The crowd of spectators gathered around the town hall. Each with their speculations and predictions about why the prince had decided now of all times to hold a royal hunt.

“Subjects of the Leonis Kingdom. I, Prince Vincent Wulf, will be holding a royal hunt in the honor of my sister, and your princess, Bell.” He said, his voice carrying an air of dignity. There in the midst of the sea of people, he sat, saddled on a white horse, plated with glimmering golden armor and beside him was what George assumed was the princess. Bell. She had a kind complexion on her face, waving shyly to the people.  Her face was pasty and thin. Like she had been suffering a disease that ate away at her life for a very long time.

“Very soon.” The prince continued. “Bell will be celebrating her 18th birthday. A monumental achievement. A very testament to the Wulf bloodline’s strength and as such, Father, Your King, has granted me the charter to host a royal hunt such as my older sister, Your Princess, Nora has done before me.” 

He paused for a moment as he gathered himself. “I swear on my late mother’s name that I will not fail, The sun shall never set on our glorious kingdom!”

The crowd erupted into cheer. Some were so moved to the point that they were at tears. Even Amy was pumping her fist straight into the air. Everyone, all but George, seemed to know what a royal hunt was. 

Prince Vincent held his hands up as a gesture for them to quiet down and they did. 

“Joining us for this event will be none other than my father, King Fredrin!” The crowd burst into another bout of applause. Louder than the first time. Prince Vincent waited for the noise to die down again and then continued. “The northern tribe will also be joining us alone with the Fisher family.” The crowd didn’t explode this time. Some scowled at the mention of the northern tribe and there was a modicum of applause for the name Fisher. 

Sensing the people’s mood turning sour, the prince then motioned over his squire who held out a scroll.

“I would like to do something no one else in my family has done before. I would like to extend this invitation to— Adventurers!” The mass of people roared as they began to push against each other. Some jumping up and down as if they were presented with a thousand gold. “Any and all adventurers who wish to sign up will— Hmm? Oh right. Thank you.” The prince cleared his throat. “Chiron the wise will also be joining us.” At which George felt Fafnir’s eyes lit up, unable to hide her malice mingled with pure excitement. 

“You have to join at all costs.” She suddenly demanded. Her usually playful tone was replaced by urgency. “It would be in your best interest to comply while I’m asking nicely. There are an awful lot of humans gathered together. It’d be a shame if something were to—”

“Alright. I get it. I’ll do what you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone.”

“I’m glad you’re able to see reason.” Fafnir whispered as George felt her sweltering invisible hand on his shoulder.

For a moment there, he had forgotten the situation he was in. He had forgotten that he was nothing more than a puppet for Fafnir to control. Binded by a contract he foolishly agreed to. But he was going to find a way to break out sooner or later. Yeah, that was it. He was just bidding his time. She won’t get her way. 

George turned to Amy who was looking as if she was just absolutely smitten by the prince. A vacant look in her eyes suggested she was in a dream-like state.

“Hey.” George put a hand on her shoulder which immediately brought her back as she jerked her head towards him, her ears glowing bright pink. 

“Hey—Hi—I mean. What were we talking about?” She asked with a forced innocent expression on her face as if she hadn’t been just gawking and making heart eyes at the prince.

“How do I apply to the royal hunt?”

“You’re thinking of joining?”

“Yeah, is there a reason I shouldn’t”
“No of course not but you’ve just become an adventurer and now you’re thinking of joining the royal hunt? I mean I’m sure you’re capable and I don’t doubt your abilities. Even old man Martin recognized you and all but—”

“Amy.”

“Hmm?”

“What is a royal hunt?”

She stood there dumbfounded.

“You seriously don’t know? The Royal Hunt is an event in which royal families from all across Leonis come together to hunt Mana Beasts in hopes of forging a spirit weapon.”

“A spirit weapon?”

It looked as if Amy was at her wit’s end baring George's constant questions, no matter how good natured his intentions were.

“Look, the point is. You barely survived an encounter with a grade 5 and there’s no telling what they’ll encounter this year. There’s a reason why there are only four renown owners of a spirit weapon and all of them are heroes! Two of them are nobility. One from the north and lastly, the strongest man in all of Leonis, Siegfried!”

Amy explained to him. George got the impression that he probably shouldn’t ask anymore questions but with Fafnir’s warning hanging over his neck. He just couldn’t back down now.

“Look, I get it but if I really had to.” He said, his face unflinchingly determined.

“If you had to… you’d be better off if you have one mana beast quest on your belt.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning. If you’re going to do this. You’re going to at the very least have to show you’re capable of holding your own.”

“So I’d have to hunt one?”

“As if you could do it alone.” Amy suddenly got serious. She crossed her arms and began.

“You’re going to owe us big time but rest assured, with both Ben and I. You’d come back in one piece. Amy guaranteed.”