This is Swan Hilda’s perspective.
Revised on April 4, H28.
Rerevised on April 24, H28.
My name is Swan Hilda.
I am, in a sense, a fringe member of the God Clan, defiling the lowest ranks of the Valkyries.
Until just half a year ago, I was a mere figurehead princess named Jumilande to Demon King Gandaro’s only daughter.
However, I had a fated encounter with Hal-sama, to whom I pledged a soul-binding contract, and before I knew it, I had undergone a Class Change from Demonkin to God Clan.
I still can’t believe it.
While I was treated as incompetent as a Demonkin, after joining the “Princess Harem,” I’ve made human friends around my age.
The “Princess Harem” is truly a comfortable place.
However, when I became an Adventurer and visited the “Adventurer Guild,” my heart ached every time I saw the “Special Bulletin Board” detailing the Hero Party’s movements.
I don’t care about the fate of those battle-crazy bastards anyway.
But if things continue like this, following the Demonkin hierarchy, my cousin Edele’s deployment will be imminent.
I adored Edele, who is one year older than me.
I want to help Edele somehow.
In that state of anxiety, I proposed rescuing Edele at the “Second Bath Meeting,” but… I didn’t receive any positive responses at the time.
Well, that’s only natural… the person we’re trying to save is a pure-blooded Demonkin, humanity’s natural enemy…
However, yesterday, Hal-sama granted me permission to act alone to rescue Edele.
The next morning, I immediately prepared my equipment and, following Hal-sama’s advice, headed to the “Adventurer Guild” to gather the latest information on the Hero Party.
Honestly, I’m still afraid of being among humans, but the hooded robe, the formal attire of the “Princess Harem,” and the Valkyrie mask are my strong allies.
Even so, a Valkyrie disguised as a Valkyrie is quite something.
As I approached the “Adventurer Guild,” more and more swordsmen and mages with a shady aura appeared.
Then, I passed through the doors of the “Adventurer Guild” and headed straight for the “Special Bulletin Board.” The first thing I saw was the bounty list for Demonkin.
It read something incredible: “Demon King Gandaro: A bounty of 100 Platinum Plates (equivalent to 10 billion yen) will be awarded to whoever defeats him, regardless of whether he is alive or dead. Furthermore, the recipient will be granted the title of Count of the Espana Imperial Kingdom, along with rewards and honors from related countries…”
It continued with the Four Heavenly Kings, high-ranking executives, and powerful Demonkin… but… it didn’t mention me, Princess Jumilande?! Why?!
Then, towards the bottom of the list, I finally found it…
“Princess Jumilande? A reward of 1000 Gold Coins (equivalent to 100 million yen) will be bestowed upon whoever defeats her, regardless of whether she is alive or dead. Additionally, 10 Gold Coins (equivalent to 1 million yen) will be paid to whoever confirms her survival.”
Looking at it again, the bounty amount is rather pathetic, and I’m treated like a rare specimen!!
“Hey, young lady, are you also aiming to hunt Demonkin? Give it up, give it up. While the bounty is attractive, Demonkin are too much for a young lady like you.”
A man with a sturdy build, clearly a warrior, gave me a warning.
“I’m not exactly…”
Swan Hilda faltered.
“That one is tougher than a rare monster.”
Even so, the adventurer, having read Swan Hilda’s gaze, continued his warning.
“I-Is that so…”
“That’s right! That so-called Princess Jumilande is just a rumor; no one has actually confirmed her existence. I don’t think she exists either. If she did, she’d be extremely cowardly.”
“Is that so… perhaps she’s a highly skilled beautiful girl!?”
“Wahahaha!! That’s impossible.”
“Why not!!”
“If she had that much skill, she would have completed her first battle long ago, and the bounty would be much higher.”
The adventurer’s logical argument left Swan Hilda speechless.
Nevertheless, she regained her composure and checked the Hero Party’s movements. It seemed the Demonkin were diligently sending one assassin each day.
“I wonder what they’re doing…”
At this point, the Demonkin underestimated the Hero Party and seemed to be betting on who would defeat the Hero first.
Checking the characteristics of the defeated Demonkin, as expected, they were being sent in order from the lower ranks, following the Demonkin hierarchy.
And the axe-wielding, colossal Demonkin defeated yesterday was likely Daloda.
In that case, today is Edele’s turn.
This means that in a few hours, Edele will perish…
It was also written that after leaving Linka Village, the Hero Party would pass through Kanchinka Forest and head towards Tatanka Village.
“Th-This is bad.”
Swan Hilda, who quickly rushed out of the “Adventurer Guild,” leaped into an alley and, closing her eyes, muttered something.
Then, her “Princess Harem” attire dissolved, transforming into the light armor of a Valkyrie.
And with a light kick to the ground, she floated up and soared towards Kanchinka Forest.
Her form was unmistakably that of a Valkyrie, soaring to seek the battlefield.
The distance from the Imperial Capital Granza, where the “Princess Harem” mansion and the “Adventurer Guild” are located, to Kanchinka Forest is about half a month’s walk. However, Swan Hilda’s flying speed was fast, and she reached Kanchinka Forest within an hour.
However, Kanchinka Forest is vast, and the dense deciduous forest obscured her vision.
At this point, Swan Hilda was at a loss, but by sensing the Demonkin’s presence, she detected them a few kilometers away.
Focusing her search in that area, she also confirmed the presence of what seemed to be the Hero Party.
“It looks like I made it in time.”
Swan Hilda let out a sigh of relief.
Swan Hilda secretly observed the Demonkin that were tailing the Hero Party from behind, and then saw something else from behind them.
“It’s Edele, after all.”
And in the next moment, she was behind the female Demonkin Edele.
Swan Hilda struck Edele’s neck with a palm strike as she was about to throw a chakram, knocking her unconscious.
Edele, whose consciousness was stolen in an instant, began to collapse, but Swan Hilda gently supported her.
Then, cradling the unconscious Edele, Swan Hilda savored her joy.
“Hey, Edele. Let’s live together, okay?”
Edele in her arms was smaller and more fragile than Swan Hilda remembered, evoking Swan Hilda’s protective instincts.
And at the same moment Swan Hilda took Edele’s consciousness, Hal, who was doing paperwork in the study of the “Princess Harem,” experienced a mysterious intense pain in his head and his consciousness went black.
Settlement Currency
1 Platinum Plate: 100 Million Yen
1 Gold Plate: 10 Million Yen
1 Platinum Coin: 1 Million Yen
1 Silver Plate: 1 Million Yen
Normal Circulation Currency
1 Gold Coin: 100,000 Yen
1 Silver Coin: 10,000 Yen
1 Copper Plate: 1,000 Yen
1 Iron Plate: 100 Yen
1 Copper Coin: 10 Yen
1 Iron Coin: 1 Yen
