CHAPTER 41.
If someone hits you in the back of the head, strike them in the face instead.
[Mandatory Quest: Companion]
You’re about to embark on your journey for the Proof of the Hero! But no hero’s tale is complete without a loyal companion to share in trials and glory! Try registering Klaus Winster as your companion!
▶ Reward: +1000 EXP
“Registering Klaus as my companion is a quest?”
— Don’t worry! Since you already have a master-servant bond, there’s a 0% chance of failure!
“Well, as you should. Do you know how hard I worked to recruit Klaus as an ally?”
As I grumbled, Pia continued her explanation.
— Each time you complete a main scenario, one companion slot will be unlocked. Once registered, companions can share quests, EXP, and various effects!
I half-listened to Pia while checking myself in the mirror.
Unlike usual, I wasn’t wearing a dress. Instead, I wore a short red jacket and high-waisted white trousers that rose above my waist, with the sword my mother gave me hanging at my side.
Today was the day I would finally leave the Azester Empire for the Proof of the Hero.
Thanks to the inventory system, I had only minimal luggage.
The maids, unaware that I had stuffed everything I needed into my inventory, looked on with teary eyes, saying things like, “Oh no, how can our Princess have so little luggage?”
When it was time, Ancelot naturally came to escort me.
“I’m here to take you, Princess. It’s an honor to be your escort.”
“Thank you.”
When I daintily placed my hand on his, the maids squealed and followed behind.
“Please take care, Princess!”
“Twist the neck of that dragon!”
“If the neck’s too tough, twist the tail at least!”
Leaving behind the dramatic farewells of my maids—who acted as though I were off on a casual walk—I headed toward the imperial palace with Ancelot.
Pia perched proudly on my left shoulder, chirping away.
“Did you hear that, Princess? Twist the dragon’s neck!”
Ancelot chuckled and whispered playfully.
“You didn’t find that funny?”
“No. Not even a little.”
Far from funny, the thought of facing the fearsome dragon made me queasy.
“I wonder if I’ll really be able to defeat the dragon and return safely.”
I knew there was no turning back now, but the anxiety lingered.
“Don’t worry. Even if your wrists are slender, you can probably at least twist the dragon’s toes.”
Ancelot smiled wryly and tugged my hand.
Chirp! Chirp!
— Don’t worry, Lady Lulu! I, Pia, will serve you with all my heart and twist that dragon’s neck right along with you!
Pia beat her chest with her wings.
Ancelot gave her a sidelong glance and muttered, “Let’s just hope the bird doesn’t become a dragon snack.”
Before long, we reached the hallway leading to the audience chamber in the imperial palace.
In front of the throne room stood Klaus, waiting for me.
He now carried a new golden shield on his back, replacing the one that had been broken in the other dimension.
The golden shield, engraved with the Azester crest, was a royal treasure my mother had bestowed upon him for saving me.
Chirp!
— Princess, now’s the time! The quest!
Ignoring Pia’s urgency, I walked up to Klaus.
“Hello, Sir Klaus.”
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”
Klaus bowed formally.
I looked at him with a proud expression.
‘My level is higher than Klaus’s now.’
I had secretly thought that since I was the player, I should naturally have the higher level.
Until recently, I had been a lower level than Klaus, but after receiving the priest’s blessing, I was now level 29.
Klaus, on the other hand, was level 20! …Wait, no. He was now level 25.
‘Huh? His companion level went up already?’
Well, I guess it wouldn’t make sense for Klaus to stay at level 20 when we’re going to fight a dragon together.
It seemed that as the scenario progressed, the levels of surrounding characters increased as well.
‘Still, I’m higher.’
As I approached Klaus, a blue screen popped up.
- Register as companion
- Give a gift
I selected option 1.
Without any control over my mouth, I suddenly spoke aloud:
“Sir Klaus. Let me ask you again. Will you journey with me for the Proof of the Hero?”
“If it is my liege’s command, I will gladly go anywhere.”
[SYSTEM] has been registered as a companion.
[Mandatory Quest: Companion] completed!
[SYSTEM] Quest success!
[SYSTEM] You gained 1000 EXP.
The moment the quest completed, Klaus’s name display now included his companion level:
Shield of Light < Lv.35 Klaus Winster >
‘…What? Why is he higher than me?’
I blinked in disbelief and then noticed the phrase: Blessed Status.
— Once registered as a companion, quests, EXP, and various effects can be shared!
Pia’s earlier words flashed through my mind.
‘Ah. The priest’s blessing.’
It seemed the effects of the blessing I received were now shared with Klaus once he was registered as my companion.
Somehow, I felt… disappointed.
“……”
“Your Highness…?”
Klaus noticed my sullen expression and spoke gently.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go greet Her Majesty.”
Well, I guess having a stronger Klaus benefits me too.
As I followed the attendant into the audience chamber, I pushed aside my pointless pride.
Inside, my mother sat high upon the imperial throne and welcomed us.
“Is it time for you to depart?”
She scanned our appearances before calling me by name.
“Luibel Azester.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I stepped forward.
Mother spoke solemnly.
“Never forget that you are of Azester.”
“I will not bring shame to the Azester name.”
Pleased by my answer, the corners of her lips lifted.
“To prove the prophecy, you must first meet the Pope.”
She gestured to the attendant standing behind her.
“When you meet that bastard, give him this.”
The attendant stepped forward and handed me something.
I flinched.
Not only from her harsh words, but also because…
‘Isn’t this thing cursed?’
It was a suspicious box, stained with dark crimson blotches and inscribed with ominous text.
[SYSTEM] New Quest Available!
[Side Quest: Imperial Errand]
Emperor Kristin Joanna Azester has entrusted you with a critical task. Deliver this suspicious, cursed-looking box to the Pope.
▶ Reward for success: (Unknown)
Delivering a cursed box to the Pope is a critical task?
And why is the reward unknown again?
Please don’t let the reward be “the Pope’s wrath” or something…
“…Understood, Your Majesty.”
I accepted the box from the attendant, trying to suppress my unease.
“Fufufu.”
Mother’s eyes sparkled ominously as she stared at the box.
There was a glint of madness in her gaze.
I quickly looked away and stepped back.
“Klaus Winster. You now have a grave responsibility.”
Mother now addressed Klaus.
“You are the shield of Azester. Protect the Third Princess Luibel well.”
“I swear upon my life and honor, I shall protect her.”
After formally addressing Klaus, Mother turned to Ancelot.
“And you, Prince Ancelot of Luenhart.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ancelot stepped forward with a gentle smile.
“You’re joining the journey as well?”
“Wherever Princess Luibel is, that is where I belong.”
At his words, Mother showed a curious expression.
“Ensure no harm comes to Luibel.”
“Of course. If anyone harms the Princess, I’ll kill them. So please don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
Despite his bright smile, his words left Mother briefly speechless.
She eventually spoke slowly.
“Most knights vow their lives for a lady. Like Sir Klaus.”
“Then I shall offer my heart instead. What use is a life she wouldn’t even want?”
At Ancelot’s scoff, Klaus looked mildly irritated, but held back out of respect for the Empress.
“Hahaha!”
Mother suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
“How amusing, Prince Ancelot of Luenhart. Then let me ask—”
She eyed him sharply.
“If you were the one to harm Luibel… would you take your own life?”
“It saddens me that my sincerity toward Her Highness is being questioned. But rest assured, such a thing will never happen.”
Ancelot feigned a sorrowful expression and answered smoothly.
Anyone watching would think we were a pair of star-crossed lovers.
“Good. Then both of you may leave.”
After Ancelot and Klaus exited the chamber, it was just me and my mother.
I wondered why I was left behind alone when—
“Luibel.”
She called my name softly and stood up.
“What I said before was as the Empress of Azester to a hero of the Empire. But what I say now is as your mother.”
She stepped down and stood before me.
Standing face to face like this made me feel nervous and shy. I avoided her eyes when—
Pat—
A warm hand gently patted my head.
“Don’t get hurt, Luibel.”
Huh?
“Don’t fall ill, Luibel.”
I suddenly remembered her worried voice from when I had a fever as a child.
A soft, warm voice I thought was either a dream or fever-induced illusion.
The one sliver of kindness that had helped me endure in the vast, indifferent palace—maybe it hadn’t been just a dream after all.
“Take care of yourself and come back safely.”
“Yes!”
I nodded enthusiastically.
“And one more thing. As your mother, let me give you some advice.”
She smiled gently.
“You’re an adult now. Whoever you choose to be with is your decision. But know that every choice comes with responsibility.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Clearly, she was referring to Ancelot and me.
Even though there wasn’t really anything going on between us…
“And if that man ever stabs you in the back… strike him in the face.”
Mother smiled sweetly as she said those words, with a tinge of emotion in her tone.
“…What?”
I blinked in disbelief.
Did she really just say that?
“I never told you about your father, did I?”
But any confusion I had was swept away by what she said next.
“…I have a father?”
The moment I asked, I realized how obvious the question was.
“Of course. You didn’t fall from the sky. You have a father.”
“Do you… remember him?”
I swallowed nervously.
People always whispered that my father was some lowborn man from a one-night affair.
So I had thought perhaps Mother didn’t even remember him.
“Of course. I remember him very well.”
Her next words shattered that assumption.
“So well, in fact, I’ll never be able to forget him for the rest of my life.”
“……!”
My ears perked up instinctively.
As I waited eagerly, she curled her lips in a graceful smirk.
“Because your father was the most irredeemable piece of trash in existence.”
