The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 33

Lamars, the capital of Lambdish, in front of the Moonshine Guild.

In front of the Moonshine Guild, the continent's best information guild and mercenary guild, there was a bustling crowd. The reason was one thing.

The Light Dragon Harlan Quest!

Although it was a quest offered by the Moonshine Guild, mercenaries and wandering knights who were willing to participate in the quest put in extra effort because the Moonshine Guild itself was also joining.

Why?

It was natural. In Moonshine Guild-

"Lord Anshirad! Sir Anshirad!"

Because Cedin Anshirad was there.

The Mercenary King, the head of the Moonshine Guild, and a rare Sword Master on the continent.

People started to get excited when they heard that Cedin Anshirad himself would be leading the expedition.

If Cedin Anshirad were leading the expedition, how massive and skilled would it be?

Naturally, it was the expedition with the highest chance of success.

"We have come from Baron Sangdan. Please consider our proposal!"

"Count Ingara has sent us. Our count-"

"Our Twilight Mercenary Corps is willing to sacrifice our lives for the kingdom. Just give us a chance to talk...!"

The problem was.

Cedin Anshirad had suddenly disappeared!

After announcing, 'I, too, will be going on the expedition for the sake of the Empire's people,' Cedin had disappeared into the Moonshine Guild and hadn't come out since.

Even the wealthy upper-class individuals and knights with reputations who visited were all rejected by Cedin.

As a result, rumors started to spread even more. It was said that Cedin Anshirad personally selected individuals to form the expedition.

And the level of that expedition was said to be capable of conquering the continent. They were gathering all the experts from the night to form a knight order....

With such ambitions, how could those who desired honor stay still?

"Please take us with you!"

"You can use us as foot soldiers! We just want to be part of the expedition...!"

Amidst the desperate cries day and night, Cedin finally showed a defeated appearance.

A week had passed since the quest was issued, and three days had passed since Cedin announced his own expedition.

"It's Cedin Anshirad!"

"Cedin Anshirad!"

"Will His Highnesss the Crown Prince also be joining the expedition?"

"What is the composition of the expedition-"

Even amidst the deafening cheers, Cedin calmly raised his hand.

"Stop."

With those words, everyone fell silent in an instant. It wasn't because they wanted to be silent.

Cedin's voice carried a force that completely subdued them.

But Cedin seemed satisfied with achieving his goal and continued speaking.

"The expedition's members have already been filled."

"What?"

"No, who... Even though we stood here for three days and nights, I didn't see a single rat!"

Voices of dissatisfaction erupted from all around.

"That's how it is. I gave the order."

"Yes? But the expedition members-"

"The expedition members are only three, including myself, Cedin Anshirad."

"!"

In disbelief, the audience exchanged glances. What on earth was Cedin saying?

Is Cedin the crazy one, or them?

No, is it him?

"One of them is as you expected, Crown Prince Ishir."

"As expected!"

"He couldn't just stay still in the Imperial family...."

If that happened, the support of the Empire's people would plummet. People quietly accepted it.

"And the remaining one, who is it? Is the remaining one also a Sword Master?"

"That's right. In order to compete with Harlan, it was concluded that only those who have reached at least the level of a Sword Master can do it."

Everyone nodded at Cedin's explanation.

That's right. It wasn't just any dragon, but the Light Dragon.

Moreover, it was the Red Dragon, known to be the strongest and with the worst temperament among dragons.

If it wasn't a Sword Master, they would surely melt away with just one breath.

"But aren't there only a few Sword Masters in the Empire right now? Did you recruit them from other countries?"

"Not exactly."

"Then, is it someone who recently became a Sword Master? Did Lord Ante Marchius finally reach the level of a Sword Master...?"

People began nodding their heads, saying that it was a reasonable guess.

Ante was the strongest candidate for the next Sword Master.

He had already reached the mastery level of Sword Expert, and his talent as a Marchius was well-known.

"While Ante's talent is remarkable, it's not him."

"Then...?"

The crowd's eyes turned to Cedin. Who could it be?

"It's my master."

Cedin proudly uttered those words, as if he was extremely proud.

In truth, he wanted to boast about how amazing his master, Renee, was... but Renee wouldn't allow it.

"What?"

"No way, you had a master?"

"A Sword Master who trained a Sword Master... Who on earth..."

And Cedin smirked as he looked at the astonished crowd.

He didn't really want to share or brag about it anyway.

***

"Are you angry?"

Renee and Cedin were on their way to Kassid, a city in the Malapa border region where the last Light Dragon Harlan was discovered.

"Yes. I was just thinking about completing this quest."

Since they left the capital, Cedin had been watching Renee's every move, but Renee was furious and didn't care about anyone's feelings.

Cedin tried to calm Renee down by offering his own hair, but it didn't work at all.

"...If you eat that, you'll lose your hair."

Renee chewed on the hair.

"Why did you put such a reward in the announcement?"

"Because only Renee can complete that quest anyway."

"That's even more of a problem! I don't use people as slaves!"

"But it's voluntary slavery, so you can use it as you please."

That's a dangerous thing to say. Renee slapped Cedin's hair.

"And why did you announce me as your 'master'? I told you to just say I'm an anonymous someone."

"Renee can't just be an anonymous someone."

She can be someone of my own. Cedin swallowed the rest of his words.

Renee sighed, not knowing if she knew or not.

Then she let go of Cedin's hair and looked him straight in the eye.

"It was a big deal. The Sword Master of the Night. The Sword Master who raised a Sword Master."

"You wanted chaos, didn't you?"

That's true. She wanted chaos on a city level,

Not chaos on a continental level.

Renee felt more and more overwhelmed by the situation.

"Just so you know, I'm not going to accept that reward, Cedin."

"It doesn't matter."

"...Are you serious?"

"Yes. Have I ever resisted Renee's words?"

Renee thought about whether Cedin had ever done that.

Cedin's words were true. He had never done that even once.

But it was too easy to agree, and it made her suspicious.

"Why did you write it in the first place?"

"Because I wanted to let other people know."

"Know what?"

"That I'm by your side."

At Cedin's confident answer, Renee lost her words.

Why did he want to let others know that? Why?

"...Why...?"

Cedin didn't answer Renee's question.

He just smiled softly, with a meaning that couldn't be understood. Renee gave up asking more and changed the subject.

"Anyway, let's talk more about the quest. Is that Light Dragon really real?"

"Yes. Deceiving with something trivial would be counterproductive."

"But the timing of its appearance is too perfect."

Did he wake it up, by any chance?

Renee couldn't bring herself to ask the question. She felt like she now knew that Cedin's eyes were calm.

That guy is really sincere. He's sincere. Don't mess with him.

"Maybe we took on too big of a quest from the beginning, didn't we?"

So, she was expecting to build up her reputation little by little. Renee clicked her tongue.

"You can't get attention with just ordinary quests."

But Cedin was calm.

As the owner of the Information Guild, he knew how great Renee's notoriety was.

He couldn't tell Renee, but-

'According to public opinion surveys, the current public opinion of Renee... was closer to someone who betrayed the Empire.'

To cover up such notoriety, ordinary things wouldn't do.

That's why Cedin had put everything on the line to create this quest.

"With Renee's abilities, it won't be difficult to take care of it."

"What about your abilities?"

"Are you curious about my abilities?"

"No, I'm curious about the abilities of that Light Dragon. It's hard to guess when the only comparison is myself."

There aren't many beings in this world that can be compared to her. Renee replied nonchalantly.

"Is that so..."

Cedin responded with a slightly sullen expression.

"It might be difficult, but I don't think it's impossible."

"You seem confident."

"It meant that I would do whatever it takes to make it a success for Renee's sake."

That's even scarier. Renee deliberately ignored Cedin's feelings.

"Is Ishir going to join later?"

"...Yes."

When Ishir's name came up, Cedin frowned as if he didn't like it.

"After taking care of everything, he plans to join? He's really something."

"He's always been that kind of person. Shameless and conscienceless."

"It seems like it. Why did I really like him?"

"...Because you don't like him anymore. That's all."

"Is that so?"

Renee hmmed and got lost in her thoughts. But when the real Renee comes back, she'll probably run back to Ishir again.

"What does that reaction mean? Does it mean that your heart is going back to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"No. I definitely don't."

Kim Iyoung, the S-Class Hunter is definitely not Renee Marchius. Honestly, if she thinks about her track record, she would probably run to Ishir as soon as she comes back, right? Renee avoided Cedin's gaze.

"...Am I not enough?"

"What?"

Cedin's low voice pierced her ears.

"I have shame and conscience."

Look at this. Renee pretended not to know and looked at Cedin as he brought her hand to his cheek.

Just by looking at it, it's clear that he has the skill to make several people cry. It's dangerous. Renee quickly withdrew her hand and pretended not to know.

But Cedin grabbed her hand again and asked.

"Then why not me?"

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