Hey everyone! I do NOT own Rising of the Shield Hero, only my OCs and plot twists. There, disclaimer done!
It's been a while, but I've been trying to brainstorm and figure out the level up/class up system (the whole cap lvl. 40 thing…)/gauntlets/plot… but here I am and I'm gonna do my best! By the way, THANK YOU for your reviews and continual support, it makes me happy people are enjoying Lady Hero~!
Also, yey \./ we made it to (cursed) chapter 13! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha! And so many people have been reading this! Like, over 41,000 people (O.O how-did-this-happen-I-don't-know-but-okay-I'm-gonna-roll-with-it) so again, thank you everyone!
Now, as always, there will be shenanigans, mayhem and insanity with dashes of violence, swearing and wtf moments. There also will be a guest appearance from our favorite grumpy Shield Hero and his loyal Swordmaiden before resuming our normally programed craziness.
Also, as a recap, the stats for each member of the Belladonnas after Melromarc's Wave!
Hazel Ilmatar: Level [40*] (awaiting Class up), Species- Human, Position- Gauntlet Hero, Mercenary
Rong: Level [97], Species- Human, Position- Queen's Shadow, Mercenary
Sher: Level [36], Species- Lion Demi-human, Position- Spear-user, Mercenary
Kai: Level [33], Species- King Filolial, Position- Mercenary Monster
Meili: Level [33], Species- Dragon Empress Candidate, Position- Mercenary Monster
Kassia: Level [2], Species- Kitsune Demi-human, Position- Slave, Magician
Abelia: Level [1], Species- Deer Demi-human, Position- Slave, Archer/Healer
Gale: Level [4], Species- Hakuko Demi-human, Position- Slave, Guard
Now, let the games and pandemonium begin!
Naofumi sighs as he stirs the embers of the fire, frowning into the embers as he waits for the Upasil to cook completely. Raphtalia sits across from him, carefully checking over her sword and gear before dinner. It had been a long day, starting with reapplying Raphtalia's seal, buying the monster egg then visiting all the shops and receiving discount or free items. Naofumi isn't sure how to feel about the burgeoning good will- he's not avid about being considered an actual Hero.
The entire term 'Hero' had been soured for Naofumi, with the possible exception of Hazel- although she's a weirdo too. He snorts at the thought as he turns the spit carefully. Weirdo is a good way to describe her- who else would wear a monster skull as a helmet? Shaking his head, Naofumi checks the meat and smiles in satisfaction when he sees it is done roasting.
"It's done." He tells Raphtalia.
Her ears perk and her tail wags as she quickly cleans up for dinner. Naofumi focuses on cutting portions of the monster off so they could eat it-
"FOOD!" A child's voice suddenly cries and Naofumi yelps as a gold blur tries to tear the meat from him.
Snarling, Naofumi shoves his shield between the thief and his food when another voice speaks up.
"Ugh, where did you- Kai! What're you doing, you stupid fluffball?!" A young girl's voice demands.
The thief pauses and Naofumi sweat drops when he realizes the 'thief' is an all but naked blond boy with golden bird wings. And unlike the cosplayers of his home world, these are clearly attached to his back and shift excitedly- meaning they're real. Of course they are- nothing is normal is the hellhole of a world! Naofumi grumbles mentally.
A make-shift kilt around the kid's waist is the only thing preserving his modesty. Naofumi warily, almost unwillingly, turns his attention towards the second unfamiliar voice- and his eyes bulge. A little girl, maybe ten years old, with small horns and bat-like wings walks into the clearing. She also is dressed oddly, wearing what looks like a make-shift toga as she glares at the would-be thief.
"But it smells so good-!" The boy, Kai, whines.
The girls scoffs, folding her arms.
"And? Mommy will be very upset when she finds out you ran off again!"
"You did too!" Kai protests instantly.
"To follow you!"
"So? Still guilty!" He declares, proud of his logic.
"You-! Gah!" She hisses, sputtering.
"Oi!" Naofumi snaps, fed up.
Both children blink and look at him with innocent eyes.
"Yes?" The girl asks.
Naofumi's eyebrow twitches in annoyance.
"Who the hell are you and why did he," Points at Kai.
"Try to eat my meat?!"
"Cause it smells yummy and I'm hungry!" Kai cries.
The girl scowls in annoyance. Naofumi feels similarly, his irritation boiling towards anger. Raphtalia sweat drops as she tries to deescalate the situation.
"Master Naofumi, he didn't actually get the meat-"
"No, this isn't going to be brushed aside." Naofumi snaps, glaring as his two unwanted visitors.
Kai pouts while the girl has a long suffering expression on her face as she folds her arms defensively across her chest.
"What do you want then? We don't have money to pay you." She retorts, startling Raphtalia and Naofumi.
Kai blinks at her in confusion but the girl ignores him as she keeps her eyes locked onto Naofumi. The Shield Hero raises his eyebrow at her, surprised slightly by her bluntness.
"What can you offer? Because no way am I letting this slide." He counters.
The girl purses her lips and then her eyes light on his shield. Then she smirks suddenly.
"Prey." She answers confidently.
Raphtalia and Kai glance at each other in confusion while Naofumi frowns.
"What?" He snaps.
"Prey. Powerful prey. We can bring you one boss monster for your shield to absorb." She bargains.
Naofumi blinks as his mind whirls at the implications.
She knows about how Legendary Weapons work-! If what she's saying is true, then they can get me one monster for me to absorb… but why stop there if they can hunt big monsters easily? But who did she learn this from..? Doesn't matter, might as well make use of this opportunity.
"No deal. Four monsters, minimum!" He scoffs.
The girl glares at him heatedly.
"Four? You're pushing your luck! At most there's two boss monsters in the area!"
"Ho? Can't do it?" He goads her.
She muffles a scream of irritation at the insinuation.
"Auntie said there's only two big boss monsters near the Capital cause they like to fight each other and stuff, Mister Shield!" Kai pipes up, looking unfazed by the tension.
Naofumi frowns and glances at Raphtalia who nods in confirmation.
"I've heard that too, Master Naofumi. Boss monsters are territorial, so there are rarely more than two in the same vicinity."
He clicks his tongue in annoyance and the girl smirks in response- Naofumi pins her with a glare.
"I'll consider your debt settled if you can help Raphtalia kill both boss monsters so I can absorb or sell them- and to make sure you don't skip out, we'll be going with you." He tells her sternly.
The girl sniffs derisively.
"Fine. You're rather overbearing."
"What's 'overbearing'?" Kai asks quizzically.
"It means he's like Mom and Onee-san and Auntie when we do something risky." She explains, rolling her eyes.
"And they're going to be really unhappy with both of us- especially you."
"Eh?! What'd I do?!" Kai yelps.
"You tried to eat his food! Now hurry up or we'll at this all night!" The girl barks.
"But Meili-!" Kai whines.
"No! Now, birdbrain!" Meili snaps, turning and walking into the darkening woods.
Naofumi and Raphtalia sweat drop at the duo's odd dynamic.
"Kai will carry you." Meili tells them, ignoring how Kai is whining behind her.
Naofumi raises his eyebrow at her.
"How? He's tiny." He deadpans.
Kai grins cheekily- and suddenly there's a giant explosion of smoke?! Raphtalia and Naofumi cough as they frantically try to clear their vision only to pause, stunned. A massive round bird with golden feathers is looking them over curiously- and it looks familiar somehow.
Meili huffs in annoyance.
"Well? Hop on! We don't have all night!" She snaps.
Before Naofumi can gather his wits, a cloud of smoke explodes around Meili too. Raphtalia and Naofumi tense as it dissipates, revealing a dragon with dark purple scales, large enough to carry two riders easily. She preens at their dumbfounded expressions, wings flexing as she sniffs haughtily at them.
"Well? Let's go already!" Meili snaps.
"… Raphtalia."
"Yes, Master Naofumi?"
"… Don't these two belong to Hazel?"
"I believe so, Master Naofumi."
"… Shit, of course they do." Naofumi sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Ah! He said a bad word, Meili!" Kai yells, puffing up.
"Oh shut up, it's not like Mommy doesn't swear." Meili snorts.
Raphtalia sweat drops as she carries the monster egg they purchased, carefully climbing aboard Kai's back. Naofumi scowls but follows suit, working hard at ignoring how soft and warm the Filolial's feathers are-! Kai wiggles to settle them more firmly on his back and looks expectantly at Meili.
"We're ready Meili!"
"Hmph!"
…
The first boss monster should have been a no brainer. Naofumi had hunted balloons before in his early attempts to first level up himself and later Raphtalia. But what he had never considered what happens to balloons with sufficiently high levels. The result is a horrifying mixture of comedic and menacing as a pitch-black balloon a full meter in height bounds towards them, its' maw gaping as it tries to bite down on Kai's legs.
The Filolial darts out of reach, kicking it backwards towards Meili who slams down on it from above. The boss balloon snarls and wriggles to bite her. The dragon hisses and bites the top of its' head hard, locking it in place with her teeth. Naofumi and Raphtalia spot the opening for what it is. Raphtalia explodes into motion, sword drawn as she rushes the massive balloon. Naofumi holds the monster egg in his free arm and runs alongside Raphtalia to protect her.
The boss balloon roars as Raphtalia stabs it, Meili straining to keep it still as it writhes and snaps. After six stabs in a row the boss balloon's health is only half gone Naofumi feels his pulse throbbing with irritation.
"Raphtalia, let's kill this damn balloon already!" He snaps.
"Hai!"
[Order acknowledged.] A message pops up in front of Naofumi's face, startling him badly.
Raphtalia glows purple as she slams her sword right between the boss balloon's eyes and it finally pops. Naofumi feels a sweat drop trickle down his spine as the notification disappears.
What the hell was that?! He thinks.
[Hero gains +590 xp! Hero Levels up! Level 17! Hero Levels up! Level 18!]
[Raphtalia gains +590 xp! Raphtalia Levels up! Level 23! Raphtalia Levels up! Level 24!]
But the combination of his sudden increase in levels and Raphtalia joyfully bringing him scraps of the boss balloon to absorb Shield Hero is given no time to think it over. The results of his new shields startle and please him. Normally, a balloon (even of the rarer types) only unlocks one new shield. The boss balloon, on the other hand, unlocks three and one of his new skills brings a sadistic smirk to his face. Raphtalia is a bit worried as he chuckles deviously while Kai and Meili watch him closely.
"He sounds like Mommy when she finds something really weird." Meili whispers.
"Yeah, I thought Mom's cackles were scary but his are scarier!" Kai huffs, fluffing up his feathers.
Naofumi turns his gaze towards them and both (baby) monsters have to work to not flinch. His eyes bore into them and then he smiles.
It's not a nice smile.
Raphtalia wonders if she should send a note to Hazel apologizing for Naofumi traumatizing her monster children.
They resume their search and discover the other monster boss- a Dire Wolf, easily Kai's size and more troubling, a pack of subordinate wolves to command. Naofumi tchs, irritated with the odds while Raphtalia grimaces at the canines. Kai paws the ground threateningly while Meili, unnoticed so far, flies above them. The dire wolf bares its' teeth and howls, prompting the smaller wolves to charge the Filolial. Kai narrows his eyes and kicks the first one, crushing its torso and snapping the wolf nearly in two. The rest of the minion wolves howl angrily and pounce, trying to surround the Filolial. Kai snorts and blurs as he avoids the snapping jaws.
Naofumi blocks an opportunistic wolf with his Two-Headed Dog shield and grins as it bites the wolf viciously, weakening it. Raphtalia flawlessly finishes it and immediately stabs another trying to sneak up on them. The dire wolf boss roars as Meili swoops and spits fire in its' face, keeping it distracted from Kai, Naofumi and Raphtalia. Kai takes advantage of the distraction and kicks a few more wolves- they become splotches of gristle and gore on the ground.
"Air Strike Shield!" Naofumi yells, projecting a glowing green shield parallel to the ground to knock down the few remaining wolves.
Raphtalia leaps and uses it as a springboard, landing on the dire wolf boss's back. Meili hisses in approval and Kai squawks with joy as he tramples the stunned wolf minions. Naofumi grins evilly as they all besiege the boss monster, all but tearing it from limb from limb. Surprisingly, Meili and Kai allow Raphtalia the final blow, giving her and Naofumi the much needed experience. And it was staggering.
[Hero gains +875 xp. Hero Levels up! Level 19! Hero Levels up! Level 20! Hero Levels up! Level 21!]
[Raphtalia gains +875 xp. Raphtalia Levels up! Level 25! Raphtalia Levels up! Level 26! Raphtalia Levels up! Level 27!]
"… Holy shit." Naofumi whispers, staring at the notification.
Raphtalia is just as surprised by the massive level ups they had in the course of one night! Both of them had gone up 5 levels, a feat that normally takes them closer to a week if not longer. Naofumi and Raphtalia exchange glances and it is Raphtalia who takes the initiative and bows to the two monsters.
"Thank you very much for your help, Meili, Kai!" Raphtalia says gratefully.
"You're welcome!" Kai chirps.
"Hmph! We're only doing what we agreed to do!" Meili says grumpily.
Naofumi snorts in agreement, absorbing the wolves and Dire Wolf. Raphtalia smiles at the pair and Meili looks away in embarrassment, poofing back into her human shape- except she's buck ass nude. Naofumi covers his eyes while Raphtalia yelps.
"Meili-chan! Put your clothes on!"
"Why should I? They're annoying!" Meili pouts, folding her arms.
"Besides, I torn them to shreds when I transformed earlier!" She sniffs disdainfully.
Naofumi grimaces irritably.
"Then change back into your dragon form!" He snaps.
Meili sticks her tongue out at him.
"Bleah! No way! Besides, you aren't Mom! Only Mom and Onee-san and Auntie get to tell us what to do!" She yells at him.
"Why you-!" Naofumi hisses, bristling.
"Oooh, Meili, I can smell food!" Kai exclaims, oblivious to the rising tension.
Raphtalia, Naofumi and Meili sweat drop at the Filolial.
"Mister Shield, we're all done, right? Right? 'Cause I'm gonna go eat now!" Kai asks, bouncing in place.
Naofumi pinches the bridge of his nose and tries to restrain his temper.
"Give us a ride back to our camp first." He demands, glaring at him.
Kai shrugs carelessly.
"Okay~! Let's go, I'm hungry!" He complains, squatting so Raphtalia and Naofumi can remount more easily.
Meili grumbles loudly but shifts back to her dragon form- like hell she's letting Kai out of her sight again, the stupid bird! The trip back goes smoothly and the pair of monsters leave Raphtalia and Naofumi alone with their egg. Naofumi groans, resting his head against a tree.
"Master Naofumi? Are you alright?" Raphtalia demands, worry apparent on her face.
"I'm fine. Those two just wore me out- I don't know how Hazel deals with them on a day-to-day basis without going crazy." Naofumi sighs, scrubbing his face tiredly.
"Ah, I see. Well, hopefully the monster in the egg won't be as much as a hassle." Raphtalia says brightly.
Naofumi snorts but a small smirk curves his lips.
"Yeah. We can hope." He agrees, staring into the campfire.
Meanwhile, with the Belladonnas…
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY RAN OFF?!" Hazel roars, startling many birds out of the trees.
Sher winces, Rong sighs and Abelia hides behind a tree while Gale and Kassia face Hazel's scolding alone. The two Demi-humans grimace, sitting seiza-style while Hazel interrogates them about the missing monster children.
"We only took our eyes off them for a second to get them actual clothes! When I turned around Kai had run off and Meili was chasing him! I tried to follow them but they were too fast!" Kassia explains, inwardly terrified of what Hazel would do to them.
Gale glares at Hazel petulantly, braced for a beating. Hazel shoves her hair out of her face and paces, grumbling and snapping to herself. The three newest members await for their punishment with bated breath. Finally, Hazel stops and faces them, putting her hands on her hips.
"Okay. First-"
[Meili gains 445 xp.]
[Kai gains 445 xp.]
[Hero gains 445 xp.]
[Rong gains 445 xp.]
[Sher gains 445 xp.]
[Kassia gains 445 xp. Kassia Levels up! Level 3! Kassia Levels up! Level 4!]
[Abelia gains 445 xp. Abelia Levels up! Level 2! Abelia Levels up! Level 3! Abelia Levels up! Level 4!]
[Gale gains 445 xp. Gale Levels up! Level 5! Gale Levels up! Level 6!]
"… What the hell are they doing?!" Hazel hisses.
Rong stands up, guessing Hazel's next command would be to find the truant monsters wandering about the woods. Kassia blinks at her new level, flustered by how sudden it is. Gale is confused how the heck he gained experience without actually killing any monsters. Abelia's face shines with curiosity, marveling how she's not as helpless as before-!
"That does it, we need to find Kai and Meili. Remind me to go over 'dos' and 'don'ts' for everybody later, Rong. And we seriously need to find magical clothing for those two because I'm not wasting that much money if they're just going to tear them to shreds on a whim! Also; Kassia, Gale, Abelia! If you need help, ask! Don't suffer in silence when we could just fix the problem!" Hazel exclaims.
Gale, Kassia and Abelia blink in stunned silence at her words. Sher commiserates in their confusion, having been on the receiving end of Hazel's odd way of thinking. Rong opens her mouth to speak when snapping branches interrupts her. Hazel, Sher and Rong tense, readying themselves. Abelia scurries over to Gale and Kassia, trembling as the frightening noises grow closer. Hazel tenses, raising her fists-!
Only for Kai and Meili to stampede into the Belladonna's camp, crowing for food. Hazel's eyebrow twitches. Rong ushers the newer members clear of the impeding blast zone. Sher stirs the stew, frowning disapprovingly at Meili and Kai.
The two baby monsters somehow don't pick up on Hazel's foul mood as they shift back into their naked human forms.
"Mom!"
"Mommy! We're back~!" Kai cheers, his nose twitching as he stares at the pot of stew.
Meili glomps on Hazel's leg and Hazel has to work hard to remain angry because Meili is being so cute!
No! Bad Hazel! Stay strong! She reminds herself and she folds her arms and glares at her two hellions.
"Where were you?" Hazel asks coldly.
Meili twitches and stares up at Hazel, finally gauging her mood. Kai, lacking his hatch-mate's emotional intuition, doesn't notice anything is off and answers Hazel happily.
"I smelled something yummy so I followed it and Meili followed me and we met Mister Shield again and I tried to eat his food but he caught me and then we went and hunted down boss monsters for him and it was really sad because I didn't get to eat his meat!" Kai explains.
Hazel stares at him, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"Oh..?" She drawls, menace dripping from that single syllable.
Kai blinks and cocks his head, confused.
"Eh? Mommy?" He asks, an inkling that something wrong finally occurring to him.
Hazel smiles at him and points at the ground.
"Sit. Down." She commands.
Kai's lower lip wobbles but he and Meili do as they are told without complaint. Hazel remains standing with her arms crossed as she stares down at them.
"I am very disappointed in both of you." She starts bluntly.
Meili flinches and Kai is barely holding back tears.
"Kai, you are not allowed to leave the camp without Sher, Rong or myself to accompany you. You know this. Meili, the moment Kai left camp you should have told Rong or Sher, not follow after him. Neither of you should have left the camp without one of us coming with you. End of story."
"I was trying to keep him from getting into trouble!" Meili wails, wings drooping.
"I couldn't help it! It just smelled so good-!" Kai complains, sniffling.
"Meili. Kai. No one knew where you were. There are monsters in the woods capable of hurting or killing you! We were about to go on a search to find you! None of us knew if you were hurt, lost, unharmed or dead! And that is goddamn unacceptable. We stick together and we help each other- but how can we do that if we don't know where you are?" Hazel demands harshly.
"I'm sowry!" Meili wails, tears and snot dripping down her face.
"We didn't mean to!" Kai whimpers, blubbering along with Meili.
Hazel sighs, but knows she can't just leave it at solely a lecture. She keeps her expression stern as she looks down at them.
"You are both confined to the camp until we leave in two days and you will remain in your monster forms until I say otherwise. Both of you will report to Rong for chores until further notice. If I see good behavior we will talk about what privileges you have earned back. Am I understood?" She questions them, eyes flinty.
Meili and Kai nod, still blubbering. Hazel loosens her stiff and aggressive stance to kneel in front of them.
"You scared me. Badly. Don't run off again, alright?" She asks, ruffling their hair.
Meili sniffs and Kai sniffles before both latch onto her tightly, still crying. Hazel is resigned to being covered in tears and snot.
A week later…
Hazel stretches her arms as they continue traveling a local highway towards Shieldfreeden boarder. The last week has been busy with their preparations to leave Melromarc and then the actual leaving. Briefly, Hazel regrets not being able to go easy on her three newest kiddos, but needs must. They go to bed each night sore but Hazel knows how far to push before they hit their breaking point.
I guess there is a reason they make prospective black belts have a specific number of hours teaching beginners. Hazel muses atop Meili.
She glances over at the wagon, where Sher is handling the reins and Kassia is barraging the other Demi-human girl with questions. Gale is sulking behind them, still unhappy with his situation while Abelia is painstakingly trying to read a grimoire. Rong assists Abelia when she gets stuck on a word or doesn't understand what the book is trying to say.
The timid Deer Demi-human is far more comfortable reading books than fighting, but Hazel doesn't want any members of the Belladonna's unable to fend off an attacker. Given her temperament, Hazel teaches Abelia about pressure points she can attack to leave a foe helpless but otherwise unharmed. It doesn't hurt that it can be applied to medicine too, teaching Abelia a rough understanding of the humanoid form.
Kassia proved more interested in joint locks and hip throws, though Hazel insisted she also learns pressure points and how to break free of multiple types of grabs. Hazel could tell, already, that Kassia would be pretty when she grew up- the kind of pretty that men (and women) would want to possess. So maybe, just maybe, Hazel was more intense teaching Kassia how to free herself from nearly any position. But if that's what keeps Kassia from being taken advantage of, then Hazel is okay with Kassia hating her guts.
Gale proved a challenge to engage- until Hazel figured out he has a lot of pride. So, obviously, she metaphorically pokes him with a stick and riles him up every chance she gets. Incensed, Gale throws himself into training- partially for the chance to hit Hazel and also to prove to her he isn't weak. Despite his attitude, Hazel is happy with his progress and that of her other two kiddos. The only thing she regrets is the lack of weak targets to fight; the wilderness seems to have stronger monsters away from civilization.
Sighing, Hazel refocuses on the road, humming a tune as Meili trots along next to the wagon. Overall, despite everything, Hazel is secretly enjoying the chaos. Sure, Kai, Meili, Gale, Kassia, Abelia and Sher drive her crazy but it's not like her siblings didn't do the same. Heck, none of them have even pulled any pranks yet! So, yes, despite the occasionally overwhelming homesickness she feels Hazel considers herself happy with her ragtag gang.
When the walls of the Shieldfreeden/Melromarc boarder come into view Hazel whoops in excitement.
"Yes! Finally, we're leaving this hypocritical country!" She cheers.
Rong rolls her eyes fondly while the quartet of Demi-humans perk up at the idea of going to a new country. Kai and Meili chirp joyfully, picking up the pace as they charge towards the walls. Before they reach the gate, Hazel dismounts off of Meili, removing the saddle as well.
"Meili, human form and into the wagon." Hazel orders.
Meili pouts.
"Eh?! Why-!" She complains.
"So we can be super sneaky and trick the guards!" Hazel tells her.
Meili blinks, tilting her head.
"Trick them?"
Hazel nods solemnly.
"Uh huh. It'll be a good trick, since they like to count the people leaving Melromarc…"
Meili frowns- then shifts with a familiar explosion of smoke.
"Fine! Those peasants are unworthy of my presence anyways!" Meili declares.
She struts to the wagon and clambers in while Hazel restrains her laughter at Meili's attitude as she swaps with Sher in the driver's seat.
Oh my god I can't breathe-! She's so precious- I might need to work on her attitude though. She thinks to herself.
"Onwards, lowly steed!" Meili bellows from within the wagon.
"Oy! Mommy, Meili's being mean-!" Kai wails.
Scratch that. Definitely need to work on that.
"Silence! And move faster, fluffball!" Meili yells over Kai.
"Meili, stop yelling at Kai!" Sher scolds the dragon girl.
"But-!" She starts to protest but Sher flicks her on the nose.
"No! Bad Dragon! Down!" Sher tells her.
Meili pouts and huddles under a blanket, hissing when anyone draws too close to her. Hazel snorts and makes certain the curtains are drawn to keep nosy-parkers from sneaking glances inside. Rong walks alongside the wagon while the five younger Belladonnas stay hidden.
"Alright, Kai, don't talk near the guards, okay? Nod if you understand." Hazel murmurs to him as they approach the gates.
Kai bobs his head and Hazel's grin turns feral.
"Great. Let's do this!"
…
Crossing the boarder was easy, compared to the Siltvelt/Melromarc boarder crossing. The guards were lax after ascertaining they were female and clearly not the Shield Hero. Hazel sends Rong a look and the Shadow nods, telling her silently their suspicious behavior would be reported to the Queen. The lands beyond the wall are similar to Melromarc's- heavily wooded and with gradually rising hills in the distance. Once they are far enough away, Hazel calls for a stop and grins at Sher.
Sher shudders and her tail bristles as Rysty and Knokene transform into the dreaded Hair Dye Gauntlets. Hazel smiles cheerfully at her.
"Ready to be blond again?"
"Keep your hands away from me-!"
"Nope~! Gotta sell the disguise~!"
"You just want to touch my ears!"
"True, they're just so soft~!"
"Hazel no!"
"Hazel yes!"
Kassia looks at Rong as Hazel and Sher squabble, intuition stirring.
"Rong? Master Hazel isn't going to do that to us too, is she?"
Rong frowns then shakes her head slowly.
"I believe not. No one has seen you three in Melromarc, so you should be safe for now." She explains.
Abelia sighs in relief and even Gale relaxes minutely at the news- but Kassia glares at Rong.
"For now? What about later?" She presses.
Rong smiles at the Kitsune girl and pats her head.
"You'll see." She answers simply before walking over to start dinner.
Kassia is not reassured in the least by Rong's evasive answer. A few minutes later, a newly blond Sher sulks while Hazel all but vibrates with happiness at touching Sher's ears. Everyone settled in a big circle around the fire pit, quietly chatting or arguing depending on their nature or who they're talking to. Kai all but drools as the simmering stew teases his nose. Meili and Gale are hardly better off as they too stare intently at the stew pot.
Hazel snorts at their antics, absently dyeing her hair black with dark indigo highlights for fun as she waits.
"Dang that smells good Rong!" Hazel compliments the Shadow.
The rest of the Belladonnas chime in with their agreements and Kai sighs loudly as he stares at the stew pot.
"I can't wait for it to be ready to eat!" He complains.
"Nor can I." A mature woman's voice agrees.
Hazel, Rong and Sher stiffen at the unfamiliar voice and simultaneously twist to face the interloper. A young girl- woman? Stands right next to Kai and Abelia, watching their reactions with a calm violet gaze. She has a white hair cropped at her chin and three cowlicks. Not one cowlick, three. It should be ridiculous looking but somehow it makes her look regal instead of childish. Her gown is a series of fanciful ruffles and tasteful ribbons in shades of white and pinks. But it's the wings folded neatly behind her that make Hazel tense- because they look suspiciously like Kai's when he's in his human form.
Instinct and common sense stops Hazel from attacking- something tells her that fight with this person will not end well. So, being Hazel, she goes with the next best thing.
"Hi there, you want some dinner?" She offers.
The violet-eyed Filolial Queen blinks at Hazel, surprise flickering across her face.
"Aren't you going to ask me who I am?"
"Why would I be stereotypical like that?" Hazel counters playfully.
"Most would." The stranger points out.
"I'm not most people." She shrugs.
"… I can see that."
"But, in answer to your earlier question, heavy discussions that alter our view of the world are strictly conducted outside of mealtimes." Hazel says decisively.
"Is that so?"
Hazel nods firmly.
"Mealtime is mealtime." She says seriously.
"… I can respect that." Their surprise guest decides, seating herself elegantly.
"Stew?" Hazel offers.
"Please."
And so the world is shifted on its axis with a simple meal of beef stew.
Finally! I got this done! Augh! I've been holding off on introducing our not quite a surprise guest for several chapters but she's here and crap is gonna go down mwa ha ha haha! So, recap, the Belladonnas are currently in Shieldfreeden and trying to figure out ways to link up to the Dragon Hourglasses in each country.
And YES, we will finally get some information on Hazel's predecessor at long last~! Please review and comment and follow social distancing regulations please! Until next time! Stay safe and healthy out there!