Wow, seven chapters in and we're still in the intro town! Seriously, how slow am I? XD

Anyway, you probably know what's coming next… and some… well… a palate cleanser I guess.

Onwards.

The trek to the tavern had been as uneventful as the beginning of our night, the monster encounters lessening the closer we came to the castle town. Because no guard had been present along the walls of the less than stellar part of town, no one had seen fit to stop me as I vaulted the decrepit stone wall.

Fera had long since fallen asleep along our travels as not even the impact of touching upon the ground stirred her. I did wonder… did humans dream as bugs did? What do you dream, oh ally mine? Rivers of drink and mountains of meat? Empty plains of shining grass, a sun that would not blind you hanging above?

The burly handmaiden who awoke us the start of the night opened for us before I had even a chance to knock, the irate woman tapping her foot with arms crossed.

"Mighty fine time of night you two came home to!" She stated rigidly, "What, too embarrassed to handle your business here that ya needed to have an escapade out in the woods?" She shook her head as she led us inside, "You're lucky I don't leave you to the rats… what a scoundrel you are to tire your poor lass out so."

"We had a Boss Monster encounter," I explained as she scoffed and opened the door to our temporary quarters.

"Aye, and I'm Queen Melromarc!" She exclaimed with a smirk, "Now get some rest for the gods sakes!"

Rest. It was still a concept so very foreign… I could not rest again, not when so much still needed to be done. Yet these humans… bugs as well… through sleepless nights I watched as the Nest fell to their exhaustions. Some wished not for their sleep, their dreams haunted no doubt by the Radiance. Did they dream in peace now that she was gone?

Shaking my head of such thoughts, I began to review the Nails I had used the most:

[Hallowed Nail Rank: 10/25

Damage: 38

Passive: Gain extra Soul when striking enemies

Balloon Blade Rank: 10/50

Damage: 10

Passive: Enemies attacked are repelled instead

Passive: 5% chance of dealing 10X Damage on contact

Gambler's Gold Rank: 5/20

Damage 15

Passive: 8% chance of turning enemy (Level 30 below) into gold]

How very strange… did these Nails 'rank up' disproportionately? If so, which Nail needed the most use? Gambler's Gold maybe? Equipping the heavy Nail, I loomed over my partner as she slept. Her rest far more important than my own…

Dawn had broken, and with it the frantic knocking of metal upon wood.

"Sir Sword Hero! Are you there!?" A male voice shouted.

"Now I don't care what royal orders you have," I heard the burly handmaiden from before shout, "But don't think that gives you the right to bother my guests!"

Royal orders? Ah, the king has sent for me. Opening the door slowly, I peeked out of the room and lift a finger over my mask, "She sleeps, I shall go willingly."

The handmaiden gave a nod as the guards gained strange smiling looks.

"Right this way, Sir Sword Hero," What I believed to be the leader of their squadron said in a hushed tone, "A matter involving the Shield Hero requires the attention of all Heroes available."

Have you played your hand, Aultcray? "Lead," What had been done, I wondered? Had he slain something he shouldn't have? Defaced a monument?

Whatever it was, the guards said nothing as we walked. A crowd had gathered before the castle gates, cries for blood, calls to arms… all against the Shell Bearer. Not long upon my arrival, I had been ushered into the throne room, the Bearers of the Arc and Needle awaiting me on the sidelines… Naofumi in the middle of the room in chains.

"Hollow-San!" He called out desperately, "You have to help me! I've been framed!" Framed? How is one framed when- oh. Yes… words and customs not my own.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Motoyasu had shouted at me. Was he not the one spying upon me? A playful smile told me that, yes, he was indeed, "Whatever, want I should catch you up to speed?"

"Sir Motoyasu?" I had not noticed, but hanging behind him had been princess Malty S. Melromarc.

"Fair tidings, your highness," My words shocked not only the Needle and Arc Bearer, but our princess as well.

"Woah wait, how do you know she's a princess!?" Motoyasu questioned as Malty further hid herself.

"I'd like to know that too," Itsuki added, "But we really should be paying attention to the trial."

Yes, the 'trial'. Fera must have known this would happen, which meant the princess had been involved in some way.

"Please! I'd never do anything like this! You have to believe me!" Naofumi cried out as if he were a beast pleading for his life, the King only stared at him coldly before addressing us.

"Naofumi, I hope you pay for the pain you've caused," The child Itsuki stated boldly, no doubt his thoughts of 'justice' clouding his judgement.

"Double for me!" Motoyasu shouted, "To think I actually trusted you with Myne… I feel just as responsible…" He growled out in fury at both himself and Naofumi. The princess in question quickly consoling him as she glared daggers at me.

"What of you, Sir Hollow!?" The king questioned as the world turned their eyes to me. What of me, then? Would I aid the Shell Bearer in his time of need? Had I not sworn not to?

His eyes… they looked so hurt. His eyes glistened with tears as he stared into me with such blinding hope… It was a hope he needed to be rid of.

"Do not concern me with your petty affairs," I replied much to the aghast gasps of all those in attendance, "We are your Heroes. Not your pariahs. Not your idols. If I am here, it is because I was called here by you to put an end to your misery. If you wish to see the man before you suffer, then may he suffer…"

Naofumi's hopeful eyes died that moment, in their place; rage. An untempered, chaotic emotion… one which could be hammered and chiseled. Broken down methodically so as to form something new… Something greater.

"Screw you…" He whispered under his breath, "Screw you! I can see what you're trying to do! Was this your plan!? Is this part of your training!?" He started fighting against his bindings as he roared at me, surprise apparent on all, even the royalty, "Am I so weak and pathetic you think the only way I'll grow stronger is if I become like you! If I become just another hollow vessel! Fine! I'll play your screwed up game, Hollow! But once it's over and I'm strong enough to take you down… you'd better be ready…"

I only nodded in agreement, walking away as the king decreed Naofumi's guilt. Two steps. I had taken nary but two steps when it was Itsuki who had stopped me.

"Hollow! Wait! What was Naofumi saying!? What's your involvement!?" He shouted as he drew his Arc against me.

"He is weak, this hardship shall change that," I replied as I walked away… only to raise my Nail to parry his bolt of light.

"You… what the Hell did you do!? Did you put Myne up to that!? Just to throw Naofumi a roadblock!?" His rage was unwarranted, a child throwing a tantrum. Four bolts of light flew from his Arc, all four struck my nail as I shortened our distance.

A crowd had formed at the start of our scuffle, a battalion had arrived once my hand was wrapped around his neck.

"You are a child, Arc Bearer. When the day is done, that is all you shall ever be…" I growled out as I lifted his now struggling form, "The Shell Bearer is twice the Hero of Justice you shall ever be," With a simple headbutt, Itsuki had fallen unconscious. It had taken my leave for the six guards to rush to the Arc Bearers aid, neither wishing to confront me.

News of the trial had spread like wildfire, shopkeepers and patrons alike all spreading rumors of the 'Shield Demon'. A demon they called him. How asinine… Yes… how asinine.

Had I not set out to do as I thought was correct? Would this thorn-ridden path not harden Naofumi? Guilt, was this guilt I felt? No, a vessel does not feel… and yet I found myself at Earhart's door instead of returning to the tavern for ally mine.

"Bug Hero," Earhart called out as I made my way in, "You're here pretty early… woulda thought you'd be too busy because of the trial."

"I will not play fool to such a meaningless farce," I replied calmly, "Is it ready?"

Sighing, Earhart brought out the mismatched and Pale piece, "It's missing something… I can't tell what but it's missing something," Shaking his head, he looked at me with hardened eyes, "Alright, Bug Hero. Shield Boy, did he do it?"

"The answer is irrelevant," I replied as I brought out the mass of collected hides and placed them upon the counter… his eyes shining at the Rampage Rabbit Hide, Drill Horn, and the Murder Hornet Stinger, "Instead, I would ask of you to aid him should he require it."

"Maybe I will, Horn Head… maybe I will…" With that, we bid our goodbyes as Earhart assured me that the next time we meet, the Nail would be complete.

The bustling crowds had quieted as I made my way through town, spotting the beast drops trader attempting to hide as he spotted me. Even as I drew closer, he hid deeper within his stall… that was until I began to place my golden hides upon the counter.

"Seriously!" He shouted with shock and awe, "Where the Hell do you keep finding this stuff! I know you aren't dipping monsters in gold, so where!?"

"Legendary Sword," I replied simply, causing the frantic man to quickly deflate as he gave me my gold. I truly did hope Fera was doing alright on her own…

Meanwhile…

Where? That was my first thought when I awoke without my master. I called for him through our bond… silence. I attempted to call for him with my voice… I would have cried had I still a voice and tears to do so. The tavern keeper had come into the room to check up on me not long after, finding me curled in on myself entangled in bedsheets.

She did what she could to console me, I only attempted to cry out more. How long it was until she realized I had been abandoned… she assured me this was not the case. Then why? Why was Master's voice not echoing within me?

"Oh lass… alright! If you're not willing to reason, then the next best thing to do is to get your mind off of things with a bit of work!" Work. Was I to work for this tavern now? Was this penance for my failings?

She bid me leave my armor upon the bed, assured that it would be there when I returned. My temporary master assured me that my currently tattered maid uniform would suffice, but would offer me new garments should they be torn beyond repair.

"Just clean the floors and tables a little, nothing too fancy of course, Bargram likes the tavern a little grimy," She said happily.

Clean… just as I had done in the castle… would Bargram use me the way the others did? Please return for me, o master mine. I am so very sorry...

Also Meanwhile…

"You are certain this bauble shall do as you say?" I asked the old peddler before me as I examined an emblem of a bolt of lightning over.

"Of course, Sir Sword Hero!" The ancient human cheered, "Lightning bolts will be sent back right where they came from so long as you wear this badge!"

"Why do I not believe you?" I replied, causing the peddler to flinch. It was of no consequence… I knew that were I to purchase anything successfully, I needed Fera. I turned to leave only for clothing similar to ally mine's to capture my attention. It was what I believed to be a clothing establishment… leaving the bumbling peddler behind, I had made my way for the shop.

A bell signaled my entrance, a bubbly handmaiden dressed similarly to Fera quickly rushed to my side.

"Welcome!~" The handmaiden cheered, "Here for a… change of wardrobe?" She blinked as she looked at me up and down, her smile never faltering, "Ooh, might not have anything in your size, sir."

"I am not here for myself," I reply quickly only to be pulled along by the arm.

"Nonsense! You're going to love the way you look! I guarantee it!~"

I was put into various forms of the same dress colored differently. Some had bow ties, ascots… others had twin tailed coats, gilded vests…

"Hmm… no, no… no… oh gods no! You really are the hardest client I've had to style…" She muttered as I donned my cloak once more.

"I must apologise," I say as I make my way for the door, "I only wished to find a replacement dress fo-"

"A woman! Of course! Why hadn't I seen it before!" She cheered as she pulled me back in again. How much longer would I be made to suffer… Oh Fera, I cannot vanquish this foe without you.