Suddenly thousands of flower petals flow from the sky coming out from a nearby wall where the shadowed figure of a stylish man stands. “Ah, so my comrades have finally gathered. And here I thought only two lovely beauties would be at my side. But also, a lovely woman also joins… The adventure shall be a great one, and I the great swordsman Cabbage Grinrot will be honored to protect such beauties!”

Two guards gather near the bottom of the wall to shout at the flashy swordsman to come down and that part of the wall is unsafe. But Cabbage ignores them dashing to a point he can get nearest to the gathering party and leaping off doing a summersault and landing in a cool way. But Azulle couldn’t help but notice the fool shiver in pain from the landing.

“Tell me Zel. Is this another of these strange members you collected?”

“Sadly yes… Hey Ca…What was it again? Calvin? Collage?”

“Cabin!” Francois adds.

“Oh well, Carlo! You didn’t happen to break your leg just now did you.”

Cabbage laughs “Absolutely! But for such a beauty as you, I will break one thousand of my legs.”

“You only have two!” Azulle seriously replies. “Fine, I will get Mom her magic should at least help out here for now.”

“Why not have our healer do it, Zel.”

Azulle stops in her movements turning to look at her brother. “Yeah, our healer… About that.”

“This lady is our healer. The book says we need a healer, so you did get her to join to do just that right!”

“Ori is less a healer than she is sort of … entertainment.”

“Entertainment? Wait, is she a bard?” Eve questions.

“Why do we need a bard, over a healer!”

“I…I can’t explain. I am sorry. But Ori will help I swear!”

“I certainly can. I have all sorts of skills and abilities. I can even sing songs and…” Azulle clasps Ori’s mouth.

“Okay, Ori I think that they get it. I promise brother I will work hard to find a healer in our travels and Ori will help me with the workaround camp.”

“Another servant… I guess it can’t hurt. Fine, the bard can come along.” Azulle and Ori breathe after her brother accepts that another servant would mean less hard work than he would have to do.

“So, hero prince, it will be the two of us and the girls, then?” Cabbage says hobbling himself and his supplies to the cart. “Here kid put my bag on the cart will you!” Cabbage hands his bag to Kawa who almost collapses under the weight.

“Hey, I am going too!” Kawa states!

“Surely not. A child like you should wait and leave the adventure to the grown-ups!”

Kawa gets angry and tears at their outfit to change the form of a thinly dressed sexy woman. “Do you think I am a child now big boy?”  Cabbage looks in shock and a few blood spurts out of his and Gils nose.

“Kawa stop that! You shouldn’t tease the perverts of the party.” Azulle smacks Kawa on the back of the now scantily clad dressed form. “You may cause them confusion before we get going.”

“Tell me prince, is that a child or such a godly vision that she is now?”

“I wish I knew swordsman. Best not to venture down that lane I suggest.”

The group begins to laugh and talk about familiarizing themselves with one another. Till the second of the three suns hit the high point of the sky. By then several of the staff, the king, and Eris all make their way out to see the group off. Azulle looked on at Lady Marril and the strange man in the bear costume that is Grell. Even the slimes from the bathhouse have come out from their makeshift places.

“Azulle, make sure you keep an eye out for the prince and try not to be a burden on the party.” Lady Marril says slightly tearing up.

“I won't Lady Marril.”

“Listen to well Prince, you may have passed my lessons but there is still more to learn that you will only find on your journey. And Maid girl. Vindell is out there, I am sure you haven’t seen the last of her or Claire. Heck, I doubt you will not run into that elven pervert. They may have left on their own ventures but you two will be reunited one day.”

“Thanks, master.”

“Yeah, thank you, Grell.”

Kawa is approached by his master who is now using a cane to help him walk. “Don’t forget to kill as many royals as you can Kawa! For me!”

“Of course, master. I won’t forget our lessons.”

“Hey your this kid's master, do you know what they are?” A confused Cabbage asks in the back of the cart. Only to be hit on the back of the head by Eris.

“I told you to not move! I swear if your foot falls off it will be on your head, not mine or my daughters got me, sword boy!”

“Daughter? So you are the mother of which of these heavenly beauties?”

“Me you dolt, Carrot!” Azulle says.

“It’s Cabbage, my succulent servant.”

An enraged King that is being held up by a guard tries to move out of the guard’s grip shouting. “Change of plans Azulle you are not going with such a lewd man. I won’t have my baby girl away near such a fancy swordsman!”

Eris rolls over to the King and smacks him. “That warning of not moving goes for you too, Handal! I swear I only allowed you out of bed to see them off when you promised you wouldn’t move to make your injuries worse!” Eris wipes a tear out of her face while it’s turned away from the group.

The king sighs at the orders that Eris has given him. “Very well then, I will make this quick. Seventeen years ago, we were guided that a great hero would come from this castle. And today I look on at my two beautiful children as they venture off on their own following the path of destiny. This world has lived for far too long in fear from the Demon Lord and their forces. Ten years ago, my children even faced one of those forces here. And they proved that they could see it through. Now they venture forth with old friends and new. Out to find a way to bring peace to this world. Let their venture help them grow strong and wise. And return here to their home safely. Gilford!”

“Yes, father.”

“Be strong my boy. Your travels will cause you to face the monster disguised as your mother. I know you will know what must be done. You are wise and will see things through.”

Gil begins to choke up and fights off his tears. “Thank you, father!”

“Azulle!” The king says gritting his teeth from tears himself.

“Yes, father!”

“Though you have no right to the crown. Never forget you are born of this kingdom, Your blood is of mine. You are my little princess. But you are strong and fast. Look after your brother well for I fear he is not as well adapted to life on the outside of these walls as you. Remember we are family. And your family will be at your side and waiting here as well for your safe return….. And don’t let that swordsman touch you! I want you to kick his ass if she tries anything got it!”

Azulle smiles with tears “Yes Sir!”

“Okay, team Lets move out!” Gil shouts as the group follows along the cart pulling their supplies, the swordsman, and the slimes.

As the group begins to walk, Eve is the first to come up with the more important question. “Um okay, but where are we going?”

The group begins to talk over one another to the point that no one can make out who is saying what suggestion.

Chapter End