Shield Hero: A New Hero

Chapter 3

Inside the castle

Walking through the doors into the throne room, I saw Naofumi surrounded by half a dozen guards, each pointing their weapons at him. The other three heroes and their parties were present as well. "Yo, Naofumi!" I rushed up to get a better look. "The Hell's goin' on, man?"

He didn't even seem to notice me as he looked right to the king. "Yo, king, while I was sleeping, all the money and equipment I had, other than this shield, was stolen from my room. Please, find the thief and-"

"Silence, you filth!" the king suddenly boomed.

"What's this about?"

"Myne, I'm sorry to ask, my dear. But would you mind repeating your testimony for us again?" the king asked.

Myne took a few shaky breaths before speaking. "It happened last night. The shield hero force his way into my room, he was stinking drunk! He grabbed me and pinned me down!"

Naofumi got to his feet. "Huh?!"

"He said something like, 'the night is still young' and then the next thing I knew, he was tearing all my clothes off." Myne added.

"What?"

"Somehow I managed to escape. I ran down the hall for help, and I found sir Motoyasu, who happened to being staying at the same Inn!" Myne continued.

"What the hell?!"

"If she hadn't asked me to wait until dawn and called the knights, I woulda glady cut you down myself!" Motoyasu said.

"What are you talking about? I went straight to bed after dinner last night and I don't drink!" Naofumi said.

"He's right." I stepped forward, getting everyone's attention. "I've known Naofumi basically since birth. He would never do what you're accusing him of." I narrowed my eyes.

"See?!" Naofumi gestured to me.

"He's covering for him!" Myne shouted.

"We can't believe a thing you say!" Motoyasu shouted. "You'd say anything to get your best friend out of trouble."

"To think the cardinal shield hero would commit the greatest sin in this country." the king said.

"Sin?"

"In Melromarc, even intended sexual assault on a woman is punishable by death." one of the king's advisors said.

"If you weren't a hero, you'd be executed at once!" the king waved his hand.

"Executed?!" Naofumi repeated. "I promise you, I'm the one being wronged here, not her. I didn't do it! And you're so convinced I did, then show me some proof!" as he said that, a guard walked up and knelt down.

"When we performed a search of the shield hero's room, we, um, we found this, sir. Strewn across his bed." he held up a purple night gown.

Myne covered her face as Motoyasu blocked her. "You animal!"

"The proof seems rather undeniable." the king stated.

"How so?!" Naofumi shouted. "That thing wasn't there when I woke up!"

"What a terrible shame." Itsuki said. "I worried something bad might happen but hoped you knew better."

"Guess he thinks a hero could do whatever the hell he wants and get away with it." Ren added.

"That's not even the least bit true!" Naofumi replied. He looked back at me.

"This world is not some consequence free playground for you." Motoyasu said. "Know your place, scoundrel!"

"This is some bullshit!" I stepped forward, only for a guard to turn his spear from Naofumi to me. Looking down at it, I looked up and glared at the guard. Looking passed him and towards Myne, I knew this bitch was lying.

She moved her hands away from her eyes, a grin plastered across her lips. She stuck her tongue out and pulled the bottom part of her eyelid down a bit with her index finger. "Oh, you redheaded bitch!"

"It was a setup from the very beginning!" Naofumi stated as he got to his feet, grabbing two of the guards spears but not being able to move passed them.

"I'm scared, sir Motoyasu!" Myne pushed herself against him.

"Shut your mouths!" Motoyasu ordered.

"Up yours, pretty boy! You did all this to steal my money and equipment! I'll bet you two planned it together!" Naofumi growled.

"Refusing to admit he's guilty and making nonsensical accusations?" Ren said.

"I know what you're thinking, and you're right! He doesn't deserve a shred of mercy." Itsuki added.

"I knew it. It was a mistake to summon all four at once." one of the people watching said. "Especially with the addition of this 'dagger hero'."

"Exactly! They shouldn't have summoned the shield hero at all!"

"But who could've known he'd be such scum?"

"Fine. I don't care anymore. And why should I?! Just send us back to our world. Summon a new shield hero or whatever you want, I'm out! Screw this world! Seriously! Why did I get ripped away from my home just to go through this?!" Naofumi said.

"So you're just going to run away as soon as things start to get tough?" Ren asked. "You really are scum!"

"After all you've done, how could you even think about abandoning your job?" Itsuki asked.

"I say let the cowards run on home. Who wants to fight alongside a rapist? Good riddance."

"Shut up!" Naofumi shouted. Clenching my fists, I resisted the urge to use my dagger against everyone in this room. "Now, send us back to our world this instant!"

"Believe me, I would like nothing more than to kick you out. But legend says that no new heroes may be summoned until all four of the original cardinal heroes meet their end." the king explained.

"What'd he say?"

"That's insane."

"This is bullshit!" I growled.

"So, you're tell me we can't go home?" Naofumi asked.

"Not yet. But there is only one way you may return home." the king said. "Fight off all the incoming waves."

"But sir, does that mean we'll have to fight alongside a criminal like them?" Motoyasu asked.

"Screw you, guys!" Naofumi growled. "Who needs you? I'll figure out how to handle the waves my way!" he pushed the guards away as he stood up straight.

"Don't move!" the guards rushed back to surround him.

"Get the hell off of me!" Naofumi's shield glowed as he knocked them back again. "What'll it be king? Are you gonna have us rot in jail in between every wave?"

"There's no more time before the next wave so I won't be imprisoning you. Scum or not, you're both still heroes. And one of the only beings left that can fight them all off." the king replied. "But news of your crime has already spread among the people. That is your punishment. You should never expect to be allowed to lead a decent life in this country!"

"Yeah, clearly!" he walked passed me and I immediately followed. As he walked, the sound of change rattled a bit. Pulling a handful out, he looked at his fist before turning back to Myne and Motoyasu. "This is what you wanted, right? Shove it up your ass!" he threw the coins at their feet before walking away again.

"Hey, wait, one second!" Motoyasu rushed over and reached for Naofumi's wrist. In one quick motion, I grabbed Motoyasu's wrist instead and turned him around, pulling his arm behind his back, causing him to wince.

"I'm the weak one, remember?" Naofumi said as he continued to walk away. "I don't have a second to waste."

Seeing him walk out of the room, I pushed Motoyasu away before following Naofumi. Approaching the door, I walked by Makoto who saw the whole thing. Her hair was a snow white. Stopping for a second, I spoke. "You can come with me if you want." I said before continuing my way out of the castle.

Hearing soft footsteps behind me, I glanced back to see Makoto with her head bowed, following me. She had her hands clasped and her hair was still white.

Reaching the main floor of the castle, I stopped, feeling Makoto bump into my back. "Makoto." I said. "Everything you saw back there wasn't true. Naofu- the shield hero would never do what he was accused of. Believe me, he's a good guy." I glanced back to see her hair had changed to grey.

"C'mon. Let's catch up with him."

End of chapter 3