338. Lonely Princess
Rana Alyras hung her head in defeat as the weird woman sat down at her table. Sevika wasnt going to be returning anyti soon the maid had said she was going to acquire food, but that clearly was a lie. Otherwise, shed be back by now.
And now, the princess was trapped. She fidgeted in her seat, casting nervous glances at the weird woman. Please dont talk to . Please dont talk to . Please dont talk to
Hi! Im Salvos, whats your na?
why?!
I faced the other girl who was sitting at the table. She had long black locks that were tied into various different braids. Her skin was tanned dark like most of the people Id seen from the Helbir Plains. And Ivonne Vigil. That [rchant] who held the auction for the Fruits of Ygdrazil at Mavos Academy.
Obviously, they didnt look related. I could tell that this girl sitting across from had a different everything from Ivonne. So I wasnt going to stupidly lean forward and ask if she knew Ivonne just from that.
Instead, I happily introduced myself to her.
Hi! Im Salvos, whats your na?
The girl froze. Her entire body tensed. I watched as she slowly turned to face , tilting her head.
A-are you talking to ?
She asked, and I nodded.
Yep!
I watched as she bit her lower lip. She tried to work her mouth, but nothing ca out. I tapped a finger on the table patiently.
Um, hello? I am talking to you.
I waved a hand in front of her head. Her face turned crimson red, and behind , Willy snorted.
She heard you.
Well, why isnt she replying then?
I posed the question to the [Will O Wisp]. He flitted up in front of my head, speaking simply.
Because annoying.
Im not annoying!
I raised a fist. He just laughed as I swatted at him. My face twisted into a scowl. I sat back into the chair while Willy continued to fly around . Then I noticed the way the girls eyes widened. She stared up at the floating piece of fla.
Thats a Grand Spirit?!
The princess couldnt believe her eyes. Shed never seen a Grand Spirit before. There werent very many [Summoners] in the Helbir Plains. The Sanctum of Elents and the Sanctuary of Fauna didnt extend to this part of the Human lands. And while the Den of Souls was prevalent here, they didnt exactly encourage summoning. Not in the sa way the Sanctum of Elents and the Sanctuary of Fauna did.
The Den of Souls still looked at Spirits as hallowed creatures. They were the servants of the Spirit Lord, and thus, were to be treated with respect and dignity. To be summoned at the beck and call of any individual Human and fight and die for them.
No Spirits were summoned in a ritual with nurous [Priests] providing offerings to them in exchange for the completion of a task. It reminded Rana of what she read about [Cultists] and Demon summonings, but she never once voiced her comparisons since she knew the Den of Souls would be gravely affronted at that.
Anyway, all this just ant that there were even fewer Spirits in the Helbir Plains in comparison to other parts of the Human lands. To see a Spirit was already a very rare sight. And to see a Grand Spirit?
Ranas jaw dropped as she just stared. The [Will O Wisp]s fire blazed.
I am.
It took the princess a mont to realize he was answering her question. She lost all sense of her decorum and poise. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him. Like what was his level? Why was he here? Or what even was he a Grand Spirit of?
But before she could continue, the weird woman Salvos interrupted the Grand Spirit.
Nope. Willys lying. Hes a Stupid Spirit.
Salvos clearly emphasized the second last word. Rana blinked a few tis.
...pardon?
But neither the weird woman nor the Grand Spirit paid attention to her confusion. Instead, they bickered. Almost like children.
Shut up. You stupid.
No you!
Salvos stuck her tongue out at the [Will O Wisp]. He giggled. The princess was at a loss for words. It took her a mont to realize they were just ssing with each other. Almost in the sa way Sevika would with Rana. And judging by the odd way that the weird woman was dressed, it mustve ant one thing.
Are you a [Summoner]? An adventurer?
Yep.
The weird woman nodded eagerly, swatting the [Will O Wisp] away.
Im Salvos, Secelys Sentinel. Liberator of the Plaguelands. Death of the Destroyer. Diamond Ranked adventurer.
She listed out a long list of Titles. Ranas eyes went round at that. Titles were a rare thing. And it was even rarer to cycle through so many Titles. Also
Wait, youre the Liberator of the Plaguelands? As in one of the three adventurers who killed the Lich?
Thats !
Salvos bead. The Grand Spirit groaned in the back.
Rana was in complete awe. The princess just sat there in a daze, trying to parse this. Shed heard news of the Lichs death. Of the three adventurers who traveled deep into the Plaguelands and slayed it once and for all.
A [Warrior]. A [Rogue]. And a [Mage].
But wait Rana furrowed her brows.
I dont recall there being a [Summoner] amongst the Liberators of the Plaguelands.
The silver-haired woman cocked her head, in thought.
Well, there was Edithe? But shes not a [Summoner] anymore.
Rana was certain there was so kind of a misunderstanding here. But itd have been too awkward to explain, so she just bit her lips and tried to move on.
I have never t such a high-leveled adventurer before. Or a Grand Spirit. Im sorry if I was rude, I am usually less flustered
The princess paused mid-lie. She realized that shed made another blunder. One far worse than anything else she couldve committed.
Oh, I havent introduced myself
Yep. You havent.
The princess felt her face burning at that. Salvos and Willy both exchanged a glance. Rana hurried to her feet, managing an unrefined bow.
My na is Rana Alyras. I am the sole princess of Alyras. I am so sorry for my rudeness.
There was a pause. Rana could hear the feast continue on around them. The room was bustling, filled with ambient music put on by an orchestra Artik had gotten to entertain the guests. And the awkward silence dragged on for a mont longer.
Rana wanted to cry as she felt Salvos gaze bore into her.
I ssed up didnt I? She hates now
Youre the princess of Alyras?!
Salvos finally exclaid.
Rana blinked. That wasnt the reaction she was expecting. She glanced up in bewildernt at the adventurer, speaking hesitantly.
I am.
Woah! Youre really the princess, arent you? Just look at the way youre dressed!
Salvos got to her feet, gesturing at Ranas long silk dress decorated in jewelry. The princess flushed.
I-is it that bad?
Its amazing! You look so rich and fancy!
There were many things racing through Ranas mind. But all she could do was watch as Salvos circled around her excitedly. Then the adventurer turned to her Grand Spirit companion.
Look at her, Willy! Shes the princess of Alyras! Im actually talking to the princess of Alyras!
That felt like sothing Rana should be saying for eting Salvos. In fact, it was the sa excitent that Rana knew she was feeling underneath her gaping and staring. The only difference was that she was too embarrassed to actually vocalize her thoughts.
The Grand Spirit just laughed at Salvos.
Fool.
I am not making a fool of myself!
Are.
Nope!
They bickered as Rana stood to the side. She felt her face heat up as they continued their argunt. Like children. But also like friends. Sevika and Rana openly traded jibes no different than they did. The only difference was that Rana did it in secret.
But Willy and Salvos did it so freely. Without care in the world. Even if there were dozens of nobles ladies and lords giving them judging looks. They continued. And Ranas lips quivered. She tried to hold it back, but couldnt.
The princess broke out laughing.
Salvos and Willy paused their argunt, turning to face her curiously. Rana tried to cover her face as she continued laughing.
Im so sorry. Im not laughing because its Im
No matter what Rana did, she couldnt hold herself back. Perhaps it was just the way the pair were acting so freely, it rubbed off on her. And for a mont, she thought theyd have looked at her with disdain for her reaction.
But Salvos laughed too. Before the [Will O Wisp] joined. When Sevika left, the table had been empty. Only Rana sat there. Alone, quiet and by herself. But when the maid returned, their table was full of life. Now, the princess had soone to talk to.
The maid smiled.
Hey, uh, Saffron, was it?
Saffron rryster glanced back at the ntion of her na. She faced a young man with black hair one who was just as improperly dressed for this event as Salvos was. Daniel Song. He was accompanied by Amanda who was cross-ard standing behind his right shoulder.
The young Vampire raised a brow.
Did you need sothing, Daniel?
I was actually looking for Salvos. I havent seen her around since the start of the feast.
He scratched at his cheek, speaking nervously.
You dont think shes going around causing trouble, is she?
Oh, so that was what he wanted to talk about. Saffron sighed as she rembered the incident just earlier.
Well, Salvos has already caused trouble.
...are you serious?
Daniel had the sa resigned look on Saffrons face. She nodded.
And I already spoke with her. But Im not sure whether shell actually listen to . Shes been acting weird recently.
He pursed his lips as he exchanged a glance with the Vampire. They both had the sa thought.
I think we should go check on her.
They spoke at the sa ti. The pair imdiately marched through the large hall, followed by the bored trailing Amanda, until they finally got to where Saffron had left Salvos. They ca to a halt when they saw Salvos talking.
She spoke normally at a table as Willy floated beside her. Daniel exhaled in relief, placing a hand on his chest.
Thats good. She isnt
He looked over at Saffron, but she was still stiff. She stared at the two people Salvos was chatting with. Across from the silver-haired woman was the princess of Alyras. A black-haired woman wearing a glamorous silk robe. And next to her was her father.
King Artik Alyras sat with them, laughing and eating as a maid ca to serve them a platter of food.
Daniel gave Saffron a confused look.
Whats wrong?
Nothing.
She just pinched the bridge of her nose.
Salvos really just befriended the king and princess of Alyras, didnt she?
Oh.
Daniel shrugged.
Well, as long as shes feeling better, right?
I guess.
So ti after Rana had ward up to us, her father joined us in our al. Their maid a woman nad Sevika offered a platter of dishes to choose from, and I picked out the lobster because it was the only thing I could eat without seeming rude. I was less upset now compared with before. I could distract my mind with sothing.
Princess Rana was fun to talk to. She was a princess just like Faith and Hope, but the way she behaved was completely different. In fact, she told about the things she learned as princess, and it sounded nothing like what Faith had undergone.
Maybe it was because Rana was the sole daughter. The only princess. So she didnt have to compete for power. Or maybe it was just because of how Artik was as the king and her father. Either way, I found them fascinating. I was certain we couldve continued chatting into the night, if not for the one interruption that ground the entire feast to a halt.
A man dressed in robes rushed his way through the hall. Heads turned, facing his way as he made his way to the king. At first, I didnt notice him. But then I glanced up because I heard the ruckus caused by his escort a group of armored guards clanking their way through the party.
Your majesty. I bring an urgent missive from Shedos.
The robed man kneeled before the king. Artik rose to his feet, frowning.
What is it?
The Prival Demon
I didnt let the robed man finish. My head snapped up as I caught sight of a flash. No not in the hall. I was looking through my clones eyes. Smoke. Blood. Death. Destruction.
And I spoke for everyone to hear.
Belzu has reached the Helbir Plains.
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