The front gates had opened to reveal where the throne once again was. But only it had been filled with people lining up through every corner.

The five of us slowly walked up the carpet, to hear what the king had to say for us.

"We have gathered the greatest warriors in the land. Withs will fight the waves beside you."

I assumed who the king was talking about were the people who were standing in a line which covered almost every wall in the room.

Taking a good glance at them all, I wasn't sure who to pick... How much do we get?

"Our future champions, the time has come to begin your journey."

After the kings words, the people standing by the walls then began walk towards us.

'They get to pick...?'

They all shifted from behind, so I was unsure to who was in my team....

The shifting had stopped. And in only a few seconds, I could hear Naofumi gasp in confusion.

"H-huh?!"

He had jumped and turned around quickly to see that no one was behind him.

"Three there... Four there... Five there... Another three there?- Yo king!" Naofumi then turned back to face the king.

Mumbling from above started up.

"Even I was not expecting this..."

"Zero volunteers? He must have zero charisma."

Next to the king was a man who whispers ever so quietly something for only the king to hear.

"I have been made aware of a unsettling rumor." The king huffed out.

"Has something happened sir?" Minyasu asked.

"Not exactly. The rumor that is spreading quickly around is that the so called shield hero is un-aware about this world."

"WwHAT?" Naofumi shouted.

'Is this about what we had talked about last night?'

"Legend tell us that the heroes have a firm understanding of our land. People seem to think you don't meet that criteria."

"Someone must have been eves droppings on our discussion last night." Minyasu whispered to Naofumi.

"Ya think?" He whispered back angrily.

"Regardless, you don't need five Ren. How about you give a couple to me?"

"I'm a loner, you're right. I don't need them. Whoever can not cut it gets left in the dust." Ren shouted to the people behind him. Only for them the gather closer to him.

"Motoyasu help me out!"

"Uh yeahh... I'm surprised my whole party's girls too."

Itsuki then stepped up.

"It might seem to be the most fair if we all split up three a piece. But if we try and force the issue, it could destroy everyones moral.."

It did seem reasonable, but still very unfair for Naofumi.

"So what? You're telling me I should go it alone?!

Naofumi's fist were raised, but not to pick up a fight.

"Sir hero!" A sudden feminine voice broke the silence.

Everyone had turned to look to see, as someone had seemed to be pushing away from the crowd.

It was a girl with beautiful long red hair, and as well as beautiful eyes to match with them.

"Would you kindly allow me to switch parties and join the shield heroes?" She said ever so sweetly.

Motoyasu seemed taken aback as well.

"Oh- You sure?"

"I am!"

To be honest, I was quiet surprised as well.

I heard the king grumble a bit from behind.

"Are there any others that would like to join master Naofumi on his quest?"

No reply nor a sound.

"So be it, we will have to take to other measures then. You will have to recruit for your party yourself!" The king spoke loud and clear.

"Oh uhhh right!" Naofumi awkwardly shouted.

————————————————————————

Me, Itsuki, Ren and Motoyasu had been making some small talk on our way out of the palace, as our parties walked ahead.

"Later Naofumi!" Motoyasu shouted across a long stair. "Take good care of her now, ya hear me!"

"They said we can't help you directly, but we wish you the best of luck with your recruiting."

Blonde bush said turning around to face Naofumi from afar.

"Until next time, so long."

"Till we meet again." I bid my farewell, before walking up the stairs with the rest of everyone.

________________________________

"Farewell." I said to the Sword and Bow heroes, before finally turning to face my party.

(A/N: Note that the people that will be on your team for this story are my OC's. Please do not repost my drawing nor copy my OC's anywhere. Sorry if I sound to pushy about it, continue reading!)

(And the drawing was pretty rushed, I just needed to give the reader an idea of who they'll be working with will look like.)

"Well Mr, My name is Suki!" A girl with black hair piped up.

Wait, Mr?-

"Hello! My name is Renn." A guy with redish brown hair said with a small wave.

Wait, Renn like 'Sword hero' Ren.

"Hi. I'm Kain." A guy with grey blue hair bowed slightly down for honors.

He looks nice.

"I am honored to have you guys party with me. My name is [Y/N]." I bowed in return to the three.

"Awww [Y/N]! You don't have to bow." Suki hugged me.

"Oh, okay."

Kain then look directly in my eyes.

"So where do we go from here."

"Hm... Well we should-"

I was cut off by the sound of Suki shouting,

"We should have a get-to-know each other day!"

"But there will be a wave coming soon!" Renn pointed the obvious.

"Aw... But I don't wanna work with anyone I barley know!" Suki growled.

"I mean. Maybe we can squeeze some time up for that today." I put a finger to my chin. "What should we do first though."

"A food court?" Suki suggested.

"Weapon shop." Kain suggested as well.

"..." I turned to Renn to see what he thought we should do.

"Maybe we should go to a food court first?" He shrugged while smiling nervously.

"I'll just stick with majority. But after we're done with that, we're going to a weapon shop." I said taking pretty good mom action.

The three agreed with no hesitation, as Suki showed us to a place.