not wear full plate.
Thus, the knight stood out.
A peculiar existence—one that immediately drew Momon's eye.
It felt almost as if the knight were waiting for Momon.
Perhaps not. Perhaps it was coincidence.
But she couldn't shake the sensation that the knight's unseen gaze beneath the helmet was fixed on her…
"…Hmmm."
Momon dismounted and ordered her horse to wait. Then she strode toward the platinum knight at an unhurried pace.
And that was when she realized the cause of the horse's sudden stop.
( A barrier…? )
A thin, translucent wall spread out around the knight like a membrane. Warily touching it, she found that nothing happened. She slipped only her finger through—still nothing. It didn't seem harmful, but—
( Is this an attack meant for me…? No—probably not. Still, I won't know unless I ask. )
Momon raised her vigilance to maximum.
"You there—knight in white-platinum."
Her clear soprano voice rang out.
The knight noticed her voice and tilted his head ever so slightly.
"Are you the one who raised this barrier? My horse cannot pass."
"Ah… my apologies."
The knight's response was calm.
Though the voice was young, it carried a strange, unfathomable depth. Despite that, there was no hostility in his tone.
As if in answer to the conversation, the barrier quietly dissipated, and Momon's horse gave a relieved little whinny.
"…Just now—"
Leading the horse by the reins, Momon approached and asked the obvious question.
"…A talent, you might call it. Something I was born with. I'm not very good at controlling it… sometimes it bursts out on its own."
"A born-talent, I see. May I ask what kind?"
"…Sorry, but that I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"For a warrior, a natural talent is like a trump card. I'm sorry I troubled you, but I can't reveal more than that."
"I see."
If that was the local worldview, Momon had no rebuttal. She had been interested in unique talents and martial techniques not found in Yggdrasil, but…
"More importantly—you. That plate you wear… are you the Adamantite adventurer known as the Black Princess?"
"…Eh?"
A completely foolish sound escaped her.
It was a name Momon had never heard before.
The platinum knight shrugged at her reaction.
"A new Adamantite adventurer born in E-Rantel—the Jet-Black Beauty, also called the Black Princess… surely that's you."
"…My registered name is simply Darkness…"
"Well, heroes often end up carrying strange burdens, don't they?"
What do you mean, beauty princess!?
And what is "Black Princess"!?!
Momon silently complained to herself. Somewhere out in the public, yet another ridiculous epithet had attached itself to the "hero" Momon without her knowledge.
The platinum knight chuckled softly and continued.
"I've heard the tales of the hero Momon—the one who felled a world-ending magic tree, Zy'tl Q'ae, with her own hands. An honor to meet you here."
"That was merely coincidence… And honestly, the stories about me are far too embellished."
"No need to be modest. You truly defeated it, didn't you?"
"Well, yes, but… By the way, you are…?"
When Momon asked, the knight stiffened—
—just barely, almost imperceptibly.
"…I'm Riku. Riku Aganeia. A wandering warrior traveling from place to place—if you think of me that way, it's easiest."
"…I see."
Inside her helmet, Momon frowned slightly.
A wandering traveler, yet he carried no luggage.
She herself had a reason—her Infinite Haversack hung from the horse, allowing her to maintain the appearance of carrying supplies.
But this Riku had nothing but armor and a weapon.
He didn't look like a traveler at all…
"Hero Momon, I have a question. I'm currently heading toward the Azerlisia Mountains. If I follow this road, will I reach them?"
Before she could ponder further, Riku smoothly changed the subject.
"Ah—yes. It would be closer if you passed through E-Rantel first."
"Thank you, that helps. And you? Where are you headed?"
"I'm bound for the Royal Capital. It's not for any particular reason."
"To the capital with no business?"
"Just sightseeing. I thought I'd visit some famous spots and, if possible, enjoy some good food."
"…Heroes lead surprisingly easygoing lives."
"…That's a bit rude, isn't it?"
"Ah—sorry. My mistake."
Momon couldn't sense hostility from Riku.
But neither did she feel complete friendliness.
Her intuition—though subtle—told her there was a faint tint in the knight's gaze. Not hostility. More like… a slight filter of wariness.
"My apologies for the trouble. One last thing—may I ask you a question, Momon?"
"That depends on the content. Go ahead."
"You possess the power to defeat something capable of destroying the world… So why do you settle for being an adventurer?"
"…What do you mean?"
"I mean—why not use that power for yourself?"
"…I hunt monsters and receive payment from the guild. That's not using my strength for myself?"
"For example—have you never thought about using your power to conquer the world?"
"…C-conquer the world!?"
Again, Momon blurted out a ridiculous sound.
World domination.
To hear such a phrase outside the setting of a fantasy RPG—
It was too absurd.
Momon couldn't stop herself—laughter welled up from deep inside and burst out before she could restrain it.
"…Is something funny?"
Riku sounded left behind, confused.
Which only made it funnier.
The idea of this knight—so noble and knightly—seriously uttering the phrase world conquest was hilarious. In Momon's mind, only a cliché demon lord from an ancient RPG would say such a thing.
Suppressing her laughter with great effort, she answered:
"No, sorry! I just didn't expect to hear the words world conquest…"
"You could do it, though."
…Well.
In truth, perhaps she could.
Momon forced the last remnants of laughter down and exhaled.
"Well, even if I could, I wouldn't do it."
Not that I actually could, she added internally.
"…Why?"
"Because the sky is blue. Because the plains spread endlessly in green. Because gentle clouds drift peacefully, and at night, the stars sparkle across the heavens. This world is beautiful, isn't it?"
"…Yes. It is."
"To monopolize such beauty—to claim the world for myself—don't you think that would be a waste?"
As she stroked her horse's neck, Momon spoke softly.
The voice held genuine emotion—Riku could feel that much.
"…I see."
Riku smiled quietly.
A faint tension within him seemed to dissolve.
"Momon. You're a far better person than I expected. I think I understand why people call you a hero."
"I only said what anyone would. I simply want to live peacefully. I hold no ambition."
"Thank you. I'm glad I asked. Forgive me for taking up your time."
"Not at all. I enjoyed our talk. I wish you a good journey, Aganeia-san."
They clasped hands firmly, wishing each other luck, and parted.
Momon continued toward the capital.
Riku turned toward E-Rantel.
As Momon mounted her horse, Riku looked back and called out one last time:
"Momon—if another catastrophe like Zy'tl Q'ae appears… will you fight for the world again?"
"…Of course. If it's within my ability."
"…Thank you."
The knights of jet-black and white-platinum raised their hands in farewell and parted ways.
Whether fate would bring them together again—no one yet knew.
Meanwhile…
"…A world-class item holder, definitely.
Her willingness to side with the world seems genuine… but—I should still observe carefully."
Riku Aganeia spoke in a quiet murmur.
The Platinum Dragon Lord, the White-Gold Dragon King, gazed out across the serene plains.