Chapter 2

  The morning after their arrival in this world, the sun barely peeked through the clouds when the great coliseum of the capital vibrated with familiar voices. There was no audience in the stands, but there were pyers gathered: friends and comrades, leaders of powerful guilds who had fought side by side in countless battles.

  Maple, dressed in her characteristic bck and red armor, stood at the center of the coliseum. She smiled nervously, yet firmly. The air was thick with expectation.

  —“Thank you all for coming!” —she began—. “Yesterday was a chaotic... and exciting day. Now we have a kingdom! But if we want this to work, we need to organize ourselves. And quickly.”

  She took out a rge map and unfurled it with the help of Yui and May.

  —“I’ve divided the territory into seven rge regions. Each one will be an archduchy, with a leader in charge. I thought the leaders of the seven mega guilds would be perfect to guide them. You all know how to manage people, resources... and not run away when dragons fly low.”

  There were soft ughs among the gathered pyers.

  —“I’m not forcing anyone, of course,” —she added, looking at her friends—. “I just want to know... will you help me?”

  There was a pause.

  It was Aria who took the first step, her voice soft but full of dignity:

  —“I will accept, Maple. If the kingdom needs protection from its borders... then the border archduchy will be mine. I already have people with skills to operate in the shadows, detect intruders, and protect without drawing attention. You can count on us.”

  Maple nodded, excited. The eastern border, where ruins, hidden paths, and the passage to the neighboring kingdom y, was in good hands.

  Others began to join in slowly:

  Payne – Congregation of the Holy Swords

  —“If Aria takes the border, then I want the territory near the internal routes,” —he said calmly—. “Let my people train the local militias, patrol the roads, and keep the beasts at bay.”

  He was assigned the western archduchy, an area of training grounds, fortified hills, and a strong civilian presence.

  Mii – Kingdom of the Fme Emperor

  —“Mountains, snow, or deserts, whatever. Just give me a pce where the fire never goes out,” —she said with a fierce smile.

  The north, with its active volcanoes, geothermal areas, and deep caves, was hers.

  Velvet – Thunderstorm

  —“Give me the region with the most chaotic weather. That’s where we train best. And... where my spells sound the most epic.”

  Maple nodded, ughing. The eastern archduchy, battered by constant storms, was for her.

  Haruka – Dragon Garden

  —“A pce where magical creatures can live peacefully. Where the nd is fertile, and magic flows.”

  With a gentle smile, Maple assigned her the southwest, full of forests, kes, and unique wildlife.

  Estede – Announcement Board

  —“Wherever there are more people who need help, that’s where I’ll be. Give me the region with the most vilges and crossroads,” —she said sweetly.

  Maple handed her the center of the kingdom, from where she could coordinate assistance throughout the territory.

  Wilbert – Rapid Fire

  —“I only ask for an unobstructed view and a lot, a lot of space to shoot without restrictions,” —he said, without moving from the back of the coliseum.

  The southeast, ft, dry, filled with dunes and clear skies, was his.

  Sally’s Voice

  When Maple was about to close the meeting, a familiar voice rose from the stands.

  —“Maple! Before we finish... I want to propose something.”

  It was Sally. Her gaze was firm; her voice, clear. Everyone fell silent.

  —“I’ve been observing the new pyers. Many don’t have a guild. They’re wandering aimlessly, unprotected, without a group to rely on. And if you find out about this ter, we know what could happen...” —she added with a nervous smile.

  Maple blinked, confused. Then she understood.

  —“Oh no! I could have tried to form thirty new guilds at the same time!”

  There were some nervous ughs. Sally continued:

  —“I want to form an adventurer guild. One that welcomes those who still have no home. That gives them tools to start. Nothing political or heavy. Just... a helping hand.”

  Maple stepped down from the center of the coliseum and took her hand.

  —“Then, from today, you are the official leader of the Adventurer’s Guild.”

  The others appuded. It wasn’t one of the seven mega guilds, but everyone understood that without it, the kingdom would be incomplete.

  Final Reflection

  That night, sitting atop a tower in the castle, Maple gazed at the starry sky with a calm smile.

  —“Did we just divide a kingdom in one day? Really?”

  Kasumi, beside her, sighed.

  —“Yes. And without anyone being sent flying through the air. It’s a record.”

  Maple chuckled softly. The kingdom had just been born, but with friends like these, she knew anything was possible.