Ben 10: Rising of the Shield Hero

by Chris Chronos

The Story about Ben Tennyson, the Omnitrix Wielder, being summoned to the world of the "Rising of the Shield Hero" with Ben as the Shield Hero. Diverged from the original storyline at a point. After Ben has saved his own universe several times, will he successfully save this world, too? (Ben Tennyson after the events of "New Dawn", with a complete Omnitrix.)

11. Chapter 11: THE PRISON FAIRY

BEN 10: RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO

CHAPTER 11: THE PRISON FAIRY

Excuse me, Ben sometimes abuses his powers to intimidate the opponents but it's illogical to go to war against Melromarc for silly reasons.

Whereas Naofumi had little to no help, Ben got many allies, like Rex, the Lurolona demi-humans, and Brambila Family while the King's faction and religious group hated him. I mean, Naofumi was hated by the whole town, everyone looked down on him, but Ben left impressions and gained respect.

My point is I am not cruel in treating Ben's character. Things won't go Ben's way. It's otherwise. Ben will make things go his way instead so I want dear readers to be patient for this.

First-person perspective makes Ben nicer, yes I agree. Partly my fault. The other factor is that I just wanted to make a change between inside and outside. In the previous chapters, Ben becomes more violent over time. He just isn't aware of it, like crashing into Motoyasu with his diamond shield. Just reasoning.

Three days have passed. The after-wave celebration was a mess, dear heroes, no need to thank me.

Even if no one asked, I had to answer.

How is life in prison? It's the question.

In short, it's convenient. Except –

It's a little cramped, not like I need more space. I am bound by cuffs and chains so… Well, it's not a healthy environment, you can't move. But… I don't really need my chamber so big that I can run laps and perform workouts.

Food? Relatively good. Better than Grandpa Max's cooking. No offense, Grandpa.

I am contained in a special chamber. Maybe a magical barrier of some sort is oppressing my magic.

I don't know if it's lucky the king or anyone didn't ask about the source of my powers.

Or do they honestly think the source of my otherworldly abilities is the shield? It's more logical, indeed.

Thanks to the master control – not a real one, this one can do a lot of things but nowhere near master control, and hey, will you ever give me that blessing, Azmuth!? – I don't need to scroll the dial all the time to enter combat, it saves some time say I could deceive people

And it's lonely as hell. Surprisingly, they don't guard my chamber. Oh, I remember a thing that saves me from absolute boredom.

Hey, partner, are you doing fine?

"I'd prefer if you don't call me out of boredom, Tennyson."

Hahah! Never get used to this.

I quietly whistle and mentally shrug off his word. Maybe the elder persona needs to be cooled down.

Come on, don't be mean.

"See the real Azmuth and you know I'm quite nice."

He's not wrong.

"By the way, if you happen to consider leaving this country, I suggest yes. The Queen said that, too. I couldn't care less about that Aria girl or whoever, your safety is my priority.

I feel irresponsible to go away from Lurolona Village. In this land of human supremacy, as long as I can't ensure 'demi-humans are independent,' it will probably be difficult for me to leave, not because I don't trust Rex. He is strong but the demi-humans aren't. At least still not now.

I don't blame Partner for leaving out others. Azmuth was far more self-centered.

I will… think about it.

The holographic figure jumps to slap my forehead. Though it isn't painful or I can't feel him, I can still imagine his rage.

"Don't just think. Decide to do or not, you fool. You have an Omnitrix, which has at least a thousand extra functions so if you need them, I will unlock and activate them for you."

It makes me internally sigh.

I have a lot of things bugging me. Like AI Azmuth's theories on Demi-humans having unclean DNA, most of the creatures including myself and fellow summoned heroes have magical data in DNA. And many more. It makes me remember the time I cleansed the Highbreed's disease by genetic repairs.

Ah, Partner? Can you reprogram the ID Mask?"

"Likely yes, why?"

Can you make some disguise for me? If I perform a jailbreak I need it! A new identity!

I think it's a great idea but the figure shakes his head and facepalms.

In our world back then, ID Mask was level 7 technology. It's commonly used as a disguise for humanoid aliens. I don't know if it works for non-humanoid aliens because I have never tested it. I don't even know how it actually works. After all, my planet's technology is barely level 3.

"When you jailbreak, they will come for Aria, her family, and Rex and the others. We need to wait for the right time… like when we find that Eclair lady."

But what if I don't jailbreak but make Eclair escape and…. Uh… just return here?

"Don't show off your powers like a monkey with a banana. See how moronic they are, they are thinking these mere restraints can hold you, Tennyson. They don't know your full potential."

Such is life.

I don't feel bad for the idiocy of the people in question. Their idiocy is not genetic, it's natural, embedded in their hearts, darkening their souls, blinding their sight.

There are people who doubt their president and government higher-ups. See how hilarious the King who is basically the representative of the Queen can be, and they will leave the country in a day. I am not the type who tends to have an interest in politics.

Hey, does the Omnitrix happen to have Pugnarvore DNA?

"Of course, it does."

Can you please allow access to that DNA? At least for now?

Pugnavore… One of its kind gave me quite a trouble with "The Most Dangerous Game Show." A game for the opportunity to marry me, huh? Regardless, the host of that show, Charles Zenith, was incredibly powerful. He could undo my transformation. He is literally nigh-omnipotent. If you think about it, it's scary.

"Uh, no problem. But… be careful with that form. And don't do something stupid. Stick to your plan. This DNA is like Vladat DNA. As powerful as it is, it can easily overwhelm your sanity."

OK, I will keep that in mind.

My hands are bound so I can't reach my Omnitrix. I hold up my left wrist where the faceplate of Omnitrix slides down and the core rises up, and the dial starts rotating on its own until it shows a humanoid figure in green highlight.

It's Hero Time!

The core returns to its original place before the green light overtakes me and I become a green man with two erect antennae on the head. My clothes don't change. Also applied this to the shield.

Deejay Emcee! Is this name good? Naming later. Hey, Partner, activate the ID Mask.

(In memory of Derrick J. Wyatt, the Art Director of Ben 10: Omniverse. He repeatedly gave this joke name to Ben's Pugnavore Transformation.)

"Got it. Don't order me around," he responds with an aggressive tone.

This transformation gives me a weird feeling. Like… it's too boring. When an individual becomes too strong, he gets bored. And it makes me always seek fun.

-(BREAK)-

(A/N: Not much information about Pugnavores is mentioned in canon, so this transformation will be pretty much an OC alien form. Deejay Emcee (DJ MC - apparently) is a joke name given by Derrick J. Wyatt. So, a new name will probably be considered. The abilities and biology of Pugnavores will be mostly my idea.)

Still, even if this is my first time transforming into this alien, I have a glimpse of what this guy can do, instinctively.

Alright, here goes nothing!

I teleport the cuffs and chains on my body to my house in the forest. That takes care of the restraints.

I teleport myself to the outside of the chamber. It costs me nothing, perfectly. This guy can be the Alien X mini version, though I don't know his limits.

But anyway…

"BIG CHILL…"

Crap, it's a habit I say my alien name out loud.

I quickly turn invisible and phase into the nearest wall. Fortunately, there is no one around.

As Big Chill, I can feel my body temperature adapts to the environment. I don't feel hot or cold. My eye level is slighter higher than it is in my human form. These are not important, anyway.

I extend my hooded robe into two pairs of wings and fly through the hallway, invisible. Honestly, I've been using Big Chill for multi-purposes lately.

The prison I was taken to is one in the castle town. It is related to the Knights of Melromarc so I can see them on the outside. But I don't understand why they didn't place any of their soldiers near me.

Oh, perhaps… were they worried that their soldiers would be influenced by my philosophy? Typical Will Harangue moves, huh?

I open the map on the screen and see where I am. And then I mark the castle before I rise into the sky in the direction of the castle.

I don't like anything related to prison or jail, personally.

Hey, should I have duplicated myself and left a clone in my chamber?

Some seconds after flying high, I am conflicted hence I occasionally tilt my head to look back at the prison.

But I mustn't waste time.

I accelerate myself and quickly phase through the castle. I don't let my guard down for any reason.

Rex has done many to help me and the demi-humans I want to protect. Though it is still a small-scale I respect him. And it is undeniably a result of his late master, Lord Seaetto. Speaking of Seaetto, his daughter comes in. So in this case, it is not only a personal request of Rex but also a valuable opportunity to recruit someone who does not discriminate against demi-humans to Rex's side. I don't want to interact with Rex anymore, however, I have plenty of ways to help him. Maybe from behind the scenes?

I can go meet the Queen to personally request some security for Lurolona Village. But I doubt she would allow it after my rampage in the after-party.

First things, first. Next things, next, Benjamin. I remind myself and slowly walk into the halls of the buildings in the compound. I make sure to check every corner of the castle but still find no clue where the jail chambers are. I fly down to the lower floors and finally see the chambers with some metal bars. They aren't completely like a cage. There is a door and a window with metal bars for each chamber. Most of them are empty, but one.

Not many guards are here. So, I deactivate intangibility and deliver some swift blows into the stomach of a guard.

"Ouch."

The necrofriggian strength is… overkill but… I held back, OK?

He groans in pain before completely being knocked out and falling down to the floor.

Two of the guards around run towards the unconscious guy and put down their weapons to check on the guy, alerting the rest of the gang with a shout.

The rest of the guards would see these two also down with an "ouch" of their own.

What just happened? They would wonder.

Playing around in a medieval world using alien abilities is pretty fun! But I have something more important, sorry.

In less than 30 seconds the rest has been taken care of, now all lying unconscious on the floor. I have also examined their breathing and pulse in the next minute to confirm they are knocked out.

At the end of the hall, in the chamber on the left side, I see an individual with a hair color of pink-blonde, I don't really know how to describe their hair since I have never seen so let's say strawberry-blonde. They are sitting on a bed, seemingly staring at the wall on the opposite side of the door.

I phase into the chamber using the necrofriggian intangibility to get a better look at them. I have checked other chambers but… still…

It is a woman in her early 20s. She has a pretty face with beautiful features and her body is gorgeous yet well-built. Rex says Eclair is a knight. Knight-lady, that is. So her trained body is hardly surprising. She wears a black robe and greyish attire underneath.

OK, Ben, now… a superhero entering… no, I need to be sneaky though I have taken down the guards around.

The green light covers the whole room and the girl is panicked.

"You are Eclair Seaetto, right?"

And then she would see a handsome American boy with brown–

"Ouch!"

Is that Karma? I let my guard down but the punch was from her. Does she know I punched the guards outside?

Anyway, it HURTS! I held back my scream.

She wraps her arm around my neck and holds my hands with another hand. Her strength is… impressive. I can feel the pressure around my neck and… I can't move! She caught me with a binding technique.

"YES, I AM! AND WHO ARE YOU!?"

Yes, her voice is… loud, loud enough for the guards to hear if I didn't take them down. I thought she was depressed or feeling down but now… her voice and body is full of energy.

"Sh– Don't… Don- make…"

I struggle to whisper but her hand is choking my neck.

"WHAT? I ASKED WHO ARE YOU?"

"Si~lence! I… I'm… With… The… Guards."

Silence, yes, takes over for a moment, and then she releases me from the neck lock. I gasp and breathe in and out heavily.

"Why are you here?"

"To get you outside."

"The King ordered you, huh?"

I think for a second if she is already calmed down.

"I lied."

"What?" she blinks.

"I lied about being with gua–"

"WHAT?"

She again holds me in a neck lock. Jeez… Honestly…

I manage to breathe this time.

"WHY DID YOU LIE?!"

"I am with Rex, I am with Rex, Ok?"

"I don't trust… you."

She notices the door which is locked from outside.

"WAIT, ARE YOU A NEW PRISONER WHO IS GONNA LIVE WITH ME?"

"Why, no. How do you get to that conclusion?!"

I need to convince her so I decided to not rely on my transformations. It proves to be rough.

This woman is somewhat… a musclehead. At least she loosens the grip.

"Then who are you?"

She has lowered her voice. But still with an aggressive tone.

"I am with Rex." I insist.

"Don't lie," she growls while tightening the neck lock again.

"Ok… Time out, TIME OUT. I am with Rex. Rex wants to find you and I am merely fulfilling his wish."

She is still starting with disbelieving eyes.

"Rex returned and saved demi-humans and rebuilt Lurolona."

"And you? How do you know him?"

I shortly thought of an answer.

"He is a comrade. Don't tell anyone about me being his apprentice."

She finally becomes aware of the shield on my right forearm.

"Wait, you are a shield user."

It took a good time to notice, huh?

"Yes. I am… Shield Hero."

There is a short silence.

She immediately pushes me away to take a good look at my body.

"Are you sure?"

How can I prove it? Oh, that's it!

I search for a shield on the mapping and instantly change my shield's manifestation.

"Oh…" she is staring at my shield.

"You really are the Shield Hero. Forgive me for my ignorance."

I internally sigh. That settles the case, hmmm.

"No, you don't have to. Now I will send you to Lurolona Village. Uh… first, can you please close your eyes and cover them with something?"

As she does so, I scroll the dial to find the sonorosian find the sonorosian figure.

And press down.

"ECHO ECHO!"

I become shorter… and can feel the wave movements in my body. It's like some kind of barrier is containing my inconstant body to shape it into a humanoid appearance. I became the living soundwave.

And I hastily clone myself by duplicating the silicon suit and multiplying the soundwaves.

(According to the biology of Sonorosian, they reproduce by cloning.)

She was looking at me in half-surprise and half-fear. Before she's gonna shout something, my clone and I jump to cover her mouth.

"Sh… I know you don't discriminate against demi-humans. I am an alien. Is that OK?"

Kinda like twisting the logic but OK.

She nods in our hands though she doesn't seem to know 'aliens.'

"Alright, you! You know what you have to do, right?" I point at the clone.

"Yes." He answers. Our voice is like a high-pitched sound.

We both press the respective omnitrices on our chests and become two separate Ben*s.

Eclair's eyes widen like they're gonna pop out.

The clone immediately transforms himself into Big Chill and phases through the wall, disappearing from our sight.

"He will do his part. Now shall–"

I turn back to Eclair and see she is still petrified by the necrofriggian's outlandish figure.

"Hey… uh… Ms. Seaetto?"

She approaches me and grabs my collar.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

She eyeballs my whole body before commenting.

"This weird fancy getup…. And… monstrous forms… what are you?"

I remember something at once.

"Oh, sure I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Ben Tennyson. I will tell you the details later. Now I am getting you out of here."

Without further ado, I transform into Deejay Emcee, too busy to think of a name for him.

"You! You are not human!"

Yeah, Ms. Obvious.

I don't think the alien is something relatable for people in a medieval world.

But the way she's surprised feeds me some energy, hahah!

"Let's go, Ms. Seaetto."

"Wai–"

I walk closer to her and hold her waist before green light embraces both of us.

When the light dies down, the view in front of us is the new Lurolona Village!

"But how?!"

She exclaims in disbelief as she starts running towards the village.

For my part… Oh damn… I have to see Rifana and the kids now.

"This is… Lurolona?"

She tilts her head to see me and I nod in response.

"Wow, I don't care how you did it but… wow!"

"Ben? And… Eclair?"

It is Rex. He is carrying a huge bag on his shoulder. Probably he returned from hunting.

"Hey, Rex."

"Rex!" Eclair shouts his name and shoots into him before hugging him tightly. I feel like I can hear the bone-cracking sound.

"Oh, hey, Eclair. You are… here." And then Rex looks at me. "Thanks, Ben."

"You're welcome."

And suddenly his genuine smile changes into a serious expression.

"I heard from Aria about what happened in Lute."

I let out a sigh before responding.

"So the King… really let her go."

"More like you threatened him. Hadn't he lived up to the promise, you would have probably gone on a rampage…" Rex then laughs dryly.

"What happened?"

Eclair asks us with a concerning look.

"Now, now, let's go to my house. We will explain everything you need to know. Uh… Aria and Filo are here, too."

To be honest, I am surprised to hear that.

"You are still imprisoned, right?"

I chuckle at his question.

"Like anyone can restrain me. Anyway, I left my clone there just in case. So…"

"Basically… you twist the promise and trick him, like that?"

I confirm him with a laugh, looking at the house I lived in.

I genuinely hope there will be a time I can peacefully live here with Filo and… maybe Aria?

Even I want to take a break when fighting villains becomes a daily routine, in this world, it's slaying monsters. Sometimes I feel like the day is lacking when there is no villain to kick ass.

"Master!"

Filo charges towards me to embrace me in her arms with all her might.

"Hey, take it easy, Filo."

"You are safe, Master!"

Eclair is staring at Filo with curiosity in her eyes.

"Who is she?" She questions.

"Filo is Master's daughter!" Filo answers enthusiastically.

Eclair widens her eyes and averts them to the wings on Filo's back.

"Oh,... er… I didn't know. She is… an angel? I mean, her mother."

I wanted to explain but… it's OK that way.

"Dunno. never met her."

Her facial expression looks like she just encountered Ghostfreak.

She goes pale trying to look away from us.

Obviously misunderstanding.

"Is… is that so? Hah!"

After her awkward laugh, Rex makes eye contact with me to remind me to resolve the misapprehension. I just shrug it off.

Rex breaks the uncomfortable silence by leading us to the living room. I don't see Aria.

"Where's Aria?"

Rex smirks in more of a villainous expression.

"She is in your house. Go see her, I will leave you two alone and explain to Eclair by myself. OK?"

I raise an eyebrow at Rex's attempt.

I don't know his intentions but… this sounds like a trap.

"Uh, OK," I responded with a poker face before running off to hide my embarrassing awkwardness.

"Hey… Aria."

I call out her name then I hear two exploding sounds before I see her practicing shooting the plasma pistol.

I can see her startled reaction is genuine.

She also does the same as Filo though with a pair of teary eyes. I don't question why. Instead, I embrace her back.

"Ben… How?"

I smile awkwardly before I admit it.

"I have many tricks up my sleeve. Hah."

She is still clinging to my body.

"Uh… Aria, can you please…"

"So now what are you gonna do?"

I grit my teeth hearing her sobbing.

I pat her blonde hair to calm her down.

"I am going to the Queen first to ask her for reinforcements for the village and your family. I can't protect you… forever."

"What about you!? What are you gonna do?! Tell me."

I don't need someone to hold me back, do I?

Then I recall Gwen, Julie and Ester, and Helen from Plumber Helpers.

I don't know if I have been judging women wrongly.

I was a hero and they lived up to my needs to help in my battle.

They weren't as strong as me, but they didn't back off.

It's so conflicting when I consider calling her on my

adventures.

"I'm gonna leave Melromarc."

She stares into my eyes. Her cheeks are wet with tears.

"I will come with you."

Do I have an answer to her demand? How can I protect her afterward?

"You don't need to force yourself," I mutter.

She beams, forming a smile with her teary cheeks.

"No, it's what my heart tells me to do, and I'm gonna follow it."

I don't know how to react to it. I can't help but blush, looking away from her. Her cheeks also show a pinky flush of embarrassment.

Why did you say it if you were gonna be embarrassed anyway?...

"Where is your answer?"

She demands.

I smile awkwardly in a flutter.

"How can I leave my own and only teammate?"

Then I hear Rex's laugh behind us. I tilt my head in his direction and glimpse Eclair, Filo, and three demi-human kids with him.

Eclair looks like she's gonna explode, her face is red due to her rising anger.

"What are you doing?! You have Filo's mother, don't ya?!"

Oh, boy.

I look back to Aria and we make eye-contact before we discover that she is still clinging to me.

She hastily leans back in embarrassment and walks backward steadily until she hits a box in the background.

"Aw hey!" I catch her from slipping onto the floor in time.

Filo also is wearing a pouty look.

"Aunt Aria is your only teammate, then what about Filo?!" she says with an irritated tone.

"You are my daughter, aren't you?"

She immediately drops her pouting expression as soon as she hears it.

"Yes, Filo is Master's daughter."

Keel facepalms looking at me and Aria. Her friends seem no better than her. Rifana glares at Aria in jealousy? No, I don't want to judge a kid. I had my first crush before 10. Raphtalia has a similar expression but I can't read it.

"Hey, aren't you gonna stop acting like a lovie-dovie couple?!" Rifana demands. Keel laughs quietly in the background and Raphtalia stares at her friend uneasily.

"Ye-yeah, you should stop it!" She joins her friend.

I look back at Aria and we blush looking at each other in the eyes before I get away from her.

"S-sorry. Uh… Guys, don't be like that."

Rex walks forward and as an adult, he tries to solve the situation wisely.

"Guys, why don't we give them some more time?"

Rex! You are making it worse!

"He… He's ch-cheating on his wi-wife! We have to s-stop them!"

Eclair stammers pointing her index finger at us.

The demi-human kids look at Eclair in horror.

"Wi-wife? God, I haven't met her for three days and you got married?!" Rihanna asks with a surprised tone before running towards me and messing with my hair. But Raphtalia and Keel seem to know the knot I made.

"Look, I can explain!" I exclaim.

Rex laughs annoyingly.

"What do you plan to do after this?"

I tilt my head to see Rifana being taken away by Aria.

"I am going to pay a visit to a friend."

I chuckle. Oh… I can introduce Rex and… Eclair, too. Rex once mentioned that her father, Seaetto, was someone trusted and personally assigned to this land by the Queen.

"Er… but you two have to come with me, Rex and Ms. Seaetto," I add.

"Why? Who is this friend you're gonna meet?"

Eclair asks.

"Her Majesty."

-(TRANSITION)-

In a fancy-looking tent, a well-dressed woman with a crown on her head, is sitting at a table with three or four piles of paper. The woman covers her face with her palm and sighs, without wanting to look at the piles of work.

This job is tiresome, really! And that idiot of a husband is making her job increase. That man has the skill of being useless passively.

"I never thought he is that stupid. Summoning all four heroes… hmm."

Suddenly the inside of the tent is engulfed in green light. She blocks the light with her palms.

When the light disappears, she looks into where it seems to be the source of light.

"Slacking off from work, are we?"

I say sarcastically before earning a slap on my back from Eclair Seaetto.

"Don't talk to Her Highness like that! My apologies, Your Majesty, this man's idiocy is unruly. Please forgive him."

She bows down to the Queen and drags me with her. Damn, she is too strong for me to struggle out of her hands.

The Queen was still in surprise and awe until the last second.

"Oh… You are… The Brave One."

She stares at me, who is now a green alien with two antennae on his head, in curiosity.

"It's okay, I know him. He is a trusted apprentice of mine."

She convinces Eclair and brings me up on my feet.

Then, she takes a close look at Eclair and Rex, though she doesn't know Rex entirely whereas she should feel somewhat familiar with the 'lady-knight."

I quickly take over the stage as she look at me with a pair of questioning eyes.

"My apologies, Her Highness. Here is… Ms. Eclair Seaetto, the daughter of Lord Seaetto. I recall you know him. And he is… er… his disciple, Rex Salazar."

"Oh,... so… you are his daughter. How is Seaetto? I haven't seen him for a while."

The expressions of Eclair and Rex darkens.

"He's… dead," Rex answers seeing Eclair's saddened face. "He was assassinated during the first wave."

The Queen widens her eyes and walks to her worktable to sit down on the fancy chair.

It takes a lot of her to accept it, I suppose.

"So is he… what about the village then? You are his disciple, right?"

Rex averts his eyes from Her Majesty, feeling guilty of what happened.

"I…"

"He wasn't there…" I interrupt him, attracting the attention of Her Majesty as I cancel my transformation. "He was on a work journey assigned by the duke, so he wasn't there on the scene when it happened. The duke was assassinated and the demi-humans were taken away and enslaved. Eclair tried to chase off the slave hunters and save the demi-humans but… she was captured by the royal guards."

The Queen frowns at the explanation and leans back on the chair. Her eyes wander to and fro as she thinks about something deeply, probably about the royal knights, or the order which could be from her husband.

I have a ton in my list to put blame on her. Personally, as much as I respect her attitude about demi-humans, I despise her ignorance. People suffer… because of the ruler's lack of knowledge, wisdom and ability. But… not now. She's got a lot to take in.

She looks at me again.

"I suppose… you have saved them?"

"Not all. Only three of them. Two of which are enslaved and tortured by Idol Rabier."

"Idol Rabier…" she echoes. "Anyway, I have to thank you."

"I don't need your thanks. But the demi-humans do need your attention."

I involuntarily raised my voice in enragement and then calm myself down. I earn a glare from Eclair.

Her Majesty sighs and again enters the realm of thoughts.

"I… We are quite in a contention… you see. I can't… I couldn't watch over them because most people were against me… on that matter. They aren't very kind."

"Do you not consider demi-humans as your people?" I boldly question her.

"You–!" Eclair is held back by Rex.

"I do," the Queen averts her eyes away from us. "Of course, I do. But I couldn't help it."

"And your husband, your daughter, and the Church… these parties took advantage of what you call "contention" to uprise the conflicts. I don't… call it ignorance, it's lack of responsibility, Your Majesty."

I wouldn't have told her those words if this were a month ago.

"Or are you telling us to believe it's one of your qualities, huh?"

"Ben!" Rex calls out to interrupt me as Eclair has escaped from him and pounced onto my body.

"Stop it, Seaetto." The Queen orders. "He's… not wrong."

Eclair is removed from my body by Rex and restrained.

I breath heavily as I finally notice my rage has overtaken me again.

"I know your… anger, and I understand you, Sir Shield Hero," she continued. "But I can't do much. If I don't handle what I have been doing till now, a war can break out."

She sighs again. "I hope you understand me as well."

"I don't like the idea of letting a criminal commit the crimes and giving him a punishment later."

I mutter but I know they can hear me.

"That aside," I regain their attention. "Rex rebuilt Lurolona village from ruins. The village now accommodates over a dozen of demi-humans."

Her Majesty gets up from the chair and approaches Rex to take a good look.

"Rex Salazar, is it?" She doesn't thank anyone before me anymore… maybe she fears I will judge her. I am more of an optimist, not a realist. Not a perfectionist.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Rex begins to bow to show respect but the Queen stops him.

Wait, did I just… put insecurities into the Queen?

"Your Highness, if I may," I lower my tone as my rage has been diminished.

"Sure," she permits.

I start with a fake cough to clear my throat. I have talked too much today.

"Lurolona needs protection. May I ask for reinforcements from Your Highness? You can take it as a personal request from me, and as far as I'm concerned, I don't care about that."

"Hmm," she thinks for a moment before responding my 'request.' "It is not difficult. I will also write a letter to warn anyone who invades your territory to not attack the village and its people. But… in return, you have to… govern the land of Lord Seaetto."

"Oh, that's great… Eh, what? Pardon me, Your Majesty?"

"You need to be the duke of the village."

I glance at Rex and Eclair who are looking at me in return.

I have no connection with the previous governor of the village. And also… it's not me but Rex who led the rebuilding process. Moreover, he's the one who is ensuring the village's security.

On the other hand, Eclair is the daughter of the duke so it's logical to have her rule the land once owned by her father. Furthermore, she's a knight so she can protect the village, too.

"Her Highness, I think it's impossible," Rex speaks up.

"Can you please tell me why?"

"He's… recently declared by the King and the Pope as the enemy of the Church and currently imprisoned."

The explanation just makes the story complicated.

The Queen blinks as she stares at me in doubts and miscomprehension.

"What do you mean?" she inquires.

This is where I step in.

"Rex is right. I am imprisoned… currently… at the time," but this works my way. I mean, I don't need to govern the village. Only when everything is decided, I will declare my jailbreak and journey to other nations.

"Eclair was also arrested with similar treason, like being brainwashed by the shield devil blah blah," Rex adds to my claims.

"I was…," I continue. "Of course, branded the devil and detained. I was forced to duel the spear brat and won. But then the Pope suddenly declared me as the enemy of the Church, because they knew about my transformations."

The Queen thinks for a moment and later bursts out laughing.

"Oh my, you need to be secretive, and avoid eyes."

I look down at the floor in discomfort.

"He was really sneaky at first but he got cocky and wanted to intimidate the spies of the Church. There he went wrong." Honestly, I don't know if you are trying to help me or bash me, Rex.

"So you… broke out of the jail?" the Queen asks.

"No, I copied myself and left my clone there. But I can just run around for some time. There is a time limit." I mumble, half-truth half-lie.

"What will you do after this?"

"I will leave the nation… you said to set off after the wave, right?"

She blinks. "Yes, I did. I suppose you haven't met Melty, yet?"

I nod in affirmative.

"Then I have a request. Please find Melty, if you can, please take her with you on your journey. She is only 10 and may become a burden for you…"

She looks at Rex and Eclair.

"... leaving Melty to you two will only cause you more trouble. Her big sister's attempts to assassinate her, other nobles' attempt to raid the village and get her… well."

"I don't know who this Melty is but… seems like she has many troubles as a kid, the heck!" Rex exclaims.

I stretch the back of my neck and think for a while.

I already have a daughter. Now to take in a 10 year old kid. It's not a lot and I doubt it will be a burden considering she is at least better than her sister spoiled brat… and even the crown princess of a nation.

If anything, she will be a great friend for Filo and I can invest for Filo's future, yes!

"I accept your request, Your Majesty. I will find her."

She wears a mother's smile.

I know this is gonna be one hell of a journey.

CHAPTER (11) ENDS.

I love Mirellia Q. Melromarc character. Don't get me wrong. She is a beautiful woman as well as a wise ruler, but still, she lacks, according to Ben. She won't die in this story if I happen to write using the elements from Light Novel vol. 16.

That's all. Thanks for reading and posting reviews.

Christopher Paradox Chronos.