How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 257

Not long after, Meliana arrived, and The Guardian gave us the Spirit Stones.

—You have waited long. We bestow these tokens upon you as a token of our gratitude for excellently completing the task.

Ding!

[<System> You have acquired the Elf Token ‘Ancient Spirit Stone’.]

[<System> The elves will not forget the favor you have shown them.]

I turned the Ancient Spirit Stone in my hand this way and that. Inside the Spirit Stone, there was something like a flickering flame.

Strangely, the flicker moved each time I turned it.

‘It’s beautiful.’

Meliana seemed to have a similar thought, as she was busy turning it over like me.

—Once you have packed all your belongings, elf warriors will guide you. May Arbor’s green embrace be with you.

“Thank you.”

We bowed to the Guardian and were about to leave the temple.

—Human.

“Yes?”

“What is it?”

Meliana and I turned around simultaneously. It was natural, as we didn’t know who he was addressing.

However, seeing The Guardian’s gaze fixed deeply on me, I couldn’t help but realize. He had called me.

—Be careful.

“……?”

—Also, do not trust too much.

What?

His words were incomprehensible, but The Guardian seemed to have no intention of explaining further. He had turned away after leaving only that message.

“What should we be careful about?”

As we left the temple, Reno spoke. Coincidentally, it was something I had been thinking about, so I leaned in to listen.

“To say ‘don’t trust’ implies, conversely, something Your Highness trusts…….”

“Something I trust?”

“Yes.”

Even if you say that…….

I still couldn’t pinpoint anything. Hmm, I frowned as I groaned in thought. No matter how much I thought about it, I still didn’t know.

Killis, who had been quietly listening beside us, spoke.

“Isn’t he talking about the Second Princess?”

“Meliana?”

“It’s because Your Highness has a somewhat soft spot for the Second Princess.”

Killis said, looking at Meliana’s group. They were quite a distance from us, already descending towards the village square.

“However, the Second Princess is clearly our competitor. Wouldn’t he have said that to enlighten Your Highness upon seeing you act softly?”

“Would The Guardian care about something like that?”

“The Second Princess has incurred the resentment of some elves. Moreover, The Guardian shows favor to Your Highness. Wouldn’t he wish for Your Highness to seize victory?”

Is that so……?

Listening to him, it did feel that way.

—Excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but.

Vita spoke.

—The Guardian is not one to be swayed by personal emotions.

“Then do you know why The Guardian said that?”

—I don’t.

I hadn’t expected much, but it was still a disheartening remark.

But Vita’s words were also right. Whatever we inferred, there was no certainty. We couldn’t see into The Guardian’s mind.

After that, we prepared to leave the elven village.

Our belongings were just a few pieces of clothing, so we quickly packed them and came out. Elves were standing in front of my quarters.

“……?”

They were holding wooden bottles carved into long cylindrical shapes.

—You’ve come out, human. These are items The Guardian asked us to deliver.

“The Guardian did?”

—Yes. They are bottles filled with Vino.

“Ah…….”

It was that wine I drank yesterday.

—He said it was a reward for telling him the recipe. It’s a good thing for humans who suit it, so please accept it.

Now that you mention it, that’s true. Although it’s poison to me, it was indeed a good item since it’s a wine that quickly replenishes mana in a short period.

Maybe it will be useful somewhere later? It wouldn’t be bad to gift it to Evgenia or Equus Cecil to win their favor.

“Please tell The Guardian I’m thankful.”

—Of course.

The Guardian sent a total of four bottles of wine through the elves. I figured I could put this much in my inventory, so I took them.

* * *

Everyone was already out in the village square. Receiving farewells from the elves who came to see us off, we exited the entrance, and it somehow reminded me of leaving the royal palace.

Walking, tinged with a small nostalgia, we soon arrived at the underground area. Here and there, remnants of Nex that hadn’t been completely cleared were still visible.

Although I knew they were all dead, their appearance itself was monstrous, so I couldn’t help but flinch every time I saw them.

After walking a bit further, Natura and Vita, who were leading the way, stopped.

—This is the passage to the dwarf village.