Volume 2 Chapter 7 (2/2)

[Princess Lutra, Why were you in that sort of situation? Honestly, right now I am unsure of how I am supposed to think about you.] (Youya)

Lutra began to recall, placing her hands on her chin.

[If it’s Uncle Youya then it should be fine. To make it simple, I was set up by my elder brother. For the succession of the Laluzulu Kingdom, when there are multiple candidates, the successor is chosen in a tournament and since we are a kingdom of knights. Gender doesn’t matter and I am a participant. He probably wanted to get rid of me.] (Princess Lutra)

I have heard about that story before.

The kingdom of knights Laluzulu. Although it can’t be be noticed in Greenwood, it’s name could easily be proven fact.

[I had to visit Rumberg for an event and decided to drop by Greenwood on my way home. Since it was the Magic egg season, I decided to try my luck while raising my level in the dungeon here and was recommended by the knights to head to the Forest of God Trees to raise my level. It was then when the Starfish Larvae appeared. When I was hiding behind a God Tree, the knight, Emily thrust me into its path in tears, apologising as I was eaten by the Starfish Larvae.] (Princess Lutra)

The capable looking Princess Lutra began to mumble. It seems that rather than hatred and anger, she felt more sympathy towards the knight Emily.

[Based on his reaction, that knight was probably being blackmailed by your siblings.] (Youya)

[I agree. My mother was a mere commoner so among all the candidates, I have the weakest standing. If my siblings decided to use their power, not just that knight but many other knights will have no choice but to obey them. I was surprised by the Starfish Larvae’s stomach. It was complete dark and I couldn’t see anything, and tried to move around to find the exit. That was when I was captured by a monster and tried my best to escape, however I found myself being poisoned and unable to move. Eventually I lost consciousness and when I came to, I found myself here.] (Princess Lutra)

I was surprised by her explanation. So was Luna and Til. Even though she was caught off guard by the labyrinth, she was still capable of calming searching the labyrinth for an exit without losing her cool. Being capable of moving around without any light source and surviving attacks from monsters and traps for an entire day in completely darkness, that isn’t possible without strength and a mind made of steel.

[The main problem has yet to come.] (Youya)

[That’s right. Since the knight was most likely being blackmailed with something, if I return to the castle then just like before my life will be targeted. Until I can solve the problem, everyone in the castle is my enemy.] (Princess Lutra)

I would like to help Lutra, however her situation is currently not something I can solve. There is nothing else I can do.

[At this rate, my siblings will be notified of my death for sure. The current situation is a definite chance for me. Above all, I hope that my siblings will think that they accomplished their mission so that I can make full use of this chance.] (Princess Lutra)

[This situation is a chance.. That is an impressive amount courage you have there.] (Youya)

Princess Lutra’s knight is going to report that she was eaten by the Starfish Larvae. Since she was most likely dead, there isn’t any reason for them to investigate her death.

[Because of how I was eaten, there will be almost no doubt that I am currently dead. However I won’t be able to return to the castle until the right time. Fortunately, the tournament between the princes and princesses has already been confirmed to take place on the third week of the water moon. Until then, I’ll like to remain dead and return to the castle just before the tournament.] (Princess Lutra)

[That is a good decision. There is nothing safer than being dead right now. Is it still possible for you to enter the tournament once the battle has already been decided?] (Youya)

Her decision making was decisive and her courage is second to none. This wouldn’t be possible for a princess if she was merely pampered throughout her life. It seems that she has been through a lot in the castle.

[Uncle Youya, I have a request to ask of you. Could you let me join your party until the battle for succession takes place? I have to become stronger before the battle starts. It can’t be done on my own. It is possible only if I rely on my reliable Uncle Youya.] (Princess Lutra)

Her words were definitely the truth. Although she was capable enough to aim for the exit inside the labyrinth, she wasn’t able to exit on her own. It is still impossible for ordinary adventurers.

[Princess Lutra. Personally I want to help, but I’m sure you understand the risks involved for us if we invite you to the party. What about you? What can you offer for us that can convince us to help you.] (Youya)

It may seem harsh, but this is expected of an adventurer. If I was alone, I wouldn’t hesitate to offer my help. However, there is also Luna and Til. I can’t be selfish enough to drag them into this mess on my own selfishness. This is also for Princess Lutra’s sake. You can’t expect someone whom you just reunited with after a decade to help you in a complicated battle against an entire kingdom since you won’t know how much the person has changed in that time.

[I am capable enough to offer my strength to the party. I have the exclusive class that is only available to the royals as well as my swordsmanship that was honed in the capital through tutoring by the knights in the castle. To raise my levels I have also entered countless dungeons with the knights, I am confident in both my mental strength,critical thinking as well as physical capabilities. A Crusader that is capable of being both a healer and a shield for the party. Isn’t that the class that is most suitable for your party right now?] (Princess Lutra)

The Holy Knight class Crusader. It was another exclusive class that is only available to NPCs during an event in the game era, to the royal family of the Laluzulu Kingdom. In other words, it was the occupation of the founder of Laluzulu Kingdom, Princess Lutra’s ancestor. Crusaders had their attack power reduced in exchange for the ability to cast recovery magic. Currently, I was serving both as the party’s tank and the melee damage dealer. If we had a dedicated tank in the party, I would be able to focus on offense and our hunts would also become much easier. Our problem of being unable to defend ourselves against ranged and magic attacks will also solved. Furthermore, Crusaders were capable of using the recovery magic Heal. They were all important problems in our party that we lacked.

[Sounds enticing however it isn’t a must for our healer to be a crusader. It is also possible for us to find a monk to cover up my healing needs. Our party’s shortcomings can indeed be covered up by having you in our party, but I do not see how that is worth the risk of turning the entire Laluzulu Kingdom into our enemies. Finding a simple monk would also suffice.] (Youya)

[When I gain the right to succeed the throne, a reward will also be prepared for you. Not only that, I will appoint you as a special knight of the Laluzulu kingdom, with the appropriate emblem to indicate so.] (Princess Lutra)

An official emblem of knighthood. There isn’t any adventurer who doesn’t understand what that signifies. It is the act of being bestowed a rare sword of which only five exists in the world.

[You sure about that? I will not elect to stay in the castle even if I am designated to be a sworn knight.] (Youya)

[Of course it is. In the first place, you said it yourself ten years ago. That you would be my personal knight even if you are far away, you will definitely come to my rescue, just like what happened today. If that wasn’t the case, then a miracle wouldn’t had happen just like today. I beg you, you are the only knight that I have.] (Princess Lutra)

She stared directly into my eyes, remembering not just my face but also the promise we made back then. I’ve always been weak to strong women. I had to honor my promises.

[If you bring up my promise just like this, there is no way that I can refuse can I? Fine, we’ll accept you into our party, however I won’t be treating you as Princess Lutra, but rather a fellow adventurer Lutra. Be warned that I’m a harsh teacher.] (Youya)

[I wouldn’t expect anything less from the “weakest undefeated knight” that won the tournament with an inadequate status, defeating countless swordsmen just from your own skill. The world isn’t kind enough to people that they won’t have to suffer. Especially because of my circumstances, I have to become stronger.] (Princess Lutra)

Those were two traumas that I wanted to leave behind, just leave it behind please!

In the long history of adventurers, ten years ago there was a party that cleared impossible quests one after another, a party made of the strongest in their respective classes. However, because of that I was somehow given two nicknames and that was one of them. As expected of a world entirely driven by a chuunibyou naming sense. Luna who was behind me had eyes that were shining brightly while repeatedly muttering “Weakest undefeatable swordsman”.

Ugh, I can feel my mental wound opening up. It hurts

[Anyways, please take care of us from now on. We will be in each others’ care Princess.. No. Adventurer Lutra.] (Youya)

[Thank you, likewise please look after me from now on as just Lutra.] (Lutra)

We firmly shook hands. I was beginning to give up looking for another party member at greenwood, however it is a blessing that we managed to obtain another friend into our party like this. Furthermore, it was another Exclusive class “Crusader”. As usual my luck is growing right after meeting Luna. A reunion with Phil, meeting Til and now having a Crusader who is Lutra joining my party.

Is this really just a coincidence? I have a feeling that somehow there was an otherworldly power working behind the scenes.

[Now then, since the difficult things have been settled and the princess is awake now. Let’s go out and have a feast! The princess will be coming along with us!] (Til)

[Uhn. Seconded. Luna is hungry too.] (Luna)

Luna and Til gave out a cheerful voice, blowing away the tense and heavy atmosphere. They are right though. There’s no point worrying about something that is out of our control. For now let’s celebrate the welcome of a new member.