[ he question gets a sincere pause on his end, curious almost before he asks honestly: ]

You sound... almost like him asking that question. I don't know how he wants me to answer, still... How do you? I'm technically a knight and a leader of an army, but usually someone asking that question to me seems to be looking for something more profound than that.

[ His edgy and volatile emotions seem fine; on the other hand Hayame probably can't miss how his demeanor and sincerity seems a lot clearer towards her. As much as he insisted he was here for her help and, thus would be interested in her specifically, it is clear (at least compared to now) that wasn't really all that true before. As one would expect of a stranger approaching an indubitably on an 'opposing side' it was an interest of necessity and one he didn't want to have, Privacy allay having expected conflict.

Now though, he does seem interested in her insight, like a child almost might ask a teacher. Not that he thinks she's older or any sort teacher, but she does sound like she might come from a place where being a warrior meant something, like all those ancient legend of heroes his dad used to tell him as a boy. ]