A redhead with equally red eyes, a scythe tattoo on his arm, and wearing rags was in a cage, chained to the wall. His fluffy tail wagged and his pointed ears twitched at the noise of footsteps. Someone was coming. Good. It was getting rather boring anyway.
When Beloukas showed his new customer his wares, a raven-haired man with green eyes, wearing a green cloak and wielding a shield, glanced at him. 'The Shield Hero?'
For some reason…those eyes captivated him. He couldn't help but call out, "Hey, Kiddo?"
Turning to that voice, the raven finally looked at him, "Who're you calling Kiddo?" They stared at each other for a moment…but it was enough.
Those eyes reminded him of a lone wolf's. He can see the hatred, the loneliness in those eyes. Most importantly, he can feel that this is the One. His Master.
He smirks, teasing, "You, Kiddo," getting the raven to growl at him.
"Oh. Dear customer, that is one of my more expensive options. A wolf demi-human. He's well-trained in fighting, but has a…unique personality," Beloukas smiles.
The raven looks at the redhead from head to toe, and after a minute, asks, "How much?"
"Hm~ For you, 200 silver since this one's been particularly picky about his Master. I've lost more money keeping him than I've been earning. So troublesome…" he smiles, shaking his head.
Nodding, the raven says, "I'll take him then."
The moment he'd heard that he smiled, his tail wagging.
After he was unchained, the redhead was lead inside of a tent. Beloukas brought out the ink and explained that the slave crest will make it so that slaves won't be able to tell any lies, and a few other modifications.
Stretching himself out since he's finally out of that cage, he smiles, "Kiddo, my name is L'Arc Berg. I hope we can get along."
"…Naofumi Iwatani," the raven replies, "I'm the-"
"Shield Hero, I guess," L'Arc finishes.
"Yeah…"
"Naofumi…" L'Arc thinks for a second before waving it off, "Nah. I think I'll stick with Kiddo."
The application of the seal was painful, but nothing he can't handle. Then, the raven paid Beloukas, plus a tip for some ink, which he poured into the shield, unlocking some new shields.
"Kid-ow!" L'Arc got shocked, "That's what you set the settings to?!"
Naofumi just smiles at him, "Yup."
"Kid-" he gets zapped again, "I mean Master!" He didn't get shocked this time. Sighing, L'Arc gives up, his ears drooping as he pouts, "…Fine. I won't call you that anymore."
"Good," Naofumi smirks as they walk to the shop to get clothes and a weapon for L'Arc.
L'Arc ended up dressed in a red and black vest, black pants, and brown boots. Then Naofumi grabbed a red cloak for L'Arc as well. Mostly to hide his ears and tail. As for his weapon, he chose a war scythe, his tail wagging happily.
After paying for everything, they went to a café to eat, Naofumi ordering the cheapest meals. L'Arc had no reason to argue either.
Then, they go to the inn for the night. As there was only one room available, they got that one.
"We'll go levelling tomorrow," Naofumi says, and L'Arc agreed since he just got outside again.
As for the room…they found that it only has one bed.
Naofumi insists, "You take the bed. I'll just sleep on the floor."
L'Arc's shocked momentarily since usually, the Master takes the bed and the slave sleeps on the floor. "No. You take the bed. I don't mind sleeping on the floor."
After arguing for a few more minutes, Naofumi finally says it. Glaring, Naofumi shakes his head, "No. You're a person, not a slave, so you take it."
Not believing what he's hearing, L'Arc asks, "Is that an order, Master?"
"No, it's not…" Naofumi sighs, "And I don't want to order you around unless I absolutely have to. You're my partner now, so… I'd rather not do it."
'Partner?' At the very thought of having a partner, L'Arc's tail got wagging.
"And don't call me Master. I don't like it," he adds.
'If I can't call him Kiddo nor Master then…' "Nao?" L'Arc tries.
"That's…fine. If you want to," Naofumi slightly blushes at the nickname, but it's at least acceptable.
He smiles, "Well…the bed is big enough for two so…maybe we can share it?"
"Fine with me," Naofumi shrugs.
So they get ready for bed, Naofumi laying on one side with L'Arc on the other. While laying there, L'Arc feels a hand on his tail.
He sees Naofumi petting it, softness in his eyes, "So fluffy~," before petting L'Arc's ears, scratching them before yawning. He fell asleep just like that.
L'Arc smiles as his Master was being so cute. Bringing the blanket up more, he covers Naofumi's sleeping form as he curls up. It's been a while since he's been in a proper bed, so he'll enjoy this while he can.
In the morning, Naofumi woke up to arms wrapped around him, hearing a heartbeat. Blinking, he looks at L'Arc's sleeping face as his chest rises and falls. Slightly blushing at the position they're in, he snuggles, deciding to sleep a bit more as it's just too comfortable, 'Five more minutes…'
From then on, they work and travel together, levelling up. Naofumi even began to trust him as his partner, much to L'Arc's pleasure.
Along the way, L'Arc finds that he can read his Master like a book. For example, Naofumi's aversion and distrust towards women…or anyone for that matter. It seems that whatever happened, Naofumi's no longer able to trust women anymore. It's probably the reason he chose to buy him. Nao's gotten to trust him though, so he's getting a bit better.
Also…that his Master is very insecure despite his tough act. Honestly…he's like a stray cat.
As for Naofumi, he found out that L'Arc sucks at magic. His only element is wind, but even then, he's more of a physical attacker. After some convincing, Naofumi does get L'Arc to practice magic a bit more, but it's a slow process even with his Slave Shields. At the very least, L'Arc can enhance his scythe to diss out explosive wind blades.
When Naofumi had to register at the Dragon hourglass…he just had to meet the people he hates.
Motoyasu and that bitch just had to antagonize him…and mention what he was accused of while trying to get L'Arc to change sides.
L'Arc looks at his Master, seeing the fear in his eyes, pleading for him to believe in him, to trust him, to not abandon him like this world likely already has.
"I already heard the rumors…people really like to gossip," he says, "But I would never believe such nonsense unless I see it for myself."
Motoyasu and bitch stared in shock as Ren and Itsuki came in, having overheard the conversation.
Naofumi looks at him, shocked as L'Arc smiles, patting his head, "I believe you, and I won't leave you, OK Nao?"
Biting his lip and tearing up, Naofumi hugs L'Arc, gripping him tightly as if afraid of letting go of his lifeline.
L'Arc just ruffles his hair before they left together, Ren and Itsuki making way for them. When he walked past, L'Arc growls, his eyes dark and narrow, "If you make Naofumi cry again...I'll kill you," before walking off, the Heroes and Malty shuddering, now scared of him.
Once they were outside, Naofumi had heard that, inquiring, "Would you really kill them?"
Shrugging, L'Arc answers, "Nah. They're not worth it. I'd rather...make they wish they were dead...but, since you need them to fight the Waves, I won't do that."
Naofumi nods in agreement, but still asks, "And that Bitch Princess and Trash King?"
L'Arc smiles evilly, "That doesn't apply to them. I'll make them wish they were dead for making you cry."
Naofumi blushes, shivers running down his spine. He thought that it was weirdly sweet of L'Arc to say that, so he leaned into L'Arc, nuzzling him, "That's good…"
L'Arc ruffles Nao's hair again for comfort before they had to face the next Wave.
After the Wave…let's just say that a certain Knight Vice-Captain was added to the "I'll make them wish they were dead" list.
It was during the party that L'Arc proved his loyalty, earning his Master's full trust.
L'Arc ate his fill and tries to feed Naofumi, insisting that he eat something since he's become so thin and light. Naofumi tries to argue, but just gets forcefully fed. Groaning, he swallows, and sighs, giving up as he eats a whole plate of food. L'Arc just watches him, satisfied with his tail wagging.
It was then that Motoyasu challenged Naofumi to a duel. Naofumi only accepted because he didn't want to lose everything again. L'Arc was his only light, and he didn't want to lose him.
He fought hard, using anything and everything at his disposal, but…it still wasn't enough. That bitch cheated, and he couldn't win.
Collapsed on the ground, Naofumi couldn't hear Ren and Itsuki vouching for him nor L'Arc's voice yelling at Motoyasu, "I'm the one who chose him, not the other way around!" before punching him in the face. He was too deep in despair, his hatred at its peak.
[Cursed Series conditions met.]
[Shield of Wrath Unlocked]
Before he knew it, L'Arc was right beside him, hugging him. Then he finally hears L'Arc's voice, "Let's get out of here, OK Kiddo?"
Snapping out of it, Naofumi sees that L'Arc has picked him up bridal style. Slightly blushing as he's comforted, he hits L'Arc's chest even though he knows it won't hurt him, "I thought I told you... don't call me Kiddo, Boy."
L'Arc doesn't get shocked this time and even has a new nickname, which slightly irks him. Even so, he smiles, "Of course," before he carries Naofumi out, leaving Ren and Itsuki shaking their heads at them. They left Naofumi to L'Arc, who seems to gladly want to take care of him.
Ren and Itsuki at least, know by now that L'Arc isn't just a slave. He's Naofumi's blade, his guard, and his emotional support. Unfortunately, Motoyasu is too much of an idiot to see it.
Naofumi cries in L'Arc's arms that night, in the privacy of the room they paid for at an inn.
"Promise you won't leave me?" he sobs.
"Promise," L'Arc sighs, just holding his Master tight as he cries himself to sleep.
In the morning, L'Arc woke up to Naofumi sleeping on his chest, his eyes still red and puffy from crying all night. Checking his status, it seems that his Master removed a part of the seal, allowing him to call Nao Kiddo again.
Petting his soft hair, L'Arc decides to let Kiddo sleep a bit more, so he snuggles into him.
Later, they hear rumors of a whole village rebelling against the Spear Hero and the kingdom. After dealing with Itsuki's mess, they turn in for the night at an inn after a long day.
In bed, L'Arc smiles as he kisses Naofumi's forehead, "I like you."
Naofumi blushes, not knowing how to react before hiding under the covers.
L'Arc smirks, "Do you like me?"
"Yes…" he hears from under there.
L'Arc sits next to his balled up Master, "Can we try...whatever this is?"
Naofumi smiles shyly from under the covers, "...OK."
Using his strength, L'Arc gets under the covers too, surprising Naofumi, and hugging him.
Naofumi just sighs, relaxing in his hold as they eventually fall asleep.
It was in Dragon Village, that really tested their relationship.
When facing the zombie dragon, Naofumi unlocked his Cursed Shield, a red and black shield that represented the Sin of Wrath. His eyes turned red as black cursed marks spread onto his body.
The blackish-red flames burned the zombie to ashes. Then, L'Arc hugs him despite the burns. Feeling his warmth, Naofumi commands the flames to not hurt him, to not hurt the only sun in his life.
Panting as he calms down, Naofumi sees that L'Arc's burned but still alive, the leftover flames not doing a thing to him.
L'Arc smiles, "You back?"
Naofumi slowly nods.
"Good... I thought you were gone for a second there…" he sighs in relief.
Naofumi whimpers, "You...OK? Does it hurt?"
"I'm OK," L'Arc pats his head, "This much won't kill me."
They get the dragon core, unlocking several more shields before leaving.
After that, Naofumi was unusually overprotective of L'Arc until they finally got Holy Water.
He mostly got it out of guilt as he treats L'Arc's burns, muttering, "M'sorry…"
Sighing, L'Arc pets his head, ruffling his hair, "It's OK…really... I'm just glad you're safe."
Naofumi sighs in relief, and nuzzles him, 'If L'Arc died... I wouldn't know what to do... I'd rather destroy this world than live a life without him... I love him.'
It was during the next Wave that L'Arc somehow gets a Vassal weapon, becoming a Vassal Hero, and no longer under Naofumi's control…not that L'Arc needed it. He still listened to Naofumi despite everything.
After fighting off Glass, they had to deal with the Pope. Using the Cursed Series once more, Naofumi killed him, leaving a pool of blood in his wake.
Once Naofumi woke up, he sees L'Arc asleep by his bedside and smiles.
"I love you," Naofumi mutters before he feels a hand on his wrist.
"Really?" L'Arc asks, wide awake as his tag wags excitedly.
"You were awake?!" Naofumi yells, groaning in embarrassment as L'Arc lets go of his wrist.
"Sorry, Nao…but did you mean what you just said?" L'Arc asks, his eyes wide in anticipation.
"…yes," Naofumi softly says before hiding under the blankets.
Happy, L'Arc smiles, "I love you too," which gets a cute whine out of Naofumi.
During the execution, Naofumi stopped it. L'Arc whispers in his ear before he smirks, "Death is too good for them! They deserve a fate worse than death itself!"
That got the crowd cheering.
"Life imprisonment in the dungeons, and away from the Heroes is more suitable!" he yells.
And so, Trash and Bitch got what they deserved. Sentenced to never see the light of day again.
At Cal Mira, Naofumi and L'Arc got a room together, kissed, and made love. Even if it was only a few hours, a day at most, they made it worthwhile with a date and levelling up.
When the Wave came, Naofumi and L'Arc easily took care of it themselves. They even fought off Glass again, their teamwork unstoppable.
L'Arc vows to follow Naofumi, even to his world since he loves him. Naofumi's speechless, so he expresses himself by kissing him.
They promise to go together after everything is over… and they do in the end.