Anima was a woman with a distinctly military air, a sudden gift sent to me by Shiro-san. Though I was still reeling from her claim that she was the reincarnation of the Black Bear, my biggest question was why she wanted to serve me in the first place.
If I had been the one to defeat her, I might have understood, but I hadn't actually won. In fact, she had thrashed me without me landing a single blow.
"Why do you wish to serve Miyama-kun?" Rei-san asked, voicing the same doubt. "It’s not as if he’s stronger than you, is it?"
Anima snapped her sharp gaze toward Rei-san, glaring as if she were about to strike.
"You fool! Do you honestly believe strength alone dictates the bond between master and servant? There are plenty of knights in this world far stronger than their kings! Besides, had my Master possessed physical abilities equal to mine, that battle would have been his overwhelming victory!"
"Miyama-kun... Miyama-kun," Rei-san hissed. "Her attitude toward you and her attitude toward me are night and day!"
"E-Er... Anima, I’d like to know the answer to that too. Could you tell me why you decided to serve me?"
"Sir!"
Anima had been shouting at Rei-san with a look of pure aggression, but the moment I spoke, she snapped to attention.
"In this day and age, many flee even when armed, yet you boldly challenged me with your bare hands. Despite being clearly inferior to me in combat power, you faced me without a shred of fear or hesitation."
"U-Uh-huh."
In truth, I’d been paralyzed with fear; it was just the Auto-counter that kept my expression neutral. And that whole confrontation only happened because I was backed into a corner—if I’d seen her coming, I would’ve bolted immediately.
"My Master’s valiant and brave eyes in that moment... My heart was scorched as if by hellfire, and I became his prisoner! It was a source of great frustration that, while I was a Black Bear, I could not defy the orders of the Special Individual!"
"Was that some kind of special ability?"
"Yes! The Special Individual of the Black Bears possesses a power similar to Brainwashing Magic that allows it to command its kin. However, though I was once a Black Bear, I have been reborn as a different life form. It is now impossible for me to ever turn my fangs against my Master! Please, rest easy on that point! This body and soul exist solely for my Master’s sake!"
To summarize Anima’s story... she was so impressed by the "courage" I showed in challenging her despite my weakness that she felt compelled to serve me.
It felt like a massive misunderstanding, but in Anima’s mind, the matter of who she served was clearly settled.
"I-I see. I think I get the gist of it. Thanks for explaining."
"I am unworthy of your gratitude, Master! Now, please, give me an order! Any order!"
"Eh? An order?"
"Yes! To receive my Master’s commands is my supreme joy! Come, anything at all!"
"Er..."
Anima stared at me with eyes full of desperate expectation. Being told to give an order so suddenly was a bit much.
"I don't really have any orders right now..."
"S-Surely not! Am I truly of no use to you, Master...?"
Her face fell into an expression of such absolute despair it looked like the world was ending. This was bad. Did I have to give her a task? I couldn't think of anything on the fly.
"Miyama-kun, could I have a word?" Rei-san whispered.
"Eh?"
As I agonized over what to do, Rei-san leaned in close.
"You’ve probably heard, but the Rigforresia Security Force is in shambles right now. They’re so desperate they’d take help from anyone. Could you lend her to us until the reorganization is somewhat complete? If she’s a former Black Bear, her combat power should be more than sufficient."
"I don't mind, but..."
Rei-san wanted to borrow Anima’s strength for the Security Force, half of whom had had their spirits broken by Isis-san’s presence. I didn't have any specific orders for her anyway, and in a way, it was my fault the guards were in that state.
Rei-san nodded and turned back to Anima.
"Anima-kun, I take it you’re confident in your combat abilities?"
"Hah? You piece of trash, speaking to me so casually—do you want to be torn to shreds?!"
"Er, Anima, how strong are you exactly?"
"Sir! When I was granted this body, Shallow Vernal-sama bestowed upon me combat power equivalent to a Viscount-class High-ranking Demon!"
"She really is a former Black Bear," Rei-san muttered. "She’s practically a berserker to anyone but you, Miyama-kun."
The way Anima flipped her personality depending on whether she was addressing me or Rei-san was almost comical. She certainly had a... vivid character.
Regardless, it seemed Shiro-san had gone above and beyond, giving her power that rivaled a High-ranking Demon. A Viscount-class, no less. As usual, that Natural Goddess didn't know the meaning of the word restraint.
"Well then, Anima. The Elven Security Force is apparently in quite a mess. I’d like you to cooperate with them until they’ve got things back on track."
"Sir! Understood! I, the unworthy Anima, shall carry out my Master’s command with every fiber of my being!"
When I gave the order, Anima saluted with tremendous vigor, her face lighting up with joy. She seemed genuinely thrilled to have a mission. She really was a unique one.
"That’s a relief. Well then, Anima-kun, I’ll go set things up with the guards. Would you follow me?"
"Shut up, maggot! The only person in this world allowed to give me orders is my Master!"
Rei-san had spoken with a friendly smile, but in an instant, Anima’s claws extended with terrifying speed, the sharp points coming to rest right against Rei-san’s throat. A Black Bear’s primary weapons were its brute strength and claws, and it seemed that hadn't changed in her new form.
"Miyama-kun..." Rei-san appealed.
"Anima. Please listen to what Rei-sa... what Reijihart-san has to say."
"Sir! My apologies, Reijihart-dono! I look forward to your guidance and instruction!"
"Remarkable," Rei-san said. "I’ve never seen anyone quite so extreme."
It was clear Anima had zero intention of listening to anyone but me, but once I told her to follow Rei-san’s lead, she retracted her claws and saluted him.
I let out a long sigh as I watched her offer me a polite bow before following Rei-san toward the guard station.
Dear Mother, Father—Anima, the former Black Bear, turned out to have a fierce and simple personality, and she's incredibly aggressive toward everyone but me. But there was one silver lining: when it came to my orders, she offered absolute obedience.