I do not own Rising of the Shield Hero or any of the characters.
Master Mind
Fenris set the cup beside Hana, taking her hand. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. Beisde him, Sofia watched them with a blank expression, one hand on her stomach.
"Talk to me," Hana said finally, after nearly a day of none of the three speaking. "Tell me about your life."
Fenris nodded, smile slipping a little. "I work as a mercenary, now. I go where I want, do what I want, and get payed to do it. It's great. I'm also helping the Shield Hero fight the waves."
"The Shield Hero?" Hana asked, eyes wide with awe.
"Yeah," Fenris nodded. "That guy with the green cape is the current Shield Hero. The tanuki demi-human is basically his girlfriend, but he won't admit to it yet."
Hana laughed. "Speaking of, did you ever find anyone?"
"You could say that, yeah," Fenris smiled, looking to Sofia. "This is Sofia. She's...everything to me."
"It's wonderful to meet you Sofia," Hana smiled, though both Sofia and Fenris could see the sadness and regret in her eyes. "I hope he treats you alright."
"He's wonderful," Sofia smiled. "I've never been happier than I am with him."
"Speaking of, you still owe me an honest life story," Fenris said.
Sofia laughed. "Remind me when we're not criminals anymore."
"Oh please, we've always been criminals," Fenris snorted, then turned back to Hana. "Sofia and I are having a child together."
"That's great!" Hana beamed. "You must be so happy!"
"We are," Fenris nodded, smiling.
"But it's a bit...complicated," Sofia said.
"How so?" Hana asked, eyes suddenly widening. "Is there something wrong with it?"
"Oh fuck!" Fenris said. "Christ, I hope to hell not! No, it's complicated because...well..."
"Fenris has a harem," Sofia said. "There are four of us in in, not including him. I'm the co-leader."
"I've told you, you're more the leader than I am," Fenris said.
"Wait, you're sleeping with four separate girls?" Hana asked. "All at once?"
"To be fair, they tend to sleep with each other more than me," Fenris said.
Hana laughed. "Well I'll be damnded. Far cry from the shy little kid who couldn't even talk to a girl unless she was me, let alone kiss them. Let alone anything more than that. I'm actually proud of you, you immoral, horny bastard."
"Hey, they make me seem celibate," Fenris countered, sofia giggling.
"That much is true," Sofia smiled. "We can be a bit...needy."
"A bit?" Fenris snorted. "Naomi only followed me initially because she wanted to have sex again."
"And now she's in love with you," Sofia smiled. "So is Riley. And Eileen's coming around, thanks to Naomi."
"I'm pretty sure Eileen's just cumming in general thanks to Naomi," Fenris said.
"Ew," Hana said. "So, do you love the other three?"
"I...well...I never really thought about it, I guess," Fenris said. "I guess I do. But I'm only in love with Sofia."
Hana nodded, the same sadness in her eyes. Fenris sighed.
"I'm sorry Hana," Fenris said. "I wish I could have found you sooner. Maybe then it would be you I love most."
"Oh, no, it's alright," Hana smiled. "I don't mind, really. You're just my friend."
"You don't have to hide it," Fenris said. "It's alright. Honestly, before...you know...the only reason I could talk to you was because I was too afraid to lose you not to, but I was also too afraid to tell you that I liked you."
Hana smiled, tears falling down her face. "Please don't. I...I'm fine with losing you. But please, don't give me hope."
"You don't have to lose him," Sofia said. "Demi-humans grow up quickly when they level up, right? So if we level you up, you could come with us. You would have to share him, but you could be with him too."
"Wait, you're serious?" Fenris asked. "You...You don't mind?"
"As long as I'm still able to be with you, and we can raise our child together, I have no reason to feel threatened, right?" Sofia asked.
Fenris kissed her, Sofia smiling and kissing him back. "Thank you. I wasn't going to ask because I didn't want you to feel threatened."
Sofia smiled. "I know. Thank you, but she's not the first girl that's in love with you and that you love back that I'll be sharing you with. As long as you promise not to stop loving me, I don't mind."
"I promise," Fenris said.
"Then welcome to the harem, Hana," Sofia smiled. "Once you've recovered, we'll see about getting your level up."
Hana nodded, smiling.
"Probably a stupid question, but do you happen to have any weapon training?" Sofia asked.
"Not really, but I like knives," Hana said. "Their light and easy to use."
"Well, I'll agree that they're light," Fenris said. "Easy to use, though...not so much. We'll figure out what weapon to give you once you're up and about."
Hana nodded, and Fenris leaned down, kissing her lightly on the forehead. As he sat back up, he whistled, Shadow forming as a bird and nestling against Hana's side obediently.
"Don't go to sleep this time, Shadow," Fenris said. "Otherwise I'm going to find a way to trap you as a rat."
"I'm sorry, Boss," Shadow said. "I promise you I won't mess up again."
Fenris nodded and stood. "Sorry Hana. I gotta go check on my friends."
Hana smiled and nodded. "I'll see you later."
Fenris smiled and nodded and he and Sofia walked away, making their way through the ruin. They hadn't seen the others for most of the day. The rest of the girls had gone to play with the Filolials and Naofumi was with Fitoria. Except, as Fenris and Sofia reached the heart of the ruin, Fitoria was groing into her bird form, Melty sitting on her head.
"What's going on here?" Fenris asked.
"Where the hell have you been?" Naofumi demanded.
"With Hana," Fenris said. "Why, did I miss something?"
"Yes!" Raphtalia snapped. "Fitoria took Melty hostage and forced Filo to fight her as a test!"
"Well, both look fine," Fenris said. "And Melty's having the time of her life, so it looks like Filo passed. Besides, if it was a test, I couldn't have interfered."
"That's true," Sofia agreed.
"You two are so unhelpful!" Naofumi snapped.
Fenris shrugged. "Where are the others?"
"Hey! Fenris!" Naomi all but leapt at him, Fenris barely staing upright. "I missed you today. Can you spend tonight doting on me instead of Hana? I want to have my turn."
"Well, you better get used to me doting on Hana, because she's coming with us," Fenris said. "And no, we're not having sex tonight."
"You're bringing a little girl into your harem!?" Naofumi demanded.
"She's a demi-human," Fenris said. "In a couple of levels, she'll be physically as old as Sofia."
"She'll still be a child age-wise, though!" Naofumi argued.
"And?" Fenris asked. "Raphtalia's like ten. I'm eleven. But because we're demi-humans, we grew up fast and are technically adults."
"Wait, you're ten?" Naofumi asked.
"Physically," Raphtalia said. "And technically, Filo's not even one yet."
Naofumi groaned, resting his face in his hands. "I'm surrounded by children."
Fenris chuckled, shaking his head. "Can I have a word with you and Raphtalia? Individually, though."
"I guess so," Naofumi shrugged.
"Awesome, Raphtalia you first," Fenris said, walking away, Raphtalia following. "So, are you every going to tell Naofumi you love him?"
Raphtalia turned scarlet. "Sh! Not so loud!"
"Relax, he doesn't have our hearing," Fenris smirked. "Listen, I have a plan to get him to admit he has feelings for you."
"How?" Raphtalia asked.
"Firstly, make him jealous," Fenris said. "Find someone to make him think of as a rival, or competition."
"I'm not having sex with you," Raphtalia said flatly.
"I never said to," Fenris said. "I said to make him think they're competition. I woukd never ask you to actually do something like that, because I understand how you feel about Naofumi. I would never try to come between you. But Naofumi is too blind to see the angel at his side, until he thinks she's gone. So, make him jealous."
"No," Raphtalia said. "I won't betray Master Naofumi's trust."
"Alright," Fenris nodded. "Then option two is to scare the shit out of him."
"What?" Raphtalia asked.
"Make him think you're dead, or dying," Fenris said. "Most effectively by sacrificing yourself for him. Then, profess your love to him as he's trying to save you. Then when you survive, he's all yours."
"That's insane," Raphtalia said.
"No, insane is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If you want him to notice you differently, you have to try something new. Since you don't have the guts to walk over there and kiss him, or at least tell him how you feel, that leaves your options limited."
"Why do you care?" Raphtalia asked.
"Because I understand how you feel about Naofumi," Fenris said.
Raphtalia was silent for a long while before nodding. "Alright. I'll...think about it."
Fenris nodded and she walked away. Naofumi walked over and scrossed his arms.
"Well?"
"Do you love Raphtalia?" Fenris asked.
"Excuse me?" Naofumi blinked.
"Do you love Raphtalia?" Fenris repeated.
"I...why do you want to know?" Naofumi asked suspiciously.
"Because she's beautiful, and if you don't claim her, someone else might," Fenris said. "Or maybe no one will. But if you love her and you don't say anything, you'll regret it. Our line of work isn't safe, Naofumi. Even with your shield. Just look at my girls. You yourself had to save both Sofia and Riley. Then Sofia almost died again during the Wave. If anything happens to her and you never told her how you feel, you'll hate yourself."
"I swear to God, if you lay a single hand on her, to hurt her or to seduce her, I'll kill you!" Naofumi snarled.
"Relax," Fenris said. "I have no intention of doing either. But you can't protect her forever, Naofumi. Eventually, there's going to come a time when you're up against something too powerful for you to defend against."
Naofumi remained silent and Fenris turned, walking back to the others. After a few minutes, Naofumi walked back over as well just as Fitoria deposited Melty beside him and transformed back to normal.
Naofumi began to make lunch and Fenris helped. Then, after they were finished, the Filolials grabbed them all, minus Naofumi, for a party. Fenris bowed out early, however, the head back to Hana. He helped her back to where she could watch and a Filolial came over to cuddle with her. Then, they both settled in to watch as the others danced and celebrated late into the night before going to sleep. Except for Fenris. He was close but was pulled back from sleep by Hana sobbing and mumbling, obviously having a nightmare. He sighed, holding her head in his lap and stroking her hair and ears, calming her, and continued to throughout the night.
Fenris sighed as the wagon rumbled along. Fitoria had given them a bra d new one to replace the on they had left behind, and they were on their way toward a hero Fitoria had promised to drop them off near. However, Fenris couldn't help but have a bad feeling about the situation. For one thing, if it was Motoyasu, it wouldn't matter that Naofumi promised to make nice. It wouldn't matter how hard he tried. Motoyasu would never believe a word out of their mouths.
"Something doesn't feel right," Fenris said.
"I'm sure you're imagining things," Naofumi said.
"Maybe," Fenris mumbled.
They stopped on a cliff overlooking a checkpoint. It wasn't guarded heavily, only six soldiers, and on the other side was Siltvelt. Fenris watched the troops in silence. Why so few? the Siltvelt border was supposed to be on high alert.
"We could take a detour but it'd cost us five or six more days on the road," Raphtalia said.
"Didn't Fitoria say that there was a hero nearby?" Melty asked. "It might make more sense to take that detour anyway."
"What do you think Master Naofumi?" Raphtalia asked.
"We'll head straight to the checkpoint," Naofumi said. "If it's Itsuki or Ren, we might convince them."
"And if that doesn't work?" Melty asked.
"Then we'll just have to force our way through," Naofumi said.
"Right," Melty nodded, Fenris snorting. "What's so funny?"
"Two days ago you'd have forbidden us from doing anything to stain our reputation any further," Fenris said.
"There are wicked men like Idol who would unleash terrible monsters just to make innocent people suffer!" Melty snapped. "Now isn't the time to be worried about your reputations."
"I couldn't agree more," Fenris smirked. "Shall we Naofumi?"
"Let's," Naofumi nodded.
They all got into the wagon again and headed down to the road, heaving for the checkpoint. However, as they did, a horn blue and soldiers, about two dozen, formed up in front of the gate with Motoyasu at the center.
"Master look!" Filo said. "It's that Spear guy again."
"Terrific," Fenris grumbled.
"It just had to be the guy who's least likely to listen to me huh?" Naofumi sighed.
"Too late now," Fenris said. "If necessary, I can fight him."
"Last resort," Naofumi said. "Peace talks first."
Fenris nodded, keeping his hand on his sword. "If this comes to a fight, Eileen, Riley, I want the two of you defending Hana. Sofia, stay in the back and support."
The girls nodded silently. Something was off. Motoyasu wasn't acting like himself, and Mein was nowhere to be found. A tiny flicker of hope burned in Fenris's chest that maybe she had died. Naofumi stopped the wagon and everyone got out, Naofumi stepping forward and taking a deep breath.
"Motoyasu, we're not here to start a fight," Naofumi said. "We're just here to talk. I'll explain everything. All we ask is that you let us through."
et you through, huh?" Motkyasu asked, eyes on the ground. "Is that all?" His head snapped up, rage coloring his expression. "Is that all you have to say for yourself, traitor!? Devil of the Shield!" He lunged, stabbing at Naofumi, who blocked it with his Chimera Viper Shield.
"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia gasped, grabbing her sword, only for Fenris to catch her shoulder and Naofumi to hold his hand out.
"Can't you at least listen to me before you try to take my head off?" Naofumi asked.
"I won't listen to anyone who uses a brainwashing shield to wnslave Filo and Raphtalia!" Motoyasu said. "You're dispicable!"
"They aren't brainwashed!" Naofumi snapped.
"Don't even try to talk your way out of this!" Motoyasu shouted, stabbing at him again, this time with lightning flying off of his spearhead, but again it failed to get past Naofumi's shield.
Something was off. He wasn't really trying to kill Naofumi. It was like he wasn't really sure he had the will to do it. Like Fenris had been during their duel, after getting angry. He was mad but with no true desire to see death.
"Dammit Motoyasu, would you just listen to me!?" Naofumi shouted. "I don't want to fight you! Hell, last time I didn't want to f-"
"I think I finally found the reason I'm here," Motoyasu said. vI think I'm here specifically to stop you!" He pulled his spear back, a green circle forming in front of it. "Meteor Thrust!"
He shoved his spear into the circle and sent a massive blast of blue energy at Naofumi, who blocked it, with some difficulty. After several seconds, the blast ended and Fenris stepped up beside Naofumi.
"Motoyasu," Fenris called out as the dust cleared. "If you won't talk to Naofumi, talk to me, as a worthy challenger you once dueled with. What's happened since the last time we met? What's changed?"
"You bastard!" Motoyasu snarled. "You're no better! After what you've done! After Ren and Itsuki! You said the Four Heroes should be on the same side! You tricked us! You bastards! I'm going to make you pay!"
He swung his spear down at them, but Fenris blocked it with his own, curre tly in its black form as usual. Fenris watched Motoyasu for a moment before shoving the spear away.
"Please tell me you're joking," Fenris said. "Please tell me you're mistsken."
"I would never joke about something like this!" Motoyasu snarled. "You're going to pay!" He stabbed at Fenris and Naofumi stepped in front of him, blocking the spear. "You're going to pay for what you did to them! Murderer!"
Naofumi stared at him in disbelief. "Murdererb what do you mean? Who's dead?"
"Stop lying!" Motoyasu shouted. "You might as well admit it! I know what you did to them!"
"The heroes of the bow and sword were killed?" Melty asked. "How could this have happened? Both of them were so strong!"
"You used your brainwashing shield on Melty too!?" Motoyasu seethed. "You bastard! You'll do anything to get what you want!"
"She's not brainwashed!" Naofumi said.
"Motoyasu," Fenris said. "Did you see their bodies? Or is this just what Mein told you?"
"Mein's got nothing to do with this!" Motoyasu shouted. "The Three Heroes Church-"
"Is even worse than Mein," Fenris interrupted. "You had faith in Ren and Itsuki's abilities, didn't you?"
"Of course I did!" Motoyasu snapped.
"Then if you didn't see a body, you can't actually know for certain that they're dead," Fenris said. "Unless you have proof that something, especially something like this, is true, you have to assume it's false. Ren and Itsuki aren't stupid or weak. They wouldn't die so easily."
Motoyasu snarled angrily.
"I think a representative of the church would be a pretty reliable source," Mein said from off to the side, standing with Motoyasu's other teammateb the young girl with the staff, who waved at Sofia, receiving a wave in return. "They said you unleashed a monster in the center of town, then used the commotion as a distraction to kill Ren and Itsuki."
"Well, that would be an entirely believable story if we hadn't been fighting that monster," Fenris said. "And we didn't let that thing out. Idol Rabier let it out specifically to kill Naofumi, but he couldn't control it and it crushed him. Then it started to chase Filo, because she had eaten a piece of the core of that dragon Ren killed."
"Bullshit!" Motoyasu accused.
"I can prove it," Fenris said.
"Don't," Melty warned.
"Alright," Motoyasu said. "Show us."
"Naofumi?" Fenris asked.
"Filo, go ahead and transform," Naofumi said.
Filo nodded and tranformed into her bird form. Fenris drew his sword and Motoyasu instantly held his spear to Fenris's throat.
"Hurt her and I kill you," Motoyasu snarled.
"I'm not hurting anyone," Fenris said. "Yet. I might hit Mein later, but I'm undecided. Now kindly take that spear away from my throat."
Motoyasu remained there for a moment before lowering his spear and stepping back. Fenris nodded and held his sword out in front of himself.
"Dragon Soul Sword," Fenris said, his sword shining and transforming.
The reaction was instant. the soldiers shouted in surprise and a few in dismay, while Mein shreiked about proof and Motoyasu roared in rage.
"Murderer!" Motoyasu shouted, stabbing at Fenris, only for him to deflect the spear.
Then, Fenris stepped forward, slamming a kick into Motoyasu and hurking him backward. "Calm down! This isn't Ren's sword! Watch!"
Everyone watched as tthe sword shone, becomind a battleaxe with blades half as large as Fenris was tall.
"An axe?" Motoyasu blinked.
The axe shone and transformed into a spear with a long red handle, a small flame-like design on the back end, and a dragon's head with the flame-shaped spearhead coming out of its mouth.
"And a spear?" Motoyasu gaped. "What is that thing?"
"It's called the Vassel Blade," Fenris said. "A dying old man I found during the Wave gave it to me."
"Liar!" Mein snapped. "That's impossible! That's not one of the Vassel Weapons!" Her eyes widened and she swallowed hard.
"Well well, someone knows something," Fenris said. "What are the Vassel Weapons, Mein?"
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Mein said.
"Alright, Melty?" Fenris asked.
Melty shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't know. I've never heard of them."
Fenris nodded. "I believe you. My theory is that they're a type of recreation of the Legendary Weapons, maybe as different types of weapons."
"He still hasn't shown us his proof!" Mein snapped.
"Oh, right," Fenris said, raising his Dragon Soul Sword. "This is an ability I got a couple days ago. Dragon Resonance."
A purple light suddenly shone from the hilt's jewel, then another from the gem in Naofumi's chest, then from his shield's jewel, then, finally, from Filo's stomach. The light faded and Fenris shifted his sword back to it's usual form.
"That light was a dragon's core, or at least, a piece of it," Fenris explained. "The piece Filo swallowed attracted the dragon Idol unleashed, and we used it to lure the dragon out of the town."
"Enough lies!" Mein shouted. "Time to battle!"
She hurled a blue sphere into the air, and a moment later, a lightning cage formed around them. Fenris looked around before narrowing his eyes.
"You killed them, didn't you Mein?" Fenris asked. "Just another way to frame Naofumi for something and use his suffering to wind Motoyasu a little tighter around your finger."
"You don't know what yiu're talking about!" Mein snapped.
"Don't I?" Fenris asked. "If we hand Melty over to you now, will you protect her?"
"Of course we will!" Motoyasu said.
"Not you," Fenris said. "Mein?"
"Of course," Mein said. "She's my dear sweet sister. I would never dream of hurting her."
"That's interesting," Naofumi said, seeing Fenris's plan. "Then explain something to us. If you would never dream of hurting her, why was it last time you said that the only way to save her from my supposed brainwashing was to kill her, and then launched a massive stream of fireballs at her?"
Motoyasu opened his mouth to defend her before stopping and looking to Mein. She was furious. Angrier than Fenris had ever seen her.
"Mein?" Motoyasu asked.
"You see, Motoyasu, this is why you have to make sure what you're being told is true," Fenris said. "Because sometimes the people you trust most are the ones shoving a knife into your back. And I should know, one person I trusted tortured me and cut off my tail, one who gained my trust simply used my trust to break me mentally for the person torturing me, and ajother person I trusted tried to kill me after gaining my trust. I swore not to trust agaagain, but Sofia saved me from myself. She's been one of the most loyal and trustworthy friends I've ever had. It's a shame you didn't listen to her. Maybe we could have avoided this whole situation."
Motoyasu grit his teeth. "No! You're lying!"
"Why?" Fenris asked. "Because you can't face the fact that you may have been wrong this whole time? We're asking you to allow us a chance for peace. You're here trying to justify killing us, all the while accusing us of trying to kill you, and of having killed Ren and Itsuki. Can't you see the flaws in your own logic, or the hypocracyin Mein's actions?"
"Enough!" Motoyasu shouted. "You won't brainwash me!"
He charged, stabbing at Fenris and Fenris sighed, swiping the spear aside before stepping forward and slamming his forehead into Motoyasu's. Motoyasu staggered backward and Filo shot forward.
"Oh no you don't!" Mein snarled. "As source of my power and as the next queen I order thee, bring down a rain of fire to burn all of my enemies to ash! Zveit Fire Squal!"
A massive flaming seal appeared in the air over her.
"I order you to block the rain of fire!" Melty shouted. "Anti Zveit Fire Squall!"
A massive typhoon of water exploded upward, blocking the flames.
"Zveit Fire Shot!" Mein shouted, her flames shooting over to Motoyasu's spearhead.
"Zveit Air Shot!" Motoyasu's other party member shouted, her spell mixing with Motiyasu's.
"Now see what we can do with a combination spell of wind, fire, and my spear!" Motoyasu shouted as Naofumi activated his mirror shield.
"I'm warning you, this is a bad idea," Naofumi said.
"Airburst Flare Lance!" Motoyasu shouted, stabbing at Naofumi.
Fenris sighed as the blast hit his shield. For a moment it fought against it, before exploding. Except, the explosion rolled back on itself then shot outward as a spiraling jet of flames, heading straight for Motoyasu. Motoyasu dove aside, barely escaoing the explosion, then stood as Raphtalia sprinted at him. As he did, Fenris turned to Mein, Sofia stepping up beside him.
"Our turn," Fenris said. "Wana give it a try?"
"Yeah," SofSofia nodded.
Fenris raised his sword, holding it vertically as Shadow formed, he and Sofia hitting Fenris's blade with a blast of black lightning snd flames respectively.
"Lightning Flame Chaos!" Fenris shouted, flipping his sword over and stabbing the ground. Then, the ground began to break apart, flames and bolts of black lightning erupting out of it rapidly. Mein screamed in fear as the attack continued before the ground below her exploded, not hurting her, but hurling her intk the lightning cage, which electrocuted her painfully, judging by the high, bloodcurdling scream she let out.
"Mein!" Motoyasu shouted.
"Typhoon!" Melty and Filo both shouted, their magic combinging as it flooded outward.
Then, the massive torrent crashed into Motoyasu and blasted him into the air before he crashed back to the ground.
"You haven't class upgraded!" Motoyasu snarled. "None of you have! How can you all be so strong!? Does the brainwashing shield make you stronger too?"
"You still don't get it," Naofumi said. "There is no brainwashing shield. We're this strong because while you were all off playing superheroes, we were doing the grunt work to clean up after you and acquire new skills."
"Liar!" Motoyasu snarled. "Do you honestly expect me to believe it's as simple as that?"
"Believe it or not it's the truth," Naofumi said. "We do whst we have to do, no matter how trivial it may seem. That's why you lost to us. Give it up, Motoyasu. ait's your turn to listen to me."
"Doesn't matter," Motoyasu snarled. "It doesn't matter what you have to say. I have to avenge Itsuki and Ren. If I give up, Raohtalia, Princess Melty, and Filo, they'll never be free! Thay'll always be the Devil of the Shield's prisoners!"
"Dammit Motoyasu!" Raphtalia said suddenly. "Why can't you just listen to what Master Naophumi has to say!? Why can't you act like a just hero and hear him out!? I'm not his prisoner! I'm not with Master Naofumi because I'm his slave, or because I'm brainwashed! I'm with him because I'm in love with him!"
Everyone stared at her. Fenris definitely did not see this coming when he decided to try to get them together. But apparently, Raphtalia wasn't finished.
"I've always been in love with Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia said. "Even before you tried to forcefully take me from him during that duel! amaster Naofumi saved my life! He treated me when I was sick, taught me to be strong, and he held me when I was weak! Whenever I had a nightmare, Master Naofumi was there for me! Whenever I was hurt, Master Naofumi blamed himself for not being strong enough to protect me! Master Naofumi has always protected me! How could you ever believe he had brainwashed me? How could you ever know anything about him, when all any of you have done is spit in his face and drive him away!? When have any of you ever cared to learn the first thing about Master Naofumi!?"
Naofumi stared at her. "Raphtalia...I-"
"Naofumi!" Fenris said urgently, looking around the completely deserted area outside the lightning cage.
"Where did the soldiers go?" Raphtalia asked, face still scarlet now that she had calmed down enough to realize what she had done.
"Something's coming!" Hana suddenly shouted. "Strsight up! There's something falling toward us!"
"She's right!" Filo shouted. "It's a powerful magic attack!"
"Shit!" Fenris swore. "Naofumi, Mirror Shield, now!"
Filo transformed and flashed around, kicking Motoyasu and his party to Naofumi as all of the others gathered around. Then, Naofumi surrounded them with a Shield Prison, then a pair of Airstrike Shields above them.
"This might not be enough," Naofumi said. "We might need the full Rage Shield."
"No," Fenris said, holding out the Hellhound Heart he had kept. "Use this."
Naofumi nodded and accepted it, feeding it to his shield. Instantly, a pitch black shield with thick black smoke, or maybe pure dsrkness, radiating off of it and a pair of glowing red eyes in the darkness formed. A moment later, the Shield Prison turned red, remaining that was when Naofumi switched back to his Mirror Shield.
"That thing's incredible!" Naofumi said. "All abilities doubled in strength across all shields."
"Good," Fenris said. "Reflect the blast straight into the gate."
Naofumi nodded just as the blast met the first shield. A moment later it met the next, then the Shield Prison. Shining golden light lit up the Shield Prison through the cracks. Then, the Shield Prison broke and Naofumi roared in effort snd pain as he held back the blast. The world around them shook and heated up like an oven as the blast continued to pound down on them. Then, suddenly, the blast was reflecting up into itself, blocking some of its damage. Finally, it ended and Naofumi begsn to pant, arms bhrned horribly and falling limply to his sides.
"I...did it," Naofumi panted.
Then, he collapsed, Raphtalia shouting in fear and catching him. Eileen and Melty began to heal him instantly as someone began to clap at the top of the crater.
"Truly remarkable," the person said. "You just took Judgement head-on, an exceedingly powerful group ritual, and yet you're still breathing. I'd expect nothing less from the Shield Hero."
"It's the Pope!?" Melty gaped.
"Melty, you and Eileen focus on healing Naofumi," Fenris said. "Let us worry about this."
Melty nodded, returning her focus to the task at hand.
"Ah yes, the Shield Hero's mercenary friend," the Pope said. "A truly sin-stained soul. Consorting with hellhounds."
"Guilty," Fenris nodded.
"Paligamy."
"Guilty."
"Adultery."
"Extremely guilty."
"You are an exemplar of at least half of the Seven Dedly Sins," the Pope said.
"Only half?" Fenris smirked. "I'll have to try harder. "I thought I hit all seven."
"I hear one of your consorts is with child," the Pope said. "Such a wonderous thing, childbirth, when it is not polluted by sin. A sinful pregnancy is an adomination to be purged."
"You lay a single hand on me of the people I care about and I'll cut it off and shove it up your dick hole," Fenris snarled.
Tbe Pope smirked. "I will purify both you and the Devil of the Shield. Your transgressions will plague this land no more!"
"How dare you pope Balmus!?" Mein demanded. "Do you have any idea what you've just done!?"
"Acted on a coup, right?" Fenris asked. "You've been ruling behind the scenes, and if the royal family were to die at the Devil of the Shield's hands, whoever took over would be easily convinced to follow you against Naofumi."
"Very good," Balmus smirked. "Yes, the royal family are a stain on the world that must be removed. The same can be said for the heroes. We worship those who save the world from the Waves, but these heroes have done more harm than good. For example, the Spear Hero unleashed a sealed monster on the world, the Sword Hero caused an epidemic, and the Bow Hero ignored his duty and instead chose to serve himself. Heroes who cause such auffering are not heroes at all. Both the heroes and royalty are already dead in God's eyes, and if the lives of those already marked for death come to an end, then it is as the Lord wills it, and everything is right in the world."
"This man's insane," Raphtalia said.
"That logic is pretty twisted, reminds me of someone," Melty said.
"Yeah no kidding," Naofumi grunted, pushing hismself up and using a potion to heal himself the rest of the way. "As much as I would like to agree with you about the Three Stooges and their actions, it's not fair to kill them for it. They really were trying to help. They were just being idiots about it."
"We never meant to hurt anyone!" Motoyasu said.
"Your arrogance and foolishness speak volumes, just as Ren and Itsuki's did when they decided to investigate matters above their station," Balmus said. "Therefore, they forced God's judgement upon themselves."
"Investigating?" Naofumi asked.
"The pendant you gave them," Fenris realized. "They really were listening."
"And then you killed them!" Naofumi snarled.
"Wait a minute, it wasn't Naofumi?" Motoyasu asked.
"About time you figured it out," Fenris said.
Balmus laughed, holding his hand out to the side. "This farce has been entertsiningb but that's enough."
A man in a black cloak set a sword in Balmus's hand. It was gold with a double-edged blade, a cross guard curving down to protect the weilder's fingers on both sides, and an aura of power radiating from it.
"The false Spear Hero and the Devil of the Shield, who clings so desperately to life, as if he were a cockroach, will be purified by heavenly judgement," Balmus said, holding the sword in in front of himself with both hands. "And this country shall finally be given righteous order!" He pulled the sword back and the blade began to glow, though the flat of the blade was still toward them.
"Naofumi, if he uses that last attack again, use your Rage Shield," Fenris said. "We'll need it. In the mean time, cover me and Motoyasu while we kill this fucker." Then, he charged.
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