The Guardian

Personal Info

A top-tier explorer who had recently risen to prominence within the Abyss, known for her unruly temperament and formidable strength.
Her flamboyant and unrestrained manner quickly drew the attention of many explorers, including a number who doubted her true ability.
The result, of course, was predictable. Those who sought to challenge her all slipped away in quiet humiliation.
Not long after, a rumor began to circulate among the explorers:
only one who could defeat the Guardian deserved to be called the strongest.
And so, even without any recorded battle between the Guardian and the greatest monsters of the Abyss, her strength had already earned the recognition of many.

Chronicles

Though she may appear fierce and distant, her heart is in truth exceedingly gentle. She is simply not skilled at expressing her feelings.
In order to seem dependable, she keeps herself constantly on edge, playing the part of one who is proud, unruly, and untamed.
To those she trusts, the Guardian would offer everything without hesitation. For even the faintest glimmer of hope, she would give her all, sparing no effort—even if it meant staining her own hands.
If what I experienced could be called a miracle, then she is the one who brought that miracle into being.
— Lenicia

My connection with her does run rather deep. But if you take that to mean we are close, then you would be gravely mistaken.
Of course, while we cannot be called intimate—and truth be told, I would rather avoid being entangled with her—we are still companions. The sort of companions who would never betray one another.
You do not understand at all? That is only natural. I can only tell you this: that one is dangerous.
No... calling her "that one" does not seem quite appropriate either... In any case, do not try to understand her through human morals or emotions. Consider this my final warning.
— Lust

As a guest temporarily staying at the orphanage, I cannot claim to know her all that well. I only know that she is not as arrogant as she appears, nor is she entirely unreasonable.
She is also quite fond of playing with the children. Whenever they play, she always insists on being the "leader." If the children refuse, she will gradually lower her demands little by little, until they finally agree to play with her.
Hehe, in that way, she seems rather like a slightly willful child herself.
— Moerma

Record

Whether during expeditions or in moments of rest, the Guardian was rarely more than a step away from Lenicia's side.
If circumstances required them to act separately for a time, she would say little more than, "Go on without worry. If you die, I will bring you back again then."
Yet once Lenicia truly vanished from her sight, the unease in her demeanor became plainly visible.
Even when the others reminded her that "the expedition team's tactics always place everyone's safety first," the Guardian would only appear slightly calmer on the surface. In truth, nothing about her vigilance truly changed.
Naturally, her responses to such reassurances remained as blunt as ever.
"I am not worried."
"In a situation like this, she hardly requires my concern."
After spending some time with her, the members gradually came to understand the Guardian's temperament. Some of them even began teasing her from time to time for their own amusement.
For the moment, such antics had caused no trouble. But she was, after all, that Demon King. Should they truly provoke her anger, the consequences would be unthinkable. Must find an opportunity to give those fools a proper warning.

Anecdote

That was a tale from many years past, a fleeting fragment within the long history of the White Rose Dream...

Under the cover of a moonless night, a band of brigands suddenly stormed a noble household.
They plundered every treasure they could find and slew every living soul who crossed their path.
In the midst of the chaos, the lord of the house pressed the heirloom into the child's hands and entrusted his loyal retainer with the child's escape, while he himself remained behind to hold the enemy at bay.
No matter how the retainer pleaded, the lord would not be swayed. In the end, the retainer had no choice but to flee with the child.
Yet scarcely had they escaped the marauders when they fell upon another band of thieves. With the child bound to his back, the retainer carved a bloody path through the encircling foes and fled once more.
But just as they managed to find brief refuge, enemies of the noble house soon discovered them. Once again, the retainer was forced to take the child and run.
Through those days of endless wandering and peril, the White Rose Dream watched in quiet bewilderment.
It had long witnessed slaughter and betrayal born of deceit and ambition, yet never before had it seen a retainer so unwaveringly loyal—one who refused to abandon the child no matter the cost.
With its curiosity stirred, the White Rose Dream continued to watch. It wished to see how long this retainer could endure.
After several years of flight, the retainer and the child were discovered once more. This time, however, the enemy forces were overwhelming beyond measure.
Faced with a battle he could not possibly win, the retainer still took up his sword and stood before the child, shielding them behind his back.
The outcome held no suspense—just as the White Rose Dream had foreseen.
As the retainer fell in defeat, the White Rose Dream spoke to him, offering to preserve his life.
Hearing the voice of the White Rose Dream, the retainer was stunned. He had never imagined that the noble family's heirloom possessed a will of its own.
Yet once he understood its offer, he refused without hesitation.
Instead, he asked the White Rose Dream to protect the child. If it would do so, he was willing to offer what remained of his life without reservation.

It was the first time the White Rose Dream had ever felt such a powerful will to protect.
So powerful that even through the countless ages that followed—long after the faces of the retainer and the child had faded from memory—that unwavering resolve to protect remained as clear as ever.