On the ranch where all the monsters were kept, Marius watched Filo guiding Aquilla who have grown to half the size of an adult filolial.
"Aquilla have grown quite alot." said Marius.
"Kue!" Aquilla responded. The bird rubbed his head against Mariu's hand.
"Filo wants to be pet too!" Filo leaned her head closer to Marius.
"Of course." Marius kissed Filo's beak and pet her head.
"Oh, so this is the rumored holy bird." said an unfamiliar voice of a woman with tanned skin and platinum blonde hair, as she probed Filo's body, causing the filolial queen to shrieked.
"Marius! This weird woman is touching me!' said Filo.
"She understands human language? So this must be the legendary Filolial Queen species variant." said the woman.
"What are you doing?" said Marius.
But the woman ignored him and continued to studied Filo, "Her plumage is quite thick. I wonder how her internal organs are?"
She then forcibly opened Filo's mouth and took her tongue out. Filo shook the woman off and took a stepped backwards.
"I can't examined you if you struggle, so you leave me with no choice." the woman took put a full syringe out of nowhere and before she could threw it Marius grabbed her arm.
"What do you think you're doing!"
"Unhand me! I must conduct an examination on this creature!" the woman struggled to escape Marius's grip.
"You will do no such thing!" Marius pulled her arm higher.
"What's going on here!" said Naofumi as he walked towards them with Eclair followed him behind.
"Oh, so you might be the Hero of the Shield." said the woman as she tried pulling her arm.
"Marius, just let her go."
Marius took the syringe off the woman's hand before dropping it on the ground and shattered it under his foot before letting the woman's arm go.
"And who might you be?" said Naofumi.
"I amRatotille Anthreya, but my friends call me Rato." she said, rubbing her arm, "This man here was too protective of the bird and he's in the way of my research."
"You would be wise to-"
"Marius, how about you take Filo somewhere else." said Naofumi.
"Fine." Marius turned and place his hand on Filo then led her away.
"Marius, are you okay?" said Filo.
"Yes." Marius felt Aquilla rubbing on his leg, "I hope Naofumi kicked her out."
"You what?!" Marius exclaimed.
"I made her my slave. And she accepted it pretty quickly." said Naofumi.
"What will she gain from all this?"
"An opportunity to create stronger monsters to help us." said Rato.
"You stay your hands from Filo."
"You're quite protective of the filolial queen. Why?"
"It is not of your concern."
"She won't lay her hands on Filo, okay? I make sure of that." said Naofumi.
"Which is a shame. Just imagine the possibilites if I experimented on her. Maybe add another eye on her stomach for increase perception, and maybe several tentacles to-"
"Enough!" Marius exclaimed, "I will not hear more of this!" Marius turned and walked away.
"You're really not good with first impression, are you?" said Naofumi.
"My mind is too preoccupied for small matters such as that. Anyways, why was he so overprotective of that monster? Is the filolial queen his pet?"
"No, more like lovers."
"Really?" Rato raised her eyebrows in surprised, "How?"
"I don't know, but it happened."
"I see... Did those two ever copulated?"
"Okay, why are you asking this question?"
"Think about it? Imagine what their offsprings would be. Especially if the mother is the legendary Filolial Queen and the father is... Well, if I have to be honest... A fine male human specimen."
"... Was there another reason why they chased you out of Faubrey? Look, I don't know what those two been doing behind my back and I don't wanna jump to conclusion."
"Well, if it did occured please informed me. I've developed a new interest for the Filolial Queen and her mate."
"Yeah, not gonna happen."
Arriving on a big town on the wagon, the Shield Hero and his party now joined by the Masked Hero, saw a commotion going on involving some local guards. They decided to ignored it until they heard a familiar voice.
"Why are these people getting off Scot Free, while I have to be taken into custody?!" said the familiar voice.
"Wait, is that?" said Naofumi.
They approached and stopped before Naofumi got down and approached the crowd.
"What's going on?" said Marius sitting inside the wagon.
"Looks like a fight is going on." said Raphtalia sitting on the driver's seat.
The crowd than spreaded out and they saw the Sword Hero with a gang of bandits Raphtalia recognized.
"Wait, I know those bandits." said Raphtalia, "We caught them trying to robbed us. It was before we found you."
"I see."
"Filo almost ate them." said Filo.
"Hey, Filo! Get over!" said Naofumi.
Filo released herself from the wagon then jumped and landed infront of the bandits. Marius got out of the wagon and headed towards the crowd.
"And if Filo here no longer scares you, maybe that guy will." Naofumi pointed at Marius, "He knows a thousand ways to torture people. And once he's done with all of you, you'll wish to be eaten by her instead."
The bandits became alot paler at the sight of the steel masked centurion and started begging at the guards.
"We did it! We are the culprits!' said one of the bandits.
"Now tell me, where's your leader? Do you have a base around here?"
"Here!" the bandit took out a map from his pocket, "Just take it!"
Naofumi took the map off from his hand and gave it to Marius, "Take Raphtalia and Filo. I want their leader alive. And tell the other slaves to go peddling."
"Very well. Come, Filo."
Filo and Marius turned their backs and walked away, leaving Naofumi and Ren while the bandits were taken away by the guards.
The map the bandits gave led them deeper into the forest. After they reached the bandit's camping spot they were meet a gruesome sight of the bandits laying dead on the ground.
"Keep your weapons ready and eyes open. Whoever did this might still be around." said Marius.
The two warriors unsheathed their sword and the filolial queen went full alert as they walked slowly around the camp.
"Guys. I've found their leader." Raphtalia pointed her sword at a corpse nailed to a tree with his belly sliced open and innards hanging to the ground.
"By the gods..." said Marius.
"We better tell master Naofumi about this."
"Right. What do you think happened to them?"
"I don't know. Whoever did this didn't steal anything here."
"That's great! They left the food behind!" said Filo with her mouth full.
The two turned their heads to see Filo munching on a basket of food.
"Filo! Don't! They might have poisoned it!" said Marius.
"Don't worry, I didn't smell any poison at all." the filolial queen continued eating.
"Filo, there's no time to eat. We must go back to master Naofumi." said Raphtalia.
"Alright." Filo kicked the empty basket away before letting the two climbed on her.
While waiting on the wagon with the other slaves, Naofumi saw Filo stopped near them with Raphtalia and Marius on her back.
"Master Naofumi, we got bad news." said Raphtalia.
"So do I. Ren got away, that bastard. So what's your bad news?" said Naofumi.
"The bandits are dead, including the leader."
"What? Did you guys find out why?"
"No. However, none of their possession were stolen. And if it's from another bandits the camp would be sacked." said Marius.
"Somethings not right... But maybe they know."
"Follow me." said the guard as he led Marius and Naofumi to the bandits that were locked up.
After they reached their cell the bandits were surprised to see the Shield Hero visiting them.
"Your friends and your leader are dead." said Naofumi, and the bandits were taken aback. "Does your group have any dispute with other bandits or anyone?"
"No." said one of the bandit, "I told him not to double cross those guys! I told him!"
"What kind of bandit group are you talking about?"
"They're not bandits. Atleast they don't look like one." said the other bandit.
"Dammit! Why does he have to go that far! Look what that got him and the other into!" said the bandit.
"Tell me who are those guys and I'll get you out of this prison." said Naofumi.
"... Fine... They called themselves the Black Prior."
Marius was shocked after hearing those words, "Do you know who's the leader?"
"Some guy called Vortiger."
"By the gods..."
"Our leader made a deal with him, said he'll give us riches if we transported ores from their secret mines even paid us in advance. But instead our leader sold the ore for more profit... He thought they won't find him."
"Know anything else about these guys? Like where their mines are?" said Naofumi.
"No. When they gave us the ores we were in a different location." said the bandit.
"Alright then, deal's a deal. I'll get you out of here."
"Forget it Shield Hero. They will know that we were missing from the others. They might be looking for us."
"We're safer here now." said the other bandit.
The two then walked away towards the exit, leaving the bandits in their new safe haven.
"Let me guess, you know that guy." said Naofumi.
"Yes... He was Blackstone. They use to be noble knights, protecting the weak, fighting for a good cause. But Apollyon corrupted them. They fought alongside us but follow no code."
"And now they're just bandits?"
"They are no bandits, Naofumi. I know vortiger. And he's not the kind who will settle down with petty banditry. He must be planning something."
"Then we need to tell the queen about this... We got enough problems already."
"It seems the Sword Hero is quite the spoiled brat." said Eclair, "Relying only on otherwordly knowledge. His naivety has no limits."
"That sums it up." said Naofumi.
"If you happen to catch him, please turn him over to me. I'll personally make sure to re-educate him properly."
"He may have just overestimated himself."
"It's a knight's duty to fight a battle even if victory is uncertain."
"Like wolves." said Marius.
"Yes."
"Also, we have a new problem in our hands, and I need you to report it to the queen." said Naofumi.
"What is it?" said Eclair.
"There's a secret group that we suspected will cause greater problems in the future. Marius knows about it."
"They are called the Black Prior, and their leader's name is Vortiger. The surviving bandits said they owned a mine somewhere."
"Here's the map to where the bandit camp. Maybe they left a clue there." Naofumi gave the map to Eclair.
"Very well. I'll report this matters to the queen. I will be gone for a bit, so is there anything else you'd like from her?" said Eclair.
"There is one. About what to do about Rato."
"The Shadows are watching her every move. She's been really obedient, thanks to the Slave Crest."
"Good." said Marius.
"Well, if it worked on Marius it'll work with just about everyone." said Naofumi.
"Let me know if they have anything on Vortiger and the Black Prior. This will be between me and him."
"Very well, Sir Marius." said Eclair.
Marius put his right fist on his left chest as a salute, "Fight well. Now I must go to my legions."
"Centurion. The recruits have pass the first trail. They will have their armor soon." said thepraefectus.
"Good. Carry on." said Marius. He then saw Filo running towards him and she stopped right infront of him. "Yes, my love?"
"Marius. Master said that we're going to Zeltbur for a week." said Filo as he bounced excitedly.
"Really?"
Filo nodded, "Wanna come with us?"
"Very well. I must be there to look after you."
"Yay!" Filo jumped on Marius and wrapped her arms on his neck.
"Praefectus."
"Centurion." said the praefectus.
"I will be away for a week. Maintain the camp for me."
"Yes, centurion."
"Good. Come, my love." Marius walked away with Filo still hanging on him.
After three days, they've crossed the border and have reached Zeltbur. A country much more triving than Melromarc, and much more crowded.
"Welcome to Zeltbur! The country of mercenaries!" saidBeloukas.
"That sound self-evident." said Naofumi, peering out of the wagon.
"I have met warriors who claimed they're from here on my travels. This is the first time I've been here." said Marius, sitting on the driver's seat.
"Oh you will love this country, great Masked Hero. Infact, they talked about you alot here. You have quite the reputation." said Beloukas.
Marius looked around and noticed some of the citizens gazing at him and whispered, "I can see that."
"This country has a dark history involving constant warfare, so you should be cautious around here."
"Why am I not surprise." said Naofumi.
"And the most famous attraction of Zeltbur is its Coliseum."
"There's a coliseum here?" said Marius.
"Oh yes indeed. It's the country's trademark. Perhaps you will want to visit it as well?"
"I would like to."
"Excellent! Now, go down to that back alley there."
Marius drove the wagon by the Slave Trader's instruction. Suddenly, a rope was thrown at Filo's neck.
"We got a rare monster boys!"
A group of ill intentioned men appeared. Marius quickly jumped out of the driver's seat and punched the one of with the rope. The man tumbled back, and another charged and punched Marius in the face but broke his hand from the steel mask. Marius punched the man back, throwing him back to a wall.
One of the man pulled a large knife at Marius.
Marius drew his gladius, which was much longer and sharper. He stared at the men, waiting for them to make the first move.
"Forget it, it's not worth it!" said one of the man to the other.
Slowly, the men walked backwards before turning away and ran.
"Malaka..." said Marius, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, Marius. They're not that strong." said Filo.
"I wasn't joking when I said to becautious around here." said Beloukas.
Marius sheathed his sword and got up to the driver's seat.
"Good job, Marius." said Naofumi.
"I did what I must." and Marius drove the wagon further until the an open area.
They all got out of the wagon while the Slave Trader's men set up shop.
"You guys can go ahead and do whatever you want. Me and Raphtalia got business to attend to."
"Maybe I'll go to visit the Coliseum."
"Go ahead. What about you, Rishia?"
"I want to look for Itsuki. Maybe he's here somewhere." said Rishia.
"I understand, but I think it's alot better if you follow Marius. I really can't let you travel alone, especially after what happened."
"O-Okay..."
"When night falls, we'll meet up back here."
"Very well." said Marius.
Walking through the lively street, Marius had his arm around Filo to safeguard her while watching over Rishia.
"Wait, is that the Masked Hero?"
"Really? Or is it just some guy with a mask."
"I swear that's him! Steel mask and everything!"
"So it was true, the Masked Hero is a lolicon."
They heard the chattering as they walked by.
"Those people are talking about you." said Filo.
"Indeed, but it does not concern me." said Marius.
They reached the entrance of the famed Coliseum of Zeltbur.
"I thought it'll be bigger." said Marius.
"The Mighty Masked Hero as come to grace us with his presence!" said a nobleman. Everyone turned their heads to Marius and started to surround him.
"Now I know how Naofumi felt like." said Marius.
"Make way! Make way!" the nobleman pushed through the crowd till he reached Marius, "It is an honor to be at your presence, Mighty Masked Hero!"
"I'm flattered."
"You must have heard about our great Coliseum. We're holding a free matches today. Anyone can enter if they want to earned money. Are you interested?"
"I'm more interested in watching your gladiatory fights."
"Yes. Very well. We have the best seats available frontrow."
"How much?"
"For you, great hero, you can have the best seats for free. A great warrior like you deserved special treatment."
"Really? Well, I would also like to have a feast while we watch."
Filo's eyes lighted up after hearing the word 'feast'.
"That can be arranged. The fight's about to start. The assistants will show you to your seats." the nobleman snapped his fingers and two burly men walked through the crowd and stopped right behind the nobleman, "Show the Masked Hero and his companions to their seats."
"Yes, my lord. You may follow us."
Marius then followed the two men with Filo still in his arm. Rishia, who was looking around for Itsuki, realized they had walked away and quickly catched up.
The atmosphere inside was just like how Marius remembered a gladiator games would be. The roar of the crowd were almost deafening, eager to see blood as they waited for the fight to start.
Soon, the food they ordered finally arrived carried by demi-human slaves. They placed the large plate of food on a table on the center of their seats.
"Let's eat!" said Filo with her mouth watering.
"Filo. Eat slowly."
"Okay." Filo started eating the food slowly.
"I'm not hungry." Rishia got up and looked around.
"You're looking for the Bowman, are you not?" said Marius.
"He's... I know he's here somewhere."
"Marius." said Filo holding a piece of cooked meat, "Let's eat together. Have a bite."
Marius opened his mouth and Filo fed him.
"It's good." said Marius.
After a few minutes, the sound of a loud gong pierced the air and the crowd cried in excitement. The large arena doors opened and the combatants entered the field.
"Itsuki? Itsuki!" Rishia cried out, "It's me! Rishia!". Rishia tried to jumped from the spectator seats and to the arena.
Marius quickly caught her before she fell, "Get a hold of yourself!"
"Let me go! I have to get to Itsuki!"
While this goes on, Itsuki fought and defeated every combatants in the arena. And whenever the crowd gets louder, Itsuki raised his arms as they showered him with praise.
"Itsuki! It's me!"
She cried out desperately. Itsuki turned and shouted at her direction.
"Rishia! Control yourself!" Marius still got a hold of Rishia.
"Itsuki! I'm here for you! I lov-"
But Itsuki then turned his back and started shouting at the other crowds. Rishia stopped struggling and went limp. Marius then put her down and she fell on her knees.
"What were you thinking!" Marius shouted at Rishia but noticed tears flowing out of her eyes.
"He... He didn't even looked at me..."
"Rishia..."
"Please tell me it's him!"
Marius stayed quite.
"Tell me!" Rishia stared at Marius with her teary eyes.
Marius looked at the Bow Hero, still intoxicated by the roar of the crowd. He as seen it before, just like the gladiator games from The Great Empire.
He turned to look Rishia, "We've seen enough. Let's get away from here."
Marius walked towards the exit, and Filo followed him while carrying a plate of food she gathered. Marius turned his head and saw Rishia still on her knees.
"Rishia... We must go."
Slowly, Rishia got up and shambled towards them. As she got closer, Marius saw the broken girl starring down on her feet.
"I'm sorry." said Marius, regretted for bringing her there.
"Leaving already? The event isn't over yet." said the nobleman.
"I've seen better." said Marius.
After the three walked passed the entrance, they noticed the road was cleared of anyone as they all gathered on the edge of the road. Marius and Filo turned their heads and saw two horses pulling a chariot. And on that chariot was a large muscular man with gladiatory armor that was familiar to Marius.
"There's no hope for me..." Rishia ran and stood right in the middle of the road.
She braced herself to get ran over by the horse but the gladiator quickly droved his chariot to the side and stopped before he could hit anyone.
"Stultus!" the angered gladiator got off from his chariot and stormed towards the shaken Rishia.
Marius quickly pulled Rishia away and confronted the gladiator, "I apologized. She is not well."
The gladiator observed Marius's armor, "Your helmet is weird. But your armor is familiar."
The gladiator walked towards to Marius, and the two stood closer with their heights match.
"I am The Great Commodus. Champion of Zeltburg. And the Fist of Mars. And who might you be?"
"Marius... the Masked Hero."
"Never heard of you. Your armor... Is it the armor of centurions from the Great Empire?"
"It was."
After a few second, Commodus raised his arms and praised, "Praised be to Fortuna! For she have united me with a fellow citizen!" then the people around them started cheering.
"Romans..." Marius said under his breath.
"I'll forgive your girlfriend there for almost ruining my welcoming, Marius."
"No! I'm his girlfriend!" Filo exclaimed.
Commodus looked at Filo and slowly turned his gaze back to Marius, "Oh... So you're that kind of person."
"What about it?" said Marius.
"I see..." Commodus nodded his head, "... Love them when they're almost ripe!" Commodus started laughing wholeheartedly, followed by the people around them.
"Listen, I do not have time for this. We need to be someplace else."
"I understand. I must take my leave as well, for I have travel wide and far-"
"Malaka."
"-training and figthing the strongest warriors and monsters this land could offer. Now, the arena calls my name!" Commodus walked forward and Marius moved out of his way. Commodus raised his arms high as people cheered around him.
"Rishia, what were you thi-Rishia!" Marius saw Rishia trying to drown herself with a horse drinking trough. Marius ran to her and pulled her out of the water, "Enough! Stop this right now!"
"Itsuki... Why..." Rishia said between sobs.
Marius sighed and calmed himself down, "We should get you back to the wagon. Come."
Rishia got up with Marius holding her hand, followed by Filo who did the same with her other hand. They then walked Rishia back to the wagon.
Naofumi and Raphtalia returned to their meeting spot with some new slaves. There, Naofumi saw the depressed Rishia sitting on the wagon with Marius and Filo accompanying her.
Naofumi sighed, "She saw him, right?"
"I am to blame. I should have not brought her into the coliseum." said Marius.
"Did you knew that Itsuki was gonna be there?"
"No, I did not."
"Well, neither did we. I saw the whole thing."
"You were there?"
"Yes. Atleast you stopped her from jumping off."
"It was the least I can do."
Naofumi walked closer to Rishia and started comforting her. Marius stepped aside and turned his head to see the new slaves. One large female Orca-like humanoid and a pair of demi-human children with a pair of white tiger ears and a tail, one older boy and a younger sickly girl.
The boy stepped and shield the girl as if he was protecting her from Marius. Marius looked up and looked at the large slave, much taller than him, who smiled back at him and Marius nodded back.
"How are you? My name is Sadina." said the Orca woman.
"Marius. Honor to meet you." said Marius.
"Likewise. How long have you been the Shield Hero's slave?"
"I'm not his slave. I was but I earned my freedom."
"A freed slave? Then why stick around?"
"They're my family."
"Really? Well then, I hope we can get along." said Sadina with a smile. She looked down and saw Filo glaring at her while wrapping her arms around Marius's waist.
"This is Filo."
"Hello, Filo."
"He's mine! Stop flirting with him!" said Filo.
Marius patted Filo's head, "She's not flirting with me."
Filo pouted and hugged Marius closer.
As they were prepared to leave, the Orca woman tried to entered the wagon but her size prevented her from doing so.
"Hey, you're too big!" said Naofumi.
"Sorry about that." said Sadina with a sheephish grin.
"Surely you can swim, right?"
"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia blurted.
"That sounds good!" Sadina exclaimed, "It's much easier for me than walking on land."
"Can you deal with the sea monsters alone?" said Naofumi.
"Don't underestimate me, master."
"Understood. I'll leave it to you then."
"I'll see you all there." Sadina turned around and dived into the nearest river.
Meanwhile, the slave boy gave the slave girl a cup of water.
"Thank you..." said the slave girl, and she drank the water from the cup.
"Are you feeling better?" said the slave boy.
"Most of the pain is gone."
"That's good."
Meanwhile, Marius helped prepping the wagon for the journey home.
"Your bird. She has a strong aura." said the slave girl pointing at Filo, "She's very energetic, with lots of innocence."
"Filo has been praised." said Filo.
The slave girl then pointed at Marius, "This man... I sense a firey aura inside you."
Marius immediately stopped, "Could you tell me more?"
"It's destructive but also divine. For now, it's contained."
"Do you know what it is?"
"I don't know... I can only sense it... What is your name, mister?"
"Marius."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Atla."
Behind him, Filo glared at the slave girl.
"Hey, what's with that look?" said Naofumi.
"Why does everyone wants to flirt with Marius!" Filo threw a small tantrum.
"Can't you tell the difference between flirting and being friendly?"
Marius then noticed the slave boy giving him the death stare, "And what is your name?"
"Fohl! And I don't want you near my sister!"
"Do you assumed everyone's going after her?" said Naofumi, "Anyways, we have a sick passenger, so no sudden accelerations."
"Okay." Filo pouted.
Building a boat on the beaches of Rock Valley, Rollo sang a song in nordic while he worked on a new boat when he saw something emerging out of the ocean.
"Looked very different than the last time I was here." said Sadina.
In awe by the sight, Rollo's hammer slipped from his hand and fell on his foot. Rollo cursed with his native tongue as he held his foot in pain.
"And... Very new faces."