This whole story has been a rollercoaster for me. I'm honestly pleasantly surprised and awed at its reception and you know what, that's all thanks to you, the readers. For sticking with me, for being here, reading, always wanting more…
To you, the reader, I ask nothing but for your continued support.
And about Wyndia… this chapter got a bit too long, but I have plans.
Naofumi had long since left Lute Village, the many townsfolk wishing him well and giving him their thanks. It was no different for us then…
"How can we ever hope to repay you?" The village elder asked of us.
"We have gold sufficient, instead, we may yet return to see what materials we may gain from the area," I replied easily, the avian atop my head had seemed to disagree however and chirped wildly before pecking me in a way that would catch the elder's attention.
"A Filorial? Black and white… I don't believe I've ever seen one with a black slave seal before, or with a bone mask for that matter," He commented before taking out a piece of meat. Chirping wildly, my Filorial had become happy once they had taken the meat in their beak, "Care for that chick as if it were your own, Sword Hero. They're known to be excellent beasts of burden."
With our business done, my party had left without another word.
Melromarc had not changed from the month we had been away, the streets still active, the shops still open. It was as if the Wave had never struck.
"Ah, demons as far as the eye can see, yet Melromarc Castle still stands, it does…" Bargram whispered with a solemn smile, "Why don't you two have a go with the celebration? The missus is prob'ly missing me by now."
"Should we expect you both at the castle?" I asked, Fera looking to the giant curiously as well.
"Nah… Don't expect us, instead, swing by once night falls. We'll have your rooms ready," He replied with a sad smile before turning to Fera, "And don't you think that means I'll let ya clean my tavern again! Gods on high, it took me years to build up all that grime…"
Laughing to himself, Bargram stiffened up before giving a bow. He thus left us with nary another word.
He should be honored that a maid of Melromarc Castle bothered to clean his filth, reputation or no. Yet you smile as well, partner mine.
Silently we walked, the people of Melromarc giving us strange yet calm looks. Had it been because of our involvement in the Wave? Regardless, the castle's guards had been expecting our arrival as the festivities had been well under way.
"Right this way, Sword Demon, the banquet awaits," A soldier declared with a salute, no malice or ill will present in their voice.
They call you 'Demon'. They are not entirely wrong.
"TONIGHT! WE FEAST!" I heard the king declare as we entered the dining hall. Already, many adventurers had begun to wine, dine, and make merry as they basked in the fruits of their accomplishments… yet part of me felt as if it was naught but a farce.
I had seen neither hide nor hair of these warriors save for the battalion who had wished to lay waste to the village of Lute.
My Master, please do not worry yourself… instead, I have brought you fish. Fiiiiiiiiish…
Yet, I could not enjoy my scaly treat quite yet as Motoyasu had leveled a hateful glare towards Naofumi. Moving quickly, I placed my fish within my Legendary Sword.
[Sword Fish Unlocked]
"There he is!" Motoyasu shouted as he pointed at Naofumi, "AND YOU!"
It would seem you are on Motoyasu's 'Shit List' as well.
The Needle Bearer stomped up to Naofumi slowly as his anger boiled, "I heard about her! This girl-" Yelping, the girl in question, Raphtalia, flinched as Motoyasu grabbed her shoulder, "Is your-"
He had no time to speak another word as Fera had drawn her Nail and slid it against his throat.
"As partner mine has no voice to speak, I shall speak for her," I declared as I walked calmly between the now retreating Motoyasu, "You will not harm this girl or her Master."
The room became deadly silent as Motoyasu growled in frustration, "Damn it… Damn it! To hell with this! Naofumi! I'm challenging you and Hollow! Here and now!"
"Excuse me?" Naofumi asked coldly.
"Naofumi-Sama! Don't acce-mmph!?" Before she could say another word, she had been gagged and pulled away, several soldiers encroaching upon us.
"By the laws of my kingdom," Aultcray began as he walked forward, "Demi-human slavery is more than legal, but if another hero has found you unfit to care for those who are forced to protect you…"
Master, help me…
Spinning round, even more guards had encroached and had shackled Fera whilst pinning her to the ground.
"I am afraid I am unable to intervene," The king finalized.
"You will release Fera at once," I growled with a fury I had not known I possessed, the avian atop my head chirping angrily as if to mimic me.
"Please Hollow… understand where I come from as King," Aultcray pleaded, "Look around us, the masses now expect blood to be shed. Should you forfeit, Fera's Slave Seal will be undone and she will no doubt be put in the Spear Hero's care."
"Like hell that'll happen!" Naofumi shouted, "I don't give a damn about what happens to any one of you, but if you think I'm going to let you take Raphtalia from me…"
"You're just a Shield Loser!" Motoyasu taunted, "What are you going to do!? Block me to death!?"
"Make no mistake… you challenged us both!" My angered 'voice' rang through the castle as if a piercing ray of light, the emotion swelling within me.
Master… I'm so sorry… Do not apologize, partner mine. You have done me no wrong…
Our stage had been set, Motoyasu standing at attention on one side of our earthen arena, Naofumi and I opposite to him.
"As Motoyasu has chosen to fight alone," Aultcray declared, "A coin shall be flipped to decide his first opponent! Heads, Hollow shall fight first. Tails, Naofumi…" And so it was that the king had flung a single gold coin into the air. As it fell, a gentle wind had picked up, changing the rate at which the coin made it's descent.
As it landed, both Aultcray and Malty smiled viciously.
Master, the princess is an adept mage proficient in wind and fire. She may attempt to skew the fight in Motoyasu's favor.
"Naofumi Iwatani! Take your place in the arena!" Aultcray shouted as he threw his hand out.
"Hah! You first!?" Motoyasu taunted as the two took their positions, "To be honest, I really wanted to fight Hollow! Just so I could shove my shiny new evolved spear right through his stupid bug face, but I'll admit that you're gonna be a good warm-up!" The 'Spear' in question had been the Needle he obtained from my Nail fragment, yet it had evolved as much as my own Nail had.
What had once been a standard Needle of the Nest had become slimmer, it's shine refined and sharpened and a large ring made the pommel of the handle.
"Don't think I'm going to stand here and let you walk all over me, asswipe," Naofumi proclaimed as he readied his shield's normal form.
"BEGIN!"
Smiling coyly, Motoyasu thrust his spear upwards as it shot skyward, the Needle Bearer following after it quickly much to Naofumi's surprise. With a rebel yell, Motoyasu had dove from his point in the sky straight towards Naofumi with incredible force and speed. Grunting, Naofumi did all he could to keep steady as he was pushed back.
"Hah! See how weak you are!?" Motoyasu shouted, "This whole things just a giant contradiction!" With a rebel yell, he flipped back as he thrust his spear out, his descent slowed as his Needle sported several after images, Naofumi growling more and more as his shield was constantly assaulted… at least until he rolled forward encased in a Baldur's shell.
The impact knocked Motoyasu's spear to the side as the Needle Bearer was unceremoniously ragdolled backwards, the Baldur shell fading as Naofumi stood triumphant.
"CONTRADICTION!" He shouted, "An inconsistent and illogical conclusion! The moment your 'Needle' failed to pierce my 'Shell', that was the moment this fight was decided!"
Roaring, Motoyasu quickly stood and rushed Naofumi, "As if I'd ever accept that outcome! NAAAOOOFUMIII!"
Motoyasu had opted for another clash, Naofumi's Shield turning into the Rope configuration. An Airstrike Shield slammed the floor, staggering Motoyasu and propelling him forward. With another roar, the Needle Bearer righted his aerial position and thrust forward as if being pushed by the wind. Noafumi only met him with a fist, and yet…
"YOOOOOWWW! THAT HURTS!" Motoyasu shrieked as he fell to the floor, a Balloon of all things chomping on his ribcage.
"AND I'VE GOT MORE WHERE THOSE CAME FROM!" Naofumi declared as he threw his cloak open, several more Balloons chomping down on his body. Had he really submit himself to such an arduous strategy? Query, Fera's voice echoed with palpable sarcasm, A hero far more mad and suicidal than mine.
"YOU!" Motoyasu cried as he rushed Naofumi, the Shell Bearer preparing more of his Balloons, "FIGHT! FAIR!"
"That's hilarious coming from y-" Naofumi's words had been cut short as a gust of wind had pushed into him with the strength of a hammer, Motoyasu abusing the opening as he whipped a near translucent, incredibly thin and sharpened Thread about, slicing along Naofumi's body. The many Balloons popped one by one under the vicious Thread, Naofumi faring no better as Motoyasu pressed his attack further and further.
As magic and metal battered and sliced Naofumi, something within the Shell Bearer snapped. His eyes flashed a subtle yellow as his Shell had taken a new configuration. It was… no. It was impossible…
"Armor… of HEGEMOL!" Naofumi shouted as he brought forth his Shell, the barrier shaped in the visage of Valiant Hegemol himself.
Motoyasu laughed mockingly as he changed spears to a rather gaudy and large blue bladed rod, "That stupid bug shield won't sav-" Unfortunately, the Needle Bearer's strike was stopped, the blade having impacted against the armored palm of Hegemol himself.
Whereas the False Knight had jumped aloft the arena when I viewed my kin fight, the grub relying on another armored bug as a weapon, Naofumi had… well, he fought as if he were truly Hegemol.
From dashing bodily into Motoyasu to striking the floor as shockwaves echoed along the earth, Naofumi pressured the Needle Bearer with strength and poise. Yet it seemed that no matter what he did, all Motoyasu could accomplish was to bounce his Needle along Hegemol's Armor as he dodged when able.
Having had enough, Motoyasu launched himself into the sky before falling once more to the earth, the Needle of the Nest once more in hand and enveloped in magical wind.
Looking to the thrones, I spied Malty waving her elementally infused fingers subtly as she whispered a chant. I waited no longer as I shifted my presence to reappear before the now startled princess, her magic dispelling itself magnificently.
"Were it not for your status as princess of this kingdom, I would slay you where you stood…" I growled out as she whimpered before me, Aultcray quickly standing to attention.
"What is the meaning of this, Hollow!?" The king cried out, only to be silenced by my glare, "Your eyes… they're…"
"This fight is a farce, your highness, I shall be taking my slave now," The avian atop my head chirped wildly at the king and princess, both much too intimidated to react.
"Hollow! It is one thing to take back your slave for my daughter's transgressions, but the Shield Demon has yet to succeed!" He argued. As I looked back, I had found that my interruption had been much too late, Motoyasu having pierced Hegemol's helm.
As the Needle Bearer fell to the floor, Naofumi had fallen to his knees.
"Looks like… this is my win! Shield Loser!" The Needle Bearer taunted through harrowed gasps.
"Per the rules placed upon our heroes, the slave girl, Raphtalia, shall be released from her contract to the Shield Hero!" The king declared before he gave me a saddened look, "You may believe me cruel for this, but there are things outside of both of our control, and the Demon of the Shield must be put in their place."
"So too must I be 'put' in my place, as the Demon of the Sword?" I asked coldly.
"Hollow, I did not say that!"
"You did not need to," I replied as I stared down his child, princess Malty now cowering at my presence, "I shall continue this charade, but if you interrupt our combat, it shall be you to taste my Nail."
To my left, Raphtalia screamed against her gag as a mage undid her slave seal, tears streaming down her face. Behind me, Naofumi had looked on in horror and shock, body unwilling to move. He was unceremoniously kicked off the arena by a now healed Needle Bearer, a sadistic grin upon his face.
"Come on, Daddy Issues! I want to see you beg while I free your slave!" He declared as he readied his Needle, his stance a mockery of sister mine.
No words to speak, I walked tentatively opposite him, Rather Imperfect Nail in hand.
[Rather Imperfect Nail Rank 18/75
Damage: 113
Passive (Mastered): Soul Eater, Gain 30% more Soul when striking enemies
Passive (Mastered): Soul Converter, Gain 10% more Soul upon successful kill
Active (Mastered): Ouroboros, Gain four satellite blades]
Active: Spin at high speed
Toggle: Wield two swords]
"Okay, that's new…" Motoyasu muttered before shaking away the small surprise, "Like a shiny sword'll help you against me!" He declared as he pointed at me with the top of his Needle.
"BEGIN!"
Before Motoyasu could so much as move, I had been behind him, launching him into the air before slamming him down, point first. As his body impacted the floor, a ring of Soul Nails just upwards to impale him further. His cries echoed through the coliseum, my gaze looking upon the now frustrated princess.
With a quick pull, I walked away before resuming a battle stance. Motoyasu grunted as he struggled to his feet, cursing my name all the while.
"I swear to God, bug man… I will kill you…" He growled out as he steadied himself upon his Nail.
"Should you indeed strike me down, I shall rise more powerful than you could ever imagine," Utilizing the Ouroboros, my satellite bladed materialized as I took my second Nail, allowing the remaining three to spin around me like… a buzzsaw.
The shrill and quiet whimper that escaped the Needle Bearer had been pathetic as his eyes widened, "D-did I say I'd kill you?" He asked with a nervous smile, "I meant I'd… um… uh… slap your… uh…"
"Yes?"
"Your face?" He asked more than declared, I only dashed forward and headbutt him, watching as he fell back once more and started to wail and roll about.
"The battle has consummated. We shall be leaving."
In spite of the growing jeers and shouts of the crowd, I neared closer and closer to Fera and Raphtalia, slicing away their bindings.
My Master… that was a wondrous fight… Rest now, partner mine. Allow me to carry you.
"Come, Raphtalia. Naofumi requires your assistance," I said calmly as I gently took Fera in my arms. Raphtalia gave a firm nod as she ran for the Shell Bearer.
"Father! Stop him! He's helping the Shield Demon!" I heard the princess cry out, the many onlookers beginning to gossip among themselves.
Master, do not leave yet. They may still harm the Shield Hero.
Staring back, I dared the so-called 'ruler' of these lands to challenge me. When it became obvious he would do no such thing, he waved his hand as if sending us away, "You may do as you please… but I shall ask that you forfeit your reward for the wave this time around."
Gasps and murmurs erupted around us, Itsuki shouting among them, "Your highness! How is that even fair!? You saw it too! Myne was clearly helping Motoyasu when it wasn't even her fight!"
"Would you rather lose your stipend as well?" Aultcray asked coldly, Itsuki flinching and gulping.
"Um… Hollow?" Raphtalia called out, "Could you help me? Naofumi won't move…"
Nodding, I looked to Fera. I can move, Master mine. Help Naofumi. Placing her upon her feet, I moved to the Shell Bearer, taking him in my arms as we left...