Vol 1 Chapter 21 – Return to the Royal Capital【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“Outside at laaast!!”

Princess Debora flung both arms skyward and cheered the instant we stepped into the open air.

Because the dungeon we’d just explored never saw daylight, the sun must feel heavenly to her.

Personally, I wouldn’t have minded being locked up in that damp place a while longer, though.

“…Shut up.”

Standing beside me, Miriam shot Princess Debora an exasperated look.

Hmm… her dislike of the royal family seems to be getting worse.

I wonder why…?

“Hero-dono.”

“Yes?”

I turned toward the unfamiliar voice—other than Princess Debora and Miriam—and saw several men in full knight armor.

They were the knights Prince Orace or King Rei had dispatched to guard Princess Debora from the shadows.

“Even though we failed in our duty, you protected Princess Debora. We are deeply grateful.”

With those words, the knights bowed their heads to me.

Well… they did botch their escort mission.

That said, I can’t exactly tear into them.

If Princess Debora realized they were tailing her dungeon expedition, she’d have pitched a fit, so they had to guard her from far enough away not to be noticed.

On top of that, her explosion sent us plummeting who knows how far.

Expecting them to charge through a blast that ripped up even the dungeon’s bedrock would’ve been absurd.

“Please, raise your heads. I only did what I could.”

I don’t feel even a shred of anger toward them.

If anything, I should thank them—if they’d been closer, I might not have shielded everyone from the blast.

Miriam, however, looks a tad annoyed.

She’s always had a deep distrust of authority…

“Oh… so this is the Altruistic Charity Hero…”

The knights stared at me, eyes shining with admiration.

Hmm. I’ve never done anything you could call charitable, though…

But Miriam seems pleased, so I’ll let the misunderstanding slide.

“All right, Erik—where should we go next?”

Princess Debora bounced over with a beaming grin.

It feels like we’ve gotten a bit closer somehow.

By all means, please drag me into another explosion with that newfound familiarity.

“…………”

But wow, Miriam is in a foul mood.

Being pricked by that prickly aura of hers is… strangely delightful.

“…Too familiar.”

Miriam muttered under her breath.

Oops—she said it loudly enough for Princess Debora to hear on purpose.

Is the atmosphere turning tense again? Yes, wedge me right between you two!

“Hmph…”

“?!”

Contrary to what both Miriam and I expected, Princess Debora didn’t glare back in anger.

Instead, she gave Miriam a relaxed smile and looked down at her.

N-no way… That short-tempered princess is taking the high road…?

“Did I come off too chummy? Sorry, but Erik is my knight. It wouldn’t be weird if we seemed close.”

She stepped up and patted my torso—pat, pat.

Like a child staking a claim on her toy.

Well, Princess Debora is still a kid, after all.

“Grrrgh…”

“Sorry, but once you gave me the Ring of Loyalty, Erik became my knight—my, my knight!”

Well, that’s true enough… but why hammer the point so hard?

Miriam growls in frustration and yanks on my arm in protest.

“Why did you pledge yourself to her ?!”

Because I figured she’d pound me to a pulp with explosions.

And because, unlike Prince Orace, she’ll work me to the bone just like King Rei.

Simple, really.

“Hmph. Erik swore his loyalty to me. Maybe that’s still over your head?”

“I have no loyalty whatsoever…!!”

Princess Debora and Miriam lock eyes, sparks flying.

Granted, loyalty isn’t exactly my strong suit…

“Princess Debora.”

Just as tensions spike, one of the escort knights cuts in to clear the air.

“Hmm? What?”

“Regarding our next destination—please end the expedition here.”

“Eeeeeeh?!”

Princess Debora’s shriek says she’s not buying it.

“Why?! And since when do you get to decide where I go?!”

“Your Highness accidentally entered the ‘Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber.’ That was completely unforeseen, and we must report it to His Majesty.”

The knight’s right.

Over-protective King Rei would never have let Debora step into something called the ‘Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber.’

If he had, half the royal army would’ve marched in with her.

“B-but we made it out fine…”

“True, Your Highness’s splendid attack saved us, but the toll was heavy. And the Hero sustained serious injuries. Even if Miriam has healed him, the palace mages should examine him.”

“Ugh…”

Debora falls silent.

Whatever she thinks, I am pretty drained.

Not that I’d refuse another round of hardship.

Debora could easily brush the knight off, yet she keeps glancing at my face, deep in thought.

…As her knight, I should offer some counsel.

“Princess Debora, please don’t worry about me. Let’s go wherever you wish.”

“E-Erik?”

I flash a bright smile.

Feel free to heap more reckless requests on me.

Miriam gives me a slightly scary look, but I ignore it.

For some reason the escort knights gaze at me with newfound respect.

“Putting the princess’s desires above your own… So this is what makes one worthy of the Ring of Loyalty.”

…Excuse me? I’m just chasing my own thrills at full tilt. Seems we have a tiny perception gap.

Anyway, this should spur Princess Debora toward even bolder adventures.

A selfish princess wouldn’t start worrying about my body now.

Getting dragged into danger while half-dead is positively exhilarating.

So, Princess Debora—where to next?

Somewhere on par with the Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber… no, even more thrilling?!

Under my expectant gaze, Princess Debora—

“W-we’re heading back to the capital.”

…Come again…?

I can’t believe the words she mutters, lips jutting in a pout.

She’s destined to out-tyrant King Rei someday, yet she’s calling a strategic retreat?

Why act sensible like Prince Orace?!

“I-it’s not like I’m worried about your body or anything!”

“Of course not.”

If you cared about me, you’d keep adventuring.

My condition? I’ve got skills; I can’t die. Just charge ahead already.

“…Heh, a wise decision, Your Highness.”

The escort knight smiles meaningfully.

Why are you nodding so smugly?

Come on—hurry up and propose another perilous quest!

“This is obvious, but it still ticks me off,”

Miriam says, clutching my arm.

Anger at me? That’s welcome—but her glare is fixed on Debora, so her usual royal-family allergy must be flaring.

Th-this is bad.

Somehow the plan is shifting toward the safe capital.

Sure, King Rei will never let Debora wander forever, but we could squeeze in a bit more danger first…!

“His Highness must care deeply for the Hero,” the knight says.

“W-well, he’s my knight. I’ll grant him some conveniences,” Debora answers, turning away with a huff as she and the knight stride off.

Ah… this is beyond salvage.

Fine—back to the capital we go.

King Rei will probably dump some outrageous request on me anyway.

Besides… I have a good feeling.

My masochist radar is tingling.

…Heh-heh, I can’t wait.