Chapter 455: D168. Beyond the Clouds
Life in the upper society is not always smooth sailing, even for daughters of the nobility, not all possess great professional strength.
Although most symbolically take on the role of Mage or Magician, only a few truly dedicate themselves to master their craft to the utmost.
Everyone knows the strength and value of Extraordinary Charm, but not everyone has the talent or the will to cultivate it.
Even the so-called “effortless” Magicians need to pay a hefty price and need luck at critical moments to awaken steadily, something that money and status cannot compensate for.
Therefore, to display their beauty and compete with others, external support is indispensable.
As a patient with Magic Dissociation, the Fourteenth Princess is doomed never to use magic or awaken to a profession.
Despite possessing nearly extraordinary Charm inherent from her Royal Family lineage, she is a person entirely devoid of magic.
For this reason, as a spokesperson for the Royal Family, she needs to meticulously maintain her appearance and present herself with proper and elegant demeanor at all times in order not to tarnish the royal prestige.
Even in a place tantamount to her own home in the Count Mansion, she does not allow herself to become too relaxed.
This is both a duty and a personal standard she has set for herself.
As a Princess who is neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts, she might be seen as a mere decorative figure, but she refuses to be treated as a fragile item locked away, rather wishing to demonstrate her own worth under the gaze of the masses.
As long as she finds the right role, even someone with her innate deficiencies can make a valuable contribution.
However, when she sees the carefree and untroubled demeanor of the Hero, she can’t help but feel a pang of envy.
The Hero seems never to worry about her appearance, standing out effortlessly like the sun.
“But everyone has their own troubles,” she mused, her gaze softening as she watched the Hero, who was distractedly eating breakfast across the table.
Ever since the Hero determined the location to visit on the way to the Capital yesterday, her demeanor has been somewhat absent-minded. Talking with her grandfather until late at night, even skipping meals made this unfocused state even worse.
Though she possesses great strength at a young age and doesn’t have to worry about her appearance and conduct as I do, knowing the Hero’s power stems mostly from revenge born out of life-and-death struggles indicates her past was not easy.
With this in mind, the Fourteenth Princess spoke with concern, “Hero, no need to rush today, why not relax in the city?”
1. Together♛
2. Just simple
D2=d2(1)=1
“Although we have confirmed the general route, detailed planning still requires some time, why don’t we stroll around the streets together,” the Fourteenth Princess suggested.
“After all, a long journey lies ahead, so we might as well enjoy ourselves before we depart,” she said, her tone light, a soft smile playing on her lips. “My attendants have also been busy with various reports recently; it would be a good opportunity to give them a break.”
The Hero lifted her head to look at the Fourteenth Princess, blinking.
Though not having much interaction with these attendants, the Hero knew that beside the Fourteenth Princess, apart from the Third Ascension Legendary Demon Hunter as the bodyguard, there was a sizable attendant team.
This team not only takes care of the Princess’s daily life but also shares many of her domestic duties when traveling.
After all, the Fourteenth Princess’s movement within the Kingdom is essentially a Knight Patrol.
While she may not demonstrate justice through martial force as a real Knight might, her presence as a representative of the Royal Family is an embodiment of the Capital’s ruling center.
The Princess’s visits to various local nobles can serve as a potential warning and reminder, reinforcing the presence of royal authority.
To meet these responsibilities, a relatively professional team proficient in etiquette, administration, and intelligence processing is necessary.
Given recent frequent events on the Border, the Fourteenth Princess and her team have actually been quite busy behind the scenes, unseen by the Hero.
While these matters of State seem close at hand, to the Hero they are quite distant. However, the Fourteenth Princess’s suggestion was quite appealing, so without further thought, the Hero nodded and readily agreed.
Seeing that her departure from the Border was imminent, it was a good opportunity for the Hero to take care of some nearly forgotten matters and say farewell to acquaintances—
[Where should I go to say goodbye first?]
1. Church
2. Healer Association
3. Weapon Store♛
4. Barracks
5.1
6.2
7.3
8.4
9. Dungeon
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
D10=d10(7)=7
And so, under the mild winter sun, the newly-appointed Military Merit Duke Hero from the Border walked shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom’s Fourteenth Princess on the streets.
Their steps were relaxed and natural; not far behind, an Elemental Spirit of the Fantasy Species and a Legendary Hunter followed discreetly, ensuring their safety without disturbing the precious downtime of the young ladies.
Soon, the duo arrived at an ordinary Weapon Store.
The Hero pushed open the door, the bell chiming crisply, the air filled with the intermingled scent of metal and wood, and behind the counter stood a shopkeeper, whose figure was beginning to round out with age.
The Fourteenth Princess looked around with interest, her gaze periodically sweeping over the common weapons displayed at the store entrance, while the Hero approached the shopkeeper somewhat shyly, managing an embarrassed smile.