CH 345

Excitement is boiling at the castle’s gate.

And as I approach the gate with Princess Lily, I loudly introduce myself while still riding one of the Hipopo brothers.

“I am Kalin Admiral, and as lord of the Admiral dominion, I pledge my sword to the royal family! I took my sword and accompanied Princess Lilienthal Kalzart to destroy the enemies attacking the capital! I ask that you open the gate!”

The soldiers and knights cheer again when they hear my name.

“The second princess!”

“Cheers to the princess!”

“Princess Lily is back!”

“Open the gate right now!”

“Hey, are the princess and the demon killer riding transmuted beasts?”

“Yes, no doubt about it. Those are the transmuted beasts of the savior of our nation.”

“That’s old news. Now the name Admiral’s Two-Time Killer is going around.”

Are they elated after a battle, or relieved now that the danger has passed? The soldiers above the gate all talk casually.

A lot of them are praising Princess Lily. I guess she’s still just as popular as ever with them. This is pretty much the best return for her.

And apparently people know that the Hipopo brothers are Rust’s transmuted beasts. And he even has a new nickname, 『Admiral’s Two-Time Killer』. I need to tell him that when he gets here.

I burst out laughing on the inside, but remain cool on the outside, as we head to the gate along with the Hipopo brothers.

Princess Lily was taken aback by it all at first, but now she’s waving back at the soldiers with a smile on her face.

The portcullis goes up, and we go in.

We are greeted by soldiers in a line, and I dismount after Princess Lily jumps down from Charil.

“Princess, the king is waiting. I will guide you.”

A man that looks like a butler says as he walks through the crowd of soldiers surrounding Princess Lily.

She then talks to that man while moving forward.

I’m pretty sure she’s being taken to a lounge exclusive to royalty, not the usual audience room. Whatever the king has to say, he probably wants no one else to hear.

I’m making that assumption based on the many times I’ve been here.

“Miss Kalin Admiral, please wait in this anteroom in the meantime.”

“K-knight Kalin is the one who helped me get this far.”

“Of course, but I am following his majesty’s orders. I’m sure knight Kalin won’t object…”

He stops and peeks back at me, looking for my approval.

“Of course.”

I need to obey here, so I lightly nod.

The butler then takes Princess Lily, who has a worried expression on her face.

What was his name… I’m pretty sure I’ve seen his face before…

I think as I wait as I was told, but the door we came through is immediately opened again.

“That was fast. Did something happen?”

I turn around and ask to the face that’s very much familiar to me.

It’s Rust, and he’s out of breath.