Hero Stories: I'm the Queen of Everything!

*sighing* ...Am I lost? I can't see anything past this weird forest.

But that tall, red pub owner told me to go south!

...Wait, I am going south, right?

Ugh! This is so annoying! I have to find Schniel and get proof that I'm the queen already!

Then those condescending knights won't be able to say anything! Why does no one believe me?! Schniel told me I would be the queen!

This is why I absolutely have to find him and get solid proof. I won't come back until I do!

...

...It's already pretty late now, so I'll just rest until morning. I'll definitely find out which way is south tomorrow.

*sighing* How did I, the amazing Queen Chloe, end up camping out in the middle of nowhere?! When will my miserable suffering end...

Shoo! Go away! Why are you still chasing me?! I already beat you all like BOOM! BAM!

You bad monsters... How dare you interrupt the queen's rest?! Do I have to teach you all a lesson...

*shrieking*

*growling*

...There's even more of them now!

Ugh, I wasted so much time running from them...and I even lost my shelter! I may be a Doll, but I need rest too...

...Ahh! My clothes are all dirty now! All because of those stupid monsters! Ughhhh!

What did I do to deserve this?! What kind of queen travels all alone, without any escorts or subordinates?! It doesn't make any sense!

And not a single sign of Schniel anywhere on this continent! I'd rather just go back to Politia than continue with this horrible adventure...!

Let's meet again when you're an awesome king, Aither!

...But what about the promise I made to Aither? If I just go back without keeping my word and don't even become queen...

Ugh, that would be so humiliating... I would never be able to face Aither, and then that would make me a liar, too! I won't let that happen!

I will find Schniel and become the queen of Lefundos. Come on, Chloe! You can do this!

...

...But how? I haven't even been able to find a place to sleep for days now. What if I can't find Schniel? What do I do?

Mmm...

...Should I just establish my own kingdom in Ritania?

I'll find new vassals who are much nicer and stronger than those arrogant knights! And I'll build a castle way more beautiful than the Lefundos Royal Palace!

Hm! What a brilliant idea. I simply must do that. I'm a genius!

Huh? There's a huge, house-shaped shadow over there... Does someone live there?

Great! I'll ask if I can stay there for the night, and in exchange, I'll offer them the chance to be my subjects later.

Whoa... It's not a house, it's a castle...! Hellooo! Is anybody theeeere?

...Wait, that doesn't sound like something a queen would say. Let me try this again... Ahem!

Ta-da! Your queen has arrived! Ahem, where are my servants?

...

...Why is there no answer? Hmm?

Come to think of it, there were no guards at the entrance. Is there no one living in this giant castle?

Hmm... Does that mean this castle is abandoned?

Kyahaha! Then I can keep this castle for myself, right?! I'm off to a good start!

I guess this place isn't too bad to be the birthplace of my kingdom. I hereby proclaim that this castle belongs to Queen Chloe!

Shall I take a look around and see if I can find my bedroom?

Whoa, this is pretty organized for an abandoned castle! And clean! It looks like this place was abandoned pretty recently!

And this bed is so soft and cushiony! Alright, this will be my bedroom!

*rustling*...

Huh? What was that...

Am I hearing things? Maybe I should get some rest...

...STOMP...

...

Okay, I definitely heard it that time.

No way, is the owner here? I thought this place was abandoned! So I can't have this castle...?

But... I'm too tired to even lift a finger. I need some rest... Should I just ask them to let me sleep here tonight?

Hmm... Which way should I go? This way? That way?

...

Ugh, I don't know! I'll just trust my gut and go wherever!

Where am I? Am I lost...?

Was the corridor this dark before? Umm... I think I just felt a cold, damp breeze...

Ugh, I hate this eerie atmosphere... Must be because it's nighttime, right? Let's just hurry and find the owner.

*whining* Gross gross gross! Why are these things in my castle?!

I mean, it's not my castle yet, I guess...

But either way, they're groooooss!

...How rude of you to make a scene in a stranger's castle.

Kyaaa! Wh-Who are you... Are you the owner of this castle?

I'm not a bad person! I just needed somewhere to spend the night, so I came in... And there were some weird monsters...!

...

Oh... I see. I understand. I don't mind, so please calm down.

These children are not weird monsters. They're loyal subordinates who help me keep the castle clean.

I apologize if we startled you.

H-Huh...? Oh... I mean, I guess...

You said you needed a place to spend the night? Allow me to show you to a room.

What was your name again? Paradoxia, right? You take care of this castle?

Yes, with my subordinates.

I see. Judging by how clean this place is, you must be a very diligent manager. By the way, where's the owner?

My lady...is not here. She left without even a word.

Oh...

I've been waiting for her, keeping the castle clean and organized in the belief that she might return one day... But it's been quite a while now. My hopes began to crumble away...

What a bad lady! How could she leave such a great castle and kind subordinate like you behind?! If I ever meet her, I'll give her a piece of my mind with my hammer!

In any case... We have no idea how to survive without a master... *sobbing*

Aww, you poor thing! I feel so sorry for you...

...What if I become your new master and the owner of this castle?!

Are you sure...? You would do that for us?

Of course! I'm destined to be a queen anyway! So I guess I'll just establish my kingdom here!

Just forget about that terrible girl. From now on, Queen Chloe will protect you all!

Alas... My queen, my generous master! I truly appreciate it...

I, Paradoxia, will dedicate my life to serving you and you alone!

...

I'm so sick of this. How annoying! She keeps nagging me about every little thing!

I don't hear her footsteps anymore... This place is usually closed if it's not time to eat, so I guess she won't be able to find...

My lady, here you are.

Eeeeek!

How did you find me?! I thought I found the perfect place to hide...!

You're snacking again, my lady. How many times do I have to tell you? You must follow the meal plan I gave you...

Ahhh! My cookies...!

I have no idea where you even found these, but I'm going to have to confiscate them.

Give those back to me! That's the last one...! Last time you took them and ate them all!

I didn't eat them, I threw them away.

Now, my lady. Rather than junk food, have a nice, healthy cup of milk. You didn't have your daily glass this morning, did you?

I hate milk! Milk sucks! And I already told you, I'm an Automatic Doll! Drinking milk isn't going to do anything for me!

No matter how trivial the rules may seem, you must stick to them. If you fail to follow them, you won't be able to set a good example for your people.

Ugh...!

Don't worry, my lady. I will always be here for you. As long as you follow my rules, you will become the greatest queen this world has ever seen.

But your rules are too much!

I can't even pick out my clothes, shoes, or my own hairstyle! And the other day you even tried to take my crown and replace it with something else!

And you always say it's too dangerous for me to leave the castle, but I'm clearly strong enough to take care of myself! What kind of queen just stays locked up inside and follows their subordinate's orders?!

You have become the Lady of La Mare. Therefore, you must set a good example and take care of yourself...

Please, just shut up! I won't listen to another word out of you!

I don't want to be the queen of La Mare anymore! If this is how I have to live, I'd rather become a queen somewhere else!

Get out of my way, now!

...

There's no use running, my lady... *chuckling*

She may be fast, but she's right in the palm of my hand. That child before Chloe... Despite how long she lived here, even she couldn't escape very easily.

Yes, after Lady Charlotte left the castle...

I let my subordinates take care of the castle and followed her trail.

I wandered not only Solayu but the entire continent... But her tracks suddenly cut off in Ezera.

Unable to find any more information, I had no choice but to return to the castle alone... So I decided to keep the castle clean with faith that she would return someday.

While I was growing weary waiting for my lady...I was blessed with a miracle, a new lady showed up. Another chance to make my dream come true, if you will.

Though this child is not as smart and dignified as Charlotte... She is like a blank canvas. Much easier to handle.

Maybe she will become the perfect lady I've been dreaming of. I cannot allow such a rare opportunity to escape my grasp.

So...

Oh no... Where am I? I was so focused on running away that I didn't pay attention to where I was going... I'm starting to feel like I'm going in circ...

I've been waiting for you, my lady.

Kyaaaaa!

*giggling* This castle is very complicated, and taking just one wrong path will always lead you here. So...

You will not be able to set even a single foot outside of this castle. You can't escape from me!

You will live here with me forever!

*whining* Nooooo! Where did you even pop out from this time?! You're freaking me out!

Go awaaaay! Kyaaaa!

She's already dealt with most of my subordinates... There are only a few left. Then...

It's heartbreaking, but it seems that I'm left with no choice...

I'll have to attack you myself!

*sobbing* S-Stay away from me! You're scary!

*chuckling* Don't be afraid, my dear lady. My one and only duty is to protect you... It would be more dangerous to leave my side.

So please, come here. It'll only take me a single strike to...

No! I said stay away! I'm not yours. I'm the queen of everythiiiiing!

THUNK!

Ack...!

I hate this castle! I hate your subordinates! I don't want to be your queen!

I'm leaving!

*panting* D-Did I escape? Am I really outside?! This isn't another one of the castle's gardens, right...?

Hooray! I made it! I have no idea how many times I failed, but who cares, I finally escaped!

Wait... Now that I've left the castle... I have nowhere else to go! Am I back to wandering around, looking for shelter?

Honestly, I'd rather just give up on finding Schniel and return to Politia...

...No, I can't! Remember the promise you made with Aither, Chloe! And Politia doesn't have queens anyway, so if I go back, I won't be able to become one!

...I wonder if she's still in that castle.

Haha, why do I keep coming back here? I know it's not going to happen... But I just can't let it go, I guess...

...Hmm? Who's that girl? That's the only road to the castle... Is she coming from the castle?

Then...should I ask her if she saw that girl in the castle? Okay, I'll just go for it.

*sighing* ...Phewwww...

Excuse me...

Huh?

...Did you just come out of that castle?

Why?

...

Wait, this girl... I think she might be able to pull off my café's uniform. And she's cute, she can probably attract a lot of customers...

All right... Maybe I should give up on someone who already rejected my offer and just hire someone else with great potential.

Would you be interested in working with me?

What?!

I think you would be perfect for my café. I'll pay you as much as possible in proportion to my revenue...

Oh... You're offering me a job at a café? I'm afraid I can't. I'm going to be a queen!

Queen? I'll make you a queen!

What?! Really?!

Yes, I'm certain you're qualified to be the mascot of my café. I see great potential in you.

If you accept my offer, I'll make you the queen of my maid café!

Whoa... You're not joking, right? By the way, what's a maid? Is it something like a queen?

Huh? Well...they wear many beautiful clothes, just like queens.

Yeeees! I loooove pretty clothes!

Oh, but I'm supposed to find Schniel and become the queen of Lefundos...

...Whatever, I don't even know where he is. This sounds much easier! And I can still become a queen, too!

Too bad it's just a café and not a castle... But as long as I don't get locked up by some weirdo, it should be fine!

Alrighty! I made up my mind. I accept your offer!

Wow, thank you! Don't go back on your word, okay? Let's go sign a contract right away!

A contract? What's that?

It's a sort of document to record this deal. We're also going to include that you're the queen of my café!

Oh, I see! So it's like proof that I'm the queen, right? Awesome! Let's go sign this contract!

Cheers!

Ugh, my clothes! They're all wet!

Hey, don't you know how to serve a customer? You've been making noise for the past hour. Just how many plates have you broken today?!

...

You're here to eat, so why do you care? You're making even more noise than me.

Excuse me?!

Huh? I didn't say anything.

Oh dear! I'm so sorry. She's new here, so she's just getting used to her job.

What kind of place is this?! I can't put up with this anymore!

Ugh, let's just leave. I hope you don't treat all your customers like this!

...

Why didn't you say anything?! You should have apologized to them!

Hmph, a queen never bows her head to anyone.

That again!?

Then what about the plate you shattered?! You should have cleaned it up, but all you did was stand there!

A queen never cleans, that's what the servants are there for. Why do you keep telling me what to do? You clean it up if it's bothering you so much.

...

Or maybe you?

H-Huh? Me?

*sighing*...

I must have been totally blinded by the dropping revenue. What I saw in her that day... It was just a mirage.

Revenue would have been much higher if I had never hired her. In fact, ever since she came, it's completely plunged!

And she doesn't even pretend to listen to me... At this rate, I might have to close the store for good!

I can't just sit by and watch any longer. I have to fire her...

Kyaaaa!

...What was that?! It came from outside.

What on Orbis is happening, *gasping*

What should we do, Boss...? Some customers started causing a scene...

And then Chloe got upset and started a fight!

Did you just hit me?! You're nothing but a maid! How dare you?!

You little...! Don't you know that the customer is king?!

Hmm? Why is that? I'm the queen here. You're just visitors hanging out in my café!

Q-Queen?!

Noooo! She's such a troublemaker...!

Y-You...! Are you out of your mind?! I came all the way here to visit your café, and this is how you treat me?

How am I supposed to know what you did or didn't do? That's got nothing to do with me.

I don't want such noisy, bossy idiots in my café anyway! So you'd better leave before I'm forced to teach you a lesson with my hammer, like BOOM! BAM!

What?! Did you just call me an idiot?! You're going to regret this!

I'm gonna make you apologize for that! You hear me?!

Hmm... I gave you a chance to run. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I, the great Queen Chloe, will have to punish you all!

Hyap! Hyap! You ought to be grateful that your queen is personally delivering this punishment herself! BAAAAAM!

Ack! Stop it! Was beating me up not enough for you, now you have to make my ears hurt too?!

How is she so strong?! Just who is this girl?!

Hey, let's just go somewhere else. This isn't the only maid café in Ritania!

Dammit... Okay, let's go!

Where do you think you're going?! Hey, stop right there! You're all dead to me!

...

My...café... Not even the Archdemon could make this big of a mess... And all my customers left...

That's why you should have listened to me in the first place! Look how they're running for their dear lives! Hilarious! *giggling*

...Chloe, meet me inside the café.

Hmm? Sure!

*sighing*...

What's wrong, Boss? Were you scared of those guys? Don't worry, I already took care of them with my...

Take a look around you! Are we looking at the same thing?!

Well... It was unavoidable! To protect you all, I just had to make a little mess...

A little? Did you say "a little" mess?! This place is completely destroyed!

Ahh, geez! No need to shout!

And not just today! Do you even realize how many complaints I've received ever since you started working here?!

You're quite literally ruining my café! How many times did I tell you to be nice to customers?!

...So you're trying to say it's all my fault? You're mad because I didn't listen to you?

I'm the queen of this café! We both signed the contract! Why should I follow your orders when I'm the queen?!

Why should I treat them nicely? They're not nice to us!

That's not the point! Being nice to customers is the most basic qualification for a maid! And our café is supposed to have the cutest and most...

Who cares! I told you I didn't want to! You're the one who forced me to greet customers and do all of that stuff!

And now you're getting mad at me for not listening to your orders! What kind of queen were you expecting?! I accepted your offer because I thought I wouldn't be under any restraints here!

You're a liar! The only thing you said that was true was that I could wear pretty clothes! Everything else was a lie! I quit!

*sighing* Fine! Go ahead! Don't you ever return...

No, Chloe! Please stay!

We need you!

Huh...?

We were impressed by how strong you are. We've always been forced to just smile and laugh in front of customers...

No matter how mean they were, we were helpless... But now we realize that we should stand up for ourselves.

*sighing* ...I also didn't want to just leave you behind...but that mean boss kept nagging me.

What are you all doing here?

Boss, please forgive Chloe. She was trying to protect us.

If anything, Chloe stopped those guys from being disrespectful and harassing us.

The way she beat them up, swinging her hammer all over the place... It was so adorable, so cool!

...

Could it be...? Was this her charm all along?

Even though she's a troublemaker, she doesn't hesitate to stand up for her people and protect them... That's Queen Chloe. And that's her true charm.

I never even considered that there might be other types of charms like this. I was thinking inside the box this whole time!

I forced her to be someone she's not and tried to kick her out... I was so stupid!

Chloe, you were right. I was being narrow-minded.

What do you mean?

I forced you to act a certain way without even trying to understand your unique charm. It was foolish of me to fire you!

Please come back and work with me, Chloe! With your unique personality, I think you can bring something fresh and new to our café!

Be the queen you dream of being and do whatever you like!

Wait, really!?

That's great, Chloe!

You can keep working with us!

Hmm... I don't really understand why you suddenly changed your mind, but...

Who cares! Alright, leave it to me! You're safe as long as Queen Chloe is beside you!

So don't you worry about a thing, and just treat me like a queen! That's all I'm asking for!

...Does she really work here?

At a maid café? You mean...as a maid?

Honestly, I'll have to see it to believe it too. A troublemaker like Chloe working at a place like this...

Do you think Garo might have lied to us?

I don't know, I heard he's pretty strict when it comes to selling information. And that his information is usually correct.

Anyway, what do we have to lose? Let's go see if it's true.

Ta-da! Introducing the world-class maid Queen Chloe!

Ahhhh! Queen Chloe!

You're here, my queen!

Now, now. Be a doll and line up, or I'll beat you up, like BAM! Now, I have a refreshing blue lemonade here that I made all by myself! Whose is this?

It's me! That's my order! Long live Queen Chloe!

Please make my dream come true, my queen! Please grant me a hot cocoa, boiled with the flame of your unfathomable courage!

...

So Garo was right. She's here...in a maid uniform.

And what's with her name? "Queen Chloe"?

These people must be hallucinating.

Well, ladies, this is something called "role-playing."

Role-playing...?

She's entertaining our customers with her character, a mischievous queen who causes trouble everywhere she goes but is still lovable.

Customers come here not just to enjoy a drink and relax but to have fun and become a part of this role-play.

And just as I predicted... Ever since Chloe became "Queen Chloe," our café's revenue increased by 500%.

...

Well, that's none of our business. We just need to take Chloe and return to our homeland, Politia.

But Commander, I don't think it's going to be that easy...

What? Why?

Look over there.

Noooo! I won't go, I can't!

There's no use being stubborn.

No! I have to protect this café! They're going to be in so much trouble if I, their irreplaceable mascot and queen, leave!

You can't leave, Chloe!

You...! Where are you taking our queen?!

See? Look at the desperation on their faces! So I won't leave, never ever!

...

She's stubborn.

Mmm...

Ugh! I'll just destroy this café entirely, and then no one will be able to stop us from taking her back to Politia!

How stupid. What if Chloe gets hit and breaks down? Are you going to take responsibility?

W-Well... I don't... Anyway, did you just call me stupid? Take that back right now!

...It will be a huge commotion if the café collapses and people get hurt. And simply forcing her to leave will make those guys angry, so that won't work either.

Commander...!

Why don't we talk to the owner and persuade him that there's no reason for Chloe to stay here?

How are we going to do that?

We can find someone to replace her. Then there would be no need for her to be here.

Oh, that's clever. Let's give it a shot.

A maid who can replace Chloe... There is one.

Who is it?

Some time ago, I risked my life and visited the old La Mare Castle to try to talk the owner into working with me.

But the atmosphere there is so eerie and the security is so strict that in the end, I wasn't able to meet her. However, I did see a maid who works there.

Those chilling eyes as she attacked me to protect her liege... At the time I was too busy running away from her to think about it, but I've since realized that she makes quite an impression.

I couldn't sleep for days after meeting her.

Why? Were you too scared she would follow you?

No! Because...in her eyes, I saw something I've been yearning for! She had unconditional loyalty and a lunatic obsession with her master!

Huh...?

A deranged maid, who serves no one but their master, and would do anything for them... She's exactly the kind of mad character I've been looking for!

...I don't think she's playing a character.

I'm scared... I don't understand his taste.

Although their characters are different, you can see that Chloe is the perfect troublemaker queen. Considering how much money she brings in, I can't just let her go.

So in order to replace Chloe, they must be perfect!

Hmm... I don't really understand all this about characters and taste... But the point is that we should bring you the lunatic maid from La Mare, right?

Yes...but there is a rumor that once you enter the castle, it will not be easy to come back out. And as I've experienced it myself...

...I can confirm that rumor is true. It was a miracle that I made it out with my life.

So, ladies, do you think you can bring her here?

...

Here you go. This is her, right?

H-How did you manage this...?

She was depressed after losing her master, so I told her I could help her find a new one.

Since there will be many "masters" at the café, she can choose whoever she likes.

So she agreed to come with us. Honestly, it was a lot easier than I expected.

I-I see... If you say so...

Huh?! You're...

Lady Chloe. We meet again.

I'm not your lady! What are you doing here?! I'm never going back to that creepy castle!

Oh, what a shame... But it doesn't matter. There are so many people waiting to become my master, after all. *chuckling*...

Well, I guess you've got no choice but to return to Politia with us.

Huh!? Why!?

Because! Your boss promised that he'd let you go if we brought Paradoxia to replace you.

And since you said you're never going back to that castle, Politia is your only option.

So now that everything is sorted out, shall we get going? Before we leave, why don't you change out of that bulky uniform...

Noooooo!

SLAM!

I can't go, I won't go! I'm the queen of this café! And I need to keep my promise to Aither, too! I can't go back like this!

Uwaaaaaaah!

Now where are you going!? Stop!

Geez, what a pain. If she goes on a rampage, we're going to have an even bigger problem on our hands.

I knew she wouldn't listen to us! Look, I'm telling you, I'll just destroy this area and...

Kanna, I'm afraid that's not an option.

I'll go after her.

Brinus, I know it's not easy, but try to avoid using strong attacks. We're going to be in trouble if she gets too badly damaged.

Of course. I'll try to catch her and calm her down first.

*sobbing*...

*sighing* Have you calmed down?

You're so annoying. Did you really have to follow me all the way here? I'm totally worn out...

Oh? That's great.

You got her! Nice work, Brinus.

I just did what I had to.

Hmph! I could easily catch someone like Chloe too.

I understand why you want to stay here, and I know that you can't give up your title of queen.

Yeah, that's why I can't go back... There's no such thing as queens in Politia.

You can be the first one.

Huh? But how...?

I'm sure you learned some business skills in your time at this café.

Open your own maid café in Politia and become a queen there.

A queen of a maid café in Politia...?

As you know, there are incomparably more people and Automatic Dolls living in Politia than here in Solayu.

So you'll be able to become a queen with many, many more subjects.

Many subjects... Maybe she's right. Hmm...

Alright! I'll become the very first queen of Politia!

Good.

...

Although...she'll need to spend some time in jail for fleeing, but that's none of my business.

Now, now. Escort me safely to Politia! It's time to build my new kingdom! *giggling*