Chapter 31

— Anonymous Constellation: First place!!!

— Anonymous Constellation: This is it!

— Anonymous Constellation: A Triple S on the first awakening??? That’s insane…

— Anonymous Constellation: I got serious goosebumps watching Astell carry Aron.

— Anonymous Constellation: I got chills when Astell shoved Aron up the spider’s ass.

— Anonymous Constellation: This is the kind of content worth paying for.

[System: Anonymous Constellations have sponsored 300,000 points.]

[System: An Anonymous Constellation has sponsored a <Medium-Grade Healing Potion>.]

[System: An Anonymous Constellation has sponsored a <Jean Blanc’s Royal Dessert Whole Cake Voucher>.]

[Acquired items can be viewed in your inventory.]

“Oh my! Thank you for the 300,000-point sponsorship! And thanks for the potion and cake voucher. I think I’ve received this one before. Is it common? In any case, I’ll make good use of them! Pew-pew, cutie-pie, wink! Catch my love bull—!”

Like someone with the response etched into their very soul, I reacted reflexively before freezing up.

The horrified gazes of the other hunters were fixed on me.

‘Da… Damn it.’

I’d done that routine so many times in my past life that it now came out automatically, regardless of the time or place.

As if nothing had happened, I put on a bold face and looked around at the hunters.

The number of hunters, once well over three hundred, had dwindled. And this was only the second gate.

“Where is His Highness?”

“Ahem!”

Kaiel, who had been watching my performance with a dazed look, cleared his throat and turned away.

Am I that embarrassing? The tips of his earlobes were tinged with red.

“He was here just a moment ago… but I don’t see him now.”

“He wasn’t on the rankings. Is he even a Hunter?”

“According to the information I have, he is. That’s what makes it so confusing. I heard that if your inherent abilities are high, your Hunter level should be high as well… I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Was His Highness skilled before he awakened as a Hunter?”

“You didn’t know? His Highness is one of only three Swordmasters in the empire. He earned the title at the youngest age.”

“…”

In that case, even if he hadn’t fully adapted to his new power, he should have at least ranked in the top ten.

He’s certainly stronger than Alex. So for him to not be on the rankings at all means…

“I have no idea what he’s thinking.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. I have something to say, so just wait a moment.”

I held out my hand to a nearby spirit user.

The woman, who had striking, large, watery-blue eyes, flinched and shrank back.

“Uh, y-your hand… why…?”

“Can you purify me?”

“With my power, I can’t purify this many people…”

“I know. Just do me.”

“Uh…”

To want to be the only one clean when everyone else was covered in monster fluids and reeked of a foul stench.

It was an incredibly selfish act, yet no one dared to reproach me.

Because I am Astell, the Mad Princess.

“Yes, well… Undine, I need you.”

A blue droplet formed at her fingertip and seeped into the hem of my dress.

Soon, the monster fluids caked onto me began to vanish, and my hair felt freshly washed, fluttering lightly.

Now fresh and clean, I turned back to the hunters.

“Listen up. I’m sure you all realized it today. Just how insignificant your own power is.”

At my words, the hunters started to grumble.

“Who does she think she is, saying something so rude when we’ve just met?”

“Even if it’s true, isn’t it common courtesy to ignore such a painful truth?”

“Just as expected of the Mad Princess. She doesn’t even know basic etiquette.”

When I raised my hand, the grumbling hunters fell silent.

“His Majesty promised to grant hunters a status equivalent to the nobility. So you were all probably filled with dreams. ‘I can finally move up in the world,’ ‘I’m going to be rich.’ But after today, you’ve probably realized something. The fact that your circumstances haven’t really changed.”

“…”

“With skills that can’t even take down a single monster on your own, you can’t do anything. When a gate opens, hunters like that won’t even get a turn.”

“…”

“It’s so unfair, isn’t it? You thought your luck had turned when you became a Hunter. But the rich are still rich, and the poor are still living the same unremarkable lives.”

“What is the point of saying all this?”

“Are you looking down on us just because you’re ranked first?”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

“You’ll listen anyway.”

The atmosphere among the hunters turned as hostile as a mob’s.

“But if you form a party, it’s a different story. You can compensate for each other’s weaknesses. It’ll depend on your level, but you’ll be less likely to be excluded from gate raids. It would be impossible alone, but joining a party means more opportunities.”

“What’s the point of a bunch of weak hunters gathering? Who’s going to give us a chance then?”

“I will.”

I paused deliberately and smiled with an air of confidence.

The hunters leaned in, afraid to miss a single word. It was a completely different attitude from moments ago when they were listening reluctantly.

“I’m going to create a guild. A guild that only Hunters can join. Upon joining, all hunters will be assigned to a party.”

“Is it mandatory?”

“It’s not forced. You can form parties with hunters you get along with. If you’re confident enough, you can even work alone. As long as you have the skills to back it up.”

A Hunter Guild.

It was the perfect way to make money and keep the hunters in check.

‘I will control this path to ruin with my own hands.’

Tempted by the proposal, the hunters took a step closer to me.

“Parties will be deployed to gates according to their rank. You’ll also receive resources. In return, guild members must abide by two rules.”

I held up my fingers one by one.

“First, pay a monthly due of 10,000 points. Second, turn over all cores obtained from gates to the guild.”

10,000 points a month wasn’t a burdensome amount, so that should be fine.

The hunters reacted sensitively to the mention of turning in cores.

“Aren’t cores the most important items? You want us to turn those in?”

“Yes, every single one. If you’re caught trying to hide any for yourself, you’ll be expelled. In exchange, all other items are yours to keep.”

“Uh, are there any other important items besides cores?”

“Of course. I’ll teach you.”

“Wait a minute! So you’re telling us to just take the junk and monster scraps? While paying points for the privilege?”

“The subjugation reward money for the gate. Take that instead.”

“R-Reward money?”

“Yes, actual money.”

“Who… is going to pay it?”

“I am.”

“…!”

“I guarantee the reward will be at least in the hundreds. If you sell the other items you get from the gate, your profits will be even greater. With that in mind, isn’t investing 120,000 points a year worth it?”

If anyone else had made such a proposal, they would have been laughed out of the room.

But I am Astell Ruthius.

A being more suited to be a Guild Master than anyone else.

Besides, considering the immense wealth of the Ruthius family, they couldn’t just dismiss it as an empty bluff.

Honestly, it was a plan that no one but me could pull off.

From among the hesitant hunters, someone suddenly raised their hand.

“Will you really accept us even if our ranks are low?”

“Even if our combat power is weak?”

“W-What about a hunter like me, who can only summon low-grade spirits?”

“I didn’t manage to kill a single one today! Will you still take me?”

“As I said, any Hunter can join.”

A firm answer. The hunters began to shout over one another.

“Then I’ll join!”

“M-Me too!”

“Where do we need to go?”

“It will take some time. Be patient.”

As I showed signs of finishing, the highly excited hunters milled about in confusion.

Someone asked me a question. Their tone was much more polite than before.

“Um, Princess, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“Should we disperse then?”

“Why are you asking me that? Do as you please.”

At my cold attitude, the hunters awkwardly backed away.

I was about to turn and leave when I stopped and stared intently at Kaiel.

At my meaningful gaze, Kaiel tilted his head.

“…Is there something you wish to say to me?”

“Did you look for the barrier magic formula?”

“Ah…”

Kaiel slowly closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Then, he gave a bitter laugh.

“To be honest, I tried several times, but they all failed. I later found out that shop items are structured so that the first person to claim them gets exclusive rights.”

“Are you angry that I didn’t tell you beforehand?”

“Not at all. You had no obligation to tell me, Princess.”

“Now you see, don’t you? Why you have no choice but to make a contract with me.”

“How could I refuse someone who will soon become the head of an unprecedentedly powerful faction known as the Hunter Guild?”

“The head? Not yet. This is just the beginning.”

“You’re being modest. I’m sure some people already think of you as their Master, Princess.”

“I’ll have to work to make it so. So, Master of the Magic Tower, you should do what you need to do as well.”

Kaiel let out a low laugh.

“You’re telling me to come find you. I understand. I will see you soon.”

Seeing Kaiel smile for the first time made my heart flutter slightly.