Chapter 48: Princess Chronoire
“Although it’s rude for me not to reward you for helping me, currently I don’t have that many things in my possession. That’s right! Would you come together with me to the castle? I would definitely be able to reward you once we get there.” (Chronoire)
“No thanks, we’re in a hurry. Just your feeling is fine. Well then.” (Est)
If the princess is related to people of high position, I could smell nothing but trouble. The correct answer is to leave quickly. When we tried to hastily return to the carriage, the two knights holding weapon a while ago had blocked our path. They surrounded us! What’s wrong with them? What do the hate about us, as they’re glaring at us with cold stares.
“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Who do you think you are to decline the invitation from the princess!”
“That’s right! Your decision doesn’t matter. You should just come to the castle as told.”
..what the heck is wrong with these guys? This is coercion no matter how you look at it, don’t you understand that you’re only antagonizing the other party? Although I’m not sure sure if it’s okay to raise my hand against the princess’s bodyguard, but as there’s no other guard here, let’s go without reserve here. I’m the type that will act polite when they’re polite, rude when they’re rude.
“Although you go as far as saying that, I really hate the att.i.tude of the two of you. Apologies for the rudeness.” (Est)
I even go as far as prostrating on the ground. Although the princess is a little bit surprised by my words, that couldn’t be said to be the same for the two guards. If they’re the princess’s bodyguard, it could easily be said that their family’s standings are great as well as having great strength. There might have not been any man that had resisted like me considering their social position, they’re brandishing their sword with a bright red face.although I’m in no place to say this, but they’re easily p.i.s.sed huh?
“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Do you think you’re safe just by doing that after saying such a thing?”
“Yeah! Although we’re having a hard time against the a.s.sa.s.sin because of their surprise attack, there’s no way we will be defeated if it’s a fight from the front!”
They’re really annoying speaking in a set like that. These two get mad way too much, it seems that matters like the princess had vanished from their head. The princess have it tough too I guess, having bodyguard with such a simple head.
“Haah!”
“Eat this!”
These two is level 18 and 19. Even if Shallie fights alone, she could win with a huge margin with this. I lightly exchange blow with the attacks from the left that is so slow it could make me yawn, I sneak to his back and quickly drop my knees at both of his knees. It’s the so-called Hizakakkun. I ignore his surprised expression while falling on his backside, and faced the other guy.
[T.N: “ヒザカックン”, or Hizakakkun is basically the j.a.panese term for the pranks kids used by sneaking up behind someone and use your knees on their knees to make them fall. Pretty sure if you’re a boy you’ve done this at least once in your life. If not, please reevaluate your life.]
I twist my body and dodge the sword swung at my head, and delivered a punch at his throat while he’s still in a position of swing his sword, making him fall on the ground.
I guess they’re pretty shocked to have been handled easily without being able to land a single hit, the man who falls on his back had an absent minded expression, and the man that got knocked down is lying on the ground coughing intensely as he’s unable to breathe. I did say I’ll take the fight anyone throw at me, but I am a little bit anxious as the other party is the princess, but it seems that it was an unnecessary worry. That is because the princess is giggling while looking at her bodyguards.
“You’re really amazing. First time I see those two beeing treated like a child. I’m sorry. I apologize for their disrespect. If you have already released your anger, would you please come with me?” (Chronoire)
The princess bowed when she said that. Although the bodyguards are yelling something seeing the princess bowing, I ignore them. This is a little bit unexpected. Since I thought that the n.o.bles are only conceited people who didn’t treat the other party as human, it’s a bit unexpected seeing one of them lower her head like this.if she apologized in acknowledgment of the misbehavior of the subordinate, it is necessary to change the evaluation of this princess a little. If I was asked politely, then it need to be answered with courtesy too.
“For now let’s just say we’ll accompany you there. Before that, shouldn’t we arrest the a.s.sa.s.sin lying here?” (Est)
“Thank you. Hey two of you, if your heads are still okay then come arrest these people.” (Chronoire)
The two guards that are at a loss for words start moving with the princess’s order. Meanwhile, we return to our carriage, and tell them that we will accompany the princess. Unfortunately it doesn’t seems that we will get the balance of the fee even if we got off early.”
The princess’s carriage is considerably strong and splendid, it is one size bigger than the carriage we ride. The seating is comfortable too, I don’t feel that cramped in here. Our party sits on one side, while the princess and the bodyguards sit on the other side. The coachman seems to be a professional, but he’s not inside the carriage. The a.s.sa.s.sins that we arrested were tied up if the carriage’s rear luggage storage and were left unattended.
The talk with the princess went smoothly without any interruptions. The main topics are our purpose and ranks. She was fairly surprised when she learn that all of us including the kid are Gold ranks. The two guard who had confirmed our level were looking down with their face turn blue. They imagined what could have happened to the princess when we turn hostile because of their att.i.tude. I want them to learn their lesson with this and change their behavior. And I decided to ask the thing I’m bothered the most. About why the princess got attacked in such a place.
“To say it in simple term it’s family feud. Although it’s a common story,I have an elder brother. Although I’m ashamed to say it myself, I’m popular among my subjects. As the throne succession right is closer to my elder brother, his younger sister who have more support from the subjects is deemed to be obstructive. I’ve had dangerous experience like today several times already in the past.” (Chronoire)
And she said that like it was nothing. However a while ago she said that she was the second princess. Which means, there’s still one older sister above her.
“Since my elder sister has already been married to another country, her throne succession right has disappeared.” (Chronoire)
I see. I guess from the prince’s perspective there’s only one person left being a nuisance? However, is it okay to talk about the family’s circ.u.mstances to us who she just met? When she heard that, she just answer while laughing lightly.
“Since it’s already an open secret, even a child know about this.” (Chronoire)
Having her life targeted many times, she’s a pretty bold princess. The n.o.ble society is a world where you can’t live without the bold nerve. The carriage pa.s.sed through the gate while we’re talking, as we arrived at the Argos Empire’s capital city. When I observed the city for the first time from the window of the carriage, although there’s no great difference between the flow of people from the Garcia Kingdom, the streets are a little bit different. I guess it could be said that you can feel the history in it, there’s a lot of old buildings. It didn’t give the impression of falling apart though. All of it are maintained neatly while keeping the cleanliness.
The drawbridge is unloaded as we cross the moat, thus we entered the castle. Once we got off the carriage,we entered a luxurious room that is not too large. Several housemaids are already waiting, as the cake and tea already prepared on a mobile tray. Almost at the same time, the princess who had already changed into casual clothes enter the room. Just from seeing the cloth I knew that it is of a high quality even for a casual wear. I really have no idea how many gold coins would it cost.
“I am sorry to have keep you waiting. Now then, please help yourself.” (Chronoire)
I reach my hand for the tea once she said that. I guess Shallie got excited to be able to eat cake for the first time, she’s been saying “delicious delicious” nonstop. While the princess looks with a smile, she then presents a small bag to me.
“This is?” (Est)
“Reward as thanks for saving me. It’s a trifle amount but please accept it.” (Chronoire)
There’s 10 gold coins or more when i confirmed the inside. It’s a splendid reward for that small amount of help. However, it could be a.s.sumed that I have helped the emperor’s family with this. Since I’m going to need a lot of things later on, I decided to receive it without hesitation.
“Thanks for that. Then I won’t hesitate…” (Est)
“By the way, there’s a request I want to entrust able adventurers like you.” (Chronoire)
While keeping the bag of gold coins, I listened to the princess who had opened her mouth. Here it comes. There’s something like this as I thought. A little bit of help were rewarded with 10 gold coins while also having to listen to her request.
“For strong adventurers like you people, I want to ask for one request. The destination of the dungeon that existed in our country for a long time. I want you to dive there, and I want you to collect a certain item.” (Chronoire)
Did she noticed my reaction when she mentioned about the dungeon? The princess is smiling at me. Can’t be helped, although I was thinking of saying goodbye once we get the reward, shall I hear about the request first?