"Combat Maid" literally refers to a combat-oriented person dressed in a maid outfit.

  In FBO , this archetype had a dedicated fanbase among female pyers, with maids ranging from cute to dignified types wielding various weapons to sy 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 some of these builds even ranked among the top pyers, 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 elemental support magic (earth, water, fire, wind, light, dark, thunder, ice).

  Combat skills are limited—passives vary by pyer 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 pn. What do you think?"

  "To be honest, I have so many questions that I’d like some time to organize my thoughts."

  After returning directly home from the branch temple of Goldos, the God of Commerce, I gathered everyone in my room instead of the living room—just in case someone 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 member.

  Since both Nel and Amina had already warmed up to her, they accepted it without issue.

  Being serious-minded really helps in these situations.

  "Yeah, Libert’s expnations are always so complicated. It’s hard to remember 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 "zy cushions" they’d brought into the house—a pair of cushions so comfortable they could ruin a person’s productivity. Despite their rexed postures, they were still keeping watch—Nel near the entrance, Amina by the window.

  I had spent the entire time since coming home expining 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 mental block when it comes to studying—her motivation plummets, and her comprehension suffers.

  Though Amina had looked at Ingrid with camaraderie when she called the expnation "difficult," hearing the studious Ingrid say she understood made her feel betrayed.

  "So, based on my training philosophy, this is the framework 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 presume to seek a status beyond my station."

  "I won’t say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but training takes considerable time and effort. Resetting would mean going through the whole process again. Leveling up extends lifespan, but not infinitely. Leveling down naturally shortens it. At a time 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-reted training pn was designed to fill the gaps in our current party composition.

  If Ingrid secretly wanted to be a knight, a mage, or even something else entirely—like a kemono enthusiast—I’d be willing to accommodate that.

  But unlike in games, redoing character creation here is equivalent to restarting one’s life. It consumes time 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 comes 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 pusible. Refusing an arranged marriage often means 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 me realize that noble daughters were essentially given two paths: marriage or service. In that kind of environment, dreaming of becoming something else was nearly impossible.

  If anything, it made me appreciate that Nel could aspire to be a great merchant 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 framework would be easier for me 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 former is built for fighting, the tter for supporting."

  I took my time expining, mentally 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 me 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 framework—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 cking 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 some knowledge in that area.

  "Right now, the pn is: Nel as frontline attacker, Amina as tank/buffer, and me 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 me 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 time—many of which were highly effective.

  Though trends shifted with the eras, some builds endured.

  "But compared to a dedicated debuffer, she’d still fall short?"

  "Each has its merits, but yes, there are trade-offs."

  "Then I’d prefer not to settle for mediocrity. Please shape me 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 me to recommend.

  And if she was asking for my ideal…

  "Then Support Maid is the only choice."

  I returned to my original suggestion.

  Honestly, part of me was tempted by other variants—the ultra-close-combat Iaido Maid, the mid-range Fil/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 become 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 become 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 become 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. Some 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 seemed to share some unspoken understanding, leaving me 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 expins 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 me 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 member join our ranks.