A Princess's Determination
King Potten Laden of Laden didn't play a major role in Lupan.
Of course, he had important parts in certain events due to his position, but when it came to the overall weight in the main story, he didn't have any particularly big moments.
Well, the same went for the kings of other nations.
Still, because he was a king, he was treated as an important NPC with his own dedicated modeling.
In Main Story Chapter 1, King Potten Laden's role was to create a point of contact with Adelia Laden, the main character of that chapter.
Originally in Lupan, the protagonist who happened to encounter the Water Sacred Beast would be invited to the royal palace to provide more detailed information after reporting to the Adventurer's Guild.
And while reporting to the king in the audience chamber, the first connection with Adelia Laden would be formed.
This time, because of the rumors that spread after I sold Praton's corpse, it ended up with Adelia's side coming to us first instead.
I explained everything we had been through to King Potten Laden.
After listening to my story, King Potten Laden stayed silent for a moment before opening his mouth.
"You felt an ominous presence. Is that true?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then those people must be involved after all…."
King Potten Laden frowned as he pondered.
The "those people" he mentioned referred to the Chaos Cult.
A staple of subculture genres.
Whenever there's some cult on the side of evil, they're almost always the masterminds behind everything.
The corruption and rampage of the Water Sacred Beast Praton was also the work of the Chaos Cult.
"I've heard enough. You must have been quite startled to encounter such a thing while investigating the monster's rampage."
"Unexpected things happen all the time when taking on requests. We simply accept them as they come."
"Bold. In any case, thank you for telling me. Someone, bring them their reward."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Soldiers stepped forward and handed each of us a pouch filled with money.
"Thank you for coming despite the trouble. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
There was no reason to refuse money.
As soon as the conversation ended, we left the audience chamber.
From the start, King Potten Laden had summoned us because, even though he already had the photograph as evidence, he wanted to hear our firsthand account to be more certain.
In Lupan as well, Potten Laden would briefly converse with the protagonist, give a modest reward, and then send them on their way.
We followed Adelia Laden back through the castle corridors, heading toward the academy.
Along the way, when there were no other attendants or knights nearby, Adelia Laden stopped and turned to face us, calling out our names.
"Lee Si-han, Shu Yeon-hwa, Atsbal Genadic, Pamela."
In Main Quest Chapter 1, it wasn't King Potten Laden who gave us requests until we fought the chapter's main boss.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
The second princess of the Laden Kingdom, the key character of Main Story Chapter 1 who would work with the protagonist to resolve the incident after this encounter.
"Help me resolve this incident together."
Adelia Laden, the key character of Main Story Chapter 1.
"H-Huh?"
"What?"
"Hmm."
Everyone else reacted with surprise at Adelia's words.
Normally, matters concerning the Water Sacred Beast, which was revered in the Laden Kingdom, would be handled proactively by the kingdom itself.
So for Princess Adelia to suddenly ask us to help her resolve it instead of the kingdom was hard to understand.
"I…"
When Adelia tried to explain her reasons further, I raised my palm to stop her.
"I'd rather we discuss this back at the Portis clubroom. It's probably something you don't want others to overhear."
She had deliberately chosen a corridor where no knights or attendants were in sight.
Understanding my intent, Adelia nodded.
"…Very well."
We used the warp stone to return to the clubroom.
After closing the door just in case, I asked Adelia.
"So. Why are you asking us for help? Even without us, the kingdom's knights and soldiers would handle the investigation."
"…That's exactly why."
Adelia clenched her fists and lowered her head slightly, looking frustrated.
"Father will surely have the soldiers investigate this incident. But… I won't be allowed to participate in that investigation. No, Father won't let me get involved."
"Wow, isn't that because you're a princess? They wouldn't want you doing something like an investigation, right?"
When Pamela asked cautiously, Adelia shook her head.
"No, that's not the reason. It's because the Chaos Cult is involved in this incident. My father, His Majesty King Potten Laden… doesn't want me to have anything to do with the Chaos Cult, even in the slightest."
"Why?"
"…."
After a brief silence, Adelia let out a breath and spoke.
"Because my older sister, First Princess Adelin Laden, died while resolving an incident involving the Chaos Cult. Ever since then, Father has tried to keep me away from anything related to the Chaos Cult."
"I see. That makes sense. After losing the first princess, he wouldn't want to put the second princess in danger as well. You're the only remaining heir to the Laden Kingdom, after all."
"Yes. That's why I understand why Father is taking such measures. But…!"
Adelia looked at us with fierce determination in her eyes.
"I can't just stand by like this. I can't live under Father's protection forever. More than anything, I can't forgive the Chaos Cult for taking the life of my respected older sister… Adelin!"
Adelia's body trembled with rage.
"And this time… they've even extended their reach to Praton, the Water Sacred Beast who's practically a symbol of Laden! No matter how much I understand Father's desire to protect me, as the second princess of Laden, I cannot ignore this incident!"
The incident had occurred when Adelia was still young.
After losing his eldest daughter, Potten Laden had become extremely overprotective whenever the Chaos Cult was involved.
Adelia was dissatisfied with that and wanted to prove she wasn't a child who always needed protection. She wanted to show her parents that she was a daughter they could rely on, which was why she had asked for our cooperation.
Since the disappearance of First Princess Adelin had happened when Adelia was still young, the accumulated frustration from years of overprotection had finally exploded.
"I see. Understood."
Atsbal, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward.
"Adelia Laden. In other words… you wish to 'break free' from your father Potten Laden's protection?"
"B-Break free?"
"To escape the suffocating protection that has also been a cage all this time! To spread your own wings!"
"Uh… well, yes."
"As expected! I understand your feelings perfectly. My own parents, who brought me into this world, also showered me with excessive protection and attention. Of course, I am now someone who has 'broken free' from that overprotection by proving myself to them."
"I-Is that so?"
"From my experience as someone who has gone through it, your actions right now would anger King Potten Laden if he found out. He would surely try to stop you."
"He would. Father would definitely stop me."
"But! A person cannot grow if they remain forever in their parents' embrace! Instead, one must boldly 'rebel' against that protection and show their true self! I respect your decision!"
"Atsbal Genadic…"
Adelia looked at Atsbal with a slightly moved expression.
"Pfft."
For the record, I was desperately holding back laughter while listening to Atsbal.
Because while he was going on about how he had broken free from his parents' embrace, his relationship story made it impossible to believe that.
After all, Atsbal's parents adored him so much that they called him "Ats~" as a cute nickname.
Atsbal was embarrassed by how his parents still treated him like a cute little child.
Incidentally, the "rebellion" Atsbal mentioned referred to getting permission to live in the academy dorms instead of commuting from home after enrollment.
If I let Atsbal keep talking, my laughter would burst out, so I decided to steer the conversation forward.
"I understand your situation. But why ask us for help? Surely there are others you could turn to?"
"…There aren't."
"There aren't?"
"If I asked the kingdom's soldiers, it would definitely reach Father's ears. And if I asked students from Laden who have connections with me… it would be the same."
"Hmm. So that's why you're asking us?"
"Yes. Besides, you've not only encountered the Water Sacred Beast once, but you've also dealt it a serious wound. Your skills are trustworthy."
"Hah! You recognize our strength!"
"And since we wounded the Water Sacred Beast, there's also the possibility that it's currently in an abnormal state and might target us?"
"That's also a factor."
"Huh?! W-We might be targeted by the Water Sacred Beast?"
"Well, we did slice off its lower half clean with Penetration. If it spots us, it'll probably want revenge, don't you think?"
"Whether it's the Water Sacred Beast or whatever, if it comes, we won't just sit there and take it!"
Adelia placed a hand on her chest and spoke.
"I have confidence in my own abilities as well. I've trained so as not to bring shame to my position as heir to the Laden Kingdom. I'll definitely be of help when facing the Water Sacred Beast."
"Hmm…"
After pretending to think for a moment, I looked at the members and asked.
"What do you all think?"
"I-I'll go along with whatever Si-han decides…"
"I'm fine with it too. Even if King Potten Laden questions us, we can just say Adelia asked for cooperation and that it wasn't a problem. That works, right, Adelia?"
"Of course. If Father questions you, tell him that."
"The Water Sacred Beast is nothing! If we meet it again, I'll overwhelm it! Hahahaha!"
Since no one objected, I turned back to Adelia.
"Everyone's in favor. We'll accept your request."
"Thank you."
"However, there's a condition."
"A condition? What kind of condition?"
I took out a document I had prepared in my inventory for this moment.
"Sign this so you won't raise suspicion while working with us, and submit it to the Student Counseling Office."
"This is… a group application form?"
"If we're in the same group, there won't be any issues with us acting together."
"I see. Understood."
Without suspicion, Adelia accepted the group application form.
"There's ink and a pen on that table. You can fill it out right there."
Adelia immediately wrote her name on the group application form.
'Perfect.'
With this, Adelia had also become a member of Portis.
Now all that remained was to analyze how Adelia applied her skills in this world and correct her if she was using them incorrectly, like Atsbal had been.
And then…
'Have her repeat training and sparring until she can use her skills faster and more proficiently.'
"What? Why did I suddenly get chills…?"
Welcome, Adelia.
To my Portis group.