I do not own Rising of the Shield Hero

Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad on the SPAG edit! Also special thanks to Angel Wraith for reading my rough draft and provide important feedbacks.

More author note at the end for people who are interested to see me blabber some more.


Naofumi's feet fidgets in front of the big fitting mirror. His finger starts pulling at the collar of his coat even after Mein's repeated efforts to slap it away. "I feel like a monkey strapped in a fancy suit."

Yes, the princess can clearly see the nervousness emanating from the Shield Hero. He looks exactly like a low tier noble who got invited to an important ball hosted by Mother during the winter festival. Not Baron Elric though, never the 'Green Thumb of Melromarc'. That farmer in Baron's suit is in a league all by himself. "You'll be fine, Master Naofumi. You just need to let your natural charm out. Stand straight, and be more confident."

Mein doubts her Naofumi can do worse than the Green Thumb, who arrives at every important banquet in his working attire.

The Shield lets out a sigh as his eyes fall at his feet. "What am I going to be confident about? I didn't fight the Wave Boss, and Lute Village was in a mess when I left."

Yes, Master Naofumi. It's a bit too late to regret about ditching the glory of fighting a Wave Boss and helping out a bunch of commoners. Who are beyond help, if she's allowed to be honest.

But the Shield Hero is still the one who she dumped all her chips into. She'll just have to make him act like a winner, even if he's anything but at the moment.

Mein leans closer to Naofumi and slides her arm around his waist. "Think of it this way, Master Naofumi. You were the only hero who chose to save the lives of the common people. What would happen if you go to the banquet looking all sad and defeated? It tells every noble that taking care of their subjects is a waste of time during the Wave of Catastrophe. Heroes like you are supposed to be our role models, you need to at least act confident and determined in your cause to convince everyone, even if you have your doubts in them."

Naofumi stays quiet for a few moments longer. He slowly straightens his back and holds his head up. "You're right."

When the young man looks unsure, he has that 'help me' aura around like a newly hatched baby filorial that makes everyone want to hug him and tell him everything is okay. But now, when he stands straight as a flag pole and looks resolute in something?

The young man from another world looks positively dashing, exactly what you expect of a hero of a bard's tale and legends.

"A suit like this has to be expensive. I don't think I can pay for it." Naofumi's hand reaches up for the button when the clothing shop owner standing in the corner opens her mouth.

"Oh, no. I couldn't possibly accept your money, Master Shield Hero. I heard what you did in the Wave, protecting a village instead of seeking glory against the Wave Boss. More heroes should act like you, helping us common folk instead of kissing the feet of nobles." The seamstress looks over at Mein's direction. "Can I find something for your partner?"

"I doubt there's a single dress that'll suit me now." Mein pulls the hood of her traveling cloak down and opens up her collar, revealing the scar of her face and shoulder in full display. She does not need to look at the shop owner to guess the look on her face.

Why does this meddlesome seamstress pour salt all over her wounds? She'll never be able to wear a fine dress again, unless they somehow manage to acquire something like Yggdrasil's Medicine. Not entirely out of question for one of four Cardinal Heroes like her Naofumi, but not something that can be taken for granted either.

"...Oh, I see... a dress certainly won't work. But don't worry. I'll find something to fit you." The too young looking seamstress pumps her hand up with a determined looking face. "My small shop isn't the Royal Castrate, but I make up for the lack of funding for my heart."

Chapter 22: If this be my destiny

Stuffed roasted filorial, marinated griffin, dragon steak ... the most famous Melromarc cuisines prepared with the top quality ingredients, immaculately decorated by the chefs to the point they look more work of art than a dish waiting to be consumed. All of them positively glittering under the enchanted crystal chandelier inside the enormous ball room that'll easily fill over three hundred people.

All of this would no doubt be the highlight of any feast thrown by any noble of the highest class, yet they are only part of the post-second Wave celebration banquet organized by Father.

Exotic, fresh fruit and spices from the World's Basket of Shiltfreeden. Perfectly aged wine, brewed by the Junius brothers of Siltvelt. Delicate pastries crafted from the St. Pierre bakery of Faubley. One can easily find the best delicacies the world of Medea has to offer in this single banquet.

The motivation behind this excessively extravagant display is clear: It's a show of confidence and strength to the nobility, with Father trying to reassure them how glorious Melromarc will pull through. Not only the ongoing Wave of Catastrophe, but the incoming backlash from other countries will no doubt be coming. With the nobility's lifeline, and all the luxurious strappings intact, no less.

The princess in disguise turns her head to the end of the ball room. Father is socializing with the ladies and lords of the most important positions within Melromarc and the Legendary Heroes - sans the Shield Hero, of course.

With the way he laughs, jokes and moves his feet like a graceful dancer, the sentimental old fool can certainly pull the wool over her eyes into thinking he's actually enjoying himself.

Mein picks up a honey dipped sponge cake and brings it into her mouth. Strange how her favorite sweet tastes more like charcoal as it rolls and dissolves in her mouth.

Has this kind of banquet always been this decadent? No wonder Father privately hated them.

Mein turns around, trying to look for her Naofumi. She sees Douglas Noches, the spy master talking with him in a much more subdued manner in the corner, away from most people's attention. To her complete surprise, Lord Amelia, the finance minister, is with them.

It seems like there are still wise people in Father's court, who realizes the grave ramifications of alienating the Shield Hero. Or maybe those two lords want to spin their own manipulation around the inexperienced young man.

Mein wishes she can accompany her Naofumi, helping him spot out the traps and pitfalls the seasoned lords no doubt lay around him. Sadly, her need to preserve her real identity above everything else means that there's nothing she can do, when their messenger politely invites the Shield Hero's companions to 'enjoy themselves in the banquet'.

The undercover princess lets out a silent sigh as she leans back against the wall. Not attending this banquet is out of question. It would give Father, or the Pope, the impression of her going rogue with the Shield Hero. Not to mention, her Naofumi has to show up to the event hosted by the current Regent of glorious Melromarc, if he wants to receive his reward for fighting in the Wave and the supplies to carry him to the next Wave.

Mein looks at the knights posting guard around the room another time. She silently counts them off in her head before giving it up halfway. She was never good in arithmetics class, not when compared to her bratty younger sister. But she's sure at least half of those knights wear tabards or engraved plating with the red holy triangle in front of them.

Not knights under the oath to serve Mother and Father, no, but the knights of the Three Heroes' Church. Their elite fighting force the Knight Templars, to be exact.

Simple growing influence of the Church in Father's court, or are they planning something? Perhaps she shouldn't have convinced her Naofumi to come to this banquet after all. But it's too late to change their mind. She can only hope for the best out of the many bad situations.

"Aww... all these nice Faubley pastries will get tossed out after tonight. I wish I could bring them home. Do you have a picnic basket, An?"

"Please don't say something this unbecoming, Lady Katarina."

"Oh, well. Here Tia, have some more for yourself."

"I can't, Lady Katarina. I'm already overweight as I am. I wish I can be like you, staying slim no matter how much you eat."

"Haha, you just have to work them off in the field..."

Those voices...

Oh, no.

Mein whips her head around and stares into the two young women around her age, and a slightly older maid standing behind them with tired half closed eyes. One of the women has her face stuffed so full of desserts, her face resembles that of a rabbit pill. The other doesn't even need to stuff her face to look like a swollen porcupine, with a body fit for stuffed roasted filorial to boot.

Her playmates, Katarina Claes and Bertia Notches, are here in the same banquet. Granted, she should have expected this when she saw them running behind the Spear Hero with Iris Amelia towards the Wave. But Mein was hoping it was a trick her eyes played on her mind, since she only saw their backside.

And here, the monkey of House Claes and the hog of House Notches are standing in front of her with only a long banquet table in between. Where then, is the fox of House Amelia?

Mein's eyes quickly darts around the room in search of the last member of their little afternoon tea party club. She manages to find the noble heir of House Amelia a moment later.

The young lady isn't with her father, the finance minister of glorious Melromarc. No, to expect Iris, a tailcoat rider of her lordly father, is giving the heiress too little credit. The heiress of the noble house of Amelia is holding a glass of wine in her hand with the grace befitting a royal princess, while chatting with the head of the biggest merchant companies. No doubt trying to close some last minute business deal before the banquet moves onto the main course.

At least she's nowhere near the actual princess in the room.

"Here, have some finger snacks, Tia. It'll all go to waste after tonight." Mein turns her head to regard her two other playmates. With the elegance befitting a wild monkey, Katarina snatches a whole plate up from the table and dumps all the content into the waiting plate of pudgy Bertia.

"Lady Katarina! I can't eat this much!" The hog of House Notches lets out a high pitched squeal. She almost dropped half of the content onto her yellow dress on the spot. Bertia helplessly spins her head around her shoulder, as if trying to scout her hero in shining armor coming to her rescue.

Unfortunately for her, the Spear Hero is loudly boasting his accomplishments with the King right now. A few words even carry themselves halfway across the ballroom into Mein's ear.

"I'm afraid you spoiled me too much, Lady Katarina. See, even that adventurer is staring at us." The incognito princess turns her head back to her two childhood playmates, just as both Katarina and Bertia stare at her.

Well...

Damnit!

"Hmm..." Katarina leans down into the table, obviously trying to get closer and have a better look at Mein's nervous shuffling form.

The undercover princess briefly wonders if she should simply walk away from this encounter before it becomes a full confrontation. But with Katarina's blunt personality, she might end up shouting something and bring everyone's attention to them, if she's ignored.

"You're kind out of place in this banquet." Katarina suddenly starts to hop on her feet while clapping her hand. "I know! You're one of the adventurers from another hero's party! You look really wicked in this red hood, dress jacket and a mantle over your shoulder! Where'd you get it?"

Mein lets out a muffled breath she's been holding. Her playmates didn't recognize her through the new clothes, which was good. She doesn't dole out compliments to every common rabble, but the young seamstress from that Goddess and Heroes shop truly outdid herself with this hooded dress jacket. The well distinguished crimson fabric instantly drew people's attention, but the overbearing color is made elegant by well-crafted decorative silver threads upon closer inspection.

More importantly, it also has a cowl she can pull over her head, and a cloth mask under the collar she can pull up to cover her nose, hiding the otherwise monstrous scars with a mysterious stylish look befit an adventurer.

Mein keeps her voice low and hoarse, so as to hide her identity from her playmates. "Yes, I'm the mysterious masked adventurer accompanying the Shield Hero. As for where I got my hooded dress jacket... trade secret."

The monkey of Claes and the hog of Notches look at each other. The black demon fox fur scarf on Bertia's neck seems to be twitching at her confusion.

Mein briefly wonders if she went overboard in her attempt at disguise.

"WICKED!" The two heiresses clap their hands together. "We should have Master Motoyasu get it for us! I'm sure we can find them or get them tailor made in the Royal Castrate. They have all kinds of clothes and dresses. I bet we'll look like real adventurers in them!"

Bertia seems to suddenly have a dramatic revelation at Katarina's suggestion, as her head tilts to one side. "But if we wear identical clothes that hide our faces, how will master Motoyasu tell us apart?"

Your impressive girth would be a very identifiable trait, Bertia.

"Hmm... good point." Katarina stands back straight, her finger runs on her chin as her eyes roll up. "I know! How about we color code ourselves? I'll be mask blue, you'll be mask yellow."

"Oh, that's a good idea. We'll look fierce, and special! And Lady Iris?" Bertia hops on her feet as she claps her hands together, the plates on the buffet table wobbling from the tiny shockwave every time she lands on her feet.

"She'll be mask white."

And if I know anything about Iris, she won't have any time for this foolishness.

Mein slowly slips away from her childhood playmates as they conspire behind Iris on how to get her into a masked costume. She looks around the massive function room that can easily fit at least one lacrosse field inside, searching for the rest of the Shield Hero's party she lost the sight of in her musing. She manages to find the little raccoon girl standing beside the salad bowl with Kyubey, chatting with a middle aged servant in... is that gardener's overall?

Did the guards sleep on their job and let a gardener inside? Father will have the heads of whoever let a gardener inside his post-2nd Wave celebration party with the heroes.

Wait, that's not a servant...

As Mein walks closer to Raphtalia, she sees the aged face underneath a bush of brown beard, and a mop of same colored hair underneath the straw hat of the 'servant'. Yes, the man talking to the demi-human girl is none other than the best marksman of glorious Melromarc, Baron Elric the Green Thumb.

It's just like the farmer turned noble to do something eccentric, like wearing his farming outfit to one of the most important celebrations of glorious Melromarc.

"Try this here, little missy. I grew them right in my own field in Mud Legs." The former peasant scoops up a big spoonful of vegetables, and spreads them onto the plate Raphtalia is holding. "They ain't exotic, but they taste just as good as those you get from the World's Basket."

Raphtalia looks down at her plate and back up at the overbearingly friendly man dressed in plain clothes. She jabs her fork into the green, tentatively bringing it into her mouth. The little raccoon girl's eyes light up as she chews the vegetable in her mouth. "They're so ... fresh!"

The incognito princess makes a mental note to start teaching Raphtalia better vocabulary later in their evening reading sessions with the Shield Hero. She obviously can't fault the commoner turned slave girl for her meager counts of terminology. But she won't have Raphtalia speak like uneducated rabble and make the entire Shield Hero party look bad either.

The farming baron didn't mind her simple compliment. In fact, his face positively split apart with his smile.

"How are you enjoying yourself, Raphtalia?" Mein walks up to Raphtalia from her side, Kyubey ducks out of her way as soon as he sees her.

"Big sister Mein! You should try this salad!" The raccoon girl wipes her head around to smile brightly at Mein. Her free hand points at the bowl of salad on the banquet table.

Mein looks up at said dish. All in all, it is a rather plain looking affair of green, red and yellow vegetables chopped up and bunched inside a sea leviathan pearl bowl with some berries as decoration. The container itself is much more impressive than its content. But most importantly, there's not a single piece of meat in sight.

Might as well give it a try, she does feel a little hungry. She smiles back and runs her hand through Raphtalia's hair. "Alright, but don't point at the bowl, Raphtalia. It's not polite."

"Oh, sorry." Raphtalia quickly drops her arm to her side.

Kyubey scoops up a plateful of vegetable delights onto a plate and hands it to Mein. The princess takes the plate over from Kyubey and grabs a fork, bringing up a few leaves of green into her mouth.

The flavor does not instantly spread throughout her mouth. No, the first thing she notices is the texture, just hard enough to give it a crunchy resistance on her teeth instead of instantly deflating like mush. But not in a dry, crispy way when the juice of the vegetable is grinded out onto her tongue.

The flavor is just like any other sweet cabbage, yet also has what Mein can only describe as a 'sweet scent of earth'. Not to be mistaken with the grainy taste of dirt, no. It's a mix of the refreshing scent of newly sprouted grass, coupled with morning dew and the sweet aroma of pleasant spices and herbs.

"They are so... fresh." With a defeated sigh, the undercover princess ends up repeating the exact words Raphtalia was speaking. The peasant baron looks positively glowing by now. "How do you grow common sweet cabbages this well?"

"Well, pa always says it's the three 'L's." Elric the Green Thumb stands up straight, he rests his thick callus covered hands on his waist. "You gotta have the land to grow things. You hafta put in a day's labor day in'n day out. And you hafta give your love to the plant you raise like your young'uns."

The undercover princess blinks her eyes at this answer. She doubts a nebulous concept like 'love' can help grow the best vegetables she ever tasted. Before she can inquire further though, her attention is drawn to the sound of a plate smashing on the floor.

Mein turns her head together with everyone in her little group, and sees two familiar figures not far from them. They were the companions of the Bow Hero, with the burly knight with a mustache on his chiseled face, and the timid girl with two green braids and emerald eyes, wearing humble cotton clothes. A smashed plate with some scraps of food lay in the middle of them, while servants quickly and silently scoop up the mess.

"How many times do I have to drill it into your thick skull before it'll stick, you stupid girl? You eat after everyone else finishes." The knight's mustache over his mouth blows like a tiny little flag as he sneers down at his fellow companion.

It seems like acting like a pompous ass who deserves to be punched in the face is his default state, not a selective trait against the Shield Hero.

"So, sorry..." The girl's face is hanging so low, she's about to bury her head into her chest. Unfortunately, her complete submission at the situation does not do anything to deter the mule from berating her further.

"You can't swing a sword, draw a bow, or use magic. Master Itsuki only took you into our party because he pitied you. You could at least be a well-trained servant to us..."

One of the knight guards behind them is about to step in, until he's pulled back by his shoulder by his partner.

Raphtalia on the other hand, has no one to stop her. The little raccoon girl seems to find some unyielding courage after her first Wave. She runs forward and stares up at the pompous knight. "Don't be mean to your companions! A party should work together!"

The burly man seems taken aback by the action of a demi-human girl. He stays still for a brief second before blinking his eyes. It seems like the disgrace of a Melromarc knight can't believe a lowly demi-human child dares to defy him.

The pompous mule sneers down at Raphtalia. The small mustache over his mouth blows up like a flag once again, as he crosses his thick arm in front of his chest. "You should mind your own business if you know what's good for you, cub. Bad things happen to untrained animals who don't know their place."

"Or, maybe a knight of the glorious Melromarc should act more knightly. You pounces don't show your bravery by picking on two girls, dotch'ya?" Baron Elric walks up and puts his large hand on Raphtalia's head, making his intention clear.

"Courtesy is to be given to my betters. Neither this wrench nor this filthy animal cub are. Same as you, field plower of Mud Legs. Not that you would know it." The mule knight glares right back at the peasant baron, eyes full of venom. "You may have the honor of being one of the Four Riders, but you have no authority to command an Armure, vassal of the most ancient and noble princely House De Gallia."

Ah, so the pompous ass is sired from House Armure. That explains it all.

The Armure may lack the prestige of the Four Riders of Melromarc, but they are still the strongest vassals of the princely house of De Gallia. The Armure heavy cavalier earned their grand share of honor and glory from the Great War, under the command of Prince Joseph the Mad Tempest. No wonder he dares to act so smug.

Honestly, Raphtalia should have not jumped out when she did. The pride of an Armure means this knight won't back down his bullying against the girl in their party. In fact, calling him out publicly will only result in even worse treatment for the presumed commoner in the future.

But then again, it's not like that it's any of her problems. She should only focus on how to make herself look good in front of her own party.

"Funny, I distinctly remember the virtue of Humility for a glorious Melromarc Knight clearly states it should be given to everyone, even beggars and slaves." Mein moves up and stands firmly behind Raphtalia, placing her hands on the girl's shoulder to support her. "That's why they are virtues, not social obligations. Or did you earn your knighthood from a less savory source?"

The pompous knight's face slowly, but surely, turns purple. Making him look less an ass, but more of an off colored Horker living in the Northern end of Skyguard near the Sea of Ghosts. No doubt Mein's suggestion of him being a self-appointed hedge knight, rather than legitimately knighted by a lady or lord under the blessing of the Church, greatly wounds his pride.

But the mule should know better to bite his tongue back, considering he already knew Mein's real identity even in the first days. The first princess of the glorious

Melromarc is clearly his better.

Shouldn't he?

"Swords have been drawn to defend a knight's honor for less scathing dribble, you mewling wench." Apparently not, as the Armure knight places his hand over the hilt of his arming sword. He had not yet drawn the lethal weapon out, but the intention is clear.

Mein briefly wonders if she overestimated her own position. Sure, the disgrace of a Melromarc knight knows her real identity, but to most esteemed guests in this banquet she is still Mein. To have a nobody from a small town like Samphor call his knighthood into question would force the pompous ass to defend his honor.

Or was there something even deeper hidden? Thinking back, this Armure knight did show great reverence towards the Pope back in their short dispute outside Deidric's Inn. Was there some hidden conspiracy that made him ignore even a member from the ruling house of glorious Melromarc?

The blonde knight guard is about to step forward again. His partner reaches over his red triangle engraved chest plate this time, and slams him back into the wall with force this time. The knight lets out a pained grunt with a youthful voice.

"A duel you want, you gutless hairless monkey in shining shells?" The venomous hiss of Lautrec suddenly carries itself forward behind Mein. The undercover princess almost jumped out of her dress jacket out of shock. "Think hard, if you want to challenge a chosen member of the Goddess. For it won't be to the draw of first blood. Hehehe..."

Since when did this reptile creep up on her? How did someone so large and so... visually distinct be this stealthy?

The burly man's face is now purple to the point of turning blue now, making him the very visage of an angry Skyguard horker. He turns on his heel and walks away from their little group. "I don't need to take this from you rascals."

Baron Elric whistles at the monstrous lizard man. "Nice one, you sure sent that pompous ass packing. Say, you're one of the Mara tribe, ain'tcha? How's your string fingers? They say I'm the best Melromarc marksman, always wanted to try my luck against a Catharis great bowman."

"Never touched a great bow my whole life. But I'll humor you with my shotels, if a fight is what you want." The reptile smirks a lipless smile toward the peasant baron.

"A scrimmage for fun? Sure. I'm better with my bow than my hatchet and sickle. But I can throw down like any man..."

Mein lost her interest to listen to the dialogue between two 'exotic cases' when the young Knight Templar near the wall takes off his bucket-shaped helmet and takes a deep breath. "I should have stepped in, Sieg."

The disguised princess feels her throat tighten. His blonde hair is messed up by the enclosed helmet, but she won't mistake the face of someone who courted her for three months.

"Oh, will you stop your whining, you mewling quim? We are here to guard those oblivious fools, not break up every argument," snivels his partner as the other knight crosses his arms.

Mein can't see the boy's face underneath the helmet, but the voice and conceited words leaves nothing to the imagination.

Hmm... two out of the four noble scions who have courted her in the past are now in the same room with her. What are the odds?

"Thank you, thank you, THANK you! For standing up for me. But it really wasn't needed... heh, heh, heh ..."

The over eager expression of gratitude draws Mein's attention back to the green haired girl in front of them.

The green haired girl is wheezing again. Mein briefly wonders if she has some kind of disease. More importantly, she wonders if said disease can be transmitted to them.

Raphtalia seems equally puzzled by the girl's behavior. The demi-human girl's head tilts curiously to one side, big eyes looking at the green haired girl with kind concern. "Are you sick, miss? Master Naofumi still has some cold medicine he made for me. It'll make your throat feel better."

"Oh, oh no! It's just a little bad habit I picked up growing up. Big brother Raruk has been helping me correct it all these years." The servant of Bow Hero's party lets out a nervous giggle - it's clear she didn't forget her wheezing at the end.

"You left your sibling to join the Bow Hero? Must be pretty hard. Why didn't Master Bow Hero take him too?" Mein pulls Raphtalia back by her shoulder, combing her hand through the raccoon girl's hair again. "We forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Mein of Samphor, she's Raphtalia of Port Harp. Although we are both Master Naofumi's companions now."

"Oh, sorry. I'm Rishia Ivyred of Stormwind." The green haired girl bows down while pinching the edge of her cotton skirt up. A noble girl's greeting instead of a peasant.

Stormwind, that's one of the smaller kingdoms between the contested region of glorious Melromarc and the savage beasts of Siltvelt. In fact, it should have been right over the Ivory Pass at the seaside, if Mein remembers her geography studies right.

She never heard of House Ivyred, unlike Stormwind's ruling House Wrynn, or the martial focused House Fordragon. The girl must be the daughter of a small time lord of the small independent kingdom.

No wonder that pompous mule from House Armure seeks to bully her like a servant girl. The daughter of a small time lord of an equally small kingdom really is nothing more than a slightly well off commoner to the direct vassal of House De Gallia.

"Big brother Raruk... he's not really my brother. We know each other for a long time, and he's been like a big brother I never had. Well, Master Itsuki did offer big brother a place in his party too, after he saved me from execution. " Rishia is not aware of Mein's musing as she continues with her life story.

The timid girl looks down at her feet once again. Poor girl - after being bullied by that disgrace of a Melromarc Knight in Bow Hero's party, she can't seem to keep herself from pouring her life into complete strangers. "But big brother declined. Said his potionmaking skill will do more to help Stormwind, after both the Wrynns and Fordragons are gone. I don't think big brother likes Master Itsuki much, even if he saved my life. But no, if my stutter came from any illness, big brother Raruk would have made a cure for me by now."

Hmm... the daughter of a noble calling an alchemist, or potioneer's apprentice 'big brother'? Definitely more evidence to support the theory of this Rishia Ivyred coming from a small noble house. The higher echelon of nobility, even from a small kingdom would not let their scions be this close with a commoner.

Wait a minute... what did she say again? House Wrynn and Fordragon are... gone? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!?

"Wait, go back a little. Did you just say House Wrynn and House Fordragon are both gone?" Mein claps her hand together to stop Rishia's further ramble, or stammer. "I mean, they are pretty famous for their small kingdom ... I mean, even for a country girl like me. They fought alongside glorious Melromarc against the Siltvelt savages back in the Great War. How did they both just ... went up and gone?"

"Oh... Master Itsuki had to 'get rid of them' to save me, after Father was charged with treason for speaking against King Varian raising taxes on the people to fight the Wave. Master Itsuki rallied the common folks and overthrew King Varian... House Fordragon refused to yield, so they are ... they got the same treatment as the king ... Master Itsuki said it's quite an ironic twist of fate for the tyrant to suffer the same fate as the innocent man he condemned. But I ... I didn't want anyone to die for me. More killing can't bring Father back." Rishia looks to the side with down cast eyes and brows. Her mouth quivers at the mention of the no doubt gruesome end to two of the most distinguished noble houses outside the lineage of the Seven Old Kingdoms. The poor girl didn't even wheeze at the end.

Did she hear and understand this minor noble from Stormwind right? The Bow Hero incited a revolt and had overthrown a kingdom? Granted, a small kingdom... but the utter idiocy! What did he think will happen after he knocked out both the ruling family who govern the land, and the martial house who serves as the people's protection?

The incognito princess thinks back to the first few days of this entire hero summoning debacle, where there was the utterly unhinged outburst the Bow Hero hides underneath his pleasant gentlemanly facade. And how she almost picked this mad boy over her Naofumi. Would she be able to persuade the Bow Hero away from the folly of destabilizing an entire kingdom? Or would she be dragged down together with him?

At the time, she thought she dodged an arrow for not picking the Bow Hero over her Naofumi. But now, it looks more like a gigantic bolt from a siege ballista.

"A shame. Big brother Raruk would have helped Master Itsuki much more than me. Sir Mald was right. I can't swing a sword, draw a bow or use magic. I'm useless in Master Itsuki's party. He only took me out of pity, because I would be killed by people still loyal to King Varian if I stayed in Stormwind. The only thing I can do for him is be a good servant, but I don't know how to do that either." The poor fallen noble girl is sniffing by now. She looks as pitiful as Raphtalia when Naofumi bought her from that pudgy skin merchant.

"Well, you don't have to fight to help a hero!" Raphtalia gently brushes Mein's hand away. She hops in front of Rishia and grabs her hands.

"Re - really?" Rishia's eyes light up at Raphtalia's suggestion.

"I'm a child. I can't fight for Master Naofumi. Well... big sister Mein promised to teach me some magic later, but we haven't started." Raphtalia bobs her head up and down. She gives the green haired girl a big smile. "But I'm good with numbers. I help organize Master Naofumi's items every night."

"Yeah... I can do that. I was very good in my arithmetics class too." Rishia nods her head, her emerald eyes looking into the distance in a thoughtful manner. "And big brother Raruk did teach me some potionmaking basics. I can help pick up herbs, and turn them into potions for Master Itsuki. Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement, Raphtalia and Mein. I think I can help Master Itsuki in my own way now."

Not if that horker of House Armure has anything to say about it. He'll probably turn this poor girl's life into a living hell from now on, after the humiliation they served him. But the foolish girl doesn't need to know that.

"I see you are making new friends again, Mein." Mein turns her head around to see Naofumi walking to them. The four full coin pouches and a slightly less filled one around his waist immediately draws her attention. "Sorry I had to leave all of you here while I was asked to talk to Lord Notches and Lord Amelia. Hope you guys didn't get into any trouble?"

"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia immediately runs forward to hug the young hero. Unfortunately for the girl, she bumps her head right into one of the full coin pouches in her excitement. The girl takes a wobbly step back while rubbing her head. "...Ouch."

"Be careful, Raphtalia. I should have probably stored them in my Shield from now on." Naofumi quickly steps forward and crouches down. He rests his extended arm behind Raphtalia's back and holds onto her by her shoulder.

"I see your venture with two lords have been fruitful, Master Naofumi." Mein turns her full attention to the Shield Hero, she walks forward and holds onto Raphtalia's other shoulder. "Did the two lords decide to sponsor you, in addition to the official supply from the royal house?"

"Well... Lord Noches did say something about giving us more money if we need it. But I can't impose... this..." Naofumi slowly stands back down once Raphtalia is no longer shaking on her own feet. He slowly unfastens the pouches around his waist and places them into the emerald of the Legendary Shield. "Was that the four hundred and fifty silver pieces he promised me back from the trial? Can you believe that? He actually remembered his promise after I forgot about it. Guess not every noble is a backstabbing and cheating bastard."

Alternatively. The lord of House Noches could be trying to either get something from you, or lead you down a cliff further down the road by gaining your trust first. His daughter is in the party of the Spear Hero, after all.

Mein turns to look at her former playmate Bertia. She's running up to greet the Spear Hero together with Katarina. Iris is no longer talking with the major heads of the trading companies. She's daintily walking beside the Spear Hero with their arms locked together.

How did a complete idiot like the spear clown already secure the support of House Amelia, House Claes and House Notches? The Duke and lord paramount of the Golden Coast should know the fool will be no help to his house, if he conspires to usurp the throne of glorious Melromarc.

Forget the seasoned duke. Iris Amelia herself should have been smart enough to know that!

"The king is about to make an announcement. Let's go, Mein." Naofumi holds his hand out to Mein. The undercover princess smiles back at her hero as she locks their arms and hands together. Raphtalia quickly follows right after them as Kyubey and Lautrec trail up behind her.

It's not too bad even if she lost this game of thrones as long as she's with Naofumi, maybe. She certainly won't mind living the rest of their lives together in their own duchy, while the ladies and lords from the rest of glorious Melromarc tear each others' throat out for an over- embellished chair, and a gold coated false crown.

"I looked around the ballroom like you warned me earlier." Naofumi whispers into Mein's ear just as she's about to lose herself in her thoughts once again. "There's a lot of knights from the Three Heroes' Church."

"You don't say, Master Naofumi." Mein looks back to give two scions who courted her in the past another look.

"Is there something wrong, Mein?" Naofumi looks back towards where Mein is looking. He obviously can't tell the two young men from noble families apart from the other faceless knights in their full armor and helmet.

"I saw the face of one of those church knights, Master Naofumi. He's Jaune Arc, the only son of Duke Wales Arc. The lord paramount of Defiant Bay and Grand Admiral of the Albion Fleet of Melromarc. They aren't direct descendants of the old kingdom of Albion. But after the Albions were killed down to the last man and boy by the beastman savages back in the Second Age, the Arcs are the closest blood relatives to the Albion royal house."

"I see..." Naofumi nods his head along Mein's whispers, his eyes cast down at his feet as if deep in thought. The Shield Hero eventually looks up to stare at her deep in the eyes. "They sent their only son to serve the Three Heroes' Church. Are they rotten?"

"No, Master Naofumi. The Arcs don't promote equality between humans and demi-humans like the Seattos. Not after their whole family were almost killed off by the Siltvelt invaders in the Great War like the Albions. But they are the most honorable Melromarc nobles aside from that. Duke Wales was saved by the current Pope of Three Heroes' Church back in the Great War. That's why he sent his only boy to learn from them." Mein can't help but smile at the Shield Hero as she bobs Naofumi's nose with the finger of her free hand. "Are you perhaps jealous of Sir Jaune, Master Naofumi? Sure, a lot of young ladies and country girls like me see him as our Prince Charming. He's both handsome and from a powerful noble house after all. But I think you are better."

"No, NO! I'm not..." The young man from another world stammers for a few seconds before he looks straight in Mein's eyes again. He must have seen the amusement in her eyes, as he swung his head to bump their forehead together. "You're teasing me again, aren't you?"

It seems like the Shield Hero is slowly gaining some confidence. Good, he'll no doubt need it when they play the game of thrones with the more seasoned players. Mein saw enough about the game to know they can't win by folding their hands every time someone challenges them.

"Just a little, Master Naofumi." Mein moves her hands up to brush away a stray strand of hair in front of her eyes. Her smile slowly dissolves into a more serious visage underneath her cowl. "But you must know more about all this political stuff if we are to work with the Melromarc court to fight the Waves. That skin merchant wasn't lying when he said you are guaranteed to the lordship of a Duke. You can't know less about all the noble families than a country girl from Samphor."

"I'll take it into consideration. Let's stop now, I think the King is about to begin." Naofumi nods his head nonchalantly. It's hard to tell if he took Mein's counselling to heart, or spouted some random words to appease her for now.

It's not that important. For now, at the very least.

Mein quickly cast her eyes over to the other three heroes. Iris still has her arm locked with the Spear Clown. Same goes for that blonde bimbo who tripped her over with the Bow Hero. The Sword Hero on the other hand stands by his lonesome, seemingly by his own choice as his party stands obediently behind him.

"The honored ladies and lords of glorious Melromarc, pious clerics, esteemed guests, and valiant heroes. I thank you all for gathering at tonight's banquet, as we celebrate our successful repulsion against another Wave of Catastrophe." Father's foolhardy confidence and words makes Mein think he's talking about the end of the current cycle, not merely the second Wave.

"Even as our enemies befall us from all sides, and the Wave of Catastrophe strikes the very heart of glorious Melromarc, we remain defiant and strong. It is not possible, if not thanks to the effort of everyone. The common folks who provide us nourishment and resources. The craftsmen who forge tools, weapons and armors to fight back the monsters. The merchants and nobles who generously donate to the cause. The soothing prayers of the church to steel our resolve. And of course, the heroes who lead our brave fighters to our victory!" Father waves his hand around as he makes his second wave victory speech. He looks more like a mad preacher as his mane shakes and quakes together with his arms.

The guests don't have, or at least don't show any signs of discomfort as they clap their hands and cheers.

"On behalf of my liege the Queen of Melromarc, and our nation, I would like to give the heroes their just reward, so they may prepare for the next time when they are needed." Father nods his head to Lord Amelia the Finance Minister. The lord claps his hands as impeccably dressed and groomed servants leave the ballroom and carries back pouches filled with coins.

"For the Bow Hero and Sword Hero, who assisted in taking down the Wave Boss. Three thousand and five hundred silver pieces!"

The Bow Hero smiles and waves at the clapping and cheering crowd as he turns to look back at the guest of the banquet.

The Sword Hero looks just as stoic as before. No, Mein stands corrected. The frown on his face seems to deepen at the noise in the ballroom.

"For the Spear Hero, who delivered the final blow to the Wave Boss. Four thousand silver pieces!"

"YEAH! We are filthy stinking rich, Iris, Katarina, Bertia!" The Spear Clown waves his free hand at the two other heiresses, asking them to throw themselves at him. "Come on and gimme me a hug!"

The monkey of Claes and hog of Notches clearly oblige his request, as the blonde pretty boy pulls all three girls in his party into a tight embrace. Bertia buries her face deep into his chest, Katarina laughs brilliantly over the fool's shoulder, while Iris rolls her eyes while she brushes against his arm like a drenched baby drake.

"And finally, for the Shield Hero..." Father turns his head towards Naofumi, the sneer on his face apparent. "...who did not even show up to battle the Wave. Five hundred silver pieces."

What? WHAT!?

How could Father do this to her!? Granted, her Naofumi's skill makes it easy to turn resources into finished potions, so they can easily make their own fortune even without Father's support. But how could Father try to starve her!?

Naofumi's hand tightens around Mein's hand. Not out trying to crush her fragile fingers to vent his wrath, but trying to reassure the princess turned adventurer of his resolve. They'll be okay, even without the support of the officials.

"Furthermore, since the Shield Hero chose to not fight against the Wave of Catastrophe. His claim to all his privilege as a hero is now being called into question." Father's frown deepens as he looks down at Naofumi. "Therefore this court decides to withhold any support to the Hero who abandons his duty until further notice."

Father's even going to hold back those five hundred silvers?! How can he do that to her!

"Wait a minute, Your Grace! If I may speak on Iwatani's behalf?" The Bow Hero suddenly raises his hand up.

"Granted."

"Iwatani did show up at the Wave! Both Ren and I saw him before we joined Kitamura to fight the Chimera." Bow Hero looks at the Sword Hero, who finally opens his eyes to look lazily at the twice damned farce in the King's court. Well ... technically the banquet hall, but small details. "He didn't abandon his duties. He went to protect a small village, on the other side of the forest!"

"True, at least that's what he said." The Sword Hero turns his head to stare at Naofumi together with the Bow Hero.

"Can anyone prove his whereabouts during the Second Wave?" Father looks around the room, he's met with utter silence. The 'Wise' King of glorious Melromarc runs his hand through his thick beard. "Who is to say that the Shield Hero did not simply run away from battle and hide in the forest?"

"Your Grace! I implore you to look through all the evidence and witnesses regarding the situation. So we don't make another hasty judgment like last time regarding the Shield Hero, and nearly condemn an innocent man!" Lord Noches steps up from behind Father. "Count Valentin Winchester, Knight Captain of the Cardinal Company, was dispatched to save the village of Lute. The only village near the ground zero of Second Wave. He should have seen the Shield Hero, if he went to defend the village of Lute."

Father stares into the eyes of his Spymaster for a good thirty seconds before nodding his head. "Granted. Count Balveproven, you are to relieve Count Winchester from his duty and summon him to the banquet room to testify. Step forward, Shield Hero, and await your judgement."

"As you wish, Your Grace." Ludwig Von Balveproven, the Holy Blade of the Four Riders, walks out of the crowd and falls to his knee. The giant green malachite sword on his back hums as his wild dark hair flutters like a small cape. The former cleric knight of the Three Heroes' Church quickly leaves the door of the ballroom.

Mein feels her balm becomes sweaty underneath her gloves. Count Winchester's hatred towards the demi-humans is well known after the death of his father in the Great War. Would he use this chance to stab the Shield Hero in the back?

Naofumi gives one final squeeze to her hand as he walks forward by himself.

It does not take a long time for the Knight Captain in his full armor to enter the banquet room. His well-polished titanite armor clanks as he takes every step, till he finally kneels in front of father.

"Lord Winchester. On your oath as a knight of Her Majesty, Queen Mirellia. Do you vow to only speak the truth as we hold this sacred trial to determine the worthiness of a summoned hero being called into question?"

"On my oath as a knight of glorious Melromarc, and the honor of my family name." The Count bows his head down.

"Did the Shield Hero, who employs demi-humans amidst his party fight against the Wave Boss, or did he not?"

Father is really laying it thick to influence Count Winchester to testify against her Naofumi. Not only is he wording the question in a way that's rigged against the Shield Hero, he's also trying to influence Count Winchester's emotions by reminding the knight captain's hatred toward the demi-human race.

How can Father do this against her! Doesn't he realise that staying with the Shield Hero and rising together with him is her only chance to live a happy life, now that she is scarred?

Wait, Father may not even know her disfigurement. Maybe he's only trying to distance her away from the 'Shield Demon' by vilifying her Naofumi in Melromarc.

If that's the case... you are truly pushing your daughter into the oven with the best intentions, Father.

"It is true, the Shield Hero did not fight against the Boss of the Wave." The Count looks up to lock eyes with Naofumi for a brief second. "Under normal circumstances, such cowardly action would result in the immediate forfeit of all privilege enjoyed by a Legendary Hero. However, if I may add some further words of my own, Your Grace?"

"...Granted."

"When my knights arrived at the village of Lute, her good people are fighting for their very lives around the village hall, with two Boss Monsters and an almost endless horde upon them. When I found the Shield Hero, he was valiantly clashing against a Boss Monster by himself. Even though he's only level 20 and has barely any attack power, so he had no chance to win."

"I can't say for certain what happened before that point, but judging from his actions, I can only assume the Shield Hero has demonstrated the best qualities befit a Legendary Hero."

"Very well, your words have been heard, Count Winchester. You are dismissed." Father's frown deepens as he nods at the Count. He doesn't so much as brush against his long beard as pulling them like rope.

The knight captain gives another bow before he stands up and disappears outside the ballroom once again.

"Your Grace! Before you pass any judgment!" The mustachioed knight in the Bow Hero's party suddenly shouts out at the top of his lungs. "I have good reason to believe the Shield Hero's companions are slaves under him!"

Mein's head snaps to look at the burly Armure knight. Is this petty man trying to get back at her, the first princess of glorious Melromarc, for her scathing remark questioning his knighthood?

Or is there something more behind this attack?

"What!?" The Bow Hero wipes his head back towards his companion, his eyes and mouth open wide with disbelief.

"I KNEW IT! I knew there's something rotten going on in his party! Mein can't be willingly staying with him after her injuries!" The Spear Clown jumps up on his feet, thankfully nobody pays him any mind.

"SEIZE THEM!" Father suddenly shouts at the top of his lungs. Two Knight Templars standing beside him dash forward and pins Naofumi down before he has a chance to do anything.

"No! You leave me alone!" Raphtalia kicks and screeches against the knight who is holding her back while the two adult demi-humans don't fight their no doubt losing battle against the knights stationed behind them.

Mein, on the other hand, also feels her arms being bent behind her back. The familiar sound of Lothringen the Thunder Hammer, the Royal Guard Captain whispers into her ears. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Please bear with it."

"RELEASE ME, YOU FOUL KNAVE!" Mein takes a deep breath and screams like a banshee, she feels the body of the Royal Guard Captain tenses up. She's going to regret this, as it'll hurt as much as the bite on her shoulder.

But the incognito princess is way beyond caring at this point. She suddenly swings her head back to meet the Royal Guard Captain's nose.

Pain, disorienting and debilitating pain, explodes in the back of Mein's head. But she feels the hard floor slam into her chest and face. The captain released her just like she wanted.

She fights against the spinning world and crawls back up, tearing the front of her new dress jacket and the cloth underneath open. Exposing her upper chest bare of the slave's seal... and the edge of her mangled scar for everyone in the ballroom to see. "That disgrace of a Melromarc Knight lies! I have no slave seal on me! We follow and fight for the Shield Hero, not because he owns us but because he inspires us!"

Mein hopes this will convince the court of their intentions, and not tear off the cloth on their demi-human companions to further condemn her Naofumi.

The undercover princess feels someone kicking the back of her knee, making her fall head first into the floor once again. She squirms and struggles against the hand pushing down at her neck. "Release me, you rascal! Scoundrel! Hooligan! How dare a knight of glorious Melromarc use your brute force to hold down a weak girl!"

"...You, a weak girl? Please stop joking around and make me laugh." Replies the sneer of an unsavory voice that's more befitting to the thugs living in the dark back alley. "And I'm most definitely, not a knight."

Mein struggles to look back at her tormentor. She manages to see a glimpse of wild hair on the ragged face of someone with eyes that's more fitting to look sideways than straight.

Wasn't this one of the bodyguards of Iris Amelia? What was his name again, Dean? Dio? Dick?

You will be henceforth known as 'Henchman number 2'!

"The Slave Seal! The demi-humans all have them! The Shield Hero is forcing slaves to fight for him! Even a little child!" The voice of the knights echoes in the grand ballroom of Melromarc palace.

" I knew something was going on! Did you threaten Mein to obey you with the lives of those slaves!?" The Spear Hero apparently forgot what he 'knew' and was proven untrue just a moment ago. He is once again ignored by everyone in the room.

"You MONSTER!" The murmur of the guest is silenced by Father's roar. He points his finger at Naofumi, who is struggling underneath the weight of two high level knights. "Not only did you forsake your most important duty as a Legendary Hero, but you dare to purchase other lives and command them to work for you as if nothing more than cattle!?"

"OH! That's rich coming from you! The ruler who owns slaves to work for yourself and your country. And allows slavery trade to rampantly happen under the table, where anyone can wander into the slum and buy a slave if they have the coin!" Naofumi spits at Father's face as he defiantly holds his face up. "Even the slave trader who sold Raphtalia, Kyubey and Lautrec told me it's perfectly legal for me to own them!"

"WHAT!?" The Bow Hero whips his head around to stare at Father with wide open eyes. The self-proclaimed friend of Justice looks back and forth at Naofumi on the floor, and the King standing over him. The boy obviously is having a hard time deciding whose side is just this time. Even the Sword Hero, who can't look any less bored a moment ago, has his brow rising into his hairline-ensuing madness. "Do you want to explain what Naofumi just said, Your Majesty?"

"I will provide you a fitting explanation after this, Bow Hero." Father gives a quick and sheepish nod to the Bow Hero before turning to scream at Naofumi again. "So you finally show your true color, Shield Hero. You thought your privilege as a Legendary Hero would protect you from prosecution against your less savory behaviors? Well, as you did fail to fulfill your duty as a hero to fight against the Wave. By the power invested in me as the Regent King of glorious Melromarc, I officially revoke all your hero's privileges! You will no longer exploit those kind souls now."

The spymaster looks like he wants to say something. He turns his head to look at Bertia standing beside the Spear Hero. Marquis Notches closes his eyes, lets out a silent sigh and steps back into the shadow.

"No! Master Naofumi didn't... mmph!" Raphtalia tries to say something before her mouth is gagged by a blanket.

"Please, Master Itsuki. Help the companions of the Shield Hero." Rishia throws herself onto the Bow Hero's free arm. "They helped encourage me a moment ago, they can't be mistreated by him... EEP!"

The poor girl is struck down by the knight of House Armure. "Do not speak out of place, you foolish girl!"

The horker moves forward with his arm raised towards Rishia, till the bow hero finally does something right and catches his wrist. "Rishia didn't do anything wrong here. Don't take your anger toward Iwatani at her!"

The knight glimpses at the Bow Hero before he stands down. "Forgive me for acting out of my place, Master Itsuki."

"You are going to ignore your own witness ' testimony, and punish me for defending the innocent people!?" Naofumi, on the other hand, can't do much else than screaming at Father, with two knights still standing over his shoulders.

"We all have our duties for this Society, Shield Hero. As a knight of the realm, it is Count Winchester's duty to fight and die to defend its people. As a summoned hero from the legend, it is your duty to slay the Wave Boss and end it as soon as possible so the outpouring Wavespawn does not overwhelm us." Father squints his eyes close, he talks down to the captured hero once again with a patronizing voice. "What do you think would happen to this country, if I pick up a hoe and plow the field instead of overseeing its governance?"

"Oh, I don't know. You'll gain better appreciation for the farmers, and stop holding wasteful banquets?"

Naofumi's words make the banquet room go quiet once again. Until a muffled giggle starts to carry itself around the room beside the Spear Hero.

"The Shield Hero got uncle Aultcray there." Katarina looks at Iris and Bertia as she points her finger at Naofumi.

"Grownups are talking, Kat. Go eat some more Faubley pastries." Iris gives Katarina's back a gentle push as she turns to look at her own bespectacled personal maid. "Get a picnic basket, Tanya. Help Katarina bag some pastries home. It'll go to waste after tonight anyways."

"As you say, my lady."

"Your glibness does you no credit. Shield Hero." Father takes three deep breaths before the redness on his face starts to disappear. He looks down at the Shield Hero from his nose once again. "However, to show that this court is the example of fairness, there is a way out for you to take. Trial by Combat! When a hero's worthiness is called into question against the Wave of Catastrophe, they can prove their worthiness by besting another hero in single combat. Thus demonstrating their virtue of strength. You may regain all your hero's privilege back, if you win against a duel against one of the three heroes before you."

Before, Mein was unsure if the disgraceful Armure in the Bow Hero's party snitched them out from personal vendetta of his rather public humiliation. But she knows this is planned by Father as soon as the words 'trial by combat' left his mouth.

No, Father wanted more than simply taking everything away from her Naofumi. He wants to publicly dishonor the Shield Hero. If the young man refuses to challenge one of his fellow heroes, he will be seen as weak and unfit as a hero in the eyes of every important person in glorious Melromarc. But if he takes the challenge, he is facing an uphill battle so steep he has next to no chance at winning. The result is Father proving her Naofumi weak and unfit for his duty as a hero.

A yes and no choice with damnation either way. A fitting trap sprung by the Wise Sage King. Sadly it's used on her Naofumi, and hurts her by extension.

The only way out for Naofumi and her is the rest of the heroes collectively reject their father's proposal in favor of the Shield Hero. Unfortunately, this won't happen.

"Yes! I'll fight him!" The pretty boy idiot leaps forward before Iris has a chance to grab him back. He swings his spear in a circle over his head. "I'll save Mein from his evil clutches for sure. She deserves the company of a better hero!"

"Don't let yourself be used, you fucking idiot!" The Bow Hero screeches at the Spear Clown, his patience obviously at its limit. "Everyone is just deciding his fate all alone! We should listen to why he had slaves with him first before deciding he's guilty or not! Say something, Ren!"

What does the Sword Hero say in this case?

His eyes are shut, a hand rubbing over his forehead while the boy takes in heavy breaths. It's clear the mind and soul of the Sword Hero both made their exit a while ago.

"See, even Amagi agrees with me! He's not agreeing with your nonsense!" The Spear Clown points his finger at the silent Sword Hero.

"Agree with you! Ren obviously got tired of your dumb antics!" The youngest hero walks toward the blonde pretty boy. Their armor almost touches each other. "Don't think I didn't notice! You've been running your blabbermouth since we got here, flip-flopping between your opinions! Do you even care about all the slaves in Naofumi's party? You only want to take Mein from him to stroke your own ego, don't you!?"

"Well, Mein deserves someone better! And I do care about the slaves Iwatani are abusing! Especially the little girl he's forcing to fight monsters! A young miss like her shouldn't fight!" The Spear clown at least has the decency to turn a little red in his cheeks. But he's not backing down at his claim either as he points a finger at the Bow Hero's chest where his heart is. "And what about you, acting like you are better than everyone! You can't even stop that big knight of yours from bullying that nice-looking girl! You don't care about your justice, only to look good!"

The boy with bow staggers back a step as if slapped in the face. His normally charming face twists into a visage of pure beastly fury. "Why you little! There's no bullying in my party I have turned a blind eye to! I ought to strike you down for spewing more drivel out of your mouth!"

"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!" An angry roar makes everyone jump on their feet, even Father among them. The young interloper on the floor slowly pushes his arm up to support his body, despite two high level knights trying to hold him back down.

"All this time, I've been trying my best to do the right thing for everyone." The Shield Hero slowly pushes his body up, till he pushes one of his legs forward and touches the cold, polished stone floor with one of his feet.

"But I'm still hated and vilified, all of you refuse to give me a chance to show who I truly am. And for what? Because past Shield Heroes side with demi-humans against humans? Because the Last Shield Hero was the Siltvelt Tyrant known as the King of Rape?! Something you pompous asses don't even have the decency to say to my face!" Naofumi forces his body up against the pressure from two senior church knights, till he finally throws them both off him and stands tall on the ground.

"If this be my destiny. I'll fight the three of you altogether if I have to. If this finally proves my worth!"


End Note:

So, one of my longest chapters and it has no action in it. Writing this story made me realize I have more fun writing the quieter character moments, than big action moment even if I actually enjoy big loud dumb action. Probably because I absolutely suck at descriptive writing.

Anyways, for the reviewer who predicted an Interlude chapter... it's coming, but after the wave aftermath chapters. And a bit teaser, the next Interlude will be from Queen Safespace herself thinking over what has transpired so far.

To Rando12:

Well... Raphtalia does see both Naofumi and Malty as her heroes in this story. Also, glad to know you enjoyed this chapter!

Just like the Three Heroes Church, I want to portray the Melromarc military not as incompetent like canon. I always find that kind of 'make the main character look good by making everyone look bad' approach to be highly off putting. It only make the main characters look bad in my opinion, when they are the hero only because everyone else are incompetent idiots.

To Guest:

'F' to pay respect for Comrade Broseph indeed.

Hope this chapter explains what happened to Motoyasu's team. So, as one of my reviewer guessed half a year ago (by Uncle Sheo, it's been a long time!), the three villainess in chapter one wasn't just a cute nod to the villainess protagonist genre.

XD