The next morning, the young warrior finished his breakfast and waited for the king to summon him and the other heroes.
Towards noon, they were summoned and taken to the throne room for an audience with the king. Upon arrival, 12 people in different equipment were waiting for the heroes in it. Some of them looked like medieval knights, while others wore light armor.
"Hmm, it looks like they are the support provided to us by the king. . Their Ki is slightly higher than most of the people here. None of them seem to be anything special. No, not really. That girl with the red hair. She has a very strange Ki, very different from the others. I feel evil in him, and almost as bad as Frieza, even though she is much weaker than him. Very strange. I have a bad feeling about her, " - Trunks thought.
— As promised yesterday, I have brought you companions to accompany you on your journey. It seems that everyone here has already decided which of the heroes they will join, " - the king said, pointing to the group of people—" Now, future heroes and stand next to those Brave Men whom you want to serve faithfully.
"It seems that we will not be allowed to choose a suitable candidate on our own. Although, maybe it's for the best. I don't know anything about this world, and the allies can tell me more about this situation,"- Trunks thought.
The heroes lined up in a row and were approached by future allies.
Motoyasu — 7 people.
Itsuki — 5 people.
No one approached Demisayajin or the shield hero.
"Your Majesty, JUST A MOMENT!" What the hell?! This is discrimination, as clear as day! - the Shield Hero exclaimed.
"Really, why did they do that?" - Trunks asked, confused.
In response to Naofumi's complaints, the king pretended to care.
"Well, well. My God, I never would have thought that there would be such a problem.
— The charisma of the Hero of the Shield and the Hero of the Shield is not the same for others.
"Hmm, the king's speech doesn't sound very sincere," - Trunks thought.
The Minister expressed genuine surprise.
Then the robed man whispered something in the king's ear.
"Hmm, this rumor has already spread...?
"What's wrong?"- the young warrior asked with an incomprehensible expression.
- Hmm. The truth is... it seems that a rumor has spread throughout the castle that the Heroes of Shield and Sword are not familiar with the laws of this world.
"What the hell?" - the Shield Hero exclaimed.
"Legend has it that the heroes know the rules of this world well. Some people think that you don't meet this condition.
— So what if we don't know the rules of this world?" Does this change anything for us? Moreover, from what I understand from the conversations, both Itsuki and Motoyasu have different knowledge of the world. What should they do then? - Trunks asked indignantly.
— Someone was eavesdropping on our conversation?" Motoyasu asked, nudging demisayajin with his elbow.
"Looks like it» - Trunks said indifferently.
"It seems that the king and his entourage will not be of any use. I'll have to figure it out myself. I've wasted so much time on useless conversations"- Trunks thought irritably.
"Hey,Itsuki! You have five, share it with someone! The Shield Hero exclaimed indignantly.
All the female adventurers and one male cowered behind Itsuki, looking at the Shield Bearer like frightened lambs.
Itsuki also showed with his whole appearance that he could not refuse the comrades who chose him.
"Motoyasu, say something!" You can't do that..., " the Shield Hero said plaintively.
"Well...
" As I thought. It seems like a waste of time, " Trunks thought.
- It worked... very uneven. Although I think it would be a good idea to allocate three to each of them... but a forcible appointment can affect the moral side of the issue, " - the king said.
Everyone present nodded at his words, deeming them very appropriate.
— So am I really going to go alone?"- the Shield Hero exclaimed indignantly.
"Looks like it." Maybe it's for the best. Their strength doesn't stand out much. And they do not inspire much confidence in themselves. However, exploring this world alone will take much longer, " - the young warrior said calmly.
— And this injustice doesn't annoy you?" The Shield Hero asked.
"This situation annoys me from the very beginning," - demisayajin replied.
— But you're not doing anything!" The Shield Hero said indignantly.
—What can I do?" Yes, I can beat them all up without a problem, but I don't think it will change anything. Think about it: only they know how to get us back, and therefore have almost complete control over us. There's nothing we can do about it. My life experience tells me that rash actions will not lead to anything good. We'll wait and see what happens next " — the young warrior replied.
"My father in this situation would just beat everyone, especially the king, and this, in turn, could be a fatal mistake. They could threaten that if he hurt them, he would not be able to return home. We need to tread carefully, " - Trunks thought.
"Ah, Hero-sama, I would like to keep the Shield Hero company".
One of Motoyasu's companions raised her hand and offered her candidacy as an ally of the Shield Hero.
- Oh, really? Naofumi asked in surprise.
"Yes,"- said the girl with the red hair.
— Does anyone else want to join Naofumi-dono or Trunks-dono? the king asked.
"I can handle it myself," - the young warrior replied without hesitation.
The King let out a mournful sigh.
"No one else, then. Unfortunately, Naofumi-dono and Trunks-dono, this means that you will have to find even more talents in yourself. But do not worry, because each of you will be allocated monthly funds, and I will grant you an additional share.
"Good! Naofumi said enthusiastically.
"Well, at least one piece of good news," - Trunks said.
— So, this is your budget. Brave Heroes, please don't waste it.
- Naofumi-dono and Trunks-dono will receive 800 gold coins each, while the others will receive 600 each. Use this money to buy equipment, " the king concluded.
"Understood!" - the heroes answered in one voice.
"This audience is finally over. Now, it is necessary to inspect the surrounding areas and interview citizens about the current situation. Damn, all this could have been done much easier and faster if it hadn't been for the concert that the king gave," - Trunks thought.
The heroes and their accompanying adventurers saluted the king, marking the end of the audience.
The young warrior looked around at the people in the room.
"Hmm, everyone seems to be making contact. Nothing special, except for that girl, Mein Sofia, who decided to team up with Naofumi. Outwardly, everything seems to be fine, but something is wrong with it. Something about her makes me uneasy. I'll have to warn the guy to be careful, " - Trunks thought.
Demisayajin approached the Shield Hero.
"Naofumi, can I have a word with you?"
"Ah, yes, no problem," - Naofumi replied.
"Be careful with her, Naofumi. There's clearly something wrong with her. I have a bad feeling about her, " - Trunks said worriedly.
— Why not?" Are you jealous of me because someone joined me and you didn't? Besides, a beautiful girl, " - Naofumi asked indignantly.
— No, I don't need to, but I warned you. Just be careful, " - Trunks finished the conversation and walked to the exit of the castle.
"What a strange guy," - Naofumi said aloud, looking at the retreating warrior's back.
After leaving the castle, the young warrior decided to take a walk around the city. It was large enough, though smaller than any of his world. Also, although there was some anxiety in the air, the place was quite calm. The townspeople went about their business. There was a sense of life in the city.
"Considering I'm going to be here for a long time, I'd like to get a change of clothes and equipment. I don't want to lose my current clothes. After all, the box with capsules disappeared from my pocket, " - Trunks said sadly.
Approaching one of the passers-by, the warrior asked where he could buy clothes and was pointed out to a store, above which hung a sign with a sword depicted on it. Through the door, he could see the mismatched weapons and armor hanging on the walls, along with other items of equipment.
- Welcome! the shopkeeper cheerfully greeted the young warrior as soon as he stepped through the door.
Demisayajin began to look at the store's assortment.
"Oh, new client, I see." You don't seem to know what you're looking for, " - the shopkeeper said.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Can you pick up my gear, please, " - Trunks said.
- No problem. So, given your physique, the armor will suit you. How much do you want to buy equipment for? the shopkeeper said.
"Hmm, I think it's in the range of 100-200 gold coins," Trunks said.
"Hah, for this amount of money, you can buy top-class equipment. Try this armor — " the armorer replied cheerfully, handing the equipment to the warrior.
After placing the sacred weapon next to the shop, Trunks began to put on the provided armor.
"Oh, so you're one of the Sacred Heroes!" What a stroke of luck! My client is a sacred hero — " the shopkeeper said in surprise when he saw the unusual weapon.
"Something like that, although I don't know what it means to be a 'Sacred Hero' other than that I have to fight off some 'Waves of Calamity'," demisayajin said.
"That's odd. As far as I know from the legends, the heroes must initially be familiar with the laws of this world. But from what you say, there may be exceptions.
"That's what the king said..." said Trunks dejectedly.
"I heard that one of the summoned heroes is a half — human," the shopkeeper said.
- Is who? Trunks asked.
"Half-human." One of the races in this world. Outwardly, they resemble a mixture of a human and an animal. When shifting towards an animal, they are called beast-human. Most of the members of this race live in Shieldvelt and Shieldfrieden the countries that are hostile to this country because of differences in faith and in many other aspects, " the shopkeeper said.
"So that's why they looked at me like that! Because I grew a tail, they thought I was half-human... But even so, it doesn't give them the right to treat me like this! They were the ones who pulled me out of my world, forcing me to defend this world against my will! What an injustice..., - Trunks thought irritably.
"Well, back to the equipment. How do you like this armor? the shopkeeper asked.
"Hmm, not bad equipment, but it's uncomfortable to move around in," demisayajin said, making a few swings with his hand.
"The comfort of the armor made by my mother is very far away. It seems too bulky and fragile, " Trunks thought.
Casting a casual glance at his parameters, the young warrior saw that the defense parameter had increased, although only slightly in relation to its original values.
"Hmm, my defense stats have changed… Is it because of the armor? demisayajin said.
- It seems that you are quite greenhorn in this matter. To answer your question, yes, the use of equipment increases the body's defense and adds certain abilities depending on the characteristics of the equipment. the shopkeeper replied.
"This is very convenient," - Trunks thought in surprise.
"You seem to be used to fighting hand-to-hand." Then you need lighter gear. Maybe this? The armorer replied, handing the other equipment to the warrior.
— That's another matter. I'll take this, " demisayajin said, waving his hand a few times.
"Although this armor is much inferior to the one that my mother made, but at least something is better than nothing. At least I can keep the clothes I got here in, Trunks thought.
- Thank you for your purchase. Anything else?"
- Yes. Can you tell me about these "Waves of Disaster"?
— Considering you're a hero, they didn't tell you anything about them?" the shopkeeper asked in surprise.
- Yes. No details about what it is, what is causing them, where they appear.
- This is very sad. Well, don't expect much from me, since I don't know much myself. "Waves of Disasters" are called cataclysms in the form of huge hordes of monsters that bring death and destruction. The reasons, as well as the place of occurrence of this cataclysm, are unknown to me. The time of their appearance can be found with the help of the "Hourglass of the Age of Dragons" in the Chapel located in the center of the city.
— How do you stop them?"
— As far as I know, killing the Wave Boss ends the wave.
- I see. And how many of these waves will be?
- I do not know.
— Is this cataclysm happening for the first time or has it already happened in the past?
- It has happened more than once. The last time this disaster happened was quite a long time ago.
— And how did it all end?"
— I don't know. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you any more about it. As I said earlier, I don't know much myself.
"Damn, how little information is there… This is clearly not enough to solve this problem quickly, " Trunks thought.
"Well, thank you for that. Thank you for the equipment and information.
"Please." Come again.
After leaving the shop, the young warrior went to the clock tower.
"This is going to be much harder and longer than I thought… Much more difficult..., " Trunks thought, disappointed.
Hello everyone I haven't been here for a long time, but I'm probably alive. Here's a new chapter. I decided to change the format of the story and I think it turned out well. See you in the new chapter!