Chloe pauses for a second and finally finds her answer. “I… used a weapon. Unfortunately, I don’t want to tell you what weapon I currently use right now. And I know that is against the policy of the adventurer’s guild. But that weapon is similar to a bow and arrow. Somehow and someway, I manage to defeat it alone. Zero wasn’t there… until he showed up after the fight, where I collapsed on the floor.”Hubert stares at the orb, checking for the colour to change. However, it doesn’t. After a few seconds… even minutes, the sphere remains a lavender ball.“Hmph… You’re telling the truth. Zoe. Come here for a second and tell me… Did that happen? Were you there after the battle? Did you or did you not participate in Zoe’s fight against the [Goblin Shaman]?”Zero shakes his head and answers, “No, I didn’t. By the time I was wandering around the forest, I crossed paths with Zoe already lying around on the soil. I didn’t want to bother her, but… a couple of [Forest Cerberus] appeared, and she s
As soon as we announce our leave from the headmaster’s office, Hubert calls for my attention and hands me a unique letter with an envelope and a stamp placed in the middle. The symbol that holds the letter together has the shape of a leaf. Although it is painted with bronze. “I forgot to give you this, Zoe. I think this letter will greatly prove itself more useful to you than in my hands.” “Thank you… But what are we going to do with this?” Hubert’s face stiffens as soon as she hears Chloe’s remark. But for a short while, the old man regains his posture and replies, “You’ll need it to cross the gates of the Nylsshys Gates and the castle. This will also serve as your special identification card that will allow you to meet with Edwyrd Tragwyn, the King, and Verrona Tragwyn, the Queen, without delay.” “Why does it… feels and looks familiar,” Chloe mutters under her breath, and examines the letter. Hubert’s face grows pale as he watches the princess playfully observing the sealed mess
As soon as we return to the adventurer’s guild lobby, Zero also bids his farewell.“Apologies, Zoe, for I shall cater to my personal business. Perhaps I will leave you two here on your journey and meet you once more when the time comes, especially when you are inside the Nylsshys castle. Will that be alright with you?”Chloe nods her head and answers, “Sure. Our meeting was brief, but I had a blast spending my time with you.” Despite her words, Chloe looks at the ground and bites her lips in dismay. It seems like the princess wants to join whatever matter Zero has with him. Sadly, our agenda is moons apart.“I am terribly sorry, Zoe. But we shall meet again. I promise you.” Zero makes his hand towards the princess’ head and gives her a head pat.Chloe, out of nowhere, becomes a tomato and is unable to do anything besides feel Zero’s hand caressing her head. Her temperature rises. Also, the princess’ feet waddle like a seal, enjoying every second passing by.‘What a showoff,’ I mumble
{Are you sure about this, Kuro? Is there something you saw upon taking this special request? This task doesn’t provide any rewards, Kuro… Are we going to be alright with this?} Chloe asks. Of course, the princess is worried about it. But I have the occurrence already under my control. {Yeah, princess. This might be more efficient than teaming up with someone we do not know. And we’re on a time restraint, right? We cannot afford to stray from our path and let your brother do what he wants on the other side of the man. If you really want to help your Kingdom and your people, now’s the time to act. This is for the best.} I firmly answer. Chloe seems reluctant about it. But since she has said her word, the princess nods her head and answers, {I will always trust you. So far, your decisions have been impeccable, Kuro.} I’ve lost count of how many times I want to shake or nod my head, and this moment is also added to the list. {Chloe, that’s impossible. I’m just lucky. Honestly, all the
The Skulls and Bones Inn are different from the taverns that we have once visited or looked around. Although these pubs are meant for adventurers, the Skulls and Bones inn is meant for everyone. I had a feeling by the time Chloe steps her foot forward and inside the place, chaos will reign.Apparently, the opposite happens.By the time Chloe enters the building, we are immediately greeted by a little kid, a few years younger than Chloe. She wears a worn-out apron that is too big for her own size, and the youthful lass has her hair tied up like a bun, which is neater than any hairstyle known to my brain. A soft voice echoes in the distance. And when Chloe and I follow the origin of the sound, an adult woman meets Chloe’s eyes and waves in our direction.With an angelic voice, the motherly woman calls for her child, “Elizabeth! Guide these lovely guests to an empty seat and provide them with our menu.”“And welcome to the Skulls and Bones Inn. We’re currently helping the adventurer’s gu
“I cannot wait to feel a proper bed, Kuro! I do not know why, but that thought keeps me afloat!” Chloe keeps saying those words again and again as she gobbles up the meat straight into her mouth.As soon as we’ve eaten our meal, Evergreen hands Chloe the key to our room, and Elizabeth escorts us upstairs. Once we’re in front of our unit, Elizabeth utters, “If you need anything, come downstairs! My mother and I will help you!” and then she scutters back downstairs.Now that I’ve noticed it, Elizabeth… mentioned nothing about her father. It is as if he’s out of their existence. Even so, these two ladies are working really hard to survive in this world, where war and other conflicts clash against innocent lives. And the only people who can stop them are… the ones sitting from above.Chloe… is one of those people.Then again, there’s nothing we can do but wait. Little by little, Chloe will reach the Southern Kingdom where her castle is located. And before we can go there, the princess nee
Short and Bonus Flashback ChapterChloe’s Perspective… When she was still six years old.____________________“Mother, can you read us a bedtime story again?” I said, and twisted the magical lamp on. “My brother and I are not drowsy yet…”The window from the side made my entire room into nothingness. But the light emitting from the arcane torch was enough to illuminate the place. My brother, Flynn, who was right next to me, snuggled a soft but enormous pillow between his thighs.“Please, mother… Tell us the story,” seconded Flynn, as his eyes glistened like stars.“Okay, okay. You two win. But remember, we have a meeting with the Lonelight household, okay? Flynn and Chloe, I want you to wake up as early as possible for tomorrow’s event. Your father’s the king, and I’m the queen of the Winfort Kingdom. So being unkempt is not ideal.”“Yes, mother!” Flynn and I concurrently answered and glued our eyes to our mother’s presence.“Once upon a time, there was a little boy who ran away from
The night has ended in a flash, and the morning sun rises to the sky. Although Chloe has slept with a heavy heart, she finally wakes up feeling anew. Her grey eye bags were no more. And the princess’ hands cease to shiver than ever before.As for me... haven’t slept a wink. Well, I am a gun, after all, so I don’t need any sleep or rest. It’s a surprise that I’m still functioning at a peak condition with no sleep or digesting food at all. For some, it’s a dream. But for me… I kinda miss the taste of sour food touching my tongue or the fact that I’m sleeping like a baby, without thinking of anything at all. A human mind can take limited things at a time, but mine operates twenty-four-seven without breaks.So this time… tonight, I closed my eyes and woke up like a new bud… similar to Chloe.“Wakey, wakey, princess! Rise and shine! There’s a brand new world out there ready to…”I am staring out the window, looking at the villagers starting their day. A few families are already marching to