King Explosion Murder the Shield Hero

by BKL777

This is the story of hero in training Katsuki Bakugou being transported into the world of Melromarc and is the new cardinal shield hero in their darkest time of need. Bakugou will go on many new adventures in this fantasy world to become their world's greatest hero whether they want him to or not.

9. Chapter 9: New Players

Chapter 9: New Players

Over a week passed since the Gaelion incident and the shield hero and his team had been traveling all across Melromarc, but no longer by wagon, they were now always flying to there destinations. With Kirishima's transformation, the group could now ride on the young dragons back as they soar across the sky's to new places especially after Bakugou bought a upgraded sattle that changes in size like his old one only it covers most of his back allowing multiple people to ride on his hard back.

Thanks to this, what took days on a wagon drawn by a horse or filolial can now only take a few hours by flying. Despite still having access to fast travel, the team can now go past its restrictions and limitations like carrying other non-team people and fly away from monsters (though considering Katsuki that pretty much never happens).

Lately Bakugou and the group had been mostly traveling around Melromarc transporting supplies or people across the country and helping each town with there problems. Not only gaining a lot of money from all of it but the recognition and reputation.

Ren and his team were remaining at Miriso for a while to help set up the new law of the land with his leadership to have everything stabilized as well as guaranteeing Wyndia's and her father's protection when he's not there.

Though before Bakugou left he learned a few interesting things from Ren. The first thing was the fact that most items can be made by the cardinal weapons themselves if one has the right materials rather then by hand, saving loads of time and effort.

But the second thing was the biggest one, according to Ren there was a way to level up your weapons that Katsuki was completely unaware of. Ren called it weapon proficiency.

According to him, a weapon can accumulate something called "mastery points" that increase the stats of the specific type of weapon. The points can be obtained by using the weapon or killing enemies with them. Though the most interesting part was the fact that once they reach the max of 100 points they can be refunded into an energy pool to upgrade specific weapons you choose into higher levels and gaining some new skills, making the weapons that sacrificed there points back to zero but making the ones that were given there points stronger in return.

Bakugou was confused by it at first because he never heard about this "weapon proficiency" thing anywhere, not from his status screen, the help menu, or anything, but Ren insisted that it was there since the beginning. Bakugou never saw such a thing but at the same time he could tell Ren wasn't lying nor did he had a reason to. He always did notice Ren would rarely ever change his sword into anything else than his default weapon unlike Motoyasu or Itsuki's weapons when they wanted to do specific attacks. If this proficiency thing is real, Ren was putting most of his points in his main weapon to make it super strong so he didn't have a reason to use other swords if the one he invested all of his points in was his strongest sword.

After thinking about it Bakugou decided to trusted Ren and continued to look for anything related to proficiency and quickly he finally found a menu that stated "weapon proficiency". Bakugou never saw it before, and now there was even help instructions from the menu to confirm it. But he wasn't going to question these magic weapons as he opened that menu and saw all the things Ren was saying before.

Bakugou made quick use of it as a large number of his shields had max proficiency points or a large number of them. Bakugou refunded the points from most of the shields he either barely used or didn't require level-ups. He then in return upgraded his most powerful and useful shields, like his normal default shield, the chimera shields, the hydra shield, and his explosion shield making them all more powerful or efficient with newer abilities to use. He also upgrades any shields with any useful boosts or stat upgrades including any shield that gave his teammates strength or power.

Bakugou wondered if the two other cardinal weapons had there own unique upgrade methods as well, but he knew he wasn't going to find them out any time soon with Motoyasu's and Itsuki's hatred of Bakugou especially the latter considering the events at Tervein recently.

Bakugou had also made use of Gaelion's scales and the tooth he gifted him. The first scale went directly inside his shield and granted him, *Dragon Scale shield: Defense increased by 50, and resistance against fire increased by 30%*.

For the next set of scales with the help of some materials provided by Erheart he began to craft new armor for his sidekick. He fused her upgraded light armor with the new dragon scales increasing her defense fivefold as well as adding to her fire resistance while remaining as light armor. Bakugou could've just made it into heavy armor with the highest defense rating but it would mean slowing Neia down and her speed is one of the young hero's best traits so it was a sacrifice Bakugou was willing to make.

As for the tooth, Bakugou managed to create a new blade for Neia that is far stronger then any store bought sword with it being able to cut through enemies like butter even higher leveled ones.

As for the last of the scales Bakugou, learned one neat smelting method from Tervein, he melted down the scales in a magic imbued cauldron then he placed his armor which includes cape, pants, and boots into it with the melted liquified scales. And after conducting some magic spells on it in a few hours his armor had fused with the liquified scales and his armor defense increased times 10 without the cape or anything else feeling any heavier than before allowing Bakugou to continue to move as fast as before.

Also at that point Bakugou was now at level 60, Kirishima was at 37, and Neia was at 40. Though the strange thing with Neia is that in Bakugou's menu there was now a star next to Neia's level. He also noticed that she was no longer gaining experience points from enemies since she reached that level. Bakugou isn't sure what it means but he intends to find out soon before Neia falls behind.

---

On one day he, Neia, and Kirishima were flying up in the sky across a forest toward Melromarc's capital to drop off a large shipment of herbs and other ingredients for one of the merchants there.

Bakugou was holding onto Kirishima's reins to help guide the young dragon to there destination and to keep him in control to not accidentally fling him or Neia off or ruin their delivery package.

Neia was reading from more books to train herself up to finally be able to duel-wield swords allowing her to fight better.

It wasn't easy considering all the air being blown on her but she eventually got used to it as she can read through all the wind without any problem.

But when Neia decided to look down below when she got bored, the elf girl noticed something strange in an open field in the woods, it looked like a group of filolial's all bunched up together around some blueish thing, she couldn't tell what it was from high up they were, but it did make her curious about it. She decides to ask her master about it, "Hey Sir Bakugou I'm wondering if you can see that what that thing was over there?" she asked pointing to the filolials.

Bakugou sighs but for his own curiosity he activated his binoculars shield and looked down at the event with Kirishima circling the sky for that moment to not move too far away from the sight, "It's just a bunch of stupid birds messing around with a kid. No need to..." but Bakugou paused when he got a better look at the kid. She was a young girl about ten with blue hair and eyes in noblewoman clothing.

She looked extremely familiar to him, he activates his normal shield and out of his inventory he took out a picture he got from that mad botanist's bedroom with all the pictures of the Queen and her family and in that picture he had was with the little girl and the Queen that looks almost exactly like her.

It seemed to be a strange coincidence but there was only one way to find out, "Blue we're landing." he announced."

"Landing where?" Neia asked wondering about the random stop.

"To your little sightsee," he answered as he pulls on Kirishima's reins as they flew down toward the girl.

---

The girl herself was minding her own business as she plays around with the filolials as they surround her.

But then to her and the bird's surprise, large winds began to blow across the trees in the woods and all the large birds ran off into the woods in fear. The girl wasn't so sure why until she heard, "ROOAR!" she turned toward the roar and saw a giant reddish-orange dragon flying down at the fields until it finally landed.

The girl didn't know what was going on but she feared that this giant dragon was ready to attack so she held out her hands awaiting to activate a water spell once the dragon attacked.

But then she heard, "Um excuse me?" the girl was surprised to hear that coming from the direction of the dragon wondering what that was.

She then saw two people jumping off of the dragons back, one being a shirtless man with spiky blonde hair with a red cape on him and looked like he was constantly frustrated, and the other was a pretty yet strange looking blue woman with black hair, purple eyes, and weird-looking ears.

While still somewhat on her guard she felt a little more at ease that they're at least regular people here.

The blue woman then approached her, "Excuse me I'm sorry, but are you ok miss?" She asked the girl.

The girl didn't know what this woman was, she was not any kind of demi-human she saw before, but she then smiles toward her, "I'm fine ma'am, I was just playing with the filolial's."

"Oh I'm so sorry that we scared them off, we probably should've been more discreet with you." the blue woman apologized for, but the blue hair girl just continues to smile back.

"No need to say sorry. It's still nice to meet new and kind people." she said as the girl holds out her dress to make a small bow, "My name is Melty its nice to meet you." she introduces herself.

the woman then introduce herself as well, "It's nice to meet you too, My name is Neia, this big guy is Kirishima, and... well he'll introduce himself." Neia finished as she also introduces Kirishima and Bakugou who had his arms crossed.

Bakugou finally spoke when Melty looked at him, "The names Kacchan, that's all you need to know." he told her bluntly.

Despite the rude response Melty was still in a happy mood, "That's all wonderful, I'm glad to meet you three." she happily says.

Neia then asked her some questions, "Me too, but uh Melty what are you doing out here in a place like this so far from any town?"

"Well you see, I was on my way to the capital to meet with my family, but... I.. I kinda got distracted by the filolials and lost sight of my personal guard hours ago so I'm kind of lost out here." Melty admits looking a little embarrassed by the situation.

But Neia just continues to smile, "Don't feel bad about it every kid makes a mistake here and there. I've made a few myself even passed your age so don't feel bad about it. You must really love those filolials." she asked Melty

"Oh God yes! They are just some of the most beautiful creatures in like the whole world! They have such beautiful eyes, soft feathers, and they're all just so graceful as they run and gallop! And I've heard their queens and kings are even bigger and more beautiful! Oh to have one of my own that be so amazing!" Melty burst out into joy of her passionate love of filolials.

Neia giggles and smiles toward Melty as she enjoys her company with the girl.

Bakugou on the other hand was just rolling his eyes on the whole thing as he continued to stand by with Kirishima, the dragon was also just as irritated by the girl gushing about filolials right in front of him.

After another minute or so of talking and making friends with her Neia finally decided to ask the young girl, "Hey Melty, if you need help to get to the capital my master can take you there in a short amount of time?"

Melty was happy to hear that, "Would you guys really? That be great, thank you so much."

Neia continues to be happy with the girl, but that changed after she looked back and saw her always angry master looking back at her, "Well, you should at least ask permission from Mr. Kacchan first, he kind of has the final say in everything." she admits to Melty.

"Of course I understand, I'll ask him directly," Melty says to Neia as she walks up to the angry-looking teen. Neia hopes that Bakugou won't explode at her and scare her away, she was really liking the girl.

Melty walks up to Bakugou and makes a small bow to him while holding her dress up, "Sir Kacchan do you mind escorting me to the capital please? I'll make sure you are handsomely rewarded from my father at home."

Bakugou was silent for a second but then he finally spoke, "Sure fine little girl I'll take you back home, but first you're going to tell me whats your relationship to the royal family of Melromarc?" he demanded her bluntly.

Melty was quite surprised to be given such a random question, "Uh what do you mean by that? I don't see what that has to do with anything?" she asked nervously trying to deny it with Neia also weirded out by that question.

Bakugou then takes out the picture painting and puts it right up to Melty's face, "Then explain this?! I doubt the Queen of the country will just let any random girl to be painted in a picture with her!"

Melty looks closely at the picture with her and the royal family including the Queen, King, and the elder princess in it. Neia continued to stand by and was somewhat surprised by this with how Melty match the girl in the picture.

She quickly realizes that Bakugou figured her out as he continues to coldly stare at her, "Well?!" Bakugou demands a response from her.

Melty remain silent for a minute trying to think up of something, but she couldn't think of anything convincing, she knew this Kacchan fellow was more intelligent then he looked for a simple lie.

She then sighs to herself and looks up at Bakugou with a more serious face, "Very well, if you want to know who I am really, then I will tell you adventurer. I am Princess Melty of Melromarc, Second daughter of Queen Mirelia and King Aultcry the thirty second, and first in line to the throne." she announced now sounding formal more like an adult then like a child a few minutes ago.

Bakugou wasn't too surprised, he knew she had to be someone of importance to the royal family for her to be in a picture with the nation's head of state. This also now confirms one of the dead botanist's crazy ramblings about Aultcry's two daughters. Though he didn't know that she was the apparent heir to the throne, then again with Malty in mind he can understand why the Queen choose her over her bitch eldest child.

Neia on the other hand looked completely shocked, the fact that she was a royal the whole time, a royal to Melromarc, the same family that nearly framed and enslaved her. Despite only knowing her for a few minutes Neia felt like she had been betrayed by a friend and it quickly ate at her and what innocence she saw at Melty had turned into bitterness and resentment.

Bakugou then continued to ask questions, "So tell me then, what are you really here for?"

Melty was quick to answer, "I already told you, I'm required to be back at the capital as soon as possible. I have very important business to do back there with my father and I'm afraid I'm not allowed to say more by my mother's orders. But like I said before I will still reward you handsomely, so will you still attempt to escort me?"

Things were silent for a few seconds as everyone stared at each other but Bakugou finally spoke up, "Fine I'll take up your job, but the pay better be good, and I prefer it not be by that consort father of yours.".

Melty wasn't big on that dig on her father, but Melty just sighs again to agree, "Very well Sir Kacchan its a deal." she accepted not wanting to argue with the ill-tempered man.

Bakugou then turns, "Fine then let's just get the hell out of here. Kirishima! Ready!" he yells as the dragon stood back up and lowered his wings down allowing Bakugou to get on along with Neia who decided to coldly look away from the princess as the sidekick got on.

Melty on the other hand continued to stand there looking nervously at the large dragon, "Oh uh.. we... we are traveling by dragon? Don't you think it might be uh.. safer by just walking?" she excuses getting nervous on the idea of flying.

"It's days away from the capital on foot, with Kirishima we'll be there in at most two hours," Bakugou told her as he readies himself for flight.

But Melty still looked nervous about it, "Well I mean I like to see the woods and I.. and I like to.."

"Just get on the damn dragon already and suck it up!" Bakugou told her sternly.

Melty didn't like the idea of flying on a dragon, but she knew she had no other choice considering how far the capital was from there with no protection. So she did what Bakugou told her and sucked it up to slowly walk up the dragon's wing until she sat down right behind Bakugou with Neia behind her who looked with distaste.

Bakugou then grabbed his dragon's reins, "Kirishima! Fly!"

And with that Kirishima opens his wings up and quickly runs as he flapped them and with his wind magic he jumps and lifts himself off the ground. Kirishima was now up in the sky, and during all of that Melty screams in fear with how high they were now and the high winds being blown on her face. She had her eyes shut and was holding on to Bakugou's torso hard as he shrugs to himself while controlling Kirishima.

After a few minutes though Melty was starting to get used to it and was getting tired of holding on to Bakugou anyway who had weird odor that smelled like caramel candy.

She began to enjoy it with her arms out as she imagines what it is like if a filolial could fly if she had her own one to play with.

The princess then turns toward Neia while she was reading through another training book, "Isn't this so much fun Neia, it almost feels like we are flying ourselves." she said excitedly.

Neia on the other hand didn't look amused and was flat out ignoring the young girl while she had her face in a book.

Melty's smile disappeared and looked confused by Neia's sudden character change wondering what happened.

It even caught Bakugou's attention, he knew why Neia was acting like that but he didn't want to bother with it knowing that his sidekick should figure it out herself.

Melty was still confused but decided to let it be for now and continued to have fun in the sky as the team flies through the clouds to there destination.

---

After 2 hours of flying the crew finally made it to Melromarc's capital. Bakugou lands a little bit away from the outside of the gates to not cause a major panic in the city with a giant Dragon flying around.

Once on the ground the crew walked for a bit with Kirishima still carrying the herb supplies on his back.

Eventually they made it to the capitals gates where Bakugou also finished talking to the herbalist shop owner and got his payment as he puts his herb supplies on his wagon cart, Bakugou then turns back to the young princess.

"Thank you so much for transporting me here Sir Kacchan and Neia, as well as you to Mr. Kirishima." Melty thanks and bows to the 3.

"Whatever, I just want the money you promised me." Bakugou bluntly told her.

"Of course Mr. Kacchan if you could come with me to the castle I'll be sure you get your reward of at least 10 gold pieces." Melty continued.

"No thank you, I still need to visit that witch shop again for important stuff for quest and I doubt I'll be welcomed in by that consort. So just pay me upfront." Bakugou demanded from her.

"But I don't currently have the money on me. It can be a quick trip I'm sure my father will be glad that you..."

"Hahahahaha! You think that old bastard will give a shit about me, no way!" Bakugou laughed and insulted the girl as her smile disappeared and started to look angry by his constant insults toward her father.

But Melty just took a deep breath and tried to calmly compromise with the man, "Ok then I can just get a servant of my to get the money from within the castle and just give it to you at the castle walls. Does that sound fine?" she negotiated.

Bakugou just shrugs, "Fine whatever as long as I get my money and have as little to do with the consort as much as possible. Blue you're going with her to get the reward while I go to get the magic crap and I'll meet you at baldly's place afterward." he ordered his sidekick.

Neia however didn't like the idea of being with a royal that close to the castle, "Do I really have to Sir Ba..Kacchan? To be that close to the castle by myself?", she said not looking happy about the idea, which Melty thought it was weird considering how outgoing she was earlier.

Bakugou then sighs, "Fine then, Kirishima will go with you, if anything happens let him sick on any bastard that tries anything on you." he tells her with Kirishima turning into his small form as he jumps on Neia's shoulder.

Neia still didn't like the idea of being with Melty but she knew Bakugou won't take no for an answer and just shrugs to herself, "Fine then Sir, I'll be sure we get the reward."

Melty then turns with a smile to say her goodbyes one more time, "Again thank you for everything and I hope to meet you again soon."

Bakugou then turns around away from her, "Whatever." he says again and with that the groups split as Bakugou goes to the magic shop while the other goes toward the castle.

As they walked to the castle Melty attempts a friendly conversation, "I admit I never thought I meet such an interesting group of people miss Neia, say after my business is done here I would like to meet all of you again, I like to get know each other more, maybe I could invite all 3 of you to dinner tonight at the castle as an extra reward for your services."

But all Melty heard was silence as Neia continued to rudely ignore her with Kirishima resting on her shoulder.

Melty was still not sure why she was acting like this and it made her uncomfortable. She finally asked, "Is something the matter miss Neia? I apologize if I accidentally said something to offend you in some way, how about I..."

"Will you just shut up already you brat!" Neia finally shouted at her surprising and shocking the princess. Neia finally stopped walking and looked at her sternly with an angry look on her face, "Listen here, I don't care about anything to do with you or your awful family. Your father is a bigoted tyrant and your sister is nothing but a demon, so I imagine your no better than any of them. I imagine all of your kindness is nothing more than some act to trap either me or my master for your own sadist pleasure." Neia finally tells off the princess with all of her emotional rage out now.

Melty was just confused to what she was saying but she also felt hurt that she would say such things to her own family, she wasn't sure what happened between her family and Neia but whatever it was it hurt the young woman emotionally, "But... But I don't... Understand..."

"Just listen to this, stop trying to be nice to me anymore, I don't want to be your friend or anything so enough of that. And if you try anything against my master in any way, I'll be sure you will suffer a fate 10 times worst, do you got it?" Neia told off Melty with a mad look.

Melty didn't know how to respond and just nods yes.

Neia then turns back toward the castle, "Good, now let's get this escort quest over with."

Melty walks along but her mood was now of sadness, she didn't know what her family did but she could tell Neia was putting her anger of them on her just for being related to them. She wants to better explain herself but she knew now was not the best time with Neia and just continues to walk with her, she then thinks to herself, 'Father, sister, what have you done to her?'

---

Bakugou visited the magic store owner again for some more magic items for varied quest he had signed up for from other towns. It was honestly getting tiring to have to buy so many magic items just for certain quests or jobs. He wished he had someone who is a dedicated magic-user so he wouldn't have to do everything the tedious way. But with his title of shield devil he wasn't going to get that anytime soon. He has varied usage of magic powers, but he only excels in support and healing magic, Kirishima is a dragon so he was out, and Neia's magic is more for combat than anything else so she was limited to what she can do.

But it will have to be something Bakugou would think about later. He also asked the witch store owner about the star thing next to his sidekick's level number in the status menu, and according to her it means that Neia had reached her level limit and is ready for a class up upgrade which will allow her to level up again and gives her the option to pick whatever type of class she wanted and make her more powerful. This apparently applied to all non-cardinal heroes, even beasts like Kirishima can go for one when he reaches level 40.

It all sounded good but the big catch was that the only way to do it is through a ritual at the dragon hourglass. And the only one in the country was at the 3 heroes church. One of the few places that Bakugou never wanted to go back to and he knew the church folk wouldn't be fond of him being there either remembering all the dirty looks they gave him last time he was there the night after his duel a little over a month ago.

But Bakugou did not have much of a choice and he wasn't going to let his sidekicks fall behind and let those other wannabe heroes champions get ahead of them.

Bakugou finally heads off to find Neia and Kirishima until he heard, "Hey Bakugou!"

Bakugou immediately looked up and quickly saw Motoyasu the spear hero in the air ready to strike at Bakugou.

But Bakugou just holds up his shield and says casually, "Explosion shield." with the shield quickly transforming.

Motoyasu spear strikes the shield, only for him to receive a big explosion on himself that blasted him onto the ground on his back.

Bakugou laughs at the idiot's expense until he got himself back up angry at the shield hero, "That was such a cheap move Bakugou!"

"What? The fact that you made yourself look like a bigger idiot than you already are? The idiot who alerted me in the first place when you stupidly shouted out my name." he insults Motoyasu which just makes the college kid angrier, "What are you even doing?" Bakugou continued and finally asked.

Motoyasu finally answered, "Bakugou I want a rematch on our duel. Me and you again this time with no more holdbacks from me."

Bakugou just roles his eyes on the nerd, "And what? You want to enslave my sidekick again if you by some miracle win?"

"This has nothing to do with Neia Bakugou! This is between you and me as well as our dignities." Motoyasu responded.

"Dignities? What stupid nonsense are you on now?" Bakugou wondered.

"You purposely made a fool out of me that night we fought, and after that hardly anyone takes me seriously anymore because of it. Even kids mocked me about it. So I'm here to fight you to show everyone who is the true hero around here while I will also be the one to make you into the baby!" Motoyasu answers which just makes Katsuki look annoyed, "I've also heard rumors that you have been impersonating this saint of the star fruit guy, so I'm going to put a stop to that as well." Motoyasu continues that makes Bakugou roll his eyes, apparently this so-called 'hero' didn't even know the fruits name which would've been obvious who created it.

"You really must have shit for brains if that's all you care about. But if you want me to kick your ass again, I'll be glad. Outside of town in a few minutes." Bakugou accepted the duel to Motoyasu.

"Oh here will be fine." said a voice and to Bakugou's displeasure that voice was the evil bitch Malty and by the looks of it got her injuries repaired along with her armor, again. And beside her were a few knights and three other girls with the one in the green witch hat holding onto a crystal ball.

Bakugou looks pissed at Malty as she evilly smiles back at him while holding out a legal decree, "Under my authority I officially declare this to be a legal duel between the shield devil and Sir Motoyasu." she announced to everyone in town.

Bakugou then decided to mock her, "Nice to see you again bitch, I see your rotten mouth got fixed since last time. Maybe after I deal with your slut, you can duel with blue again and this time she can knock it clean off."

Malty quickly grips her fist in anger and growls toward him, "Just you wait devil, Sir Motoyasu is a lot stronger than before and once he has you on the floor this time he'll be the one to make the world see how pathetic and weak you are." she retorts back at him while holding out another scroll and Bakugou caught a brief look on the words on it which stated, "list of ways to humiliate the shield devil."

Bakugou laughed again at the idea of it, "hahahaha, did you seriously wasted your times making a list in how to make me beg? You're all pathetic morons."

Malty could barely hold her rage back as she grips on the scroll harder, "Shut up! Your little bitch baby insult will be nothing compared to what Sir Motoyasu will make you say." she then looked tward her left, "Peasant girl, do you have the ball ready?" she told the young green hat witch girl.

The girl didn't look happy to be doing this as she held out a crystal ball to record the event, "It's ready, but is this really necessary." she answered and asked.

"I didn't asked for your opinion, just record the damn fight and everything afterward." Malty rudely answers as the poor girl refused to talk back and just activated the ball to record the fight.

Motoyasu then turns back toward Bakugou and smiles, "Good, now let's start! Airstrike Javelin!" without a second thought the spear hero launches a long-range attack with his Spear that transformed into energy.

Bakugou quickly blocks the attacks and deflects them toward the sky as they explode away from the people.

Motoyasu continued to attack aggressively not caring about the people around him with some stray blasts exploding some of the tops of the buildings with some of the debris nearly hitting some of the regular people despite Katsuki's efforts.

Bakugou unlike Motoyasu was trying to minimize his damage to not hurt anyone, but he still proceeded to AP blast his quirk at Motoyasu as he continually got hit by Bakugou's concentrated explosions.

They stung but Motoyasu wasn't going to let it stop him and continued to blast at Bakugou.

Bakugou quickly saw how this was going with the battle leading to more needless damage which no doubt will be blamed on him. He quickly launched himself up in the air with his quirk and continued to remain up there.

Motoyasu continued launching out his magic attacks at Bakugou this time away from the civilians. But Bakugou easily dodges or blocks them with the shield, and launches more AP shots at Motoyasu from above.

Motoyasu eventually tires himself after realizing this wasn't going anywhere and concentrated blasts were annoying him, "Are you a coward now Bakugou? Why don't you get back down here and fight like a man!" he taunts Bakugou wanting him to get back down, he knew better than to waste all of his mana like he did in the last duel.

Bakugou then smiles, "Very well! DIE!" he yells and dive bombs back down and fast as he accelerates himself toward Motoyasu.

The speed of his fall surprised Motoyasu but he still attempts to attack Bakugou and runs toward the diving hero. When Bakugou falls near Motoyasu, the spear hero attempts to strike him with a magic-powered attack.

The two heroes Clashed as the Shield holds out from above as the spear attempts to pierce through the shield's defense.

Intense magic was bursting through the two weapons as everyone looks on at the duel as the two heroes attempt to overpower the other.

This went on for a few seconds with the two at a stalemate, until Bakugou just moves his other hand out at Motoyasu's face and before he could react.

Boom!

Bakugou blasts Motoyasu in the face breaking his hold on the shield hero as he walks back with pain on his face.

When Bakugou landed back on the ground he quickly jumps at Motoyasu with both hands out and...

Boom!

The double explosions launch Motoyasu out of the cramped neighborhood into a more open area at a bridge that was over the capital's canal.

Motoyasu felt hurt but he was not going to lose again to Bakugou and quickly got himself back up despite the pain and grips his spear harder as Bakugou slowly approach him with a smug grin.

'How in the hell couldn't I pierce through his defense my spear should've had greater attack power then that shield's defense?' Motoyasu thinks to himself as he waits for his opponent to walk up to him, he decided to check his status screen to see his opponent's level, and to his horrid surprise, '60!? But I'm only level 55?! How in the hell did he surpass me as a shielder?!' he yells inside his head confused by this.

But Bakugou was almost at the bridge and Motoyasu decided to ignore the levels and got himself back in battle-ready position.

Bakugou proceeds to crack his knuckles while he was still walking, "Now we are in a more appropriate area to fight in, I can now go all out on you ponytail slut!" he mocks the spear hero.

Motoyasu growls in anger as he steads himself for round two, at the meantime Malty was scheming a little away from the two heroes with Motoyasu's other companions, "Ok girls, do whatever you can to distract or blast at the shield devil during the fight and Motoyasu will have the upper hand again." She orders the other girls in Motoyasu's 'team'.

The witch girl though thought it was foolish, "But didn't you do that last time and you ended up being blasted through a wall?"

"You shut up and just continue recording!" She yells at the girl who just sighs as Malty and the other girls ready their attacks from behind

Back to the fight Bakugou finally makes up to the small bridge in front of Motoyasu as they both ready themselves again. Both were eager to fight and win. But just when they were about to start again.

"Stop! Put your weapons away!" shouted a voice.

It caught both Bakugou's and Motoyasu's attention as well as Malty's to her displeasure.

It was Melty with Neia and Kirishima and a few other guards. She holds out a scroll similar to what Malty had, it was another decree. Many of the soldiers surrounding the battle were all kneeling before her including the ones by Malty which didn't help her mood.

"I absolutely forbid the heroes fighting among themselves!" she shouted putting her foot down on the matter.

Malty got enraged by her little sister's sudden appearance, "What.. what the hell are you doing back here?" she asked with hate in her tone.

"It's been way too long dear sister.", she responds back as she walks up toward her, "I hope that you didn't think that you or the hero's privilege will cover up this mess? The damage that has been done is here for everyone to see." She continued.

But Bakugou didn't like the interruption, "Hey blue hair! I didn't ask you to stop the fight. I'm fine with kicking this losers ass!" he shouts at her.

"Sir Shield hero do you not realize what this battle has done to this part of the city?" She retorts back at Bakugou wondering why he wants to continue what her sister obviously started.

"That's why I blasted this bitch baby to this bridge, now we can fight without any bystanders getting hit by this idiots attacks."

"Hey!" Motoyasu reacted back.

"I'm sorry but regardless of your view on it, I'm not letting this continue. I especially don't want my sister to continue to abuse her authority like this." Melty tells Bakugou who was getting annoyed by this girl.

Malty then walked up toward the bridge to Melty, "Little sister I'm just doing my job as the spear heroes aid that's all."

"Does that also include sucking his tiny dick whore?" Bakugou insults Malty.

Myne gets angry and attempts to stomp toward Bakugou until her sister jumped in, "Alright stop this, both of you! But sister I don't care what excuses you're making up, I know how you like to manipulate people so this will stop by my authority. You especially don't want me to be telling mom about this." she tells off her sister as well as getting in the way of the shield hero who wasn't helping with the situation.

But as that was going on Motoyasu thought to himself, 'Hmm, perhaps I might as well take this opportunity to get out of this fight. I don't know what the hell this maniac has done to get this strong, but I need to get stronger faster if I'm going to humiliate him properly. I need to curb stomp him next time, not barely make it through. Myne's sister is at least allowing me to end this duel without looking to cowardly.'

"I told you I don't need your help blue hair I can handle this fine." Bakugou talks back.

"Shield hero I'm trying to stop violence from happening here, not encourage it. As I said before the heroes shouldn't be fighting with each other, which includes you." Melty says to Bakugou who was just getting annoyed by this back and forth talk. She then looks toward Motoyasu, "And Spear hero you should be ashamed of yourself for igniting a fight at a public place in the first place for very petty reasons, and letting my sister get away with so many things." she scolds Motoyasu.

By that time Motoyasu took the opportunity to end things for now, "Alright fine whatever Bakugou, we can always fight another day without any distractions. But this is not over yet!" he tells off Bakugou.

"So you're basically giving up Ponytail slut?" Bakugou mocks Motoyasu seeing that he was just trying to chicken out of the fight.

"No, this is just a temporary pause for now, next time we can fight without anyone butting in to break it up." he excuses back.

"So you're just giving up with a convenient excuse." Bakugou continues to mock with Motoyasu just growling in anger at him.

Myne wanted the fight to continue but she knew with her sister around her authority will mean nothing as long as she's in the presence of the public and the soldiers.

Bakugou was annoyed he couldn't continue the fight but he did found it amusing that Myne was being told off by her little sister and she can't do anything about it.

Neia then finally decided to walk up to Bakugou with Kirishima jumping off of her shoulder back to Bakugou's shoulder, "Sir Bakugou are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, I've just dealt with bitch's and slut's nonsense again." He responded with Neia relieved.

When Motoyasu noticed her, he then slowly walked up to Neia making an awkward smile, "Oh ah hey Neia, it's.. it's good to see you again." he says nervously to her with Neia not amused to see the same idiot again that almost had her enslaved, "Look I wanted to talk to you earlier weeks ago at Lout or at the castle, but a lot of stuff had been happening so it wasn't appropriate for me to talk to you then." he continued.

Neia was curious about what he had to say and just held her arms cross to listen.

Motoyasu then continued as he rubs the back of his head with an awkward smile, "Neia... I'm... I'm sorry about you know accusing you of stealing Mynes ring and nearly punishing you for it. The whole thing was just some weird misunderstanding and I overreacted. So I hope we can be on even terms after this." he finishes as he reaches his hand out expecting her to shake back.

Bakugou just rolls his eyes at that knowing it was a half-hearted apology barely acknowledging his own stupidity and downplaying the whole serious event like it was a minor inconvenience.

Things were silent for a few seconds as Motoyasu continues to hold his hand looking more awkward by the second while Neia continues to stare at it. She then finally smiles, "Ok I accept your apology." she then extends her hand to shake Motoyasu's hand.

as they shake Motoyasu smiles normally again, "Thank you Neia, I'm glad we can...", Neia then activates her electric ability and Motoyasu receives thousands of volts of electricity through his body as the hero screams in pain.

After a few extremely painful seconds of this Neia stops and lets go of his hand, Motoyasu stood still with his eyes wide open from the pain with his hair completely puffed out from the static electricity, "You're lucky I only used 5% of my power Ponytail slut." she insults him.

Both Melty and Malty were horrified by that but Bakugou just smiles, "Ha, That's what I'm talking about Blue. Good one." He congratulates her with his hand out with Neia clapping it back with the feeling of accomplishment.

Melty was a bit shocked by it, though she did wonder if Neia's hatred of her had something to do with what the spear hero along with her sister did before she came here for such a reaction.

Motoyasu attempts to move away still in pain of the shock but was slowly gaining his senses back, especially as his other teammates attempt to heal him from that, "Sir Motoyasu are you alright?" the witch girl asked.

"Yea-Yeah, I just feel like fried chicken right now." Motoyasu barely answered still in pain while Bakugou and Neia laughed at him which just pisses the spear hero off.

After quickly getting (mostly) healed and fixed by his teammates and the guards while still stuttering from the shock he angrily walks back to Bakugou, "As I said before Bakugou this isn't over yet! I'll put you back in your place and stop your nonsense!"

Bakugou looks toward him finding this amusing, "What are you bitching on about now?"

"You heard me Bakugou! I don't know what awful things you keep putting into Neia's poor head to do stuff like this, but I'll one day help her away from you! I'll put a stop to your antics along with that stupid lizard thing you got there.", Motoyasu taunts back now getting Kirishima to angrily growl back as he jumps off Bakugou's shoulder and decided to walk behind the spear hero.

Both Neia and Bakugou then smiled, "Stupid hah? Is that the right word you want to describe my dragon?" he lightly taunts.

Motoyasu continued to mock the dragon, "Really that's a dragon? That's pathetic for someone who wants to be the best around, I can't believe you choose to pick a complete runt to be your living garbage disposal?".

Motoyasu then suddenly hears the sound of flames behind him as well as a sudden shadow over him. Motoyasu slowly looks to see Kirishima now giant behind him.

And before Motoyasu could say anything Kirishima literally swallowed Motoyasu almost whole all but his arms and legs.

Kirishima then lifts him up as the wannabe hero drops his spear and the dragon begins to swing and fling his head around with Motoyasu panicking and screaming in his mouth, "AHHH HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME! AHHH!".

Bakugou laughs out loud by the whole thing with Neia also giggling along.

Melty was horrified just as was Myne, "Sir Motoyasu!" she screams then looks back angrily at Bakugou while he continues laughing at the spear heroes expense, "You demon! As princess of this land I order you to curtail your monster! Now!" she demanded.

"Sorry what was that? I don't speak bitchanese, mind saying that in my language?" Bakugou mocked back still laughing out loud.

Malty was absolutely furious as she could barely hold back her rage, "Fine I'll kill the damn beast then!" she then raised her arms out ready to blast fire at Kirishima. She then turns toward Motoyasu's other partners and some of the guards, "Be ready to fire at the beast as we aim for its...huh?" she tells them but then the girls and guards were all ducking down on the ground, "What hell are you?!".

But when Malty turns to look back, she sees Kirishima turning his body then.

*Smack*

Kirishima strikes Malty with his tail and sends her flying until she crashes into a fruit stand where she gets covered in fruit with her armor damaged, again.

Kirishima continues flinging the helpless hero in his mouth as he continues to scream for help.

Melty looked worried and turns toward Bakugou, "Sir Shield Hero, please I order you to stop this! Please control your dragon!" she ordered.

"Oh come on this is comedy gold," Bakugou says as he continued to record the whole event through his crystal ball shield.

Melty didn't say anything else but she did look at Bakugou angrily as he stared back at her. This continued for a few seconds until Bakugou finally just sighs, "Alright fine." he then looked back at his dragon, "Kirishima spit him out now. You shouldn't be eating garbage anyway."

Kirishima responds as he spits out Motoyasu from his mouth on the ground with Motoyasu's groaning in disgust as he is completely covered in dragon drool with his armor chewed up and ruined, again.

"Ah gross it's all over me. And it smells like gasoline." he whines trying to wipe off some of the drool. He then looked angrily back at Bakugou when he grabs his spear again, "You'll pay for this Bakugou?!"

"Oh so scary, what am I going to do against the bitch baby." Bakugou mocks again at the spear hero.

"I mean it literally, you're going to pay for my damage armor Bakugou!" Motoyasu raised his voice just mad by all of the repeated humiliation.

Bakugou just looks up at his dragon again, "Hey Kirishima, up for seconds? This time you can chew harder."

Kirishima looks back at Motoyasu licking his lips showing some of his sharp teeth...

Motoyasu's anger immediately turned to fear as he quickly panicked and made a run for it to escape the dragon as he tried to eat him again, but he wasn't going to bother to chase him, "This isn't over yet Bakugou! I'll get you for all of this next time!" he finally screams until he was out of everyone's sight.

Many of the townsfolk were all gossiping,

"Wow, what a wimp."

"Yeah he couldn't even damage the shield hero. Had the princess not stop the fight he would've definitely lost."

"Is he really the spear cardinal hero? He just allowed himself to be beaten up by a demi-human and a dragon like that?"

"Well this is the same loser who allowed himself to be forced to say that he was a bitch baby by the shield hero."

"Yeah to think the shield hero is the strongest of the heroes."

The townsfolk gossip, reflecting on the general opinion on the spear hero in the kingdom.

The soldiers then went to get Malty up from the destroyed stand. She was still covered in broken fruit and was full of rage from the humiliation and just groans and growls to herself as she turns away from the shield group to find Motoyasu again.

She first walked toward the mage girl with the crystal ball, "I'm guessing we won't be using that take huh?" the girl joke trying to lighten the mood.

But it didn't work for Malty as she grabs the crystal ball and throws it onto the ground shattering it in anger not needing to say a word. She storms off again with the girl and the rest of Motoyasu's teammates following her.

Melty sighs to herself from all of that.

"Ha, we sure showed them Sir." Neia cheered to her master.

"Hell yeah!" Bakugou agreed as he pets his giant dragon as he turned back to his teenage size with Bakugou petting him, "Though it would've been better had I been allowed to continue my beating of ponytail sluts ass." he continued while he stared at Melty.

"Sir Kac-I mean Shield Hero I was just trying to protect the people, not to continue the violence." Melty tried to justify to Bakugou but she could tell he didn't care as he just huffs and continued to pet his dragon. Melty then continued, "But anyway, Shield hero I would like to discuss with you privately its important."

Despite not happy that she butted in on his business, he might as well hear what the Queen of this country wanted from him to send in her daughter and heir.

After a minute of walking the crew and the princess went into an alleyway away from the public to talk privately.

"Ok Blue hair what do you want?" Bakugou immediately demanded as he is leaned against a wall with his arms crossed with his dragon in his smaller size on his shoulder and Neia next to him with her arms crossed as well with a cautious look in her eye waiting to see if the girl tried anything.

Melty then finally speaks up, "Sir Shield hero or do you prefer Sir Kacchan?"

"It's Katsuki Bakugou, Kacchan is just a fake name I use." Bakugou corrected seeing no point in hiding his identity anymore.

"Fake name? Why would you?... Nevermind Sir Bakugou let me properly introduce myself again."

"You don't have to tell me the same bullshit formalities again just get on with it!"

Melty sighs but continued," Alright then Sir Shield hero. I have been informed by my mother the Queen that my father the King has been mistreating you?"

"HA! That's a damn understatement, that inbred bastard has treated me like shit since I got summoned in this God-forsaken place."

"I'm very sorry for my other family's actions Sir Bakugou, I understand you and your partner are not on the best terms with my father right now, but my mother has summoned me back to Melromarc to help patch things up with you two."

"Patch things up?! Yeah good luck with that!" Bakugou mocked

Melty was getting irritated by the shield hero's attitude, but she continued to act professional while Bakugou continued to listen, "So please Sir Shield hero if you can come with me to the castle we can meet with father and straighten this out." Melty requested.

It was a bit to take in, Bakugou already knew that the Queen was quite against her husband's stupidity if her shadows words meant anything. But the fact that she was sending out her other daughter to directly talk to him, it probably meant something.

While Bakugou continued to think about it Neia was quick on her own conclusion, "Ha like Sir Bakugou is going to believe that you little.."

"Sure fine." Bakugou suddenly answered after thinking it through.

It completely surprised Neia, "What? Sir Bakugou are you actually serious?"

"Does it look like I'm joking to you?" he responds back to his sidekick who was still confused as to why he was suddenly trusting the princess of the royal family.

Melty on the other hand was happy that he agreed, "That's great, thank you sir Bakugou let's head to father right away and.."

"Hold on a second blue hair." Bakugou interrupts not done speaking to her yet which confused the young girl. "Before I will go, I demand to be paid 10 gold pieces before I go in to talk to the bastard." he continued.

Melty was surprised but was also irritated by that request, "Wait what?! You're saying I have to actually pay you just to have you talk to father to clear your name?!" she asked looking annoyed at the shield hero who was being so unreasonable when she is trying to help him out.

"Hey if I'm going to be stuck listening to that consorts bullshit I might as well make a lot of money out of it. Speaking of which, Blue did she even pay the 10 gold for even transporting her?" Bakugou continued as he turned toward his partner.

"No she hasn't paid for that yet, before we even got to the castle she heard about the fight with you and the spear hero and we quickly ran to you. So she hasn't paid a copper yet." Neia answered still unsure why he was even considering this even if there was money in it.

Melty still couldn't believe how ungrateful the shield hero was acting, but despite her irritation she gave out some deep breaths and says, "Ok ok Sir Bakugou if I pay you your 20 gold, 10 for my transportation and the 10 for your fee, will you at least try to talk with my father and we can finally sort this mess out?" she negotiated.

While still not too big in going back to the castle the money was exactly what Bakugou asked for and was honestly curious how this will turn out with the girl involved so he agreed, "Alright fine, but I want my money upfront first before I waste my time with the consort if anything happens." he begrudgingly agreed.

Melty was happy that it was finally settled, "That's great, meet me inside the castle before the end of the hour and we will settle things straight with you and father." she finishes and turns toward the direction toward the castle with Bakugou and Neia watching from behind.

---

After some time walking through town team Bakugou were finally at the castle again, despite some resistance from the guards they were forced to stand down under Melty's request.

The crew walk through the large halls of the castle as the guards and some of the castle staff turn away from him with ugly looks. Bakugou wasn't surprised but he didn't care either as he and his crew were finally at the throne room doors with Melty waiting there excitingly.

"Great! Here we are now, we can finally help fix your grievance's with father and clear any wrongdoing against you." Melty says with some enthusiasm.

Bakugou on the other hand was not as he walks up to the princess, "Whatever blue hair, where's my money?" he demanded,

Melty sighs as she holds out a coin sack, "Alright, here you go Sir Bakugou 20 gold as promised."

Bakugou quickly grabs the sack and looked inside to make sure the girl wasn't scamming him.

After he finished counting Bakugou was ready, "Alright let's just get this bullshit over with.".

"Please at least try to be civil, and I can help fix your troubles with father." Melty requested politely as she orders the guards to open the throne doors.

Melty walks in first as she approaches her father while he was sitting on his throne with Bakugou and his crew following in with him.

King Aultcry looked happy to see his younger daughter that he barely gets to see much, "Ah Melty it's so nice to see you again its been so..." But that happy face immediately turned to one of anger as soon as he saw Bakugou's face who looked equally as angry at him, "What the hell are you doing here demon! Who allowed you in the castle grounds!?" he immediately snapped at Bakugou.

"Nice to see you again consort, I see you haven't changed at all. As senile and incompetent as last time." Bakugou insults back which only angered the king more.

"For the last time you brat! It's King!" He yells back.

Melty was starting to worry now, with this meeting going off on a very bad start, "Well father, your title is King-consort of Melromarc, so your both technically right." Melty attempts to calm them down.

"I don't care what my title technically is. He's nothing more than a selfish, self-centered brat, with no respect to the law or to authority!"

"Ha! That's rich coming from you when all of those things describe your whore of an older daughter!" Bakugou yells back.

Things were already getting tense as the two continue to look at each other dead in the eyes as Melty does all she can to ease the situation, "Alright! Alright! Let's all be civilized here. I was the one who summoned the shield hero here under mother's request, she asked me to get you two to talk and finally deal with your hatred of each other." she shouts trying to bring order.

The king may hate the shield hero, but he did respect his daughter so he sighed and held himself back, "Ok fine Melty I'll allow it, but don't expect much from a demon." he tells his daughter who was happy things were going fine again.

"Okay then, now I'm aware that you have been mistreating shield hero Katsuki Bakugou as of late, and mother wants..."

"Mistreated?! It's called being punished for his crimes! If anything he's been left off easy!" Aultcry interrupted and made a point to say that toward the pissed off shield hero.

Melty felt confused by that statement, "Crime? Father what do you mean?"

"This monster had attempted to rape your older sister in an alleyway the second night he was summoned!" the King answered.

"What!?" she shouted in confusion, her mother never told her of any of that. It was a serious crime but was it even true? Bakugou isn't a pleasant person but why would someone like Neia follow him if that was the case? This didn't sound right.

Bakugou then spoke out, "The only witness to that event was that rotten whore princess you called a daughter. You didn't even bother with any other evidence or even allowed me to speak out you incompetent hack!"

"Your word meant nothing! The trial had been closed and you were found guilty! Your lucky I didn't punish you in worst ways!"

"Yeah and what about Paleface!? He had a few things to say in that trial and you just threaten him out of it."

"Please Shield hero, father can we just be.."

"I did that for his own good, the sword hero shouldn't have anything to do with your crimes!"

"You're so full of shit! You did that because he would've given me a case and you didn't want me to look innocent out of all of that and make your lying bitch daughter look bad!"

"Alright!" Melty yells trying to get them to listen to her, "Please let me speak! Ok, so there was probably some sort of misunderstanding or missing details from that night of the crime. Perhaps if we reopen the case we can have a chance to..."

"There is no need for a retrial. I know this devil has done this, and he deserves no such treatment from any of us."

"Father please!" Melty shouts at Aultcry trying to make him understand reason.

Neia then spoke up, "You think your judgment is steel perfect?! You nearly had me enslaved from your daughter's lies!"

"Silence you damn demi!" Aultcry snaps at Neia

"Father!" Melty shouted surprised that he would say something like that.

Bakugou of course wasn't going to stay silent, "You shut the hell up you bigoted bastard! Blue can say whatever the hell she wants to you! Just as I will say to you!"

"Sir Shield hero can you.."

"You are nothing more than a damn brat! A child who was never disciplined! You ought to show respect after what I have provided for you!" Aultcry says getting angrier as he starts to completely lose his temper.

Bakugou laughs at that, "Respect?! Ha! You kidnapped me from my homeworld and forced me to do this stupid cardinal hero crap! Where the hell was your respect for me!?"

"Will you two please..."

"You don't deserve respect! Your nothing more than a rapist criminal!"

"You didn't even show me the lick of respect before even any of that bullshit happened!"

"Father! Mr. Bakugou!" But Bakugou and the King completely ignore Melty's pleas.

"What are you even talking about you brat!?"

"Since I got here, you deliberately ignored me after the 3 idiots announced themselves, and after that you could barely be bothered to remember my name! You bitch about me calling you consort, well tell me, when was the last time you even said my real name you piece of shit!"

"Your just a damn shielder! Why should I even bother with you to begin with?!"

"Yeah the damn shielder who stopped the last wave, the shielder who stopped a mad quack, the shielder who stopped a revolution from bow bitch, the shielder who stopped a evil corrupt lord, and the shielder who kicked the ass of your whore daughters bitch baby!"

"YOU STOP CALLING MY DAUGHTER A WHORE YOU RAPIST MONSTER!"

"THEN FUCKING REMEMBER MY DAMN NAME!"

Melty was completely silent since then as the two yelled and insulted each other back and forth with neither of them listening to her anymore.

But the King was done, "That's it! I've had it with this nonsense! Get the hell out of my castle and take your filthy animals with you!" The King shouts as he gets up from his throne and heads out of the room.

Melty tries to stop him, "Father! No please! Mother is going to..." but it seemed that even his daughter's plea fell on deaf ears as the king ignores her and left the room.

Bakugou just huffs and turns toward the way out, "Come on blue, let's get out of here already." he orders his sidekick.

Melty turned to stop him, "Wait Sir Bakugou! Please let me talk to father privately and maybe we can fix this." she tried to plea to him.

But Bakugou didn't care, "You do whatever you want, but I'm not going to just be wasting my time here anymore. I got a world to save and idiots to prove wrong." he finally said to her as he moves out of the throne room with his sidekick who was just as eager to leave this place.

"Please, wait! Sir Shield hero!" Melty plead again but just with Aultcry it fell on deaf ears as Bakugou and his crew head out the throne door.

Melty stared down at the floor feeling like a complete failure. She promised her mother that she would help fix this, but nothing turned out as planned. If she couldn't even help the two from arguing like this, what kind of queen would she be? She also still felt great pain from her father, who would normally listen to anything she had to say to completely ignore her and act so unreasonable toward the shield hero and calling Neia an animal.

She then said to herself, "Father, what has happened to you?"

---

After the disastrous meeting Bakugou and his crew were finally out of the castle. They then head toward the 3 heroes church cathedral for Neia to get her class upgrade though the young elf girl was still unsure why, "So why are we going to the church Sir Bakugou, I thought you hated this place as much as the castle?"

"I do, but if you're going to get stronger we need to just get the class upgrade, so let's just get this stupid thing done already," he answered not likening the idea of being at the church. He treated it like ripping off a bandaid, just go in and get it over with.

After a few minutes of walking they finally made it to the church and went inside. Despite the ugly faces of many of the church folk the crew made it to the dragon hourglass where a group of Nuns was guarding. They saw the shield hero approach and were forced to speak with him, "May I help you Shield hero?" a nun asked but in an uninterested manner as if she didn't really care what he had to say.

"Listen church creeps, I heard this was where the stupid Class up upgrade thing happens at and my sidekick needs one so just do whatever and me her are out of here," Bakugou demanded bluntly wanting to get in and out as fast as possible.

The nun wasn't a fan of talking to him, but she had no choice but to continue speaking with Bakugou, "Yes we do provide class up upgrades, but it requires the fee of 15 gold pieces per partner."

It was an outrageous price just to break the class level barrier. But Bakugou didn't want to waste time to argue and with all the money they earned from all the quests and all the jobs thanks to Kirishima's flight he has more than enough money to pay for half a dozen sidekicks for class up upgrades.

Bakugou quickly gets out a coin bag of 15 gold from his shield inventory, "Fine here just do it now!" he demanded

The Nun was surprised that the shield devil could have this much money to himself already but she wasn't about to argue with him and just sighed, "Very well then if your demi-human will just..."

"Hold it!" shouted a voice from behind and it was another nun older than the other ones and most likely in higher ranking. She holds out a scroll that turned out to be a legal decree, "Our apology's we have made a mistake, but we are forbidden to be giving the shield heroes team class upgrades. It's a direct order from his Majesty." she informs the shield hero.

This did not help Bakugou's mood, "WHAT! ARE YOU SHITTING ME!" he explodes toward the nun frightening her and the other nuns. Bakugou angrily takes back his money as he stomps his way toward the nun. He then aggressively grabs the decree, "Let me see that!"

Bakugou reads over the decree, a lot of it was overly flowery legal jargon but it basically stated that the Shield Hero was now forbidden to class up by order of King Aultcry Melromarc and signed by him. It seemed that the King did this to spite Bakugou from earlier.

"That petty bastard!", Bakugou gets pissed off, and from his anger he blows the decree up in flames scaring the head nun even more.

she then attempts to curtail him, "Sir Shield hero, this is not a place of..."

"SHUT UP! I've been forced here against my will and I have been the one that ended the last wave, I'm the only competent one around here! So you're going to upgrade my sidekick now! OR I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT A REAL DEVIL IS LIKE!" he continued to explode on the nun expelling all his anger he had on Aultcry on the church that going along with his orders without question.

The head nun was now terrified out of her mind and ran off in fear, "Hey get back here! Were not done!" Bakugou yelled as he runs after her.

The other nuns in the room had also run off in fear from the evil shield 'demon'.

Neia who had Kirishima on her shoulder just sighed while she stood there, "Well here we go again." she commented as she walks off toward Bakugou

The Nun continue to run in fear as the angry shield hero follows her in rage, "I'm not done here you over zealous freaks! Get my damn partner upgraded!" he threatened as Neia follows along.

The nun continue to panic until they heard a familiar soothing voice, "Sister Kirea what is going on here?" asked the voice.

The nun turned along with other heads in the cathedral to the voice and saw none other than his graciousness, Pope Balmus of the three heroes church.

Bakugou also took notice and finally stopped his anger bout as he stopped to get a good look at one of the most important people in this country. He still remembered his face from his and Motoyasu's duel and he wasn't sure what to expect from him.

Once up toward the Nun the Pope finally spoke again, "Sister Kirea what is the matter? Why are you showing fear in God's holy church?"

The nun quickly bowed toward her Pope, "My apology's your grace. But this monster of a child has disgrace these holy grounds with his threats of harm and violence." she defends herself as she looked back at Bakugou who continued to stand there.

But the Pope then held his hand toward her, "Now now Sister Kirea, let's not be rude to our guest who is also a cardinal hero. We must always look out for forgiveness to those under God's graces." he says to the Nun.

Kirea was surprised to hear such words from his gratefulness toward the shield hero but she didn't protest as she bowed to him, "Of course my lord, I'm sorry if I have sinned."

"No worries, God will always smile to those that continue to follow his word," the Pope says to the woman as he turns back to Bakugou as he and his bodyguards walk up to the shield hero who continued to stand there with Neia finally catching up who looked just as curious to see the kingdoms religious head in person.

Once up toward Bakugou the Pope finally speaks to him, "Welcome shield hero to our church, I'm very humble to be meeting you in person, I remember seeing your magnificent duel at the royal palace a month ago and I must say you did splendidly well."

Though Bakugou wasn't big on the Pope's preachy nature, "Yeah and what? Am I suppose to be thankful for that?" Bakugou responds rudely.

The Popes bodyguards immediately got offended, "How dare you be disrespectful to his holyness, such acts should be.."

But the Pope forced them to back down, "Now now, the shield hero had been through a lot lately so I can understand his grievance with the crown right now, so I'll let him be." he calmly told his guards who immediately backed down but still kept an eye out on the shield devil.

Bakugou continues to stare at the holy man with angry contempt wondering what he was even bothering with him for.

The Pope asked, "So Shield hero, what are you here for? And why did you hold so much anger toward sister Kirea?"

Bakugou was still silent as he stared at the elderly man, but Neia decided to answer for him, "Sir Bakugou and I are here to get me a class up upgrade, but the woman told us we couldn't because of the King's decree that the shield hero cannot get one."

The Pope scratches his chin on that answer and after a few seconds of thinking he smiled and speaks to Bakugou again, "I see, I can understand your anger Sir Shield hero, and I would love to give your partner her upgrade, but unfortunately my authority does not exempt me from direct orders from the crown. However though, if you are willing to become a full-fledged member of the church I can make an exception."

That statement shocked most of the church with the church folk wondering and thinking why the Pope would suggest such a thing.

Sister Kirea even spoke out about it, "But.. But.. your gracefulness he's the.." but the Pope puts out his hand at the nun to stop her.

"Now now, God is always willing to forgive those that repent their sins and who are willing to join to help spread his truths and gospel." The Pope says to the nun as she backed down again and looks back at Bakugou, "I can also help absolve you of your crime from Princess Malty's accusation. After you and the other heroes deal with the next wave in about 10 days or so, I know of a secluded place where you, the princesses, the king, and the 3 heroes can meet privately away from the public eye where I can give you a case to be pardon from your crimes." he continued

the Pope then reaches his hand out toward Bakugou as he stared at it, "So Sir Bakugou, are you willing to accept forgiveness from God?" he asked.

With Neia she wasn't sure what to think of this, the Pope seemed like a nice enough guy and has done nothing against her or her master directly. But at the same time this seemed too good to be true and she still doesn't know the Pope enough to completely trust him. The church environment was also honestly uncomfortable, with the church folk always looking at her with ugly faces or distrust, the priests back at home with her people never acted like this, she can't imagine spending a large amount of time with these people. So she was eager to see what her master will do.

Bakugou continued to stare at the Pope's hand for a few more seconds with everyone else in the room anxious to see what will happen. The Pope stepped a little closer to Bakugou to see if he would make his mind up faster, "Did you hear me shield hero will you..." But finally

Bakugou slaps away the Pope's hand.

This absolutely shocked the whole room with the Nuns gasping with one even fainting by such an act.

Bakugou finally spoke out after all of that time, "Stop your God damn condescending bullshit! You take me as an idiot!"

The Pope was shocked but he maintains his stance, "What do you mean hero?"

"You don't think I remember what you did at the duel, or more accurately what you didn't do?! You were there as a witness for that event along with the consort. And you clearly saw that bitch princess cheating on the sides along with everyone else on that courtyard. And did you stop the fight? Did you penalize Ponytail slut? Did you point out the blatant favoritism from the consort? No! You just sat your ass down on your chair in that fight and didn't do jack shit! You never cared about me! I didn't see you or the rest of your indoctrinated freaks come to help me in any capacity at any point! Not before or after I got accused of raping that bitch! I don't know what the hell kind of agenda you have? But I'm not going to be some pawn to your bullshit! I don't care if I don't ever get that damn upgrade, I will never be involved with you freaks! And you can all rot in whatever hell you believe in for all I care." Bakugou finishes.

The whole room was completely silent with almost everyone shocked to see someone talk to the man closes to god to say that to him. Except for Neia she was going to support whatever decision Bakugou had in mind and remain loyal.

The Pope stood there in silence and looked somewhat angered by that blunt rejection of his invitation. But that quickly disappeared and he went back to smiling again, "Very well Sir Shield hero if that's your decision then I will not go against it. But you should be careful about what you do next, we all have our place and roles in life. I just hope you will remember yours." he finally said to him being especially blunt on the last part as if he assigned a place for Bakugou already that he has been repeatedly defying.

Bakugou had enough of all of this though, "Forget this shit! Blue lets get the hell out of here! Unlike before we are not being paid to listen to this bullshit. So let them suffocate in there own incense." he orders his sidekick as she and Bakugou leave the church

Once they were out of the church as the Pope continued to smile away from afar.

Sister Kirea finally spoke out, "I still can't believe you allowed that devil to just talk to you like that? He should be punished for his sins."

The pope held out his hand again, "Now now Sister Kirea, we must learn patience the virtue God respects. The unruly devil will eventually be dealt with, we just need to wait after the next wave and see how the other heroes handle the situation. If they cannot handle it like before then..." the Pope then finished giving a sinister smile, "Then it will be time for our gods to be replaced."

---

Bakugou and Neia made it out of the cathedral as the shield hero continue to express his anger, "Well that was a colossal waste of time. At least with the meeting with consort we got paid for it, we might as well never bothered."

Neia couldn't blame him, it seemed that the crown is doing all its power to screw over her master, "So what now Sir Bakugou?" She asked

"I'm thinking about it?! I'll figure out something, there's got to be some other way to do this stupid upgrade thing?" he responds as he scratches his chin to think about it, "They say there's at least one hourglass in almost every country on this planet. Where the hell could we go that won't take to long to get to?" he says out loud with Neia trying to think about it herself.

But after a minute Neia then finally thought of an idea, "I got it Sir Bakugou, we can go to Tervein. If most of the nations of the world really do have a dragon hourglass, then Tervein wouldn't be any different. And unlike here in Melromarc the King actually likes you."

Bakugou looks back at Neia, "Oh yeah I forgot about Turban's kingdom, well what the hell do we have to lose we might as well check. We're going to Tervein." he announced with Kirishima jumping off Neia's shoulder and quickly transforms into his giant adult form ready to fly out.

Bakugou just shakes his head, "Kirishima we're fast traveling, it be nightfall before we get to Tervein by flight." he lectures his dragon.

Kirishima was disappointed as he loved to fly, but he knew resisting his father won't accomplish anything and just transform back into his toddler form and jumps on his father's shoulder.

Bakugou then activates his map shield and they soon fast travel back to Tervein.

---

At King Kardrums throne room he finished up listening to the last complaint from another nobleman. It was tiring to hear continuous complaints or grievances from random nobles around the kingdom usually for very petty things like one noble insulting another nobles great grand aunt or something. But at the same time he was glad that this was now the worst he had to worry about now. Thanks to the shield heroes efforts his kingdom has now stabilized again, everyone was now happy with the kings rule, there was now plenty to eat, and they now have properly equipped armies to fight back against the waves.

He was ready to leave for dinner until he saw a servant come into the throne room, "Excuse me your highness, but we have one more visitor who would like to speak to you. It's the shield hero, Katsuki Bakugou.

Kardrum was surprised to hear him back at his kingdom again so soon, but he didn't mind it, "Of course he can come in immediately." he responded.

After a minute of waiting the Shield hero and his team come in to see the King.

Kardrum expresses his gratitude, "Shield hero Bakugou, I'm happy to see you and your team here at my kingdom again. I like to thank you again for everything, especially for providing those Katsuki fruits. Thanks to them, we have more than enough food for everyone in the kingdom." he thanked Bakugou and Neia.

While Bakugou enjoyed the change in atmosphere compare to Melromarc he still wanted to get onward to business, "Look turban I hate to be asking for anything, but my Sidekick has reached level 40 and needs a class upgrade, and those bastards at Melromarc are refusing to do so, so do you have a dragon hourglass for me to use?" Bakugou requested.

Kardrum scratches his chin and shakes his head with a disappointed look on his face, "I see Sir Bakugou. Normally I would be glad to allow your partners to class up without any charge. But unfortunately at this time,... the hourglass is currently out of commission."

Bakugou and his team were confused by that, "What the hell do you mean out of commission?" Bakugou asked.

Kardrum then went on to explain why, "Sir Bakugou you remembered after Qine's failed coup and the trial with the bow hero. And you remembered that I made a change in our state religion. That we would abandon any demonization of the shield hero and remove the bow hero's divinity. Well you see after doing that our nations clergy were not remotely happy about it. They were saying that it was blasphemy and I was gravely sinning God's word and should be punished for such actions. After that they began protesting like the peasants were doing before when you first came here. But unlike before it was only them, the citizens didn't care and ignored the protests, they knew better of who the shield hero really is, especially after you saved this nation."

"Okay so what does this have to do with the hourglass?" Bakugou asked.

"Well eventually the church realized that their protests weren't accomplishing anything and knew convincing the peasants to go against me again wasn't going to happen, so they all left the country in protest back to Melromarc with the threat of a crusade in the future. I'm not sure if they were being serious, but either way they ended up taking everything from the church's across the country, and unfortunately that included the sand of the dragon hourglass from the main cathedral. So because of that as of now the hourglass is completely inactive." the king finished.

Bakugou was grumbling in anger, pissed off that it seemed even outside of Melromarc the church was still screwing him over even unintentionally.

Neia then asked, "Can you not get some more of the sand stuff?"

"We can, but the process is not easy to do and only know by the church who left the country. We have to import the sand from elsewhere instead, and Melromarc is refusing to sell any as they are were the 3 heroes church is headquartered at. So we had to order from Zeltoble, and that takes over 3 weeks to get here." he answered not helping out.

"Great so we are stuck at square one again," Bakugou complained.

"Maybe we could try another nation? Like that Zeltoble place." Neia suggested.

Kardrum then spoke out on that, "I don't recommend there, Zeltoble is over 2 months away by wagon and 3 weeks by sea so it would be a long journey just to upgrade your partner, and that is even if the grand councilor over there will even allow it. And the same would apply to Faubrey and all of the other minor nations those two powers associate with."

None of that sounded good to Bakugou, he imagines even with flight it probably still take weeks to get to either of those nations, which by that time the next wave would've started wasting their time for nothing.

Kardrum wasn't done though, "If I have to recommend anything to you Sir Bakugou would be trying your luck with a demi-human nation, east of here is Siltvelt and Shieldfreeden. Unlike Melromarc, they worship the shield hero at the great holy shield church, so it will be easier for you to get them to give you and your partners their upgrades. Shieldfreeden is relatively new though so they are somewhat underdeveloped compared to other powers so I'm not sure if they have a proper hourglass or not, Silvelt on the other hand is the largest and most powerful Demi-human empire on the planet and where the Shield Church is headquartered at so they definitely have one. But I have to warn you about Silvelt, they may worship the shield hero there but they are also an extreme demi supremacist nation where the majority of humans are slaves. So be cautious if you ever think of going there." Kardrum finally explained.

It was a lot to take in but Bakugou got most of it. It will have to be something to think about over night where he will hopefully figure it out by the next morning.

Bakugou then just sighs in disappointment, "Thanks anyway I guess, It was wishful thinking that we get anything. Come Blue lets just get back to Melromarc." he thank him in his own Bakugou way as he and Neia head out for the door back to Melromarc.

The King then said his goodbyes, "Take care shield hero and good luck finding what you need."

After that Bakugou and his group fast traveled back to Melromarc.

---

Later that night Bakugou and his crew were eating at a inn enjoying the food with other groups of people dining in while Bakugou continued to think about the whole upgrade issue. It seemed that there only option will have to be Siltvelt. If Shieldfreeden didn't have an hourglass, they be wasting their time and the other major powers are too far away to go without spending days or weeks flying to get there. But even then it probably still take a few days to get to Silvelt and the discrimination against humans doesn't sound fun. All to just get Neia upgraded, and he still had Kirishima to think about, he was still only level 37 so he still had a few levels to go to be able to get an upgrade himself. That will alone might take a day or two to get to level 40 to not waste time taking two trips there even with fast travel later on. It will probably take another few days just to get to Silvelts capital where the hourglass is most likely located at. Bakugou thought about waiting at least until after the next wave is dealt with and he and his team will have the time to go there and deal with all of the demi-human politics over there.

During there meal Neia wanted to finally ask Bakugou something after having it in her head all day, "Sir Bakugou do you mind if I ask you something?" she asked.

Bakugou immediately stopped thinking to concentrate back on his sidekick, "Yeah what is it blue?" he asked while he ate his meal.

"Sir Bakugou why did you trust Melty so much earlier? Like I know you were still cautious and expected a reward from her, but why were you so willing to believe her despite her sister and father? Especially since on the same day you refused to trust the Pope?" She asked, this had been on her mind all day and wanted a clear answer.

Bakugou was quiet at first seeing where the question was going and finally answered her, "Because I could tell she was being genuine, you can tell through someone's deception easily through there body gestures, their eye movement, and the tone of there voice. I saw through her older sisters bullshit easily by how fake it was, as was the popes. Blue hair didn't have any of that, she was acting normal, at worst she is grossly naive, thinking she can get through that idiot consort."

Neia felt a bit empty in her stomach despite the meal, she dismissed and told off Melty earlier as not being different than her sister, could she have been genuinely good to her and she was too stupid or dense to see through it? She then asked Bakugou, "Sir Bakugou, do you think I might've been too hard on Melty?"

"You're asking me that? I'm a hero, not a psychologist. I say you should always be cautious with anyone you don't know about. But it's your own problem to understand people and make up your own mind, and I won't be here forever to help you judge people." he answered her.

Neia was still confused, whether she should apologized and trust Melty again if she had the chance, or to continue to not trust her if she really was no different then her family and it was just an act. She trusted her master's judgment but he was right she would have to think for herself sometime soon and judge for herself.

After that the crew went back enjoying the food with Kirishima also digging into some raw chicken legs.

As Bakugou enjoys his wine right behind him he was overhearing a conversation from 2 unfriendly looking men wearing lightly platted armor and had tattoos on there arms, as they talk with one another, "So pike how are the cows doing?"

"The cows are fine Merv, uncooperative and stubborn as usual but they are now packed on the ship ready to go in about an hour from now."

"Sounds good, we'll make big money once we sell them off out of Melromarc. And we don't have to listen to Captain Vin barking out orders while he's out in sea."

"I know, and just a few hours ago I've gotten myself quite the breed. Lots of strength behind that one, she might be our biggest sell soon."

"Where did you find this cow at?"

"Got her off a buyer from the Spa today, she seemed very eager to get rid of it and I didn't complain."

"The Spa huh interesting. Who was the broad you got it from?"

"She called herself Myne."

Bakugou nearly spitted out his wine as soon as he heard that name, "Sir Bakugou are you all right?" Neia asked from his reaction.

"Shhh!" Bakugou responded to Neia who wasn't sure what he was doing but obeyed and just ate quietly.

Bakugou then went from casually listening to completely focused on the two's conversation, "Myne never heard of her, why was she selling off her 'cow'. Merv asked.

"I don't know something to do with the spear hero but I'm not complaining, like I said we got all the cows packed in the ship and Captain Vin and the others will be sailing off by the end of the hour." Pike answered.

"Sounds good, but now this talk of cows is giving me the itch. Let's head down to the brothel to sleep through the night." Merv finished with Pike happy to go.

"I'm all for it, let's go." He and his friend Merv then left there table to head for the local brothel.

Bakugou automatically knew something wasn't right with these men, they don't look remotely like they were real cattle farmers and he doubts the bitch princess was now involved in livestock. There was definitely more to these 'cows' that they were letting on and he wanted the answer.

Neia looked concerned though not knowing anything about the conversation, "Sir Bakugou are you sure you're fine!" she asked.

"Blue why don't we go out to do some cattle shopping."

---

Pike and Merv we're out on the street heading toward the local brothel for there, 'special' entertainment. Until they heard, "Hey you two?" the two men were surprised and looked toward the voice from a dark alleyway.

And from the shadows came out the shield hero with his arms crossed, "I overheard your discussion from the bar about 'cows'. If your wondering I'm interested in buying one off you." said Bakugou.

The two were surprised at first but they smiled again realizing who this individual was, "Ah the shield devil. You know it's not polite to be listening in on people's conversations. It can get you in deep trouble." said Pike in a threatening matter, though Bakugou wasn't intimidated.

Merv then spoke out, "But if your wondering, those cows are not for sale, there being exported elsewhere and is none of your business anyway. So get lost or we're calling the guards."

Bakugou can tell they were not willing to talk and walked up closer to them, "Look idiots I want to.."

But then the two men took out their swords toward Bakugou who stared at them unfazed.

"Now how about you get lost or we will just mug you of whatever you have on your corpse." Merv threatened as the two men smiled on.

Bakugou then made a smirk of his own, "You two are even dumber then I thought. Blue now!"

"huh?" the two men said in confusion but as they turned there heads they saw Neia behind them launching her magic attack at the two.

Merv and Pike were immediately blasted by the electricity painfully stunning the two men as they drop there weapons.

Bakugou grabs the two and blasted them both into the dark alley.

When the men tried to get back up Bakugou shouted, "Kirishima! Keep one of them down!"

The two then saw a dragon jumping off the roof of the building as he lands on Merv's body as he used his claw wing to force his head in the ground as he squirms around trying to escape to no avail.

Pike attempted to get up and run but Bakugou blasted himself toward the man as he grabbed his armor collar and blasted him at a wall next to an old crate.

Bakugou walks up to the stunned man and held his face down on the crate as he gripped down his arms on his back.

While gripping forcefully on Pikes hands Bakugou began his interrogation, "Ok you bastard, now tell me what you are really selling!?"

As Bakugou grips the mans arms harder. While in pain Pike did finally speak, "OW OW! We're... We're just cattle farmers you heard what we said before right? OW!"

"Don't bullshit me! You two don't remotely look like farmers! And I know full well that bitch you met at the spa earlier didn't have any on herself! So what the hell are you actually selling!?" Bakugou yells and demanded.

Bakugou continues his painful grip but despite the pain he wasn't changing his tone, "I already told you what we sell! Now let me go or I'll scream for the guards!" Pike demands from Bakugou.

Though Katsuki doubted that claim considering he could've done that anytime before this including the time they drew out swords so it was an empty threat and a bigger clue that what they were really selling was something they didn't want the guards to get a hint on. But he can tell that gripping his arm wasn't enough he had to apply more painful measures to know the answers quick. He knew torture was not a very hero thing to do, but the ship they were talking about earlier was going to leave Melromarc soon, so they had no time to lose.

He then turns to Neia, "Blue I want you to give him a bit of a shock." he ordered.

Neia heard him but she was a bit uncomfortable about what will amount to torture, "Sir Bakugou are you sure, I know these men threaten to attack you but is this really necessary? Aren't you going overboard?"

"Blue these men were making deals with the bitch princess, do you think anything involving her is innocent?" Bakugou told Neia which surprised her that these men had something to do with Malty of all people.

But the surprise quickly faded away as she walks up to the man with her feelings of Malty on her mind as she placed her hands on his head. Pike wasn't sure what she was going to do but that got quickly answered when she activates her magic and begins shocking him.

It was painful as the man is electrocuted with Bakugou still holding onto him as the shield hero doesn't flinch due to his high electricity resistance from his shield's bonuses.

"Now tell me what you are selling bastards or I'll keep this up all night!" Bakugou demands as Pike is continually in pain by the electricity.

Merv attempted to say something to his friend with his head barely off the ground, "Pike don't tell these bastards anything you know what Vin will do to us if..."

"Kirishima shut him up!" Bakugou ordered his dragon as he proceeded to press his arm on the guy's face again in the ground as he squirms around some more.

But Pike was stuck in continual pain as Neia ups her electricity making it more and more painful, making it harder and harder for Pike to stay quiet.

After a half-minute of this Pike couldn't take it anymore, "Alright! Alright! I'll tell you!"

"Blue stop for now!" Bakugou ordered once he heard that with Neia letting go so he can hear what Pike has to say.

He then confesses, "Alright, so we are not cattle farmers. We are drug smugglers, we have been buying shipments of illegal drugs from Zeltoble and we distribute and sell those drugs around the capital. That's all we really do, if you want we can give you some of the...OW OW OW!" he cries in pain as Bakugou breaks some of his fingers.

"YOUR LYING! I've heard what you were saying earlier! What you were describing was not drugs, you were implying something alive! And you wouldn't be selling drugs if you were buying your "cow" from that whore! So what the hell are you really selling!"

"That is what we are selling it's true!" Pike continues to say while trying his best to not cry.

"Blue again!" he ordered Neia.

While she was hesitant to it before she was less so now seeing these were not moral men and we're still hiding something worse then drugs.

Neia grabs his head again and electrifies him. The voltage was now greater than ever as he cries in pain trying so hard to not expose the terrible truth. The pain kept coming and coming in greater amounts as Pike could barely hold himself together. The pain was getting worse and worse and was not stopping.

Pike couldn't take it anymore and finally broke, "OK THEY'RE HUMAN FEMALES! THEY'RE HUMAN FEMALES!"

Neia finally stopped and let's go with the truth now exposed.

Bakugou continued to hold on to him wanting everything to be explained, "Mind telling me how you got these girls or my sidekick will be electrifying your balls next!" he threatened.

"They... They were kidnapped. They're all mages with magic power behind them and they're going to be sold off to the highest bidder at an auction." Pike cries confessing everything not wanting to feel the pain again.

Neia looked horrified and quickly got mad once she realized what he was saying, "You... Your both sex traffickers. I can't believe it!" she says to herself now remembering when she herself was nearly turned into a sex slave in the woods where she first met Bakugou.

Bakugou continued on the interrogation, "So where are you selling them off to? Human slavery is illegal in Melromarc, are they going to be sold to Siltvelt as slaves."

"You kidding me? They wouldn't sell all that much to those Demi's. They're being sent out to Faubrey, many of the nobles over there have large harems and are always looking out for new tastes and are always needing new sons with magic in their blood so the girls sell for a high price there." Pike continued to explain.

Hearing all of that disgusted Neia and was clenching her fist in until she decided to scratch the trafficker's face with her sharp nails, "I can't believe I felt sorry for you a few minutes ago! You bastards are monsters!" Neia yells at Pike almost crying to think how long these people might've been doing this before now.

"Blue don't lose it, keep yourself collected," Bakugou tells his sidekick before she loses control of her emotions.

Bakugou then grips the trafficker again, "So were are they at?!"

"There... there at the river the capital's canal is connected to in a town called Tilva twenty miles south of the capital. They're being shipped out in less than thirty minutes on my organization's ship and are heading downriver toward the ocean to Faubrey!"

"So what's the name of the ship!?" Bakugou demanded

"I... I can't quite remember it's..."

"Blue!" Bakugou shouts with Neia immediately grabbing on the guy's crotch ready to continue the pain.

"OKAY! OKAY! It's the Sinex! It's the Sinex! That's the ship's name, it's a red ship with 3 sets of large white sails!" Pike confesses giving up everything.

Bakugou then lifts the guy up and blasts him away toward Kirishima who was still holding down the other trafficker, "We're now done with you pieces of shit. Kirishima get off of the other bastard!" He ordered with his dragon finally getting off the man.

Once the two in pain men got themselves up while still sitting on the ground, Merv then punches Pike in the head, "You Idiot you told him everything! Do you know what the captain is going to do to us!", he yells at Pike knowing they're in deep trouble now.

But Pike then grabs Merv by the ear to whisper something in it, "Shut it! Look once we are out of his way we'll tell the guards the Shield devil assaulted us and have him be arrested long before he makes it to Tilva then we will tell the Captain through our crystal ball to pack up and hide the merchandise elsewhere and we will be in the clear." he tells Merv who likes the idea.

To bad for them they wouldn't get the chance though, "Alright Kirishima now eat them!" Bakugou ordered which confused the two men.

But then they heard a noise behind them with a shadow over them as they turn to see the dragon was now giant and was showing off his sharp teeth. The two men screamed and attempt to run but Merv ended up being eaten first as Kirishima swallowed him whole and chews but unlike Motoyasu before he chews his body into bloody bits. Pike attempts to run but he gets snatched up by Kirishima's claw wing and after he swallowed what was left of Merv Kirishima bites the top half of the screaming human trafficker Pike and bites him in half as he chews him down and swallows what's left.

After that Bakugou looks back toward his sidekick, "Ok Blue we're going to Tilva right now!" he informs her.

"But Bakugou shouldn't we inform the guards of this?" Neia suggested first.

"You know they're not going to believe me, we be just wasting time and they just said that their ship was leaving soon so we have no time to lose to save those girls from those bastards."

Neia understood her master and nods in approval.

Kirishima then lays down his wing expecting everyone to get on to fly there.

But Bakugou tells him, "No flying Kirishima, they'll see you miles away and will probably hide away before we can find the ship. We have the element of surprise right now we need to be more subtle for now. We've been to Tilva before so we'll fast travel there and find this Sinex ship quickly before they get away with the girls."

Kirishima was disappointed but he understood his father and reverted back to his teen form ready to head out.

Bakugou activates his map shield and they teleport away to Tilva to stop these traffickers before they are to late.

---

Late at night the river trading town of Tilva was quiet as most the town was asleep.

But out at the docks there was a lot of noise going around as the Sinex was about ready to head out to sea as the crew of human traffickers and pirates get the last of the supplies onboard for there journey to Faubrey with there 'cows'.

"Come on men, let's get out of here already, we don't have all night!", yelled captain Vin who was a large man with long black hair and large tattoos marking most of his body wanting to get out of the port as soon as possible before the noise alerts the authorities, "Come on put your backs into it!"

Most of the men were ready to go except for 2 armed men and the first mate of the ship who were leaving the boat, "Hold on Vin, we are off to pay the docking fee before we go so we are not stuck with a fine again when we come back here."

"Well hurry the hell up, the cows are getting anxious down below, let's get on with it!" the captain barked orders as he continued to get the boat ready.

After some walking to the ship dock commission office, the first mate and his men were about to head back to the ship after paying the fee. But as the first mate was walking he heard a sudden groaning behind him, when he turned he saw one bodyguard on the ground stuttering in pain with a blue woman above him and the other is inside the mouth of a giant dragon as he swallowed him whole.

The first mate was about to make a run for it until he gets bashed in the face with a shield, he is then raised up by his shirt collar by a scary-looking blonde teen, "Now where's your ship at and where are your 'cows'!" Bakugou demanded.

Despite the pain the first mate just smiles, "You're too late for that." he then let out a loud whistle that could be heard across the quiet town, the crew of the Sinex heard it, including the captain as he ran up to the top of the deck, "We head off now! Go go go!" he ordered.

The crew quickly lifted up the landing plank and cutting off any rope keeping the ship in place trying to get out of here as fast as possible. The ship was quickly leaving the dock heading out toward the wide river.

The first mate was laughing thinking he had best the shield hero, "Ha, looks like you lost."

But Bakugou just smiles, "Yeah thank you for giving up your ship and it's location."

"Huh? The first mate responds until he gets blasted in the head knocking him unconscious as Bakugou throws his body into an empty barrel.

Bakugou and Neia ran toward the sudden noise, knowing it was the human trafficker's ship responding to the whistle considering almost nothing else was active in the sleeping town.

But when Bakugou and his crew finally made it to the dock, it seemed to be too late as the large red ship was already way out in the middle of the river now heading downstream out to the ocean.

It seemed to be over, but Bakugou was just smiling as Neia stretches herself, "Meet you onboard blue." Bakugou says to his sidekick.

"Hopefully not alone," Neia responded as she jumps into the river as she swims toward the ship.

He then looked toward his dragon, "Ok Kirishima now we fly!"

---

On the ship the crew were all laughing to each other thinking they got away from the authorities.

"Ha, they won't catch up to us now."

"Those idiots never expected a thing."

They say to each other as the crew drinks some beer on there way toward the open ocean.

ROAAR!

The sound surprised the crew as they all went for the side of the ship and to there horror, they see a giant dragon flying it's way to the ship terrifying all of them.

"What the hell!? The guards have a dragon now?" one of the crew guessed with the rest wondering if it even belonged to the authorities.

Either way though Captain Vin wasn't going out without a fight, "Come on men, get yourselves ready and we will make the beast into a trophy!" he shouts and motivates the crew as they scramble to get there weapons, it was to late to set up the cannons so they started firing magic blasts from a distance at the flying dragon who easily dodged them.

But when the dragon was right at the ship it flys straight up in the sky and to the surprise of the crew a blonde teen jumps off and shouts "DIE!" then when he was near the deck floor.

Boom!

He caused a big explosion that knocks a bunch of crew overboard.

Bakugou then landed on his feet on the ship floor with a smirk on his face, "There's a surprise inspection required immediately!" he shouts shooting out his quirk.

"Men kill this brat now!" Captain Vin shouted and after the initial shock the crew got themselves together and the traffickers and pirates all engage the shield hero as Bakugou begin to fight them off as he blocks and blasts at the various bad guys.

Despite being outnumbered by a few dozen men Bakugou has been able to fight them off as his quirk and shield abilities continue to beat the living hell out of them.

And as the crew engaged the shield hero Kirishima comes back down and with his fire breath sets the sails on fire with any of the pirates at the top of them screaming in agony and fall off the ship.

"Get the harpoon ready! Shoot the damn thing!" Yelled Vin as a crewman behind him holds on to a giant harpoon cannon used to blast at ships to forcibly hook them onto their own or to kill sea monsters was now being used as a dragon killer weapon.

The crewman aims for it's heart as the dragon flies around setting parts of the ship on fire. As it was coming back toward him he smiles, "Gotcha!" and fires the harpoon.

"Airstrike shield!" Bakugou shouted toward his dragon with the harpoon hitting the energy shield instead of him.

Kirishima then in retaliation dives down and grabs the harpoon gunner with his feet while also destroying the weapon itself and proceeds to eat the screaming gunner.

Kirishima then landed on the ship covering most of the front deck on fire, the crew attempt to hold back the dragon as the rest battle with the shield hero.

Vin continues to bark orders at them, "Come on you weak idiots! Kill this brat and keep the cows protected down below!" he yelled as the crew push barrels to the door that goes down to the bottom of the ship as they continue to fight the shield hero thinking that the girls are protected away from him.

Little did they know Bakugou already has someone working down below for him.

---

Down at the lowest level of the ship three guards remained down at the bottom of the ship playing a card game as they hear fighting from above.

"Sounds like they are having fun, hope it doesn't lead it's way down here." one of the guards says while playing his hand with the two guards one who was leaning on the hull.

"Don't worry about it, it's up there and we are down here where it's safe. So let's just sit back and... AAAAHH!" he shouts as a sword is piercing through his chest that proceeds to electrocute him terrifying the other guards.

The sword is quickly removed from his chest as he falls dead as the two noticed the hull behind him was now leaking water.

But before they could take that in, they saw more blade slices through the hull with a large amount of water now pouring into the ship with a blue woman in light armor coming in through.

Water was now overflowing in the but the two pirate guards engaged the blue girl, but she quickly overpowers them as she cuts away there blades with her dragon tooth sword and cuts the two down.

Neia then wasted no time going around the ship to look for the kidnapped girls while the hole she made was starting to sink the ship. She couldn't find anything in the lowest deck as it fills with water and went to the next floor level.

There she dealt with more resistance with at least a dozen other crewmen coming at her as they were guarding a large crate usually used to transport livestock that was closed shut and with something that large Neia knew it had to have something important in it.

She fought and cut a few of them down but when they were overwhelming her, she quickly placed her hand down and shouted "Electric shock!" that electrify's and stuns the remaining men as they fall on the ground with Neia stabbing them at there chests while they were helpless to stop her.

Neia cuts through the crate and once the opening was created she saw a group of 15 young girls scared of there minds in rags or casual clothing. The girls weren't sure what was going on with the noise coming from above and now out came this blue woman with a sword with a bunch of dead guards behind her.

Neia slowly walks up to the girls with one of them finally asking, "Who are you?"

"My name is Neia and me and my master are here to rescue you," she answered her

"Is... Is that true?" one of the other girls asked still feeling scared.

It was until the girl with short reddish brown hair among them spoke out, "Yes I know this girl, she is a companion of a hero, she really is here to save us." she encourages the girls as they slowly lose their fears and approach the girl, the brown haired girl showed off his handcuffs to Neia, "Please get these things off, they are cutting off our magic abilities."

"I see, hold on," Neia responds as she takes out her sword again and with it she cuts away the handcuffs, freeing the girl's magical bonds.

Once the last one was freed Neia tells them, "Alright then stick with me and.."

"Duck!" the brown hair mage shouted and launches a magic attack over a ducking Neia at a pirate with a bow only for him to be blasted into a wall knocking him out.

Neia got herself back up after that, "Thank you. Now let's move out quick!" she thanked and ordered the group of girls as they followed the elf girl as she fights off the pirates and traffickers on the way back toward the deck.

---

The fight on the deck continued as most of the crew attempt to kill the shield hero as he proceeded to kick all of there asses from his quirk or shield abilities. While trying to fight off the dragon at the same time as he continues to set the ship on fire or just eating the pirates one by one.

Vin above continue to spew out orders but saw that saving the last of his crew was hopeless and shouted, "That's it! I'll do it myself!" Captain Vin then jumped off the top deck and stared at the shield hero after he blasted away another grunt overboard. Vin pulls out his twin daggers and activates his wind magic to increase his speed and dexterity.

He engaged Bakugou as he attempts to slice him up with Bakugou dodging and blocking most of the attacks as the two move and jumped around the ship trying to kill one another as Bakugou also uses his quirk to move around. Even up in the air at some point as the two continue to fight off one another next to the burning sails.

During that Kirishima continues to attack the rest of the crew as the pirates and traffickers do whatever they can to contain the dragon as he burns and breaks what's left of the top part of the ship.

One of the traffickers got himself on the top deck and shouted, "Restraining magic chains!" and with his magic he launches out giant glowing chains that wrap around Kirishima finally holding down the dragon with the crewman cheering in victory as the last of the crew attempt to take advantage of the contained dragon and attempt to kill it.

But Bakugou noticed this as he and Vin continue to fight in the air. Bakugou launches himself off away from Vin as he continued to try to slice at Bakugou's torso, but once Bakugou was right over the magic chain mage, Bakugou rips his shield off his arm and threw it down at the mage.

The mage was in pain from the blunt object hitting his head and with the loss of his concentration the spell broke, with Kirishima now freed he smashes through the deck knocking or squishing the pirates to go after the chain mage.

After recovering from the blunt hit, he looks up to see a mad dragon running toward him. He attempted to activate his spell again, "Magic res..", only for Kirishima to eat him whole as he screamed for help as the dragon chews him into pieces.

Vins and Bakugou's battle continued with Bakugou dodging the attacks until his shield reformed back as he contiunes his fight with the tiring captain.

After he is almost out of energy from using his air magic for so long Vin finally flies himself back and was ready to use the last it to go for a strong strike to break the shields fortitude and while stunned he'll cut through Bakugou's throat.

Bakugou smiles as the Captain flies in for his attack, then he shouted "Explosion shield!" and with the transformation the explosion shield quickly absorbs some of Katsuki's sweat through his gauntlet palms and when Vin strikes it.

Boom!

Vin was blasted away in the air.

And while he was stunned Bakugou blasted himself toward Vin as he started to rapidly fire his quirk at the flying dazed captain even making him drop his daggers.

Bakugou blasts and blasts without mercy until the captain could barely hold himself up with his wind magic anymore.

Katsuki then blasted himself higher up than back down again toward the captain and once he was right at Vin's face.

Boom!

Bakugou let out a giant explosion at his stomach sending the captain hard down through the ship deck, finally injuring and taking him out of the fight.

Whoever was left of the crew that isn't dead, chewed up, or knocked out all panicked and jumped overboard from the ship into the river.

Once Bakugou landed back on the flaming deck he can hear the deck doors getting hit through as its doors were blocked off with barrels and debris.

He knew who it was, "Kirishima clear!" he ordered his dragon as he pushes away the junk blocking the doors, and through them came out Neia along with the 15 kidnapped girls.

They all looked terrified, as they look around.

"Oh God the dead bodies!"

"The boats on fire!"

"Are we going to die here!?"

The girls shouted in fear until the brown haired one got them in order, "Quiet all of you and listen to the hero!"

And after that Kirishima walks up to the girls as he lowers his right wing down with Bakugou and Neia jumping on him, "Get on the dragon now!" Bakugou shouts at the girls and without any hesitation they all ran up and got on the dragon.

With all of them on board Bakugou held on to Kirishima's reins and yells, Kirishima! Go!"

Kirishima then ran across the flaming deck until he jumped and began to fly away from the sinking burning ship.

And below the deck Captain Vin attempts to get himself up despite a gaping wound in his stomach from his fight with Bakugou. He struggles as he attempts to get himself back while holding onto his stomach, "This.. This is not over shield hero! I'll make you suffer for this!" he shouts out toward the night as he tried to drag himself out, but then he noticed some of the fire from the deck was dripping down to the lower level, it didn't seem to matter to the captain much until he saw what the fire was dripping on, barrels of black powder for the cannons. Dozens of barrels in fact imported from Faubrey

Vin immediately panicked and tried to drag himself to stop the fire landing on the barrels, "Shit! Don't! Shit! Shit! DON'T!"

BOOOOOOM!

From a distance on the flying dragon the entire ship blows completely up as the supply of explosive powder and alcohol finally erupts taking out the ship as it sinks into the bottom of the river.

The girls were relieved to be as far away from it as possible, they then turned toward there saviors, the elf girl Neia and the Shield hero Katsuki Bakugou.

"Thank you, thank you for saving us heroes." one of the girls thanked with others doing the same as they held on to the dragon.

Bakugou was concentrating on flying his dragon but despite that both he and Neia felt proud about to be hearing that, after such a day of dealing with the Spear hero, the King, and the Pope. It was refreshing to hear people acknowledge that they were indeed heroes.

---

About half an hour later the quiet town of Tilva was now up and awake after the giant boat explosion that awoke everyone which included the guards as they came out to investigate.

There Bakugou and his dragon landed back at the town with the girls getting off.

The guards were understandably wanting answers and he and Neia went on to tell them everything. They would've not believed the shield devil but thanks to the other girls backing him up the guards and the rest of the townsfolk believed him and went out helping and treating the cold and troubled girls from there experiences.

The guards had also gone out to the river to find any survivors of the ship explosion where they proceed to arrest the pirates and human traffickers when they attempt to flee from the authorities.

They even found the still knocked out body of the first mate in the barrel

When the first mate woke back up he saw that he was surrounded by armed guards as they tie him up. He attempts to weasel out of it, "Please wait, we were just innocent fishermen! The shield devil assaulted and murdered my friends, that monsters thirst for blood won't stop!"

But the captain of the guard wasn't buying it, "Nice try you vandals, but the girls told us what you people really are. One even remembered your face when you were groping her breast yesterday. So I hope you enjoyed having your head because you'll be losing it soon." he mocks the first mate.

The first mate attempts to say some other excuse but the guard just ordered for the man's mouth to be gagged up to shut him up and the other guards escorted him and the rest of the survivors to the local prison to be trialed tomorrow and most likely after that be set for execution.

The Guard Captain then walked up toward the Shield Hero while he was laying down on his sleeping dragon while his sidekick was healing him.

Despite what he had heard about the shield since he was a kid he can't help but not make up his mind on the hero with him stopping these pirates and human traffickers tonight.

Bakugou then noticed him staring down getting a good look at him, "What are you looking at?" Bakugou asked the Captain.

"I just wanted to thank you for your services for tonight Shield hero. I don't know what to make of you with your attempted rape charges and what the 3 hero's church had taught me through life. But as of tonight, I see you as a decent person. I hope you can keep it up and continue to make me see you that way by tomorrow and the day after that." the Captain finished as he goes back with his men to do a search around the area for more of these criminals attempting to make a run for it.

Bakugou just shrugs to himself still feeling exhausted from that event.

The girls had been mostly keeping to themselves as they were being aided by the people of the town. But one of them, the brown haired girl saw the Shield hero and wanted to talk to him personally as she walked up to the hero which both he and Neia noticed.

She then bowed toward the heroes, "Thank you, thank you again so much for all of this Mr. Shield Hero and your companions, I don't know how I could ever repay you for all of this. You're true heroes. Unlike someone I know.", The brown haired girl thanked Bakugou.

Bakugou just huffs, "Yeah thank you whatever, just go on and take care of yourself." he told her.

The girl smiles and nods in approval.

But when Neia got a closer look at her, she quickly recognized the girl, "Wait a minute haven't we seen you before? Your face looks familiar." Neia asked which also got Bakugou's attention.

The girl was silent for a few seconds now looking somewhat disgruntled, "We have, I haven't talked to any of you in person, but I've seen you multiple times. My name is Rino, I'm a former member of the spear 'hero's' team." she told them.

Neia was somewhat surprised to hear that, "Wait you mean Sir Motoyasu? Wait, now I remember you, you were also at the end of Motoyasu's and Bakugou's first duel and you were with Sir Ren along with a soldier to confirm Myne's lying. Though I remember you had that green witch hat." Neia realizes.

"Yes that was me, I admit that I do look different without my hat, but unfortunately that was taken away from me from that witch Myne to most likely be pawned off." Rino continued looking more upset the more she talked about it with her looking madder when she mentioned anything about Myne or Motoyasu.

It did spark Bakugou's interest, "How exactly did you get into this situation?" he asked, knowing this had something to do with Myne considering that was what clued him in on this operation in the first place.

Rino was silent for a few seconds, she seemed upset to even be thinking about it, but she owed the Shield hero and he deserves to know the truth, "It wasn't too long after the preemptive end to you and Sir Motoyasu's fight earlier today. After we found Motoyasu trying to wash himself out of your dragons drool Myne suggested we go to the Spa to get everyone cleaned off which he agreed. And after that we did visit the Spa to get everyone cleaned off and feel pretty like Myne always liked. After my time of getting cleaned off, I was ready to get dressed and wait for everyone else to get done, but as I was getting dressed I was cornered by two armed men that gagged me, tied me up, and placed magic restraining cuffs on me preventing me from fighting back.

Bakugou did remember Pike from earlier mentioning a 'cow' he got from the spa. With this story going on so far, that must be Rino he was talking about.

"And then I saw Myne coming in with her towel on still on smiling at me. And all she said to me was, "Looks like you're ready to head out peasant girl. I hope you enjoy your new life as a wife to a Faubrey Nobleman, and if your extra lucky you can get to be the new wife of their King. Have fun." that was literally her last words to me after my capturers paid her off. And do you want to know what was even worst about that, just before the two goons left with me Sir Motoyasu was actually right there by the door and all he had to do was come in to stop them, but before he could see me Myne got to him first. And she told him, "I'm so sorry Sir Motoyasu, but Rino had to leave. She had a family emergency. Her grandfather is ill and she wanted to visit him for comfort, she would've said her goodbyes but she was in a hurry. So she is sorry and she hopes to meet with us again one day.". And the idiot bastard completely bought it! He didn't even bother to investigate or anything! He just walked off with the royal bitch and basically left me to die!" the last part she yelled out loud. She felt so angry thinking about it all over again that she even trusted him in the first place.

Bakugou mostly remained quiet, he's not that much into emotional drama, but he listened in and noticed that despite her anger she didn't sound that traumatized from it, "I'm not surprised by that idiot, but I got to say for a girl who was kidnapped and nearly sold off as a sex slave you seem to be acting relatively well?"

"Well I was a bit scared the whole time, but that is in the past now and I've been saved by your team so there's no point in feeling upset about it." She answered.

Bakugou admittedly admire someone with such mental fortitude, the fact Ponytail slut just let her go away like that makes him into a bigger idiot, "Ha, yeah that is impressive. That's unlike blue who bursts into tears when something mildly sad happens." he joked.

"I do not Sir Bakugou. Or well at least not anymore." Neia talks back from the mock which makes Bakugou laugh and Rino giggle

Rino then stop giggling and spoke to Bakugou again, "Well again I thank all of you for what you did tonight and I hope to repay you one day." She thanks them again and was about to turn around to leave,

Until Bakugou shouted, "Hold on a second brown hair!"

Rino heard him and stop to turn around back, "What is it Shield hero?" she asked.

Bakugou then said, "I remember seeing you at the champions choosing, on the second day I got here. I want to know. Why did you pick ponytail, and why were you even there to begin with?" he asked her wanting to know more about the girl who was originally with one of his rivals who unlike Myne had actual sense in her head.

Rino was silent for a second, having feelings of both betrayal and anger in just thinking about the Spear hero again. But eventually she spoke out, "Alright I might as well tell you to save other girls like me from trusting that idiot bastard! Though it might be a long story." She responds.

"Go right ahead, I don't care," Bakugou responds.

Rino then told her story, "I grew up in a small village far east from here. It was nothing special and there was never much to do, but it was still home. And my family life wasn't much different, we were fair folk who ran a farm. It was peaceful but it was also ungodly boring. Eventually I found out that I was one of the few in the village gifted with magic, it might've been arrogance but it made me feel good about myself in my dull lifestyle. And when I turn 18 I finally decided to leave my village to make a name for myself as an adventurer with the goal to be the best mage of Melromarc or even the whole world. I traveled all around the country learning new things, meeting new people, fighting many monsters, and going on many adventures for over 2 years. I was never super famous, but many people were always impressed with my powers and appreciate my help, it always made me feel good about myself, that I was making a difference for once rather then just farming out in the fields"

She then went on to talk about recent events,"About two months ago while I was helping a small village, knights were going around requesting powerful adventurers and warriors to become companions to of all things the cardinal heroes. It seemed unreal that the cardinal heroes were now in Melromarc, but it wasn't something I was going to ignore and I showed them off my talents to them and the men were impressed enough for them to take me in. I never felt so excited in my whole life to be a partner to a legendary hero."

"And on that morning I first saw the cardinal heroes, I couldn't believe that it was real, the heroes of legend were there in the flesh. And you were there too, the hero of the shield."

Bakugou sighed, not surprised that she didn't think much of him at first.

She then continued, "And when we were finally told to pick our heroes I chosed the Spear hero as they always said in church that the Spear hero is the strongest and most courageous hero and by all appearances other than the bandage on his nose he seemed to fit the bill. I did notice how you were alone Sir Bakugou, but I didn't want my name to be attached to the person that has always been labeled as a demon so I didn't want anything to do with you. We were also told beforehand that the Shield hero had a unstable mind, so that was another reason why I never picked you and imagine why others didn't as well. Especially after your rape accusation that I heard about, though considering that came out of Myne, I imagine that was a lie to huh?"

Neia then asked, "So..uh... What was it like to be with Motoyasu?"

"You mean before the time he allowed me to be taken away by Sex traffickers? To be honest, it was boring."

"What do you mean boring?" Bakugou wondering what that entailed.

"Me and the other girls barely ever did any combat, Motoyasu pretty much did everything and the most we ever do was just praise and cheer on for him. He insisted on doing everything for us, thinking beautiful girls shouldn't have to go through hard labor. Never mind he never asked any of us about it first. This even included things like cooking, he wanted to cook all of our meals, and let me tell you I rather have what the animals were eating over whatever the hell Motoyasu made he called food. I even one time tried to aid him in fighting a monster and used my magic to attack. But when I did helped, the idiot and other girls looked at me weird like I did some sort of taboo act like they were surprised that the heroes helper actually you know helped. So yeah I never thought being a heroes companion was going to be such a dull experience."

"So Ponytail's teammates were just basically a group of cheerleaders." Bakugou commented.

"I don't know what that is, but judging your tone it's probably not something to be proud of." she commented but then continued her experience, "It was a boring time, but Motoyasu seemed like a nice enough guy, he did seem to truly care for me and has always been polite. But yeah he was an idiot."

Neia then asked, "What about Myne and your other teammates."

"Oh them. They're a different story. They were never my friends, I tried to be friendly with them, but they always looked down on me as "peasant trash". Myne was especially the worst feeling like she was the queen of the world and was always bossing everyone around her. Lesty is her childhood friend so they always felt like they fit together and she was as much of a spoiled brat as Myne, and Elena was just lazy and she just went along with Myne's and Lesty's antic's, so I was the odd one out of the group. Eventually I just ignored them and went on with my life. But I could tell Myne would always hold grudge's even for the most petty things, she especially got more aggressive with me after I helped you out that night she accused miss Neia of stealing. She and the other girls started to see me as the enemy, and Motoyasu barely cared thinking it was just 'girl stuff' that he shouldn't get involved in. I didn't care that much and had been just ignoring her, but then she had me sold off to these bastards like some damn livestock. She, the other girls, and Motoyasu can burn in hell for all I care!" she finally finished feeling so mad about all of this, feeling like she had just wasted her time for nothing and any feelings Motoyasu had for her were shallow at best.

Despite the long story Bakugou got the girl, in some way he somewhat related to her. He also grew up in a small town at a small school with a bunch of losers with loser quirks or in the case of Deku no quirk at all. He always felt like he was the best and wanted to show everyone that he was indeed the best. He imagines himself in Rino's place and her wanting to be a companion of a hero would be similar to him wanting to be in U.A. But instead she is stuck cheering on to some loser while doing nothing else, it be like if he got into U.A only to be stuck in general studies to watch the other people in the hero courses rub there faces at him while being surrounded by 3 Monoma's 24/7. It would've pissed him off to no end, the fact that Rino could tolerate it for that long was a big surprise for the teen.

Rino then smiles, "Thank you all for listening in, I didn't think anyone would care, but I'm happy to see that you are nothing like him." Rino thanked again.

Neia then asked her, "So what are you going to do now?"

"To be honest I'm not sure. Motoyasu can go to hell for all I care along with Myne. Maybe I'll just go back to my hometown again and spend a year or so doing boring farm work to make up my money again to buy me new adventuring equipment, unless I die of boredom first. But I'll always appreciate what you have done for me tonight. I'll never forget this, so good luck heroes." she bowed to the group as she turns around to leave.

Despite not showing it Neia could tell there was still sadness in the girl, she probably did want to be a hero or at least make something of her boring life, but she never could have being stuck with Motoyasu. Unlike before with Malty she could tell she was telling the truth, remembering how the princess talk to her before and Bakugou's advice, she can tell now this girl wasn't acting and was for real, rather then guessing and prejudging like with Melty before her. She wished she could help but she turns her head toward Bakugou who looks like he was thinking about something.

And Thinking he was, 'Hmm, should I really consider her as a potential sidekick? If she is a good enough mage to be picked up by the consort, I might finally be rid of the magic related problems that has been annoying me. Nothing seems suspicious about her, so I know she's not lying, and I doubt that princess bitch is clever enough to make this into some elaborate trick against me. To give her a chance to be a proper hero like I'm doing with Blue right now, if I can make her somewhat competent, brown hair won't be much harder to do. And if I can make her into a better hero then Ponytail slut, his former companion now surpassing him, now that be perfect salt to rub in his face of that idiot bastard which I'm sure the girl would like to see as well.' Bakugou thought about it, as Rino was walking further away.

Bakugou finally made up his mind, "Hey brown hair!" he shouts getting Rino's attention again.

She quickly went back and ran up to Bakugou, "Yes Sir Shield Hero?" she asked him

"Do you still want to be a hero? Do you want to get stronger and be the best damn mage on this entire planet?" Bakugou asked her.

"Uh... Yes, yes I would definitely like to be the best and help people along the way, but why did you ask?" she wondered

"Listen up, if you're up to the challenge and are willing to work hard, you can be in team Bakugou as my official second sidekick, or I guess what you say a minor companion."

The answer surprised both Neia and Rino, especially the latter, "Wait? Do you mean it? Even after I scuffed you off at the companion choosing?" Rino asked.

"I could care less about that, but if your willing to do what I say and not hesitate under my command then I will shape you to become the best damn mage there is," he responds making Rino think to herself about.

While surprised by it at first, Neia was actually all for it, "We loved if you can join up Rino. Bakugou can be harsh sometimes and strict, but he is not that bad if you get to know him."

It was something Rino never expected to hear after being kidnapped by sex slavers. But it seemed the Shield hero was being genuine about it, on one hand she does want to be the best and be a adventurer again rather then going back to boring farming life and to be able to do something for once. But on the other hand she was screwed over by her last companions and hero, to trust another hero like that again is asking a lot, and he is the Shield hero no less someone she had been told since she was a kid was a malevolent being who leaves nothing but destruction in his way. But he still saved her life and from all the rumors she had been hearing about him, Bakugou has done more to help the kingdom than any of the other cardinal heroes especially Motoyasu who he also bested him in a duel so the shield hero's power was no joke.

Rino stood there for a few minutes to think about it.

Both Neia and Bakugou remained silent knowing it was best not to pressure her as this could be the biggest decision of her life.

But eventually Rino stopped thinking and gave her answer, "To be honest Sir Shield hero, I shouldn't be trusting you, not just the fact that my church has over and over again called you the devil and the last person I had been the companion of had basically left me to die. By that experience I shouldn't trust you either... But then again you did save me today, something that you didn't think a demon would do. You weren't just a warrior, you were a true hero unlike that idiot bastard. With that and that I owe you for saving me anyway, I'll be glad to join with you, Sir Shield Hero.

Bakugou then smiles, "Ok then Welcome to the Bakugou agency." he responds, Rino didn't know what he meant by that but she was still happy for the acceptance nevertheless.

Neia was also extremely happy about as she extends a handshake, "Welcome to the team Rino. It'll be great to have you around."

Rino was happy for the acceptance and to have another person who was friendly for once, and shakes her hand as well.

"However!" Bakugou suddenly shouted surprising the two sidekicks, "Before you can truly become a part of the Katsuki Bakugou hero agency. You first must pass the Katsuki Bakugou training course." he said with a sinister smile on him.

Rino was wondering what that meant, but Neia knows full well what it was, "Oh boy, good luck out there Rino."

---

By the next day in the evening, Rino was out in the open grass field running her 5 miles while carrying 50-pound weights on her.

Bakugou watches from above as he also helps Neia for her duel wielding training while Kirishima was in his teen form chasing around rabbits and other small creatures.

Neia remembers when she was the one out in that field over and over again in training to be a hero.

Though Rino was higher in level then she was and was more physically active so Rino was given the 50-pound weights from the start but Bakugou still had her go through the same training until she was physically active enough to fit his standards.

This is definitely more than anything she had done with Motoyasu, so while it was hard exercise she didn't mind it as long as she can continue on to eventually be the best.

According to Bakugou's status screen Rino was at level 23, 17 levels below Neia, and 14 below Kirishima. Bakugou is not surprised to see that Motoyasu's companions were lacking behind considering he never lets them fight at all. With the next wave incoming in ten days after Rino gets her physical body up to shape in a few or so days he can get her and Kirishima to grind their levels to the character limit and after the wave is dealt with, they can all go off to Siltvelt to get all three their class up upgrades at the same time. And at the meantime he can help Neia with her duel wielding training so she can finally fight with two swords rather than one.

Rino then finally climbed up that steep cliff Neia had to climb up hundreds of times before, now exhausted from all the running.

Bakugou noticed and turned toward her, "Good, now it's time for you to learn how to properly attack with a weapon." he tells her as he holds out a golden staff, and since he's not intending to use it himself the weapon doesn't electrocute him and throws it to her.

"You got me a new staff already? Thank you Sir Bakugou." Rino thanked now using Bakugou's real name as she's his second sidekick now as she observed the powerful magic staff.

"You expect me to have you fight with your bare hands? And it's more than a magic stick brown hair. Hit the bottom hard on the ground." Bakugou tells her.

Rino followed his order and she hits the staff on the ground and the top of the staff pops up a long sharp blade. It surprised Rino, "Whoa what is this thing?".

"It's a spear idiot, your magic staff can also turn into a spear, it's as simple as that," Bakugou tells her.

It did make Neia curious, "Sir Bakugou, where did you get that thing at?" she asked.

"It originally belonged to that Botanist Quack we fought weeks ago. He won't be needing it anymore so I kept it and all morning I reversed engineered the thing and made it not only better at creating and manipulating magic but made it as a proper weapon as well," he answered.

Though it confused Rino, "But I'm a dedicated magic user? What need do I have for a physical weapon?"

"You can't rely on your magic all the time brown hair, on some occasions you're going to need to use a real weapon to fight monsters and bad guys. So I want you to get used to it until you get the feel of it. So I want you to do 1000 thrusts with the weapon until it's second hand to you, then I'll have you fight off ten balloon monsters with only the spear and no magic, and if you fail to kill them in 10 seconds and not get bitten by one of them you're doing the course and the thrusts again until you succeed. Got it?" Bakugou orders her.

Rino was shocked to hear of all that work she has to do just for basic training with nothing to do with her magic. But she didn't mind it as she can finally get stronger for once rather than kissing the boot of a guy who couldn't cook for shit, "Ok I understand Sir Bakugou, though a thousand thrusts? I didn't think you had such a dirty mind." Rino snarks as she laughed to herself.

"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN BROWN HAIR! Just do it or it's 500 push-ups!" he exploded at her with Rino and Neia laughing as the new intern continued her training by starting her 1000 spear thrusts.

Neia then spoke up, "You know this is all feeling familiar to me, it's like looking at an old photo and seeing your old self again." Neia comments.

"I don't know, I think brown hair might've been a bit more competent then you were at this stage, she could actually skip across a river without falling her ass into it." Bakugou laughs.

"Oh come on Sir Bakugou that part was always unfair." Neia sounding upset defending her old self.

"I'm just pulling your leg blue, just forget the past and just continue on to the future."

Neia then smiles again, "I agree Mr. Number one." Neia finally says to Bakugou. She knew he probably still has ways to go, but she feels like Bakugou was on his way to see her as his equal. A friend maybe.

Bakugou smiles then got back on subject, "Ok then let's get back to your training. Make sure you hold both blades tight and make sure you treat them both as equal parts of the same blade." he finally says to Neia as she nods and the two engage in there training.

A lot had happened in just one day and Bakugou was going to make the most of the next 10 days to get all of his team to go out plus ultra for the next wave.

---

Author's note: I admit when I first started writing this Rino was not remotely on my mind. But then some people began asking about her if she was going to be saved from Bakugou and after looking up her character and what becomes of her in the light novel I knew I wanted to do something with her. Eventually I started to warm up to the idea of having her to become Bakugou's second sidekick and here we are. Though admittedly I did have issues figuring out who Rino was, as some sources stated that she was that girl with the green which hat in Motoyasu's group, some others told me she was a different character that hasn't appeared yet in the anime. I thought it through for a bit and decided to go with her being the witch girl, since hey it's my story and I'll do whatever I want and Bakugou could use more dedicated magic-user in his group. Her being sold as slave most likely happened later in the story's timeline, but I figured this was the best time to do this especially with I have planned withthe story, so again my story and my continuity that hope it doesn't upset anyone.

So again thank you for reading and hope to see you again soon.