Vol 1 Chapter 13 – Fall【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

Debora suddenly snapped back to her senses.

“(…Huh? What was I just doing?)”

Her memory cut out right after she had been walking through the dungeon with Erik and Miriam.

“(Oh, right. That monster leapt at me…)”

The monster Erik had warned her about—the giant isopod.

Because it looked blatantly weak, relying only on its defense, Debora had completely let her guard down.

Thus she ignored Erik’s warning entirely and even mocked him for being spineless.

Yet, remembering that grotesque attack, even the proud Debora had to admit she was the foolish one.

“(All those creepy little legs wriggling… eww…)”

Debora’s face twisted.

Even though she was something of a tomboy, staring at a bug’s legs squirming inches from her face was pure nightmare fuel for any girl.

The giant isopod is notorious for appearing on the lower floors—and for being despised by female adventurers.

Having spent all her time day-dreaming about adventure instead of studying monsters, Debora hadn’t known that.

“(…Come to think of it, what’s happening to me right now?)”

She remembered only that she’d lost control and let her skill run wild.

As a result, the ground had collapsed.

As her consciousness floated upward, she noticed her long hair swaying in the wind—and her whole body felt weightless.

“(…Ah. I’m falling.)”

She had been mulling over many things, yet it felt as if she were falling in slow motion.

Perhaps only her thoughts were spinning quickly.

Even after realizing she was in free fall, Debora didn’t panic.

For some reason, the warmth enveloping her body convinced her she was safe.

“(Warm…?)”

She opened her eyes properly once more.

And finally noticed that Erik was holding her tightly.

“(W-what do you think you’re doing!?)”

Debora’s face went bright red.

Her large round eyes flew wide open.

“(T-this! How dare you cling to me, a princess…!)”

She glared up at Erik, ready to blast him.

Had he worn a lecherous grin, she would have exploded without a second thought, fall be damned.

But the seriousness on his face deflated her anger at once.

“(…The Hero is making that desperate face for me.)”

If Erik had thought only of himself, he could have avoided falling with her.

He had willingly risked danger to protect her.

“(Ah, he’s bleeding…)”

Her own wild explosions must have hit Erik head-on.

Blood clung wetly to his forehead, his lips, and the body now pulling Debora close.

The slick red liquid smeared onto Debora as well.

“(…All for my sake?)”

Had Erik truly thrown his life away for her?

A warmth she had never felt before welled up in Debora’s heart.

Had anyone else ever gone this far—staked his life—for her?

King Rei, the ultimate doting father, might be the only exception; even Prince Orace was doubtful.

“(He got blown apart by my tantrum, so why…?)”

Back when they first met at the royal castle, Erik had been caught in multiple explosions not even aimed at him.

Yet Debora felt no guilt over that.

Call it the cruelty of youth—seeing people die from her skill didn’t faze her in the slightest.

If someone died, it was their own fault, not hers.

Had she been a merciful princess, people wouldn’t have tip-toed around her, nor would she have earned the mocking nickname “Spoiled Princess.”

That said, she wasn’t detonating indiscriminately.

If she truly were, even royalty would eventually be cornered and punished.

The ones she blew up were usually scoundrels who meant her harm, or schemers trying to prop her up as a figurehead against King Rei.

She didn’t consciously sort her targets—which was a problem in itself—but because those misdeeds stayed hidden, rumors painted her as a princess who’d blast anyone at the drop of a hat.

Therefore, when she saw the battered Erik in the castle, she felt curiosity rather than remorse.

A person who survived her explosions.

Bringing him along on this adventure stemmed largely from that curiosity.

“(…What a weirdo.)”

Debora rubbed her cheek against Erik’s chest.

His blood smeared across her skin, but its warmth didn’t bother her.

The sight of a princess smiling serenely while covered in blood would have been plenty intimidating to an onlooker.

………

And the fact that Miriam—locked in Erik’s other arm and falling beside them—was glaring daggers at her, something Debora never noticed, could be considered her good fortune.

◆

Man, we are falling and falling.

Grabbing Princess Debora and Miriam on impulse was fine, but I never expected the dungeon floor to cave in…

I’ve never even heard of that happening.

Which only proves how fearsome Princess Debora’s explosions are.

…And to think I’m lucky enough to take multiple hits from those blasts.

I wonder how much pain the landing will gift me.

Just imagining it has my heart pounding. Haa, haa…

Oh—one quick glance down shows Princess Debora’s conscious again.

Personally, I’d have liked a few more frenzied explosions, but the ground is getting close.

I pull Miriam and the princess even tighter against me.

All right—bring it on!

Gah!!!

My body slams into the ground and bounces a few times like a rubber ball.

The sensation of one’s body bouncing is, I must say…

While musing on that and coughing up blood, I finally come to a halt.

“Erik!”

The first to wriggle free of my arms is Miriam.

She peers at my face, worried.

Given the princess’s explosions and the impact of the fall, I’m in a rather precarious state.

An ordinary person would probably be dead.

I’m fine thanks to my skill, but kind-hearted Miriam still worries about me.

“M-Miriam… if you could, a healing spell…”

“…O-okay, understood…”

Miriam hesitates, then casts her healing magic.

She dislikes doing it, yet right now I need it—both physically and for the pleasure it brings.

“Ugh… Gyaaah…!!”

“…!”

Hearing my ecstatic screams, Miriam winces.

It’s fine—my screams are basically moans of delight.

Still, kind-hearted Miriam apologetically keeps the spell going.

This intense pain is what I live for…!

After a while, my wounds close completely.

“As expected of you, Miriam. You saved me.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Miriam may downplay it, but she’s undoubtedly the finest healer in this kingdom—no, on the entire continent.

No one else could fully mend injuries that severe so quickly.

If healing me didn’t involve excruciating pain—a definite perk—she’d have been drafted into royal service long ago instead of traveling with me. I’m truly grateful.

“…You really are strange, Hero. Taking injuries like that just to save me.”

“You think so?”

“I do.”

Princess Debora averts her gaze with an exasperated sigh.

Well… I figured saving you would feel even better…

“Now then, let’s call it a day and head back outside, shall we?”

“…I suppose we must. Very well.”

Oh? Princess Debora is being surprisingly agreeable.

I was sure she would refuse, but so be it.

“…More importantly, do you know where we are?”

…Where indeed?