“Haxks,” Professor Bayley said, gesturing toward the girl with coral pink hair and jade green eyes. “Allow me to introduce you to Lumielle Arabel Celeste Ainsworth—she is the princess of Lunarel.”

  Daisuke’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise before narrowing, a blend of caution and disdain flickering in his gaze. Following the i with Reginald, he couldn’t help but harbor a deep-seated aversion toward dignitaries.

  I suppose that clears up Thalia’s awkward behavior. “What could the esteemed princess of the Arium kingdom possibly want with me?” he asked bitterly, refusing to either kneel or bow, particurly to someone eared only two years his senior.

  Both the Guildmaster and the professor frowned disapprovingly, but before they could voice their distent with Daisuke’s disrespectful demeanor, the princess raised her hand to silehem.

  “The kingdom has let tless atrocities slip through its fingers over the years that it’s only natural that we would earn the s of the people.”

  To everyone’s astonishment, the princess stood up and bowed deeply, a gesture of humility. “This is why I am in dire need of your help,” she fessed.

  Daisuke raised a single eyebrow quizzically. “My help?”

  Lumielle lifted her gaze, her eyes carrying the tranquility of a gentle breeze through a distant forest. “That’s right,” she firmed. “Acc to the Guildmaster, there are two separate occasions where you’ve entered and crippled the Mhaledictus.”

  Two occasions? Daisuke thought inwardly, instinctively shifting his gaze toward the man. How did he…? As he been spying on me all this time? What’s his deal?

  “Given ye, your achievements are nothing short of extraordinary,” the princess tinued. “Your prowess in espionage and bat is evident. With your expertise and the intelligence you’ve gathered on the Mhaledictus, you would be a great help.”

  Daisuke’s frown deepened, clearly disliking the idea of being a civil servant. “What exactly are y to achieve, and why should I be ied?”

  Lumielle’s expression turned grave. “The Mhaledictus has infiltrated the capital and is already entreng itself within the aristocracy.”

  Daisuke’s eyes widened in arm.

  “My goal is to rally as many of the nobles as possible and purge the evil that has infiltrated my home,” she decred, her jade green eyes now a tempest where it had once been a gentle breeze.

  “The Mhaledictus will iably learn of your as and use the ey of the kingdom’s power to eliminate you. Before that happens, wouldn’t it be wise for us to gather a formidable ford unch a preemptive strike?”

  At the girl’s warning, Daisuke recalled all the threats he’d received about the Mhaledictus’s wrath. He wasn’t na?ve enough to take that lightly. While he could attempt to run and hide if things got dangerous, the same couldn’t be said for April and the others.

  If the Mhaledictus were anything like loan sharks, they would undoubtedly target his loved ones if they couldn’t get to him. And if the Guildmaster could spy on him, what was stopping the Mhaledictus from doing the same until he unwittingly led them baridge Vilge?

  This partnership might just be my best shot at finally getting revenge against those bastards ond for all. With the kingdom’s vast resources behind us, I’m fident we could pull it off… at least, I hope so.

  “Okay, fine.”

  Everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

  “But first, there’s something I o take care of first,” Daisuke added, his tone firm yet respectful.

  The princess smoothed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her expression thoughtful as she sidered the request. “While I prefer to act swiftly before the Mhaledictus solidify their hold on the gover more than they have already, I uand this is sudden for you. Very well.”

  “It’s settled then,” Daisuke affirmed coolly, striding purposefully toward the door.

  “It’s crucial that we maintain the secrecy of our partnership and your identity,” Lumielle emphasized, unraveling a crimson ribbon from her hair. “Every day at noon for an hour, one of my attendants will be stationed in the guild’s library on the sed floor. Look for her wearing this ribbon. Whisper the phrase ‘cutie patootie’ to her, and she’ll provide further instrus.”

  Daisuke grimaced. “Please tell me that’s just an example phrase.”

  The princess cleared her throat, a blush staining her cheeks. “I happen to find that phrase rather charming.”

  Daisuke sighed, ping the bridge of his nose in mild exasperation.

  “Please be careful,” Lumielle advised in a hushed tone, as though wary of being overheard by unseen ears. “Rumors are already beginning to circute.”

  “Rumors?” Daisuke furrowed his brow.

  “The Mhaledictus thugs are a on sight in Wonderelle, terrorizing the streets with their extortion and intimidation tactics,” Professor Bayley eborated. “Their absence hasn’t gone unnoticed by the citizens.”

  “The few thugs who were absent have returned and are now actively searg for clues,” cautiohe Guildmaster. “Stay vigint.”

  Daisuke pushed the door open. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  ***

  Daisuke’s mouth fell open. Shock had been a stant theme for him over the past week, but this time, he didn’t mind sihe reason ositive.

  The sprawling butchery featured rows of tables showg hundreds of immacute cuts of monstro, hides, and other materials, creating an ambiance remi of aic exhibition.

  “It took some time,” Cleave announced with a proud grin as he approached the able, “but we mao finish everything in just a day and a half. While we were w, several of ur ts noticed the monsters, especially the rarer ones, and made offers to purchase both their meat and materials.

  I’ve piled notes paring offers from the guild, as well as from local and traveling merts, for each item. All you o do is choose who to sell to. Additionally, I have reendations for items that might be better suited for f into equipment at the bcksmith.”

  Daisuke stroked his thoughtfully. It’s refreshing to see that greed and capitalism hasn’t run rampant in this world yet. Still, I’m surprised Cleave is willing to potentially disadvahe guild by listing petitors’ prices. Mmm… to establish good retions with all the merts, I should probably distribute the sales fairly.

  After an hour of fending off unpleasant fshbacks triggered by the monster materials, Daisuke meticulously sorted through them. He carefully decided what to sell and to whom, what to keep, and what to set aside for the fe. Finally, his task was plete.

  “Ahh~”

  Wallet- let out a heated sigh and stru entig pose, her lips parting in a sultry manner as she licked them. Daisuke had to shield his eyes from the dazzling rays emanating from her less-than-PG-friendly form. With flushed cheeks, she squeezed her thighs and tossed her flowing hair, causing her chest to sway in an dangerously seductive way. But instead of the expected “boing,” Daisuke heard the sound of s king as the acquired gold filled his iory.

  DING!

  [103,569 gold has been acquired.]

  [Cheetaigen Mana Core has been acquired.]

  [Phantoomian Wolf Mana Core has been acquired.]

  […]

  […]

  …204,566 gold, Daisuke murmured to himself, astonished. And that doesn’t even include the pounds of mana crystals and mana cores I collected.

  [Mana Crystals (66lb, 15oz)]

  [Fluardian Mana Cores (15lb, 4oz)]

  [Dungeon Boss Mana Cores (0)]

  I hought I’d see the day… not in this lifetime, he thought with a heavy heart, torn that this wealth hadn’t e sooner. Just several months ago, I was rummaging through trash aing scraps. I begged for work and saved every I could… but I couldn’t save her in time.

  But Brek and the others are still alive. Despite everything that’s happened between us, I’d feel terrible if I could help them and chose to walk away. Like Reeza, they were simply trying to survive and look out for each other.

  “Thanks again, Cleave,” Daisuke said, scratg his cheek with a rueful smile. “I feel bad having you do all that work.”

  The maed his hands on his hips, tilted his head back, aed into ughter. When his hand smmed down on Daisuke’s shoulder, it felt like being struck by a piece of lumber.

  Daisuke’s eyes briefly lingered on the man’s hand before meeting his jovial gaze. I suddenly don’t feel as sorry as before…

  “There’s o feel that way,” Cleave reassured with a wide grin, his grip akin to sandpaper. “I love what I do, and you were generous enough to sell us many rare materials.

  I haven’t had Venomscale monstron in a while,” he gushed excitedly. “The meat has small traces of psychedelic properties in it, so the boys and I are going to have a field day tonight. When you have it along with Etherberry wine—mmhmm!” he hugged himself with glee.

  “Gee, sounds fun,” Daisuke smiled awkwardly.

  “We’re going to reserve aire wing of the brothel tonight,” he raved, his expression brimming with anticipation. “You should join us! And if you’re lucky,” he leaned in to whisper, “Thalia might agree to e along. What do you say?” He nudged with his massive elbow. “She’s a fine gyal!”

  “Thanks,” Daisuke stepped away, allowing the man’s goril-like arm to fall from his shoulder. “But I’ve got pns.”

  “Pns?” the man excimed in disbelief. “What could be more important than Venomscale, wine, and women? You really are no fun,” Cleave murmured with the petunce of a disappointed child.

  Daisuke sighed.

  Vaughn_RR_Seider