This is my first fanfic, so be gentle. But i do want some good constructive criticism as i have no delusions about being a good writer, so i'm hoping to have this story help make me a better writer through all of you!

My fic is starting out at the party after Naofumi faces his first wave and Motoyasu duels him, because this is when it's gonna start changing a lot. I did write the starting to be when Naofumi met Raphtalia but the story didn't really change too much so I decided to scrap it.

The changes that will be noted in this fic is mostly just Naofumi has never purposefully used the slave curse on Raphtalia. I also changed the circumstances about Naofumi's summoning, in addition I have changed Naofumi's personality slightly to make him (in my opinion) a more relatable character than 'i hate everything'. With that out of the way, i hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Nothing but the Truth

Two days had passed since the wave and I found myself in a place I never wanted to return to, the castle. We were told to come to the castle for the celebration banquet as well as to receive our reward for participating in the wave. Before we left, I let my shield absorb parts from the monsters of the wave.

I also absorbed the boss of the wave, that the other Heroes defeated to end the wave. It turned out to be a chimera. A strange monster with the body and head of a lion, along with two other heads, one of a goat and the other a dragon. It also had a snake head for a tail. I only knew what it looked like because I had heard about it in mythology in my world, as it was completely unrecognizable now, save for the snake tail.

The other Heroes had carved into it and took pieces of it for themselves, each taking a head and other portions of its body, such as its paws. The villagers had started taking it apart when I got there and gladly allowed me to take some for myself, unlocking a few shields.

The Chimera Viper Shield was very powerful, with good bonuses and strong stats. But it had a level requirement that I was not at yet, but I would be soon. Then it would become my main combat shield.

Anyways, back to the present situation.

I found myself in a banquet hall in my most hated place in this world, the castle. Simply being here stopped me from being in a mood to party or celebrate. I merely sat on a windowsill away from everyone else. Raphtalia was here too. Right now, she was gathering food onto her plate. We had an odd conversation not long ago, before she left to get more food.

"Go ahead and eat all you want, Raphtalia." I told her as she finished her plate and looked longingly at the dessert section. "It's free and we'll likely not have a chance to have this quality of food for a very long time as well."

"But if I eat too much, I'll gain..." she trailed off. Ah, so that was it, she was worried about her figure.

"We live quite an active lifestyle, you know. I'm sure one night of binge eating won't cause too many problems." I offered. Through the constant fighting and training we've been doing, we were both in very good shape. I wasn't the most fit guy ever when I got here, but now even I was fitter than I thought i could be for how long I've been here. And Raphtalia undeniably worked harder than me and it showed.

She was undeniably beautiful, a girl like her shouldn't even have to worry about her own body image. It's not like she was trying to impress anyone, it was just a product of hard work. "Naofumi-sama?" Raphtalia asked, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Do you perhaps... like stouter women?" she asks, blushing lightly. Stout women? Why is she asking such a weird question?

"No." I say flatly, feigning indifference. In reality, I hated thinking about women after the betrayal of that bitch. It always reminded me of the cunning that had ruined my second chance at life. Raphtalia made a complicated expression, probably figured out that there was something about the matter I wasn't talking about. She soon decided that the desserts calling to her were too tempting and left.

Dragging myself out of my memory of that encounter I spot her walking back towards me with a smile on her face, and cake on her plate. She walked over and planted herself directly in front of me, perhaps a little too close. "Naofumi-sama, you have to try this cake, it's absolutely delicious!" she tells me. I didn't really feel like eating right now though, especially since everything tasted like nothing.

Noticing my non-compliance, Raphtalia cut a forkful of cake and held it in front of my mouth. "Try it." she said again, a little more telling than asking. She quickly noticed the situation she had brought about and started blushing but held the fork up insistently. Not seeing any other way out, I rolled my eyes and ate the bite of cake she offered me. Unsurprisingly, it tasted like nothing. The only thing that separated it from anything else I ate was texture.

I involuntarily let out a sigh, as I often did when provided a new food. Raphtalia wore a sad expression and backed a bit away from me, resigning herself to simply sit next to me on the windowsill. There was something important I wanted to ask her, but I couldn't remember what it was. I tried my best to rack my brain and remember what I wanted to say. She didn't notice my staring as she was looking down towards the ground with a sullen expression, slowly eating her cake that probably didn't taste quite as good anymore.

Suddenly, her raccoon-like ears twitched and she looked up, hearing something. I watched her face swiftly go from a look of sadness to one of disdain. I didn't care to look at whatever she was looking at until I heard something slap against the floor next to my feet and a voice boom out. "NAOFUMI!" This sounded like nothing but trouble. I look toward the noise and see Motoyasu, the Spear Hero, stomping towards me. I glance down at the floor. Did that fool throw a glove at me?

"You bastard!" he yelled at me. "Is it true?! Is this poor girl your slave?!" Whispers erupted from the crowd of guests. Ren and Itsuki were watching the scene as well. I didn't like all this sudden attention. What is he even going on about? Can't he leave me in peace already?

"What are you raving about now? And calling Raphtalia a 'poor girl' is just wrong. She'd probably kick my ass if I called her that." I say back to him, not even moving from my spot. Raphtalia, on the other hand was standing up now and looking furious. He stopped in his tracks at my words and looked confused.

"Wha... but I thought she was your slave? Aren't you mistreating h-" he was saying something but I didn't care as I jumped up and cut him off.

"Oh, that's it! Thanks, Motoyasu, for reminding me of what I wanted to ask." I thank him, making him only look increasingly confused. It was an entertaining face, but I had another matter to resolve before I forgot about it again. "Raphtalia." she turns to look at me, wondering what I was about to ask. "Do you want to get rid of the slave crest?" I ask while grinning. Raphtalia looked absolutely shocked at the unexpected question.

"I um... if you want me too." she says with a moment of hesitation.

"If it was about what I wanted, I wouldn't have asked. How about this, what I want... is for you to choose yourself. It's not like it'll really change anything, right?" I say, smiling at her. Her face started becoming red she quickly averted her eyes away from me. She was flustered but I didn't really know why. I was offering her freedom, showing my trust that she'd stay with me just like she said she would. No strings attached. Honestly, I figured she'd jump at the chance to get that curse off her.

She started muttering something, fumbling over her words, it was kind of cute. Until she was cut off. "Hah! So, she is your slave!" Motoyasu shouts at me. Is he always so slow on the uptake? "Free her, you demon!" Yep, he was.

"Did something happen to cause you to go deaf? I literally just asked her if she wanted to be free and you go and cut her off before she can answer. Now, if you don't mind, I'm trying to have a conversation with my partner." I huff and turn my attention back to Raphtalia who was still blushing. "So, how about it?"

"I... don't want to." She says slowly and quietly. Really? She didn't want to be free? "I mean, if it's not going to change anything, there's no need, right? Besides, it would probably cost money to do that and I wouldn't want to waste what little funds we have." she added quickly. It was clear that wasn't the real reason, but I'm not one to pry and she still made a fair point. It likely wouldn't be free.

"Alright, if that's what you wa-" I was cut off by Motoyasu shouting again.

"I demand that you duel me for her freedom! Clearly you had her rehearse that for when you would surely be caught red-handed!" Now he was just making things up, even if they didn't make sense! Just how badly did this guy want me to be the bad guy? Raphtalia spun to face him, fury showing.

"That's not true! Why are you so insistent that he's a bad person?! I made that choice myself, don't you try to ruin this moment with your selfishness!" She started really laying her anger into him. Hell hath no fury like a scorned Raphtalia, I guess. I should probably stop this before it escalates. This was certainly not the place for this.

I place my hand on Raphtalia's shoulder to calm her rampage before addressing Motoyasu. "Regardless, I refuse. There is nothing in it for me to fight you, when it's clear it would be a one-sided fight." I turn to Raphtalia. "Let's get out of here, I'm getting tired of this party anyways." I say and start walking away, Raphtalia not far behind me. Of course, I only wish it would have been that easy.

"Halt, Shield Hero. I've heard what is going on. I demand that you release your slave right now." an annoying voice boomed. Damnit, I really hoped to hear his voice only once during my stay here, and that was when he was handing me my reward money.

"Damn your demand, didn't you hear her say she wanted to keep it! Now, I'll admit I was surprised too, I was ready and willing to help free her, but if she doesn't want to, she doesn't want to. If you don't mind, we'll be taking our leave." I shout back at the bastard.

"I am the King of Melromarc, and I do not believe you or your slave speak the truth. Restrain him!" at the command of the king, several soldiers rush up and surround me, holding out their spears at my chest. Raphtalia tries to call out but a soldier comes up behind her and puts a cloth in her mouth, silencing her.

"Raphtalia!" I call out, my eyes burning with hatred for the people around me, the people trying to destroy me. I knew that if I wasn't able to protect Raphtalia here, they would kill her just for being associated with me. But with a moment to calm myself down, I remembered that she could take care of herself just fine. "Raphtalia, I give you permission to release yourself, just don't hurt him too badly."

She nods and slams the back of her head against the soldier holding her, knocking him off balance but he kept an arm grasped tightly to her arm. She grabbed his arm and used it to swing him to the ground, knocking the breath out of him. She quickly removed the gag from her mouth. "Naofumi-sama!" she called out to me.

"Raphtalia, I'm sorry." I say to her, getting a look of confusion and worry in return. I turn my gaze up to the King. "If you do not believe us, I have a way to prove it. However, let it be known that I don't wish to do this. I will set her slave curse to cause her pain if she tells a lie." I say and do so. The King silently nods at my suggestion, still wearing the face of disgust he always seemed to have when i was in the same room as him. I glance at Raphtalia and she gives an approving nod. I hope she can forgive me for what I'm doing.

"There. I have the punishment set to light for the purpose of proving legitimacy. Motoyasu, tell Raphtalia to tell a lie." I couldn't tell her to myself, as it would give the slave curse contradicting orders but my command for her to lie would override the passive rule of not lying. Motoyasu gulped and looked nervous, not liking the idea of causing a girl pain, but he complied and did as I said.

"Raphtalia-san... tell a lie." he said, wincing as he said it. She thought for a moment before responding.

"I did not enjoy the food at this banquet... Ngh" she said teasingly, but the curse still activated. The seal that was beneath her clothes lit up and started burning her a little. She grunted in pain and clutched her chest. I'm so sorry Raphtalia. I had to set the punishment high enough that it was clear she was not faking it. "Agh, alright, I enjoyed the food!" she yelped out, ending the pain, leaving her panting. She saw my look of pained worry and put on a brave face, as if to say 'it's okay.'

"There's your proof that the effect is active and real and will cause her pain. But just so you can be even more certain..." I turn to Raphtalia, who gave me a nod. "I command that until I verbally say otherwise, you are to not lie under any circumstance, even if it means speaking ill about me, or you will be faced with extreme pain." hopefully this would be enough proof to those who are watching. "I suppose I will start the questioning..." I announce in a somber tone.

Taking a deep breath, I begin. "What is your name?"

"Raphtalia"

"Are you my slave?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been my slave?"

"Three weeks and one day." she didn't even have to think about it longer than a moment, was she counting the days? And has it really been that long already? I'm getting distracted, back to the matter at hand.

"Have I been cruel or mistreated you?"

"No."

"Do you dislike that I make you fight with me?"

"Not at all."

Now to finish this swiftly. "Do you want to be rid of the slave curse that binds you to me as my slave?"

She was silent for a moment longer than she was for her previous questions. "No, I do not."

I turned toward the King. "And there you have it. She was forced to speak the truth and she has-"

"Wait! I wish to ask her questions of my own to further test if she is truly telling the truth." Motoyasu interrupts loudly. What?! He probably just wants to try and flirt with her or something.

"What? I hardly think that's necessar-" I was cut off again, this time by the King.

"As King, I permit the Spear Hero to continue the questioning." Shocked and worried, I turn to Raphtalia, who gives me a warm, reassuring smile and nods her head.

"Ugh, Fine. Go ahead." I say bitterly.

"Raphtalia-san." Motoyasu starts. "Has Naofumi ever used the slave curse on you other than this time? If yes, please elaborate." Whoa, he was being more professional for this than I thought he could ever be.

Raphtalia thought for a moment before answering. "Never on purpose. And the one time that it did activate, he immediately stopped it and disabled the curse's rules except for the one that punishes for intentional harm to the master." she says confidently. Hang on, how did she know what I had set the restrictions to?

Motoyasu waited for a moment, as if expecting the curse to activate. It didn't.

"So, he doesn't abuse you or force you to do... things?"

"No, he has never laid a finger on me with malice."

"But he has, but without malice?" Motoyasu asked, his face full of surprise that I didn't abuse her. What the hell kind of person does he think I am? Oh, right. He's convinced I'm a demented rapist.

Raphtalia's face flushed as he asked the question. "Well... when I was smaller, I had night terrors, and he would comfort me by holding me close..." she answered, embarrassed. "But that doesn't happen anymore." she adds quickly.

Motoyasu was confused and looked like he regretted the question but quickly regained his composure.

"Are you aware of the crime Naofumi has committed?" He asked. Oh no... this isn't how I wanted her to find out! Once she finds out what I've been accused of, she'll do the same thing the other Heroes did and assume I was guilty. I didn't want to lose her; she was my only companion. We've been through so much, and it was all about to end.

"Yes..." she answered softly, looking at me.

She knew, she already knew. I felt my face contort with emotion. Fear, sadness, grief. But most of all, anger. Had she known all along? Was I simply played like a fool? The same way that bitch played me? Did she get enjoyment out of pretending to be my companion?

My vision became dark and clouded, and I was alone. I was always alone. Why does everyone believe that damned king and that bitch? Was everyone in on it? Were they all trying to ruin me? Was this a game to them?! Am I just a plaything to be thrown about for their amusement?!

"How long have you known?"

I heard faint talking, but I didn't care to listen. There was nobody else in this darkness with me, I was all alone. I was a fool for ever thinking things could get better. I was a fool for ever thinking someone would be my ally. I was a fool to believe someone would accept me.

"I overheard it a few days after I joined his party, in a tavern while we ate."

While we ate... that's right. She had known for so long, and yet she stayed with me, no doubt to leech off me since I gave her free food. Was everything she did an act? How could I have not noticed? I can't believe I let her fool me into trusting her, thinking she trusted me.

"Then why do you still want to stay his slave, if you know what he's done?"

Were the other Heroes in on it too? Were they even heroes? Was I even a hero? All I knew was that I was cursed with this shield. It has brought me nothing but misery! Everyone hated me simply because it was strapped to my arm. Nobody cares about me. I can only care about myself now that I was going to be alone again. This time, I would find my way, alone. I won't let myself take the easy way out again.

"..."

I heard mumbling, something about it reminded me of… something. What was I on the cusp of remembering? Who said those words? The voice was familiar, could it have been Raphtalia? She was the only one who would make sense, but why? She had known why the world hated me for so long and didn't do anything about it. Why?

"Speak louder, demi-human."

I kept trying to understand the meaning of this. Why did she not say anything about my accusations? In fact, she seemed to ignore it completely, act like she didn't know, why? Why? Wait... could it be? Could she have…? Then I remembered. Then I figured it out.

I was blasted by my own memories. I remembered holding her while she cried out for her parents during her night terrors. I remember trying to protect her from the two-headed dog in the mine. I remembered how she didn't run away but stood up and killed the monster dog in the cave. I remembered that she protected me just as much as I protected her that day. I remembered we were standing in the town center, the wave timer counting down. I remember she told me she would be by my side, she said she would be my sword... now and forever. She trusted me, I trusted her, but I didn't realize it until now.

"Because I love him." Raphtalia said again, louder this time, with more confidence. Her words blew the darkness that surrounded me away and I found myself standing in the banquet hall again, still surrounded by soldiers. I was stood still, recovering my senses as I tried to figure out what had just happened to me. Raphtalia's words bounced around my head, until I realized.

"Wait, you what?!"