A/N: Before you proceed, please excuse my grammars and any other possible typos and errors that you will encounter in this book, your opinions are very much appreciated. Thank you!

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E P I S O D E
1

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"What in the world is happening?" She stared at tall buildings reaching the sky, gaping at vehicles passing by and the high technologies displayed in shops, to the hands of every person who walked past her. Her flabbergasted figure was stuck in the middle of the road.

Her medieval yellow gown was out of place, and her peridot tiara was shining so bright under the blaring glare of the sun, while her hair is styled in a side braid; she looks beautiful, but her confused panicked expression ruined her sharp, delicate face.

How is this happening? How did she get here? It was the hundredth time she asked herself this, but she couldn't figure out how no matter how hard she thought about it!

Her knees gave up, "Where in the world am I?" She breathlessly whispered.

A few hours ago, everything was normal like any other day for a princess like Ako. Her obnoxious boastful voice was loud as usual, talking with her friends during tea time. She may look like a cool, calm, and arrogant princess, but she deeply cares for her friends. Especially for her former enemy, Yurika. They were having fun chatting about random things, joking, and sharing their funny stories - but it all happened too fast.

A sudden attack from the Hetalica's Demons occurred in the capital.

"Princess! Please flee immediately!" Her butler and maids were frantically shoving her in the secret passage for escape, "No! I'm going to fight those demons! How dare them to step foot into my territory!" She struggled and stubbornly wanted to stay, holding onto the nearby pole.

Her butler and maids looked at her, horrified. "Princess! Please do not engage in a fight! Their target is you!"

Ako dangerously smirked, "Then that's easier! I'll fight them with all I had!"

No way she's going to run without her family;  if someone needs to run, it will be her butlers and her maid. They are weaker than an ant! Ako used her agility to jump out of the hole and dodge her maids' hands from grabbing her. "We don't have much time, princess! Please don't be stubborn!"

Ako triumphantly scoffed while crossing her arms, "I AM stubborn; I'm not going to run from those idiotic demons."

The moment she said that — a loud explosion erupted from the side of the room. Ako immediately flew away from the debris by the sudden attack. Grabbing the pole she was holding and effortlessly pulling it out of the concrete, she used all of her strength and threw the thin but heavy metal towards the demon in a fast alarming state. But it made no move until the pole landed on the ground without even touching the perpetrator.

Ako gritted her teeth, "How dare a lowly demon like you step in MY territory! You should be deemed as dead!" Ako is furious. How did this demon walk into her territory without getting any few damages? Her barrier is even more potent than the King!

However, she received no response from the demon, which worsened her mood.

She got in a stance, her nails turned sharp - showing cat-like claws, her cyan iris turned slit in seconds. Ready to attack the enemy.

"Didn't you know that ignoring a princess like me is a grave sin? I hope you are ready because I'm not gonna go easy on you!"

  She dashed towards the figure standing in front of her; Ako was so fast that she was like a blur at that moment, unfortunately - when the smoke grew thinner, a black sphere appeared and swallowed her whole.

Leaving the estate in chaos.

Ako's mind is in shambles because of the situation and blames all of this on that damned unknown demon. What would happen to her estate? Her family and friends must be worried sick for her.

Thinking about never seeing her friends and family again, she began to sob uncontrollably. She doesn't want to leave them; she doesn't want to be alone in an unfamiliar world!

"Hey, are you okay?" Ako looked up to see a girl with long black hair tied in a high ponytail and a voluptuous body. Although the girl was only asking, she grew irritated.

"Do I look like I am okay?!" She hissed like a cat. This unfamiliar lady emanates a familiar air, almost similar to a friend that Ako knows. The black-haired girl sweatdropped.

'She must be having a bad day...' The girl thought but decided to ask the girl further - she noticed that her clothing was slightly similar to how she dressed when attending a ball and an important event.

"Are you perhaps, a noble?" She asked the girl; Ako perked up when she heard the word 'noble.' Maybe this girl is also from her world! Ako immediately teared up, thinking that she was finally going home.

"I-I'm lost! And I am a princess!!" She wailed and clung on the girls' waist, "Please help me get back home!"

The black-haired girl finally understood what was happening and decided to lend a hand. "Alright! Please do not worry! I will definitely help you!" She said, making Ako beam at her.

Ako noticed her current state; she stood up and tidied herself, not wasting a second to further shame herself. A fake cough came out from her mouth, "Ehem, I thank you for your help. My name is Saotome Ako. What about you?"

Her elegant and beautiful demeanor returned; it almost dazed the black-haired girl and just stared at the beautiful princess in front of her.

"Ah - pardon me for not introducing myself. My name is Yaoyorozu Momo." Ako felt like bubbles were coming out from her. Is she hallucinating or something? Nevertheless, she shook her head and smiled back at her.

....

   In front of Ako stood an enormous mansion protected by the vast gate and sturdy walls. It was still nothing compared to her Palace Home, but the designs, unique long black cars, and crystal-like chandelier hanging at the ceiling left her awe.

The Yaoyorozu's residence was nonetheless breathtaking and beautiful.

"Yaoyorozu-dono, you are also a princess!?" Ako exclaimed when she wandered her eyes around Momo's mansion. The said girl who heard Ako's sudden presumption did nothing but sweatdropped while smiling.

"Oh no, I'm only part of the high society because my parents are heroes, and therefore, we are rich." She smiled, but Ako didn't understand a thing.

Ako is part of the royal circle, gaining the title of the third Princess of Slor.

  The royal circle is also known as 'Farvet,' which is also part of the high society.

"You mean, you can be part of the royals even though you're not a princess?" Ako raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. Momo didn't hesitate and nodded her head.

"That's so not appropriate!!" Ako's obnoxious 'ojou' voice startled Momo. "Eh?"

"How can a mere commoner possibly join a royal circle? That's utterly stupid and impudent for the late Empress and Emperor! They made the rule that only royal blood could join the Farvet! Unacceptable! Such a disgrace for the successful merchants and mages! They carried their titles as commoners, conquered many places, and were raised high in the sky by their own hands, creating their own legacy! And to be honest, I respect them for knowing their place and didn't wish for something more such as joining the Farvet! So, how could a mere commoner like yourselves join the Farvet despite not being of royal blood?! Such disgrace!"

  Her long speech with her still booming 'ojou' voice still lingered around the air, the maids staring at her in shock, and the Yaoyorozu heads were wide-eyed at the top of the stairs watching the self-proclaimed princess, standing proudly in front of the stupefied Momo on her place.

Momo didn't understand what she said, forgetting how to respond.

Ako held a triumphant look and humphed as she placed both of her hands on her waist.

"I can't believe I was fooled by a commoner, but oh well - you helped me, so I will forgive you, and I might as well give you my Rainbow Moonstone that I obtained from my SS rank mission." Ako boasted and smiled, waiting for Momo to speak and bow down to her. But Ako immediately blushed when she realized she was acting too soft for Momo, so she quickly blurted an excuse.

"J-Just so you know, I will only give you my treasure because you s-saved my life, desu nyaa! D-Don't even think that you are special! I treat everyone as EQUALS, nyaa!" Her cat ears were twitching as her face was fusing in red hues. Momo watched in amusement — the Yaoyorozu household and the two heads.

Momo finally found the chance to say something as Ako tried to hide her bashful self.

"Saotome-san, I apologize for not saying this to you earlier. But I think that you misunderstood something." Momo started, and because of what she said, Ako snapped her eyes open and creased her eyebrows as she looked at the black-haired girl.

"What do you mean I AM mistaken? I was never mistaken because I know my country very well. I was even considered as a genius because I am smart." She boasted once again, Momo sweatdropped once more, but she hid it in her head.

Momo shook her head and started explaining things to her, "Saotome-san, there is no Empress and Emperor here,"

"What do you mean, desu no?"

....

After the long, painful explanation from Momo, Ako sucked all the information inside her head like a sponge. At first, she was skeptical. But after explaining the things about 'this' world and that she isn't one of the people in her world, Ako slowly understood that she is in another universe and that there is no way home at the moment.

"So, I am indeed in a different universe." Ako's dejected voice as she looked down caused Momo to worry for the girl.

Even Momo, if she is suddenly thrown into another universe utterly unknown to her, will panic too and be lost. There are no friends, acquaintances, family; she has nowhere to run. But Momo decided at that moment that as an aspiring hero, she would definitely help Ako find her way back to her home.

Momo grabbed Ako's hands, her face plastered a determined grin.

"Saotome-san, please have no worries. I, Yaoyorozu Momo, swear in my name that I will help you find your way back home! I will NOT leave you, and I will HELP you no matter what! This oath is now etched deep in my heart and brain."

Ako's stomach fluttered in all directions; she felt happy that someone was willing to help her in this dire situation. Ako showed her genuine smile that was soft and relaxed, unlike her usual prideful and cheery ones.

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu-dono."

"It's nothing, Saotome-san."

Ako smiled and looked down at her hands as she thought back at the previous fight before being transported into this universe.

The demons attack, the mysterious stranger — her suddenly deactivated barrier, thinking about how well planned it was made Ako clench her hands.

Just who is that demon!? Ako shouted in her head, her eyes burning in rage and her aura almost ignited the room.

She's raging in flames. Ako remembered golden eyes, sharp as a cat, and cold gaze. It was only a glance when she fell from the hole, but she remembered the face vividly. Thanks to her photographic memory, she now had a clue who that demon might be.

A demon stronger than her...

"Wait - if that demon is stronger than me...then that means..." Ako mumbled before shooting out of her seat when a realization came into her head. Cold sweats ran down her face, the fast drumming of her heart almost reached her ears, eyes wide open, horrified of the sudden realization.

"Saotome-san?" Momo's calls fell into deaf ears as Saotome gritted her teeth in intense unease and fury.

So, they targeted me because I am one of the strongest shields in the kingdom..?

Getting rid of me means that they can finally massacre the kingdom and aim for the crown!?

Ako's legs gave up, making her kneel. Different scenarios of their kingdom getting destroyed by the demons played in her head at a fast rate.

"N-No..."

"Saotome-san? Are you okay!? Is something wrong!?" Momo worriedly shook Ako's shoulder as she didn't receive a response from the girl. But was suddenly tackled on the ground by Ako's hug, shaking violently in her hold.

"I-I need to return to my home immediately! D-Demons attacked me first because they were planning to attack our kingdom! The kingdom needs me! They need me!" Ako frantically said, forgetting to catch her breath.

Momo comforted Ako at that moment, she got a gist of what Ako was saying, and she understood that their home was in danger the moment Ako was eliminated from the fight.

She sighed. Even though she wants to help Ako, she doesn't know what to do. They don't have any information about the cause of Ako's transportation in a different universe.

"Saotome-san, please calm down."

"How can I calm down when my Kingdown is in danger!?"

"I know, but right now, you need to calm down. We don't know what to do, and we don't have any information." Ako finally stopped, but her eyes still held fear.

"Saotome-san, how about I teach you about this world and search for more clues on how to get back? I don't have enough information to create something to transport you to your home." Momo explained to Ako, who was dancing in nowhere while quietly listening to Momo.

Ako nodded,

"Please don't worry about your kingdom. Didn't you have friends that will protect the kingdom for you?"

Ako's eyes suddenly widened; she completely forgot her friends' powerful abilities. She felt guilty that she didn't put her trust in her friends.

  Ako felt down again, but with a different reason - it's because she didn't trust her friends. Again.

Momo's judgment was correct; her friends would protect the kingdom for her. They cherish their country along with the people. They will do anything to protect something precious to them. Ako slowly smiled, "You're right. My friends will protect them."

Momo immediately brightens to raise Ako's spirit, "So, Saotome-san! Do you want to go to school with me?"

"School? I have long graduated in our Academy!" Ako boasted again, a pout visible on her face. Oh, how she hated academics and the painful morning etiquette of greeting royal students every morning. She hates waking up early for such a useless thing.

"Mhhh, don't you want to experience being in a hero school?"

"Eh? Hero? Is it the same as warriors?" Ako asked with glee; she loves warriors in her kingdom!

They are incredible and dignified — they bring victory every single war! She admired one of the handsome knights who fought along with the warriors! She wants to marry that knight, but her father disagrees.

"U-Uh...Yes, I think?" Momo is uncertain whether it is the same or not. But she nodded her head anyway; she badly wants Ako to join her school while also finding ways to go back to her home.

Hearing what Momo said, Ako didn't hesitate to agree, "THEN I WILL ATTEND THIS SCHOOL!" Followed by her giddy giggles.

--------

To be continued

𝙴𝙳𝙸𝚃𝙴𝙳✔︎
𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛𝚜,
𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚘𝚜,
𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚜.

𝙸𝙼𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂.✔︎

𝚙𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜,
𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚋 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎,
𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢.