Translator: Nox

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: The Contract and the Key to the Palace

The Mage Tower.

A place where research-obsessed mages endlessly write papers.
A place that protects the balance of the world in the absence of the vanished dragons.
If anything threatens that balance, a crazed mage will burst out mid-research to pummel the source of the problem.

Zion, in the original novel, was a troubleshooter dispatched from the Mage Tower.

‘But if I say that out loud, I’ll probably end up as Zion’s next research subject.’

To avoid the tragedy of being dragged into the Mage Tower, I insisted desperately.

“I’m a special prophet who can change the future. How else could I have known who you were?”

But Zion didn’t believe a word of it.

Growing anxious, I pleaded again.

“Zion, vampires really do go extinct. I even saw the scene where the balance collapses and the Mage Tower crumbles!”

Zion looked at me, then sighed.

“Princess, let’s make a contract.”

“…A contract?”

“In exchange for proper compensation, I will help you.”

As soon as he said that, Spam popped up.

[Web Message]
This isn’t the time to hesitate! My life’s on the line!
( *°▽°)八(・ヘ・ )
Make a contract with the nasty mage.
-Reward: 3,000 EXP

…Are they in on this together or what?

“I’ll do my best to help you. I’ll make sure you get everything you want,” Zion said, as if he would grant my every wish.

“But once you’ve achieved all of that, you’ll have to give me what I want in return.”

Like a devil whispering terms.

“…What do you want?” I asked warily.

Zion smiled.

“You.”

“What?!”

“Nothing too serious. I simply want to keep you under my protection.”

“That’s…”

“Forever.”

I clamped my mouth shut and glared at him.

“Zion, do you realize how insane that sounds?”

“But I’m not the one who’s desperate here, am I?”

…Damn it, he’s right. I’m the one with no choice.

“Still, why those terms? If what you said is true, it doesn’t benefit you at all.”

“How kind of you to consider my benefit. Should I add some other condition, then?”

Wow. He’s *so* smug. I wanted to punch him.

Fuming, I asked coldly, “What if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll be forced to protect you in a secure location and investigate the cause of the vampire extinction to eliminate it.”

…What the heck? Whether I agree or not, the result is the same?!

After some thought, I decided to make the contract. I had a way to break it later anyway.

“But you have to promise not to do anything bad to me.”

“If you wish, I’ll include that in the contract.”

In the end, I took the hand Zion offered.

“Let’s begin, then.”

“Wait, now?”

Suddenly, light poured from our clasped hands. Tiny glowing lights appeared, fluttering like fireflies, and began swirling around us.

Zion’s voice was soft, like a song.

“By the guidance of the stars, I, Mage Zion, vow to protect you until your goal is achieved. In return, I ask for you. Will you grant me that?”

Under Zion’s gaze, I hesitantly replied,

“I-I will…”

“I accept you gratefully and vow never to disgrace you.”

The fireflies spun faster. Dizzyingly fast, then—

“Ah!”

I instinctively shielded my face as the lights rushed into me.

A golden clover-shaped mark bloomed on the back of my hand.

[Web Message]
Congratulations!
You have obtained a Contractor (Mage).
You gained 3,000 EXP.
ヽ( °∀)人(∀° )ノ Let’s get along well.

I glanced at Zion, feeling uneasy. He was staring at the mark on my hand.

“At last…”

Don’t say stuff like that! You sound like a villain!

Seeing me tremble, Zion smiled.

“Don’t worry. Now that we’re contracted, I’ll help you with everything I have.”

I hesitated, then asked the question that had been nagging me.

“Zion, you came to save me from the start, right? Why did you want to protect me?”

Zion’s expression shifted. Then he smiled fox-like.

“Hmm. How about we trade secrets? Your mystery for my answer. It’s only fair.”

Yep, that’s Zion all right.

Since I couldn’t talk about the original story, I gave up quickly.

“Fine. I’ll just stay curious.”

“Then let’s address the next issue.”

He snapped his fingers.

The white space changed into a pink room, complete with plush carpet and girly furniture.

Wide-eyed, I looked around.

“First, take a bath and change. We’ll talk afterward.”

I couldn’t contain my curiosity.

“Is this also magic?”

“No. This is a space I created. I can change it however I want.”

I nodded in amazement—then froze.

“…You made it, so that means I can’t leave without your permission?”

“Of course.”

Zion smiled. It looked beautiful, but it felt eerie.

“I finally found the princess. I’m not letting you escape.”

* * *

After washing up, I sat at the vanity to dry my hair.

My face reflected in the large mirror.

‘Definitely not an extra’s face.’

Despite malnutrition, my golden hair was split-free. My rare violet eyes gleamed. My skin was flawless despite years of hard labor.

If not for plot correction, this wouldn’t be possible.

‘Still, the Emperor is my dad?!’

The Emperor barely mattered in the original. He appeared at the end, fought the protagonist, and died.

All that was said about his appearance was long black hair and red eyes.

I fiddled with my hair.

‘Did he abandon me because I’m blonde?’

Vampires’ power was said to grow stronger with darker hair. Maybe I was discarded for being too fair.

Feeling sour, I pouted.

‘Whatever. I’m not here to play family reunion. I just need to take what I need.’

The Emperor who abandoned me as a baby wasn’t likely to accept me easily.

But if I gave him something irresistible, he might acknowledge me as a princess.

‘Now, what bait should I use…?’

I thought through the plot, planning how to lure the Emperor.

After long deliberation, a rough idea formed.

‘But how do I meet the Emperor?’

I couldn’t just walk up and say “I’m your daughter.” I’d be blocked at the gate.

Worried, I stayed up all night.

* * *

The next day, I stood before a massive castle.

Black spires and tangled thorns gave it an ominous look.

“This is Black Crow Castle, home of Count Velet.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t the Imperial Palace.

Holding my pounding heart, I asked,

“Zion, why’d you bring me here?”

“To obtain the key to the Imperial Palace.”

“…Key?”

“Formally entering the palace requires a lot of paperwork. But there’s a shortcut here.”

Zion seemed intent on skipping formalities and getting me in front of the Emperor as fast as possible.

Crazy as he was, I liked it.

“What’s the shortcut?”

“Have the master of this castle become your patron.”

No sooner had Zion finished speaking than Spam appeared.

[Web Message]
First step to becoming a Princess
(っ´ω`)ﾉ(´∇｀*) Get a vampire patron
-Reward: 10,000 EXP