When Sylphia woke up, she was already back in the castle. She had no recollection of how, why or when she got there.

The maid from earlier said that the King was expecting me later...? While lost in thought, she sipped at the soup prepared for her breakfast. Not even going to wait till my hand is better?

She held her wrist up to her face. Ugh... that can't be good. In between the strips of cloth wrapped around it, were small insets of dark-colored leaves. Apparently, these things are magical herbs? At least that's what the maid told me. She sighed. She told me not to worry, but looking back at how terrible it looked, I was afraid I'd live with a broken wrist for the rest of my life... She still couldn't twirl her thumb, despite her habit, let alone move her wrist around without any pain. I really hope there's some 'magic' involved in this weed, 'cause they sure as hell don't have any real medicine. I mean, not even medicine, they don't even have potions! What kind of fantasy world is this!?

She sighed.

Man, I can't believe I went through all that... And I did it to myself, didn't I? I could have just run. I should have just run! She tucked her legs in. I would have run if it was the me back in the old world...! But, why didn't I? She covered her face with both hands. Uuuugh... what is wrong with me? I must be an idiot. Yup. A complete idiot.

And the shit I said...! She fell sideways into the bedsheets, curled up and squirmed in pain. 'The protector of cute girls everywhere'!? Oh God... did I really say that? I really said it didn't I!? She covered her mouth. Aaaagh! What the hell is wrong with me!? I can't believe I said that out loud! Everyone must think I'm a complete autist! I would think I was a complete autist! She rolled back and forth on her bed. Auuugh... I'm sorry, Sylphia! I muddled your reputation...!

When she finally calmed down, she threw her legs out and sat back up.

Panting lightly, she brushed her hair aside.

And there's another problem...

To get myself out of trouble, I had to tell a bunch of people I was the heroine... even when that geezer told me keep it secret. Tsk. Speaking of that geezer, if he was there the whole time, why didn't he help sooner!? In hardly a second, a terrifying thought invaded her mind. She covered her mouth, letting out a heavy breath into her hand.Wait... what if... what if he was testing me the whole time? Shit, what if he noticed that I never fought even once? And if he had to help me in the end... oh God.

She wiped the cold sweat collecting over her brows.

I-is it possible to get fired from being Hero...?

She soon fell quiet.

While immersing herself in her anxieties, a loud bang suddenly hit the door.

Every muscle in her body cramped up as she screamed, "Gyaaah!"

"Sylphie!" said a familiar voice, muffled behind the thick wooden door. It was then followed by several loud bangs.

"Eh!?" Her mouth fell agape. That voice...

Even without answering, the door soon opened. "Good morning, Sylphie!" In came Evrika, all dressed in an elegant white-red dress. She barged right in, throwing the door wide open with a single push. Her whimsical laughter filled the room with her sunny cheer as she entered.

Meanwhile, Sylphia only looked on in bafflement. Shaking her head, she then said, "E-Evrika? What are you doing here?"

"Hmm?" The spry girl cocked her head. "Your teacher invited me here!"

T-teacher...? She shuddered. Eh, the geezer!? What, is he gathering witnesses!?

"Anyway, Sylphie, I came to check up on you! How's your hand doing? It looked pretty bad when your teacher was wrapping it up."

She looked at her bandaged hand. Wait, it was the geezer who did this...? I thought it was the maid... Tsk.

Sitting on the bed, Evrika leaned over to take a closer look at her hand. "It doesn't look too swollen now." She let out a sigh and smiled. "That's a relief."

Her eyes flickered. Averting her gaze, she then said, "Uh-ah... speaking of which, how about your arm?" She glanced down to see Evrika's elbow wrapped in the same way as her wrist.

"Ah, this?" She giggled. "It hurts when I move it too much, but it's fine!"

"Huh." She cocked her head. I guess she's made of tougher stuff than I thought.

The light conversation gradually drew Sylphia's mind away from her anxieties. After a while, she had calmed down enough to let out a chuckle.

"Ah, wait a second-" In the middle of their conversation, Sylphia suddenly shook her head and glared at Evrika.

"Hm?"

"Hey, didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?"

"Eeeeeh...?" Evrika's shoulders dropped. "...but it's cute."

Her eye twitched. "I-I know it's cute, but..."

With cheeks puffed out, the stubborn redhead tilted her head slightly downwards and glanced up at Sylphia with puppy dog eyes.

Hnnnngh! She clutched in her chest. No fair! How can I keep refusing if you act that cute!? Sylphia turned away and pouted. "Geez, fine! Do what you want!"

"Yay!" All of a sudden, Evrika bounced up the bed and wrapped her arms around Sylphia's shoulders.

"Wai-" Sylphia screamed, "w-w-what the heck are you doing!?"

She leaned her head even closer and let out a chuckle, "Ehehe!" Then, rubbing their cheeks together, she said, "I could do what I want, right?"

"That's not-" Sylphia's entire face burned up. She struggled at first, but her tiny arms could not so much at budge against the career guard's arms. Slowly, a warm feeling rose up from inside. It wasn't as though she hated being held like that. Though it felt awkward at first, after some time, she felt quite comfortable on Evrika's arms.

Thus, she ended all resistance.

Geez, being casually hugged by a someone like her... Evrika's chest squeezed her shoulder. Though small, an unmistakable softness kneaded into her skin, sending a tingling sensation down her spine. By the time she realized, she bit down into her lips, to stop it from forming a lecherous smile.

Wa-wait!

Once more, Sylphia tried wiggling away, but to no avail. This isn't good! ...O-r... is it? T-technically... I'm in Sylphia's body now... right? In other words, a girl! A-and... it's it just fine if two girls touched each other like this...? Or maybe even like that...!? Her throat felt dry. Swallowing her breath, she snuck a peek at the girl beside her.

Her crimson red hair slipped down the sides of her face, dangling freely to below her chin. Its color and shade provided a warmth that seemed to contrast quite well with her cool, pale green eyes.

Tsk. She'll pretty cute herself, come to think about it. And she looks really good in that dress... She sighed. To think that even I could experience something like this... Being a cute girl really comes with perks.

After a short while, they both calmed down, with Evrika finally unlatching herself from Sylphia.

"Ahem." Sylphia was at the same time relieved and disappointed from the fact. "Well, since you're forcing me to have a nickname, then I'm going to give you one as well."

"Huh?" Evrika froze up. Then, her eyes lit up and she clasped her hands over Sylphia's. "Really!?"

"Eh!?" Sylphia stumbled back. "W-well..." She averted her gaze. I thought I'd get her back for giving me a nickname, but she actually likes it? Tsk. Well, since I brought it up anyway... She crossed her arms. Evrika... that's a really unusual name. Ev-ri-ka... Now that I think about it, didn't the people from Ealdton call her Evri? I could just use that... She shook her head. It sounds good, but... it wouldn't be a nickname that I gave her. It has to be a new nickname, then. She rubbed her chin. Ev-ri-ka. Evri-ka. Ev-rika. Rika? Rika...

"Rika..." Sylphia muttered.

"Oh?" Evrika cocked her head.

"Rika. Mm!" She nodded. "I'll call you Rika!" It's short and easy on the tongue! It's also quite cute! Ah, I must be a genius when it comes to names!

"R-Rika..." Evrika smiled. "Ehehe... Rika, huh? I like it! Thank you, Sylphie!"

C-cute...! She looked away. "Y-yeah... sure."

Rika thus spent the rest of the morning with Sylphia. After having lunch, a maid brought them along to finally meet the King.

With a loud creak, the pair of heavy wooden doors opened outwards.

On the far side of the room, a sliding door, already open, led to a marble white balcony. Decorative plants in painted pots adorned the balcony space on both sides, with a third one, much smaller, perched atop the railing. There, three men sat on bleached white chairs, around a similarly white table. One man, in particular, robed in lustrous royal purple, lifted a small cup towards his mouth and took a sip. He went at his own pace, even as the two others watched Sylphia and Rika approach them. Eventually, he glanced at them.

"Good afternoon, ladies," he said, his greying moustache, shuffling as he moved his lips, "come and sit. We have much to discuss."

"Yes, your Highness." Sylphia nodded.

"So, this is the Legendary Heroine I've heard so much about?" muttered the man in a luxurious red vest that bulged around his belly. His eyes followed the two as they made their way all the way to the table.

The last man, farthest from the King, sat quietly with arms crossed. His full suit of armor reflected a beam of sunlight into Sylphia's eyes as she approached.

The King aside, who are these other old guys?

As she placed her hand on the backrest of the chair in front of her, she felt a tug on her arm.

Rika, frozen stiff, pinched the end of her sleeve.

Eh? Shouldn't I be the one who's nervous right now? She sighed. Turning her arm around, she grabbed Rika by the wrist and pulled her along. "It's okay," she whispered, "come on." With someone by her side, the burden on Sylphia's shoulders felt lighter, even if that someone happened to be a nervous wreck.

As the two sat down, the King ordered his ushers to leave.

"First," the King said, "allow me to introduce you all." He turned to the men beside him. "Duke Saunders, Sir Dorlan, these ladies before you are the Heroine, Sylphia, and Captain Evrika Carlisle, of the Ealdton Guard. They were the ones who led the defense of Ealdton the other day."

The wait, did he say, 'the other day'? How long was I out?

The man beside the King, Duke Saunders, smiled. "Ever since my aide gave me the report that Ealdton had held out against the onslaught, I had wished to meet the valiant heroes who made it happen." He placed his elbows on the table and intertwined his fingers. "I would hardly have imagined that it would be The Heroine herself! And to top it all of, she is joined by another heroine? Hahah! Magnificent."

Sylphia chuckled.

"Now, Miss Heroine," the King said, "I am sure you must have a lot of questions, as to why I have called you here today; or indeed why you are here at all. As I understand it, you passed out in Ealdton a two days ago, and had just come to this morning..."

Urk, Two days? I thought so... am I alright? I didn't suffer any brain damage, did I?

"...And I intend to answer all of them." He placed his hands down on the table. "Right after we finish this little business."

She tensed up. Oh shi- going right at it!? That... that means I failed the test, doesn't it...

"And that is, of course, your reward."

Then her shoulders fell.

Huh?

"You have done a great service to the Kingdom, dear Heroine. Not only did you save the town of Ealdton and its people, but in doing so, you managed to wipe out a notorious gang of bandits." The King then looked to Duke Saunders.

"Indeed." The Duke nodded. "The Wood Vipers, as they were called... They had long menaced the northeast borderlands, stifling trade, and at times looting entire villages. But we have never been able to stamp them out. The woodlands of Ealdenshire are much too vast. And though we were able to smash their hideouts a few times, they simply pack up, move their base and go right back to raiding." His mouth curved upwards with a grin. "But not this time. This time, they got cocky. They came to us with all they got. And though it pains me to say, they might have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for the valor that you, Miss Heroine and Miss Carlisle showed that day." He then lowered his head. "For that, I thank you."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"E-e-eeeh?" Rika stuttered. "Y-you don't need to thank me, sir! I was just doing my job!"

"And a job well done, indeed." He looked to the King, who then gave him a nod. Nodding back, he then turned to Rika and said, "Now, regarding your reward first, Miss Carlisle. I understand that you served as a squad captain in the guard. It pains me to say that, due to recent events, Ealdton no longer has a Commander for its guard."

"Eh?" Rika's eyes widened. "So Commander Greyland..."

The Duke answered her question with a heavy breath. Then, he continued, "...thus, as your reward, Captain Evrika Carlisle, I wish to promote you to Commander of the guard."

"Eh?" She jolted back. "M-me!? I-I'm not-"

"Hah hah! This is no time to be bashful, little Miss! When you get back, I also intend to name you and your men Heroes of Ealdton!"

"E-eeeeh!? T-that's..."

In the meantime, Sylphia ogled at Rika in distress. Ah, Rika being shy is cute too! I wonder what I need to do to make her act like that towards me? It makes me want to squeeze her cheeks!

"Now, Miss Heroine." The King said. "As for your reward."

Sylphia straightened her back.

"I have consulted this matter with Duke Saunders, as well as a few other Lords." He leaned back in his chair. "And I wish to give you the title of Lord."

"Wait, what?" These words slipped out of Sylphia's mouth as her jaw fell. Quickly realizing her mistake, she shook her head and retracted her words. "Er... I mean, what... does that entail?"

"The title of Lord grants you access to the Royal Peerage. Specifically, I will be granting you the title of Baroness. It will signify your rank as nobility, and you will be given respect as such." He then stroked his beard. "Normally, or, so the mythic record suggests, it was customary to reward the Legendary Heroes with magic weapons, or other valuable relics when such heroic feats were accomplished. However, given your... abilities..."

Like a needle, his words pricked her heart in just the way that hurt her the most.

"...I believe this reward would be better suited for you."

Rika gasped. She shook Sylphia by the arm and whispered frantically into her ear, "Sylphie! This is amazing! You're going to be a Noble!?"

Startled, Sylphia's expression turned into a grimace. E-eh? A noble? That... actually sounds pretty cool. I mean, Sylphia already looks the part, anyway... She nodded. Hm. Hm. I should grab this opportunity. Thus, beaming a smile from her lips, she said, "I would be honored, your Majesty."

The King's moustache parted as his lips widened into a smile. "Good... Good. Very good. I shall have to prepare a banquet for you, Lord Heroine. To introduce you to the other Lords in this realm. Of course, one of them is Duke Saunders."

The Duke grinned, and said, "It's an honor to be first to meet the newest, and perhaps greatest, addition to the Royal Peerage!"

"Now," the King continued, "As part of your rights as Lord, you are hereby entitled to a bodyguard. That is why I have invited Sir Dorlan here today. He is one of my most trusted knights."

Sir Dorlan's chair ground against the marble floor as he stood up. Facing Sylphia, he placed his closed fist over his chest and bowed his head. "Lord Heroine, it will be an honor to serve as your sword and shield."

Woah...! M-my own bodyguard!? I never even had anything like that in the old world... well, not that I needed one, anyway.

The King then turned to Rika. "Miss Carlisle, thank you for escorting the Heroine so far. I do believe Duke Saunders shall prepare a carriage for your trip back to Ealdton. For now, feel free to accept the hospitality of my Palace."

Evrika froze up. "Uh... eh?"

"W-wait," Sylphia said, "why is Ri- err... she... being sent away?"

The King said, "Of course, that is because the Heroine deserves no less than the best blade the land can offer. I mean no offense to the valiant Miss Carlisle when I say this, but a mere town guard cannot conceivably protect such an important figure as yourself."

Wha- Her heart jumped. As though in reflex, her head turned as fast as lightning towards Rika.

That bright, smiling face just a moment ago, now hung in shame. Unable to say anything, Rika simply took to fidgeting anxiously with her fingers beneath the table.

Hey, she's right there! Why would you say that!?

Duke Saunders nodded. "Besides, she is going to be the Commander of Ealdton's guard, remember?" He chuckled. "She very well can't hold down both jobs, now, can she?"

Rika twitched.

No. This is wrong. Can you see, she's on the verge of tears!?

"Well then, I believe that is all of-"

Just as the King was about to wrap up the discussion, Sylphia interjected.

"Your Highness," Sylphia raised her voice, but at the same time, lowered her head, "I'm sorry, but in that case, I cannot accept this honor."

At that moment, she felt the King's gaze pierce into her bones.

But despite that, she soldiered on and said, "I-I... I had already promised that Miss- No," She shook her head. Lifting her face up, she forced herself to look the King in the eye. Even as her body shook and her voice trembled, she squeezed her words out of her lips, "I-I promised Rika that she would be my companion." Her brows furled. "I don't want to go back on my promise."

"Hmm..." The King furled his own brows in response.

Cold sweat formed on Sylphia's forehead. More and more, the silence weighed on her. The thought of giving up crossed her mind, but the resolve not to see Rika disappointed right before her eyes tugged her on.

The door opened.

"My Lord." A deep, raspy voice called out from the middle distance.

Everyone's gaze turned to the man in the dark hood, who had just entered the room.

"Sylphie's teacher...?" Rika muttered.

"Ah, Alphonso," the King said, "where have you been?"

"Pardon my tardiness, my Lord." Alphonso lowered his head. "I had arrived not long ago, but found it difficult to interrupt the discussion."

"And yet you come now." His eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"My Lord, I would like to endorse the good Captain Carlisle as the bodyguard, at least temporarily, of the Heroine."

Rika and Sylphia gasped and shared a glance with each other.

"Hm?" The King rested his head on his hand. "Explain."

"Yes, my Lord. Everyone in this room is aware that the Heroine is incapable of fighting on her own."

"Eeeeeeh!?" Rika's head snapped back at Sylphia.

"What!?" Sylphia raised her hands in front of her. "Wait, you didn't know?"

"I-I... thought you were just hiding it... or something..."

The King sighed. "Now, everyone does."

Alphonso nodded. "However, I have always harbored the fear that having a very skilled knight, such as Sir Dorlan, accompany the Heroine would, inadvertently, hold back her growth."

"Hm? How so?"

"Having someone like Sir Dorlan to lean on might lead the Heroine to become dependent. Problems, which Sir Dorlan could easily solve by himself, from his many decades of experience, could impart valuable lessons for the Heroine, should she be left to solve it by herself, or, indeed," He turned his gaze to Rika. "with someone less experienced than a Royal Knight."

"I see..." The King nodded. "I can see your wisdom." He stroked his beard a few times. "But can Miss Carlisle ensure the safety of the Heroine?" He then turned to Rika and looked deep into her eyes. "There may eventually come a time that her life will be put in danger. Can you protect her, even at the cost of your life?"

The girl did not flinch. Clenching her fists, she was about to answer when Alphonso interrupted.

"Eventually," said the Court Mage, "but at this moment, the Heroine is quite unknown to the world. Though there is much room to grow, Captain Carlisle has proved, at least, that she is capable of protecting the heroine from bandits. As for everything else," He then looked to Sir Dorlan, "I humbly suggest that Captain Carlisle be given tutelage under the Royal Knights. That way, a post as important as a Royal Knight's will not be permanently vacated."

"Oh!" Sir Dorlan placed his hands on his waist. "A fine idea! My Lord, if it is to your liking, I would be honored to tutor Miss Carlisle in the ways of the Royal Knight!"

"Hmm..." The King crossed his arms.

Duke Saunders grumbled. "But if Miss Carlisle were to join the Heroine, who shall be the Guard Commander of Ealdton?"

"Ah!" Rika jumped to her feet. "Sir! I wasn't the only one who survived the defense of Ealdton! If you'd like, I could name the perfect man for the job!"

"Oho, is that so?" The Duke rubbed his chin. "Hm. Hm. Come to think of it, that could also be quite the story-" He lifted his arms in front of him and formed a rectangle with his fingers. "Miss Evrika Carlisle, once a normal citizen of Ealdton, a town guard, joins the Legendary Heroes in their quest to defeat the Demon King! Hm! Hm!" He nodded approvingly. "That certainly sounds like a tale that bards will sing for generations to come!"

Her eyes lit up.

Sylphia chuckled. Look at her. It must be a dream come true for her, huh? She sighed. Just seeing that smile, standing up for her is already worth it...

The King raised his voice. "Very well!" Once everyone's voices had stopped, he continued, "Then, Miss Carlisle, you shall be removed from your duties as town guard. You shall then accompany the Heroine in her travels, and grow alongside her, with your new rank of Knight."

Rika clasped her hands over her chest. "Kn-Knight...!?" Her voice failed her, and her words came out only with her breath.

Sylphia patted her on the shoulder and gave her a grin.

With tears collecting at the corners of her eyes, Rika turned to Sylphia and grinned back.

And so, it was decided - that Rika was to be given residence in the castle alongside her charge. Lord and Knight, the two girls were to receive their titles, officially, with a banquet later that week.

After the meeting, Sylphia and Rika chased after Alphonso.

They ran across the palace halls, asking the maids along the way where Alphonso went. Eventually, they found Alphonso in the main hallway near Sylphia's room.

"Ah, Alphonso!" Sylphia called out to him.

Upon hearing his name, he immediately stopped. "Hmmmm? Yes, Miss Heroine?"

Sylphia paused for a moment to catch her breath. Then, placing her hard on her chest, she said, "Thank you..."

"Thank you!" Rika followed, bowing her head.

He held a confused look on his face. "What is this about?"

"Tha-" Sylphia panted. "Thank you for convincing the King to let Rika stay with me."

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Please raise your head. I deserve no gratitude."

"That's not all." She shook her head. "You... you saved us that night, didn't you? That fire magic."

"Eh!?" Rika flinched. "Wasn't that you, Sylphie?"

"What? No, it wasn't me!"

Her shoulders fell. "Eeeeh...?"

Alphonso snickered. "You two seem to be getting along quite well."

"Huh?" Sylphia averted her eyes. "Yeah, I uh, I guess..."

"But I simply spoke my true opinion." He placed his hand on his chin. "I noticed it when I was tutoring you on magic, Miss Heroine."

Her eyes flickered. "Hm...? What do you mean?"

"You would often come to me and ask for answers, rather than find them yourself in your readings."

"Eh!?" Sylphia flinched.

"Rather than experimenting with magic yourself, you prefer that I show it to you instead." He shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't do.

"W-w-wait..." She anxiously reached her arm out to him.

"That is why, I believe, your education ought to be more strict. Think back in Ealdton - you faced an immense problem, and I was not there to give you a solution. And yet, you splendidly saved the town, with the help of Miss Carlisle here, and the rest of the guard." He slowly stroked his beard. "And in doing so, I suspect you must have learned so much more about your abilities, than in the two weeks that I lectured you."

"U... um..." She scratched her head. "Well..."

"Imagine what you could learn, with Miss Carlisle by your side?" Waving his hand at them, Alphonso turned around and walked away. "Well then, I expect much from you both."

What the heck...? Sylphia pouted. It's a bit annoying that he read me like that. But I guess he's right. These past few weeks have been boring as hell, and I didn't feel like I was going anywhere. But with Rika... She giggled. At least it could be a lot of fun!

From that day on, the Royal Castle became just a bit more lively. Every morning, the sounds of chatter, of laughter and, at times, bickering, filled its spacious halls with a noticeable cheer.