Tamamo Hotaru led the way, seemingly in low spirits, when she suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps behind her.
She turned around and saw that Princess Haruna had caught up with them, bringing her guards and the boy from earlier.
"S-sorry, I was too downhearted just now. But I've thought it through. This country needs me, and the people here need me, so I absolutely can't be the first to fall!"
Tamamo Hotaru was very surprised, but also a little happy.
"I'm so glad you can think that way."
Looking at Tamamo Hotaru, who was genuinely happy for her, Princess Haruna felt both ashamed and somewhat comforted.
Only then did she turn to Akagi Shinji and say earnestly, "Mr. Akagi, could I hire you to rescue the villagers those monsters took away?"
In that brief span of time, Princess Haruna seemed to have suddenly matured, growing a great deal.
Her tone was sincere, no longer full of grandiose talk and empty promises.
Shinji glanced at her. "Sure, but you'll have to wait until I finish my previous commission. Also, I can't be certain I'll actually find those monsters. If I can't..."
"I understand. In fact, I'm already very grateful that you're willing to agree to this unreasonable request, Mr. Akagi. As for payment, I'll do everything I can to meet your demands."
Shinji didn't refuse. "How much money do you have on you right now?"
Princess Haruna froze for a moment, then immediately had her guards take out all their money.
After counting it, she looked rather embarrassed.
"O-only 850 ryō. We spent it all earlier to disguise ourselves and blend into the merchant caravan."
That was only one reason.
Another, more important reason was that she had barely had any savings at all before returning to her country.
She