"So," she said calmly, "you're the one who slew the hive beast."
Noa didn't respond right away. Instead, his crimson eyes quietly studied her. The princess was… composed. Too composed, like someone used to getting their way. Her gaze held curiosity, but also calculation — the kind that reminded Noa of nobles from stories. Yet, there was something else beneath it. Something harder to define.
So, she is the princess here huh?
Just as the words formed on his lips, a gruff voice snapped from close by.
"Filthy commoner! How dare you look the princess in the eye? Kneel!"
Noa turned his head toward the armored man who had stepped forward, hand on his sword. The knight was tall and broad-shouldered. He looked like someone who'd never questioned his place in the world.
What's this guy's deal?
"Kneel?" Noa's voice was flat. "Why should I?"
"The nerve—!"
The knight drew his sword with a hiss of steel and raised it, fury blazing in his eyes.
"My lady, allow me to cut down this insolent mongre—"
"That's enough, Korran."
The princess's voice, while not loud, silenced the entire hall.
Korran froze mid-step, face twisted in indignation. "But—"
"I said enough," she repeated. Her tone had shifted — no longer polite, no longer measured. This was a command, not a suggestion.
The knight clenched his jaw and sheathed his sword with a sharp, reluctant motion.
She turned her eyes back to Noa. "Noa, was it? Can we talk privately?"
Oh?
He shrugged. "Sounds good."
***
Moments later, inside the guild's meeting room, the atmosphere was noticeably heavier.
The room was modest but well-kept — a polished wooden table surrounded by chairs, a map of the continent pinned to one wall, and a few scattered documents. The light from the ceiling crystals bathed everything in a pale golden glow.
Seated around the table were four figures. Princess Faelina of Ashvalen, her knight Korran standing rigid behind her, Guild Master Halric seated at the head, and Noa, slouched in a chair with an air of bored defiance.
Halric glanced between them, clearly sensing the tension.
"I'll make this quick," Faelina began, folding her hands neatly before her. "Noa Itsuki. You're not from any known adventuring party. You don't carry any official guild insignia. Yet you not only survived the ruins... you destroyed a threat that multiple silver-rank adventurers failed to contain."
She tilted her head slightly, golden eyes narrowing.
"So tell me — who exactly are you?"
"I already told the Guild Master," Noa said casually, leaning back in his chair. "I'm an adventurer from Velmoria."
Korran gritted his teeth but kept his composure.
Faelina nodded slightly. "Yes, I heard that from Master Halric. But that doesn't explain how you single-handedly killed a hive beast. Or how someone with no recorded rank or party just… appeared."
Noa sighed internally. Jeez... next time I'll remember to kill the witnesses.
"Sorry, Princess," he replied aloud, with a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But I've got no evidence to prove anything. Hope you understand."
He let his eyes scan the room, reading their reactions. Korran looked as if he was one word away from drawing steel again.
What's his deal, acting like I'm some kind of enemy?... well, it depends.
Halric's face was neutral, but thoughtful — likely trying to calculate where Noa fit in all of this. The princess, however… She closed her eyes slowly, taking in a deep breath before releasing it.
"Well, we can't just arrest you without any real cause," she said at last. "And besides… because of you, many lives were saved today. That fact can't be ignored."
She turned to her knight. "Korran. Inform the castle to send an exploration team to the ruins. Make sure they're accompanied by at least two squads of soldiers. If there are more of those things in the lower levels, I don't want any surprises."
Korran hesitated for a breath but then bowed stiffly. "As you command, my lady."
Without sparing Noa another glance, the knight marched out, his armored boots clanking against the stone floor.
Halric cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse me… I think the two of you could use some privacy."
Noa gave him a short nod, and the guild master stepped out, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.
The room fell into silence again. Just the faint hum of distant voices from the guild hall beyond.
Faelina rested her elbows lightly on the table, her gaze steady on Noa.
"I'll be honest," she said. "You're dangerous."
Noa blinked once. He wasn't expecting that.
Is that a Praise? Warning?... Maybe both.
"People like you shift the balance of power—often before anyone notices. Sometimes for the better… sometimes not."
She leaned in slightly, voice lowering.
"My kingdom is heading toward something. I don't know what yet, but I can feel it. The ruined spire. The hive beast. The storms. And now… you."
A beat passed. Then.
"I don't trust you. But I'm not stupid enough to ignore you either. So I'll offer this once. work with us. Let us sponsor you as an adventurer of Ashvalen. In exchange, we provide resources, protection… and access."
"Access?" Noa echoed, his interest mildly piqued.
She smiled faintly. "To knowledge. Forbidden ruins. Artifacts sealed away. Things your kind tend to sniff out anyway."
Oh? Now that's a tempting offer. Access to real knowledge about this world... I'd be a fool to turn it down
Faelina extended her hand across the table. Noa regarded it for a moment, then met her gaze and grasped it firmly.
"Noa Itsuki," he said, his voice steady.
"Faelina Windrider," she replied with a small, genuine smile
Faelina released Noa's hand and leaned back slightly. "Then, Itsuki, come to the castle tomorrow. I'll share the information you need."
Noa gave a curt nod. "Understood."
Without another word, he stood, his crimson eyes briefly scanning the room before he turned and walked toward the door.
After Noa left, Korran entered the room. Korran's glare burned into the closed door. "Princess, I don't like him. There's something off about that commoner. Too arrogant, too reckless. I say we detain him before he causes trouble."
Faelina regarded Korran with quiet patience, her expression steady and measured.
"Did you listen in on our conversation?"
Korran stiffened. "S-sorry, my lady… it's just that—"
Princess Faelina sighed. "forget it"
"Korran, I understand your concerns. But remember, we have no proof that he's dangerous—only that he saved lives today. Acting on suspicion alone could make an enemy of a potential ally."
Korran's jaw tightened. "All the more reason to keep him under strict watch. People like him never just appear out of nowhere. He's hiding something."
Faelina met his gaze evenly. "Perhaps. But fear and distrust won't protect us from what's lurking in those ruins. If he's the key to understanding it, we can't afford to push him away."
She turned toward the window, her voice softer but resolute. "For now, we observe. We gather facts, not guesses. If he truly is a threat, we'll know soon enough."
Korran grumbled but fell silent, unable to argue against her logic.
***
As Noa stepped outside, he found Selene leaning against a column, arms crossed. "So," she said with a smirk, "you didn't get arrested."
Noa smiled faintly at her.
Of course she was waiting. Wouldn't be Selene if she hadn't eavesdropped on half the conversation.