"Princess!!!" As Sebastian's panicked cry echoed across the tranquil lake surface, the three girls ceased their frolicking, paddling over to him with curious expressions. They'd chosen a secluded spot on the castle grounds near the lake for their impromptu swims, seeking a rare opportunity to shed their formal attire and simply enjoy the summer heat.
Isla's eyes sparkled with mischief as she gazed up at Sebastian, a faint grin playing on her lips. "What's wrong, Butler?" she asked, her innocent tone belied by the playful giggle that bubbled up from within. "Don't tell me the royal family is prohibited from enjoying a leisurely dip in their own private lake." Sylveria and Isao shared a glance, their cheeks flushing slightly as they considered the butler's concerns. The princess, usually the epitome of elegance, now found herself awkwardly positioned in a bikini, her slender figure highlighted by the revealing garment. "Let's just go back to the indoor pool," Princess Sylveria said nervously. Isao and Isla quickly agreed, rushing out of the lake and heading straight for the indoor pool.
"W-wait princess! Don't run in a swimsuit!!!!" Sebastian said as he chased after them holding their towel and clothes. The maids standing watch in the castle corridors gasped in surprise as the trio of girls raced by, their usual regalia exchanged for scanty swimsuits. Isla, Sylveria, and Isao barely registered the shocked looks, their minds fixed on escaping the butler's disapproving gaze and finding solace in the familiar confines of the indoor pool. As they burst through the doors, relief washed over them, replaced by a sense of childish glee. The warmth of the water enveloped them like a comforting embrace, soothing any residual tension. Laughter rippled through the group as they splashed and played, momentarily forgetting the scrutiny of the outside world. For a brief, shining moment, they were just three friends, reveling in the simple joys of youth and camaraderie, untethered by the burdens of royalty and duty. The indoor pool became their sanctuary, a haven where they could shed inhibitions and simply be themselves.
Later, after their swim, the trio enjoyed some more relaxation "I kind of want a crepe cake," Isao said, making Isla drool at the thought. "Mmm, yes, let's get some of that!" Isla chimed in, her voice barely above a whisper as she fought the urge to lick her lips. The thought of savoring the delicate texture and deep, velvety flavor had her mouth watering in anticipation.
Sylveria, ever the gracious host, nodded in agreement, her own cravings piqued by the mention of the decadent dessert. "An excellent choice, Isao. After our swim, a slice of crepe cake and a steaming cup of tea sounds perfect!"
That afternoon, the trio headed to the Adventurers' Guild. Upon arrival, the receptionist greeted them with a mix of surprise and curiosity. Though she had grown accustomed to their frequent visits, their extraordinary feats never ceased to amaze her. As Isla, Sylveria, and Isao took their seats in the waiting area, the receptionist cleared her throat, her tone slightly hesitant. She informed them about their reward for the goblin quest—originally a simple task to eliminate three goblins. Instead, they had wiped out an entire nest, slaying 200 goblins, multiple hobgoblins, and even the goblin king.
When the guild sent scouts to verify their report, they were met with a gruesome sight—mutilated goblin corpses, a battlefield soaked in blood, with lavender flowers and ice scattered across the carnage.
"Young ladies, regarding your recent... expedition," she began, pausing to collect her thoughts. "Our scouts, who investigated the goblin stronghold according to your detailed accounts, reported findings that challenged even their battle-hardened sensibilities." Her eyes darted between the three, searching for signs of exaggeration or fabrication. But the girls merely sat patiently, their faces stoic masks of anticipation. The receptionist swallowed hard, steeling herself before continuing. Her gaze lingered on the trio, her mind reeling from the horrific images their tale conjured. The notion that these children, no older than ten, could perpetrate such brutal carnage defied comprehension. Even more unsettling was the cold, almost casual manner in which they spoke of their actions, as if dispatching hundreds of goblins was a mundane task akin to squashing insects beneath their feet.
"I wonder if our rank will increase, from no star adventurers to 1 star!" Isao's excited speculation about potential rank increases fell on deaf ears, the receptionist too stunned to process anything beyond the sheer scale of violence the trio can give. Isla's nonchalant attitude and Sylveria's giggles only served to reinforce the unnerving impression that these children were fundamentally different from others their age. As the reality of their deeds sank in, the receptionist's unease grew. Were these girls truly ordinary children, or harbored some dark, unnatural power within them? She questioned in her mind.
"Ms. Receptionist, that quest was a week ago. Sorry we didn’t come the next day—we were busy at the castle after being granted titles," Isla said nonchalantly. The receptionist's eyes widened in surprise yet again. "Titles? Given to children?" She had heard rumors about the king bestowing honors, and many speculated it was them, but she had found it hard to believe—until now. The adventurers assembled in the guild hall whispered among themselves, exchanging astonished glances as they contemplated the trio's incredible fortune. One particularly grizzled veteran, still pale from the horrors he'd witnessed during the scouting mission, shook his head in disbelief. "If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it," he muttered, his voice carrying across the room. "Those kids are either blessed by the gods or... or something else entirely."
As the receptionist prepared to announce the girls' rewards, a palpable undercurrent of curiosity and trepidation emanated from the gathered crowd.
"Those damn brats took down three demon generals—that's why they were given titles," Veldina muttered as she entered the guild with an exasperated sigh. "Ack! Gorilla Girl!" Isao yelped, quickly hiding behind Sylveria.
Veldina twitched but forced a smile. "Stupid bra— ahem. Dear little sister-in-law, please stop calling me that, or I’ll bonk you on the head," she warned. Veldina wasn’t just anyone—she was a renowned five-Black star adventurer, feared across multiple kingdoms, and the daughter of the second queen, Valleria. Hearing her words, the receptionist and adventurers froze. Her thunderous declaration sent shockwaves through the guild hall. The sudden revelation that these seemingly innocent children had, in fact, slain demon generals—entities feared throughout the realm—left even the hardened adventurers agog.
Among the stunned assembly, the receptionist's jaw hung slack, her eyes bulging as she struggled to reconcile the disparate pieces of information. The idea that a group of ten-year-old girls, could best such terrifying foes be an affront to logic and reason.
"W-wait, hold on! Are you saying these kids are that powerful?!" the receptionist asked Veldina in disbelief. It wasn’t that she doubted the trio, but the idea was hard to grasp. Veldina sighed. "Look, Violet, even I didn’t want to believe it at first. But my mother, Queen Valleria, and my eldest sister, the Holy Saint Marybelle, saw it with their own eyes."
"It's not like we won on our own," Sylveria added. "In my and Isao's case, we were only able to weaken the demon general’s armor and defenses—Queen Valleria was the one who finished it off."
"As for me, I only managed to defeat the other two generals because the first one had no defense," Isla said, her tone indifferent. "And the second, who was much stronger, only fell because Marybelle lent me her power."
"So... Reward. Our reward? Hehe." Isla's abrupt shift from stoicism to childlike eagerness was a sight to behold, her typically aloof demeanor giving way to an uncontrollable urge to bounce with anticipation. Her words, spoken with a detached air, belied the fervent excitement simmering beneath the surface. Isao, ever the mirror to her friend's moods, quickly followed suit, her small frame vibrating with enthusiasm. The two girls' shared delight was infectious, their energy drawing Sylveria into their orbit as the princess succumbed to a fit of giggles.
Violet, meanwhile, smiled warmly at the trio, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course, of course," she reassured them, her tone gentle yet firm. "Your accomplishments warrant the highest recognition. Please, allow me to facilitate the necessary procedures for your rewards."
