Jaden sat on his new throne as the guards stood before him. He would have to find a way to tell if these guards were loyal to him. He knew a few of the die-hard guards were gone, Raviel had taken out the ones stupid enough to attack him. "I shall ask this one more time… Will you willingly serve me like you did the king before me?" Damn he was emotionally drained, his mind drifted thinking about the various rooms he could take.
"What would we gain out of this?" One of the soldiers asked, judging by his armor he was proply a captain or close. "You could just as easily turn those beasts on the city! Why do you even need us!"
"I need you to do the job you signed up for. I need you to help me protect this country and its people." He saw some lingering doubt in their eyes. "I have no interest ruling over a crater so I need your help enforcing the laws and keeping the peace." The doubt still lingered on them and he wasn't getting anywhere fast so, "Go home." He said making a gesture to leave with his hand, "We are both getting nowhere so head home and see your family's. Sit on it and we shall talk about this tomorrow." Slowly the guards left with a few looking back at him as they left. With a sigh Jaden sunk into the throne.
"Are you alright Jaden-sama?" Raphtalia asked standing a little behind his seat.
"Just worn out." He mumbled while shifting in his seat.
"I can see why. Summoning the Three Phantasms and taking over a kingdom can be quite draining." Banner said as Pharaoh jumped up into his lap. Reaching down he slowly petted the fat orange cat. "Though I must ask how you have kept them on such a leash. I would think they would have been off destroying everything."
Looking back at the Lord of Phantasms Jaden thought about what he said. "The answer to that question is obviousness." Yubel said as she shifted behind him. "I had them on me when I fused with Jaden so I think they were affected by it the same way as me." Jaden nodded his head at that. "Plus, unlike The Wicked Gods they aren't truly evil. Just… favor destruction so there and Jaden's goals overlapped and were willing to help."
"It's not like this will matter much longer." Jaden spoke as Raphtalia leaned on his arm rest. "When the duel is over, they will return back to the deck." Stretching a bit, he prepared to leave before the door opened again as the Weapon Shop Owner walked in. "Oh, it is good to see you, how can I repay the kindness you showed me?" After he was falsely accused it was this balding man that had showed him kindness and gave him cheap supplies.
"What the hell did you do kid?!" The old man yelled which caused Raviel to growl and glare down at him.
"To be honest I kind of wasn't…" Letting out a somewhat awkward chuckle while rubbing the back of his head. "They tried to take away Raphtalia and I got really mad. Then I just summoned what I could to get her back." Looking at said girl he gave her a look to see if she would correct him. She gave him a kind look and a reassuring smile. He would need to reward her for… everything.
"I see…" The old man said before relaxing his shoulders. "Well since you are going to be the new king there are a few things I wanted to ask you." Huh seems this guy could be pretty petty when he wanted to be.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The three heroes and their companions stood with the king and shadows in an underground room. The room was sparsely decorated with only a few chairs and one table, while only be lit by mage light and lanterns. Itsuki turned his bow over in his hand while going through the skill tree making sure to listen to the praise offered by his companions, though he pretends not to hear them. Ren paced back and forth while muttering to himself as his companions tried to offer their help to him. Motoyasu sat with his mostly female party fawning over him checking for injuries while the sole male gathered materials to cook. While this happened Former King Aultcray sat in one of the few remaining chairs as his mind turned old gears thinking of how to get his kingdom back.
"Your highness were those beasts ever summoned by another Hero?" Ren asked stopping his pacing for a moment.
"I'm sorry to inform you Sword Hero but I cannot recall such things ever being summoned before." Aultcray informed the Three Great Heroes sadly. "If they were mentioned before my wife would be the one to know. She is quite knowledgeable about the Legendary Heroes."
"And, where is she?" The Bow Hero asked showing some of his impatience. Though it might also have to do with all that happened to him today. "We have been waiting here for too long we should be out there-"
"Getting killed by those demons?" Ren asked cutting him off. "In case you forgot the second any of us poke our head out we almost get killed by those things!"
"Yes, it seems they have some way of finding us." Motoyasu said taking a thinking pose. "Then again we haven't tried everything yet…" Now the other two heroes looked at him flatly. "What I wasn't thinking anything too extreme." Throwing up his hands to try and calm them down.
"We can confirm that there is no way for us to escape without being found, Degozaru. We have tried different approaches and none have worked so far, Degozaru." One of the shadows said from the corner.
With a sigh Itsuki went back to looking at his skill tree. "It just doesn't make sense." Itsuki muttered gaining everyone's attention. He didn't say anything before the door slammed open revealing a group of five with a dignified woman leading the front. She had beautiful faired skin with a purple hair tied up in a bob cut and bangs hanging down the sides of her face framing it perfectly. The women wore a royal purple dress with a bronze chest plate in the front. Just from looking at her they could all feel the presence of authority from her which wasn't hindered by the dirt or various sticks on her.
"Mirelia!" Aultcray happily said raising up to meet his now identified wife but was put back in his seat by a heavy slap. Everyone minus the five she arrived with and the shadows now stared with wide eyes.
"Mother!" Malty screamed standing up in shock only to freeze due to the glare directed at her.
"I will give you both a chance to explain to me why the Shield Hero summoned three powerful demons." The Queen demanded bringing out a fan, though keeping it closed.
"Um… who are you?" Motoyasu asked trying to play the diplomat while keeping a comforting hand on the red-haired princess.
"Ah, please excuse me." Turning to face them the Queen hid her face behind the fan. "I have been quite busy over these past few days. Now allow me to introduce myself great heroes." With a slight bow the purple haired beauty introduced herself. "I am, former now, Queen Mirelia Q Melormarc so please take care of me." With that taken care of she turned back to the king and princess, "Now back on task, tell me what you two were thinking!"
"They didn't do anything!" The Spear Hero said stepping in front of his companion. "We were just attempting to free the slave he took." This seemed to spark something in Itsuki who had stopped looking at his menu.
"Yeah we were just upholding justice! He was the one in the wrong, not them!" The Bow Hero declared with gusto. "He just got mad when Myne interfered with the duel!" At this Motoyasu turned to look confused at him.
"She didn't interfere!" Motoyasu yelled back at him before turning to the other Hero, "Right Ren!" Ren didn't say anything, not even meeting his eyes. "... You didn't interfere right?" He asked Malty who spun and gave him a gorgeous smile.
"No, there was no need for me to do that." Myne replied back with a happy voice.
"Daughter, please do not lie. We need the full truth," Mirelia's voice came out like a frozen tundra. Turning to look at Motoyasu she closed her fan so everyone could see her angry scowl. "According to my shadows she casted a wind spell at the Shield Hero during the duel." Malty rounded on the Queen before being silenced by a shadow now standing near her and Motoyasu. "Now if you are not going to be useful." Turning her gaze, she stared down Aultcray who took the hint.
"Well after we discovered that the Shield Hero did indeed have a slave, I declared a duel between him and the Spear Hero." Before he could continue his wife raised one to silence him.
"So, you issued a deal between two heroes over one of them having a slave?" The Queen asked with a flat voice. "You do remember that slavery is still legal back in our kingdom?"
The king cleared his throat, "Well you see… we can't have a hero owning a slave because..." Everyone could tell he was reaching for a good excuse.
"Where we come from slavery is illegal." Ren said stepping forward. "So, for him to take a slave in this world speaks badly about his character. Motoyasu was just trying to help her."
"I see…" The Queen drawled out letting all know she didn't buy it. "Continue."
Taking the clue, the king continued his tale. "After the Spear Hero heroically," he endured the disapproving glare, "the servants brought forth the Shield's companion so we could remove the slave curse from her. After doing so Motoyasu went to receive his award." Now his face changed into a sneer. "That is when that ungrateful women slapped him and attempted to talk down to him." Motoyasu looked down as he remembered what had occurred.
"That is when the Holy Pope determined that she had been brainwashed by the Shield Hero." Malty finished for her father while comforting the Spear Hero she had sworn herself to. "So, he had his men take her away to be healed." Holding her hand up again the Queen stopped her while taking a deep breath.
"And you all believed that she had been brainwashed?" Most gave nods with a few speaking their approval. The Bow Hero even going so far as to say that it fit his character. "I see, so while Raphtalia was being dragged away that was when the Shield Hero summoned the three beasts?" Getting a round of nods Ren took the chance to ask his question.
"You wouldn't happen to know if those things were mentioned any other time?" The Sword Hero asked.
Taking a moment to think it over she shook her head. "Without seeing them I can't give you any answers." Ren cursed before seeming to get angry.
"You want to see them? How about we go outside so you can see the two that chased us all the way here and probably killed the Three Church!" Ren yelled gesturing to the door which lead to the stairway used to get outside. "Any time we try to leave they find us and force us back here! We stopped trying to leave after they almost try to kill us!"
"Hmm… Shadow did you notice them on our way here?" The queen asked as one of the shadows behind her stepped forward.
"I believe I saw the red one a way in the distant." The shadow reported kneeling down.
"Mom," A soft voice asked before coughing into her. "Your highness how should we proceed from here." The voice belonged to a young girl with long blue hair done up in twin tails and matching blue eyes. She wore an elegant blue dress with white frills.
"Until we have more knowledge and power there is very little we can do at this moment." With a sigh she opened her fan back up. "Now the fight with the three beasts I have somewhat more knowledge on but there are a few things I would like to go over." Giving a quick wave of her fan she looked at Itsuki. "The red beast destroyed your Legendary Weapon correct? Have you noticed any changes in it?"
Itsuki looked down at his bow and endured everyone staring at him before relenting his information. "When the serpent destroyed it, I got an impression that it would come back, which it did. I have spent a while checking over everything but haven't found any big changes in it. Which is unusual." Looking he saw confused faces so with a sigh he continued. "It is unusual because in most games there is some sort of punishment for respawn. Besides the time to respawn time and the exp reset for me and my companions nothing changed." The others gave nods before looking back to the Queen.
"Did any of you notice anything about the beasts?" Looking she waited for a response and upon not receiving one contained. "So, with the lack of knowledge about the beasts it is important we focus on Shield Hero."
"What about that filth!" The former eldest princess yelled. "If we can take down those demons, he summoned then he shall be crumple!" Motoyasu gave a reassuring smile as he stood tall.
"That's right we just need to level up and we can take down those beasts with ease!" The Spear Hero slammed his weapon down.
"That would be true if they were the only beasts he could summon." The Queen said sending a disappointed look at them.
"What do you mean? He can summon others?" Ren asked shocked as Motoyasu almost stumbled before regaining his balance.
"Yes, according to a shadow, I had observing The Shield Hero he was caught summoning different beasts when he was defending the village." Holding out a hand a shadow stepped forward presenting a crystal ball. "He kept one with him inside the village but then sent a second one to help stem the wave." With a pulse of magic, she showed images of a red clad women, a giant clay figure, and most shockingly a red and green hero with the arm of a dragon with a single white wing.
"Wait Jaden summoned that thing?" Itsuki demanded pointing at the third figure.
"So, it wasn't the wave boss?" Motoyasu questioned while examining the three figures. "Then why was it so strong?"
Ren just let out a grunt while seeming to try and think of something to add. "I suppose that explains why it didn't leave any materials behind when it was killed."
"This is quite shocking news." Aultcray said bringing the attention back onto him. "Do we have any idea how he obtained such a shield?" Another wave passed through everyone as they thought about what the former king had asked. If they found out how he had obtained that shield then could obtain versions of their own.
Everyone looked between themselves waiting for someone to volunteer information about steps they could take in obtaining the now sought-after power. The Queen seeing what was going on motioned to a shadow. "Did you notice if the Shield Hero did something in particular to obtain this summoning power?"
"I cannot," the shadow responds shaking their head in the negative. As they all sat in silence for a bit longer.
"This doesn't make any since." Ren muttered breaking the quiet. Noticing he had spoken aloud he saw eyes trained on him and went to try and stay quiet but faltered under the glares sent at him. "We all killed the same monsters and fought the same beasts so how could he get this power? He couldn't have gone after stronger monsters given the level, he was at was still in the twenties. So, what could he have done or absorbed to get that shield that we already haven't done?"
Nodding her head Mirellia continued on. "Yeah and if he discovered some sort of secret room the Shadow following him would have reported the area." Seeing the looks now on her the queen rolled her eyes. "I ordered the shadows to follow and check up on the Heroes every so often. Make sure everyone was following the rules."
Motoyasu seemed to be thinking of something before his face took on a look of anger. "Wait if he had a shadow following him why did they let Jaden force himself on Myne!" The Spear Hero shouted at the Queen who didn't even flinch at his shout, if anything she looked annoyed by it.
"So, you still choose to believe that lie, though I can't fault you. My daughter, no Malty, can be quite the actor and has toyed with many men the same way." At hearing that a look of a gaping fish took its place on some faces.
"Mother what are you talking about! He did rape me!" Malty yelled a hurt look on her face.
Before anyone could respond Mirelia scoffed, "Like I said before please don't lie. As much as I would like to teach you and your Father a lesson, we have bigger things to worry about." Motoyasu stepped forward to say something.
"What if he had it before?" A voice asked from behind the queen. Turning they looked at the girl with blue hair. Seeing she was the center of attention she shrunk back in on herself a bit. "I mean if it wasn't something from here then maybe he brought it with him from his world."
The Queen let out a hum as she thought over what her younger daughter had said. "That would make the most since Melty, though wouldn't the other heroes have it to?" Turning to the other heroes they all looked at each other.
"I think Jaden was the only one to arrive with anything." Itsuki said taking a thinking pose.
"Yes, I believe he arrived with a backpack." Motoyasu nodded his head as he spoke. "It lines up with what he told us of about how he was studying something, what did he say he was researching?"
"That doesn't matter," Ren interrupted his rambling. "All that matters is that a way to obtain new power is in that bag, and if not that then he might have something else in there we can use."
"In case you forgot that bag is probably still at the castle or with Jaden, either way it will be hard to get to." Itsuki calmly pointed out causing looks of mounting horror to appear on the other two heroes faces.
"The bag belonging to Shield Hero is no longer at the castle." A Shadow reported as everyone turned toward them. "The last known location of the bag was in the position of the Spear Hero's compaine Myne."
Motoyasu excitedly turned toward Myne with a giant smile on his face. "Myne you have the bag!" Everyone looked exited at her except for her mother who had a flat look as if expecting what came next.
Malty sat and endured the searching looks before speaking. "I unfortunately lost it after a series of unfortunate events-"
"I said to stop lying." Mirelia snapped at her slamming her fan shut.
"Now dear I'm sure she wouldn't," Aultcray started only to get shut up by a slap from his wife.
"In case you forgot it was due to you and your daughter that Melromarc is lost." She said her body shaking in anger. "Now Malty you will the truth of what you did with that bag or I will order you thrown out to be taken by those beasts." Turning she looked at the shocked face of the eldest princess and heroes. "Who knows maybe the Shield Hero might accept it as a form of apology."
"You would do that to your own child!" Motoyasu asked shocked his spear hanging loosely in his hand.
"She is no longer a child of mine," Mirelia answered with an impassive look. "Nor is that my husband any longer. They have cost me to much working with that forsaken church." Looking at the shocked faces on their faces she looked down at her former daughter before motioning to a shadow who grabbed Malty roughly. "Now answer the question, where is the bag of the Shield Hero."
Melty watched her sister struggle a good while shrinking for help which the Spear Hero attempted to provide only to get smacked down by some shadows. Her mom watched on impassively as she waited to get the answer she wanted. Not getting it as fast as she wanted, she motioned toward the opening. They watched in shock as she was slowly started dragged toward the entrance. "I should to some merchant. I thought they were worthless trash!" Malty shouted before they reached the door to the stairwell.
"And who did you sell it to?" Mirelia asked motioning for the shadows to stop. "Keep in mind I would like to actually see those beasts up close."
"I can't remember!" Feeling the shadows start pulling her again Malty struggled to remember harder. "It was some accessory merchant, if I saw him again, I could point them out! You need me!" Starting to struggle she yelled while the shadows paused to look at the queen who kept a passive look.
"I suppose you do have your use." She said with a wave causing a smile to break out on her face. "Men put her in the back room, I shall decide what to do with her soon." With a nod they pulled the former red-haired princess back into a back room. "We have our next objective, we should rest before heading out tomorrow." Turning around she saw the assembled heroes and companions. "Do not worry about the beasts, we shall find a way around them."
Looking at each other the three heroes reluctantly were led to rooms by the shadows leaving the former Queen and King in the main room. "Mom? Are we going to get our kingdom back?" Oh, and Melty was there too.
"*Sigh* I do not know." Mirelia answered honestly. "Not knowing how the Shield Hero's power works is a major disadvantage. Add to that Siltvelt finding out him leading a country and they are most likely to try any means to side with him." Turning she shot a harsh glare at her former husband. "Most nations are properly celebrating hearing at our fall. Add on how many bridges have been burned with the summoning of all Four Heroes and things start looking way worse." Moving to sit down a shadow was quick to place a seat under her. "I have a few shadows working on suppressing knowledge but there is no way to keep this quite."
"Dear," getting a glare Aultcray shut his mouth. "I will leave so we can talk in the morning." With that he walked into the last unoccupied room.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Jaden let out a sigh as he watched the last shopkeeper leave. He had spent what little remained of the day dealing with any problem people had to air. "Raphtalia are there any others?" He moaned out while looking behind him. Raviel had left to check on the other two, which had encouraged more people to see him, seeing as how there no longer a blue giant around. A couple had brought gifts to bribe him with, while others had just come to yell and complain.
"No that should do it for today." Raphtalia said happily holding an incubator that showed a white egg help within it. The egg was a gift from The Slave Trader when he came in. Jaden just had to assure him that his business was still aloud in the city, with just small changes. Like not being able to sell children but in exchange Jaden allowed him to take prisoners he wanted. So tomorrow he had an appointment where they would perform the exchange.
"Good then let's get to bed." Trying to stand up he felt his legs go numb as he stumbled.
"It seems your legs have fallen asleep." Banner teased from where he was standing behind him. "I don't think your body is used to having to stay still for so long. Not without sleeping through multiple classes."
"Haha…" Jaden flatly laughed while trying to stay standing. "I don't think I can keep this up. I might have been a ruler at one point but now…"
Both Raphtalia and Banner nodded while Jaden slowly walked forward towards a random room. Opening the door, he was greeted with a room filled with lavish furniture. As he laid down, he felt sleep come for him, "Jaden I think I might have a solution for this." His best friends voice resounded in his head. "I think you will find it most useful we might just need some help." With a smile his body went to sleep while his mind went to talk to Yubel.
AN: So, this took longer than I thought. Besides working on this alongside RotPSH I have no other excuses so yeah, sorry I'm a slow writer.