Seeker 383

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Chapter 383. The Crimson Princess General

"Your Highness. Please, convey the plight of our village to His Majesty."

"Yes. I will tell my father without fail. Our royal family will never abandon you. Please rest assured."

One afternoon, at the outskirts of a certain village.

The village chief pleaded with the princess, bowing deeply, as she stood guarded by three knights.

The princess responded to the chief's plea with a dignified, yet calm demeanor.

Then, saying, "Well then," she lightly mounted her horse and departed, turning her back to the village along with her knights.

The princess and her three knight escorts, now travelers on horseback.

Proceeded along the road leading from the village to the royal capital.

"Sophia-sama. That concludes our tour of the royal family's direct territories."

"Yes. It seems that crops are struggling to bear fruit in every village."

Addressed by one of the knights, Princess Sophia lowered her gaze.

Her stunning beauty, framed by fiery red hair and matching crimson eyes, wore an expression of deep sorrow.

Of course, as a princess, she was not traveling in a dress.

She wore custom-made mage attire and a mage's hat, with her beloved staff secured to her horse for immediate use.

Like the knights, she was a skilled and awakened warrior capable of fighting on her own.

Now twenty years old, Sophia had considerable experience commanding the knights and was known by the title The Crimson Princess General.

Sophia and her company had toured the villages directly ruled by the royal family near the capital, investigating their conditions.

Having completed their inspections, they were now returning to the capital.

In every village, the recent cold spell had severely impacted crop yields.

If left unchecked, it was likely that some families would starve before winter's end.

"I must ask Father to consider reducing taxes this year, and even draw from the royal treasury, if needed…"

As the princess murmured pensively from atop her horse, one of the knights rode up beside her.

"However, Sophia-sama, that will only worsen the situation. We need a fundamental solution to this cold spell."

"You mean defeating the Ice Queen, don't you?"

"Yes."

"I think so too. But you know as well as I do how dangerous that gamble is."

"Even so—"

"I understand. When we return to the capital, I intend to petition my father again."

"Understood. My apologies."

The knight bowed his head and pulled back from Sophia.

The young knight who had spoken was promptly reprimanded by his older superior, "How dare you speak so bluntly to Sophia-sama? She's approachable, but don't push your luck!"

As Sophia's group traveled the road to the capital, something happened.

"What's that…?"

One of the knights looked up at the sky and spotted something large approaching.

Realizing what it was, he shouted in alarm.

"Sophia-sama, something's coming our way! That’s—"

At his voice, Sophia and the other knights turned their gazes in the indicated direction.

Sophia was the next to shout.

"That's—a dragon!? Why is it here!?"

The approaching flying figure was unmistakable: a monstrous beast, known for its overwhelming power among monsters.

A dragon—and not just any dragon, but a Snow Dragon, said to inhabit snowy and icy regions.

The Snow Dragon flying in from the rear appeared to be targeting Sophia and her group.

Without hesitation, they spurred their horses into a gallop.

But the dragon, swift as the wind, rapidly closed the distance between them.

"Ugh… At this rate, it’ll catch us! Prepare to engage!"

"You're suggesting we take on a dragon with just four people!? That's insane!"

Every seasoned awakened warrior knew this.

Dragons were not foes to face with merely four awakened combatants.

At least six to eight warriors at level 25 or above.

Ideally, ten or more knights were needed to fight a dragon with any confidence.

Otherwise, all that awaited was "total annihilation."

"Even if it's insane, we have no choice! A Snow Dragon is weak to my fire magic. There’s a chance we can win."

"But Your Highness, losing your life here is absolutely unacceptable!"

"We will hold it off! Please, Sophia-sama, escape while you can!"

"Are you asking me to abandon you and flee alone? As a matter of royal pride, I refuse to do that!"

"It is precisely because you are royalty that you must survive, Sophia-sama. Please, understand!"

"How can I…!"

While they argued, the Snow Dragon drew closer, now nearly upon them.

(To sacrifice my knights while I alone survive—that’s something I could never do…)

Her duty as royalty, and her sense of justice.

To Sophia, fighting alongside her knights and seizing victory was the only just path.

Yet, faces of the villagers she had met during her travels flashed in her mind.

If she fell here to the dragon, who would convey their plight to the king?

As royalty, Sophia bore the responsibility of protecting many lives.

There was no time for hesitation.

Torn between decisions, Sophia began to resolve herself when—

Ahead of her, beyond the curve in the road and the trees, she spotted three travelers.

"Who are they…!"

The travelers were all armed, likely adventurers.

From this distance, she could not see clearly, but they appeared to be young, around her own age.

One man, two women.

Several options raced through Sophia's mind.

If she asked for their help—but if they were inexperienced adventurers, she might be exposing them to mortal danger.

Yet, Sophia had no time to consider every possibility.

"Sophia-sama, those travelers—"

"They're probably adventurers! Let’s ask for their help!"

Sophia urged her horse forward, racing toward the three travelers.