Chapter 5-Reconstitution
Princess Malty arose in her dressing gown with a thumping hangover and the first thing she grabbed was her rapier. Without further ado, she unsheathed it and then proceeded to stab her pillow, bedding, bed canopy and a few handy vases, end tables and scenic paintings; screaming all the while. After a solid 5 minutes of trashing her bedroom, she had calmed down from her tantrum enough at least to think.
She needed someone to bleed for the unforgivable actions of both the Shield Hero and that gimped guardsman Kuznetsov. He had even had the nerve to approach her at the inn two night back when she was in her adventurer disguise and dared to pathetically plead with her to spare the traitorous Shield Hero and his mage toady from their just desserts. However, the Shield Hero and those dammed followers were out of her reach until at least the Second Wave was past. Then she would make sure they would be punished for their crimes against both her and her father. She couldn't wait to get started on how to make them suffer. After all, of all the evils you could inflict on the royal family, humiliation was the absolute worst.
"Mistress," a matronly voice inquired.
The First Princess turned to see a tan-skinned maid in her early 40s with cold brown eyes dressed in a tall boots, a severe dark blue dress with frills at the cuffs and collars and a pouch for stowing handy tools. Proudly hung around her neck was the silver symbol icon of the Three Heroes Church. Malty huffed as she flung her sword into the door where it jutted out at an acute angle, "I would recommend that you send someone else, Miss Kuznetsov. Your bastard son just sold me down the river and I will never forgive that insult!"
The servant didn't even flinch, even as the sword missed her head by inches. She calmly asserted, "He is no longer my son. He should have placed the needs of the kingdom above his own weak spirit and lack of faith." Maid Kirah Kuznetsov curtseyed politely, and silently removed the sword and handed back to her mistress. "Take my head if it pleases you, Princess. When you came of age, His Holiness decreed that you were the most righteous defender of our faith. I am thus grateful beyond measure that you were sent by our God to set the people of Melromarc back on the true penitent path."
Malty sheathed her sword and could never figure out what a dogmatic and fervently faithful servant of the church ever saw in that idiot husband of hers that had dared to stand up for demihuman rights fifteen years prior. As much as stabbing her personal chambermaid through the heart over her son's actions would be so satisfying, it would be a real pain to replace her. After all, Kirah was fanatically loyal, talented at gathering useful dirt on her enemies, as well slipping the odd rebellious noble a poisoned drink. She ran her finger along her servant's throat with a cruel smirk, "You live and die at my pleasure."
Kirah smiled grimly, "I live and die at your pleasure, Your Highness." She curtseyed again. "With your leave, shall I help you get dressed?"
"Go ahead. I have an appointment to keep."
As she slipped on her Mistress' purple dress and corset, the maid already knew who Malty was going to take out her wrath on, but she rationalized that her daughter had been swayed and tainted by her association with the false Sword Hero, and was thus unworthy of God's mercy. The pathetic fool, she lamented inwardly. Why had both of her children turned out just like their useless father? After this batch of Cardinal Heroes were eliminated by the pitiless Waves, at least the kingdom could start over with more worthy Heroes of the name of the Three Heroes Church. God's holy will must be sacrosanct even as her heart squeezed over the waste of it all, "Your Highness, can you make it quick?"
Malty giggled in anticipation and actually managed to sound magnanimous, "For you, I will."
Several minutes later, Varri stood in her armored suit on the highest parapet in the castle overlooking the breathtaking vista of Castle town and the scenic forests and fields. A 20 feet section of the walls had been shattered by the First Wave boss monster leaving the unwary to drop hundreds of feet to their doom. She prayed as she clenched her Three Heroes Church amulet, "God, forgive Cyril for believing the vile Shield Hero's lies. Please look after my mother, and my late father's soul. Please turn the Sword Hero Jeremiah back to the holy light of Your truth. He must fulfill his destiny and serve Your will."
Behind her the First Princess growled malevolently, "Do not waste your prayers on the damned."
She sighed and sniffled over the fact that both of the inheritors of the last Sword Hero would soon be snuffed out. Varri turned around and bowed to her superior, as she handed over her collar lapel indicating her royal commendation and the star of the 13th Order of guardsmen that represented her faithful service to the Second Princess. She then laid her spear reverently on the ground and moved so she was standing two steps away from the hole in the wall and the beautiful abyss below. Her green eye regarded her spiteful liege with sympathy. Princess Malty had so much potential and she had foolishly squandered it at every opportunity on petty vendettas and betrayals. It was a pity that she was such an irredeemably damaged girl.
Malty powered up her fire wave spell and felt irritated that this little tramp wasn't even blubbering for her life. It was far more fulfilling when her victims begged for mercy. "Nothing to say, Kuznetsov?" She sneered, "Not even the least teensy bit afraid?"
"I'm petrified, Your Highness," Varri replied with a shaky smile. "If you please, there are scrolls on the end table in the soldier's barracks. Please ensure that they are delivered so that mother and the holy sisters at the cathedral will know that I am sorry that I did not measure up in the end. I would wish for them to pray for my soul."
"Feh. I can't stand to look at your weepy face! Turn around, you stupid one-eyed bimbo," Malty jeered with a dismissive wave.
"I live…and die at your pleasure, Your Highness. I'm so sorry for everything." She looked over at the gorgeous sunrise start to illuminate the spires of the Three Heroes church. It was so lovely, she thought just as a wallop of searing flame smashed into her back, sending the ex-guard off the balcony and plummeting towards the unforgiving rocks below!
…
Something incredibly soft tickled Naofumi's nose and made him sneeze and wake up with a start. His entire left side had fallen asleep by sleeping on a bed of stone and a pillow of wood. Much to his surprise, he saw a messy cascade of auburn hair right in his field of vision. Apparently his new slave Raphtalia had fallen asleep by snuggling against his chest and neck. She softly sighed and murmured something under her breath. Her damn ear brushed against his nose again and he responded by blowing into it with annoyance.
"Eeeek," the tanuki demi yelped as she jumped back with a start, toppling over and coughing. She gasped up at her grumpy owner and her light pink eyes regarded him fearfully as if he was a giant about to squash her like a bug.
He glared at her in return as he took out a dark blue glass philter and handed it over with a scowl, "Your morning dose. Drink it." He had been up for several hours after everyone else had gone to bed and ground up and strained his remedy that his Leaf Shield assured him could cure her disease. He was currently beyond annoyed at how this kingdom and its evil rulers had screwed him over royally and saw him as an irredeemable molester. To add insult to injury his 'dream girl' from the library turned out to be a little kid. Did the insane power that dragged him here honestly think he was a lolicon too?
"M-master. I'm sorry about last night. I w-was cold." She fidgeted under his steely gaze, and then obediently gagged down the incredibly bitter concoction.
Naofumi saw Cyril was apparently kneeing in prayer so he did not see fit to disturb him. He looked around and saw Charlotte tossing in her sleep on the cart and Clint was snoring softly as he leaned against a nearby pile of cloth that had once been part of the cart's canopy. To his surprise he saw Takia was wide awake and carefully thumbing through his tome. He frowned and stood up after handing over his waterskin and a square of hardtack biscuit to the Tanuki girl. He groused, "Honestly, don't you ever sleep, Takia?"
The mage gave a polite nod, "Two to three hours a night at most. My defective Shield core disrupts my circadian rhythm as much as it impedes my fortune. You slept surprisingly soundly yourself." He gave a slightly creepy smile to the reddish-haired demihuiman, "Good morning, little Raphtalia."
"Erm..," the kid cringed and ducked behind Naofumi's legs. If she had to choose, she would rather be close to her scary master than that unnerving black-haired mage with the spooky eyes.
Takia chuckled dryly as he returned to his book and lamented, "I make babies cry too."
"I believe you," the Shield Hero replied with a shrug as he tried to shake feeling back into his limbs. He looked down with mild irritation as Raphtalia was hiding under his cloak. He reached in and gave her a headpat causing her to fall over in shock with a suppressed squeal. Damn it, I guess that mystery girl that hugged me was never meant to be my girlfriend, he realized morosely.
A voice nearby muttered in his restless sleep, "Sorry mama. I didn't mean it."
The Shield Hero spotted Jerry propped up against the front of the cart, soundly asleep as the Hare demi Usagi was snuggled into his lap with her arms around his shoulders. He grinned evilly as he took out his phone and snapped a picture of the adorable scene. He then picked up a block of wood and dropped in loudly next to his friend.
"Shit! What," Jerry shot upright in a panic until he realized Naofumi just trolled him. He donned his thick glasses and sighed, "Jerk! Not very nice, Captain."
"Did you sleep well," Naofumi inquired with a devious smirk as Clint and Charlotte blearily woke up.
"No, I had bad dreams all night. I was-," he replied but stopped dead as he saw the cute girl clinging to him sleepy stir and look up at him with those wide bright blue eyes and stoic expression. He flashed a lame smile, "Uh…hi Usagi."
Usagi stood up and bowed as a form of greetings. Being in bondage was beyond horrible, but she was determined to regard her mug as half full. She was beyond elated that she was free from both her loathsome previous owner and that despicable slave vendor. She was also unspeakably grateful to the Shield Hero for staying up deep into the night creating a cure for her new friend. She walked over to untangle Raphtalia's bedhead with a borrowed brush.
Charlotte yawned as she wandered over to Cyril and squeezed his shoulder.
The scarred man broke off from his prayer and smiled up to his Mistress, "Good morning, Sir Charlotte."
"What were you up to," she asked innocently.
"Praying for Varri's soul to be at peace."
Her blue eyes grew very wide as she stammered, "W-what on Earth? She was alive and well when she abandoned Jerry's side. The King even said our followers that fled our service would be spared!"
Cyril shook his head sorrowfully at her naiveté, "Sir Charlotte, Sir Naofumi, as you know her temperament as well as anyone else…would Princess Malty ever care for a pledge to be honored?"
"Hell no," he spat in disgust. "Still, she'd kill your own innocent sister to hurt you?" His revulsion grew white hot, as he wondered if this demon was even human.
"Of course she would. Anyone under Melromarc's rule either enables her unspeakable behavior or ends up deceased."
Charlotte burst into tears as she belatedly understood the full weight of her swordsman follower's sacrifice, "Are you sure she'd take out her spite on Verri?"
"I know she already has. I saw her nefarious actions both in plain sight and in whispered rumors for years. Besides, my mother is fanatical follower of both Princess Malty and the Church of the Three Heroes. They and many just like her will endlessly look the other way if their own needs are met."
"Y-your mother wouldn't care if both you and your sis were killed?"
His pained brown eyes looked over to his kind mistress, "What my mother truly cares for is far beyond our mortal realm. Her faith in the church is unassailable, and as long as the church supports the First Princess and the king, then so will she."
"Oh I'm so sorry," The Bow Hero wailed as she embraced her devoted follower. "Why did you speak up for Naofumi yesterday if you knew this would happen, you idiot?"
He winced in pain from his still mending burn scars as he tenderly hugged her back, "I would sacrifice far more to save this world. The closer the Cardinal Heroes are to each other, the greater our odds of survival."
Naofumi bowed humbly as he had never imagined how much the cost of this man's bravery truly was until now. "You saved my ass and lost your lovely sister. This is all my fault!"
"The Princess is not your responsibility, Shield Hero. I am not normally one for faith, but I believe our actions will save thousands during the future Waves if not more." He sniffled as well, and added another brick of guilt onto his already towering wall, "Sorry sister."
Jerry wiped at his watery eyes as he gave a prayer for his lost follower.
…
The rest of the morning was spent fighting in the meadows to get the Tanuki and Hare demis up in level. Charlotte paired with Cyril and Clint by himself separately fanned out to take on the porcupine and bunny monsters to get valuable furs and spines to replenish their depleted funds.
Takia loaned out his dagger, and after Naofumi barked out his command to kill a balloon monster, Usagi gently gripped Raphtalia's shoulders from behind and silently encouraged her to strike with vigor. Despite her terror, the Tanuki girl trusted her new friend and skewered the monster in one shot. After that she fought with much more assurance once her experience started to tick up. The Shield Hero's party pooled XP growth, so that any member's experience leaked over to the other two party members. Takia joined in the grinding so that Raphtalia was up to level 3 by midday. Both the Shield Hero and mage only ticked up to level 5 as the growth from the weakest monsters was minuscule. At noon, Naofumi insisted that she eat some more rations and swig down another dose of his nauseating home-brewed medicine.
Raphtalia was still petrified of her grumpy master, but she realized that he never laid a hand on her except to pat her head every time she did something right. She was already slowly starting to rally her strength, and big sis Usagi seemed to trust him implicitly. She wondered during breaks if his moodiness and anger was not directed at her but elsewhere.
In the meantime, Jerry was amazed at how much of a prodigy his new follower…slave was. She was initially only a level 2 Earth mage like Takia, but she could cast her rock spell 10 times before her SP was completely depleted. He was still utterly miserable at what his mama and late dad would think of him owning a person like she was a pair of sneakers. He realized that she was a bit hard to read as she always seemed to have a completely serious and composed face. What was the otaku term…a kuudere? She seemed to be stoic on the outside, and warm on the inside. Her level was further boosted by his attacks with his supremely sharp blade. He chuckled as using his sword made him recall his dad joking about the old Ginsu knife commercials that could 'slice and dice, and even cut through a tin can!'
During a rest break, and while waiting for her spell points to recharge he let her write using his tablet and stylus. She wrote in the strange squared off looped script of the Melromarc tongue, Why did you choose me, master?
He looked at her seriously as he beamed and patted her head, "Because you're a nice girl. Even in that loathsome cage I saw you were looking after Ralphtalia like a dutiful big sister."
She flushed in her pallid cheeks but she didn't even crack a hint of a smile.
His smile flickered, and he asserted, "I…I want to let you know right here and now that I will free you someday. I promise."
Usagi looked astonished and quickly scribbled out, Why?
"You deserve to be free. I owe you that much. After the next Wave, I will let you decide if you want to go back to your home."
Her expression darkened and she wrote out with obvious melancholy, My family were traveling merchants. My mom, dad and sister all died in the First Wave. I have no home now but with you, my noble Master.
Now it was Jerry's turn to look embarrassed, "Erm…yeah. I mean you can choose to stay or leave. These battles will be exceedingly dangerous."
She gave a thoughtful nod and replied, We need to save this world. Even if you free me, I will stand by your side, Sword Hero.
"J-just Jerry is cool." Why was she getting under his skin so easily? Just don't admit that he was attracted to an adult human version of her standing across the counter from him in that import store, he insisted in his mind. She would think he was a disgusting creep for sure.
Sir Jeremiah, it was you I saw in my dream, right? I was in a shiny white underground cavern that possessed a strange shop with one wall made completely of glass. It was filled with weapons, charms, baubles, clothes, and artwork with a young man resembling you behind a glass-walled counter. Her eyes looked up at him inquisitively.
"Holy…shit," Jerry wheezed as she gave a perfect description of the Aqualapis Imports store on the second level of the Diamond mall next to the Boudoir and Baths anchor! He was left as speechless as his mute companion.
So it was you. Many thanks, Sir Jeremiah. She got up, returned the tablet, and bowed before returning to her training. She pondered to herself as she obliterated another balloon monster, I want to aid Master Jeremiah as long as I draw breath. I hope and pray to the Shield Hero God that he feels the same.
…
Their financial situation was looking a lot less dire after they sold off all monster goods and purified herbs at various vendors. Despite their status as pariahs in the eyes of Melromarc's rulers, they were still the fated Heroes of legend. The merchants also needed to earn their coin to stay in business and they were not in a position to challenge the well armed four Cardinal Heroes and their followers.
Soon enough Erhard blinked at the pile of coins on his counter. "You guys have been busy, obviously." He spotted the demihuman girls and smiled down to them, "Hello little ladies. Are you here to be outfitted too?"
Raphtalia's shyness got the better of her as she hid under Naofumi's cloak again.
The morose Shield Hero groused petulantly, "Why me?"
By now, Charlotte had lent a violet gel roller pen and ruled notebook to Usagi so she could communicate more easily. The Hare demihuman calmly wrote out, Yes, we need your help, kind sir. The Tanuki girl is Raphtalia. I am Usagi of the Hare tribe. We seek to support our masters with all our strength.
He rubbed at his beard, "Masters, huh. I can see by your blood crests that you are both slaves."
Jerry miserably blurted out, "I'm so sorry Master Erhard! We can't hire human mercenaries because of the decree. But we need to defeat the Waves by any means necessary."
The smith carefully locked eyes with Usagi and the Raphtalia as she peeked out from behind Naofumi's waist, "Are they treating you well?"
Both girls nodded vigorously.
He broke into a benevolent smile, "Well, that's good. Better a kind master than a cruel one. Let's get you both attired and properly armed."
Within a few minutes, the Tanuki demihuman was outfitted in a brown mid-thigh dress with a stitched maroon panel in the front and gold cuffs at the ends of the short sleeves over a taupe tunic with black pinstripes. Her sensible ankle-high boots were brown. Naofumi had carefully selected a well balanced and easy to wield dagger with a matching scabbard attached to a shoulder strap. She looked at her reflection in a mirror as her Master feigned indifference as to how cute she looked.
He huffed softly as he petted Raphtalia's soft locks, "You look fine, kid. Lets keep moving. Usagi. You're up." He returned Jerry's cloak as he was now outfitted in green pants, tall boots, brown shirt, tan and brown vest with a high collar and a billowing green cape. He finally felt somewhat he had the look down of a fantasy hero protagonist look, although it brought him precious little satisfaction considering how screwed over he was.
Cyril gave an appreciative nod to the Shield Hero, "That's the way a Cardinal Hero should look."
"Nobody cares how I look."
A timid voice spoke in a whisper, "Y-you look great m-master…like a h-hero."
He looked down art those pleading pink eyes and he sighed in exasperation. His own younger brother was only 3 years behind him. He had no idea how to handle a traumatized little girl other than let his actions speak for him. He knelt down so he was at her eye level, "Raphtalia, I will never live up to your ideal. I am a tarnished soul."
She nodded somberly, not really understanding his words, but she could see a glimmer of that horrendous pain that he tried so hard to keep covered. Not knowing what else to do, she tentatively reached out and patted his eternally messy raven locks to comfort him.
Several other people in the room broke out into soft 'awwws' at the sight.
Charlotte snapped a photo as she wondered if this sweet girl would give her cavities for being too adorable.
Damn it. Naofumi was trying to wallow in self pity, but this little kid derailed that plan by trying to comfort him. She reached out to him in the darkness, and he was unable to swat her hand away. She needed him, and if nothing else he would be her shield. It was all he was good for anyway he realized as he snorted softly and stood up with his cape lifted up. He saw her face flicker in hesitation, so he snarked, "Go ahead already."
The Tanuki's girl's face lit up as she clung to his side and enjoyed the cloistered comfort of being under her master's cozy cape as her bushy tail wagged.
Jerry stifled a chuckle at Naofumi's unintended domestic comedy sketch, but his mouth fell open as he saw his own servant emerge from the dressing room.
Usagi was now attired in a dark grey tunic, black pants, dark brown boots, and a hooded black robe with ultramarine lining and cuffs. She also wore a belt that contained a pouch and her small dagger. Her silken hair was carefully gathered into a loose ponytail. Her dark outfit contrasted sharply with her white ears, pale skin and sky blue eyes. A small notch in her left ear was a memento from the First Wave monster that had silenced her voice.
Jeremiah shook his head in awe at how mature the little girl looked in her mage outfit, "Wow. That looks g-great on you."
She gave a polite bow, but only her eyes displayed any happiness at his praise.
Erhard crossed his arms with a broad smile, "I do believe I've outdone myself. 185 silvers it is."
Clint shrugged as he exited the shop and called over his shoulder, "Food."
Charlotte graciously counted out the coins plus 10 extra for their only true ally in town. "We'll be back, kind sir."
"Thank you for your patronage, everyone." The smith was starting to like the look of this band of misfits as they left for new adventures. Maybe they could pull off a miracle and actually save this wretched world.
…
Elsewhere in a dimly lit wine cellar, only a few feeble rays of sunlight penetrated the musty depths. Lying facedown on a cot, a young lady moaned softly as she regained her senses in a haze of pain. Her back, shoulders, and lower legs had all been badly seared by the punishing flames. It felt like her entire body was destroyed. Greasy tinctures and bandages covered her horrid burns. Varri opened her only functional eye in disbelief that she was somehow still alive.
"You're awake. Good," a pleasant alto voice soothed. "Ya'know you were kinda heavy when I caught you."
"What the…," Varri gasped in agony as every movement sent bolts of pain through her frame. She saw at least three figures in the dim light.
A menacing humanoid shape that seemed to be all shades of black save his predatory amber eyes growled menacingly, "You should have let this arse of a human die, Rosy." His triangular lupine ears flicked in deep annoyance. This human's stench made him sick.
"Now now, Darius. That's no way to treat our distinguished guest," the closest figure to Varri admonished the cagey wolfkin thief.
A musical voice from another demihuman mostly in shadow with tan skin, intense red eyes and red and pink hair noted, "You're on team 'demi' now, Missy. Better get used to it." She tittered as her vulpine ears swiveled in amusement at this luckless human's predicament.
The figure closest to Varri resolved to form a tall, fair-skinned lady with Hazel eyes, ash blond hair, and shapely figure dressed in a well fitted midnight blue tunic, thigh-high black boots and a royal blue corset with red decorations. What seriously shocked the guardswoman was that her savior had an impressive span of bifolded pure raven black wings. She asserted, "Sandy's right, you know. Welcome to underclass of this 'fair' kingdom, Miss."
Valeria croaked out in disgust, "I…owe my life to a filthy…demi?"
The Hawk demihuman ignored the taunt as she got on one knee, as she had heard far worse insults before. "This 'filthy demi' has a name. I'm Rosalia. How do you do Miss Kuznetsov? These are my associates Darius and Santrana. We'll be best of friends in no time I'm certain."
"How did you ever…?"
"Save you? Be in the right place in the right time?" She beamed cheerfully, "Funny that. I was sent to a field outside the castle grounds by a vision that promised me a way to serve the Spear Hero who I had glimpsed in another world. All I needed to do was to save your sorry, demi-hating hide, and I would get to enjoy my future master making cross faces at me." She gave a serious look, "I will find my way to him and you will help the Cardinal Heroes as well."
The foxkin Santrana added mirthfully, "No running with your tail between your legs this time."
"Why," the knight hissed in despair as she started to sob. "The First Princess…sent me to the joyful embrace of the Three Heroes God. I shouldn't be…be alive; instead of maimed and…indebted to demihumans."
"Princess Malty Melromarc must pay someday for what she has done both to you humans as well as us." Rosalia smiled sincerely as she knew the woman she saved from a deadly plummet had no choice but to play by her rules now.