Chapter 4

Ten minutes before the throne room assembly…

The corridor leading to the grand hall was lined with stained-glass windows, casting colorful, fragmented light across the stone floor. Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki were already at the front of the group, eagerly chatting with the attendant about what kind of party members they hoped to get.

Maya hung back, letting the distance between her and the other three widen. She caught Naofumi's eye and gave a subtle tilt of her head.

Naofumi, looking nervous but alert after their conversation the night before, slowed his pace until he was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with her.

"Listen to me, Naofumi," Maya murmured, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes stayed locked dead ahead. "Don't react. Just hear me out."

"What is it?" he whispered back, his grip tightening on his small shield.

"Last night, I couldn't sleep. I slipped out of the lounge to see if I could find a kitchen for a glass of water," Maya explained rapidly. "I overheard two castle guards talking in the courtyard. They didn't know I was there."

Naofumi tensed. "What did they say?"

"They were talking about religion. Specifically, the state religion of Melromarc. It's called the 'Church of the Three Heroes'." She paused to let that sink in. "Not four. Not five. Three."

Naofumi’s brow furrowed. "The Sword, Spear, and Bow?"

"Exactly," Maya confirmed grimly. "They worship those three. But the Shield? They called the Shield Hero a 'demon' and a 'false prophet.' And they had no idea what to make of me, the Gauntlet. We are outside their dogma. This whole kingdom is stacked against us from the start."

Naofumi swallowed hard, the color draining from his face. "So… what do we do?"

"We don't accept their 'help,'" Maya said firmly. "I guarantee you, they are going to try to frame us, isolate us, or sabotage us. It's the only way they can maintain their religious narrative. So, we stay vigilant. Don't offend anyone, especially the King. Play the part of the polite, clueless heroes. But if—no, when—no one joins your team today, or if they offer you something that seems too good to be true, don't throw a fit."

She looked at him, her dark eyes entirely serious. "Just accept it. Take whatever starting money they give us, leave the castle immediately, and find your own way in the city. Hire mercenaries or buy slaves if you have to, but do not trust the King's people. It's just my warning. You don't have to follow it if you think I'm crazy, but please… be careful."

Naofumi looked down at his shield, then back up at the heavy oak doors of the throne room. He took a deep, shaky breath. "I believe you. Thank you, Maya."

The attendant at the front motioned for them. "Heroes! The King is ready for you."

Present time, inside the throne room…

The scene played out exactly as Maya had feared. The twelve adventurers practically scrambled over each other to join Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki.

Maya and Naofumi stood alone in the center of the vast hall. The remaining adventurers whispered among themselves, casting hesitant glances at the Gauntlet, and outright glares of disgust at the Shield.

Nobody moved toward them. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

A nasty smirk played on King Aultcray's lips. "Oh dear. It seems the Shield and the… Gauntlet… are not quite as popular. Is there no one willing to fight alongside them?"

Before, Naofumi might have cried out in protest, demanding to know why he was being shunned. He might have begged for an explanation. But Maya saw his jaw clench. He remembered her warning. Don't offend anyone. Just accept it and leave.

Suddenly, a beautiful female adventurer with flowing crimson hair and an elegant rapier at her hip stepped away from Motoyasu's group. She walked toward the center of the room, putting a hand to her chest with a look of manufactured pity.

"Your Majesty," the red-haired woman said, her voice dripping with honey. "It breaks my heart to see the Shield Hero left all alone. If it pleases the court, I, Myne Suphia, will volunteer to join Sir Naofumi's party."

Motoyasu looked genuinely distressed. "Myne! But I need you on my squad!"

"I'm sorry, Sir Spear," Myne cooed, looking back at him playfully. "But a true knight must help those in need." She turned to Naofumi, offering him a sweet, dazzling smile. "I will be your sword, Sir Hero."

Maya narrowed her eyes, her thumb tracing the metal edge of her gauntlet. The girl's performance was flawless, but it screamed of a setup. The Church of the Three hated the Shield, yet a high-level adventurer was volunteering to help him out of pity? Bullshit, Maya thought.

Naofumi looked at Myne's outstretched hand. Then, he looked briefly at Maya. The warning echoed in his head: If they offer you something that seems too good to be true… they are going to try to frame us.

Interactive Choice: How does Naofumi react to Myne's offer?

Because of Maya's interference, the timeline has officially changed. What happens next?