"..."

This time, I didn't say a single word.

If we had met somewhere outside this cage... that would mean I never fell from that cliff.

If I'd encountered her as a hero, what kind of ending would have awaited us?

"If we were both free, Renee-nya, what would you want to do?"

"Thinking about that…"

Does it even matter?

I swallowed the rest of the sentence before it could leave my mouth.

Looking at her face, where a sorrowful smile lingered, I couldn't help but think—if someone could still speak cruelly to such a gentle soul in this moment, could they truly have a heart?

"Forget about me for a moment. What about you? What would you do?"

"Huh? Renee-nya's actually asking me something? Wow, that's rare! It makes me so happy!"

Don't get excited over something so trivial...

"I… I'd want to create a place where everyone can live happily together meow."

When she said it, there was a fleeting glimmer in the corner of her eye.

What kind of life had she lived before being enslaved?

The question lingered silently in my mind, but I wasn't looking for an answer. Deep down, I already knew what she meant by "everyone."

Her people—the Nekko tribe—exiled, stripped of their home, reviled by the world. Where could they ever find sanctuary?

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I realized I'd lowered my head without thinking, lost in her words.

No, this isn't the time to get caught up in someone else's dream...

"I've said my piece! Now it's your turn, Renee-nya!"

"Uh… yeah. That's a noble dream," I said, her voice snapping me back to reality.

"N-Noble? I wasn't thinking about it that deeply! Meow... Eh? Wait, no! Renee-nya, don't try to dodge the question—what do you want to do?"

What I want to do...

Her sudden question threw me off guard. Her innocent, wide-eyed gaze seemed to cut through the grime and hardship, shining with pure curiosity.

"I... What I want to do?"

Since the moment I was wrongfully imprisoned, my only purpose has been revenge.

Everything I've done as a hero was to avenge my grandfather. I'd sacrifice anything, cross any line, to make those who took everything from me pay.

But I couldn't say that.

Not now, not to her.

I didn't want her unspoiled dreams to be tainted by the darkness inside me.

"I guess... I want to become a hero."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"Huh? A hero? Meow!"

It was just a convenient excuse—something to fill the silence. Or so I thought—

"I figured you'd say something more like 'a knight,' meow!"

Thud.

Her unexpected remark hit me like a punch, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"W-Why would you think that?"

The question stumbled awkwardly out of my mouth, my tongue suddenly clumsy.

"Well... Renee-nya, even though you say harsh things, you always seem like the type who cares about others. Like someone who'd step up to protect people in a crisis. Isn't that kind of what knights do? Oh! But I guess that's what heroes do too Meow!"

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, only to break into a bright smile moments later.

"Even though Renee-nya is a girl, I think being a hero would suit you perfectly meow!"