Claudia's predecessor, Adelheit, was once also a princess.

　Although it is a small country, the royal family has had great magical power for generations, and therefore it has continued to exist to this day.

　Among the pedigree, various people were at the feet of Adelheit, calling her the greatest masterpiece of all time.

"Adelheit, you are very beautiful. Your lilac flower-like hair color and fascinating strong eyes are the most unique in all the world. "

"Your magical power reigns supreme. I've never seen such strong and pure magic. ”

"If you become our princess, our country will prosper in the future. Adelheit, please be my princess! 』\

　Even the kings and princes of each country bow in search of Adelheit.

　But for Adelheit, everything was boring.

　Whether their kissing the tip of her shoes or giving her an expensive gifts, her heart doesn't move at all.

　The only reason these men are giving her all this is because they wish to obtain the magical power of Adelheit.

(I'm sorry for that. I'm not surprised by a little beauty, and I'm tired of my position and fame.)

　Overcoming a large tree branch, Claudia went beyond the forest.

(Rather, let's do something we couldn't do in our previous life. For example, keeping a big dog you admire!)

　While thinking about my current dream, my heart is dancing with excitement.

(I like a beautiful and smart dog. It's fluffy when I sleep with it, and it looks warm and comfortable ... I wonder if there is Fenrir in this forest?)

　Traces of monsters are left here and there in the forest. If you find time to look for it, you may find Fenrir.

(It's great to be able to live as you like in a place far away from the royal capital .... Oh, right away ...)

　I heard footsteps from the depths of the forest, and Claudia looked there.

　The approaching one will be a large, four-legged monster.

　Is it carnivorous, large, or a horde or maybe a herd? Anything is fine, so I'd like to look over it and get a pet that looks good.

　At the same time, a giant figure jumped out from the depths of the forest.

　It was Griffon that appeared. A monster with an eagle's head and a lion's body is heading straight towards her.

　It's not the dog I was hoping for, but it might be convenient to have a pet that can fly instead. While thinking about such things, I hold my hand to obey for the time being.

　At that moment, the screaming griffon jumped over Claudia's head.

「！」

　I was a little surprised and turned to the depths of the forest.

　From the direction in which Griffon might have escaped after passing through Claudia, I felt a different sign from the monster.

(Hmm ...)

　Claudia has a smile on her lips.

　After that, I turned my small feet towards it and started walking without hesitation.

(Griffon is by no means a weak monster. Even though he has a strong territorial consciousness, he runs away without batting an eye.)

　While making a light noise and stepping on the fallen leaves, it goes deeper and deeper.

　Then, I could clearly feel the vague sign.

　An intense murderous aura runs rampant.

(It's more like a harbinger of a natural disaster than a living thing.)

　There must be "something" ahead. With that in mind, I arrived at the shore of a small lake.

　The place where clean air would normally flow is filled with stagnant magical power. And the owner must be the one Claudia found.

　It was a boy who was on the ground.

　A black-haired boy who looks to be around nine years old.

　He stabs one hand on the ground, supports his heavy upper body, and breathes repeatedly. A drop of sweat ran down my chin and wet the ground.

(That magic ...)

　There is a black mist around him.

　The haze was rampaging like a myriad of snakes, giving off a terrifying murderous intent. Claudia takes a step towards the boy.

　Then, my thin shoulder shook.

"—Stay Back!"

　It's a clear voice that hasn't even changed.

　However, he is enthusiastic, and his cheeks are spicy with a sense of tension. His eyes, glaring at Claudia, were as black as obsidian.

"I'm telling you not to come over here."

　A few griffons were dead around him. Originally, a monster that can destroy one or two towns by itself should not be so easily defeated.

"Were you the one who killed them?."

「……」

　The black mist floating in this place seems to be born from within his heart.

　Some of the snake-shaped haze are entwined around his neck.

　It's like a chain that restrains your dog.

(I see)

　Let's take a closer look at the face of the boy who glared at me.

　Short black hair that looks beautiful if you take care of it, and cool eyes that are long and sharp even though he is young. Clear double, well-shaped nose with thin lips.

　The face is in order in the first place, and if he grows up, he is likely to become a beautiful young man.

　But what Claudia looked at above all was his eyes.

(The eyes are so black that they seem to be sucked in. They have an unwavering will, and they are sharp and dignified.)

　The boy tells me in a murky voice.

"If you get closer, I'll kill you too."

"... nice"

"What?"

　Claudia smiled softly.

　Excitedly, express your impressions with heartfelt feelings.

"--What a beautiful dog!"

"... !!"

　The moment the boy opened his eyes, the black mist snake clinging to him grew in size after being distorted.

"Goo ...!"

　The boy holds down his left chest with both hands. However, the haze that overflows from there is only getting more and more intense.

　When I thought about it, the black mist swelled and opened its big mouth, and plunged towrds Claudia.

"Hey, shit! Hey, run away ..."

"n/a"

　Hold your hand over the black mist.

""exclude""

「！！」

　Immediately after that, Bachin! !! The snake flew away.

　The fangs cannot reach Claudia. The hem of the white dress flutters softly, and that's it.

"―――― Na ..."

　The boy exhales briefly.