Maria glared at the woman at her side in hope that it would relevant to some kind of plot she was not seeing but the princess sounded like she was delusional and serious at the same time. Maria could not help but cradle her head in her hand as soon as she heard those words.

She had never heard such bullshit in her life before. There had to be a reason for the princess to have stepped outside in this dangerous environment and it didn’t even look like she had guards with her. Just what was this girl planning on doing?

“I don’t need your help. Go back home” Maria almost yelled but held herself back. There was no point in alienating the princess anymore than she had already done. It was not like the princess would be able to go back to her previous lifestyle at all.

But the princess had other ideas and her gaze met Maria’s as their wills clashed. The princess refused to back down and she even fought the magic when it tried to make her obey.

Maria knew it must be uncomfortable and slightly painful as well to go against the natural magic like that but the princess did not let it show up on her face. Her regal self did not change as she stared Maria down.

“I am the princess and I get what I want. If I want to come with you then I will come with you. Wasn’t my cooperation the reason you accepted my offer to meet in the first place?” the princess asked.

Maria could only look back at the female as her mouth gaped a little due to shock. She was not even sure the princess had been paying attention to her except in the harem sense but Maria had clearly underestimated the female.

Not only had she known the real reason Maria had decided to take up her offer to visit her home, but she was also using it to her advantage now.

But still, as much as Maria did ‘need’ her help she was not so sure that she ‘wanted’ it. The princess was a wild card with her magic all over the place.historical

“Just go home. I don’t need a weakling like you to help me out. For all I know, you’ll end up being a liability” Maria's words were cutting and they must have stung the princess. The expression that bloomed on her face was one of pain.

But the princess still help on, her eyes hardening as she glared Maria down. It was an adorable attempt and the fluffy clothes only made it much cuter but Maria knew that anyone else in her place would have shuddered.

“You do not get to order me. I will go back when I want to and- hey. Stop walking away from me” the princess complained as she watched Maria walk away from the clearing.

Her footsteps chased after Maria which the oracle did not mind. It would be better for them to get out of the clearing before continuing the conversation. It was not a safe place to be and Maria had seen a huge body circling around them.

She walked faster, picking up speed and the princess did the same. Despite all the liabilities she was carrying around her, the princess did manage to keep up with her.

But so did their shadow. Maria could acutely make out the huge magical shape following after them and knew that it had to be a guardian beast of the forest. Maybe one had decided to check out what was going on.

“- and don’t you dare ignore me. What’s wrong? Why did you stop?” the princess asked as she watched Maria take a fighting pose. Maria gave her a ‘shus’ motion with her finger on her lip before she twisted her body.

Her blade collided with the beast’s huge paw and stopped the incoming attack. She put her body mass behind her and managed to send the beast back a few steps.

“Holy. Is that a guardian beast? I’ve only heard about them from others and this one looks massive-” the princess continues. Was she even aware of the danger she was in? It did not seem as if she was.

The beast looked at the princess as well, his eyes lighting up at the sight of another prey and Maria cursed under her breath as the beast changed targets.

She was not able to stop the beast as it attacked the princess who barely managed to dodge. Her body looked to be alright but not her dress.

“Hey, watch it. This was very expensive” the princess yelled at the creature, her hands fisting at her side. As angry as she sounded, she also sounded cared for the beast, and for good reason.

Those fangs looked like they could tear someone apart with ease and Maria had no intention of allowing the princess to be a victim of them. Not when Maria had kind of forced her to be the oracle’s problem.

“Oi, princess. Run behind me and I’ll distract the beast for now” Maria yelled, trying to get the princess’s attention. Who knew what the princess was thinking but she did look scared of the beast.

Thankfully, her panic was not deep enough for the princess to ignore Maria’s yells. Her angry expression turned toward Maria as she dodged another life-threatening attack.

“Don’t call me ‘princess’ all the time. I have a name and it is Venus. At least address me as Mistress Venus” the princess yelled back as she tried to run toward Maria.

Maria ignored the yelling princess as she posed her body between her and the beast. The beast was a magical creature and would not die. But Maria still knew ways to send the beast back.

She pulled at her magic reserves and felt another echo of her own. She looked back at the sulking princess with a raised eyebrow.

“What? It is my life at stake as well” the princess yelled back but she still helped Maria with amplifying her magic. Maria just shook her head in a fond way at the princess’s indirect help.

And it helped a lot. Maria was barely able to move her magic but the princess helped her control the surroundings. It felt different, rawer, and scorching. It was not a permanent solution but would work in allowing her to be able to take the beast down.

And down the beast went. The magic was too much for the poor beast to be able to manage alone and he just growled in warning as it engulfed him.

And then Maria was left alone with the princess as the magic calmed down around her.