Volume 2: Princess Rina

A week had passed since Princess Rina fled the kingdom. Gradually, the guards stopped searching for her. One night, while I was going to take a bath, she followed her usual routine of preparing the food.

I heard noises and screams coming from outside and quickly went to check what was happening. I found Rina being attacked by some bandits who were after the reward offered for her capture. I intervened immediately and managed to drive the bandits away, but one of them stayed behind. I asked him who had hired them, and he revealed that he had received orders from a dark creature.

I immediately thought that this dark creature could be the same one that had killed my Sensei. I decided to let the bandit go, but I remained even more alert. That night, I stayed awake to protect Rina, but I eventually fell asleep. When I woke up, she was getting out of the bath.

I was so tired that I just wanted to go back to sleep, but I knew I needed to stay vigilant. Upon seeing me, Rina seemed worried.

— Kazuki-kun.

— Yes, Rina?

— I think it’s better if I go back to the kingdom. I’m causing too many problems for you.

— You’re not, please stay here. You don’t have to marry someone out of obligation, especially someone you have no feelings for.

— Alright, Kazuki-kun. I’ll talk to my father and sort out this situation. Thank you for taking care of me until now.

I watched her as she left. I felt sad but at the same time grateful for everything I had learned from her. Rina had explained the critical situation in the kingdom, which is in crisis, and if nothing is done, many dark creatures might attack the beloved village.

While walking to the library, as I always do, I saw an old man on the street trying to sell a book about swordsmanship and how to become a great warrior. Initially, I thought it might be a scam, but I decided to buy the book to help the elderly man. When I examined it, I realized it was not an ordinary book. It contained valuable information and advanced techniques. When I tried to thank the man, he had disappeared.

When I looked at the book, I saw the signature on the back, and when I went to the library to check if it was true, Sakura confirmed that the signature of the king and princess was indeed on that book.