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In the middle of a large field not far from Marquess Rommel’s main residence, a large tent stood blown by the evening twilight wind that showed several small wooden blocks and bright lighting for a topographic map.

The topographic map was very large and required several military staff members to help Earl Timoti move each wooden block that marked the movement of the troops under my leadership.

Seeing these final preparations, I could not delay the hunt for the Golden King Bear any longer. It seemed that Earl Timoti and several combined troops of adventurers had prepared to hunt the Golden King Bear.

"This makes me a little uneasy and awkward to lead an army this big," I said to Earl Timoti who was standing on my right.

"Lily... if something this small makes you awkward, shouldn’t you work hard to show them how scary you are... uhmm... how cunning you are to become a war tactician?" said Princess Anastasia standing on my left.

Because the uniforms we wore looked harmonious and complemented each other, it made several other women such as Alice, Alyssa, Mio, and Hana look sullen while looking at Princess Anastasia.

"I know, I’m just not used to doing something like this," I replied to Princess Anastasia while raising my collar to warm my sweaty neck after making sure the final preparations were going smoothly.

"Alice and Alyssa have provided enough supplies for three days and three nights. The supplies given to the adventurers are in equal and fair proportions. So, there is no problem with food supplies for those exploring our target cave. The problem is this…" Princess Anastasia put on a serious expression as she looked at the topographic map that Earl Timoti had made with a high level of accuracy.

"I must admit that the maze inside the deepest cave is winding to the point of being a challenge like this. Just in case, I have given a mark using white chalk flakes to support your attack tactics, Lily," while saying a sentence filled with concentration and a serious face, Princess Anastasia moved herself closer to be close to my arm.

Twiitt...

As if giving the impression of an unintentional touch, Princess Anastasia touched my arm with hers hug while holding back her serious facial expression that was slowly starting to fill with an embarrassed blush.

"In addition to the deepest part of the cave being inhabited by sharp rocks and limited travel distance due to the lack of lighting. We have distributed several magic lanterns that actively emit light because the light from burning torches will make it difficult for them to breathe when entering the cave," the explanation given by Princess Anastasia was filled with the same logic and modern science as the understanding of the Great Hero in the past timeline.

I don’t want to compare the knowledge and intelligence possessed by Princess Anastasia with my twin step-sister.

However... they are very different in various aspects.

For knowledge and understanding in the field of magic, my twin step-sister will far surpass Princess Anastasia who seems unfamiliar with magic knowledge.

In contrast to my twin step-sister, Princess Anastasia is more suited to trivia that is not widely known by books published for the public use.

Thanks to Princess Anastasia’s knowledge and intelligence, several complicated tactics have felt like children’s toys in my eyes.

"That’s quite helpful, especially for the main team that will be hunting the Golden King Bear. They’re not stupid enough to not be able to tell left from right, right?" I asked Princess Anastasia and Earl Timoti.

"Are they that stupid?" Princess Anastasia said with a tilt of her head.

"I don’t think they’re that stupid, Lily-sama," replied Earl Timoti who looked anxious and suddenly used protofon magic tool to connect to the main team hunting the Golden King Bear.

Bzzrrtt...

Brrttt...

"Earl Timoti to the main hunting team, are there any of you who don’t know left and right?" asked Earl Timoti to make sure that they weren’t disoriented while being guided to hunt the Golden King Bear.

The answer that Earl Timoti heard made him relieved. The main hunting team was made up of A-class adventurers from the Royal Capital of Aurora and received official recognition from Princess Anastasia for their good behavior.

Based on their skills and discipline, they were an adventurer party that had earned quite a good reputation from the Adventurer’s Guild. So I gave them a little honor to be the main attackers in the Golden King Bear’s strength test.

This didn’t mean that I threw them into a nest to return as corpses because I had prepared a special talisman for them so that they could teleport instantly after getting a strong confirmation of the Golden King Bear’s combat power.

"Everything is under control, Lily-sama," Earl Timoti reported with one of the burdens on his shoulders about the adventurers who would be disoriented.

"Thank you for reassuring me, Earl Timoti," I replied after confirming my doubts.

"For the next time, could Earl Timoti spread the information that the Golden King Bear hunt will begin in a few minutes and several supervisors will be assigned as their guides with a set magic frequency," I said while putting on a serious face and starting to sit on one of the chairs.

"I am ready to carry out your orders, Lily-sama," with a respectful bow, Earl Timoti immediately nodded to one of his subordinates before issuing the hunt order.

Bzzrrtt...

Brrtt...

"Earl Timoti to all hunting teams, the hunting operation will begin in ten minutes. Immediately change your magic frequency to connect with your guide," said Earl Timoti while using his protofon magic tool.

As if they had been waiting for the Golden King Bear hunting operation to begin, my father and mother approached me with snacks in their hands.

For some reason, I felt like I had become their spectacle.

Was watching their daughter working hard like this a spectacle that entertained them?

Furthermore... My father... why do you look so relaxed while your daughter is working hard under the pressure of a heavy task like this?!

When I glanced at my father with a small complaint in my chest, I could see him waving his hand and giving encouragement with his thumbs up.

"..." I could only be silent when I saw the words of encouragement from my father who hoped that his daughter could provide a spectacle that entertained him.

While waiting for several adventurers and joint soldiers to prepare themselves, I looked at the topographic map more closely.

From the cave entrance to the deepest part, I could confirm the distance was around ten kilometers, and added to the cave labyrinth would make the distance fifteen kilometers.

A long enough distance for a combined party of adventurers and soldiers to travel.

"Lily, are you thinking about something? Want to enjoy a simple snack before the hunting operation begins?" said Princess Anastasia who suddenly sat on the armrest of my chair. Find your next read at empire

"Hmm?" I turned my gaze slightly and saw a dry bread in Princess Anastasia’s hand.

"I have received a small snack from Mio who was unable to approach you because she was busy taking care of the other Maids... for taking care of something... In return, I was asked by Mio to make sure Lily gets enough food so she can focus on this Golden King Bear hunting operation," said Princess Anastasia while showing the dry bread snack she had received from Mio.

"Is Mio that busy?" I replied while watching Princess Anastasia’s movements which looked suspicious.

"Yes, she is so busy that the other Maids can’t help but ask her for help… and uhhh… I have apologized to the Adventurer’s Guild Master who has been bothering by me all this time…" Princess Anastasia lowered her face as if realizing her mistake that had troubled someone at this time.

"I just realized that my mistake has caused Lily trouble, especially with the number of adventurers who participated this time coming from the adventurers of the Aurora Kingdom Capital and there are only a small number of adventurers around Marquess Rommel’s residence."

"Just because of my selfishness in wanting to have a place to stay near Marquess Rommel’s residence, I have tarnished the trust between adventurers and noble families in dealing with emergencies like this."

"I am truly sorry for causing trouble for Lily…"

I heard Princess Anastasia’s heartfelt words that seemed sincere.

Her eyes were downcast and holding a small snack as if she wanted to apologize to me.

"What about the answer given by the Adventurer’s Guild Master?" I asked while pulling Princess Anastasia’s right arm and making her body fall on my lap.

"L-Lily?" Princess Anastasia looked panicked after realizing she was on my lap and made herself look blushing.

"H-He seems to forgive me!!" With her eyes rolling around, Princess Anastasia tried to answer my question with her body still panicking because she fell on my lap.

"At least you have realized your mistake..."

The gentle words made Princess Anastasia’s body calm down and her mind stabilizes after previously panicking.

"D-Does that mean Lily is not angry with me and will not continue that cruel punishment of me?" asked Princess Anastasia.

"Huh?" I could only reply that before understanding what Princess Anastasia was saying.

"L-Lily... we will still date after this Golden King Bear hunt is over, right?" Princess Anastasia looked panicked after hearing my answer which seemed confused.

"Uhuh..." I replied in a cold tone as if I was playing with Princess Anastasia’s feelings.

"Lily... you... don’t want to date me?" with tears that wanted to fall, Princess Anastasia looked at me as if she wanted to cry.

Chuupp...

I answered Princess Anastasia’s doubt with a kiss on her lips.

With her body positioned on my lap, we kissed until the sound of the loud trumpet echoed.