Chapter 23: Prince or princess?

Later in the morning the trio of Elizabeth (jr), Emily and Fuka would be walking out of the front gate, heading down towards the adventurers guild. Of course, the three were fully in gear (if you count practically naked as in gear for one of them - though racial wise she could be considered to be wearing formal attire).Over these years they managed to make a name for themselves as a fully C-rank team that almost seems no worse than that of their elders. In fact, they would probably be higher ranked if not for the fact that Emily and Elizabeth were simply not using any of their stat points during level ups.As they walked down the streets it felt like the further they got away from the high-class area the more respectful the birth they were given seemed. Some men looked at Eel with vicious eyes.<Well, that’s not my fault. I’m just so naturally charming.>While thinking so her confident, practically oozing with smugness smile that somehow seemed to only make her more ‘handsome’. She even went as far as to lift her head and stroke her chin with her right hand while the left hand held her spear; tapping it across her shoulder. This increase of appeal made some young girls (some grown women even) sigh out with faint haze on their cheeks. It was clear they didn’t like her.The reason was simple though, what is a prince charming without a few damsels in distress turned admires? Not to mention, by now the monster child had already begun to make a name for herself with her amazing ability and it was widely already known for what happened ‘that’ night.It doesn’t take one long to put two and two together to make some assumptions - said assumptions of course caused an increase in the amount of hearts she’d eaten but almost nobody knows about her food preference of ‘raw with fresh blood still pouring out’. Of course, she is a dragon so it ain’t exactly shocking when someone puts it together…<Though I bet if they knew what I had for a snack last month they wouldn’t give me those eyes~> She didn’t try to hide it or anything - just nobody made a move on her in the city. On this point Eel couldn’t help but ponder, rubbing the back of her head while looking forward once more<Which seems dumb; it’s like waiting to attack a king till they were in their own castle after leaving yours.>“So, ‘ave ya dear ol’ dads still ain’t left us an extra tail?” <Fuka>Turning to her right side to face the paladin Eel would just chuckle.“As much as I enjoy the snacks he’s been sending me it seems his wallet’s draw string has finally snapped - it seems that rebuilding a mansion while funding a war is quite expensive so he can’t spoil his precious daughter~. Lets just hope they reach an agreement at the border so we can have some more fun!” <Eel>Leaving a hearty laugh with her face pointed to the skys to finish of her conversation - not doing any effort in hiding her meaning. It never was a secret in the first place.Of course, few knew Emily’s relations but Eel on the other hand made no secret of being part dragon. Dragons, as powerful as they are, also happen to be low in number so some arrived at the number 4 and so concluded that Eel was not just a hero but possibly an abandoned bastard child of a prostitute. A child who became strong, making her father try to control her. Though, it isn’t often that a dragon abandons their young.

In truth, one could say they were the most heavily hunted race but at the same time… They didn’t really seem to care much about it.This was partly due to their nature. They were simple, prideful, headstrong and; although they did have some form of community and comadre between their types (especially the water); there almost seemed to be something looming over their heads preventing them from growing out of control. Of course, Eel knew an elf and which race has more knowledge than those related to the immortal MILF who practically lives in a library?In fact, it was partly this MILF’s fault for dragons being individualistic… They were afraid.Afraid may not be the correct term as dragons very rarely even had the ability to feel such emotion on account of how headstrong they were but they were certainly suppressed. One just has to look at the adventurer’s guild to figure it out.How many quests to kill a dragon who destroyed a town or village after they stole or killed their young? But then, if a dragon kills or steals a child they also get put up. One has to remember how important a child is to a regular mother let alone a dragon who has the longest known period for growth of their young (unless they are birthed into their human form in which case things get a bit different).Not to mention, Dragons are mostly solitary and at best in small clans. There were some big clans but they were rare on this continent and as for the eastern continent? They are more united their but little is even known by the elves about that continent but it is sometimes referred to as the abandoned lands or warring sects continent.Of course, there is one organisation that knows all about it… The Church of the Holy Mother.While Photon had a strong presence over here Jeeves had the strongest presence over in the east and Mother suppress’ the east while supporting the rest. As such, it’s not too hard to see the relations Mother has with the other pillars.This has also led to the largest dragon clans being cut off from the rest of the world and left defenceless in a world where the strongest empire has a dragon hunter as {The Queen}.<Basically, to sum it up, Mother suppresses the place where dragons are actually retain the most influence if you ignore her own species of sea dragons while also being cordial with Photon who in turn is married and leads the army of Sohn-Tochter. She having a distaste for anything scaly and divine…> “Though I wonder why she lets Mother spread her own religion if she has such a distaste?” <Eel>Emily as well as Fuka were taken aback by the seemingly sudden, out of nowhere, question but at the same time couldn’t help but ponder.“Well, it could be that she simply ‘as no control over it but from what I know about ‘er she ‘ardly seems like the type ta take things sitting down…” <Fuka>“Nobody who’s managed to build such an empire that fucking large would willingly hand over power of any kind if she didn’t have any gain… That gain could be a lasting peace created by sturdy foundations?” <Eel>“She should have control over it though…” <Emily>“Huh?” <Eel & Fuka>Both were taken aback from the rebuttal but Emily soon clarified.“W-well you have to remember that not only does {The Queen} have the God Hunters but she also has {The Pillar of the Knight} - not only that but I heard from some clients in the brothel that despite what everyone thought a few decades ago they must have a good relationship as she actually gave birth to his child just before ourselves were born…” <Emily>“Oh? Well, not like any ov us don’ know that love doesn’ need to be in place for a goo-” <Fuka>But suddenly a somewhat angry - a rare feeling for the smug and caring (in her own way) Elizabeth Jr would have towards any of those close to her - catching the pair off guard.“This is {The True Hero} we’re talking about! Not to mention between all the pillars he’s the most universally accepted as being ‘good’. In fact, I’ve even heard some rumours even the demon respect senior!” <Eel>… That wasn’t an exaggeration, that is simply how well liked Photon is. He may be simple and straightforward but that also allows him to be something the other two Pillars aren’t. He’s clean and honest without any politics. A role model for any respectable man who simply does his best to help out. The kind of guy who could be drinking alongside Jeeves in the bar at one instance and helping give pointers to Mother’s paladins in the next. Someone who doesn’t see sides but people. Someone who doesn’t revel in killing with his mighty strength but asks for surrender while making clear everyone knows who and what he will do. No tricks, no plots and not even a shred of doubt in his mind.Who could claim to be worthy of being a true hero is not such a man?The only men who Eel would even allow comparison with would be Jeeves (since they are rivals) and {The Dragon Slaying Blade} as another legendary Hero. To possibly cast any dirt on that flashless golden plated armour of Photon’s by even suggesting the notion that he would lead on a woman for what could be said to be ‘forever’ for most would obviously rile up the girl. One could say she truly looked up to a few people and each of them were those who pathed the road for her.Photon, {The Dragon Slaying Blade}, Sohn-Tochter and Mother. Dirt shan’t be spilt!<Though you would think I’d be more concerned since half of those people have killed more dragons than I’ve seen… One of them even was a dragon! Well, maybe more but you simply can’t judge Photon by death counts!>“Well, still, Photon is Munzumira’s little broth-” <Emily>“Ya don’t mean big?” <Fuka>“No… Many, despite what many think she actually raised Photon herself so some actually consider him instead of Chaos J Faust as her first son. In fact, shockingly she’s said to be physically older than any of the pillars.” <Emily> “I wonder what that’s about… Maybe they have one of their parents different or something?” <Eel>”Few records are available before the second world war that aren’t handed down from them so it would likely be hard to find anything scandalous or demeaning about any of those related to the pillars. Also, I don’t think it’s as complicated as you think… After all their first born son wa-”<Emily>“Oh, looks like we arrived at the guild~!” <Eel>

***

It was late in the morning and a sturdy man was sitting in the adventurers guild hall surrounded by his companions. They weren’t anything overly special - just a couple of D-Rankers who decided to travel to a new city and they certainly weren’t the only ones who did such. In fact, it was a regular thing for anyone over the rank of E as they simply moved to where jobs were more common. With the sudden raise in projects going on in Shanta (such as rebuilding the city lords mansion which was going well, the increase in border defenses, increase in hunts for slaves at the border and more men to do all that) more jobs also appeared for adventures thus why these guys were here.They were just chatting and drinking while generally being boisterous about a job well done.“Hahaha~ those gobo’s had it coming~! I know where I’m spending this money tonight!” <Sturdy Man>“I hear there is a brothel filled with hot and strong elven chicks boss.” <Lanky Man>“Bro, we can’t afford any fancy bitches like that!” <Skinny Man>“Doesn’t really matter how fancy she is as long as I get to bust one!” <Fat Man>“Not a fan of elven chicks anyway, too dainty. Dark ones ain’t bad but I prefer a lass with more me-” <Sturdy>Suddenly the group was taken aback - not because of any strange noises but rather a sudden silence. Usually this silence was only given to those at the height of power, even a noble would be mocked by an adventurer if they’re weak but the strong are respected. As D-Rankers they couldn’t help but also be curious; as were many newcomers.But, what they saw coming through those doors next shocked them…Long, wavy purple hair neatly brushed to cascade down the 5 foot figure. Despite their height they somehow carried a noble but ferocious aura around themself like a noble beast that truly believed that the peak of the world was their birthright.Not to mention that face which carried the fine line between country destroying beauty and kingdom swooning handsomeness - only somewhat suppressed by her still somewhat present baby fat. But that fat was quickly fading and it didn’t seem like it would take long for her to become a strong figure in the future.And it was indeed a her, because despite still being young and short she already seemed to have a larger bust size than the armoured red hair behind her - seemingly a paladin while the purple haired girl herself seemed to be some sort of spearmen. The hint being the shaft she held in her left hand with the confidence that came with experience.On the other side of the noble girl seemed to be a near naked cow who was surprisingly the flattest of the bunch - though considering there was only one ‘woman’ between the female trio it made the newcomers confused.Since when did adventurers come to respect noble brats coming to play dressup?“Eh? Whats up with this bitch thin-” <Skinny Man>The skinny man who was muttering that under his breath was about to stand up to teach her a lesson before the sturdy man gripped his shoulder. Looking back he found that his boss was behind him with a grim look, staring at the girl as well. “Whatever you’re gonna do don’t… She already heard you...” <Sturdy Man>“What are you-?!” <Skinny Man>Looking back to the girl he would see the pair behind the purple haired girl looking over confused but what made him shiver… The noble girl was looking directly at him with a soft but smug smile on her face - eyes meeting his filled with expectation and daring him. Daring him to continue and come over.Suddenly he could feel the excitement in the air, as if the whole place was waiting for something and even other newcomers were excited that someone was brave enough to teach this little noble lass a lesson. This made the skinny man regain his cuts and the nagging feeling in the back of his head.“S-s-she’s…” <Lanky Man>“Shut up man, she probably just used some treasure from her sugar daddy that released intimidation at a decent level! Oi, brat, this isn’t the kind of place you can play those tric-” <Skinny Man>“Oh, and? What are you going to do about it? Be~tch~” <Totally Not Eel Jr>Finishing off her comment by popping the ‘b’ in bitch before continuing on - making her comment far more insulting than when he casually called her the same. Obviously provoking him and even getting a healthy amount of laughs which confused the newcomers. Not only that but the guild staff didn’t say anything about it but rather seemed to run off somewhere else with urgency.“I dare you to say that outside these guild walls princess!” <Skinny Man>“Stop it! Are you a fucking idiot that can-” <Sturdy Man>However, before the sturdy man could continue the girl just lifted her palm up, silencing him as he lowered his head and stepped back. As the leader he already had their scout, the lanky man, do some research and he already saw that all blood had long since left that poor mans face.This wasn’t someone they could target but it seemed it was too late.The girl then lifted her right hand above her head and gave a single click. At that same instance all the tables and chairs were pulled away from the path between her and the skinny man to create a ring of sorts - what gave the sturdy man the most fear is it seemed almost rehearsed, as if these adventurers of various ranks some even higher than theirs since this was a border city, like servants.And, only newcomers complained but they were hardly strong enough to refuse the requests of so many so were ‘moved’ as well.There was only one type of person the guild of a city like this respects and they have a name for this type of person that is used quite often… The top dog. “Look, there is no need to take this outside. We have a nice little place here and as the princess of this palace it’s only correct that I have a place prepared for these kinds of situations! Unless your afraid of a little bitch, be~tch~” <Totally Not Eel Jr>This was met with more laughter as the crowd now seemed very eager to see something, the skinny man though was too riled up to step down or even notice the strangeness however.“Good! Let’s see how you deal with a real adventurer, your little knightess can’t protect you in a duel!” <Skinny Man>Although the man was a mage he felt like even he could beat a little brat senseless - at most she was F-rank but he doubted a noble girl could even be that. All she had going for her was expensive equipment and a nice figure that would likely get better when she grew up - she didn’t even act like a noble girl nor dressed like one. More like a prince than princess.Everyone else had stepped away and soon did the two sides companionsLifting up his palm he gave a confident smirk as he began to concentrate his magic power - he didn’t want to kill the girl hence he didn’t put too much power in it but he still formed a small fire in his palm before he threw the fireball at he face to scare her a little.His smirk grew larger as she didn’t even react but still stood there stunned with the same smug expression on her face… But then she began to laugh.“Fufufu~ it seems these guys keep getting dumber if they think something with that amount of power can hurt a dragon. This good princess shall help share some pointers so you don’t make the same mistake~!” <Not Eel>Her next action shocked the newcomers…She simply lifted her right hand to the left side of her face, not even putting any form of protection on her hand, and just backhanded the fireball causing it to explode against it. Despite that she didn’t even make a noise - in fact as the fireball dispersed it showed that she wasn’t even hurt.Next she would lift the spear with her left hand, twirled it and then stabbed it into the floor before she began walking forward and in the next second she vanished and flashed in front of the skinny man.He was obviously shocked and took a step back but before she could manage it she would step on his foot with her left causing him to trip and fall on his ass. Before the man could even react to that she pivoted on her right and lifted her left before it was pointed directly at his face - it didn’t take a genius to figure out what happened next. Slamming his head against the floor an audible crunch as his nose was shattered along with a ‘thud’ followed by the creaking of the floor boards as he was laid down. Lifting her foot would be the far flatter face of the skinny man with his mouth and mouth pouring with blood - newcomers were worried he was dead till he began to cough up his own blood and teeth as the girl just slowly walked over to her spear once again. Followed closely by the roaring of the crowd while those who were thinking about teaching her a lesson or those with other bad intentions just shivered with a white face - looking at her with fear.A man roared out soon after that.“The Adventurers Princess has claimed another victim!”“Damn, he was even quicker than the last!”“Dude, she’s gotten even better with her flash step, no wonder guild master was hounding at her to try the rank test!” “What are you on about, even without her speed I doubt the average C-Ranker could harm her hahaha! She’s practically immortal!”Meanwhile the skinny man didn’t even know who he was at the moment as he just stared blankly at the puddle of his own blood he had coughed up, his off white teeth present in it. Soon he collapsed in it as the momentary consciousness he managed from choking was removed but even then nobody in his party dared rush forward to help.Soon the crowd parted a giant obese orc dressed in the clothing of the guild came forward and saw the scene before letting out a loud sigh. “Why did ya’s not warn da fool! Although named adventurers are allowed ta fight it doesn’t mean you should let every tom dick and harry try ‘er luck ya’ ankle biters! Jus’ because I gave up on controlling ‘er doesn’t mean I can’t shout at yer!” <Orc>“Oioi isn’t that favouritism!”“Get good enough where I can be bothered ta look at ya ugly faces and we can discuss favour!” <Guild Master>This man was the guildmaster of Shanta’s guild, Robert. He was known for being a hardass who regularly acted like that to the guild members but at the same time there was many times where he was the first to defend ‘his boys’ from the powers that be. This got him great respect from not only adventurers but lower income people in general while it needn’t be said nobles don’t particularly like him. Especially considering he hired a lady who was also an elf as his second in command. This only made adventurers who didn’t care about the politics of it all respect him even more which grew into this banter rich guild that acted more like a family… And in said family they had their little princess. “Uncle Rob, don’t worry about the small stuff~! A bit of healing and he’ll be right as rain in 3 days or so. Not like a cracked skull, at worst he’ll have difficulties remembering what comes after 4~!” <Eel>“Ai, what am I gonna do wich ya girl!” <Guild Master Robert>Eel just thrust her hips to the left and shoulder to the right while running her hands from her hips upwards.“Visit me when I’m all grown up like a good un-~” <Eel>“Right, it’s too early ta deal with ya smart mouth princess, so stop teasing and I’ll drop it *sigh*.” <Guild Master Robert><He didn’t refuse though, fufufu~>It was quite clear he was already quite use to her habits. Afterall, if there was anything Eel had grown to enjoy it was teasing people and it could only get worse as time goes on. Robert could only imagine a future when she turned into a danger for men in dark alleys so he could only sigh again as he saw her face clearly said what she was thinking.“Drag ta fool off and hope dat she knocked some sense in ‘im instead of knocking ta rest out, what are ya lot gonna do now?” <Guild Master Robert>Turning to the bunch of guys who were as white as bleach - this being the party of the man Eel just flattened. “I err-” <Sturdy Man>“Ah~ how about we just do as we always do it? Just take them around for a bit boy mission then drop them off back at home - maybe after Fuka has given them a good time - win win right?” <Eel>The man was obviously shocked but Robert just shrugged as he was already use to this girls behaviour so he just left it up to them to handle what they were going to do while their other member was ‘out of action’. Afterall, unless your team of 3 had a nicknamed Adventurer - something that usually only started at B-rank or above - you would have to keep to missions your own rank.Being nicknamed meant that you were recognized by the guild and others as a force to be reckoned with even within your own rank. In other words, you were a monster that was already well on your way in the big leagues and usually always were the top dogs of where they worked. Obviously, all though Eel was only C-Ranked, the guild treated her as a special existence because as soon as she managed to awaken her dragon blood it no longer mattered. She’d possibly be strong if not stronger than a named B-Ranker. Likely stronger considering she already was at the gate for B-Rank.Not only that but she was even a {Hero} which made her even more terrifying - her current name was {The Adventurers Princess} or as some called her {The Adventurers Prince}. This being fully accepted not because of her power - no way she was as dainty as a princess or even prince from some noble house - rather her lifestyle and appearance.She looked like a prince charming and even acted like it but her lifestyle most definitely was that of a hard bodied adventurer; the only thing holding back her rank and lifestyle was her age it seemed like!Of course, she’d already been recognised by the guilds in the country but due to more people entering than leaving Shanta over the years her fame hadn’t spread yet beyond the management. Nobody doubted it would though since not only did she have all this going for her… She hated the nobles of this place just like everyone else!Anyone who could do that would fill all the check marks for these drunkards!“Are you sure that-” <Sturdy Man>“I say we except boss. She has the nickname of {The Adventurers Prince} and it’s said she is the closest thing this guild has to a leader other the guild staff… She ain’t someone you refuse. Also, that brothel I was talking about earlier, the three of them are the youngest members and they are the only other adventurers in this place that can beat her out but it’s said that if it’s her and the cowgirl they could win… It’s also said...” <Lanky Man>He would look around before he continued to whisper to the man but was cut off by the girl he was discussing.“That she’s a {Hero}? Or is it that I’m the bastard of the bastard count himself? Both are true y’know~! Just thinking of dear ol’ dad makes me hungry, I heard dragon stake is great this season~!” <Eel>“Isn’t that cannibalism as well as familicide?” <Fuka>“I think it’s best not to sweat the details frugal fuck Fuka~! I don't have any living relatives as far as I know~” <Eel>The two men whispering where stunned and terrified much to the amusement of the boisterous crowd.