Sakura: This Family Would Fall Apart Without Me / Armor and a Decision

Upon hearing this, Bianca thought for a moment before speaking calmly.

For other competitive knights, equipment is extremely important in this kind of competition; even superior armor and weapons can be the key to victory.

But for Dai'e, this kind of competition was really just a small fry. If it weren't for the competition rules, she would have just worn a normal outfit and gone on stage.

After all, if she didn't want to, there wasn't a single competitive knight in all of Kazimierz who could hurt her.

"No, equipment is still very important... Although you did beat me, don't be arrogant. One wrong move could lead to something you'll regret."

Looking at the calm and confident Bianca in front of her, Zofia glanced down at her left hand while "lecturing" her, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.

"Yes, I understand, Miss Zofia. Thank you for your concern."

Bianca keenly noticed Zofia's subtle movement, and a knowing glint flashed in her azure eyes. She then responded earnestly with a smile.

At this moment, Maria Nearl, who was standing next to her, also realized what was happening. After hesitating for a moment, she carefully took Bianca's arm and said:

"Zofia is right, Bianca shouldn't be arrogant. Equipment is still very important for knights. I happen to know a few people in the workshop, I'll ask them for you later."

"Thank you for your help, Maria Nearl."

Bianca was slightly taken aback when her body was suddenly touched, before giving the blonde girl beside her a gentle smile.

"I'll keep an eye out for you too... after all, there's a free-for-all tournament coming up soon." At this point, Zofia seemed to remember something else and offered another suggestion:

"If there's really no time, it's certainly possible to make do for now. We can try to accumulate enough points to advance first, and then tailor-make the equipment later; there's plenty of time to buffer in between."

"That's indeed a good method, thank you for the suggestion, Miss Zofia." Bianca nodded again in response.

Many of these small things were insignificant to her. However, although the things themselves were insignificant, the concern she showed was genuine and heartfelt.

Unless absolutely necessary, Bianca didn't want to betray this sincerity. Rather than refusing it with words, she decided to accept the kindness and keep it in her heart.

"Really... Maria Nearl, I bet you've already had dinner. In that case, why don't you take your new friend out for a stroll and see where you can find some suitable armor?" As she spoke, Zofia reached out her right hand and gently tapped Maria Nearl's head.

"Ugh, Zofia, stop hitting me! I was wrong! I'll definitely have dinner with you next time." After being "hit" on the head, Maria Nearl quickly hid behind Bianca.

"Heh~ Then I won't bother Miss Zofia any longer."

A hint of a smile flickered in Bianca's azure eyes as she looked at the golden pony hiding behind her. Then she turned to Zofia and spoke politely.

Go ahead.

Zofia's lips twitched as she watched Maria Nearl, who was hiding behind Bianca and sticking her tongue out at her. Finally, unable to bear looking at them any longer, she waved to the two of them.

Finally, after saying goodbye to Zofia, the two walked once again onto the brightly lit streets of the Great Knight's Territory, which were illuminated by the dim light of the night.

"Although it's quite late, many workshops are still open. Let me take you to see them."

"Good."

Bianca, who was not very familiar with the area, had no objections whatsoever and followed Maria Nearl the whole time.

"Speaking of which, I've always been curious about something: Bianca, how old are you this year?" Maria Nearl, who was walking beside her with a smile, suddenly seemed to remember something and tilted her head slightly to ask the person next to her.

"Me? So what if I'm 16...?"

"...?"

P. S.: I mailed it this month, but I realized I can't add the flag anymore; it's simply impossible. I'll try to write as much as I can in the last few days of this month, since it's graduation season and I have to go back to school for several days at the end of the month.

However, there shouldn't be any problem next month. If I have perfect attendance, I'll guarantee at least two updates.

Chapter 16 Sakura: This family will fall apart without me.

"Me? So what if I'm 16...?"

"...?"

Maria Nearl, who had been smiling, gradually froze on her face after hearing her new friend's words, her expression turning into one of utter confusion.

After realizing what had happened, Maria Nearl even took a serious look at her new, seemingly mature friend from head to toe.

But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't see any trace of the naivety of a 16-year-old girl.

Maria Nearl had actually guessed Bianca's age before. Based on the girl's maturity and composure, she guessed that Bianca was at least 20 years old, about the same age as her older sister Margaret Nearl.

But who knew... 16.

"Are you that surprised?" Bianca asked in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed, as she looked at Maria Nearl beside her, who was shocked and even bewildered.

If Silly Goose had known it would turn out this way, she would have given a higher answer... But there was nothing she could do; she had answered before she even realized what was happening.

As for why she subconsciously said 16 years old, it's because without unlocking the Palatinus Equinox, Bianca's body is only 16 years old... and the memories she has of "Bianca" are all stuck at the age of 16.

"I'm surprised. I didn't expect that someone who looks so mature and has such a steady personality like you is only 16 years old." Maria Nearl's lips twitched slightly as she looked at Bianca's embarrassed expression, then she nodded and answered seriously.

"I originally guessed you were about the same age as my sister. I never expected we'd be so close, but it's fate, hehe."

"Heh~ Indeed, it can be considered a kind of fate. It's truly a pleasure to know you, Maria Nearl." Hearing Maria Nearl's reply, Bianca chuckled, revealing a gentle and composed smile.

When Maria Nearl met Bianca's bright, smiling eyes, she felt a shameful blush creep up her cheeks, turned her head slightly, and then changed the subject:

"Ahem... Alright, alright, Bianca, stop talking. Let's hurry up and leave before the workshop closes."

"Good."

Upon hearing this, Bianca nodded slightly, offering no objection.

Although Silly Goose didn't understand where her friend's shyness came from, it was a minor issue, and she didn't like to pry into her friend's secrets.

Inside the hotel --

"Bang--"

As the door slammed shut, Mobius's distinctive voice followed.

"Oh dear, look! Our upright knight lady is back from her date with that little girl?"

"?"

Upon hearing this, Bianca's bright expression froze instantly, her face visibly darkening as she clenched her fists tightly.

Clearly, Mobius's casual yet sarcastic remark successfully ignited someone's anger instantly.

"Am I wrong? I don't even know who it was last time, who kept saying they wouldn't contact them, and then they yelled at me!"

Mobius completely ignored Bianca's dark expression, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears, and said in a "wronged" tone.

Just as Bianca was about to explode, preparing to rush up and punch Mobius, her alter ego, a couple of times, Sakura came out carrying a large plate of food and said:

"Alright, Bianca, don't hold it against the Doctor. You know her personality. Come and try my dinner; I'm sure you can eat it."

"..."

"Call--"

After hearing Sakura's words, Bianca pressed her hand against her throbbing temple, took a deep breath, and calmed down. Instead of looking at Mobius, she walked over to Sakura to lend a hand.

"This was specially saved for you. Don't worry about me and the Doctor. Eat up. It's not as good as Rita's, but it should still taste alright."

As Sakura put down her plate, she reached out and patted Bianca's shoulder, offering silent comfort.

Honestly, after summoning Bianca, Sakura realized more and more that this family would fall apart without her.

"No, although I haven't eaten it yet, just the smell makes it sound like a wonderful dish." Bianca gently shook her head at Sakura's modesty.

After she finished speaking, she didn't forget to give the "pillar and mediator" of the family a warm, heartfelt smile.

After understanding the meaning behind Bianca's smile, Sakura's expression became a mix of amusement and helplessness.

"Nothing is as good as you describe, Bianca. Okay, hurry up and eat. You're actually eating dinner quite early today."

"Um."

After dinner--

"I spotted a target tonight, and I plan to take care of it. Tomorrow, Bianca, go buy the armor you need."

Sakura, sitting on the sofa, seemed to remember something and then spoke softly to Bianca.

Although Sakura knew all her upcoming actions, Bianca knew them all too, and she also knew all of Bianca's upcoming actions.

However... compared to direct communication between minds, she still prefers this form of communication.

Hearing this, Bianca showed no surprise. She nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Sakura."

Tonight, Dumb Goose and Maria Nearl actually spent a long time browsing and visited quite a few workshops, but in the end, they didn't buy any armor.

The reason is simply that Bianca couldn't find anything suitable, and even things that were barely wearable were scarce... because most of the time, armor and weapons are custom-made, and there are very few readily available, especially for a female knight.

Furthermore, the prices were a bit high... so after browsing around, Dai'e didn't buy anything.

"Heh, there's no need for thanks between us. You won the match, and we'll all benefit. Keep it up, and let the people here witness the glory of the Radiant Knight!" Sakura chuckled softly after hearing Bianca's words, and then spoke gently.

"Oh, by the way, if it's necessary later, there are some things you can ask me to take care of."

As she said this, Sakura still had a smile on her face, but a cold glint flashed in her blue eyes.

What kind of competition is the Knights' Tournament? What will Bianca face after participating? Both of them are very clear about this.

It is precisely because she understands this that Sakura is saying these words now.

She also believed that her professional skills in certain areas were far superior to those of the Armorless Union here.

"Um."

P. S.: There will be another update tonight, please keep me updated.

Chapter 17 Armor and Decision

The next morning, Bianca decided to go and buy the most suitable armor she had seen the day before.

After all, she had no other choice. In her opinion, any random outfit would suffice, and there was no need to make things too complicated.

Moreover, the silly goose didn't rely on such armor and weapons to win; she relied on her absolute strength. If the rules weren't against it, she wouldn't even need to do all this nonsense.

However, just as Bianca crossed several streets to reach her destination, she saw a golden figure in the distance—a golden figure waving at her.

"Maria Nearl, why are you here?"

After walking over, Bianca tilted her head slightly, looking at the person in front of her who shouldn't be there.

Dai'e wasn't surprised that Maria Nearl knew she would come here and then waited for her here, after all, this workshop was the most suitable one she saw yesterday.

What intrigued her was why her new friend was waiting for her there.

"Well, of course I'm waiting for you Bianca."

Looking at the puzzled Bianca, Maria Nearl's eyes flashed with a smile. She deliberately drew out her voice, whetting everyone's appetite.

"...?"

Looking at the mysterious girl in front of her, Bianca's expression became even more puzzled, but also revealed a hint of helplessness. Then, she tentatively asked:

"Hmm... are you waiting for me to go buy armor together?"

"Hehe, although I really want to answer Bianca that you're right, but... no, that's not true!" Maria Nearl denied with a smile after hearing Bianca's words.

"Um?"

Bianca was genuinely puzzled as to why Maria Nearl was waiting for her in front of the workshop so early in the morning. It couldn't be that she wanted to invite her out to play...

"Alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. If you trust me, come with me... I've found a set of armor that should fit you fairly well."

Gazing into Bianca's beautiful, gradually bewildered azure eyes, Maria Nearl gently curved her lips into a smile and spoke softly.

As she spoke, the blond Kuranta extended her hand to her new acquaintance.

"Yes, I believe you."

Without hesitation, Bianca grasped Maria Nearl's hand and nodded in agreement.

If it were anyone else, she might hesitate, but with Maria Nearl, she was willing to believe...

Of course, this trust did not come from Bianca's time-traveling memories of Maria Nearl, but from her own current relationship and feelings towards this new friend.