Polling has closed, you will find out the true result in a few more chapters.

Thank you all for the great reception in receiving this story! I love reading each of your reviews when they come into my mail box. Now if someone could make BOFURI have its own category that would be great, since it seems Fanfiction slowed down on doing that.

The morning sun rose from behind the surrounding hills indicating Evan and Johnny's workday was done. At such a time the two would return to their homes and either make some breakfast/dinner or start regretting the fact they took such a shift.

As one would guess, no honest wife would tolerate having a husband that always wanted to work the night shift. Even meeting regular people and having friends would be out of the question. Instead, they would meet the occasional delinquent, slave trader, or prostitute who wished to seduce them to get free passage into the city. Sadly, when there are two men standing guard (along with a bastard of a commander behind them) such attempts become annoying, frustrating, and awkward to deal with in that order.

Today however they were not going to their emptied homes. Upon order from Hardacc they were making their way towards the forest outside the castle.

"Johnny, why the hell are we following the bones for?" Evan asked as they traveled through a brush of weeds.

"It's a gut feeling, I swear!"

"Well, I guess yours never proved us wrong." The man gave a slight chuckle, "Like that time that weird merchant tried to bring in narcotics!"

"Opium Man? Yeah he was a blast and a pain." Johnny snickered as well, "Who would have guess all those slaves were actually warriors from Siltvelt?"

"Yeah, but who would have known the Horned Rabbits would eat the entire stock? Damn bastards were high for a week."

"Lessened learned by the Captain." The soldier raised a single finger in the sky, "The best disposal method is burning it, not sending it off a cliff side thinking nothing down there would get back up."

"Yeah, those fuckers were flying weren't they."

"Yup. I'm just happy it was enough to clear us for Advancement." Johnny said again with a laugh, "Though this is starting to get a little unnerving, don't you think? With this many bones it's starting to remind me of those Rabbits."

Even gave a mindful nod, "Meatless bone, the carcasses of Balloons everywhere, and everything else still intact looks to have been impaled. I don't wanna deal with them again."

"Then lets double time it, hopefully the Queen is still sleeping in her hole!"

"Ah fuck, you're right!"

And with that the two soldiers quickly made their way through the forest. Since both were still in heavy armor, their movements caused all the pacifist birds to flee from their branches. However, no monster came to meet them, a sign that one of the Royals had walked the land.

"Oh fuck!"

"Damn it! She's loose!"

What the two were now staring at was the massive hole that looked to be burrowed out of the ground. Their memories of her last 'trip' became fresh in their minds.

Numerous reports of a creature that would murder those unaware of her presence. Most who told of these accounts were that those who first incurred her wraith die first, followed by local peasants.

If the guard found her they could likely kill her, but she was known to never be seen until it was too late. Such was the trail of blood and guts left by the Queen of the local Horned Rabbits.

So they continued to run, their eyes searching every bush and heavy treeline for the beast. It was rumored that she acquired a stealth skill when she was only a youngling, and as a queen she was able to hide even in low brush. Impalement followed those who were fools.

The path of her destruction was wide and terrible, the one they followed. Bushes were thrown around and trees were uprooted. The corpses of smashed monsters laid on the ground, none of them able to get out of her way when she came stampeding along.

Soon enough the two men landed in a large clearing about 50 yards wide, "Well Johnny, where is she?"

"Considering there is no more destruction, I'm pretty sure the Queen finished whatever fight occurred here." The soldier answered with a small sigh, "What do you think got her in the first place? Was it that Shield Girl?"

"Yeah, that Maple girl's probably dead. Kind of sucks, you know."

"Probably. She might have been a Shield, but at least she had a go get em spirit."

Evan gave a slight sigh in reluctance, "At least we need to find her corpse. Hardacc would have a field day if we didn't return her to the keep in some capacity."

"Yeah, that Motherfucker."

And with that the two men split off looking across the forest floor for a body that was more like a pancake. As they looked there were plenty of monster corpses to go around in that state, but nothing even remotely humanoid in the area.

However, something caught the eye of Johnny as he approached the outskirt, "Hey Evan, I see something fucking weird over here."

"I'm coming- what the fuck is that?"

The two ran over to the very odd thing. Sitting at the edge of a field was a massive blob of orange. Once they were close up to see, the two were stopped in their tracks.

"Is that a… Balloon Orgy?" Evan asked with a small bit of caution.

"You know those things are only rumors." Johnny whispered back, "Everyone knows that Balloons come out of the ground every time someone stubs their toe!"

"Look in front of us and tell me what you see. This answers the mystery of how Balloons spawn!"

What neither of the two knew, is that in truth Balloons are asexual reproducers. Originally they were created by a hero named Orichy as a children's toy for the kids in town and protectors for when they are away from their parents. Since it was a children's toy, he made them reproduce similar to bacteria with more confetti and popping involved. Such events, however, were programmed to be done outside of people's view in order to not scare the children.

As with all great inventions he forgot that humans (especially children) are naturally accident prone. It was within a week of the initial creation that too many Balloons were escaping due to the nature of the children who owned the Balloons. All the Balloons were either let outside of their homes by accident, or left unattended. Soon, they were blown into the nearby forest and became feral protectors of the forest.

Such was the ignorance of the standard Melromarcan.

However, our two soldiers here were still willing to learn. Such an attitude is why they started to poke at the blob with their swords. Being at such a high level and with modest weaponry, they simply were popping the balloons like they were, well, balloons.

"Hey, I think I see something?"

"Yeah, that's a human!"

"Shit, kill them all!"

It only took 10 seconds for the men to finally clear out all the balloons, though the faces they gained were quite hard to describe.

Evan was the first to kneel down and look at her, "Hey, isn't this Maple? You know, the little girl who we were supposed to retrieve?"

"Looks like it… Fucking hell she looks like she's gone through hell."

Evan placed his hands towards her nose, "Damn she is fucking alive, somehow. I mean how many of them were there!"

"Lost count at fifty." Johnny said while kneeling down and shook her shoulder a little.

The little girl moved a little and curled up into a ball, "Mmm, tasty rabbit."

"..." Evan simply shook his head at the being in front of him, "Well she's not going to wake up. Should we just take her to the Castle and have them figure out what to do with her?"

"Yeah, better than that Three Heroes Church. I'd bet ten coins if we took her to the Three Heroes Church we'd get charged for her Healing treatment."

"Yeah, Queen doesn't know what she brought in with that Free Investiture." Evan once more complained before moving the girl onto his back, "Come on, little Miss, we need to get you home before Hardacc wakes up."

"Don't say it like that, Evan. Someone might say something!"

"And what, accuse me of doing something to this girl. You make a nice joke."

While in what could roughly be called reality the two soldiers carried her up to the Castle, Maple was having a swell of a time in unreality. She was currently looking into the sky, the sight of monsters all falling from cracks that had appeared. Below her were hundreds of bones of those that came before them.

What caught her attention was the massive three headed beast that flew about in the sky, its presence bringing dominion over the battlefield. Such a beast with its strong muscles and exotic flavor. With its strengths it was sure to be a delectable meal. Such thoughts were just making Maple's mouth water.

Yes, for Maple, this was not the apocalypse incarnate, but an all you can eat buffet. It was the simple naivety of Monsters and Evil Gods have; to think they were not just fueling the first coming gourmet revolution.

It was after this moment that the dream started to stir, a pin drop in the vast waters as consciousness finally returned to Maple. Her movements were a little awkward considering she was now fitted with a chain shirt that was just a little too big for her.

"... back Heroes to my throne room. From here you will…"

Maple had to shake her head a bit as she looked at her surroundings. Her eyes searching the room for where in this new world she was. There were a bunch of people standing around, along with a big throne in which the same king from yesterday was standing.

But I was in the forest, did I sleep walk back here?

Slowly she got up from her spot among the three other Heroes. Each of them were trying their best to stand tall, but each and every one of them found it a little hard to concentrate as the little girl got up from her spot.

And I for one would agree with them, since when they got in here the heroes watched a pair of guards set her down on the ground. The Heroes didn't her last night at dinner nor when they retired for their beds. Why, they even wonder whether or not she simply ran away because of the stress.

The King, Auctley Melromarc the XXI, did not stop to address her, "And so it is with my honor that I present to you our Champions. These individuals will serve under you in the thick and thin, to bleed and sweat for you. All in order to save our realm from the Waves."

That last part of his speech was what Maple luckily caught, her eyes being drawn to the line of people who appeared assembled just behind them. There were quite a few people, twelve in all. If Maple had to be the judge she would say most of them were definitely older than her, maybe late teens early twenties.

There was a small murmur from the Heroes about the candidates all looking pretty good but such words were smothered as the King announced, "Champions, please choose your hero!"

And with a small confusion coming from the Heroes, the Champions forming lines behind each of them. Well, all of them except for Maple, who was still only now figuring out what was happening.

Maple of course could not stop herself from yawning, "Does that mean I won't... get anyone at my party?" In truth she still felt quite full and wanted to keep sleeping, like one would expect of a Dragon who ate an entire village.

The other heroes who were looking over their bountiful boons all turned to look towards Maple, their expressions all in all confused. The first to speak up, of course, was Motoyasu, "Yeah, she can't be going at it alone. I would be hard pressed to see a Shield user suffer from not having anyone to kill things for them."

Maple, the advent Shielder, was about to correct him about being unable to kill things but the King was the first one to speak, "Indeed oh Spear Hero, that would be a grace issue indeed. How-"

Before the King could say something more a man leaned into his ear. If Maple recognized him right, it was the priest who had welcomed them to the world at the very beginning. The King's eye furrowed and gave a simple shake of the head as the man rose from his spot at the King's side.

"It has come to my attention that there is a rumor going around that she is not well to work with." He answered with a flourish of his hand, "It seems to be due to her delinquency at the previous nights Dinner of Heroes. In her time outside, she seems to have awakened a monster that poses a threat to the Kingdom."

"Hey, things can't be that bad." The spearman turned towards the women behind himself, "Can one of you join her, if not for a little while? I can't believe she caused so much trouble in being here for only a day."

Maple felt a little happy when the Spear Guy and now Bow guy were asking their parties to send at least one person to help her. However there was an oddity, that one being the Hero of the Sword. It was more like he was studying her like a detective would a crime scene.

In the end no one move, which brought the King to simply shake his head, "It dishonors myself, house, and country to have this happen to you. In such a case I will-"

"Wait!" A girl called out from the back of Motoyasu's group, making her way over towards the front, "I cannot take this any longer while staying idle and watch while a little girl is thrown into the wider world without a companion! I will become a Champion who serves the Shield!"

"Wha-" The King's eyes were wide for a moment until a hand was placed on his shoulder. The Priest who stood behind him simply shook his head solemnly, causing almost all rage to flatten out of the King's face.

With that the King turned back with a solemn expression, "Are you sure about that, uh, Myne was it not?"

"I am." She answered with a smile that easily fooled everyone within the room she stood.

The King took in a breath with a hint of regret of what he was doing, "Very well, you shall be part of the Shield's Party."

As Myne got behind Maple she gave a massive smile to the girl, "It is a pleasure to meet you! I hope we can get along well!"

"Oh, we will." Myne said while returning a smile back to Maple. As the little girl saw it however, it might have been her nature or womanly instincts but something seemed wrong with it. Maple however could not put her finger on it and simply went with the motions.

The King talked to an aide for a moment, the orders both received and carried out. Before the Heroes were four bags of coin, all being held by a series of courtiers.

"You will now all receive your dividends for the battles ahead. All will receive 500 Meloran Silver Pieces, with the exception of the Shield. She will receive 800, so that she can become better equipped and gain allies. After every Wave within Melromarc we will provide a reward such as this."

Everyone, including Maple, was given a small bag of coins. Seeing it gave Maple a small welt of hope in her chest. Oh, the chances to purchase things of at least a medium tier quite excited the little girl as it gave a small jingle.

"With this my Heroes, set out and forge your Legends!" The King cheered as he stood from his seat in applace. Everyone else did the same, two of the Heroes caught up in the emotions as they quickly ran out the door with celebration.

As the crowd dispersed however there was a small call from the King, "Shield Hero, I require a word with you."

Maple nearly jumped when the man said that, "D-did I do something wrong!?"

"That I do not know yet." The King said while his eyes narrowed upon the small girl, "I require a report of what you have done the previous night. It could be a matter of my Realm's security."

With nothing more to say Maple went up towards the King, with the Sword Hero Ren slowly approaching to listen in. Due to their statuses, none of the Champions were permitted to approach. Even those who really could think it would be wiser to stay away from the insewing event.

The King did not care much for the Sword Hero to be listening. Actually it would be much better if he was there so the other Heroes know better, "Hero of the Shield, I desire to know what happened last night."

"What did I do last night? Well, I went out and grinded some monsters. Was I not supposed to?!" The little girl's cheeks went bright red as she cowardly thought of doing something bad.

"No, Shield Hero, that is not a bad thing for you to do." the man shook his head with memories of his youngest daughter coming to mind, "I simply wish to know if you happened to meet the Horned Rabbit Queen in combat."

"That one?" She tilted her head slightly before nodding, "Yup, I was able to kill it too!"

The King gave the girl a soft nod, "Can you provide any proof?"

"I think? Here weeee go!" With a little work the Shield transformed into something much larger than the average Horned Rabbit. It was a round Shield, one that covered Maple's entire body with the nasty face of the Horned Rabbit Queen up front. Her wicked horns jutting from the center ready to impale someone if they cross her path.

"Well Shield Hero…"

Aultcray was a man who did not like the legends of the Shield very much, that much he could admit. He had to fight against the Shield's spawned nation of Beastman that always desired to tear into his family, people, and nation. The days of blood were all too familiar as the King remembered his triumph against their barbaric and monstrous hordes of younglings.

His perceptions of the Shield would be like an American Warvet's opinion on Charlamagne. It was so far in the past it did not matter but, if asked whether they liked the man who set the groundwork for future Germany, well his opinion would be found negative.

"Then I must thank you for slaying her. Even I, King of Melromarc and Hero of the Cane has failed to find her. She awakens only once every fifteen years, so I wonder why she was out when it was an off season. I do however recognize the face of the bitch who ran into the ground at the sight of me!"

Opinions change with action.

"So I'm not in trouble?"

"No you are not, Maple of the Shield." The King waved his hands for a moment, "I do not require you any more. Proceed with your adventure"

"Thank you!" And with those words Maple started to leave.

However, there was one more person to whom wished to speak to her, "So you were grinding last night?"

"Oh, Mr. Ren! Sorry I didn't see you!" The girl panicked while truely being so oblivious that she thought she was alone for the moment.

"I just want to know how you got that Shield." He said while pointing to the item on her arm.

"This? I just fed my Shield materials of the monsters I kill!" She answered cheerfully.

"Is that so, I will try it then." He answered with a nod, "Then I wish you luck, trust that I won't fall behind you simply because you had a day's head start."

"Sure, I look forward to it!" Maple cheered when they met up with their parties. Maple quickly turned to Myne with a priceless smile, "So, what should we do first? I think we should grind!"

"While that would be nice, I am in need of better protection and a sword." the girl before her answered with a smile, "We will be heading to the smith first."

"Okay, sounds good!" Maple answered ready to make her way into the new world once more.