Chapter 49

Eva Lemuria

I left the dining room and went back to my own room. The first thing I did was grab the weapon I stole from the dwarven elite. I still think it looks like a fork, but I know what kind of power it has so I want to start carrying it with me as an alternative weapon. I sheath it at my hip and then I also grab my bag filled with monster cores that I have been saving up. Most are 4th their while a few are also 3rd tier. I think I might actually check and see if there's a request for a 2nd tier mission if there's no one at the 2nd tier at the adventures guild to test me. I think it will be good to get stronger now that I have healed. I then turn around so I can head out but I feel myself jump a little because behind me is Saras. She has stayed perfectly silent this entire time so I didn't notice. She looks a little confused at me and I feel annoyed.

“You should stay here while I go to the adventurers guild. Go clean something or I don't know.”

“I am supposed to go everywhere with you Princess. Even the adventures guild or a mission.” Saras

“Don't call me Princess. It sounds weird coming from you. You're a bigger princess than me. Why would you follow me to the adventures guild? You are no fighter and your strength only comes from your natural body constitution.”

“Princ… Eva, it’s my job to follow you now. I do not need you to protect me as I am simply going to follow you to ascertain your well being. If I have to be stronger to follow you then I will work on getting stronger while following behind you. I will become stronger so I may follow you on your adventures and maybe one day I may be able to help you as well.” Saras

“Why would I need or want you to fight with me? Do not think for one-second that I do not still loathe you and wish I could kill you where you stand. I have not killed you because Mother wants you to be my maid for some reason, but I believe you are useless. I do not need someone to take care of me. I can cook, bathe, and survive on my own. Anyone that would follow me would have to be strong both physically and mentally, but I feel as if you would never be able to willingly dye your hands in red, but since you insist I will show you hell. Here then take this and learn how to wield it. I will give you a chance. I will let you become stronger in your human form and then I will take you to kill. Not a beast but humans is what you will be killing so keep that in mind as you dream of following me.”

I begin unbelting the dwarven elites weapon I had just equipped. I had planned on using it as a secondary weapon, but hopefully, it will lead to Saras getting herself killed. I look at Saras as she bites her lips and then takes the weapon. I doubt she will be able to do anything really so I can probably dump her anytime I go on a mission. Without giving Saras a second glance I walk out of my room with just my halberd, dagger, and Munin on my shoulder.

I leave the castle and make my way towards the adventurers guild. It has been a long time since I have walked around the capital. The only difference is I am out in the open now and not hiding who I am. I even tied my family crest onto my hip. People look at me with fear and confusion because they simply can't understand who I am. It seems most people have truly forgotten that I am the eldest princes of this kingdom. Its funny how quickly they have forgotten me, but most talk about how lovely Lora and Anne are. They also speak of how courageous George is and how he will make a great king in the future. I agree with them except he will have to get over his obsession of defeating me. I don't want to be conceited, but George will not beat me anytime soon with my rising strength.

Eventually, I reach the adventures guild and enter. As per usual everyone looks at me to see who came in. I notice some look very confused, but some members mostly females look at my halberd and their eyes go wide. I ignore them as I walk straight up to the desk and notice that the receptionist looks familiar. I remember now that she is the receptionist that I was friendly with when I was younger, Susan. She studies me up and down as if she's not sure until she sees the crest I tied to my hip.

“Princess! You are back. It has been so many years that you have been gone. We were worried about you since you were basically the leading figure of the woman here.” Susan

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Susan’s excitement seems to have overcome her reasoning and she basically screamed my identity to everyone here. I can already hear the murmuring around me and even the woman all quickly realized that I was the female who signed up a couple of years ago. Now that I look at the woman around they all look stronger and more independent. They used to follow the men like slaves but now they seem so much stronger and independent. I will admit I was not adventuring so my actions would lead to a female adventure revolution, but I am happy about it. I look at the men and see some woman still with them, but the men are a lot less arrogant looking now.

“Hah, Susan you aren't supposed to call me that. Remember? Well, whatever it doesn't matter much anymore. Also, I don't know what you're talking about. I have been adventuring for my own reasons and kept myself hidden for obvious reasons. If I gave others courage then that's good, but my purpose wasn't to help others. Now I came to check in, turn in some mana hearts, and request a test for a tier advancement. I want to test for a 2nd tier rank so please arrange that.”

“I understand Miss Eva. I will process the mana hearts and then I will have to go speak with the guild manager to arrange the test. Someone that can give you that high of a test is not easy to come by. I will take care of all the paperwork for you, but in the meantime, you can take a request and turn it in tomorrow if you like.” Susan

“No thanks. I will be heading home for today since there's nothing else to do. I need to test my strength before I take higher ranked request. I thought of testing myself on a 2nd tier beast, but I think a safer option would be better for now. I will come back tomorrow for the news.”

After that, I left Susan to do the work and began to make my way out of the adventures guild. I noticed that some of the female adventures stood up while watching me. They looked confused and as if they wanted to say something to me, but I kept walking towards the door. I left the guild and stood outside as I contemplated what to do next. I decided I would simply wander the markets because I simply don't want to go back home yet. So I started to walk around the capitals markets looking for anything of interest but all I found was a nice looking bottle of whiskey that I will drink later. The difference between my father and I is that I won't save a bottle in a collection.

While walking around I noticed that I was being followed and I instantly went alert but tried not to show it. I kept moving through the city in random directions. No matter where I went or what speed I walked my follower stuck at the same distance. Eventually, I entered a dark alley and walked to the end. I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall of the dead end and waited for my pursuer. After a while, a figure completely covered in a black cloak walked slowly into the alleyway looking around. I did not attack immediately because they don't have an ominous feeling coming off them and I don't sense any ill intent, but I do not let my guard down. Finally, they reach several steps away from me and then stops before they take down their hood and I get a good look at their face. The second I looked at them I felt shocked. There are brown cat ears on top of her head that matches her brown hair. Her ears are also a little torn up. I look into her eyes and see a very weird look that seems almost like worship and some other weird emotions mixed in. She then bows to me before speaking.

“Princess Eva I am sorry for my rudeness in following you. I am here to represent the Kaiser Kingdom. My name is Summer and I don't have a last name to give you. We know your circumstances so we would like to invite you to the Kaiser Kingdom so we can help you. The research on mana mutants has advanced a lot recently and we believe we can help you. I am proof that our methods work because I am still alive and sane. You may not remember me, but you saved my life when we were children. You didn't even know who I was and you didn't care that I was a mana mutant, but you still pushed me out of the way of a runaway horse. Your mana heart forcefully awakened after that so I have felt guilty about it since. So please let us help you.” Summer

I stare in shock at the girl that has appeared before me and I think back to that day all those years ago. It was the day that can be considered to have been one of the worst days for me. My mana heart was forcefully awakened, I almost died, and my own brother began to fear and hate me. I guess it can all lead back to this girl who now seems to worship me as her savior. Her eyes are basically glued to me and are practically glowing with anticipation.

“I think you are mistaken on a few things. First is that I am not a mana mutant no matter what I look like. I am something else entirely, but that is not information you need to know. Second is that even if I was a mana mutant I would rather just die than live with a false hope without my family. The third is I was a naive little girl who didn't even know what a mana mutant was when I saved you. If I knew what I know now I would not risk myself like how I did before to save you. I will also not follow some stranger to another kingdom for some strange reason. In case you haven't noticed the world is falling into chaos and I need to stay here to protect my family. You should go back to your kingdom and tell them that if they want something from me they should accept my father's invitation. If you don't need anything else I will leave now.”

I do not look at her any longer because she just brings up bad memories for me. I turn around and pull out my flask to take a drink before I begin to make my way back to the castle. I will have to tell father about her and the Kaiser Kingdom. They seem to have made big advancement in mana mutant research since that girl is still alive. I had almost completely forgotten about her. She was just a beggar with lifeless eyes as she wandered into the busy road. Now she has grown up and her eyes seem to have become lively and also have a touch of worship when she looks at me. She actually makes me feel a little uncomfortable especially since I can still feel her intense gaze on me as I walk away. I quickly leave the alleyway and turn the corner of another before I shift and fly straight back to the castle. Hopefully, I won't run into her again tomorrow when I go to my tier test.