"Well, I don't sense hostility from them. Should I welcome them?"
Zero stood up from his bed then washed his face. He calculated how long the marching people will reach his cabin.
"About 10 minutes? Enough to make new equipment."
Zero went to the back of his cabin then started to craft.
He withdraws the high-quality drops from the wolves he killed yesterday and the other monsters he killed this past few days.
"Now then, time to start."
Zero looked at the gathered materials then he closed his eyes. Zero raise both of his hand opened his palm as if pointing towards the gathered materials. Magic circulated towards the gathered equipment.
Then Zero started to imagine the whole set of equipment that suits his taste. He gathered magic slowly transforming the gathered materials into a different kind of equipment from the bottom to the top. After five minutes the magic crafting finished.
[King of the Wolves set]
Durability: 7000/7000
Defense: 50000/50000
A set of equipment made by using high-level crafting with magic. It has high defense and durability that can withstand physical and magical attacks. Howl of the wolves active skill can be used. Once used, you and your allies power will increase by 50% for 3 minutes.
"Good! If I have the materials of stronger monsters I would love to see the result."
After finish evaluating the full set armor. He wore it immediately. He also made a mask to cover half of his face. Started from his nose up to his forehead. The mask looks like the head of the wolf that he killed. He gathered the other materials to make arrows as well. He wanted to make a bow but the marching army arrived already.
"In the name of the Theodora kingdom! We humbly visit The Judge!"
'They are being humble but why bring an army? Also that nickname again.'
The 'Judge' or what people call him. People don't know his real name or have seen his real face. Zero was called the judge because of a week ago, he helped villages to fight bandits or monster attacks. He judges whether they will live or not. It is just a short reason but he deserves to be called the 'judge'.
"Let's do a grand entrance. I will use my homemade magic I gladly name fireworks!"
While still at the back of his cabin. Zero withdraw a firecracker that he made using monster drops. Because it is still dawn. The fireworks will be effective enough to gather their attention and will amaze them. He aimed at the sky then released the firecrackers using his bow.
'Scatter firecracker!'
He shouted in his mind. The firecracker whistled until it stopped at the sky then...
"Is the 'judge' really live here?"
"Its what the villager said."
"Princess we should force ourselves to go inside."
"We don't have any choice. Now, go insi-"
Boom!
Different kinds of colors cause from the firecrackers appeared in the sky. The words of the princess stopped then she stared at the sky with a shocked face. Not just her but including the army with her as well.
"Beautiful!"
"Amazing!"
The soldiers were awed and amazed at what they see. Then a man appeared on the top of the cabin roof. He looks magnificent while the firecrackers were still blowing at the sky.
'Should I let them feel a little bit of my power?'
"His the judge?"
"His powerful! Just by looking at him!"
Zero was at the top of the cabin. The soldiers started to struggle because of the mana Zero withdraw out if his body. Some of the soldiers started to kneel as if gravity was pulling them.
"What does the royal princess wanted?"
"You're young?"
'Of course, I'm still 17!"
Zero asked the princess, but her reply was unexpected. Zero's body looks like from a man in his mid-20s but his voice was pleasant and young. The princess again was shocked. Zero sighed then asked again.
"What is the business of the princess with me?"
"I will ask for your help. We will pay you that depends on your performance."
'So it's true huh? The Theodora kingdom is in a pinch'.
"How much is the minimum payment?"
"If it's you. We are willing to pay 50 platinum coins."
'Platinum coins?!'
Zero shouted in his mind. The offer of the princess was very high!
1 silver coin = 100 bronze coin.
100 silver coins = 1 gold coin
1000 gold coin = 1 platinum coin.
So which means... The offer of the princess was very tempting! What more is it is just the minimum payment. If he goes all out? He shook his head about the Idea he thought of.
"Okay, I will gladly help. I hope what you said is true."
"You immediately agreed?"
"Yeah, I need the money."
Their conversation ended. They both agreed. Zero jump towards the ground approached the princess and offered his hand.
"Thank you!"
"Yeah, no problem."
The princess smiled and Zero replied in a cool tone. Zero was struck to how beautiful the princess smiled but he did not show it on the outside of his face. He was wearing a mask so the princess did not catch his reaction.
"I want to say goodbye to this place. Can you wait for a moment?"
"Of course!"
The princess replied happily. Zero entered the cabin, put every weapon he crafted to his inventory as well as jewelry that he made because of boredom. But those jewelry have a special effect on the user.
"I'm done."
"Shall we go?"
"Yes."
Zero nodded, they set off. But before that, he looked again at the cabin then waved his hand. The princess smiled at what he was doing they walk until the cabin can't be seen anymore.
"May I ask your name?"
"Zero."
The princess asked and Zero replied without hiding anything (except his face). He also asked for the name of the princess.
"Your name?"
"Reyalin Theodora. First princess of the Theodora kingdom.
The princess looked at him and slightly bowed down. The soldiers were shocked to what the princess did but Reyalin waved her hands as if telling them to do not interfere.
This is how Zero left the hell forest and the cabin that he lived for a month and his destination is towards the Theodora Kingdom.