Although most of the high-level members in the Radiant Monastery were temporarily unavailable for my use, Claire had still granted me command authority over the trainee legion inside the monastery.
The most direct result was that Kai’s team had signed a special contract with me, allowing me to summon them at any time.
Of course, if I summoned them during certain private hours, there was no guarantee what kind of special entrance outfit might unlock. So, to avoid overly explosive scenes that could negatively impact the mental and physical health of minors, we had agreed on some conditions in advance.
As for the rumors that spread through the Holy Light Hermetic Order after Claire issued the order—things like Kai actually being Claire’s half-sister from a different mother, or Kai being secretly groomed as the next successor—I wasn’t particularly concerned.
Right now, the only thing I wanted to do was teach these overly arrogant monsters a profound lesson.
“You’ve been reinforced. Charge in and bite them.”
“Bite?”
Kai and the others, who had just been summoned and still hadn’t figured out what was going on, inexplicably focused on a certain verb in my sentence.
I paused for a moment before realizing my wording might have been a bit inappropriate. I quickly put on a wronged expression.
“Wuu wuu, these monsters are bullying me.”
Even though they still didn’t fully understand the situation, under the devastatingly pitiful assault of the loli’s teary-eyed look, Kai and the others instantly became fired up, as if injected with chicken blood. Their fury surged, and they immediately turned their aggression toward the pursuing monsters.
The Venomous Blood Dwarf Demons on the spiral staircase seemed to finally react. They clearly grew fearful of these holy knight clerics, but the moment they prepared to flee, they were swallowed by a tidal wave of holy light.
Not even a single wail escaped.
Watching from the side, I broke out in a cold sweat. I suddenly felt fortunate that this group were lolicon enthusiasts. Otherwise, I would have been blasted into a mosaic that night long ago.
Though both carried the elite suffix, elite-level NPCs were not something monsters could compare to. Powerful elite NPCs could even stand against leader-tier monsters. That was why the Venomous Blood Dwarf Demons had no resistance against Kai’s group.
Having effortlessly dealt with the enemies, Him, who hadn’t even had time to cast a blessing, blinked in surprise. But her attention quickly shifted elsewhere.
“Don’t be scared, Your Highness. Everything’s okay now. We’ve eliminated all those monsters.” Him spread her arms as if wanting to pull me into an embrace. With her gentle smile and pretty face, she looked just like a healing-type big-sister cleric.
But I hadn’t forgotten what this girl had done a few days ago. I hurriedly backed away several steps. “Don’t come closer, you repeat offender.”
Him’s face immediately fell. She shrank to the side and started drawing circles on the ground. “But we agreed that lolis only have seven-second memories…”
You think I’m a fish, idiot.
Biri glanced at Him smugly from the side. “Your Highness, ignore this pervert. She hasn’t even done anything yet and already wants credit. Serves her right.”
But before she could approach, I drew a clear line with her early. “You stay back too. Don’t think I don’t know you two are accomplices.”
Biri then went over to join Him. “I haven’t done anything yet either. It’s all your fault for tipping her off.”
So the regret is not acting sooner?
Bemira and Daisy looked at the two with sympathy. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. With us protecting you, no one can harm you.”
Thieves crying “thief” have no right to say that.
I showed no appreciation and pointed to the corner nearby.
The two trainee knights immediately drooped their heads and walked over, planning to play mahjong with the two clerics—even though they had no idea what mahjong was.
In the end, it was Kai, as the team captain, who rescued her teammates. “I’m very sorry for our earlier rudeness, but please believe they mean no harm. Your Highness’s safety will always be our top priority.”
“Besides, Your Highness seems to have important matters to attend to. It wouldn’t be proper to delay over something so minor.”
This wasn’t minor at all—it was a matter that decided whether I’d get three years of free room and board at a state-run hotel, starting sentence included.
I huffed once, but remembering I did have things to do, I let it go. “Fine. Just follow behind me.”
The group of lolicon enthusiasts immediately perked up as if granted permission and happily trailed after me. “Your Highness, don’t walk too fast. It’d be terrible if danger appeared.”
“The only danger here is you lot.”
I rolled my eyes ahead of them, but whispers came from behind.
“Her Highness used to be so obedient and sensible…”
“No helping it. Kids always hit their rebellious phase eventually.”
“I get it. It’s like suddenly switching from bear-print underwear to blue-and-white stripes one day. It’s just a part of life.”
What kind of awful analogy is that? And what’s with the old-mom tone? Don’t think that gives you an excuse for your crimes.
I had kept Kai’s group around just in case something unexpected happened. Though I thought the chances were low—after all, those five elite dwarf demons weren’t weak. Even teams from major guilds wouldn’t fare well against them. For the stages ahead, they should have been more than enough.
At least, as long as we hadn’t ventured too deep yet, it should still be relatively safe.
Yet the moment I thought that and pushed open the door from the third floor to the inner hall, I was promptly proven wrong.
The instant the door opened, a dazzling burst of light caught the corner of my eye. Years of having my butt groped by thieves had honed my instincts, and I reflexively dove forward.
I successfully dodged, but Bemira behind me wasn’t so lucky. Even with armor to cushion it, she was knocked back several steps.
“Your Highness?”
“Bemira!”
Amid the chaos, Kai and Daisy’s expressions hardened as they rushed to my side and raised their defenses.
The two clerics hurried to help the injured Bemira. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Ugh…” Bemira let out a pained groan, startling Him into preparing a healing spell. Even I couldn’t help casting a worried glance.
Bemira stared blankly and murmured, “I… I actually missed such a beautiful view…”
Everyone froze.
When we finally realized what she meant, my face exploded red. I hurriedly pressed down my skirt to block the faint glances peeking from around us.
Him directly slapped her healing spell onto the pervert’s face.
Even the enemy who had launched the attack seemed unable to watch any longer—or perhaps unwilling to be ignored for so long. A mechanical voice, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, rang out.
“Intruders detected. Executing elimination protocol.”
Only then did I clearly see the attacker’s appearance.
A golden-yellow streamlined body. Powered by a mix of steam and energy crystals, the entire steel frame blended punk aesthetics with medieval design. Cold light flickered in its mechanical eyes, embedded with red gems.
Proxy Mechanical Puppet [Leader]: Level 40, Integrity 100%
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