Chaos erupted within the luxurious mansion.
Facing two furious guards and spears pointed mere inches from her nose, Nymera broke out in a cold sweat.
While she was absolutely certain that Hibiki, raised by Iori, would never bite someone unprovoked, what about the numerous guards in a noble's residence? Seeing a beast suddenly charge inside, it was only natural for them to draw their weapons and attack.
And if injured, would Hibiki continue to obey the order not to attack humans? It was hard to say...
Whether Hibiki gave up resisting and was hacked to death by the guards, or fought back and caused heavy casualties, both were outcomes she desperately wanted to avoid.
To prevent a tragedy, she had to find a way to clear up the misunderstanding.
Ignoring the guards' shouts of "Don't move!", Nymera suddenly launched a Wirebug, leaping into the air. She soared over the two guards' heads, shouted a quick "Sorry!" as she landed, and bolted toward the mansion.
The two guards were struck with dismay, shouting curses as they tried to seize her, but they were no match for the agility of a Hunter. They could only watch helplessly as she sprinted through the courtyard and entered the mansion.
By the time Nymera reached the main entrance, the commotion inside had already begun to settle.
Seeing the foyer in a state of ruin, with vases and paintings scattered across the floor, Nymera's mind raced.
According to Iori and the others, this noble was a Princess of the Kingdom. Being a Princess, she would surely be surrounded by powerful knights and guards.
Since Hibiki had charged in recklessly and things had now gone quiet, he was likely... gone.
Just then, the two guards from the gate finally caught up, roughly grabbing her by the shoulders. They were about to haul her away when a middle-aged lady dressed in a Head Maid's uniform walked across the hall.
"Head Maid."
The guards nodded to the lady. "This person is an accomplice of that foul beast. We suspect she is an assassin and are taking her to–"
"It is fine. She is no assassin, release her," the Head Maid interrupted the guard's report.
The two guards looked at each other, but still hesitated to let go.
"This is the Princess's wish," the Head Maid added, her tone becoming slightly firmer. "She is the Princess's guest."
Hearing this, the guards naturally had nothing left to say. They released their grip on the Hunter and returned to their posts.
The Head Maid's gaze fell upon Nymera's dazed face, and she gave a slight bow. "Guest, please follow me."
Fumbling with her composure, Nymera followed the Head Maid through the foyer and corridors, finally arriving at the drawing room.
After a soft knock and a response granting permission, the Head Maid waited for two seconds before pushing the door open, gesturing for Nymera to enter.
"Hibiki!"
The moment she stepped into the room, Nymera let out a cry of surprise upon seeing her hunting partner, whom she had assumed was dead.
The fellow had his head buried in a food bowl that was far too small for his size, licking it frantically. Beside him, a fluffy lapdog that didn't even reach his knees was pacing in circles, frantic but utterly helpless against him.
Nymera: "..."
He charged in here at full speed just to steal a pet dog's food?! "What a spirited child." A woman's voice rang out beside her ear.
Snapping back to her senses, Nymera quickly turned around. Near the floor-to-ceiling window, seated in a high-backed chair so luxurious it defied description, a woman of graceful bearing sat with her chin resting on her knuckles, watching them with a languid expression.
Her shimmering golden waves were slightly messy, perhaps she had just woken up?
"Your Highness, the guest has arrived." The Head Maid bowed, hands pressed against her stomach.
"Mmh, you may leave," the lady in the high-backed chair said with a casual flick of her finger.
The Head Maid lowered her head and backed away, carefully closing the door behind her as she exited the parlor.
"Your Highness..."
Now certain of the other woman's identity, Nymera was about to take out the letters from her teachers when the Princess, who had looked so elegant and dignified just a second ago, suddenly leaped from her chair. In a few strides, she reached Hibiki, who was currently buried face-first in the feeding bowl, and gave his chin a scratch.
"Roll over! Show me your belly~!"
Nymera opened her mouth, intending to tell the Princess that a Palamute was not a pet dog; unless it was someone they trusted implicitly, they would never easily expose their vulnerable underside.
Even as his partner, Nymera couldn't just rub Hibiki's belly whenever she wanted.
Then she watched as Hibiki gave a "Woof!", flopped onto the ground, and stuck out his long tongue while baring his belly.
"Ruff-ruff-ruff!" The Princess pressed both hands into Hibiki's fluffy stomach, rubbing vigorously, before pouncing forward to hug him, burying her face in the fur of his neck and taking several deep breaths.
A moment later, the Princess lifted her head and let out a sigh of pure intoxication. "Palamutes really are something else, ja!"
Nymera: "..."
She thought she knew why the Princess's hair was so messy now.
After getting her fill of petting, the Princess climbed off Hibiki and tidied her appearance slightly. "You must be Nymera, the daughter of Yomogi and Iori, ja? I have heard them speak of you."
Daughter... so that is how her teachers referred to her to outsiders...
Nymera pursed her lips and was about to answer when Hibiki let out another "Woof!" while nudging the now spotless dog bowl with his nose.
The Princess's attention was instantly diverted. "Still not enough, ja? Well, it's no wonder given how big you are. Hold on!"
With that, the lady gathered her skirts and hurried to a cabinet, dragging back a massive sack.
"This is special dog food I commissioned Iori to make, ja! If it's to your liking, eat it all!"
Under the despairing gaze of the tiny pet dog, the Princess tore open the bag and dumped all the food out with a loud whoosh, burying the magnificent, expensive gold-and-red carpet.
Hibiki let out a cheer and lunged at it, burying his head as he crunched away.
Nymera's eye twitched. She finally understood why Hibiki had suddenly "gone mad" earlier; he must have caught the scent of the food specially prepared by Mr. Iori...
Having fed the beast, the Princess turned her gaze back to Nymera.
Recalling her purpose, Nymera quickly took out her teachers' letters and handed them over.
The Princess took the letters, scanned them briefly, and tucked them away. She didn't say what was written in them; instead, she rang a handbell on the table to summon a maid. After ordering tea and snacks, she returned to her languid sitting posture. She began chatting with Nymera about Palamutes.
"I have always wanted to raise a few Palamutes, but regrettably, your father consistently refuses to agree. He claims I cannot even manage an ordinary pet dog; honestly, how preposterous!"
It took Nymera a split second to realize that the person the Princess referred to as "your father" was Master Iori.
Stealing a glance at the snow-white pet dog that had already grown as round as a ball and was currently burying its head in a desperate struggle to snatch food from Hibiki, Nymera forced a polite smile onto her face.
"If he won't let you raise them, then so be it."
The Princess let out a dissatisfied huff, picked up the black tea brought by the maid, and took a small sip with her chin tilted high. "I quite like this child. When you have nothing better to do, you may bring him here to entertain me.
You are a Hunter, correct? If the whim strikes me one day, it is not out of the question for me to issue you a few simple yet high-paying quests, ja."
Nymera nodded, feeling somewhat dazed.
She suddenly recalled a rumor circulating among the older senior Hunters, which said the Third Princess of the Kingdom frequently posted incredibly willful and reckless quests.
For instance, capturing a Lavasioth to use as an ornamental fish, catching a Tigrex to serve as an alarm clock, or hunting a Rajang to make a fur mantle.
The former First Princess had already ascended the throne and become the Queen, so she was naturally no longer addressed by the title of Princess.
Furthermore, the Queen had not given birth to any princesses herself, so this Princess before her eyes was indeed...
"Forgive my presumption in asking," Nymera began tentatively, "but what exactly does the 'simple' quest Your Highness mentioned entail?"
The Princess tilted her head and thought for a moment. "For example, obtaining a Diablos Egg? Soufflés and egg puddings made from a Diablos Egg are quite excellent; I find myself craving some right now.
Will you accept the request? It only requires carrying an egg; there isn't even a need for combat. Quite easy, wouldn't you say?"
Nymera's expression stiffened. "Would a Wyvern Egg from a Rathalos be acceptable?"
At least she was capable of fighting off a Rathian.
"No, Wyvern Eggs are dull and grey, they aren't pretty at all, ja."
"..."
Unless absolutely necessary, I shall never set foot in this place again!
(End of Chapter)
(Translated by yourtl.app)
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TL NOTES — LORE SECTION
Some terms and creatures referenced in this story may be unfamiliar to readers new to the Monster Hunter universe. The following entries provide additional context.
MONSTERS
Lavasioth — A Piscine Wyvern encased in hardened magma armor, native to volcanic regions. Its molten exterior makes conventional attacks nearly ineffective unless the magma is softened first. The Princess's wish to keep one as an "ornamental fish" is as absurd as it sounds.
Rajang — An extremely aggressive Fanged Beast resembling a massive, muscular primate. One of the most feared monsters in the world, capable of generating powerful lightning attacks and known for its relentless ferocity. Considered a near-suicidal solo target even for experienced Hunters.
CHARACTERS
Third Princess — A Princess of the Kingdom, residing in a luxurious mansion in Dundorma. Acquainted with Master Iori and Yomogi, she is known among senior Hunters for issuing outlandish quests (such as capturing a Lavasioth as a pet or obtaining a Diablos Egg for dessert). Carefree and eccentric, with an intense fondness for Palamutes.
Nymera — A young Hunter who trained under Master Iori and Yomogi, whom she refers to as her teachers. She travels with Hibiki and serves as his handler. Competent and level-headed, though frequently overwhelmed by the antics of those around her.
Hibiki — Nymera's Palamute companion, of exceptional size, his back reaching taller than a grown human. Raised by Master Iori and possessing near-human intelligence, he is simultaneously an imposing combat partner and an unrepentant food thief.