Quest for Hikari - Episode 13: A Princess's Request

[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]

{ PoV: Rance }

I stood in front of the Princess's waiting room, as the robed girl approached the door before looking at me.

Just one thing, how'd she know my name? Maybe at yesterday, she was inside the crowd that formed, maybe not...

"Sir Rance, Her Highness Lia Parapara Leazas awaits you beyond these doors. I must say, she has just taken a liking to you since you began fighting in the arena." She said, before I looked at her questioningly.

".... A liking to me?"

"A really big liking to you, Sir Rance."

.....

Yep, she's a Yandere alright. A big red flag I don't think I can truly escape from.

I heaved a large sigh, before rubbing my nape.

"Something wrong, Sir Rance?" The girl asked, making me shake my head.

"Come to think of it, who even are you, anyway?" When I asked this, the green haired girl was a little surprised.

".... Forgive me for my late introduction, but I serve as her Highness's head attendant. I am Maris Amaryllis."

"I see, anyways. I'm going to enter now." I replied towards the girl now known as Maris, before the guards silently opened the door to the Princess's waiting room.

Once we entered, I wondered where she was, until another door opened, revealing a blue haired, blue eyed girl wearing a long dress that reached down to her feet. She really looked beautiful. The moment she entered, Maris bowed to her direction.

"Ah, hello! It's nice to meet you, Lord Rance! I am Lia Parapara Leazas!" The princess introduced herself with a curtsy and an energetic smile. She's also emitting an aura that makes her seem really friendly.

"You're very strong, aren't you? Defeating someone like the former champion Yulang is not an easy feat. So I wanted to make a request from you." Lia said, still keeping her smile.

"Eh... What is it then? I'll be happy to help." I replied, giving her a fair little smile and reciprocating her gesture.

"Ah, you see.... There is a little villa the Royal Family owns down in the town, and just recently, it was haunted with ghosts. Because you're skilled enough, I need you to clean the villa up so that we can use it again...." Lia explained, as I became curious.

"Ghostbusting, hm? Look, I wouldn't do any requests for free." I replied, before Maris took a step forward towards me.

"We hear you've been looking for the one who kidnapped Hikari mi Blanc? We know where he is recently, though we are unable to do anything against him legally as we need one more specific evidence we could use. We have an impressive intelligence network, so that would be easy." Maris spoke, giving a valid reason and definitely convincing me to accept their request.

Technically, I was just going with the flow. They're practically suspicious just by that sentence, you know?

"I see.... So in that abandoned mansion near the gate of Leazas Castle?" I spoke, as Princess Lia nodded with a bigger smile.

"Of course. Please report to me when you're done, okay?" Lia spoke just before I strode towards the door where I came from with a grin.

When the doors closed behind me, I kept my grin and proceeded to exit Leazas Castle, in which my expression turned into a complete frown.

"..... What the hell are you both planning?" I asked nobody, before proceeding to move towards the gate where a man was guarding.

It seems like Menad is not on duty yet.

"Hey! You're Sword Prince Zance, aren't you? I'm Harry Stuart, or you can just call me Ninja Master, the one you defeated a day ago." He introduced himself before I noticed that he was a different person beforehand.

"Huh? Eh... you don't look and act like Ninja Master...." I asked him because I was just confused before he took out a scroll.

"That's simply because of this Personality Changing Scroll, which changes your personality for around 30 minutes. I became Ninja Master because of this, though you probably should try it some time, so I'll just give one to you for free. I have several more in stock back at my house." The Guardsman, Harry said, before handing out a Personality Changing Scroll to me.

I silently left with a thank you gesture, before putting the scroll on my backpack for later use. That would be handy.

[ Rance has gained the "Personality Changing Scroll"! ]

[ The question is... how will he use it? ]

Several minutes later, I arrived at the Khien Manor's entrance, staring at the doorknob and thinking about what should I do.

Before I arrived here after the Princess requested me to take care of the ghosts here, the door was completely locked, and breaking through would only mean trouble.

But now.....

I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, hearing a sound that signified that it was now unlocked.

However....

"I still have to talk to Sill for a while, and I'm going back here later at right now is still 9:10 AM." I spoke, letting go of the doorknob and left the manor with it's door closed and began to take a walk towards Paris Academy.

And as usual, I blew on my whistle and waited for a few minutes before Sill eventually arrived on this part of the Academy.

She looked worried, really.

"Master Rance, I found this on my room after I woke up." She said, taking out a piece of paper from her pocket.

When she opened it, it was revealed to be a simple letter saying: stop investigating.

I silently tore apart the paper and left the pieces down on the ground.

"Heh! The mastermind must be desperate, so he sent a letter to you! Now... just go with the flow, and I'll take care of the rest!" I spoke with a grin, patting her head several times before turning around.

"GAHAHAHAHAHA~! Here I come, Hikari-chan's kidnapper!"

And so, I left to return to the Manor, feeling like my investigation is almost finished with a massive success rate.

[ ~ Chapter • End ~ ]

Character Images:

• Lia Parapara Leazas -

• Rance's Commentary: She's very suspicious and looked really deceiving even with that cheerful personality of hers, though to be honest, she's at a complete 100/100 in looks for me. How about her personality? Yeah, let's put it on 85/100. It might change soon.

• Maris Amaryllis -

• Rance's Commentary: One of the suspects I was looking for. Though I couldn't yet do anything against her and the princess she guards.... Meeting both of them is a complete red flag, for now.

Author's Commentary: You are about to approach the darkest part of this volume. Proceed with utmost caution and preparedness.

Investigation Progress: 80%