BEN 10: RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO
CHAPTER 25: THE TALE OF THE SPIRIT TORTOISE
Thanks for reading and writing reviews.
I found a problem while reading – the line breaks aren't appearing in the mobile browser so it can probably confuse readers. Also when lines are copied/ pasted between docs and Libreoffice, they disappear when I publish on this site. So from this chapter on, I will go back to traditional line breaks (BREAK, SKIP & TRANSITION.)
Without further ado,
In the lab room in my house, Partner and I together carried out the research on the remains of the eggs I extracted from Keel's body.
"Mm, bat, yeti, tortoise, if it is true that many different places in the world are suffering from the same thing..." Partner made an assumption. "The cause must also be a single culprit. It is either a single person or lifeless event that triggers the whole incident."
"But we can't just draw things to conclusions yet. Maybe we are missing a piece here."
"Oh, right, sorry," he cupped his chin as he thought out loud. "Considering what you said, Ben Tennyson, those monsters are familiars of the same person or deity... so it can't be an event but a person who triggered the whole thing."
"Controlling the monsters of that number... I don't think they are simple to handle."
"Of course," then he made a face that said he had found something precious. "Look, I found some ancient text about the master of those familiars."
A page of a book was shown on the screen.
"Here!" Partner jumped and pointed to a title text. I read the name out loud.
"The Tale of the Spirit Tortoise?"
-(TRANSITION)-
The next day. I visit Rex to tell him about my findings.
When I enter his office, I see the shadows who are whispering to him.
"Oh, Ben. Good Timing."
When the shadows are going to leave, I stop them. "Uh, please wait a minute. Are you returning to the Palace, right?"
"Yes, Sir Ben," a shadow answers. So I take a folded sheet of paper out of my pocket and hand it to the shadows.
"This is the information I got from research. Could you please hand it to Her Majesty?"
"As you wish, Sir Ben."
"Thanks, it'd be a great help."
As the shadows have left the room, Rex says. "They were here to deliver information to you but you seemed to be so busy, therefore I accepted it on your behalf."
"Oh, thanks," I drop myself onto the sofa. Rex is sitting at his desk.
"The monster attacks are also happening in other territories. And the three heroes fled from their lands."
"Sounds like trouble..." they are disappointing me again. But I don't think I can get everything under my control.
"Anyway, what information did you find from research?"
I rest my head on the backrest and let out a heavy sigh. "If what I found is correct, those monsters are related to a deity called the spirit tortoise. It's a legend... but you know, most of the legends in this world turn out to be true."
"There are all kinds of tales in this world... but yeah, I can't disagree. So what does it say?"
"Not much. It was just a rumor, but no one could really answer what exactly it was. Most said it's a deity, but some said it's a monster. The Queen must know something, therefore she looks shocked at the mention of "tortoise."
Rex rubs the back of his head, thinking. "Now, I notice it, we have never really seen tortoise monsters, right?"
"If those bats and yetis don't count, no, we haven't."
According to the books, the spirit tortoise shouldn't be false, but it really exists.
"But no detailed information was found. They said it exists. But no other fact wasn't written."
"Hmm, so difficult," Rex murmurs. "But if this really is the tortoise's doing, we will find it by tracing the monsters."
"Too much work," I mumble and lie on the sofa. "I am tired, man."
"It's because you always overwork yourself, dude. Speaking of which, the reports from the capital said the monsters broke through the border of Melromarc."
"Oh… damn. What kinds of measures are they taking to go against the monsters?"
"They are recruiting adventurers at the guilds. I hope everything is alright."
"I'm sure not everything is alright…" I murmured.
"Anyway, those three morons said 'we have to get through to stop the monsters! Why are you
in our way?!' or something like that."
"Sounds like them…"
I am not sure if they are over-motivated — they are using their transportation methods (filolials, flying dragons, and so) to the edge. We are not still sure where they are headed to.
"That aside, how are those small-time monsters related to the "spirit tortoise?""
"Think of this as a game," I answer. "The tortoise is the boss… and Those
monsters were the familiars—the servants— of it. So they are… basically small fries you have to fight before you fight the boss — the tortoise."
"So? The monsters that are flying around Melromarc are the servants of the Spirit Tortoise?"
Not like I'm interested in deities. If I need to beat up some gods or spirits in order to protect people, leave me be.
"But ancient heroes sealed the tortoise away and took the secrets of the sealing process with them to their graves."
When I said that, Rex raised an eyebrow and averted his gaze away, seemed that he remembered something.
"Spirit, tortoise, familiars, ancient heroes… I remember hearing something like that when I traveled oversea as an adventurer."
"What do you think about that?"
He cups his chin and makes a confused expression. Then he was enlightened. "Wait, didn't you say those three morons had played games that had a similar setting to this world?"
"Yeah?"
"I get a feeling that they somehow knew about the sealing and went out to do it in their way…"
"Hmm?" I quickly get up from lying.
"Since they didn't eliminate it, it can mean they couldn't… so they just did a seal."
Damn… it means the ancient heroes didn't manage to kill it. But they did seal the spirit. Now it is on the loose — which means someone who knows about the seal must have broken the seal. Even with Eclair's teachings, I am not sure the trio can stand a chance against such a formidable enemy. If even the heroes can't win… everyone else won't stand a chance. Is it "sacrifices" that Fitoria mentioned?
No, I'm gonna let anyone get sacrificed anymore. At least I will protect what I can.
"Rex. Let's get prepared for battle, just in case."
"And?" He also stands up from his chair, with his arms crossed. "What are you gonna do?"
"I think I can finish some number of androids. We need to protect the village while I'm away."
The next day — the Queen asked me to capture the runaway "legendary" heroes and bring them back to the capital. She also said she'd got something to discuss with all four of us.
I was sure I could find the heroes if we followed to the border.
I returned to Lurolona to get my team ready. Then we shall depart for the battle!
That being said…
"I'm worried about Sir Itsuki. So let me in your party for this once!"
"No, it's Ben's to decide."
Hearing a ruckus, I walk out of my house, yawning with Aria who is completely awake already. This noble girl forced me out of sleep so early with the reason to get to the border as soon as possible.
"Aria, I can just make a helicopter and– wait, what's happening, Rex?" Rex and a certain green-haired girl were talking just next to the "coach" we are going to ride to our destination.
"You are Rishia from Itsuki's party, right?" I ask her. "I didn't have spare time to see you since you came here, sorry about that. Now, what is happening?"
Rishia looks nervous as she sees me. Rex notices her expression and lets out a silent sigh before explaining her to me.
"She is insisting she will come with us."
"Us? Wait, are you coming, too?" I was more surprised by the fact that Rex was coming with us.
"Of course, I am. I am your party member, too," he replies with an arrogant face and his arms folded.
"For Rishia, don't worry," the old lady reassures me. "She learned all sorts of things from me – probably."
What's up with "probably?"
"Oh," she continues. "Her Majesty called for me so I won't be in Lurolona for a while."
"Er, yeah," I wave my hand awkwardly. "Goodbye, grandma. See you."
After the old woman has set off, I have to search for Filo.
I find Filo playing together with Rifana and Raphtalia. Keel is sitting on a nearby chair, soaked in sweat.
"Filo, we are going."
"Yea, Master! Give us some more minutes."
I smile at the playing children. "Take as much time as you need."
I don't know what kind of game they are playing, but they seem to be having so much fun. Mm, a hero is the one who also preserves the smile of the children, huh…
"Finished! Let's go!"
"Ayy," when I pat Filo's head, Rifana also approaches me.
"Please give me a pat too!" Not just her, Raphtalia, too, comes closer to us. "Me, too, I want a pat on my head."
"O-oh, sure…"
I softly land my hand on the weasel girl's head.
"Sir Ben." "Um, what is it?"
"Please come back safely."
"Who do you think I am?"
-(BREAK)-
"Alright, everyone..." after selecting the right alien for the job, the core of the Omnitrix pops up. "Let's go! UPGRADE!"
After transforming into the galvanic mechamorph, I jump and fuse with the coach to upgrade it into a helicopter. But before anyone else can get on the vehicle, someone approaches us.
"Please halt, Sir Hero."
It is a feminine voice. When my cycloptic eye moves and looks at the owner of the voice — it is a shadow. If I am not wrong, it is the Queen's shadow.
"What's the matter?" Rex asks.
"Monsters reached the populated areas of Melromarc. The Knights and adventurers can't maintain the situation under their control anymore. Please save the people of Melromarc. It is a request from the Queen, I dare say," she claims.
"Hmm, it is faster than expected. What will you do, Ben?"
My eye suddenly flashes. "Let's head to the capital first. We're gonna meet the Queen."
"The Queen is no more in the country, I dare say," she interrupts.
"Huh? Where is she then?" Rex asks.
"She's near the border between Melromarc and Shieldfreeden. The leaders of nations other than Faubrey are discussing the strategy to use their combined forces against the spirit tortoise and its servants, I dare say," she answers.
"Still we are going to the capital. Now I think of it, aren't monsters always going for populated areas?"
"Maybe they are attracted to crowds," Rex suggests.
"Uh, whatever. Rex, hold a brainstorming session on the copter. We'll get going."
"Yes, sir!" He jokingly replies.
When I look back at the shadow, she isn't there anymore. I was thinking to take her to the capital... bruh.
And so we are headed to the capital, which is the most populated city I know.
"See ya, Ben!"
Rex yells and jumps out of the copter, then glides along with the wind before summoning his Boogie Pack. Then he transforms his arm into a sword and starts fighting the monsters.
Bats and yetis... okay!
"Aria! Filo! Handle the yetis. I will handle bats."
"Okay, Ben!" "Yea, Master!"
Filo in her Filolial form also jumps out of the hanger with Aria on her back. She loads her pistols and aims at the groups of monsters.
"Die." She coldly chants and unloads the rounds of her pistols.
"Boom! Boom-boom-boom!"
"Zweit Tornado!" (Filo)
Seems that they are doing fine. My turn!
Appendages emerge from either side of the vehicle and machine guns that can fire plasma bombs and blasts are attached to them.
I fire multiple plasma bombs at the swarms of bat monsters destroying most of them. Some attempt to flee away but my plasma machine guns make sure to take them down.
Yetis are fewer in number than Bats. Bat monsters are one thing — since they can fly, they don't need to care about the terrain — but how do yetis get here this fast...
Oops, now I remember that yetis are born from corpses or creatures where the eggs are embedded. The corpses of dead bats will sure give birth to yetis. That means... I must take care of their remains as well.
After parking the vehicle in an alley and concealing it, I hit the Omnitrix symbol on my torso to transform into another alien.
"HEATBLAST!"
I chose Heatblast — so that I can keep collateral damage down to a minimum. Since Heatblast can extinguish the fire and cool down a burnt object by absorbing the flames and heat, this is better than NRG for the job. Oh, I don't need to take care of aftermath radioactivity, too.
I shoot off to the sky, riding a hover geoboard on fire, somehow many bat monsters are baited to me.
"Have a nice day... sirs!" Balls of flames are formed in my palms and as they enter the range, I throw the flames at them... not enough! Nit enough to take them down yet!
"Then eat this!"
Concentrating heat in my hands, I create an even bigger fireball and then unleash a torrent of flames, burning the monsters to ash.
"Oh, crap–"
An unexpected yeti carried by bats appeared. But I didn't have time to block their tackle. As the yeti was hurled toward me, I lost balance and fell along with the yeti to the ground.
"Ouch… this is an unpleasant way of greeting…"
Another group of bats appears. They are thinking they can just take me down that way.
But the number isn't a factor… when the opponent is me. Because I am Ben TEN.
AIR STRIKE SHIELD + DIAMONDHEAD SHIELD
The greenish-blue shield blocks their tackle, and splits the group into two — as soon as the monsters appear from the other side of the shield, they are introduced to a sea of flames.
"Oooo…"
There is a Rex jumping from roof to roof coming into my view.
"Hey, Ben, is everything alright?" He asks before slicing three bats that were following after him.
"Yeah, uh, don't forget to destroy the corpse."
"I know!" He says and throws the bat corpses at me… "Help me burn them."
"Oops," I wasn't expecting that… but I unleashed flames subconsciously to burn the corpses. Then Rex also disappears from my sight. I let out a sigh and fly out of the alley riding a burning hover stone board.
The downtown of the capital was chaotic. But now all the civilians have been evacuated, and the monsters are slain therefore it should be fine for a while–
"Master! Here are…"
When I reach the outskirts of the castle town,...
"Oh… shit…" the streets are filled with human corpses. Some of the bodies are left unsightly… maybe because of the "hatching" of the eggs. Dead bodies, blood, and internal organs filled the streets of the ward – even a more grotesque sight than dead monsters.
"Damn…" I clench my fists tightly. "We… no, I failed to come in time."
"Master…"
Hopefully, the sudden appearance of monsters on the outer wards alerted the rest of the town… and the rest of the population might either run away or have been evacuated. So… I'd like to think.
But… in the end… "Filo, you can go help the others. I will clean up this, okay?"
"... Yeah, master…" Filo reluctantly left.
After all, this is my duty. To send them properly.
"GRAVATTACK…" after transforming into a Galilean, I move all the corpses to one place out in the fields via gravikinesis. Then I assume the form of Heatblast again to burn the bodies down to ash… with as much heat as I should produce.
Life is a life… I don't have time to mourn the death of a life.
"Alright, let's finish this quickly and go to the border of Melromarc.
-(BREAK)-
Damn… again?
When we reached the southeast of Melromarc, it was already evening. It is another army of monsters near the border. That aside…
"Risha, are you alright?" Filo (in her human form) pats the green-haired girl's back as she almost throws up.
"I was sure she would be fine in a helicopter," Rex comments.
"Yeah, and she vomited on my body!" Technically, since the helicopter was entirely covered by my liquid skin, yes she threw up on my body. Thankfully, my liquid/ solid skin was slippery and the materials she threw up were all removed by nanites.
I look up at the sky where a swarm of bat monsters is covering the light. The highway road is also crowded with yetis. Then I take a glance at Filo who is nursing Rishia.
"Filo, Aria, you two protect Rishia. Rex and I will handle them."
Rishia insists she helps us. "But… sir… Ben." She isn't in her best shape, though.
"Just rest easy," I gesture at Aria who gives me a nod. Then I turn toward Rex. "Rex, you take Bats. I will take yetis."
"Uh, whatever..." Rex flies off to the sky.
Alright, Omnitrix. Give me a random street fighter. Now!
The Omnitrix randomizes based on the conditions I gave to it and chooses a random DNA.
And I charge at the monsters during the transformation — the flash of green light engulfs my body and then...
"Rwarrr! Oh, yeah, haven't seen you in a while. Lemme tell ya somethin' you ugly furry fluffy yetis!"
As I talk, my claws slash through the nearest yetis forcing them to retreat.
"If you think you can defeat Rath... you can try!" I jump to dodge the tackle of multiple yetis which then collide with others of their kind. "Because Rath is far superior to you." Hence I land on the bodies of monsters... like a wrestler. "Rath is... the most powerful."
Damn... Rath is outnumbered. Rath's anger is rolling up his throat...
"Grrr!" He lets out a roar and then blindly swings his hands at the monsters albeit destroying them into pieces. "I am... unbeatable."
Alright, enough. I am GREATLY outnumbered. I force my hand to smack the Omnitrix insignia on Rath's torso to transform myself into another alien form.
"WILDVINE!"
The first thing I feel after transforming into Wildvine was... a punch from a yeti.
"Dude..." I look down at my torso where its hand passed through. "Uh, seriously, this should be r-rated."
Transforming my fingers into vines, I aim them at the monsters. The vines have twirled around the monsters of the nearest row. At the time, my one vine finger grabs the seeds on my back.
"Hooray, plant bomb!"
I throw the seed bombs at the monsters. "Boom!"
To admit, they aren't doing anything more than intimidating the monsters. But when the smokescreen is blown away, in the place of Wildvine stands another alien.
"CRASHHOPPER!"
As the monsters growl and charge at me, I use the power of my legs to jump really high.
"Yo... anyway," I hit the Omnitrix again. "Meet the yeti of static electricity! SHOCKSQUATCH!"
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Shocksquatch of Gimlinopithecus!
There are two species of Shocksquatch... well, the one I use is yellow with black portions and white lightning marks. I am wearing the Omnitrix symbol on the green belt around my waist.
I ready my fist as I descend, the monsters look up at me... then they move away sensing the big danger coming. When my electric-charged fist came into contact with the earth, it resulted in an electric field that exploded to the outside, pushing the yetis away and electro-shocking them to death.
Haha, I hope there will be no charged object left in the area. I am not really a Physics type, and it's a pain to deal with electromagnetism if I overuse electricity-based power..., especially in the form of Shocksquatch. This guy can somehow have telekinetic abilities by using electromagnetism. Well... at the end of the day, we know which is stronger between gravity and electromagnetism.
Oh... some of them are somehow still alive and getting up... um, coming after me again?
I hit my fists together. "Then come on, let me show you how I am stronger than your mere yetis."
"Grrrr!"
Charged Punch! Boom! Boom!
With each hit, the monsters are pushed back but at the same time, another hit will be devastating for them. After all, the yetis are killed, I transform myself into Gravattack again to collect the corpses and then burn them in the form of Heatblast.
"How're Rex and guys?" I look back at the plot where I left Filo, Aria, and Rishia but they aren't there anymore. Seems that the knights in the wall have escorted them to the other side.
"Alright, now it's bat-time— hmm?"
Just before I hit the Omnitrix again, I hear the cries of an army.
"Fire!"
"*battle cries*"
A few archers line up on the wall of the border between Shieldfreeden and Melromarc. As the commander signals them, the archers release the arrows which then hit the monsters in their heads. Kinda impressive if I may. But not just that. The arrows were like explosives... and "boom" the monsters from inside. It saves us the trouble of disposing of the corpses, I guess.
Heck, not enough. I quickly transform into Heatblast to burn the corpses mid-air and subsequently absorb the flames on their bodies again to minimize the collateral damage when they fall to the ground.
I'm not gonna criticize the soldiers.
"Hey, Ben, my part is finished."
Rex flies toward me and points to a place... where bat corpses are collected in a large scale.
"Uh, okay, I'll take care of it."
I descend to the ground and burn the pile of corpses to ash. For Rex, he joins the knights and they lead him to the other side.
Whatever. I don't know what is in tow for me on the other side. In order to not scare the knights, I cancel my transformation and walk away from the pile of ashes toward the wall. But... at the time—
"Sir hero."
An unfamiliar voice yet I'm sure I heard this voice somewhere. Looking at the owner of the voice confirms my suspicions.
It is THAT beautiful girl I met five days ago in Lurolona just before I left for the meeting in Castle Town. She is the same beautiful, of course, wearing the same dark robe with the hood shadowing her face. The orange sunlight of the evening adds to her beauty.
"You. I remember you."
"You must kill me, Sir Shield Hero."
"Sorry but..." I try to maintain eye contact so that she won't vanish on me like the last time. "I don't kill people for absurd reasons."
Her lips curve into a small yet faint smile.
Unfortunately... someone interrupts.
"Sir Shield Hero!" It is a knight in a Melromarc royal knight armor running at me. "Are you okay, sir?!"
He looks worried for some reason. Hmm... I quickly tilt my head remembering the girl... but she isn't there anymore.
Damn, why do people nowadays like to mysteriously vanish on others!?
"Sir?"
I anxiously look back at the knight.
"Er, I'm okay."
I am now even used to someone addressing me by a "sir."
Following him to the other side of the border wall, I witness a big tent, beside which is Queen Mirellia waiting for my arrival. My teammates are also standing next to her as they chatter among themselves… about the current situations, yes.
"Welcome to Shieldfreeden, Sir Tennyson."
"Er, yeah, do we have a strategy meeting or something?"
"Well…" Her Majesty summarized that the meeting was held this afternoon and since the others thought that "legendary heroes were useless," it was decided that the combined army of the nations on the continent would defend people from the monster attacks.
The leaders of Shieldfreeden and Melromarc suggested they would wait for the shield hero but the other nations rejected the idea.
And so… where is the "combined army" now?
"Uh, could you please tell them that I have arrived here?" I ask the Queen.
Human supremacist countries would especially hate my position – the Shield Hero. After losing their faith in the other three, there is only a faint chance they would listen to me.
"I will try," she answers. "Thanks for your kindness, Her Majesty," I responded.
"I prepared a place for you and your party, so go take a good rest, Sir Tennyson."
-(SKIP)-
A good night's sleep after working hard is priceless.
Yet... WHY THE HECK AM I STILL NOT ASLEEP!? I read somewhere that stress and anxiety can grow UNsleepiness at night. It is actually unnecessary UNsleepiness. My eyes are wide awake as I blankly stare at the ceilings. When I close them, all sorts of thoughts are crammed into my mind.
I tried closing them again.
What is the size of Aria's bust? No, this isn't even a discussion. Wait, who am I gonna discuss with? I am talking to myself. The thought realm is such a complicated existence. What are Aria's three sizes? Yeah, I agree it's a better question. Better than thinking about how to strategize against those arrogant politicians or the spirit tortoise and its servants.
Aria's three sizes — I will try to guess. Uh... bust, waist, hips, so...
As usual... since the story has jumped to a climax, someone definitely interrupts my thoughts.
I look at the entrance of the tent, which is closed by a leather door as I hear some quiet footsteps from the outside. The door is gently opened and a pale foot invades my tent. I quickly close my eyes tight as I enhance the awareness of other senses – smell and sound. The owner of the pale foot walks toward my bed.
Wait a minute, I am familiar with the pace and the sneakiness of this FEET. Isn't it...
Thinking they are on my right side, I open my left eye by the slightest to peek at who is sneaking on me while I am sleeping.
Under the faint glow of moonlight that passes through the semi-transparent roof into the tent, the view of the culprit is unclear but their outlines suggest they are a woman.
She has blonde hair… like Aria. She has blue eyes… like Aria. She smells… like Aria. Hold up, isn't she just Aria Brambila?
I, Benjamin, in a pretend sleep, slightly shiver as she bends her body and her face approaches mine. The scent of shampoo that noble girls usually use forcefully invades my nostrils and strands of her hair fall to my face and sweep on it.
Her lips… also touch my cheek. I felt a slight warmth in my flesh… and she finally lets go and walks away.
I internally sigh and open an eye to peek… BUT… my eye meets hers who is staring at me suspiciously.
"You aren't asleep after all," she coldly says with a nonchalant expression.
"H-how do you know?"
She gives me a creepy smile that fuels my inability to sleep. "I know many things about you. Almost everything."
I know she has feelings for me. But sometimes she acts and speaks like a stalker. I'm not up for erotic or romantic cliches. I don't know why but my heart always was reluctant to accept a romance again. Maybe… while I know her feelings, I never dug out my own feelings.
"Let me sleep already," I murmur and close my eyes.
"If you can't sleep, I can accompany you all night long."
Aria is being seductive again. "Aren't you sleepy?" I ask.
"No…"
"Then you can sing me a lullaby."
And so she lies beside me and sings a lullaby for me… but then she gets tired shortly and falls asleep before me. Again, I am left passing the time alone until I finally fall asleep.
Her voice was adorable.
-(BREAK)-
Today… a strategy meeting is held again.
"Oh, Sir Ben, glad to see you again."
It's Andreas, the prime minister of Shieldfreeden. Behind him is Ryuuji, the Knight Commander.
"Likewise, Mr. Andreas, Mr. Ryuuji."
Ryuuji returns a silent nod.
"Queen Mirellia has already entered. So shall we…" Andreas takes me into the tent.
"Er, guys," I look back at my party. "Just in case, stay on guard, will you?"
And so due to my request, another meeting was held and I was a participant.
There are six seats at the hexagon-top table. The other participants are leaders of the nations… Queen Mirellia… Andreas… I don't know the others. But their appearance and outfit tell me they are from eastern countries.
Also… everyone else has a knight behind them. For Andreas, it is Ryuuji. I didn't permit my teammates to enter the meeting, what a shame.
"Sir Hero," Andreas begins. "I believe you know the matter with the spirit tortoise."
"Yes, I do, of course. I came across a book about the legends and came to learn about the spirit tortoise."
"When it first appeared," he continues to explain to me. "A lot of lives were taken… not just common people but also noble families died. The capital of the country where it first appeared is already down."
It is a tragic story. But it confirms my suspicions – about the tortoise and its servants targeting populated areas and aiming to take lives. Just what is its purpose?
"I have already learned enough about the spirit tortoise so don't worry, Andreas. Let's just get down to the strategy meeting."
"I believe we need a formal introduction from Shield Hero," one of the participants suddenly says.
Her Majesty looks at me and gives me a nod of permission. So I stand up to give them an introduction of myself.
"As you know, I am the Hero of the Shield," I declare holding up my right hand where a small shield is attached. "My name is Benjamin Kirby Tennyson. I go by Ben Tennyson. Thanks."
"According to the rumors," another participant says. "Shield Hero is pretty strong, I heard. But don't get too full of yourself."
Well, they are already holding a meeting just for me… I am quite like a VIP.
"He's a modest kid," Andreas covers for me. "I can guarantee it, sir."
"I don't think it's important at all," the third participant interrupts us. "I only care about how powerful he is. Why not get down to strategizing already?"
The others become silent. Then Her Majesty reports the current situation.
"Since the spirit tortoise attacks the densely populated areas, the next target will be Lowhirot, and for now, it's taking a pause on its way."
I didn't cross paths with the Spirit Tortoise so I don't know its shape or abilities… but judging from the reports, it must be quite powerful – completely destroying towns in spans of hours.
"What is Faubrey doing?" I ask, remembering that Faubrey doesn't cooperate with other nations at the time.
"That country is always slow to enter the fray. They only take steps after the problem is already there!"
"The Sword, Spear, and Bow Heroes have already gone missing!"
"We must wait here with the Shield Hero for the arrival of the seven-star heroes!"
"But how many cities and forts will we lose while we wait for them?"
"That's easy for you to say. Your country hasn't taken any damage yet! We have to defeat the beast as soon as possible!"
"For the sake of the world?"
Suddenly, the meeting results in an uproar. The leaders of the three countries and Queen Mirellia begin to debate… kinda…
I was freaked out by the scene. And Andreas stares at the national leaders, not knowing what to do.
So I take a step forward… putting on a brave front.
"Ahem!" Faking a cough, I grasp their attention. Andreas looks up at me with an awkward smile.
"Do you have a good strategy, Shield Hero?" One of the three leaders asks me.
"Yeah, kinda." I cup my chin, pretending to think for a moment. "How about you take the evacuation tasks and my party and I go face the spirit tortoise… alone?"
"Huh… you arrogant—"
"The only reason we are in this situation in the first place is because the heroes are so undependable! Look, only one of them is here! Where are the other three?!"
"The other three are currently unaccounted for."
"See! It's all just empty talk! What is the Shield Hero supposed to do for us anyway? He can't even attack!"
I stand up from the seat and slam my hands on the table. I have reached my limits.
With a flash of green light, standing in my place is a bipedal tiger with a wrestler's body and claws on his hands.
"Lemme tell ya somethin'... you noisy leaders in Eastern Fashion…"
The tent becomes awfully quiet… as the three leaders look up at Rath with wide-opened eyes in fright.
-(BONUS CHAPTER)-
A boy in a green jacket floating in space with visible galaxies, stars, and planets sparkling around.
If you think I am inside Alien X's pocket dimension, YES, you are right.
Fans who just thought "Oh, sh**, here we go again," raise your hands. I'm gonna transfer GTA San Andreas files from your PC to mine.
Just a weekly comedy show.
Anyway... er, let's move on with the story. If you think this is canon to the BROSH, yes... if you think it's not canon to the story, then no. It's yours to decide. This doesn't give much information anyway.
Alright, at one point in the past, I promised Bellicus and Serena that I would listen to 15 of their arguments for every ONE proposal I would make them listen to. Since then, I've been visiting them every other day, and yeah, the arguments I listened to have been stacked up. Awesome, right?
Today is another day I decided to meet them.
Bellicus proposes this: "Should I spread the propaganda that Alien X is the most powerful fictional character?"
"Please don't," Serena sighs.
"Hmm, how about erasing those who downplayed Alien X—"
"Denied."
Hmm, seems that they are talking beyond-fiction things again. I am not really interested in such things but being aware that you are fiction is really scary. AHHH! The first time I heard it from Bellicus, I almost puked. But I never bothered to know anything anymore beyond the "Omniverse" we are in. BECAUSE everything and everyone that exist today will become a history in the future... or forgotten like a lost property of the mother nature.
"Then we should eat some multiverses. Haha, I heard some anime characters actually eat the multiverses," I don't know if Bellicus is being sarcastic or serious.
"Gross," Serena comments. "We don't need to eat, Bellicus."
"Does Alien X even have a mouth in the first place?" I point out. But it was just setting the voice of rage on fire.
"Grr! Then let's infiltrate the politics of the human world!" Here we go again. "I heard some country leaders are being—"
"Bellicus!" Serena interrupts him. "We don't discuss such unimportant subjects like politics. And I believe I warned you to not use social media."
It is like an old married couple quarreling.
"Oops... I-I can explain, Serena... I just... peeked it to see news... haha"
"And? Everything I found in your phone were you cursing those who downplayed Alien X in Vs battles."
Damn, it's one heck of a bias.
"Wait, what!? You deleted all my downloaded episodes of Doctor Who!?"
Comedic Relief? I guess. In all seriousness, I must praise them for being able to ignore how powerful they are.
There are people who can't contain their abilities. Some get consumed by their own powers. Some become mad. And others accidentally destroy universes for no reason.
I am not much of a believer. What I believed in is... shaping your own destiny is the most meaningful way of leading your life.
"Er, excuse me, Bellicus, Serena."
"Speak, mortal," Bellicus says — wait was I just demoted?
"Let's proceed with our discussions!"
"You are being energetic out of your character," Serena comments. "Seems that you also have become an anime character, too."
I see no relation between being energetic and being an anime character.
"Hold on. Serena, are you watching anime?" Bellicus asks.
"Y-yeah? A new season of the Rising of the Shield Hero has already started."
For some reason, the anime title sounds VERY familiar to me. Er, maybe... it's just me.
"Please tell me if you find some high-tier characters."
"You're gonna do vs battles again, right!?"
END OF CHAPTER (25).
After reading light novels and watching anime, I decided to include the newly introduced in-anime nations – Haikazuya, Lowhirot, and Mideus. Because why not?
The country which has already been destroyed by the Spirit Tortoise wasn't involved in the strategy meeting and combined army. The combined army will be – Melromarc, Shieldfreeden, and the other three above-mentioned countries.
Thanks for reading and writing reviews.
Christopher Robin Milne.