The Princess's Birthday Gift

I wonder what kind of help she needs to warrant sending a personal letter like this.

Princess Erin's letter was so cute.

I've never seen such as adorable letter before.

Hmph. That picture doesn't do justice to the beauty of the ancient Fairy Queen.

You're jealous of a child? What a waste of a title, 'Fairy Queen'.

Who said anything about jealousy, you pig?!!!

Ethan!

Thank you all for coming!

It's a request from you, Erin. Of course we'd come.

Hehe, thank you! Now, Bonnie, you should say thank you too!

KKKYAOOOOOOO!!!

(Yep, still bites.)

(Though... why do I feel like it's only aggressive towards me...?)

This sheep is surprisingly well-behaved...

Wow... its fur is so fluffy! I want to keep touching it!

This barely passes, but it'd make a good pillow.

So, what exactly did you call us here for? If you went as far as to send a letter, it must be urgent.

Oh! Actually... Next week is Father's birthday.

Father devoted his entire life to Elaia.

The love I receive... is all thanks to his efforts for the people.

So, I want to give him a Rose of Mercia as a birthday present!

Rose of Mercia? Aren't all roses the same?

Roses from Mercia are a bit special.

I've heard of them, too.

They say the Rose of Mercia is more beautiful than any other rose.

That's why they're so popular among nobles.

Father... is very exhausted these days.

He barely gets any proper sleep.

So I wanted to go look for one to cheer him up... but he won't let me.

(He must have been worried about her getting abducted or getting into trouble...)

(Considering how adorable she is, I could understand King Edward's reaction.)

But if I go with Ethan, I'm sure Father will feel reassured!

So, will you come with me... to Mercia?

Oh my! She's so precious!

I-I almost patted her head without realizing it!

Of course, we can go. Escorting and protecting people is our specialty.

Wow! Thank you so much, everyone!

What do you mean by "protecting?" You're just a musclehead who only knows how to break things.

When have I ever only broken things?

Hmph, have you already forgotten? Your brain must have turned into muscle too.

Alright then, to live up to my reputation, I'll break this too!

Aah! Ethan! Give me back my staff!!!

Ethan? Is that a... slime?

That's right. They're terrifying creatures that can swallow a person whole.

Eek?! You fight such scary monsters every day...?

Haha, don't fret! As long as you are not careless, like someone, you won't get swallowed.

Who are you calling careless?!

Erin, stay behind me!

Hehe, thank you Ethan.

Princess? Are you feeling unwell?

I-It's nothing, Bedi.

Baa!

Bonnie, do you want to fight, too?

Baa! Baa!

Hehe. Thank you, Bonnie. But for now... I'll be fine.

Something's strange. There are way too many monsters here.

Yeah. Could something have happened in Mercia?

If you have time to chat, use it to swing your sword!

W-We made it! We've arrived in Mercia!

Alright, let's get this over with!

Welcome, Swordbringer. And you are... Princess Erin?

What an unusual group you have there. What brings you here?

Q-Queen Cristina! It's an honor to meet you! I am Erin.

Fufu. No need to be so nervous, Princess Erin.

I, too, wanted to meet you.

E-Eh... really?

You are the beloved Princess of Elaia... Truly, you are even lovelier in person.

Hehe. Thank you.

And like me, you will one day rule your kingdom, as its queen.

So let's set aside formality. I would much rather we be friends.

Me... the Queen of Elaia...?

...

I don't know yet...

But if I do become queen, I want to be as amazing as you, Cristina! Hehe.

...!

Ahem... Thank you, Erin.

So, what brings you to Mercia?

How admirable. I'm sure King Edward will be delighted.

He might even cry enough tears of joy to water the entire rose garden.

So, we'd like to take one of your roses. Would that be alright?

Of course. But I have a question for Princess Erin.

Wouldn't a bouquet of roses be better than just one?

A bouquet... of Mercia's roses...!

Then... can I have a bouquet please?!

Fufu. Of course. I'll select the most beautiful roses for you.

But in exchange, I have a small request.

Oh! Of course! I'll do anything! Hehe.

Alright, then. Please take care of the bears that have been appearing around the city.

W-Wait, bears...?

Recently, merchants coming to Mercia have been attacked by bears.

In exchange for the bouquet, please deal with them.

B-But... I...

You'll do just fine, Princess. Besides, you have the Swordbringer by your side, don't you?

If you ask him for help, surely he'll aid you.

This was your plan all along...

Fufu. You are always too suspicious, Swordbringer.

B-Big brother Ethan?

Huh?

You brought me safely to Mercia. So... I will take care of this by myself!

Bears are... a little scary... but Bonnie is with me, so I'll be fine!

Despite her words, her two small hands were trembling with fear.

No, Erin. We'll help you.

Eh? No, I don't want to trouble you more...

Don't worry, Princess Erin. For us, bears are easier than the slimes we fought!

That's right! We've defeated hundreds and hundreds of bears!

Yeah, I can knock one out with a single punch!

Everyone...

Thank you so much! I will never forget this kindness. Hehe.

Thank you, Ethan. Oh! And I think Bonnie has something to say!

KKKYAOOOOOOO!!!

(Is it just me or is that sheep getting angrier and angrier...?)

Just as Queen Cristina said, there are too many bears.

That explains why we encountered so many monsters, they were driven away by the bears.

Erin, hold onto my hand tightly.

O-Okay! Thank you Ethan...

Baa! Baa! Baa!!!

Huh? You're saying you can take care of the bears yourself?

Kyaooo!!!

The b-bears are getting stronger!

That must mean their leader is nearby. Just a little more, hang in there!

Guoooh!!!

He must be the pack leader. Judging by his thin frame, he's probably starving.

No wonder it's been attacking merchants.

Ethan, then... what if we give him food? Wouldn't that calm him down?

Bonnie sometimes acts like that too! Delicious food can calm any animal!

(I doubt Bonnie acting out has anything to do with hunger...)

Brace yourselves, it's coming.

Ehh?!

Don't worry. I won't let it harm you.

Here, take it, Princess Erin.

Wow! It's so pretty, Queen Cristina! Hehe. Thank you!

I should be the one thanking you.

Thanks to you, the people of Mercia can rest easy.

O-Oh no, Queen Cristina. I wasn't the one who slayed the scary bear.

That may be true, but if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have come to Mercia in the first place.

So you should be proud, Erin.

You're the one who saved Mercia's people.

Ethan...

Then, as a token of my gratitude... I'll give this rose to you, Princess.

T-To me? But I already have such a beautiful bouquet!

That bouquet is a gift for King Edward, is it not? This one is a gift from me to you.

Then, I'll give this rose to you, Ethan!

Huh? To me?

I love Father, but... I also want to spend a long, long time with you, Ethan!

Because you are... the greatest hero in the world! Hehe.

Ugh... Too cute...!

Fufu. Princess Erin is bolder than she appears.

Yes?

Actually, there's a hidden meaning behind Mercia's roses.

...!

...Hyaaak!

Erin?!

Princess Erin?! Wake up!

Maybe it was too soon for her.

What do we do, Sir Ethan?! Princess Erin won't wake up!

Agh... Why does it always end like this?!

"The greatest hero in the world, my hero."