Chapter 9: Lost in Translation
Pavor argued with the system in his mind. 'I didn't intend to complete the first mission, spirit! I was planning to complete the second one!'
But the system didn't respond to his complaints and only announced.
[You have reached Level 4. You now have 375 Points, and 37,500 EXP/ 50,000 to reach Level 5.]
Pavor was absolutely befuddled, and before he can say anything else to the bizarre spirit guide—
"So Prince Pavor.... I heard that you are at the top of your batch of Retaliators." Prince Minerva suddenly spoke, her voice noticeably softer and gentler than before.
Her apathetic expression was gone, and she seemed to be genuinely interested about the man beside her. More than interested, she seemed to suddenly regard him with fascination.
Pavor sighed. Was it because she thinks he 'defended' her when he gave her parents a verbal lashing?
He only did that out of his personal satisfaction, not to help her. Xarian's skill of having everything that he did be misinterpreted as 'good' was becoming a bit of an annoyance for him.
"I am." He said, not looking up from his plate and acting indifferent.
Perhaps if he behaved cold and distant, she would soon lose interest in him. He doesn't know if the 'spirit' will deduce the points he received if that happened, but he doesn't mind. He could still go for Mission 2 to recover it.
And so he focused on eating his food and drinking tea. He refused to romance anyone, especially not a human.
Humans and their romance were the reason why she had so much power over this damned world.
"Well…." Princess Minerva fiddled with her fork again to think of what to say. "Could you tell me more about what it was like? What tasks do you have to accomplish day by day?"
"I kill demons." He replied quaintly.
Princess Minerva felt flustered by such a 'matter-of-fact' answer. "Of course! Yes….. I heard from our statistician that you slaughter an average of 3-5 Phobodemons per week, which is quite an impressive number."
"Mn."
"Uh….. I also heard about your sword! I am quite interested in blacksmithing and weapons, actually. I would like to see your sword myself as I heard it was made by the finest obsidian from the depths of the Void, which is quite hard to manufacture as a sword as they are very fragile."
Now this was a topic that she actually seemed genuinely interested in. Her cyan eyes sparkled as she mentioned weapons, and the passion in her voice did not seem to be fake.
For any other regular human, this kind of passion would have been appealing. But Pavor was determined in killing all chances of affection that the princess may have for him, so he simply said:
"I do not wish to speak when I am eating."
Princess Minerva turned beet red, and averted her eyes from embarrassment. "O-Oh... Yes, of course..."
She picked on her food, and a hint of sadness came over her eyes. Something akin to loneliness.
Pavor suddenly sensed a traumatic memory, and he perked up at this, turning to the forlorn princess. From her eyes, he could see images of young girls at a tea party.
"You're such a bore, Minerva! We don't want to talk about swords and weapons here! That's for boys!"
"The only metal thing I like is jewelry."
"Can we talk about something else? Weapons make me queasy, why can't people just live peacefully under rainbows with unicorns and fairies?"
"Oh, we should definitely have a fairy-themed tea party next!"
The girls, who he learned were Minerva's older sisters, berated her for bringing up the topic of weaponry and smithing after finding a book about forges in the library. They all brought books about knights and dashing heroes saving beautiful damsels instead to discuss in their tea party.
Minerva felt outcasted by her own family due to her interests. And so she became a standoffish child, always silent and aloof.
She was afraid of getting rejected again by showing her true self, and so she preferred to just stay quiet and act 'pedantic'. She would be snarky when people force her to speak up or show interest in the things they expect her to like.
She thought she could finally open up these thoughts to someone as honest and straightforward as Prince Pavor, but instead she was rejected again.
Pavor furrowed his brows to search for more traumatic memories to feed on. But then Princess Minerva turned to him, and saw his strained expression.
Which she misinterpreted as a look of concern.
"What is it, Your Highness?" She asked, a semblance of hope in her tone. "You seem like you want to say something to me."
"Nothing." Pavor turned away, annoyed that he only got a morsel of her fear of rejection.
"Are you perhaps….. Nervous like me?" Princess Minerva asked. "I also don't know how to deal with things like this. I have seen my sisters marry off and do all kinds of mingling but…. I always know I can't be like them. I don't behave like a refined lady."
Pavor didn't say anything to feign interest, but she thought he was just letting her speak more of her insecurities.
"I am sure you have noticed that, and you have even spoken on my behalf. I am thankful for that, nobody had ever spoken for what I truly felt before. Everyone misunderstands me, treating me like an oddity... But it was my fault, of course. I never learned to socialize properly, and I don't think I can. I am just different."
Pavor said snarkily. "So?"
"So?" Princess Minerva blinked.
"So what if you are different? There are others like you, you are not the only one who are considered odd. You're not special."
He was certain that would make her despise him, especially with the way he said it.
But some malignant power must be at play, because Princess Minerva suddenly smiled at him.
"You are right.... You are absolutely right, Your Highness. Of course, I shouldn't sulk about what makes me separate from the rest. I have my own strengths like everybody else, and I just need to find those who are like me. Thank you for showing me that."
Pavor felt like he was having a migraine for the first time.
Ah, these humans!
He grumbled and said, "Look, princess. I am not interested in y—"
A fanfare suddenly announced the arrival of the Retaliators after the festivities in Baileif. Among them were Tudo, Lynx and Davien.
"Ah, what great timing, Retaliators." Queen Alexandria had greeted them. "You must join us for tea to celebrate the betrothal of Prince Pavor and Princess Minerva—"
Tudo bowed with one knee in front of them. "Your Majesties, I am sorry for your loss! I know it was difficult news, but all of Erosith grieves with you."
"Grieve? What do you mean, young man?" King Hephestion asked.
He blinked. "Nobody has reported it to Their Majesties yet?"
He looked at Pavor, as if surprised that the prince would just be having tea as if nothing had happened earlier this morning.
"No, we are too focused on attending to the royal family of Sagacitur." Queen Alexandria asked. "We did hear of a Phobodemon attack in the West Wing, but spellcasters had fixed the damages already."
They were already used to such things and having their son go into random battles as a Retaliators, so they did not think much of it. They just thought it was the same as any other Phobodemon attack.
Lynx was carrying a bag that carried a round object inside, and Pavor knew very well what was inside. She pushed back her tears and said hoarsely.
"Uncle.... It was father."
She moved closer to show King Hephaestion the contents of the bag, and the king's jolly expression soured. "My gods..."
Then, he wept openly. In front of everyone.
"My beloved brother! Vanus, what fate had befallen you!? Oh Vanus!"
In the kingdom of Erosith, it was normal for men and women to express their emotions and vulnerabilities out loud in public. In fact, it was even encouraged to express them as 'intensely' as possible, to show their love for someone….. In this case, a dead loved one.
Soon, Queen Alexandria joined him, sobbing vehemently over her husband's shoulder. "Oh, what truly a devastating loss! How could our kingdom ever cope without a man as valiant and true as Duke Vanus!?"
The King and Queen of Sagacitur was just perplexed by this display, but even the servants started crying and mourning.
Princess Minerva seemed almost mortified by seeing such a thing as someone who hides her emotions for so long.
Lynx was different, since she was a champion of Violentia and had never found it easy to show her vulnerable side. Tudo was not from Erosith and was a champion of Memtem, but he was aware of this tradition and bowed his head in respect to those who mourn.
Pavor refused to join in this ritual of dramatic mourning. His face remained emotionless.
Lynx's eyes went towards him, and he could sense the seeds of doubt growing on her mind. Which was good, because with doubt comes fear. Her father's own tragedy started with distrust, and it would be beautifully poetic if the same happened to her too.
Davien then spoke up:
"It is truly a tragedy, especially at such a timing. The union of two people must not be tainted by grief. I suggest that the royal family of Erosith be allowed to mourn first and the royal family of Sagacitur to stay a while longer before arranging details of the betrothal."
King Hephaestion wiped his tears and sniffled. "Good suggestion, wise priest. It would also help strengthen the bond between our children as Princess Minerva accompanies Prince Pavor in his grieving."
Pavor grumbled internally. 'Great, more forced romance.'
He narrowed his eyes at Davien, who just wore a toothy smile. But then....
His gaze traveled to Tudo, who seemed to look at the princess with a look of recognition.
"You…. You were the girl who tried to steal the Bow of Erudition, weren't you?"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone