It's been a month since…
After…the Shield Hero died…
'He died protecting me…'
Just as L'Arc was deep in his regret, a familiar shield is tossed in front of him. Looking up, he sees Kiddo again.
"What? But… How?" L'Arc panics, staring at him, "You're supposed to be dead…"
"I am…" Naofumi sighs, his body partially transparent, "I have my own regrets too, you know."
"What do you want?" He asks, trying to grab Naofumi's hand, but it just passes through him.
"L'Arc…" Naofumi starts before looking at the shield, sighing sadly, "The shield…is more of a curse to me than a blessing. Whether you want to absorb it or destroy it. Either is fine. Please…"
"Kiddo…?"
"I don't care about that world anymore. Destroying it myself has crossed my mind quite a few times too…" Naofumi laughs sadly, "Please."
L'Arc sighs, "Alright… I'll do it. I'll do it so… don't cry anymore, Kiddo."
He then used his scythe to slash the shield, smashing it to pieces. The metal was cracked until it broke into two while the gem…was shattered from the impact, its pieces flying everywhere like glass.
After it's destroyed, a light flashes up into the sky, sending a wave of power throughout the whole world.
[System notification: Cardinal Shield has been destroyed.]
[All Cardinal weapons are no longer protected from slave seals, curses, or mental magic.]
Naofumi smiles, kissing L'Arc's cheek before fading away, "Thank you…"
Tears flow down his face, smiling, "You're welcome Kiddo…"
Alternate Scene:
When L'Arc gets his scythe to absorb it, he gets a new system beside his own…and access to more power.
[System notification: Vassal & Cardinal weapon fusion in progress…]
[Ding!]
[Process complete!]
[Reaper's Ghost Scythe confirmed.]
[Skill: Reaper's Shield- Summons a shield at will. Protects the target from all physical and magical attacks.]
[Skill: Reaper's Scythe- Attacks all opponents within a five-meter radius. Ignores defense.]
Then a ball of green light came to him, seemingly made of glass.
[Special Item obtained: Soul of the Shield Hero]
"…" They both stare in silence.
L'Arc laughs at irony, "Hahaha! I guess you're stuck with me then…"
Naofumi smiles, "If it's you… I don't mind."
[Note: If you use a Soul as material to create a Shikigami, you may get the person back.]
L'Arc smiles, hope in his eyes, "I can…bring you back…" Then he turns to Naofumi, "Do you want to Kiddo?"
Naofumi nods, his voice full of hope, "Yeah…"
When L'Arc suddenly wanted to do the ritual, Ethnobalt couldn't refuse. It seemed like it's important to him.
The items for the ritual were L'Arc's hair, blood, and… a small green ball. After it was complete, a small black cat with green eyes appeared.
"Meow!"
"Hey Kiddo…" L'Arc smiles.
"Nya!" the kitty rubs his leg before being picked up.
The next morning he finds… A child with cat ears and a tail.
"You're back?" L'Arc stares in amazement. It actually worked!
"Yeah…" Naofumi nods, a bit anxious, "Just…level me up so I can get taller, L'Arc."
L'Arc sheds a tear before he nods, patting his head. 'So cute!'
After levelling up, Naofumi quickly got back to his original age and size, to when they first met…only with cat features.
Naofumi is still himself in terms of stats. Defensive and almost no attack power…but he's surprisingly good at magic.
Nuzzling L'Arc, Naofumi kisses his cheek before shyly turning away, "Th-thank you."
L'Arc's also slightly flustered from the gesture, but smiles, "You're welcome…Naofumi."
They live together now and are partners.
