Princess Guard
There are nine princesses in Continent 1's Royal Castle, which sounds like an absolute hell but the actual place is surprisingly upright.
That is to say a prince that will inherit the throne exists so there's no succession war taking place.
...A lone man surrounded by so many women sounds hellish though. That poor prince.
You'd think these princesses would spend their day lazing around without a care in the world, but that's not at all the case either.
They're all working as the prince's supports on domestic affairs like leading the army, managing territory finances, collecting taxes and goods, all kinds of stuff really.
Considering they're also expected to show up in noble-sponsored tea parties and supports their fiance duchy houses et al. I imagine they must be mentally and physically drained.
The members chosen to protect these princesses are Hero-kun, Levia, Olivie, Aina-san, Alma Mama I mean Alma Papa (!?), Hyula-san, Alma, Reina and then, me.
...There's two, three men (foreign matters) mixed in there for some reason, but thanks to that sex-change drug, there won't be any danger of getting swept in the heat of the moment. I hope.
The reason Alma Mama got replaced by Alma Papa (♀) was so she didn't have to overexert herself during pregnancy.
"...I don't believe she'd have any issue but if by any chance she had a miscarriage, we'd forever regret it... But still, I can never get used to be in a woman's body..."
"...Y, you're quite a beauty."
"...."
Alma Papa who was originally a bundle of muscles turned into a slender middle aged beauty with no traces of his former self left.
Yet his Status hasn't changed at all. With his strength unabated, there's no better bodyguard around.
...Alma is looking at him with a really hard to describe expression though. I never knew this girl could make that kind of face...
We all went and greeted the princess we're supposed to guard.
Today marks the start of a week long continent 1 fest. We have to act as their bodyguards all the way through.
...This might be the first time I have to bear being stuck in an uncomfortable situation for so long. Days of hunting wild boars in Keruna sounds downright idyllic compared to this.
Hero-kun, Levia, Olivie, Aina-san are to guard the first to the fourth princesses in charge of internal domestic affairs.
The princesses almost went wild trying to turn Hero-kun into their dress up doll when they laid their eyes on him. Well that should at least break the ice with the other girls.
...Actually, Levia, Olivie and Aina-san joined in and put all kinds of dresses on Hero(etc)
Live strong, Hero-kun... I mean, Hero-chan?
Alma and Reina are escorting the young eighth and ninth princesses.
I was worried they'd have to keep some real energetic little ladies company, but those princesses have royal etiquette drilled in them at such young ages already.
In fact, those princesses seemed unsure of their bodyguards instead after seeing the expressionless Alma and Reina whom you could mistake for being 11-12.
Fret not, for they are the world's strongest girls at their respective age.
Alma Papa, Hyula-san and me are guarding the fifth, sixth and seventh princesses in charge of the army.
...Aren't there way too many of them for the army? Or so I thought at first, but they had no choice but to fill in the positions due to numerous recent issues like demon invasions and stampedes.
I was worried some of those army guys would protest against having to rely on outsiders to act as bodyguards, but they were downright ecstatic about it. But why.
"Sword King Dukeris, Planet Splitting Axe Lord Hyula-dono and Kajikawahikaru-dono. We leave our princesses in your capable hands."
"I know this question's coming in way too late, but you sure you wanna leave it to us? No random riffraff ain't gonna have their way with us around I can assure that at least tho'."
"Please, we couldn't hope for better personnel."
"...You'd do well to take care on the princesses over some ruffianscough cough, never mind, yes."
Oy, I heard that ominous advice.
I do remember the princess looking at me sternly when we first met. Wonder if she's a known problem child...?
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
~~~~~~~~~~~~Sixth Princess Lifilva's POV~~~~~~~~~~~
Frail. Mediocre. No backbone.
That was my first impression on this black haired woman.
"It is my honor to serve you as your bodyguard princess. I swear to guard you to the best of my ability, poor as it may be."
"...It really does seem poor."
"Hahaha please go easy on me."
"What are you laughing about. Do realize a single scratch on me and it is off with your head."
I greeted my bodyguard while we were discussing the festival programme at the military proving grounds.
She merely laughed at my unsparing chide as if she hasn't got a single nervous bone in her body.
Good grief, I can't believe I was given this dull woman as my bodyguard when the fifth princess (Vivian) and seventh princess (Nestofa) have famed names, Sword King and Planet Splitting Axe Lord as theirs.
Apparently she's supposed to be an S-ranked Adventurer but I do not sense the aura of the strong from her. Not in the least.
How could they think she's fit as my bodyguard.
Unlike the other two princesses who mainly specialize in strategics, I have been trained in the way of combat.
I started leveling the moment I came of age, reaching Lv32 now that I'm 16.
I pride myself in my capability over my peers, or even average adventurers my age.
At my level, it's possible to tell someone's strength from their aura alone.
The goosebumps I experienced when I first met Sword King (Dukeris) and Planet Splitting Axe Lord (Hyumlassa) was truly extraordinary like it was only a second ago.
Compared to them, this woman and her carefree smile has zero intensity to it. I feel nothing at all.
...I must be ready to protect myself if anything goes wrong.
I would rather have our army captains be my bodyguards than this. However, I wouldn't want to offend the hero after she went all the trouble.
That was the only reason I reluctantly agreed, but I won't stand not having at least a word in.
"You, what is your level?"
"Poor as my ability is, I would like to think I am capable enough to serve as your highness's shield."
"Are you hard on hearing? I asked you; what is your level."
"...It's 126."
...Ah, not good. She's nothing more than a moron.
Replying my serious question with a ridiculous joke. She's definitely looking down on me.
Perhaps I should arrange for a substitute this instant. My goodness, why would Hero-sama send this crook---
"If you'd excuse me, princess."
"Wha? ...!?"
She suddenly carried me before jumping away. I have no idea what is she playing at.
W, what do you think you're doing!? Is this moron unaware that touching me without permission is a lese majeste!
As my displeasure and confusion reached a boiling point, a loud booming sound resounded.
No it's not my head exploding. A mushroom shaped cloud rose from the proving grounds this woman and I were just at.
"I must apologize for touching you without permission. It was an emergency. My humblest apology."
"W, what just...?"
"Someone somewhere had fired an offensive spell our way... Quite a high powered one at that."
A crater several meters in diameter was formed in the spot we were at.
Injuries would be the least of our worries if that hit us.
Shooting such a powerful spell without warning. It's far too flashy for an assassination.
Who would...
"Found them."
"Eh?"
The instant the black-haired woman muttered that, my body was bent backward.
I'm flying at tremendous speed toward the castle's wind, wait flying...!?
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!?"
"I hope you could bear it in for a bit. Do forgive me."
B, bear what, no really what is going on here!?
Actually we're going to hit the window at this rate, and then into the castle, wait, I said waiiiiit!!
CRASH, I could tell we landed inside the castle as the glass broke.
There was no impact nor was I wounded by the broken glass, but it was still seriously scary!
I looked around inside the castle and saw a man wearing a black robe looking out of place between the luxurious backdrop.
This area has little foot traffic. I can't believe he'd target me from inside the castle.
"Found our culprit."
"Guh!? How, did you...!?"
"It was obvious where you shot it from. Give it up and get yourself tied up."
"Who would!!"
The black robed man magic our way with an enraged look.
A barrage of flame shots. It's far less powerful than the spell earlier but the number and speed are far superior.
This black robe must be a powerful Advanced Job holder. Comparable to royal court mages.
No, we can't avoid so many...!
"Aand stop. This way is a dead end~."
"...Wha?"
"H, how...!?"
As the black-haired woman jested, the entire barrage of flame shots stopped a few meter ahead of us.
It's like something invisible is blocking the way.
Both the black robed man and I couldn't stop our jaws from loosening up.
D, does such a Skill exist? I have never heard, or seen one.
"Alright, you can have them back."
"W, what is going on, u, waaaaaaaaa!!!"
The flame shots went flying back at the black robe.
They landed one after another and the black robed man turned charred black after the last one.
"Well now, let us get this man spill out everything."
"W, who are, you...?"
"I am your bodyguard, princess."
The question I threw in my dumbfounded state was returned with the same nonchalant reply this black haired woman first gave me.
Her face looks weak, ordinary with no fierceness to it at a glance... Yet, I could feel something bottomless from it.
Even the dread that assaulted me earlier feels trivial in comparison.
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