In the dense forest near the Fang King Federation's capital, Lacent.
A dilapidated building stands in the middle of a deep forest enveloped in a thick mist that makes it dark even during the day.
The ruins, which had likely once been the hideout of some bandits, contained a sturdy stone basement, where a new outlaw was now making his home.
"Hehe. What a stupid princess. You scattered the guards to protect the people, and then you got captured yourself. What a pain."
Saying this, a wicked smile spread across her beautiful face, was a fierce-looking female cat beastman. The woman's smile deepened as she was accompanied by three other beastmen with similarly bad looks.
"There are many types of extraordinary magic items,
"...!"
The one who glared back bravely at the cat beast woman who was giving her a tormenting gaze was a beautiful girl with distinctive porcelain-like skin.
The kidnapped princess.
Even though she was chained in a dungeon and unable to move, she boldly retorted to the thugs.
"...My decision to prioritize the lives of the people was not a mistake. Rather, this kind of barbarism is a waste for both sides. This country is not so soft that it will succumb to hostages. There is still time. Release me now!"
"Whoa, you're being very bold. I'm getting excited."
Seeing Wang Si's attitude, the cat beast woman's eyes lit up suspiciously.
and,
"Now that I've sent the signal, she will be coming to collect you immediately... but I suppose I wouldn't mind getting a taste of that royal body."
"...picture?"
"Is this your first time with another girl, Princess?"
"...!?"
The female cat beastman excitedly opens the dungeon door roughly and licks her lips.
For the first time, Wang Mei's eyes began to waver at the prospect of the humiliating future.
*
"You still don't know where Her Highness Wang Sister is!"
"We have organized a reconnaissance unit to pursue them, but… there is so much chaos. There have been many reports of sightings that seem to be false reports intended to cause confusion, and if they are already outside the city, then that's already…"
"Guh, they're the ones who used things like
The news of the princess's kidnapping had already spread throughout central town, causing an incredible commotion.
People were filled with despondent despair, and the Knights were running around frantically.
It could have been even more chaotic than when the monsters appeared.
"...Her Highness the Princess forced the guards to split apart in order to protect the townspeople..."
Alicia, who had returned to the town center a little earlier than me, muttered.
"...Then a high-ranking Tamer came charging in with his target monster...and in the confusion he was kidnapped...On top of that, the kidnapper's accomplices, about a dozen groups with similar appearances, fled in different directions, so we couldn't chase them while the monsters were rampaging."
Alicia said that they seemed to have lost sight of the Princess in the confusion.
(Damn, how planned…!)
Even though I had no choice in order to help the people of the town, I regret my decision to leave the city center. But right now, I don't even have time to regret it.
(We must rescue Her Imperial Highness as quickly as possible.)
Kidnapping is a race against time.
For the sake of the hostages' safety, there was no time to hesitate.
But,
(Even the Knights can't trace him, and there are no clues, so there's nothing we can do...)
And that's when I was at a loss.
"I found it, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Huh?! Whaaaaaaat?! Claire?!"
suddenly.
Sister Claire, held by the werewolf Sophia and her guard Silvia, came down, sprinkling holy water (a euphemism) from her mouth. What is this!?
"Hey, what's wrong, Claire? Are you okay?"
"Well, I was drinking a lot, and Silvia and the others were trying to protect me from the monsters and… they started to speak of their faith (a euphemism)… no, that's enough for now!"
Sister Claire said this with a pale face.
"Bing Bing arrived just now! He said we should head straight 15 kilometers west-northwest from here right now!"
"...!? That's..."
"Yes. Given the situation, that's definitely where Little Sister Wang is! But at the same time, I have a bad feeling about this. I need to go and help her as soon as possible."
Claire said, looking pale, perhaps because of the nausea or the prophecy.
The scene was so realistic that I immediately nodded and said, "I understand."
(The knights are wary of false rumors, so it's impossible to get them to trust Sister Claire right away. Besides, for a short distance like 15 kilometers, it would be much faster for me, who is over level 300, to run alone than to rely on a wind mage exhausted from battle!)
I left a letter from Olivia with Silvia and the others and asked them to inform the Knights of the kidnapper's location.
I use the slingshot to jump into the northwestern sky.
He ran at full speed to the place of the prophecy.