Chapter 5

Naofumi stared at Myne’s outstretched hand. To anyone else, she looked like a stunning, noble warrior taking pity on the underdog. But Maya’s words echoed in his ears like a ringing bell: If they offer you something that seems too good to be true… they are going to try to frame us.

He looked up at King Aultcray. The monarch's eyes were practically burning holes into him, waiting for him to accept the bait.

Naofumi took a step back and bowed deeply, perfectly executing the polite facade Maya had drilled into him.

"I am deeply humbled by your generous offer, Myne-san," Naofumi said, his voice steady. "However, I must respectfully decline. I am accustomed to working solo, and I would hate to drag down such a talented adventurer. I will find my own way in this world."

A pin drop could have been heard in the massive throne room.

For a fraction of a second, Myne’s sweet, compassionate smile violently twitched, revealing a flash of absolute, venomous fury. The King’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrests of his throne. He hadn't expected the Shield Demon to reject the kingdom's "hospitality."

Motoyasu let out a loud sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness! See, Myne? He doesn't need you. Come back to my party!"

Myne didn't move toward Motoyasu. Her mind was clearly racing, recalculating her strategy in real-time. If she couldn't attach herself to the Shield to frame him, she needed another target. The King's gaze shifted from Naofumi to Maya, and Myne followed his eyes.

The Gauntlet. The unknown variable. An anomaly outside the Church of the Three's teachings.

Myne's sweet smile snapped back into place. She pivoted gracefully, her armor clinking, and walked directly up to Maya.

"In that case," Myne said softly, batting her eyelashes, "I simply cannot allow the mysterious Fifth Hero to wander Melromarc alone. A young maiden like yourself needs a guide. Please, allow me to serve as your sword, Maya-sama."

Maya’s jaw tightened. You sneaky, calculating snake, she thought. Naofumi dodged the bullet, and now it's aimed right at my head.

She wanted to refuse. She wanted to punch that fake smile right off Myne's face with her silver gauntlet. But she caught the King's eye. Aultcray looked dangerously close to losing his temper. If both the Shield and the Gauntlet rejected his people, it would be an open insult to the crown. Maya knew she couldn't push her luck that far on day one.

"I would be honored," Maya lied smoothly, offering a polite nod. "Thank you, Myne-san."

"Excellent!" the King boomed, his good mood forcefully returning now that his spy was planted. "Then the parties are formed! To aid you on your journeys, I shall bestow upon you all your starting funds."

A servant stepped forward, carrying heavy leather pouches on a velvet tray.

"To the Sword, the Spear, and the Bow, I grant six hundred silver pieces each," the King announced. "To the Shield, who journeys alone, I grant eight hundred silver pieces. And to the Gauntlet, who travels with but one companion, I also grant eight hundred silver pieces."

Naofumi accepted his pouch with a neutral expression. Maya took hers, the heavy coins clinking inside. Eight hundred silver. It felt like a lot, but she had no idea what the exchange rate or the cost of living was in this world.

"Go forth, Heroes!" the King commanded. "Grow strong, and prepare for the Waves!"

The heavy doors of the throne room opened, and the newly formed parties filtered out into the sunlit courtyard of the castle.

Naofumi stopped at the bottom of the grand stone steps. He looked at Maya, then at Myne, who was clinging closely to Maya's side like an overly affectionate puppy.

"Well," Naofumi said, his voice carefully neutral. "I guess this is where we split up. Since our weapons will cancel out our XP if we fight together."

"Good luck, Naofumi," Maya said, trying to convey a dozen different warnings with just her eyes. Stay safe. Trust no one. Remember what I said.

Naofumi gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. He turned his back on the castle and walked toward the bustling castle town, entirely alone, but holding his shield a little higher than before.

"He's such a strange man," Myne whispered in Maya's ear, a hint of disdain leaking into her sweet tone. "Rejecting help like that. He’ll surely struggle. But do not worry, Maya-sama! I know this city perfectly. Where shall we go first?"

Maya looked at the red-haired woman attached to her arm. Myne was high-level, well-equipped, and completely untrustworthy. Maya was level 1, wearing starting leather armor, and chained to a royal spy. She needed an advantage, and she needed it fast.

"First," Maya said, her mind working furiously, "we need to go shopping."

Interactive Choice: How does Maya handle her new "companion" in the city?

Now that Maya is stuck with Myne, she needs a strategy to manage her while leveling up.