(Note on Nobility Titles in this World)

• Nobility titles are ranked from highest to lowest as follows:
• Royalty → Duke → Marquis → Earl → Viscount → Baron → Knight

• Note 1: The title of Duke is only granted to relatives of the royal family. If the royal family has no heir for any reason, the Duke will become the new king.

• Note 2: Marquis is a rank equal to that of a Duke, but it is a title for a noble who is not royalty and does not have the right to inherit the throne.

• Note 3: Baron and Knight are one-time titles and cannot be inherited by descendants.

(Scene Change)

Toppo: "You little girl, how dare you address a noble with such disrespect? Watch your words, or you could be beheaded for disrespect."

Betty: "Oh, dear, who's the one being disrespectful...?"

Marie: "Get out of our way, you insolent creature! Who do you think you're talking to? This is Her Highness Sophie de Galiza, the seventh princess of the Galiza Kingdom! Show some respect!"

Knight: "This little girl is a princess? You're lying..." "Stop!"

The knight couldn't believe that the girl in front of him was a princess, but Toppo, looking flustered, hastily stopped him. Baron Toppo had seen the princess from a distance before and knew her face.

Even though she was dressed as an adventurer, the girl's face confirmed that she was indeed Princess Sophie.

Toppo: "Y-your Highness. I apologize. I didn't realize a princess would be in such a filthy place. Please forgive my rudeness and disregard."

Toppo knelt and apologized. Seeing that, the knight hastily knelt and bowed his head.

Sophie: "You can stand up. I'm just a simple adventurer, Sophie. There's no need to be so formal."

Toppo and the knight looked relieved, hearing this.

Toppo: "With all due respect, Your Highness, what are you doing in such a filthy place? And what is your relationship with that commoner?"

Sophie: "I've become an adventurer. I formed a party with Ryu, 'Sophie and Her Merry Companions.'"

Toppo: "The princess... is an adventurer?!"

It was unthinkable, logically speaking... But Toppo recalled hearing from the Gitt Viscount that Princess Sophie was quite the rowdy princess.

Baron Toppo had been bowing with a sense of doubt, just in case. But now he was certain that the girl in front of him was the princess.

Sophie: "So, what were you doing at the Adventurers' Guild? It looked like you were bullying the receptionist with unreasonable demands..."

Toppo: "N-no, it wasn't like that... It wasn't important. I'll come back another time!"

Toppo and the knight rushed out of the guild, fleeing as if they were in a hurry.

The adventurers cheered as they watched them leave.

"Don't come back!"

They said it when they were far enough away to not hear, for good measure.

(Scene Change)

"T-thank you for saving me... everyone."

Layla said, her voice trembling. She was trying to be brave, but she must have been tense, because a single tear rolled down her smiling cheek. Layla hurriedly wiped it with a handkerchief.

Layla: "Hey! Everyone, please have a drink on me. I'm treating everyone today!"

Ryu: "Alright, go ahead and buy everyone a drink."

Ryu tried to hand Layla a few gold coins, but the other adventurers stopped him.

Adventurer: "Why are you paying? It's like you and Layla have a special relationship."

Ryu: "No, I just feel bad because everyone's getting inconvenienced by this whole thing with me."

Adventurer: "You idiot! We're paying! Layla, it's almost time to close up. Come have a drink on us!"

Ah, the adventurers were trying to comfort and reward Layla. All the men gathered around and began to offer to pay. The men were eager to seize the opportunity to drink with the guild receptionist, who they usually admired but rarely got to socialize with.

A junior receptionist pushed Layla, who was hesitating, toward the tavern connected to the guild. It seems she intended to join them for a drink. She's quite resourceful.

Usually, receptionists kept a certain distance from the adventurers to prevent trouble, but it was okay to have a special day like this occasionally.

Suddenly, a man stood in front of Ryu, extending his hand.

Adventurer A: "I won't say no to a free drink."

Adventurer B: "This is all your fault. You've inconvenienced Layla. Be a good sport and pay up!"

Ryu snorted and tossed some gold coins at the men.

"Alright, cheers!"

The men happily took the coins and rushed into the tavern.

(Scene Change)

Watching the adventurers enjoying their drinks in the tavern, Ryu suddenly remembered that the name Gitt Viscount was familiar.

He was certain that the lord of the neighboring territory was Viscount Gitt. He vaguely remembered that he wasn't a good guy... That's right, he was the mastermind behind a bandit group who kidnapped young women.

Gitt's subordinate was in this city. And there have been many missing women cases in the city. He had a feeling that there was a connection.

He thought he should let Captain Golant know about it.

(Scene Change)

Beside Ryu, who was deep in thought, a feast was underway.

Adventurer: "How about joining us, Princess?"

Marie: "Don't talk to Sophie-sama so casually."

A brave adventurer had approached Sophie, but he was shot down by Marie.

(Scene Change)

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(Text: If they catch the kidnapper... Don't miss it!)