"What happened to her?" said Marius.
"Nobody told you, Masked Hero?" said Fitoria.
"About what?"
"It's mating season for filolials, and Filo is now inheat."
"By the gods. But, we-" Marius noticed he wasn't alone as the Peacekeeper, the Shield Legions and the slaves were watching them, "Can we speak in private?"
"Very well." Fitoria transfomed to her human form. She jumped down from the mangled corpse of the Jormungandr and followed Marius further away from the others.
"Me and Filo. We already did-"
Fitoria lifted her hand, "I know. But this one is different and could lead to problems. That's why she need you this instant."
"Fine. Let me talk to my legion first."
"Please hurry."
Marius walked towards his soldiers, "Legionaries. Take the slaves and return to Rock Valley."
"Yes, centurion. What about you?" said the praefectus.
"I have an important business to attend to. Now go." Marius then glanced at the Peacekeeper.
"Does this mean you're not going to kill me?" said the Peacekeeper.
"It'll be better if you report this to the queen."
"I suppose so." she turned to walked away before stopping and looking at Marius, "By the way, my name is Mercy."
"Mercy?"
"It's been awhile, centurion. Maybe you don't recognized me without my face plate. Let's talk later." Mercy turned and walked away.
Marius then returned to Fitoria.
"Are you done?" said Fitoria.
"Yes. Where are they now?" said Marius.
"They've crossed path with the Spear Hero."
"Malaka! You must take me to them now!"
"Very well." Fitoria chanted her magic, then she and Marius were teleported.
Motoyasu was on all fours, crying over his defeat, "It can't be! I lost!"
"You know the deal? Winner gets to take the loser's filolials." said Naofumi.
"No!" Motoyasu grabbed all three of his filolials, all in their human forms, in his arms. "Don't take them away from me!"
"You're the one who challenged me to this stupid race, yet you declined when you lose?"
The three filolials cried to their master as they clung to him.
"Fine, you can keep them. Just return all the wagons you stole and don't cause anymore trouble."
"Father-in-law!"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Please give me your daughter!"
"That's not part of the deal! And for the last time, she's not my daughter! You have your filolials, now go!" Naofumi turned his back.
"Go home! You lost!" said Filo.
"Filo-chan... My sweet sweet Filo-chan..." Motoyasu grabbed his spear and slowly got up, "No matter what, I will win your heart!"
Naofumi turned around and saw Motoyasu's spear transformed, "Hey, what's with that spear?!"
"It's the Lust Spear, father-in-law." said Motoyasu in a lustful tone.
"What the hell are talking about?"
"Father-in-law. If Filo want it, please allow our engagement."
"No. Infact..." Naofumi tried to think what to say next, "Filo is already engaged to Marius. So give up."
"That Ugly Bastard? He's love is nothing, compare to my love for Filo-chan. Infact, I don't need any other love beside Filo-chan's."
"You..." Filo jumped from the wagon and slowly approached Motoyasu, "Will not talk bad about my Marius!"
"Oh, Filo-chan. Forget about that Ugly Bastard. Come to me and I will love you forever!"
"Stop calling him that!" Filo charged towards Motoyasu with murderous intent, pushing Naofumi away.
"Come to me my love!" Motoyasu opened his arms wide.
Then, Marius and Fitoria teleported between them. Fitoria grabbed Filo then threw her aside.
"Shield Hero! Contain her!" said Fitoria.
Naofumi activated the Shield Prison to contained Filo.
"So jealous! So jealous! I'm so jealous of you being in love by Filo-chan!" Motoyasu cried.
"You stay away from her." said Marius.
"I'm so jealous! I'm so jealous!" a black aura gushed out of Motoyasu's spear, and the spearhead transformed into a lewd shape.
"Wait what?" said Naofumi.
"W-Why do you have your spear in such shape!" said Melty.
"I-I saw it too!" said Rishia.
"Please, deal with him immediately." said Fitoria.
"Can't you see! This is the proof of my love for Filo-chan! Please, father-in-law! Please give her to me!" said Motoyasu.
"Like hell! Marius, deal with him!" said Naofumi.
Marius took out his spear and approached Motoyasu, "I have enough of your bullshit, Spearman."
"Oh, I see how this goes! Father-in-law! If I defeat the Ugly Bastard, then you can give me your daughter!"
"If." Marius lunges at Motoyasu and thrusted his spear.
Motoyasu blocked the attack and swung his spear. Marius blocked the attack, but Motoyasu used his strength to pushed Marius down.
"Give it up, Ugly Bastard! Her love is mine!"
"No." Marius activated the flames, now much brighter and powerful than before. He pushed Motoyasu's spear away then bashed him with the edge of his shield.
"Lighting Spear!" Motosayu unleashed his lighting attack at Marius.
Marius blocked it with his spear. He summoned the lighting on his spear and fired it. The two lighting attack clashed at the middle, causing bright spark.
"Hey, what's the matter with all of you?" said Naofumi to the others.
"I can't stop thinking about him... Hanzo..." said Melty.
"I-Itsuki..." said Rishia.
"Did the Lust Spear affected you too?" said Naofumi.
"I can't stop imagining my brother having an harmonious relationship with you, Naofumi." said Atla.
"You're thinking about that?!"
"This power is my love for Filo-chan! And soon it will destroy you!" said Motoyasu, as he strengthen his spear more.
Then, Motoyasu was hit in the face by a shield, stopping his attack. Marius as threw his shield at Motoyasu and ran towards him with his spear ready. Motoyasu dodged from the side, and the two clashed spears in close combat. The two then locked their weapons and came face to face with each other.
"Give up, Ugly Bastard! You don't stand a chance! For my love for Filo-chan is far more st-"
Marius kicked Motoyasu's crotch. He then grabbed Motoyasu's spear and with a powerful kick, he sent Motoyasu flying.
Motoyasu got up but realized his spear wasn't in his hand. He looked up and was shocked to see his spear on Marius's hand.
The Lust Spear suddenly shattered into pieces, and revealed another form inside. It transformed into a bronze spear, with greek ornaments forming around it and the spearhead sharpened.
"My spear!" Motoyasu cried.
With the Lust Spear now gone, the lust effect wore off from the others.
"Did he just took Motoyasu's weapon?!" said Naofumi.
"W-What happened?" said Rishia.
"Looks like it finally wore off."
"I wasn't too loud, was I?" said Melty.
The weather suddenly changed. Dark cloud filled the sky above them and strong wind blew everywhere. After the spear's complete transformation it was struck by lighting and spread around Marius's body, mixing with the flames.
With the new spear, Marius summoned three bronze statue around Motoyasu and they tied chains around him. Marius lifted the other spear and charged it with the lighting coming from above. Sensing imminent danger, Fitoria formed a barrier around them.
With the spear fully charged, Marius threw the spear at the chained Motoyasu and it exploded with a bright flash and an ear-shaterring thunder. After everything was cleared, everyone opened their eyes and saw Motoyasu laying on his back and the ground around him burnt.
Marius, still with the flames and two lighting covered spear on both hands, approached the Spear Hero. Sensing his intention, Motoyasu's three filolials tried to attack Marius but he struck them with the lighting on his spear and all three were easily defeated.
Motoyasu recovered from the attack and saw the flaming centurion approached him. Motoyasu tried to crawl away but Marius stabbed his legs and pulled him closer. He lifted his second spear and the spearhead extended longer.
"Wait, don't kill him!" said Naofumi.
"No!" Motoyasu tried to shield himself with his arm and he closed his eyes.
But Marius plunged the spear on the ground between Motoyasu's crotch. After Marius let go of the spear, it transformed back into its original form.
Marius then pulled his spear from Motoyasu's leg. He turned his back and walked away. Motoyasu got up on his feet while supporting himself with his spear.
"T-This isn't over! I-I will win next time!" said Motoyasu.
Marius quickly turned his head and Motoyasu flinched.
"Portal Spear!" Motoyasu teleported with is three filolials and they disappeared.
The flames around Marius dispersed, yet his stamina did not diminished like before. The sky above them become clearer again and the wind suddenly settled.
"I hope I'm not too late." said Marius.
"No, you're just in time." said Naofumi, "How did you take Motoyasu's spear?"
"I just took it."
"Well, atleast he won't be bothering us anymore. Hopefully."
"Now that everything as settled, perhaps you can help with Filo's heat." said Fitoria.
The Shield Prison rocked violently and was on the brink of collapsed.
"So, will you allow it?" said Marius.
"Between letting her destroy my village, I don't really have any other choice. Just do what you have to do." said Naofumi.
"First, we need some privacy."
"There's a tent in the wagon. It should be big enough for the two of you."
The Shield Prison disappeared, releasing the filolial queen inside. She looked around wildly and saw Marius, wearing only his tunic, waiting for her near a tent.
"Marius!" she ran towards Marius then tackled him to the ground, "Please, I can't take it anymore!"
"I know, I know. But not here." Marius got up with Filo still on his arm and he brought her inside the tent.
Sitting far away from the tent, they sat around a campfire while waiting.
"How long is this gonna take?" said Naofumi.
"As long as she wanted to." said Fitoria.
"Great... Hey, Melty."
"Yeah?" said Melty.
"Who were you talking about while you were under effect of the Lust Spear?"
"N-Nobody."
"Really? Cause I swore you said Hanzo."
"W-What?! No I didn't!" Melty's face turned red.
"Yes you did. I heard it loud and clear. You want me to tell him about this?"
"Stop it right now!" Melty stood up and yelled at Naofumi.
"Alright alright, calm down. I won't tell your bodyguard."
Melty sat down and looked the other way, "... I do like him, okay? There, I said it."
"I didn't ask for any confession."
Melty suddenly realized what she said, and her face turned more red.
"We're finished!" said Filo.
"You don't have to announce it." said Naofumi.
"How are you feeling, Filo?" said Melty.
"I'm feeling better now!" said Filo.
"Good. Now let's out of here." said Naofumi.
"But, there's something Filo wanted to say."
"What is it?"
"Filo is pregnant!"
"What?!" everyone said in unison.
"Filo, stop playing around!" Naofumi yelled.
"She's not lying." said Atla, "I can sense another life inside her."
Naofumi glared at Marius, "Mind explaining yourself?"
All eyes turned towards Marius.
"It was different this time... I wasn't fully in control." said Marius.
"I see... Wait, what do you mean it was different this time?" said Naofumi.
"Uh..."
"You've been doing it with her behind my back, did you?"
"... Yes."
"I knew it."
Then, two Airstrike Shield appeared around Marius. The shields then sandwiched on Marius before disappearing, and Marius fell on all four.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that to you!"
"Master!" Filo cried.
"He deserved it!" Naofumi walked towards Marius. "You better take responsibility!"
"I will... You have my word." said Marius.
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Filo suddenly felt a weird sensation on her belly.
"We must act now. She'll start laying her eggs soon." said Fitoria.
"Fine." Naofumi readied his shield, "Portal Shield!"
Filo have created a nest in her room, and she now sat on it while on labor in her bird form.
"It hurts..." said Filo while she breaths heavily.
"Stay calm. You have to be strong for our child." said Marius.
Filo nodded, "Will you stay with me?"
"I will."
"You're almost there, Filo." said Fitoria, acting as the midwife. "Just keep breathing."
Meanwhile, the others are waiting outside. Naofumi leaned on the doorframe waiting.
"Master Naofumi." said Raphtalia.
"I'm fine." said Naofumi.
"I know you're worried about her. So do I."
They then heard Filo screamed in pain.
Naofumi gritted his teeth, "I can't believe I let this happen. Filo is too young for this."
"Master Naofumi-"
"If something happened to her, Marius's gonna get it!"
"P-Please! Make it stop!" Filo cried from inside her room.
"You're almost there, Filo!" said Fitoria.
After minutes of waiting, Fitoria came out of the room with her hair all messy.
"How is she?" said Naofumi.
"She's okay. She just laid one egg." said Fitoria.
"One egg?"
"Yes, but it was a big one."
"That doesn't sound normal. Can we see her?"
"Go right ahead." Fitoria moved away from the room entry.
Naofumi, Melty and Raphtalia entered the room. Meanwhile, the others looked through the doorway.
Inside, Filo was still on her nest and Marius stroking her head.
"Filo." said Naofumi.
" Master... Filo did it..." said Filo.
"Can we see it?"
Gently, Filo lifted the feathers of her underbelly and showed them the large white egg she just laid. Naofumi stepped in and placed his hand on the egg, his hidden rage slowly diminished.
"It's beautiful." said Melty, tears formed on her eye.
"I'm a father..." said Marius.
"Yes you are. I hope you remembered what I said about taking responsibility." said Naofumi.
"I know."
"Alright, let's leave you two alone for now." Naofumi got up and went to the exit.
Raphtalia placed her hand on Marius's shoulder, "Congratulations, Marius."
"Thank you." said Marius.
"Take care of them, Marius." said Melty.
"I will."
"Let's go back to our estate." said Melty.
"You're sad, aren't you?" said Hanzo.
"Yes I am. Now that Filo will be busy raising her child she'll probably have no time for me."
"You still got me."
Melty perked up and turned to looked at Hanzo. She reached out her hand and grabbed Hanzo's hand, "Let's go home, Hanzo."
The two walked back to their estate while holding hands.
Marius got out of Filo's room and gently closed the door.
"How is she?" said Naofumi.
"She's resting, she'll be fine." said Marius.
"Good. And how do you feel?"
"If I'm being honest, this is too sudden for me. I wanted this when the wave is over, when we no longer have to fight."
"Well, it just happened. Nothing we can do now."
"True."
"I guess the last thing you two need to do now is getting married."
"Does that I get mean I get your blessings?"
"Unfortunately, yes. But that doesn't mean you can call me father-in-law."
"No. That would be weird."
"Glad you're not like Motoyasu. Between you two, I rather have you instead."
"So, when's the wedding?"
"Slow down there. We need to plan it first."
"Right... Is Fitoria still here?"
"Yeah. She haven't left yet. Why?"
"There's something I need to tell her. Where is she?"
"She's at the filolial ranch."
"Thank you."
And with that, Marius went to look for Fitoria.
Fitoria sat at the fences with all the filolials gathered around her.
"Queen Fitoria." Marius called her.
"Yes, Marius?"
"I need answers." Marius showed Fitoria thelithograph he kept.
Fitoria snatched the lithograph from Marius's hand, "Where did you found this?"
"At the temple on top of the Spirit Turtle."
Tears started flowing out of Fitoria's eyes, "Why... Why I still can't remembered your name... I can't I remembered everyone's name..."
"Fitoria?"
Fitoria dropped the lithograph to the ground, "Excuse me... But I must go." she instantly teleported away.
Marius picked the lithograph up and saw wet marks left by her tears. He patted one of the filolials before returning to the manor.
In an undeground tomb underneath the abandoned ruin where the Filolial Queen Fitoria called her home. Using her magic to light her way, Fitoria walked towards a tomb. An old rusted armor of knight and hoplite design was erected on the wall.
Her tears flowed nonstop thinking about her praetorian, who's remains was entombed and forgotten, except to her.
