The Princess’s Grand Entrance and a Shocking Custom

Watching Suriya and Faein locked in a stalemate, not only did I feel no panic, but a slight sense of schadenfreude bloomed within me. ‘I did warn you, Senior Sister. My subordinates are not to be trifled with.’

This was precisely the moment for me, the Princess of the Dungeon, to make my grand entrance!

I slammed my hand onto the throne and declared, “Stop! By my authority as Princess, I command you!”

At that instant, Seth, Skeleton King Leo X, Buqu the Butcher, and Beth Daisy all adopted their combat stances, their auras beginning to swell menacingly.

On the surface, everyone still had to obey my commands as Princess. Should they persist in their stubbornness, they risked being ambushed by several other formidable powerhouses.

Faein and Suriya temporarily ceased their confrontation, each taking a step back.

“One of you is my dungeon’s strongest Sword Maiden, and the other is a Knightess ranked highly even within the Empire,” I lectured them. “If you were to truly fight here, my dungeon would be annihilated instantly, long before any human army could arrive for retribution!”

“Hm?” Suriya and Faein exchanged a glance, then looked at me, seemingly finding merit in my words.

Seeing their standoff had halted, I pressed on, “Whether demon or human, why must we always quarrel? Our true enemies are those greedy individuals who covet the dungeon’s treasures, not any specific race! Furthermore, this Princess has no intention of simply remaining confined to this gloomy dungeon! For the sake of my ambitions, I have not only brought Senior Sister Faein and Senior Sister Loynin under my command, but I intend to recruit even more powerful individuals to bolster my army!”

My voice grew increasingly fervent, and the atmosphere below seemed to be carried away by my passion. I rose to my feet, brimming with excitement.

Upon seeing my impassioned state, both Suriya and Faein smiled, a hint of amusement in their eyes.

“So?” Suriya prompted.

“Unite around this Princess and fight! Regardless of birth, race, or past, as long as we share a common goal! Today, right here, I shall make my first declaration to everyone!”

I suddenly extended my hand, pointing dramatically towards the ceiling of the grand hall, and proclaimed, “This Princess’s ambition is none other than—to conquer the world!”

****

The entire hall fell into a profound silence.

“Tch.” Suriya turned her head away in disdain.

Senior Sister Faein looked at me with a gaze of pity. “This child…”

“Eh?” I stood there, frozen in my grand pose, the chilling winds of the underworld sweeping through the hall. “You two…”

“You’re called Faein, right?” Suriya asked.

“Mhm.”

“Perhaps I was too excessive,” Suriya admitted. “I never imagined things would escalate to this point.”

“Not at all. I also share some blame,” Faein replied with utmost humility. “Had I known it would push our poor Princess to such a state, I wouldn’t have argued with you.”

‘I say, you two women… you’re completely ignoring me, showing no respect whatsoever!’

“Ah, ha ha ha ha!” Just then, Beth Daisy, who had been silently observing, let out a charming laugh, breaking the awkward tension. The Succubus Miss spoke in a captivating voice, “Ladies, if you truly wish to determine who is superior, there’s no need to contend here.”

“Hm? What do you mean?” Suriya inquired.

“Hmph, I have no such intention,” Faein replied coolly.

“Alright, whether you have such intentions or not, please hear me out first,” Beth Daisy continued. “Actually, in a few weeks, it will be our Princess’s sixteenth birthday.”

Immediately, both Suriya and Faein turned to look at me.

“Eh?” I was momentarily stunned. In truth, I had no idea about the Dark Princess’s birthday. However, upon hearing Beth’s words, some memories instantly awakened. I quickly chuckled, “Indeed, ah ha ha ha ha, this Princess intended to establish her goals upon reaching adulthood, you see.”

Beth Daisy offered a meaningful smile and went on, “According to the customs of the Aryan demon royal family, when a female reaches her sixteenth birthday and comes of age, she must undergo an essential course of adult education. This involves various forms of knowledge befitting a woman. As the Princess, this education naturally cannot be superficial. The most suitable senior must be chosen to spend three days and three nights alone with the Princess in a secret garden within the dungeon, providing her with one-on-one instruction on ‘adult matters’!”

As she spoke, Beth Daisy glanced at me, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

“Eh???”

‘What kind of bizarre custom is this? Three days and three nights alone in a secret garden, for ‘adult education’!’

“Moreover, this senior can be of any gender!”

“Nani!!!???”

This shocking news nearly sent me tumbling from my throne.

Upon hearing this revelation, the entire dungeon erupted into a frenzy!

“Only I can educate the Princess!” roared a fat, big-eared demon with buck teeth.

“I’m so handsome! I’m the most suitable to teach the Princess about adult matters!” squeaked a rat-man, primping in a mirror.

“What are you all talking about! Get lost! Only a gentle demon like me can educate the Princess!” a colossal slime oozed, appearing from who knew where.

My face turned pale as I watched these overly enthusiastic demons. ‘What in the world is happening…’

Beth Daisy waited for everyone to calm down before continuing, “However, it’s almost certain that everyone’s enthusiasm will be too high, and they’ll all vie to educate the Princess! But ultimately, only one person can obtain this privilege!” Beth Daisy stated. “Therefore, according to the past customs of the Aryan royal family, a martial arts competition will be held to determine the winner of the Princess’s right to education! Regardless of identity, status, race, or gender, anyone can participate! But only the victor will be allowed to—spend three days and three nights alone with the Princess, thoroughly and profoundly educating her—on ‘adult matters’!”

‘Hey, hey, don’t start rubbing your palms together! You, the slime, definitely won’t have a chance! What kind of bizarre custom is this—Wuwuwuwu!!!’

Suriya observed me with a meaningful gaze, then sneered, “Oh, I nearly forgot about this interesting custom. It seems I’ll have to play the prince saving the little princess from the clutches of the demons! Coolie, you wouldn’t want to be educated by those disgusting monsters, would you?”

“Eh? I…” ‘Actually, I don’t want to be educated by anyone, alright?! What am I supposed to say? This ridiculous custom!’

“Hold on!” Beth Daisy stepped in front of Suriya. “Miss Sword Maiden, are you implying that the championship is undeniably yours?”

“Would it be anyone else?” Suriya stood proudly, hands on her hips, her red leather attire making her look like a queen as she disdainfully overlooked the horde of demons. Even the slime momentarily dared not make another sound.

“Hmph.” In the ensuing silence, Senior Sister Faein let out a cold snort.

“What’s wrong?” Beth immediately fanned the flames. “Does this Dark Knightess have an objection? Do you also intend to compete for the championship?”

“I have no interest in such tedious contests for ranking,” Faein declared, her eyes still closed, “However, I wouldn’t want our pure little Princess to be corrupted by certain individuals.”

“Who are you saying will corrupt her!?”

“Oh, alright, alright!” Seeing the two were at odds again, Beth stepped between them to mediate. “Isn’t it better to settle your dispute honorably in the arena when the time comes, rather than bickering here?”

“Tch!” Suriya turned her head away dismissively.

Faein ignored her as well.

And me… ‘Had they considered my feelings at all???’