Chapter 47: Chapter 47 - The White Sword Hunter ( Part 1 )
After the days of the dance festival had peacefully resumed for the Royal Academy, students immersed in reading and studying, warriors training in their grounds with the clashing of wooden swords, professors discussing endlessly about mana theories and diplomatic history, everything returned back to normality.
However...
Jennie Queens wasn’t able to concentrate.
Not due to exam pressures.
Not due to the politics of noble families.
Not even due to Princess Lilia’s persistent appearances everywhere where Jennie happened to be.
Rather...
Something had caught her attention during the conversation she overheard.
It happened one day in the middle of the library of the Royal Academy.
Jennie was quietly putting back several ancient manuscripts to their places when two senior students rushed in the library, discussing something with enthusiasm.
"I heard they have finally promoted him to A-Rank Hunter."
"As expected."
"He managed to clear out three monster nests alone."
"They said the prize was more than five thousand gold."
Jennie stopped in her actions.
Five thousand gold?
It was possible to buy a decent house in the capital with that money.
The two students moved farther.
"I wish to become a hunter."
"As do I."
"Travelling the whole continent seems way better than spending all my life in the court."
Jennie quietly watched them leaving through the rows of books.
"...Travelling..."
This word stayed in her mind for a while.
In the evening...
Jennie stood by the window of her room watching the sunset coloring the sky orange.
Excalibur rested silently in her hair.
The legendary sword spoke in gentle voice.
"Master."
"Hm?"
"You’ve been unusually silent today."
Jennie folded her arms.
"I have been thinking."
"...Becoming a hunter."
For some moments there was silence.
Then Excalibur replied.
"I wondered how much it will take."
Jennie blinked.
"...You were expecting this?"
"Naturally."
She smiled faintly.
"I suppose you know me too well."
"For centuries."
Jennie laughed.
"...Fair enough."
She turned her gaze to the distant city behind the academy walls.
The capital sparkled under the light of the setting sun.
In one of the buildings...
There was the Headquarters of the Hunter Association.
A place which she had known about since long but yet not seen personally.
Hunters.
Unlike knights...
They weren’t tied to any particular kingdom.
Unlike nobles...
They weren’t restricted with the politics and the etiquette.
Unlike adventurers of the ancient ages...
Hunters belonged to an organized network existing across almost all nations.
They received commissions.
They protected villages.
They searched the ancient ruins.
They hunted magical beasts.
They retrieved the relics of the past.
They investigated mysterious phenomena.
And mostly importantly...
They were free.
Jennie’s eyes slowly shined brighter.
"...Freedom."
In her previous life...
Leonis had been many things.
King.
Hero.
Commander.
Legend.
But...
Never free.
Every decision brought responsibility for the destiny of the whole kingdom.
Every battle decided the fate of thousands of people.
Every victory cost new sacrifices.
She hadn’t traveled once for no other reason but her desire.
She hadn’t explored a forest without the thought of war.
She hadn’t climbed a mountain just for enjoying the scenery.
Now...
She finally got a chance.
Excalibur quietly understood her thoughts.
"You wish to see the world."
Jennie nodded.
"I do."
"There are ruins I never saw."
"Old civilizations buried under the sands."
"Floating islands I only read about."
She smiled.
"And..."
"The remaining Divine Swords."
Her voice became more serious.
"If they wake up..."
"I should find them before somebody else finds them."
The spirit of the legendary sword appeared next to her.
Its translucent shape glowed softly under the light of the fading sunlight.
"Then becoming a hunter is the most logical solution."
Jennie agreed.
"It will give me a perfect reason to travel."
"I will be able to investigate ancient relics."
"To hunt monsters."
"To earn my own money."
"To find the swords."
She paused.
"...Without anybody asking too many questions."
Unfortunately...
One problem remained vital for her.
Jennie sighed deeply.
"...Martha."
The room became strangely quiet.
Even Excalibur didn’t reply immediately.
Finally...
The legendary sword answered.
"...Indeed."
Jennie went to her desk and laid down a map of the capital.
She pointed at the building near the western part of the city.
"The Headquarter of the Hunters Association."
Then she drew the path to the Royal Academy.
"If I will leave after my lessons..."
"I will be back before evening check."
She counted carefully.
"If I will perform the palace duties ahead of time..."
"Martha won’t have a reason to deny."
She nodded for herself.
"...Perfect."
Excalibur politely coughed.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"Lady Martha once found you trying to hide the unfinished laundry under your bed."
Jennie looked aside.
"...That once happened."
"She also once found you training sword techniques on the palace roof."
"...Twice."
"And the tunnel you dug under the garden."
Jennie scratched her head.
"...I thought it was clever."
Excalibur answered sincerely.
"It was."
"Lady Martha found it in less than thirty minutes."
Jennie covered her face with hands.
"...She’s scary."
The next morning...
Jennie entered the palace kitchen before sunrise.
The cooks became surprised.
"Lady Jennie?"
"You’re early."
Jennie smiled.
"I will prepare the breakfast."
The chief cook blinked.
"...You?"
Jennie nodded confidently.
"I will do the cooking today."
In one hour...
The royal kitchen smelt wonderful.
Fresh bread.
Cream stew.
Herb roasted vegetables.
Honey glazed pastry.
Even Martha stopped eating after tasting the soup.
"...Excellent."
Jennie silently smiled.
The first step...
Is done.
Next is the laundry.
Usually taking almost the whole afternoon.
Jennie secretly used tiny wind spirits in her absence.
Soft air currents lifted silently all sheets.
Water spirits cleaned the stains.
Fire spirits dried the fabric.
It seemed completely natural.
At least she hoped so.
Behind the closed door...
Martha silently observed.
"...Interesting."
Jennie suddenly felt cold shiver going down her spine.
She slowly looked around.
"...Why do I feel like somebody just evaluated me?"
The rest of the week passed similarly.
Jennie polished armor.
She organized the palace archives.
She helped in the garden.
She prepared tea.
She repaired the furniture.
She sorted the royal documents.
On the seventh day...
She did the work which usually took three weeks.
The palace maids watched admiringly.
One girl whispered,
"Lady Jennie is amazing."
The second girl nodded.
"I never saw such hardworking person."
Only Martha remained thoughtful.
She adjusted her glasses.
"...Something seems suspicious."
That evening...
Jennie stood before the Head Maid with the perfect posture.
"Martha."
"Yes, Lady Jennie?"
"I would like to request one afternoon of vacation this weekend."
Silence.
Martha looked into her eyes.
Jennie smiled politely.
Martha smiled politely.
The surrounding maids quietly stepped backward.
They had already seen this expression before.
It usually meant that someone would soon lose.
The question is...
Who?
