Chapter 9

"Welcome, Prince Jinklett."

I was led to a separate room in the guild, where a silver-haired gentleman, claiming to be the guild master, greeted me with a bow, his body lowered and his head bowed.

Ah, I know this. It's the etiquette for royalty and high nobility. It's a simplified version, but you're not supposed to raise your head until given permission.

But why is the gentleman in such a posture? Who is Prince Jinklett? In this room, there are only us, Jin, Barry, and the old man... Hmm? Prince Jinklett?

"Here, such formalities are unnecessary, Bist. Speak normally."

Jin said this with a displeased look. At his words, the gentleman raised his head. He had a cool and mature appearance, the kind who would look good in a butler's uniform.

"It's been a long time, Your Highness. I'm glad to see you in good health. Lord Barry and Lord Zain also look well."

The smiling gentleman was nodded at by Barry and the old man. It seems they all know each other.

I was on guard and cautiously moved closer to Kiri. I checked the door I had entered through, making sure I could escape if needed. It's a bit far. If something happens, I'll break the window behind the gentleman and escape. I'll hug Kiri and use wind magic to help us...

Suddenly, I was picked up by Jin, who had turned around. He hugged me tightly and stroked my head.

"Shina, it's okay, it's okay. There's nothing to be afraid of. Please don't think about running away. I didn't lie to you. I just didn't see the need to mention being royalty. So please don't be so on guard."

Despite his scruffy beard, he rubbed his cheek against mine. My hair was all messy from being stroked so much. Stop it, it tickles.

"No way! Let me go! I hate you!"

Royalty is a nightmare! I'll never go back to that exploitative life! I'll definitely run away!

I struggled as much as I could. I want to live happily with Kiri from now on. I want to eat delicious meals, have snacks, and buy new clothes! I'm not a saint anymore! I've served others for five years, so I want to live for myself a little.

I realized I was crying and struggling. Jin's grip was too strong, and I couldn't escape at all. No way!

"Jin. Please let Shina go."

Kiri said this in a calm voice. It was cold and clearly angry, probably because I was crying.

Jin looked at me and Kiri, sighed, and gently let me go. I ran to Kiri.

"Kiri!"

Kiri held me. Oh, I don't want to be with royalty. I want to go back. I want to go back to the Glass Forest with Kiri!

Kiri hugged me tightly, and I felt reassured by his thin but strong arms. He patted my back gently, and I gradually calmed down with the soothing rhythm and Kiri's warmth.

"Shina, I will always be by your side. I will go wherever you are."

Kiri's calm words completely calmed me down.

Ugh. I feel so embarrassed when I calm down. I can't stand it. Maybe I should just run away.

I tried to suppress my sobs and wiped my face with my hands. Yeah, it's a mess. Kiri wiped my face with a handkerchief. I'm so sorry, Kiri.

Ah, I was so surprised. I was the one who cried, and I was the most surprised. Shina's emotions overwhelmed Vina. The emotions overflowed, surpassing reason. Those five years of exploitation must have had a significant negative impact on Shina. Even when we were hunting carefree in the Glass Forest, I sometimes thought about going back. That harsh survival life seemed better...

Calm down, me. I'm 15 now. If you add my previous life, I should be 40. I'm an adult. Adults don't cry like that.

It's okay. Kiri and I can run away. We can use magic to escape!

I turned around cautiously and saw Jin reaching out his hand, the gentleman with wide eyes, Barry laughing, and the old man looking exasperated.

"Shina, Shina..."

Jin approached me. I gulped, thinking I might be caught again. Kiri gently shielded me and shook his head.

"She doesn't want to."

I nodded behind Kiri, and Jin looked like he was about to cry. He turned to the gentleman, his anger evident.

"It's because you said too much! Bist!"

He's just lashing out! He's lashing out!

"I was just following proper etiquette."

The gentleman easily dodged Jin's protest. As a guild master, he's not intimidated by a royal glare.

"Kiri, Shina. Jin really has no ill intentions. He genuinely wanted to meet you, Shina."

Barry, who was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face, wiped them away and explained. What does that mean?

"You want to sell materials, right? We thought you might stand out at a regular counter, so we asked the guild master to bring you here."

Stand out? Why?

"No, a Gray Boar would cause a commotion if it were brought to a regular counter."

What's a Gray Boar?

"A Gray Boar? Where did you get it? Impressive, the Royal Knights of Marita! To slay one of those! Will you sell the materials to us? Its hide is rare and highly valued!"

At Barry's words, the gentleman became excited. But what is a Gray Boar?

"Smoked meat, Shina. That meat is from a Gray Boar, right?"

Smoked meat? Oh, that huge boar. One of the ones we encountered in the forest. At first, we discarded the organs, but Kiri said some might be useful, so we stored everything with storage magic later. The identification magic said the liver was good for health. I only remembered the name because it was delicious. It's called a Gray Boar.

"I have some. Do you want to see?"

"Not here. Bist, can you show us a place where we can display a lot of materials?"

"Huh? Yes! This way."

The gentleman led us to the underground material processing area. It was a rough and sweaty scene with muscular men disassembling materials. Despite the gory scenes, Jin and the others, as well as Kiri and I, who had hunted monsters in the Glass Forest, were unfazed.

"Please, over here."

The gentleman led us to a spacious area, large enough for about 15 large boars. It's big, but...

"I can't bring everything. I'll just bring what fits."

First, the large boars. I brought out five that were already disassembled.

"Are you a storage magic user? And five Gray Boars?"

The gentleman shouted, but I ignored him and kept bringing out more.

Next, a large snake. This one can fly and is poisonous. I brought out two.

And, something like a cow. Its meat is delicious. I didn't bring the one we were eating, so I brought out the remaining eight.

Then, the space was full.

I was at a loss in front of the mountain of monsters. I still hadn't brought out half of what I had. I wanted to sell the herbs and other items I didn't need.

"There's no more space...?"

I tugged on the gentleman's sleeve. He, who had been staring with his mouth open, suddenly sprang into action.

"Flying Snakes and Red Flame Cows? What is this! S-rank and A-rank monsters in such numbers? Huh?"

The gentleman's loud voice drew the attention of the workers, who gathered around us, forming a wall of muscular men. They were also surprised.

"Do you have more, miss?"

I nodded, and the gentleman led me to a slightly more open area, with the muscular men following.

I brought out 20 rabbit-like monsters, 12 large birds, 9 spider-like monsters, 3 beehives with bee monsters (each about the size of my face), and a bunch of smaller but numerous monsters.

"That's all, I think. The rest is for us to eat."

The gentleman was trembling in front of the mountain of monsters. Is he okay?

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(Translation ends here due to the length of the text. If you need the rest, please let me know.)