Belti was indeed grateful to Riezel.
Because she knew very well that from Riezel's perspective, her request to meet had not only been abrupt, but unreasonable.
After all, Riezel was the savior the Great Source World had welcomed again after eleven thousand years. He was the wielder of a Holy Sword. His status was so noble and extraordinary that he should not have casually agreed to a private meeting request like this.
To say nothing else, Riezel had encountered attacks from Abyss Believers more than once before.
Knowing that Abyss Believers were watching him from the shadows, while people from the other major factions, nations, and races were all trying every possible way to approach, recruit, and curry favor with him, letting Riezel go out alone without any guards—especially to this desolate area far from the garrison, where no one would come to rescue him if something happened—would make Belti look like someone trying to use seduction to harm him if anything went wrong.
From Riezel's perspective, there had been no need for him to agree to such a potentially dangerous meeting and come out into the wilderness in the dead of night.
Yet, despite knowing that this meeting was risky and unreasonable, Riezel had still accepted Belti's request and kept his promise, arriving here alone.
That alone was enough to make Belti grateful.
Of course...
"I don't really mind."
Riezel, who had never believed he needed anyone's protection or that going out alone late at night was particularly dangerous, merely shook his head when Belti lowered her head in thanks.
"On the other hand, isn't it dangerous for you to come to a place like this alone?"
Although this forest rarely contained magical beasts or wild animals, rare did not mean nonexistent.
Moreover, this place was not far from