"...Sir, my name is Robin."
Robin corrected his form of address, sounding a bit helpless.
Never mind anything else, at least 'songstress' was a traceable title.
But what on earth was a "Hachi-bird"?
Where did those two words even come from?
"Alright, little bird."
Leon took her suggestion.
"Sir, although my name is Robin, I'm not actually a bird. I'm a member of the Halovian race."
Robin hadn't wanted to correct him again.
But she couldn't quite keep up with this miracle man's train of thought. She felt that if she didn't clarify her species, he'd really start seeing her as a bird-person.
"No problem, sky-bird."
Leon gave her an 'OK' sign.
"...How about you just call me 'little bird' instead."
Robin finally compromised.
The name 'sky-bird' sounded like a codename for some secret operation; it had a completely different vibe.
It had nothing to do with her at all. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was calling someone else.
The nickname 'little bird,' while a bit intimate, at least let her know he was talking to her.
"You're pretty demanding."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"Ah... no, I'm sorry."
Robin realized her lack of composure.
"I didn't mean to be critical of you, it was just subconscious..."
Coming back to her senses, Robin noticed how rude her words had been.
He had saved her, saved all of Kasbelindat-VIII, saved everyone here.
Faced with such a great hero, she shouldn't have been so petty about a mere title.
But she really hadn't meant it that way; she had just started complaining without thinking.
"In any case, please allow me to repay your kindness."
Robin quickly steered the conversation back on track, her expression earnest.
"Please, don't worry."
"I come from Penacony, the Planet of Festivities, and I'm a singer with some small renown throughout the galaxy. I have some family resources."
Robin felt that the Galaxy Rangers probably weren't as rigid as the rumors claimed.
After all, they were people too. What was wrong with a good person receiving a good reward? It was only natural.
"Here, say 'thank you'."
In response, Leon had only these words.
"Thank you?"
Robin didn't understand why, but she did as he asked.
"Good, it's all settled."
Leon said with a nod.
"What?"
Robin was confused.
"I've already received my payment."
Leon said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Casually killing a bridge-troll in exchange for a 'thank you'—isn't it obvious I got the better deal?"
Emotional value is something that can't be measured.
Because for emotions to be generated, a whole series of different preconditions must exist.
There's an old saying: "A thousand pieces of gold can't buy my happiness."
In a sense, a single 'thank you' is worth more than all material possessions.
Robin stood frozen on the spot.
The Galaxy Rangers truly weren't as impersonal as she had imagined—in fact, it was the complete opposite.
These people were incredibly romantic, as romantic as the revolution they threw themselves into, one after another.
They used clever words to return all well-deserved kindness.
They would neither embarrass anyone nor fail any grateful heart.
"See you around, little bird."
Leon turned, and the jigsaw puzzle piece hanging from his warbow swung with a faint clatter.
Now that the trouble here was dealt with, he had to continue his hunt across the sea of stars.
There were many other places that needed his arrows.
First campaign, a great victory. Ran into a bridge-troll and one-shotted it. Got a mysterious little trinket as a bonus.
Hehe, another step forward in practicing the Path of The Hunt. I'm gonna become the Celestial Emperor, ya hear!
"Wait..."
Robin saw he was about to leave.
She couldn't help but take a step, reaching a hand toward his back, wanting to properly discuss the matter of her reward with him again.
But the effects of Celenova's "Edict" hadn't completely faded, as was evident from the strangeness in her voice when she spoke.
It was fine when she stood still, but the movement caused the Edict's influence to spread throughout her body.
The Destruction contained within The Harmony tore at her whole body, causing her to frown unconsciously.
The excessive pain made her vision blur for a moment. Her standing figure began to sway, and she was about to fall forward...
A gentle breeze brushed against her face and supported her.
"You're pretty frail."
The breeze said.
"Thank you..."
Robin said weakly in a low voice, supported by his arm.
Leon didn't reply.
The two were in contact at a distance closer than is normal for social interaction, and they could both feel each other's warmth.
But his attention was entirely elsewhere.
"Is something wrong?"
Receiving no response, Robin looked up in confusion, the pallor of weakness still on her face.
"Hey pal, are that halo and them ear-wings of yours real?"
Leon took advantage of the close proximity to very seriously observe the two unique features of the Halovian race.
"Sir, did you not hear me say 'Halovian'?"
Robin moved away from his support and asked, puzzled.
To ask whether the halo and ear-wings were real, he was clearly someone who had no idea the Halovian race even existed.
"I'm just a country fella. Ain't never seen the glitz and glam of you big city folk."
Leon shook his head.
"Why are you using an accent?"
Robin asked in confusion.
They were just having a normal conversation. What happened all of a sudden?
"The question feels a bit personal. This way, it sounds more friendly and less offensive."
Leon told her the truth.
He always found this accent particularly friendly, especially the tone of it.
"...Do you want to touch them?"
The Halovians have a unique, innate skill.
Among Halovians, this skill is called 'empathy'; with outsiders, it's called 'telepathy'.
When the distance is close enough, if the other person isn't on guard, Robin can keenly sense their thoughts and feelings.
Just like right now.
Leon clearly looked like he wanted to touch them, and in his mind, he was wondering what they would feel like.
"Can I?"
Leon never bothered with pleasantries.
He'd played too much of that four-character tower defense game, which made him very curious about what beast-eared girls were really like.
After all, such creatures only existed in fantasy.
Now that he'd seen the real deal, he naturally wanted to satisfy his curiosity.
Alas, it was a shame he hadn't seized the opportunity before.
If he got the chance in the future, he also wanted to touch the characteristic parts of the Vidyadhara and the Foxians.
"If it's just touching..."
Robin hesitated for a moment, biting her lower lip gently, but still agreed.
From his decisive farewell just now, it was clear,
this miracle man clearly intended to finish the job and leave without a trace, seeking no credit for his deeds.
In other words, aside from a 'thank you,' he truly had no intention of accepting any other reward.
This was the only chance to repay him.
If he didn't intend to take anything,
then satisfying the desire he had shown was the last thing Robin could do for him at this moment.
"Let me ask first—if I touch them, you're not going to hiss or go into some kind of dragon-back mode, are you?"
Leon asked with a completely serious expression.
____
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