Apologises for the delay regarding this chapter; while proofreading, I found a bit of a plot hole which would have a major impact on further chapters and as such had to re-write parts of this and a few ahead.
Chapter 10: The Wave of Destruction
"My my, 'Sir Beastmaster'," Beloukas cackled, "you are as impressive as the tales I've been hearing!"
Naofumi raised an eyebrow, unseen behind his helmet. Their contact had directed them to a nearby field where they met up with Beloukas and what appeared to be a small travelling circus.
"Tales?"
Did Elder Riyute neglect to mention stories about 'Sir Beastmaster' when he was talking about the Shield Hero ones?
"Well, just the local gossip, yes sir. A mysterious alchemist with his loyal 'Demi-human Blade', the man who speaks with dragons... such tales indeed, yes sir."
Naofumi hummed.
"You didn't hear these stories in Castle Town?"
"Oh, I did. Though more from informants, than drunken townsfolk at bars."
Naofumi nodded, reassured.
Last thing I want is to be on anyone's radar.
"My my, speaking of your Demi-human Blade, how well she has grown."
Beloukas gaze shifted to Raphtalia who straightened under the short man's attention.
"Very, very impressive. Yes sir..."
Creepy.
"I would offer you a good deal, 'Sir Beastmaster'. What's say an exchange, hm? Demi-human for Therianthrope."
Naofumi tilted his head, confused.
"Why would you offer such a deal, Beloukas?"
"Are we on first name terms, Naofumi?"
Naofumi checked the area, but it was just him, Raphtalia and Quetzal while Beloukas' party showed no other reaction. The first of such he'd experienced from a demi-human, though considering these men's cold, dead eyes he gathered they were not the kind to give two shits about much else other than their pay.
Odd, he doesn't have slaves as his companions...
"I guess we are Beloukas. Yet you didn't answer my question."
"No," Beloukas grinned, "I guess I didn't. The truth? She looks well trained, very well trained yes sir. You did well with a small investment of silver, even if she is not a virgin she's guaranteed to fetch say, twenty gold pieces."
"I am a virgin!" Raphtalia shrieked.
"Thirty-five, then!"
Thirty-five gold coins, huh?
"Naofumi," Raphtalia snapped, glowering at him.
"She's not for sale," Naofumi stated.
I'm not that much of a piece of shit to sell her back into slavery, especially to a guy like him.
"A pity," Beloukas had seemed to have expected the response however as he continued on, "very well, the therianthrope."
From within one of the caravans, one of Beloukas men exited while tugging on a metal chain.
"Baerywn," Naofumi greeted the Therianthrope, pleased to see him relatively well.
Curious. The race has updated from 'Wolfman' to 'Therianthrope.' Does it change with my understanding of things, then? Like how Quetzal's shifting can disguise him?
Baerywn snarled at him in response, only to sniff the air and pause, nearly making Beloukas' man trip. He sniffed, then sniffed again.
"Svalinn," Baerywn grinned a wide, toothy smile, "you returned."
"I promised, didn't I?"
"You did. But Baerywn's faith he admits, has wavered in the past. Baerywn thought you a mirage of an addled mind, but the slaver gave larger helpings, and some medicine. Baerywn prayed daily."
The good thing about the helmet, Naofumi found, was it made it far easier for him to hide things like surprise or where exactly he was looking. Raphtalia of course knew how to read him, but Baerywn seemed to have guessed that his eyes wandered to Beloukas.
"Baerywn was confused also. Few slavers bother more than the minimal."
"I had... incentive," Beloukas stated slowly.
A returning customer, a slave who wouldn't go wild at first chance on a new master and ruin a reputation, or hoping said slave wouldn't seek vengeance, Naofumi wondered at which, or if it was all of them.
Baerywn sniffed, "Baerywn cares not. Unchain me little man," The therianthrope smiled again. It was not a nice smile. "Baerywn promises to behave."
Beloukas grin shifted to neutral apathy that seemed to regard the slave with no small degree of caution.
"I will buy Baerywn and leave Beloukas," Naofumi intervened before anything could start. "Let's get this over with."
"Yes. Let's."
Beloukas approached and held out a gloved hand.
"Sixteen gold coins, if you please."
Raphtalia paused while getting their pouch.
"That is one more than last time," she said.
"Yes," Beloukas agreed, "last time however he was not well fed and not been treated. There are expenses to that. Sixteen gold coins."
Raphtalia glanced to Naofumi, who eyed Baerywn.
"Did they treat you well?" he asked.
Baerywn spat on the ground.
"As well as can be expected from Melromarcian hospitality, Sire. Though," Baerywn said begrudgingly, "Baerywn's treatment did improve. Baerywn's leg remains stiff, but he can fight."
Naofumi nodded to Raphtalia, who handed over the pouch with the extra gold coin.
Beloukas then stepped towards a small set up table with the ink and brush ready. While he did so, his men hammered in Baerywn's manacles on his wrists and neck by peg and chain into the earth.
Startled, Naofumi took a step forward.
"Just a safety measure, sir," Beloukas called, dipping the brush and taking the bowl with the other hand. "The girl was a small, boney thing. I did not fear my safety then. With this therianthrope however, were he to thrash..."
Baerywn snarled as Beloukas approached, but did nothing else. Not that he could.
"I exchange one chain for another," Baerywn rumbled, irritated.
Beloukas paused, "I can still refuse the sale," the man said, deadly serious.
Baerywn snapped his jaws, glowering down at the slaver, "If your worry is that Baerywn will hunt you down, well... it is not entirely unfounded. But Baerywn has no plans. For now. He has sworn his service to Svalinn."
The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch, and Naofumi had an updated status screen.
Itwani Naofumi LV 25
Raphtalia LV 29
Quetzal LV 21
Dragon Emperor Gaelion LV 103
Baerywn LV 75
Naofumi interestedly opened up Baerywn's stats to examine, just noticing the therianthrope's sudden double-take.
"Baerywn did not know that-"
"Later," Raphtalia interrupted, brokering no room for argument.
Baerywn paused while rubbing his manacled wrists. He sniffed twice.
"You're the girl," he said slowly. "Your scent has changed."
The therianthrope looked her up and down, something Naofumi kept a watch on out of the corner of his eye, "You've changed."
"I'm not weak. Not anymore."
Baerywn nodded approvingly, teeth bared in a grin, "No, you aren't."
"Come," Naofumi said, "we'll get you a proper meal and then look into getting some equipment for you. Raphtalia?"
Naofumi jerked his head towards Beloukas and Raphtalia nodded.
"You left the girl with him," Baerywn said as they walked away.
"She'll be fine. Besides she has some questions of her own for him."
Baerywn hummed, the noise reminding Naofumi of a car engine warming up.
"You both have changed," the therianthrope commented, "It has been but one moon cycle, yet at first, Baerywn did not recognise her."
"She's grown," Naofumi said.
"As have you, Svalinn. You positively reeked of hatred before. Now, you walk with a quiet anger. You've learned control, restraint. Good. Rage it useful, but cold focus serves better than hot-blooded wildness."
Naofumi didn't know what to say in response to that. It was true, his first few weeks were spent almost in perpetual anger before, and himself, the world and everything. But he liked to think his time with Raphtalia and Gaelion had tempered that.
"Anything preferred, or dietary requirements?"
"My kind have allergies to monkswood as the alchemists call it. Humans know it more as 'wolfsbane'. Onions and garlic. A bloodier meat is preferred, though Baerywn will not complain over a well cooked one. Others that come up, Baerywn will let you know."
Naofumi nodded.
"Any moralistic tendencies or such I should be aware of? Raphtalia for one, feels some of my pricings can be 'unfair' at times, and generally is not a fan of killing those who have attacked us. Do you have any practices or such I should know about, anything religious to take into account?"
Baerywn chuckled. "She is... a kindness in this world, it seems. That is good. She should not lose that, lest her companions lose their way. Baerywn has no such opinions however. Religious beliefs that are of the Church of the One, beyond that, it is a... what is the human turn of phrase? Yes, 'dog eats dog world'," Baerywn snorted. "The gladiator whom told me that one in mockery I tore in half."
"Raphtalia isn't... inclined towards religion," Naofumi said carefully. "Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"She is a companion of Svalinn. Believer or not, none of the One will touch her, nor should they be inclined to. Doubt is not a sin, it is nature. She knows enough in a Believer's eyes to be at your side."
"Not by choice. She is a slave," Naofumi reminded, testing the waters. He remembered that Sildvelt had human slaves, so he assumed that demi-human slavery would be illegal there. Surprisingly, Baerywn just shrugged.
"As is Baerywn," Baerywn reminded. "There are many ways around the Brand. Baerywn knows of one gladiator who found a simple solution. Slowly, he convinced his master that sparring with him for training would be good training, to help the master grow. Then he reminded the master of the restriction to attack. Of course, this is intent based. Where he fighting with intent to kill, it would stop him. Any strike intended to kill, it would stop him. Basic sparring would be exempt. The master however removed it, foolishly. The slave took his thumbs first to prevent snap-punishing. While the master screamed, he broke his jaw to prevent verbal commands. Keeping the hands pinned to prevent status magic use, he... got to work. It was a slow, painful death, from what the gladiator boasted. The smarter masters learn to control the Brand mentally. The cruel and stupid die to their slaves."
Naofumi shivered.
"Baerywn's point is, Svalinn, there are ways around it, if she were determined. The Brand is not foolproof. Why do you think a slave must be broken first, before being sold?"
"I plan on releasing her after the Wave," Naofumi confided. "I... if I'm to be followed, I want to know it is not under duress."
"But trust." Baerywn nodded. "Does... does this extend to Baerywn?"
Naofumi nodded, "Of course. Speaking of, how do you remove the slave seal?"
"The Brand can be removed by holy water at excellent quality or above, for the stronger Brands. If Baerywn recalls, it's about one gold for a bottle."
Two gold I'd need to budget then.
"Gear first," Naofumi said.
Baerywn hummed.
"Baerywn cannot wear silver. For now, Baerywn merely needs robes, and... if the smith knows the Holy Shield chain, mayhaps one. Baerywn's was... lost."
"Holy Shield chain?"
Baerywn pawed his neck absentmindedly, "Symbol of the faith. A heater from aged copper."
Naofumi's brow furrowed, "Aged copper... you mean when it oxides and turns green?"
"Exactly so, yes."
"Why?" Naofumi asked curiously.
"It was a practice from the Founder's Age. The Nameless Warrior, one of the Founder's companions, was of humble origin. Though low in birth, he was wise beyond his years, and a steadfast adviser to the Founder.
When early Sildvelt looked for guidance, the Warrior removed his own humble armour and presented it to the people.
'This is armour that has seen battle,' he said, 'this is armour not for display or treated with oil. This is armour that has rusted from mine blood and mine foes. This is armour that has guarded not from behind stone walls, but at the frontline, side by side with brothers.'
His copper armour had been battle-scarred, forever shaped and rusted to a green hue, the shade of the Holy Shield's own gem. Copper was cheap, the stuff of the peasants. Yet bright did the Warrior's set shine, for it had noble purpose. That wear, that layer of green, provided additional protection to the armour not found in carefully preserved metal.
The Warrior taught that Followers of the One must also don such a humble symbol. While many forgo such armour for practical purposes, followers have the Holy Shield crafted in copper around their neck as a sign of their allegiance. When it rusts and the shine lifts for the green, then one knows they are on the right path, out in the wider world, doing Svalinn's work."
It was a fascinating outlook, Naofumi found. Similar to missionaries, in his mind.
One must be aware of the power of stories and how they can manipulate however.
Regardless if he was seen as some sort of messiah, Naofumi would forever treat the religions of this world with what they deserved: caution.
"Going out and doing good in the world, huh?" Naofumi said to himself quietly.
I've been helping out Riyute often enough, but... is there more we could be doing? With the Merchant Pass at the end of the month, I could travel, help more than just one small village.
Baerywn had pointed out how his rage had simmered and while he did not acknowledge it, his desire to be a hero had too. Simmered, not burned out. While he would always put his own people first, he had been brought here for a reason, a purpose the Shield had seen he could fulfil.
He could justify it, Naofumi knew. The quicker the waves were dealt with, the quicker he got home. Help more people, reap greater rewards, be stronger and more powerful so no other Bitch could make him feel that helpless again.
But deep down, he wanted to be someone who Raphtalia would be proud to call a hero.
Raphtalia didn't know what to make of Baerywn.
She had been wary of others during her and Naofumi's time together true, but that was with just reason. Others could be dangers to them, if they overhear the wrong thing, recognised Naofumi or caught a glimpse of his Shield.
Or forced them into a kill-or-be-killed situation.
The deaths of those poachers didn't sit easy on her, but the alternative would have been worse.
Poachers, or mercenaries, though?
Some nights, that fight went differently. If she was a tad slower, or if Gaelion hadn't been alerted. Would things have been different if the attack came at the end of a long training session?
Nightmares of a dead Gaelion. Nightmares of her and Wyndia being sold as demi-humans back into slavery. Nightmares of a dead Naofumi, dying trying to protect them all.
Each day the Wave got closer, her apprehension grew.
They'd been doing everything they could to train and prepare. Skills, abilities, Shields for Naofumi, even allies. An organised plan for the village when the Wave came.
A new party member. A larger, stronger male.
She wasn't wary of Baerywn due to being a stranger. He was a pious therianthrope, one would she knew would prove to be steadfastly loyal to Naofumi.
She was wary of the implications of Baerywn joining them however.
She was strong, and would only go stronger. But Baerywn was an experienced, high levelled gladiator who had fought in the last war between Sildvelt and Meldromarc.
Naofumi wasn't familiar with those specifics of their world's history, but she recognised enough to know that during their first conversation she overheard when Naofumi first saved her that he must have fought at Bannockbridge.
Raphtalia also had a sneaking suspicion that her wariness this time wasn't such, but rather was jealousy.
Because, taking into account what Naofumi had been saying and doing, she was beginning to believe that Baerywn wasn't an addition, but a replacement.
She just didn't know why.
What had she done wrong for him to plan this... she didn't know what to call it. Banishment, for lack of a better term. Was it because she was adverse to killing? Baerywn would probably kill without hesitation if Naofumi asked, but...
"I need someone who can tell me when I'm being wrong. I need someone who would keep me from... from going too far."
Had he changed his mind? Why else would he want rid of her?
Why hadn't he talked to her?
"Baerywn is suspicious of the smith."
"Ekil-san has always been helpful with us."
"He's an okay guy. Too chatty, though."
Naofumi noticed Baerywn awkwardly tug at his robes as they left the smithy.
"Baerywn knows not why the smith would be familiar with the Holy Shield design, let alone willing to forge it. He should be watched, carefully."
"He's helpful."
He also noticed the strange, one sided passive aggression slowly developing between Raphtalia and Baerywn. He hoped that would resolve itself during the week and he wouldn't need to address it.
Fuck knows how I've managed amicable relationships this far with the people we know, don't know the first thing about building it between others.
He wasn't exactly a social butterfly.
"Enough. We have business to do."
Ekil had advised he'd need a day to sort what they had requisitioned.
Namely, a cross for Baerywn and some basic armour underneath his robes. An iron heart protector, and leather bracers that Naofumi had insisted on. The therianthrope had accepted with a minor grimace those few pieces, but grumbled nonetheless.
"Baerywn is Level 75, my fur is tougher than any cobbled armour this man-thing can make."
Still, Naofumi didn't care. If he had his way, there would be more pieces such as proper protection for his thighs for example, where there are arteries, but just those two bits was hard enough. Having zero attack had taught him to pick his battles.
The hard part seemed to be getting something that can fit Baerywn, hence why it would take a day to make them custom. There was no worry for weapon costs either, as the therianthrope preferred to fight unarmed. Easier when you had claws stronger than most blades.
Still, they were making progress.
Would it be enough?
There was that niggling little voice that told him all of his efforts would be for naught.
No matter what party they assembled, what if they ran into the other Heroes? Could his cobbled together team really stand up to the others, equipped with the best gear the King could supply, strong party members trained for fighting alongside a legendary Hero?
His party would still have a fucking useless Shielder weighing them down, if it came to a proper fight.
Naofumi inhaled, then exhaled slowly.
Remember what Gaelion taught you.
He wasn't inferior to the other Heroes, he was simply meant as a different type.
The Shield led from the front, taking all the attention and danger, protecting the party from harm through support magic and his own power.
He just hoped his own power would be strong enough.
Itwani Naofumi LV 27
Raphtalia LV 33
Quetzal LV 25
Dragon Emperor Gaelion LV 103
Baerywn LV 75
Fenway LV 31
Naofumi examined their levels again, their gear and their stats, again and again.
"We're strong enough, Naofumi." Raphtalia said quietly to his side.
Naofumi swallowed down that slump of tension in his throat, and nodded.
"Our fire burns bright, Svalinn. We will prevail." Baerywn intoned.
Naofumi exhaled, then examined the throng of soldiers before them in the field outside the village. In case things turned sour, they needed to be ready to silence any... dissenters.
"At this range, I could probably loose two arrows, Sir. Four on seven are good odds, for us," Fenway murmured beside him.
Fenway had returned two days ago, and after a day's rest was ready to join Naofumi. He had mentally prepared himself for the fanaticism, but the sheer hero worship, emphasis on worship, emanating from the demi-human was somewhat uncomfortable. Baerywn's piousness was one thing, but the adoration from the dog demi-human was another.
Ambrose lead the squad of nine, Naofumi was relieved to see Bate among them.
One confirmed ally, and Bate potentially. Time to see how the others react.
"Attention!" Ambrose barked out, the men in front of him straightened their posture. "You have been selected by Lord Riyute to assist our mercenary force in holding the town as long as we can," the captain said, pacing. "From there, a fighting retreat will be made to the Mine. The aim is to keep the Wave's undead horde focused on us, prolonging the fight until the Wave ends."
Naofumi could see some of the guards glancing his way, most recognising him.
Ambrose paused, "there is one thing you should know, however. Information that will not spread. We will have a Cardinal Hero fighting alongside us."
Murmurs rose up through the men, silenced swiftly by Ambrose's glare.
"That Hero... is the Shield Hero."
Naofumi could see Bate's eyes widen as he glanced between Ambrose and Naofumi, slowly putting it together.
"The Shield Hero has been found, then?" One of the guards asked doubtfully. "How do we know he'll even turn up, after-"
"He's already here," Bate said.
As the guard force turned as one to join Bate in staring at Naofumi, he found himself glad the brief shot of fear through him was hidden by the helmet.
"But... that's Sir Beastmaster," one of others, who Naofumi recognised as often being assigned to the market stated confusedly.
"Sir Beastmaster is the Shield Hero," Ambrose confirmed.
The guards murmured between themselves, trying to rationalise the man who had been wandering in their midst for the past month was actually the Cardinal Hero being hunted by their king.
"Ambrose is telling the truth," Naofumi said, stepping forward, the guards silencing instantly. "I am the Shield Hero. My party and I will be helping defend Riyute."
"Why?" one guard asked.
"I promised Elder Riyute I would."
"How can we trust you, though?" the guard who had doubted him earlier questioned. "After all, what's being said-"
Baerywn snorted, startling some of them as he stepped forward. "The Svalinn has granted you enough trust to reveal himself, has he not? Baerywn would expect you to give honour to his word, when Svalinn did not have to grant it."
The therianthrope paused, "Any who betray the Svalinn's trust can expect to meet their end at Baerywn's claws. Gut wounds are terrible things. Baerywn has seen them live for half a day, walking about holding their guts in their arms like dirty washing."
Naofumi exhaled slowly, hoping that the steady throbbing in his temple wouldn't turn into a migraine.
"They're going to be fighting with us," Raphtalia hissed, smacking Baerywn's arm. "You can't go threatening them!"
"Baerywn can and Baerywn will."
It's only been a week and I'm starting to regret adding this fucking Pokémon to my party.
"Enough." Ambrose snapped, cutting through the rabble. "The Wave is approaching. Every second not spent training is a second wasted. The longer we talk, the further it is wasted."
"Training, sir?" a guard asked.
Ambrose glowered, but acquiesced the query.
"We will be training with the Shield Hero's party, to get you familiar with working with a Cardinal Hero. If you fuck up, you're dead. Or worse, if you get stung like Byron."
A solemn silence fell in among the guards, remembering the elder guardsman's suffering.
"He's getting better, seems, last I spoke with 'em." A bearded youngster guard offered, eyes glancing to Naofumi. "Something about medicine that Sir Beastmaster had given in charity, plus what the Lord has been supplying."
Naofumi reluctantly nodded, determinedly ignoring the smug smirk Raphtalia shot him.
The guards noticeably stood straighter and as Ambrose continued outlining their training exercise they listened with rapt attention.
Maybe there is hope, here.
Maybe...
"I'm sending a runner to Castle Town," Elder Riyute advised him, "so we are aware of exactly how long we will have."
"Good. Have him notify me when he is going."
"Your party wishes to accompany him?"
"No, just myself."
"I... see. Is that wise?"
Naofumi hesitated, "Probably not. Still, there is... something I have to get, alone."
"This is it, Sir."
Naofumi gazed up at the 'Church of the Three Heroes' and swallowed, the action hidden behind his helmet.
"Yes, thank you, Gregor."
The boy nodded, "I'm going to get a few things from the market first, will be back soon. Meet you at the Hourglass?"
Naofumi inclined his head and entered the Church after Gregor took his leave.
"Yes, may we be of help?"
A nun approached, at least he guessed she was from the garb. Could just be a priestess or something.
"Yes, I am looking to purchase two Holy Waters, excellent quality please."
The nun's brow furrowed, "that can be arranged, yes. The price would be two gold pieces."
Naofumi handed over the two coins in question after a long pause.
"I would also like to visit the Hourglass, too," he said after a beat.
He didn't want to wait outside for Gregor and attract the wrong attention, nor linger around in this hall.
"You may do so while I procure your Holy Water, sir. The far staircase, there."
The Hourglass looked otherworldly.
He approached hesitantly, surprised at the floating stairs which rose in response to his steps. Naofumi could feel the Shield vibrating fervently on his back.
Thankfully, there seemed to be nobody around when the green glow shot forth to the Hourglass, connecting with the centre gem to reveal a count-down in his HUD.
Warning! Party Member(s) are significant distance away! Disable Party Teleportation during Wave?
[Y] [N]
"Party teleportation?" Naofumi murmured.
He had heard something about that before, right? The heroes are summoned to the Wave to fight it when it begins?
The others probably already knew this shit and have registered, but of course nobody bothers explaining any of this for the Shield Demon.
Well, he had other plans for the Wave. Naofumi hit the 'yes' option.
Twelve hours.
Twelve hours, to see if everything had been enough. To see if he had trained his party well enough, geared them well enough, to see if they'll work with the guard well enough.
It had to be enough.
"You've never fought in a battle before," Ambrose said quietly, taking a seat across from him, mead mugs in hand. He pushed one over to Naofumi.
Currently they were sat in the town hall, watching various messengers and people run ragged finishing last minute preparations, get necessary documents and valuables hidden or buried to protect in the worst event. This was Naofumi's last respite, the calm before the storm.
"I've fought."
Ambrose shook his head, "Skirmishes, maybe. Fights, yes. Not a battle. Not one like this."
Naofumi exhaled through the helmet, his breath rattling it slightly.
"I... worry. If it's been..."
"Enough," Ambrose finished.
"Yes," Naofumi admitted.
Ambrose took a deep drink, before speaking again.
"I had the same thoughts too, in the war," the man said, "But now... the past is not my concern. And the future is no longer my concern either. They shouldn't be yours."
Naofumi snorted. "What should it be, then?"
Ambrose paused, eyes elsewhere, "The one minute. The soldier's minute. In a battle, that's all you get. One minute, of everything at once. Anything before is nothing. Everything after..."
Ambrose drunk again.
"Nothing. Nothing in comparison to that one minute."
Naofumi swallowed.
"You've been in a lot of battles, then. During that war I hear people talk about. Didn't get enough minutes then?"
Ambrose quirked his lip into a faint smile for just a moment.
"Seems not, doesn't it?"
The veteran sighed.
"The Lord saved my life, over there. By rights, I should be dead. Everything after that... is extra. In battle, you can't be thinking about if you should've trained differently, said one something else. You won't be thinking of what happens after. It's all adrenaline. If you survive, after your head realises just what it's went through, you'll cry."
Ambrose drunk again, and nudged Naofumi's mead closer to him. Hesitantly, the Shield Hero raised his visor enough to drink.
It was sweet, like strong honey.
"You'll find out if it was all enough. For now, drink. One, no more, no less. Eat. Nothing heavy."
Finishing his mug, Ambrose pushed his seat back from the table with the slight grind of the legs against the floor ringing in Naofumi's ear.
"I'll send a runner when we're gathering. Evac's already underway."
Ambrose reached out, and Naofumi hesitantly returned the gesture, clasping arms.
"See you on the other side, Shield Hero," Ambrose nodded, and left the hall.
Other side... life, or death, Naofumi wondered, then shook his head, taking a drink. It didn't matter. Like Ambrose said, he'd be finding out soon enough.
Naofumi leaned back to rest against the wall, observing Elder Riyute's frantic pacing in the hall, the older man muttering under his breath all the while.
"Lord, you need to leave. Now," Ambrose stressed from the town hall entry.
Elder Riyute waved him off, pulling at his hair.
"If something isn't done, they won't make it up the trail," Elder Riyute snapped, brow furrowed.
"What happened?" Naofumi murmured as Raphtalia took up position beside him, having returned from investigating the commotion he'd been hearing outside for the last ten minutes.
Elder Riyute had entered in a frenzy, mumbling away about something he guessed had gone wrong, but he hadn't been able to get any information.
"The carts they'd been using to transport the elderly to the mine, one's given out," Raphtalia informed quietly. "It was being used to haul the Light Metal, but it was a stopgap, they'd been planning on better, sturdier carts after the wave. The wheel gave out half-way up the rough mountain path, the runner just got back."
Naofumi let out a quiet curse. Calling that path 'rough' was generous, only meant for hauling carts via surefooted filolials and walking it single file. The evacuation had been underway since the runner from Castle Town had returned, and of course the thing hadn't chose to break in the village where they had parts and tools to fix it, no. It's went down nearly halfway up.
Elder Riyute had been supposed to be in that last group travelling up, but had elected to stay behind as the last man to oversee everything. A good thing, too. That was the path they'd be using for the fighting retreat, and if they ran into the cart blocking the way, or stranded civilians...
Elder Riyute paused, snapping his fingers before dashing up to his office. Exasperated, Naofumi followed, with Raphtalia and an increasingly agitated Ambrose close behind.
He entered to see the town governor throwing sheets of paper off his desk, hunting for one particular report. Finding it, the tension left his shoulders.
"The last shipment of Light Metal ore was a day ago, Ekil was due to make... two fresh chestplates, yes here's that's confirmed here on the expense report, paid... If he was only making the two, there'd likely be still ore on the cart, he's not had time to move it!"
Naofumi was to put it simply, lost. Carefully, he took of his helmet and set it on the side table. He'd be wearing the thing for the rest of the foreseeable evening, as such he thought he deserved a few moments of respite.
Plus he could barely hear in the damn thing sometimes. People in the village had thought he was just stoic and intimidating Raphtalia had told him a few days after they'd returned, since he was so quiet and rarely answered questions. He'd quietly confessed to her that he just genuinely hadn't heard them.
"Ambrose!" Elder Riyute barked. "Send the runner around the Ekil's smithy! There's going to be a cart there, fit to bear loads and it has not seen any use today. Tell him to unload the ore, just throw it off, lash up his filolial and get it up that road quickly!"
Ambrose stood to attention, gave a brisk nod and left the room.
Elder Riyute collapsed on his his chair, exhaling in relief.
"That's the problem fixed now Elder," Raphtalia said, "you should best get ready to leave. In fact, get ready at the village exit, the runner's cart can take you up."
"I... yes. Of course," he murmured, "forgive me. I'm... simply unused to not being one of the ones standing to fight."
Ex-soldier, Naofumi remembered. Likely an officer.
Naofumi nodded to the door.
"Your men won't be able to fight effectively if they're worrying about you. Get up that road and escort your people to the mine, Elder."
Elder Riyute nodded, resolute. "Yes, yes. You're right. Thank you, Shield Hero-"
All of a sudden, Naofumi's eyes were blinded, nose burning by the stench of ozone.
In a literal flash of magic, he vanished.
"FUCK!" Elder Riyute bellowed.
Raphtalia flinched from the shout, her head quickly darting back to where Nafoumi had been.
He's gone!
Quetzal dropped to the floor, left behind by whatever had took Naofumi.
The coautl was enraged.
"What happened?!" Raphtalia yelled as the couatl expanded to it's true massive size, any semblance of control slipping as it thrashed wildly, tail crashing through a solid oak chest of drawers with ease, sending splinters flying.
"The damn- the Wave! I knew I forgot something!" Elder Riyute called back, arm shielding his eyes from shards of wood. "The Cardinal Heroes have to register at the Dragon Hourglass to be teleported to the Wave's location! Something must have gone wrong though, only Naofumi's been teleported!"
Raphtalia froze and as if to make matters worse Baerywn nearly took the door off entering.
"The Wave's aurora is blazing in the sky, it has begun! What- where is Svalinn?!"
"Teleported!" Raphtalia snapped, as Quetzal paused in his frenzy, head darting to and froe before rotating like the pin in a compass, staring through the western wall.
Baerywn saw it happen before she did and leapt in front of her.
In one beat of his wings, Quetzal smashed through the layers of wooden ceiling, pausing to hover some metres above the the town hall before flying away.
Raphtalia glanced up to the hole, despair a thick lump in her throat as red light shone, swirls of deep purple and blue chasing each other in violet violent streaks. Even now, the first wave of monsters were dropping from the sky, gaps in reality split like gaping wounds.
It's falling apart before it's even started...
Baerywn suddenly laid a firm paw on her shoulder, startling her out of her dark thoughts.
"The Governor needs to leave, now," the therianthrope intoned, "we need to join up with the human fighters, the village will soon be under attack."
"But- Naofumi!"
"There is nothing we can do for the Svalinn right now," Baerywn stated. "The serpent has gone to assist. We will honour the last orders given by the Svalinn: fight with the humans to defend the village."
"The Shield Hero knows where we are, Lady Raphtalia," Elder Riyute said. "He'll return. We can't go searching for him at this time, he will need to come to us."
Raphtalia nodded hesitantly, pausing to grab Naofumi's left behind helmet.
He has no way of hiding his identity, and he's been summoned to where all the other Heroes will be too with their parties... Stay strong, Naofumi.
When Naofumi could see again past the spots in his eyes, his stomach dropped at the scene before him, painted from some of his worst nightmares.
The Wave was erupting in the sky, otherworldly monsters pouring into this one, and him alone against it.
Him alone, and the other heroes who had just noticed him, were not.
"Naofumi, traitor!"
Motosayu.
Schooling his fear, Naofumi glared back down at the heroes from the cliff above them.
"Motosayu," he acknowledged. "Ren, Itsuki," he nodded to the others.
Ren inclined his head warily and Itsuki returned it hesitantly, mouth a thin line and brow furrowed.
Murmurs were picking up amongst their party members, but Naofumi could not hear from the distance.
"Come down Naofumi and fight me! We'll settle this like men, you disgrace!" Motosayu yelled, Spear ready.
Naofumi snorted, about to retort until he caught sight of the figure behind the Spear Hero.
Her.
Unrelenting rage was building within him, hatred burning like a pyre to all the work he had put in to forgetting that night.
"You keep her eyes off Myne, Naofumi! You won't touch her again!"
Naofumi snarled, startling the arrangement down below him.
"And who's going to stop me, you?" he hissed. "I'll bash that lying Bitch's teeth in! I'll-"
"You won't have me in your clutches again, Shield Hero!" Bitch called out, grabbing onto Motosayu's arm. "The Spear Hero will protect me!"
"As will us." Ren said solemnly, readying his sword as Itsuki drew his bow.
Fucking idiots, don't fucking know anything, I'll kill them, kill kill-
"I thought I told you," Naofumi seethed, "that if I hear another word out of your bitch mouth I'll splatter that tomato head like a fucking fruit. Let's see if you're still smirking then!"
Myne visibly paled and Naofumi's smile was all teeth.
Both of them remembered her fear that night. Both of them remembered when her cockiness and surety was ash in her mouth as he strangled her.
His hands twitched.
"You've really fallen far, Naofumi," Ren stated. "What is this that you're doing, some Evil route?"
"He's a damn traitor is what he is!" Motosayu yelled. "We were all supposed to be Heroes here, but his stupid envy got in the way, just because he was the Shielder!"
"You said that Myne is lying, Naofumi," Itsuki said. "How do you even know what she's lying about? What you're saying and doing isn't helping you. Surrender, we can sort this out."
"Surrender?" Naofumi laughed. "And have everything I worked hard for stripped from me, everything ruined over that pathological lying Bitch? Put myself at Motosayu's mercy..."
Motosayu sneered, and Naofumi snorted.
Looks like they were of the same mind, then, Naofumi noted. I don't want his mercy and he'll give none.
"I would be an idiot to do that."
"Enough," Ren suddenly cut through, "we have a job to do, we have to kill the Boss Monster of the Wave to stop this."
"I'm not working with him!" Motosayu countered, "He can't be trusted! In fact we should be putting him down!"
"Or in chains," Itsuki said. "He should face justice first. A trial."
"Scum needs no trial."
Itsuki glared at Motosayu. "Everyone deserves a trial. We're Heroes, we're supposed to be better!"
"And we're supposed to be killing the Boss Monster!" Ren yelled, losing his patience.
"Yes, you lot have a job to do," Naofumi said, turning away. "and I've got places to be."
Will need to run back to Riyute, but should make it in good time.
"We can't lose this chance!" Motosayu argued. "He's weak, but he'll have had time to learn! We need to take him now, before he can flee during the Wave and become a problem later! LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
Naofumi quickly turned, reacting on instinct as his Shield shifted to Light Metal, countering with a shout of 'Air Strike Shield'.
Motosayu's ability clashed against the unyielding green shield before spluttering out, Naofumi's ability following shortly after.
No magic resistance needed then, looks like my ability was a solid counter.
"Oho... you're wanting a fight, Spear Hero?" Naofumi grinned.
"Unless you have another Shield or ability, you can't damage me Naofumi," Motosayu glared back, "I remember that first day. I doubt your ATK stat got any higher."
Naofumi kept the grin fixed, while cursing mentally.
He's a moron, but he's not completely stupid. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
"We all have to start somewhere, Spear Hero," Naofumi laughed, "do you want to really test it? Low damage or no damage can still be painful if you do it right, and believe me..." Naofumi's gaze shifted to the Bitch, "I'd enjoy prolonging it."
"We don't have time for this!" Ren shouted.
"Tick tock, Spear Hero. Tick tock," Naofumi mocked.
Suddenly a shriek tore through the sky and a form dropped through the trees behind Naofumi, startling all parties present.
Quetzal, Naofumi recognised, relieved.
The couatl had taken the form of a Lesser Half Blood Drake, the monster's preferred form when going incognito in battle outside of the Python, having practiced with it most with Gaelion.
Quetzal's appearance had shifted the balance of things; evidentially none of the other heroes present had encountered his form before, he could see Ren mentally weighing the pros and cons of an extended fight against Naofumi aided by an unfamiliar creature on a time crunch.
Ren clearly didn't like the conclusion.
"Where are you going?!" Motosayu shouted.
"To do what we were summoned here for!" Ren answered, walking away, "We have a Boss to fight!"
Itsuki glanced between the two with uncertainty, before hesitantly following after Ren.
Naofumi exhaled.
Crisis adverted.
"Best of luck, Motosayu," Naofumi called, turning, "I have better use of my time than wasting it on you."
He glanced back to the monsters pouring out of the gaping tears in the world's sky, and the fires beginning to start in Riyute.
Quetzal shifted back into serpentine form once they were out of sight of the others, settling on Naofumi's shoulders as he broke into a run.
Hold out, I won't be long.
Raphtalia exhaled.
A strike felled the Inter-Dimensional Zombie.
Raphtalia inhaled.
Even breaths, regulate breathing.
Slash, kill, EXP, repeat.
Keep breathing, no panicking.
Another slash shattered the zombie approaching while an arrow pierced the Inter-Dimensional Bee above.
"We're getting more and more pouring in from the side streets and alleys!"
"A few minutes more!" Ambrose commanded, steadfastly holding the right flank.
The formation was crucial to keeping the Wave's horde occupied; she held the left flank, Baerywn middle and Ambrose the right. The rest of the guard held a loose phalanx behind to guard their sides and behind, while Fenway did his best to keep the airborne monsters from overwhelming them.
Baerywn as their highest level and strongest fighter took point, each contemptuous swipe of his claws splitting zombies and bisecting locust swarms.
"The slower creatures are now reaching us from the outskirts," Baerywn called over the noise of the battle, "recommend fighting retreat to the square, torch the pitch!"
Ambrose grunted, but acknowledged Baerywn's superior eyes and height.
"Fighting retreat, you heard!"
The monsters were bursting from the very houses themselves as they made the slow move back from the main street to the market square, but thankfully, no losses were suffered. This had been the hardest part to co-ordinate, mainly due to how little practice could be done with live monsters.
Bate grabbed one of the pre-lit torches in the square and ignited the oil, sparking a controlled blaze to funnel the Wave monsters down specific streets and provide an additional layer of protection; the zombies were slow, shambling things that while did not seem to have the capacity for fear, had been observed in the prior wave to be wary of flames.
"This is where we hold them men!" Ambrose shouted. "Only if we are overwhelmed do we retreat to the mountain path! Fight for your homes and right to live!"
Then the roar sounded.
Naofumi froze mid-Bash at the familiar roar, mistakenly letting the zombie getting a hit in. Grunting in annoyance, he smacked the creature to the side and continued running for Riyute.
He could see the shape in the distance now, growing closer and closer, deliverance on wings.
Raphtalia had never been so relieved to hear a dragon's roar.
Gaelion came crashing down like a comet of vengeance, his bulk alone crushing the horde beneath him.
The dragon's tail flexed and twitched, destroying more creatures in the simple movement.
"Raphtalia! How good to see you alive and well, in the thick of it!" the dragon laughed, ignoring the ineffectual attempts of the Wave Monsters to pierce his hide. Grunting in annoyance, the dragon exhaled a thick mist of poison breath and the Locusts dropped like flies, twitching weakly.
"Gaelion, thank you for coming! Please, be careful of the houses!" Raphtalia called out, wincing as the dragon's shifting movement crushed a stall.
"Those who need a breather you get it now, take it quick, keep yourself in the centre!" Ambrose yelled out as the formation broke. "Those who feel they can still fight and pace themselves, keep an eye on the sides, make sure nothing sneaks past the dragon!"
They had managed to hold out long enough, Raphtalia knew, they had given enough time for Gaelion to arrive. Now all that was left was to see it to the finish, until the other Heroes slay the Wave Boss.
"Bate!"
Raphtalia turned, horrified to see the young man only just turn away the slash with his blade but lose his grip and collapse from the sheer force behind the strike. One of the giant zombies had came down unnoticed one of the side alleyways instead of being funnelled towards Gaelion.
It must've broke in through the sides instead of the main entry, Raphtalia realised, breaking into a sprint to Bate.
One of the other guards ran in to defend him before being cut off by the smaller zombies which had came with the giant.
Fenway's arrow struck true but did little more than impale one of the creature's eye sockets, impeding the undead behemoth little.
I'm not going to reach him in time!
She watched the boy ready his shield, grimly kneeling to brace himself, prepared for the blow to come.
"SHIELD PRISON!"
The green chain sphere erupted into existence as the blow came down, a clang sounding as it bounced off the dome protecting Bate.
"Naofumi!"
Raphtalia leapt as Naofumi took the next blow from the giant with ease on the shield and cut the monster down in one blow.
As it crumbled, so too did the dome, revealing a relieved looking Bate, sat breathing heavily.
"Up you get," Naofumi grunted, clasping the boy's arm and lifting him to his feet. Quetzal slithered out, scanned Bate for a moment before shifting and taking flight in the air to combat the flying monsters.
"Glad to see you're fine, Sir." Bate laughed breathlessly, "picked a hell of a time to get back here; thank you."
Naofumi nodded, pausing to scan the square, "Nobody injured?"
Raphtalia handed Bate his slightly chipped blade back, "nobody injured," she reported to Naofumi.
Remembering, she paused to unbuckle the helmet dangling from her belt, "you'll be needing this."
Naofumi took his barbute back, pausing to look at her, scanning for any wounds.
"Thank you," he said finally.
Raphtalia nodded, then readied her blade. The noise of the battle hadn't ceased as the fighting continued in the square.
Before anything further could be said, the sky erupted again, though not in the colours of the Wave but red spell fire.
"BEHIND ME!" Gaelion roared, spreading a wing.
The guards with Fenway dashed for cover under the dragon while Ambrose readied his shield. Quetzal landed and curled up on the ground, taking on the soft glow of a Shield spell. Baerywn who was in the thick of the fighting slashed out the knee bones in a giant zombie and put himself in the way of the collapsing corpse, grunting as he held it up to take the hit.
"Raphtalia!"
Raphtalia yelped as Naofumi roughly grabbed her, dragging her into a crouch as he covered her with his body and shield.
She couldn't see anything except Naofumi's neck, held against his chest as the sound of spells crashed into the glowing shield, recognising the Meteor Shield ability at work.
When the spells relented, Naofumi gently let go of her to stand above her, examining the area. His expression was hid from her but from the way he held himself, he could tell he was angry.
When she stood up, she gasped in horror.
The village was burning, the spell fire had set alight Riyute. While there had been moderate damage due to the wave, it would have been recoverable. Now?
Damaged structures were blazing, the undamaged were catching alight, and approaching was a company of guardsmen.
"What's this? Why are you all huddled under that dragon?!"
The leader of the group, a moustached older man, seemed to be glowering at the Riyute guard who were now hesitantly coming out from under Gaelion's wing.
The dragon himself seemed to be unfazed by the spell fire, Ambrose was brushing himself off, while Baerywn was having a coughing fit.
"Baerywn will use the dragon next time instead," the therianthrope heaved, "Baerywn has burning dead flesh ash in his mouth."
"We had no word of Castle Town Knights being arranged to support," Ambrose barked out, teeth gritted as he approached the group.
"Well," The Royal Knight sneered, "Why would we deign to notify you, guard, of the King's battle plans?"
"Perhaps not myself, yet I know for a fact Lord Riyute was not informed either, as head of his guard," Ambrose shot back, "so allow me to ask, what exactly was the battle plan here, captain?!"
Raphtalia glanced between the two, noting the growing tension between the two groups of guard.
"This could get ugly..." she whispered to Naofumi, who nodded back.
"You dare- we were the ones who saved your little ragtag group from the Wave's creatures!"
"You have burned down homes, captain! There was already a battle plan in place!"
"Oho, and does Riyute think itself more clever than the Wise King himself?!"
Raphtalia winced at Baerywn's open snarl.
"No of course-"
"Then do not dare show such blatant disrespect of His Majesty in the presence of his Royal Knights!"
Ambrose paused.
"The Queen's Royal Knights, you mean."
The captain glowered at Ambrose.
"What are you implying, guard? Such tone, such words... that could be taken as almost... treason."
The captain unsheathed his blade, then several things happened at once.
Bate drew his own, pointed at the captain, which in turn caused the other Royal Knights to draw theirs; Gaelion snarled, smog of poison exhaled from his maw as several Knights pivoted, having almost forgotten the presence of the dragon. Baerywn bared his teeth in open excitement as he made to step beside Ambrose, jaw snapping. Fenway nocked an arrow, ready to draw.
"Naofumi..."
Naofumi stepped forward, drawing the attention of Ambrose and the captain.
"Baerywn, Fenway, stand down. Gaelion..."
The dragon huffed, then took a mighty step back in a show of de-escalation.
Naofumi's eyes trained on Quetzal, sneakily slithering in position to ambush the new threats. At his gaze, the Couatl reluctantly slunk back to hide from view.
"And who is this?" the captain's eyes narrowed suspiciously on Naofumi.
Raphtalia followed close behind him, hand on handle.
"This is Sir Beastmaster, who Riyute has co-ordinated the defence of the village with," Ambrose answered for him, "given we went uninformed of any other plans being made, the Elder saw fit to see to the defence of the town."
"An adventurer who uses fifth instead of a blade, I see," the captain sneered.
"I am Sir's blade, and I will not tolerate any disrespect towards him," Raphtalia stated, stepping in front of Naofumi.
"I thought I said to stand down?" Naofumi hissed behind her.
She ignored him.
"I would be careful talking to a Royal Knight that way, demi-human," the captain glowered, "I would hate for your master to suffer property damage. Tell your beasts to hold their tongues, 'Sir'."
"We are getting nowhere with this," Ambrose interrupted, "Riyute is- was safe, until you intervened. Your actions will go reported captain, rest assured."
Ambrose gestured an open hand to the burning buildings, "I balk at the toll Riyute will take from your 'assistance', rest assured, the Wise King will be made aware of how his Knights conducted themselves."
The captain said nothing in response, shifting uncomfortably before his gaze settled on Gaelion.
"Yes, what occurred in Riyute will indeed be reported, Sergeant," The captain sneered, before turning on heel, "come Knights! Given Riyute is under safe hands, we shall assist the Heroes in their duty!"
The fighting continued for another ten minutes, and by the end of it Riyute Village had taken a beating.
Homes were burning, the streets were a mess of monster corpses and remaining burning pitch, it would take time to rebuild.
There were several injuries, but the sun came up again with zero fatalities, thanks to Quetzal and Naofumi's healing efforts. Nobody died in the second Wave of Destruction in Riyute.
As he watched the villagers return down the mountain trail on wagon, Naofumi rested with the other fighters, absentmindedly turning over his helmet in his gloved hands.
It felt good to be known as the Shield Hero being the one to save lives. The guards looked with newfound admiration, and he could see the old suspicion and wariness fading for gradual trust, the kind only given in combat.
He would have to stick that helmet back on however and continue to hide himself as Sir Beastmaster, a known quantity.
Before, it brought security. Now, having tasted what could have been, it grated.
Still, the Wave was now behind them. Work was ahead; homes to be rebuilt, and...
Naofumi remembered the two vials of Holy Water.
He would enjoy the relative ease after the worst had passed, bask in their victory. He didn't look forward to what would come after, however.