"And finally, we raise a toast, to Malakar's new protector and the newest member of Phalsia's defense council. Miss Maple of Maple Tree." The king of Malakar, a dark haired man of five foot height wearing a purple coat furnished with jewelries and gold, raised a golden cup and soft cheers echoed around the hall.
__
After Maple had defeated Varkos, the king of Malakar had ordered a summons to which Maple Tree attended. Maple was fully prepared for the king to admonish her but she was surprised when she was not only pardoned but thanked.
While Varkos might have been the guardian of Malakar, he had the kingdom on edge for various reasons, including threatening the king on multiple occasions and of course raping one of the princesses simply as a show of power.
The Phalsia defense council (the rest of the sins and other representatives) held another summons and decided that Maple and her party would be responsible for protecting the west sector of Phalsia making her the new protector of the largest kingdom in west. The kingdom of Malakar.
Maple willingly accepted as she was torn on the fact that she had erased a city and all it's people including the innocents. She felt she was responsible for the lives she had taken and decided to take up residence in the exact same city she had destroyed.
And thus Maple became the guardian of a kingdom two months after appearing in this world.
__
Maple walked back into the hall in a hurry and made her way to the royal family. The king and the queen sitting on a pavilion with their two princes and their princess seated beside them.
"Excuse me your uhm - your eminence but I will have to take my leave now." She said in a rush.
The king dropped his wine. "Is something the matter my dear?" Each of the princes paying rapt attention to the conversation.
Maple shook her hands. "No not really." She slightly bowed as she composed herself. "Some new information has reached me and I would like to meet with my party to discuss it."
The first prince, Jarren smiled, his teeth dazzling in the night, he was a replica of his father, a handsome stud. "Would you need someone to accompany you."
Maple shook her head. "That will not be necessary first prince. I-"
The second prince, Fervel, poked his elder brother's side. "Of course she won't want you around her. Let a real gentleman accompany you my lady." He looked more like his mother as he had a perfect porcelain face and a slim figure with his glasses he was indeed the perfect gentleman. (Just imagine the average handsome men from Korea mangas)
Maple once again shook her head. "Second prince as well, that will not be necessary. I already have Yslaine with me, the royal family does not need to trouble themselves any longer."
The king placed his hands on his sons shoulders. "Then let us not keep you. Please. We can discuss our going forward at another date."
With that Maple took her leave. The princess, Henri, chuckled. "Aww, did the two little boys fail at showcasing their manly charm?" Jarren and Fervel both blush at this as they watch the new guardian of the kingdom leave the hall.
__
In an expensive inn, Maple Tree had taken residence in one of their suites. Chrome and twins all paused as the door opened with Maple walking in with a tall lady.
"Ah. Maple, you're back already. How are you doing Yslaine?" Chrome welcomed them.
"I am well, master Chrome." Yslaine or rather, princess Yslaine answered. When Yslaine heard of Varkos' death, she had been so happy, she wasted no time in offering herself to whoever had defeated him. After all, thanks to Varkos she was a ruined woman so she pushed her offer, not taking no for an answer until Maple relented and Maple Tree gained a personal assistant. (She was going for maid, but Maple would never allow that.)
Maple walked up to Chrome. "It's Sally." Chrome sits up at this. "What?" Maple brings up the interface. "Look."
|| Maple Tree has leveled up ||
|| Maple Tree Guild || Lv 2 || 50/15,000 ||
|| GP : 1550 ||
|| Members
Maple : Lv 2 - Guildmaster
Chrome : Lv 2
Yui : Lv 1
Mai : Lv 1
Sally : Lv 10
•Kasumi•
•Iz•
•Kanade• ||
|| Inventory ||
|| Armory ||
|| Buffs ||
|| Skill Slot ||
With Varkos' defeat and the city's annihilation, the guild exp she gained had almost filled the quota, being just a few hundred short, she herself went up a level. She had checked the interface and hadn't noticed anything different. (Sally was still level one so Maple didn't notice.)
"Wow." Chrome stopped holding his breath. "This means -" Maple jumped excitedly. "That she's here, in this world. Chrome we have to go find her, cover move doesn't seem to work so we'll have to do it the old fashioned way."
Chrome remained silent for a few moments before sighing. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Maple's froze. "Wha-" she turned to Chrome a red glint in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Chrome walked up to Maple, his voice low and calm. "I don't think we need to go look for Sally."
The next moment, the world felt like it was collapsing on itself as a sudden pressure came down on the entire kingdom of Malakar, pressing everyone to the ground.
Well almost everyone. Mai and Yui kept on trying to comfort a choking Yslaine who had blood leaking from her eyes and nose.
Chrome stood opposite Maple as she stared daggers into him. "Maple." He smiled slightly. Then he took a step towards her and the ground cracked when he moved. 'This pressure is no joke. This was eventually going to happen.' he kept walking up to her ground cracking with each step.
He crouched right next to her. "Maple, I know you're scared. I can see it, you're terrified of this world. Honestly, so am I."
Maple stared at Chrome, tears pooling in her eyes, her voice a whisper. "What if something happens to her?"
Chrome places his hand on her hair. "You and I both know that Sally's the last person we should be worried about, I mean she's level ten now for some reason."
Maple tries to avoid his eyes. "I know, but it's just this world is just so-"
Chrome nods. "Yep, I get you and I agree with you. We'll find Sally but we won't be rushing, hell I bet you Sally's looking for us right now, she's really good at tracking and information after all. I won't be surprised if she shows up on our doorstep tomorrow or something."
Maple chuckles at this. "That's Sally for you."
Chrome stands. "So, leader. What are we going to do?"
Maple smiled, the pressure dissipating. "Well, back in NWO if I ever got lost and needed Sally to find me, I just make myself easy to find. Like making a large noise or using hydra."
Chrome staggered. "Hold on now, we're not using hydra. My ears won't be able to take it." Maple laughed and he joined her.
Mai and Yui walked into the room with an almost unconscious Yslaine. "Maple, miss Yslaine us in pain." Yui called.
Chrome turned to them as Maple checked on the princess. "What happened?"
Mai was the one who answered. "When Maple got mad, Yslaine couldn't take it and she eventually collapsed."
A dazed Yslaine looked at the members of Maple Tree as she tried to speak, her words slurring. "It's alright my lady, I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine." Her words were still slurred.
Chrome laid her on a couch. "Yeah she's not fine."
Maple placed a hand on Yslaine's head. "I think I can heal her, u did before back at the forest."
Chrome relaxed. "Sure go ahead. But try and keep it controlled this time."
|| Martyr's Devotion ||
A small circle of golden light encompassed the princess as color returned to her skin and she felt much better, getting up immediately.
"My lady, I'm sorry you had to see me in that state. Please forgive me." Yslaine got on her knees as she begged.
Maple furiously shook her hands. "No, no no no. It was my fault, I lost control of my emotions, you should forgive me."
Chrome just laughed at the ensuing apology competition.
////
The members of Maple Tree and the the first princess Yslaine stood in front of the ruins of what used to be Varkos' manor.
The manor was placed in the middle of the city so Maple decided to take residence there.
Maple walked up to the gate and brought up the interface.
|| Place guild house || Y/N ||
She mentally clicked yes.
|| Permanently / Temporarily ||
She mentally clicked permanently.
|| Leyline Detected. Proceed with Action? || Y/N ||
Maple turned to the princess. "Yslaine what's a leyline?"
Yslaine looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded as she recalled the details. "Leylines are natural energy sources that run beneath the land. They're powerful and can enhance magic and other abilities if tapped into correctly. They are very rare and can be unpredictable. If I recall correctly, most of the sins are placed above leylines as they are points in Phalsia that needs protection the most."
Chrome raised an eyebrow, looking at Maple with curiosity. "And our guild house is going to be right on top of one? I feel special all of a sudden."
Maple pondered this for a moment. "I think Varkos had a some sort of defense system using this but I'm not sure if I can do the same."
Yslaine smiled, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "If anyone can do it, it's you, Lady Maple. With the right preparation, we could definitely use the leyline to fortify the city against threats."
Maple nodded, her determination renewed. "Alright, let's proceed. We'll worry about the leyline later. For now, let's just get the guild house set up."
With a mental command, Maple accepted the prompt.
|| Leyline Detected. Proceed with Action? || Y
A soft, shimmering light enveloped the area, and the ground beneath them began to hum with energy. The ruins of Varkos' manor transformed, as if being rewritten by an unseen hand. Vines from the earth, and a large, massive, gigantic tree emerged, so grand and imposing that everything else seemed so miniscule in comparison. It was as if the leyline's energy had fueled the construction, infusing the structure with a sense of purpose and power.
Chrome whistled, clearly impressed. "Well, that's one way to make a statement."
Mai and Yui clapped their hands in excitement. "The guild house is back!" Yui exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Maple took a moment to appreciate the sight. The guild house looked just like it did in the first stratum and when they first arrived here only more grand and larger than before. Its walls were etched with glowing runes, pulsating softly with the energy of the leyline. The tree rose into the sky, it's leaves glowing an incandescent light.
Yslaine, still slightly awestruck, turned to Maple. "This will be a beacon for your friend, I'm sure of it."
Maple smiled, feeling a mix of pride and hope. "I just hope Sally finds her way to us soon."
Chrome placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She will. And until then, we'll make this place the safest haven it can be."
Maple walked up to the familiar door. "Let's check inside." The rest followed her as she opened the door only for them to freeze.
Right next to the familiar guild table, standing beside seven women, was Sally.
She turned to Maple. "Finally."