Marius held a bandage dipped with a special liquid for healing. With a quick move, he applied the dipped bandages to his wound on his abdomen then gritted his teeth in pain.

He then grabbed a roll of bandages and wrapped it around his abdomen before grabbing a bottle of potion beside him and drank the entire bottle.

After putting on his equipment, he walked out of the wagon and saw Filo sitting next to Melty while comforting her, and Raphtalia waiting anxiously for Naofumi.

Then, he heard rustling coming from within the woods. He clutched his gladius ready for an attack but it was Naofumi who came out from the bushes.

"How'd it go?" said Naofumi.

"The altered footage has made its way to the nearby towns and villages. Entering them would be too risky." said Raphtalia.

"They have poster on every corner. Promising rewards for our heads." said Marius. "And... They got my nose wrong."

Naofumi then took the rosary from his pocket, "This is one of the king's scheme. And thanks to her stupid dad, we're stuck here with nowhere to go."

"My father can't be behind this." Melty stood up and yelled at Naofumi.

"Who else could've ordered it?"

"My sister, probably."

"So she's trying to kill you and take your place as crown princess?"

Melty nodded.

"But the knights who attacked you are under the king's direct control, right? It'd be natural to assume he's in on this.

Knowing them, they want to frame 'The Devil of the Shield' for this whole plot, huh?"

"Father would never!"

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because Father is..."

"Why stick up for a scumbag like him."

"You're wrong. You're wrong! Why won't either of you understand? This is no time to be fighting among yourselves! Talk to Father one more time!"

Naofumi ignored the princess's plea and walked away.

"Naofumi-sama..." Raphtalia tried to talk to Naofumi but was ignored as well.

"Why do we even still keep her around? She'll only draw them to us." said Marius. "I say we leave her on the road and let fate decide."

"How could you say that to her?!"

"Look what she have brought us. Hostility from every last corner of this damn country. We look out only for ourselves... At least until I paid my debts."

"I... I can't face Mother like this!" Melty broke into tears.

"Don't cry, Mel-chan. I'm here for you." said Filo trying to comfort Melty.

Raphtalia glared at Marius.

"Malaka!" Marius turned around and walked towards where Naofumi went. "I'm sure our master have better plans!"

"Meanie!" yelled Filo.

Naofumi stood above the cliff overseeing the walls when Marius walked beside him.

"I hope you have a plan." said Marius.

"Your plan doesn't sound too good?" said Naofumi.

"Not to them, at least. But she brought this to us."

"As much as I hate the royals, we can't really blame her for this."

"Well, I like to hear your plan."

"... I've decided... We're leaving this country for good."

"Of course. When do we move?"

"Now."

As the knight comb the forest for the Shield Hero, the Orochi separated himself from the search party instead after he spotted a trail left behind by a wagon and footprints of a large bird on the forest floor.

Sensing a presence behind him, he turned around and drew his katana at a masked woman in dark cloak.

"I can still hear your footsteps." said the Orochi.

"And you still haven't lost your touch, I daresay." said the Shadow.

The Orochi sheathed his katana and began investigating the trail.

"Are you here to help?"

"No. I'm here concerning your... Temporary alliance, I daresay."

"I do what is necessary to bring Princess Melty back."

"By allying yourself with Princess Malty?"

"With an opponent like the Devil of The Shield, I do not have any choice."

"I thought you might have better options. Well, you do what is necessary. The queen trusted you enough, I daresay."

"Hey!"

The Orochi turned around and saw the Spear Hero running towards him, and the Shadow instantly disappeared.

"You found anything?" said Motoyasu.

"There." the Orochi pointed his katana at the trail as it led it deeper in the forest.

The Shield Hero and his party member, including the second princess, have gone on foot to avoid the knights that were searching the forest. Naofumi led the group from the front while Marius and Raphtalia followed behind with the two little girls between them.

As they walked on the path on the side of a cliff, the knights were at the top of the cliff as well.

"They've blocked this route off, too?" said Naofumi, "Let's backtrack a bit."

And with that, the group turned around and walked back through the path. Melty accidently stepped on a loose land and fell of the cliff but Naofumi managed to save her, except for her bag.

Naofumi pulled Melty off the cliff then sat her on the ground, "You're okay?"

Melty nodded, still shocked by the fall.

"She's slowing us down." Marius said under his breath, but Raphtalia could hear those words.

"There they are! Over there!"

They knights called his comrades from above the cliff. The lights of their torches become brighter the closer they get to the edge of the cliff.

"They found us." said Naofumi, "Can you run?"

"Yes." said Melty.

"We're making a break for it past that big rock!"

With that, the group ran towards the big rock while the knight chased them on horseback. But the path only led them to a dead end, and soon found themselves cornered.

"There's nowhere left to run." said Itsuki, "You're surrounded. Cease your resistance and release Princess Melty at once."

"Release? It's not like I have her tied up." said Naofumi.

"Quit lying. We have all the proof we need." said Motoyasu.

"Heroes, I'm perfectly fine, as you can see." said Melty, "The Shield Hero kept me safe."

"Hang on. Didn't Naofumi abduct you?" said Ren.

"A dastardly plot was behind all this. I asked him to take me and protect my life."

"Protect?"

"What could the Shield Hero possibly stand to gain by abducting me? The queen told me that this is the time for all of us to work together to thwart the catastrophes.

Our world cannot withstand any further pointless conflict! Please put your weapons away."

"As she says, this is a setup." said Naofumi, "I'll tell you everything I know. So-"

"You mustn't listen to him!" said Malty, "That devil possesses a brainwashing shield. That accursed shield lets him take over one's mind just by talking to them."

"Wha... Who would believe such a lie?" said Raphtalia.

"The Three Heroes Church has found that heretics who worship the Shield have started popping up in the past month."

"The Three Heroes Church again?" said Naofumi.

"The Devil of the Shield called himself 'the savior of the Heavenly Fowl' and went around brainwashing innocent people!"

"Sister?" Melty was devastated, hearing her sister making up lies.

"Melty, you poor thing!" said Malty pretending to be caring, "I see the Devil of The Shield has already brainwashed you."

"I see!" said Motoyasu confidently, "Then Raphtalia-chan, Filo-chan and that criminal were really brainwashed by Naofumi, too."

"You're wrong!" said Raphtalia, "We've not brainwashed!"

"Enough!"

The three heroes and Malty turned around and saw the Orochi approaching. He walked pass the heroes and the princess then faced the Shield Hero.

"Give Princess Melty back! Or face justice!"

"Hanzo..." said Melty.

"A samurai?" Naofumi though.

"You're from the Dawn Empire." said Marius.

"The Blackstone centurion..." said Hanzo, "Release Melty. Or I will make sure I do not fail this time, centurion."

Both warriors clutched their swords, ready to attack.

"You heard him." Malty stepped forward, "Come, Melty. Your favourite bodyguard is calling. Let's go home together."

"If I go back, I'll be killed!" said Melty.

"I promised to your mother I would protect you from harm. That was my oath." said Hanzo.

Naofumi stepped forward and ushered Marius to stand back, "I know you are trying to protect her. But I don't trust that woman with the second princess."

"What are you talking about?" said Malty. "Melty is my dear sister. I-"

"You want to be crown princess so badly that you're willing to kill your sister? You'll say you're undoing the 'brainwashing' and kill her when nobody's looking. I bet that's what you're planning!"

Hanzo turned to faced Malty, "Is this true?"

Suddenly, by Naofumi command, Filo transform into her filolial form and the group climbed on top of her.

Filo ran pass the other heroes and Naofumi summon the Air Strike shield for her to jump on. She placed her foot on the big rock then propelled herself towards a safer path to escape.

But something suddenly latches on her leg, and she transformed back into her human form. Filo fell on the platform where the heroes and knights were, while the rest fell unto lower ground.

Malty then launches a purple light to the air to illuminated the area, "I've called for backup. There's no escape for you now."

Meanwhile Filo tried to get the leg bracelet off, not realising that the Spear Hero was closing in on her.

"Filo-chan!" Motoyasu jumped on Filo and wrapped his arms around her.

"L-Let go of me!" Filo said as she struggled to escape Motoyasu's embrace.

"Filo!" Marius shouted and he ran to climb up the platform but Hanzo struck him from above and Marius quickly dodged it.

"Out of my way, samurai!" said Marius.

"Never!" said Hanzo.

"As source of thy power, I order thee." Melty manifested a glowing ball of water on her hands, "Decipher the laws of nature and slice through my target like a blade of water. Zweit Aqua Slash!"

She launched the watery projectile and it passed just inches away from Motoyasu's face, and hit the hanging branch on the side of a cliff.

"I won't miss next time. Unhand Filo now!"

With the Spear Hero distracted, Filo quickly ran away deeper into the forest.

Then, a fireball flew towards the Shield Hero and he blocked it with his shield.

"Princess Malty!" said Itsuki, "Are you trying to kill Princess Melty?!"

"She's the one who attacked first. Zweit Hellfire! Zweit Fire Arrow!"

The two mortal enemies stopped their duel after witnessing Malty's attempt to kill the Shield Hero and Princess Melty.

"Stop this! If we continue our fight you will fail!" said Marius, but Hanzo kept his attack on Marius.

After drinking a potion to maximize her mana, Malty launched multiple fireballs at Naofumi.

"If we keep on fighting, she will die!" Marius words froze Hanzo, hands still holding his katana.

"Let me through... And you can save her..."

Hanzo looked at the Naofumi defending Melty from the fireball then back at Marius, "This is not over."

Both warriors ran pass each other, with Hanzo going after princess Melty and Marius took the path to high ground. Hanzo stood infront of Naofumi with his katana ready.

"What are you doing?" said Naofumi.

"Protecting Princess Melty... From her!" said Hanzo.

"Filo-chan."

Without her strength, Filo crawled on the ground backwards trying to get away from the Spear Hero and soon find herself backed against the wall.

"Leave her alone."

Motoyasu turned around and saw Marius walking towards him.

"Mask guy!"

"You again! I swear I will not let you get your hands on her! As a hero I will protect her from you!" Motoyasu goes on a combat stance.

"You talk too much." Marius readied his gladius and locked eyes with Motoyasu

"You dare betray me over the devil!" Malty shouted.

"I've made my choice! For Princess Melty's sake!" said Hanzo.

"Naofumi-sama. Can I leave Melty to you for a bit?" said Raphtalia to Naofumi as she leave the scene with her Hide-Mirage magic.

"Then die with your princess!" with that, Malty fired a ball of hellfire at the samurai.

"Hey, you need to get out of the way!" said Naofumi.

"I got this." said Hanzo as he readied his katana.

And with a split second, Hanzo sliced the fireball in half with a quick swing of his katana. The fireball split in two and flew pass the group and exploded on the ground.

Hanzo's katana have absorbed the hellfire it made contact with and now the blade was covered on flames.

"Korede shimaida!" Hanzo swung his katana and it launches a firey blade at the princess.

Malty create a barrier of flames to block the attack and it dissipated instantly.

"How dare you! Knights!" Malty called in the knights armed with bows and arrows, "Bring down the hammer of justice on the Devil of The Shield! And the betrayer!"

"Hanzo, right?" said Naofumi, "You need to get Melty to safety. I got this."

"Very well." Hanzo went behind Naofumi for Melty, "Melty-chan, let me take you to safety."

"Come forth! Rage Shield!" Naofumi's shield glew red, ready to unleashed the rage within.

Both fighters sidestep in circle and slowly got closer as they waited for their move. Losing his patience, Motoyasu charged full speed at Marius, who waited for an opening. Motoyasu leaped forwards with his spear brought up above him.

Marius dodged backwards and the spear plunged on the ground instead, and Marius swung his gladius at Motoyasu and he quickly blocked the attack with his spear. As the gladius was locked with the spear, Marius punched Motoyasu on the ribs with his free hand then repeatedly punches the Spear Hero's face with other fist still holding the gladius.

As Motoyasu was pushed backwards, Marius run to the side of him then leaped and thrusted his gladius at the confused hero in mid-air. The blade managed to cut through the outer clothing and the padded jacket, cutting the flesh underneath it.

Motoyasu grunted in pain as blood dripped from his wound and the masked centurion walking toward him. Marius swung his gladius at the bleeding hero and Motoyasu parried the blade to the side and was about to counter the attack when the clenched cestus punched his face, followed by an elbow strike across the face. Motoyasu fell to the ground spitting blood and a broken tooth.

"Yield, and I will spare you." Marius pointed his blade at the downed hero.

"Like hell I will!" Motoyasu quickly got back on his feet and readied his spear. "I was going easy on you! But now you will taste my full wrath!"

"Bring it!"

Motoyasu brough his spear upwards and a blue electrical energy emerges from the spear tip, while Marius readied himself for the attack.

"Lightning Spear!" Motoyasu fired the enery at Marius and went through the centurion's abdomen, further worsening his wounds.

After taken too many damage, Marius fell on his knees and the sharp pain on his abdomen have worsen. Slowly, he got back up and went into another combat stance.

"It... Takes more than.. That... To kill me..."

"You just don't know when to give up, do you?" Motoyasu said as he walked towards Marius.

Marius swung his gladius but Motoyasu swatted it away with his spear, then struck Marius's abdomen.

"Turns out I came out on top after all." Motoyasu then pushed Marius to the ground. "Any last words?"

"... I'm not the only strong one here."

A powerful blow struck Motoyasu from his side and it sent him flying before hitting the ground, knocking him out.

"You will not bully my mate!" Filo shouted, with the gloves that give any wearer the strenght of a thousand men on her hands.

"Hueh?!"

"Mask guy! Are you okay?!"

"Did you just called me your mate?" as Marius tried to get up, Filo hugged him tight.

"I'm sorry you have to get hurt just for me!"

"Filo... I'm in alot of pain now... Get off."

Filo quickly got off of Marius, and he searched his satchel for the potion only to found it shattered. He threw the broken away and Filo gave him another potion.

"I saved this one just incase you lost yours... Are you going to be okay?"

Marius drank the entire potion emptied then threw the bottle aside, "We better get away from here."

Marius tried to get back up on his feet while enduring the pain as it slowly becoming numb. He then ran towards the path back to their master with Filo followed behind.

The knights fired an endless barraged of arrows but the fire that emitted from the rage shield burnt every arrow before it can make a dent at the shield.

Meanwhile, Malty manifested a large hellfire above Princess Melty and her bodyguard. Hanzo readied his katana, preparing for the hellfire to drop on them.

Malty was about to launched her hellfire when Raphtalia appeared behind her.

"Not on my watch." Raphtalia's mana sword manifested an magical sword then stabbed Malty through the chest, disabling her magical abilities and destroyed the hellfire.

After the attack, Raphtalia activated her Hide-Mirage ability then ran pass the knights to the nearest path.

As she reappear after loosing sight of the seatch party, Marius and Filo emerged out of the bushes.

"Big sister!" Filo shouted excitedly.

"Filo! Are you alright?" said Raphtalia.

"The Spear Guy was about to get me, but Mask Guy came to the rescue."

Then, a huge explosion happened from where Naofumi and the others were.

"That must be the Rage Shield." said Raphtalia.

"We must go. Now." Marius ran ahead of them.

"Hey!"

Marius stopped then turned to Raphtalia.

"Thank you... For saving Filo..."

But Marius didn't say a word and continued on instead.

The Shield Hero and his party have finally reached a safe distance away from the knights. Raphtalia and Melty rested as they watched Naofumi disarming the bracelet on Filo's leg, while Marius and Hanzo watched their surroundings.

"Yay!" Filo's cheered.

"Is she capable of combat now?" said Marius.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" said Naofumi.

There was a short silenced before Marius said, "Nevermind.", then turned around and crossed his arms.

Then, a voice came out of nowhere, "About time you came to your senses, I daresay."

Raphtalia and Marius was startled by the Shadow and was prepared to fight when Hanzo signalled them to ceased.

"I admit... I was foolish." said Hanzo.

"Don't worry, I won't tell the queen of your mistake. Now, I need to speak to the Shield Hero, I daresay"

"What do you want?" said Naofumi.

"Shield hero... This is the first time I meet you in this form, I daresay."

"Wait, 'daresay'?" Naofumi remembered the woman he talked to while in the palace.

"Allow me to get straight to the point. Shield Hero, you are requested to meet with Her Majesty the Queen, I daresay."

"With the queen?"

"This commotion has a deep-rooted cause, I daresay. We would like your help, I daresay.

This abduction is a setup by those who find your accomplishments alarming."

"Oh, great. More pains in the ass to deal with. And? What would I gain by meeting her?"

"You'll understand once you do, I daresay."

With that, the Shadow disappeared in an instant, leaving princess Melty's bag on where she knelt.

"They always do that." said Hanzo.

Hanzo laid out his map of Melromarc on the ground, "If we must go to the queen, we must take this direction. We will have to stick to the wilderness to navigate. I would sent message to the The Order for their aid, but I'm afraid Malty and her allies would delay my message."

"And getting into towns or villages would be too risky." said Naofumi. "Hey, Second Princess. You can use magic, huh?"

Princess Melty turned his head away from Naofumi.

"Hey, Second Princess-"

"Stop calling me that!" said Princess Melty.

"What's gotten into you?"

Princess Melty then got up and sat next between Naofumi and Hanzo.

"I have a name! It's Melty! So why do you keep calling me Second Princess, Shield Hero? Don't treat me like some outsider!"

"Hey, you call me Shield Hero, too."

"If you don't like that, I'll call you Naofumi. So you call me Melty, too. Come on, Naofumi!"

"Straight to first names?" said Raphtalia.

"Gotcha, Second Princess-I mean, Melty. Happy now?" said Naofumi.

"One more time." said Melty. "Say my name one more time."

"Melty."

"And don't you forget it. Also, thank you."

Envious, Raphtalia got up and walked away. Then, her hears twitched as she heard crackling, followed by a strange smell.

"What's that smell?" Raphtalia said.

"Fire." Marius answered. "They are smoking us out. Time to leave."