“Our contract didn’t include me doing this sort of thing, did it?”
“What sort of things?”
“Why do I have to go monster hunting while wearing a mask?”
At that moment, I suddenly became curious. Aren’t they supposed to pretend in front of me? He got scared when Aaron was around. But why did he show his true face now?
“So what? From now on, you have to listen to me anyway.”
“…”
“Not only did I get you out of the underground castle, but I am also going to change your identity. You should at least do this much, Vallentin.”
“Ha.”
Then Vallentin burst out a hollow laugh. He looked at me with a face that made me think he really looked like a dog.
“This is the first time you call me. By my name.”
Ah, right. Here too…
“It’s touching.”
He was certainly not in his right mind.
“Hmm, anyway, this hunting competition will be a good opportunity for you,” I spoke to him soothingly. “Winning in the Empire’s big festival will add to your record. Won’t that help when you become the king of Decilio?”
“…Become a king?” Vallentin asked as if it made no sense.
Ah, right, the current Vallentin wouldn’t know that he will eventually overthrow his father and ascend to the throne.
“You could become a king. Because you’re also descended from the Decilio royal family, after all.”
“What the? People in my kingdom would laugh themselves to death if they heard that.” Vallentin chuckled.
“Really? I could bet all my wealth and even the name of Felicite that you will become the king of Decilio.”
“…”
Feeling that my words were sincere, his expression became slightly complex.
“If I really become a king, you will have to come to Kingdom Decilio.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I will take you with me.”
Take me? Me? Why?
A smile spread across his face, somehow making me feel out of place.
“I’ll do as you say. It’s just a monster hunting competition, after all.” Changing the topic, Vallentin gripped the Astra again. “Right now, you’re my father and mother.”
I’d prefer if he avoided calling me father. I don’t want to be beheaded by his hand.
“Have you tried the antidote I sent? I tested it myself, so it should definitely work.”
“Ah, right. It was amazing.”
Remembering the antidote and cosmetics set Vallentin sent, I couldn’t help but praise him. “Such talent would be wasted just learning swordsmanship in the underground castle.”
“I will show you even greater things in the future.” Vallentin shrugged. “Then you’ll keep me in your room, right?”
“What?”
“You kept Redian by your side for a while, even going out to the festival together…”
As Vallentin sat on the shelf, our eye level matched.
“It’s unfair. Why only that guy when I have to hunt monsters wearing a mask.”
I crossed my arms and stared at Vallentin.
“I clearly asked you to favor me more.”
Why is he saying such things with such a serious face? Just looking at his expression, someone could have misunderstood that he was dealing with weapons.
“I am favoring you enough.”
“…”
“You took the ointment I gave you, right? I’m taking the time to watch you train.”
“That’s.”
“Don’t you feel my affection?”
Then, for the first time, Vallentin’s gaze wavered. It was fun to see him flinch, looking like he would bleed blue blood.
“Any difficulties?” I found Vallentin somewhat cute and asked with a smile.
“Ah, last time you said that I have long and straight hands, so I’m at a disadvantage when holding a weapon…”
Vallentin looked at his hand holding the Astra. “There’s a slight pain when I pull the trigger. I understand that I need to put more effort into this part.”
“If you hold the gun like this, you will feel much more stable.”
I took Vallentin’s hand and adjusted his grip.
“Increase the level.”
{Yes, Princess.}
Then, when I spoke to the trainer through the communication port, monsters started coming out again.
“Now, hold the gun like you are wrapping your palm around it.”
“…”
“Aim the muzzle slightly downwards when firing.”
Our hands entwined over the weapon, simultaneously pulling the trigger. Bang—!
The monster was pierced in one shot and fell to the ground.
“How’s that? Do you understand?”
“Is this how I should hold it?”
But Valentine still frowned as if it was difficult.
“No, like this… Ah, but didn’t you just sit back and control Astra earlier?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
I had clearly seen him hunting monsters while sitting cross-legged. Well, nothing surprises me anymore.
“Watch again. Hold the gun barrel like this. That way, you can withstand the recoil when pulling the trigger.”
“Ah, I understand a bit now.”
I spoke towards the communication tool to increase the training intensity by one more level.
“Raise the level further.”
{Yes? Raise the to the highest level? Ah, understand.}
However, it seemed that the trainer misunderstood my instructions.
“Not the highest, higher.”
{As instructed, I will raise it to the highest level.}
What? The highest level? There was no time to stop it.
“…What is that?”
Thump, thump! A sound like a building collapsing was heard, and a huge object appeared through the air.
“Crazy,” Vallentin muttered quietly upon seeing it.
The thing, resembling a giant trumpet flower or failed bread dough, surrounded the ceiling, its mouth wide open.
“Trainer, are you out of your mind?!”
{Yes, yes?}
“How are you expecting to defeat a 12th circle monster with a training Astra?” I scolded him through the communication tool while watching the approaching monster. “Get rid of it now before it fully awakens.”
{But, Princess…}
A panicked voice came back through the crackling communication tool.
{Monster of the 12th circle won’t’ disappear unless you hunt it directly.}
…What? A dumbfounded silence lingered for a moment.
“Kuuk, kuuuk!”
Meanwhile, the monster seemed to be waking up.
“What’s going on, Princess? Uaaargh!”
As I burst into anger, Aeron entered the room, screaming.
“W-what is that?”
The black mass that had completely engulfed the ceiling began to wriggle as if bursting air bubbles.
“What the hell is that ugly thing!” His face turned pale. Since he was a professional scholar, Aeron had never seen such a horrific sight in person.
“Might be faster to blow up the trainer’s stupid head,” Vallentin murmured calmly and adjusted his grip on the Astra.
The monster, beginning to drip down, was creating a large wall.
“It’s waking up.”
Bang, bang, bang! Vallentin, skillfully aiming the barrel, fired the bullets.
“Kuk, Kuuuk!”
But the monster squirmed briefly, then expanded its size again. The room darkened under the monster’s shadow, making it impossible to identify its vital parts.
“P-Princess! Aargh! I brought the Astra here!”
“Throw it!”
The trainer, who hurriedly came down, threw an Astra at me.
“Its eyes must be there. We have to kill it before it fully opens.”
Finally armed, I aimed for the monster’s vital spot next to Vallentin. Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!
“Might as well shoot the trainer’s head, Princess.”
“I’d like to.”
The bullets that Vallentin and I fired together pierced the monster.
“Kuuuuk.”
Even though it was a training Astra, it hit precisely, and the black, mud-like mass trembled.
“Aargh! Trainer, are you insane?”
“W-What should I do with this? Should I gather more trainers? N-no. The other trainers aren’t allowed to see Norma’s faces.”
“That’s not the problem; it’s blocking the door now!”
The growing monster dripped down the walls, blocking the doorway.
“Kuuuuk.”
“Uaaargh!”
Flash—! Suddenly, the monster’s body split, revealing a huge eye.
Ew, disgusting.
Blink, blink. The large white eye on the ceiling moved. In the end, the monster had fully awoken.
“Won’t you just die!”
“Kuuuuk!”
Vallentin, continuously shooting, seemed to be cursing.
“Kwaaargh!”
Then, the black mass opened its mouth towards me.
“Princess!”
“Aargh!”
My whole body, which staggered, was about to be sucked in…
Bang—!
“Grrrrgh!”
“Uh, huh? Oh my god! Princess! Are you okay!” The trainer, who had fallen to the ground, raised his head slightly and shouted.
As the darkness engulfing the room dissipated…
“Huuuuh.”
The monster’s body deflated like a punctured balloon. One bullet had precisely pierced its eye. As the sticky, blood-like remnants soaked the floor around my feet…
Who is it? I reflexively turned my head when I heard the sound of the door opening. The figure became clearer as my vision brightened.
“My goodness, Redian?” I couldn’t help but widen my eyes upon recognizing his face.
“This is why…” Redian dropped the Astra he was holding to the ground. “I told you, Master, you shouldn’t be kind to just anyone.”
His icy blue eyes slowly swept over Vallentin, Aeron, and the trainer.
“They are useless.”
Redian is such a jealous tsuntsun
nahhh, tbh tho