『 Stelle stopped in front of the unique golden trash can before her; it stood in the corner, lacking both arms and legs.
How magical. In a kingdom composed entirely of trash cans, there actually existed a normal trash can.
Stelle decided to step forward and kick it, to knock it over. This was obviously uncivilized behavior. Under normal circumstances, Stelle might have had to consume a Praise of High Morals—but this was a dreamscape, so who cares!
Stelle kicked the side of the can, and a loud bang followed. Stelle was so startled by the noise that she squeezed her eyes shut.
When Stelle opened her eyes again, the trash can was no longer just a trash can, but a trash can with… arms and legs.
"Thank you, beautiful stranger. I am the Trash Can Prince. My father was secretly murdered by Tatalov, and I was turned into a trash can by dark sorcery. It was you who saved me, liberating me from my imprisonment."
The Trash Can Prince looked at Stelle with gratitude. "I am willing to offer everything I have—my body, soul, life, and trash bags—just to repay your kindness!"
"You sound like the Knights of Beauty…" Stelle roasted the Trash Can Prince standing before her. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: This can's way of speaking is indeed very Knights of Beauty.
〘Argenti〙: Excuse me, did you just say Knights of Beauty? Then do you acknowledge that the Goddess of Beauty, Idrila, possesses beauty that is peerless in this world?
〘Silver Wolf〙: Do you have a photo of THEM?
〘Argenti〙: Regrettably, I have never seen the Goddess's true visage, but the spirit of the Knights of Beauty lingers before my eyes at every moment.
....
『 "Indeed, many cans have praised my beauty, but I am unfamiliar with the title you mentioned. In this vast kingdom, the only knightly order is the Knights of Loose Change, and every member is a thoroughly noble can."
"Then join me in resisting Tatalov!" Stelle reached out her hand to the Trash Can Prince, shouting passionately.
"I will! I shall light the beacon of rebellion with you and save the kingdom from peril!" The Trash Can Prince grasped Stelle's hand without a hint of hesitation.』
『 ....』
〘Belle〙: I actually felt a sense of hot-blooded passion from a trash can? That's a little bit weird.
〘Billy Kid〙: Such a hot-blooded plot! I'm getting fired up!
〘Silver Wolf〙: Too cliché, just like a fairy tale.
....
『 "You have gained my trust. I hope you will accept this item along with my heart. I will fight for you, great soul."
After delivering these stirring words, the Trash Can Prince handed the token in his hand to Stelle. Once he confirmed that the proof had been taken by Stelle, the Trash Can Prince reverted to his trash can form, standing quietly in the corner just as before, as if he were merely an ordinary trash can.
Stelle took the proof and turned around. The impassioned look she had worn while inviting the Trash Can Prince vanished instantly, replaced by her usual, most common expression of calmness.
Stelle held the proof up to her eyes to examine it, then lowered it, playing with it in her hand as she looked for the next can that needed help. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Hiss, you have this side to you, too?
〘Reca〙: Ah, such natural acting skills! I've decided, you are my next heroine!
〘Stelle〙: I'm going to be on TV?
〘Silver Wolf〙: You've already been on light screens countless levels higher than TV.
〘Stelle〙: True. Then I'm not acting anymore.
....
『 Seeing the cans ahead getting closer, Stelle put away the proof and arrived in the middle of the three trash cans. They seemed to be arguing about something.
"Outsider, a dispute here awaits your fair judgment," A Serious Can said solemnly to Stelle.
"This is the legendary Golden Trash, a symbol of power and status. Only the most qualified can possess it. We all believe we can, hence the endless quarreling." A beautiful gold can produce a bag of bling-bling shining golden trash, and explained. 』
『 ....』
〘Li Sushang〙: Such dazzling golden trash.
〘Belle〙: It's special effects, I added special effects!
....
『 "Thus, we decided to let a bystander with a unique perspective and fair attitude judge on our behalf, to decide the ownership of the Golden Trash and put an end to this long-lasting argument." A Wise Can looked at Stelle and said.
The three cans, one by one, told Stelle how they would help her if they obtained the Golden Trash.
The Serious Can promised to give Stelle infinite wealth, enough to fill the largest Can.
The Wise Can promised to give Stelle infinite wisdom, surpassing any bag of overflowing trash.
The Beautiful Can promised to pledge itself, the most beautiful Can, to Stelle, so that human and can could face the wind and rain together.
Stelle looked at the three cans, shook her head, snatched the Golden Trash, raised it above her head, and shouted, "I am the only person worthy of it!" 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Pfft.
〘Dan Heng〙: An unexpected but logical choice.
....
『 "A problem that has plagued us for so long was solved just like that…" The Wise Can muttered in disbelief.
"Then who exactly is the most qualified can… No, that is no longer important," The beautiful can said, shaking its head after realizing Stelle's intent.
"This outsider must have wanted us to understand how ridiculous our current dispute is… You have proven yourself with action. This item symbolizes our following and admiration; I hope you will accept it!"
The Serious Can expressed its gratitude to Stelle, then handed the proof to her.
Stelle accepted it with a bewildered look on her face. It seemed she really just wanted that bag of shiny golden trash. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Pfft hahahahahaha, I can't, Stelle's innocent eyes, hahahahahaha.
〘Silver Wolf〙: Pfft, is this what they call hitting the mark by mistake?
....
『 After stowing away the proof, Stelle embarked on the journey to find the final proof. Soon, she found Trashiemedes standing alone on the street.
He looked very quiet. The paint on his lid had peeled and turned white.
He was counting the trash on the roadside one piece at a time, occasionally sighing, occasionally scratching his head, seemingly trying his best to memorize an astronomical figure.
"Are you here to mock me, too? Or are you here to seek the answer to wisdom?" Trashiemedes asked, looking at Stelle.
"Why are you counting trash?" Stelle asked in confusion.
"It's a long story. A long time ago, I angered Tatalov. I told him that even the most stable rule has a day of decline, just as even the greatest amount of trash can be counted to the end. I don't know which half of that sentence annoyed him so much…"
The Trashiemedes calmly answered Stelle's question. "As punishment, he exiled me here, requiring me to count every piece of trash in this city. Until then, I will never be allowed to express my own opinions."
"I need proof of trust," Stelle said, getting straight to the point.
"Oh… rarely is a can so direct. I do possess proof of trust, but it is currently lost within the trash mountain. If you want it, process it with me. I have already counted the vast majority of trash in this city; only these three new cans remain."
Stelle nodded and charged excitedly toward the three trash cans. This is my old trade! Watch me turn this place upside down!
Stelle first rummaged through the copper can in the middle. Inside this trash can was a comic book telling the story of Tatalov.
Tatalov was once a brave can. He relied on courage and will to defeat the Scrap Giant and even saved a human from its mouth.
To repay Tatalov, that human turned himself into a trash can… This turned out to be a horror story.
Then Stelle rummaged chaotically through the gold can on the side but found nothing.
Finally, Stelle rummaged through the iron can and actually dug out a True Sting.
Stelle pulled out her baseball bat and struck with force. The bug flew away, and the world was at peace. The can that had suffered this unprovoked disaster also returned to his dreamland.
Stelle seemed to hear him say to her:
Thank you, Nameless!
Stelle's decisive and patient behavior moved the iron can. She obtained the third proof of trust and also learned his name: Archimedes.
Having gathered all three proofs, Stelle arrived before Shatana to hand over the quest items. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: Are we finally going to fight the boss?
〘Stelle〙: Come on, I'm going to become the King of Trash!
....