The Rising of the Shield Hero
The Mage Hero – Chapter 08 [ Trauma ]
Disclaimer: I Do not own 'The Rising of the Shield Hero' or its Characters
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Kenjiro rode with blistering speed aback the filolial Raphtalia was piloting, eyes burning the image of the approaching attackers into his retina as the anger of the Hero continued to rise. "We're coming up on the stragglers, what's the plan?" The raccoon girl asked as the bandits on foot noticed the rescue party, stopping to form a blockade of sorts.
Kenjiro looked at the staff he was holding, silently transforming it back into the vambrace. "I'll clear a path." He said in an agitated tone, pointing his palm in the direction of the group of 15 or so bandits.
"Couldn't we just go around?" Raphtalia asked, suggesting a practical method of dealing with the problem.
"That would only slow us down." Kenjiro responded before uttering the spell. "Chain Lightning Bolt!" He cried as a shot of purple electricity exploded out of his fingertips. As the mass of plasma passed through the crowd in a straight line, rather than traveling through the hole pack, the tendrils jumped a distance from the base bolt, electrocuting around 6 bandits either by direct contact of the bolt, or secondhand tendril electrocution.
As the rest of the bandits simply stood in shock, Filo rushed through the opening Kenjiro created, Motoyasu not to far behind. "So what now?!" Motoyasu yelled, coming up beside the filolial as he attempted to figure out what exactly he was needed for.
"Ivar, can you stop that cart?" Kenjiro asked seriously, ignoring Motoyasu.
"It shouldn't be a problem." Ivar responded calmly.
"Alright, Motoyasu, after we stop that cart, Ivar and I are going to hop off and deal with the scraps. You and Raphtalia circle back to help out your party in finishing of the warband." Kenjiro explained calmly as the two began nearing the cart.
Motoyasu hesitated for a moment before responding "Right, we'll handle it." He said as he stared in the direction of sword maiden focused on the path ahead of them. As Motoyasu once again split off, riding parallel to Kenjiro, the two heroes began encroaching upon the frantically moving cage.
As the two came closer and closer, Kenjiro could see the back cage, and inside were two figures. The fire in Kenjiro's eye was only getting brighter the closer the got. Continuing to gain on the cart, the two figures became more and more clear. Kenjiro knew who they were before they even left Jorric, but seeing it firsthand, it angered him to no end.
"LYRA! YUMIKO!" Kenjiro called as it was certain he was now in earshot. He was surprised when the only one to respond to the sound was the young girl, looking back to see the two riders nearly on top of the cart.
"Kenji!" She replied in relief as she tried to crawly her way to the closed gate.
"Get Yumiko and hold onto something! This is going to be rough!" Kenjiro yelled as Raphtalia brought Filo up to the back of the cage.
"R-Right!" Lyra said bravely, slowly making her way toward the rouge, still sitting in a fetal position. As the small girl managed to grab hold of one of the bars, as well as make her best attempt at securing Yumiko, Kenjiro decided it was time to end this.
"Ivar! Now's the time!" he shouted, the boy responding with a solitary nod as he readied his crossbow.
"I am a warrior who commands the origin of power. I have read and deciphered the law of nature. Let the warriors of the past lend me their power! Ice Bolt!" Ivar finished as he pulled the trigger on his crossbow, loosing in arrow directly into the path of one of the back wheels. As the shot impacted, it looked as if the bolt itself exploded, freezing the entire wheel solid as icicles protruded in the direction the shot traveled.
The wagon began to slow dramatically as the now frozen back wheel was causing it to begin careening and shifting around, but also slow it tremendously. The two frenzied drivers were doing all they could to not capsize as they frantically tried to steer the horse. "Raphtalia! If we can separate them from the horse they have nowhere to run!" Kenjiro exclaimed as they began closing in on the drivers.
Nodding in confirmation, Raphtalia rode past the cage, and the small carriage, arriving at the horse as she drew her sword. The drivers looked panicked, the one closest to the two fumbling for a sword of his own. Before he could even find it, Raphtalia had already cut straight through the ropes they were using to hold the horse, allowing it to run off course, leaving the now powerless carriage to sputter out of control, and lose steam.
The cart began slowing enough to where it was at a slow crawl with the last of its momentum when Kenjiro spoke again. "This should be fine; let Ivar and I take it from here." Kenjiro said in a dark tone as he lept off the still speeding Filolial.
"Alright, we'll head back then." Motoyasu said quickly, not wanting to get in the way of the powerful mage on a warpath. The spear hero quickly slowed, allowing Ivar to dismount, then picked his speed up as he and Raphtalia turned to clear out any remaining hostiles.
"Switch to close quarters." Kenjiro stated in a simple, yet dominant tone. Without hesitation, the demihuman did as he was told, slinging his crossbow onto his back, and grabbing the axe he had in his belt.
"You think this is over!" a voice shouted as one of the drivers stumbled towards the two. His partner soon joined him, handing him the sword he was presumably searching for earlier.
"Ivar, you've been training on your off time, let's see what you can do." Kenjiro stated calmly as he began stood back, extending his arm in the slave's direction. "Fortify Strength"
Ivar looked invigorated as Kenjiro watched his expression. It was clear that the boy was getting excited. "You're sending a child to fight us? If he's anything like that oaf at the farm, I'm certain that—" The man was stopped in his tracks as Kenjiro fired a magic missile at the mercenary, sending him flying.
The remaining driver watched his partner land limp, turning back towards the Mage Hero with anger in his eyes. "You'll pay for that!" he cried as he charged Kenjiro. The man swung a clumsy strike at the stoic mage; however he was certain the strike would hit. Before the blade made contact with the mage, it was knocked away by a buffed Ivar, forcing the man to stumble backwards.
"I can handle him." Ivar said calmly, his focus solely on the enemy ahead of him.
"I trust that is the case." Kenjiro said casually as he turned his back, walking toward the cage door.
"Don't you turn your back to me!" the man cried as he tried to charge Kenjiro again, ignoring Ivar.
The man didn't get far before a small axe buried itself into the man's gut. Ivar removed the axe as the man's strength failed him, causing his blade to thump onto the dirt. The man followed suit as he crumpled onto the floor, bleeding out.
"Well that wasn't really any training." Ivar stated disappointed as he watched Kenjiro unlock the cage door.
"Perhaps not, but you gained experience, that's all that matters at the moment." Kenjiro stated as he opened the door, being assaulted by Lyra, who quickly clinged to the Mage.
"Lyra, it's okay now, they can't hurt you anymore." Kenjiro stated, becoming slightly relieved as he squatted down to comfort the young girl. Breaking the hug, Kenjiro asked Lyra another question. "What's wrong with Yumiko?" He asked scared of what the girl might answer.
"I-I don't know. I saw those two drivers holding her down as the long-haired man in the carriage did something to her with a brush." Lyra said not knowing the ramifications of what she was suggesting. "since then she's been like that." She said pointing at Yumiko.
"Ivar. Check the inside." He said firmly as he walked into the cage where Yumiko was still curled up as if she didn't just experience a chase. "Yumiko? Are you alright?" Kenjiro asked as he approached her.
"Don't… don't…" she mumbled as he got closer.
Kenjiro inched closer, reaching his hand out to try and shake her. "Yumiko are you—"
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed as she backed herself further into the cage.
Kenjiro watched as the traumatized Yumiko turned away from him, curled up into a ball terrified. "Yumiko, it's me. Kenjiro." He said calmly as he continued his approach.
"No… I don't believe you. Stay away!" she shouted, turning to put her hands in front of her, her eyes closed and averted as to not see her supposed attacker.
Kenjiro's heart broke as he flashed back to the first time, he had met Yumiko, how she was so scared she couldn't move from her little hole under her derelict home. Not about to leave his companion in the cage, Kenjiro quickly moved forwards, gripping her wrists, deciding to quickly break through her distrust.
"NO! NO!"
"It's alright! It's me!
"Don't touch me!"
"Calm down!"
"I won't let you—"
"Open your eyes!" Kenjiro cried as Yumiko's struggle continued. "YUMIKO!" He shouted, causing her eyes to shoot open. "You're okay now." Kenjiro said softly as his eyes stared into hers. Her will to struggle fading.
"Kenjiro…" she replied softly, her eyes tearing up as she quickly moved to embrace the mage, letting her tears fall.
Kenjiro watched as his companion cried into his armor, unable to release the grip she had on him. "What did he do to you…" he asked to himself, knowing she didn't hear him as he placed his hand on her head.
"Lord Kenjiro, I found someone." Ivar said from behind the mage as he threw a cowardly man tied up and struggling with a face that emitted frustration.
"Good, go with Lyra to find Raphtalia, see if she can't bring back that horse that ran off." Kenjiro ordered sternly.
"Of course." Ivar said softly as he watched the scene playing out before him. "Come on Lyra." Ivar ordered as he gripped the girl's hand, pulling her off towards the direction Raphtalia rode off to.
After a few moments of allowing Yumiko to recollect herself. Kenjiro broke the hug, his hands still gripping her shoulders. "What did they do to you." He said firmly, with anger in his tone.
"They… they…" Yumiko couldn't speak, instead choosing to show the Mage. Yumiko pulled back her cloak, revealing that her armor had been ripped off, likely left at the battle sight, and her underclothes were ripped, revealing a half-drawn slave crest on her chest.
Kenjiro spoke no words as he slowly turned his head, toward the now cowering man, his eyes leaking out an intense, burning hatred.
CURSE Series Requirements Met
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Jorric sat on a rock nearby the desecrated graves of his mother and stepfather. Laying at his feet was the lifeless corpse of his birthfather. Jorric raised his head as he looked around. The Hero of the Shield was in the midst of piling whatever corpses were left at the grave site into one spot, clearing the graves of his parents. "I'm sorry Hero, I should have helped you." Jorric spoke solemnly as his eyes met those of the shield.
"It's quite alright, you have the right to mourn." Naofumi responded as he made his way over to the man, sitting across from him on the ground.
"I… I need to bury him. But I feel as if Lyra should see him once more…" Jorric stated shakily.
"You do what you believe is necessary." Naofumi said awkwardly, not knowing how to handle the situation as he began letting his eyes wander. "Hold on, someone's coming." Naofumi quickly scrambled up as he saw three dots coming towards them, one further back than the others.
Jorric looked in the direction the others went, seeing what appeared to be the return of the rescue party. A smile threatened to creep onto the man's face before he quickly stood, not allowing the smile to show. "I need to apologize to them." He said as he began walking towards the returning party.
"What? I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Naofumi stated as he watched the man's slow-paced walk.
"Had I not rushed away in my anger; this would not have happened. Not only that, but I feel as if I have… misjudged, The Spear Hero, and the rest of his party." Jorric said quietly as he halted his walk.
"I see." Naofumi replied with a tone of dissatisfaction as he contemplated the meaning behind Jorric's seeming acceptance of the spear.
"Don't misunderstand, I do not believe he is fit for his title. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have the drive to help others, whether that witch feels the same or not." Jorric amended, causing Naofumi to look at him with a little more understanding.
"Jorric!" He heard faintly as the two faster animals came closer to the tank.
"Lyra!" He replied as he looked towards the feathered Filolial, charging them. Jorric was stunned as his feet weighed him down. Hearing his sister's voice, safe and sound, not only gave him great joy, but also great doubt as he looked back towards his father.
Filo quickly arrived back at the sight, Raiju not to far behind as the people had begun dismounting the creatures. "JORRIC!" Lyra cried as she ran to her brother, embracing him as he kneeled down to her level.
"Alright, lets dismount and let these guys rest." Raphtalia said as she leaped of Filo, helping Luna down from off the bird as the creature subsequently fell to the ground panting. Similarly, Motoyasu dismounted with his other two party members, his dragon collapsing downward to rest.
"Wait, where are the others?" Jorric asked as he looked down at Lyra, then back towards the others.
Raphtalia looked at Motoyasu, who gave the tanuki a very hesitant look that she mirrored. "He's almost here but…" she hesitated as she locked eyes with Naofumi.
Naofumi immediately understood as he looked towards the now noticeable black stallion with a cloud of dust and ash forming a cloud behind it. "Looks like something happened." Naofumi stated eerily.
"What do you mean?" Jorric asked as his gaze turned from Naofumi, the towards the approaching mage.
Kenjiro finally made his entrance as he began his deceleration. It was clear that he had both Yumiko and Ivar sat in front of him, but what caught Jorric and Naofumi's attention was the struggling man tied up behind the horse being dragged behind him.
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Kenjiro dismounted his new horse as he helped Yumiko down. Ivar had dismounted on his own, moving in to check on the prisoner. "He's still breathing." Ivar said as he used his axe to cut the rope.
"Good" Kenjiro stated ominously as he helped Yumiko to a nearby tree, setting her down. "Could you and the rest of the party members try and get the cart unstuck? The other Cardinal Heroes and I have some business to attend to." Kenjiro said coldly, holding his hand out towards the barely conscious bandit. "Minor Heal" He said, giving the man enough health to regain consciousness, but nothing more.
"Jorric, I would guess you want to break the news. I think it best that you two not be here for what happens next." Kenjiro said, still ignorant the stares of all the other fighters were leveling towards him.
"R-Right." Jorric said, bending down to explain the situation to Lyra.
"What does he mean?" Lyra asked in confusion.
"You heard him! This cart isn't going to fix itself!" Ivar snapped as he looked towards the idle starers.
"Y-yeah, we better get on that." Luna said, attempting to keep her composure as she started moving towards the cart. The other two followed suit, along with Raphtalia.
"N-no. That can't be!" the young girl cried in anguish as Jorric moved out of the way, allowing Lyra a sightline to the peacefully resting Ricard. Lyra ran toward the body as Jorric followed in pursuit, turning back only to give Kenjiro a solemn nod.
"So what are we—" Motoyasu began to speak, being swiftly stopped in his tracks as Kenjiro ignored him, grabbing the merc by his shirt, and tossing him before the other heroes.
"Now we're gonna have a little chat." Kenjiro answered. The man lifted his face as he looked back in fear of Kenjiro. "Now tell me what I want to know, and I'll send you back with Motoyasu to be thrown in the royal prison." Kenjiro spoke in an authoritative manner, not seen often.
"Why would I-I tell you anything! You're just going to throw me in prison! I'm not going with hi—"
"That, or your fate could be left of to me." Kenjiro said as he allowed his hand to become consumed in a purple flame.
"I'm going to go help with the wagon. I think it'd be best if the two of you handled this." Naofumi said lazily as he began to walk back towards the cart.
"What?! You don't want to—" Motoyasu was cut off.
"No, I don't. This isn't my place to intervene. I did my part in rescuing the Mage's party." Naofumi replied as he continued his walk.
"Damn shield." Motoyasu mumbled before his attention was brought back to the matter at hand. "Who sent you?"
"I-I can't say. They'll kill me if talk!" the craven whined as Kenjiro's sympathy still remained dormant.
"Oh really? I'll kill you if you don't. So what'll it be, death now? Or the chance of survival on the run? Those are your only options." Kenjiro explained as he allowed his flame to grow more intense.
"Calm down Kenjiro. If you give us the information, I can guarantee your safe return to the capitol prison." Motoyasu said in an attempt to be the voice of reason.
"That would be worse than letting me fend for myself!" The man expressed frantically.
"You're not helping." Kenjiro said as he maintained his unwavering tone. "We know you're here under the orders of a noble, mind telling us who?" Kenjiro asked as he kept his eyes locked on Motoyasu, who was having a hard time keeping his mouth shut about not having any evidence.
"I won't say." He said, trying to regain his confidence.
"That's alright." Kenjiro said as he closed the distance to his ear. "His name is Idol Rabier." Kenjiro said a volume low enough that Motoyasu couldn't hear.
"H-How do you—" The man stammered as Kenjiro grabbed the back of his hair.
"I've been briefed on why you want the girl. This was merely a test." Kenjiro stated in the eerie way he had been carrying himself.
"Wait so you already had the information you needed? Then why—" Motoyasu tried to ask.
"Now you're going to tell me what I really want to know. Who killed the older man, and who attempted to enslave my companion?"
"I've had enough of this, Kenjiro, this is too far!" Motoyasu pleaded. "We're heroes! We should not treat a prisoner like this!"
"Really?" Kenjiro said as he lifted his head to stare back at Motoyasu once more. "What would you have done if it were Myne that lay dead on the floor? Of had Luna nearly been subjected to slavery? The others, kidnapped and thrown in the back of a cage? One left beaten lying next to the corpse of Myne?" Kenjiro snapped, and as he listed, Motoyasu grew more and more uncomfortable.
"The one who killed the man… he's dead. We were told not to leave any survivors. The man you blasted at the carriage was the one who killed him…" the man answered as his resolve to remain silent seemingly didn't carry over to this information.
"And what of Yumiko?" Kenjiro asked as Motoyasu looked down at the broken man.
"I… was the one who—" was all he could get out before Kenjiro kneed the man in the face, sending him sprawling to the side.
"Kenjiro! That's enough!" Motoyasu exclaimed as he grabbed the mages shoulder, spinning him towards him. Motoyasu froze in fear himself as he met the face of Kenjiro. The pure rage that had held up until now, built up inside him, was now showing in his expression as he seethed with anger.
"Oh? Alright, but I have one more question for him." Kenjiro stated as he looked down at the groveling man, now missing a few teeth.
"Kenjiro. That shouldn't be—"
"Is the girl worth the trouble?" Kenjiro asked surprising the man. The man simply shook his head in denial, fear encompassing his body.
"I thought not…" Kenjiro stated before abruptly shaking off Motoyasu, turning to rejoin his shattered team. "He's all yours. I'd take him back separately yourself."
Motoyasu was shocked, but he knew better than to try and say something to the clearly off-balance warrior. "You better thank your lucky stars I'm here. Otherwise I'm certain you would be dead." Motoyasu said vaguely as he lifted the prisoner, slowly making his way toward his dragon.
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Ivar walked into the Feldrin household with a large bag of supplies. After returning to the village and explaining the situation to the townsfolk, Naofumi promptly left with his own recently fixed up carriage, and his two traveling companions. Motoyasu similarly left quickly as he and his party mounted up, and headed out with the sole surviving mercenary, likely to never be heard from again.
Walking into the building, it was clear that the group was emotionally drained. Ivar sat the bag down by the door, closing it behind him. Sitting at the table, silent, was a group of people he didn't recognize. The room was downtrodden in mood as the protector of the group was in shambles, his one role being seemingly thrown out the window. The outgoing and spontaneous rouge was now sulking, and rightfully so as she sat isolated from the others, choosing to curl up in the corner of the room. Lyra was sad, but certainly the least affected out of the group as she made many failed attempts at mitigating the slump. Then there was Kenjiro. He had calmed down; however it was clear he was at a loss of what to do.
"Lord Kenjiro, I gathered the supplies we need. We should be able to set out by morning." Ivar said in his usual tone as he moved towards the table.
"Thanks Ivar. I appreciate it." Kenjiro said kindly, however with low energy.
"It's almost dark. The funeral procession is going to start soon." Ivar added. "Are you ready?"
Kenjiro looked around the room as Lyra moved to go stand with Ivar. "I am, however, perhaps we should let them stay—"
"No. I'm going." Jorric said firmly as he stood from his seat. "He was my father, it's only right."
"I'm going too." Yumiko said weakly as she slowly stood. "I may not have known him long. But I respected him."
"Alright then. Jorric, I believe its time." Kenjiro stated as he walked out the door, followed by the rest of his party with him.
As Ivar walked outside, he was met with most of the village awaiting the heroes, all of them in their mourning garbs. Ivar watched as Jorric exited the building, his tears immediately swelling as he saw the prepared body of his father, lying on the tower shield that he had gifted to his son. Kenjiro and Jorric each grabbed an end of the shield, lifting the man into the air as the procession formed up around them. Their destination was where they knew he belonged, with his team. Yumiko grabbed ahold of both Lyra and Ivar's hands before they began. As Ivar looked up, he saw the woman being strong for Lyra's sake, however there was not a dry eye in the crowd as the lanterns of the village began the march toward the resting place of the three heroes of Lute, a pyre waiting to take Ricard to his family.
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Jorric sat alone at the base of the now empty pit where the pyre stood tall, the tower shield lay scarred by flame and ash, the leather that was used as a strap now gone, only the metal remaining. The man was asleep, having stayed their all night under the watch of his team camped not too far away in a small campsite. Jorric's eyes began to open, waking up from his abnormal slumber as his eyes began adjusting to the light.
"You're awake." Kenjiro said as he made his way over to the still delirious companion with a small bowl and a wooden plate. "Whenever you're ready, come over and help us pack up. First make sure you eat." He stated quietly as he sat the plate of poorly made eggs, and a bowl of fresh water. "Don't forget to bring your shield as well, it would be a good idea to find a repair shop at our next stop."
"I'm not bringing it…" Jorric said calmly as Kenjiro was about to turn and leave.
"Why not?" Kenjiro questioned as he halted his exit.
"It's not mine. Not to mention, I don't deserve it." Jorric replied as he looked toward the now blackened shield.
Kenjiro took a seat next to the older man as he began with a simple question. "And why is that? Your father would have wanted you to—"
"I failed him." Jorric replied, retaining his calm demeanor. "That shield has defended hundreds, maybe thousands of civilians, and fellow adventurers. Not only did I allow Lyra and Yumiko to get captured, but I also failed to protect its previous owner."
"Your telling me that you're a failure because you couldn't defend everyone at once when you were outnumbered 5 to 1? When we arrived, we saw how many you had defeated, it's not as if you didn't fight until the end." Kenjiro responded as he placed his hand upon the pauldron of Jorric.
"I wouldn't have had to do that if I could control my emotions in the first place." Jorric rebutted. "Had I not stormed off this would never have happened." Jorric said angrily. "We were leagues stronger than any of those mercs, yet we were still overwhelmed."
"Do you really expect me to believe that had you waited to calm your head you wouldn't have gone to visit that cemetery? Hell, you and Lyra may have gone alone if you had settled down, Yumiko and Ricard wouldn't have been there to hold them long enough for us to arrive in time." Kenjiro stated firmly. "It was my mistake to allow you to leave without me. I should be the one taking responsibility for this mess."
"Nonsense. You had important—"
"No, I didn't. during the conversation it was made clear that my absence rarely affected both the Spear and Shield Hero. Not only that, but the only thing that I was able to discuss was whether or not they would inform the other heroes of said absence." Kenjiro interrupted as he began explaining his own faults.
"But had you not stayed back; it would be likely you would lay defeated with myself. Maybe we wouldn't have received any reinforcements." Jorric countered once more.
"That may be." Kenjiro stood up, walking towards the ashes, extending his arm to grab the shield. "But we still have a job to do." Kenjiro said unapologetically as he tossed the heavy shield at Jorric, forcing him to catch it. "We don't have time to focus on how we failed, we can only move forward and dish out our own retribution."
Jorric sat in silence as Kenjiro's word sunk in. "Do you even want me here? Maybe I should just—"
"Jorric! Your finally awake! Did you like Kenji's eggs?!" Lyra called cheerily from the campsite, dropping the small bag she was packing.
"I don't think any of us want you to leave. Her least of all." Kenjiro said calmly as he walked back towards the camp, passing a concerned, yet relived Lyra as he continued forward."
"I suppose your right." Jorric said as a smile snuck onto his face as he watched his sister dashing towards him. Grabbing the shield and resting it on himself as he stood up, Jorric met Lyra's embrace, certain that at the very least, he wouldn't abandon her.
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"Lord Motoyasu! You've returned!" Myne cried as she stood at the gates awaiting her leaders return.
"This 'lady in waiting' nonsense is getting really old." Luna thought as she pushed the prisoner forward, her colleagues flanking her as Motoyasu embraced the charging Myne.
"Indeed I have." He said with a smile, his tone reminiscent of a fairytale, causing Luna to roll her eyes once again mentally. Taking a look at her allies, it was clear to her they felt similarly, but for all the wrong reasons.
"He should be saying that stuff to me." Her pink haired friend muttered.
"Frankly Vix, the attention should be coming my way." The rather book smart Terra replied.
"As if! Lord Motoyasu would never pick the likes of you!" she spat quietly as the princess's eye noticed the tied-up bandit.
"Who is that? A brigand that attempted harm upon you?" Myne asked in a ferocious tone as she nearly drew her sword before Motoyasu stopped her.
"It's nothing like that, any who opposed me fell to my spear, there is no question of that. This one was spared by Kenjiro." Motoyasu explained, however the mere mention of his name was enough for Myne to retain her rage.
"What is this filth doing around you anyways? I should dispose of him right now!" Myne expressed as she gave the now cowering man a death glare.
"Myne, you weren't there. You wouldn't understand the circumstance." Luna expressed, still slightly agitated by the damsel act she put on.
"Oh?" Myne replied in an offended, yet also mad tone. "And what exactly happened that would justify allowing those who oppose Lord Motoyasu live?"
"It wasn't his call to make. Lord Motoyasu was simply aiding the Mage Hero in one of his darkest moments. He lives only because he gave Kenjiro the information he wanted, and by the grace of Lord Motoyasu, as he was the one who tempered the rage he possessed." Luna explained further as her grip on the man tightened. "I know that it wasn't exactly like that, but it usually calms her down when we say stuff like this."
"Is this true Lord Motoyasu?" Myne said, her anger only radiating as a minor annoyance.
"Of course Myne!" Motoyasu replied without skipping a beat.
"I'm so sorry I left! It's just that I needed to rid myself of that urchin's presence." Myne replied at first apologetically, before quickly switching back to an agitated state. "What happened? Was anyone hurt?" she asked in her sensitive tone.
Luna stepped forward to report. "Well, after Jorric left the racetrack he made his way to the remains of his old home with all those in the mage's party that you saw leave. He was ambushed, his father left dead, his sister and companion Yumiko captured, the latter nearly succumbing to this one's slavery." Luna paused to shove the bandit forward. "Then us and the Shield Hero's party arrived at the scene, putting out a forest fire they started. All of the warband were slain aside from him. Frankly, I'd be impressed if that group were able to go on so soon after all that." She finished as Myne stood before her, seemingly unimpressed.
"Serves him right for disgracing the name of our party. While I feel for the loss of the oaf's father, I certainly am more disappointed in the fact that you worked with that cursed shield after everything he's done, including what he did just recently." Myne said in a tone lacking empathy, rubbing all the party the wrong way, even Motoyasu.
"Myne, that's too far. Nobody deserves to lose a father, not like that." Motoyasu said in a sad and disappointed tone, rebounding off the much more hostile nature Myne had just spoke.
"Lord Motoyasu I apologize. I didn't know that it would offend you so. I spoke out of line just now, please accept my apology!" Myne rebuked quickly as she changed her tune exceptionally quickly.
"I don't know how, but the more I watch this woman grovel, and then have the gaul to act as if she was above us all…" Luna thought as her grip once again tightened around the captive's shoulder, this time hard enough for the man to wince.
"I understand, but please, you know we only worked with the shield for Kenjiro's sake. He's only got our best interests on his mind when he pulls stunts like that. Unlike Naofumi, he knows what side is right, and which is wrong." Motoyasu expressed as he began walking through the gate.
"What wise words!" Myne replied as she skipped back to his side.
"Really? I just thought of that on the fly! It's really…"
"I don't know how accurate that statement is…" Luna thought as she began running through all of the interactions, she's had with the mage compared to her own party. "Come on girls, we better take care of this guy so we can get back to the party.
"Whatever Luna, we'll see you back at the place!" Vix said ignoring Luna's assertion as she ran towards the couple, Terra following quickly behind.
"I guess it's just me and him then." Luna thought as she began angrily shoving the bandit forward towards the royal prison.
O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O
A few days have passed as Kenjiro sat atop the horse he procured from the bandit raid, riding down a dirt path in the forest. The steed was black, with a white diamond in between his eyes, and four white 'socks' above his hooves. Attached behind him was the lumber carriage that they used to collect the materials for the rebuilding, along with his four uncomfortable companions, sitting on the bare wood, their minimal possessions strewn across the floor.
"Hey Kenji, have we given the horse a name yet?" Lyra asked innocently as she leaned onto the front of the cart directly behind Kenjiro.
Not wanting to upset his young companion, Kenjiro answered rather softly. "No I suppose we haven't. have you given it any thought? He seems to take a liking to you." He replied, giving the girl an odd twinkle in her eye.
"No not really! Can I name him?! PLEAAAASE!" Lyra begged, allowing a chuckle to escape the mage.
"I suppose, but only if it's something that suits him." Kenjiro stated as he patted the horse's neck.
"Alright!" Lyra exclaimed as she returned to her brothers' side, asking for help naming their new companion.
Kenjiro barely got a few moments of silence before he was contacted by another of his companions. "Lord Kenjiro, I have a concern." Ivar expressed as he took Lyra's spot.
"What is it?" Kenjiro asked with some level of concern as he kept his eyes on the dirt path.
"It's Yumiko. I know it's only been a few days since… the incident. But she's barely said a word, barely touched her food. I'm worried." Ivar explained in an older manner than he usually would.
"Your much more mature then I expected you to be after taking care of a single bandit and a handful of monsters. You already look like your fifteen." Kenjiro admitted as he thought of what he was going to say next. Looking back at Yumiko who was sat in the back corner of the wagon, Kenjiro continued. "I can't blame her after what she went through. It's clear that she's gone through some trauma before I met her. The sheer fear of the slave crest, even the small flinches she gives when I use my unique lightning. It affected her far more than it would have affected anyone else. The experience of nearly succumbing to the curse, it was certainly even more traumatizing for her. It didn't help we didn't actually have the Holy Water required to dissipate the marks." Kenjiro finished in a tone of regret, his hands tightly squeezing the reigns.
"Perhaps you should speak with her?" Ivar suggested, causing Kenjiro to turn his head in confusion.
"What good would that do? She's barely spoken to anyone as is." Kenjiro said upset as he looked passed Ivar at the distraught Yumiko.
"Have you forgotten that you were the one who snapped her out of that fight or flight state back there?" Ivar asked accusingly.
"Just because—"
"How about when you did it the first time? I've heard you tell the story; it seems pretty similar to what just happened." Ivar continued.
"That was nowhere near as ba—"
"How about when you convinced her to join you? Back then you were the only one she confided in. Not only that, but you brought out her extroverted self!" Ivar said finally as he stared at his master.
Kenjiro looked at the young boy shocked, before turning his head back to the path in shame. "When did you become so defiant." He said with a small chuckle. "Who told you about that?"
"Who do you think." Ivar replied seriously. "It certainly sounded like it meant a lot to her."
Kenjiro's head relaxed as his face was now staring at the horse's mane, tears beginning to form in his eyes. "I don't know if now the right time is. Maybe it's better if we let everything settle before—"
"…Keep going!" Kenjiro heard yelling faintly in the distance.
"Ivar, did you hear that?" Kenjiro asked, his tone shifting to a very serious demeanor.
"Yeah, I'll make sure everyone is ready for anything." Ivar replied as he looked back, seeing Yumiko's ears already fluttered upward from their previously relaxed state.
"I'm telling you, there's no way we're heading there, we have another job to do!" a familiar deep voice replied angrily.
"Yah!" Kenjiro yelled as he snapped the reigns, telling the still unnamed horse to go faster towards the argument.
"But they're my family!" the familiar female voice cried.
"We have more pressing matter to attend to." A calmer voice spoke in an unfitting loud tone.
"Surely it can't be." Kenjiro thought as he quickly looked back to see his team nearing the end of their preparation. "Be careful, they may still be friendly!" Kenjiro called back as they slowed down, going around a decently sharp turn. Keeping his eyes ahead of him, he saw a group he was all to acquainted with still bickering in the distance, albeit quieter than they had been before.
"Stand down." Yumiko said suddenly as she took a quick look towards the group ahead, putting her weapon back at her side as she returned to her own thoughts.
"She's right, that's the Sword Hero's party. It looks like their having a very one-sided disagreement.
"Can you tell who's in the minority?" Jorric asked with a surprising level of interest.
"Who's your best guess?" Kenjiro said semi-sarcastically as he watched his former guide laying into the big, hooded man he had yet to be introduced to.
"Why can't you understand what kind of a situation this puts me in Norin!" Daiyu was heard asking as the carriage became known to one of the more astute party members.
"We have company." The rouge of the group stated as he turned his focus to the approaching group.
"Great, yet another distraction." The mage complained as he turned to face the cart.
"Great, it's them" the hooded man responded in an agitated manner. "That's exactly what we need right now.
"Stay your weapons, it is an ally." Ren stated calmly as he walked slowly to the front of the pack.
Daiyu looked at Kenjiro as if he were her savior, but he had no idea why as he hid this feeling within his already low energy emotions. "Hello Ren, it's been some time hasn't it." Kenjiro spoke in a weak yet cordial tone.
"Quite, however we are in no position to chat at the moment, I would only ask what your current plans are." He asked in a professional manner, a cold undertone in his voice.
"Unfortunately, I cannot go into details, however we're heading straight on from here." Kenjiro replied as he pointed down the middle path, as opposed to either of the forking paths.
"I see, very well, I shall not keep you from your important matters." Ren said as he gestured for his party to split on either side of the road.
Kenjiro slowly passed through the oddly quick interaction as he analyzed the various faces of the party members. It was clear that this disagreement he stumbled upon was quite important as while the annoyed face of the silver haired mage, and the anger filled one of the men apparently known as Norin was nothing compared to the anxious look painted on Daiyu's face.
"Did something happen?" Kenjiro asked as he watched the distraught monk look upwards at him.
"I-I really shouldn't bother you with—"
"It's nothing, mind your business mage." Norin replied hostilely.
"Just a simple matter of this one not knowing the importance of our lords time." The mage expressed again.
"Alright Silas, I'm sure that had it been your family, you'd at least bring it up too." The rouge interjected, helpfully dropping the man's name.
"Perhaps Varik, but I would not pester the lord following the clear dismissal of the request." Silas countered.
"Enough." Ren said firmly, silencing his bickering squad. "Essentially Daiyu's family Monastery has been attacked by some unknown force. we received a message from a fleeing villager that they were requesting her help, considering they knew she was traveling with a Cardinal Hero."
"If that's the case then why not—"
Kenjiro was quickly stopped by Ren as he continued. "Currently we are on our way to deal with a much larger, tangible threat. There is a dragon harassing a village down this path here. We cannot afford to let this dragon continue as he pleases. Thus we must postpone any journey to the Xiao Monastery." Ren finished as Daiyu simply held her head down in shame.
Kenjiro began to think as he looked back to his own crew, as low in moral as they were, perhaps this is just what they needed. "Tell me, how far down the road is the monastery?" Kenjiro asked, causing Daiyu's gaze to shift upwards, showing a twinkle of hope.
Ren looked toward Daiyu, seemingly asking for her to share the information. "It's about 15 kilometers down the path. But once we reach a certain spot, the only way to find the monastery proper is to have a guide…" Daiyu slowed as she realized what she was suggesting.
"No problem, where's that villager now?" Kenjiro asked to an unwelcome reception.
"After that little interloper tried to rope us in to the problem, we told him to scram, then he ran down that path there." Norin pointed at the path none of them were planning on traveling down.
"Well then I guess that only leaves us with one option." Kenjiro said as he looked toward the monk. "Are you willing to part with your monk until we can deal with the problem at the monastery? After you slay this dragon, I'm sure you'll have the time to double back to this monastery."
"Not like she coulda punched a dragon anyways." Norin spat as he looked away from the monk.
"This is most convenient I suppose." Silas added as he looked at this outcome objectively.
"I don't have any reason to doubt you'll return her to me safely. You've been reliable thus far." Ren stated, his words cutting across Kenjiro's thoughts like a dagger, not understanding what Kenjiro had just experienced.
"Reliable…" Kenjiro thought as he looked backwards toward Jorric and Yumiko.
"Are you sure about this?" Daiyu asked in genuine surprise as he mood seemingly immediately lifted upon hearing Ren's approval.
"Yes. After our quest to defeat the dragon concludes we will head to the monastery, or at least as far as we can before we must have a guide." Ren responded as he held out a map to the monk. "Just mark on the path when we should expect to stop."
Quickly scribbling an 'x' onto the point they needed to stop, Daiyu gave the sword an unreciprocated hug as she quickly moved toward Kenjiro. "It's okay I hop in the cart, right?" Daiyu asked excitedly, seemingly bouncing off the walls.
"That would be best but be warned. It isn't exactly the most comfortable." Kenjiro said with a smile, seemingly unable to express more than mild happiness.
O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O
A lone long-haired man sat chained within the depths of the royal dungeon. The dark room only being illuminated by the faint glimmer of the moonlit shining through the barred window. He sat in the middle of an empty room, only having a wooden bench for a bed, and a bucket in the far corner. It had been a few days since his failed attack, and the man knew what was coming.
"I-I gotta get outta here!" he thought as he racked his brain to come up with an escape plan on the fly. Having been attempting to escape since he arrived at the prison, he was under close watch. He didn't have time to think over any plans, he needed to escape as soon as possible. "Brute force on the bars didn't world, maybe if I tried some magic again I can—" The man cried out in pain as a purple rune like pattern shone through his shirt, sending bolts of red electricity through his body, forcing him to collapse onto the ground.
"Give it a rest!" an unknown inmate called from down the void of a hallway.
"You don't understand! I need to get out of here!" The man called out to nobody.
"Yeah, and I need to get out too, you don't see me trying anything stupid!" another inmate called.
"I don't feel like getting another beating cause loudmouth keeps trying to break out!" another angry voice called.
"You don't understand… you don't understand!" he began speaking to himself as the sound of a metal door creaked open.
"He's just down this way." The voice of a guard echoed, causing the man's delirious babble to halt as he froze in fear of what was to come.
"Now… I need to leave now!" he yelled once more as he began pulling at the bars frantically, and with a futile goal, eventually being stopped by the butt of a spear colliding with his face, sending him sprawling backwards towards the wall.
"Pathetic. You fail in your mission to retrieve the girl, and now look at you." An authoritative voice said venomously as the door unlocked, allowing the robed figure to enter with two guards on either side.
The man tried to seize the opportunity to escape, trying to brute force his way passed the guards, only to be met yet again with the butt end of a spear, sending him careening into the wall, knocking over his half full bucket.
"Disgusting." The female voice said appalled. "This is what I get for lending you some armaments and men? All of them dead, a failed mission, and a pathetic excuse for a captain caught. You're lucky not many people know your here." The voice degraded.
"I-I swear, I can turn this around!" the man said frantically, bowing before the figure. "I promise that the next time—" the man was cut off by the foot of the woman stomping on the man's head, forcing his face into the floor.
"Next time? Well aren't you the optimist." The woman said, playing with the man's emotion. "We already need to fulfil this prize for your lords support, the least you can do is complete a simple task."
"But we never anticipated three heroes too—" he was once again interrupted, a solid kick to the jaw sending him, and several of his teeth spiraling away.
"It would not have been an issue had you not incinerated half a forest! Let alone waste your time on your own personal prize." The woman expressed angrily. "Had you stuck to the plan you would have been long gone by the time they arrived at sight, but you only accomplished murdering the old fool. Surely you understand that this cannot go unpunished."
"My Lady please! We only burned the forest because we expected the heroes to be routed or at the very least preoccupied by the mess! If what that cat devil said was true, we wouldn't have made it as far as we did had we not destroyed that forest!" the man pleaded mercy as he resumed his low bow.
"You took the word of a demihuman rouge bitch, over the direct orders that I gave. And what happened? You ended up here and left us in a disaster. The mage already knows the noble is involved, and while I may wish his end personally, we need Lord Rabier's manpower. Your colossal failure to safeguard the girl proves your inability to be useful, let alone lead." The woman stated coldly as she walked forward, standing above the groveling man.
"Wha… you would wish the end of my lord?" the man asked in shock as he looked up at the malevolent eyes staring down at him.
"Indeed, but that won't be leaving this cell." The woman replied as she turned walking past the two guards. "You know what to do. Dispose of the body or plant a weapon on him I don't care which." The woman expressed as she left the way she came, the two guardsmen slowly approaching the crippled failure.
There was no last scream, and the remaining inmates remained silent for the rest of the night.
O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O
Authors Notes: This was a sad chapter; I hope that it wasn't to down for everyone to enjoy. To give some context, the time that Kenjiro is traveling down the road in the cart is around the time Naofumi had just managed to fend off the group of bandits in the canon story, leaving enough time for Ren and Motoyasu, to complete their quests. I decided to give the appearing parties members names, so I don't have to keep calling them 'hooded axeman' or 'pink haired mage'. If there are canon names for these characters, it would be helpful to know. It's clear that each of the main cast aside from maybe Ivar has been hit with a devastating blow but expect each of them to recover in their own time, whether it be quickly, or slowly. Some may question the brutality that Kenjiro exhibited, however it must be remembered that as described initially, he does have violent tendencies, the trigger of which can now be seen. In regard to the Curse Series. I believe that the more personalized conditions would make the unlocking realistic in this sense, that compounded with Kenjiro's personality, I feel like it just fit the moment. This does NOT mean he will be amazingly good with the power, let alone even properly utilize it. I have a few more notes for those that read ahead of the anime, so before spoilers, the next chapter will be [ Homecoming ]
SPOILER TERRITORY: LIGHT NOVEL ONLY: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
I am aware of the several different curse series that exist based on the deadly sins, and I am aware of which hero receives which. While I was tempted to utilize the unused 'sloth' sin, I ended up deciding that wrath would be better suited to Kenjiro. This being the case, considering Ren is able to have two different series in Greed and Gluttony, I find it plausible to give Kenjiro the sloth as well in time. This is still unlikely as not even the novel has gotten this far. (I also know that the blessed/virtue series exists, I even have a plan for that!)