The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 201

Regarding this matter, no particularly good ideas came to mind. What could she possibly do about it? Even if she went around spreading word that the king kept golden-maned water buffalo and silver goats as personal assets, it would only increase the number of competitors who wanted to claim him.

More than that, Polyxene ‘s heart became quite urgent. Just as Cassis had mentioned, she had become an official guardian too early, so she was far short of the basic training she needed to fulfill. Things had been quiet until now, but soon a notice might arrive telling her to depart somewhere to complete additional training. That place would most likely be the thorn forest where Brax was.

I hate the thorn forest, I never want to go there for the rest of my life. Just thinking about being chased by those ghost trees makes my spine crawl!

If she had to go there, it would mean not only packing up all her repaired silver arrows to carry on her back, but also having to see again those colleagues who hadn’t even properly offered her a word of congratulations.

Polyxene thought she was being terribly wronged in that regard. What did those guys know about the terror of frantically shooting arrows while being chased in mortal fear! Moving around in groups, performing only the safe missions Brax assigned, thinking only they had it hard.

What should she do? No matter how much she thought about it, no clever solution came to mind. In the end, she had no choice but to go to the person who always came to mind first in times like these.

“……”

Iel stood near the World Tree with a frighteningly hardened expression.

‘This is the arrow that Polyxene recently offered?’

In fact, this return had nothing to do with the guardians’ regular training, so there was no need for her to offer her arrows again. Even so, it was such a joyful occasion and things had gone so well that she hoped to receive the World Tree’s blessing as well.

He had put forward another knight instead of himself to urge Polyxene to quickly offer her arrows. The result was the silver arrow he had gifted her, so in his frustrated heart, he had even given her some of the materials he had prepared, telling her to make even one and quickly present it.

This was the result.

‘Astounding.’

It was completely different in both shape and texture from the arrow he had seen before the platform, and was utterly crude. Acting as a guardian with these? Ridiculous! If they met strong winds, rather than riding them and flying well, it would be fortunate if they didn’t split vertically and drop with a thud. The unsettling feeling he had experienced during Lya’s trial came rushing back, and he sighed involuntarily.

“Haah…”

“Big brother!”

They say even tigers come when you speak of them—an unwelcome voice was heard from over there. Iel irritably gestured to put away the arrows and gazed intently at their maker.

Though it was a smiling face, the way her lips twitched slightly showed an expression indicating something unpleasant had occurred. Finding it truly tiresome beyond measure, he asked emotionlessly.

“What is it?”

“Big brother, you know what? Do you know? His Majesty the King has golden-maned water buffalo and silver goats. He wants to graze them around the castle, and I was wondering if there’s any way I could help him? Right now, there aren’t enough knights in the castle either. I would gladly serve with a joyful heart…”

Iel turned away from both Polyxene who was speaking to him from over his shoulder and the arrows he had just pushed aside, answering curtly.

“Don’t you have your own duties to attend to, Polyxene ?”

“Yes? That’s exactly what I mean.”

At her serious face as if she knew nothing, Iel decided to point it out directly.

“It’s understandable that becoming an official guardian would spark new interest in this and that matter. But Polyxene ? You should focus solely on fulfilling your proper duties. If returning to the thorn forest feels burdensome, the senior guardians will establish yearly plans around autumn, so formally request assignment then. They’ll arrange things at a difficulty and sequence that suits you.”

He has no intention of helping me!

Though she felt so frustrated and wronged that tears nearly welled up, Polyxene barely held them back. Just like before she left with the rear guard, Iel clearly wanted to draw a line with her. If she pestered and clung to him at times like this, rather than getting what she wanted, she would certainly be completely cast aside.

Stay calm, Polyxene . Even when I was being driven to the thorn forest, things seemed hopeless, but I overcame that crisis too and stand here now, don’t I? I… can do this.

Thinking she should have come out wearing her guardian insignia, Polyxene carefully continued speaking.

“Big brother, I was merely trying to ease His Majesty the King’s concerns. If I was being presumptuous, I apologize.”

As if you would.

Knowing well that her obsession with the king was far from ordinary, Iel maintained silent non-response. If he could have his way, he wanted to snap at her not to bother His Majesty anymore and to fulfill her duty to live faithfully as a mere guardian, however inadequate.

But rather than being disappointed by his cold rejection, Polyxene had come with proper words that aligned with his intentions.

“That’s why I’m saying this. There’s time left before autumn, and if I return to the thorn forest, everyone will probably feel awkward around me. It’s also true that I lack ability and experience. So I was hoping you could find me some work to do near the castle during summer. It’s fine even if I can’t commute from the castle…”