14 humans and beastmen have become your followers
Total follower count updated. Total followers of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]: 10177
“Aaaaand, healed up!” I gave Chahayat a thumbs up as he was slowly checking his body for wounds. His face was filled with carapace and scales, making it a bit hard to figure out his expression but I could tell he was surprised… or maybe he really was a man of little words outside of battle.
“Thank you very much for the healing.” He gave me a small nod.
I smiled, relieved he wasn’t holding a grudge after I literally threw a miniature sun at him. “No problem. Although, I don’t think I can help repair your armor. Sorry about that.”
The merfolk shook his head, turning his head over to a small table next to his bed. Grabbing the azure gemstone around the size of my palm, he drew my attention to it. “This is the important piece. Good catalysts are hard to get. I have stores of materials for new armor and weapons, but not this. This is unique.”
There was a small crack in his magic stone, probably caused after the diver tank it was embedded in melted from my fire spell. Catalysts were easy to repair, from what I remembered when Ellaine’s mother fixed up Tasianna’s. As an apology, I decided to have Tasianna do it for free for him.
Since she was standing next to me, I simply asked her if that was possible. She nodded. “I could use the practice.”
After my explosive ending to my match, I gave the audience some quick fan service by hyping myself up before I immediately left the match for the infirmary. There, I saw the priests and alchemist tending to Chahayat, whose armor had melted right into his skin. Honestly, I warned him I would grill him up if he was an enemy, but I still did it anyway after he cleared up the misunderstanding!
Since the infirmary people already knew who I was, they allowed me to handle the rest of the treatment. After removing the molten metal, I healed up his second-degree burns. His armor and the gelatinous water protected him quite a bit. Still, since the arena wouldn’t kick you out unless you either surrendered or had your Health lowered below the threshold, it seemed he was cooked for a while until he lost.
Seeing as the infirmary was low-staffed, as it was only the bracket stage now, I took this chance to sit down and talk with Chahayat. I wouldn’t be bothering anybody.
“Honestly, first and foremost, I really have no idea about the pirate and maritime situation of Yeos, or anywhere, really. So, if I sounded a bit cold in the heat of the moment, then it was because of my ignorance of everything.” The first thing I wanted to do was to possibly make-up, in case I actually offended him for rejecting his proposal. “You surprised me.”
“Hrm.” The merfolk nodded. “I saw your training on the island, and then the Empress creating that small ice island.”
“… So you figured you had no chance, so you made that proposal?”
“I wouldn’t know before I tried. Anything can happen during a fight, and I might catch you off-guard. Many competent fighters have died in the seas, too overconfident of their abilities against a seafin in the middle of the ocean.” But the tone of his voice changed a bit at the end, switching from his confident aloofness to a more reserved manner. “However, I couldn’t think of a way to fight against the firepower you showed during the battle royale and your first bracket match. I wasn’t confident enough.”
I understood him. With [Dragon Fire] and my [Magmakammer], it would be impossible for him to trap me in a ball of water, like Tehmrayn did. I could even use lightning attacks to protect myself if he tried to come closer, like an electric eel. I had too many tools to counter his tactics and was also strong enough to brute force my war through walls.
“Still, even so, wasn’t it a bit rude, Sir Chahayat? Goddess Plesia is also the goddess of honor, and from what I heard, you disrespected the match by trying to influence my lady,” Tasianna chimed in, looking displeased as she brought up religion.
Unnerved, he clutched his half-melted amulet to Plesia. “I admit, I have acted too rashly… I have dishonored my title as a Tide Watcher. I apologize.”
“Enough.” Before it got too awkward, I had to stop both of them. “We can talk about vows or honor, or whatever at a different time. It’s clear your personal reason was enough for you to act differently. That warrants talking. I can’t fulfill everything you wanted, but I can at least help you make compromises.”
“Then, I must thank you. There have been— Uhm, must you go somewhere?” Chahayat stopped talking, looking confused when I stood up.
“Like I said, I can’t do anything. I have no idea what is going on in Yeos or its seas. So, it means I have to bring somebody here who knows it better and who can also make a change if needed. Tasianna, you made an appointment with one of those attendants, right? How many did you make?”
“Two, my lady.” Tasianna then pulled out a wooden slate and a charcoal pen, using them to read out some appointments she had made for me. “Duke Alberstien, and an attendant from the royal family. They didn’t specify Prince Markval or Princess Anasthasia, but I still decided to accept their invitation, just in case. We had eight other nobles wishing to greet you, but I rejected them using Duke Alberstien as the excuse.”
“Smart.” I smiled with Tasianna, who was smirking at being praised. “When?”
“Duke Alberstien wishes to meet you after the third match of today, and the royal attendant told us it would be good during the long break after the fourth match,” Tasianna informed me before going down a few more meetings. “There are also business ventures, mostly to increase their prestige with people seeing you in their products. I have agreed to two clothiers, one armorer, and also a meeting with a Caedhulen merchant fleet. Ship, right now, though. The former two are after the matches, and the Caedhulens after tomorrow.”
Clothing? I should bring Neill then.
“Brilliant, thank you, Tasianna!” I gave a thumbs-up to Chahayat, who frowned a bit, looking evermore confused at the situation. “Then, let’s go to the noble section, right now.”
“Of course!” Tasianna bowed and the two of us excused ourselves from Chahayat, telling him we would return in a moment. “Oh, and please, don’t forget that we have a meeting with King Drangleic and Lady Maverina tomorrow.”
“Mave—? Oh, don’t tell me it’s finally done!” I clapped my hands as we exited the infirmary, already understanding why she would call us. “Haha, I knew it was smart to bring the destroyed dungeon core to her! If we’re already mage guild associates, we might as well use our connections!”
Dungeon cores were extremely valuable commodities due to the scarcity of even shards on the market, not only ‘cause you had to destroy a dungeon — which by itself could bring towns and cities great wealth — but also how rare those very dungeons were in the first place. However, we were lucky. We had a “dud” dungeon that had to be destroyed, and that was the one Reajaen accidentally created.
And that dungeon core was ours after we had to destroy it for a Divine Quest, and that meant we could finally avoid the most annoying thing about grinding:
Changing Jobs.
“Yes!” I shook my fist, excitement filling my body. “Tasianna, when we visit Maverina, I’ll have to order you some actual documenting tools! Mana pen, a diptych or whatever they use to document stuff, alright? Hahaha, we can finally use all the money we’ve been building up! I really feel like going on a spending spree!”
The rich girl in me was talking right now! I wanted to spend money!
“Lady Hestia, please, don’t forget that Lady Maverina did warn you how expensive a crystal is,” Tasianna warned me, but I simply ignored it.
“Ahhh, as if it would cost us a limb or two. We got enough money from all the Sarlenzia company activities Amelia has been doing in our stead, and not to mention the restaurant Svena and Cou— I mean, Arcanuess Helvas, has been operating for us while Tamae is gone!” I stayed optimistic, thinking of all our various money sources. “I guess it slowed down a bit, since you haven’t worked on the garden in a loooong time. Rita, still wants to visit it, ahahaha.”
“Lady Hestia, don’t forget how there is a tax to lend [Crystals of the Divine System] to recuperate the cost for making them,” Tasianna warned me, but I still smiled through it, causing her to sigh. “In any case, speaking about mage’s guild, we haven’t registered ourselves in the local one for over two weeks now.”
“…” I stood still for a moment, remembering what happened in Griffonpeak and how Maverina fleeced money from us for not telling the mage’s guild we were in the city. I remembered to do it in Estralia, but kinda forgot about it after reuniting with Master. “… Let’s just deal with this first.”
I was a terrible mage, to Aleistunum standards, honestly. I would rather not invoke my princess status in such a mundane case, but if they fine Tasianna and me some exorbitant amount like Maverina did, I probably would have to.
In any case, to enter the noble reserved area of the audience, we had to use an entirely different entrance. The knights stationed there instantly recognized us, however, just to be sure, they asked us for our IDs, which I happily obliged them with before they allowed me to enter. With the number of nobles and royals in the audience, it would be best to make sure I was real Hestia.
As you would expect for a noble-reserved area, they didn’t skim on the decorations. A brilliant white-gold carpet probably made from wool was placed over a fairnite staircase. Mana lamps illuminated the tunnel leading up, with chiseled wooden handles making it easy for ladies in long dresses to go up.
At the end of the staircase, a massive frame decorated the exit, from which I could see numerous nobles seated. The moment I went through it, I instantly felt the effects of a weather-controller. The temperature was properly maintained like an AC, probably to make it comfortable for the nobles. The arena was a dungeon, but you could still feel the heat coming from the summer sun from outside.
“D-Dear, look! It’s the dragon princess…”
“The one His Majesty even vouched for… I-Is she here for an audience with him? Look proper, we can’t embarrass ourselves.”
“Feels like trying to prop ourselves wouldn’t be good. Why should a dragon care for a baron house…”
Commotion, well, it became a bit louder after I arrived in the audience seats. I could hear the announcer promoting the next match, mostly drowning out most noises inside here. Consequently, it helped people have some privacy when they talked with the people next to time, although my hearing was good enough to pick things up.
Seeing as my appearance was a total surprise, I curtsied to everybody. “May your wellspring of life be ever filled with joy on this fine WaterDay. It is an honor to be permitted in this place with all your fine lords and ladies. I shall only take but a modicum of your attention, so please, excuse my presence.”
“““…!””” People were flabbergasted, shocked to hear me act so politely. As Saori said, manners impressed people.
Seeing as none of them said anything, I didn’t really know how to take their silence. Well, at least they were gossiping right now. As such, I turned my head up the audience seat, smiling as I saw Anasthasia. I walked up carefully, acting very much like a refined noble with every step. My time with House Helvas had helped me perfect my stride and royal image.
Anasthasia, Jethro, and Duke Alberstien all sat in the same area, only four threads below where the Prince Markval and the other princes of the Divide are seated. I wasn’t here for them, but to follow decorum, I had to greet them first.
“May the Goddess ever bless you with bountiful light, banishing the shadows in your path. Dragon Princess Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor of Kargryx, may our meeting on this auspicious day be blessed by the Goddess and God Yeostar.” I curtsied. “Prince Markval, I am here to make sure the attendant you sent came from you.”
It was an excuse, but it sounded better than what I actually came here for.
“Attendant?” However, the prince seemed confused. Was he not the one who wanted me to meet them?
“I did, Imperial Princess.” Unexpectedly, the one who sent the attendant was actually his mother, the princess regent. With eyes that didn’t show much emotion, she continued, “As your guest givers, it would be prudent for us to introduce you to the other members of the Divide’s roundtable. Also, I would like to talk to you about something.”
Urgh… that look.
The princess regent already looked slightly disturbing during our initial meeting, but now that she was talking to me and acting like a regent, it kinda unnerved me. She still had this tired, almost somber look. She didn’t even smile when she talked with me, looking unengaged, as if she didn’t care about anything else but her son.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Yeostar’s explanation didn’t exclude her potentially conspiring with demonkins, but if she had, he would probably know by looking through her eyes. Then again, if she wasn’t regularly praying to Yeostar, then a god’s connection to a mortal might be severed. A god’s strength and influence was dependent on their followers, which was why Kramps needed me to kick his “shameful descendant’s” butts.
In any case, Markval’s mother took the time to introduce the other princes to me, prompting them to give their introductions. I pushed their names in the back of my mind for later, but I did make sure to remember the countries they came from, just for future reference or so.
Outside of Yeos in the southeast, which bordered Aleistunum to the east, the other principalities were Joyulia, the largest principality of the group to the north of Yeos, Weimasha, the most western nation, and Briamland and Veignneight sandwiched between the other former three. Whereas Joyulia and Weimasha both bordered Aureolis, the latter two were north of the Kingdom of Rakatheen.
Not like it mattered much, but I guess this could be useful to know when I have to deal with geopolitics. Urgh.
“The meeting is still later, but if you would, we could make it now,” Markval’s mother offered, buuuuuuuut, I would rather not.
I kept up my smile. “I apologize, but our meeting will have to start later as agreed upon. Now, if you would excuse me.”
I didn’t even look at what her expression was. If I could avoid it, I would rather not have to deal with nobles like a noble. So, to make sure I didn’t have to, I had to make this quick.
“Ah, Duke Alberstien, I will also talk with you later,” I quick greeted the duke before going pass him like I did the regent, before stopping at Princess Anasthasia.
“P-Princess Hestia?” The refined, perfect image of what a princess actually should look like, stared at me slightly confused but tried her best to hide it.
“I need your help on something. Do you have time, right now?” I was blunt about it.
“H-Help? Well, I am free right now, but—”
“Fantastic!” I gestured for her to come with me. “Then, let’s be on our way!”
Seeing me reach my hand out for her, the princess turned slightly red and darted her eyes around, probably to all the nobles focusing on us. Flustered, but not to the point she couldn’t think, she nodded and stood up from her seat and followed next to me with her lady-in-waiting and two knights following behind us.
Tasianna and I then led them to the infirmary, causing Anasthasia and her group to be confused. She stated she thought I would at least bring her to the noble-reserved infirmary. Apparently, since a few of the contestants were of noble births, the arena had a place reserved for nobles alone. More caste systems, huh?
“Regardless, Lady Hestia, I am sure you understand you just made a rather, uhm, brash display of whom you favor, correct?” The princess brought up as we were about to reach the infirmary.
“Of course, I know. I’m not dull on these matters,” I stated, unfazed. “Instead of currying favor with the princess regent and the other Divide princes, I decided it would be best to spend my time with you, the only child left of the first wife of the previous ruling prince. Mhm, court drama… how annoying.”
“That is… certainly blunt.” She shook her head, disapproving of what I did. “Undermining the regent isn’t smart. I might not be able to inherit any titles, but I am still the child of my father’s first wife. The regent knows her son is heir apparent to the throne due to his gender, but she’s been paranoid with everybody ever since father died. I don’t want to create an even deeper rift between us.”
“Considering the social standing of female nobles in this country, I really don’t see how your stepmother should be paranoid of you, but then again, I don’t know her enough.” I sighed. “Then again, as long as your half-brother doesn’t hate you, you should be pretty safe. I mean, he even accepted the proposal for my concert. It shouldn’t be problematic.”
“I shall pray that God Yeostar can grant him that wisdom…”
Once we arrived at the infirmary, Anasthasia had her knights and lady-in-waiting wait outside. Initially, they protested for her safety, but she simply told them off there was no better bodyguard than me. “An imperial dragon princess hurting me would be like a giant stepping on an ant,” she argued, which seemed to have persuaded them, although reluctantly.
The infirmary’s staff also exited the room, seeing their princess here with me made them believe we were having an important meeting. Once they were outside, Tasianna cast an [Air Shield] around the entrance.
“They are my stepmother’s spies,” she told me after it was done, making me understand why she left them outside. “I must say, isn’t that your opponent from a moment ago? Now I am worried you are feeding me to a shark.”
Chahayat acknowledged her presence with a nod, while the princess herself seemed apprehensive of him, most likely from his appearance. Reminding her how she called me her bodyguard, I reassured her nothing would happen. Letting out a sigh, she joined us next to his bed.
Quickly introducing both of them, I gave Anasthasia a quick summary of why I brought her here. Chahayat also chimed in, trying to make her understand why he joined this tournament in the first place, as he never showed an inkling to do so before.
“A few seafins have recently migrated over to the nearby islands off the coast of Elyonda. They’ve asked me to protect them, which is why I decided to join the tournament,” he began. “However, like every time the festival is held or if your navy journeys forth to another war, pirates appear around these islands. Always new fools, even if they know I’m in the area. I can sink two or three ships at once, but too many is suicide”
“… Well, the pirate problem isn’t foreign to me. They don’t attack large merchant vessels or military ships, making them small nuisances, really.” Anasthasia grimaced, seemingly understanding what he was implying. “If you are asking for help, I cannot say we can afford it. Our navy was also terribly damaged by the war two years ago. We don’t have the personnel to spare to catch pirates, when we have to other problems.”
However, Anasthasia’s answer only seemed to anger the merfolk, causing him to shake his head vigorously. “Princess of Yeos, I don’t believe you understand the significance of what I am saying. I have been hunting pirates off your shores for nearly 25 years now. Patrolling the Seaknight’s Gulf, I have fought and sunk many pirates to their watery graves. Not only humans, but also my fellow seafins, those idiotic enough to abandon the Depth Goddess’s teachings for banditry! God Melicertha, curse their bones.”
The merfolk clenched his fist before realizing he was losing his temper. After caressing his amulet of Plesia, he managed to calm down.
He continued, “As you know, ships made with Caedhulen technology and blueprints are far faster than human vessels. We don’t need to worry about drowning and we have access to swim bladders made from [Cloudtrapper Sunfish]es. What takes a human vessel ten bells from Elyonda to Port Salzwieder, it only takes three for a merfiend-pulled djong or bladshar.”
“Uhm, context?” I asked, prompting Anasthasia to explain.
“The sea off the coast of Yeos is called the Seaknight’s gulf after God Yeostar’s triumph over Karhalenteel, and it connects us to the closest large Empire port city — Port Salzwieder. It is as Sir Chahayat said, nothing beats a Caedhulen ship in speed. Even their merchant ships — called bladshars as they use the swim bladders of merfiends or sea serpents — can beat an imperial scouting ship.”
“Hold on, even with the cargo?” I wondered. If true, then that would be insane.
However, as I expected, there were more nuances to that answer. “It depends on the ship type, but the smaller ones like the ones docked at the port right now, can do it even with a full cargo room. Then again, it was rare for a medium or fully armored merchant vessel to appear anywhere close to a human port. For example, a small bladshar could reach Artorias’s Port Annencia in one or two days, depending on the winds. Three days if they are filled.”
I flinched back from that information. “T-Three days?! Are you kidding me? The river ship we used estimated it would take two weeks to arrive from Estralia to Elyonda!”
“The tourist ships used by Estralia are meant to be larger, but slower, just so they can accommodate more people on them. Not to mention, you cannot just sail directly to your goal but have to follow where Gleislane flows. If you had boarded a cargo ship, you would have made it to Elyonda in five days.”
That’s still two days less! What the hell! I should have chosen the ocean route!
I remembered Adhi explaining how only smaller merchant and transport ships needed to dock, as the larger ones could live off the sea and oceans since their crewmembers all could live underwater. This meant, they didn’t have to trade with humans and deal with their officials, and could just trade amongst themselves and underwater tribes.
“Lady Hestia, don’t misunderstand. It is with a Caedhulen ship, not a human one. It would take six days for a merchant ship from Annencia to reach our docks.”
“And this is why the pirates are a problem.” Chahayat accentuated after Anasthasia’s explanation. “No pirate is dumb enough to target Caedhulen ships exclusively, in fact, the slower, more larger, human ships seem more enticing, no? Before the establishment of that underwater tribe, I told them I could handle the local pirates, but after they learned of how Yeos was defeated due to their involvement in the Empire-demonkin war, even more optimistic fools appeared.”
“…” Anasthasia looked shocked, her eyes widened at what Chahayat said. “I-I have heard from reports how there have been more activities in the sea lately. I… I have heard about your exploits, Sir Chahayat, I just didn’t know you did this as a calling. I thought you only a mercenary.”
“A Tide Watcher is a peacekeeper and provider of justice in the name of the Depth Goddess. We bring down criminals, so it is correct to call me a bounty hunter, even a sellsword,” Chahayat corrected her.
“ But… still, 25 years. I have read reports about you, but 25 years? And none of them ever mentioned showing you any honor! From what you described, a Tide Watcher should be something similar to a Knight’s Order, correct? If so, then as God Yeostar’s descendants, we from House Caimlace, have shown you great disrespect, Sir.”
“I do not seek renown. My intention is to bring peace to the seas, and to prevent sailors from being hurt by common pirates.”
“But that is exactly—!”
“It means our principality needs to begin reforms, Sister.”
Anasthasia yelped as she snapped her head around, only to see her young brother inside the room, accompanied by Sir Alistar. I had noticed the two arriving, and it seemed Tasianna thought it was good to allow them in. I was too engrossed in the fact of how fast Caedhulen ships were, to tell Anasthasia about it.
“Sir Chahayat, as the future ruling prince of the Principality of Yeos, I must express my sincere apologies to how the royal family has treated you.” The young prince showed an incredibly mature side of himself just now, bowing slightly to the injured merfolk. The kid was around the age of an elementary student, but he just did an amazing apology.
“M-Markval?! When did you arrive?” Anasthasia looked at him in surprise.
“Just a moment ago, after you were done explaining ships to Princess Hestia. I am sorry, I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop…” But in the next moment, the young prince’s mature facade broke down immediately as he pouted, looking guilty for potentially insulting his bigger sister.
“N-No, you don’t have to… I was under the impression you were in the audience, with the other Divide princes… Is Step-Mother here?” she asked meekly, only for Alistar to shake his head.
“His Majesty had to go to the restroom. I accompanied him… and we happened to walk through this area, where we noticed you, your Highness.” Alistar’s tone suggested the last part was more-or-less a lie, making me believe the prince had planned to follow us.
“But, that is not the point, Sister. What is important is that Sir Chahayat needs to be shown proper recognition by us! It is absurd how Father or Uncle Jethro hadn’t given him any commendations!”
“Your Majesty, many mercenaries and hunters do work without any praises, outside of their rewards. Many do good work expunging bandits and monsters alike. Some are hired by nobles. However, it is in their line of work to not expect fame outside of their guild’s ranking system.” Compared to the more emotional young prince, Alistar gave a more realistic view of things.
“However, we are a knight’s country, we should—” Markval wanted to argue against his knight, but seeing as Chahayat looked rather annoyed by how this talk had deviated, I decided I had to intervene.
“Excuse me, Prince Markval, but while I greatly admire how you wish to show your appreciation for somebody’s hard work, I believe we are going away from the important fact of this discussion,” I stated, plain and bluntly, causing the young prince to cower a bit from being scolded.
That was a bit too easy? No resistance?
“Your appearance is a surprise, but it is a good one. The problem is the pirates and their growing numbers,” I brought everybody's attention back to the subject at hand. “Chahayat, from what you explained, the pirate situation is getting more severe. To the point you can’t handle them anymore.”
“Correct. There is an established trade route between Elyonda and Saltzwieder. Ever time the festival is held, traffic of merchants increases” Chahayat further added. “Usually, there would be patrols from the Empire and Yeos to protect their merchants from pirates and merfiends, or at least, adventurers. This hasn’t happened for this year’s festival, and the number of pirates appearing has gotten worse!”
“Then, wouldn’t the Empire try to send out more soldiers to protect those ships, then?” I questioned, but Anasthasia shook her head.
“ ‘Is Yeos worth it,’ is what they would ask themselves. There are plenty of trading partners with a harbor and routes they have to protect. Port Salzwieder cannot focus on all of them. Merchants would then assess what is more financially viable: sea or land travel. If it is land, then Aleistunum would be a better trading partner. We have tradable commodities, but not enough to entice even foolhardy traders.”
Oh boy, and that means less trade when those merchants decide they don’t want to get attacked by pirates. Which leads back to Yeos’s money problems. Oh boy.
“And if those merchants disappear, then the seafin pirates will focus on the next available prey: the newly-built tribe,” Chahayat continued, making me understand something about this.
“And your seascales like trading amongst each other. With this being the only seascale tribe nearby, that means any potential large Caedhulen merchant vessels wouldn’t appear. The islands nearby are also a perfect docking place.”
“Ah! I didn’t think of that!” Anasthasia blurted out. “Oh no… No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Any chance to expand our available trading partners would die out.”
“Then we really need to send out ships to help!” Markval interjected, causing his sister to just shake her head in frustration.
“No, Markval, we can’t afford it! Duke Alberstien and Uncle Jethro are already demanding a lot of our funds to build up our military might, not to mention, we need soldiers to continue patrolling our land itself. Not to mention, we don’t have a strong enough navy to combat pirates each day. We will need to hire mercenaries, and they can ask exorbitant amounts because they know we are desperate!”
Hmm, this discussion is going anywhere. Anasthasia and Markval don’t have a way to handle this. Seems like they are checkmated.
“In that case, let me handle things.” I stood up, drawing everybody’s attention to me.
“Lady Hestia? … How?” Anasthasia’s tensed face subsided when I smiled.
“Lady Amelia Greenveil.”
“Lady Amelia?! B-But, they left after we had that discussion of your concert. How are you supposed to discuss with them? Not to mention, how would they help us?”
“I have my ways, don’t worry. Don’t forget, I am a dragon and I can fly!” I explained it as vaguely as possible, trying not to divulge my [Room] just yet. “However, Chahayat is right. Things have to change. Prince Markval, I didn’t have much time to talk with, and this is our first meeting together, but I hoped you received my message during our first meeting.”
“O-Oh, yes, I have! God Yeostar had given me wisdom, even if it was just a morsel. I thank you very much for all your help!” the young prince announced, looking a bit nervous.
“Good, good, nice! Oh, and don’t forget to come to my concert this LightDay, alright? You two wanted it, so you have to come!” I grinned at both of them.
“Of course, Lady Hestia. Thank you very much,” Anasthasia bowed, while her brother simply nodded his head, looking a bit shy. “I think I would like to stay here for a bit longer to speak with Chahayat. Sir Alistar, please, bring my brother back to his seat before the princess regent becomes suspicious.”
With that solved for now, I decided it was the time to return to my seat. During our trip back, Tasianna asked me if my plan to help out had anything to do with speaking with King Drangleic, to which I just laughed it off. Speaking with Chahayat and Anasthasia was pretty insightful.
In any case, once we made it back to the audience seat, I expected Arlond’s match — one of the people I formed an alliance with during the rumble match — to have already started. Eager to see what that womanizer could do, I went over to my seat with full anticipation!
… Only to hear the announcer suddenly say something I didn’t expect to hear.
“Well, those things happen sometimes, people. We sometimes attract some pretty petty people. May God Yeostar smite whoever murdered him. During a festival, even!” Tasianna and I stood in place as we heard that weird statement by the announcer. “However, don’t worry, the next match is already ready. The two contestants are both waiting in the waiting room, so no more dilly-dally.”
What?!
The general mood was low, with only a few people complaining and cheering in an otherwise disengaged audience. Weirded out by this mood, I asked one of the people in the audience what had happened.
“Huh? Didn’t you hear, m’lady? The match ain’t happening cause that Arl—, or whatever, died in some alleyway. Soldiers found him.”
Died?