Chapter 17: Long-awaited Beatdown

Unknown room:

A loud drip is heard as waterfalls from the ceiling. Naofumi converses with Sakura and Raphtalia until a couple of guards walk in, informing them that their match will soon start. Complaining, they all walk out into the courtyard, with many nobles up in the stood up booing for their defeat, and cheered for the success of the spear hero.

Earlier:

"Care to explain Sakura?" Naofumi questioned.

While gathering materials for his shield, and checking up on the state of the town before its citizens return. Naofumi came across three damaged buildings with giant holes that look like someone has been rammed through them. While checking on the other buildings, Naofumi found some more damages like broken windows and torn-off doors, and a wagon crashed into a roof, leaving him with only one suspect.

"Well to be fair, Sakura did minimize the fire damage."

"While also causing heavy winds damage and a wagon through a house." Raphtalia countered

"Then we both have damages on our record Raphtalia," Sakura said while in an intense stare-off with Raphtalia.

"You two are just too much." Naofumi sighed as he lit another fire.

Everyone sat down by the fire to gain warmth as a cold breeze passed over them. Getting in a good rest before they had to get moving.

A few hours after the wave, the citizens of lute start to make their way back down the mountain. A few people complained about the damages to their houses but settled down after Naofumi said the monsters did it, saving them a fortune on coins they'll have to pay back. Naofumi immediately sends Sakura and Raphtalia to help work on the buildings they destroyed, while he checks upon the people for any injuries they might have sustained during evac. Naofumi tended to the ones who got hurt or injured during the wave, while Sakura and Raphtalia run off to repair the damages they caused.

After a while later the heroes enter the town to grab an inn for the day, only to find Naofumi and his group.

"Hey, Naofumi."

"Oh great, it's you. What do you want, Motoyasu."

"Well I didn't see you at all during the fight so I thought you died, but it seems you survived."

"I've learned to manage, now leave me alone I have treatments to do."

"So, you plan on going to the castle?"

"Why the hell would I ever want it to go back to that place."

"You still need to get your payment, there is also a mandatory attendance for all heroes at the party happening tonight, so your coming will most likely minimize any problems."

"Ughh, I'm not trying to deal with this bullshit. Alright, when's the party?"

"Here's the official letter," Ren replied, giving Naofumi the official invitation. "Here's also some materials from the boss if you want them." Ren waves his hand. The person who was following closely behind drops the remains of the wave boss, revealing her face of a tall woman in a long lavender dress, a cyan tail, and cyan hair with some yellow streaks.

"New party member?"

"I'll explain later, just take the materials you need, I need a short rest."

"Alright cool, later," Naofumi replied, shooing Ren away. After both Ren left with his new companion, Naofumi looked back at the invitation and prepared for whatever bullshit the crown might pull on him.

"Raphtalia, grab Sakura, and the explosive shell."

"Naofumi, we're not blowing anything up, you of all people should know that."

"Oh, you make things no fun."

Party time:

At the entrance of the ballroom, Raphtalia is fixated by the life of the higher class.

"So this is a castle party?" Raphtlia pondered.

"Don't get your hopes up Raphtalia, party's of the higher class are usually boring."

"Sakura just hopes the food will be good."

"Sure just don't damage anything, like always."

"No promises," Sakura exclaimed cheerfully. Immediately running towards the nearest buffet.

"I'll never leave her alone for a minute, just keep an eye on her Raphtalia."

"Noted."

"I'll be hanging around the area, just don't get into trouble yourself."

"Do you honestly think I will cause trouble?"

"Yes, "You kicked a man through a house!"

"Just one time, don't have to hold over me forever" Raphtalia complained as she stormed off. Leaving Naofumi alone at the entrance.

Fully entering the building, Naofumi sees many lords and adventurers conversing about various things, as he walked over to a table with Ren and Itsuki.

"So, what's this about?"

"Ren told me about this about his find awhile ago, and if you ask me. A monster trader who is also a slave trader isn't the most trustworthy form of information.

"It's not like I was relying on him to make me innocent in the first place, he's close to being the crown prince of scumbags."

"So Naofumi I have a question?" Ren asked.

"Go ahead."

"So when you bought an egg from him, did it go through any, weird changes."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, I got a dragon egg from this from a weird gacha, and after a few weeks she turn human."

"Seems normal to me."

"What do you mean by normal?"

"Well you see, when a hero raises a monster, if willing enough they will gain the ability to transform into a human."

"That happens," Itsuki asked.

"Yeah, the same thing happened to me and Sakura. I'm more surprised Ren got a dragon though."

"I used a skill to boost my luck."

"Yeah, that would make sense. Anyway, I don't know if it has to be a specific type of species of monsters, but looking at Ren's case, I'll say most creatures could work."

"Sounds pretty sketchy to me."

"Trust me, it's easier to just buy an egg than risk getting a balloon from that stupid guy. And If it doesn't work you get a monster that can fight for you so there isn't much of a downside."

"Still sounds pretty shady to me."

"Do what you want? It's just a suggestion. It's not like I'm forcing you."

"Yeah, but the fact that it's in an alleyway hidden from the public is what turns me away, plus the whole slave trader bit isn't helping either."

"Look if I could, I would have had Sakura drop kick him weeks ago, but slavery for demi-humans is legal and he isn't breaking any laws, so that will have to wait."

Naofumi and the other continue to share information they've learned, while Raphtalia and Sakura have a good time. Soon enough, they start to play cards, while over in the corner though, Motoyasu went over to inspect a very sick and injured child and angrily makes his way over to Naofumi.

"Ha, got a full hou-." Naofumi stopped talking and immediately deflected the spear coming straight towards the table. Naofumi stood guard and ready and whistled, putting Raphtalia and Sakura on guard.

"The hell do you want Motoyasu? I just had a winning hand."

Motoyasu takes off one of his gloves and throws it at Naofumi's feet.

"If you wanted to give me your glove you didn't have to be violent about it."

"I'm not giving you my glove you dumbass I'm challenging you to a duel."

"Ha! On what grounds!?"

"On the grounds of you owning a slave!"

The room after hearing this commotion goes silent, mummers in the crowd start to be heard as they continue.

"Well your information is wrong, I don't have any slaves in my party. Raphtalia was released from her slavery a day after she was bought, and that was after I got her healed up, fed, and cleaned."

"Don't bullshit me, guards found a dog boy trying to escape his captivity, and found out from a local trader in town that you bought him."

Naofumi thinks back to his time in the Belokaus tent and comes to a blank when he tries to remember any dog boy.

"Well that's probably a lie, I don't own a dog, now a bird would be a better argument bu-."

"You don't own a dog you say, then care to explain him."

After Hearing her voice cut him off, Naofumi looks over to see bitch (Myne), Carrying a passed-out child in rags, sparking a reaction from Raphtalia.

"KEEL!" Raphtalia shouted as she tries to run past the guards.

"Oh that one, yeah so what's the issue."

"You know the damn issue."

"If owning a slave is the problem then you can stop it there. Slavery here is legal, and I'm not breaking any law by buying him."

"That's not the problem, you're a hero. If you go around supporting the business then you are no better than them.

"Then let me ask you, who's to blame? The person who supports the business, the person who owns the business, or the person who allowed the business to exist in the first place? Because the king is over there, allowing this corrupt system to go on. Now hand Keel back, We've been looking for him for a while."

"I'm afraid that can't happen." The king interrupted from his stand.

"Care to explain why." Naofumi whistles twice. After hearing it, Sakura secretly starts to draw her sword, and a circle appears around Raphtalia's hands.

"You see, this child has been confiscated and is now the prize of the duel proposed by Motoyasu," The king said with a smug tone.

"Except I paid for him, so he's under my jurisdiction."

"The law is stronger than anything you say shield, a duel was proposed and accepted, so that is what this is going to be. unless you want this to be an automatic win for the spear hero." The king budded in.

"Oh hell no it isn't, I didn't agree to this! and besides My party will kick your ass, burn it, and leave here unscathed!"

"Who said it will be party vs party, it's just the spear and shield hero themselves."

"I disagree," Ren interjected.

"You what!?"

"If you want this to be a "fair and legal duel" a duel where Naofumi is by himself isn't a fair match. A battle between party members will also show who's party is safer for the boy to join."

"You d-, I mean what a wonderful idea sword, the duel will be a 3vs3'' The kind replied, confident that the Motoyasu party will be superior thanks to their level gap between his and Naofumi team.

Leading them into the underground courtyard, Naofumi converses with Raphtalia and Sakura for a good plan.

"You think we can sell these swords for a profit."

"Comparing them to Sakuras, they are pretty average in quality, and they aren't even shiny," Sakura said with a frown.

"Now is not the time to be looking at sword quality, we have to save Keel." Raphtalia complained.

"Calm down Raphtalia, we already have everything we need to win."

"And what might that be?"

"Actual combat experience, if Motoyasu's team is essentially demoted to a bunch of cheerleaders. Then we have more combat experience when it comes to working as a team. But don't take them lightly either, their level is still higher than yours."

"I guess you're right, so how should we start this fight?"

Naofumi thought for a moment before answering. Hmm, how about, plan hidden tornado."

"Ooh, nice choice," Raphtalia replied.

A guard hits the gate they were standing next to, grabbing their attention.

"Oi gets ready, match starting no."

"Alright, take us to the field."

A knight walks to the center of the field and uses some magic to boost his voice.

"Welcome all to the battle of Lord Motoyasu party, and the shield heroes party. The winner gains the right to this child! Now, are our combatants ready?"

Motoyasu raises his spear into the air, as he comes out with Myne and another red-haired woman (Lesty). The crowd erupts into a cheer as their hero arrives on the scene.

Naofumi followed behind shortly after, and nothing but boos can be heard from the crowd, and even some food was thrown at him. But Naofumi didn't care and kept walking.

"Last chance Motoyasu, just let us win."

"Hell no!"

"Well, I guess we tried."

"BEGIN!" The knight lowers his hand and the fight starts.

Sakura immediately summons a whirlwind, throwing sand all over the area blinding the opponents and spectators in the area, before dispersing from their view sight.

Quickly rubbing the sand out of his eyes, Motoyasu readies his spear for an attack but stopped when he couldn't Naofumi or his party. Baffled by what happened. Sakura used the opportunity to reappear and sent Myne and Lesty flying across the field with a single roundhouse kick. When Motoyasu turns around, Reptilia reappeared and slashed his arm.

He tried to hit her with the blunt end of his spear, but Naofumi blocked the attack, allowing Raphtalia to give a clean punch to his face. Motoyasu was trying to focus on Raphtalia but was foiled by Naofumi every time, giving him more and more slash wounds each attempt. Forcing him on the defensive.

"Myne, I could use some help."

After being kicked by Sakura, Myne throws several air blasts at Sakura, only for them to be deflected and have another foot planted into her face, knocking her even further back.

Punching Lesty out the way, Sakura draws her sword as an aura of wind flowed around it.

"Sakura has been waiting for this."

"Damn Demi, i'll show what it's like to fight against me."

"Myne, I could use some help."

"Occupied!" Myne yelled as she clashed with Sakura.

Breaking off their initial clash. The aura around Sakura flows into a thick fog, as Sakura throws it across the area. Using her enhanced senses, Sakura runs around Myne, slashing her from every angle.

Myne blasts back the wind with some of her own, and parries one of Sakura's attacks, leaving a gash in Sakura's right arm. Falling to the floor, Sakura dropped her blade and rolled out the way of one of Mynes' overhead slashes and sweeps her leg, punching her in the face before she falls to the ground.

After Myne landed, Sakura continued her assault with a lariat, and used [high quick] to continue her assault on Myne, and just pummeled her for a short minute. Myne tries her best to block, but her attacks are too slow compared to Sakura, so she continues to get beat up.

"Sakura uses this." Raphtalia throws one of a hilt which Sakura catches, as it transforms into a magic blade.

"Thanks," Sakura said. Before driving the magic blade into Mynes' chest, and slashing her several more times, causing her to scream out in pain even though no visible damage was done.

"Myne!"

"Pay attention," Raphtalia yelled as she brought her foot down his face, knocking him to the ground. He tries to use an airstrike javelin but Naofumi uses his rope to bind his hands together, as Raphtalia just continues to beat him.

"Stop, you're killing her."

"No, she's suffering, there is a clear difference."

Motoyasu had enough, and broke off the rope, blasting a [lightning spear] at Sakura as soon as he escaped.

"Sakura, move!"

"Better idea."

Sakura grabs Myne and throws her in front of the attack, dealing some major damage before she falls unconscious on the floor. The attack continues to go through Myne and hits Sakura for less damage. Leaving her exhausted as well.

"Sakura!"

"Sakura's fine now pay attention."

Naofumi barely blocks an attack from Motoyasu and commands Raphtalia to strike again, but Motoyasu prepares for this and leaps back to use his [Chaos spear] to hit her.

Naofumi reacts by covering Raphtalia in a [Shield prison] to block the hit. Raphtalia broke out of the shield prison and lunges at Motoyasu. He responded with a strike of his own, only for her to faze through his spear like a ghost.

"An illusion!?" Motoyasu gritted his teeth. However, it was too late for him to respond as the real Raphtalia appeared and punched him right in the face. Sakura also joined in with an ax kick to his head, knocking him to the ground.

"Damn it Sakura, you have to be more careful, that was a stupid decision to fight her alone," Naofumi exclaimed in concern while healing her.

"She wasn't that weak as Sakura thought- Woah."

Naofumi quickly pushed Sakura out of the way and blocked a thrust attack from Motoyasu, switching to his new thunder dragon's shield, its ability activates upon the collision, and a large lightning aura of a dragon charges Motoyasu and shocks him. Motoyasu quickly shakes the shock off and goes for another attack, but Naofumi's shield switches again, and a snake comes to bite him on the arm.

"Well, that's the match."

"Jokes on you, I'm resistant to poison."

"True, but how's your venom resistance?"

"My wha-" Motoyasu couldn't finish his sentence as his vision blurred, and his whole body started to feel nauseous.

"That was a lethal dose of venom, I predict in five minutes, you'll be foaming off the ground dead. The question is, would you surrender by then?" Naofumi asked as he performed another whistle, causing a circle of light to appear around his body

"QUICKLY, save the spear hero." The king commanded. soldiers and knights try to pour into the arena, but Sakura blocks off the exit with a tornado, keeping them out.

"Can't allow that king, the match is only over when Naofumi says so. Or perhaps you can declare us the winner."

"The match is still ongoing, Lord spear still has another member in his party," The officiator yelled.

Naofumi looks over to see Lesty chanting a spell and immediately looks over to Sakura.

"Sakura, I thought, you dealt with her?'

"Sakura did too."

"Just move."

Raphtalia dashed past Sakura and grabs her magic blade. Dodging fire Lesty shot, and slashed her three times across the chest and blasted her into the area walls with a [zweite holy]. Finally knocking her out.

The arena becomes dead quiet after this, with many questions running through the minds of nobles and knights alike, waiting for the response of the official.

"Umm, since the spear heroes party is all knocked out, the shield hero is declared the vic-."

"No, the shield hero is disqualified for illegally using poison."

"It's not poison it's venom, and If it's so much of a problem you should have had the foresight to add that to the rules."

"You dare talk back to me shield!"

"Yes,"

"Motoyasu is dying! Nothing Naofumi did was against the very little rules of this duel, so it's his win," Ren yelled.

"But!"

"You aren't going against your law, are you king?" Naofumi mocked.

"Fine, take your child, everything will be on you then."

"Was already planning on it." Naofumi drops the antidote near Motoyasu and grabs Keel from the Guard holding him. After leaving several guards and medics swarm into the arena to heal the spear hero.

"So what are we going to do with him exactly?" Naofumi asked

"I don't know, I didn't think this far ahead."

"Great insight Raphtalia."

"Hey, I thought he died okay. There is one place we can take him though, but we should get him healed up and his crest removed before we act any further."

"Oh great, we have to meet him again," Naofumi muttered, heading out the castle's front gates.

Meanwhile with Itsuki:

"Show me your strongest creature," Itsuki asked, dropping a bag of coins on the counter as it lets out a large jingle.

"Very well lord Bow, I keep my most exotic creatures in the back."

Leading Itsuki to the back, he showed off many types of creatures that aren't usually found in the wild, hippogriffs, Perytons, and even something monstrous like a manticore.

"How the hell do you keep that under control?"

"Monster crest, it makes it easier to control them with a strong enough crest. Although if the monster likes you, you won't have much trouble dealing with it."

"Cool, cool. Hey, is that?"

Itsuki ran over to a cage, inside it held a foal, with a white coat and wings.

"It is."

"Oh yes, that's a pegasus my men found a while ago. Although it's young and not ready for any forms of work, so it remains unsold for now."

"I wonder."

Itsuki thought of a scene, him coming down on his horse, saving several people from danger in style.

"This is the one."

"Well, I won't stop you, Thirty gold for the pegasus."

"Thirty!?"

"I can't just go around selling rare creatures for such a low price, I'll go out of business."

"It's an expensive business if you ask me." Itsuki grabbed thirty gold out of his pouch.

"Alright then, now I just need some blood."

"For what?"

"For the registry. Now hurry along."

Thinking about it for a moment, Itsuki finally draws some blood and gives it to Belokaus. Opening the cage, he walks over to the foal and tries to pat it on the head, only to get bit in return.

"Seems like she doesn't like you."

"She'll warm up to me sooner or later. I think I'll call you, Starlight."

A screen pops up in Itsuki's field of vision, indicating the register was complete."

New monster registered: Starlight

A/N: Yeah, I'm giving him a pegasus, was thinking of phoenix first but then a pegasus seems like something Itsuki would get. Just gotta figure out another creature for later. And a fight scene for Draco. Otherwise, let's see what Keels up in the next chapter.

And like always, thanks for Axel Emiya for editing