Knight's Special Training

The day's patrol ended without incident.

Though calling it a patrol was generous. It had been more like a shopping trip.

On their way back, they even found a quiet spot to drop their transformations, then went to a barbecue stall and ate their fill.

Miss Chef's cooking was delicious, but it couldn't match the atmosphere of a street stall!

By the time Love and Thousand Blades transformed again and flew back to the villa, night had fully fallen.

"We're back!"

Love pushed open the door and called out cheerfully.

"Thanks for your hard work... Would you like something soothing to drink, or perhaps some porridge?"

The Butler had been about to offer them a meal, but she caught the faint scent of barbecue on Love and Thousand Blades.

Their transformations had removed most of it, but a trace remained.

So she quickly changed course and offered something else.

"Thanks, and sorry for the trouble! Where's Knight?"

"Knight is resting."

After answering Love, the Butler turned to give Miss Chef her instructions.

"Knight! We're home!"

Love called upstairs, but no answer came.

Huh? Did she fall asleep?

Love and Thousand Blades exchanged a glance. If Knight was truly exhausted, they didn't want to disturb her, so they headed into the living room.

Then they both froze.

Something unidentifiable was sprawled across the sofa.

On closer inspection—

It was Knight.

She lay sunk into the cushions, arms and legs spread wide. Her hair was a tangled mess across her face, her vacant eyes stared at the ceiling, and her chest rose and fell faintly. Otherwise, she didn't move.

She looked like a dried-out fish.

"K-Knight?!"

Love jumped and hurried over.

"What happened to you?! Did something go wrong?!"

Knight's eyes slowly, ever so slowly, rolled toward her.

"...You're back."

Her voice