Chapter 56:

And so begins the heroine's tale

Witch x Guard

I smiled as I spun around in my sparkly dark blue dress. "I look good?"

"Yes, though are you sure about not doing your hair and makeup?" the innkeeper asked.

"Nope, it's more iconic if I rock my hair like I normally do. And well, it doesn't mix well with my face when it's covered in tons of makeup," I sheepishly chuckled.

"You know your fashion... Aya, it's been an honor to house you here."

"Don't worry, I'll be coming back," I waved as I headed to the guild.

There, I found the captain waiting along with Ami, who was garbed in the dress she wore to the ball.

"Hmm, you're right on time. Your outfit is appropriate, although the more I look at it, the more I question if you should swap out those... sneakers for proper heels. I understand they are a new trend, but-"

"Can it, gorilla. I invented them, so they've got prestige," Ami growled.

"And your attire is even more troublesome. This is a formal event-"

"And I said can it, gorilla. A dress is still a dress, even if I cut it short to show off my stockings. Now, do your job and escort us to the castle."

The captain let out a sigh and beckoned for us to follow.

"Have a nice walk," Slavena waved.

"You're not coming?" I gasped.

"No, I'm just a former adventurer running a guild. The castle is a place far too prestigious even for me."

"Same goes for me. The castle's no longer a place for me, but here's to you," Davida smiled as she raised a mug high.

"Yay! Aya! Aya!" Shammua cheered as she raised a cup of apple juice.

I smiled and waved as I turned around and followed the captain and Ami.

As we walked through town, nearly everyone smiled and waved at us.

"So the power team now has a hero. I made a good choice placing my bets on you," Mr. Foxx smiled as he tilted his hat.

"Thanks to you," I smiled back.

"Aya! You look so dazzling, and you're with the captain!" the Yenta sisters squealed as we passed by their shop.

"Sorry I didn't stop by for hair and makeup, but I want to rock something iconic," I smiled.

The triplets all gave me a thumbs up.

Next, we passed by Talia's place.

"My, you're wearing my perfume?" Talia gasped as she stuck her head out the window.

"Yup, figure it would help increase sales for your perfume," I smiled.

"Tch, should've had you wear the new carrot perfume I made," Ami grumbled.

"You honor me, dearly. Well, congratulations on your honor," Talia waved as she began munching on a chicken drumstick.

As we neared the royal academy, Ami began scowling as students piled up at the gates to watch us walk by.

"Ami! Grace us with magic!"

"Ami, please look at this new sneaker design I made!"

"Ami! I made a homunculus that can do my homework!"

They're still all focused on Ami!

Eventually, we reached the castle and were lead to the royal hall.

"Congratulations on your achievement," Mariamne smiled as she, Perl, and Penina all gave me a salute.

"You don't need to salute me, I'm not a knight," I nervously smiled.

"Tis proper protocol for a knight to salute one about to receive such and honor," Penina smiled.

"Yeah, you earned it for all you've done," Perl grinned.

I smiled and nodded as the large doors opened and I was ushered inside. There, I was greeted with a red carpet aligned with saluting knights, along with rows of seats filled with both familiar and unfamiliar faces.

"Congratulations, Aya," Mary smiled.

"Congratulations to you too, baroness."

And I meant that unironically. Mary had literally been granted the baroness title yesterday.

As I reached the end of the aisle, I was greeted with a row of people standing, which included the likes of the commanders, the supreme commander, the admiral and people I'm assuming to be his fellow admirals, the grand priest, the headmaster, and Piposhka of all people.

"Whelp, this is as far as I walk with you. From here on out, it's all you," Ami smiled as she took a seat in the front row.

"It's customary to greet everyone here first, before the king," the captain whispered as she sat down next to Ami.

I nodded and began shaking everyone's hand, having no issue even with folks like Gabriel.

"You've made our town proud," the admiral smiled as he shook my hand.

"Thank you, sir," I smiled.

"I congratulate you on your new title," the headmaster nodded as he shook my hand.

I smiled and nodded as I moved on to the last in line, Piposhka.

"They said it's customary for diplomats to attend these things, and it lets me get inside the castle. I have no idea what other stuff you did, but, um, congrats, I guess," Piposhka mumbled as we shook hands.

After that, everyone was ushered to their seats while I remained standing before the throne. Then, trumpets blared as the king, royal family, and royal guards arrived. Once the royal family was seated, the king beckoned for me.

"Aya LaNorne, as king of Blintz, I grant you with the title of hero, for your exemplary service to the kingdom and protecting it from dire threats not even our own knights and navy could face. Stand proud, for your tale as hero is just about to begin," the king proclaimed as he floated over a medal to me. "Wear this proudly upon your armor, so that all may know you are our kingdom's hero!"

Cheers then erupted as I smiled and thanked the king.

"And now... WE CELEBRATE!" the king cheered as he hoisted up a cup of wine.

...

I let out an exhausted sigh as I slumped down on a table in the guild.

"My, was the party exhausting?" Slavena chuckled as she served me a parfait.

"I've never had to greet so many people before, and so many of high stature," I mumbled.

"Well, at least the snobs of the bunch knew to reign themselves in. Last thing we'd need is you punching someone out," Ami laughed as she pulled up a seat next to me.

I smiled as I lifted my head to face her. "Thanks. If you hadn't given me a chance, I'd never be here."

"I should be thanking you. If you never inspired me, never tried to befriend me, I'd probably be crucified somewhere in Ova Sfongia by now. Aya, congratulations on becoming this kingdom's hero, and my hero," Ami smiled as she held up a glass of wine.

"You're drinking!?"

"For an occasion like this, it's worth it."

I smiled and clanked my mug with her glass.

As soon as we finished drinking, Mariamne and co showed up.

"IS AMI DRINKING WINE!? Order me up some!" Mariamne cried.

"It was only a glass to celebrate Aya," Ami growled.

"Hmm? How about if you beat me, you get to draw on my face, but if I win, I get to draw on your face."

"Why-"

"Why not? I'll even join in," Slavena smiled as she slammed a mug down.

"Wha- You!? Ngh, fine. One glass was fine, so I can easily handle another one," Ami scowled.

...

"Ngh... Huh? Ugh, what happened?" Ami groaned as she slowly opened her eyes.

"You fell asleep," I chuckled as I struggled to hide my laughter.

"Huh? What were- Oh?" Ami smiled as she took notice of a sleeping Mariamne with a cat nose and whiskers drawn on her face. "Well look at that, I beat her," she proudly huffed.

"Mm, not exactly," Slavena chuckled as she flashed a mirror before Ami.

"Wh- WHAT!? YOU BITCH!" Ami cried as she stared at the cat nose and whiskers drawn on her face.

"You did put up an impressive run and beat Mariamne, but sadly, you're no match for me," Slavena huffed as she chugged down another mug of wine just for show.

"Huh? I was sleeping? Pft! Look at you, Ami! I must've won, but forgot about it!" Mariamne laughed.

"Hold your laughs in, baldy," Ami grumbled as she flashed a mirror before Mriamne.

"Wh- AHHHHHHHH! No! I forgot about Slavena!"

"That you did. Oh, but I'll confess we had a hand in your makeover," Penina giggled as she held up a brush.

"Meow, meow," Perl grinned as she did a cat clawing motion with her hands.

We all couldn't help laughing.

...

The next day, Ami yawned as she emerged from her room.

"Afternoon, Ami. Ready to take on a quest?" I smiled.

"Yeah, I got some good sleep. So anything look good?" Ami asked as we headed for the board.

"Not sure, I didn't look since usually you-"

"Today, you pick."