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The prince's retinue wasn't too far away, but that didn't mean they were doing well.

When Pele and I arrived, most of them were covered in webs by the Arachnoids---the intelligent monster race from one of the dungeon gates that I've spared. I had encountered them a few months ago when they attempted to invade my claim of the territory. To their dismay, I annihilated most of them and even imprisoned the Spider King. In conclusion, I hijacked their dungeon, and now the remaining Arachnoids sort of worked for me reluctantly by producing silk. So long as I didn't kill the dungeon boss, they would keep making silk forever.

While this sounded like slavery, I had no sympathy for them. These arachnoids were still monsters, and if given the opportunity, they will still kill people. That is the direct order that every monster from the dungeons must follow: eliminate this world's inhabitants. At least that's how the rule of the Dungeon Phenomena went.

Like right now, they're dragging the webbed up bodies across the earth, probably heading back to their home dungeon to feast on them.

Yeah. I better stop them.

> ○ Waves of Blood | Unleash a magical area of attack that inflicts multiple deep cuts upon enemies of your choosing within a 60-foot radius centered on a designated point.

In an instant, every arachnoid started screeching in pain as some invisible force left them deep cuts all over theirs bodies, avoiding the captured prey. Purple-colored blood oozed out of them and left a mess all over the grass, and the few humans that were still fighting for their lives. When the arachnoids recovered from the pain, they searched for the enemy responsible, but once their eyes landed on me, I could see them tremble slightly.

Good.

"Leave them." I commanded. It was never certain if they understood English or not, but at least they knew that when a much bigger monster wants their prey, they better give it up.

Reluctantly, a couple of them started dropping the web-weaved bodies of their prey. Although one tried to escape, the moment they did, Pele was already on it and tore it apart before burning it to ashes. I didn't have to do anything, but these arachnoids understood that even my pet was more powerful than they were. Then the arachnoids started leaving, scurrying out of there with their eight legged limbs, disappearing into the woods. Most likely retreating back into their dungeon home. So long as I was here, they could never truly have any claim of territory outside their gate.

My attention returned to the Prince's retinue. There were a total of eight of them; six were either webbed up, or slowly dying on the grass. The other two that remained standing, wearing flabbergasted faces, were still holding their weapons, now aiming their swords at me.

"Who are you!?" demanded the man, who appeared to be in his late 20s, as he raised his rapier at me. With a mere glance, I could tell that his rapier was imbued with magical power, synchronizing perfectly with his aura. Was it a bloodline weapon? Utilizing the [Master Appraisal], I confirmed that the weapon was indeed an ancestral heirloom—probably a cherished possession passed down through generations.

"Are you an adventurer?" questioned another man standing behind him. He had sable-brown hair and was clutching his left arm, which was bleeding.

Who were these people?

Thibault Montassard

Alias: "Duke of Montassard"

Age: 32-years-old

Rank: A-Class

Class: Bloodknight

Stats:

○ Vitality | 692

○ Agility | 476

○ Attack Power | 921

○ Defense Power | 276

○ Magic Power | 650

Special Ability:

○ Dhampir of Monsters

<< See more >>

Stuart Aviret

Alias: "Baron of Aviret"

Age: 36-years-old

Rank: C-Class

Class: Spore Hunter

Stats:

○ Vitality | 99

○ Agility | 125

○ Attack Power | 115

○ Defense Power | 76

○ Magic Power | 72

Special Ability:

○ Seeking Strikes

<< See more >>

Huh? I'm confused. Why are their stats unusually low compared to mine? I mean, I know I'm SS-class, but this Duke is an A-rank. Shouldn't it be over a thousand? Then what about S-rank stats? Don't tell me that I'm actually the weird one here. Nevermind, I'll think about that later. Right now, some of the wounded's hearts are slowing down now.

I held my hands out towards them and chanted a soft prayer as I cast the spell: [Heal].

A wide glowing glyph appeared beneath their feet, spreading outwards, and dusting them with sparkling light. In a matter of seconds, all their wounds closed up, and their color returned to their pale complexions. When it was over, the light disappeared, and the two men lowered their weapons as they looked over their bodies that had healed in seconds. They were in awe.

In one of the webbed-cocoons, a dagger burst right out and a red-headed lad climbed out of it, gasping for breath.

"Waahh! I thought I was going to die!" He exclaimed aloud as he hurried to escape the cocoon.

Fabien Brodeur

Alias: "3rd son of Count Brodeur", "Personal Knight of Prince Philip"

Age: 19-years-old

Rank: C-Class

Class: Fighter

Stats:

○ Vitality | 140

○ Agility | 88

○ Attack Power | 121

○ Defense Power | 121

○ Magic Power | 40

Special Ability:

○ Lucky Survivor

<< See more >>

"Don't ignore us!"

I snapped to attention when the Duke of Montassard addressed me and aimed his weapon at me again.

"Who are you...!?" He demanded. "Are you with the Empire...?!"

Empire?

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Pele grew to her size and started growling at the Duke, baring her sharp teeth at him as flames danced around her fluffy tails dangerously. Huh. Never thought I would ever put fluffy and dangerous in the same sentence.

The Duke stepped back a moment, getting into an offensive stance, and even the pensive Baron had reached to draw an arrow, but he was uncertain with attacking. I better deescalate the situation.

"Hold on there. I was sent here by your Prince Philip," I said. These people had to be his retinue considering one of them--Fabien Brodeur--holds the title of being the prince's personal knight. "If you're wondering about him, he's alive and well. I will take you to him now if you follow me."

The Duke and the Baron hesitate, unsure to believe it; however, the young knight, Fabien, came right up to me.

"Really? He's safe! Thank goodness! Please lead the way!" He said cheerily.

I smiled and glanced up at his status window again, noting the 'lucky survivor' as his special ability. Wow. An extraordinary individual has appeared.

> ○ Lucky Survivor | Unexplained circumstances, or extraordinary coincidences, will shift the user's odds of survival to favorable numbers when close to death's doorstep.

Ehh? could it be? Is this what brought Pele to the Prince, which inadvertently saved this guy and everyone else? That's insane! He's going to live a long life, isn't he?

As soon as the rest of their buddies were out of their web-cocoons, I started leading the way back to where I had left the prince alone with Lila. So far, Lila had reported no trouble to me, indicating that they were alone and safe for the time being. Additionally, the prince had taken the health potion that Lila had given him, so he was physically well.

We soon arrived at the small clearing where the ogre had attacked the prince, and sure enough, the two of them were there, waiting. Lila, the little purple slime, was seated on his lap, grown to the size of a lap dog, while Prince Philip carefully petted it.

The prince quickly noticed our arrival and rose to his feet with a look of disbelief.

"Fabien! Duke! Baron! Everyone!"

"Your Highness, you're safe!" Fabien cheered as he rushed to the prince, appearing close to tears. "Ohh! Thank the Gods, you're alright!"

"It's truly a miracle to find you safe and sound, Your Highness," Baron Aviret said. Just then, Lila left the prince's arms and bounced right over to me, shrinking to her preferred size and settling on my shoulder.

"I have Lady Connie here to thank for saving me, and yours, seeing that every one of you made it out," Philip said, smiling. "And not a single scratch. You have my deepest gratitude, Lady Connie, for rescuing my escorts and my retainers. As promised, I will reward you handsomely. Will you return with us to Devontae?"

I wondered what had happened. I had only been gone for fifteen minutes, but it seemed like the prince was no longer afraid of me, or even the least bit suspicious. Now he was inviting me to return with him to his kingdom. Although some of the prince's escorts weren't enthusiastic about the idea of me tagging along, I was ecstatic inside. Could it be? Would they show me the way out of these dark, dank woods? Will I finally be able to see civilizations again?

Despite my eagerness, I took one glance at all of them and knew we'd have to wait a day.

"Why don't we head back to my place first?" I suggested. "You all look like you could use some rest."

Although I had healed all their wounds, each and every one of them looked haggard and perhaps ready to drop if they were to continue their journey on foot in this dangerous forest. Most likely, they would end up fighting monsters again.

"Excuse me. You have residency here? In these woods?" Baron Aviret question in disbelief.

"Ah, well, it's a little complicating to explain," I said. "It's better if I show you."

Prince Phillip must have understood my intentions, because he nodded right away. "We'll kindly take up your generous offer. Please lead us the way."

Awe, how polite.

Looking around, I found a suitable tree that would transport us back to Coniston, my demiplane home. I walked up towards it and placed my hands on it, casting [Portal via Plants].

A green portal started to swirl open as it spread out, large enough to be 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Pele happily leaped back through the portal first, disappearing, causing the people behind me to gasp in surprise.

I turned to them and gestured to the portal. "Go on right ahead."

"Where are you taking us?" Duke Montassard demanded.

"To my residency, as I've said," I tried to assure him. "Look, if I wanted to hurt your prince, I could have done it already. You're A-rank, aren't you? You can tell how much power I have from just my aura, don't you?"

The Duke's shoulders tensed as I spoke the truth to him. Of course, he was on edge. He could feel it. He knew that from my aura alone, I was the strongest predator in these woods. That could explain why he kept being hostile towards me, despite the fact that I saved their lives. He probably couldn't help it. He was like a house cat trying to protect her kittens against a ferocious lion--meaning me.

I knew it. Being SS-rank meant I wouldn't be seen as human in their eyes anymore.

But that didn't mean I wouldn't keep trying. I'm trying to live the good life as Elheim said I should.

"Duke Montassard," Prince Phillip called to him and began to reason with him. "She obliterated the blue ogre that I encountered. If she had wanted me dead, or if she were from the empire, she wouldn't have intervened to save my life, nor fulfill my request to save yours. We should trust her in this."

The Duke seemed to be struggling to accept that as his hardened gaze never left me, but after a while, he caved in.

"Fine. I will go first," he exclaimed as he lowered his blade and started walking towards the portal.

I moved away from the portal, giving him some distance. While his attitude was rude, it was only because he was wary of me. Again, he probably could sense my aura and was completely shaken of my presence.

The Duke stopped at the portal then he stretched his hand out towards it. Through the green swirling light, his fingers disappeared. He kept it there, waiting for pain, and when nothing else happened, he took a breath and proceeded right through, disappearing. Prince Phillip was a little braver, or that he trusted me more than the Duke did, because he just walked right into it, disappearing as well.

"Wait for me!" Fabien called, hurrying after the prince's stride as he too walked through the portal.

Soon, the rest of them followed suit, one by one, until I stepped in last and closed the portal behind me.

= = =

> 🗹 Save and Protect the Innocent | 1/1 | 5/5 | 03/10

> → Repeated objective. Target goals will increase for each completion. Accrued number is based on individuals rescued.

> → Total: 9

>

> ★ Rewards ★

> ○ New item! Wicked Witch Carriage

> ○ New item! Pipe Fox egg

= = =

"What... What is this place?"

"Where even are we?"

I stepped right out the portal just in time to hear their awe-filled questions. They were standing there in the middle of Coniston plaza and just sixty-feet away was the witch's cottage hut. My home. It was at least 3-stories with four bedrooms in total. It's surrounded by trees of young sycamore and pines, but only a few in the front and most of them in the back of the house. Otherwise, the plaza was built on an open meadow field, overlooking valleys that didn't lead to anywhere. The mountains and far distance were merely illusions as the demiplane could only support 50 acres.

They all stood there wearing faces of disbelief, and I couldn't really imagine what they were thinking of. Is it their first time seeing a house or something? I sincerely doubt that. However, it made me feel like a real freak show.

But isn't this what I wanted?

Right now, it didn't matter what I wanted. I have guests! Guests! For the first time ever here in Coniston! I was ready to take the role of Lumiere and serve the soup do jour, hot hors d'oeuvres, and even the grey stuff!

However, we had one little issue in our hands.

"Wait," I called out and all nine snapped their attention to me. "Before any of you are welcomed inside, you all need a bath."

All at once, they slowly dipped their heads to look over themselves, and a couple of them even took a whiff of their armpits. Then, one of them with pointy ears just shrugged.

Men. Typical.

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