Once again on the run, the Shield Hero party, the second princess and her bodyguard, have found themselves hiding amongs the tree near the edge of a farm.

Marius watched the demi-humans farmers working and it brought back his old memory of living in a farm. How he wished he could have just lived his life as a farmer instead facing the rage of war and endless deaths. But such life felt out of reach for the former Blackstone warlord.

"My village was attacked by a mob of Melromarc's soldiers."

Marius heard Raphtalia and it caught his attention.

"By the time the news of the attack reached The Order, it was too late. All of them were capture for slavery... And we lost a great guardian." said Hanzo.

"The more I hear about these people, the more they disgust me." said Naofumi.

Melty looked down in regret, "I'm so sorry."

"It's not like it was your fault, Melty-chan." said Raphtalia.

"As royalty, there must have been something we could have done. But we did nothing to help. Raphtalia, tell me everything you remember about those soldiers. Once this all dies down, I'll make sure they're brought to justice."

Raphtalia felt the sense of relief. Knowing her tragic past will meet its closure.

"He's here..." said Hanzo as he turned around to see a man with small round glasses, elegantly dressed in nobility, "Van Reichnott. It as been awhile, my friend."

"Hanzo. Still able to catch people sneaking, I see." said Reichnott.

"It's been too long, Reichnott." said Melty.

"Welcome, Princess Melty." he turned to see Melty's new friends, "Please to meet you. I am Van Reichnott, the lord of this domain."

In a luxurious mansion, the Shield Hero party sat at the dining table with the second princess, while the nobleman stood while facing the window and the samurai stood next to princess Melty.

"I see. So you reached my domian after a long escape, is it?" said Reichnott.

"Yeah." said Naofumi.

"The knights informed me that you started the wildfires to cover your tracks, Shield Hero."

"That's a complete lie. The first princess probably made it all up."

"Just as I thought. I was patrolling the area out of concern for Princess Melty, too. But I'm glad she's still in good hands."

Then, two maids entered the dining room with each of them pushing a trolley carrying food.

"You must be exhausted from your travels. Please rest up here for a while, if you wish."

Laid on the table before them were food made from the most expensive ingredient a nobleman can afford, and Filo's excitement soon took over.

"May I eat, Master?" said Filo.

"Not yet. I don't trust this guy yet." said Naofumi, then Reichnott grabbed a piece of bread on Naofumi's plate.

"Ah, this is delicious." said Reichnott, "Rest assured, the food isn't poisoned."

"Reichnott. I would like to speak to you outside." said Hanzo.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?"

"I'll eat later. But there is something important we need to discuss."

"Very well. I'll leave the rest of you with your meal. Enjoy."

Reichnott than exited the room along with Hanzo.

"Now, what is it that you need to discuss." said Reichnott.

"About one of the Shield Hero's follower. The armored one." said Hanzo.

"What about him?"

"He's a warlord back in my world. We shouldn't invited him here."

"Is that so? Then, what's a warlord doing following the Shield Hero around?"

"I don't know. But he could be planning something. And he could be gaining favors from the Shield Hero."

"I haven't sensed anything on him yet. But if it makes you feel better, I'll make sure to keep my eyes on him. Maybe I should ask him some question."

"Becareful of your approach. Back in my world, we've sent many assassins to kill him. None of them succeed... Including me."

"Do you have some sort of grudge on him?"

"No. I just don't trust him near Princess Melty."

Tired of using utensils, Marius threw them aside then ate his food with his hands, much to Raphtalia's irritation.

"But big sister! He can-"

"No. You will eat with your utensils."

After a few seconds, Naofumi broke the silence that had creeped the room, "That samurai... You know him, right?"

"I do not know the person. But I know what warrior he was." said Marius, "He was an Orochi."

"Orochi?"

"What exactly is an Orochi?" said Melty.

"The assassins of the battlefield. They used the chaos of war to hide their presence, then they strike their targets." said Marius.

"He seems to recognized you last night. Are you afraid that he might try to kill you too?" said Naofumi.

"If he wanted to, he could have done it back in the forest." said Marius.

"So you made alot of enemies back in your world."

"That... Is not of your concern..."

The room fell silence again.

"This bed feels amazing!"

Filo jumped on the bed in the room they are staying in for the night, while Marius took off his armor and sat on the couch next to the bed.

"So soft and bounchy! Mask guy! This bed is comfortable. Wanna sleep with me tonight?"

"No..." Marius removed his tunic and started unwrapping the bandages on his abdomen, while the pouting Filo continued rolling on the bed.

After he completely removed the bandages, he saw only clotted blood on his wound. Hardly fully healed. He sighed, before taking out new bandages in his satchel.

On the otherside of the room, Raphtalia and Melty were facing each other as they sat at each of their beds, while Naofumi watched throught the windows.

"Why don't you sleep for a bit?" said Melty.

"We don't know when this place will get attacked." said Naofumi. "I make a point of not sleeping at times like this."

"Naofumi-sama, I'll keep watch, so you can go ahead and sleep." said Raphtalia.

"All right."

"Why do you listen to what Raphtalia said, but not me?" said Melty.

"It's not like that."

"Mel-chan. I wanna explore this place." said Filo while hugging a pillow.

"Sure. Let's go."

The two girls then started exited the room. After putting on new bandages, Marius started equipping his armor while Naofumi laid on the bed, and Raphtalia covering him with a blanket.

"Couldn't you be a bit nicer to her?" said Raphtalia. But Naofumi slumped to his side instead and fell asleep.

Raphtalia then heard Marius getting up from the couch and walked to the door.

"Hey..."

Marius stopped right at the doorframe by Raphtalia's call.

"You should get some rest as well. You don't need to watch over Filo all the time."

Marius didn't even turned his head to glanced at Raphtalia, "I... I just need to walk..."

As he got out the door, Marius started to realized wherever Filo go he always not far behind, even when he didn't need to do so. Somehow, he became drawn to Filo. And he also realized he started to experienced a feeling he never felt for a long time.

"By the gods, no..."

But his thought was interrupted when he saw the Orochi, who stopped momentarily before slowly walking towards Marius in the hallway, then Marius started walking slowly towards Hanzo.

The two mortal enemies locked eyes at each other as they walked even closer until they are just two feet apart.

"Step aside, centurion." said Hanzo.

"It is you who should step aside, orochi." said Marius.

"As much as I want to continue our fight, I prefer to do my duty as a bodyguard for Princess Melty."

"Then move aside!" Marius shoved Hanzo aside before walking away through the hallway.

"If you are going to find that girl of yours, you are walking the wrong way. That way led to the upper floor."

Marius stopped on his track, "I... I know..." he said without even looking at the orochi, and continued on his way.

After he turned to the corner of the hallway, he sighed. He was looking for Filo. But he would rather take the wrong way than to walked the same path with his enemy.

He continued on anyway, hoping he could find a way down.

Filo and Melty were sitting on a bench on the mansion yard. Not far away was Hanzo with his eyes on the surrounding and his hand clutching his sheathed katana.

And on the balcony overwatching them was Marius, who got lost on his way and only manages to find the balcony.

His eyes fixated on the very object of his protection... Or was it affection? With the light of the sun shining on Filo, and her cheery smile as she spent time with Melty, Marius couldn't help but noticed that Filo was... Beautiful.

Eversince Naofumi tasked him to babysit Filo, he wanted to stay away from her for a long time, as he finds her irritating. But it made Filo became more clingy towards him.

But now, Marius's feelings have finally changed, as if the goddess Aphrodite as opened his eyes and his heart towards the filolial in human form. Now he knows why the Spear Hero was so into Filo so much, and it drove Marius insane as well.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Indeed... She is beautiful..."

Marius recoiled after he realized Reichnott was behind him. He grabbed on the edge of the balcony as if he nearly fell on it.

"Do not sneak on me like that!"

"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't meant to scare you." Reichnott said still maintaining his smile as he moved to the edge of the balcony next to Marius. "So, who's the beautiful one?"

"What?"

"When I said beautiful, I meant the view from up here. But you mentioned someone else. So, who was it?"

"I do not wish to talk about it, nobleman!"

"Very well then. Let's change the topic, shall we?"

"Fine." Marius crossed his arms and leaned on the balcony, "What do you want?"

"I just want to know why you joined the Shield Hero's party?"

"It was not my choice. I was to die on the road until they came. He put alot of expenses on me and now he thinks I owe him money."

"So you work with him to pay off your debts? Interesting."

"For now. Once my debts are paid, I will be out of his party and on my own path. Hopefully I never have to see them again."

"But won't you miss them?"

"Why are you asking me this?" Marius said in a frustated tone.

"Just curious. We can go back to our previous topic if you like."

"Our conversation is over!"

With that Marius stormed out of the balcony and entered the mansion. Reichnott looked down from the balcony and saw Hanzo still watching over the girls.

Marius stomped his way aimlessly throught the hallway until he slowed his paced to a stop and let out a heavy sigh.

"Why... Do I felt this way?"

Then, a maid exited the room just behind Marius.

"You!"

The maid jumped by Marius's call.

"Y-yes mister? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Where do you keep your wine?"

"Give him the wine we received last month. The wine made from Cal Mira is well known from its taste."

Marius quickly turned around to see Reichnott behind him.

"I told you not to do that!"

"I'm sorry. It's just a bad habit. I'll leave you alone for now on. Please, enjoy your stay here." Reichnott turned around and walked away, but stopped for a second and glances at Marius, "Oh, and don't hide your feelings too much."

Marius watched as Reichnott walked away from his sight. Then maid arrived with the wine he requested, alongside a wine glass

"Here's the wine you ordered. Please, enjoy." said the maid.

Marius grabbed the wine from the maid's hands and then walked to the opposite direction.

He tried to stand on his feet with all his strength but he barely have enough strength to escape the legionnaires that were pinning him down on his knees. Surrounded him was more legionnaires, berating him with their demonic voices. Their faces were made of rusted metal, with their expression stuck in anger.

"Why didn't you save them?"

Marius looked up to see Raphtalia and Naofumi, each tied to a pole with their throath sliced and blood still pouring from their necks, and their bodies twitched still holding on to their lifes.

And between them was Filo crying while facing Marius.

"Why didn't you save them!" she shouted at Marius as tears kept flowing from her eyes.

Marius tried to get up for her but was too weak to escaped the legionnaires grasp. Then, a tall armored figure materialized behind Filo. The black armored centurion grabbed Filo by her hair and drew its gladius at her neck.

"No!" Marius shouted, struggling to get up.

"You cannot save them." the terrifying centurion gripped his gladius tighter and he began sinking the blade into Filo's neck...

"Wake up centurion!"

Hanzo slapped Marius across the face. He realized he was still sitting on a chair in the dining room with an empty bottle of wine dropped from his hands and his helmet sitting on the table. He immediately kicked Hanzo away then got up and drew his gladius.

"You're looking for a fight, orochi!" Marius shouted.

"Not when the knights are searching this mansion!"

"What?"

Marius looked throught the window and saw the several carriages and knights approaching the mansion.

Then, princess Melty and Filo bursted into the room with terrible news.

"Hanzo! The knights are-"

"I know. Where's Reichnott?"

"He was taken by the knights."

"Damn. We need to get you to safety first, princess."

"And what about us?" Marius said.

"You two need to hide immediately." said Melty.

"But what about Master and Big sis?" said Filo.

"I told one of the maids to alert them. Don't worry. But you two need to hide." Melty said as she fixed herself, "I'll try telling them that I'm safe."

"But Mel!"

"Filo. We must hide. Now!" Marius grabbed Filo's shoulders and they ran looking for shelter.

"Are you sure about this?" said Hanzo.

"They'll listen to me." said Melty.

In the attic, Marius sat at floor waiting out the search while Filo sat next to him. They can hear the knights chattering beneath them as they searched the mansion.

After a few minutes of silence between them, it seems the knights may have already left the mansion.

"Is it safe to go out now?" said Filo.

"No. There could be more of them." said Marius. "We wait for someone to call us. Or we wait longer."

"But I'm hungry..."

"Here." Marius gave Filo a piece of dried meat. "Rations. Only eat them when necessary."

Filo grabbed the dried meat from Marius's hands and started eating it. After awhile, Filo leaned on Marius.

"So, all we do now is wait?"

"Yes..."

"Is master and big sis gonna be alright?"

"They will be fine."

Even with only the armor between him and Filo, Marius could still felt her warmth as she laid under his arm. Filo is a mighty warrior and her immense strength made her a force to reckon with. But after that encounter with the Spear Hero and the bracelet that disabled her ability, rendering her weak, it's obvious someone would get the same idea and used it against her.

But here she is under his arm as if she needed his protection. He has seen her decimating monsters left and right, yet she's so vulnerable.

He can't helped it. She may saw him as a protector, but Marius sees her as someone else. Someone for him to feel true love again. He placed his other hand on Filo's cheeks, feeling her softness against the leather of his cestus as he turned her head towards his.

"Mask Guy..."

"Filo..."

Marius started to leaned his head towards Filo's.

"You want to get me pregnant?"

"What?!" Marius recoiled. "Who told you such nonsense?!"

"Big sister. She told me if a man kiss you, you get pregnant."

"That is not how it works."

"Then, how do you get pregnant?"

"Hueh?"

"FILO! MARIUS! YOU TWO GET OUT HERE NOW! THIS IS AN ORDER!"

After he shouted his orders, Naofumi and Raphtalia heard Filo screaming in pain as the slave crest zapped her, followed by another scream.

"YOU MALAKA!"

"They're in the attic." said Naofumi.

The Shield Hero and the demi-human quickly ran to look for the way to the attic. On the hallway, they found two maids lowering the ladder.

After they climbed up to the attic, they saw Filo laying on the floor teary eye, while Marius laid on his side enduring the pain.

"Why must you do that!" said Marius.

"It's all your fault for not coming when I called." said Naofumi. "And do you mind telling me what you two are doing up here?"

"Hiding. What else should we be up here? The princess told us to."

"Wait a second. Where's Mel?" said Filo as she stood up.

"She went with the knights and some nobleman who accused Van Reichnott of hiding us." said Naofumi.

"And the samurai?" said Marius.

"He went with her as well."

"Good. They should be out of our problems now."

"What! I'm going to save Mel-chan!" Filo quickly ran to the exit but was stopped by Raphtalia.

"Wait, Filo!" Raphtalia turned Filo around to face her.

"But if we don't hurry up, she'll..."

"Abandoning her and running away is an option." said Naofumi.

"I prefer that option." said Marius.

"But she believed in me. I... Don't want to betray someone who placed their trust in me."

"So you want to go rescue her? And after what she brought upon us."

"I did make her a promise."

"Fine." Marius groaned.

After arriving at the castle owned by an overweight nobleman Idol Rabier, the princess and the samurai got out of the carriage, and saw Idol waiting for them from his personal carriage.

"It's been awhile since I have the royals visiting my humble abode. I'll make sure you... And your friend, have the most comfortable stay here." Idol said as he led the two while knights surrounded them as they walked.

Then, a strange knight approached the nobleman. Unlike the local knights that roamed the region, this one only have golden segmented steel plates on his torso with chainmails and padded gambeso visible. He wore a set of armor on each of his arms and a great helm with pair of small wings on top, all golden as well.

"The news have reach on every demi-human ears in this region. I can sense an angry mob approaching anytime soon." said the strange knight. "I sent more knights at the gate just incase."

"Good. Last thing we need is more of those pest inside my property." said Idol. "We'll be having guest tonight."

"Very well, my lord."

The strange knight walked alongside Idol throught the courtyard towards the entrance to the castle, with Princess Melty and Hanzo behind.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Your highness, you and I are going to discuss something very important. So you're going have to leave your friend here outside."

"I go where she goes, nobleman." said Hanzo.

"You will do as he said, samurai!" said the strange knight.

"It's okay." Melty turned towards Hanzo, "I can do this. Just stay outside and wait for me."

"Yes, your highness... Be careful."

Melty entered the castle along with Idol and some knights.

"And while we are having this meeting. Daubeny, I want increase security for tonight."

"Yes, my lord." Daubeny then glanced at the knights guarding the courtyard, "You all heard him! I want patrols on every corner of this area!"

Most of the knights quickly scattered from the courtyard, but Daubeny stopped three knights.

"You three! Watch him!" Daubeny pointed at Hanzo before walking away.

Two of the knights stood infront of Hanzo with the entrance behind them, while one stood behind Hanzo.