Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 157: Mockery and Malice - The Princess's Servants

"It might be in your best interest to keep your voice down," Daisuke suggested coolly. "Unless, of course, you're aiming to expose us to the entire guild."

The girl ducked her head and covered her mouth in embarrassment. Nervously glancing around, she righted her posture and smooth her hair and dress, copper brown eyes burning with disdain.

"Mmhmm," she cleared her throat softly, gracefully assuming the refined demeanor befitting the princess's personal assistant. "So, you're Haxks Starfrost," she remarked, her eyes briefly scanning him with evident disinterest. "That armor seems far more fitting for someone of greater stature... did you happen to steal it from someone?"

WHAM!

A heavy weight dubbed "bingo!" fell atop Daisuke's head, ripping a groan from his throat.

"You're late!" the girl argued, her face twisted into a sneer, her fists trembling with barely contained anger. "The princess made a desperate plea for your assistance weeks ago, and this is how you respond to her urgent request?"

Her gaze swept over him again with clear contempt. "What on earth was Princess Lumielle thinking, putting her faith in someone so young, so weak-looking, as though you've only just been weaned?"

Daisuke sighed, scratching the back of his head, which irritated the girl—every move he made vexed her. "I'm not sure how I feel about being spoken to like that, especially by someone who still has drool on the side of her face."

At the alarming accusation, the girl immediately turned and stooped down, aggressively scrubbing the blemish from her cheek before turning back around and clearing her throat with a blush. "...Haxks Starfrost," she scowled openly. "I will never accept you."

Daisuke sighed again, the exchange more taxing than the dozens of Owlbears he sent to hell on his way to the city. "That's nice, but I have to ask—is this truly the extent to which you trust in your master's judgement? I'll be sure to mention it to her when we meet."

The girl cleared her throat again, her aura now twinkling. "The princess was certainly wise to hire someone beyond the kingdom's grasp. Your pathetic face and lackluster presence would hardly raise an ounce of suspicion in the royal court."

Daisuke regarded the girl wearily, surprised by how quickly her tune changed when her loyalty was brought into question. "So... when will I be able to meet her?"

"Tch," the girl clicked her tongue in exasperation, annoyed at the prospect of introducing such filth to her goddess. "There's a reserved room for you on the fourth floor," she said dryly, tossing him a key. "Stay there while I inform the princess of your unfortunate arrival."

"...Right."

The girl snarled at his response before promptly taking her leave, silently debating with the chibi that represented her conscience whether they should tie a boulder to his legs and toss him into a lake. Haxks Starfrost—it was clear he was going to be more trouble than he's worth.

***

Click-Click-Click.

Cheng-Cheng-Cheng.

In the Crownspire Tower of the palace's stone keep, Princess Lumielle and the captain of her own personal guard sauntered down the arched corridor of the upper floors, the sound of her high heels and his armored sabatons echoing on the stone floor.

The chamber guards lowered their heads in silent reverence as the duo walked by them. As they neared the double-doors leading into the princess's bedchambers, the captain slowed to a halt and gracefully leaned into a polite bow, his right arm resting across his chest.

"Have a pleasant rest of your evening, Princess," the man uttered in a velvety tone, unquestionable loyalty and adoration radiating from his posture. "It's been a pleasure being in your company once again. Please, get some well-deserved rest."

The girl's lips curled into a small smile. "Your unwavering fealty and devotion have been a blessing in these trying times, Captain Hynes. Thank you very much for all that you do."

The man's bow deepened, his expression serene. "You honor me, Princess."

"An honor well-deserved. Good night."

Hynes listened keenly after the door closed, ensuring the room remained silent and the princess faced no harm from within. Once he was convinced she was safe, he gracefully flicked his cape and turned on his heel, his strides urgent as he left the tower.

"Excellent work," he said to the guards in passing, winning a discreet smile from them.

As he made his way to the male apartments neighboring the Crownspire Tower, his thoughts drifted back to the first time he met Princess Lumielle. He had been a mere orphan on the brink of death, left to wither away on the side of the road after being beaten senseless for stealing a loaf of bread.

Abandoned by the world with no noble blood to his name and no trade or skill to speak of, he was little more than a street rat. Yet, despite everything, despite his humble origins, the princess had taken him in, offering the rare chance to serve as one of her retainers and, in doing so, granting him the opportunity to train alongside the royal guards.

"I was so grateful that I labored relentlessly on her behalf. Finally," he murmured, his voice calm as he walked toward the study in his private chambers. "I was able to acquire this esteemed title and truly secured my place by her Highness's side."

Slipping his middle and index finger into the gap of a stained hardcover book, Hynes gently pulled back on the spine with a smile of anticipation. As the book tilted back, a soft mechanical click echoed through the room, followed by the smooth hum of the bookshelf shifting to the side, revealing what lay hidden behind it.

As he descended the narrow staircase into the dimly lit basement, a sharp snap of his metal-clad fingers commanded the mana crystals mounted on the walls to flare to life. There, at the far end of the chamber, slumped on the cold stone floor and bound by chains to the wall, was a young girl.

She wore a lavish dress tarnished by time, her coral-pink hair cascading in delicate waves, framing jade-green eyes that had long since lost their luster.