Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 157: Mockery and Malice - The Princess's Servants

A large fireplace, seamlessly embedded in the statue's pelvic region, crackled softly, casting warm hues of amber across the room. Its stone mantle bore intricate carvings of ancient battles, adding a sense of history.

Unlike the guild's public library in Wonderelle, this chamber exuded a cozier and more luxurious atmosphere. Rich mahogany bookshelves lined the curved walls, brimming with scrolls, parchment, and tomes bound in leather. The aroma of aged paper and faintly burning wood filled the air, inviting quiet contemplation and study.

Scattered across the room were polished wooden tables paired with high-backed chairs, their cushions upholstered in velvet. In one corner, long curved couches encircled circular tables, offering an ideal spot for group discussions or private musings. The floor was covered with thick, intricate rugs that muffled footsteps, enhancing the tranquility of the room.

Daisuke glanced at the few people in the chamber who were focused on absorbing all that they could from the provided materials, possibly in preparations to move to a new hunting ground, or to tackle a particular monster.

If I recall correctly, he thought as he moved to the opposite end of the chamber. I'm supposed to meet one of the princess's assistants here at noon. The problem is, we're well into the evening now so she's probably long gone by now.

"Hey, have you heard?" one man whispered to another, the two adventurers huddled in a secluded corner of the room. "Word is, the city's dungeon is on the verge of a break."

"What? Seriously?"

"Yeah," the first man affirmed with a nod. "But here's the strange part—why isn't the kingdom making the usual preparations to handle it?"

"That is strange," the other man agreed, his brow furrowing. "Unless... your source isn't credible. That would definitely explain why the royal guard hasn't taken action yet."

"Ha. Ha-ha," the informant chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess you're right. My bad."

"Either way," the other man replied with a shrug. "It's a low-level dungeon. Not much of a threat, really."

Daisuke shifted his attention from the ongoing chatter, his gaze now drawn instead to a young woman nestled in a far corner of the room, her head resting heavily on the table. As he approached, it became apparent she was fast asleep, evidenced by the considerable puddle of drool pooling beneath her cheek.

"...P-Princess Lumielle," she stuttered, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as her lips curled in a sultry fashion. "N-No, we mustn't! This is forbidden! Kyaa!" she squeaked, her expression shifting to a lecherous grin, her lips puckering for a kiss.

Daisuke watched her, poker-faced. The girl had long, ash brown hair swept to the front in a pair of weaves, and she was garbed in a black and white attire reminiscent of a maid's attire. Even if she didn't have the ribbon in her hair, he would've easily been able to single her out either way, what with her moaning the princess's name and all.

Daisuke quietly leaned in. "Cutie patootie," he whispered softly in her ear, pulling back in time to watch as the girl quickly scrambled to her feet in a panic.

"Y-You lowlife creep!" she snapped defensively, shivering at the thought of his breath in her ear. "Just who do you think you are?! I should report you to the guild for sexual harassment."

"Cutie patootie," Daisuke murmured again, still poker-faced.

Finally, the words sunk in and the girl and her bedhead squeaked in horror. "Y-You're the one who the princess commissioned?" she exclaimed in disbelief, jabbing a trembling index finger at his face.