After Naofumi signed the contract, Naofumi had looked into Keima's stats.
Name: Keima Masuda (Gollen)
Level 21
HP: 200
MP: 50,000
Attack: 50
Magic: 695
Defense: 50
Magic defense: 150
Agility: 50
Naofumi was surprised. Keima was simply unbalanced. His magic status was simply monstrous. Although his attack and defense stats were rather poor and his movement was average. The stats related to magic were rather high. And his mana pool was simply absurd.
"You can see my stats. Right? How big is my mana pool?" Keima asked.
"50,000. Also why does it say Masuda?" Naofumi responded. Keima had scratched his head at that.
"Huh, I knew my mana pool was huge but I never thought it would end up like that. And Masuda is also my name. Just don't spread it around." Naofumi nodded and considered it to be under the second condition.
While Keima and Naofumi were talking, Raphtalia had returned. "Naofumi-sama, the soldiers are guiding the villagers back." Raphtalia had given the good news.
"Good. We'll help the villagers when they come back" Naofumi declared. Even if Naofumi hated his position as the shield hero, he would still do the job and get it done right.
Just then a group of soldiers had came back with the hero's in tow. All heroes are to attend a party after the waves defeat.
Keima had groaned at this news. If it was anything like he imagined. Then it would be empty words of thanks and flattery to the other heroes.
And it was exactly that. The nobles where shallow as Keima expected and had sighed.
"If they're gonna glare at you like you killed their mother. They could at least be subtle about it" Keima had stated. Loud enough that a few nobles had to turn away in embarrassment. Not from the glare but from the shame of getting caught.
Before the party took place, Keima decided to changed into more fitting gear. It was best not to draw attention to himself.
A simple tunic and pants with leather armor and greaves was enough to fit in. And to make it complete he had a simple sword adorned with a black jewel in the middle.
Unfortunately Keima did not have kosaki around to adorn his finger. The succubi wanted to study her, or maybe it was an it as the being in question was a ring.
"This is getting tiring. Y'know that" Keima had complained and sent a glare towards the nobles. For a second time they got caught and turned away.
"Ignore them. These shitty nobles wouldn't hesitate on killing you to cripple me. Or even sell you off with Raphtalia" Naofumi stated. Unsurprisingly, that was a passing thought a few nobles had but had to dismiss it.
"You really got a pair for insulting nobles when they're around" Keima smirked but glanced at Raphtalia "Hey kid, you've been staring at the food for awhile now. Get some for yourself" Keima had noticed Raphtalia drooling over the food but she abstained. With a nod from Naofumi she had left and filled a plate.
Keima was lost a little in thought and was quietly observing. Naofumi was brooding by window when Raphtalia returned. She had eaten a plate of food but the plate in question had been the amount of food was enough to fill a pan. Something which had actually impressed Keima. Difficult to do considering Ichika's appetite but that was another matter altogether.
At least she carried a dessert plate and gave it to Naofumi. She was cajoling Naofumi to try a slice of a sponge cake.
During the party 4 immediately stood out. A kid holding a sword. He seemed a bit standoffish. From what Naofumi told Keima the kid was Ren. A mousy haired guy with a bow on his back had talked to a few nobles while grinning. Another hero Naofumi told Keima about: Itsuki. He seemed to be accepting compliments like he genuinely deserved it. Even when he didn't defend the village. The 3rd was the long sitting on the throne. He was looking particularly pleased.
The last obe seemed the most troublesome to Keima. By proccess of elimination it was Motoyasu. He was surrounded by noble ladies and was holding a redhead close. She had an air of elegance around her but also seemed arrogant and haughty as well. And not in a good way.
The redhead had whispered something to Motoyasu and his face turned sharp. He marched up to naofumi and tossed his glove. "Naofumi I challenge you to a duel" Motoyasu declared.
"On what grounds" Keima had responded. If it was ridiculous or irritating then Keima would like to punch Motoyasu's teeth in.
"That he has a slave. No hero should have a slave" Motoyasu declared. Keima had fantasized about Motoyasu's face being smashed I to the ground.
"Considering that Slavery is legal here, That really isn't much of a reason" Keima responded bluntly.
"But it isn't right for a hero of all people to have a slave. We should know better" Motoyasu complained. Keima had debated whether or not to have Motoyasu eat dirt.
"You do realize that if you free this slave. Your gonna have to free them all
Including the ones from the nobility" Keima had started. However Naofumi was silently fuming. Something keima didn't overlook.
"Don't react to this. Naofumi, keep calm. You'll play into there hands if you don't keep your cool. Raphtalia, you may find this degrading a bit. But stick with it alright, you can punch me later. Fair?" Keima had used air voice to silently speak to them.
They both had to accept it. Naofumi because he knows the king will force Naofumi. Raphtalia knew about the princess next to Motoyasu was cruel and won't hesitate in selling her off if Motoyasu did win.
There only choice was to trust Keima. Naofumi albeit grudgingly, had to do exactly that.
Keima had returned to the conversation. "If you haven't noticed this yet, if you free this slave, then you have to free them all. So what will it be. Free one and start abolishing slavery. Or let sleeping dogs lie" Keima had challenged.
"I'm only talking about her. I'm sure Naofumi must be abusing her" Motoyasu argued.
"Do you see her shaking or scared. Do you see any obvious signs of abuse" Keima noted that Motoyasu may not have thought things through. In other words, an idiot.
"No bu-" Motoyasu began but Keima won't allow Motoyasu to gain ground "Or are you they much of a moron. Did you expect her to be thankful you saved her. When she didn't ask to be saved? Or did you not care and saw her as some kind of damsel distress?" Keima was openly challenging Motoyasu's line of thought.
Unfortunatley, Motoyasu wasn't dumb enough to let thet go over his head. Though to be fair Keima had made it painfully honest.
"Enough of this. Who are you to question a hero's decision" the king, who was listening with great interest, had realized where Keima was leading the conversation.
"Just a traveller, o king" Keina had wasted plenty of sarcasm into the sentence.
"You, a mere commoner, is showing disrespect to the king" The redhead was absolutely furious.
"Hey redhead, I don't respect idiots like him" Keima had shot back.
"R-redhead?!" The redhead was indignant.
"How dare you! Myne has a name. And it's not redhead" Motoyasu was pissed that a traveller didn't show any respect to the king
"And so did the slave, but did you ever bother to call her out by her name?" Keima had challenged.
"It's raphtalia? Isn't it" Motoyasu responded.
"Did you ever say it before now?" Keima had shot back. Motoyasu couldn't respond.
"Enough of this. Motoyasu challenges the shield hero to a duel and he must accept" the king declared.
"On what grounds. There isn't much point in taking a duel without any merits. Is there?" Keima had questioned.
"My authority as king is enough. And it is a question of Naofumi's property, is it not?" the king had responded.
"Then how about an alternative. The heroes and there second will be chosen. Naofumi can't fight on his own after all" Keima had offered. But he wasn't done. "However, if Motoyasu loses then he will have to pay up the equivalent of say... 2000 silver? Its should be fair as Raphtalia should be worth 20 gold at least" Keima had grinned.
This forced the king to reconsider. The nobility here are slave traders to varying degrees and Keima had turned it into a matter of business. And if the heroes complain about the match, the church can takeover the heroes management.
"Very well then. However, that slave cannot be allowed to join the fight. She is the main prize of this duel after all. The Duel will be hosted in the gardens." the king had reluctantly agreed to Keima's condition.
A few minutes later, Keima, Naofumi and Raphtalia where in an intense discussion. Or rather, an interrogation on Keima. The only reason Raphtalia wasn't being held down by the kibgs troops was because of Naofumi's glare.
"Just what in the hell where you thinking" Naofumi demanded.
"If they where going to force you to fight, then lets see how far they're gonna go" Keima responded.
"What do you mean?" Naofumi asked.
"Think of it this way. Raphtalia is an item, someone's property so to speak, the king won't be able to give her away if there's money involved. If therr wasn't, then this would be a sacred duel, betting on something" Keima had explained it to Naofumi and Raphtalia. It made an odd sort of sense but it still didn't feel good.
"And besides, once money gets involved the church can't really interfere much anyways. When he said a sacred duel between heroes, It was best to get rid of the church's involvement" Keima had claimed.
Although Keima wanted to avoid religion if possible. The church of Lux was already a handful and he woukd like to avoid another organization like them.
"Then what was that about proclaiming the heroes and there second" Raohtalia understood most of what Keima was saying but didn't understand why he put a two on two match.
"I wouldn't put it past them to cheat. I'm here to make sure of that" Keima answered each question and with that, the only thing left was the match.
Keima had also came up with a plan during the fight. And with that settled, the match had begun as soon as they stepped into the garden.
Motoyasu had started by charging them down but Keima had expected this. Naofumi had charged in as well.
When Motoyasu had thrusted his spear at Naofumi, the shielder had deflected it by angling his shield to have the seat slide off. This gave Naofumi an opening to toss Motoyasu off to the side.
The reason? It was to go after Motoyasu's second, the same redhead clinging to his arm.
"Stop you scu-" Motoyasu realized Naofumi's target and goal.
Unfortunatley that was when Keima stepped in. He launched an ice bolt into Motoyasu's head.
This caught Motoyasu off guard and forced him to dive right into the ground. Naofumi had gotten out a set of crimson chains, and threw them at her. As soon as the chains touched her, they had wrapped around and tied her in place.
Before Motoyasu got a chance to get back up, a sword was pointed at his neck.
"It seems that you guys lost" Krina declared.
This was the result of Keima's plan. Keima knew that Naofumi may not use weapons, but he could use tools. And more importantly, Magic tools.
Before the match began, Keima had gave Naofumi a set of salamander chains. Why does Keima have them? They where Keima's attempt to copy the originals of core No. 112 but were failures. The chains where made of Steel and Phoenix shells. The reason why they're red? Aesthetics.
Keima has still kept them because although they may not be able to hold down a dragon, but they were able to bind plenty of other things, including the Daiframe (a big frame that is able to transport big and heavy objects with ease).
In the end, the result was that Motoyasu or Myne couldn't move. The king and the crowd where absolutely speechless.
"So. I guess that means we win then" Keika had gave a knowing smile to the king.
The king could only remain silent. He couldn't say anything. Not even complain that they cheated. Because there was nothing to complain about.
Gripping his throne and almost crushing it, He had proclaimed Keima and Naofumi the victors.
Raphtalia had ran up and hugged Naofumi. Keima had sheathed his sword and walked up to the pair.
"Well looks like the young lady won't be leaving us any time soon" Keima had grinned.
"Young lady?" Naofumi was slightly confused.
"You do realize she's 16 or so, right?" Keima had gave Naofumi a confused stare.
Naofumi was even more confused. A
He gave a hard look at Raphtalia and seemed to slowly realize something.
"Where you always so grown up?' Naofumi had just noticed. He only saw her as a child before now but perhaps due to the effects of the contract or maybe even something as simple as trust, Naofumi realized that Raphtalia had grown into her teen years.
"I told you, I'm not a kid anymore" Raphtalia had smiled at Naofumi's realization.
Motoyasu and Myne had just gotten up after realizing that they lost. "Naofumi, you cheater" He was pissed. "Do you have no honor at all?" Myne had left the garden grumbling.
"And how exactly did we cheat" Keima was annoyed. If Motoyasu annoyed him enough, then he was going to knock him out using [sleep].
"How did you use the chains then. If he didn't cheat" Motoyasu challenged.
"You do realize that you can use tools, right? Otherwise how can you use a fork and knife? Same logic applies to magic tools." Keima responded as he walked off to collect the chains.
"I'm not accepting it. Have another match. This time one on one" Motoyasu had demanded.
"Oh buzz off already. You already lost so deal with it" Keima had stopped caring about politeness and settled for being blunt. The chains were nowhere to be seen.
"And I don't see the problem with using tools. Face it Motoyasu. You lost" At that moment. The sword and Bow hero showed himself. Ren and Itsuki were there names from what Naofumi told Keima.
"Bu-" Motoyasu began but was interrupted by Ren "If you cannot except your loss. Then you have have no right to call yourself a hero" Ren scolded " Besides, the man called Keima is right. Raphtalia is neither scared nor afraid of Naofumi. She looks more content than anything"
Itsuki who was staying silent, spoke up "speaking of which, who exactly are you?" The question was directed at Keima.
"A traveller" A rather blunt response "we met in Lute village and worked together to stop the waves.
Ren and Itsuki has to take Keima's word for it. Although Keima looked Japanese, he was casting magic. Something that wasn't even possible for someone of their world's.
"But if Naofumi didn't target Malty. I could easily have won" Motoyasu had interrupted.
Of course saying Myne's real name had something clicke for Naofumi and Raphtalia.
"You do realize it was two on two. And every strategy counts. Hell, I wouldn't mind it if you cheated. Just means I gotta cheat better" Keima didn't care and blew off Motoyasu.
With that, Keima was done talking and dragged Naofumu and Raphtalia away from the heroes. Luckily, every noble and even the king had retired once Naofumi won.
With nothing left to say, they all dispersed and left for there rooms and slept in for the night.
The following morning, they were all summoned to recieve the reward for defeating the waves.
Keima was told that the king was called Aultcray Melmoroc XXXII. And that his daughter was Malty S. Melmorac. Aka redhead. Though after Keima heard what she's fine. He thought Bitch was a much better nickname.
The king was announcing the rewards. 2000 silver for the sword and bow hero and 2100 for the spear hero.
"As for the shield hero. We set aside the minimum of 500 silver. And as a prize for winning the bet. I will award you 2000 silver at a later date" Aultcray announced.
Unfortunatley, Keima and Naofumi didn't expect to see the silver. They knew that the 'later date' was set after never.
After leaving the throne room, Naofumi was brooding on the castle's wall when Raphtalia had approached while carrying a basket.
"Naofumi-sama... Please try this" Raphtalia had handed(shoved) the basket to Naofumi.
Not even blinking, Naofumi had opened it to find some familiar rolls.
"Japanese...bread rolls?" There was an assortment of 6 rolls. 2 of each variety.
"Eh.. What did Keima give me?" Raphtalia was equally confused.
"Yeah... Eat up" Naofumi handed half the rolls to Raphtalia and thanked her for them.
"Just how did Keima get these?" Naofumi said in thought as a nostalgic taste spread inside his mouth.
This surprised Naofumi. He could finally taster again. He took another bite revealing fresh cream as a filling.
"He only handed me the basket and said enjoy, before leaving the castle. He did sat something about finding us later" Raphtalia explained how she got them from Keima.
As they silently ate the bread, Keima was in trouble. He was still in the castle town. Having a friendly 'chat' with Leona.