Chapter 95.1. Faith


    <strong>95.1. Faith</strong>


    And [Hero] Daniel, it has been a while, hasnt it?


    Salvos blinked as Faith said those words. Helen did not expect the princess to be so upfront with Daniels true identity. But if what she told them was to be believed and it should be believed since Zack was certain she was truly the princess of Elutra then that meant Daniel did note from this world.


    It was something every child heard about. [Heroes]. They came summoned to the Nexeus by rituals from times long passed. It was not anything that happened anymore, and yet now a real [Hero] was before them.


    When they were broken the news, Helen remembered how Zack reacted. The normally haughty [Mage] immediately swore he would apologize to Daniel for the way he had treated him. And Jaakko too Helen had never seen the Cyclops one eye grow that wide.


    So now, it was Salvos turn to learn the truth. That herpanion was not who he imed he was. And that the man she was standing next to was actually a [Hero] from another world.


    Helen gave the silver-haired woman a sympathetic look as she exchanged a nce between Faith and Daniel. Thetters eyebrows arched darkly over his eyes, even as the former smiled at him. Salvos opened her mouth


    Wait, Daniel, is that really a princess? For real? Am I meeting a real princess?!


    Zack turned to face Helen as she stared, nk-faced at Salvos. He spoke hesitantly.


    ...uh, that wasnt the reaction you were expecting either, right?


    I bounced on my feet as I regarded Daniel. The Human man looked unhappy, but I didnt care. Because in front of me stood a <em>real </em>princess!


    Supposedly, that meant she was like Saffron but even more important. And not only did shee in a carriage that would have put the entire Merryster familys fortune to shame, but she was also from the kingdom that summoned Daniel! That meant they knew each other.


    I pointed usingly at Daniel.


    Why didnt you tell me you knew a princess?


    Helen, Zack, and Jaakko locked onto me with surprised expressions. Mypanions gaze snapped up, finally broken from his stupor. Sighing, he rubbed at his temples.


    I <em>did </em>tell you I knew a princess, Salvos. You just forgot.


    No, you didnt!


    Yes, I did Look, lets not talk about this right now.


    Daniel turned his attention back to Faith. The princess was she a Princess with the Title, or just a princess? tilted her head slightly. She still wore that same smile on her face, waiting expectantly for him to say something.


    He seemed to struggle to get a word out until finally, he shook his head.


    Faith, what do you want from me?


    What do I want? I just came here to save you, Daniel. I heard about what the Inoria Empire did. They put a bounty on your head to the Harrowed Vindicators, and now every one of their third-rate assassins ising for you, hoping to earn a few thousand gold.


    Thats not why you came here now though.


    Stepping forward, mypanion inspected the princess. Behind her, the retinue of guards most of them high Silver in level, although a handful were low Gold tensed. He folded his arms across his chest.


    What do you <em>really </em>want, Faith? And you better choose your words carefully. Because I wont believe a fucking word you say unless its something thats purely self-serving.


    The words struck the princess like a p to the face. She stumbled back slightly, her face ovee with a look of shock. Not only did her guards react this time, but even Jaakko and his team did too.


    Even I stared at Daniel, aghast.


    Psst, Daniel, arent you supposed to be respectful to her? Shes a Human princess!


    Shes scum, Salvos. She tried to use me only for her own gain when I had been helping the Elutra Kingdom in their war against the Inoria Empire. She manipted. Tricked me. Made me believe things that werent true. Just for politics.


    She did?


    I turned to Faith, seeing her face contort. The smile vanished, and she frowned.


    But thats not true.


    Faith spoke over him. She faced me, giving me a pleading look.


    Daniel has misjudged me. Ms Salvos, I know weve only just met, but I implore you to convince him to trust me.


    I nced back over at Daniel. The Human man seemed repulsed by what Faith was saying. He spoke through gritted teeth without even facing me.


    Salvos, shes a snake. A real snake.


    You mean shes not Human?


    I no. I mean shes conniving, cunning, and <em>cruel. </em>Not the kind of cruel that leaves you for dead, but the kind that makes you distrust people.


    Finally, Daniel turned my face.


    Youre not exactly the best at social cues. And I have to admit, I am not either. But Im asking you to listen to me. Faith is not someone you should ever put your trust in.


    I blinked and stared between the [Hero] and the princess. There was history here between them. And some sort of invisible force was shing here. I could not see what it was, but I could tell that much.


    If you help me speak some sense into Daniel, I promise Ill reward you greatly. Anything you ask of me, Ill give it to you.


    Salvos, you arent actually thinking of this, are you? Because even if you try to make me work with her, I wont.


    Now I had to pick between them. One was mypanion. Someone who I had fought alongside for so long through so much. But the other was a princess!


    She was a real-life princess! Maybe even a Princess! And if I sided with her, maybe I could even learn how to be a princess too!


    So I beamed. I slowly let my gaze rest on Faith, my lips still curled up. Daniel looked at me disbelievingly as Faith sighed in relief.


    Im d you


    Absolutely not!


    I eximed. Faith blinked as Daniel paused. Then heughed.


    I should have expected that. I dont know why I expected anything else from you.


    But why?


    Faith could not believe what I had just said. She gesticted, her fancy dress ruffling with each movement she made the gems and jewelry decorating gleaming in the moonlight. This was a princess. And I could have won her favor right here. But


    Daniel is mypanion. And if he tells me youre bad, then youre bad.


    I waved a finger matter-of-factly. It just was how it was. I wouldnt forsake mypanion, even if the Princess of princesses told me to.


    The bodyguards apanying Faith sputtered one of them drew a sword and pointed it my way.


    You dare insult princess Faith of Elutra?!


    I do.


    Turning a daring gaze towards them, I bared my teeth in a grin.


    And if you want me to take it back, youll have to <em>make </em>me.


    The man the highest level of the bodyguards at Level 45 took a step forward. But before he could object further, Helen hurriedly ran to my side.


    Salvos, what are you doing? Princess Faith is telling the truth. When Zack started uh, prying around Daniels identity, she was the one to contact us. She told us he was in danger. That the Harrowed Vindicators were after him.


    Then she lied to you too.


    I spoke simply. Helen opened her mouth, but the bodyguard from before snapped.


    Insolence


    <em>Enough!</em>


    Faith cut the mans sharp voice short by raising her hand. She slowly nced between Daniel and me, the smile wiped from her face, reced with a more serious expression.


    [Hero] Daniel.


    Stop calling me that!


    Mypanion snapped. She nodded.


    Daniel, then. I apologize if your <em>interpretation </em>of my past actions has disillusioned you to my true character. However, one of the reasons why I came here was indeed to save you. But you are right: I have another reason too.


    He narrowed his eyes.


    And that reason is?


    To ask you toe back.


    Daniel had been expecting those words from her. Faith was so predictable once he understood the exact kind of person she was.


    <em>Selfish.</em>


    The reason why the [Hero] left the country in the first ce was exactly because of the politics she yed with him. She had been the <em>fifth </em>in line to the throne of Elutra. Now she was third. And that was because she used him.


    Everyone there tried to use him but she used him the most.


    Feeling his hands slowly tighten into balls, he nced up and shook his head.


    I dont know what kind of madness overtook you since west saw each other, but I refuse.


    You have to, Daniel. The


    <em>No!</em>


    He put his foot down as his voice echoed in the darkness. Faith took a step back, shocked by the sudden shouting. Daniel spoke through clenched teeth.


    I will not go back. <em>Never.</em>


    The eyes of the princess grew dark. Then there was a soft sound a sniffling. Daniel wasnt sure if he had been too loud, but he stood by his words. His anger was justified. She had <em>convinced </em>him that she loved him. His broken heart almost mended. But all she loved was what he <em>got </em>her.


    Faith nced back up, and Daniel hesitated, not wanting to see any puppy-eyed look. But instead, all she did was wrinkle her nose. Her gaze swept across the corpses around them, and she grimaced.


    Id like to continue this conversation. However, I do not think this is nearly the right ce to carry it out. Would you at least be willing to move this elsewhere? Perhaps my camp. Its no more than half an hours travel that way. And theres food and tea too,


    Gesturing behind her, Faith looked at him expectantly. He bit his lower lip, feeling slightly guilty about shouting. But before he could say anything, Salvos piped up.


    Food? Tea? No way!