Heroes of the Arks

ESKK: Well here we go a brand new chapter I hope you all enjoy it.

(Start Unknown Realm)

The sounds of waves crashing against the shore could be heard as seagull like creatures flew about as the dense fog covered the entire landscape. Shiro sat upon a lone rock as his friends over looked the dense fog obscuring their sight. Shiro turned his head and in turn saw Raphtalia standing there with a smile on her face opting Shiro to stand up. When he did he turned around and saw Filo and Melty standing there. With them were Demonicon and Pete with Kuro on Pete's shoulder, Rino and Ryuko with Rino holding Takaya's reigns in one hand and Ryuko's hand on the other, and finally Conan, Ail, and Rishia with the entire group smiling at the four heroes.

Behind them was what looked like a small estate or castle as atop it was a flag that Shiro got a small glimpse of with the four Knights surrounding the path leading to it. The Knights had their weapons raised up to act as some sort of path as the White Knight had its shield up for this. But what made it noteworthy was that Shiro saw a fifth Knight there as it held a Katana in its hands to open the path as it were. But as Shiro looked upon the home the light obscured the flag on it and in turn Shiro felt a pull on his mind from it.

(Waking World)

Shiro gasped a bit as he woke up in what may be the softest bed he ever laid on. As Shiro got up he saw that surrounding his bed was Raphtalia, Filo, and Melty which made Shiro confused. Nearby he saw Taiyo, Jun, and Tsubaki covered in bandages but very much ok as Jun stood stalwart over Melty with Demonicon and Pete. "Um does anyone want to tell me what's going on here?" Shiro asked as he looked to the group who began to wake up.

"Shiro?!" Taiyo gasped as he saw his best friend was awake at long last.

"Yay!" Filo cheered as she ran to Shiro and gave him a big hug while jumping on him.

"About time." Jun said as she walked up and put a hand on Melty's shoulder. "Melty was starting to get worried." Jun teased a bit and thus Melty began to blush a bit to this.

"Hey!" Melty yelled as she glared at Jun for that one.

"Um sorry but can someone catch me up on things?" Shiro asked and thus Tsubaki sighed to this knowing Shiro needed to hear this.

"I'll explain as best I can." Tsubaki said and thus she began her explanation. "To make a long story short, you've been out of it for Three whole days after you lost consciousness we were brought to the Royal Families private clinic where the Queen had to work her ass off to get you healed up, you owe her for that by the way, and Melromarc may have gone to war now." Tsubaki summed up and thus Shiro nodded to this.

"Oh ok... wait back up what?!" Shiro called out and thus Jun sighed to this.

"Let me dumb it down, Shiro... Madoras got away and already he was quick on the uptake he took territories from all the major kingdoms and the minor ones in one fell swoop with strategically placed coups now he's gotten his boarders sealed and the Kingdoms from what I've heard is getting ready to try and nail him." Jun said but Taiyo had more.

"Right now beyond the initial stuff he hasn't done much but made it clear if he is attacked he will defend." Taiyo added to which Shiro knew this was bad news for them.

"So great this is just... oh who am I kidding what else did I miss?" Shiro asked and thus Taiyo sighed to this. Just then nurses came in getting the groups attention on them.

"Pardon us we are here to change the Shield Heroes bandages." One of them said and thus Shiro knew what came next.

"Alright." Shiro said with a nod to the nurses.

As the healers worked on Shiro Taiyo continued to speak to get Shiro caught up on things. "The Stooges basically got nailed for the crap they've done so far." Taiyo began as he crossed his legs on this. "We argued leniency for them since Madoras basically used them and they were unaware of things they basically got a couple nights jail time and will be allowed to re-enroll into the Adventurers Guild but they'll have to start from scratch." Taiyo said as he looked to the group. "More so the Guild has been made aware that they are NOT to be unaccompanied if they rejoin the guild and whoever goes with them needs to keep them on a short leash to keep them from doing something stupid, if they do something then yeah their asses ore fired." Taiyo said and thus Shiro sighed to this.

Eventually the nurses got done as Shiro was thankful for that. "I guess it's only fair, if they're stuck here they need some way to get money." Shiro said knowing full well what was going on now while the nurses took their leave with Filo sneaking some of the fruit on the table. "Well I guess it's time to go." Shiro said until Raphtalia stopped him from moving.

"Sorry Shiro but you're on bed rest for the next three months." Raphtalia said as she looked to Shiro.

"What, but my wounds are completely gone thanks to that healing magic." Shiro said as he looked to his bandage hands and then noted that his hub screen was glitching a bit.

"The curse was powerful time is the only treatment for the damage it did to you." Raphtalia explained as she looked to Shiro knowing what he went through to beat Madoras even if it was not enough.

"The Wrath Shield and Blood Sacrifice those things are powerful but the damage they did to you in using them is too risky to take chances on." Jun said as she looked to Shiro while leaning on the wall closest to the window. "We're lucky Fitoria and Kings Magic was able to halt it otherwise the damage would have been far worse." Jun said as she looked to the group knowing she now had Two Curse Weapons at her disposal weapons she had no plans on using if she could help it.

"I can't help but agree with you, Jun." Shiro said and thus the sound of footsteps was heard and in turn they saw two nurses had arrived.

"We're here to change your bandages, I dare say." The Nurse to the left said as she bowed to the group.

"I dare say?" Shiro asked as Jun was already aware of who they were.

Raphtalia of course was confused when she heard this. "Another Medic just did so a few minutes ago." Raphtalia said as Jun then stepped in for this.

"Those two are not medics their Shadows." Jun said as she knew who they were and in turn knew who was here now.

This in turn earned a small gasp from the group and in turn the Queen walked out with her fan open. "I rushed over as soon as they told me you had awakened." Mirellia said as she looked to the heroes. "I am relieved to see that all four heroes' lives are no longer in danger." She said and in turn Melty was shocked.

"It's, mother... err your majesty." Melty said as Mirellia made her way to the rom and to the Shield Heroes bed.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself, you were a bit indisposed last time." The Queen began as she looked to Shiro. "I am Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc." Mirellia introduced herself as she looked to Shiro.

"You saved Shiro's life and... I don't know how to thank you." Raphtalia said as she looked to Mirellia.

"Well, I could hardly allow him to die now, could I? The Shield Hero is one of the Four Cardinal Heroes, he helps to keep the world safe from the Waves of Catastrophe." Mirellia said before Shiro cut her off.

"Not to be rude your highness but your country seems to think differently, your Three Heroes Church basically calls me the Devil for it." Shiro said as he had just about enough of being the bad guy in this world.

"Yeah, ever since Shiro got here he's been made the blame for every problem from a stubbed toe to a broken window." Taiyo said only to be elbowed by Rino who then shushed him.

"If anything explanations are owed first and foremost." Jun said as she wanted to put this walking nightmare behind them as soon as possible.

(Later)

Mirellia was meeting with the heroes in private on the balcony as their party members also listened in. With them was Melty as they all heard what the Queen had to say. From what they saw the sun was setting and the skies changed color to match it. "I was far away from Melromarc at an international forum with the other world leaders to determine how to best fight against the upcoming waves when things took a turn." Mirellia said as she was clearly upset about it too. "At this forum we decided that the major nations would each summon one hero then all four of us would be able to work together to fight the waves." Mirellia said and thus Jun put the pieces together.

"Don't tell me when you finally decided on that King Trash and Princess Baldy summoned all four heroes in which Madoras interfered unknowingly playing right into his hands." Jun said as it made sense because due to this the other major kingdoms were unable to fight off Yshrennia and the Coups they sparked. The execution of this plan was clearly the work of a tactical genius who was not afraid to play the long game.

"That is correct." Mirellia said as she feared another conference may be needed to discuss how to best handle the Yshrennia situation. "And due to this action, the other nation's leaders were furious and thus I was forced to travel the world to put out the fires." Mirellia explained as she looked to her country.

"So long story short the trash and bitch summoned us here without you the rightful ruler's permission, and if I'm guessing right they weren't supposed to have that sort of power to begin with." Taiyo said to which Mirellia nodded in response.

"That is also correct. Before I left though I had done my best to put them on a tight leash by leaving a Lord I trusted in control of the Kingdom while I was away." Mirellia said as she confirmed Taiyo's suspicions.

"Something happened to him didn't it?" Tsubaki asked as it was the only way this could happen.

"Yes, he was tragically killed during the First Wave and her majesty hadn't returned home yet." Melty said as she confirmed Tsubaki's suspicions. "He was the kind and just Lord of Saet until that happened." Melty said as Tsubaki suspected either this was a happy accident for Aultcray and the Church or one of them or even Malty planned for it.

"That explains a lot." Shiro said as he had similar thoughts to what had happened. The Lord would no doubt not bend to the Church and even block any attempts to summon all Four Heroes so this meant that this conspiracy had been premeditated for some time.

"Melty what's with the act, has Shiro got your tongue?" Jun teased causing Melty to blush a bit.

"W-what are you talking about I'm in the presence of her majesty!" Melty defended as she was blushing beat red.

Mirellia laughed a bit to this before speaking to her daughter. "I'm happy to see you've made some friends Melty and that you can be yourself around them." Mirellia praised as she was happy to see her youngest acting like a normal girl for a change. "I encourage you to stay in the good Graces of the Four Heroes." Mirellia said as she was more than happy to see Melty have a sisterly bond with Jun. But when Mirellia looked into Jun's eyes she saw the girl carried with her a great trauma which ops for her to push others away from her heart.

"So why was Shiro the only one to go through all that crap to begin with?" Taiyo asked as he wanted some answers to this mystery.

"Yeah, if we're being honest that's been bugging me since day one." Shiro said as he looked to the Queen as he clearly wanted answers as to why he had to go through all of that until now.

In turn the entire area went quiet for a bit as clearly this was something that may be detrimental to Aultcray. "Aultcray had his own reasons for despising the Shield Hero." Mirellia began as the group listened in. "The Three Heroes Church and by extension Madoras took advantage of that to manipulate him." Mirellia said as this did not paint a pretty picture for the group.

"So, back up he hated the Shield Hero on principle alone, how much of a bigot can this guy be?" Taiyo asked as Jun heard this.

"Demi-Humans worship the Shield as a God so yeah an acute connection." Jun said with a nod as Shiro was clearly not happy about this nor was Tsubaki.

"And Malty made things worse by trying to ensnare you the way she did." Mirellia said as Shiro heard this.

"So, if we had been summoned by one of the other countries then Madoras plan would have got to hell while making our lives a bit easier." Shiro said as he figured it was the case.

"Yes, Siltvelt for example is ruled by Demihumans. The Shield Hero is worshiped there almost like a God." Mirellia said as she looked to Shiro while both confirming and giving examples of how Shiro would have had an easier life.

"Lady you're really making it real compelling to run to Siltvelt or Shieldfreeden." Shiro said as he looked to Mirellia.

"And considering Faubley and Zeltobo don't have the bigotry over there, the rest of us may run to one of those two nations." Jun said as she knew due to her contract she was stuck going wherever Melty goes leaving Faubley and Zeltobo to either Taiyo or Tsubaki.

"If you four, yes even you Jun, decide to leave Melromarc has no right to stop you after all you four have endured." Mirellia said as she knew her country had done the True Heroes a great disservice since their arrival to their world. "But first." Mirellia began as she turned to the Four Heroes. "I promise to clear your name and end the humiliation you've suffered, Sir Shield Hero." Mirellia said as she looked to Shiro specifically. "You have been a pariah in my Kingdom for far too long and to reward you for fighting against the waves and eliminating the treasonous Three Heroes Church we will honor you four with the greatest reward Melromarc has to offer as well as a bonus of 500 Gold Pieces each." Mirellia said as the four parties all heard this and were excited for what it entailed for them all.

Almost everyone reacted by this sudden reward as 500 gold coins, someone could live in luxury for years if they were a simple commander, as Raphtalia said with excitement in her voice, "Shiro!"

"Holy crap," Taiyo said while getting smack upside the head by Rino due to what he just said as she said to him, "Watch your mouth in front of Ryuko!"

"Sorry," he said with Ryuko and Filo were thinking of something as Filo turn towards Melty and ask her, "Will 500 gold piece buy lots of food for me?"

"It sure will!" Melty said as she knew they could feed 10 large village with that kind of money with filo cheer to that with Shiro, Jun, and Tsubaki were less reacted than the other.

"Lastly there something I want to discuss with you heroes in private, if you don't mind," The queen said as with the group understood what the Queen wants they group as Tsubaki started off saying, "Hey you guys head back in, get something to drink or eat."

"Let's go Ryuko, I think I saw a of your favorite at the table you can have," Rino said as she lead Ryuko back indoors, with the two mercenaries head inside as Demonicon said to Jun, "We'll wait for ya inside boss."

"Hey Raphtalia, Filo how about we head inside as well?" Melty asked them with Raphtalia turn to her as she said, "Oh, Okay."

"Good, because I'm hungry," Filo said as she, Melty, Raphtalia and everyone else just headed inside leading the four friends with the queen alone as she soon ask Shiro, "Is it enough?"

"IT probably is, but we think there something you're not quite telling us," Jun said as the Queen nodded to this, as she turn to Shiro as she said to him, "With you or any of the other heroes decided to leave, I'm afraid Melromarc has no hope of surviving of an uncertain future."

"It's hard to say if we stay in this kingdom or not, because of what happen when you were away, as if you even do clear all of our names, bad blood isn't going to be wash away that easy," Shiro said as this surprise the queen a bit, but she understands as Shiro went on saying, "As well, we need to follow the wave to fight them off the best we can as well to get stronger to somehow fight and defeat Madoras, as you know the last time we fought him, we hit him with everything we had and still didn't come close to killing him."

"I understand. Forgive me for asking, how's your recovery coming?" Mirellia asked him as Shiro look over his body, despite the pain here and there, he felt mostly alright but his screen was a bit glitch as well still, no doubt it was effected by the curse series still somehow as he said, "It feel pretty okay walking around mostly, getting back to the fight might need a bit more time."

"Excellent, would you and the other heroes consider visiting the castle tomorrow before you go?" Mirellia ask with Tsubaki ask her, "For what purpose?"

"It will help you four clear your name before the public," she said as then she started to explain something else which was overlap with the wind making only the heroes can hear her of what she said which surprise the group of what she said, when the wind died down, Mirellia said to them, "Aside for myself, you four are the only ones that knows about this and if you four choice to work with our country or not, that won't change of what's going to happen... this is Melromar- no my way of making things right again."

"But you're talking about your husband and daughter," Taiyo said as he is surprise the Queen is willingly to go that far for them as the Queen herself look to be self-inflected by her decision as she said, "There are consequences, their sins are grin enough that not even the Queen can save them."

Everyone keep quiet about this as they understood what she said, but with Jun... she knows there are other thing that are just worse than death itself but keep it to herself for now and wait for the Queen to finish as she said, "The people know an important announcement will be made tomorrow, and they been instructed to gather outside the castle if they wish to hear it first hand, and I have to be honest all of your presents will be useful, if not essential, of course I understand it's hardly adequate recompense for the way you and your friends have been treated, but please."

She soon give a bow to them like she was begging them to do so as Shiro look to his friends on this as he once said he will not made a decision on his own without all of his friends, as they saw his look they understood what it meant.

(Later inside)

The four heroes were gathered once more in Shiro's recovery room as they had basically told Raphtalia what was coming tomorrow. They were going to go to the Capital to clear their names in front of the people. Raphtalia, Conan, and Rino were all happy to hear this yet despite it all Jun was not focused on that. "Guys we need to talk now." Jun said as she sat on a chair while they had gathered.

"Ok what is it?" Shiro asked and thus Jun cut too the chase.

"We need to split up again." Jun said and thus Taiyo was annoyed by this.

"Oh come on why this time?" Taiyo asked as Jun never made sense on her thoughts.

"With Madoras on the loose and Yshrennia on the war path we need to divide our resources and make sure the boarders are defended." Jun said as she crosser one of her legs over the other and crossed her arms. "More than that I've been doing some recon and Intel gathering on the other countries and Faubley is one for cause of concern." Jun said as she looked to her friends.

"Oh how come?" Tsubaki asked and thus Jun got to the chase.

"Apparently Faubley had birthed some sort of prodigal savant who is a once in a generation sort of birth who revolutionized their magic and alchemy systems." Jun explained as she had her eyes closed. "Upon further digging I learned the supposed Savant is named Takt and upon getting a general description I found out some of the weapons they made... were guns actual firearms and I'm not talking muskets either." Jun explained and thus the group were intrigued.

"Like... AK47's?" Taiyo asked as he can see why Jun would be concerned.

"Exactly." Jun confirmed as she then went on. "I don't think he is a Savant prodigy but in fact I have reason to believe he's an Isekai like us and the morons." Jun said which in turn got the group worried about this.

"You think he's an enemy?" Tsubaki asked and thus Jun smirked.

"That is what Taiyo will be learning for us." Jun said surprising the group especially Taiyo.

"Back up what?" Taiyo asked as he looked to Jun in shock.

"Taiyo with your ability to see into people's hearts and the memories involved with those emotions you have the best shot at learning Takt's secrets, I can't go until my contract is done, Shiro still needs to get the other Class Upgrades for Filo, and Tsubaki will no doubt have her hands full cleaning up Itsuki's mess in full." Jun said and with this logic Taiyo was the only one who can go among them. "More than that I'd rather you go then any of us because you will no doubt end up meeting the Current Ruler of Faubley and from what I understand he goes through wives like they are running out of style." Jun said as she knew why that was the case.

This in turn caused a shiver from Tsubaki when she noted how Jun said this. "So basically go to Faubley, meet with Takt, and then come back that right?" Taiyo asked as Jun nodded to this.

"Yes, but there is one more thing I need from you, try to gather as much information on the Cardinal Weapons and their Origins as well as the Seven Star Weapons and the Vassal Heroes." Jun said and thus the group were surprised by this.

"Back up there are OTHER heroes?!" Tsubaki asked as she was surprised by this.

"Yes, I dug up some information on them when I last visited Erhard before the Wave, he gave me the run down on them and from what I learned they are supposed to aid us as Legendary Heroes hence the name Vassal Weapons." Jun explained but she was far from done. "If rumor holds true from the underground Takt is one of the Vassal Heroes which means we need to know if he can be relied upon." Jun said but had more to add. "And here comes the bad news..." She began and thus the group listened. "During the last war Aultcray was also a Vassal Hero." Jun finished and thus the entire group went wide eyed to this.

"WHAT?!" They all yelled clearly unaware of this.

"I didn't believe it until the Queen confirmed it for me." Jun said and thus they all looked to each other with worry. Yeah, it was clear as day that NONE of them wanted Aultcray with them. "It's for that reason alone that I wanted you guys to look in on Takt for me. I'm still digging for the other Vassal Heroes but it will take some time since from what Erhard told me some of these heroes had vanished mysteriously." Jun said and in turn the group got the gist of it. "We've already met two Vassal Wielders without even realizing it." Jun said and thus this got the group confused. "It actually explains why she helped us before." Jun said and thus they figured it out.

"It's Fitoria isn't it?" Shiro asked and thus Jun nodded to this.

"Yeah." Jun nodded and thus they had a larger puzzle to put together now.

"Then I guess we have no choice." Shiro said knowing they needed this information on the other Heroes in this world.

"Good then let's head to bed, after tomorrow's trial we will head off immediately." Jun said and thus they all began to head to bed since they were going to have a long day tomorrow.

(Scene Break Jun the Evening)

Jun sat on her bed in her own room as she was looking through her Status Screen. She was more focused on the Curse Series she had as she began to investigate it. She saw the help notice explain to her how the Curse Series interacted with her Black Knight. "The Black Knight's Pactmaker is immune to Curses bellow her current level. Curses above her level gain a resistance bonus so long as it's targeting the Black Knights Pactmaker." It read as Jun gave it a skeptical eye.

Ever since she got the Greed and Gluttony Series it felt like any item that she touched suffered for it. Nothing major thanks to the Black Knight and possibly Fitoria's protections but still notable to a keen eye such as her own. She may need to start wearing gloves from now on and if not then avoid touching any items that is too valuable to risk the Greed Curse effects. But for Gluttony her Level intake had suffered after she had used it for the first time. Thus, it was for that reason she needed Taiyo to go to Faubley to find information on the Cardinal Weapons. She needed to know more about the Curse Series and how to counter it, so they all don't suffer from varying effects in case the morons awoken such powers.

Wrath, Greed, and Gluttony three of the Seven Deadly Sins and with the Curse Series it's a huge risk to them if they want to survive in this world. After all it may be powerful, but one cannot forget the mental aspects that such power may bring with it. Still Jun felt Death was too good for those pieces of scum and it's even more so since Aultcray was supposedly a Vassal Hero at one point. Still, whatever happens to them was not her problem in the end she needed to focus on getting more power... more power. With that line of thought Jun went wide eyed as she noticed the mental aspect of the Curse Series appear.

'So that's what it is, the drive behind the emotions that caused the Curse Series to activate that's what the mental aspect is, so with that in mind. Jun went wide eyed as she began to worry for Shiro and his use of the Wrath Shield. "Shiro please be ok." Jun said hoping for her friend not to succumb to the power of the Rage Shield.

(Scene Break the Next Day)

A large crowd was seen outside the castle when the Four Heroes and their parties had arrived. Thankfully the former parties of the stooges were kept outside of the castle and could only watch the screen for any updates. Tsubaki made it clear she did not like Mald since he rubbed her the wrong way by his personality alone. As the four parties climbed the steps Raphtalia was the first to speak.

"That's a pretty big crowd outside." Raphtalia said as she followed after Shiro.

"Sure seems that way." Shiro said wondering what they would be facing.

"Hey where did Mel go?" Ryuko asked and in turn Filo was also curious.

"Yeah, I haven't seen her." Filo said as she missed her friend just like Ryuko did.

"I think she went off with some of the Knights as soon as we got inside the castle." Raphtalia responded as she looked to the two young girls with them.

"She's probably with the Queen at this point." Jun said while Pete nodded in agreement. But as they got to the top where the Queens portrait was seen they heard a new voice call to them.

"Hey you guys!" Came the voice of Motoyasu as he the other Former Heroes were at the top of the stairs.

"Glad to see you up and about Shiro." Itsuki said as he seemed troubled.

"Glad to see that overpowered move didn't take a lot out of you." Ren said as he looked to the Shield Hero.

"Believe it or not I'm still a wreck on the inside." Shiro said as he noted they seemed pretty spry for just getting out of jail.

"Question what are you idiots doing here?" Taiyo asked as he glared at the three.

"Well... I um... have my reasons." Motoyasu stumbled as he tried to find the right words almost like he wanted to ask something. "By the way you haven't seen Myne around have you, she disappeared right after the battle ended?" Motoyasu asked as he looked for the missing Princess.

"Really after she tried to throw you to the wolves, barely a minute after I got the spear." Taiyo asked but Motoyasu had his defense.

"Well yeah I mean I know she made a bad choice... among others but I'm sure she's a good person inside." Motoyasu said and thus the group was surprised by this.

"Was that... improvement?" Tsubaki asked shocked to hear this from Motoyasu.

"Huh I guess miracles do happen." Jun said as she was also surprised how Motoyasu finally admitted Malty was far from perfect... then again it went from denial to hopeful naiveté.

Just then the man from their first day here came in as he looked to the group. "Greetings Cardinal Heroes and Guests." He began as he looked to the Pactmakers when calling them Cardinal Heroes and the stooges when calling them guests. "Please come inside." He said and thus the group were escorted into the Throne Room.

(Later inside the Throne Room)

The group were now inside the Throne room with Shiro, Jun, Tsubaki, and Taiyo standing up front with their parties behind them while the stooges stood closest to their replacements as heroes. Ryuko, Filo, and Pete waved at Melty who in response waved back at her four friends. "Four Cardinal Heroes at long last united and whole I thank you all for coming." Mirellia began as this caused Itsuki to scowl and Ren to sulk while Motoyasu simply looked away looking almost... guilty.

Just then Motoyasu noticed something wrong and looked around. "Wait Myne is not here?" Motoyasu asked as he saw that Myne was missing.

"I don't see the King either." Itsuki said as he also saw Aultcray was missing as well.

Seeing this Mirellia knew that at long last it was time. "You can bring them in now." Mirellia ordered to her servants and thus not long after the doors began to open again.

On the other side of the door was none other than Malty and Aultcray much to Motoyasu's shock. "Myne!" Motoyasu cried out when he saw Malty there.

"Sir Motoyasu, Sir Taiyo help!" Myne begged as Taiyo smirked and gave her his middle finger.

"They have the king in chains, what's going on?" Ren asked and thus Jun smirked knowing what was coming.

"That should be obvious these two are criminals." Mirellia said as she knew what was to come next while Melty was shocked. "Let's get started, shall we?" Mirellia said as it was time for the truth to be revealed. "The trial of the foolish king's consort and the First Princess." She announced and thus the true heroes and their parties were shocked but for once in a good way.

"Mama please why are you being so cruel?" Malty asked playing the part of the victim she clearly was not.

"What is this my queen what cause do you have to do this to us." Aultcray began but was cut off by the guards holding their spears to block Aultcray from going further.

"With the True Four Cardinal Heroes in attendance this trial seeks to punish those responsible for shaking the country to its core. As Queen I shall serve as judge." Mirellia announced as it was clear Taiyo was getting excited over this and was already making a list of things he wanted for the trial.

"WHAT?!" Aultcray yelled as he then began to struggle against his bindings a bit. "Don't tell me that these Devils have deceived you as well!" Aultcray demanded only to cry out when ice began to form around him.

"You are hardly one to lecture on being deceived when you allowed yourself to have the same done!" Mirellia yelled making it clear she was quite crossed with her husband. "I can't believe you would accuse me with such hypocrisy." She said as during her rant another servant walked forth with some familiar equipment to Shiro and Taiyo.

"Wait isn't that..." Taiyo mumbled a bit as he was reminded of Beloukas and his tools.

"What's that?!" Malty asked as she saw this and began to grow a bit worried over it.

"To ensure a fair trial you will be given a temporary slave crest." Mirellia said as she took the knife and cut her finger to draw blood. Malty was of course struggling as she was forced to her knees by the guards.

"Mama!" Malty cried out as she was being held so she would not be able to run from it.

As the blood dripped into the ink Shiro was of course reminded of the Slave Crest that both Filo and Raphtalia have as well as Ryuko to Taiyo. "How can you do that she's your own daughter!?" Motoyasu yelled as he looked to Mirellia in horror. "I mean sure she's told a few white lies but doesn't mean she's necessarily evil." Motoyasu said but Mirellia begged to differ on this.

"As much as I admire your newfound desire to see the best in people regrettably my daughter is a pathological liar." Mirellia said as she looked to Motoyasu with a stern look as even she noted that Motoyasu has made improvements in the right direction.

"I'm not you know that I'm a good girl an honest girl!" Malty cried out but Taiyo scoffed to this.

"Then you got nothing to worry about, right?!" Taiyo called out as he knew the only reason Malty was struggling because she knew it was true.

As the robed man got before Malty's struggling went on. "Stop please!" Malty cried out as she tried to get free from the guard's grip on her. But alas the guards were tight with their grip and when the crest was applied Malty screamed out in pain as the mark burned into her skin.

(Later)

Once the crest was applied everyone was moved to their proper places as the Heroes took one side with their parties and the former heroes had the other. Taiyo oddly had a set of lounge chairs with snacks as he and Ryuko had them. "Let us officially begin the trial now. Be warned your crimes are clear for all to see you cannot, worm your way out of this." Mirellia said as then Taiyo cheered.

"Woo bring it on!" Taiyo called out as he had been waiting for this day to the point, he feared it would never arrive.

"Taiyo, behave!" Rino scolded as she knew Taiyo was getting over excited... then again, she had also been waiting for this day to arrive.

"Let us begin with recent events." Mirellia said as she figured Taiyo was the more excitable one among the heroes. "Using a fabricated Holy Weapon, the pope of the Three Heroes Church tried to murder the Cardinal Heroes and frame the Shield Hero while aiding an Enemy nation to do so." Mirellia began but that was not the end of it. "The Leader of that same Nation proceeded to kill him when the Four Heroes and their parties attempted to confront him but were unable to successfully best him which allowed him to escape and make rise to the Yshrennian Empire." Mirellia said as she knew the other nations won't take kindly to a hostile power, seeking conquest of their lands. "We're rounding up the remnant of the church as we speak." Mirellia explained and thus Motoyasu had to ask.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Motoyasu asked as he wanted answers.

"Appallingly the King and the First Princess were colluding with the Church all along and from the words of a priest Malty had taken it a step further to aid Madoras with the offer of Melromarc in exchange through her rule." Mirellia said as she clearly showed her upmost disdain for her turncoat daughter.

"No that can't be." Motoyasu gasped fearing he had basically let a traitor travel with him.

"Any objections to these charges?" Mirellia asked as she had three charges for this. Conspiracy, high treason, and desertion all in one go.

"What reason would I have to collude and aid Madoras and the Three Heroes?" She began but just then the crest activated and began to shock Malty all in one go for the lies she just spoke.

"Alright that's what I'm talking about!" Taiyo cheered before stuffing his face with snacks following up with a drink.

"It's appalling that to think that the First Princess would not only try to overthrow the state but also sell out her own country just to save her own life." Mirellia said but Malty had a counter for this.

"No I wouldn't forget about the Shield they tried to kill the other three Heroes too they even came after the Royal Family I swear I would never involve myself in such a terrible scheme!" Malty defended as she glared at her mother. Visibly she was angry to be given such accusations, but Jun saw her clearly, she was angry at her mother for getting in her way AGAIN. But when the mark did not react Motoyasu began to get some hope there was some good in Malty.

"Is that so?" Jun asked suddenly as this got everyone's attention. "So those weren't your words when you were ranting about your plans to kill your sister while Shiro was on the run and then blame him for it before I took over your life for those short months?" Jun asked as Malty was wide eyed to this as she saw Jun had clearly done her homework first.

But when Malty refused to answer it was Mirellia who jumped in. "Well answer Malty did you or did you not plan to kill your own sister?" Mirellia asked as she glared at her daughter.

"I didn't do anything!" She cried out but before she could go on the crest shocked her causing her to again cry out in pain.

Aultcray was horrified over what Malty was caught with as he looked to his eldest with shock. "No Malty tell me you didn't." Aultcray said as he looked to Malty in shock.

"It's not true Papa I promise you I wouldn't." She tried to lie but alas the crest went off again causing Malty even more pain for it.

"Music to my ears." Taiyo said calmly as he was enjoying some long overdue justice being served.

"You conspired with the Church and Madoras and if not for Jun you would have attempted to kill Melty so that you can become Heir to the Throne, yourself. But when you were freed from that work camp you quickly painted the image that the Shield Hero abducted her do you deny it?" Mirellia asked as she glared at her daughter.

"Melty is my own sister of course I deny it." Malty said but the crest went off again and shocked Malty as it seems the pain increased with each lie she spoke.

"Malty how can you do something so." Aultcray began but was cut off by his wife.

"King Aultcray you conspired with the Church as well. You worked with them to summon all four of the Cardinal Heroes while I was away playing right into Madoras' hands and allowing him to input his false heroes to destabilize our country." Mirellia said as Aultcray had his defense for his actions.

"I only did that because we needed the heroes in order to combat the impending Waves of Catastrophe. On their first night the Shield Hero committed an unspeakable sin against our daughter!" Aultcray tried to defend but Taiyo glared at him for that.

"Yeah the sin of me catching her as she tried to backstab Shiro and steal his shit." Taiyo countered as the True Spear Hero pointed his spear accusingly at Aultcray for that one. For this one Motoyasu was oddly quiet as he looked away no doubt second guessing his next response.

"Why don't we ask her about that?" Mirellia asked as she then directed her attention at Malty. "Malty were you truly assaulted by the Shield Hero?" Mirellia asked and thus Malty was quick on the uptake.

"Yes I was the Devil of the Shield nearly Raped me I barely." Malty spoke but alas the crest charged up a bit and thus proceeded to go off as Malty cried out in pure agony as the crest shocked her for her lies.

"As you can see Malty is not the victim here, what makes it worse was what she did to her own teammate." Mirellia said as Rino knew this was directed at her.

"What did she do?" Ren asked speaking up for the first time as Motoyasu was clearly in no state to make the question.

"For three Gold Coins, she sold her own party member Rino, now known a member of the True Spear Heroes Party to a brothel where she was then bought by a bandit if not for Taiyo's action's she would have suffered a fate no woman should suffer." Mirellia said as Rino edged closer to Taiyo as clearly the memories were still fresh in her mind. In response Taiyo hugged Rino close so he can comfort the girl while Ryuko did the same as the trio actually did look like a family which brought more sympathy to Rino's former plight.

"I did no such." Malty began but her screams cut her off as she was shocked again shocking Motoyasu to no end.

This was how it would go for a good long while as every question Malty was asked her lies were stopped by the crest. The entire situation went on as Malty and Aultcray's sins were laid out for all to see. Malty every lie she tried to speak was met with the crest punishing her for the attempt. Shiro and his friend's names were being cleared in the eyes of the public yet oddly enough Shiro did not feel better. No it was more than that he was looking forward to whatever punishment was awaiting Malty in the end. And the thought of it make Shiro sick to his stomach that he actually looked forward to someone dying even if they truly are such a vile person.

Eventually Mirellia slammed her fan onto her arm rest which in turn got everyone's attention. "Hopefully you understand now despite their statues as royalty they resorted to dirty tricks attempting to eliminate those who opposed them concerned only with obtaining more power for themselves there was no consideration for the nation they served." Mirellia said as it was clear she was less happy then when this trial had started.

"I admit my actions may have been unbecoming of royalty but I swear I did it all for the sake of my beloved country and my family. That was the only reason I was trying to eliminate the Shield!" Aultcray defended as it was clear he was throwing away his last chance to save himself. "The Shield's the devil it will surely bring the calamity of the past to my family all over again!" Aultcray defended as it was clear to Jun while he did care for his family she suspected it was more of a personal vendetta then he was admitting to. "I simply cannot let that happen NEVER!" Aultcray yelled as he slammed his fist to the railing of his stand.

"It's time for my verdict." Mirellia said but Jun had an idea and opted to let the Queen finish. "I hereby find Aultcray Melromarc XXXII and Malty Melromarc of high treason, conspiracy, and desertion and strip them of their status." Mirellia said as she then was about to give their sentences.

"Hold it!" Jun called out as she stepped forward. "You were about to give them the death sentence, weren't you?" Jun asked but she was far from done. "But let's be reasonable Death would be the easy way out and considering the friends and families of those she falsely accused of rape I don't think its sufficient justice not until the loves ones of those victims are replayed for the loss of their sons, brothers, and even fathers." Jun said as she then glared at Malty who saw the look in Jun's eyes. "Death may be good enough for some of them but what about those still here?" Jun asked as she then turned around to face the Queen.

"I suggest we give Malty a choice of her punishment." Jun said as she then got to the good part. "She can live but choosing this option she will NEVER again be eligible for the throne even if you and Melty were to die the throne would be forbidden to her that the crown would in turn be granted to the next of kin in terms of nobility." Jun said making Malty go wide eyed to this. "More so from no one Malty will have to WORK from now on for the rest of her natural life everything she wants has to be earned out of her own pocket living a life even a beggar would not envy." Jun said as Malty was wide eyed at what Jun was saying.

"She will only own two sets of cloths and a bed of straw and beyond that given or bought you must earn it!" Jun said as she began to walk torts Malty who was on the ground. "Your days off will be earned, clothing swill be earned, hell even baths will be earned; any comfort you can have or want must be earned. And should you prove it needed you will lose everything you had already acquired. Never again shall you enjoy the life of privilege and royalty but this does come with the chance of earning a modest life through time, effort, and hard work." Jun said as she smirked sinisterly at Malty.

"N-No!" Malty yelled as she glared at Jun. "I refuse I won't allow you to lower me to a commoner!" Malty yelled and thus Mirellia saw what Jun was planning to do.

"Very well Guards take them to be executed." Mirellia said and thus the King and former Princess were horrified over this.

"No wait I'll accept the punishment I ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT!" Malty yelled the guards began to drag her away. With a wave of the queen's hand the guards stopped and in turn Malty sighed in relief.

"As for you." Jun said as he glared at Aultcray who glared back. "Since you were supposedly a tactical genius and your actions caused a war to spark with Yshrennia you will be given community service by serving on the front lines to fight back against Yshrennia under careful watch to make sure you don't try to spite the Demihumans in the front lines with you." Jun said as she glared at Aultcray. "Make no mistake you're only spared because you're a valuable resource but one mistake and your head is on the block." Jun said making it clear Aultcray is on thin ice.

"But don't mistaken, that for a moment that you're off the hook." Jun said and in turn she had a sadistic smile on her face.

(Scene Break)

Malty was glaring as she was currently in a pillory next to her father as she was being publicly humiliated. The Queen stood above and watched as well as people in the stands were laughing at the two down below. Malty no longer had her wig as right now her hair had started to come back in which was currently more of a buzz cut at this point.

During this Shiro was smiling a bit as the Four Heroes were gathered below. Taiyo of course was throwing tomatoes and his leftover snacks at Malty as he was clearly enjoying himself. "Ok 10 points if I can nail them between the eyes." Taiyo said as he got his next shot ready.

But alas Mirellia knew that the time for fun and games had to come to an end. "The Four Heroes are the ones who have done the most to put things right here and he is granting their oppressors the greatest mercy." Mirellia said as the guards moved in while the Four Heroes stood together once more as Taiyo grumbled about not making that 10-point shot. "Finally the Three Heroes Church which was the root cause for all of this will be abolished. Melromarc will now adopt the Four Heroes Church as its state Religions." Mirellia announced as the people heard this.

"Four Heroes Church?"

"Wow a Church that worships all Four Heroes Equally."

"Sounds good to me!"

And with that the people threw away the old rosaries from the Three Heroes Church as Shiro saw this. "She just started a religion that no one else will see as an enemy." Shiro said as he saw this.

"Smart lady probably the shrewdest politician in the world." Jun added as she smirked a bit up to Mirellia.

(Later)

Shiro and his friends plus their parties began to take their leave of the fun. But as they were leaving a new voice was heard. "I take it you four haven't changed your mind about not wanting to work with our country?" Mirellia asked as the four let silence speak for them. "I'd still like to hold a ceremony before you go to grant you your decorations and rewards for your deeds." she said as the group heard this.

"Sorry thanks but no thanks." Tsubaki said as she looked to Mirellia. "I still need to take back the domain Itsuki helped the rebels overthrow and also help it get back on its feet." Tsubaki said as she still had work to do.

"Besides not like any of that crap will make up for everything." Shiro said but was not done yet. "But I think I speak for all of us when I say we will work with you." Shiro said as he looked to Mirellia who was surprised by this.

"But not just with Melromarc but also with every nation in the world." Jun said as she was in agreement with Shiro.

"Yeah I mean we're the Four Cardinal Heroes so it's in the job description." Taiyo said as he smiled to Mirellia who in turn smiled back to the Four Cardinal Heroes.

"You're correct of course but leaving it at that would not be fair to you." Mirellia said as she looked to Shiro with a smile on her face. "If there is anything else you would like I would be more than happy to arrange it for you." The queen said as the offer was enticing but as Jun would say it would be better to save that card for a later date.

"We'll think about it." Jun said and thus with Shiro leading the group began to take their leave as they had a lot to do to fix up the mess the stooges had made as well as prepare for Yshrennia's inevitable attack on the world.

(Later that day)

The sun was beginning to set as the group were preparing to depart once more. "Thank you for everything." Melty said as she stood before the four heroes and their parties.

"You should come with us Mel." Filo said as Ryuko also agreed.

"Yeah, we can have so much fun together." Ryuko added to this Rino sighed to the two.

"Now girls don't be selfish." Raphtalia said as she knew how these two twin terrors can get.

"Oh, Raphtalia Conan thank you too." Melty said as she walked over to Raphtalia and Conan as the two Demihumans looked to Melty. "I promise to do everything in my power to make Melromarc a better country for Demihumans." Melty said to the two Demihumans.

"We'll hold you to that." Conan smiled as he shook Melty's hand. "Thank you." Conan added as he looked to Raphtalia.

"Thank you I know you can do it I believe in you." Raphtalia said and thus Shiro was heard from nearby.

"Hey guys time to go, so get moving or get left." Shiro called out to which they all knew it was their time to go.

"Yeah, we got a lot of ground to cover!" Taiyo added as he was calling to his party.

"And we have work to do also." Tsubaki added as that was more than enough for them to leave.

In turn the Four Heroes and their parties with a response of confirmation followed after the Heroes. As they did this Melty scowled a bit as she saw this. "Jeez those Heroes can be jerks sometimes, and where are, their manners at the very least one of them could have thanked mother." Melty began until she looked and saw her mother collapse to her knees making Melty go wide eye to this. Acting fast Melty ran over to Mirellia and managed to catch her though it was unneeded. When she did a knife fell out of Mirellia's person making Melty go wide eyed to it. "Mother?" Melty asked with concern over what she saw.

"If Jun had not stepped in when she did... if they had not all agreed to spare them when they did, I was going to offer up my own life as a sacrifice and beg him to spare theirs." Mirellia said as she was relieved that she would not have to execute her family. "I wonder if the four Heroes knew all along that I could never be able to go through with it." Mirellia said as she was grateful for such a turn of events. In response Melty looked over to the Four Heroes but she saw they were already gone.

(Meanwhile with the Four Cardinal Heroes)

"So everyone knows what to do?" Shiro asked as he looked to his friends.

"Yeap I head to Faubley, Tsubaki cleans house at Itsuki's fuck up, and both you and Jun help stabilize the country a bit." Taiyo said as he followed after his friends.

"So we're in agreement." Jun said as she walked with the group.

"TAIYO!" Came the voice of Motoyasu as Taiyo looked and saw Motoyasu there catching his breath.

"Oh, great what do you want now?" Taiyo asked as he looked over to Motoyasu.

"Please!" Motoyasu asked as he bowed to Taiyo much to the groups shock. "Let me come with you!" Motoyasu yelled as he kept his head down. "I know you have no reason to trust me or even let me but... I know that with Miyuki helping Madoras... you are bound to run into her at some point!" Motoyasu called out as the group all heard what Motoyasu had to say. "Please she's the only family I got left in this world!" Motoyasu begged making it clear he wanted to save his sister.

Taiyo looked at Motoyasu for a second before walking up to him. "No." Taiyo said much to Motoyasu's shock. "Right now as you are you'll just be dead weight." Taiyo said as Motoyasu got angry at those words, but Taiyo was not done. "So get strong and catch up to the rest of us." Taiyo said as this surprised Motoyasu. "But be fast because Miyuki won't be waiting forever." Taiyo said as he turned back around and walked away leaving Motoyasu by himself shocked at those words.

"That was oddly nice of you to say to him." Rino said as Taiyo smiled a bit at her words.

"Well, what else could I say?" Taiyo asked as he looked to Rino with a smile on his face. "The guy at least cares for family and honestly I believe everyone can change and is capable of second chances." Taiyo said as they began to climb the steps to the upper area.

But as they did so the road above them began to be filled up with the people from the village as well as the shop owners who had helped them in the past. "Look there they are the saviors." One man spoke as they saw the group.

"The Four Cardinal Heroes." Another villager spoke as they saw the group.

"Shiro, everyone look who it is." Raphtalia spoke as just ahead she saw the knights standing in ready for them.

"Honor Guards for the Four Heroes all hands, salute!" The man with the scar across his nose ordered and in turn as the man saluted the group the Knights had their swords raised.

"Well what do you know?" Jun said with a smile as the group began to walk through the crowd. As they did so the villagers all began to wish the heroes well on their journey.

As they continued to walk through the path made by the crowd a new voice soon shouted out to the four groups. "Shiro, Jun, Taiyo, Tsubaki!" Melty cried out which got the groups attention. "All of you, thank you; thank you for bringing me back home!" Melty called out as it looked like she was close to tears now. "And thank you, thank you for saving my father and sister!" Melty called out as Shiro in turn began to smile to this as that was what it meant to be a hero in his opinion. To bring joy to at least one person's life... because if you have one person who believes in you then that was more than enough to make the heroes life worth it.

"Yeah sure... we'll see you later." Shiro said and thus he took his leave of the Castle. Passing through the gates the four heroes could not help but feel a sense of hope in their steps. After all the first time they stepped through those gates so long ago they were made into pariahs of this kingdom. But now they were the heroes they were meant to be and soon they will become stronger so that they may at long last face Madoras and put an end to his ambition. With their Knights and their Cardinal Weapons these four were in fact the Four Cardinal Heroes and so long as they draw breathe, they will save this world. That was a promise that they intended to keep forevermore.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well here we go a new chapter done and published. I hope you all enjoy it and will join us for the next chapter whenever that may pop up. But until then leave a review and as always ja-ne.