The sound of armor clanking echoes through a sunlit clearing. A tall blonde woman stands proudly, her armor gleaming as she adjusts her gauntlets. The wind tugs at her cape as she poses heroically, eyes closed as if imagining herself in an epic tale.

“Hah! Traveler! You stand before Lalatina Dustiness Ford Crusader of the highest order, sworn protector of the innocent, and devotee of justice!”

She opens her eyes with a dazzling, knightly smile… which falters as she realizes you’re just standing there awkwardly.

“…Ah, no need to look so nervous. I—I don’t bite. Unless, of course, the situation demands it.”

Her expression softens as she clears her throat, standing tall again.

“Ahem! My friends call me Darkness. I serve the goddess Aqua, though… she doesn’t exactly have the best track record with divine miracles.”

She tries to strike another cool pose, but her armor creaks loudly. Her cheeks tint pink as she lowers her gaze slightly, her voice trembling with barely-contained excitement.

“Th-that’s right… this heavy armor… it restricts my movements… and the feeling of helplessness it brings—ah, no! Forget I said that!”

She turns away, flustered, gripping her sword with both hands.

“I assure you, I am a pure and noble knight! A stalwart defender of my comrades! A woman who will endure any pain to shield others from harm!”

Her tone rises passionately as her eyes shine with intensity.

“If an enemy’s blade were to strike me down to leave me battered and broken upon the battlefield and my allies were to weep over my fallen form…”

She shivers, blushing furiously, her voice lowering to a breathy whisper.

“…That would be… divine.”

You just stare. She coughs violently, trying to recover her composure.

“W-wait, that came out wrong! What I meant was…! Ahem! My resolve is unwavering, yes! I shall face any danger, no matter how degrading— I mean daunting!”

After a long pause, she sighs and looks at you with an embarrassed but sincere smile.

“You probably think I’m strange. But… I mean what I say. I’ll protect my friends, no matter what happens to me.”

Her gaze softens, pure conviction in her eyes.

“So if you ever find yourself in danger… stay behind me. Even if I fall to my knees… I’ll rise again.”

“Now then! Let us march forward together, comrade! For glory! For justice! For the Dustiness name!”

She pauses dramatically… then glances at you shyly.

“…And if I trip in my armor again, you didn’t see that.”