The sunbeams streaming through the window made Sam feel irritable. He opened his eyes and immediately squeezed them shut again, raising a hand to shield them. Beside him, Yuna remained deep in a peaceful sleep.

  Sam propped himself up and saw the Princess standing before a magnificent dress of mystical black, encrusted with shimmering diamonds.

  "Is she going to wear that?" Sam wondered in surprise. Since Juliana had brought him back to serve as a Guardian, he had only ever seen her in military uniforms or clothes with a rugged, defiant soldierly style.

  Sam tilted his head to look at Juliana, his face going blank with bewilderment. The Princess turned around, caught Sam's gaze, and suddenly burst out laughing.

  "Look at your face! Don't you look stupid?"

  "It’s just... it’s different!" he countered, reacting to her sarcasm.

  "I only have to wear this nonsense for the Empire’s important events. It’s a royal regulation; I can’t just trample over it," the Princess said as she began to put on the dress. She struggled with the buttons along her back. Juliana turned her neck, intending to call a maid, when Sam spoke up:

  "Let me help you, Princess!"

  Juliana paused, then gave a sudden nod. Sam climbed out of his nest and quickly stepped behind her. As he drew near, the faint scent of her perfume made him feel strangely nervous.

  The Princess was significantly taller than Sam, so he had to climb onto a chair to fasten each button. His heart beat faster, though Sam himself wasn't entirely sure why.

  Once Sam finished the buttons, Juliana placed a small crown on her head with her own hands. He watched her through the mirror in silence.

  "What do you think?" Juliana asked with a smile, observing Sam watching her reflection.

  "Very beautiful," he shrugged, smiling, then remembered and added, "...Princess."

  "It’s horrible. What’s beautiful about it?" Juliana sighed. "No! I think it’s beautiful... Princess," he insisted, his voice sounding almost flirtatious.

  "You can actually tell the difference between beautiful and ugly? Ah, I forgot—you’re a very special human," Juliana said while adjusting her crown.

  "Is today... a great day, Princess?" Sam asked curiously. He had previously tried asking his AI if it was Foundation Day, the Queen's birthday, or a major Tahi anniversary, but none had matched.

  "After much diplomatic effort, Tahi and the Great Domecus Empire have officially signed a non-aggression pact. Do you realize how important this is?" Juliana suddenly turned to look at Sam, catching him off guard and making him feel awkward.

  "I... I’m not sure, Princess," Sam replied.

  "It means Tahi no longer has to worry about anything in the west of the Great Land. The Domecus Empire will focus on the east. The time for Tahi to swallow the Holy Kingdom, the Sun Empire, and Eleusi is drawing near," Juliana said with a voice full of hope, making Sam realize this princess was anything but simple.

  "This... is like a treaty for partitioning territory?" Sam said naturally. In his own era, large nations often signed non-aggression pacts with the ultimate goal of having a free hand to invade smaller countries.

  As soon as he finished speaking, Sam started. He looked toward the Princess. She was staring at him, her eyes filled with suspicion. Sam realized he had slipped up, revealing a level of logic and knowledge that a human was not permitted to possess in this world.

  "I’m starting to feel worried about you," Juliana said, making Sam’s heart race. A surge of fear rose within him.

  "Perhaps you are a gift meant for me. Remember—besides me, do not show anything to those other pigs. Is that clear?" Juliana thought for a moment and then spoke.

  Hearing the Princess say that, Sam calmed down slightly. From now on, he would have to think carefully before opening his mouth. Sam nodded in silence.

  Juliana smiled and reached out to stroke his hair. Sam did not react; he stood still and almost accepted the gesture, despite an indefinable feeling of discomfort deep inside.

  "To celebrate the treaty, a Mud Fight will take place. The Tahi Royal Team will represent us," Juliana revealed, sparking Sam’s interest. He had never witnessed a real Mud Fight before.

  "Yes, Princess," he nodded.

  "Get yourself ready; we depart in half an hour," Juliana announced.

  As Sam turned to walk back to his nest, Juliana called out after him: "Yuna is coming too. A maid will be by shortly to prepare her."

  "Yes, Princess!" Sam nodded and continued toward his nest...

  Inside the car, Juliana sat in the back seat, with Yuna in a lavish outfit huddled timidly beside her. Juliana stroked Yuna’s silk-like blonde hair, her gaze drifting absently out the window. Sam sat in the front with the driver, occasionally glancing through the rearview mirror to observe Juliana and Yuna’s movements.

  "You seem to like Yuna, don't you?"

  Noticing his frequent glances in the mirror, Juliana asked matter-of-factly. Sam froze, thought quickly, and replied: "Yes, Princess." How could he not like such a beautiful woman? Yet, in Sam’s heart, there were many thoughts he couldn't explain.

  His liking for Yuna was merely natural instinct. Emotionally, there wasn't a spark of romance. Yuna was simply a place for him to find release—to feel close to his own species. And importantly, he gained a sense of humanity by saving someone like her.

  "I don't have enough life experience to explain it," Sam said to the AI. "I also lack knowledge on this matter, Master," the AI replied...

  The Princess’s motorcade passed through the main gate of the arena, heading toward the honorary grandstand.

  Even from the car, Sam could hear the roar of tens of thousands. Inside the arena, the atmosphere was electric with thousands of flags from both empires fluttering. The arena, with over 100,000 seats, was packed. The sight reminded Sam of important human football matches from 1,000 years ago.

  The motorcade stopped. Sam, the Princess, and Yuna stepped out. He was quite overwhelmed by the magnificent sight before him. A massive field filled with dense greenery. Beneath the trees lay a vast marsh. At the two ends of the field were large mounds, topped with flat platforms flying the flags of Tahi and the Great Domecus Empire.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "This way, Princess!" an organizer invited Juliana, guiding her toward her position.

  Sam walked directly behind Juliana while Yuna walked beside her. The three of them climbed stone steps leading to an area heavily cordoned off by guards.

  After a moment, they reached the VIP section. "Long live the Queen!" Juliana approached the luxurious throne in the center and bowed to the Queen of Tahi. The Queen smiled and nodded, then gestured to the person sitting opposite, who had also stood up: "Crown Prince Rother York!"

  He was a large, muscular pig with meticulously styled black hair. He wore a lavish ceremonial suit with a red sash draped diagonally across his chest.

  "Welcome to Tahi, Prince! I wish you good health." Juliana bowed.

  "The pleasure is mine, Princess! It is truly an honor!" the Prince replied, smiling brightly as he extended his hand toward Juliana.

  The Princess immediately placed her hand in his and gave a slight curtsy. The Prince responded with a similar gesture. Witnessing this, Sam guessed it was a diplomatic ritual of the pig nobility.

  "The Princess is still passionate about keeping humans, I see? These two must be yours? This female is truly beautiful—if I'm not mistaken, she belongs to the Angel lineage of the Holy Kingdom?"

  Rother looked at Sam and Yuna, asking politely. The Prince’s gaze lingered on Yuna, which suddenly made Sam feel uneasy.

  "I had heard the Prince was a connoisseur of human keeping, and now I see it is true. Indeed, she is of the Angel lineage. Her name is Yuna."

  "May I touch her, Princess?" Rother asked, his eyes filled with desire as he looked at Yuna.

  "Yuna!" the Princess said softly, pushing Yuna toward Rother. Sam felt as though a fire had been lit inside him. His teeth clenched, but because of his mask, no one could see.

  Yuna stepped gently toward Rother, her face appearing joyful. Rother lifted Yuna up to inspect her, looking utterly satisfied. Behind the Princess, Sam stood as still as a stone statue, his internal emotions on the verge of erupting.

  Juliana glanced at Sam and noticed his strange demeanor. Then she looked back at Rother pampering Yuna and suddenly understood.

  "The match is about to begin; let us take our seats, Prince," Juliana said gently. Rother smiled, his eyes still fixed admiringly on Yuna. He didn't set her down immediately, making Sam feel restless, wanting to rush forward and take her back. But Sam didn't; he struggled to maintain the necessary composure.

  "Prince!" Juliana repeated.

  "Oh! Forgive me, Princess. Yuna is truly a treasure for animal lovers like myself. You are very lucky to own her." Rother set Yuna down. She quickly retreated to Juliana’s side, her face still bright, causing Sam to curse inwardly: “How ignorant!”

  At that moment, a grand fanfare sounded. Both Juliana and Rother quickly returned to their seats.

  "That human must be quite exceptional for the Princess to choose him as a Guardian," Rother remarked, glancing at Sam and smiling at Juliana.

  The Princess paused for a second, caught a glimpse of Sam, and nodded gently. "The Prince truly has a keen eye."

  Sam was startled by the Prince’s glance; a sudden sense of anxiety took hold.

  "To the Queen of the Tahi Empire, to the Crown Prince of the Great Domecus Empire! To the Princess of the Tahi Empire..."

  The opening speech began, filling the stadium with cheers. Sam looked down and recognized familiar faces entering the field.

  Leading them was Josh, the familiar coach. Behind Josh were nine of the strongest humans selected to represent the Tahi Empire. Sam knew all of them and had faced them in practice matches.

  On the opposite side, ten warriors from the Great Domecus Empire stepped out to enthusiastic cheers. Leading them was a burly, extremely ferocious pig. The humans following him also exuded a cold and ruthless aura.

  "Would the handlers of both teams please return your subjects to the commander mounds to await the signal."

  The announcer's voice echoed through the arena. Sam stood silently behind the Princess's chair, cautiously observing his surroundings, ready to act against any danger to Juliana.

  "Relax, there are many royal guards around. You don't have to be so tense. Just enjoy the match."

  Seeing his intense sense of duty, Juliana spoke up. Sam merely nodded but remained highly alert. Juliana was everything to him now. If anything happened to her, his life would be a tragedy. Instinct told Sam that a terrible plot was being aimed at Juliana and the Queen, especially after what he had heard from the Director of Intelligence.

  Down on the field, Josh led the nine men back to the commander mound. The coach stepped to the top of the mound, beneath the Tahi flag snapping in the wind. His face grew tense as he looked into the distance where his opponents were also ready.

  "I solemnly declare... the match begins!"

  The announcer shouted. Immediately, several aircraft appeared in the sky, streaking toward the arena. The entire audience and the warriors watched their flight path in silence.

  As the planes reached the center of the arena, they released parachutes. Large, heavy wooden crates attached to the chutes fell rapidly toward the ground.

  "Move out!"

  Josh screamed, his signaling flag pointing forward. Simultaneously, the nine warriors at the foot of the mound lunged ahead, splashing through the mud. On the other side, the Domecus warriors quickly split into three groups, heading for the drop zones of the crates.

  "Ten minutes for supply and weapon collection begins!"

  The announcer spoke over the loudspeakers. The sudden silence vanished, replaced by the thundering roar of tens of thousands.

  Time passed quickly. From the grandstand, Sam watched the match breathlessly. By now, the Tahi team had reached the supply crates and were distributing weapons and armor.

  The weapons used in mud fighting were strictly melee: sabers, swords, maces, spears, etc. Firearms were completely forbidden.

  "Maximize auditory capabilities. Use my hearing to analyze conversations around here. Keywords: overthrow, assassination, Mother..."

  Sam commanded the AI, providing a list of keywords so Ade could filter the surrounding chatter.

  "Auditory enhancement active. Beginning monitoring of conversations based on provided keywords," the AI announced.

  Immediately, Sam could hear sounds from up to 2km away. His hearing was now like that of a hound. However, even with his abilities, he couldn't process it all alone; he had to rely on the AI to filter the data.

  Sam also requested the AI to closely monitor the VIP section for high-ranking officials. He was certain that the conspiracy against the royals involved one of Tahi’s top officials.

  "Relax, you look so stressed!"

  Juliana reminded Sam again when she saw he wasn't focused on the mud fight. "I'm worried about you!" Sam thought, but he simply nodded to the Princess.

  "Collection time is over! The two teams officially engage!"

  The announcement made Sam stop eavesdropping. His eyes turned back to the arena.

  The Tahi team had split into three groups, moving toward the frontline. They vanished into dense, water-clogged thickets; the mud beneath their feet made every movement heavy and laborious.

  On the large screens arranged before the stands, live footage of the warriors was broadcast to the entire audience, ensuring no detail was missed even when they were inside the thick brush.

  "Kill... kill them!"

  Nobles from Domecus cheered as a Tahi group was suddenly ambushed behind the water plants.

  Four Domecus warriors lunged from the brush, attacking a Tahi trio.

  The lead Tahi warrior couldn't react in time and was cut down instantly by two Domecus men. The others immediately retreated, but the muddy terrain made their movement agonizingly slow.

  The Domecus warriors quickly split their formation into two directions, charging at their opponents.

  "Excellent! Kill them, kill those animals!"

  Several Domecus noble pigs shouted excitedly. The Tahi spectators remained silent, looking at the foreigners with resentment.

  In another area, the clash between the two teams was equally fierce. A three-man Tahi squad encountered two Domecus warriors.

  "Three against two! Wipe those Domecus bastards out!"

  A few Tahi fans cheered hopefully, the noise filling the stadium.

  But the Tahi squad failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage. They were caught off guard by two large men who were exceptionally skilled at coordinating.

  "Don't these fools know that Phil and Moly are Domecus’s notorious 'Twin Slayers'? Forget three humans—even four might not beat them."

  A Domecus noble sneered, showing no concern for the skirmish.

  The situation unfolded exactly as described. Within a short time, the Domecus duo counterattacked so fiercely that the three Tahi warriors couldn't coordinate their own strikes.

  Sam stood in the grandstand watching the battle, his blood boiling. It was as if he wanted to leap down there himself.

  "Do you want to go down there?"

  Juliana caught Sam’s expression and asked. He didn't answer, only shook his head. It was an impulse, but in reality, he didn't want to kill—especially not for the entertainment of the pigs around him.

  "That is mud fighting. A life-and-death struggle for the amusement of pigs. This game has been going on for hundreds of years."

  Juliana spoke coldly; it seemed she didn't enjoy the gore either.

  Sam tried to breathe as a warrior he recognized was grabbed by a Domecus opponent, who held a sword to his throat and pulled, sending a fountain of fresh blood spraying. Images of the kitchen on the Fury flashed before Sam’s eyes.

  "Suspicious conversation detected. Tahi officials' section."

  The AI's sudden announcement caused Sam to instantly snap his eyes away from the match.