L'Arc came to Melromarc due to some rumors. Mostly…the rumors about the Shield Hero being auctioned off as a slave.
The place was packed, and there were cages everywhere. Then, when the slave owner finally unveiled the Shield Hero, L'Arc's breath was taken away.
A raven-haired man wearing a green cloak was in chains. His cat ears twitched at the noise while a sleek black tail waved angrily. All the while, a small shield that was attached to his wrist gleamed in the light as his green eyes glared, fighting spirit still in him.
Then, the bids started coming. 10 gold, 20 gold, and going even higher.
Staring into those green eyes, his heart moved. Not being able to help it, L'Arc yelled out his bid, "500 gold!"
This caused everyone else to quiet down. No one else was brave enough to bid anymore, so the slave owner smiles, "Sold!"
Green eyes blink at the man who just bought him, staring at him with interest as his tail flicked. Meanwhile, L'Arc couldn't believe what just happened.
They were taken to the back, where the cat demi-human was officially marked with a slave seal using L'Arc's blood. The cat endured painful shocks before slumping and panting.
That was how L'Arc ended up buying the Shield Hero.
After they were out safely, L'Arc takes off the chains, hearing them fall to the floor.
"Th-thanks…" the cat mutters, cautious since he doesn't know if he can trust his "new owner". He puts the hood of his cloak up, hiding his ears and tail under the fabric.
L'Arc smiles at this stray cat, "You're welcome."
When L'Arc leads the way to a café, he meets Therese and Glass for lunch, who were surprised at the new arrival hiding behind L'Arc.
After L'Arc explains himself, Glass commends him.
"This takes one Cardinal Hero out of the equation for our mission then," she smiles.
However, L'Arc wasn't listening. He was only concerned about caring for his new companion.
L'Arc tries to feed him a spoonful of rice, "Kiddo, here's something to eat."
The cat growls, hissing at him, "Don't call me Kiddo, Master."
"It's L'Arc. Call me L'Arc."
His cat ears twitch, "Then don't call me Kiddo."
L'Arc smiles, "Then, can I get your name?"
He huffs, "Naofumi... L'Arc."
L'Arc nods, "Alright, Naofumi," before he forcefully feeds Naofumi some food, much to Naofumi's reluctance. He just quietly growls at L'Arc.
From then on, Naofumi travelled with L'Arc, levelling up as they go.
On a few occasions, Naofumi has gotten shocked whenever he disobeys orders, wanders off too far, or tries to escape. L'Arc does his best to keep him happy despite the situation they're in…aka their Master-Servant relationship.
L'Arc did find one particular spot though…which gets Naofumi to purr. He uses that power wisely…most of the time.
One day, L'Arc notices that Naofumi's more quiet than usual, "What's wrong?"
Naofumi sulks but it's more of a pout to L'Arc, "Nothing."
L'Arc coaxes, "It's not nothing. C'mon, tell me? Please Nao?"
Naofumi huffs, crossing his arms.
He sighs, "You leave me no choice…" before he scratches that spot.
"Nya! Mm~~~!" Naofumi purrs, leaning into him.
L'Arc smiles, "Good kitty."
Once the other Heroes found out about Naofumi's situation, they weren't that concerned.
Motoyasu was glad someone took control of that feral cat. Itsuki just expects Naofumi's new owner to treat him well while Ren…didn't say much as usual. After seeing that Naofumi's treated well, he figures it's OK.
When L'Arc asks him his opinion on this world, Naofumi responds, "I don't really care about this world…whether it gets destroyed or not, it has nothing to do with me."
"But you're the Shield Hero?" He asks, to which Naofumi just shrugs before taking a nap.
So when the Heroes died to L'Arc's scythe since they're so weak, Naofumi was completely indifferent. Like it had nothing to do with him at all since he'd much rather sleep his day away with L'Arc.
Afterwards, L'Arc brings Naofumi into his world, letting Naofumi nap in his lap, petting him. Relaxing as he held Naofumi in his arms is a great way to de-stress since it's just like…no. He's practically holding a cat right now.
L'Arc smiles as he keeps petting him, scratching his ears and stroking his tail, "Should I call you Kitty now?"
Naofumi purrs, content, "...Do what you want...just keep doing that…"
Omake:
Eventually, Naofumi was comfortable with L'Arc to tell him his secret.
"L'Arc? I have something to tell you."
"What is it, Kitty?" L'Arc asks.
Naofumi then tells him that he's an actual cat. That he got turned into a demi-human when he was "accidentally" summoned to another world.
"You mean…you're an actual cat?" L'Arc asks, a bit in disbelief.
"Yeah…" Naofumi nods before teasing him, "Does it bother you, Master~?"
"No!" L'Arc yells, "It's just…unexpected."
Naofumi smirks at L'Arc's uncomfortable face before having mercy on him. He nips L'Arc's nose before licking his cheek, "I like you. You can keep me however you please."
L'Arc takes that offer, and carries him to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. "Nyan~!" You can hear mewling from behind the door. Thus, Naofumi became L'Arc's pet cat.
Omake 2:
When Naofumi sees Malty again, he growls. He hates her.
"L'Arc..."
"Yes, Kitty?"
Naofumi's too angry to even bother responding to that nickname, "Can you kill her too? It's her fault that I got sold as a pet..." 'Again' is what he tries not to say as it's not the first time he's been sold as a pet. Hopefully with L'Arc, it'll be the last.
L'Arc smirks, "Sure Kitty. If it'll make you happy."
Malty dies by L'Arc's scythe, her head cut off.
Naofumi purrs with morbid satisfaction, kissing L'Arc as a reward, "Good human."