The Blind Swordman: Strongest in Another World

Ryker, at the back of the group, calmly followed them, his cane tapping lightly on the ground. His faint smile never wavered. He walked behind them all the way to the dining hall, sensing the vibrations of where to step and the auras surrounding each person. The sensations painted a vivid picture in his mind, and he couldn't help but smile.

"This power feels good," he murmured quietly to himself. "Like I'm not even human anymore."

The Queen, walking just ahead, turned her head slightly. "What did you say, Mr. Ashen?" she asked, her voice curious.

Ryker straightened, his smile widening into a genuine expression. "Oh, nothing," he replied smoothly. "Just talking to myself."

The Queen nodded and returned his smile, her expression warm. But as she turned away, Ryker focused on her aura, reading the subtle flickers of emotion radiating from her. A soft thought passed through his mind:

She's happy.

As they continued walking down the halls, the conversation among the heroes grew lively, their voices echoing softly against the stone walls. Ryker, silent for a while, finally broke his quiet demeanor with a small smile.

"Queen," he said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of curiosity.

The Queen paused, glancing back at him. "Yes, Mr. Ashen?"

Ryker's smile grew a little wider. "I just realized—I never asked for your name. I can't keep calling you 'Queen' forever, can I?"

The group fell silent. The chatter abruptly stopped, and the air grew tense. Even the Queen froze in place, her expression caught between surprise and uncertainty. Ryker immediately stopped walking as well, feeling the shift in their auras. The sudden wave of emotions around him made his smile fade. Bowing his head slightly, he said, "I'm sorry if that's disrespectful, Your Highness. I meant no offense."

The other heroes exchanged glances, whispering their opinions in hushed tones:

"Did he really just say that to the Queen?" one murmured.

"Bold of him, huh?" another whispered. "Does he not know the rules?"

"I mean… he's blind, but is he also clueless?" a third added quietly.

"Or confident," another countered, their voice tinged with intrigue. "That takes guts."

The Queen's face, however, softened, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. After a moment's pause, she finally spoke.

"It's alright," she said gently. "You didn't offend me, Mr. Ashen." Her voice steadied, and she smiled warmly. "My name is Lirael."

Ryker straightened, his smile returning. "Lirael," he repeated thoughtfully. "It's nice to meet you properly."

The Queen nodded, the faint blush still present as she turned to lead the group onward. The heroes continued whispering among themselves:

"Lirael… so that's her name."

"He didn't even hesitate to ask. This guy is something else."

"Yeah, and she actually told him… Wow."

Ryker followed behind, his smile lingering as he thought to himself, Lirael… a name fitting for someone with such a kind aura.

Ryker smiled all the way to the dining room, his cane tapping lightly on the ground as he followed the group. "Since coming to this world today, I am famished," he thought, the excitement of the earlier fight still coursing through him.

When they arrived, the servants opened the large double doors, revealing an opulent dining hall. The heroes immediately began voicing their opinions:

"Wow, this room is incredible!"

"It's so elegant!"

"I've never seen anything like this before."

Ryker chuckled softly. "Even though I can't see it, I bet it's beautiful."

The heroes responded with murmurs of agreement, and Lirael smiled warmly. "Thank you, Ryker. It is beautiful."

Ryker focused on her aura, the subtle waves of emotion radiating from her. In his thoughts, he noted again, She's happy.

Feeling the vibrations of the room, Ryker found his way to a chair, pulled it out, and sat down with practiced ease. He leaned back slightly, a faint grin on his face. "I'm hungry after that little fight," he admitted.

Lirael laughed lightly. "I bet you are," she said, her tone playful.

The heroes joined in, voicing their thoughts aloud:

"He fought like a pro—of course he'd be hungry!"

"Still can't believe he won so easily."

"That fight was something else…"

Once everyone was seated, Lirael turned her attention to the group, her gaze warm and inviting. "So, heroes, tell me about yourselves," she said with genuine curiosity.

The first to speak was the confident leader of the group. "I'm Kael," he said with a grin. "Back in our world, I was the captain of my school's track team. I've always loved competition, and I guess that's what drives me here too. I want to be the best, no matter where I am."

"I'm Selina," a tall girl with a serious expression said next. "I studied martial arts back home. Discipline and focus have always been my strengths. If I can use them to help this world, I'll do it."

A younger boy, nervously fidgeting with his sleeve, spoke up. "I-I'm Elias," he stammered. "I… I've never been good at much, honestly. I like video games, though. Maybe that'll help?"

Selina gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Elias."

A girl with bright, energetic eyes chimed in. "I'm Mina! Back home, I was all about tech and engineering. If it had wires, I could fix it. I wonder what kind of gadgets this world has?"

A quiet boy with glasses adjusted them before speaking. "I'm Nolan. I was top of my class in chemistry and biology. If there's any way I can contribute with knowledge, I'll be happy to help."

Finally, a boy with a mischievous grin leaned back in his chair. "Name's Darren. Back in our world, I was all about street smarts. Let's just say I know how to handle myself in tough spots."

Lirael listened attentively to each of them, nodding and offering kind words in return. Then, after a moment of thought, she spoke.

"If I may," Lirael began softly, "perhaps I can share something about myself as well."

The room grew quiet again, all eyes turning to her. "As you know, I am Lirael, the queen of this kingdom. But before I was queen, I was just an ordinary girl in a noble family. My parents raised me with kindness but also with great expectations. I always felt like I had to be perfect, to represent my family and their legacy. When I became queen, those pressures only grew."

She paused, her gaze softening. "It's been lonely, at times. Being a queen means making decisions that not everyone agrees with, and it's hard to know who truly supports you as a person and who just respects the crown."

The heroes listened intently, their expressions thoughtful. Kael was the first to speak. "That's a lot to bear, Your Majesty. It's admirable that you've handled it so well."

Selina nodded. "I can't imagine the kind of strength that takes."

Mina grinned. "And you're still so kind and approachable! That's pretty amazing."

Elias added nervously, "Y-you seem like someone who really cares about people. That's inspiring."

Ryker listened silently, a faint smile on his face. When the others had finished sharing their thoughts, he finally spoke. "You've been through a lot, Lirael," he said gently. "And you've done it with grace. It's clear that you're more than just a queen. You're someone who genuinely wants to make a difference."

Lirael's blush returned, but she smiled warmly. "Thank you, all of you," she said quietly. "It means more than I can say to have your support."

After a moment, her smile grew as she continued. "I suppose I should also share a bit more about myself. I enjoy gardening when I have the chance—it's peaceful, and it reminds me of simpler times. I also love music. Sometimes, after long days of royal duties, I find solace in playing the harp."

She laughed softly. "But if I'm being honest, I'm not very good at cooking. I've burned more meals than I care to admit."

The heroes chuckled at her admission, and Mina chimed in, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm no chef either. We can burn meals together."

Kael grinned. "A queen who gardens and plays music—that's not what I expected. It's refreshing."

Lirael's gaze softened. "Thank you, Kael. And as for my dreams… I want a future where my people feel safe and happy. I want them to thrive, not just survive. That's my greatest wish as a queen… and as myself."

The room grew quiet, her sincerity touching everyone present. Ryker listened silently, his smile unwavering as he took in her words.

"You've shared so much," Ryker finally said, his tone warm. "It's clear you care deeply, Lirael. That's what makes you special."

Her blush deepened again, but she met his gaze with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Ashen."

Ryker smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I hope that's not too forceful," he said gently. "I just thought… we might be friends."

Lirael's blush deepened, and after a moment, a soft smile spread across her lips. "Friends…" she repeated quietly, her tone thoughtful. "I'd like that, Mr. Ashen."

Ryker smiled warmly and said, "Look at that, my new friend is a queen! No, let me rephrase that—my new friend's name is Lirael. She's the most popular girl in the kingdom, and she's pretty awesome. Hello, my new friend!"

Everyone laughed at his playful remark, their tension easing with the lightheartedness. Lirael couldn't help but smile, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "Nice to meet you, my new friend Ryker," she replied, her voice gentle yet genuine. "I'm glad to meet you," she added, her blush deepening slightly.

The other heroes noticed her reaction, exchanging knowing glances as they whispered their opinions among themselves. Ryker, however, didn't rely on sight to understand her emotions. He focused on her aura, noting its subtle shifts and warmth. In his thoughts, he observed, She's happy again.

As the laughter faded, the doors to the dining room opened once more, and servants entered carrying trays of steaming dishes. The aroma filled the air, rich and tantalizing. Every sense was heightened for Ryker, and his sharp sense of smell made the feast all the more irresistible. He felt his mouth water, and before he could stop himself, he exclaimed loudly, "It smells so good!"

The heroes burst into laughter at his outburst, their earlier mirth reignited.

"I've never been this hungry in my life!" one of them said, grinning.

"Same here! This smells divine!" added another.

Lirael chuckled softly, her gaze warm as she addressed the group. "Enjoy dinner, everyone."

In unison, the heroes and Ryker called out cheerfully, "Thank you for the food!" The dining hall echoed with their gratitude as they eagerly began their meal.

As the chatter died down and the group settled into their food, Ryker tilted his head slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. His voice broke the relative quiet. "Lirael," he said, "there's something that's been on my mind. What about love? Do you have a boyfriend or a king by your side? Or… do you even have time for love?"

The room fell silent once again, and everyone turned to Lirael with a mix of curiosity and surprise. The heroes exchanged glances, whispering among themselves about the unexpected question.

"That's… kind of a bold thing to ask," one of them murmured.

"But now that he mentions it… I wonder," another added.

Lirael's cheeks flushed a deep red as she hesitated, her gaze dropping slightly. "Love is… complicated," she said softly, her voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and sadness. "As a queen, my responsibilities often leave little time for such things. And… no, I don't have a king or anyone special by my side."

One of her servants, standing nearby, spoke up gently. "Her Majesty has always put her kingdom first. While there have been those interested in her, she has not pursued any relationships. Her dedication is unwavering."

The heroes nodded thoughtfully, voicing their opinions aloud:

"That makes sense. A queen's life must be so busy."

"But still, doesn't she deserve happiness too?"

"It's kind of sad when you think about it…"

Ryker remained quiet as the conversation swirled around him, his expression calm but contemplative. In his thoughts, he reflected, She carries so much on her shoulders. I wonder if she even realizes how much she deserves to find her own happiness.

After a moment, Ryker smiled, looking up toward where he sensed Lirael's presence. "I hope that in the future, if you do find love, you find the right person. Someone who knows the real you, not just the queen you." His voice was calm and sincere, carrying a warmth that made everyone pause.

Lirael's blush deepened, her gaze softening as she looked down. "I hope so too, Ryker," she said quietly, her voice filled with genuine emotion.

Ryker, sensing the moment had grown too heavy, picked up his fork and took a bite of the food. His eyes widened slightly as he exclaimed, "This is delicious!"

The heroes laughed again, the mood lightening once more. Lirael, however, held onto his words, her heart touched by his sentiment. Perhaps, she thought to herself, there's more to this blind swordsman than I realized.

After a moment of silence, Lirael turned her gaze back to Ryker, a curious expression crossing her face. "Ryker," she began softly, "do you have someone special in your life? Someone you left behind?"

Ryker stopped eating, his fork hovering mid-air. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly before letting out a quiet chuckle. "It's my turn now, isn't it? Well," he started, "no, I don't. I didn't have time for love when I could see. All I did was train and compete in tournaments since I was a little kid. My life was all about training and fighting over and over again."

The heroes exchanged glances, their voices filled with curiosity as they murmured their opinions:

"That's kind of sad… He never had time for anything else?"

"I mean, being a champion must've taken everything he had."

"But still, to not even think about love? That's tough."

Lirael nodded thoughtfully, her expression softening. "That's understandable, Ryker. You were focused on your goals and your passion."

Ryker smiled faintly, his gaze turning slightly distant. "But when I went blind, I started to hate the world around me. A champion gone blind—it felt like everything I'd worked for was gone in an instant." He paused, his tone growing quieter. "But there's one thing I hated most of all."

Lirael leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle. "What is it, Ryker?"

He sighed softly before meeting her gaze. "Not finding my true love or partner before I went blind. Not finding the one for me."

The room fell into stunned silence. The heroes stared at him, their expressions a mixture of shock and sympathy. Even Lirael seemed momentarily frozen, her cheeks tinged with pink.

The heroes murmured among themselves:

"I didn't expect that answer…"

"It's kind of heartbreaking when you think about it."

"He's so honest about it, though."

Lirael's voice broke through the murmurs. "That's… truly profound, Ryker," she said softly, her tone filled with sincerity. "You deserve to find that kind of connection someday."

Ryker gave her a small smile, his demeanor calm yet reflective as he returned to his meal. "Maybe I will," he said simply, his tone light. Or maybe I won't. Either way, I'll keep moving forward.