"Combat Maid" literally refers to a combat-oriented person dressed in a maid outfit.
In FBO , this archetype had a dedicated fanbase among female players, with maids ranging from cute to dignified types wielding various weapons to slay monsters and PKers.
These maids would typically acquire household skills like cleaning and cooking while also mixing in combat skills, establishing a unique skill build for a "fighting maid." Given that so of these builds even ranked among the top players, no one could call them weak.
On the other hand, "Support Maid" takes a step or two back in combat but excels so much in utility that every party would want at least one.
Unlike the combat-oriented maid described earlier, this build specializes in support, focusing on general housekeeping skills along with a full suite of elental support magic (earth, water, fire, wind, light, dark, thunder, ice).
Combat skills are limited—passives vary by player but usually range from one to three, while active skills are restricted to derivatives of those passives, totaling no more than ten combined.
"So, that’s the gist of Ingrid’s training plan. What do you think?"
"To be honest, I have so many questions that I’d like so ti to organize my thoughts."
After returning directly ho from the branch temple of Goldos, the God of Comrce, I gathered everyone in my room instead of the living room—just in case soone overheard. Nel and Amina, being beastfolk with sensitive ears and noses, joined us.
There, I officially announced Ingrid’s addition to our party as a new mber.
Since both Nel and Amina had already ward up to her, they accepted it without issue.
Being serious-minded really helps in these situations.
"Yeah, Libert’s explanations are always so complicated. It’s hard to rember everything!"
"Really? I find his reasoning logical and easy to follow."
"Ehh, that’s just because you’re smart, Nel!"
Amina and Nel were sprawled out on the "lazy cushions" they’d brought into the house—a pair of cushions so comfortable they could ruin a person’s productivity. Despite their relaxed postures, they were still keeping watch—Nel near the entrance, Amina by the window.
I had spent the entire ti since coming ho explaining everything in one go: skill slot allocation, EXBP, skill proficiency leveling, dungeon perpetual motion machines, weapon durability preservation, and even skill build strategies.
"Ingrid, was it too difficult for you?"
"It was challenging, but I understood. I also agree with Libert-sama’s stance on keeping this information confidential."
Given her naturally serious personality, she had diligently absorbed the unfamiliar knowledge, breaking it down in her own way until she grasped it.
Amina, on the other hand, struggles with numbers.
She’s hardworking but has a ntal block when it cos to studying—her motivation plumts, and her comprehension suffers.
Though Amina had looked at Ingrid with camaraderie when she called the explanation "difficult," hearing the studious Ingrid say she understood made her feel betrayed.
"So, based on my training philosophy, this is the frawork we’d follow. Of course, if you have your own preferences, we can adjust accordingly. Heck, I could even train you to be a Hero if you want?"
"...No, I am but your servant. I would never presu to seek a status beyond my station."
"I won’t say it’s a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity, but training takes considerable ti and effort. Resetting would an going through the whole process again. Leveling up extends lifespan, but not infinitely. Leveling down naturally shortens it. At a ti like this, I think it’s fine to choose based on personal preference."
After telling Amina, "You should study harder," I turned back to Ingrid.
The maid-related training plan was designed to fill the gaps in our current party composition.
If Ingrid secretly wanted to be a knight, a mage, or even sothing else entirely—like a kemono enthusiast—I’d be willing to accommodate that.
But unlike in gas, redoing character creation here is equivalent to restarting one’s life. It consus ti and effort, so it’s only natural to be cautious.
"To be honest, as a noble’s daughter, I was raised to learn etiquette, destined to either marry into another noble house or enter service. Being given a choice like this… I don’t even know what I want to be."
"Ah, I see."
"Nel, you get it?"
"Nobles can do more than commoners, but they also have far less freedom. Especially when it cos to marriage—it’s usually arranged for political reasons. Not being able to choose is pretty well-known."
"Oh, I’ve heard of that too! Like that noblewoman who was set to marry a man twice her age, so she ran off to a monastery instead."
"That’s plausible. Refusing an arranged marriage often ans severing ties with one’s family."
"Yikes, being a noble sounds rough."
But if she genuinely had no idea what she wanted to be, I was at a loss.
Hearing her background made realize that noble daughters were essentially given two paths: marriage or service. In that kind of environnt, dreaming of becoming sothing else was nearly impossible.
If anything, it made appreciate that Nel could aspire to be a great rchant and Amina a songstress—dreams that might be a privilege of commoners.
"In that case, would the original proposal—Combat Maid or Support Maid—be acceptable? A familiar frawork would be easier for to adapt to."
"Hmm…"
"Is that not acceptable?"
"No, it’s not unacceptable… but are you sure it’s what you want?"
"Yes, it’s fine."
"Alright, then let’s decide which one."
"Understood."
We sat across from each other at the table, just like the night before, and reconsidered.
"The difference between Combat and Support lies in skill composition and stat allocation. The forr is built for fighting, the latter for supporting."
I took my ti explaining, ntally organizing the maid build structures as I went.
Paper was a luxury in this world, but not nonexistent.
Once Amina leveled her alchemy skill, she could produce higher-quality copy paper. For now, I had to make do with cheap paper and an equally cheap quill, scribbling furiously.
Ugh, I’m not asking for a ballpoint pen… but at least a pencil would be nice.
My handwriting was atrocious—I wasn’t used to writing with ink.
"Allow to transcribe."
"Sorry."
"Not at all."
In the end, the paper ended up in Ingrid’s hands, and she began taking notes like a secretary.
"Skill composition determines stat allocation ratios, so deciding the frawork—or ‘policy,’ if you will—is crucial."
"Policy? May I ask a question, Libert-sama?"
"Go ahead."
"Currently, it seems you intend to form an adventurer party with yourself, Nel-sama, and Amina-sama. What roles are lacking in that composition?"
Her pen moved smoothly across the paper, jotting down key points before she paused to wait for my answer.
The fact that she brought up party composition suggested she had so knowledge in that area.
"Right now, the plan is: Nel as frontline attacker, Amina as tank/buffer, and as frontline/scout. What we’re missing is a backliner—debuffs, healing, backline attacker, or support."
"In that case, wouldn’t it be most logical for to fill that role?"
"Hmm… then a Debuff Maid might also be an option."
"A Debuff Maid?"
"A maid who supports while also applying debuffs to enemies. Compared to a pure debuffer, her performance would be slightly weaker, and her offensive capabilities nearly nonexistent. But since she’d be hybridized with support, party stability would skyrocket."
I felt a little guilty for adding more options, but maid builds had countless variations developed by pioneers over ti—many of which were highly effective.
Though trends shifted with the eras, so builds endured.
"But compared to a dedicated debuffer, she’d still fall short?"
"Each has its rits, but yes, there are trade-offs."
"Then I’d prefer not to settle for diocrity. Please shape into what you envision, Libert-sama."
"What I envision, huh?"
The Debuff Maid was a build that combined support and debuffing, but despite its high difficulty, it was only moderately useful.
Depending on the party, it could work—but it often ended up as a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
Her pointing that out made it hard for to recomnd.
And if she was asking for my ideal…
"Then Support Maid is the only choice."
I returned to my original suggestion.
Honestly, part of was tempted by other variants—the ultra-close-combat Iaido Maid, the mid-range Flail/Chain-Sickle Maid, or the Magic Combat Maid wielding staves and offensive spells.
But for the sake of the party, Support Maid was the clear winner.
"If you beco a Support Maid, our sustainability and stability will improve dramatically. So, speaking from the heart—this is what I’d like you to be."
A Support Maid was the unsung hero, the foundation holding the party together.
"Understood. Libert-sama, I shall beco the maid who supports this party. I look forward to your guidance."
Without hesitation, she chose the path I had hoped for.
"Thank you."
I was genuinely grateful.
"There’s no need for thanks."
Her ever-stoic expression made it hard to tell if she was being humble or sincere.
"Now then, Libert-sama."
"Yes?"
"With this, I’ve officially beco your maid. As such, I’d like you to adjust your speech accordingly. I am now your servant—there’s no need for the polite tone you use with Nel-sama and Amina-sama."
"But I’m a commoner, and you’re a noble—"
"You are my master first. So nobles do speak politely to their servants, but they’re consistent with everyone. You’re using honorifics solely because of my noble status. Now that I’m your maid, I must insist you drop them."
She seized the opportunity to demand I stop being so formal—despite my worries about forcing the issue.
Ah. She’s not holding back.
"I’ll, uh, work on it."
"That tone suggests you’re not working on it."
"Yes, ma’am."
Turns out, she was stricter than I expected.
Most noble characters in stories would lose affinity if you dropped honorifics too soon, so this forceful approach was… refreshing, in a way.
"...Hey, Nel. About Ingrid—"
"Not sure. But maybe—"
The two of them seed to share so unspoken understanding, leaving completely in the dark.
"Ingrid, you’re human, right?"
"Yes, I am human."
"Any beastfolk in your family?"
"...I’ve heard that many generations ago, an ancestor might have been a canine or wolf-type beastfolk. But the bloodline has thinned, and I appear fully human now."
"Aahhh, that explains it!"
The two of them nodded in sudden realization, then got up from their cushions and approached Ingrid.
"Well, we’ll be working together from now on. It’ll be tough, but let’s do our best!"
"If you ever feel discouraged, let know! I’ve been through it, so I can give advice."
"Yes. Though I am inexperienced, I look forward to your guidance."
Well, it’s good for the party to get along.
For now, I decided to simply rejoice in having a new mber join our ranks.
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