The Princess And The Lord

As the night got colder and colder, Lory zipped her jacket even though the cold didn't bother her much but she didn't like this chill that seeped her bones because it reminded her of the time when she wandered alone in a dark world thankfully Girsha was still by her side at that time even though it was only for a while until she met Lazarus.

Suddenly a strong arm wrapped around her shoulder, Lory turned to Zhao Li Xin and the man smiled without saying a word, he pulled Lory to his chest and then stroke her head soon warmth engulf her whole body and heart like a warm blanket.

Lory smiled as she leaned against Zhao Li Xin's chest while listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Meantime, Lydia took out a pendant with a red stone in the center and put it around her neck she let out a relaxed breath and her cheeks turned slightly red.

The object that Lydia used was a low-tier pendant and people liked to use it as a heater that red stone on the pendant called 'Heatstone' There was also 'Coldstone' it was an ice blue color stone which has the same use but as a coolant.

Even though such an item was inexpensive but seeing how beautifully the pendant had been carved indicated that Lydia might have a good position in the S.A.I.N.T organization or perhaps someone in a high position valued her.

"Sorry, we can't make a bonfire because it will attract beasts to come," Garrof thought Lory must be cold since they both hugged each other.

pαndα---noνɐ1,сoМ The old man wouldn't think Lory and Zhao Li Xin were just being lovey-dovey to each other because who in their right mind would be in the mood to be romantic in a dark and gloomy place like this? the answer is, THEY ARE!

"It's okay, it's not that cold" Lory appreciated the concern, the old man looked rough from the outside but kind on the side sort of reminded her of Fargo.

Garrof took Lory's answer with a grain of salt "You've got your bounty, you better go tomorrow morning"

"We can't..." Lory replied calmly "Our mission is to clear out all the Wild Hounds in this area if we leave now we will fail our mission and that won't be good for the new hunter's reputation, will it"

"I understand your problem but your life should be worth more than your reputation, right? just tell your Guild master this job is more than you can chew and they better send someone at least a level B hunter to this place" Garrof gently persuades Lory which makes Lory curious.

"I don't understand what you're worried about, even though Wild hounds look dangerous, they are only dangerous because they win in numbers, but they are weak by fire, so weapons that are infused with firepower and rifles will be able to easily defeat them they are also not smart so using poison bait can easily kill or weakened them" Lory is now sure they are hiding something.

Garrof and his crew surprised Lory to have a thorough knowledge of how to hunt but that could be learned from the theory books that were widely sold in the market.

"Miss Jane, what is your hunter's level?" Lydia suddenly interrupted.

Lory's expression turn awkward "Oh we just signed up yesterday so we're still at level E"

Immediately they turn their disappointed eyes towards Lory and Zhao Li Xin, Owen even snorts loudly but then Garrof throws a reprimanding look at Owen.

Lory smiled innocently he didn't care about Owen's ridicule nor did he care what they thought of her however from their reactions Lory estimated that this group of hunters was facing something more than just a group of Wild Hounds therefore they hoped to get additional help from other hunters but they disappointed after learning that Lory and Zhao Li Xin were rookie hunters.

Lory secretly exchanged glances at Zhao Li Xin who gave a faint smile which indicated he knew what Lory was thinking and he also had the same estimation.

"What about you, what level are you all at?" Lory turned the question on Garrof with a nonchalant expression.

They hesitated a bit cause it feels like bragging but it was Owen who said first "I'm a level B hunter" he puffed his chest arrogantly.

Since Owen already said it one by one begin to speak:

"I'm level A hunter," Garrof said.

"I'm level B too," Dan said.

"I'm not a hunter" Lydia waved her hands.

Yes, but she is quite strong, especially with her amazing healing power I don't think she is any less than a level B hunter if she wants to be a hunter Owen looked at Lydia with glittering eyes while praising her obviously someone fell head over heels, here.

Lydia blushed she feel embarrassed but feel proud at the same time.

Meanwhile, Lyod who had regained his strength spoke in a deep baritone voice "I'm also an A-level Hunter, thanks for your help from the start" he was now able to pull his back to sit.

"Don't mention it" Lory brush it off.

"So you know we're professionals here so I advise you to leave the next morning, though you don't finish your mission you already had a lot of many from all those vermin's fangs! " Owen scoffed sarcastically as he look Lory and Zhao Li Xin with a condescending look.

"Owen!" Garrof's voice was brisk with authority while sending warning eyes to Owen.

Dan sighed helplessly he didn't know what to say about his older brother's attitude even though his younger brother was a good man and also loyal to his friends but he had a habit of being prejudiced against weak people, especially people who dare become a hunter who mostly relied on their strength perhaps because they grew up during the wars of the dark ages Owen saw first hand how weak people ended up depending on strong people and even caused those people to die to protect them.

"Sorry miss raven the youngster can be rude sometimes" Garrof sincerely apologize he felt ashamed his members behave so rude after receiving help.

"It's fine, I understand what Master Owen is saying" Lory didn't take Owen's words to heart but once again Owen snorted at Lory thinking Lory was just pretending to be nice while insisting on staying if she really understood the situation she had to obey what they said and go with her 'not so tough' looking husband instead drags them down later.

Zhao Li Xin didn't know what they were talking about but he see clearly Owen's hostility to him and Lory.

Normally Zhao Li Xin wouldn't care about someone like Owen, because in his eyes Owen was nothing more than an annoying mosquito but if that mosquito dared to bite his wife, he would slap the mosquito until he couldn't remember himself, unbeknownst to anyone a dangerous glint flashed in Zhao Li Xin's dark onyx eyes.

At the same time, although Garrof did not like Owen's behavior he had to admit that Owen was not completely wrong "Miss Jane, you may not like to hear this but Owen is right, this work is beyond your and your husband's capabilities,  if your guild does not believe you may use our group name, 'The Great Saber', tell your guild master that our group told you so" Garrof persuaded Lory earnestly as he didn't want to see another rookie hunters die in vain because he had seen too many deaths in his life for him to get bored.

Lory could feel Garrof's sincerity in keeping her away from danger, but that made Lory even more curious about what was really going on here.

"Oh, by the way, I found a hunter's corpse near the entrance, is he one of your friends?" Lory looks inquisitively.

Owen  suddenly jump from his seat "Where is he!"

"Unfortunately, dead" Lory answered shortly.

"Tsk!" Owen drops his butt while grinding his teeth.

"That man is not our friend, he was supposed to be our guide but he left us when we were in a dire situation" Dan who had been quiet showed his disdain for the first time.

"Well, if that makes you feel better, that guy died from poison and his body was eaten by wild dogs with almost nothing left so I guess he got what he deserved," Lory said with a straight face

When they heard what Lory said Lydia's face turned pale she felt sick to her stomach thus she subconsciously covered her mouth. Garrof and the others were also stunned though they didn't react as much as Lydia but they didn't show any joy either.

Seeing this, Lory was sure that they weren't bad people, maybe a little annoying but definitely not bad people.

"So that's what happened" Garrof lowered his gaze even though he felt glad that the guide had met his end but he couldn't help but feel sorry for how he died.

"To be honest, Miss Jane, we have been hunting something much more dangerous than Stray Dogs and we have given special information that we will find what we are looking for here..." explained Lyod.

Lory narrowed her eyes curiously "May I know what you guys are looking for?"