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The third day of Yuliana and Hanna’s inspection of the kingdom began with leaving Treia early in the morning to head toward the forest southwest of the city. Beside that, they also went around to several caves and such, striking up conversations with adventurers in the middle of their respective quests. By the time they returned back to their inn in Treia, night had already fallen.
Yuliana sat at the edge of her bed and loosened her neck. A long sigh escaped from her lips. (Once again, night has come......) Her mood dropped like a ton of bricks.
At the moment, Sharlo was washing off his sweat in the shower, still completely oblivious. If he came out wearing only his underwear like he did yesterday, then she was going to punch him with her bare knuckles. Even if he thought that she was a “guy,” there was still a certain degree of etiquette that needed to be maintained.
(That man, isn’t he acting more and more familiar with me day by day? Though it’s a fact that he’s been disrespectful from the very start, but still......) Yuliana was aware that she was also partly responsible for his softening attitude.
Though he was haughty and cheeky, he was very diligent when it came to work, such that she couldn’t help but to praise him for it every once in a while. Before setting off, he would research their intended inspection location beforehand, so that he could provide detailed commentary when they arrived. He also was very thorough in arranging for things they needed, such as the carriage and horses. Yuliana aside, he made every effort to ensure that Hanna would never be inconvenienced in any way.
(He really is working enough to merit the reward amount...... he is, but......) Although her first impression of him was the absolute worst, her running evaluation of him was gradually going up. The fact that he really was this country’s prince and yet did not stand in a position of being served upon by anyone was worth big points in her book. His speech and attitude were both less than commendable, but could it be that he was actually a serious and kind young man?
“Ahhh, whatever!” Yuliana shook her head as if to rid herself of unnecessary thoughts. Why did she have to fret about Sharlo anyway?
Changing gears, she brought to mind the places she had inspected today. What had been most astonishing to her was the Keroriga breeding grounds located within the southwestern forest.
Magic beasts from a tropical habitat were being bred in this land.
Although the technical side of things was also quite impressive, what surprised her most was the ideology behind the enterprise.
(It was almost the complete opposite of Father’s.) Even if it fell short of actual domestication, the stance of using magic beasts for peaceful means left a deep impression on her.
In contrast, the empire was relying on mind control to exploit magic beasts for military means. What was more, it was being carried out with zero consideration for the danger it posed toward ordinary citizens. If those magic beasts ever got out of control, that would mean devastation to the degree of one or two entire cities being leveled to the ground.
(Just what is Father seeking that he would go to such means......?) No matter how many times she asked him, no answer was forthcoming.
Her voice could not reach him. Nobody’s voice could reach him.
There was no other option left but to meet his force with another force. Ironically, that was the exact same thing that her father was pushing for.
Just when Yuliana was groaning and clenching her fists so hard they hurt—
“Phew~ I’m all refreshed!” Yuliana shot a glare toward the person who sounded like he hadn’t a care in the world. It was Sharlo, who was in his pajamas. He had just stepped out of the attached bathroom.
“Why are you sitting on the bed? Today is my turn to use it.” Sharlo jumped onto the bed as if to bounce her off of it. The simple bed frame raised a very loud creak of protest. “You also get showered and sleep already. Tomorrow is an early day again.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I shower in the morning?”
“I’m just saying, it’s more annoying if you putter around before daybreak.”
“Wha—?! You knave, you were awake?!”
“Mm, I’m a light sleeper.”
“D-D-D-D-D-Did you see?!”
“See what?”
“M-M-M-Me being n-naked...... how shameless!”
“The hell you saying? Like I would get excited seeing another guy’s naked body.”
Yuliana came to a start and recovered her cool. “S-So that means you didn’t see anything, right?”
“It’s a pain to open my eyes in the morning. Just let me sleep up to the very last minute.”
“I’ll do my best. I promise to not make any noise at all.”
“No, what I’m saying is, showering in the morn—”
“Get off it and go to sleep already!” Her menacing look was so overwhelming that Sharlo decided to not say anything more. He just silently lay prostrate on the bed.
Yuliana sighed heavily once again—
BOOM! A distance away, the sound of a collision could be heard. Right after that, a scream rang out.
“What’s that?” asked Sharlo as he quickly sat up.
“I’ll go check.” Yuliana buckled her sword onto her belt, then opened the door that led to Hanna’s room.
Splat. As soon as the door turned in, Hanna fell flat on her face.
“This is not what it looks like, I was not eavesdropping or anything like that......” Her eyes were swimming around like crazy, but there was no time to question her.
“Hanna, you stay here.” While immediately regretting having unconsciously taken a commanding tone with Hanna, Yuliana proceeded toward the entrance of the room. Slowly, she opened the door, then poked her head out to check the hallway. At that moment—
Whoosh.
Something flew past with incredible speed. Despite having withdrawn her head just in time, Yuliana had seen what that “something” was, and she shivered for it.
“Grrrrrr......” A dog-like magic beast with black fur, sharp claws, and crooked fangs was crouching at the far end of the hallway.
“Hell... hound......” As Yuliana stood there petrified, the large black silhouette leaped toward her—