All SS can be canon if you want to.

Side Story: The Knight and the Princess

Once upon a time, there was a great kingdom named Arcadia, where its rulers are benevolent and their citizens happy, until the monsters kidnapped the kingdom's treasure, the princess, the flower of Arcadia as her smiles brought joy to the hearts of common men.

The rulers are heartbroken, saddened, and fueled with rage they sent a decree to save their daughter, along with a hefty reward. Many knights and bounty hunters were sent to seek out the monster's lair, and all of them have failed, returning with shame. Until an aspiring youth begins his journey to the east.

A young man wearing his old father's armor, and his mother's red cape goes into a tavern, seeking clues regarding the kidnapped princess from the Kingdom of Arcadia. Going near the bartender, he asks about the rumors regarding the unruly actions of these monsters.

"I ask of thee, for I heard the princess was last seen here in this town. So that I may save her from the monsters that took her by force, seeking to plunge this kingdom into chaos."

The bartender looks at the gold coin the knight has given to him secretly, bringing it to his pocket, and he begins the tale.

"I am not sure of our dear princess being seen, but three months ago, there are monsters that were forcing our old to bring them treasures and food, lest this town be destroyed. The young ladies that escaped from there have claimed that they were led northeast of this village, maybe that path has a lair in which these hideous creatures are hiding. However, there were signs of movement these past few days, If this princess of yours is indeed been taken, then it is in your best interest that you are to quickly go towards them, lest they devour her."

Just as the lad leaves, he suddenly stops, feeling his arm gripped by the bartender, looking him in the eye with concern.

"I warn thee, young man, that this endeavor is fruitless, as many before you have tried to save her, and failed, returning nothing but their broken bodies."

The bartender feels great strength coming out from the young man as he easily retrieves his arm. Shocked at the unnatural power he begins to fear the young man as he suspects him be one of those dastardly monsters as this kind of strength is unheard of. However, the young man's voice is filled with kindness, soothing the bartender.

"Many thanks for the warning. But I can't sit still knowing that someone is in danger, as I have the strength of the soul given to me by my ancestors."

The young man glows in crimson light, shocking nearby people. The bartender feels hope for Arcadia as he believes this young man is finally the one who will save them all, bringing out a rusted key from a secret compartment, and giving it to the young man.

"Since you have proven your strength, one of the ladies entrusted me with this key when they returned from the monsters. I do not pretend to know what it is used for, but I believe that in an opportune moment, it will help you. I wish you luck."

The young man grabs the key, places it in his pocket, and nods at the bartender as he exits the tavern. Asking for more directions from nearby merchants, he got a map of the area. Looking at it, it seems that there is a possible lair in the northeast, as it has a mining cave abandoned years ago.

He approaches the abandoned mine, going to a vantage point, he sees two monsters guarding the entrance, confirming that there is a lair occupying the mine. Bringing out his bow, he took two arrows and aims one of the arrows at the monster.

The monster is living the best life as a guard in one of his majesty's lairs, he gets food, gold, and woman too. He doesn't know why their majesty captures women, but it makes the humans sadder. Relishing at the thought of the humans suffering. Recently he saw their recent capture, a beautiful woman, sadly they are under orders that she is not to be touched. Feeling sad about the situation, he took over as the entrance guard for a breath of fresh air, he looks to the side, noticing the dead body of his ally, an arrow sticking out its head, and he begins to panic as he starts to run to the lair to warn them of intruders, not knowing that an arrow is flying at him.

[Rolled: 20. Critical success!]

Excellent shot, the young man thought, as his arrows killed both of the monsters guarding the entrance, without alerting the ones inside. Scanning the surrounding, there are no more monsters besides the ones inside the lair. Lighting up a torch with dust he enters the cave.

Killing foe by foe, as he scours the mine, finding precious ores and markings of the monsters, leading him into the prisoners. There, a princess, clad in yellow is sleeping inside the cage. He wakes her up carefully.

The princess opens her eyes, and she saw the most handsome knight she had ever seen. Immediately infatuated she jumps into the young man's arm.

"Oh young and brave knight, have you come to save me from the monsters?"

"Yes, your highness, the people of Arcadia are missing their smiles without your presence. We must return with haste as I have not killed all the monsters occupying this mine."

The young man carries the princess in his arms as they start to exit the mine. Before taking a step the princess calls out to the man.

"Before you were here brave knight. I have heard from the other ladies who escaped that before this mine was built, it contains a powerful warrior who was sealed by the monster's king. When they sought to seek his help, however, they found nothing but precious ores. Thinking it was a blessing from the warrior, they mined the ores till the monsters occupied it a few months ago."

The young man has heard of a fairy tale involving this warrior in his childhood but believes it to be just a story.

"Princess, these are but stories, I have also heard of it but there are no signs of…."

Suddenly, his pocket containing the key vibrates. Both the young man and the princess are astonished as the key floats out of the pocket. Turning into a beautiful shape and covered in gold.

The young man holds the key as his vision change, he saw a faint glow to his right. Noticing that below the cage where the princess was held was a glowing door with a keyhole.

Placing the princess nearby he goes towards the door which only he could see, he begins the bring his hand holding the key to the keyhole, inserting it.

"Just as the door starts to open….."

"Hey, Ruby do you want to play…"

And out of the blue, the voice of Kuro suddenly covers the mine, as the scene melts back into Ruby's room, where she is wearing her usual cape and a fake helmet, with lots of dolls acting as characters surrounding her. The door opens revealing a dumbfounded boy as he begins comprehending the sight of Ruby playing make-believe as a hero.

At the sight of the smirking boy Ruby's face turns red as it heats up in embarrassment as she quickly goes to Kuro, blocking his eyes with her cape, and closes the door. As she begins to clean up she hears the voice of Kuro just beyond the door.

"Well then young warrior, it seems that you need help conquering these monsters. If you desire for someone to lighten your burdens, then hold my hand so that I may help with your perilous journey."

Ruby's eyes widen as she opens the door, Kuro already somehow wearing a paper helmet, his hand out waiting for her to grab it, she smiles in the realization that Kuro also wants to play with her embarrassing hobby.

Grinning as she brings Kuro enters the room, holding his hand.

"Excellent! My name is Arthur of Steel, and hereby, I swear to aid you in your quest."

Ruby was still red in embarrassment as she never had someone watch her acting before. Kuro encourages her.

"A-a-and my name is Rubeus of Rose, and aims to bring peace to Arcadia."

Cards, plushies, and papers are spread throughout the room, as the pair eat some snacks. Kuro looks at Ruby whose face is almost the same color as her cape.

"Well, that was fun Ruby."

Ruby gets even redder as she goes to her bed, holding the pillow to hide her face.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

Kuro laughs at the display, amused by the show.

"Why are you getting embarrassed now?"

Ruby, still covering her face, answers him, her voice returning to normal.

"I was in the mood before you came in! Now the session is finished and I'm embarrassed."

Kuro grins, as he thought of the fun he had during the session,

"Well, I think it's a wonderful hobby. I had a lot of fun, and I hope that I could join next time."

Ruby removes the pillow covering her face as she goes in front of Kuro.

"Really!"

Kuro nods.

"Yep!"

Ruby twiddle her fingers, as she invites her friend with great effort.

"Then do you want to join me next time?"

Kuro raises his makeshift sword, as he calls out with a poor knight imitation of a voice.

"Gladly young knight!"

Punching his arms as she pouts and complains to Kuro, inwardly Ruby is happy and warm inside to have a friend accepting and joining her weird hobby.

Unnoticed by the pair, Yang smiles as she goes downstairs.

"Ah well, is this the moment where I find the knife my father uses for special occasions?"

AN:

I might bring some daily shenanigans here instead of the main chapters. Who knows.