Chapter 71

In the rear garden, a group of Hunters had surrounded the monster.

I watched the scene and clicked my tongue.

“Fools.”

Can’t they grasp the situation?

Trying to overwhelm an opponent that clearly looked like a knight with sheer numbers. It was truly the worst possible strategy.

“That thing is a Dark Knight. Anyone unqualified who steps up will just be throwing their life away.”

I had figured out the creature’s identity even before the gate opened. There was only one monster that reeked of sulfur before it even appeared.

A bizarre habit of requesting one-on-one duels like a knight, and powerful spearmanship.

The ability to clone itself, matching the number of its attackers.

A being that didn’t even have a core as a weak point.

It was an S-rank monster, one of the few with its own moniker: the Dark Knight.

This creature couldn’t be fought by just anyone.

Its stats were set to match the strongest person present.

Attacking it with a group was foolish. It was like multiplying a boss that was already a handful.

‘How strange.’

I had faced this monster in a similar situation in my past life…

‘When was it? Ah, right. It was when I first demanded compensation from the government for successfully clearing a gate.’

It was the fourth year of the apocalypse, a time when hunter dissatisfaction was at an all-time high.

It was my fault, as I had been clearing gates almost exclusively, sweeping up anything that could make money.

On top of that, they were paying me points on a regular basis, so they probably wanted to kill me.

I think I heard every curse imaginable back then.

There was even a country that banned me from entering.

‘Is it fun, hogging everything for yourself?’

‘Money-grubbing bitch. Watch your back.’

‘Due to national circumstances, your entry is temporarily restricted.’

Dozens of protest emails flooded in daily, and some even threatened the children.

Eventually, I decided to only clear A-rank gates and above.

Naturally, it wasn’t a good situation.

The risk increased exponentially, while my opportunities to earn money dwindled.

So, I demanded compensation from the government for clearing gates. I had to make a living, too.

At the time, the government sent a representative, but to cut a long story short, the negotiations failed.

The representative had scoffed at my demands.

“I knew Hunter Ryu was famous for her obsession with money, but I didn’t realize it was this bad. Why on earth should the government pay Hunter Ryu for clearing gates?”

“I’m not asking you to pay only me. I’m saying you should put a bounty on the gates themselves, so that anyone who succeeds in clearing them can claim it.”

“Do you have no sense of duty, Hunter Ryu? Do you feel better only when you’re making money with the power you luckily obtained? How is that any different from extorting money by holding people’s lives hostage?”

“Do you think Hunters don’t die? Does a sense of duty put food on the table?”

“You get items when you kill monsters! Just selling the cores should earn you a decent amount, shouldn’t it?”

“That’s not enough. I risk my life every time I clear a gate. But if the core is damaged beyond recovery, I’m left with nothing, right? That’s why I’m asking for hazard pay to be guaranteed.”

“Impossible. The government doesn’t have the budget.”

“But you have money to pay useless politicians?”

“…Let’s be frank. Just how much do you think your life is worth, Hunter Ryu?”

“I’m not alone. If I die, over forty children die with me. But Hunters can’t even get life insurance.”

“So you’re telling the government to take responsibility for your family as well?”

“When I clear a gate, more people’s lives are saved. Compared to that, isn’t it a small price to pay?”

“I see no room for compromise. If you continue to be this stubborn, we’ll have no choice but to exclude Hunter Ryu from all gate clearances. I hear many countries have already banned you. Will you be alright with that?”

“Do as you please. Let’s see who lasts longer.”

The government official, who had left with a sneer, was on his knees begging less than a month later.

An S-rank boss, the Dark Knight, had appeared in the middle of Seoul.

A bizarre monster that could only be defeated by the channel’s strongest.

After I took care of that monster, countries began to offer rewards for clearing gates.

Until then, there had been no real compensation even if a Hunter died, but now their lives were being properly valued.

Not only that, but the countries that had rejected me all lifted their entry bans.

After all, if a Dark Knight appeared after they’d turned away the number one ranker, it would be the end for them.

I pulled away from the window, shaking off the memories of my past life.

*Clang, screeech.*

With the sound of rusted metal, the iron door opened.

William. He stepped aside from the doorway and spoke.

“His Majesty summons you.”

* * *

As I stepped into the rear garden, I could feel the Hunters’ eyes on me. Their expressions were a mixture of embarrassment, apology, and hopeful expectation.

Of course, there were also those who glared at me, their faces hardened with fear.

William led me before the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I have brought her.”

“Hmm, Princess Astell.”

“It’s Hunter, not Princess.”

“…Hunter Astell.”

“Speak, Your Majesty.”

As I answered calmly, the Emperor muttered, gazing at a distant mountain.

“…do it.”

“Pardon?”

“…I said, take care of it.”

“Your Majesty, could you please repeat that? I think the shock of being imprisoned has affected my hearing.”

The Emperor ground his teeth.

“I said, take care of that monster right now!”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

I stared blankly at the Dark Knight, which stood as still as a ghost, then turned my head.

“No.”

“…What did you say?”

“I don’t really feel like it. My apologies.”

“…!”

The Hunters’ eyes widened. Even Dante looked surprised.

The Emperor’s eyes bulged as if they would pop out.

“H-How dare you defy my command!”

“I don’t believe there’s any reason I must obey Your Majesty’s command.”

“I am the Empire, and I am the law! No one who lives in Taikan can refuse my command!”

That’s your wishful thinking.

“Ah, then should I seek asylum in the Akron Magic Kingdom?”

“…!”

“Or will you execute me for insubordination?”

He couldn’t do that.

If I defected, it would be like handing Akron his strongest weapon. If I died, he would be as good as dead himself.

The Emperor’s pupils trembled violently.

It seemed he was finally realizing that I was a madwoman who didn’t give a damn about emperors or anyone else when crossed.

“The Princess is a noble! Do you think defecting is a simple matter for a noble?”

“I don’t know. It seems easy enough to me… Shall we make a bet on whether Akron will welcome me or cast me out?”

The Akron Magic Kingdom was not on good terms with the Taikan Empire. This was because Taikan had granted asylum to Lihenshato, a traitor to their nation.

To repay that slight, Akron would not refuse me.

Besides, I wasn’t just any princess, but the number one ranked Hunter. Akron would welcome me with open arms; they had no reason to turn me away.

“…”

The Emperor knew this as well, which was why he couldn’t say anything.

He could only glare at me as if he wanted to chew me up and spit me out.

With this, the Emperor would not be able to interfere with me or my guild so easily from now on. If he did and I actually left for Akron, it would be an immense loss for him.

The Emperor slowly reined in his temper. It seemed he had decided that since threats weren’t working, it was time to negotiate.

At his signal, the royal guards formed a tight circle around us, blocking us from outside view.

“Princess, what is the meaning of this?”

“Shouldn’t Your Majesty know better than I?”

The Emperor hesitated for a moment.

Attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, assault, another attempted murder. He must have had more than a few things on his conscience.

“…Are you jealous that Hunters are flocking to Bluebird? That is not something I can control. Is joining a guild not a matter of free will?”

“I think so too. They chose a guild of their own free will, so it would be absurd to be jealous.”

“Then what in the world is your game!”

“I simply wish for the Second Prince’s position to be solidified.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed as he grasped the core of my vague words.

“Are you telling me to choose the Second Prince as the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

“…What is your intention?”

“Isn’t it natural to wish for one’s lover to be safe?”

I was never interested in completing the quest from the start.

The Emperor had to have all his sins laid bare before losing everything and being cast out.

Until Duke Ruthius ended his miserably fallen life, the Emperor must not die.

The Emperor, who had been studying me intently to discern my motives, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“So you wish to become the Empress.”

“…”

“You don’t want the Second Prince’s safety; you want to seize power. Isn’t that right?”

I just shrugged without answering, and the Emperor’s lips twisted.

“Blinded by power. The Second Prince is not fit to be Emperor! Do you care nothing for the future of the Empire?”

“I can’t agree with that. The Second Prince is more than he appears.”

He was a far bigger pervert than he let on.

“Ridiculous. What’s so great about that creepy monster…”

The Emperor clamped his mouth shut, an expression of regret on his face.

‘Monster? He must really hate Dante.’

I didn’t know the reason, but the Emperor regarded Dante not as a son, but as something loathsome.

The Emperor calmly composed his expression.

“Even if he becomes the Crown Prince, he cannot ascend the throne without the support of the nobility. You must know this much, yes?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“…The Crown Prince title is all I can promise. Remember that.”

“Of course.”

The Emperor gestured, and the royal guards stepped back.

As soon as the human wall disappeared, the Emperor put on a moved expression and clapped me on the shoulder.

“Hunter Astell! I did not know you were a Hunter with such a strong sense of duty. I apologize for misunderstanding you.”

What an actor. That crafty old snake.

“I believe I had some misunderstandings as well. I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

The Hunters’ expressions turned strange.

They must have been utterly confused about what was going on, seeing me and the Emperor suddenly acting friendly after being at a standoff.

“Now, Hunter Astell! For my sake, vanquish that monster!”

I drew Arondight.

Not for the Emperor, but for myself.