New Chapter new day, glad to see you all here. This story has hit 2,000 Followers, so damn thats a lot of people. Thank you all for coming.

It was the next day the sun was already high in the sky. Reconstruction was underway, and this time people were rebuilding more than just the defences to their city. The people saw themselves as blessed with the freedom from the bandits that used to terrorize the King's men watching over the influx of supplies security was assured in everyone's mind.

Maple rose from the bed shakily, this being the third day after the subjugation of the Bandits. A solemn smile was on her face, as the horrid clouds had finally lifted overhead. She went to put on her armor, the heaviness of the metal felt natural to her small frame. It was kind of odd, in a way, as these days she finds it hard to even sleep without her armor on.

She gave a short chuckle, remembering the face Rishia pulled when Maple forgot to remove her armor yesterday. It was mean of her, but it was too funny remembering Rishia jumping out of her bed at the sight of 'A Dark Demon Armor'.

"Do I look terrifying, Syrup?" Maple asked the Monstrosity when everything was strapped down and adjusted on her body.

Syrup, currently the size of a medium size dog, took a hard look at Maple before shaking its head, "Kue."

"That's good, though I need to ask Uncle Erhard if we can get rid of a few spikes. I don't want to keep scaring people like this." She admitted while scratching the back of her head.

"Kue kue" The thing nodded before walking over and placing Maple on its back. With a quick heave, she was taken out of the makeshift bedroom and down the halls for some dinner.

While previously Maple shared a room with Rishia now she had a room to herself. Maple kinda felt bad sharing the same room as the other girl and asked for a new one. Mostly because Maple would wake up frequently through the night. So after much begging and an offhand comment from the King, she was given a room in the Servant's Quarters.

"Ah, Maple, it is good to see you arise this morning." The Servant of the Ivyred Family said as Maple took a seat.

"Thank you! Nice to see you are up too!" Maple answered with a cheer, "What are we having today?"

"Sausage and Biscuits," The servant answered with a charm, "I will be back in a few moments."

When the Servant left, Maple took a moment to see who was in the room with her, only to find her sharing the room with Rishia. The girl, who normally would give Maple a cheer as they met in the morning, was looking down on the table.

"Good morning Rishia." Maple hoped it was of the same cheerful energy as before.

"Oh, uh, Good Morning Shield Hero!" The girl stammered off with a small sweat drop near her brow.

"Is something the matter?" Maple asked, her heart starting to race a little bit, "W-where is the King?"

"Oh, he left early to prepare his departure!" Rishia quickly stammered off.

"Yeah, it's that time now isn't it." Maple said as she looked at the small clock on her HUD.

4 Days: 6 Hours: 45 Minutes: 32 Seconds

"We… will be leaving today." Maple answered with a small murmur, "Hehe, it doesn't feel like it has been that long."

"Y-you have been a great help to our city!" the Green Haired girl stammered out with a fury.

While it was sudden, Maple could not help but grow a dumb smile, "Thank you, Rishia. It's kinda funny hearing that you know. I… thank you."

There was a momentary lapse in their talk, which should have been the moment that the food came in, however, instead it was still just Maple and Rishia. It was honestly starting to get really awkward.

Maple could not help but notice, "Uh, Rishia, is something the matter?"

"Hmm, oh me, well uh, no nothing is! I just uh-"

Maple could not help but give the other girl a pout, "Come on, Rishia, tell me! I promise I won't bite you for it."

"You're going to bite me?!"

"Well, uh, no, but uh, figure of speech!" Maple backtracked in a small stamer of movement.

"Oh, well, alright, p…" The girl took a moment before bashing her head against the table in a mock bow, "PLEASELETMEBECOMEYOURCHAMPION!"

"Hyu!" Maple stammered out at the sudden display in front of her, "W-what did you say? A little slower please…"

"p-please… let me become your ch-champion." The girl finally finished.

"Uh, you want to become my Party Member?" Maple asked with another hint of hesitation.

"Y-yes! You have helped my city so much I could never repay you in full! So I want to give you my heart and body to make up for the payment instead!"

To say Maple was surprised was putting it lightly. Though, was it really smart to let this girl into her party so quickly? Yeah, they have come to know each other. They had even slept in the same room for over a week! On the other hand Maple was still a little iffy from her last Party Member.

"Kyu?" Maple heard Syrup from below the table, and then a thought hit her.

If she does not open up, Maple will never make any more friends! Hell, Rishia was already basically a friend to Maple, so why was she even thinking so much about it!

"Sure! I can take you into my party!" Maple called out with a cheer, "Do you have an idea of what class you will take up?"

"Class, well uh, I don't really know. Actually, I didn't think this through enough? Maybe I should FUEE!" She screamed as a thing popped up in front of her.

"Oh sorry, I should have warned you. Just click yes on the Join Party thingy and we can look at your stats." Maple said as she was going through the menus.

Rishia steadily shook her head, clicking the link to join her into Maple's Party. Rishia's stats suddenly appeared between the girls:.

Lv. 5

HP: 52

Mana: 100

-{Attributes}-

Str: 5

Agi: 14

Vit: 12

Dex: 12

Mgl: 50

"Cool, you got a big boost in your magic!" Maple called out with a glissining in her eyes, "You should become a Wizard!"

"I-I couldn't!" the other girl tried to back pettle, "I don't even know the mystical words yet!"

"Never say never, Rishia!" Maple answered with a smirk, "Oh this is going to be awesome! With me as your Vanguard you can cast the biggest and most awesome of spells!"

"Fueeee…"

Off to the side the old Servant glanced at the two girls with a smile on his face. She had told him and her father last night that she was wanting to join the Hero's party. They told the girl it was going to be tough, and the Hero expected a lot out of her, but in the end Rishia won both of their hearts in the matter.

Anyways, it was time to bring out some breakfast for the two, they had a long trip ahead of them.


It took all morning for the two to get Rishia ready to leave. They had to work at narrowing down her items, making sure that what remained were the essentials. Once that was finished, they left with Syrup carrying a bag on the top of his shell.

As they went through the streets, a series of people came out to give a warm goodbye to them. Most were waving, a few though threw food and even some money for Maple to collect.

"S-so many people." Rishia said as she tried to hide behind Maple, "E-everyone is sad to see you go."

"Nnn, thank you everyone!" Maple called out with a wave of her hand, "I'll come back soon to see you all again!"

They continued to move forward, past the gates, and into the small encampment outside the town. Thanks to the raids the original barracks did not exist anymore. Thus the King's guards made a military camp outside the city until a new barrack could be built.

As they approached, one of the men from among the tents came out. His attire was different from those that were surrounding him. He had tried his best to look prim and proper in his red suit, but the entire clothing's purpose was lost as his meager muscles made it look ridiculous.

"Ah, Shield Hero." The man called out as the two met in the middle, "I am sorry, but this is the Royal Convoy. You are not allowed to join us today."

"But… I was allowed here in the previous nights." Maple called out as she was surprised by the man's words.

"Ah, yes that was the case, but you see the King cannot be seen traveling with you. He does not want to make it look as if he prefers one Hero above the others, especially one who commited a hedonistic crime such as yourself." He finished as he was almost out of breath.

"I…" Maple felt her heart skip a beat, "But I-"

"No, you do not need to do anything with him. Go on now, best you begin your travels before you cause us any more trouble."

She was disheartened, but Maple honestly could not go against the man's words. As she turned, she could feel her heart crestfallen as they began the walk away. Syrup gave a monsterous snear in the man's direction, obviously angered that he injured his Master's morale. As for Rishia, she could not believe what she had heard was more stucken by distress than anything else.

However none of those mattered now, as they were now traveling into the wilderness by themselves.

As they did so, one of the lone sentries who were watching the perimeter witnessed all this happening. He did not remember such a command given, and by his knowledge knew a Hero would be the best thing in terms of security for the King himself. Thus he would talk to his comrades and squad, each of which would talk to others.

Word gets around of course, and soldiers are one of the fastest gossipers around. A trained general knows this more than anyone else in the world.