Heroes of the Arks
ESKK: Well three chapter so close together I must be good. Anyway I hope you all enjoy it now let's begin.
(Start Morning the Throne Room)
In the throne room it seems Jun was right on the money with Malty as she was there with, the three other cardinal heroes, and the king himself. "That bastard, I knew that there was something wrong with him." Motoyasu cursed looking disgusted as he was furious about this.
"Shiro...I don't know how I will live with myself after he did those horrible things." Myne wailed as she stayed by the spear hero's side. She had her face hidden in her hands as she said that. "And those poor girls with him I fear the worst for them." Myne said lying through her teeth. But a part of her was wondering if she can get Jun to let out the thing she keeps locked up inside to give herself a challenge. After all even the same old she so enjoys needs to be spiced up every once in a while.
"I'm still hesitant to believe Shiro would do such a thing." Itsuki said in a low voice to Ren.
"An innocent person doesn't run away from authority. If he hasn't done anything wrong, he would comply with the authorities." the sword hero say with a scowl looking at the gates waiting for Shiro and his party to be brought forward.
Just then the door opened and from it they saw a knight walk in. "Did you find them?" Aultcray asked as he looked to the Knight.
"Well not exactly sir... um." The Knight began trying to make sense of this.
"Well spit it out!" Motoyasu called out as he looked to the Knight.
"Well they came to us to turn themselves in." The Knight said surprising the group when they heard this.
Just then the doors opened and from it Tsubaki, Taiyo, Jun, and Shiro were all brought in. "SHIRO?!" Motoyasu shouted before he remembered Myne. "You scumbag! What do you have to say for yourself!?" As he shouted the second part, the soldiers pointed their weapons at the group.
"Not much since I don't exactly know what I'm being cuffed for." Shiro said as he looked to the group gathered here.
"He's lying the Devil of the Shield assaulted me!" Malty called out as Shiro then sighed to this.
"Ok before we continued my friends have nothing to do with this so let them go." Shiro said as he knew it was him they were after.
"Very well, devil." Aultcray said as he signaled this and thus Jun, Tsubaki, and Taiyo were freed.
"Now then why am I a devil all of a sudden? I didn't do anything to her." Shiro said as he looked to Malty fully aware of who she was now thanks to Jun.
"Then explain this?" Aultcray spoke as one of the guards held up a lacy nightgown, "The knights found it strewn across his bed, meaning he dragged Myne into his room to force himself on her."
"An assault on a woman alone is punishable by death," one of the king's advisors stated with his own scowl, "If you weren't the chosen Shield Hero, you'd be executed on sight."
"That's a load of bull." Taiyo said and thus all eyes went to him.
"So all it takes is her word and that stuff you have to make a verdict on Shiro's guilt?" Tsubaki asked as she saw this. "At most that's a case but without further investigation that's all it's going to be." Tsubaki said and Jun nodded.
"Its true Tsubaki you're the nurse here, does Myne have any bruises to go with her assault?" Jun asked and thus Tsubaki gave Malty a quick scan.
"None that I can detect." Tsubaki said showing she was a healer and an archer causing Myne to tense up.
"This whole thing is a set up." Taiyo added as he then took out his camera to show the images he's captured on it. "I have the proof right here." Taiyo added as he held the camera in his hand. In turn all eyes were on the Camera as Taiyo showed them the picture of Myne wearing a crooked smile talking to the soldier outside of the inn. Everyone's jaw gaped open at the picture. Myne's eyes no longer were full of sadness but fear.
"You were eavesdr-ak!" Myne suddenly started to hack at that moment once she realized what she was going to say.
"Myne I have a passive ability I can see the dark nature of everyone and the entire time you were with us I was using you to practice it." Jun said as she wanted to put as much distance from who she used to be as possible and had exchange lying with brutal honesty.
"More than that we were aware of you the minute we shook hands." Taiyo confirmed as he looked to Myne. "I have a passive ability called Dragon Eyes it allows me to see through deceptions including the true intentions of others." Taiyo said as he looked to Myne who was now scared.
"That could be easily faked!" Motoyasu called out as he glared at Shiro. "Don't believe for a second that you will get away from your crime with another lie, wannabe hero! No, you are even worse than that! A villain!" Motoyasu said shaking his head before pointing his spear at Shiro.
"But I wasn't the one who showed it, Taiyo did." Shiro said as he looked to Motoyasu.
"It's true." Taiyo said once he was sure everyone got a look he put his camera away.
"Screw it! If it's anybody who I hate more in the world is a liar who makes another lie to save his dirty guilty ass!" Motoyasu said as he looked at Myne who didn't say anything but look at the ground with her own clenched hands and teeth. The Spear Hero went to stab Shiro chest with a powerful thrust of his spear.
"No!" Taiyo called out and in turn went at Motoyasu and pushed him out of the way causing Motoyasu to stumble but in the brief moment Taiyo saw the true Motoyasu or in this case how he came to this world.
"Dammit Taiyo I could have killed you!" Motoyasu called out but Taiyo begged to differ.
"You were killed when you were summoned." Taiyo said making Motoyasu go wide eyed to this. "Those crazy girls Momiji and Ikuyo… they killed you." Taiyo said in shock at what he saw as Motoyasu was also in shock.
"How... how did you know that?!" Motoyasu demanded as he looked to Taiyo in shock.
"I already told you." Taiyo said as he knew how he found that memory it was still fresh in Motoyasu's mind. Motoyasu was stabbed to death by those two Yandere girls in his world. "I'm so sorry." Taiyo said as he realized this power he had could only see memories tied to strong emotions.
Motoyasu back away from Taiyo, all confuses and seem to lost all of his energy as the memory of that time is haunting him, remembering being stabbed by those two girls over and over again, as it seem he lost all of the strength to even walk away as he look over to the other two heroes and said, "You better help him out, his mind is in shock right now."
Ren and Itsuki came over and grab their fellow hero, while keeping their distant away from Taiyo, known what he could or see by his touch as they did Taiyo turn to the king and said, "This while trial is a shamble, a joke, with piece of underwear and the word of I am presuming is your daughter it's not enough as evident, I mean if my friend did rape her, why didn't anyone hear her scream out for help if she was being raped?"
Myne eyes widen to that detail as there were at least dozen of other people in the Inn with Tsubaki soon spoken up saying, "And if she is an adventure, why didn't she fight back, if she did she could easily escape faster and gotten help sooner, I mean if she was an Adventure and she got rape by someone who just started out Adventuring themselves… then she give a bad name to any female Adventure a bad name with that itself unless she is some weak princess then she should haven't been adventuring in the first place."
Myne got angry at that as she turn to her and said, "Shut up, I am strong enough!"
Myne soon realize her mistake as she slip there with her tongue as she put her hand to her mouth, with the people around lightly gasp at this, and Tsubaki points at her and said, "See that she just admitted it. Your highness, this is just a joke of a trial and you need to release our friend right away."
The King just look at them with uncaring eyes as it seem he didn't really care of what they had to say with Jun just seeing the darkness around the king rising up as he spoken, "I don't care what you have to say, if you are defending the devil shield Hero of the Rape of my daughter then you are as Guilty!"
"You don't care at all if we say anything or not," Jun suddenly said as everyone turn to her as she eyed the king closely as he said, "What nonsense are you saying."
"You don't' care if anyone says anything or defend our friend if it a knight, the maid, or anyone, you would probably says they would be guilty as well," Jun said as the king asked her, "And why you say that?"
"You had it out for him before you even learn his name, ignore anything he said and had you prime minister do the talking of any question he had make me think if you are trying to conspire something that can easily hurt the people of your kingdom as you call for Four heroes to save this world from the waves," the king twitch a bit to that but didn't show much emotion, but Jun did touch the right buttons as the king said, "I cannot answer all of the Heroes questions, and I can't just keep my attention on a single hero but all of them, and I know I cannot execute him if anything I will sentence a punishment upon him."
"Then what is the Sword's hero's name?" Jun said as the king said, "Ren Amaki."
"What's my name?" Jun asked with the king soon said, "Jun as that all you said about yourself."
"The spear Hero's name?" Jun asked as the king the asked her, "What does this got to do with anything of the shield hero trial?"
"We're getting there, but what is the name of my other male friend with the spear, and spear Hero's name?" Jun asked again as the as Aultcray said, "Taiyo Ryusenshi, and Motoyasu Kitamura."
"My friend the bow and the bow heroes names?" Jun asked as Itsuki soon asked Ren, "What do you think she's trying to do?"
"Tsubaki Kaguya, and Itsuki Kawasumi," the king answers as he was getting tired of this as then Jun saw the annoyed look on the kings face as Jun soon said, "And what is the shield hero's name?"
"H-his name?" Aultcray said as he shutter a bit as someone was about to say it until Jun saw this and said a bit loud, "Silent! This is a question for the King not for anyone else."
That stopped them as the King soon started to say, "His name is… he is…"
"That enough, it clear that you remember everyone well enough when we were last to introduce ourselves after the shield hero but his," Jun said as that shock the Heroes, minus Motoyasu, with this as she was right as the king remember their names but not the shield hero's name?
The king got upset by this as he stood up and said, "I don't care about that! My daughter was touch by the shield Hero, and that's that! Take them away to the dungeons!"
The knights and guard surround the three friend quickly, as Shiro suddenly stood up with guard still surrounding him even with them holding him back as he said, "Hey! I said my friends are innocent and you release them! Now you're going to lock them up as well?!"
"Silent shield devil, you dare talk to me in that manner, as I was just going to throw you in the dungeons, but it clear I would have to execute one of them for a suitable punishment for you, sense I cannot condemn you then your party will have to," Aultcray said as Shiro got angry at this, he dare try to retaliate by hurting his friends? Trying to kill one of his friends?!
The shield gives a small flash of orange for a moment as Shiro said as he went out pushing the guard off of him and teach the king a lesson as he yells out trying to break free from the guard's grip, suddenly the shield brush out an energy that not only let the guards let go of him but push them all away, surprising everyone in the throne room as Shiro glare at the king and said, "IF you hurt one of my friends, I will make you regret it."
"Seize the shield devil!" the king said as suddenly the white knight gauntlet appeared and the dagger that goes with it, surprising everyone that saw it as Shiro started to chant, "O Wizel, white warrior, wielder of the ancient sword."
"Stop him now!" the king order as all the guard and knight charge at all at once and soon piled on top of him as the friends were surprise by this, but not what the guards did to him… but what Shiro did that avoided them as suddenly he was suddenly behind the before the thrones as Shiro raise the dagger up as he said, "Grant me your power."
Shiro stab the dagger into the gauntlet and raise up in front of him before he finish saying, "Verto!"
The center part of the gauntlet opens up reviling a magic symbol of sort and releasing a magic circle from the magic symbol that was shown as the turn right side up and flashes.
To all the people in the throne room including but not Jun, Taiyo, and Tsubaki as they stair in 'Aw' of what they saw, the white knight armor rising up from behind Shiro as he was levitated up in the air bringing him up to the white knight as to follow his movement for a bit before he turn into light and enters the great suit of armor.
Once the magic died down the Knight glared down on all who were in the Throne Room. Its empty visor flashed to life with azure energy looking like eyes. The White Knight walked over to the King as the Guards were powerless to stop this massive titan. The Heroes were also powerless as they saw their Cardinal Weapons did nothing to the walking giant. Once the White Knight was upon the King who looked ready to do what he had to do to protect himself and his people the White Knight stopped.
"Let them go now!" Shiro was heard from within the armor as its blue cape billowed a bit. "This is your final warning it's me you want not them." Shiro said as he glared down upon the King. "Release them and I'll call off my armor as long as we walk out of here without being stopped." Shiro said showing he was not going to leave without his friends.
"And if I refuse?" The King asked and in turn the White Knight began to draw its sword White Steel.
"Then I fight for their freedom." He said as the sword began to form from the light showing it could cause harm to everyone here if not careful.
The King grit his teeth as the White Knight could easily squash them all like bugs and not bat an eye. "Very well." the King said and thus with a wave of his hand Jun, Tsubaki, and Taiyo were freed.
"Did you really have to bring out your ace like that?" Jun asked almost scolding Shiro.
"Had to be done." Shiro said as he in turn began to step back from the King. The Knights understood the memo and stepped away from the White Knight before Shiro kneeled down and when he did so the White Knight vanished leaving Shiro in its place. "If you EVER pull something like this again." Shiro said as he glared at the King. "Nothing on the planet will stop me." Shiro said as he knew the power the Knights had. Even Myne was visibly afraid of that power as she saw how Shiro had used it for a scare tactic.
"You should consider yourself lucky." Aultcray said as he king glared at Shiro. "You are still the chosen heroes and must fight the Calamity…" Aultcray stated while he continued his glare. "However, word has already spread of your crime...that is your punishment. You will never be allowed to lead a decent life in this country." Aultcray said but Shiro then turned and began to walk away.
"Fine as long as I have my friends I'll endure it." Shiro said as he walked away from the King.
"Yeah what he said!" Taiyo said as he smiled to Shiro and in turn they began to take their leave.
"When your daughter finally lies to the point someone you care about gets hurt or dies... don't say I didn't warn you." Jun said while looking away and in turn took her leave. Tsubaki gave them all one more glare looking ready to attack but in turn left it be and carried on. She knew there was a special place in Hell for people like Malty.
(Later at the village)
The group took their leave with the gate closing behind them as they were smart enough to get their stuff out of the inn before Malty could get it. This worked just fine for them because that means they can stay afloat for a while at least. As they walked the words of the King still hung true as people parted out of their way to stay out of Shiro's path. Jun kept her cold look while Tsubaki had a look of worry for both Shiro and Jun.
"Hey Shield bro!" Came the voice of Erhard as Shiro and his friends looked to the weapon shop owner. When the party went to check in on him it didn't take long for Shiro to get pinned to the wall by him. "So I heard what you did to that girl you were with!" He called out as Tsubaki and Taiyo were wide eyed by this. "I otta punch you in the face!" he called out as Taiyo and Tsubaki went in.
"Wow stop!" Taiyo called out as he and Tsubaki tried to pull Erhard off Shiro.
"This is a huge mistake!" Tsubaki called out as Jun sighed while leaning against the stand with her arms crossed.
"I didn't do it we were trying to expose her true intentions before she did this." Shiro said as he glared at Erhard but in turn Erhard got a good look as Shiro's arm as he calmed down some.
"Hang on." Erhard said before he let Shiro go.
"Thank god I didn't think I could pull him off." Taiyo said as he looked to Tsubaki.
"Why didn't you help?" Tsubaki asked as she glared at Jun.
"Didn't have to." Jun said calmly as if she knew Erhard would see reason. "We better go now." Jun said as they were in agreement on this.
"Hold up a second." Erhard said as he stopped the group of four.
(Later)
In an Alley closest to Erhard's shop he was passing the group what looked to be varying colors of cloaks. "It's not much but this is the best I can do for you all right now." Erhard said passing the cloaks over to Shiro and his party.
"How much?" Jun asked as she looked to Erhard.
"Let's call it a clearance sale and say five Copper." Erhard said as Jun then sighed and took out a pouch and handed him a Silver surprising him.
"Will one Silver cover it?" Jun asked as Erhard looked to her.
"I'll need to give change." Erhard said but Jun stopped him.
"Keep the change we need information on a certain item or artifact." Jun said as she then pulled out a picture of the Sun King and its Ark. "If you see anyone with this mask or hear any information pertaining to these items let us know as soon as you see us." Jun said as the images surprised the others of her party as Erhard took it.
"Any reason why?" He asked with caution.
"Let's just say it can't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands." Jun said as she looked away.
"Come on lets go." Shiro said as he and his friends then proceeded to take their leave.
Once they left Erhard watched them and only had one thing to say about them. "You kids better not die out there." Erhard said as he knew this Country was rotten to the core.
(Scene Break a Day Later)
In a lone shop for trading monster parts a shop keep had just sent off one of his sellers after buying his stock for 2 Coper each. He soon saw a familiar set of faces arrive and in turn went to greet. "Welcome sir." The man said until Shiro showed a large ball of Balloon skin.
"How much for all of these?" Shiro asked after he saw the shop keeper yelp at the sight of Shiro.
"Oh uh orange balloons are they?" The Shop keeper asked as Jun kept a close eye on him. "Looks like 20 of them by my count how does, 1 copper sound for the entire lot?" He asked and in turn Jun glared at him before grabbing Shiro's shoulder.
"Sorry but that guy who just left I heard you offered him 1 copper for every pair." Shiro said being calm about this.
"Did I now? I don't recall that." He said clearly lying to their faces. "You guys have to understand I do have a business to run." The man said but it was Jun who jumped in.
Jun then grabbed the man's head and pulled him close to her. "You know your shop seems quite nice." Jun said taking the bad cop roll. "In fact I can totally understand if you've run into hard times that needed you to money pinch a bit repairs to trashed shops aren't cheap. I'd hate to find out your shop became a victim of a 'giant,' stomping through." Jun said as people had already learned of the White Knight and in turn the Shop Keeper began to panic. "I mean repairs are expensive so I can understand why you'd have to be careful with how much coins you give away." Jun said as her threat was clear. The Shop Keeper either gives them a fair and reasonable market price or he won't have any business to run later.
"Ok, ok whatever you want just don't stick your golem on me." The man said and in turn Jun smirked.
"Good choice I look forward to our business in the future." Jun said as she Shiro then looked to the man.
"Sorry about her." Shiro said playing the Good Cop roll. "Just spread the news to the other traders around and we can have fair and reasonable business I might even give you a discount in the future." Shiro said being calm about this as he looked to the shop keeper who failed to fleece Shiro and his party.
"No problem." The man said before Shiro and his party took their leave.
(Later)
"This sucks." Taiyo said as they walked through town. "I know that guy was trying to fleece us and all that but I felt like a crook strong-arming him for goods." Taiyo said but Jun spoke up.
"Right now we don't have a choice." Jun said as she walked with the group. "It was either that or we go broke faster than we can make coins." Jun said as she walked close to Shiro.
"Still." Tsubaki said as she felt bad about this. "I'm hoping this is all just one bad dream." Tsubaki said as she looked to her friends until Shiro saw a nearby medicine shop.
"I wonder..." Shiro began to think as he looked at the shop.
"What is it Shiro?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Shiro.
"A hunch." Shiro said as he then took the lead to the Fields outside of town.
(Scene Break the next Day Forest)
Shiro was seen exploring the forest with his friends as they were both leveling up and hunting for things they could use. As they walked Shiro soon found what looked to be leaves on the ground the same type he same type from the shop they had passed by. "Here they are." Shiro said as he saw the plant.
"Herbs that's what we came out here for?" Taiyo asked as he looked to Shiro.
"Just watch." Shiro said as he took a leave and added it to the Shield. When he did so the Shield glowed and in turn he saw a new Shield was active. "Leaf Shield go!" Shiro invoked and in turn his Shield transformed to a leaf based Shield with a gold trim to it. Once Shiro did this he began gathering herbs as he smiled at how the quality of said plants improved in his hands.
"I see now." Tsubaki said as she figured it out. "Shiro is making us coins." Tsubaki said and Shiro smiled to his friends as they figured it out.
"Cover me while I pick." Shiro said and in turn he went about his work.
(Scene Break Later that evening Town)
Shiro and his party made it back to town and arrived at the Drug Store just in time. "Wow this is really good stuff where did you find these?" The Shop owner asked as he saw the herbs Shiro brought.
"In the forest right outside of town." Shiro said as it wasn't a total lie. "Didn't you know?" Shiro asked but the Shop Owner begged to differ.
"Yes but I've never seen one of such high quality." The Shop Keeper said as he then proceeded to pay for the whole lot. "I was certain it was much more average." the old man said as Shiro took the coins with the others.
(Scene Break Local Pub)
The group was having fun, eating away the food they order and enjoying their drinks, making sure it was one beer, with Taiyo was trying life up the group spirit after the day they had, but Shiro sighed a bit as he knew these good time… must come to an end as he spoke up saying, "Hey there something I need to say."
Taiyo stop midway of a joke that he was telling with the group look at him with Tsubaki, "What up then Shiro?"
"With everything that been going on, with the king spread of the "fake rape" crime, everyone here is staring at us, no doubt there are some that will try and break us up or break us down, and the progress we made would slow all of us down," Shiro said as Taiyo asked, "Why are you saying this? We already know what is going on around."
"He want us to split off from you don't you?" Jun said figuring out what Shiro was going for as she seen the whips of shadow around him, not evil, but sadness and bit of anger as she gotten a read off of it with the group surprise by this as Taiyo said, "But we're doing so well together, why break up the team when its perfect."
"Because of what the king said, what he was about to do… I couldn't let my friends get hurt by whatever is going on with the King and Myne had plans for me and it would be obvious he was trying to hurt me by you guys" Shiro said as everyone heard his words carefully and understand, and they were not prepared to fight against the guards like Shiro had done, no doubt thanks to his shield with Tsubaki said, "WE understand… but we cannot just leave you alone training, let alone the waves. What if you needed help?"
"Then I'll deal with it myself, maybe find someone that would team up with me for a bit, maybe hide who I am enough or find someone that can see reason, either way I cannot involve you guys anymore right now as we are, as you guys cannot stick with me no longer, find your own paths or something," Shiro said as Jun spoken up saying, "I agree."
"Jun!" both Taiyo and Tsubaki said surprise an a bit angry at what she said as then she look to them and said, "If we stick together we just drawing targets on our back, but if anything I think we should all split from each other as we may work great together but not as an efficiently, we can barely fight monster ourselves and had to rely on one other to help… at this point I think we need to grow on our own without relying on each other."
"But what about our friendship, the years we spent together, the time we did something together to making it great, we still hasn't finish the official white knight chronicle board top game," Taiyo said as Shiro said to him, "I won't forget you guys, and I know you won't forget each other and I know one day we will come back together again and maybe stronger."
"Then if we are going to do this… then let's meet before the first wave happens, meet up at the Erhard shop. When we meet again no doubt we will be stronger," Tsubaki said as Taiyo then said, "I guess… this would be our One Piece training saga I guess I am thankful it's a few weeks and not 2 years when the wave hits."
"Then let's make a pack," Shiro said as he put his hand out first and said, "Separate we will do here, but united we will be again."
Taiyo was a little hesitate as he put his hand up and said, "For thick and thin we will stand by you."
Tsubaki put up her hand as well as she started to say, "To be stronger than we were before."
Everyone turn to Jun waited for her to join in on the pledge as she held up her and said, "Find, better we are alone, but the greatest when we stand by each other on the battle field."
"Lets us go forth and make our own Chronicles no one will forget," Shiro said as the break the pack with everyone doing the same as Shiro said, "Tomorrow we go our separate ways, so tonight… lets us have some fun."
(Scene Break that evening)
A good time they did in fact have that night. They laughed, they ate, and they told jokes and by the end of it they went to sleep with full stomachs and smiling faces. Well they all did save for Shiro who had gotten up early to clear his mind. From what he could tell the only way he can hope to gain allies is via a Slave but he abhorred such a thing but what choice did he have? No Adventurer would want to party with him and mercenaries are far too expensive to hire assuming he can even find one to work with him. The Shield was all but attached to his body so Shiro could not remove it and the damn thing would become a dead giveaway that he is the Shield Hero.
As Shiro walked he then sighed after he stopped knowing where he was and what would very well happen. "Great." Shiro said as he turned around and saw a group of thugs smirking at him. As Shiro looked to them he saw the group were armed and were intent on mugging him and possibly causing harm to Cringer. "You know the whole gang up on a guy to mug him is kind of old." Shiro said as he glared at the three thugs seeing one of them had a knife drawn.
"Just shut up drop all of your gear and hand over your gold punk!" The thug leader spoke as he and his crew sported malicious grins.
"You guys know who I am right?" Shiro asked as he had a hunch to follow.
"Yeah of course we do Mr. Shield Hero." One of them said and thus Shiro smirked in response.
"Good so this makes things easier for us." Shiro said showing he was ready to get to the good part. "Now we all know how this is going to go down, we duke it out, I win, and you all run while pissing yourselves." Shiro said as he looked to the gathered thugs. "So how about we skip to the end so you can avoid the nasty part of it." Shiro said as the thugs glared at him.
"Shut your mouth!" The knife wielding one shouted out and charged at Shiro who easily dodged the attack by side stepping out of the way. The knife wielder then charged at Shiro who then brought up his shield to protect himself. Once the knife hit the shield the Shield let out a powerful burst of energy in retaliation that send the knife wielder flying back.
Once it died down the thugs all looked at Shiro with wide eyed and horror as they realized they bit off more than they can chew. They then proceeded to run for it as it was clear to them they stood no chance against Shiro. Thus with a tired sigh Shiro began to contemplate. With recent incidents and what not it became clear for Shiro that despite his defensive prowess and the Knights ark bypassing the Shields weapon limitation he couldn't raise his offensive ability and his mastery over the sword was severely crippled. It causes his EXP gain to suffer for it to better compensate but due to this it by Shiro at a severe disadvantage. In a way Shiro was stuck in a loop he couldn't get out of without employing aid.
This was the other reason he was doing this he didn't want his friends to see him at his lowest. But just before Shiro was about to head out a new voice spoke up. "My isn't this interesting," A voice called out as Shiro was surprise by this as he thought he took care of the thugs, a he turn to see a guy with a creepy smile and a mustache on his face and wearing a pair of glasses as Shiro thought, 'What a Creepy ass looking guy'
"Who are you, were you with them?" Shiro asked as he glared at the new arrival while speaking in a strong tone not wanting to seem like a guy to mess around with.
The creepy guy simply stepped out of the alley way he was in before he began to speak. "Not really, but I was hoping to do some business with them, but when I saw you take on those men, it really fascinating to watch and change my mind on doing business with them but you on the other hand seem like a good customer." He said as Shiro had his doubts on this.
"What sort of business are you into?" Shiro asked as he gave the man a skeptical look.
"Oh do I have your interest Shield Hero?" The man asked as he grinned to Shiro.
"You know about me?" Shiro asked as he looked to the creepy fat man.
"Of course! You're the talk of the kingdom after all," the man chuckled before motioning them to follow him. "Come, come. I have a special offer just for you." He said and thus Shiro was skeptical about it but figured it couldn't hurt to check it out.
"Can I at least get a name?" Shiro asked as he gave the man a cold glare though not as cold as Jun's.
"Why of course refer to me as Beloukas." The man introduced while tipping his hat to Shiro.
(Later)
"Right this way good sir." Beloukas said as he parting the entrance to a black and white circus tent. As Shiro entered the place he steeled himself for what he would see knowing how slavery was downplayed in media on multiple occasions. Needless to say Shiro was having trouble holding his lunch down at what he saw. Shiro saw before him were cages upon cages that were organized about. The occupants within the cages were humanoid animals and creatures with some looking like they were human just with additional animal-like appendages.
"You're a Slave Trader," Shiro said with great disapproval over what he saw.
"Indeed I am," Beloukas replied not minding the glare Shiro gave him. "Finest in all of Melromarc. I have more Demihumans than anything else, but this makes things easier." Beloukas said as Shiro gave the man a glare.
"And what makes you think we want one?" Shiro questioned but he already knew the answer to that one.
"Trust, of course," Beloukas replied as he looked to the Shield Hero. "Right now, you have no one to trust here aside from one man and those friends of yours. But with a Slave, they cannot lie nor disobey their master." He sad as Shiro wanted to off the guy but let it be for now. Before Shiro could speak another word he heard the faint sound of coughing coming from one of the cages nearby. He saw it came from the tarp covered cage opting Shiro to go check it out. "Oh, you don't want what's in that cage, little lady," Beloukas stated as he looked to where Shiro was going. "That one is ill and has a lot of mental issues. But I can offer you to see them." Beloukas said as Shiro tuned him out for a minute to check on whoever was coughing.
In turn Shiro tore the tarp off and went wide eyed at what he saw inside the cage. Curled up in a ball inside of it was a little girl, no older than ten at best. Her long brown hair was matted and knotted from months of little to no care and Shiro could swear he could see her bones beneath the flesh in some spots. Shackles covered her wrists and neck, the faint red she could see around her wrists evident to her. All she wore were rags in the form of a makeshift dress and she had a tanuki's ears and tail. But the worst of it all...was what Shiro saw in her brown eyes. They were dull...as if she were broken in spirit.
But what Shiro didn't realize was that the moment he looked into her eyes... their destinies would be forever tied to each other.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here you guys go the third chapter. Now then please leave a review for me as I again say ja-ne.
