Sitting in a tavern alone with a cup of wine and bread as his company, Marius inspected the lithograph he took from the temple. The painting of the spear resembled his own spear, albeit without the leather wrappings and the filolial feathers.

He shifted his attention to the other two weapons, which he never saw himself. If the spear he has represents Zeus, the king of the gods. Then the trident must represents Poseidon, god of the sea. And the bident represents Hades, god of the Underworld.

Now he looked at the painting of the warrior on the lithographs. While his armor was similar to the knights of this region, it has features that can only be found on hoplite armor, especially the helmet. Now he remembered the previous Praetorian before him. Marius knew he was greek by the weapon he left and the writing on the shield. But that was all he knows, and even Queen Fitoria have forgotten her Praetorian's name.

"Masked hero?" said a knight who just entered the tavern.

"Yes, what is it?" said Marius.

"You were summoned to the castle. The Shield Hero needed you there immediately."

"Tell them I'll be going there soon. I must finish my meal first."

"Of course. I will inform the Shield Hero."

And with that, the knight walked out of the tavern and rode a horse back to the castle. Marius rolled the lithograph and put it back in his satchel before eating his meal.


After entering throught the castle main entry, Marius was greeted by a hug.

"Marius!" Filo wrapped her arms around Marius.

"The Mighty Masked Hero." said Princess Melty, "We've been expecting you."

"First time you call me that." said Marius.

"I'm just being formal, Marius. Now come. I'll bring you to the conference room. The others are waiting for you there."


After they reached the conference room, Marius saw Hanzo waiting next to the door.

"You're late." said Hanzo.

"Good to see you again." said Marius.

"They're waiting for you." Hanzo opened the door for Marius.

Marius entered the room and saw Naofumi, Raphtalia, the army commander, The Order and the queen around an oval table.

"Finally. Where have you been?" said Naofumi.

"My apologies. I was not aware I was needed urgently." said Marius as he stood next to Naofumi before taking off his helmet.

"Now that you are here, I would like to ask you a question." said the queen.

"Very well... What is it that you want to ask me?"

"Given your experience in the army, what do you think of our forces?"

Marius was a little surprised by the queen's question. He looked at the commander, who looked to be the same age as Marius. "If I'm being honest... If it weren't for the vikings they wouldn't have last longer."

"Are you saying that our soldiers are weak!" said the commander.

"You really have to say that?" Raphtalia whispered.

"I did not called your soldiers weak, commander." said Marius, "The armies I knew and led into battle were more accustomed to the very nature of war."

"That is also what we've trained our soldiers for years!" said the commander.

"But have they saw one, commander?"

"Wasn't it us who helped you defended the rear!"

"I can tell which of your soldier have not seen the brutality of war, commander. The only reason none of them deserted the battle was because they were trapped in a cave surrounded by those familiars. The only escape in that situation would be death."

"I..." the commander was lose of words.

"You and your armies have my respect for their bravery, commander. But I do not believe they are strong enough."

"I see. Thank you for your honest opinion, Masked Hero." said the queen, "Shield Hero, do you trust the Masked Hero to train and lead your army?"

"Yes, I do." said Naofumi.

"An army?" said Marius.

"Just us won't be enough to fight the next wave. And after the whole Spirit Turtle disaster I decided we should start building our own army now."

"Then it is decided. With my power as the queen of Melromarc-"

"I object!" the kensei interrupted the queen, "We should not give him an army!"

"And why is that, Meiji?"

"The Shield Hero no longer have the Slave Crest on him! He is free to do as he wish!"

"Is this true, Shield Hero?"

"It was his request. But he hasn't tried plotting against us... Right?" Naofumi glared at Marius.

"No, I do not." said Marius.

"And how do you know he's not lying?" said Meiji.

"Marius, are you lying to me?" Naofumi asked.

"No." Marius responded.

"See?"

"I trust Marius, your highness." said Ulfric.

"And you, Lady Ingrid?" said the queen.

"So far, he hasn't done anything that got my suspicion. Though his actions lately were of questionable methods, but the intention has been noble. If it's for the greater good then let him led the Shield Hero's army." said Lady Ingrid.

"Then it is decided. A new army will be given under Naofumi Iwatani's name, and the Masked hero as the commander. The decision is final."

"We'll muster up as many troops as we can for your army, Shield Hero." the commander glared at Marius before looking away.

"If you won't mind, we'll be going off then. I got something to do while I'm here." said Naofumi.


The group walk through the street as they follow their leader.

"Where are we going now, Master Naofumi?" said Raphtalia.

"We're paying a visit to that slave trader." said Naofumi.

"Is master going to sell Filo?" said Filo, piggybacking on Marius's shoulders.

"No, I'm not selling you to anyone."

Then, they saw a familiar face wandering aimlessly before it saw Naofumi. The king, now known as Trash, pointed his fingers at Naofumi and was about to shout when a collar he wore glew and tighten around his neck.

"Well, if it isn't King Trash." said Naofumi with a cynical smile.

"Master Naofumi!" said Raphtalia.

"What? How can I not laugh at this?"

Then a group of knights quickly restrained Trash.

"My king! You mustn't go out like this!" said one of the knights.

Trash tried to yell while being restrained but the collar quickly shut him up as he was dragged away.

"Who was that?" said Marius.

"That's the King of Melromarc. Now we just call him trash." said Naofumi.

"So he was the one from the trial you told me, beside the Bitch."

"Correct."

"That king was weird." said Filo.

"Come one. We're almost at there."


"If it isn't the Shield Hero! How come you never visit me anymore?" said the Slave Trader.

"I've been pretty busy managing my own land lately." said Naofumi.

"I was sure you had forgotten about me. I've heard about your recent victory. A giant turtle? I couldn't believe it myself until I saw the thing with my own eyes! Now what can I do for you today?"

Looking at the cages at the dark section of the tent, Filo cowered behind Marius. Marius looked at the Slave Trader's shop and remembered the time he was put into slavery. But that was now in the past as the Slave Crest was no longer holding him back.

"Master... I don't want to go there." said Filo.

"Do you want to wait over there?" said Naofumi, and Filo nodded.

"I'll stay with her... Just incase." said Marius.

"Fine. And don't let her eat those eggs." Naofumi turned and the rest of them followed the Slave Trader.

Filo walked towards the monster eggs on display, "Master said this is where Filo was found."

"You were amongst these eggs?" said Marius.

Filo nodded. "Do you remember where we found you?"

"Death was upon me that day. I don't really remember."

"Oh. Then what about when you came to this world?"

Mariu's spine grew cold, "... It was... In a cave... It was so dark I could not see even my own hand..."

"Was it scary?"

"I thought I was being punished for my sins and my soul was damned to wander the darkness for eternity... I thought I trully died... I have never been so scared for my life since then..." Marius sighed, "But thank the gods, I managed to found the way out, only to be attacked constantly by monsters."

"And then we found you!"

"It was a painful meeting but I am grateful that you ran over me."

"That was an accident!" Filo pouted.

"It was fate." Marius put his hand on Filo's cheek, making her blushed.

"And now that the crisis is over, maybe we could go out together?"

Filo's eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement, "Really? Yay! Let's go now!"

"We'll have to ask Naofumi first." Marius walked towards the cages with Filo holding his arm until they found Naofumi, "How long is this going to take?"

"Probably a whole day. Why do you ask?" said Naofumi.

"I thought I bring Filo to go... Level... Up?"

"Please, master!" said Filo.

"Well, in that case. Take Rishia with you." said Naofumi, and Rishia was surprised by it. "You want to get stronger, right?"

"Yes, b-but how am I supposed to train with Filo?!" said Rishia.

"You just have to ride her and you'll still gain experience. Just don't fall off."

Filo transformed into her filolial form and Marius climbed on her.

"Then let's go, second big sister!" Filo grabs Rishia and threw her on her back behind Marius.

"Like he said, don't fall." said Marius.

Filo quickly turned and sprinted out of the tent. Rishia's signature noise was drawned out as Filo ran futher.


Various monster emerged out of the bushes to attack the large filolial but where easily killed by her talons. On her back, Marius protected Filo's back by killing any monster that tried to get ontop of her with his gladius while Rishia held on for dear life.

"That was fun!" said Filo.

"I don't feel so good." said Rishia.

"Strenghten your nerves, Rishia." said Marius.

"I smell more monsters over there, let's go!" Filo quickly sprinted away.

"Hooeeeeeeee!" Rishia cried out.


After they finished their hunt, Marius and Filo went gathering the slain monster. Meanwhile, Rishia sat under a tree trying to regain herself after the rough hunt.

"Is second big sister going to be alright?" said Filo.

"She'll get use to it." said Marius as he put a dead monster on Filo's back.

"Marius."

"Yes?"

"Do people who are in love get married?"

"Hueh?" Marius stopped whatever he was doing and looked at Filo, "Well, that's what usually happens... But sometimes, they never did."

"Uh? Why?"

"It's hard to say... Sometimes people change... Sometimes, so will their love."

"... Marius."

Marius looked at Filo's worried look.

"Please don't change..."

"... I won't. Now, we should go back. I think we've got enough." Marius walked towards Rishia, "Are you well?"

"A little bit." said Rishia.

"Good. Now get on Filo, we're heading back."

"Hoee?!"


After the hunt, they returned to the Slave Trader tent.

"We're back!" said Filo. She stopped right in front of Naofumi.

"Where's Rishia?" said Naofumi..

"Please let me down..." said Rishia, clinging onto Filo's feathers.

Filo sits down to let them unmount her, and Rishia fell down to the ground.

"Right, now to check your results." Naofumi started examined her.

Marius looked around the tent and saw a group of demi-human children in a middle of getting their Slave Crest while being supervised by Raphtalia.

"You're buying more slaves?" said Marius.

"They're not just slaves. They used to live in Rock Valley."

"So you're bringing them home?"

"Correct. And in exchange, they will fight for me. Filo, please snap her back to reality."

Filo lightly slapped Rishia's cheek but it sent Rishia flying.

"Where am I?! Where's Itsuki?!" said Rishia.

"So you were okay. And you've gained 20 levels. Your stats are higher than before, aren't they?"

"All that screaming must be tiring, yes?" said Marius.

"Come one, Marius. Give her a break."

"Very well. I'll go unload the fresh meat." Marius walked towards the resting filolial then grabbed one of the carcass then placed them on the ground. After he piled all the carcass and balloon skin on the ground, Marius drew his gladius to cut a piece of meat. He ripped the skin of it then presented to Filo. "For your hardwork."

"Thank you!" Filo took the meat right off Marius's hand and gulped it down in one go.

Naofumi grabbed one of the balloon skin then fed it to his shield, "Filo, please get the carriage. And also bring some carts in front of the warehouse. We'll be carrying a lot today.

"Okay!" Filo got up and sprinted away.

"You two really outdone yourselves today."

"She mostly did the hunting. And only guarded her back." said Marius.

"I see... Anyway, that samurai really don't want you to have an army."

"I don't blame him. I'm not entirely well-liked back in my world."

"That's what happened if you start invading everyone's land. Speaking of which, can you promise me something?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me you don't become a tyrannical warlord while you train our soldiers."

"It is not what I wanted anymore... I thought about settling down when the wave stops. I already found the perfect fertile land just near Rock Valley. I thought about building a villa there and start my own farm."

"Farming? That's kinda of a huge step down. And who do you wanna settle down withWait, don't tell me... Filo?"

"... I hoped... If I can get your blessings."

"You'll know once it's all over."


On the side of the road, the group set up a camp to spend the night. They, including the new slaves, sat around a campfire while Naofumi cooked dinner.

"Hey, Marius." said Raphtalia.

"Yes?" said Marius.

"What was that thing you said while we were fighting the heart?"

"Which one?"

"You know? Something about twelve labors?"

"The Twelve Labors of Heracles. A great story."

"Could you tell us the story?"

"Hueh?"

"Please, please! Filo want to hear it too!" said Filo, sitting beside Marius.

"Perhaps I could tell the story while we wait for dinner." said Marius.

Raphtalia then called the slaves to gather around for storytime with Rishia sitting amongs them.

"Now listen, and listen well... Once upon a time, there was a hero named Heracles..."


The little slaves were fast asleep on the carts, sharing blankets. Naofumi fell asleep in the wagon, Raphtalia sleeping in her bedroll near the slaves and Filo sleeping next with Marius who was still awake and just finished guarding the campsite. His had took off his armor and stored it in the wagon, with his spear as his only weapon on his side

He looked around the surroundings that were illuminated by the light of the moon, no wild monsters nor bandits lurking. He laid down next to Filo, before making sure his weapon was near him. He looked Filo and gently stroked her cheeks. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and cuddled her. With his eyelids grew heavy, Marius fell asleep with his arm around Filo.