Disclaimer: I don't own Rising of the Shield Hero and I don't own any of the other properties that I mention. Only the original work in this fanfiction is my own and I don't earn anything with it.
I first found an alley that wasn't visited often in the slums and created my first teleportation point there. Afterwards, I visited a mercenary company shortly enquiring about their prices and services. Then I visited the old man. Stepping through the door, I could see weapons hanging from the walls and behind the counter was my favorite blacksmith.
"Welcome!"
The shop owner cheerfully greeted as I entered the shop.
„Hello, I wanted to make a few inquiries and buy a bit of gear." (Naofumi)
I said with a bit of nostalgia in my voice.
„Oh, not a first customer then. Seems you at least know what you want." (Old Man)
„Yes, first I want to buy an armor for around 150 Silver. I don't want a chainmail, though it should provide a similar level of protection. It is not a problem if it is a bit heavier. Then I want to know what I have to pay for a good beginner weapon that can be used by a demi-human child, and is still usable after leveling up. Lastly, I want to know what equipment for a medium level knight costs, it should be good enough to be useful till level 50 at least." (Naofumi)
„Demi-Human?" (Old Man)
He inspected me looking at the shield.
„You are the shield hero right? Do you know what happens when a demi-human child levels up to fast?" (Old Man)
„Yes, I am the Shield Hero, does it matter? If not you can call me Naofumi. I know that they change their appearance to a fully grown form." (Naofumi)
„That's not all, they not only grow physically, but mentally as well. This means they will reach full maturity. You should let them talk with an adult afterwards, Demi-human preferable. I would choose someone from the country. The hatred is smaller there." (Old Man)
He inspected my face while saying that. Probably thought I looked too young or that I would recruit a female. Well, he was right.
„Thanks, I didn't know that." (Naofumi)
Seeing it in retrospective it was quite obvious. Raphtalia definitely didn't behave like a child after growing.
„For a demi-human child, if you also want armor I would recommend something flexible. A slightly hardened vest or a bit of padded clothing. The weapon price is based on what weapon you want. Multiple Daggers or exotic Weapons cost more. Together you could get it for either 80 or with blood-clean enchantment for 100 Silver. After level 40 to 50, you should still change it. Without armor 30 Silver less." (Old Man)
I nodded that was acceptable for me.
„For the knight, I wouldn't recommend full plate. Without the needed spells it isn't helpful without a horse. So either a Scale Mail or Breastplate for now. Together with a Shield and Sword. What's the limit?" (Old Man)
„200 perhaps 300 Silver." (Old Man)
„180 if you take the scale mail and 230 if the Breastplate." (Old Man)
„If you don't want a chainmail, I have to create something." (Old Man)
„How long will that need, I want to reach the next village by evening." (Naofumi)
„What I planned to make would be 130 for you. If you give me 150 I can get an assistant and be finished in three hours. I will have to use something that already nearly finished but that shouldn't be a problem for you. What about a weapon for you?" (Old Man)
„Can't, my shield is more on the jealous side."
I said jokingly.
"How does it function? Can I take a look?" (Old Man)
„I actually had an offer for you. How many different shields do you have in this shop and what would they cost if I bought one of each type?" (Naofumi)
He looked me over distrustful.
„Around 20 Gold. The more expensive stuff I only make on request. Because of this, I have only three specials right know. Without those only 4 Gold, and I won't sell them." (Old Man)
20 Gold, that's much more than I expected.
„Okay, that's more than I thought. Here me out before you get angry. Each weapon of the heroes has a few special abilities. One of them that all have, is the ability to copy a weapon. If they weren't here already, the others will come later. They will pretend to look for a weapon, sword, spear or bow respectively and test all your available equipment. In reality, they will copy them for them self simply through a touch and not buy anything."
The Old Man looked angry, but also thoughtful.
„But that is basically stealing and why did you tell me that." (Old Men)
„I heard that you are an incredible blacksmith and I want good relations with you. I also find that copying weapons without asking is not right. Here is my offer. I will promise that for any special orders I will come to you first. Only if you can't do it, I will go to someone else. I can't promise for everything though. Especially if I need something fast in a different town, like equipment for new companions. But otherwise you will be my private blacksmith, so to say. With the higher equipment that I will need later that can become profitable for you. I will also pay you a fee of 100 Silver right now to copy the shields that you have in store." (Naofumi)
I would also buy only from him if possible without that, but I needed those shields. After a few minutes.
„Let me think about it and come back in three hours." (Old Man)
At least he didn't reject it right now. I nodded and went to the castle dungeons. Seeing the jailor there I spoke to him.
„I'm the shield hero. You have heard about my rights to recruit criminals as my companions?" (Naofumi)
He was flabbergasted, but finally spoke.
„Yes, but..." (Jailor)
„Good, show me your prisoners." (Naofumi)
After a few more minutes he finally complied. I didn't find any other interesting prisoners, but the one I wanted was there.
„Stay here while I inspect the prisoner." (Naofumi)
He seemed to have given up protesting and simply followed my orders. I went to the cell in which the female knight sat and spoke to her. Overall of that, I had hidden my shield behind my body.
„State your crime!" (Naofumi)
She looked angry at me.
„I didn't commit a crime." (Female Knight)
„Then why are you in here?" (Naofumi)
„I protected demi-humans from mercenaries and slavers." (Female Knight)
„Yes, that is quite a crime in this land. What would you do to be released?" (Naofumi)
She looked angry again.
„I will neither prostitute me nor sell my believes out. Search for a different prisoner for your infamy." (Female Knight)
„That wasn't what I meant. Do you know about the new law regarding heroes?" (Naofumi)
„No" (Female Knight)
She now looked slightly confused.
„It says that a hero can even recruit criminals for there quest. As that is more important than any crime they could have made. Would you be willing to serve a hero." (Naofumi)
She thought about it, but then answered.
„Yes, if I find him agreeable. If not, I will either go back to prison than staying with him." (Female Knight)
„I am the hero of the Shield, Iwatani Naofumi. Would you be willing to serve me?" (Naofumi)
„Yes. I'm Eclair Seaetto." (Female Knight)
I smiled at her rapid reaction.
„As a citizen of this country, you will understand that I need to take precautions. Human prisoners can be branded with a slave crest if necessary. Are you willing to take that?" (Naofumi)
Eclair hesitated viably.
„I think we can reduce the punishments to the essential. Stealing from me, betrayal and killing attempts. I will also promise not to do anything to you and release you if you don't want to stay with me." (Naofumi)
I checked that the jailor was out of earshot.
„A major reason for the slave crest is, that I know how to improve the number of stats gained with level ups for my slaves." (Naofumi)
It seems that she finally understands.
„Under those circumstances, I'm willing to take a slave crest." (Female Knight)
„Good, call me Naofumi." (Naofumi)
„You can call me Eclair." (Female Knight)
„Sure, Female Knight-san." (Naofumi)
I couldn't resist to tease her a little bit. She took it with pride.
„Jailor, release the prisoner." (Naofumi)
„But, ... I mean I just can't simply..." (Jailor)
„I have recruited her for my cause. Now release her." (Naofumi)
The jailor finally gave up and released her.
„Do you have her equipment?" (Naofumi)
„No it was confiscated and put into the armory of the knights." (Jailor)
„Do you have anything personal left?" (Naofumi)
„No. I lost all in the first wave and after my arrest." (Female Knight)
„Than I will buy you something later. Come on we have much to do." (Naofumi)
After we left the castle Eclair asked me.
„What are our plans now?" (Female Knight)
„First the slave merchant. Than the stores and finally the Adventure guild. Afterwards we will leave the town and spend the evening in the village south of her." (Naofumi)
„Can I ask why?" (Female Knight)
„The older princess tried to squeeze herself into my party, I think she will do something to discredit me. It would be good to be out of town and under people. Sadly she didn't follow me, otherwise I could have spread a few rumors that I preferred a demi-human over her. If I kowingly rejected her, it would be hard to believe anything she says. It would look like revenge." (Naofumi)
Eclair looked at me surprised.
„You are much more divious than I expected. That Malty is real plague." (Female Knight)
„If she does what I think she will, we can call her bitch, while we are alone." (Naofumi)
I didn't know if Eclair was agreeable with that or not. At least she didn't protest. As we entered the back street where the slave market was I asked the Knight.
„Do you know any magic?" (Naofumi)
„Only a little bit. I don't have any great talent for it. Just a bit Earth and Protection magic. Enough to boost myself, but not more." (Female Knight)
„No healing magic?" (Naofumi)
She just shook her head. I had hoped to have that remain secret for a little more time. I steeled myself and took on the look in my eyes that I had for such a long time. I wanted the slave dealer to like me.
„Ah, customers. What are you looking for? A slave for your household, a battle slave or one for the night? Yes." (Slave Dealer)
After the penguin looking slave merchant had seen my eyes he laughed creepily.
„A battle slave then? Yes." (Slave merchant)
„Show me your merchandise. The ones on the cheaper side. Low level. They can be a bit weak or sickly. Just no ones that already gave up." (Naofumi)
I actually enjoyed the following conversation. The slave dealer showed me a few more than last time. He probably didn't know how much money I had. I hoped the queen had already contacted him before the summoning. It was possible and it would made the slaves cheaper. I finally went to the final deal.
„Show me the dog demi-human child there and the two in the cage." (Naofumi)
That was actually surprising. I didn't know the child that was with Raphtalia in one cage. Both were sick, the second more than Raphtalia.
„You have a good eye. All three have high potential. The two are sadly sick, otherwise I could demand much more. They are from left to right 60, 70 and 130 Silver. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
After a few minutes I had their names and stated my conditions. They were Raphtalia, Kiel and Lifana. I also had more evidence that there was something different this time. Last time Lifana was killed by a noble.
„I will take them, do you also sell monsters?" (Naofumi)
„Yes do you want a special one or would you like to try the lottery? Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„Show me the lottery." (Naofumi)
He guided me to the place where they were and I concentrated my abilities to see Magic towards what I had learned later. The ability to see potential, a combination resulting from experience and the abilities to the magic and Chi respectively. Sadly nothing stood out and I also didn't see the familiar signature of Firo. That could either mean she was a normal Philorial or...
„Do you have others or are that all. None of them are to my liking." (Naofumi)
I didn't want a random Philorial, I wanted Firo. The slave merchant was perplexed but than guided me towards an larger storage area.
„Those are the newly acquire ones. They aren't sorted yet. That means even I don't know what they are. That could mean that you could gain problems if there is a demon beast in the egg that needs an advanced slave seal." (Slave Merchant)
I concentrated again and finally found firo. I also found a few other stronger ones and thought about if I should buy one of them additionally to Firo. I noticed an egg that I somehow overlooked. It was different than the others and only Firo had the same potential as that one.
„I take these two. I also need a slave crest for my companion. The crests should be made at positions where they can't be easily seen." (Naofumi)
„Of course. That would be 460 Silver. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
I gave him 465 Silver.
„What are the five silver for? Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„Four for the crest each, you would have demanded it anyway. The last is for a bit of the ink you use for the seals. If you have different ones I'm willing to pay for them additionally." (Naofumi)
„What do you need them fore? Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„I will insert it into my shield to unlock a slave related shield." (Naofumi)
„Based on the amount you need I will have to need more. I have two more kinds of ink. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„I only need a few drops." (Naofumi)
„Then 5 Silver more. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
I gave him the additionally silver and gained the Slave Trainer Shield I, II and III. Giving me the effects of Slave growth+ (small), Slave growth+ (medium) and Slave Condition+ (small). Afterwards, he created the seals for my new four slaves and then went towards adding the seals on the monster eggs.
„Those both need an advanced seal." (Naofumi)
„I can't simply add an advanced seal on assumption alone. They are much too expensive. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„I know, but I don't simply assume and I already paid you. How about this. You make the advanced seal now and I will tell you two secrets that could be profitable for you. Afterwards, when I come the next time, which will be after the wave or just before it, I will show you that I was right. Otherwise, I will pay you the full cost for the seals." (Naofumi)
The Slave Dealer thought about it and then said.
„I need a clue pertaining the two secrets. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„I will tell you how I found out which of your eggs were the most valuable ones and how to raise a Philorial Queen or King." (Naofumi)
Following that, I got a few surprised looks.
„I will make the seal. I get the secrets, additionally 100 Silver for each right now. And if you are right I will not pay the money back. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„I will get the seal, you get the secrets. After I showed you I'm right I pay the 200 Silvers for both eggs." (Naofumi)
„And you will not use your trick again in the lotteries to win more rare eggs. Yes." (Slave Dealer)
„Deal." (Naofumi)
Over the next hour, the dealer added the Slave Crests.
„I can see magic and chi, combining that with my experience I can tell the potential of someone. To get a Philorial Queen or King, you simply need to let it be raced by a hero. But I don't know if a Seven Star Hero is enough. And no I won't help you with that. I will have my hand full with the one in one of the eggs already." (Naofumi)
The Slave merchant laughed.
„Two secrets that I can't use. I really like you." (Slave Merchant)
