The Members Are All Here, and Hanna Is Trembling

"Now we have everyone."

I brought Shiera over and said that. Everyone turned their attention to us.

The princess and Estelle, in particular, looked surprised, as if they couldn't believe it.

I suppose both of them had suspected as much.

"I'd like to start with introductions, but judging by your reactions, Princess, Estelle—did you already know Shiera?"

"Of course. There's no way I wouldn't know someone from the 〈Royal Family's Shield〉."

"The 〈Royal Family's Shield〉?"

Was that the name of some piece of equipment? I searched my memories, but there was no equipment by that name in the 〈Dan-Katsu〉 database.

"It's my family's epithet. For generations, my family has produced many excellent shield wielders. It wasn't uncommon for one of us to be chosen to guard a member of the royal family."

"And that's not all. During the large-scale Dungeon Outbreak fifty-four years ago, House Marguerite held back the monsters invading the kingdom, keeping the damage to the country to almost nothing. That legendary feat is still passed down among knightly houses today. As a reward, House Marguerite was granted the honor of protecting the royal family."

Shiera answered curtly, though it was clear she was proud of her family. Estelle added to her words, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

By the way, Marguerite was Shiera's surname. Her full name seemed to be Shiera Marguerite.

As someone who also served as a protector, Estelle seemed to regard House Marguerite with respect and admiration.

It turned out Estelle and Shiera had known each other for a long time, too. They said their families occasionally trained together, and they seemed to get along well.

It wasn't that the princess had memorized the names and faces of everyone in the 〈Royal Family's Shield〉; she simply remembered Shiera as a candidate to guard her once she came of age.

Apparently, if Shiera obtained a premium Job at sixteen, she would have a good chance of being selected to guard the royal family.

Shiera was a 【Shield Princess】, the pinnacle of shield Jobs, so she was undoubtedly the leading candidate.

Estelle had met the requirements for 【Royal Guard】, so it seemed all but certain she'd become a royal bodyguard. She'd also served as a guard-in-training for Princess Rana, who was the same age, since they were children.

I wondered if it would be all right for her to change her Job to 【Princess Knight】, but she said her family had readily approved, since 【Princess Knight】 was an overwhelmingly better Job than 【Royal Guard】.

Anyway, that got a little long.

The point was, one was a protector and the other someone to be protected, so they already knew each other and didn't need introductions.

That left Hanna. But she was frozen stiff in front of the noble young ladies.

I quietly went over to her, and she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. It was kind of cute.

"Zephyrus-kun, you never told me!"

"Well, even if I'd told you, it's not like there was anything you could've done. I figured you'd be happier not knowing."

You know what they say—sometimes ignorance is bliss. Though finding out can make you terribly unhappy.

Sorry, Hanna.

"That's so mean, Zephyrus-kun~"

"You'll get used to it. You're a higher level than they are, so just stand tall and be confident."

Nobles and royalty were irrelevant.

In 〈Dan-Katsu〉, level was everything.

Though having a level you couldn't handle could ruin your life!

Still, Hanna had been following my guidance and focusing entirely on Alchemy without wasting time on detours, so she should be fine.

I told her as much, but Hanna still didn't look convinced.

"Are you sure? They won't throw me in jail or anything?"

"What do you take nobles for, Hanna?"

"What do you take them for, Zephyrus-kun? They're nobles—and she's a princess!"

Huh? A category of people who can get premium Jobs, right? Yeah, I know, I know.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm pretty sure that's not it..."

Hanna read my thoughts and shot them down, but I thought she was the one overthinking things.

"Anyway, you'll be fine. Why don't you try talking to them? Here, I'll introduce you to the princess and the others. This is our guild's production specialist, Hanna, an 【Alchemist】. She's already set to join the 〈Dungeon Production Major, Alchemy Department〉."

I introduced her to the princess and the nobles while gently nudging her forward. But why did she look at me in surprise at the last part, as if to say, "I was already accepted?!"

You gave them your preference when you enrolled, didn't you? If you get the Job you wanted, you're automatically accepted. How did you not know that?

Well, setting that aside, I continued the introduction.

"We've been exploring Dungeons together as a team. And she's 【Alchemist LV22】. She's got a bright future ahead of her."

That wrap-up succeeded in catching the attention of the 〈Princess Job〉 group.

"That's a high level... I wonder if any first-year has ever made it past LV20 this early in the year."

"Indeed. I thought Lord Zephyrus was the only one in a league of his own, but it seems he's been blessed with an exceptional support member as well."

"It's been a while since the entrance ceremony, but you've really left me behind. We'll be guildmates from now on. It's nice to meet you, Hanna-san."

"Y-yes!"

Hanna was still stiff as a board, but it seemed they'd accepted her.

I mean, Hanna had talked to Shiera normally at the entrance ceremony. She'd be fine if she just acted like she had then.

Huh? She didn't know Shiera was a noble back then? But they didn't execute her for being rude, did they? She'll be fine.

I wonder how long it'll take Hanna to settle in.