episode_0078

The princess I met unexpectedly.

At this, Zeros immediately thought about drawing his sword… but soon had no choice but to give up on that.

‘No matter what, it’s too dangerous to point a knife at the princess in a place like this, not even inside the academy.’

This is something that could easily lead to misunderstandings or even create an excuse.

Furthermore, since the other side had not shown any significant hostile actions unlike before, Zeros judged that it would not be a good choice to be the first to show hostility.

In reality, even the guards at the back are unable to come forward because they are in front of the princess.

Yes, Zeros stood in front of Katlena and glared at the princess, making the best choice he could.

And, seeing him like this, the princess spoke with a thick smile on her lips in a sticky voice.

“Is this a dog trying to protect its owner? Hehe.. It’s quite cute, but I don’t think it’ll be of much use.”

Princess Maeb slowly approaches us with those words.

At this, Zeros automatically began to frown due to the pressure that was pressing upon him.

‘Damn… Is this really the level where I can’t even rub it?’

The power difference can only be described as overwhelming.

Although in the original work, she was a princess who belonged to the so-called Kong line who was always defeated by Elios, in other words, it also meant that it was virtually impossible to stand up to this woman unless you were at the level of Elios.

And, compared to that, later on, it might be different. For now, Zeros, who was barely at the level of learning the basics of magic, could hardly do anything if this woman really stepped forward.

That was when Zeros was at a loss as to how to deal with this situation.

“Zeros, stand back.”

“Huh? Oh.. But Katrina?”

“This is a position that the princess and I, the princess, must resolve. I appreciate your consideration, but for now, please step aside.”

“Um… ”

Zeros still can’t hide his anxiety even after hearing Katlena’s words.

However, since he could not disobey the princess’s orders, Zeros carefully stepped back, and then Katlena stepped forward and spoke in a polite voice.

“It is truly an honor to meet you here, Princess Maeb. Are you here to participate in the auction as well?”

“I guess you could say that. Can I assume that you too are here for the same reason as me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

To be honest, it would be more accurate to say that they came as a temporary refuge rather than an auction, but there was no need to go that far.

And, looking at such a Katlena, Princess Maeb spoke with a face that still had a smile on her face.

“I see, it’s an auction… I don’t know what you’re after, but in any case, from my perspective, you’re potential competitors. That means…”

“!… ”

“Huh!..”

The next moment, magical power began to be released from the princess’s body.

Although this wasn’t on a level comparable to what had previously been emanating from Rosebeta’s body, the difference was that this was the direct target.

And, as if to counter this, Catlena also emits magical power from her body.

Seeing her like this, the princess began to show an expression that seemed even more interesting.

“Wow. At that age, she’s already trained her magic to this extent? That girl’s younger sister is definitely different.”

“Thank you for your compliments, but… Are you planning to continue like this? Surely not… If you really want to kill me, a princess, for such a reason…”

“Hoohoohoo..”

Katlena speaks in a cold voice.

Then, the princess slowly recovered her magical powers while letting out a somewhat creepy laugh, and spoke in a calm voice.

“I was just joking. Don’t be so serious. No matter what, I don’t intend to cause trouble over something so minor.”

“… .”

The princess speaks in a relaxed voice.

At this, Katlena and Zeros still looked at her without letting their guard down, and then she turned around.

“Then, I’ll see you at the auction house later. Until then, have fun.”

“… Goodbye, Princess.”

The princess leaves with such a light tone.

Seeing her like this, Katlena greeted her with a voice that still contained tension.

and..

“Sigh..”

“Hoo..”

The two finally sigh in relief after the princess disappears.

The mere fact that someone who held more power and authority than they could handle was picking a fight with them left the two of them feeling as if their minds were being drained.

“Still, that’s fortunate. It went by without any problems.”

“Yeah.. Honestly, I was worried that you might do something weird..”

Katlena glanced at Zeros as she said that.

Although she was trying not to show it, Katlena was able to realize one thing about Princess Maeb during the standoff just now.

‘It’s just a feeling… No, it’s probably right. The eyes of the princess who was looking at Zeros were definitely…’

For a moment, the princess’s eyes looked like those of a snake hunting for prey.

And, surprisingly, at the end, it was not Katlena, but Zeros.

‘She used to be the princess who openly targeted me, but judging by her attitude, she seems to have changed her target. Damn it… That princess. She has such a useless eye for people, yet she dares to covet my Zeros.’

It was Katlena who felt a considerable burden because her opponent was someone she found difficult to deal with, but… of course, she had no intention of giving an inch in the current situation.

Zeros, the one and only being she must protect at all costs.

Even if the opponent was the Emperor and not the princess, she had absolutely no intention of giving in, so Katlena left the store while holding onto Zeros’ hand tightly.

*

‘..It’s a shame. Really..’

The princess walks along the road, her lips licking with regret.

Although just a moment ago she had passed by without doing anything but giving a quick greeting… it was by no means for such trivial reasons as the royal family and the duke’s family’s problems.

She was not the kind of princess who would just pass up such tasty prey in a place like the Academy, which was neither an empire nor a duchy, and where there were many eyes watching her.

‘Of course, fruits are the most refreshing when they’re a little unripe.. Hehe. That Zeros kid.. The more I look at him, the more delicious he looks.. It’s such a shame.’

Even if Katlena is second, the princess’s interest in Zeros grows stronger as time goes by.

I was tempted to just take Zeros right there and throw it away, but…

However, there was another reason why she did not take any action.

‘That guy I’ve been watching ever since I met the two of them… I thought he was usually loose, but he’s no ordinary bet.’

A being that had approached within a few dozen meters of where she was.

Senel, the Sentinel Lieutenant, is Katlena’s older sister and Helios’ younger sister.

Although she remained hidden from view until the very end while she spoke to Katlena, Maev could tell from the situation.

If he were to try to take Zeros here or take full-scale hostile action against Katlena… Senel would definitely make a move.

‘Even though you’re young… you’re not an easy opponent. If we were to fight each other sincerely, it might be different, but in this situation, I don’t feel like going that far.’

Although she had never directly fought him, unlike Elios, she knew that Sentinel Captain Senel was a formidable force.

That didn’t mean he would lose, but he also knew he would get hurt quite a bit, so there was no need to cause trouble in a place like this.

‘Well then… I’m sorry, but let’s wait for another opportunity to discuss that. For now, let’s just focus on the auction.’

With that conclusion, the princess walked towards the inn where she was staying, accompanied by her maids.