Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well let's begin a new chapter.

(Start Erhards Shop)

The duo turned trio arrived at Erhards shop with the blond haired girl currently wearing a tarp as a cloak. Erhard was then seen walking out from the back humming to himself when he noticed the trio were back in his shop. "Welcome." He began but then took note of the blond haired girl. "Oh come on don't come here every time you get a new slave." He scolded but Shiro then nearly lost his cool for that one.

"She's not my slave!" Shiro yelled as he glared at Erhard for that. "Jeez I'm still shell shocked from this morning." Shiro said as he even shivered after that pedophile-scare this morning.

"What saying you have an illegitimate child or something?" Erhard teased a bit causing Shiro to go wide eyed.

"Knock it off, I haven't been with anyone like that!" Shiro defended showing he was not in the mood for games right now.

Raphtalia heard this and then gain a glint in her eye at hearing Shiro was a virgin. Just then Filo took note of the sandwich on the table and already she was hungry again. "Master can I have just a little snack?" The girl asked as she looked to the food.

"Want a bite knock yourself out." Erhard said offering the sandwich to the blond haired girl.

"Thanks!" She called out taking the sandwich in her hands.

"Filo don't overdue it." Raphtalia scolded the girl now known as Filo as Shiro went wide eyed.

"Um Erhard you might want to take that from her." Shiro added knowing what was about to happen.

"Hey relax its fine guys how big a bite can she take anyway?" Erhard asked but alas he just screwed himself over for lunch.

Just then the sound of fabric tearing and a puff of smoke went off causing the duo to step back as Filo went up in smoke. In her place was the large Filolial of Shiro's as she had the collar and a happy look on her face. "Time to dig in." Filo said showing she was ready to eat. In turn she proceeded to take the sandwich in her beak and eat it whole. Erhard was standing there dumbstruck of it all as Shiro rubbed his eyes in frustration. "That wasn't too bad actually." Filo said and thus Shiro began to speak.

"I tried to warn you." Shiro said before Raphtalia bowed in apology as Shiro made Filo do the same.

A little later after Erhard regained himself Filo was seen pecking some of the armors to keep herself entertained while Erhard wanted answers. "So what's the story here?" Erhard asked and thus Shiro spoke up.

"According to the Slave Merchant, Filolials have a King or Queen leading each flock. That's what he told us anyway." Raphtalia said as she remembered how the Slaver was looking over Filo when they brought her in.

"I thought that was just a myth?" Erhard said as he couldn't believe Shiro had lucked into getting a Filolial Queen.

"Those Kings and Queens are highly skilled at transforming and they blend into flocks by disguising themselves as normal Filolials."

"And they can transform themselves into humans too?" Erhard asked shocked to hear this. "That's nuts." He said until Shiro had more to add.

"What's more it turns out, they need a special crest to be tamed." Shiro said as he hated having to do it but he'd rather be safe than sorry. It was to protect Filo from this country and needless to say he wasn't too proud of it. But until Slavery was outlawed sacrifices had to be made. "I didn't budget for that and thankfully since Taiyo and Jun had paid the guy a visit themselves recently I was able to get a discount for it." Shiro said as he remembered how Filo fought the branding with all her might.

"Things got crazy while trying to give her that crest, Filo started resisting with all her might." Raphtalia cut in and thus Shiro had more to add.

"And that was at level 19 who knows how strong she will be at 70 or higher." Shiro said worried he might need to use the White Knight to get Filo under control later down the line. "So long story short we need specialized armor for Filo so she can transform to and from without destroying her cloths and going buck ass naked." Shiro said knowing how that will turn out to the people who see it. "If I keep going as is I'll be going broke in no time." Shiro said as he looked to Erhard with a concerned look over his own wallet.

"Please tell us that there is some kind of outfit for transforming species." Raphtalia asked hoping there was such a thing.

"Nah those are special order items I haven't got any of them." Erhard confessed as he looked to the duo. "Try going to see a Dressmaker." He suggested before remembering something. "But I guess you can't have her walking around in public looking like that." Erhard said before he pulled out a pink dress of sorts. "Take this another customer left it." He offered as Shiro took it and gave it a concerned and confused look.

(Later at the Seamstress)

"Wow! So cute!" a woman call out from inside the clothing shop, as in it a dressmaker woman was looking over She's cute like an angel! Wait she has wings on her back, so maybe she really is one?"

Raphtalia could only smile awkwardly to the lady when she said that with Filo turn to Shiro as she said, "Am I cute, master?"

"Please don't ask me that," Shiro said as he is still trying to get over the fact that his Filolial has change greatly in the last 4 days or so from a baby to a normal Filolial, to a royal, and lastly a human form of a cute blonde girl that does look like an angel, it was hard enough for him to keep a straight face, as the dressmaker woman said to him, "You mustn't be like that, daddy."

"D-daddy?" both Raphtalia and Shiro said as the dressmaker soon said, "Compliments help girls grow ever cuter."

Shiro could not believe he was hearing this, and then suddenly Filo suddenly asked, "Master, are you my father?"

"Ah... I guess in a way I am," Shiro said as he had hatch filo while she imprinted him, he raise her when she was just a chick, feeding her to help her growth, caring for her to help her level up, as then Filo suddenly asked, "What about sister Raphtalia, then?"

"She... a great companion," Shiro said as Raphtalia felt a bit hurt from that as he doesn't see her like that, anyways as Shiro soon said, "Anyways we can here for clothing that doesn't rip when she transform while also vice versa.

"Oh, that's what you're looking for. Did you bring magic thread?" the dressmaker ask as Shiro asked, "Magic thread?"

"Transforming clothing are always woven using thread made out of the wearer's own mana," the dressmaker explain as Raphtalia asked while filo was looking around the shop, "So they're really are custom made?"

"Indeed. If you give me the magic threads," the woman started to say as she suddenly did a pose and said, "I'll make you the cutest dress ever!"

Shiro sighed to this as it seem it's always something that comes up for him as he then soon asked, "Do you know where we can get magic thread then?"

(Later at the magic shop)

The trio reach the magic shop to see that woman again about getting magic threat for Filo dress as she said, "Magic thread huh? You certainly could spin it here, but not right now. My magic gemstone broke recently."

"Is the gemstone costly or something?" Shiro asked with the woman said to him, "It is, but the bigger issue is that it's always in short supply."

"Well that does seem like a problem," Raphtalia said with the woman said, "I'll talk to people and try to procure one as soon as possible. Could you give me some time?"

Hey! Hey!" Filo said as everyone look down at her while she was looking at the crystal ball before her as she asked, "What is this?"

"A crystal ball, It measures one magical affinity. Let me check yours, too," the woman offers, as she would give her an answer of what it is, with Shiro thought, "Seem like we're not going to get a dress anytime soon."

(Later on the road)

Filo was once again in her Filolial royal form as she started to sing, "Filo has... wind affinity! I blow away... all the enemies!"

"Well, she's in a good mood," Raphtalia said as Shiro said to her while Filo keep on singing, "Well this could keep her distracted until a magic gemstone comes in or we find it ourselves."

"I'll pull the cart everywhere... To where my master says. If I find that spear guy, I'll send him flying with a full-power kick!" Filo Sang as she keep pulling the wagon, as Shiro soon said, "It'll be a while before we get her clothing. In the meantime, we can travel around, sell some stuff and make some money too."

Shiro held the pass up as it was the very thing needed to pass gate that require you to pay a feed as Raphtalia said, "That trade pass we got from the village lord will come in handy."

"Master look there's someone up ahead." Came Filo as they looked and saw a man running down the road.

Seeing this the trio came to a stop as they looked to the middle aged man. "Is something wrong sir?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to the middle aged man.

"Please I beg you give me a lift in your carriage." The man requested as he looked to Raphtalia. "I need to get this medicine to the village it's the one just past the mountain it's urgent I beg you." He said and thus Shiro went into action.

"Filo how long to get there at full speed?" Shiro asked as he looked to Filo.

"Not to long but you know we can get there even sooner without the carriage and with that armor." Filo said referring to the armor Shiro had given her by accident before.

"No armor Filo." Shiro said causing Filo to sigh. "Alright I'll take you there for 1 Silver." Shiro said as he looked to the man who was shocked by this.

"I already spent my money on this medicine." The man said but Shiro figured that was the case.

"Look I don't care how you pay me in the end do it now or later just don't try to weasel out of it." Shiro said and thus the man nodded.

"That would be fine sir." The man responded and thus Shiro nodded to the man.

"Alright, Raphtalia give me those reigns." Shiro said and thus Raphtalia gave Shiro the reigns for Filo.

"Here you go." She said while passing the Reigns over to Shiro.

Once Shiro had them he jumped onto Filo's back and proceeded to pull the man up. "Thank you." The man said as he joined Shiro on Filo's back.

"Don't thank me yet first we need to make it in time." Shiro said and thus he was ready to go. "Let's go Filo!" Shiro called out and thus Filo nodded.

"Right-I-oh!" Filo called out and thus she was off causing the man to scream out in shock with his voice echoing about the land. They left Raphtalia behind with the Wagon but no doubt would come back for her in no time.

(Later at the village gate)

The guard at the gate who just seem like a normal person to anyone guess knight don't come out this far and people from the village watches the gate, and to the guard's surprise to see something was coming up fast from down the road as a dust cloud is seen.

What he saw making it was a huge bird like creature with two people riding it as it was Filo, Shiro, and the man who has for his help getting to the village as the man yell out to them, "Halt! Pay the toll!"

Shiro in turn threw the pass to the guard knowing he was short on time. The guard in turn caught it just in time with Shiro jumping over the gate as he said, "I'll be back to pick that up later!"

(At the man's house)

Filo and Shiro arrived at the man's house just in time as the man went to the bedroom with Shiro following him inside. Meanwhile Filo was to stay outside seeing as Shiro did not want her to change back into her human form for the time being.

As the man stood before a bed with an old woman in it, no doubt the guy's mother who was looking very ill in Shiro eyes as the man said to her, "Mother, I got you the medicine."

The old woman turn to her son before giving a cough which sounded very bad. Shiro knew if he didn't do something the woman would most likely die even given the medicine the man's has as he said to the guy, "Hey can you go boil some water, I'll give the medicine to her."

"But I." The man began but Shiro cut him off.

"Relax its free." Shiro said as he wasn't going to let this man lose his mother if he could help it.

"Alright, thank you," the man said as he handed James the bottle of medicinal before he went to the kitchen to get some water boiling. As the old woman give another cough Shiro looked at the medicine in his hand as there was a skill that said Potion enhancement.

After a bit as the man got a pot of water going over a small fire, Shiro lifted the woman up so she could drink from the bottle as he held it up to her. In turn the old woman began drinking the enhance medicine and not long after its effect took place as her body began to glow.

A little while later the man soon come in with a cup of warm water with the old woman spoken as she said, "Thank you very much young man."

"Not a problem," Shiro said while smiling as the man looked surprise as he said, "Mother?! The medicine's already working?

"Yes. the pain went away in an instant, thank you," The old woman said before turning to Shiro with a smile to show she is graceful to him as well as he gave a nod to her.

(Little later outside)

The sun was beginning to set as Shiro was getting ready to head back to the gate. During this the man had come out carrying with him with a bag filled with goods as he asked Shiro, "Um... what kind of magic spell did you use?"

"Not really a spell, I just use my abilities to enhance the medicinal effect, no extra charge for that." Shiro said as he wasn't going to charge this man beyond the ride here. In turn the man nodded before he then handed to Shiro the bag as he said, "Thank you, and here you go, all of this should be worth a silver in total."

Shiro took the bag and inside he saw some dry meat, food, and bred, some items to sell which is good fortune for him and his team as he smile and take it as is as he said to the man while he place the bag around his shoulder, "This will do, I'll be going now."

"Thank you so very much and safe travels to you!" the man said as Shiro nodded before he give Filo a light kick to make her go as they ride back to the gate to pick up their pass as Shiro thought, "Besides selling goods, I can provide transport for people. This traveling trade seem to be a much better idea then I had thought."

(Montage)

And thus Shiro began his journey as a traveling salesman and part time healer. With Filo pulling the wagon Shiro went from town to town healing the sick and selling his gods. During this he and Raphtalia read through the magical Grimoires as Filo used her cute appearance to draw in customers. Some nights they opted to stay in inns if they can while others they camped out. During this Shiro seemed more focused on the Grimoire while Filo tried her best to get Shiro's attention.

Of course Shiro was drawn into some sort of rivalry between the two and he knew what it was. It was a common thing in Isekai and honestly Filo was way to young looking for him. Of course some nights weren't so great because when morning came it was revealed Filo had entered her Filolial form in the middle of the night. All in all it was clear they were all growing closer somewhat.

(Montage end)

Soon enough they were back on the roads traveling to a new place while transporting V.I.P who was a merchant as he seem very happy that he was riding with the trio as he said, "I can't believe I get to ride with our savior with the heavenly Fowl."

"Savior of the Heavenly Fowl?" Shiro asked as he rode in the back while Raphtalia was driving.

"Ah yes you have quiet the reputation." The merchant said with a smile on his face. "In a carriage drawn by the God of Domesticated Birds, our savior travels and treats the sick." The man said as Shiro didn't realized he was making a name for himself.

"Did he just say I'm a god?" Filo asked as she heard this.

"I'm surprised at you, Filo didn't Shiro say not to talk when they're are strangers?" Raphtalia scolded while glaring at Filo causing her to moan a bit at being scolded.

"Well I'll be it talks, that really is a God." The Merchant said as he was surprised to see Filo do this.

"No she's not a God." Shiro said as he looked to the merchant.

Just then Raphtalia saw something and thus looked to the others with concern. "There's a large gang that's blocking our path up ahead." Raphtalia said with her void showing her concern on this.

In turn Shiro walked up and saw a group of obvious thugs standing in their way. It didn't take a genius to figure that this was not going to end peacefully for them. "Hey now! You can stop right there!" The Bandits were heard as the Wagon came to a halt.

"Well that's an odd Bird and thing you got there stranger." A bald man said as he was taking note of the Sky Stinger and Filo. "We heard an accessory seller was hitching a ride with you, come on we know you're in there!" The man called out as the Merchant heard this and got scared.

Shiro seeing this realized he had to be careful in choosing his clients next time. Just hand him over quietly and you can get away with your lives in tact." The men said as they quickly took note to Raphtalia.

"So you'll try to take everything BUT our lives right?" Shiro asked as he glared at the man in question.

"This one is sharper than a tack ain't he." The bald man said as he looked to Shiro with a smirk on his face.

"That one pretty hot for a demi-human." The man said as he looked to Raphtalia before laughing. "Looks like we're gonna have some fun tonight!" The man called out as Shiro was getting annoyed by these guys.

"Shiro... can I end his lineage?" Raphtalia asked as she looked down on the man.

"Not like I can stop you even if I said no." Shiro said knowing the man was walking on eggshells and he didn't know it.

"Me neither!" Filo cried out also ready to fight now. But alas the Bandits had other ideas as they glared at the group.

"Don't even think about it we have a class upgraded bodyguard who'll make hamburgers out of you." The leader said and thus a man with a Katana walked out ready to fight. "It's all up to you now." The man said as the foe was clearly a league of his own while smirking at the group.

'Class upgrade?' Shiro thought when he heard this. 'First I heard of that but whatever it is... I can't underestimate it.' Shiro thought and thus got ready for battle. At least until a new fighter showed up. From above three shadows were seen and the largest of them slammed his fist to the ground causing the bandits to scatter. From the smoke it was revealed to be Pete as he looked to the foes clearly ready for battle.

"What the where did he come from?!" One of them asked at least until Demonicon came in swinging his Halberd at the foes.

"Hey Boss you were right these are the guys with the bounty on their heads." Demonicon called out and in turn from the shadows Jun came out with her weapons drawn glaring at the foes. In turn the Bandits were attacked by the Three Mercenaries as Jun was leading the charge.

"You guys have a bounty on your heads to bad it's not the whole group." Jun said showing she was hoping for the full members to get the Bounty for all its worth.

"Jun, Demonicon, and Pete!?" Shiro asked shocked and thankful to see those three were here.

As the trio continued to fight off their foes Raphtalia knew it was time to jump in herself. "As source of thy power I order thee." Raphtalia began getting everyone's attention. "Decipher the laws of nature and conceal me from utterly in a magic haze: Hide mirage!" Raphtalia began and thus Raphtalia vanished from sight.

"Fast Tornado!" Filo invoked as the two joined in to fight off the Bandits and thus the combined effort of all of them made quick work of them. Jun used her two bladed weapons to cause them some harm while Pete tanked his way through the foes. Using her magic Raphtalia went for the silent approach during the chaos while Demonicon kept his foes at bay. By the end of it the group had won the battle with ease.

(Later)

The Bandits were all tied up now as they were all beaten up from this. "Some other trader told us to mug the guy riding with you because he was supposed to be carrying a bunch of really nice stuff I swear that's what happened." The leader said as he looked to the group.

"So one of my own sold me out hmm?" The merchant asked as he looked to the three Mercs and his escort.

"We can't hand them over to the guards, all they will have to say is that they were Adventurers attacked and mugged by the Shield Hero and his party and the guards will take their side." Shiro said and thus the leader smirked to this.

"Something like that." the Guard said and thus Jun sighed.

"To bad for you guys you only have two choices from here." Jun said as she glared at the apparent leader of the group. "Personally I think we should just kill you guys and feed you to this Filolial here." Jun said pointed to the fat bird with Shiro's group.

"What?!" The leader asked in both shock and fear to this.

"You heard me last I checked those things will eat just about anything you put in front of them isn't that right Shiro?" Jun asked and thus Shiro saw where Jun was going with this.

"That depends Filo?" Shiro asked as he wanted Filo to answer this one for them.

"I'm feeling pretty hungry," Filo said while looking at the bandits as if they were dinner, with the bandit panic to this as the bandit leader said to them, "But wait, you still need us for the bounty!"

Hoping that would save their lives with Jun said, "Won't be a problem, I just need to bring your heads to the officials as dead men heads can't talk. Plus the bounties you have said "Dead or alive" nothing else of you being whole is needed as long as I bring proof I found you all."

"Please wait, don't kill us, we'll give you anything, we'll even tell you where the rest of us are at!" the bandit leader said as Jun smile to this as Shiro also saw an opportunity as he said, "Anything you say?"

(Later)

they bandits had lead the group to their hide out with Jun, Pete, and Demonicon capture the rest of the bandits and tied up, the bandits that were captured from before were pulling things out from their hide out with many valuable items being loaded into the wagon with Jun smile to this as she never thought she see Shiro od such a thing, but then again, if there an opportunity to make big money quick this was one of the ways with Raphtalia look disappointed by this as she said, "We're looting the bandits? Doesn't this make us more evil than the criminals?"

"Are you kidding, in a dog eat dog world almost anything goes that can make you look evil, but the way we see it, it's just trading their money for their lives," Demonicon said with the Merchant soon speaking up saying, "Quite right, he just simply treating their live as merchandise. Sir Hero's a shining example of the trader's spirit that's so rare nowadays!"

"I'm pretty sure this is just intimidation," Raphtalia said with Jun said to her, "See it as however you like, but as far these bandit knows, they doing this to save their own cowardly lives."

"And once this is all done we turn their asses in for their bounties." Demonicon said as it was clear they were in it for the money on their heads.

"Hey can I get some help here, there still move things to load up here," Shiro said as Pete came up and help out by taking a lot of things at once and load it all into the wagon as Shiro said to him, "Thanks Pete."

"No problem," Pete said as he keep on helping out, as soon afterword's they took everything the bandit, with Jun rounded up the rest of them to get them traded in for their bounty as Jun look as Shiro as she said, "I heard the rumors of you getting a new pet, but this is something else."

"You don't know the half of it," Shiro said as he wasn't to mention of Filo was just a baby, grew up quick and transform into a royal Filolial, and found Filo had turn into a little girl the next morning who was naked.

"Well its best I get moving, county won't collect themselves now, good luck to you Shiro "Jun said as she soon headed off with the bandit group in the bandits own wagon they had with Pete pulling it and Demonicon following behind to make sure that the bandit don't try anything funny.

with them gone now it was time for Shiro to talk more with the merchant as he ask, "Now that is taken care of, how will you compensate me with all that trouble we just had because of you?"

"I can offer you all the knowledge and connection I have," the Merchant said as Shiro wonder what he meant as he asked, "Knowledge and connections?"

"Yes. I've taken a real liking to you," the man said as Shiro wonder what the guy can offer that could make up for all this trouble with the answer, to soon realize it would be worth it.

(Later)

at the next village the group was taking a rest from traveling with the Merchant guy was teaching Shiro how to make jewelry with precious metals while use the proper tool that are required to do so, and how to enchant them as well craft gems, and imbue them with mana.

He pick on it like a sponge to water, as the more he learn to use mana the better control he'll have with his spells and other things too that required the use of mana.

Thanks to this Shiro had begun a new business venture and that was crafting gem stones and accessories. Thanks to this Shiro was later able to get in touch with the traders grape vine and had gotten word on how his friend and the other heroes were doing. From what Shiro understood Motoyasu apparently saved a village from famine down south west by way of a magical seed. Shiro was smart as he knew that it was more than likely Malty's idea no doubt trying to mooch of Motoyasu for all he's worth until he is no longer useful to her.

On the flip side Taiyo and Rino were last heard with a new ally of his own. Together the three took down a Plague bringing Dragon that seemed to favor lands with rich minerals. From there they were calling Taiyo the Dragoon of the Dragon Matriarch due to the rumor he was traveling with the offspring of the King of Dragons, Bahamut. The duo turned trio was last heard heading to a Village being overrun by some sort of monster.

Back to the Cardinal Heroes it seems Ren had gone southeast and did the same thing but from the sound of it he did it on his own. No doubt he was already there on his journey to find monsters to slay. No doubt something he may need to look into later.

But when it came to swords Jun was a different story. From what he understood Jun the Black Winged Devil has been making waves as some sort of Dark Hero. Shiro never heard of it but from what he figured Jun has been taking mercenary work and bounties that had earned her and her party a reputation. If what he heard is correct if you find a Black Phoenix roaming about 9 times out of 10 it was probably Jun nearby. Shiro was actually concerned over what Jun was even up to as the stories were from hushed whispers and rumors nothing concrete from them. But then again Jun was known to keep a low profile and for good reason one might add. A small part of him even considered that Jun would stay in this world instead of returning home with the rest of them. Not that he blamed her seeing as she didn't have much to go back to unlike the rest of them.

In the path of the cardinal heroes it seems Itsuki was all over the place. Rumors and tales were being told about him and in the end none of them ended up being true in the slightest. The only thing he did know as fact was that apparently he was last seen up North but that was it.

But Tsubaki was another matter altogether. From what Shiro had gathered she too had traveled North with Conan and had begun aiding a foreign country with a rebellion of some sort. From what Shiro understood in that tale it had put her at odds with Itsuki on multiple occasions until she just vanished one day. Last anyone heard of her she had acquired a third Party Member and her group had become a trio from there.

But other than that Shiro knew the merchant was true to his word as he gave him a lot of connections to utilize. One of them being to a Noble by the name of Vento whom from what Shiro understood had become close friends with Taiyo and another noble by the name of Gawain. Shiro of course asked about the Sun Kings Ark but alas no one had seen or heard of such an item. But one thing the man gave Shiro helped him out big time.

So we now find Shiro, Filo, and Raphtalia at a mine as the foreman held the letter the Merchant had given Shiro. "I can't believe it but this deed must be the real thing." the foreman said as he looked at the deed in question. "I'm amazed that grumpy money grubber actually gave this to you." The Foreman said as Shiro was happy that things were going so well. "Anyway if there's a gemstone you want I can arrange for you to get it... at a discount of course which obviously goes without saying." The man said to which Shiro understood. "What are you looking for sir hero?" The man asked and thus Shiro spoke.

"For the gemstones you use to make threads that are magic." Shiro said and thus the foreman was surprised by this.

(Scene Break Road several days later)

The trio were once more riding down the road as Shiro recounted everything up to this point as sitting across from him was the Magic Shops keeper. "What amazes me is how you managed to find that gem stone so quickly." The old woman said as Shiro begged to differ.

"It's not that simple actually." Shiro said as he remembered what the Foreman had told him. "Let's just say it's in a location that makes it hard to get to." Shiro said knowing how dangerous dungeons tend to be.

Just then Raphtalia spoke up to get everyone's attention. "Shiro." She began as she got their attention. "Look." She finished and pointed to the location up ahead.

(Later inside a tunnel)

After they had parked the wagon and unhooked Filo the group had entered the cave and began to explore it a bit. "A long time ago this temple was once a notorious evil Alchemist's base of operations." The old woman said as Shiro lead their group through the cave with a lit torch. "Strange though I never heard anything about a tunnel being here." She added as they walked down the cavern which clearly looked manmade in origin.

"According to the mining Chief nobody's dared to approach this place ever since monsters started nesting here." Shiro explained as he led the group so he can act as the first line of defense when needed. "Keep your eyes peeled everyone." Shiro urged and thus they understood the warning was for good intentions.

(Later)

Eventually they arrived at a large room where an open treasure chest laid with red cushions inside said chest. "It's empty." Raphtalia said as the group then took note of the engravings to the side of it.

"Ancient writing." The Old woman said as she took note of the writing in question. "We pray that the seed never makes it out of this tunnel. It is a horribly twisted manifestation of our wish that nobody would feel the pangs of hunger ever again in this world." She read and thus Shiro went wide eyed to this remembering what he had learned of Motoyasu and his deeds.

"Please tell me he didn't." Shiro said as it almost added up. Seed, warning, famine, and Motoyasu it was sending off warning lights in Shiro's head.

"Master look down there." Filo was heard as she then pointed her wing to something. "There's a path over down that way." Filo said as she pointed to said path.

"Ok let's go." Shiro said focusing on the task at hand hoping he was just overthinking the seed and Motoyasu bit. As he left Filo stayed behind a bit as she noticed something amiss going on.

Taking note of this Shiro opted to call out to her. "Hey Filo come on we need to keep moving." Shiro called and in turn this got Filo's attention.

After Shiro got Filo's attention Filo felt something was amiss in this place. "Um Shiro I think you should really." Filo began but was then cut off by what sounded like Shiro's voice.

"For crying out loud if you won't listen to me then I don't need you anymore." Shiro's voice was heard and in turn she ran after Shiro.

(Later)

As the group walked down the path they kept their guard up in case something showed up. As they walked for a bit the old Witch took note of something. "Stop here." The Witch began getting everyone's attention.

"What is it what's wrong?" Shiro asked as he looked to the old witch who was inspecting something.

"A monster footprint and my goodness it's a large one." She said as the group saw the footprint in question.

"I can see that." Shiro said as he saw the footprint in question. "But we came here for a reason and we can't leave until we get what we came for. Just remember to be." Shiro began but was cut off when his torch went out. "Oh boy." Shiro said as that happening was never a good sign.

Just then the entire area was covered in a violet magical aura causing Filo to gasp to this. "Shiro!" Raphtalia called out as she was surprised by this.

"Every stay calm!" Shiro ordered as he looked around for whatever was causing this. He then turned his attention to the witch as he wanted answers. "Hey what's going on?" Shiro asked as he looked to the old woman.

"It would be so easy right now." Came the Voice of Raphtalia. "He already named me next to receive the White Knight, I already memorized the chant, so all I need to do is run him through from behind and usurp the power of the White Knight from him." Raphtalia's voice said making Shiro go wide eyed to this.

"Don't let the voices mislead you." The old woman said getting Shiro's attention.

"What are they?" Shiro asked trying to make sense of this.

"The monsters provoking they do it by saying the last things you want to hear with the last voices you want saying them." the Old Witch said as Shiro had seen similar things in a Nature documentary how some animals make themselves seem harmless to make their prey lower then guard to catch their prey.

"Ok bad news got it." Shiro said realizing they had to be careful.

Just then Filos' voice was heard again. "Master is my Life!" Filo called out and thus Shiro cried out when something cut him.

"Yeow something cut me!" Shiro cried out when it happened. "Hurry and do something about this!" Shiro called out as he didn't see the attack coming.

"As source of thy power I order thee decipher the laws of nature and restore our sight: fast anti-bind right now!" The old woman invoked and fired off the spell through her wand shining a powerful light through the area revealing the varying rat and bat like monsters in the cave.

"Alright we can see them!" Shiro said as it was go time. "Filo now!" Shiro called out and thus Filo understood.

"I'm on it I'm gonna blow you away!" Filo called out while sending forth a burst of wind that took out the monsters in one fell swoop.

"Well then are you ok?" The old woman asked as she looked over to Raphtalia.

"Yes I'm fine thank you." Raphtalia said happy that they got out of there.

Meanwhile Shiro was adding the monster parts to his Shield and thanks to it a new Shield was unlocked. "Hmm Voice Gengar Shield Bat form." Shiro said as looked over the new shields ability. "I'm not exactly sure how it will come in handy but you never know." Shiro said as he looked the Shield over. After a bit Shiro worked on getting the torch relit which didn't take him long as the Torch was now lighting their way again. "Ok let's keep going." Shiro ordered ready to head out.

"Shiro, you won't abandon me right?" Filo said, sounding a bit scared of being left behind as Shiro said, "No filo, and beside this is for your sake. Whatever those illusions had said, they're not real."

Shiro pat her head a bit as Filo smile to this before they move on as with Raphtalia smile to this as well as she follow them with the witch woman.

After a bit of walking soon arriving at the entry of a cave with crystal in there, as Shiro saw with Filo suddenly stops and said, "Something is in there."

Shiro put down the torch he was holding as the light from it was enough to see inside with the old woman said, "There's the gem stones."

"Yeah, but something seem to be in there," Shiro said as he look to see a lion like monster with a snake for a tail, with the lion half asleep, the snake half looks around keeping guard until he saw them while giving a 'hiss' with the old woman said, "That's a nue. It's on the small side, but still dangerous.

"this maybe trouble then, the gemstone's right there, but it's just out of reach still," Shiro said as the room wasn't big enough to summon forth the white knight to fight that creature and take care of it quickly, so he would have to rely on his normal abilities, and the help of others too as Raphtalia suddenly said, "Let's go!"

She suddenly charge in without much warning as she ran towards the creature with her sword drawn with filo following behind her as they attacked together with Shiro surprise by this as well upset as he said, "Those two! Cover us please!"

Shiro soon charge in himself with his sword drawn as he hope they can take down that creature, with Raphtalia thrust her sword at it, it woken up and dodge out of the way while also kicking the raccoon girl down with its back legs.

Filo came above to kick it but to move out of the way before Filo could land the blow, and the old woman cast out a fire streaming spell with blue flames mix in with it, as the creature was caught in it, the fire causing it pain but not enough to take it down as it came at them, Shiro stood in front of it, blocking its attack with his shield and slash with its sword, drawing blood but the cut wasn't deep enough, and just piss off the creature as electricity spark out from tis body as Shiro thought, 'Oh shit.'

"No!" Filo came in and kick the creature away from Shiro while picking up her father/master while the creature let out a discharge with Shiro said to his bird, "Thanks Filo. That was close. We need to avoid that at all costs, somehow."

Suddenly Raphtalia went invisible as he saw what she was planning as she walk closer to it, but something was wrong as the creature didn't know she was there at first, but it suddenly jerk his head with its ear pick up on her footsteps as Shiro knew what that mean as he called out, "Watch out Raphtalia!"

The snake half came at her, came close to striking her, but she dodge it while she came out of her invisibility with Shiro said, "How did that thing see her?"

"It didn't see her, it heard her. It's really sensitive to sound," Filo said as that gave Shiro an idea as he suddenly remember the new shield he gotten as he brought it up, as it was a bat microphone, with the creature coming at them, Shiro rise his shield in front of Filo quickly as he said, "Filo! Yell in this this as loud as you can!"

"Alright!" Filo said as she prepared herself as Shiro warn the others," everyone else, Cover your ears!"

As Raphtalia and the old woman quickly did so with Shiro stuff one ear with pocket lint and use his other hand to cover his other ear before Filo yell out into the microphone.

Filo give a mighty yell that sent out a huge sound wave towards the Nue, blowing its ears out with blood exploded from its head with Shiro called out, "Do it now! Attack!"

"Zweit fire-blast!" the old woman called out with Raphtalia and Shiro charge in with their sword, and stabbing into the creature at the same time, but it was still alive, as Filo charge in and give it her very best kick and nail the creature in the head, shattered its skull, killing it before it drop dead, as filo cheered, "We won!"

"You two are not hurt, right?" Shiro asked them as shake their heads no with Raphtalia said, "You?"

"I'm fine," Shiro said as he came closer and saw some brushing on Raphtalia as it seem she did get hit, just grazing her mostly but it bleed a bit as he pull out some bandages as he said, "you shouldn't have charge in like that."

"But," Raphtalia started to say but Shiro cut her off as he said, "What if you gotten hurt and I wasn't here to treat it?"

"You're worried about me?" Raphtalia said as Shiro said, "Are we clear?"

"Y-yes," Raphtalia said with Filo suddenly speaking up saying, "Wow, so pretty!"

Now that the battle was over the group were looking to the Crystals and in turn were all starry eyed at them. "They're so beautiful." Raphtalia called out as Shiro began to walk over to one of the Crystals. Once he got to it he got to work on getting a few one for the Witch and one for his shield.

(Scene Break Magic Shop)

Filo was not a happy girl at the moment as she spun the wheel weaving the magic threat while holding their newly acquired crystal... well one of them. "Doing this is making me feel so tired." Filo said as she looked ready to sleep.

"Don't worry my dear its only because your mana is turning into thread!" The Witch said giving Filo words of encouragement. "Endure it for just a while longer." The Woman said and in turn Filo was not happy about it.

"What?!" Filo asked surprised to hear this.

"Don't worry I'll get you some nice snacks once you finish." Raphtalia stepped in and in turn Filo changed her tune.

"Yummy ones?! Then I'll keep going!" She called out and continued her work.

(Scene Break the Dress Shop the next day)

Once they got the threads needed from the Magic Shop they took it all over to the dress shop to make Filo's new outfit. It would take a day so the Trio opted to come in the next day after it was done. When they came in the dress was all made and thus Filo was ushered through to try it on. Shiro and Raphtalia in turn saw the curtain open up Filo walked out in her new outfit making all eyes fall on her.

"Well how do I look?" Filo asked as she looked like a stereotypical angel girl all she needed was a halo and it would be complete.

"You look terrific." Shiro said giving praise to the Filolial Queen only for Filo to cheer for this.

"YAY! Thank you master!" Filo cheered out as she jumped up and hugged Shiro making him go wide eyed to this as he was hugged like that.

"I mean sure she's cute and everything." Raphtalia said pouting at Shiro and Filo being close like this.

"She's darling!" The Seamstress called out as she looked to the group surprising them. "I did my very best to bring out every last bit of Filo's angelic charm and I think I did a Hell of a job!" The Seamstress boasted as her eyes had bags under them showing she was up all night working on the dress. "I used white as the base color to go with her wings and I added plenty of frills as a nod to her feathers too." The Seamstress boasted showing she was damn proud of her work. "And since it would contradict best with her lovely blond hair I went with blue for the ribbon as you can see." She said gesturing to the ribbon in question.

"Sure right." Raphtalia said as Filo was smiling to this.

"Well now we don't have to worry about you losing your cloths every time you transform." Shiro said smiling at Filo who was smiling in response. In turn Shiro went back to business as he began to run the numbers of this. "Well that should cost us 140 silvers." Shiro said and thus put a hand on her head smiling to her. "But it was worth it." Shiro said smiling to the girl who went from a regular purchase of a mount to a new party member.

With a cheer Filo then began to speak once more. "I'll do my best!" She cheered just before she transformed into her Filolial form.

"Filo don't suddenly transform indoors!" Raphtalia scolded making Filo look to Raphtalia in confusion.

The Seamstress in turn gushed when she saw the blue bow on Filo. "Even on a monster it's cute." She gushed before looking to James. "I'm sure you agree, don't you? Isn't your daughter as cute as a button!?" She asked as clearly the Seamstress was proud of her work. All the while Filo was just plain out happy as could be with her new outfit and bow. Clearly she was adorable to anyone and everyone who sees her. But it was clear things were beginning to look up for the group.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter I hope you all enjoyed it. So for the next chapter we will be going to see what some one of the other Pactmakers are doing and no I won't tell you who it is just enjoy. Now then please leave me a review and as always I will say here ja-ne.