Maple was terrified, that was an easy way to put things. Not only did she have blood on her hands, the corpse was still sitting in the middle of the room for all to see. Rishia too was there, stunned at the fact someone snuck into their room just to assassinate the person who saved their city.
However, as Maple looked out to see the great fires where the gates were, her terror was starting to be matched by another feeling. All about her vision, the series of health bars belonging to those who she had helped were slowly draining to nothingness.
And then she received a message.
[Tom Humperdinck has died to a Bandit]
Fear was soon overshadowed by altruism, the desire to do the right thing.
"Syrup! We need to move!"
"Kue!"
With the command Syrup quickly enlarged, the abomination quite literally destroying the wall with his sheer size. Maple quickly got onto its back, the pair soon flying out into the fire filled night.
The streets were filled with people trying to get away from the wall, though Maple quickly noticed they were mostly just young children and the occasional elderly. Instead most of the townspeople were grabbing a variety of wooden spears and armaments in order to better stab the enemy who dared attack their homes. Fear was written on all their faces though, because who would not be in such a situation.
Her coming however brought cheers, people trying their best to keep up with Syrup as a spearhead. Maple herself honestly did not really know what to make of such a situation but she was not going to go against getting reinforcements.
The sights of the flaming gate soon came into Maple's vision, the sight of men fighting all around it quickly taking her attention. Though as they came across the men, Maple quickly realized what exactly was happening.
These were probably the bandits that had been attacking the city before she arrived.
You can say for certain that Maple was something closer to a pacifist when it came to fighting man. However, when push came to shove, these people were attacking the city without warning and were likely trying to destroy everything that these people and Maple worked to rebuild.
In the end, she decided to fight. While she would regret it if any of them died, Maple knew once she let Syrup and herself go there was no telling how many would actually survive.
"Syrup, use Chaos Breath!" She commanded the Abomination with an authority found in a commander.
The three heads soon animated, weird glows forming from all their mouths. The Bandits who were fighting had no chance in defending themselves as the creature released torrents of poison, acid, and lighting across the battlefield.
"GAH!"
"FUAAH!"
"WHAA!"
And just like that the Abomination created the apocalypse on orders of its Master.
While Syrup was terrorizing the bandits who made it in, Maple quickly hopped off the beast and dashed through the field. With a combination of skills and her own now modest dexterity, Maple was finally able to arrive at the gates, the fire making it almost unbearable.
However, through the roars of fire was the sounds of fighting from the other side, meaning Maple needed to get there.
It only took her a moment to realize what she should do, and quickly she got onto one of the nearby wagons, just close enough to the gate for her idea.
"[Horned Rabbit Shield]!" She declared, transforming the Shield in her hands into a nasty looking face. With that, she hopped off the wagon, "[Meteor Strike]!"
Maple replicated the attack against the Entity from before, her speed equaling that of a meteorite slamming into the earth. As expected, the ability destroyed the gates, easily snuffing out any of the fire that was already covering it.
Maple herself got up from a crater, her sight evening itself upon the confusion filled eyes of all the bandits and guards who were in the area.
"GRAAAAAH!"
From behind Maple came Syrup, who had finally hit level twenty. Such a level was a turning point, meant to signify that normal creatures reached adulthood. While it would surely still grow, right now Syrup was just barely fitting through the gates.
Though now that Maple thought about it, "You are all to flee this town! If you don't, I will have Syrup eat all of you!"
Upon Maple's words the Bandits all fled like the cowards they were, quickly making their way back north to spread the word of a monstrous little girl.
But unlike the loser, the guards and citizens who were fighting outside cheered, along with those who were still coming in to help.
For Maple herself, she was still a little shaken on what in the world just happened. Even now her mind was tired and her will was exhausted.
-{Line Break}-
The sounds of dirt being kicked up could be heard underneath the carriage as they traveled North. Of course, there was magic that made such a rough journey all the more stable and easy to trek, but Autoclay missed being able to ride a horse.
"Are you sure you want to do this my Lord? There is too many things that need your approval and-"
"Shut up already, I know exactly what I am doing."
"But sir we-"
"I am your King, so I ask you to shut up!" Aultcray growled from the bottom of his stomach.
The Priest finally silenced himself, much to his delight. In this carriage Aultcray was riding, he was surrounded by three other officials. Each and every one of them were trying to stop him from going, from Lawrence messing his carriage velat to this damn Priest pestering him every moment.
"I-"
"Stop this damn carriage!" As if responding to his bark, the entire carriage came to a halt. With a fit of anger, the King kicked out the door that was supposed to be only handled by servants. However, he could not stop himself from looking undignified as he strutted out of the door and onto the open field.
"My King, is everything alright!" Quick to respond, one of the guards quickly came to see Aultcray's sudden departure, "It is too dangerous out here, the Forest are rumored to be filled with monsters!"
"I feel like there are even more fucking monster in that damn carriage. Get me a fucking Fiola!"
"Y-Yes sir!" Called out a soldier who was brought to attention.
There were about to be words of protest coming from inside the carriage, but before they could even open their mouths again he made sure to slam the fucking door in their faces. Why he would have barred their door if there was any way of doing so.
"Sir, your Filorial." Announced the soldier as he brought up a rather stout looking beast. Aultcray could only smile as he mounted it, such a beast was always able to strike the fear into his enemies and might into his allies.
"Uh, can I ask why you are outside of the carriage sir?" The guard who brought his steed asked with a worried face, "While it might be easier for you to act like this, surely it would be safer inside."
"I am not as fragile as you fellows make me out to be. Now how much longer till we arrive at the town anyways?"
"In another half hour, King Aultcray!"
"So we are that close? Get me five men with Fiola, I tire of this damn road already."
"Understood your Majesty, it will only take me a moment!" the guard quickly went off, quickly rounding up men for Aultcray's personal entourage.
Within only a few moments the men were gathered, and Aultcray was on the run. It was natural for their steeds to love this kind of ride, so there was no wines or pains coming from the beasts of burden. For the men, well many were trained correctly under the Royal Warden to always serve Aultcray's Wife, and in proxy himself. There was no option for them to bicker.
Soon though Aultcray noticed the land around him, and they only made him take greater haste.
All about him were fields of wheat, which were obviously ready for harvest burnt down into a crisp. Houses looked to have been ransacked with people carrying out obvious corpses out of them. And the smell in the air.
What the hell has the Shield Hero done to his people!
"Men, widen out and prepare your weapons!" The once Great General barked with his [Royal Authority], "Prepare for a charge if the situation calls for it!"
Easily enough the men followed his lead, no longer in a defensive formation but forming a shallow line. Such a formation was meant to not only give Cavalry better presence, but it made whatever impact all the harder when they hit.
However battle never came, instead the sights of dwindling fires came upon the horizon. It was only to Aultcray's surprise that people stood in front of the gate, looking to be on guard for whatever attack came their way.
It was obvious to both Aultcray and his men there were no hostiles here, as many of those guarding were dressed in peasant garments. With a strong pull, the King brought his beast to a halt right before it would have made contact with the group.
"Lower your weapons for I am Aultcray Melromarc, your King!" He called out once more with the [Royal Authority], "I demand to know what happened here at once, and when we expect retaliation."
The Peasants all around him were stunned in awe of him, their ears hearing every word. None of course expected him to come nor do they hold any actual malice against the man. So in response one of the guards wearing a thicker tunic came to the front.
"Your Majesty! We were attacked last night by Bandits!"
"I assume you have just scared them off?"
"Y-yes sir we were able to do so!"
"Has there been a task force assembled to wipe their den out?"
"No sir, the attack was just last night as many are still wounded."
Nodding to himself Aultcray called out something hes been wondering their entire time, "And what of the Shield Hero? Did she join the bandits in their attack!?"
"The Saint of the Golden Harvest!?" The man said with words that Aultcray did not expect, "By the Heavens above no! She was the one who saved us in our time of need and pushed the bandits from our city."
"Is that so?" Aultcray looked the man up and down, his words being weighed. However she got such a name the man will never know, however no matter if they called her the Devil, Angel, or Peasant, thanks to his [Royal Authority] they knew exactly who he was saying.
Which only grew more questions which led him to the crowd, "You all, do you support this man's word? Know that if I were to find out differently than the penalty will be severe."
It seems most of those around began to nod in affirmation, the King now satisfied with those words. Melromarc was not a Paranoid man and knew he should trust his people, thus these words were acceptable.
However now was not the time to think, "Men I ask that you all search the perimeter of this City for any weaknesses and Levy any you can into arms. We shall wipe out the Bandits before they can launch another attack upon this city."
"Yes sir!"
With his orders given the men went out in all directions to search the city for recruits. While he did not really enjoy levies since they were always low level, the King knew that his detail did not have enough men for a full on assault.
"Now, take me to the Shield Hero. I will need her to serve me if we are to minimize the casualties." Aultcray demanded the crowd, and with them a trio came forward, "Lead the way men."
They followed his command of course, the three walking through the gate while the King sat on his steed. In hindsight he should have brought his men as backup, but Aultcray was anything but weak himself. Even without the Cain in hand, the man was able to shatter stone walls and defeat ten average men over.
Luckily it looks that most of the city stayed intact. The city stayed pretty well built, with man and Demi-Human working together to rebuild what was lost. Such was the result of Aultcray's victory against the Demi-Humans of Siltvelt that five counties were awarded to Melromarc. Honestly once the war was over, the King did not care what happened to the Demi-Humans.
At least, unless they were taken to slavery. Such a thing was what his wife adamantly hatted, and as her Regent Aultcray would carry out her will. He wanted to be known as a good husband to his wife, at least then he can actually see his Second Daughter at some point in her life.
Indeed the Old Man was starved for affection of his children. When was the last time Malty ever called him Papa.
"Your Majesty!" One of the men called out while standing next to a small manor, "The Shield Hero is within the Mayor's Manor here. Uh, I know it is not my place but please make sure she is doing alright."
"Why would she not be?" Were the words asked as he dismounted off the large bird.
"I heard after our victory that the Saint locked herself in a room and has yet to leave."
"She has yet to leave? Why in the world would she do that?"
"It was quite the brutal battle your Majesty." The Peasant answered before lowering his head, "She saved us though, so we are in her eternal debt."
"You are understood, now leave." Aultcray demanded, to which the man did as he was told.
She was the person who violated his daughter, that much Alultcray knew. However the simple fact was the moment he stepped into this city there was nothing but praises being showered upon the stupid girl. It was irking him, but this much devotion could only come from a person who truly did as they did.
Like how could an entire town be gripped in conspiracy? Only a mad man would think such silly things.
So he walked his way into the house. The single guard who stood at the door simply making way for his Liege. The hard wooden floor came into his ears as movement all around him occurred. A butler and man looked into the hall, both almost choking as they saw Aultcray walk his way up the staircase.
Call it a feeling, but he knew where the girl was.
"Maple, are you okay? I brought some food for you." The King heard from the other side of the hall as he finally made it up the staircase, "Still no response…"
Standing there was a little girl with green hair, not unlike his second daughter. However as Melty would always let her hair flow this girl instead had them in braids. However it only took the King a moment to realize her stature seemed more to her being quite a bit short than young like his daughter.
It was after he made this realization that he was noticed, "F-f-fuee fue fue fue! I-!"
"Is this where the Shield Hero currently resides?" Aultcray demanded with his eyes burrowing into the little girl.
"Yes!" She cried in surprise as Aultcray finally arrived infront of the door.
"Leave us." Aultcray stated, and there was really nothing Rishia could do against it. Like a mouse being seen by a cat, she quite literally ran down the hall and staircases in a sprint. For some reason this town seemed to respond to his Authority better than everyone in the Captial. At this rate he might just move here so that his voice would surely be heard across the lands once again.
With those thoughts, he opened the door without any care for decency, and immediately was welcomed by the slight of a massive creature. Nine heads looked down upon Aultcray, all of which seemed torn between incinerating him or simply throwing him out the window.
However, Aultcray was a King and the Hero of the Cain.
"Beast, show me your Master for I am her liege."
There was a small growl escaping from three of the heads as they neared him, such a weak and puny human who could not do anything to it. Such a beast has already killed a Dozen men just like him, how could this man fair any different.
"W-whose there?" The standoff was suddenly halted at the words coming from near the beast's stomach. Slowly coming out of it were a pair of eyes who were horribly drained of whatever sleep they should have had, "K-King?"
"Yes, I am King Aultcray Melromarc the Thirty Second." He announced without even an ounce of hesitation, "Call your beast off so that I do not need to kill it."
""S-Syrup… please no…"
The room shook for a moment as the creature seemed to think about her words. Finally however the heads began to recede as Maple simply slouched on the creature's tale.
"Sorry sir… I just need a little time to myself and Syrup right now."
Out of all the things he expected to see on the face of the Shield Hero, he never expected her to host regret. Not from the times he would imagine the terrible being who created the Demi-Humans out of lust and let them rage across the lands, nor from the few moments he saw this one appear before him in his Court.
He had seen this look however before a great many times. When the Battle of the Turning happened, and the monstrous hordes of Demi-Humans finally fled so many were dead. It was of course not very known, but both armies were cut to almost a fourth of themselves. For Aultcray he lost his squad, his commander, and soon after he learned the fate of his Sister.
Many men swore that the damned Demi-Humans never left them, that they could be waiting around every single corner waiting for a chance to strike when they were least expecting it. Three of these men even attacked their own fellows and were killed for the mistake.
However most had dead eyes, just like this little girl before him.
How many years has it been since he had seen a fellow human look at him with such eyes.
"Stand up."
"What…?"
"Stand up tall with pride, that is an order!"
Maple could not help but fallow the order, her muscles working on their own against her reluctant will. Indeed, in such a state what would the girl have against his [Royal Authority]?
"You have held yourself within these walls and your camp, nursing your wounds and fighting off the horrible terrors you have seen. But now you stand tall, and do you know the reason why?"
"I-I-"
"Its because you are alive, where several men both would and have fallen before you." Aultcray growled under his breath, "Shield Hero, I have talk to man, woman, and child upon my way here. Do you realize what it is you did for them?"
"I-I saved them."
"Indeed. You have saved them where my armies, knights, and spies have failed. So because of this deed I order you to stand tall with pride knowing that."
"I k-killed people though."
"So have I."
Maple looked at the King dumbfounded for a few moments as he shook his head, "Do you realize what it means to be a king, no, a Hero of a Holy Weapon?"
Maple could not help but widen her eyes, "Y-you're a Hero?"
"Indeed, I am the Hero of the Cain. And while I do not wield it in these frightful days back when I was young and able I carried it against the hordes who threatened all of humanity." Aultcray shook his head, "In such a battle it was not only Demi-Humans I killed though, but many times men who were either enslaved by them or saw a supposive opportunity presenting itself."
"W-why are you telling me this?"
"Because even if you are young like my own daughter, it does not excuse you from the duties of being a Hero."
The man watched the girl look at him in wonderment, just like many of the soldiers who he talked to like this. Aultcray always aimed to inspire men in their hearts, for is its fire goes out a man is nothing more than a husk.
"If it were not for the deeds done before, Maple of the Shield, you would have driven me into your debt." Aultcray admitted with a sigh, "However you serve the realm of Melromarc and her people due to it. So act as her bulwark, so much so that I have no choice but to forge me so many deeds that I will not dare recognize you as more than just a simple Hero like the others."
"W-what else would I be?"
"A person who I can depend upon, as if you prove to me your valor in the coming battles against our faceless foes I will see to it personally that your name be cheered among the masses."
"Th-thank you uh."
"Simply address me as your Majesty, for that is the right I hold. However that may change in time."
"Th-thank you, your majesty! I, uh, feel a little better."
"Indeed, though I know personally such a wound shall not heal with my words. Instead we shall temper you." Aultcray announced before turning towards the door, "Prepare for travel in an hour, for we will strike fast."
"Fast? Against who?"
"The Traitors who attacked my City."
Sorry for being gone for a while, as in the mean time 500 people followed this so damn. I have been spending my time actually writing an Otome Question on 4Chan of all things, which has been a blast. However I decided to sit my ass down and get this finished.
In other news, I am looking for people to do commisioned work. Both for this and my 4chan Otome. If you are interested in doing this work, PM me here on FanFic and we will discuss stuff about it. Hopefully I have get a nice image for this story as well as a picture for my Otome story!
Thank you all for coming and I hope you all have a fantastic mother fucking 2020.
