What exactly is a name?
For humans, it's a lifelong symbol.
Of course, human lives are long, and some people even change their names several times.
But apart from humans, most monsters simply use their species as their names. Rarely does a single monster get its own individual name.
Filolials were no exception.
Filolials were common monsters used to pull carts in this kingdom.
But this Filolial had a name.
Her name was Gabriel.
She was a Filolial, yet seemed somehow different from the others.
At least as far as Gabriel knew, ordinary Filolials didn't suddenly grow huge within two days, nor could they transform into human form.
Furthermore, ordinary Filolials weren't given special names by humans.
"Kiriko-sama, aren't we going out today?"
It was Raphtalia-oneechan who spoke.
Both Raphtalia-oneechan and Gabriel had been bought from the monster merchant (who, rumor said, secretly dealt in slaves).
The difference was that Raphtalia was a demi-human, while Gabriel had hatched from a monster egg.
Raphtalia wasn't much older than Gabriel, yet always acted like an older sister.
"It's exhausting to grind levels every day, isn't it? Let's take a break today. You all go to the town bathhouse, relax and enjoy yourselves."
Their master smiled, gently patting Raphtalia-oneechan's head.
Gabriel watched enviously from the side.
Her master was a very gentle person. Her hand was warm, and being patted felt wonderful. Gabriel's favorite thing was having her master stroke her head.
Of course, Gabriel would never openly admit this, nor show even the slightest hint of an expression like, "Actually...I...really want my head...patted too."
"Kiriko-sama, aren't you coming?"
Being patted on the head, Raphtalia looked puzzled.
"I have something small to take care of first. You go on ahead; I'll join you all later."
"Oh…"
Raphtalia left, looking somewhat disappointed.
Raphtalia-oneechan wasn't here anymore, so didn't that mean right now was…
A chance?!
"Gabriel, come out already. Everyone's waiting for you."
Raphtalia suddenly realized Gabriel was still inside, and opened the door to call her.
"No, Gabriel wants to stay with Master."
But Gabriel didn't budge.
"Gabriel, be good. Don't disturb Kiriko-sama's work."
Raphtalia approached, intending to carry Gabriel away.
"Gabriel won't make a sound. Gabriel will be very careful. Master won't even sense Gabriel's presence."
But Gabriel desperately clung to the bed, refusing to leave her master's side.
"Raphtalia, if this child wants to stay, just let her."
After a bit of commotion, the plan to take a bath was completely abandoned.
Everyone ended up staying in the room, watching their master craft weapons.
"You guys... Ah, whatever, suit yourselves."
Gabriel didn't know why her master sighed, but since Master allowed them to stay, she was already ecstatic.
She watched Master take out a weapon purchased from the weapon shop, disassemble it into materials using a skill, then craft a new weapon using another skill.
"Gabriel, come here and look."
Her master waved Gabriel over.
"Master, what's this?"
Gabriel held a rectangular object handed to her by Master. It felt hard, but she didn't recognize what it was.
"This is called a keyboard. It's a very powerful weapon. In the world I used to live in, there was a group of warriors who fought using keyboards. They were called Keyboard Warriors."
"Keyboard Warriors? They sound incredibly strong."
Seeing Gabriel's delighted reaction, her master seemed happy as well.
"Kiriko-sama…um… I'd like one too…"
"Raphtalia, didn't I already give you a staff before? Well, let me see…"
As Master reached into her everything-goes-in Dimensional Bag to grab materials—
"Oh, we're out of materials already?"
Master looked surprised.
Well…it was understandable. After all, it was a bag that could carry unlimited items. Not noticing she'd run out of materials was pretty normal.
Gabriel's lips curled slightly upward.
She hugged the keyboard Master gave her as if it were the most precious treasure.
Now Gabriel had something Raphtalia-oneechan didn't, clearly proving Master's love for her was greater than for Raphtalia-oneechan.
"We're out?"
Raphtalia showed mild disappointment.
"Uh…sorry, Raphtalia. In that case…um, hey, you—"
Kiriko waved at the Dogkin standing nearby.
"Lute, quickly head over to the weapon shop and buy a few weapons."
"Master, let me go!"
But before Lute could respond, Gabriel had already spoken up.
"Gabriel? You want to go alone…will you really be alright?"
"It's fine. Gabriel wants to help Master too. If someone troublesome appears, Gabriel will just fight them off with this keyboard!"
Gabriel firmly met her master's eyes.
Apparently, when Gabriel had just been born, Master originally considered naming her "Kurotome," but decided it sounded too lonely and changed it to "Gabriel" instead.
Gabriel didn't really understand human naming habits, but since Master's eyes were filled with such deep emotions...
Gabriel still couldn't understand why Master's name wasn't "Toome."
"Well then, I'll leave it to you, Gabriel."
"Mm, Gabriel will definitely complete this mission!"
Finally, Gabriel cheerfully took the note Master wrote listing the needed items, along with enough gold coins, and left the room.
But shortly after stepping outside, Gabriel quickly hid near the tavern.
Moments later, she saw Raphtalia also stepping outside, looking around as if searching for something.
Master is worried about me...
Realizing this, Gabriel felt as happy as if she'd tasted honey, but also slightly disappointed by Master's lack of trust.
Still, as long as she completed this mission successfully, Master would surely see her differently afterward.
Thinking this, Gabriel quietly left the tavern from another direction.