“What? The crazy princess.”
“…”
“Oh, no, Lady Astel…”
Yulia hurriedly covered her mouth, but it was already too late for anyone within earshot.
The hunters involved in the confrontation turned their heads.
The atmosphere grew even more tense.
There wasn’t a single person who welcomed my sudden appearance.
“She’s a madwoman!”
“She’s truly deranged, isn’t she?”
“A crazy lady as a hunter?”
“Why did she decide to show up now?”
“Who can understand the thoughts of a crazy person?”
The whispers exchanged back and forth were enough to make one’s ears ring.
In response, I perked up my ears and questioned Yulia.
“Can you summon only one type of flying creature?”
“…It’s possible, but what do you intend to do?”
“I want to ride it.”
“That’s impossible. They were born for combat from the beginning. They possess a fierce temperament and sometimes even defy my commands. I cannot allow anyone else to ride on their backs.”
“Just summon one for now.”
“…Even if something happens to you, I won’t take responsibility.”
Before Yulia could gather her mana, another hunter stepped forward.
It was Elain Roma, a hunter from the Roma Count family.
“Hold on a moment. The crazy… um, Lady Astel, are you also a hunter?”
“Can’t you see that from being here?”
“Why were you hiding and showing up just now?”
“They’re all weaklings and don’t have cores. What’s the point of killing them?”
“…Are you a demon? After so many people have died, you say such things? Were you waiting for us to handle everything and then appear?”
Before I could respond, Alex stepped forward.
“How dare you call her a demon? Watch your words! Astel is not that kind of person!”
I looked at Alex with a perplexed expression. It seemed even more absurd as if he was getting angry because of me.
‘…He’s quite the actor.’
Alex protectively pushed me behind him.
“Is that how the Count family teaches manners? Astel is a lady! You’re not in a position to criticize her!”
“Do you think the position of a Duke holds influence in the world of hunters? The hierarchy among hunters is based on strength! Even if she were a Duchess and weak, she should be disregarded!”
“What?”
“Moreover, they’re a bunch of weaklings who have only shown up now! Do you believe their words? They were hiding out of fear and have now come out!”
“Did you see it with your own eyes?”
“Well, not exactly, but… do I have to see it to know?”
“Don’t provoke people recklessly. Astel is not that kind of person.”
I nodded behind Alex, as if pondering his words.
Elain’s words were absolutely right. If a hunter is weak, they should be disregarded, even if they were an emperor.
I gently nudged aside Alex’s imposing figure.
“Well, then you should demonstrate it.”
“What… do you mean by ‘showing’?”
“Rankings.”
“What?”
Disregarding Elain’s inquiry, I addressed the hunters before me.
“Only those who wish to hear, lend me your ears. The queen lays eggs in accordance with the available prey.”
Alex whispered, questioning me.
“Astel, what does that mean?”
“Behold, now that all the prey has been consumed, she has ceased laying eggs. The queen will now wait.”
“What is she waiting for?”
“Naturally, she awaits the moment when the barrier is lifted. Only then will she resume laying eggs.”
“…Then…”
“Those playful hundred or thirty eggs were mere jests. Henceforth, she might lay hundreds, thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of eggs.”
“If it’s tens of thousands…”
“They will be swiftly annihilated en masse.”
“Shit!”
Alex let out a curse under his breath.
The faces of the hunters grew somber, except for Dante and me, naturally.
Dante remained a step behind, observing the situation. He subtly twitched his lips, as if grasping the implications of my words.
I turned to Johann and spoke.
“Johann, remove the barrier.”
“What? But…”
“When the barrier is lifted, the queen will lay her eggs. We won’t get another chance to attack. I will eliminate the queen.”
“Can you break through the barrier?”
“No, I’ll need to employ a different approach.”
Elain, who had been biting her lip, interjected suddenly.
“Hold on a moment! Shouldn’t we share that method with each other? Are you really planning to entrust the queen to that deranged princess?”
“If I tell you, will you be able to handle it?”
My question silenced Elain.
It was anticipated that everyone would consider disposing of the host to gain an advantage in measuring their levels.
However, even with her ambitious nature, it would be impractical for her to handle the offspring with her limited abilities.
As if acting as a mediator, Johann positioned himself between her and me.
“I will remove the barrier. What about the eggs?”
“That’s something all of you will have to manage.”
After concluding my statement and exchanging glances, Yulia closed her eyes and pursed her lips.
Moments later, screeeech! With a piercing shriek, a six-winged chimera descended from the sky.
With its beak-like mouth wide open, the chimera emitted a menacing growl. Yulia tried to command it multiple times, but it couldn’t contain its excitement.
Its temperament was undeniably vicious. It appeared eager to attack the hunters at any given opportunity.
I drew closer to the chimera.
The chimera, with its feet resembling chicken claws, displayed its volatile nature as it glanced at me and then promptly glared.
Krrrrrr.
A low growl resonated from its throat, almost as if it were scrutinizing its opponent.
“Lower your head.”
Krrrrrr.
“Listen before you get hit.”
Krrr…
For a while, the chimera engaged in a staring contest with me, swaying its massive body.
Seemingly uncertain about its own behavior, it roughly brushed its head against me.
However, at some point, it could no longer maintain its gaze on me.
Its once polite black eyes swiftly reverted to their normal state.
After a moment, the chimera bent its long neck and lowered its head to the ground.
I had provided a foothold for it, making it easier for me to climb.
Yulia’s voice burst forth in astonishment.
“What is this nonsense!!”
Approaching the chimera, I gently stroked its neck as a gesture of praise.
In response, it emitted a rumbling sound, intermixed with affectionate whimpering.
“That’s nice.”
Then, the chimera let out a playful whimper, saying, “Grrrr Grrrr.”
I smiled and turned my head.
The hunters, who had been watching me control the chimera with just my gaze, were startled and took a step back.
“Let me offer you some advice. If you continue to foolishly watch until the eggs hatch, everyone will die.”
It was a sarcastic comment aimed at the hunters who had been indifferent or afraid, merely observing without taking action.
Some of the hunters’ faces turned pale with unease.
If their gazes had shown interest or disdain until now, most of them had now turned hostile.
Whether they liked it or not.
With a casual shrug, just as I was about to climb onto the chimera, Alex grabbed my leg.
“Wait! Are you going alone? No way! I’m coming with you.”
I couldn’t help but feel annoyed, furrowing my brow.
“Why?”
“Do you expect me to stand by while my little sister heads towards his death? I can’t do that!”
“When did you start caring about me? Stop with the creepy talk and get out of my way.”
“No! Either we go together, or you don’t go at all!”
Is he acting like a kindergartener? Why is he so insistent?
I glanced down at Alex clinging to my leg, feeling a sense of pity.
“Sigh… I never thought I’d have to deal with someone like you.”
“Someone like me? What do you mean?”
“Someone who just wants to boost their viewer count by bragging.”
“…I-I didn’t mean it that way!”
His face turned red, and he stumbled over his words, appearing embarrassed.
Doesn’t he have the guts to reveal his true colors? Is he trying to make amends in this way?
“What a pitiful sight.”
In any case, if I remove the host, Alex won’t die.
Of course, there’s a possibility he might fall off the chimera and become disabled, or lose an arm or a leg.
“But that’s not my concern.”
I shook my head.
“Got it. Just don’t disturb me.”
“Of course!”
“Let’s go!”
I lightly tapped the long neck, and the chimera let out a rough growl as it soared into the air.
The host, draped in white threads, dangled from the center of the sprawling spiderweb.
That eerie figure drew nearer and nearer.
“Alex, don’t do anything unnecessary, just wait.”
“I understand, I understand.”
“Let me repeag, don’t do anything risky. I won’t come to your aid.”
“What do you take me for? A fool? Don’t worry. I’ll stay put. So, what’s our plan now?”
“We’ll wait until the queen lays her eggs.”
I lowered my head and exchanged glances with Johann. With a tense expression, Johann began raising the veil of light.
At that moment, the lower section of the host trembled restlessly.
It was a sign that the host was preparing to lay the eggs.
Without any warning, I leaped off the chimera. Alex’s face instantly turned pale.
“Whoa! Hey! You never mentioned jumping off here!”
