Lann replied to the little girl's doubts without looking up.
"Because you are both brave and kind, loyal and smart, able to rise up against human traffickers and willing to share your food with unfamiliar children... But you didn't really believe it, did you?"
Now Lann didn't even turn his head, but he seemed to see Alia's face blushing fiercely at that moment.
The little girl was getting excited because of the generous praise from a "Great Knight."
But then her expression froze in astonishment.
"Not—is that not it?"
Alia asked hesitantly and expectantly.
Lann's answer was as straightforward as ever.
"The primary reason is still your helpless state, Alia."
"I can guess how you came here, and I can also guess that this place is vastly different from the world you grew up in."
In the discussion and busyness, the cat eyes met the little girl's gray eyes for the first time.
