Chapter 1: Reward

Three months. Three long, tiring months. That is how long it took us to finish mopping up the last of the orc forces. They weren't tough, but they spread out acting in small groups and raiding villages. It was long, tiring work, but we final wiped out the last group. It would have been easier if we were still full strength.

Laurence and I may not have gotten along with him looking down on me, but he had my back the time came. Aria, she was always kind to me. Benjamin, I wish he could have lived and made it back. He was a good man despite his checkered past. None of them deserved to die at the hand of that demon. Hopefully, our victory during that battle will let them rest in peace.

"You better be ready. We can't keep the king waiting,"

Fina enters my room. Her silver hair is neatly tied into a braid going down her back today, and I see hints of makeup on her face. That makeup is something new that Fina has been starting to wear. When I first met her, she didn't have an interest in makeup or fashion, but something changed a few weeks ago when her sister paid her a visit.

"I'm ready," I reply with a nod. "Is the carriage here?"

"Yes, but unfortunately, she came with it…." Fina frowns as my door swings open again.

"I have come to get you, Luke," Elise says as she walks up, shooting a glare at Fina.

"Weren't you meant to wait for us at the castle,"

"I had some spare time before our meeting with the king and decided to come and get you two,"

Today at the meeting with the king, Elise will be made an official member of the first knight squad. She has been working with us for the last month, but it will become official in an hour or two. Fina protested at first, but even she couldn't go against the king's decision. I don't know what Elise said to the king, but whatever it was, the king won't even consider not assigning her to our squad. I don't have a problem with this decision. Elise has already proven she will make an excellent member of our squad. Still, Fina will be fighting the decision hard today. I just hope they won't start fighting again.

We climb into the carriage, and it swiftly moves down the road. It seems the town guard has cleared a path for us, so it shouldn't take long for us to reach the castle. That is probably for the best with how cramped it is. The carriage is meant to carry four people. There should be plenty of room with two sitting on each bench, but we are all squeezed onto one of them for some reason. With Elisa on my left and Fina on my right, they are half in my lap and looking uncomfortable.

"If you two want to sit here, I can move over to the other side," I offer.

"Stay where you are!!" They both yell.

"I'm not uncomfortable at all," Fina says, shooting Elisa a look. "She, however, looks like she would be more comfortable in the other seat."

"I'm perfectly fine," Elisa replies. "If anyone should move, it should be you. You are clearly making Luke uncomfortable."

"If anyone is making Luke uncomfortable, it is you," Fina tells her, lowing her gaze to Elise's chest. "Pressing those things against him can't be that comfortable."

"At least I have something other than metal there,"

"I don't care about it," Fina shakes her head. "They will only get in the way in combat."

"You should care," Elise asks, pressing closer against me. "I'm sure Luke prefers them over yours."

"That's not true,"

"Keep telling yourself that,"

"You prefer mine over those lumps of fat, don't you, Luke?"

"No, you like mine better, right Luke?"

"…"

They don't even give me a chance to answer and begin arguing amongst themselves. This isn't the first time they have done this. Every time we are not in combat, they have been picking fights like this. Last week they fought over their hair colour. The night before that, their fight was over their clothing and, now… their breasts. They never let me get a word in, so I keep quiet until we reach the castle.

<0>

"My king! Captain Fina and the heroes Luke and Elise have arrived!"

As soon as we reached the castle, we were taken directly to the audience hall. Maids, butlers and heavily armed guards bow to us and every corner. This place never fails to impress me. Fine art, beautiful statues and blooming plants decorate the halls. If only people wouldn't whisper in hushed voices about me, wondering why I am not with the other heroes.

The king himself sits on a large throne raised above everyone else, with a line of royal knights between him and us. Wearing a large golden crown and red cape while wielding a diamond topped staff, the king looks like a fairy tale king. He is an old man with dark grey hair and dull green eyes. His face is wrinkled, and he has a long beard that almost touches the floor.

"Honoured members of the court!"

A large bolding man wearing a bright purple suit stands on top of a stand near the king. He is the speaker, the person who announces arrivals and speaks for the king. I have never spoken to the man before. Still, both Fina and Elise call him a disgusting man who constantly gives my female classmates alcohol and tries to seduce them. They both warned me never to go near him or be alone with that man.

"Brave Heroes who have answered the god's call and come to our aid!"

My classmates stand near fancy-dressed nobles. Most of them look nervous, glancing around the room and at the people, but Jack is different. He is glaring at me but looks away when Elise and Fina catch and shoot him a threatening look.

"We have assembled here today to reward the three before us for that valiant actions! Captain Fina, please step forward!"

Fina steps forward, and a man wearing a perfectly white suit approaches her. He holds a wooden box with a royal knight following a few steps behind him. Opening the box, he reveals three golden medals inside.

"As many of you know, Captain Fina won the national tournament, but not well known yet is her actions in the recent battles with the orcs! She leads her squad bravely to score countless victories against the orcs and drive them from civilised lands! For her recent actions, the king has decreed that she be given our kingdom's highest reward, the Slocrenia Royal Medal! Hero Elise, please step forward!"

As Fina steps back after having the medal placed on her, Elise steps forward.

"Hero Elise has shown bravery on par with our finest warriors! She volunteered to join the relief army in recent battles and aided the knights in ridding our lands of their presence! Her bravery has saved countless lives, and for her service! The king awarded her the Slocrenia Royal Medal! Hero Luke, please step forward!"

Now it is my turn. After Elise steps back, looking pleased with herself wearing a shiny gold medal, I step forward. I know the king is only covering for Elise, sneaking off with permission to join the battle with this reward. However, I am still surprised Elise had only received a slap on the wrist for her action.

"Hero Luke! He came in second place during the recent tournament! He joined the knights putting his life on the line for our kingdom! And during the recent battles against the orc horde! He drove off a Greater Demon! His deeds are worth more than medals, and it is our honour to not only reward him with the Slocrenia Royal Medal! But to also grant him the title of Count! His deeds deserve more than that, and when the time comes, the king has vowed to properly reward him!"

"Title Acquired: Count."

"Hero Luke!" I was shocked that the king suddenly spoke up. Everyone in the room gasps hearing him. "Please continue to protect our kingdom and world!"

"MY KING!!!"

Fina and I quickly reach for our swords as the door swings open. But it isn't a threat. Instead, a giant knight runs into the room with his eyes wide with panic.

"THE PRINCE!" The knight yells. "THE PRINCE HAS GONE MISSING!"

Staring at that knight with everyone else as he pauses to catch his breath, I had no idea at the time how much trouble that Prince was going to cause me.

<0>

AN

Some people asked me to add Luke's stats more often, so I will add them to the bottom of every chapter. Let me know what you think of this chapter and what you think will happen with the Prince.

Name: Luke

Level: 18

Health Points: 1823

Magical Points: 1528

Strength: 653

Speed: 646

Titles: Underdog, Knight and Count.

Abilities: Limitless, Leaping, Underwater Breathing, Danger Sense, Regeneration, Pain Immunity, Intimidation Resistance, Overcome, and High Command.

Skills: Absorb, Swimming, Fire Starter, Butcher, Cooking, Tracking, Dagger User, Club User, Stealth, Throwing, Intimidate, Sprinting Master, Dodge Master, Riding Master, Mounted Combat Master, Sword Master, Parry, Combat Stance, Punisher, Inflect Fear, Torturer, and Fast Cast.

Spells: Control Water, Fireball, Air Cutter, Ability Boost, Electric Beam, Holy Light, Magical Shield, and Enchant Weapon.