95.1. Faith
And [Hero] Daniel, it has been a while, hasnt it?
Salvos blinked as Faith said those words. Helen did not expect the princess to be so upfront with Daniels true identity. But if what she told them was to be believed and it should be believed since Zack was certain she was truly the princess of Elutra then that ant Daniel did not co from this world.
It was sothing every child heard about. [Heroes]. They ca summoned to the Nexeus by rituals from tis long passed. It was not anything that happened anymore, and yet now a real [Hero] was before them.
When they were broken the news, Helen rembered how Zack reacted. The normally haughty [Mage] imdiately swore he would apologize to Daniel for the way he had treated him. And Jaakko too Helen had never seen the Cyclops one eye grow that wide.
So now, it was Salvos turn to learn the truth. That her companion was not who he claid he was. And that the man she was standing next to was actually a [Hero] from another world.
Helen gave the silver-haired woman a sympathetic look as she exchanged a glance between Faith and Daniel. The latters eyebrows arched darkly over his eyes, even as the forr smiled at him. Salvos opened her mouth
Wait, Daniel, is that really a princess? For real? Am I eting a real princess?!
Zack turned to face Helen as she stared, blank-faced at Salvos. He spoke hesitantly.
...uh, that wasnt the reaction you were expecting either, right?
I bounced on my feet as I regarded Daniel. The Human man looked unhappy, but I didnt care. Because in front of stood a real princess!
Supposedly, that ant she was like Saffron but even more important. And not only did she co in a carriage that would have put the entire rryster familys fortune to sha, but she was also from the kingdom that summoned Daniel! That ant they knew each other.
I pointed accusingly at Daniel.
Why didnt you tell you knew a princess?
Helen, Zack, and Jaakko locked onto with surprised expressions. My companions gaze snapped up, finally broken from his stupor. Sighing, he rubbed at his temples.
I did tell you I knew a princess, Salvos. You just forgot.
No, you didnt!
Yes, I did Look, lets not talk about this right now.
Daniel turned his attention back to Faith. The princess was she a Princess with the Title, or just a princess? tilted her head slightly. She still wore that sa smile on her face, waiting expectantly for him to say sothing.
He seed to struggle to get a word out until finally, he shook his head.
Faith, what do you want from ?
What do I want? I just ca here to save you, Daniel. I heard about what the Inoria Empire did. They put a bounty on your head to the Harrowed Vindicators, and now every one of their third-rate assassins is coming for you, hoping to earn a few thousand gold.
Thats not why you ca here now though.
Stepping forward, my companion inspected the princess. Behind her, the retinue of guards most of them high Silver in level, although a handful were low Gold tensed. He folded his arms across his chest.
What do you really want, Faith? And you better choose your words carefully. Because I wont believe a fucking word you say unless its sothing thats purely self-serving.
The words struck the princess like a slap to the face. She stumbled back slightly, her face overco with a look of shock. Not only did her guards react this ti, but even Jaakko and his team did too.
Even I stared at Daniel, aghast.
Psst, Daniel, arent you supposed to be respectful to her? Shes a Human princess!
Shes scum, Salvos. She tried to use only for her own gain when I had been helping the Elutra Kingdom in their war against the Inoria Empire. She manipulated. Tricked . Made believe things that werent true. Just for politics.
She did?
I turned to Faith, seeing her face contort. The smile vanished, and she frowned.
But thats not true.
Faith spoke over him. She faced , giving a pleading look.
Daniel has misjudged . Ms Salvos, I know weve only just t, but I implore you to convince him to trust .
I glanced back over at Daniel. The Human man seed repulsed by what Faith was saying. He spoke through gritted teeth without even facing .
Salvos, shes a snake. A real snake.
You an shes not Human?
I no. I an shes conniving, cunning, and cruel. Not the kind of cruel that leaves you for dead, but the kind that makes you distrust people.
Finally, Daniel turned my face.
Youre not exactly the best at social cues. And I have to admit, I am not either. But Im asking you to listen to . Faith is not soone you should ever put your trust in.
I blinked and stared between the [Hero] and the princess. There was history here between them. And so sort of invisible force was clashing here. I could not see what it was, but I could tell that much.
If you help speak so sense into Daniel, I promise Ill reward you greatly. Anything you ask of , Ill give it to you.
Salvos, you arent actually thinking of this, are you? Because even if you try to make work with her, I wont.
Now I had to pick between them. One was my companion. Soone who I had fought alongside for so long through so much. But the other was a princess!
She was a real-life princess! Maybe even a Princess! And if I sided with her, maybe I could even learn how to beco a princess too!
So I bead. I slowly let my gaze rest on Faith, my lips still curled up. Daniel looked at disbelievingly as Faith sighed in relief.
Im glad you
Absolutely not!
I exclaid. Faith blinked as Daniel paused. Then he laughed.
I should have expected that. I dont know why I expected anything else from you.
But why?
Faith could not believe what I had just said. She gesticulated, her fancy dress ruffling with each movent she made the gems and jewelry decorating gleaming in the moonlight. This was a princess. And I could have won her favor right here. But
Daniel is my companion. And if he tells youre bad, then youre bad.
I waved a finger matter-of-factly. It just was how it was. I wouldnt forsake my companion, even if the Princess of princesses told to.
The bodyguards accompanying Faith sputtered one of them drew a sword and pointed it my way.
You dare insult princess Faith of Elutra?!
I do.
Turning a daring gaze towards them, I bared my teeth in a grin.
And if you want to take it back, youll have to make .
The man the highest level of the bodyguards at Level 45 took a step forward. But before he could object further, Helen hurriedly ran to my side.
Salvos, what are you doing? Princess Faith is telling the truth. When Zack started uh, prying around Daniels identity, she was the one to contact us. She told us he was in danger. That the Harrowed Vindicators were after him.
Then she lied to you too.
I spoke simply. Helen opened her mouth, but the bodyguard from before snapped.
Insolence
Enough!
Faith cut the mans sharp voice short by raising her hand. She slowly glanced between Daniel and , the smile wiped from her face, replaced with a more serious expression.
[Hero] Daniel.
Stop calling that!
My companion snapped. She nodded.
Daniel, then. I apologize if your interpretation of my past actions has disillusioned you to my true character. However, one of the reasons why I ca here was indeed to save you. But you are right: I have another reason too.
He narrowed his eyes.
And that reason is?
To ask you to co back.
Daniel had been expecting those words from her. Faith was so predictable once he understood the exact kind of person she was.
Selfish.
The reason why the [Hero] left the country in the first place was exactly because of the politics she played with him. She had been the fifth in line to the throne of Elutra. Now she was third. And that was because she used him.
Everyone there tried to use him but she used him the most.
Feeling his hands slowly tighten into balls, he glanced up and shook his head.
I dont know what kind of madness overtook you since we last saw each other, but I refuse.
You have to, Daniel. The
No!
He put his foot down as his voice echoed in the darkness. Faith took a step back, shocked by the sudden shouting. Daniel spoke through clenched teeth.
I will not go back. Never.
The eyes of the princess grew dark. Then there was a soft sound a sniffling. Daniel wasnt sure if he had been too loud, but he stood by his words. His anger was justified. She had convinced him that she loved him. His broken heart almost nded. But all she loved was what he got her.
Faith glanced back up, and Daniel hesitated, not wanting to see any puppy-eyed look. But instead, all she did was wrinkle her nose. Her gaze swept across the corpses around them, and she grimaced.
Id like to continue this conversation. However, I do not think this is nearly the right place to carry it out. Would you at least be willing to move this elsewhere? Perhaps my camp. Its no more than half an hours travel that way. And theres food and tea too,
Gesturing behind her, Faith looked at him expectantly. He bit his lower lip, feeling slightly guilty about shouting. But before he could say anything, Salvos piped up.
Food? Tea? No way!
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