-Naofumi-

There went arguably the strongest willed among them, and poisoned no less. Sighing, Naofumi shook his head and looked to Ren, "So, what next?"

"First, you need new shoes," Ren offered as he looked at Naofumi's once white socks, now wet and covered in earthen dust and grass.

Naofumi gave a resolute nod and smiled, "Right. New shoes first, then Raphtalia."

"There's a town blacksmith we should take advantage of before we leave this town for good," Sucrose offered as she pulled Ren along by his shirt.

"Woah, hey! I'm walking, I'm walking!" Ren shouted as his charge held a thin smile while Diona giggled.

"That looks kinda fun!" Diona cheered as she took hold of Naofumi's sweater and pulled him along.

"Why does it feel like we're the servants here to help you two?" Naofumi asked with an embarrassed blush.

"Oh don't worry, Master~" Diona said sweetly, "Next time, you can pull me along~" Naofumi could only gulp at the implication as the two Heroes were taken to see the town's blacksmith.

As expected, many of the citizens gave the group of four pointed looks as they walked, some even threatened violence despite never acting on it. The two Heroes couldn't dive into the blacksmith's shop fast enough once they actually reached it to escape the stares and false accusations

"Hey hey, you all in a hurry?" The rough skinned, rugged looking, bald shopkeeper called out from behind a counter looking at the pile of new customers?, "Anything I can help you with?"

"I need new shoes," Naofumi said quickly as he raised a foot, a hole having been torn into his sock from the recent wear and tear.

Nodding, the blacksmith neared the group as they felt tension in the air, "That shield on your arms," He murmured gravely with a grimace growing on his face, "You're them, aren't you?"

"This was a mistake," Sucrose growled, "I apologize for the inconvenience, sir, but we should be on our way now."

"No, I don't think you four should leave just yet," The shopkeeper growled back as he took hold of a halberd, "The other one, blonde boy, did he do it?"

"I don't think he did," Ren replied.

"Motoyasu-San is a good person," Naofumi added, "No, there's no way he could have done it."

The blacksmith sighed before releasing the axe headed pole arm, "I thought as much… that was ugly business that should never have happened. Hard to believe with all the people watching her that the princess could have been deflowered in such a way"

"Then you'll do business with us?" Diona asked carefully, her hand still on Naofumi's chest, but more protective than anything.

"I will. My name is Erhard," The blacksmith replied before looking at Naofumi, "Boy, go into the back, I'll have something for you in a moment. Rest of you should find pieces ya like."

As they nodded, Ren brought up a nagging question, "Sucrose, how much are we allowed to spend?"

"Within reason?" The girl wondered aloud as she tilt her head back to look at the ceiling as she placed her index finger on her lips, "I've spent two gold on you already, so you're allowed just forty eight more gold until we reach Siltvelt."

"Is forty eight a lot?" Ren asked curiously as it was good information to have.

"The king gave you both two hundred silver coins which you and Naofumi gave to the stupid one," Sucrose replied, "That means he, in essence, has four gold coins in his Shield."

His eyes went wide at the thought of such a large sum, "So that means we're able to spend forty eight hundred silver?"

"No," Sucrose clarified while patting Ren's head in a cute but patronizing manner, "It means, my adorably snail brained Hero, that you are allowed an expenditure of forty eight hundred silver. Naofumi hasn't even touched his funds."

"How do you know that?" Ren asked as Diona and Naofumi returned, the latter wearing steel plated leather boots lined with fur.

"Because this was his first purchase," Sucrose said matter of factly as she looked to the Hero and his aid, "Isn't that correct?"

"Ah, yeah… I'm guessing she gave you the talk?" Naofumi asked a currently stunned Ren.

"How much were those boots?" Ren finally asked after he gulped.

"Three hundred silver," Erhard replied, "Discounted of course. Boy's too kind for his own good since he wanted to pay full price on a clearance item. That no one was buying. Said it looked too much like a bandits shoes."

"You deserve the worth of its craftsmanship," Naofumi offered, "But… thank you, Erhard-Sama."

The blacksmith chuckled as he placed both fists on his hips, "Erhard-Sama… got a nice ring to it."

"Anyway, I'm sorry Ren, but this time I need to go find Raphtalia," Naofumi pleaded as his fellow Hero sighed.

"Fine, fine, good luck convincing her to join us," Ren offered as Naofumi nodded and walked off with Diona.

As Naofumi left the shop behind, he couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling overtake him as he started to run in the direction the tavern guard pointed towards.

"Master Naofumi," Diona said calmly as she kept up with her Hero, "It's this way."

Naofumi nodded before offering his hand, allowing himself to be pulled along into a set of darkened alleyways before the pair slowed down.

"Where…" Naofumi caught his breath only to lose it again in surprise as he stared at a completely purple circus tent of all things.

"Master, this is not a place you can show weakness," Diona offered as she pulled out a collar with a leash attached from who knows where before offering the thick red leather to her Hero, "Here, he should respect you a little more if you have me on a leash…"

"D-Diona?" Naofumi whispered in shock as his companion shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I know you must think this Raphtalia is important, but…"

"Ah~ And what have we here?" A voice called out, its owner obviously amused with the situation. The pair looked around before looking back and nearly jumping out of their skins at the sight of a small, somewhat rotund man in purple coattails, top hat, dress trousers, shined black shoes and sporting an amused smile, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be the Shield Hero."

Naofumi grunted but recomposed himself as he tried to think of a good anime persona to emulate before throwing that line of thought out the window and decided to wing it, "And you are?" He asked seriously as he crossed his arm, Diona helping his ruse as she hid herself behind his right shoulder, both hands upon his shoulders.

Chuckling, the man threw out an arm to the side before he gave a theatrical bow, "Of course, of course~ We are but new acquaintances after all," He replied before rising, "I am Beloukas, and by the looks of it, you are in need of my services."

"And how do you figure that?" Naofumi asked with a serious glare as the man chuckled again as he motioned to the tent.

"Oh dear Hero, you see, I have exactly what you seek," He replied, "You happen to have a slave already, though that collar's magic won't hold her forever~" Naofumi mouthed the word 'magic' before looking to his companion who looked away, "Yes, something stronger, more permanent~ maybe even a new piece to add to your collection."

"There's a slave I'm looking for," Naofumi stated coldly as he followed Beloukas inside, "Its name is Raphtalia."

"Ooh… you wanted that slave," Beloukas murmured worriedly, "Unfortunately, that slave…" Beloukas said no more as he led the two deeper into his tent. The entrance of his tent was a simple shop, if a little bare with items like incubators, saddles, and eggs along with cages holding small beasts. Behind a curtain however had been a set of stairs that led to a foreboding basement.

Before long, the two were placed in front of a large, tarp covered cage as gentle breathing was heard from within, "This girl is really in no condition to be sold, even to you Sir Hero."

Naofumi quickly threw the tarp back as he was met with a harrowing sight. She was young, frail, and broken. Thin pink hair, matted tail and disheveled rounded ears. The girl before him was little more than a breathing corpse, riddled with scars as if she was the toy of used to amuse those with crueler intentions.

It was at this very moment he remembered those words: 'Give Raphtalia my love.'

It wasn't some joke or offhand remark from some god offering divine providence. It was a plea. Even if the words weren't his own… he understood that whatever sent him here… wanted him to save Raphtalia and give her his love.

"I'll take her," Naofumi said coldly, shocking everyone, "Name your price."

"Ah, oh no no no," Beloukas argued, "You don't understand. Your Raphtalia-"

"Did. I. Stutter?" Naofumi asked as he glared daggers at the now cowering man… at least he was cowering until Beloukas lit up.

"Yes, yes of course!" He cheered as he ran off and returned, a strange kit in his hands, "Now, I can not, for reasons that should be obvious, perform the normal rites to bind her to your service. However, I can still bind her soul to you."

"Explain," Naofumi stated as he bid Diona to retrieve the girl.

"Oh yes, it's a simple process," Beloukas murmured as he set up several devices as well as a knife, "Just an exchange of blood, a bit of paint… may even keep her alive long enough for you to enjoy~"

"That's sick, Beloukas," Naofumi growled as the man chuckled darkly.

"Worse has been done to younger, I'm afraid," Beloukas rebuffed as he brandished the knife his smile gone and an air of seriousness across his face, "Now then, your finger?"

Shrugging, Naofumi offered his hand, palm up. The knife soon slid upon the point of his index finger as it turned, blood practically flowing into the blade.

"What-"

"Oh it's a simple thing," Beloukas said quickly, "Just a simple bloodletter. Now then, the girl."

Nodding, Naofumi motioned to his partner who brought the child closer as Beloukas tore into the girl's filthy burlap dress and laid her chest bare any other time Naofumi would look away to protect her modesty. However, there was nothing but almost skin, bones, and scars on her poor body, "This may take some time, so please, peruse the rest of my wares as I work."

The child was laid on a table as Naofumi and Diona eyed the other slaves, neither hero, partner, or slave wished to say a thing as they all allowed their eyes to speak for them. Diona could tell that Naofumi disliked the prospect of slavery just as much as she did and came to respect the kind hearted hero that much more.

Before long, Beloukas' work was done as Naofumi received a worrying message…

[Slave accepted: Rifana: Level 1]

'Rifana?' Naofumi thought to himself as his eyes widened. 'Not Raphtalia?'

"Master? Is something wrong?" Fiona asked quietly as Naofumi turned to the man, a soft red light shining on the girl's chest her low and unsteady breathing started to stabilize just a little as if linking her to Naofumi gave her body the much needed vitality it had lost.

"Ah, It would seem you have arrived at the truth," Beloukas commented, "Yes, this girl, though very close to the one you seek, is not so."

"Close?" Naofumi questioned as he neared the hyperventilating child, an intricate rune carved into her still bleeding chest, "What do you mean?"

"Just that," Beloukas replied simply as he watched Naofumi cradle the child in his arms as her breathing stabilized as if her body was expecting pain and surprised instead to be offered comfort, "The two were as close as sisters, neither wishing to leave the other even if it meant torture beyond anything they'd ever have experienced. Yes, your Raphtalia may be gone, bought out by Faubley Merchants no less, but this child will be as close as you will get to that girl."

"She's dying, isn't she?" Naofumi asked with audible worry.

"Oh yes, one foot in the grave and very close to falling in," Beloukas replied, "But uh… pardon my saying this, and I may be wrong of course, but… I believe you may be exactly who she needs."

"Again, explain," Naofumi demanded with a soft, yet strong voice.

"No healer within Melromarc's walls will give you business," Beloukas explained curtly, "No potion master would even allow you through their wares. No… but you~ Yes, you. You have everything you need here," Playfully, Beloukas drew a circle of blood along the gemstone of Naofumi's shield, the mass of metal blinding all those present with a flash of light, "Yes! Yes that's exactly it!"

Looking down, he saw Rifana stir slightly as her eyes fluttered before settling closed again as her breathing settled. Underneath her however was a sanguineous shield shaped into the form of two magatama that seemed to spiral into the gemstone. A vibrant red shine came off the shield.

[Regalia shield Number #3 magatama unlocked]

[Blessing of the moon has been placed upon Rifana]

"What… what is this?" Naofumi asked as Beloukas chuckled.

"Just another form for your Hero's Shield to take of course," The slave trader commented, "Now, out in the plains, gather any and all herbs that you can. A bit of trial and error will produce splendid medicines I'm sure. Now then, will that be all?"