"Gods only know why that boring fellow is so interested in you. Maybe he wants to claim more credit for Sanci and the Temple," Obliv muttered to himself unhappily.
The head of the Temple?
Tensa also could not think of a reason the Temple would want to associate with someone like her, unless it was to draw her over to their side, maybe use her as a sideshow during their fundraising. Whatever the case, there was no doubt the Temple had its own motives. She sighed to herself. There was no way Tensa wanted to get mixed up in any of this. The only reason she had agreed to fight in the first place was to dispose of the Demon King before he could consolidate his power enough to invade the kingdoms bordering the demonic lands and causing a bloodbath. Now that the task was done and she had survived, Tensa simply wanted to get out of the castle, maybe with a bag of gold as a bonus.
"Prince, I appreciate the consideration, but I would much rather leave..."
**********
Tensa wasn't sure how she ended up remaining at the castle for the banquet, but probably she had simply succumbed to the prince's endless inanities. While she could fight her way out of the castle if necessary, making an enemy of royalty was not a good way to live a peaceful life. Therefore, Tensa finally agreed to remain for the banquet. However, agreeing to be engaged to that vacuous prince was another matter.
Tensa grimaced at the ridiculously ornate ballgown the maids held up, then firmly shook her head.
"But My La--Miss, you must be in proper attire for a royal banquet!" The head maid protested, obviously unsure how to address Tensa since she had no official title, being a mere commoner. "His Highness the Crown Prince chose this for you specifically!"
Tensa fought to not let her disgust show on her face. It was obvious Obliv had chosen it; his taste reeked. Of course, she could not wear her fighting clothes, they were in tatters from the battle. However, she was determined not to wear anything that would limit her movement and she was definitely not going anywhere without her sword.
"Get me a knight's uniform," Tensa commanded unconcernedly. While the head maid and her entourage tried to discourage her, in the end they realized that Tensa attending the banquet in a knight uniform would be better than Tensa not attending at all because she refused to get dressed. Surprisingly, the dashing outfit suited her quite well, so while the head maid would not stop pouting, her subordinates could not help but give Tensa a few looks of admiration.
"Ten...sa?" Obliv started excitedly, but trailed off as he saw Tensa approach the top of the stairs, waiting at the bottom to proudly escort his lady fair into the banquet hall. However, when he saw what Tensa was wearing, naturally a tantrum ensued. The crown prince would look a fool escorting a knight who was more gallant than he was. However, Tensa would not give in, and finally Obliv realized the banquet would not proceed unless he gave way. Although he sullenly offered Tensa his arm, Tensa indicated Obliv should proceed first, and followed behind as a proper knight escort would. The dour Bursin followed behind, his eyes boring into Tensa's back.
Who knew that as soon as they entered the hall, they would face an ambush.
"My dear Prince, is this the young heroine who bravely slew the Demon King?" A tall elf with a beneficent middle-aged appearance smiled down at Obliv and Tensa. "Won't you please introduce us?"
The piercing eyes and poorly-hidden frown of Sanci appeared from behind the elf, confirming to Tensa that the gray-haired elf was the head of the Temple. However, Tensa was not sure why Sanci's gaze held so much hostility. She hadn't done anything to arouse his ire, so why was he so angry? Was it because she had slain the Demon King and not him? But he was there in a support role, so he couldn't have done it himself anyway?
Something drew Tensa's eyes away from Sanci at that moment, and her gaze met that of the head of the Temple. At that instant, Tensa felt an sudden unusual shooting pain...