Chapter 25: Class-ups and Countries.

We left for the Dragon Hourglass after I created a clone, with minimal presence, to guard the wagon. There wasn't anything particularly valuable in it, but I didn't want to risk Malty coming back and trying something. On the way we explained what we had learned to Blake. I also found a new entry in the help menu.

Class-up is a ceremony to increase the possibilities for party members of a Hero.

The ceremony is performed at the Dragon Hourglass.

We suggest you wait until there is a star by your name before attempting to class-up.

There are no limitations on the growth potential of a Hero.

That confirms my theory about heroes not being capped at 40.

"So, any idea what kind of class-up you're going to choose?"

"It is difficult to make a decision before knowing the options. Though, considering how I have been fighting recently I think something to better my casting speed and mana capacity." (Seb)

"I'm fine with whatever Master Endou thinks is best." Does Talia really want me to choose for her?

"I want to be sneaky like Master Kousuke. Then the enemies will never see me coming." Blake seems to be acting more like a kid ever since we met Mel, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

We eventually reached the church containing the Dragon Hourglass. Unlike before, there weren't nuns out front to question us, but there were some in the room with the hourglass. One of them was the same as our previous visit. "The Shield Hero's companions?"

"We're here to for class-ups." As before the nuns were startled when I spoke, though the one from last time wasn't as surprised as the others.

"In that case it will cost 15 gold pieces per person." The nun said with a sinister smile.

"We are well aware that there is no such fee. If you are going to try to cheat someone out of their money, pick a better target. Though I doubt whatever god it is that you worship would be very pleased to know that their followers would do something as petty as to try to steal from someone who is meant to save them, would they?" I looked the nun that tried to charge us in the eye and could tell I was right. This is why I verified as to whether or not there would be any fee before coming; the church's people will try anything to get one over on their "devil of the shield".

One of the other nuns scrambled to a desk and retrieved a document. "The Shied Hero and his party are prohibited from classing-up."

I read the document; it does appear to be a written order from the nepotistic king prohibiting my party from receiving class-ups.

"It appears that the king is trying to see how far he can get without facing retaliation. Sigh. It seems we may have to make that trip to Siltvelt after all."

The fear in the nuns' eyes was somewhat refreshing after the way they tried to play us. It didn't take a genius to figure out that other countries would have ways to class-up. If they didn't Siltvelt wouldn't have stood a chance in a war with Melromarc. And if they believe I am planning on heading to Siltvelt next, they won't expect me to go to somewhere else. Now I just need to find out where, and I know just who to ask. It didn't look like Malty was coming back to try anything with the wagon, so I had my hidden clone head to the slave merchant. Meanwhile we went to get some lunch while two shadows watched us. One that seems to have been on us since meeting back up with Blake, and one that came from the church. The church shadows don't seem as adept as the other ones that I have felt and their presences are different. Though the fact that the kingdom shadows all feel the same is what's really weird.

POV: Clone

That king is a real piece of work, summoning me to save his country then trying to limit me through my party's levels. If I didn't know about his past and the queen, I would probably threaten him to let them class-up, but as things are it will be better this way. I made my way to the slave merchant's tent. I glanced around and saw that, for the most part, conditions hadn't improved. I did notice that the inner tent that he seems to use as an office had improved and he was wearing a number of rings and other jewelry that he didn't have before. His suit also looked new. Business must be going well. He seemed to be taking a nap in his chair, so I cleared my throat.

"What? Who's there?" He stood up and looked around.

"I am."

"Oh, Sir Shield Hero. It has been quite some time, what can I do for you today?"

"It seems your fortunes have improved quite a bit recently."

"That they have, and largely thanks to you, Hero."

"I take that to mean word of Seb, Talia, and Blake all coming from you has been good for business."

"That it has, yes sir. Many nobles have come to inquire about that filolial queen of yours. And way you raised those two has given me a reputation for providing slaves of the highest quality." He tipped his hat and performed a slight bow. "So, what is it that I may help you with today? More slaves? Or perhaps you wish to raise another filolial?"

"Today I am after information. Specifically about class-ups and ways we can get them since the king has prohibited it for us here."

"Well I'm afraid I can't help you get it done here, but it seems you figured that out already. The simple answer would be that you just have to apply at a different country's Dragon Hourglass." So there are others. "Though depending on the country, it may be hard to earn their trust. If you are looking for countries that would be easy for you to win over, I would suggest the mercenary nation of Zeltoble, or perhaps the demi-human countries of Siltvelt or Shieldfreeden." He brought out a large map and pointed to each one in turn. "They are all about the same distance from here. It would take a month on foot or two weeks by boat. Though I'd be willing to bet that filolial of yours could rival the boat."

"Tell me about them. Everything I would need to know about surviving in each and convincing them to let us class-up."

"Well Zeltoble, as I said, is a mercenary nation. They tend to hold combat tournaments with permission to class-up as first prize. Alternatively one could make a deal with the ruling Council of Merchant, which would likely cost a fair bit of coin. Since they are also a trading hub they use almost every language, but some areas tend to use particular ones almost exclusively, makes it easier on people from the countries that use those languages. It is also a place in which thieves and pickpockets thrive, as well as having a large black market. It is a country where you can buy anything for the right price or with the right connections. There is even a dark guild there that would also be able to provide any information you seek on any topic. I do have some family down there that could help get you registered for a tournament or with other things should you be so inclined."

"As I recall that level 75 slave you showed me before was from Zeltoble's colosseums. I suppose that means he won one of those tournaments."

"I believe so, yes. It may have been part of a team of slaves that won class-ups rather than a solo tournament though."

I nodded in understanding. "What about the other counties."

"Yes well, they are both primarily made up of and ruled by demi-humans. Siltvelt is more or less a polar opposite of Melromarc in that most humans are slaves, and the free ones usually aren't much better off. Shieldfreeden on the other hand tends to treat humans fairly; similar to how some of the protected areas in Melromarc treat demi-humans. That said, they both practice a religion that primarily worships the shield, so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting permission. Though I should warn you that in Siltvelt their devotion is said to get rather extreme, and I don't mean devotion to you so much as devotion to their idea of the Shield Hero."

"So basically, it would be like if all of the faith this country had in the three heroes were to be focused on a single individual and they wanted that person to be perfect. I can imagine that they would expect me to act according to a specific stereotype that previous Shield Heroes have followed." Sounds even worse than what Shizuku had to go through with the Soul Sisters.

"I do believe that is accurate."

"It may not be ideal, but heading to Siltvelt would defiantly piss off that idiot king." I whispered just loud enough so that he could understand me, while making it seem like I was talking to myself. I paid him the 50 silver I had taken with me from the wagon. "This should go without saying, but I was never here and you didn't tell me anything."

"Of course." He bowed and I completely masked my presence. "I don't suppose I could intere-" He looked around for a moment trying to find where I went before deciding that I must be gone. "A shame I didn't get the chance to sell anything else, but information is a commodity that is retained when sold and he did pay more than I would have expected."

Just as I was about to head back to the wagon someone else came running into the tent. Judging from their attire, they work in the castle. Something the slave trader picked up on as well.

"On an errand for one of the castle's higher-ups I take it?"

"Yes, I have been requested to procure a filolial egg for the Spear Hero." That was fast, did he ask someone to get an egg for him as soon as he reached the castle?

The slave trader's usual smile grew even wider as he seemed to realize that Motoyasu might also be able to raise filolial queens. He then began discussing with the runner about what type of filolial was requested or what it was to be used for. Apparently Motoyasu decided to claim that it was so he could beat me in a rematch of our race.

As I walked back to the wagon I wondered, if the filolial Motoyasu raises is able to transform, will it be able to keep him from doing anything stupid that Malty tells him to? For the moment I can only hope.

POV: Main

Sending my clone to talk to the slave merchant had been the right call. I now knew how to earn a class-up in Zeltoble and if the king's men question him, he'll probably spill and confirm that I plan on going to Siltvelt.

We were at the inn and I thought about what to do about the church's shadow. Last time I drove him crazy, but now there was a kingdom shadow watching. So the question becomes, can I do anything to stop the church shadow without tipping my hand to much to the kingdom shadow. Well the kingdom shadows already knew I was better at stealth than them, though I'm not sure if the church shadow can even maintain focus on me when I'm not trying to hide. To test this, I decided to "go for a walk" and saw that, unlike the kingdom shadow, he didn't even move when I left. I slightly masked my presence and circled around to his hiding spot, he was on the roof of the next building over. He was able to lower his presence a bit, but I could still see him clearly. Is this amateur the best that the church can do? He didn't seem to be doing anything to hide what he looks like; then again his entire appearance could be some sort of disguise, I don't think the last church shadow was really an old man. I switched to my Bee Needle Shield and slammed his head into it, triggering the counterattack, then forced him face down on the ground. I had done some tests back when we fought the bandits, so I knew it takes about 30 seconds for the paralysis to fully set in and it lasts for 10 to 15 minutes. After he was completely paralyzed I put a blindfold and gag on him then tied him up in a way that would be nearly impossible to escape on his own. I also wrote the word "amateur" in Melromarc's written language, on his forehead. I'm not sure how, but could tell that the kingdom shadow was laughing. I'm not sure what it is about them that makes me not mind them as much. Maybe it's because they technically work for the queen, who hasn't done anything to me, rather than the church that literally demonizes me. Or maybe it's because of what happened when they stepped in at Lute.

After having my fun with the church shadow, I headed back to the inn. "That's another church shadow that won't be eager to follow us for a while."

"You let him live?" (Talia)

"Despite being an assassin, I don't make a habit of killing people I don't have to. Driving them mad or embarrassing them is more than enough when all they are doing is spying."

We spent the rest of the evening advancing our magic studies.

AN: I almost feel bad for the church shadows... almost.