The knight currently rests on a bench inside the Crossroads' Stagway station. As it sits, the vessel toys with its collection of little baubles. It slowly looks over each one, deciding to attach some to its cloak and to discard the rest back into the pile. Is it simply drawn to the way these trinkets look or is there a different, underlying reason?

"Little Knight."

It does not look up from its collection.

"We have been here for almost an hour. Should we not be heading for the Temple of the Black Egg soon?"

It shakes its head, still looking down.

I frown. "What has you so interested in those things anyway? We have better things to do right now, can't you see?"

Again, it shakes it head and looks up at me. It raises its hand in the air, holding out one of its charms.

"Hmm? What about it? There is a…fluke etched onto the stone, yes?"

The vessel nods and attaches the charm to its cloak. It gets up from the bench and begins to gather soul energy.

I have seen the little knight use this skill many times now. Using soul power, it can utilize energy-based attacks like the "Flying Soul of Toughness", the "Devastating Dive of Destruction", and the "Creepy Screamers". I am quite proud of the names I came up with for the ghost's techniques. Recently, the vessel has even started mixing these attacks with the power of Void to make them even more powerful.

Based on the knight's posture, it will soon fire off a Flying Soul of Toughness. Why, though, I am not sure. I am very familiar with this technique, so I see no reason to demonstrate it. When the knight's uses its attack, a projectile is fired, just as I knew would happen. However, instead of seeing a flying spirit made of Void, I see…baby flukes. An entire group of them squirming and writhing about on the ground.

"Augh! What is the meaning of this?!"

The vessel, again, holds up the charm.

"…You mean to say that those little trinkets can…augment your abilities?"

It nods happily. It must be pleased that it was able to convey its thoughts to me.

"I…see. Even so, that is a revolting attack, Little Knight. While traveling with me, you are forbidden from using that charm. Am I clear?

It tilts its head to side before, reluctantly, nodding in agreement.

"Good. Now, what else do you have in your collection of odd baubles? Something more useful and less distasteful I hope?"

It sits down at the bench and nods. This time it holds up a charm with…a creature on it? It is difficult for me to tell. The design of this one is quite appealing, at least. Once again, the knight equips the charm and leaves the bench. It begins focusing its soul, gathering energy, until…the vessel shrinks and turns into a snail.

"Wh-what!? What is the point of shapeshifting into this small, slimy monster!?"

At my words, the half-snail, half-knight looks up at me. It still possesses its usual mask, strangely. It then slithers in my direction at a rapid pace.

"Aah! S-Stay away from me, Little Knight!" I am forced to run around the station to avoid this repulsive beast. "Your new form is vile, and I will not hesitate to harm you if you try hugging me while you are like this!"

Before it is able to get too close, the knight reverts back to its original state in a flash of light. It stares at me with its large, hollow eyes, likely, waiting for my thoughts.

"Y-you are-no! No, this one is also forbidden! I will not allow any charms that involve slimy, slippery, wriggling slugs. None at all! Understood!?"

The knight walks back to the bench without answering.

"H-hey! I mean it!"

Acting as if it didn't hear me, the vessel parses through its collection. It raises a charm into the air, yet again. It bears the image of, what looks to be, an aspid mother? Already, I have a bad feeling about this charm.

"Little Knight, are you sure abou- "

My words die in my throat as I see four hatchlings appear beside the knight, all of them possessing the knight's mask for a face. They even have wings.

"Wait, Little Knight, don't you dare- "

I am not able to finish my sentence once the creepy hatchlings launch their offensive.

"N-no! You all stay away from me!"

My efforts are in vain, however. The disgusting, little bugs are too quick for me to strike out of the air and the four of them latch onto me. They cuddle into my dress like little parasites and, no matter how much I struggle, they do not let go.

"V-Vessel! Free me of these beasts at once! If you do not…t-then there will be grave consequences!"

The knight quietly observes my torment. Surely, it is feeling a great deal of pleasure from my misfortune. That cheeky pest! Then, to add to my woes even further, it dashes up and tackles me to the ground, enveloping me in a bone-crushing embrace. So, there I lay, the victim of a vicious bug-hug assault from all directions. With no chance of escape, I am forced to reason with my captor.

"Arrgh! Must I beg for you to release me!? I have only just become somewhat accepting of all this hugging and now I am forced to endure a hugging onslaught! This is far, far beyond my comfort zone! Please Little Knight, end this torture!"

In an act of mercy, the knight gets off of me and returns to the bench. The hatchlings all fade away in a blaze of light, and I am, finally, hug-free. I let loose a long sigh and try to catch my breath.

"Y-You!"

With a confused look, it points a hand at itself.

"Yes, you! You knew what you were doing the entire time didn't you!? You picked all of these charms, specifically, to mess with me!"

Its head leans back, it crosses its arms, and its body rumbles on the bench.

"Are…Are you…laughing?"

It pays me no mind and continues its strange motion.

"You are laughing…"

At this realization, my anger quickly dissipates. This latest mishap in the station, suddenly, means very little. This is the first time I have seen the knight laugh. I was not even aware that it could. How amusing. I sit down on the bench beside it.

"So, you found all of this quite funny, hmm?"

The vessel is exhausted from the laughter, slumped over in the bench, but still nods.

"Haha! I guess it was…somewhat fun, goofing off like this for a change. However, do not get too careless, Little Knight. One day, I will have my revenge on you for this. Do not forget it."

The knight only responds with a soft hug. I can only sigh.

"You are such trouble, Little One."