Chapter 1: The betrayal

Night has fallen. Naofumi, Shinobu, and Myne were all resting in a diner. They were eating their meals silently, having time to enjoy from their adventures from today.

"Today was a good time for us to understand this world. We have yet to see the most of it." Naofumi spoke.

"Indeed... This food tastes real good." Shinobu said.

Both were eating their meals leisurely. Myne was watching them with a smile as she watched the two heroes.

"Is there something on our faces?" Shinobu asked.

"Oh, nothing." Myne answered nervously.

######

Shinobu and Naofumi were resting in their room.

"We had quite an active day. We still need to grow stronger." Naofumi said.

"I know. Anyway, I'm not sure you haven't realized, Naofumi, but didn't you noticed how the king was acting?" Shinobu asked.

"Yeah... Now that you mentioned it, he looked antagonistic to the both of us instead of Ren, Itsuki, and Motoyasu." Naofumi realized.

"I also find it suspicious as to why Myne wanted to join us out of the blue instead of being with Motoyasu. I'd understand if it was pity, but this seemed as though a plot is being made from behind the scenes." Shinobu said, feeling unnerved.

"You're probably right about that... I'll take your word for it." Naofumi said.

Naofumi was feeling doubtful from Shinobu's warning. He did considered the signs left from the king.

'Shinobu did sound a bit high strung, even for someone his age. Still, the way he has been observing everything around him is one to consider.' Naofumi thought.

Tired from today's activities, Naofumi soon passed out, falling on his bed. Shinobu remained awake, not feeling exhausted.

######

Shinobu couldn't get a lick of sleep. He was wide awake.

'Even though I'm in another world, my insomnia is rather an inconvenience at times.' He thought.

Shinobu soon heard someone sneaking in. He equipped his Dual Swords, ready to fight off a possible threat.

'Whoever decided to sneak in picked the wrong time to do so...' Shinobu thought.

Sensing a presence, Shinobu swung his weapons. A small stream of blood soon flew to his face. He then noticed a few figures clutching their arms.

"Whoever it is that came here, leave and don't ever come back! If you do, I won't hesitate in taking your lives!" Shinobu warned.

The figures retreated, not wanting to provoke Shinobu. This left him wary, not wanting to sleep. He noticed Naofumi was still sleeping.

'Talk about deep sleeping... At least I was able to safeguard his goods.' Shinobu thought.

Unable to fall asleep, Shinobu kept guard of Naofumi.

######

In the castle, Aultcray was furious. The figures were revealed to be royal knights in disguise.

"You failed to set up the Dual Sword and Shield Heroes!" He said with anger.

"Forgive us, My Liege. The Dual Sword Hero was awake and didn't fall asleep. He was a formidable foe to fight." One of the knights said.

"I can see that...!" Aultcray bellowed.

Soon, Aultcray found an idea. Seeing the injured knights, he thought of a devious plot.

"Perhaps this might work to my advantage." The king said.

######

The next morning, Naofumi woke up. He noticed Shinobu was asleep.

'He must have been up all night.' Naofumi comically thought.

Finding his gear, Naofumi soon heard a large group of Royal Knights coming to the inn.

'What on earth...? Why are the knights of the castle coming here?' Naofumi questioned mentally.

Shinobu woke up, having heard the loud footsteps. He looked fatigued.

"Seems like the knights have been stirred up... Shinobu, haven't you slept well?" Naofumi asked.

"I'm not a good sleeper... Anyway, you said the knights were roused up..." Shinobu answered.

"Seems like they're coming here, but for what purpose?" Naofumi questioned.

"I don't know, but we're about to find out." Shinobu said.

The boys heard a loud knocking on the door. They heard the knights calling.

"Shield Hero! Dual Sword Hero! Come to the castle at once!" One of the knights said.

Naofumi soon opened the door. The knights all had serious expressions. This confused him till Shinobu showed an angered expression.

"You are the two heroes we're looking for, I presume? Both of you have a summons to His Majesty. You two are to meet with him immediately." The leader of the knights said.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shinobu questioned.

"It is his majesty's orders." Knight #2 said.

'Looks like we're about to find out...' Shinobu thought.

He turned to Naofumi.

"Naofumi, let's just go and figure out what the king wants. Be wary though..." Shinobu said.

Naofumi was confused as to why Shinobu was acting serious. Regardless, he was brought with the knights on a carriage to meet with the king.

######

Inside the throne room, Naofumi and Shinobu all noticed everyone present with dark expressions. Ren, Itsuki, and even Motoyasu showed such contempt. Some of the knights have their halberds pointing at them.

"What is the meaning of this? Why were we forcefully brought here?" Shinobu questioned.

Naofumi soon noticed everyone giving a dark leer. Shinobu took notice and gave his own leer to the people.

"Start talking... What is the meaning of us being brought here?" Shinobu asked seriously.

Naofumi soon noticed Myne with Motoyasu. She was apparently giving a frightful expression.

"Myne? What happened?" Naofumi asked.

Myne quickly went to Motoyasu's back. Soon, the king began to speak.

"Silence, you filthy beings!" Aultcray spat.

Naofumi was surprised of the tone the king gave. However, Shinobu didn't appear so. He soon gave a killer gaze.

"Better start telling us as to what is going on... If you don't, I may resort to violence till someone explains what is going on." Shinobu said, his voice notably deeper and dark.

'What's with Shinobu? Why is he acting so violently?' Naofumi thought.

Aultcray soon sighed to control his anger.

"Myne, forgive me for asking this, but would you care to testify?" The king requested.

"It was awful... The Shield Hero...raped me while the Dual Sword Hero didn't stop him. He was watching me... I never seen such an animal of men like them...! They were drunk and tore my clothes off!" Myne shouted, shedding tears.

"What?" Shinobu and Naofumi said at the same time.

"I managed to escape their dirty grasp and met the Spear Hero, explaining what happened." Myne finished.

'That didn't happen at all... I was up almost all night watching Naofumi till the sun was almost at the horizon... That bitch...! She's framing us!' Shinobu realized.

Motoyasu began speaking with contempt.

"If she hadn't requested us to wait at dawn, I would've killed you both without hesitation." He spat.

Shinobu soon equipped his swords. Everyone was on guard, not knowing of any outcome.

"I would rethink what you're trying to say. Naofumi didn't drink any alcohol, nor is he at legal age in our world. I also didn't drink anything related to alcohol either. Also, your accusation is false..." Shinobu growled.

"What makes you so sure that the crime was not true?" Aultcray questioned.

"I was up all night, watching Naofumi. While he slept, we were nearly attacked by a small group of people attempting to rob us. I retaliated in response, but Myne was nowhere within our room." Shinobu explained.

"Even if you have seen it yourself, a sexual assault in Melromarc is a serious offense, punishable by death." Elder man #1 said.

"So you're claiming that we attempted sexual assault on Myne?" Shinobu questioned.

"Yes, and we also have evidence." One of the knights said, showing Myne's purple nightgown, which looked ravaged.

Myne squealed in fright, not wanting to look at it.

"You beasts! I should kill you both!" Motoyasu shouted.

"We found this in their room. It was torn in several parts." The knight said.

"I know we have to expect the worst, but this... I don't think I ever met anyone with low standards." Itsuki commented.

"Even if they are heroes, they can't get away with being charged for sexual assault." Ren followed.

Naofumi collapsed to his knees. Shinobu was barely able to hold his ground.

'What the hell is this...? Why are we betrayed for something we didn't do? Shinobu was also up all night watching me so how can this be...?' Naofumi thought.

'Damn them... I knew something was not right...' Shinobu thought.

Soon, the boys noticed Myne suddenly stop crying. She gave a sadistic smirk, showing her tongue to them.

'I knew it... That bitch played us for fools...! This whole world... This kingdom...! It can go to Hell for ALL I CARE!' Shinobu angrily thought.

'It was all a ruse... She wanted to destroy me mentally... All of what we did with her was a lie... When she was smiling, she was deceiving us... Shinobu somehow knew about it... Damn it...' Naofumi thought.

Soon, both males stood up, showing a dark expression on their faces. Both showed such a fierce look, the knights and everyone watching were having their skins crawling.

"So that's how it is... You were setting us up from the beginning, you bitch!" Naofumi shouted.

The knights attempted to restrain him, but Shinobu acted instantly. He quickly made an x-shaped attack, slicing the halberds' wooden handles down. His face showed such anger, his eyes began to turn an orange red.

"You think that by framing us, we will let this go without incident? I think NOT!" Shinobu growled.

Naofumi was briefly surprised of Shinobu attacking the knights, but he didn't care. He wanted revenge against Myne, whom leaned to Motoyasu.

"Shut your mouths, you rapists!" He spat.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Shinobu shouted back, creating a shockwave.

The blast traveled all over the room, blowing anyone away from Shinobu. His face was twisted with a dark, angry, cynical look. Not even Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki could resist the killing intent emitted from Shinobu. It felt akin to provoking a beast.

"I will say this... You have conspired this event just so you can shame us. I don't want to know what purpose you all had, but I don't give a fuck about it. For all I care, except for Naofumi, you can all rot in this hell!" Shinobu snarled.

"A world like this... I hoped the whole place burned to the ground, the whole world." Naofumi followed.

"Not even admitting their guilt and speaking nonsensical accusations..." Ren noted.

"They don't even deserve a shred of mercy." Itsuki said.

Shinobu, unknown to him, was channeling an incredible amount of energy on his blades before swinging them. An x-shaped shockwave soared to them, forcing them to dodge. Both looked at the cause, only to see the orange eyes on Shinobu showing bloodlust.

"You two ought to shut your mouths..." Shinobu growled.

Soon the people began to speak with contempt.

"They summoned five heroes, but the Shield Hero and Dual Sword Hero were no good." Male Citizen #1 said.

"Those two should have never been summoned." Male citizen #2 followed.

Naofumi wasn't taking this situation anymore. He was resentful, wanting nothing to do with the world he's in.

"I don't care about this world anymore... If you want another Shield or Dual Sword Hero, you can summon another. We have no business with your problems." Naofumi spoke with hate.

"How low, even for them..." Ren spoke.

"Abandoning their job to save this world, just like that." Itsuki followed.

"Just let them go home. It's a coward speaking, especially a rapist. Who would want to fight alongside them?" Motoyasu taunted.

Shinobu leaped into the air and began spinning like a buzz saw. Motoyasu attempted to block the attack, but was pushed back. Shinobu yelled with hatred, kicking Motoyasu hard enough to send him flying to a wall.

"I do well to shut that flippant mouth of yours. Otherwise, I rip it off." Shinobu warned, showing an insane, angry expression.

He soon looked at Myne, who was truly frightened from the sight. She attempted to run, only for Shinobu to create another shockwave that sent her hurtling to Motoyasu.

"That's enough! Restrain the Dual Sword Hero immediately!" Aultcray ordered.

The knights attempted to do so, only to be repelled by the insane strength Shinobu now possessed. He wasn't fighting like a human. He was fighting like a human possessed by a demon.

"It would be wise for you to send us back home... Keep sending your knights to us, I will cut them down, one by one..." Shinobu spoke.

"I truly wish for that, but we can't. Legends reveal that unless the Five cardinal heroes perish, we can't summon anymore heroes." Aultcray revealed.

"So that's how it is... We're essentially prisoners of this world." Naofumi said with hopelessness.

"Even though I wanted to put you two to jail, I can't, for we need your strengths to fight the Waves. There may be a chance for you all to go home once the Waves truly disappear." Aultcray said.

"Then we will fight on our own way then." Naofumi spoke.

"However, the rumors of this crime have been spread. A fitting punishment for the both of you." Aultcray said.

"So you all wanted to frame us for something all for slandering... I got one thing to say that..." Shinobu said, holding a copper coin in his right hand.

He soon slipped it between his fingers before hurling it like a ninja star. The coin moved so quickly, it impacted directly below Motoyasu's groin, making him shiver in fright on how close it was.

"This is what you all wanted... So take it to your graves. I hope you all rot for all I care." Shinobu declared.

Ren attempted to stop Shinobu before he left. However, he was interrupted by a sword near his neck and body.

"Just so you know, your betrayal already left a scar too deep to heal. Should I encounter you all again, I will not hesitate to kill, even if you are a hero." Shinobu warned.

Ren moved back, intimidated by Shinobu's killer decree. Naofumi didn't object to it, feeling a sense of sadistic glee after seeing him physically fighting Motoyasu and Myne.

"Also, I got one last thing to give..." Shinobu said.

He jumped and swung his swords on the ground. It created an earthquake effect.

"Fissure slash." Shinobu uttered with a dark tone.

A large fissure soon formed, scaring everyone.

"You wanted to make us a demon, you got one already." Shinobu spoke, leaving with Naofumi.