The receptionist holds up a shaky finger. “One moment, please.”
She takes off up the stairs, yelling for the Guild Master. A moment later, there’s the pounding of footsteps, and the receptionist comes flying down the stairs, the Guild Master on her heels. He walks right up to Alessia with an astonished look on his face.
“My Queen, is it true? You wish to become an adventurer?” he confirms.
“Yes, I do. I believe it is in my best interest to hone my skills in an environment that is livelier than a training arena. You see, I cannot grow any further with training dummies. The adrenaline of fighting a real monster is the only driving force that will create real improvements in my combat skills.”
“I see. What will become of your royal duties?”
“I am having Mina and my father administrate in my place. I will only be adventuring for six weeks, after which time I will return to the palace with plenty of time to catch up before the knights’ tournament.”
The Guild Master’s face lights up. “Ah! I see! You walk a noble path indeed, My Queen. Improving your skills in combat to prove your worth to your people; how exciting! This is truly a day for the history books! Right this way, if you please.”
I look at Mina as we follow Alessia upstairs. “Is this really happening?”
“Of course! Alessia would have no less than the best quality of training. She strives to be an example to her people, as do you.”
I frown. While that’s true, I have a feeling there’s a further ulterior motive to this adventuring. Alessia could request monsters be brought to the palace, but instead, she’s putting her life on the line to improve in combat situations outside of her home turf.
Could she be preparing to invade Krasta herself, I wonder?
I shake my head. Whatever her reason, there’s no turning back now; as soon as we register our names and fingerprint our Guild cards, history will be made, and Aurelio Moonbreaker, Prince of Celestia, will officially be an adventurer.
Ironically enough, I’m excited. I wished to improve, and like Emilia said, there’s no better training than real, live combat experience.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Chapter twenty-five
Alessia
While real-life experience is great and all, I don’t think I grasped the real part of the experience before I went into this.
Now, I’m hanging upside-down by my ankles in a tree, and it’s entirely my fault.
“Looking heroic, Alessia!” Aurelio laughs.
I glower at him. “Get me down!”
“No can do! You said you wanted real-life experience, and here it is,” he says, gesturing to my predicament. “You got yourself into this bind, and so you can get yourself out of it. I can wait around all day if need be.”
“Oh, screw you, you high and mighty royal pain in my—!”
All of a sudden, the branch creaks and groans. My stomach clenches as my branch starts to break away from the trunk, fiber by fiber.
“Please don’t break,” I whimper.
My protests do nothing to stop the branch. Instead, it heaves, groans again, and with a massive SNAP! it shatters. I plummet to the ground and land in a heap, my back protesting the impact. Rubbing my shoulders, I sit up, glaring at the ropes around my feet.
“Stupid trap!” I grumble.
“See? You didn’t need my help at all,” Aurelio says.
“Don’t rub it in,” I huff. “I know you enjoyed that thoroughly.”
“Oh, I absolutely enjoyed the show.”
I sigh, setting to work untying the ropes from my feet. I can’t believe I walked right into my own rope trap. I’d been hoping to catch dinner with a classic hunting scheme, but instead, I managed to catch myself when I went to investigate the trap after waiting around all day. Now, I’m not only hungry, but sore, too.
