Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 172 - 158: Hunt

"Thank you all for standing up for me, but I do not enjoy conflict so please stop."

As she watched the tension around them calm down, a hallucination of her trying to impress Dwane appeared on her mind and he would pat her on the head causing her to blush like a maiden in love. However, thinking about that past made her grit her teeth in anger, but she tried her best to maintain a smile.

’She doesn’t enjoy conflict? Since when? I can clearly see she’s enjoying herself!’ Shialor mused, her expression dumbfounded as she observed Aurianna.

Trying to take her mind off him a sudden thought came into Aurianna’s mind, ’Hmm how I’m able to move like light, Eva is this the evolution you spoke off? The Liquid body?’ Aurianna asked curiously as she suddenly remembered.

"Ah, yes. I didn’t think liquid body would make you appear as light though. It’s not similar to what I have here," Eva said and Aurianna could hear the doubt in her voice.

’Then what is liquid body?’ Aurianna asked curiously.

"Hmm, it’s like when someone tries to attack you, your body turns into liquid and reforms," Eva explained and Aurianna nodded in understanding.

But before Aurianna could ask anymore questions, she was interrupted by a voice, "Princess Aurianna!" A young boy called out, tapping her hand.

"Yes?" Aurianna responded and gave a courteous bow, but she had an annoyed look on her face.

"I am Vestius Zhinakos, prince of the Silieam Kingdom. When the hunt begins I’ll dedicate all my catches to you!" He declared proudly and Aurianna stared at him with a frown.

"Thank you," she managed to say with a wry smile. ’I suppose I’ll tolerate these kids for a bit. As much as I’d rather not engage with them, they might prove useful in the future.’

"Princess, if I may ask, how old are you?" Vestius asked curiously.

"Ten," Aurianna replied.

"What?!! How are you ten?!" Vestius exclaimed in shock.

"Wait she’s ten?" Another boy asked.

"Ohh you didn’t know?" Someone replied.

"I thought they were fake rumours but I didn’t think it’s true, due to her height," another replied.

"She’s taller than me, but I don’t mind!"

"Just wait and see I’ll grow taller than you!!" Vestius exclaimed, whiles Aurianna looked at him with a blank expression.

’Ah kids, so annoying. I’m merely waiting for this day to end. Who am I kidding? These bastards would still come unless I’m engaged. I have to make it clear that I’m not interested,’ Aurianna pondered.

"Hmmm, Zagan is too hungry!" Zagan cried, appearing on Aurianna’s shoulder.

"Oh, yes. I forgot to catch some prey for you. Sorry, Zagan," Aurianna acknowledged, picking up Zagan and placing him in her hands.

"Ahem, everyone, may I have your attention?" King Girsal’s booming voice cut through the crowd. "I’m sure you understand why you’re all gathered here today, especially those who traveled far and wide to seek engagement with my daughter, Princess Aurianna Vanluad. However, not just anyone can be engaged to my daughter. To earn that privilege, one must possess status, intelligence, and strength. We find ourselves here at the hunting grounds to assess your strength. As you all know, my daughter is a battle maniac, so if you’re weak, I’m sure she would kill you out of spite." He said coldly, his gaze fixed on Aurianna who proudly met his.

’Well he got one thing right,’ Aurianna silently acknowledged with a nod.

"So before we start, here are some ground rules," King Girsal stated.

"Your guards may accompany you to protect you, but they shouldn’t assist you in hunting prey. We’re near the dungeon lands so please be cautious of your safety," he advised. "No one should kill each other. I know most of you here are teenagers, even if you have some sort of feud please don’t attack each other here. There will be video security Meimus watching. So if you attack anyone we and your parents would be immediately alerted and you would receive the appropriate punishment," added, gesturing towards the round blue bats soaring across the sky.

"Now then let the hunt begin! It would only last for three hours," he yelled and all the nobles around cheered happily, before everyone dispersed into groups. Some of the young boys could be seen getting advice from those that brought them here.

"Time to hunt," Aurianna declared to herself, preparing to depart.

"Aurianna, stay. You’re not to hunt. The boys will hunt to impress you," King Girsal intervened as he approached her.

"So, all these youngsters are assembled here today for you to select a fiancé for me?" Aurianna queried, though she was well aware of his intentions.

"Well, you can avoid it if you join the Church of Beauty," King Girsal suggested with a smile, prompting a frown from Aurianna.

"I’m still going to hunt because Zagan is a picky eater!" Aurianna declared defiantly before transforming into a ray of light and disappearing.

"That disrespectful child!" King Girsal seethed quietly.

’Why doesn’t she heed my orders? She possesses my insignia, so she shouldn’t be able to defy me. I can feel it’s clearly working, so why? Unless she has some sort of immunity. I guess I have to increase the strength of the insignia,’ he pondered, eyeing Aurianna before walking away.

"Phew, finally got away. That sneaky old man, I won’t let you win so easily!" Aurianna huffed as she stood atop a large stone entrance, a gateway to a dungeon.

"Now, which dungeon should I choose to hunt?" Aurianna wondered, surveying the landscape—a forest with numerous stone entrances and various monsters walking and crawling around.

"This will be fun. Zagan, which ones do you like?" Aurianna inquired.

"Hmm, Zagan likes those big flame boars!" Zagan replied, looking up at Aurianna.

"Oh, they’re so delicious. Where are they, Zagan dear?" Aurianna asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Just go straight for a while, to the large dungeon there," Zagan instructed, pointing to a distance.

"I just need to go straight!" Aurianna assured herself, though a sense of nervousness lingered.

"On second thought, Zagan, please lead the way, and I shall follow you! I do better at following people," Aurianna admitted.

"Okay, Master, let’s get down first," Zagan agreed.

"You can ride on me, Master," Zagan stated, jumping off Aurianna’s arms and transforming into a large monster with six legs and a large mouth.

"Then let’s go!" Aurianna exclaimed, mounting Zagan, and they sped off.

After a while, Aurianna and Zagan stood before a tall stone entrance surrounded by thorns.

She and Zagan walked through a dark entrance resembling an ant’s burrow, which suddenly lit up, illuminating their path.

"It stinks here," Aurianna frowned, pinching her nose.

"That’s how it is, Master," Zagan explained as he walked by Aurianna.

"So my poor Zagan has been hunting in such poor conditions? As your master, I shall not allow that anymore! Master will hunt all your food for you!" Aurianna declared confidently.

"How am I supposed to get stronger if Master hunts for me?" Zagan asked pitifully, causing Aurianna to feel a twinge of guilt.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," she nervously scratched her cheek.

"Let’s just move forward, Master," Zagan said bluntly as they continued, eventually reaching a huge gray door. A notification popped up before Aurianna, and she read the words.

[ Welcome to the dungeon of the Flame Boar! In order to conquer this dungeon, it is recommended to have a party of 30 people, and the required level is 200 and above. The difficulty level reaches up to level 20, meaning you can encounter monsters with the ability to challenge some Arc Humans here. Be careful, and may the goddess of Games Aina and the god of demons Diablo be with you! ]

Once Aurianna finished reading the message, the door suddenly opened, and Aurianna and Zagan walked in before it closed behind them.

"Damn, the holes are getting bigger," Aurianna gasped, noticing the walls moving slightly, as if alive.

"Master, watch out!" Zagan yelled, prompting Aurianna to stop. Before her was an extremely large dark hole, with bridges passing through different holes all the way to the bottom.

"Whoa, there’s a large hole down there!" Aurianna gasped, peering into the abyss.

"Is that where the monster is, Zagan?" Aurianna asked.

"That’s where the mother boar lives at the very bottom, so adventurers mostly hunt from the top floors," Zagan explained, pointing to the holes opposite them.

"I want to fight this mother boar! So let’s go!" Aurianna exclaimed excitedly before jumping off.

Zagan shook his head disapprovingly, then followed suit, transforming into his cat form and leaping after her.

"Here is just so dark, let’s light things up!" Aurianna yelled as orbs of light floated, and she landed with a thud.

Before her stood a colossal beast that growled upon noticing her presence. As its name suggested, it resembled a boar, but with scaly, claw-like legs and a massive mouth adorned with thousands of teeth.

"So huge!" Aurianna exclaimed, "Come on, big boar, show me what you’ve got. My muscles are a bit tight since I haven’t moved my body in a year, so I’m going to enjoy this," she declared with a grin, assuming a battle stance and summoning two revolvers into her hands.