Her First Big Adventure

So this will be the last one.

It's my last chance to revisit old memories and find out more about my past...

Haha, aren't you forgetting something? This isn't just a trip down memory lane, but a monster hunting mission! And since this is the last one, I bet it will put up more of a fight than all the other ones!

I sure hope not!

Come what may, we're going to accomplish our task. Isn't that so, Aldo?

Of course. The Bibliovores' story will finally come to an end.

Well said! All right, guys. Off you go!

We're at the entrance to the forest.

Look, Aldo. There's someone over there!

Thank you for entering this year's hunting competition. As you know, anyone can participate, regardless of their background or occupation. The team which slays the most monsters wins. Although it's nothing extravagant, there is an award for the winning team.

The competition begins now! Enjoy the hunt. I wish you all best of luck!

Yay! Let's go! We're going to win this!

Princess, please don't be reckless. Don't go off on your own.

It was not easy obtaining His Majesty's permission for you to participate. Stay close to us at all times.

Sure, I will!

Oh, I know those people!

Are you also taking part in the competition?

Um...yes, that's right.

Yes, it's been a while since... Ahem. As monster hunters, we never miss any hunting competition.

So you're our rivals! We won't let you have it easy!

Heh. We won't be holding back either!

Lady Miyu, we should be on our way. At this rate we will fall behind the other teams.

Oh, I guess we have to go now! See you later!

You almost spilled the beans there, Miyu! So, anyway, what's this all about?

The royal family keeps monsters in this forest for training purposes, as I explained before. They're regularly culled by the king and his knights, so that their population doesn't get too high. But monsters breed quickly, so in addition to that, there's the annual hunting event to keep their numbers down.

I see.

Still...

What's wrong?

Ah, never mind. Did you notice how those three have changed since they first met?

I did now. But when you spend every day together with someone, it's harder to notice gradual changes.

I see.

Aldo, let's not stand around. Since we're here, we might as well try to win the contest!

Hold on, what? We're here to slay the Bibliovore, Miyu. Not to join competitions!

I know, I know! But doesn't this make things more interesting?

Just don't forget the reason we're here.

Sure. Now, let's go! Before we fall too far behind!

Hyaaah!

Yay, I did it!

Well done, Princess Miyu.

We might actually get the prize if we keep this up.

No sign of a Bibliovore so far.

Yes, but we must keep our eyes open. It could appear any time.

I feel like I'm the one on the lookout while you're just enjoying yourself. Oh, look who's there.

It's you again! Funny how we run into each other.

But you should turn back. I already defeated all the monsters in this area!

Oh, did you? Drat, you're quick! But we're not giving up. There's plenty of time for us to get ahead of you!

Keep on dreaming!

Bertrand! Felmina! Let's go that way next!

You didn't have to stoke her like that.

No harm in it. Besides, I mean it!

You haven't changed all that much since you were a little girl. Okay, let's move on and...

Guagh!

Sounds like someone's in trouble!

Gah! What is this thing? Is this supposed to be here?!

Pull yourself together and fight!

On second thought, it must have come from somewhere else as I'm not familiar with it either... Very well.

Your Majesty!

You may retreat. I will fight this one myself.

As...as you wish, Your Majesty.

Prepare to die, monster!

I did...no damage to it?

What sorcery is this! What's a monster like this doing in my forest?

Your Majesty!

Ah, I remember you...

Please leave this monster to us!

I could not even land a single hit on it. Yet you're saying you can defeat it?

We can and we will!

Very well. I'd like to see that.

All right, we did it!

Mission accomplished, at long last.

That was an excellent battle. But pray tell, what was that monster? It was unlike any other that we have here in this forest.

Oh those are... They have this um...special power. Only monster hunters like us can slay them.

Ah, so that's what it was. Well, I am glad that it's no longer plaguing my forest.

It's very fortuitous that you have joined the competition.

We're always on the lookout for dangerous monsters. It's our job to take care of them.

By the way... Young lady?

Y-Yes?

I believe we've met in this forest once before, if my memory doesn't fail me. Yet, I feel as if I have known you far longer...

I...can't imagine why that might be so.

Hmm... I cannot quite put my finger on it either. Perhaps it's because... you remind me of my late wife.

I do?

If you don't mind, what about me exactly reminds you of her?

That's an odd question to ask, but let me think... Well, she was not an accomplished warrior such as yourself, but there was something else...

Ah, of course! You have the exact same smile. That's it.

Oh...

Your smile is like a ray of sunshine.

Oh, it seems I accidentally stirred some sad memories for you. My apologies. Don't think too much about what I said.

No, um... Thank you. It was very kind.

Well, we got held up here for quite some time. The competition is already over.

Really? Is it already that late?

In that case we'll be on our way. Our job's done here.

What, are you not staying for the results?

As traveling monster hunters, we're just outsiders.

Outsiders or not, the contest was open to anyone. Why don't you stay through to the end? It won't take much of your time.

All right, we can do that. I'm kinda curious who won, too.

No objections from me, either.

We'll impose on your hospitality a little longer, Your Majesty.

Now that everyone is here, it's time to announce the results of the hunting competition!

All teams have put in an excellent effort. But the one that surpassed all others is... Team Mufilleux!

Huh? We...won?

Congratulations, Lady Miyu.

Your training has really paid off, Princess.

Wow! I'm the best! I won the competition!

Did you really win back then?

Of course I did. Why, do you have doubts?

I...I think so.

Mufilleux, come over here for your prize.

Yay! What's it going to be?

Is this...a toy? What does it do?

It's called a spyglass. Look into the tube and you'll be able to see objects that are far, far away.

Really? Let's see!

Um... Is it broken? I only see trees!

I can't see very far with this, Felmina.

This isn't the best vantage point. You'd need to stand somewhere higher.

Somewhere higher... I know where to go!

Princess Miyu, where are you off to?!

Some Miyu trouble was long overdue. She was behaving too well during the contest.

Ahaha...

Let's go after her. I want to see what she gets up to this time.

Have you checked everywhere for her?

Where is she...

What's the matter? Have you found the princess?

Whew! Just a...little...higher...

Almost there...

A bit...higher...

I made it!

Whoa!

This is amazing! I can see so very far! Wow! The forest looks tiny from here!

And...I can see past the forest, too. I didn't know the world was this big!

She's nothing if not determined.

That's our princess.

You get used to this. Felmina, this looks like a job for you.

Yes, of course.

Bertrand! Felmina! You won't believe what I saw! The whole forest was this tiny, and there were mountains beyond it! There is so much world to explore outside the castle.

That's right, Princess.

Can I go there some time? Beyond the forest, to the places I saw?

One day you certainly will. And we'll be there with you, to keep you safe.

We could go on a short trip together one of these days.

You promise?

They didn't need our help in the end. You were a crazy kid, climbing a castle tower. Your maid almost fainted from shock!

I was too excited to think of the danger.

And in the end, you didn't even look through the spyglass.

The view took my breath away and I forgot all about why I climbed there in the first place.

But I climbed the tower again later and took a good look through the scope!

My dad got so very angry at me, though.

No kidding!

That's it for us, though. Now that we've defeated all Bibliovores, we won't be coming here again.

Yes, I suppose we won't. Shall we go back to our world?

Welcome baaack!

You sure there are no more monsters gnawing away at your pages, Chronicle?

Nope, that's all. You aced this mission, guys!

That's good. Let us know if you ever need us again.

Oh sure, I'll call you if I get lonely!

Have you managed to restore all the damaged records?

Yup, it was not a problem at all. I sorted out your appearances in the story, too. It's all perfectly fine now. Good job, guys!

Thanks for the help, Miyu!

Yes!

I nearly forgot! You deserve a reward for your hard work.

Come closer, handsome. Let me give you a big hug!

...I'm good, thanks. Let's go Miyu.

Yes, we'd better go now.

It was just a joke! You guys are no fun. I have a proper reward for you, of course.

Really?

It's not any treasure or anything like that but I thought you might like to be able to visit that forest any time you want. You know, if you ever get in a nostalgic mood.

Thank you! That's very thoughtful of you!

Teehee! Well, I'll see you later. Buh-bye!

Hey, what's going on?!

Oops! The dangers of falling into a routine. I got so used to sending them into the story world, I accidentally did it again. Ah, no matter. Everyone makes mistakes.

Waaaaaaaaaaaah!

Do something, Miyu! Aren't they your friends?!

I've never seen them before!