Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter let's get started on this.

(Start Shiro road)

Shiro was with his party as they drove down the road heading south. Raphtalia was currently on the reigns with Filo pulling the cart while with Shiro was cases of Herbicide. The Merchant whom he had been doing regular business with had informed him of an order for a village down south in desperate need of this stuff. Now for Shiro he understood if there were weeds and the like but the amount here was huge for simple farming.

It made him wonder what was going on that they needed all these stuff so soon. A part of him suspected some sort of situation and considering he was in a magical world there was no doubt in his mind that there may be plant monsters involved here. Shiro had no problem doing this delivery but he also didn't exactly trust the things going on around here. Now needing this much wasn't exactly uncommon since it was enough to last the year and some people prepare that far out. But when you add rush delivery like this for such an amount this raised red flags for the pactmaker.

Of course there were variables that were missing in this scenario and until he had them all he needed to move like the lights were always flashing yellow. Which for him means that he needs to proceed with due caution. Just then Filo got Shiro's attention as she spoke up. "Master the plants here are amazing." Filo said and thus Shiro opted to look to see what got her attention.

When Shiro got to the front he saw the amount of Herbicide needed and in turn put the pieces together. "Ok that would explain why they needed so much in such short time." Shiro said as he saw the road was covered in roots. It explained they why they needed it but left a few more questions making the puzzle larger then he first thought. But Shiro deep down had a sneaking suspicion that one of those three stooges were involved somehow.

Just then Raphtalia's ears twitched when she took note of something. "Shiro look there." Raphtalia called out and thus Shiro saw a large wall that had the same roots growing upon it.

"Why do I get the feeling one of those bozo's are behind this." Shiro said while he was travelling about has had suspicions for some time that Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren's 'acts of heroics,' were causing more problems than solving. He figured since those guys treated this world like a game they may suspect their actions either had no consequences or that this world has had a pre-set story similar to their RPG's. Either way Shiro knew he might have to clean up their mess real soon. "Filo get us up there as fast as you can." Shiro said thankful he took the precaution to ensure their belongings were strapped down in case of a bumpy ride.

"Here we go!" Filo called out and thus she picked up the speed to get to the town quickly. Shiro also made a small side note to see if Erhard can possibly update their wagon with some sturdy materials.

(Later at the Camp)

Shiro eventually arrived and when he did the people were happy to see him. He already began unloading the herbicide from his wagon with Raphtalia's help until Shiro had to speak with the village elder. "I don't know how to thank you enough this place was about to fall prey to all the vines too." The old man said as Shiro and Raphtalia stood before him.

"How about burning them or did you already try that?" Raphtalia said as Shiro looked around a bit.

"Observations suggest they did." Shiro said as the old man nodded to Shiro's observation.

"We've tried everything we could think of. We even resorted to summoning adventurers but the situation is worse than before." The old man said as something nagged at Shiro's memory and this problem was causing it to flare up. "Our village was already overrun by the vines what's worse the plants turned into monsters and started to attack us." The old man said as Shiro heard this as the memory grew louder.

"Monsters?" Shiro asked as he looked to the old man.

Just then a scream echoed from outside the walls causing everyone to stop and look to said wall with concern. "Some Adventurers went to level up but when they departed they had no idea what was waiting for them." the Old man said as he explained the origin of that scream. "Another trio went to help solve the situation and all of them I begged to stay but only that trio kept making it back." The old man said and thus Shiro knew what to do.

"Filo." Shiro began until the sound of armor was heard.

Everyone looked and from over the wall the Dragon Knight appeared and following it was Rino on the back of what seemed to be Motoyasu's dragon. On the Dragon Knights shoulder was another dragon only a bit larger as in his arms were a group of adventurers. Once both landed the Dragon Knight dropped the group off and then reverted to Taiyo in a new set of armor.

Taiyo had armored grieves and leggings that seemed to be made of dragon scales with a gauntlet on his right arm that went to his elbow, and armor for his left arm that went to his shoulder. The shoulder guard was large as around Taiyo's waist was what looked like a tail coat as his lower armor went up to his sides as straps covered his chest to show he had been working out a good deal. When Shiro last saw his friend the guy had a bit of a belly but now he was sporting a six pack as well as some muscles. Nothing major just enough to show he had not been idle between their meetings.

"Next time I tell you idiots to stay put you stay put." Taiyo said as Ryuko stood next to him still in dragon form as the adventurers were hurt but not as bad as to be expected.

"It's sir Taiyo!" Raphtalia said happily to see one of Shiro friends were here, with Filo saw the dragon Ryuko, she said, "Dragons!"

She was about to attack it until Shiro grab her by her feathers and held her back, knowing she would try to do something when she saw a dragon. "Stop that's not an enemy it's Taiyo's." Shiro scolded as he looked upon Filo. "Now stand down or no snacks while on the road." Shiro said sounding more like her father right now.

Filo did stop as she look at Shiro as she said, "But- but!

"No butts, and behave or else I will also take away your favorite foods during meal times as well!" Shiro said as Filo stop with a dark shade over her head as she said with a scared tone with a look on her face to match, "Yes master."

With everyone getting off of the dragon knight armor, Shiro and his party approach Taiyo group as Shiro called out, "Hey Taiyo!"

"Hu, is that Shiro?" Taiyo said as he turn to see Shiro before he said, "It is!"

Soon enough the dragon knight pact maker came up to Shiro and they grab each other hands in a friendly manner while also patted each other backs before letting off as Taiyo said, "What's up Brother? I didn't know you would be in town."

"I was given a job to deliver a huge case of Herbicide here." Shiro said as he looked to Taiyo.

Just then the large dragoness with Taiyo went up in smoke surprising Raphtalia and Shiro as it revealed to be Ryuko. She was then standing in front of Filo smiling at her as she looked to the blond Filolial. "A new friend I'm Ryuko nice to meet you!" Ryuko greeted as she smiled to Filo.

"Get away you nasty dragon!" Filo snapped as she glared at Ryuko and gave her a head-butt causing Ryuko to cry out from it.

"Owie." Ryuko cried out making both boys go wide eyed to this.

"Filo!" Shiro and Raphtalia scolded and thus Taiyo hugged Ryuko who ran crying over to Taiyo.

"Filo she was just trying to be nice to you!" Raphtalia scolded as Rino was giving Ryuko a once over to make sure she was ok.

"But I don't like dragons." Filo said but in turn it was Shiro who spoke up.

"Ok that's it no more snacks and no games until I say so." Shiro said as Filo was wide eyed by this.

"No wait I'm sorry!" Filo began but Shiro then glared at her and thus Filo eased back.

"Sorry about her." Shiro began as he looked to the area.

"Don't worry she'll be ok nothing major." Rino said happy to see that Ryuko was ok.

"So Taiyo is there any way we help out?" Shiro asked before Taiyo nodded and went serious as he said, "Yeah this place is going to need a lot of help from us."

"What happen?" Shiro asked with Taiyo turn around while he also said to Shiro, "Its better you see for yourself, I'll tell you the rest after you see this."

Taiyo walks off with Shiro following him leading him to a tent of people as Shiro saw the people in the beds had same kinds of vines that was growing around the village were growing out of them too and look to be in pain as Taiyo soon said, "IF you guess it or not, they got infected with the deadly plants that growing around here and started to eat at them, and at this rate, they may not survive the night."

"There parasitic as well, damn," Shiro said as he didn't expect this, as this was never in white knight Chronicle, but then again most of the monsters he seen aren't from the game either other than the Gigas and a few giant monsters as well that he ran into.

"You think you can heal them or somehow help them?" Taiyo said as Shiro came up to a kid as he said, "I don't know if I am able to heal them, but I will do what I can to help."

Shiro change his shield into the spell book shield form while holding a bottle of the Herbicide potion as Taiyo help out Shiro by lifting the little kid head up so Shiro can pour the potion into the kid's mouth with ease, as they did so an test came up on screen for Shiro as it said "Potion enhance."

The gem on the shield glow with Shiro soon enough pours the potion onto the kid over the rooted area of the vines, after that, the potion started to work as the vines glowed before they seem to weather away and turn to dust, vanishing off the kid as Shiro and Taiyo smile to see that the potion and Shiro enhancement over potion worked, and so they gotten to work on the others.

"Let's get to work bring in the more serious cases first and we'll go from there." Shiro ordered and thus Raphtalia nodded.

"Right." She said and in turn they all got moving.

(Later outside)

Filo was sitting by the carriage as she glared at Ryuko who was seen playing with some of the local children who were still healthy. Nearby the dragon that Taiyo got off of Motoyasu was napping as Rino was keeping an eye on Ryuko. From the tent Shiro was seen walking with Taiyo and Raphtalia as they spoke.

"I healed the sick but this won't stop them from getting worse again." Shiro said as he walked forward. "How did this happen?" Shiro asked as he looked to Taiyo.

"I can't explain right now but the summoning it was rigged to summon those three, an outside party used magic to interfere and thus use the Cardinal Heroes to wreck things." Taiyo said as he looked to Shiro. "Tsubaki is heading north to fix Itsuki's mess and I haven't heard anything about Jun in a while but long story short the three are false heroes." Taiyo explained as he walked with the duo. "This mess was caused by Motoyasu and I've been trying to clean it up ever since but the plants keep spreading and growing faster than I can chop it up, I can only keep them at bay right now." Taiyo explained as he looked to Shiro.

"Jun would probably say something that this isn't our mess to clean up and we should just get our money and leave." Shiro said but Taiyo knew Shiro well enough.

"And then we'd outvote or convince her otherwise and we'd help these people." Taiyo said knowing what Shiro was thinking on the matter.

"So other than the new pecks mind explaining why you have Motoyasu's dragon?" Shiro asked as he looked to Taiyo who then shrugged with a grin.

"Long story short training like hell and enduring hell on earth jobs." Taiyo summarized for the Shield Hero. "Second answer will have to wait we need to focus on the current crisis." Taiyo said when Raphtalia took note to something.

"Funny you should say that." Raphtalia began and thus the two looked to the Villagers kneeling before them.

"O Savior of the Heavenly Fowl we beg you from the bottom of our hearts please join forces with the Warrior King of the Divine Dragon to save our village." The old man begged as this surprised Shiro as Taiyo was blushing a bit at the title.

"Warrior of the Divine Dragon?" Shiro asked as he gave Taiyo a look.

"Hey I didn't make the bad ass name up this time." Taiyo defended as he looked to Shiro in defense showing he had a tendency to make up titles that he felt sounded bad ass.

(Later)

Ryuko was taking a small nap in dragon form nearby as Filo had also fell asleep herself. "Our village was being ravaged by famine when the spear Hero visited," the village elderly said as the group gave a annoyed groan as Shiro muttered, "Somehow I not surprise that it was him."

"When he heard of our plight, he went to some nearby ruin and brought back a seed that had been sealed there, he called it a miracle seed," the elderly said as then the memory came back of this situation which made Shiro sigh a bit before he said, "Then it was no doubt that seed that was supposed to be keep in that box with the warning that was written near it." Since the damn idiot didn't read the warning it was clear over what had happened in the long run. They're all treating this world like a damn game and if Shiro told anyone he would be called a liar for it.

"At first we were overjoyed when we saw how quickly the plants grew and bore fruit," a villager next to the elder began to say to the group to get the idea as he went on saying," However..."

"They grew too much and quickly it overwhelmed your village?" Raphtalia said as she knew where this story was leading up to as of now as the elder said, "Indeed. While investigating our options, we hit a legend passed down the village."

"Tell us about it," Shiro said as the elder nodded and began to tell the story as he said, "a long time ago, an alchemist who'd set up shop in this area created a seed, but sealed it away for some reason."

"No doubt he knew how dangerous it was before he realizes it was too late when he made it," Rino said as she thought that what had happen with the elderly keep telling the story as he said, "The legend also said that plants had overtaken the region for a while."

"Hold on. If you all knew about this legend, why did none of you have doubts about this seed?" Shiro questioned them as with that they now hung their heads in shame as Taiyo soon said, "They probably fooled themselves thinking it was safe because a hero have given it to them."

Suddenly the elderly and the two men with him bow down before the avengers surprising them as the old man held up a bag of coins as he said to them, "We'll pay for treatments, and for the monster extermination in advance! Please save our village!"

"I'd like to help but I don't know this Warrior King of the Divine Dragon." Shiro said and thus the elder was shocked.

"How can you not when you spoke to him with such familiarity." The elder said and thus Shiro gave Taiyo a shocked look. "The Warrior King of the Divine Dragon is said to have been chosen to protect the Matriarch of all Dragons to protect her offspring the Divine Dragon and make her strong. They are said to be travelling across the land accompanied by his beautiful Queen and a servant of the Divine Dragon." The elder said and thus Shiro looked to Ryuko and Motoyasu's former Dragon and put the pieces together when he looked to Rino.

"Ok off subject real quick are there any others similar to me or the Warrior King?" Shiro asked and thus the old man nodded.

"Why yes, there is the Maiden Huntress of the Sacred Forest noted to hunt wild game and till the land with crops. She is noted to be accompanied by a young Wizard who tends to her pack of hunting wolves, and her protector whom stays ever vigilant over his mistress. And then there is the Black Temptress of the Infernal Shadow the necessary evil who is followed by the Grim Reaper, and the monster born of thunder." The elderly man said and thus it didn't take long for both Shiro and Taiyo to put faces to those titles.

Shiro then sighed and took the bag of offered coins knowing he would need it and he also knew these people needed the help. "I don't want to clean up the messes of those morons, but if those messes causes people harm that's when I make it my business." Shiro said showing he was not going to let this continue.

"Come on Filo." Shiro called out and thus Filo stood in attention.

"Coming!" Filo called out as she gave chase.

"Ryuko time to go!" Taiyo called and thus Ryuko did the same.

"On my way, papa!" Ryuko called out and thus headed over to the group as Shiro had his shield transform for combat.

(Later in the Vine covered village)

The group was already on the case as two parties went to town on the opposing monsters. Clearly that had been fighting their way through monsters for a bit as currently they were facing a large pair closest to the huge tree at the center. Shiro blocked an acid attack and gave Raphtalia a chance to attack killing the monster. Filo also kicked a few that exploded upon her attack causing their blood to spew out for it.

Nearby Taiyo, Ryuko, and Rino were doing the same as Taiyo spun his spear around to deflect the incoming attacks from his foes. Next up he proceeded to use his weapon and skewer it before slicing upward and jumping back. Once he did this he spun his body about and allowed Rino to land on it and thus allowed herself to be thrown at the foe. This combo attack gave her the boost she needed to slice through the monster and thus allowed Ryuko to do her part as well. Ryuko then came in and with her fangs bore for all too seen bit down upon the foe and proceeded to tear into it and killing it with ease. Once that was done the two parties were faced with the proverbial boss fight of the area opting them to prepare for combat.

The Creature's eye snapped open and then glared at them no doubt intent on killing them. "Incoming boss fight!" Taiyo called out ready for combat by spinning his spear and taking a battle stance.

"We take this thing out and it's all over... I really hope it's that easy." Shiro said as he knew if they went in recklessly they risk wasting much needed energy on this fight.

"There's nothing to worry about I'll destroy it master!" Filo called out and went into battle.

"Hey wait for me!" Ryuko called out much to Taiyo and Rino's shock.

"No Filo wait/Ryuko stop!" Raphtalia and Rino cried out as the Filolial Queen and Dragon Empress went after the monster.

"Double Airstrike Shield!" Shiro invoked and thus Ryuko and Filo stepped on the airstrike Shield and attacked the monster kicking its eye and causing its innards to spew out from it.

"We did it!" Ryuko called out happy that victory was upon them. Just then the roots began to move and thus the two jumped out of the way before they could get hurt. The monster in response regenerated its lost eye and was once more ready for combat.

"Dammit it regenerates far too fast so that means normal attacks won't do shit." Shiro cursed as he saw that they needed a new plan.

"Any ideas outside of a weed whacker?" Taiyo asked as he looked to his best friend.

Shiro then looked at his hand to show the flask of herbicide and in turn an idea sprang to life in his mind. "Raphtalia, Rino!" Shiro called out getting the attention of the two girls. "Splash this Herbicide directly onto the eyeball." Shiro ordered as he passed to each of the girl's one bottle each.

"Righty away/got it." Raphtalia and Rino both confirmed and thus Taiyo was at a loss.

"Oh what could will that do?" Taiyo asked as he looked over to Shiro in confusion.

"An experiment." Shiro responded as he had an idea that he got from earlier.

Nearby Raphtalia mounted onto the back of Filo while Rino did the same with Ryuko. Since their other Dragon was back at town keeping an eye on their stuff Rino had to ride on Ryuko's back for the time being. "Ok Filo let's go." Raphtalia ordered and thus Filo was ready to move.

"Right!" Filo called out and thus the Demihuman Filolial pair were off.

"Be careful Ryuko!" Rino ordered and thus Ryuko nodded.

"Ok!" She called out and soon she too was off to aid with the monster problem.

Taiyo of course went in himself and was working on giving the girls cover by drawing the Monster's attention torts himself. The strategy worked like a dream as while the girls ran through and jumped over the vines coming their way. It wasn't until Filo managed to grab one with her feet that Raphtalia slashed through them to make way for their target. Filo and Raphtalia began to fall down as Filo did not appreciate that not one bit.

"Raphtalia stop holding me back." Filo scolded as they fell.

"Holding you back!?" Raphtalia asked indigently clearly offended that she was being blamed for their strategy here.

They then heard playful laughter and looked to see that Ryuko and Rino were doing much better than they were. As the vines went after the dragon Filo glared at the dragon girl hoping she gets hurt. Ryuko then spun like a corkscrew to get through some more vines and when she did Rino was gone.

Everyone was wide eyed by this looked only to see Rino had the bottle of Herbicide open. she saw there was no way to get close to the eye as is and thus opted to go for the roots which she then uncorked the bottle and empties it onto the roots. Raphtalia and Filo landed as Ryuko caught Rino before landing herself.

The monster cried out in pain as Shiro saw what happened. "Ok we're on the right track but even if it's healing slower we're on the right track." Shiro said as he tried to think on how to go about their plan. "Wait." Shiro began as he remembered the ability he used back in the refugee camp. "If the Potion Enhanced ability worked on the Herbicide..." Shiro trailed off and thus Taiyo rejoined Shiro when he saw the thoughtful look Shiro had.

"What you planning brother?" Taiyo asked withy curiosity over what Shiro was thinking about.

"You'll see." Shiro said and thus began to calmly walk to the root closest to the main body. As he did so Shiro wasn't bothered when the vines came at Shiro and began to retrain him.

"Shiro!" Taiyo cried out when he saw Shiro being held by the vines. But he was then surprised when the vines began to snap off Shiro as his body gave off an emerald green glow. "Wow." Taiyo said as he didn't expect that to happen.

"Is that the Shield Hero's power?" Rino asked as she looked surprised by this,

"Master you're so amazing." Filo cheered as she saw Shiro easily get through the vines. He eventually got the root and thus proceeded to uncork the bottle and began to poor it down onto the roots after utilizing his Potion enhance ability. The results were near instant as the tree monster began to roar out in pain while its body began to wither and die. The entire tree was coming down and with it so was its hold on the village.

"Everyone get back!" Shiro ordered and thus everyone got moving to safety.

"We did it!" Taiyo called out happy to see that they did it. The massive plant monster began to fall apart as the day was won. The Monster dead and the village saved but there was one more problem to deal with.

"Not yet, those ripe seeds can still cause trouble we need to gather them all." Shiro said and thus Rino had to agree on that one.

(Later that day)

The group was making great time with gathering the seeds as they had split up a bit and were moving inward. As they worked Raphtalia went to grab a plan and in turn was then grabbed by Filo. "Hey that one was mine I was just about to take it!" Raphtalia called out as Filo had her hand on it now.

"So what I got it before you." Filo countered as she still held the seed.

"It's mine!" Raphtalia argued as Filo glared.

"No its not!" Filo countered as the two went on with their little argument.

Just then Filo yelped and saw that Ryuko had snatched the seed from Filo. "There not its mine, no more arguing, papa always said arguing for this doesn't accomplish anything." Ryuko said happily as Filo was about to take the seed back but saw Rino was nearby as was Taiyo. Plus Filo was still in hot waters over before so she huffed and went back to work.

"So that's what happened." Shiro said as he laughed a bit after Taiyo told him how he got Motoyasu's dragon. Shiro had just fed the monster seed to his shield and thus unlocked a new shield thanks to this.

"Yeap guy just doesn't have a brain to work with." Taiyo taunted a bit as he smirked at Motoyasu's expense. Meanwhile Shiro was looking through his new acquired shield as he took note to something about it.

"Huh, Plant Modification." Shiro said as he saw a new ability had been unlocked when he fed the seeds to his Shield. An ability he planned to test out on the seeds that were left behind.

"Plant what now?" Taiyo asked as Shiro stood up wanting to run a small experiment.

"Watch this," Shiro said as he toss out a few seeds to the ground, as soon enough they took root fast and form together making a smaller version of the boss plant monster from before but quickly die when it fully grew with Taiyo surprise by this as he said, "Dude, did you just."

"Yep," Shiro said with Taiyo went on saying to him, "But then it's just-

"Ah huh," Shiro said as Raphtalia and Rino came up with their basket full of seeds as Rino asked, "What was that about?"

"Shiro did something to the seeds and stuff," Taiyo said as Shiro explain as he said, "I unlock a new ability called plant modification and able to change the property of the seeds themselves and did a bit of an experiment."

"WE just barely took down that monster Shiro, don't be so reckless!" Raphtalia said as Rino nodded as she agrees with her as she said, "She's right, who knows what could have happen."

"Don't worry I made sure it life span was cut short, as how fast it grew and with very little water around, it wouldn't have lasted long anyways," Shiro told them as Taiyo said, "But that pretty cool… Oh man I just thought of this but if you use that plant mod thing of you're, you could make your own Saibamen from the DBZ Series and have like an army of creature fighting for you and such."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Taiyo, and beside I can only modified so much, not change them completely… but yea that would be kind of cool," Shiro said as Taiyo did make a good point but that require a lot of work and time which he doesn't have at the moment right now as he went on saying, "I'm just thinking maybe I can put these seed for a better use."

(Later)

The two groups return to the village as the village chef came up to Shiro and said, "Thank you so much savior of the… shield hero, and Dragon knight."

"Not a problem, but it was mostly Shiro that saved the day," Taiyo said as he patted Shiro shoulder a bit as Shiro said, "Not like I did anything that impressive, and also we may have killed the monster but you guy would need to clean up the vines yourselves."

Shiro didn't try to be mean about it but they were hired to bring potions and kill the plant monster, nothing else, and he has an idea he wants to try as the village chef said, "Of course."

"I'm going to rest for now," Shiro said as Raphtalia look to him and said, "Alright then."

Soon enough Shiro headed into his wagon and gotten to work on the seeds before he went to get some sleep.

(The next morning over with Taiyo and the rest)

The sun wash going down, and the village was celebrating a bit with the plant monster now gone and everyone who were infected by the plants were saved, so they decided with an cook out outside, with Ryuko and Filo in their Queen/empress forms were eating some of the fruit that the monster tree bared, thankfully there was no negative effect on them with that as they keep eating them, with the chef said to Taiyo and Shiro's companions, "It's kind of hard to get a read on this shield hero, he seemingly keeps to himself."

"Well that's Shiro for you, when he gets busy with something; he usually wants to be alone so he can work," Taiyo said with Raphtalia said, "Yea, he is so silent, cool, and so brave."

"That's my soul bro," Taiyo as Raphtalia look to him and said, "Soul bro?"

"Short for soul brother," Taiyo said as then Raphtalia said, "So wait, you are his brother?"

"No-no, we're not blood related, we're best friend with a deep bond to the soul itself like family, and sense we're similar in age, Bam! Soul brothers," Taiyo said as Rino said to Raphtalia, "He once told me they been friends for a long time before meeting their other friends Jun and Tsubaki, and they are as close like brothers are."

"That make sense," Raphtalia said as the chef heard all of this as he said, "Well ain't that interesting to hear, it seem this shield hero have all sort of interesting friend as well."

"Yep," Taiyo said as they keep on eating until the sun was fully down and everyone were soon turning in so to wake up early and get to working on removing the vines.

(The next day)

Shiro was already up before the sun even came up behind the mountains as Shiro change his shield into a shield that did the Plant Modification as on screen it said-

"Mandoragora shield"

"Plant Analysis skill unlocked."

"Alright then, time to test this out," Shiro said as he pull out some seed he saved and gotten working on them as he change what he could for it as he said, "That should do the trick."

Shiro kneel down in the middle of the crop zone area as Raphtalia seem to have awaken early as well as she saw Shiro doing something, so she came up and said with a yawn afterword's "Shiro?"

"You can sleep some more if you want to?" Shiro suggest as Raphtalia said to him, "No, I'm okay. Is that a seed from yesterday?"

"Just wait and watch," Shiro said as he cover the seed up before adding a bit of water to it as Raphtalia said, "I don't want to sound like I'm nagging, but you shouldn't take risk like this."

Before she could say anything, the seed started to sprout and grew to Raphtalia surprise that what she is seeing as Shiro smile at this work.

Later as the sun rises with Filo waking up and saw no one was around as she soon went outside and saw that Shiro and Raphtalia were out there, as Shiro was looking over his work with Raphtalia as he said, "Looks like my idea worked."

"Oh wow," Filo voice came up as she walk up and saw the new plant as she said, "Those look very yummy!"

Later the villagers gathered around the plants as Ryuko and Filo each had their own bowls and were munching on the fruits. "I curved their breeding and mutation potential and then increased their growth and productivity." Shiro explained as he presented the plant that was already bearing fruit. "With this they should bear lots of edible fruit without turning into monsters as our feathery and scaled friends here demonstrate." Shiro said as the two were eating away at the fruit.

"So yummy!" Ryuko called out as she enjoyed her bowl of fruits.

"In other words no more famine for your village." Taiyo said with a grin on his face. "And with that Motoyasu's mess is cleaned up." Taiyo added as Rino nodded with her arms crossed.

"Thank you so much sir heroes not only did you both save us from danger you've given us the most wonderful gift you could imagine." The elder said as Shiro then got an idea.

"Sorry but charity has its limits I'm afraid." Shiro said as he looked to the old man surprising Taiyo with this. "But I'm willing to cut a deal I'll sell you these seeds for the right price." Shiro offered surprising Taiyo and Rino.

"Um Shiro you ok man?" Taiyo asked not seeing what Shiro was doing despite being from a wealthy family back home.

"Yeah isn't that being a bit greedy, Shiro?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Shiro.

"B-but we paid you everything we have for the treatment and the extermination there's no more money left." The old man said and thus Shiro had an idea.

"Well I since I did make these seeds tell you what I'll trade them for a fraction of the harvest they'll begot but I will still keep a few of the seeds to sell later." Shiro said and in turn it was actually a reasonable offer. If done right they should be able to get more back then what they originally paid for.

Nearby Ryuko walked over to Filo and thus tried to be friendly again. "You were amazing out there Filo!" Ryuko gushed as she looked to Filo who pouted over seeing Ryuko. "Also your carriage looks fun... can I pull it a bit?" Ryuko asked hoping Filo would say yes.

Alas Filo was very attached to her cart and thus pecked at Ryuko causing her to cry out in pain getting the groups attention. "No it's mine!" She snapped and thus Shiro glared at this.

"FILO!" Shiro and Raphtalia scolded causing Filo to jump realizing she did it again.

(Later on the Road)

The good news was that by the end of it the group managed to get a large harvest to sell to other people. To add to it Taiyo and his party were going in the same direction as Shiro and his party so they opted to travel together for a bit. But then came the bad news which was that currently Rino held the reigns on the wagon that was being pulled by Ryuko this time around.

"This is fun!" She cheered out as Filo was currently in the wagon pouting with her arms crossed. Since Filo didn't want to share and be friendly with Ryuko she was currently off Wagon duty until the two party's part ways. Raphtalia was riding on Rino's Dragon so to keep it close so they don't lose track of it. In the wagon Shiro and Taiyo were talking with each other over Taiyo's last job.

"So you found the Sun King... and its bonded to Madoras?" Shiro summarized and thus Taiyo nodded.

"Yeap and its bad, Madoras was the one who apparently interfered with the summoning, from the sound of it, Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki were never meant to be the Cardinal Heroes." Taiyo said as he and Shiro sat across from each other in the Wagon with Filo nearby on time-out.

"This is bad, this means if he makes it here, we might have a war on our hands." Shiro said and thus it was evident they needed a plan. "The only way I can think to end this is to find the source of the Waves and bottleneck it at least until we can plug it up completely." Shiro said as he rubbed his chin a bit to this.

"It's a start if we knew where the source was." Taiyo said as he hated to think if Madoras was the source. "But right now let's focus on the current crisis." Taiyo said changing gears to a positive tone. "What you plan to do about the fruit surplus not to be that guy but how do you plan to deal with it before it goes bad?" Taiyo asked as he looked to Shiro who then smirked a bit.

"Let's just say I know a guy." Shiro responded and in turn Taiyo had to see this.

(Scene Break Merchants Home)

The group were gathered before the merchant lord who was currently looking at the seed Shiro brought with a magnifying glass. "This is certainly an impressive seed." He began before taking his eyes off it. "I'll be happy to take as many as you can give me including all the produce." He said as Shiro and Raphtalia sat side by side with Taiyo and Rino behind them while Ryuko and Filo were looking at the fruit sadly seeing as Ryuko got to enjoy it more than Filo did.

"So can we say we have a deal?" Shiro asked as he looked to the chubby man.

"My compliments on how you showed off several attractive products to create an advantage." The man began showing they did in fact have a deal. "You are a shining example of the trader spirit." The man said as Shiro nodded to this.

"Thank you." Shiro said as he stood up to shake the man's hand.

"I do have one request though if you are not busy I am in need of assistance with a minor job I have." The man said as he looked to Shiro while shaking his hand.

(Scene Break back on the road)

The group was on the move to deliver goods to a Hot springs inn as they followed the trail on the map. Filo was still off Wagon duty since Taiyo went along and followed after the group. Right now Shiro and Taiyo were talking about the problem child whom was up front with Raphtalia at the moment. Rino was currently riding the dragon close to the group.

"We need to get Filo to learn to get along with Ryuko especially if they'll be fighting together during the Waves." Shiro said a she scratched his head. "No offense to you Ryuko is a sweet girl from what I've seen no doubt got that from you." Shiro said as Taiyo smirked to this.

"None taken and your right if she can't get along with Filo then we got a problem on our hands." Taiyo said knowing they needed a plan for this.

"Jeez I'm too young to be a parent." Shiro sighed and thus Taiyo sighed and patted Shiro's shoulder.

"Trust me I know your pain." Taiyo said in full agreement with Shiro on this one.

(Scene Break Hot Springs Town)

The sky began to change color signaling that night was almost upon them. Shiro currently stood in front of one of the Inns waitresses while Taiyo was working on helping to bring the goods in. "Thank you the order is complete it was very kind of you all to bring it to the inn." The lady said smiling to the two parties. "Have a lovely day." She said and thus she began to get to work on bringing in the delivered items Shiro and friends brought in.

"I can't believe there are hot spring towns in this crazy ass world also." Shiro said as Taiyo joined him.

"Yeah I can agree." Taiyo said with a grin on his face. Nearby the girls Raphtalia, Filo, Rino, and Ryuko were all seen dipping their bare feet into the water to relax after a long journey.

Shiro and Taiyo were making their way over to the girls when Filo looked to them with Ryuko doing the same from her spot. "Hey master this water is great! Can I go to this hot spring thing too can I?" Filo asked as she looked to the group.

"Filo I'm not sure from you, after how you've been behaving around Ryuko recently I don't feel you've earned it." Shiro said putting his foot down with Filo and her behavior.

"Please can we all go I'm not mad at her honest?" Ryuko said as she had been forgiving Filo left and right despite being the target of Filo's actions.

"Come on man at least do it for my girl." Taiyo said as he now held Ryuko both giving puppy dog eyes to him.

In response Shiro sighed to this before turning over to Raphtalia and Rino. "What about you two?" Shiro asked the two girls here wanting to see if they also wanted to go. As far as he saw they were the deciding factors since Filo was still under punishment at the moment.

"We've been doing a lot of traveling lately so a moment of rest like this would be most welcomed." Rino said as Raphtalia didn't look all in on it. Rino rubbed her feet a bit to rub the soreness out from them.

"Well I'm not really that interested actually but if you all want to go I'd be happy to accompany you." Raphtalia lied as her tail was wagging showing she really wanted to go to the Hot Spring Inn.

"Well good news Filo you now owe Ryuko, Raphtalia, and Rino a thank you." Shiro said as he honestly didn't think rewarding bad behavior was a proper parenting method so he made sure Filo knew she owed the girls now. This of course got cheers from the girls as Shiro soon found Filo hugging him as Ryuko was seen hugging her papa causing Taiyo to smile and pat her head in response. Of course seeing Filo hug Shiro made Raphtalia pout as Rino smiled at Ryuko and Taiyo with a motherly smile.

(Scene Break Hot Springs Girls Side)

Raphtalia, Rino, Filo, and Ryuko were all gathered in the hot spring together. Rino offered to take the small girls off of Shiro and Taiyo's hands while the two boys had their guy time. "Rino I swear Filo has been awfully clingy to Shiro lately." Raphtalia said as she aired her grievances.

"I understand and honestly I don't think you need to worry much. As much as Filo is clingy I don't think Shiro is the type to go for little girls." Rino said assuring Raphtalia that Shiro wouldn't go after Filo like that.

"Still I want to be clingy a bit also." Raphtalia sighed as she sat with Rino relaxing in the hot spring water.

"Wow this water is so nice!" Ryuko called out as she swam about doing a bit of a doggy paddle on her end.

"I know." Filo agreed as she was doing the same until Ryuko stopped, smiled, and dived under into the water. "Huh?" Filo asked as she looked around for Ryuko who was hidden under the water. Just then Ryuko's tail curved through behind Filo before going back under. Filo looked and saw nothing until the same thing happened again. Ryuko was stalking through the water as she went about hunting Filo as she saw the girl bum in the water.

Ryuko's eyes flashed with a mischievous glint before surging straight for Filo. Ryuko then jumped up as she looked like a scene from Jaws. "I am Ryuko of the deep fear me!" Ryuko called out before she grabbed the surprised Filo causing her to cry out in shock. The Dragon Empress and Filolial Queen then surfaced again as Ryuko was laughing at her little joke until Filo splashed her in the face for that. "Water fight!" Ryuko cried out and thus splashed back at Filo causing the two to have a scene.

"Hey you two behave will you!?" Rino called out as she went over to break the two girls up. Meanwhile Raphtalia walked over to the statues of a man holding a boar and being held close by a woman she took note of. Once she got there she noticed the plaque on it and began to read it to herself.

"The origin and benefits of this hot spring." Raphtalia began as she read the inscription. "What does a silver boar have to do with a hot spring? That's interesting." Raphtalia asked as she looked at the image. "It's, affects are... success in love?!" Raphtalia asked shocked to read this. "The couple that enters this hot spring together will be united eternally?!" Raphtalia cried out and thus the images began to flow. "That means if I can get Shiro to bath together with me in this hot spring." Raphtalia gasped as Rino had managed to get the two girls to stop before looking at the plaque herself and began to get similar ideas as Raphtalia.

As the two girls began to enter their own fantasies for a moment with their heads turning as red as a tomato Shiro and Taiyo were off doing their own thing.

(Over with the boys)

Shiro and Taiyo were relaxing as Taiyo was easing the stress from his muscles. "Dude no offense but I think you need to cover up more." Shiro said as he spotted maybe five or six girls staring at Taiyo. "If you don't you may need that spear to beat away any fans." Shiro said as he looked to Taiyo.

"Hey this happened by accident when you fight and work out you get pecks." Taiyo said gesturing to the muscles. They were big but not too big thankfully keeping him from looking like a gross mass of muscles. "So what are we supposed to do about Madoras?" Taiyo asked as he changed the subject leaving Shiro to silence.

As Shiro sat there he looked to the sky as he was unsure on what they can even do against him. He made the Knights and if what Taiyo said is true was unable to control them anymore. But that didn't mean he didn't possible leave any Achilles heels on the Knights. Still Shiro's was unsure on what they can even do against Madoras at this point and thus knew he had to voice his concern.

"I'm not sure." Shiro said and thus Taiyo knew they might be in trouble.

(Later at the Inn)

Shiro was in his group's room with Taiyo got their own room as there was no such thing as a 4 or more bed room but they were next door to each other, with Shiro was combing Filo's hair with Taiyo in there with him with Ryuko brushing her hair as well with Shiro said, "We need to somehow increase our level to unlock more abilities as well train our magic, skills, and other powers, but the problem is how to do it as just fighting regular monster won't cut it."

"I know what you're saying honestly I do, but would fighting Gigas or other giant monster would do the trick?" Taiyo said as Shiro looks at him and said, "Maybe but the problem is that is there's not many people with Gigas cards, as far as we know we only encounter Gigas during the wave, and the only group of human we know of that had them were a bunch of bandits that you fought, anywhere else it seem they are extremely rare to find someone is 1 in a million, or none existence with the bandits being a fluke that found a few cards and knew how to use them."

"Maybe your right, but what if someone could have given it to them," Taiyo said as Shiro looks at him and said, "If someone was then there should have been reports or stories about them all around, at any case if someone were caring the Gigas card but not use them, then the bandit might have founded some or stolen them by chance."

"True, those guys were raiding a lot of travelers as well alongside the village they raided a lot," Taiyo said as Shiro said to him, "So we're back to square one on how to get stronger, as If we can somehow figure out how to match up to Madoras on even grounds, otherwise we need either to find or create the holy sword Falcyos which maybe hard or impossible at this point, or a new power like you have somehow gain but you can't control it."

Taiyo told Shiro about his new power with the dragon knight after being enraged by Madoras and was able to stand equal to him for a time at least, but they knew that power should not exist within the knights themselves unless there was some sort of future plan for a 3rd white knight chronicle game that would have such a thing, they wouldn't have known as the server for the game was shut down and the game was more or less discontinued.

"Yea, it was weird, I was there but at the same time I wasn't," Taiyo said as he kept on with brushing his little girls Ryuko hair. The two girls didn't seem to pay attention to what they were saying as they were enjoying their grooming by their fathers, with Taiyo said, "I didn't realize what I said until after I said it, but even then it was still freaky."

"Maybe a side effect of the Arcs with how many there were together as well, as maybe they not only drive us insane with power but give us knowledge unconsciously, sort of like you sleep you dream of something later to forget even though there are detail about the dream you still remember you never thought of doing or saying before but in this case it's in reverse," Shiro said as he come up with the theory as he pause for a moment of what he was doing to say, "But then again that's my theory that's just that."

"Wouldn't be too far fetch I mean dealing with magic and other stuff, I'm sure bizarre stuff would pop up once in a while that we may not know about yet," Taiyo said as Shiro shrug a bit as he said, "True."

(Out in the hall)

Rino and Raphtalia just finished up with their baths, with the guys had left early with Filo and Ryuko follow them, the girl stayed a bit longer before getting our and what seem to be milk drinks in their hands as Rino said, "I can't believe those two would just leave the baths so early, I would have figure they would have stay in longer than us."

"Well Shiro has always been busy with things he barely can sit still doing nothing, I guess that include hot springs as well," Raphtalia said as Rino give a nod as she said, "I guess that do make sense, Taiyo is sort of the same, but he's more a boy in a grown man's body at times it's hard to keep him to hold still long enough to get him to focus."

"I guess we have our own problem to deal with when it's coming to them," Raphtalia said as Rino nodded as she said, "True, as well as the girls. Ryuko is just a handful and seeing with filo at time she must be one herself."

"So true," Raphtalia said as she bow her head a bit to that as she thought, 'And I can't believe Filo is with Shiro this entire time.'

She saw the milk drinks in her hands as she remember why she gotten them as she shake her head and thought, 'either way I want to share this drink with him, and hopefully we can spend some time together ourselves.'

As the two were walking down a wall with two more girls walking about as well as they were suddenly talking about something as they said, "Hey, have you heard of Latium?"

Rino and Raphtalia stop for a moment to let the girls pass while also hearing them talk about something.

(Later at the rooms)

The two walked into the room to find Shiro and Taiyo tending to Filo and Ryuko. "That feels good master." Filo was heard as she was content right now.

"You have way too much hair Filo and its becoming a pain." Shiro said as he brushed Filo's hair.

"Is it really?" Filo asked as she looked up to Shiro.

"Yeah Raphtalia had much shorter hair then yours." Shiro said but had more to add to this. "Plus you're still in hot waters young lady, pun not intended." Shiro said as he continued to brush Filo's hair while Filo pouted a bit.

'I wish he was brushing my hair right now.' Raphtalia asked as she looked to Shiro.

"Ryuko we really to teach you how to handle your own hair care." Taiyo said as he was getting that last few curls out of Ryuko's hair.

"Oh but then you won't brush it anymore." Ryuko pouted as she liked it when Taiyo brushed her hair.

"Don't forget young lady you have to handle your own wings and tail." Taiyo added as he wasn't going anywhere near the scales there unless Ryuko hurt her hands somehow. After all Taiyo had a sure fire way to help Ryuko in the event she starts shedding or molting depending on perspective.

Having enough the two girls walked in as Rino went to Taiyo and Raphtalia went to Shiro. "Um listen I'd also like." Raphtalia began as she looked to Shiro.

But alas she was soon cut off by Filo who looked over to Shiro. "Master I'm thirsty can I please have a drink." Filo asked as she looked over to Shiro seeing as she was thirsty.

"No you're still in trouble after today." Shiro reminded her as he then got back to work. "Now turn around and hold still or else I won't brush your hair." Shiro said with a stern tone to Filo.

"No but it feels good so keep going!" She whined as she did enjoy it and despite wanting Shiro to do her feathers she knew she was still in hot waters with him thus didn't push her luck.

That was when Shiro noticed Raphtalia and gave her a look. "Oh hey Raphtalia what's up?" Shiro asked as he looked to the Demihuman.

"Never mind its nothing." Raphtalia said before she proceeded to drink the two drinks she brought with her.

Meanwhile Rino gave Taiyo and Ryuko a smile. "So how are you two doing tonight?" Rino asked as she looked to the two.

"Great look how pretty papa made my hair!" Ryuko called out as she now had a few braids in it making her look absolutely adorable.

"Oh you look beautiful sweetheart." Rino praised as she hugged Ryuko who smiled to this making Filo look to the scene with a small hint of jealousy for Ryuko.

"Jeez I never thought I'd see the day." Shiro smirked a bit as he saw that Taiyo had gone full on Dad mode for Ryuko and it seems Rino had also become Ryuko's mother in their marry band. Raphtalia also saw this and for a brief moment she pictured herself in Rino's position and Shiro in Taiyo's position with an unknown little one in the position of Ryuko.

(Later that evening)

Everyone was currently in bed as Shiro and his party had one room and Taiyo and his part had another room. Raphtalia was still awake as Shiro and Filo were both asleep. 'If I don't do something Filo will steal my master Shiro.' Raphtalia thought before Filo's hand swatted her in the face. In response Raphtalia moved said hand back over to Filo's side of the bed. 'If I wanna turn this around once and for all...' Raphtalia thought before she sat up on the bed to think better.

'Mom always used to say that giving a gift was the best way to get your beloved attention.' Raphtalia thought before she looked over to Shiro's sleeping form. 'She fell in love dad after he gave her a gift too.' Raphtalia thought and in turn had an idea.

(Later that Night outside)

On the mountain path Raphtalia was seen on it as she smiled a bit. "If I can just get some Latium." Raphtalia thought as she remembered that conversation from earlier.

(Flashback)

As both Rino and Raphtalia were walking down the hall two more girls were seen walking about as well as they were suddenly talking about something as they said, "Hey, have you heard of Latium?"

"Oh you mean that rare crystal found in this area?" The second one asked as she looked to her friend.

"Everyone says that if you make a love charm out of it, it works amazingly well." She said much to her friends shock unaware that Rino and Raphtalia both heard her.

(End Flashback)

'A bird called the Gagoco collects it so if I find one of their nests I'll find some Latium.' Raphtalia thought as she was walking down the path. 'I'll be able to give it as a gift to master Shiro and then.' She thought to herself with a smile and small blush on her face. But the blush then turned beat red as her thoughts trailed off to more dirty ones. "We can't master Shiro cause if we kiss." She trailed off as she was cut off by a new voice.

"What's this about Master?" Filo asked as this caused Raphtalia to go wide eyed to this.

"What where that voice come from?" Raphtalia asked wide eyed before turning around to find Filo.

"Filo?!" Raphtalia asked as she was wide eyed to this. She in turn began to grow wary assuming Filo was after the Latium.

"Oh you're after the eggs too aren't you?" Filo asked as she looked to Filo.

"Huh?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to this.

"Sure the old man at the inn told me that eggs of a bird called the Gagoco are a rare delicacy." Filo said and thus a new voice was heard.

"That's why I'm out here!" Ryuko called out and thus both girls looked to find that Ryuko and Rino were out and about too. "That oldie told me the same thing." Ryuko said as Rino nodded to the girl. "Rino and I want to make it to papa so he can have breakfast." Ryuko said and thus Raphtalia was not at all worried.

"Wait if that's what you want what about you?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to Rino.

"To make sure she stays safe." Rino began as she pointed to Ryuko. "And if I find some Latium… well I hear Shiro knows how to craft accessories." Rino said and thus this made Raphtalia go wide eyed to this as she knew why Rino wanted that Latium. Good news it wasn't for Shiro bad news Raphtalia needed that gem more than Rino did.

"No those eggs are mine so master can be my mate for life!" Filo called out before she began to run off.

"Hey wait!" Raphtalia called out and gave chase to Filo.

"Yay egg hunt!" Ryuko cried out and ran off much to Rino's chagrin.

"Wait Ryuko stay close!" Rino cried out and chased after the dragon girl.

(Later)

"Eggs, eggs yummy eggs." Filo sang as she ran off to find the eggs in questions.

"Yummy, yummy eggs for hungry, hungry papa." Ryuko sang as she ran by as well with Raphtalia and Rino close on the two girl tails.

The chase eventually found them at a ledge area as Raphtalia and Rino were catching their breaths. "When did this become a race?" Raphtalia asked as she was catching her breath.

"We're dealing with two little girls with energy to spare, I think I already started to get grey hairs." Rino said as she was also catching her breath.

"Rino come on the Eggs have to be nearby." Ryuko cried out as she and Filo began to walk backwards.

"Raphtalia and Rino are slowpokes." Filo teased with a smile on her face when Rino saw something making her go wide eyed.

"Filo, Ryuko watch out behind you!" Ryuko cried out but alas it was too late as the two girls tipped and in turn began to fall.

The fall would have went further if not for the quick actions of both Raphtalia and Rino grabbing their respective charges. But weight, momentum, and gravity had other ideas and in turn the four girls cried out and began to fall with a scream. But thankfully something soft broke their fall in the bushes below causing them some pain but nothing lethal of fatal.

"That hurt my tail." Raphtalia began as Rino joined in with moan while rubbing her head in pain a bit.

"Rino are you and Raphtalia ok?" Ryuko asked with concern for the two girls with her.

"We'll be fine nothing broken." Rino said and thus gave Ryuko a look. "And Ryuko you should know better to watch where you step you could've have been hurt or worse." Rino scolded the little girl who looked down in shame over her lack of foresight.

"I'm sorry." Ryuko apologized and thus Raphtalia opted to speak up.

"Well we're lucky this thing cushioned our fall or we'd probably wouldn't have made it." Raphtalia said as Rino began to take note of something.

"Wait are those... tusks?" Rino asked as she saw the tusks nearby. Falling it up the group bounced with their cushion making a breathing sound. They looked to what Rino was looking at and in turn saw crimson red eyes looking at them and looking very angry with them.

"Uh-oh." Ryuko said as she saw the creature glaring at them.

"RUN!" Rino cried out and thus the four girls were running away from the monster they landed on.

The four girls were screaming in a panic as they ran showing they were caught off guard and not prepared for what they were facing off against. As they ran away the road they were taking was leading them to a gap they could not pass as they were. Seeing the mentioned gap Raphtalia knew they were in trouble. "Now what?!" Raphtalia asked as they kept running for the path.

"Oh I got an idea!" Ryuko called out as it seems she and Filo had similar ideas. "Mama get on!" Ryuko called out and thus transformed into her dragon form.

"You two Raphtalia." Filo added and transformed into her Filolial form. Going max speed the two creatures ran for it with Raphtalia and Filo's back and Rino and Ryuko's back. Eventually they got to the large gap and proceeded to jump across it to safety. The creature was forced to stop as the landed on the other side.

"That was scary." Filo said as she sat on the ground.

"Can we do it again?" Ryuko asked but Rino glared at the girl before smiling.

"You both did great back there." Rino praised as she pat the two girls on the head making them both gush. "It seems great minds think alike." Rino added and thus Filo gave Ryuko a sideways glare while Ryuko smiled happily to Filo. "Now come on we have an egg and gem to find." Rino said as she had a few ideas on what to do with that Latium.

(Scene Break Later)

The sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon as the four girls were crouched down looking upon the sleeping Gagoco on its nest. In the mentioned nest the egg rested and near it was the Latium that they were seeking. "There it is the Gagoco." Rino said with a smile on her face.

"Eggs, eggs yummy eggs." Filo chanted ready for some omelets.

In turn the four began to carefully crawl over to the sleeping bird each with intent to grab a specific item from it. Two of them wanted the eggs and two of them wanted the gem. But as Raphtalia neared it the bird began to awaken and take notice to them. When it did it began to caw in panic as it knew it was in danger right now.

"Oh I'm sorry I don't mean to scare you I just need that crystal you're sitting on." Raphtalia said as she looked to the creature until Ryuko smelled something.

"I smell pork." Ryuko said before the familiar sound of the boar was heard causing the group to turn around.

They all saw the boar ready to charge them which made them go wide eyed in shock to this. In turn it charged and thus the group was forced to move or get hurt. The Nest of the bird was hit and from it the Latium was sent flying and the eggs were all shattered while the Gagoco flew off to safety.

"No!" Rino cried out as she reached for the Latium but alas it was long gone already.

"Look what happened to the eggs!" Filo cried as she and Ryuko looked to the shattered eggs.

But all of a sudden a cold air blew by as something had snapped within the girls. As the creature glared ready for attack it suddenly felt this wind and grew wary of it. Ryuko stood up as her eyes grew sharp and into slits as she glared at the creature. "That was going to be papa's breakfast." Ryuko growled as she glared at her foe.

"And you cost me Taiyo's present." Rino added as she glared at the monster promising a pain that even Hell would seem like sweet blissful release.

"Raphtalia." Filo said as she was angry that their journey here was for not.

"Right." Raphtalia said and thus the creature stepped back in fear with its fight of flight aspect going wild.

(From Afar)

The high pitch scream of the monster was heard from all over as the four girls proceeded to slaughter it as compensation for what they had lost.

(At the inn Shiro)

Shiro stirred awake a bit as he swore for a moment he heard something. But when he saw it was probably nothing the Shield Hero went back to sleep and went about his day.

(Taiyo)

Taiyo had a sleep bubble from his nose which popped when he heard the sound of... something. Thinking it a wild animal he went back to sleep and thus the bubble reformed blowing up and out as he snored.

(Later back with the Girls)

"Well that was a waste of time." Rino said as they were on the path back to town with the boar now on Filo's back.

"Tell me about it." Filo pouted a bit and all that hard work for nothing.

"We looked everywhere and couldn't even find another Gagoco." Rino said with a sad sigh over their failure.

"Well at least we can possibly make use of this." Raphtalia said as they kept walking... until Ryuko stopped. Her eyes sharpened into slits again as her nose twitched and her tail curled about.

Taking notice of this Rino looked to Ryuko with concern. "Ryuko?" Rino asked with concern for Ryuko.

"I smell the eggs." Ryuko said but before she could go further Ryuko transformed and then ran off.

"Ryuko!?" Rino cried out but alas Ryuko was gone before they could catch her.

"Good riddance." Filo scowled as she really hated dragons.

"We need to go after her." Raphtalia said as she was worried for the dragon girl.

"No." Rino said in an oddly calm manner.

"NO!?" Raphtalia asked but Rino had more.

"Ryuko has a highly acute hunting instinct and more so she has a homing instinct, we got separated one time and she managed to find us without much struggle." Rino said as she then looked to Raphtalia. "If Ryuko ran off like that she might have found another nest." Rino said as she then had one more thing to add. "I hope." Rino said and thus that was all they could really do about this.

(Meanwhile with Ryuko)

Ryuko hid in the bushes as she saw another Gagoco getting ready for the day as she smiled at her prey. In turn with movement worthy of a hunter of the wild she pounced and before the bird could even react it was forced to run and abandon its nest to avoid the prey.

(Scene Break back in town)

"I still think this is a bad idea." Raphtalia said as she didn't know if Ryuko was even dragon enough for those instincts to kick in. "For all we know she could get lost or hurt." Raphtalia said as Rino looked to the Demihuman with a calm air around her.

"Don't worry if she isn't back I'll go looking but I don't think we need to worry much for, Ryuko." Rino said as they kept walking.

"But how can you be certain Ryuko will be ok." Raphtalia began until a new voice was heard.

"Ok with what?" Ryuko asked as she stood in the middle of the group causing them all to jump in response to this. In her hands was the Latium and the Gagoco egg she had located and brought here.

"Ryuko!?" Raphtalia gasped but saw what she had. "You found it!" Raphtalia said only for Ryuko to pass the Latium over to Rino.

"Here it looked pretty and I thought you'd like it." Ryuko said with a smile on her face causing Rino to smile in response.

"Thank you sweetheart." Rino responded while patting Ryuko on the head. "Oh and for you Filo." Rino said as she gave the egg to Filo.

"Papa always says friends give friends gift, and even if Papa won't be able to enjoy it at least Shiro can have some." Ryuko said making Filo go wide eyed to this.

"Wait for me?!" Filo gasped as she took the egg clearly shocked over what Ryuko was doing for her.

"Yeap we're friends aren't we?" Ryuko asked tipping her head to the side curious as to why Filo would ask that.

"I." Filo began but that was before new voices cut her off.

"Hey you guys!" A new voice called and thus the four Girls all looked and saw a pair of men walking up to them. "That wouldn't happen to be a Silver Razer Back you captured?" The man asked looking to the girls and their previous acquisition.

"Yes it is." Rino responded as she was well versed on monsters after Myne sold her for 3 Gold Pieces.

"Would you give it to us?" The other guy asked as the girls in turn went wide eyed to this question.

"You see Silver Razer Backs are very valuable we use them as offerings in our town rituals." The first man said causing the four girls to listen in on the man's explanation.

"Please! We'll give you really good money if you do!" He begged as the girls all had an idea one of which that may asking getting the men in their lives a present easier.

"Money you say?" Rino smirked as she then looked to the others and they all smirked to each other. Clearly they all knew what to do.

(Scene Break Later)

"Is this for me?" Shiro asked as a crafting tool was presented to him as Taiyo saw what the girls got for Shiro as well as himself.

"Yeap." Filo said with a smile on her face.

"Filo and I picked it out just for you." Raphtalia said as she looked to Shiro. "We thought you might want a tool to craft metals." Raphtalia added while Filo nodded to this.

"Well I do but this looks like it cost a lot of money." Shiro said as he knew quality when he saw it.

"It's a token of our gratitude to you for always taking such good care of us." Raphtalia said as her tail was wagging showing she was happy.

Shiro in turn smiled to this and stood up and pat the two girls on the head. He smiled to the two of them as he was truly grateful for the gift. "Thank you I'll make good use of it but first things first... you girls hit the hot springs you all look like you've been through some things." Shiro said as he looked to the two girls.

"Awesome!" Taiyo called out as he opened his present and showed a blacksmith set.

"Yeap we knew you've been studying under Erhard when not in Lute on the art of blacksmithing and thought you'd like some tools of your own so you don't have to always borrow Erhard." Rino said as she looked to Taiyo who looked like a little boy on Christmas morning.

"Trust me I will put these bad boys to good use." Taiyo said as he currently had a metal clamp in hands making Shiro roll his eyes a bit.

"You better." Rino said and thus she smiled. "Now I'm going for a dip." Rino said with a small wink. "I need to wash up a lady has to be smelling and looking nice after all." Rino said before she took her leave with Ryuko, Filo, and Raphtalia. But as they left Shiro and Taiyo saw that Ryuko and Filo were holding hands like a pair of longtime friends. Ryuko said something funny causing a laugh from Filo which further painted the odd image the boys saw here. The two boys looked at each other before shrugging to this and simply letting things be as they may for the time being with the girls.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here you go a new chapter all done. I hope you enjoyed it to leave a review behind and will join us next time so until then ja-ne.