King Explosion Murder the Shield Hero

by BKL777

This is the story of hero in training Katsuki Bakugou being transported into the world of Melromarc and is the new cardinal shield hero in their darkest time of need. Bakugou will go on many new adventures in this fantasy world to become their world's greatest hero whether they want him to or not.

11. Chapter 11: Trip to Siltvelt

Chapter 11: Trip to Siltvelt

No more than a few hours after being summoned by a knight commander Bakugou was ordered back at Melromarc's Capitals castle. Bakugou was originally extremely hesitant to go, but he was honestly curious to why the king would summoned him despite his hatred of him, it will also give him another excuse to insult his second-most hated person in this world in the face.

Once near the throne room he was allowed in, but they only allowed Rino in with him, for whatever reason the King only wanted her in with Bakugou, so Neia and Kirishima were forced to stay right outside the throne doors. Neia didn't mind she would rather not be with the racist bastard again and she had Kirishima to help her if anything happens.

Once in the throne room both Bakugou and Rino look up toward King Aultcray who was watching something through a crystal ball. From the voices in it and what images the two can see from where they were at, it was a recording of the ship battle against the Souleater and Glass. It seemed they were spied on or one of the party members of Motoyasu's or Itsuki's group were recording the whole thing without anyone noticing.

Either way, after he finished watching the crystal ball he looks back at Bakugou and his second sidekick, "I have seen what happened through the crystal ball, you did well to quell the wave as much as I hate to admit it." Aultcray says to him with distaste in his tone.

"Yeah and what the hell do you want? I know full well you didn't call me to make a half-assed compliment." Bakugou insults the King who looked equally as unhappy as the shield hero was.

Aultcray then spoke again, "You are here to answer a question for me? How did you obtain such incredible power? You possess power unknown to the shield hero, from all of this world's history no shield hero ever held any sort of offensive fire magic like that before. And you must reveal the secret behind it, it's time to spit it out and don't you think of lying to me!" the King demanded.

But Bakugou wasn't at all intimidated, "I don't recall signing any contract or anything you tiara-wearing bastard! I have no reason to even listen to any of your bullshit!"

"You're in my kingdom in my castle! You are obliged to obey every order I give!" Aultcray shouted now getting madder at Bakugou.

"Last time I recalled this wasn't your kingdom consort, this is your wife's kingdom and your just her overly-decorated sperm donor." Bakugou mocks back.

"FOR THE LAST TIME IT'S KING!" Aultcray yells at Bakugou who just lightly smirks at him.

The King quickly calmed himself down and looks back at Bakugou, "I'll only give you a few minutes to think about it, while I talk to the girl next to you, but you better cooperate once I'm done." He says to Bakugou who already made up his mind but decided to stay silent just to see where this was going and see how his sidekick will react.

Aultcray then looked toward Rino, "Miss?"

"Uh yes your majesty?" Rino responds nervously

"I remember you at the champion choosing over two months ago, and last I recall you chose to be with the spear hero. So why are you now with this criminal?" Aultcray asked with concern in his tone.

Rino still felt somewhat nervous to be talking with the King of her kingdom right now, but she kept her cool knowing Bakugou was right beside her. After some deep breaths, she finally spoke, "I didn't leave that idiot Motoyasu willingly. He basically left me to die after his other partner Myne sold me off to sex slavers. Sir Bakugou saved me from them and offered me to join with him and I accepted his offer." she answered being straight with her king.

But Aultcray just shakes his head, "I see, as I suspected the shield devil has lied to you and is trying to manipulate you to do his bidding. How low of him." Aultcray says out loud jumping to his own conclusions.

Rino couldn't believe what she just heard, "Wait what?! Your majesty I just told you exactly what happened and Bakugou was not at all involved in any of that stuff before." she defended Bakugou who was rolling his eyes not surprised by the Kings idiocy.

Aultcray continued trying to act sympathetic "You poor thing, it seems he had tricked you and is trying to corrupt your mind with his lies. If your too scared to say the truth I can..."

"No this is the truth!" Rino shouted shocking the king for such a reaction, "I was there and saw what Malty did with my two eyes and heard what she told me with my own ears. Don't tell me any of that was imagined because it was not!" she raises her now getting mad with her stubborn king. He was being condescending to her, just like what Motoyasu use to do to her.

Aultcray still looked surprised for such a reaction, "I know it might be scary to not want to be straight with me in front of him. But I can help you get out of his clutches if you.."

"No! I have never been happier in the position I'm in now and you can't just tell me that I'm not happy and go along with it! You are just biased against Sir Bakugou! Just like you were at his trial and at his duel!", she shouts back surprising the court and the surrounding knights. Bakugou just grins liking how it's going.

Aultcray eventually snapped out of his shock and looked with anger at Rino, "Miss I'm trying to help you here and you're being unreasonable will you just.."

"I did not ask for your help, your majesty! Don't be telling me what I should do for myself! I heard enough of that shit from Motoyasu! I'm my own person and I can say whatever I want! You can pretend your daughter isn't an awful bitch as much as you want but that is the truth and your too dense to understand! I can't believe I'm going to say this but if that's you really think...then.. then you can go to hell along with Malty!" Rino yells having enough of her King.

Aultcray was about to lose it as he looks pissed off at Rino, "How dare you! You watch your tongue you brat! I'm your King!"

"No your just Queen Mirelia's husband! I am loyal to the true ruler of my country! As Sir Bakugou just said, your nothing more than an heir breeder!", Rino finally yells and scolds at her King having enough of his crap.

Aultcray also had enough of Rino as he clutched his fist, "Ok fine! If you want to side with the devil then be my guess! I hope you also rot in hell along with him soon!" He tells off Rino

He then looks back at Bakugou, "And your few minutes are up! Tell me of this fire magic now!" Aultcray demanded losing his patience.

Bakugou remained silent for a few seconds until he finally shrugs spoke up, "Alright consort I'll tell you about my explosion powers."

Aultcray then calms down, "Good that's more like it, now how about..."

"Hey I ain't done yet, you old bastard!" Bakugou interrupts making the king pissed again, "Before I tell you anything, I want three things from you!" Bakugou continued not helping Aultcrays temper, "First, I want all of my sidekicks to get class up upgrades at the hourglass, and I want them done for free. Second you will for now refer to me as 'Katsuki Bakugou, number one hero of Melromarc' with no ifs, ands, or buts, with emphasis on the number one hero part. And lastly you'll admit your eldest daughter is a disease filled whore! Do all of that and you have a deal!" Bakugou finally bargains. with a big smug grin on his face knowing the king will never agree but knew all of that will push his buttons.

And pushed his buttons it did, "You insolent brat! I'm the damn King! And you are a low life rapist! You have no right to demand anything from me! You will apologize immediately and tell me your secrets NOW!" Aultcray shouts now losing his temper with the knights surrounding him and Rino now drawing out there swords

But Bakugou just shakes his head and turns around completely ignoring Aultcray "Come Brown hair let this inbred idiot rot his brain off." he orders Rino and they both slowly walk off. The knights for now did nothing with few even afraid of Bakugou as the Shield hero and one of his sidekicks move pasted them.

Aultcray was baffled but was also still extremely pissed off, "Don't you dare ignore me! I'm the King! If you won't listen then I'll be sure that not only will you suffer but so will that whore witch next to you, along with thieving blue she-demon!"

This did make Bakugou stopped, but when he turned around rather than looking pissed he had another smug face, "Like I'm going to take that seriously? My sidekicks will soon be far stronger than any of these bucketheads of yours! And I can tear your ass up in multiple ways you have never seen before. And besides by that time, your wife will be back and she'll put you back in your place as the royal breeding stock! So kiss my ass!" Bakugou insults him, it made Rino feel good that her master had that much confidence in her and Neia's abilities. Aultcray could only angrily twitch realizing none of his threats did anything. But Bakugou wasn't done yet, "If it does make you happy though, you won't have to worry about me for a while anyway."

"What?! What are you blabbering about now?" Aultcray said confused by what he means by that.

"Since you and the senile pope refuse to give my sidekicks upgrades I'm heading to Siltvelt to get them over there," Bakugou told him.

But Aultcray was immediately surprised to hear that countries name, "What!? Siltvelt!? Shield hero, you are obliged to protect Melromarc and not that empire of corrupt monsters!" Aultcray raised his voice again.

"I thought you hated me you piece of shit? Now you're wanting me to stay here?" Bakugou questioned, but he just turns around again, "Whatever, I'm not obliged to do anything for your inbred ass, so I don't have to listen to your bullshit anymore. I'm out of here."

"Guards!" Aultcray shouted and suddenly all of the Knights around the throne room drew out their weapons. Bakugou and Rino look around as they get surrounded.

They then turned back to Aultcray, "Now how about you cooperate and drop this Siltvelt nonsense, and maybe I won't have you tortured or your servants in the dungeons." Aultcray threatened now having enough.

But Bakugou just activates his shield with Rino converting her staff to a spear, "Try me consort!" he taunts.

Aultcray just smiles, "So be it. Guards! Arrest them now!"

And with that order, the guards attempt to rush in to gang up on the two, but unlike the inn on the day he was trialed, Bakugou didn't have to worry about injuring civilians so he was not holding back anymore, he blocks and attacks with his quirk blasting away some of the soldier's armor and sending them into the walls or pillars.

Rino also helps using her convertible spear as well as launching out some magic blasts to help and knock out some of the experienced knights.

As the soldiers start to drop like flies Aultcray was getting extremely pissed off and shouted, "More! MORE! Overwhelm this monster!" he shouts as more knight's from the sides attempt to fight as well as a few crossbowmen attacking above from the audience stands but neither Rino nor Bakugou were slowing down as they continue to beat and knock out more soldiers.

Another large squad came in to aid in the arresting but suddenly the large throne doors were blown down. Kirishima now in his adult form busted through them after hearing the sounds of a fight and started roaring with Neia rushing in as well.

The younger knights were terrified of the dragon and ran away while the remaining knights were taken out by Neia's speed and electric attacks, with Rino using her magic to blast and knock out the crossbowmen from the stands above. And any more reinforcements coming from the broken throne doors were all scared off by Kirishima's giant presence.

Aultcray couldn't believe his eyes as he watches his own men running away, "You cowards! I ordered you to arrest them!" he shouts but they were laid on deaf ears of the retreating or knocked-out soldiers.

"Looks like it's just you now!" shouted a voice making the King turn to his horror. A sinisterly smiling shield hero was now walking up toward him.

With all of his guard now on the ground groaning or had run off there was no one there to protect the king and had a pissed off mad teen now on him.

Despite his scolding of the knights for their cowardice the King looks toward the nearest exit and attempts to make a run for it. But when he started running Bakugou blasted himself toward the King and finally grabs Aultcray's head and forced it against the wall making his crown fall off.

Aultcray looked absolutely horrified as he was now at the shield hero's mercy. He couldn't say a word to him as smoke was starting to come out of Bakugou's hands.

After a few seconds of intense staring Bakugou finally spoke, "Now listen and listen well you bigot nepotist piece of shit! You don't own me! You have nothing on me! I'm not obligated to do a damn thing for you or listen to whatever bullshit you spew out! I can splatter your empty head through this damn wall and there will be nothing you can do about it! So take my advice and don't ever screw with me again!"

Bakugou then punched Aultcray right at his face knocking him on the ground. Whoever was still around watching gasped in horror at such an act on the monarch.

The King groans as he attempts to get himself up, while Bakugou picks up his crown. As Aultcray held himself up while covering his left eye he looks back at Bakugou while still holding his crown.

Bakugou then said to him, "So if you try anything on me, my sidekicks, or to any innocent people I associate with!"

*Crunch!*

Bakugou destroys Aultcrays crown with just one explosion, "You will be begging for death from me." he finally says to him with pieces of the broken crown falling to the ground as he turns himself away. "Kirishima, Blue, brown hair! Let's get out of here already!"

Bakugou and his crew walk away toward the busted down throne doors on there way out of the castle. A small army of guards was outside of it, but they were too terrified to do anything.

Aultcray finally got himself out as he moves his hand from his eye showing it now completely bruised. As he witnesses the shield hero just casually walking away from that, it only boiled his rage more. He was so full of rage, but he can't do anything about it. Before Bakugou and his crew left the throne room Aultcray finally burst out, "FINE! GO AHEAD AND LEAVE THIS PLACE FOREVER!" It actually caught Bakugou's attention making him stop a second, "GO LIVE AND FUCK WITH THOSE DIRTY FILTHY MURDERING ANIMALS! I HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU BURN ON THE STAKE ONE DAY! EVERY SINGLE DAMN ONE OF YOU!" Aultcray finished his outbursting with full rage in his eyes. He then finally drops down to his knees in pain and exhaustion.

Bakugou was surprised by such a display of hate and anger from someone not himself. Even Itsuki wasn't this bad after the Tervein incident. Whatever hate he had with Demi-humans and the shield hero, it was pure hate that rotten his core. But Bakugou didn't petty him, he no longer cared about his word anymore. He has done more than enough to prove he was a hero along with his sidekicks. The bigoted king consort can say whatever he wanted, but to Bakugou it was just words of a racist senile old man.

Bakugou and his crew finally just turn away again as they leave the throne room on their way out of the castle.

After they left the guards and other people rushed into the throne room to help the King and the injured soldiers.

Not too long after that Melty had come down to see her father again to talk about the shield hero. But she saw an odd sight of the giant throne doors busted down on the floor, but before she thought about what could've done this, she looks into the room to see a bunch of injured soldiers gathered up around healers with a few on an injured black-eyed King Aultcray.

"Father!" she shouted with great concern as she ran up to him, "Father are you alright?! What happened?!" she asked with great concern.

Despite his fragile emotional state the King was able to calmly answer his daughter, "I'm fine Melty. It's just a black eye and some pain on my sides nothing to worry about." he answers trying not to worry his young daughter.

"But how did this happened? And where is your crown?" Melty continued to ask.

Aultcray was silent for a second, not sure if he should say anything with all the hate in his soul. But he finally answered her, "It was that damn shield devil, he did all of this."

Melty looked shocked by that fact, "What? Shield hero Bakugou? Why would he do this?" she knew Bakugou and her father hated each other, but she didn't think it would come to this, to pure physical violence.

"He is nothing but a terrible person Melty. I tried to control him, but he's a bloodthirsty maniac, him and all of his whores." Aultcray answered her.

Melty knew her father was just giving his point of view of the event which no doubt is clouded in his own biases, but she still tried to talk to him about it, "Father I know you and the shield hero hate each other, but right now he may be one of the only means of fighting the waves, you must somehow reconcile with him and.."

"Reconcile with that fiend!? The only time I'll ever see him in person again, it will be witnessing his limbs being ripped off by horses on his execution day!" he shouted losing his temper surprising Melty again for such an answer. Seeing his daughter looking at him like that immediately snapped him back in his calm state, "I'm sorry about that Melty, I have no anger against you, but unfortunately I can never see eye to eye with the shield. Every time I look at him all I just see is the Demi-human fiends that worship that monster. They already took away my family once, and I'm not going to let it happen again. But it won't matter anymore anyway, that brat is leaving to Siltvelt so he won't be my problem anymore." he apologized to Melty.

Melty listened and understood her father's pain, but she knew better to let old grudges get in the way of the greater good and her father is more concerned about himself than the Kingdom, its people, or even his family despite all he says about them. But the last part did caught her attention, "Wait Siltvelt? Sir Bakugou is going to Siltvelt?" she asked him.

"Yes that's where he blabbed about going to so he won't be our problem anymore," Aultcray says to his daughter.

Melty now looked worried, she promised her mother she could help bring amends to the Shield hero and her father, but if Bakugou leaves for another country, a country with great hostilities to Melromarc no less, it could mean he might leave for there forever and never come back to aid Melromarc or worse he could start a war with them over his beef with her father.

Melty wanted to help comfort her injured father but she knew she had a greater duty to oblige for her mother and the kingdom, "I'm sorry father, but I must go. Hopefully I can fix this." she finishes and started to run out toward the broken throne doors.

Aultcray didn't know what his daughter had in mind and wanted to say something, but he decided to not say anything. He loved his children including Melty despite the fact he wasn't allowed to raise her by order of his wife, but that didn't soften his love no less. He wanted his daughter to do what she wanted to do and not force anything on her, he only hoped that she will eventually understand why he did his decisions and why it had to be done.

He hoped now with the shield hero gone things will finally start to make sense now.

---

"You did what to the King?!" Erhard shouted in surprise when Neia told him what happened in the throne room.

"Yeah, we totally smoked that inbred bastard, he'll think twice about screwing with us again." Bakugou boosted as he leaned on the store wall.

Despite it being hard to believe Erhard didn't question it, considering everything that Bakugou had done and accomplished, it seemed the shield hero will always end up doing the most unorthodox thing imaginable, "The fact that you're all not in a jail cell right now is the biggest surprise to me. But I'm done trying to make sense of your guys crazy antics. So what are you guys going to be doing now?" he asked.

"We are going to this place called Siltvelt, a demi-human empire to get our class up upgrades," Neia answered.

"Really Siltvelt? Well all I have to say is good luck out there, they are not the friendliest to humans, but considering you are the guy they worship over there you might have it better compared to other humans. It's usually 4-week journey on wagon, but with a flying dragon it might be only a few days for you." Erhard comments

Neia smiles, "Thank you for everything Mr. Erhard, hopefully we won't be gone for too long and come back here soon."

"I hope to see you guys back again as well, you guys have been my best customers, and it be a shame to not hear anymore of your crazy stories or bring in any more unique party members. ", he says back to Neia smiling at her.

Bakugou then got back on topic, "Whatever, let's just get anything we have to be repaired and after this buy as many supplies we need for the trip, who knows what we will be encountering in a kingdom of furries."Bakugou says as he puts up his stuff that doesn't have the self-repair function for Erhard to fix.

The old blacksmith just shakes his head not surprised of his attitude as Neia and Rino hand him their repairable stuff as well. Bakugou then asked, "So baldy how long do those self-repair things take to fully repair items again?" he asked.

Erhard answers him, "Well it depends on how much damage it took, if it is a little worn out probably just a few hours, if partially damaged it might take one night, and if severely damaged a few days to fully recover. Why do you ask?"

Bakugou then places his extremely damaged gauntlets in front of him, one chewed up from the souleater and the other cut in half from Glasses fans.

Erhard looked dumbfounded that the same gauntlets he repaired a day ago are now at this state. But at the same time it didn't surprise him, "I am sure going to miss all of you.".

---

After Erhard repaired everything and Bakugou bought the supplies for their trip. They were almost ready as Kirishima was now in his large form outside of the capital gates. Rino and Neia finished having everything packed and tied up, the two and Bakugou were ready to get on him and finally head out.

Until they heard, "Shield hero wait!" shouted a voice and as they turned around it was Melty running toward them along with a group of knight's most likely her bodyguards.

Bakugou groaned knowing what she's here for and wasn't going to enjoy hearing it. Neia noticed too though she looked more nervous than anything else, not happy or even angry, she just doesn't know what to say to Melty.

Rino though had no clue who it was yet.

Eventually Melty caught up to them as she ran and finally stops to breathe heavily to catch her breath.

Bakugou was tempted to ignore her and just leave, not like she could do anything once he's thousands of feet in the sky, but his inner-hero forced him to at least hear what she had to say first.

Eventually Melty finishes her heavy breathing as she looks back up and decided to look professional again with a serious face.

Rino finally recognizes her, "Oh my god! Princess Melty!" Rino immediately went to bow for her, "It's an amazing opportunity to see you your little majesty, I..." but Rino stopped when she looked back at Neia and Bakugou as they stared at her with dead silence. Rino quickly looks back up rubbing the back of her head, "Oh Uh sorry for that Sir Bakugou please say what you need first." she backs down nervously.

Rino did remember the two telling about their encounter and escort with Melty, though they never spoke much about other than Bakugou's encounter with the king again and Neia insulting her over what Malty tired to do to her. Neia herself though never seem to talk much about it compare to the other stories she told. She knew it was a touchy subject so she never pressed it on to Neia. It did always make Neia looked conflicted, not angry or happy or sad, just conflicted just as she is now.

Bakugou then looks back to Melty, "So what the hell do you want now Princess Blue hair?" Bakugou asked getting to the point.

"Sir Shield I have a request for yo.."

"No!" Bakugou immediately answers.

"But you didn't even hear what I was going to request?" Melty remarks

"I know what you're going to ask. You want me to kiss up to your racist bastard daddy and let him make me roll over like a dog."

Melty sighs with annoyance, "Look how about I award you 50 gold coins if you at least talk with him..."

"That's not going to work this time. I've heard enough of idiot talk for today, no amount of gold is going to change my mind."

"Please sir Bakugou if you just at least apologize and maybe.."

"Apologize for what? He kidnapped me in the middle of my school year to do this stupid isekai crap and he can't be bothered to remember my name." he snaps back at her.

Melty was now getting mad at Bakugou, "You literally assaulted him in court, threatened his life, and destroyed his crown?!"

Bakugou was also getting equally pissed off, "Yeah and he tried to arrest us for doing nothing! He can eat horse shit for all I care!"

Melty looked like she was about to burst into anger but tried to keep her cool, "We need your help Sir hero we can't stop the waves without you, and besides you..."

"I never said I stop fighting against the waves princess." Bakugou interrupted, "I'm just getting the stupid class upgrades thing done and do what I need to do as a hero in Siltvelt. I still need to defeat Cat eyes, I'm definitely not missing that!"

"But... But if you leave now you may never be able to reconcile with father and who knows how long you might be gone."

"Like I give a rats ass."

"Shield hero will you just listen.."

"No you listen to me kid! I'm not going back there again to say sorry to your bastard father! So shut it already!"

"...Why?" Melty said softly

Bakugou wasn't sure what she meant by that, but in just a few seconds Melty's attitude completely changed, "Why do you both and my father have to act this way it's ridiculous! The heroes and the King can't be fighting with each other!"

'Oh great. now she has gone into a temper tantrum.' Bakugou groans to himself in his head. As Melty goes off Bakugou was just plain sick of this conversation at this point, "Kid just stop."

But Melty continued on with her tantrum, "No no no! I will not allow you to just ignore me and my father! Do you know what my mother is going to do to him when she comes back!?"

"Ugh! Will you just shut the hell up now!" Bakugou raising his voice and gritting his teeth, he was extremely close to losing his own temper.

"I swear you are so disrespectful! Do you have any idea how many lives are at stake here, are you just going to let a family fall apart because of your pride?! Do you even know what kind of a..."

"SHUT UP YOU BRAT!" Bakugou exploded at her, shocking everyone from the normal bystanders, the guards, and even Rino and Neia.

Melty look completely shocked and was silent for a few seconds. After she recovered the young princess began to look sad, "Why? Why do you have to be so cruel?" she says softly trying her best to not cry.

"It's called growing up kid, you need to learn that just because consort is your daddy that doesn't mean he is a good person. And a 'I'm sorry' is not going to change that." Bakugou tells off the girl and finally turns around again, "Alright Blue, Brown hair let's just go!" he orders his sidekicks and despite the neutral looks they gave to a sad disappointed Melty, they turn around as well and the three head toward Kirishima.

As they were getting on the dragon Melty continued to stand their shedding tears and thinking about how much she failed her mother, not only was her father never going to understand reason, but the Shield hero was about to leave Melromarc and who knows the consequences of that will be to her kingdom, 'I'm sorry mother. I tried but I failed. If only I can be as charismatic as you are.' she thinks to herself as she looks back up to see Bakugou and his crew setting up the dragon and were ready to ride it.

But as she looks toward the shield hero she remembered what her mother said about failures, that sometimes not all failures lead to dead ends, sometimes they lead to new pathways that can be good or bad. It's a leader's job to take account of these new pathways, to follow them through, and to guide it toward the path that helps you the most. If a leader does it right, she might end up succeeding in a different way.

Now thinking about it in her mind she might have an idea of a path she wants to take. It's risky, but if she can't convince the shield hero to stay or get her stubborn father to understand reason. Then maybe it's time to go on a path in a different direction.

As she thought some more the shield crew had finished setting up Kirishima and the girls and Bakugou was ready to go. Bakugou finally grabs the reins and said, "Kirishima! fl.."

"Wait a second Shield hero," shouted Melty who ran up to the dragon.

"Good lord are you just a broken record at this point!? For the last time I'm not.."

"No this isn't about my father! It's about me?" Melty interrupts.

"Yeah and what about you?" Bakugou asked turning his head toward Melty.

"Sir Shield hero if you're going to Siltvelt then... well... well then I want to go with you!" she answers

"Huh!?" said Bakugou along with Neia and Rino now looking at her, "What do you mean by that?" Rino asked.

"If I can't convince you to stay in Melromarc, then I will get a piece of Melromarc to go along with you. Which will be me. But this isn't an order, you can refuse if you feel like it." Melty responds

Rino wasn't sure what to feel about having royalty with her (well good royalty anyway), but she decided to remain silent and see what Bakugou had to say. Neia on the other hand was saying in her head, 'Please Sir Bakugou, just ignore her and leave. Let's just go now.' she wasn't mad or angry at Melty, but she still doesn't want to be near her after she told her off 11 days ago, she doesn't want to confront her yet.

But to her displeasure Bakugou jumped off to listen, "Really you want to go with me to the place that your country hates with a guy who told you to shut up?" Bakugou questioned.

"Yes, you might not at all be a pleasant person, but you are still a hero and I want to ensure you that not all of Melromarc's royalty is against you. And I'm not worried about Siltvelt, we may not be in the best relationships right now, but I'm still the princess of this country so they wouldn't risk a diplomatic incident through me. And even so, it won't matter if your there to guard me." she explains.

Despite Bakugou's distaste for her a few minutes ago, he wondered if he can somehow benefit from this? He knew this nation's queen who was the one really in charge, and was on his side and the princess right now has been her representative. If he can keep the princess close he can also keep the queen close. It will benefit him greatly when the queen comes back from whatever and will give him a bargaining chip on Aultcray if he tries something.

Bakugou was quiet for a few seconds as everyone stood around for an answer.

Finally Bakugou answered her, "Fine you can go."

Rino smiles at that while Neia groans.

Melty looked happy, 'That's perfect! Now if you.."

"Hold on a second princess I'm not done." Baugou interrupts surprising Melty, "Before you go, I'm listing some rules to you."

Melty wasn't sure where this was going but sighed and responds, "Ok then what rules?"

"If your going to be with me your going to have to be my official sidekick. Meaning that from now on I'm in charge and you will be doing whatever I say and not complain about it. This also means that I don't want to hear another word of you trying to get me to talk to your piece of shit father, I don't want to hear a peep of that anymore. And you will contribute to some extent to my heroing work. If you don't, you're walking your ass back to Melromarc. You got it?" Bakugou informs her.

Melty didn't like the sound of any of that, but her mother taught her that she sometimes has to make a compromise and understand the bigger picture and not let her feelings get in the way. Something her father failed to understand. She sighed and agreed, "Very well shield hero if I must do that then I'll become your so-called sidekick."

Bakugou then raised his index finger up, "Oh yeah and one more thing, you have to pay the admission fee to be officially in. About say 50 gold." he smirks to her.

Melty looked at him unamused, but she didn't have much of a choice. After she sighed Melty reached for a large money sack on her dress, "Fine then here you go." Melty then handed him the bag, and just as she said contained 50 gold, "You thought before I was joking about that 50 gold reward? Well there it was." She said with sarcasm.

Bakugou then set his menu up to make it official, though while doing that one of her bodyguards came up to her to ask, "Your highness, are you sure about doing this? We can still head out to visit your mother again?" the soldier suggested.

"Don't worry, as long as the shield is with me I won't have to worry about anything." she reinsures her guard who looked annoyed.

Bakugou finished the setup and now melty was officially in his party now, she was at level 13 which is surprisingly high for a little girl, though Bakugou didn't really plan for her to do any combat, she was just there to get future favors from the queen and not much else.

After that Melty's guards hands her a small suitcase she packed in case she had to leave on long travels, "Well then I'm ready when you are hero." she says to her new chaperon.

"Just remember your place princess, you don't tell me what to do. If I say jump you will say how high. But enough of this let's just go already." he finally says to her and the two finally head off to the dragon.

Melty's bodyguards looked toward them with anger and annoyance on their faces, they all had a plan and mission in mind and it was now ruined. And they can't do it now with so many witnesses coming in and out of town around the capitals gate.

Bakugou and Melty then got on the dragon. Melty sat behind Bakugou and in front of Rino who was about the only one of them acting friendly with her. Melty also saw Neia behind her, trying not to look directly at Melty. She also remembered what Neia said to her in the face last time they meet, but she didn't look mad at her like before. Melty wanted to say something, but she knew now wasn't the time and remained where she was at.

Bakugou then finally grabbed Kirishima's reins and shouted, "Kirishima fly!"

And with that order, Kirishima starts running until he was flapping his wings and eventually lifted himself up in the air until they were high up in the sky. Unlike before, Melty was excited to be up flying again and enjoyed herself with Rino while Neia did her best to ignore her as she reads over a book.

The crew were now in the sky and were now on their way to Siltvelt.

---

"You group of incompetents! You call yourselves soldiers of the crown and yet you couldn't do a simple task! Just one recording of you fighting and you couldn't even accomplish that!" Yelled a voice that was none other than Princess Malty scolding her little sister's guards as they meet up in a dark alleyway.

"What were we supposed to do? We were in a public place surrounded by people, the fake evidence would have never worked anyway even if we went to attack her there, and the shield hero just kicked the asses of the knights of your father not long ago, you're expecting us to fight that monster with a big ass dragon!?" a soldier defends himself who only got "rewarded" with big bleeding cuts on the face from Malty's long sharp red nails.

"Talk to me like that again and I'll have your tongue removed!" Malty yelled at the soldier as the knights look at her horrified, "Now do any of you at least know where they are going? Are they going to mother?" she demanded from them.

"Uh no the Shield hero is apparently going to Siltvelt." another soldier quickly answered.

"Siltvelt huh?" Malty says as she paces herself back and forth trying to think of something, 'So that coward devil decided to retreat to the beast kingdom after my foolish father couldn't control him. And my brat sister is going there with him?' she continues to think about it for a bit until she evilly smiles when she came up with something, 'hmmm, If Melty goes to the court of Siltvelt, she would be in a very compromising position if a very bad political incident were to occur. Like say... a war. Yes yes, if I can get my old fool father to declare war on Siltvelt, those demi's would either kill her immediately or take her as a political prisoner, and if I were to 'help' with those negotiations for her release, something might go wrong and she could end up getting killed in the crossfire. And my mother can't pin it on me, and once the old hag dies, I'll be Queen now.'

After she finished her thinking Malty then turns back to the Knights, "Alright you idiots! Thanks to your failure a new opportunity has now been opened to exploit. Let's meet with Pope Balmus and I will tell him of this new opportunity." she finally says to the soldiers as she walks off to the church with the nervous soldiers following behind with Malty's evil smile now wider than ever.

---

"Hurry it up faster! faster!" shouted a 3 heroes church priest as a group of soldiers push a giant crossbow weapon at the bordering wall between Melromarc and Siltvelt, "Come on put your backs to it!" the priest continued shouting.

But the exhausted soldiers were getting tired of the same barking orders from someone they probably shouldn't be taking orders from in the first place. One eventually spoke out, "Why are we even putting these things up! What are they going to accomplish anyway?" he questioned the priest.

"I was informed a few hours ago from the word of our pope, the Shield devil is planning to leave the country in this direction and attempt to flee to the demon-animal empire. We must stop him at all costs and strike his flying hell dragon once it comes near here." the priest says to the men.

Though these men weren't any more motivated than before with the answer. Their commander spoke out how flawed this whole ordeal was, "These things are siege weapons or are used to kill giant slow-moving monsters. They were not designed to kill flying dragons 1000's of feet in the sky. This is just a waste of time." Melromarc does have other anti-air defenses against flying demi-humans, but they were not strong enough to fight off large dragons or have the range to do so.

"Silence whelp, get it in its place we must continue setting up as many more as we can to make it impossible for the devil to get near this wall." the priest announced and pointed down the wall to 10 more giant crossbows the church provided.

"Even more, Ugggggghhhhhhh!" groans the soldiers getting tired of setting up these heavy weapons, they already installed 5 of them and had about enough of the priest.

But before the soldiers had to slave themselves again, "Everyone look up!" another soldier shouts from the wall tower. And everyone looks up to where he was pointing at and saw from a long distance in the sky, a large flying reddish dragon carrying people on it. They knew that had to be the shield hero.

The priest wastes no time to attempt to stop him, "Damn it! Arm the crossbows now! And fire as soon as possible!" he orders the soldiers as they rush to set up the giant arrow turrets.

Once armed they aim with the crossbow and point toward the flying dragon. Once they got a clear shot, a commander shouted, "Fire!"

And one by one the crossbows fire. The large arrows goes up at fast speeds as they target the dragon. They went up and up. But unfortunately even fantasy worlds still follow some laws of physics and the arrows began to lose momentum and all slow down not even halfway to the dragon until they finally lost it all and finally turn downward and fall into the ground.

All the arrows did this which only made the priest angrier, "Another set! and aim higher!" he shouts.

And the soldiers do it again, and again, and again but no matter how high, or tight, or focused they aimed the crossbows they were not designed to attack that high and all the arrows just crash into the ground.

Soon enough the shield hero's dragon flies right past over the wall. A wall that is meant to hold off enemy armies and Bakugou's dragon just flies over it.

Despite this, the priest still insisted they continue firing, but it did no good as the dragon is finally out of range.

It made the priest mad, "Damn it! If you lazy soldiers did this faster we could've stopped him! But now he has escaped!" he scolds the soldiers but none of them were in the mood to be hearing it anymore.

The commander especially heard enough of it, "This was all a giant waste of time! More of those things wouldn't have accomplished anything! And last I recall you're not in the military or are even of anyone of authority! So how about you get lost and preach elsewhere or I'll be using you as ammunition next." he yells at the priest who only looked pissed off but he knew he didn't have any real argument to say.

The mad priest just turns leaves as he stomps away to leave the border wall.

The soldiers were thankful, "Finally I heard enough of his bullshit." a soldier moans.

"Yeah this is why I don't go to church anymore, my old priest was just as much of an asshole as he was."

"Yeah and I don't really hate the Shield hero either, he seems like a badass from what I've heard about him.

"Yeah he seems to be the only competent one of the cardinals. The spear is a wimp coward and the bow hero is more focused on killing people than helping them. Don't know much about the sword though, I heard he got his own town now after he somehow tamed a dragon and bunch of demi's are flocking to it."

"Well for now on, we only listen to direct orders from the crown or the military command and not from a bunch of overreaching zealots." the commander announced with the soldiers nodding in agreement.

As they continue to gossip behind the priest's back, the priest himself was now below outside of the wall holding onto a crystal ball and with his magic goes on to make contact with Pope Balmus himself, "Yes brother Nerda?" the Pope asked in his kind voice through the image on the magic ball.

"I'm sorry your grace but due to the slothfulness of the soldiers at the border wall, the shield devil still escaped from Melromarc. There is nothing I can do now." The priest explained.

The pope was silent for a second but still kept his smile on him, "No need to worry about that. In all honesty, it seemed like a pointless endeavor anyway. I never would've thought the devil would get access to a large flying dragon. It was probably naive to think we could've stopped him from leaving at this point. But thankfully this will just be a minor delay in our plans. It seems like Aultcrays and Malty's usefulness is starting to wane. This situation and the elder princess's foolish plan she suggested to me earlier will benefit us. We will finally be rid of this sinful and corrupt system we have in this country that runs on pride and greed. We shall be rid of Queen Mirelia's government and those incompetent heroes we have. Then the golden age of the 3 heroes church will begin, blessed by God." he informs the priest.

Though the priest had one more thing to say, "But what about the shield devil?" he asked.

The pope's soft smile then turns into a smug grin, "Don't worry about that. Even in their own lands, there is plenty of beastmen that are willing to kill a god. If they are paid with enough gold."

---

Kirishima had been flying for most of the day passing over plains, forests, farm areas, and some towns until it became pitch black at night forcing Bakugou and his crew to land in the middle of a forest.

Bakugou sets up sleeping bags and a fire as they get ready to rest.

Kirishima was already fast asleep remaining in his large form to scare away any monsters.

Melty though wasn't big on the idea never been forced to sleep in the woods before, "Sir Shield hero why don't we find a town with an inn to sleep for the night?" she suggested.

"What you haven't gone camping before?" Bakugou joked not taking her seriously.

"No, but I'm sure we be more comfortable if were to sleep on a bed. And be safer as well." She continued.

"If you care about being comfortable you should've rethought about coming along. And I have a damn fire breathing dragon, Kirishima is scarier than anything in these woods Princess Blue hair." He rudely answers her.

Melty was getting irritated by the nickname and how disrespectful the Shield hero is acting, "I have a name you know it's Melty and you need to learn better manners if you're intending on going to see the royalty of Siltvelt." She scolds him

"Whatever Blue hair. Just go to bed." Bakugou ignores her as he huddles up in his sleeping bag and turns away.

Melty was annoyed but rather than protesting she just sighed knowing he wouldn't listen anyway. She decided to walk up to the other girls who were talking to each other and were getting ready for bed themselves while Neia attempts some more water magic with Rino.

She decided to listen in

"Come on come on!" Neia says doing her best to concentrate on her water bubble.

"Try not to stress and don't overdo it, just be the ...uh...uh.. water or something." Rino tries to support Neia but water magic is not her thing not like her magic affinities so the best she could do was provide Neia company in her attempts.

"Come on stay solid. Stay solid!"

*pop*

"Damn it why can't I do water magic it's literally in my blood as a water elf!?" Neia yelled almost losing her cool.

Melty could tell Neia wasn't doing her water magic right from the way she is trying to use it. She herself had an affinity for water so she knew how water magic worked.

It gave Melty an idea. She knew Neia did not like her because of her families actions but they were now teammates, so she knew they had to cooperate in some compacity to save the world, and perhaps if she can get the Shield heroes companions on her side she could finally get through the stubborn shield hero. But politics aside Melty also honestly wanted to be a nice person and help her and be friends once more figuring helping Neia to learn Water magic can bring them together. she takes a deep breath and walks up to the two sidekicks.

"Excuse me miss Neia and miss Rino," she announced herself as she sits down near the two.

Rino was smiling friendly but Neia continued to have her conflicted uncertain face at her, "What do you need here your little majesty?" Rino asked acting friendly

"Oh you can just call me Melty from here on out, we are a team now remember. But anyway, I'm actually here to help you Neia. I saw how you were struggling with water magic and I wanted to help you properly learn it if you would like some tutoring?" Melty answered and suggested to her.

Neia didn't look back at her and was just silent for a few seconds making the scene awkward. Eventually Neia just stood up, "No thank you, I think I'll just going to bed." she answered back as she grabs her sleeping bag and was walking away.

Melty wasn't sure if she was angry again or what, but she attempted to talk to her again, "But it will be really quick I can easily teach you so many spells if you.."

"Please I'm not in the mood," Neia responds.

"But we need to be at our best to fight against the waves. I'm just trying to.."

"I SAID NO! I don't need your help!" Neia snapped surprising the young princess.

But Neia almost as quickly changed her emotional state back to normal now looking sad from losing her temper like that. She turns away again and says, "Just.. just let me go to sleep." she says as the young adult elf walks away from the others to sleep near Kirishima.

Melty looked sad as she sat down on her sleeping bag while Rino did the same and after some silence, Rino decided to speak up, "She didn't mean it your little maj... Melty. She had been through a lot with your sister and father so she is not really mad at you directly."

"I just don't get it. Not just with Neia, but with Sir Bakugou and my father as well. They can't seem to drop their grudges and listen to reason. Don't they see there is a bigger picture than themselves? Maybe they have a right to be mad to some extent but.. But... Uh, I just want everyone to be happy but it seems like they are actively trying to not be happy." Melty confesses to Rino.

While some of it might sound petty, Rino knew Melty was still a young girl and she loved her family and their country but she is probably dealing with a lot for a child her age and to have so many responsibilities as future Queen. To be told that some of your family are awful people can trouble any kid. Rino sighed and spoke up, "Neia did give your sister a chance before, Myne gave her a ring claiming it was an olive branch gift which Neia accepted it. But on that same night, she turns around to accuse her of stealing it. And your father King Aultcray believed everything Myne said and nearly enslaved her until Bakugou stopped them and saved her."

Melty looks down sad to hear Neia going through such a thing, "I can't believe it, I'm not too surprised of that from Malty, but for my father to jump to conclusions like that is unbelievably irresponsible for a ruler to do."

"It's not the first or last time either." Rino continued and she went on to explain to her about all the things the King and Myne tried did or tried to do. From the rape accusation, to attempting to scam away Bakugou's reward money, to planning on exploiting the town of Lout and the cheating from Myne and Neia's duel, to Myne nearly selling her off to human traffickers, and what the King tried to do to them today.

Melty started to look depressed, "I knew my sister was a problem child, but I wouldn't imagine she would do all of those awful actions for such petty things. And my father has always loved the both of us equally and I know from mother he spoiled my sister to the core and would hardly say no to her. I'm sorry you had to go through that as well as miss Neia. I can understand why she hates me and my family."

"She doesn't hate you Melty or at least not anymore. She just doesn't know how to confront you after what she said to you. I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually and you two can talk and figure this out." Rino comforts Melty.

Unknown to the two of them Neia heard the whole thing and felt even worse for yelling at Melty like that and not being direct to her. She still wanted to eventually confront and say something to Melty on the whole thing but she still didn't feel comfortable in talking to her yet. So she just remained where she was at and tries to go to sleep.

With Melty, she now understands everything about Neia, and trying to be direct with her was not the right way to do it, she had rethink her approach again. Melty also still had the shield hero on her mind, "Miss Rino before we go to bed let me ask you one more thing."

"Go right ahead," Rino responds.

"Other than him saving you, why do you stick around with the Shield hero? He just seems... seems... seems like a villain with how acts and has to yell at everything, he has such pride and arrogance on him?" Melty asked.

Rino pondered about it for a second but quickly gave her answer, "Sir Bakugou may be a loud and unlikable person on the outside, but on the inside, he is a heroic person, willing to do whatever he can to be the best. It's a lot of pride, but that pride drives him to do better and it make us better as well. Let his actions speak for you rather than how he talks or acts. You be surprised." Rino finished,

Melty wasn't 100% satisfied with that answer but she did take it to heart, she will observe and try to understand what Bakugou will do for himself. And see if he is worthy to be called a hero, "I see, thank you miss Rino. Good night." Melty finishes as she tucks herself in.

"No problem, Good night your ma... Melty." Rino responds and lays out and starts to sleep.

The group of heroes was now all sleeping, awaiting tomorrow and see what's in store for Siltvelt.

---

By Morning, after the crew had breakfast that Bakugou made for them, they head out again. They continued to fly for a few hours until Bakugou had enough of it. He sees a small town down below and that gave him the excuse to finally land.

Kirishima landed at the outskirts of the town not wanting make the townsfolk panic as everyone got off the dragon.

"Well this will be our lunch stop, but we're not tourists here so don't get too comfortable. We are here to eat and ask the locals about how this furry kingdom operates." Bakugou announced to everyone as they all stretch and Kirishima turns back into his toddler size. Bakugou knew that before he encounters Siltvelts royalty or whoever is in charge its best to know how things exactly worked around here and he preferred to learn from the locals than the nobility first who would no doubt suck up to him and give a more rosy picture of how things worked. He was also keeping his shield hero identity a secret for now to not get anything biased from people who will see him as basically God.

After a 30 minute walk the group was in the town. And they can already tell they were not in Melromarc anymore. All of the people were Demi-humans of different shapes and sizes, some more human-like or animal-like than others. Here they were not slaves, they were the ones running the place. They saw Demi-human children playing outside, Demi-humans wearing normal clothing, Demi-humans running stores, and Demi-humans armed with deadly weapons from guards to adventurers.

There were humans too, but when they say Siltvelt was an inverted Melromarc they were not joking. All the humans they saw there were either weak and beaten slaves or broke drifters and vagabonds. It made Bakugou's sidekicks look very uncomfortable especially Melty and Rino.

They went around the town asking questions, but it seems even in Siltvelt racism is inverted here. Many of the Demi-humans no matter what type they were, looked at Bakugou and his human companions with disgust or distaste. Anytime they got close to the regular townspeople for questions they either ignore or insult them.

A common insult name they hear is 'hairless monkey'. Most likely a derogatory term for humans, though Bakugou thought it was a stupid one since humans were not even technically monkeys, nit that it matter to Demi-humans. And when he yelled at anyone for the insults they just run away screaming for help.

Even the shop merchants wouldn't do business with them, not caring what they were selling or what money they had. Saying no humans or in some places like weapons or armor ships no 'low castes' were allowed to shop or purchase anything. Even back in Melromarc when Bakugou got accused of rapping a princess he was still able to do business with the merchants. Even shouting and saying death threats at merchants wouldn't work, they just yell for help or for the guards, which Bakugou flees from the scene not that they were a threat to him, but in a new nation it was best not to get a warrant for your arrest in a place you know nothing about.

Ironically the only one to get any information out of anyone was Neia. Unlike Bakugou, Melty, or Rino the people were willing to talk to her. They seem to think she is some sort of aquatic demi-human which annoyed her but if it gave them an advantage they might as well exploit it. Though it seemed to only go so far, as the group continued to talk around town people began to associate her with the spiky-haired violent hairless monkey and stopped being cooperative.

Though from what she learned from the locals, they were indeed in Siltvelt and they were at the trading and mining town of Edvie. The location of the dragon hourglass was indeed at Siltvelts capital and was west from here. Many people in town also seemed anxious, many of the so-called lower castes had recently paid for there sheriffs local protection taxes and they had to pay more money to a group called the scar crafters for there protection money with many people desperate to gain enough money to pay them and have some left to have food on the table.

Bakugou knew something didn't sound right about the redundant security protection or the fact this sheriff was just setting up his own taxes. He smells corruption around here and he wanted to get the bottom of it before he leaves.

After a while the crew became hungry and Bakugou decided to go into one of the taverns. Even though he probably be better off cooking for themselves he figured to at least listen to some gossip from the patrons and find out more about this sheriff and the so called scar crafters. It was what allowed him to find out about Rino and the other kidnapped girls on that one night.

The crew arrived inside but once Bakugou came in the talkative tavern suddenly became silent as the patrons looked toward the random humans coming in. Some looked confused others look mad or disgusted.

As the rest of the crew came in, the scene was awkward. Bakugou finally decided to just walk over and sit at an empty table with the rest of the team following suit.

The room mostly remained silent but then some of the people began to quietly gossip to each other about the human team.

Things didn't get much better when a waiter came by, "So what do you want?" he asked rudely.

"The spiciest thing you have here." Bakugou requested getting straight to the point.

The 3 girls ordered their meals and the waiter headed off to get their orders.

Bakugou continued to listen in but he wasn't hearing much other than stuff about the 'hairless monkeys'. It annoyed him and was not getting any information about the kingdom or the town's problem, he was regretting ever coming in. There was no one around to listen closely after a bunch of people left away from them other than one small knee-high mole demi-human who looked troubled about something as he was drinking in peace.

Eventually, the food and drinks came by, but they looked absolutely terrible. Looking uncooked or completely burned or just the wrong thing entirely. The crew could tell they weren't welcomed in here.

Their drinks were just water, but before Bakugou went to drink he looked inside and saw a spit wad in his drink, he was not surprised.

Melty was about to drink her water before Bakugou places his hand over her mouth, "Don't be drinking that kid. Trust me you won't like it."

"Why is everyone acting like this? What are we doing that is so wrong to them?" Melty asked.

"Just existing to them. This is what you call racism kid, this is what free demi-humans have to go through in your kingdom.

That statement did disturb Melty, she knew Melromarc was human-dominated with demi-human slaves and plenty of Demi-human racism, her mother never sugarcoated anything from her, but was this really what free demi-humans have to look forward to as well in Melromarc.

None of the crew ate their food and was not hearing anything important from the bigoted patrons. Bakugou was about ready to just leave and not pay for anything.

But suddenly the taverns doors busted open and in came in a large muscular Wolf beastman with a large sword on his back, "Karnar!" he shouted. With the many diners now staring at him but unlike Bakugou not with disgust or distaste but with fear knowing who it was as a bunch of other threatening looking wolves and lizard beastmen come in along with a large musclar Rhino demi.

The large wolf beast-man walked up toward a table right next to Bakugou's completely ignoring him as the wolfman looks at the Mole demi-human now terrified, "Arcat! Wa... What do you want?" the mole-man said nervously as the big wolf lowers himself down exposing his sharp teeth

The wolf demi Arcat then placed his claws on the table as his henchmen surround the poor mole-man, "Darnar, your little company groups protection payment was due last Tuesday, where's my money?" Arcat asked intimately.

"What... What are you talking about? The miner caste had already paid for this month." Darnar responds nervously.

"It was paid, but due to the waves things have gotten more expensive, so all of the rates are going up, 40%."

"40%! Your insane!"

The wolfman then slices the legs of the chair making Darnar fall on his back. He tired to crawl away only for Arcat to grab him by the neck and slammed him on the table.

The entire diner was watching as they all stayed silent and as far away from the gang as possible. But Bakugou and his crew remained where they were at. With Bakugou, Neia, Rino, and Kirishima looking with disgust at these bullies. Melty looked scared and didn't know what Bakugou had in mind as she saw him taking his drink and puts it above Kirishima as he flames the bottom of the jug making the water in it boil.

Back to Arcat he had one hand at the mole's throat and the other above his head with his sharp claws dangling down, "You don't have the right to complain to someone above your caste. Your just a bunch of dirt eaters. The rest of my 40% next week or your group will be up for dinner."

"But... But we barely make it through as of now from your father's defense taxes and what you already make us pay. We only have enough to feed ourselves and pay rent. We can't afford anymore."

Arcat then decided to lightly move his claws across his face terrifying him more, "Well if you can't pay in money, maybe you can pay in 'alternative' means. I never had sex with a mole before. I'm curious about the experience, maybe your wife or one of your daughters can give herself for a week and maybe I'll let it slide. For this month anyway."

"You... You monster, I would never do such a...aaaa..aaa" Darnar protested until Arcat decided to start choking him.

Arcat then raised him up "You either pay up with that or I'm going to be eating all of your family raw. Got it!?" He then threw him on the top of the table again with a one of his hands up ready to claw the moles face, "How about I give you a little parting gift before I... AOOOOOOOOOOO!" Arcat howls in pain after boiling hot water was dumped on his back.

After he finishes screaming and patting his back he turns to find out who would dare do that to him. And it was none other than Bakugou giving a smug smile with a now empty drink jug.

The wolf-beastman was so mad he started growling moving toward Bakugou's table. He then he stabs his claws into the table in front of the hero who didn't look intimidated.

Melty look worried wishing the shield hero would've stayed out of that event, she hated these bullies to but she was also concern about the group's safety as well from these armed beastmen, but Neia and Rino were holding their weapons expecting the worse as Arcat's henchmen surround the table.

Arcat then finally spoke, "You got a lot of nerve to do that you bald shit flinging monkey. Do you have any idea who I am!?"

"A smelly dirty floor rug!" Bakugou insulted back making almost all of the diner gasp, with the Wolfman not amused.

"I'm the head of the scar crafters. We pretty much control this town and all the lower castes here pay for our 'protection'. And I do not appreciate your little clan of monkeys and your lovely blue friend for not respecting me." Arcat's gang surround the table with everyone there ready for anything even Melty despite her fears.

Arcat then says, "Now how about you pay up 20 gold for burning my fur and skin, and I might look the other way. Or me and my associates will be roasting what's left of your corpse all tonight long." he threatened as the gang members lowered themselves closer to the group with there weapons now out.

But Bakugou just says, "Bite me!"

Arcat smiles exposing his sharp teeth, "If you insist.", Arcat grabs Bakugou's arm out and opens his jaw wide and was about to bite his arm off, but...

*Crack!*

With that sound, a bunch of things had just shattered, but nothing from Bakugou

Almost all of Arcats teeth had cracked and broken off. Bakugou's defense was so high Arcat did the equivalent of biting into a solid metal block, "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" He screams in agony as he covers his broken bleeding mouth with his men looking surprised and horrified along with almost everyone at the tavern

Bakugou just smirks, "I hope you enjoyed that, I'm a bit of a tender shit flinger though." he mocks while giving him the middle finger.

After he finished his screaming, Arcat looks back at Bakugou with beast-like rage and grabs for his giant sword on his back, "You damn monkey! I'll skin you alive!" he shouts.

But Bakugou quickly blocks it with his shield now transformed and with his body exposed Bakugou blasted Arcats stomach launching the wolf into a bunch of empty tables.

After witnessing their boss getting attacked the other gang members had there weapons out and were ready to strike Bakugou's squad.

But the team was ready. Bakugou casts a double airstrike shield on top of his team stopping the weapons.

Rino then shouts out "intensifying light!" and emits a bright light that temporarily blinds the surrounding gangsters.

Neia quickly turns and electrifies and stuns the two gangsters behind her.

Kirishima jumps and attacks the large Rhino demi still in his toddler form at the face scratching and biting him as the giant mammal tried to get the dragon off.

The other gangsters got there sight back and attempt to attack the group

But Rino grabs her spear and blocks off a few of the lizard men's attacks and fought them off.

Neia dealt with the other wolfmen with her duel swords but neither species was a match for the experienced sidekicks.

Bakugou continued to deal with Artcat as he was more persistent than expected but nothing he could handle.

Melty mostly stayed out of it but when she had the opportunity she did blast a few of the gangsters with her magic water ball attacks.

Eventually the men were all beaten up as Rino and Neia threw the beaten up gang members out of through the doorway into the streets

Bakugou continued to dodge Artcat's fast blade swings but Bakugou's reflexes were higher than his speed. Bakugou then knocks away Arcat's giant sword and smashes the wolf's face at a table breaking his mouth more and blasted him into the group of his injured colleagues outside.

But after that the Kirishima jumped off the Rhino's face and the large demi-human was ready to attack Bakugou. The brute attempted to smash Bakugou first by ramming into him with a charge and when that failed he then used his bare fists but the Rhino was still unable to break through the shield's defense no matter how hard it punched.

But while he punched the shield over and over, Melty decided to use her water magic and blasted the brute at the exposed back causing the Rhino great pain.

As the Rhino turns back and saw who attacked him, but with that opening Bakugou mega blasted the Rhino and he goes flying across the tavern til outside and lands on top of his fellow gangsters and his boss.

The gang all groaned in pain as the giant Rhino lays above them, with almost all of the town's residents looking in shock at someone beating up Arcat and a part of his gang like that.

Bakugou and his group came out with Bakugou smirking down at the injured group of bastards.

After some groaning the group recovered enough to get up, "Get off! Get off of me you stupid blob of muscle!" Arcat yells at his Rhino minion until he just pushes the injured large mammal off of him.

One of the other wolf-demi's in his gang whistled and called for their horses. They struggled to get themselves upon them, "You'll fucking pay for this you hairless shit flingers! Wait until you see the rest of my gang and my father's men!" Arcat yells and he and his men flee.

Bakugou just gloats, "Ha, yeah good luck and we'll be waiting for you." he says out loud.

The entire town was gossiping about what happened. Some random humans had just beaten up Arcat, one of the most feared people in the town and they don't have a scratch on them. Word got around quickly, and unfortunately this also included the guards which got to their sheriff.

Back with Bakugou and crew, Neia was healing up the Mole demi as most of the patrons ran out of the tavern knowing something bad was going to happen soon with what Bakugou did.

The mole demi himself also looked worried but he didn't run. He was actually glad he got rescued whether or not Bakugou was a human didn't matter to him, "Thank you all for that. But you didn't have to involve yourselves like that to help a miner caste like me, you were better off not helping me." he thanked and warned the crew.

"We are heroes Sir, we are always sticking up for people from danger. And we dealt with worse." Neia responds to him after she finishes up her healing of the mole demi.

Bakugou then spoke up, "So what can you tell me about those bastards anyway?"

"That was Arcat and the scar crafters, his gang holds a tight leash on our little town. They were more than that group, he has about 5 times as many men and they like to terrorize and bully everyone whenever they feel like it. Destroying property, assualting and beating up anyone then mugging them, and even straight up murder. " Darnar answered them.

"That's awful why haven't the guards stop them already?" Melty asked surprised such people would be allowed to do that in broad daylight.

"That is because the town's sheriff happens to be his father, and he is just as money-grabbing as his pup is. He and the men in his pockets like to hustle and demand extra taxes from anyone they get away with and he allows his son to do the same with his gang and looks the other way in their harassment on everyone." Darnar explained

It still confused Melty, "Shouldn't this be reported to the crown of Siltvelt or at least your local lord?"

"Ha, do you really think the crown is going to care about us lower casters? They care more about their horses than us. And our local lord is over 140 years old, the old turtle can barely walk anymore, let alone stand up to his corrupt sheriff who can order his men to beat the living hell out of him.". Darnar explained the team at least are starting to know a bit more about how things work around here.

Neia then spoke up, "You said something about 'us lower casters', what do you mean by that?" she asked her and the rest of the team had been hearing stuff about castes but no one has explained what they mean.

"It's what judges our life. It's the same as the food chain, some of us are born in a higher class and have more opportunities and privileges than others. And what caste we are born with we die with as is our position on the food chain. Me, my family, the rest of the mole demi-humans, and any other digger type demi are all miner castes, so mining is all we are allowed to do and there is only certain places we are allowed to buy from and have only limited rights." he explains.

The group couldn't believe that such a system existed, that people are born into their positions in life regardless of their preference or talent. Despite only human slavery being legal here, it sounds like Demi-humans are slaves to their own system.

"And this applies to all Demi-humans in Siltvelt?" Bakugou asked

"Not everyone, some nobles are of different types animals outside their castes due to their political marriages with other houses and kingdoms, so the nobility looks more diverse compare to other castes, but even then 4 groups dominate the most in politics: The Hakuko, the Genmum, the Shasku, and the Aotatsu . But other than that there are only two exceptions to the caste system, the army and the church. The army doesn't care who joins as long as you can fight and die for the crown of Siltvelt. But even then they have their own caste and rankings to certain demi-humans."

Bakugou is not surprised about the army, he imagines some Demi's in the army are just used as cannon fodder while the higher casted Demi's in the army can sit back and watch those cannon fodder get themselves killed in wars.

Darnar continued, "And the church accepts everyone. They're actually one of the most powerful political entities in Siltvelt other than the Council and the King. They own about a third of all of the land in Siltvelt and employ 20% of the population having control of several industries outside of church-related things like wine production, silver mining, magic clothing, and a few other monopolies. But it is not as good as it seems, everyone knows that working for the church is seen as the dead-end of one's life."

"Why?" Rino asked, she knew the three heroes church was powerful in Melromarc, but it seems the Shield church has a grasp on the economy of the kingdom of Siltvelt.

"Because the church pays next to nothing no matter how hard you work or for how long. You have to buy directly from the church and live on church permitted living spaces, and it's next to impossible to leave without getting excommunicated or worse. The priests say it's to maintain humility and end greed and gluttony in our society. But of course, anyone with eyes can see that it seems the priests never have empty bellies or have any sort of financial problems. So only those that are stupid or have nowhere else to go, work for the church." Darnar finished explaining.

'Great another corrupt church, I hope they won't be a pain in the ass when I get to the stupid hourglass.' Bakugou groans to himself.

Darnar then continued talking, "But as I said before you need to leave now. Arcat will not let this go and he'll make your deaths slow and painfully. You good people need to escape and get out of town."

"No," Bakugou said

"No what?" Darnar asked

"No me and my team are not leaving. Demi-humans or not I'm not going to let a bunch of corrupt cops and low-life gangsters continue to run a double protection racket." Bakugou then blasted a fist into his palm, "So let them bring it on!" Bakugou shouts with Neia and Rino nodding in approval.

Melty was unsure at first but even she wasn't going to let this town continue to suffer under bullies, regardless that this is Siltvelt and not Melromarc. She eventually nods in approval as well for once agreeing with the shield hero.

Darnar couldn't believe that these humans think they can fight both the sheriff and Arcat's men. But he knew at this point he couldn't convince them, "If all of you have a death wish then I won't stop you." He then got himself back up and left the for the door, "But good luck and may the great Shield hero be on your side." he finishes and left. Though not long after he said the last part he did remember Bakugou's shield, he can't help it but it looks familiar to him even though he never met this crazy kid in his life. But he didn't ask Bakugou about it and left the tavern knowing he needs to be as far away as he could from this area but clear enough to still watch to see what happens. But first he was going to his local church to pick something up, just to confirm a suspicion he has.

After that the team stood outside for minutes awaiting the battle for the fate of this town.

Eventually the entire scar crafters gang came as the sounds of galloping horse were heard. The street outside cleared up as all of the demi-human people all got out of the way and hid themselves awaiting the inevitable carnage.

Bakugou and his team were ready as they walked into the street.

A cavalry worth of horse was now there, around 30 threatening looking demi-humans got off of their horses including Arcat himself back again but had bandages around his mouth with his teeth still messed up.

Most of the gang consisted mostly of wolf, jackal, lizard, and boar demi-humans, even that large Rhino demi was back looking more pissed off with extra armor on his back this time.

They all look hungry for blood as they took out their weapons toward the group.

"I expected you shit flingers to have skipped town by now and I would've had to put out my anger on these low caste scavengers, but it seems like you either want to play hero or play dumb. Either way my men will break every bone you have for every tooth you broke!" Arcat shouts in anger.

The team was in battle-ready positions expecting to fight right away until they heard, "Hold your horse's boy! Wait a damn second!" shouted a voice that even made Arcat flinched.

Everyone turned to see a group marching toward the street to Bakugou's group. Unlike Arcat's men, these were a group of knights with a more diverse cast of demi-humans from cat, lizard, fox, and dog Demi's, a few bears, some wolfs like Arcat's team only in heavy armor, two who looked like hippo's, and the one who sticks out the most a giant Elephant demi-human almost 8 feet tall and towers over everyone including the Rhino. And the one that was in the lead of them was a big wolf demi-human. Though unlike Arcat he was big in the fat sense being a bit pudgy but still with muscle on him. Unlike his men, he wasn't wearing heavy armor but some sort of red uniform with puffy purple striped sleeves, had a big star badge that said Sheriff on it, and a small red hat with a small red feather on it.

There were about 20 of these soldiers totaling the two groups together to 50. The squad was outnumbered 10 to 1 but none of them looked scared not even Melty.

The Sheriff then finally spoke up, "Well well, look what we have here, a group of unruly monkeys. I've been getting reports about some blonde-haired monkey messing around with the people and disturbing the peace and I was mostly ignoring it. But then I hear that you injured my boy when he was just doing his business. I an't going to let you harm the good taxpayers of this good little town. So what do you have to say to yourself before I skin your hinds?" The sheriff threatened as his men drew out their swords.

"We are here to stop your little bastard's exploitive bullshit! And your corruption!" Bakugou yells at the sheriff who just laughs.

"Exploitive!? Corrupt!? I'm merely protecting the good citizens here and of course good protection requires a lot of good money to happen. It's not like these low-casters are going to spend that money on anything worth meaning anyway. But I don't know why it's any of your business anyway considering you're most likely not even native to Siltvelt or are slaves to anyone." The Sheriff excuses to them, even though they knew he was just spouting bullshit.

Arcat then spoke up, "Papa why are we wasting our time with these shit flingers?! Let's just kill them and skin them alive!"

"Quiet boy! There is no need to start a fight if we don't have to. Your teeth probably wouldn't be busted if you weren't so impatient. Besides I just had my bath so I don't want to get dirty now so sit for a second boy!" The Sheriff scolds his son who groans and sits down like a dog holding on to his injured mouth.

The Sheriff then turned back to Bakugou, "Like I said, I want to avoid any fighting in this nice little town, so how about this. Unless you really do want to be skinned alive, you and your little harem will strip down of everything you all have and hand it over to me. That will be your bail and your free to run off back to Melromarc." The Sheriff demands from Bakugou 'If you even make it back alive anyway' he continued quietly.

But this only made Bakugou more eager to fight, "Like you scare me! I've seen stuff scarier than any of you furry freaks!" he insulted them.

The Sheriff just shakes his head and takes out his long sword, "Very well then. Alright Boys looks like the monkeys are being unreasonable, looks like we have to make an example of other unruly monkeys. Kill them." The Sheriff orders with his men slowly approaching the group.

Arcat grins as he stands back up and allows his men to do the same thing.

Team Bakugou was now surrounded by 50 corrupt knight and criminal gangsters.

Bakugou turns to his team, "Blue attack on your right, Kirishima attack left, Brown hair provide long-range support and kick the ass of any attacker that gets close to you, princess blue hair you can help out with her but don't try to directly engage anyone. I'll attack head center."

"So do we kill them or not?" Neia asked.

"Alive, I'm sure the people of this town would like to have their fun when we beat the shit out of them," Bakugou answered as he starts firing off his quirk.

The enemy gets close to the team until they finally all started to charge in. Bakugou then lets off an explosion on the ground and launched himself in the air, and just as the group was shocked by the display he lands and caused a big explosion at the center. This knocked a few of them out and caught the sheriffs and Arcats men off guard.

Neia jumps in on her right and attacks the corrupted guards and gangsters as she fought with fast speed and agility.

Rino supports everyone with her stat-boosting magic and blasts at a few of the enemy with light arcane magic and using her spear to any attackers that engaged her with Melty behind her as support.

Kirishima jumps and attacks at the left, crushing armor and bones with his strength from his tail, teeth, and claws. Many enemies were also given a good taste of his fireballs.

Bakugou had the most heat as a bunch of the men attempted to overwhelm Bakugou only for the shield hero to block and blast at the two groups. The Sheriff with his long sword along with his son Arcat attacks him as Bakugou holds them and their best men off.

It was quite the spectacle for the town as the demi-human citizens hide away and watch the giant fight as these humans fight off the Sheriff and Arcats men.

But despite their numbers, the gangsters and corrupt guards were getting beaten to the ground one by one. Even some of their biggest and higher-level men are no match for the Shield heroes group.

The groups saw it and were starting to get more aggressive, a bunch tried to go after Rino figuring she was the weakest of them, but they ended up being proven wrong as she and Melty knock them out.

Neia held her own against the groups and engaging a few trying to attack Rino helping her out. And against the larger guys she uses her electricity blasts to stun them while Rino blasted them away with her magic.

It seemed fine for the three, but when Melty turns to her left, "Rino watch out!" she shouted.

Rino turns to see the elephant demi nearly smashing her in with a giant hammer. The demi-human packaderm engages Rino as it tries over and over again to kill her.

And while Rino was fighting the elephant, Neia turns to see the Rhino demi looking right at Melty from a distance very pissed off, "You thought that was funny what you did earlier huh!? Let's see you laugh with a smashed head!?" the Rhino yells to Melty who looked scared as the large rhino charges himself at her. Despite her still conflicted feelings Neia had to act and runs and grabs away with Melty barely dodging the rhino while she held Melty tight as the Rhino smashes his fists in the ground. The rhino becomes blood raged as he throws punch after punch at the young elf and princess as she grips the elf's back. Both Neia and Melty blast magic water and electricity at him, but he seemed to have high water and electric resistance magic armor on as it barely does much to it. On her own, it wouldn't be too much of an issue to Neia but with Melty to worry about it was more problematic.

At the same time Rino continues her fight with the elephant, it seems like the giant can take a hit as magic barely affects it, so her light attacks were only doing so much and when she tried to create earth walls the elephant man breaks them down.

Two other gangsters attempted to attack from behind but Rino just ducks and the elephant ends up accidentally hitting the two sending them flying.

With an opening Rino stabs the elephant on its shoulder injuring it, but the large Demi-human continues to try to smack Rino away.

Neia and Melty continued to avoid the rampaging Rhino as it continued to try to get revenge on Melty even smashing through walls to get to the two. But then the elf girl looks behind to see Rino. While she was holding back the elephant she nods toward Neia with her nodding back getting an idea that Melty was out of the loop.

Neia runs toward the elephant while the Rhino charges again. When Neia was right behind the elephant demi, she shouts, "Hey ugly!" getting the giant's attention distracting him from Rino. The elephant was about to smash her with her hammer. But just in the nick of time Neia still with Melty on her back slides right under it and the Rhino smashes right at the elephant's crotch area. It wines in pain, but before the Rhino could recover or realize what he did, the elephant got pissed and with his trunk it starts choking the rhino and punches his head over and over with it even knocking off his horn.

While distracted Neia jumps on the elephant's back after she dropped off Melty and before the elephant could react, "Electric shock!" Neia uses all of her power to give the elephant a massive surge of electricity. So much that it couldn't take it as the giant screams in pain.

After Neia used all of her mana the smoking fried elephant could barely stand up as it still held on to the rhino who was still dazed from the painful punches. The elephant finally just falls frontward on the ground groaning in pain with the rhino underneath it doing the same.

After that the girls high five each other for the teamwork, even Neia and Melty. The two did move away after doing that but they weren't going to let it hang this time. After that they went back to help fight off the rest of the gang and corrupt cops.

Kirishima continued to be as brutal as possible as so many of his opponents end up with burnt marks, large claw cuts, or bite marks.

Some of the group with ice magic attempt to use their powers to hold back the dragon and so far it did work. The group laughed thinking they had it in the bag with the dragon cornered. But unfortunate to them Kirishima finally just turns into his giant form now towering over all the demi-humans.

His opponents look up in horror and shock as some even drop their weapons knowing they were screwed. They attempt to make a run for it only for Kirishima to just smash them at the ground with his tail. The one's with ice magic attempt to fight back and try to freeze him, only for Kirishima to beat them with his burning hot fire nearly burning them to a crisp only staying alive by using their own magic on themselves, but after that Kirishima just smashes them on the ground with his clawed wings.

With Bakugou he had to deal with the main force attacking on all sides with only his shield as protection and his quirk as an offense. But despite their numbers and armor Bakugou continued to fight and blasted and kicked the asses of each and everyone of them. The sheriff and Arcat were the strongest and most skilled of all of them and attempt to overpower Bakugou with their minions but Bakugou continued to rapidly blasted and knock the living shit out of every corrupt guard and gangsters.

Bakugou eventually started to go all out like a mad man and rapidly blasted enemy after enemy at the face without mercy or lenience, breaking bones and knocking out teeth. It soon left only the Sheriff and Arcat as they began to lose their cools and started to fight more aggressively and animal-like as their armor and clothes rip apart acting more ravenous. But despite that Bakugou continued to fight as just as aggressive and blasted at the father-son duo and blocked their attacks.

The sheriff attempts one more aggressive charge at Bakugou with him shouting, "Explosion shield!" with the shield instantly transforming and absorbed some of his sweat. Once the sword hits the shield the cardinal weapon blows on him, stunning the sheriff and shatters his sword. After Bakugou blasts Arcat in the face he then blasts himself over the stunned sheriff and shouts "AP SHOT!" Blasting him in at his unarmed back and with it broke his aging spine.

"Daddy!" Arcat shouts seeing his father now in deep pain on the ground no longer able to fight. Arcat attacks faster and more aggressive with his sword trying to cut Bakugou into pieces, but after one more swipe at him, Bakugou blocked the sword with the normal shield and then grabbed his opponent by his snout, and before Arcat could react Bakugou smashes the wolfs head on his knee and breaks his already damaged mouth and with the bottom of his shield he bashed it on Arcats head damaging it even more.

After that Arcat was dazed and in deep pain losing the last of his teeth, no longer able to think clearly. Bakugou finally ended it by blasting him in the face and falls on his just as knocked out dad.

After that it was all over, every single one of the sheriff and Arcat's men was all defeated, on the ground knocked out or are moaning in pain.

After that many of the townsfolk come out of their hiding places and looked toward the standing heroes in awe and surprise. To them, these hairless monkeys, no these humans had not only defeated Arcat's gang and the sheriff's men, but both at the same time and they all still came up top.

Quickly enough, Bakugou had his crew strip the injured gangsters and guards from their weapons and armor and just threw them all on a large pile.

Despite his broken toothless mouth Arcat still couldn't believe what had happened while he was thrown on top of the large pile, "How.. how the hell is this possible? You... your just a bunch of brainless bald monkeys?" he groans still not taking the defeat well.

Bakugou then responds by stepping his boot on Arcat's mouth, "That's a bald ape to you, and I've fought stronger than low life thugs and corrupt cops. Your fate was predestined from the start." Bakugou mocks as he smirks down at him.

The sheriff finally spoke up himself, "Wait until this gets out shit flinger. *cough* you will be wanted for all of this and they'll burn your body with iron rods along with your squad of whores."

Bakugou just responds to him with a kick in the face knocking a few of his teeth out as well, "I like to see them try, this isn't the first time someone gave me a speech like yours and they won't be the last."

It seemed fine now, but unknown to the crew there was one more of their men they didn't take into account. A lone weasel demi holding onto a large knife hiding up at on the roof of a building. He was ready to surprise the crew and strike this human in one shot.

Once it seemed Bakugou had completely dropped his guard, the weasel jumps to strike at Bakugou's spine.

"Shield hero watch out!" Melty shouted quickly seeing it.

But Bakugou quickly turns around just in time and blocks the knife attack. This causes energy and sparks to appear surprisingly his attacker. As it tried to overpower the shield in just a few seconds the power of the shield overwhelmed and snapped the knife in half.

"Wha.. what kind of shield is that!?" the weasel asked with terrified voice who was just as surprised as the rest of the town. But all Bakugou did was give him a threatening growl. The weasel knowing how screwed he was just jumps on the body pile knowing he was going to end there anyway.

Such a display surprised everyone especially the townspeople. Everyone was focused on Bakugou and more specifically his shield after they got a good look at it, as its gem glowed with its energy power.

It looks magical to everyone, and it also looked familiar as they start to gather up.

"Where did you get such a shield?" one of the townsfolk asked.

"What's it to you?" Bakugou responds back.

Then the mole demi-human Darnar from earlier came out of the crowd, "Wait a second everyone, that shield? I have seen it before." he shouts and was holding a book, and from what Bakugou could see from a distance the title states "Holy Shield Bible". The mole opens up the book for everyone to look and on one page it showed an illustration of a shield, the holy cardinal shield that looked exactly like Bakugou's default shield.

Everyone looked back at Bakugou and his shield and it was an exact match to the bibles picture.

The people began to put all the pieces together as begin to look in awe at the young hero that started to weird out Bakugou.

"I can't believe it? it's him! It's really him!" Another of the townsfolk said out loud.

"Him who?" Bakugou asked.

"The Shield hero, you are the cardinal shield hero!" Darnar answered with the rest of the town now looking at Bakugou as if he was the center of the universe, "You really have come back to the mortal world, and saved us from those exploitive monsters and against the waves!" Darnar continued.

All eyes were now on Bakugou and his party that looked equally freaked out "All praises to the shield hero!" another townsperson shouts

And quickly almost the entire town was now bowing before toward Bakugou on their knees.

While Bakugou usually enjoys praises, this was on another level of creepiness to him along with his sidekicks.

With Arcat barely able to hold his head up saw the whole thing, "The shield hero? You got to be shitting me!?"

"We're fucked now!" the sheriff groans to himself.

Soon some of the townsfolk began to raise back up with there hands clapped together,

"Please forgive me shield hero! I'm sorry for not allowing you to shop in my store! I should have never rejected you! You can have my entire store if you like!" a weapons shop owner that Bakugou meet earlier says to his supposed god which made Bakugou step back a bit. But unfortunately for him more began to pile upon him as well as his sidekicks.

"I'm also sorry for calling you monkeys earlier, you are free to punish me for such a sin!"

"I should've given you proper meals! I'm sorry for such a slothful service!"

"Punish me my lord in any way you like for not seeing you as who you really are!"

"Forgive me for my sins, Lord Bakugou!"

"Please bless our crops Shield hero!"

"Are you three his angel guardians? Have you come from heaven to support our lord?!"

"Help us all repent!"

the townsfolk all shouted now with everyone apologizing and requesting from Bakugou. Bakugou was now kind of missing them being racist against him. Even All Might didn't have to deal with fans like this, did he?

"Will all of you be quiet!" Bakugou finally raises his voice but the people continue to ignore him.

"I said be quiet!" he shouts again but his voice was being drained out.

"Will you just shut up!" he starts to yell but the voices just got louder and louder with all the demi-humans giving apologies and requests all so close to him now, which he had enough of.

"SHUT UPPPPP!" Bakugou explodes as well as setting off his quirk in the air, it finally made the people silence themselves as they step away afraid they accidentally angered there god.

Bakugou finally asserted himself in the situation, "Yes you idiots I'm the Shield hero, and I'll take all of your stupid apologies from earlier if it will just shut you up. Except for these bastards they have definitely sinned." Bakugou points toward the pile of Arcat, the sheriff and their men knowing they can't do anything now against as the shield hero. Bakugou continued, "Now I just want a place to rest at for all of that bullshit earlier, so do any of you have a place for me and my sidekicks to go to? And just rasie your damn hands and not say a word!" Bakugou requested.

Soon enough almost the entire town was raising their hands up, they wouldn't pass the chance to have god rest at their household.

'I hope All Might didn't have to go through this bullshit all the time?' Bakugou groans to himself.

"You and your crew can stay with me!" shouted an elderly voice.

Bakugou was surprised one person actually did after he yelled shut up, and the voice turned out to be an extremely old Demi-human turtleman about the size of All Might's old mentor, with a white beard and eyebrows, and a large turtle shell, and holding on to a cane to help him walk, "I am the lord of this town and region and my mansion will probably be the best to accommodate your standards." he announced.

"Yes that will do!" Bakugou jumped and ran up to him quickly before he heard more from the townsfolk, with his sidekicks following him just as quickly.

But before the head out, Darnar asked one more thing from him, "But what about Arcat and the Sheriff?"

Bakugou quickly turned and just said, "Those bastards are all sinners, so you have my permission to do whatever you want with them." He announced basically sealing their fates.

the lord then said, "Assaulting the shield hero is considered a capital offense, so I agree, have fun with them." he tells everyone.

The townsfolk then turn toward the pile with the former sheriff and Arcat smiling nervously at the pissed off citizens, "Let's stone all of them!" one person shouted with that everyone run toward the group and began to tie them up or beak them to a pulp.

At that point it was none of Bakugou's concern and his crew followed the lord with his escort to his manor.

It was a small manor, not too much bigger than lord smi's was but it was comfortable enough to be at while the town of pissed-off demi-humans was stoning all the beaten-up bastards to death including Arcat and the former sheriff.

Bakugou and the others sat down on the couch in the large living room as the lord the town came in himself to sit down, "Thank you again for coming here Lord Bakugou. I'm sorry for how people reacted to you, they are just excited to see the shield hero. We never summoned one in centuries. I should also thank you again for dealing with Arcats scar crafters and that bastard Sheriff, I knew of his corruption and him and his son's exploitation operations for years, but with most of the guard in his pocket and with my frail old age, I was unable to do any to stop him. But thanks to you and your party, their reign of terror has ended and are being brought to justice. I hope all of you can get what you need while you are here" the Lord explains to him while showing off his mansion.

Bakugou leaned himself back with his feet on a stool, "Whatever, we are probably only going to spend the night here then we are off to the capital." he told him bluntly.

The turtle lord just nods, "I understand, you must have other things to get done and stop these wild waves. How about I inform the crown that you are coming, so they can be ready for you and not think your just some random human-like the folks here thought at first." he asked him.

"Sure fine do it, I don't want to deal with unresponsive bullshit anymore anyway," Bakugou responds just tired right now, more from the townspeople trying to overwhelm him than from the battle before it.

The lord nods again and he began to slowly walk away with a lizard man assistant helping him toward his work quarters to his crystal ball.

After he was out of sight Bakugou was finally able to speak.

"Man what a day! To think so much bullshit happened from just trying to look for some answers." Bakugou says out loud.

Rino then pitched in, "Yeah and the whole town made a complete 180 on you from hating you to worshiping you."

"I knew about the shield hero-worship crap before coming here, but I didn't think it would be this bad," Bakugou says.

"Still we did the right thing and saved the town from evil people." Neia also says trying to lift her master's spirits., "Hopefully once we are at the capital, we will not have to deal with similar things again." She continued.

But Bakugou doubted that, considering the corrupt powerful church, the zealous citizens, and this caste system. What problems they have here are probably even worst at the heart of this empire. He'll have to see the leadership just to know how things are run here.

He then saw Melty walking up in front if him, getting the shield hero's attention, "Regardless of how you are feeling Sir Bakugou, you did a good thing out there today, helping the mole man, standing up to those bad men. You became a hero to these people before they even knew that you were one. You may act very unorthodox and have a rude attitude but as the future ruler of Melromarc, I can say now that you have impressed me Shield hero. Your actions rather than your words have proved to me that you are a hero." she finishes herself.

While it sounded like she was trying to suck up to him, Bakugou can't help but like the fact that this girl is starting to understand him now.

It was a strange day for them. Starting out being seen as a violent monkey to now being seen as a god.

---

Back at Melromarc's castle at the sunset, a troubling atmosphere had been brewing within the throne room. On the morning of that day. The day after Bakugou left the King ordered a summoning of the noble assembly diet with them or their representatives required to show up as soon as possible. The throne room was crowded with these nobles along with major Land lords and leaders of powerful Merchants guilds, all wondering what the king had summoned them for? Whatever it was, they knew it was something serious. It was in such short notice that many knights were carrying crystal balls with images of nobles that couldn't be there or were too far to make it there in time to watch the whole thing and still have a voice on the matter.

King Aultcray was at his throne but lacking his crown, he haven't had it replaced yet. And right beside him on his right was Pope Balmus and on his left was Princess Malty awaiting the heroes to show up.

And finally the three cardinal heroes did showed up. Like the nobles, they were summoned to the castle to hear what the King had to say.

Once the heroes were at the center of the throne room the King finally spoke, "Thank you all for coming, I ordered all of you here to bear awful news... My second-born child your future Queen, Princess Melty has been kidnapped!" the news was quite shocking to everyone as the nobles from the stands gossip about. While a kidnapped child who was a princess no less is a serious thing they knew there was more to it than that to summon the nobles and heroes here.

"And do you know who kidnapped her?" Ren asked.

"I indeed know. It was none other than the Devil with the shield, Katsuki Bakugou." Aultcray announced causing a mass of gasping and talk out loud in the stands.

"The shield hero? Are you sure about this?!" shouted one noble.

Aultcray then turned to his daughter Malty, "Malty my dear will you explain what you and the knights saw."

Malty then walked up and made herself look sad in the face, "It was terrible, I was in the market buying medical items for Motoyasu's injuries from the last wave, and I saw my sister with the shield devil. I didn't know why at first but what father told me, she was naively trying to talk to the shield devil with her bodyguards. But then the devil grabbed hold of her and kidnapped her. My sister's guards attempted to fight back but the Shield devil's minions had fought them off and ran off on his dragon." Malty completely lies crying crocodile tears thinking she has the nobles on her fingertips as she does with her father.

Then one of Melty's bodyguards walked up toward the king, the one Malty scratched his face, "It was true, we fought them off but they used cheap magic tricks to deceive us. The devil even left these scar marks on my face." He lies to everyone.

"And where was the shield hero going to?" Aultcray asked, he knew the answer already but he wants everyone to know where.

"To Siltvelt sir." the knight answered causing even more commotion from the stands.

"Thank you brave knight, you may be seated again," Aultcray says as the knight moves back where he was at. Aultcray then looks toward the cardinal heroes, "It is clear that the shield devil is plotting a full-scale invasion with his demi-human hordes, and is using Princess Melty as a war hostage. That is why we must strike now and invade Siltvelt while their guard is down trying to plan for war and end it as swiftly as possible. It will be spearheaded by you three. You shall become official generals to the armies. I promise to bring you three great riches and rewards for this. And perhaps even a royal marriage afterward." Aultcray announced with Malty blowing kisses at Motoyasu who was just eating it up.

Motoyasu then saluted, "Yes sir King! I'll bring Myne's sister back to safety and bring down that monster!" he announces with Aultcray and Malty smiling at that.

Itsuki also liked the idea, with the promise of money and fame for killing Bakugou and a bunch of people who suck up to him is more than enough motivation for him to join, "I will be of great service King Aultcray, I will also save Princess Melty and bring Bakugou to justice for this." he announced and just thinking about Bakugou execution brings a smile to his face.

Aultcray nods his head in approval, "That's what I like to hear. Now heroes we'll be discussing our strategy and troop movements when we..."

"I refuse." Said a voice out loud that surprised the King and the Princess. They looked down at the one who said that. Cardinal Sword Hero Ren Amaki.

"What did you say Sword hero?" Aultcray demands with a serious tone in his voice.

Ren then responds, "I said I refuse, I want no part in this war."

This fact surprised everyone from the nobles in the stands to the knights, to the 2 other cardinal heroes, and the crown.

Aultcray went from surprised to looking angry really quick, "And why do you refuse Sword hero Amaki?" Aultcray asked.

"Because I'm not going to be involved in your political machinations. We heroes were summoned to save the world from the waves, not to get involved in your wars for political gains or petty grudges." Ren announced to the king.

Aultcray was starting to look angry, "Did you not hear that my daughter, the royal princess and heir to Melromarc's throne has been kidnapped by the Shield hero?!" he raises his voice.

Ren just shakes his head, "The only proof of that was Myne and the Knight's testimony. And over and over again I've only seen just how much of a liar your daughter is, and I know the knights can be just bought off considering you tried to silence the crowd in Bakugou's and Motoyasu's duel. To me they are completely unreliable witnesses. So no I don't believe in any of this without any sort solid proof or evidence."

Malty looked pissed off as was her father, "The fact is still clear that Melty is missing and the last person she was with was the shield devil so it's bluntly obvious what happened to her."

"And did you or anyone else for that matter did any sort of major investigation or lookup for any other witnesses with no biased agenda or spend more than one day on it and not immediately jumped to your own conclusions? There should be a proper ongoing investigations to find where your daughter went, but you don't care about what actually happened, all you care about is going after Bakugou who you hate so much that you will use any excuse you can get away with." Ren retorts back.

Aultcray could barely hold back his anger as Ren continues to defy him, "Sword hero you better watch your mouth! I've been tolerant of you for a while but now I'm on my wit's end, you need to participate and fulfill your duty as a hero along with your two other heroes at arms! I will not take no for an answer!"

"Our duty is to save the world from the waves, I don't recall fighting in your own wars to be what we agreed on. I said myself I will only cooperate if you tried to renege with us and right now your doing nothing but reneging!" Ren continues to talk back.

Ren then turns toward Itsuki and Motoyasu, "And you two are just going along with this for your own personal gains."

"What the hell are you talking about, we're doing what we were summoned here to do, save the world and be heroes." Motoyasu defends himself and Itsuki.

Ren just shakes his head, "Motoyasu you are clearly only doing this because Myne told you to do it and just want to be on her father's good side." Motoyasu looked surprised that Ren saw him like that, "and Itsuki you are just doing this for the money and to get revenge on Bakugou." Ren continued.

"Yeah and so what, this is a quest given to us by an employer. We are just doing what we are supposed to do, get stronger and fight off the waves and this will get me stronger and we will bring justice to this criminal" Itsuki excuses himself, but Ren was right he was just in it for the money he thought he deserves that was taken away from him and revenge and justice against Bakugou for leaving him in that position.

"Whatever you guys say, either way, I'm not changing my mind. I won't stop this war of yours, but don't expect me to get involved, so good luck." Ren finally says as he turns around as he walked away from the center of the throne room with everyone staring.

The King nearly lost it again as yet another hero was just ignoring him. He yells out, "Listen here Sword hero! I'm giving this last warning! You will participate in this war and be a general! If you dare not to listen to your king, as of right now the court ends any sort of funding and support of you! I will also tell everyone far and wide how much of a pathetic coward you really are! No one will ever see you with any dignity or respect in this kingdom ever again!"

That did make Ren pause for a second and after a few seconds of silence the King figured his threat convinced him to go back to his side making him smile smugly, "That's more like it now how about we.."

"The answer is still no." Ren says out loud surprising everyone and made the king mad again, "Tell everyone whatever the hell you want, tell them I'm a rapist for all I care. If Bakugou can live and survive with it then so can I. And I never asked for your help any way I'm most likely the strongest person here right now so cut whatever support you want, I'm a hero not a pawn to your games." he finally says to the king and continues to walk away again. He walked until he was near the exit of the throne room still lacking its doors as he leans on the wall to listen to the rest of this nonsense.

Aultcray was about to lose it, "HOW DARE YOU! I'LL..." But Aultcray's outburst was quickly stopped after the Pope put his hand on his shoulder.

"Let's not be too wrathful at this time my lord, we still have other business to attend to, I can talk to you on what we can do about the sword hero later." the pope whispers to him.

While still mad, Aultcray understood his pope as he backed himself down, "Very well, it's not like we are short on loyal heroes anyway. The Spear and the bow will be our generals and will spearhead the war for us." he says towards Itsuki and Motoyasu who both nodded in approval.

Aultcray then looked out toward the stands, "I'll also be expecting the lords to ready their levies as we organize ourselves and start the war as soon as possible." he announced toward them making all the nobles gossip more with a now worrying atmosphere.

Aultcray continued, "Now with our plan of attack first we will..."

"Hold on a second!" Shouted a voice in the stands surprising the King that someone would interrupt him like that.

"Do you have a reason to interrupt?" Aultcray asked in an irritated manner.

A noblewoman then rose up from the stands, "You want to start this war King Aultcray, but what about the waves? The last war with Siltvelt lasted years, and the waves are coming on a monthly basis, if we start a war while our troops are fighting against Siltvelts forces, our lands will be defenseless in the incoming waves!" This started a lot of talking with the nobility.

"We have nothing to worry about. Unlike before we have the cardinal heroes with us, with them and with my strategic mind we can spearhead our way through Siltvelts forces and strike at their capital quickly and save Princess Melty and erase that empire of monsters for good, and be back before the next wave starts." Aultcray retorts back to the noblewoman

But the noblewoman did not look satisfied by her Kings answer neither were many of the other nobles, "No offense my lord but you only have 2 of the cardinal heroes willing to participate in this war, the shield hero is supposedly at Siltvelt now, the nation you intend to go to war with and the sword hero had just said he refused to be involved. And as for the 2 you do have, I don't have any confidence in their abilities." She responds back with quite a few nobles nodding in agreement on that statement. Aultcray was starting to get irritated again.

Motoyasu and Itsuki also did not like what she said, "What the hell do you mean you have no confidence in us!?" Itsuki shouted getting offended by that.

The Noblewoman responds again, "You two have either been proven to be just incompetent at your jobs or have done nothing but cause trouble."

"What do you mean by that!?" Motoyasu shouted.

Another nobleman stood up, "First of all you had allowed yourself to be beaten up by the shield hero and he forced you to beg on the floor in your underwear. You are expecting us to have any confidence in you fighting a major war? From a weakling?"

Motoyasu groans and facepalms to himself to be reminded of that duel, again and again, it was like a nightmare that will never go away.

Another different noblewoman stood up to speak, "And the bow hero has spent most of his time killing our own kinsmen and he supported a rebellion in Tervine and attempted to assassinate their king. This fool shouldn't be trusted for any of our armed forces." And with that many of the nobles started to speak up on that on the 2 heroes, with Itsuki now getting extremely pissed off.

"I've been trying to enact justice in this corrupt society. I've been making this world a better place while people like you willow in your own bullshit! I kill those that deserve it!" Itsuki announced out loud not liking his name to be insulted like that.

"You murdered my cousin you little brat!" shouted one nobleman out in the stands.

"Good and I enjoyed it!" Itsuki shouted and suddenly a giant roar of nobles started yelling and throwing things at Itsuki for saying such a thing.

"ENOUGH!" Aultcray shouted slamming his fists on his throne forcing everyone to quiet down, "I don't care what any of you think of the heroes, they are still our greatest weapons against the forces of darkness. And right now the dark empire of Siltvelt is planning to invade us soon so we need to put aside any petty grievances and kill that monster they worship. Now getting back to business I.."

"Hold it Aultcray!" shouted one nobleman with dark hair, a white coat over his noblemen's clothing, and had small glasses on.

"God Lord what now!" Shouted Aultcray getting tired of the interruptions, as he looks up mad at the nobleman, "Van Reichnott you better have something relevant to say!" he yells in anger, knowing who this noble was.

The nobleman Van Reichnott pushes up on his glasses and spoke out, "Aultcray when were you ever given such authority to even start a war? Isn't this the authority of our nation's Queen to decide?"

Aultcray continued to look angrily at Reichnott as he responds, "Well Queen Mirelia is not here. I am her regent, so my order is her order as well."

Reichnott just shakes his head, "You claim that but you were never her first pick as regent, last I recall Lord Seaetto was her majesties first pick to run the country in her absence, not you."

Aultcray was starting to clutch his hands together to be hearing that name again, "And look at what happened to him when he tried saving a bunch of worthless demi-humans. He's dead now along with his daughter. And yet here I am still alive and well!"

Despite feeling so mad at the king insulting his good friend like that Reichnott kept his calm demeanor and continued to argue with him, "That still doesn't change the fact that the Queen did not think you were best to tun the country without her. Your claim that your word is her word reigns hollow to many of us. I propose we wait for the Queen's return for her decision of war or not." He responds back with the other nobles speaking up agreeing to his proposal. Though not all of them, a few of the anti-demi human crowd were against this and wanted this war.

Aultcray then spoke up again, "Don't any of you get it!? My daughter has been kidnapped and is being held hostage! There is no time to wait for my wife to return, we need to mobilize all of our forces and act now!"

Reichnott shakes his head in disapproval, "We are not even 100% sure if Princess Melty is even in Siltvelt now, or even being held hostage. She could've been taken hostage by one of our nobles for all we know. I agree with Sword hero Ren, we need to do a more thorough investigation first before we do such an act as declaring war."

Malty then moved away from her father's side to look up toward Reichnott looking mad for trying to ruin her plans, "Lord Reichnott! My dear sister is in danger and you dare ignore my testimony!" she shouts still pretending she even cares about Melty's wellbeing.

Reichnott shakes his head again, "I'm afraid you are no longer a trustworthy witness your little majesty. Your testimony in Sir Katsuki Bakugou's trial was dubious at best with numerous holes that your father refused to question. And you bluntly lied about his partner stealing a ring of yours. And during that duel with the spear hero, you cheated for him out in the open."

"I agree!" shouted another noble and it was none other than the old lord from Lout village, "This brat also cheated at the duel in my village. She can't be trusted at all!"

Malty was about to lose her temper, "I order you both to be silent you ungrateful welps! I'm the crown princess and I will not tolerate!.."

"Malty! Please calm down, daddy will handle this trash myself!" Aultcray interrupted his daughter who still looked absolutely mad by people who dare say no to her. After she angrily walks back to her father Aultcray spoke up again getting tired of this nonsense, "Lord Reichnott I do not care what you think about my daughter or her word, I've made my decision and I'm not changing it. We will go to war and that is that!"

"You decide whatever you want but the noble assembly will make our own decision." Reichnott then raised his hand up, "Those in favor of war immediately raise your hands!"

And with that a few of the nobles and lords rose there hands up, those who hated demi-humans and want to see them suffer or enslave more of them, those that supported and respected Aultcray or were his old war friends, those who were devoted followers of the three heroes church who support the war, or those that saw profit in this war especially from the merchant banking guilds. There were quite a few hands, but they were obviously in the minority of the assembly about only 20% of it.

When they laid down their hands, Reichnott then said, "And those who oppose and we wait for the Queen's return first raise your hands now!"

And just as before the rest of the assembly raised their hands. Even though some of these lords and nobles might have Demi-human slaves themselves or were not fond of them, they did not see a war as a good idea, there were also those who actually liked the Shield hero for all he did for some of them or the country, those that don't see the good for the economy, those more concern about the waves, and those that are fearing that Aultcray was now overexerting his power and see him becoming a tyrant. They were the majority of 80% of the vote making it clear who won making Aultcray lose whatever temper he had left.

Reichnott then spoke up again, "And the assembly has made up its mind, we shall not go to war!" The nobles that were against the war cheered on and clapped for him, while the nobles that did support it remained silent and looked mad toward him.

Aultcray had enough of this and stood up, "I don't care what any of you idiots think! War is going to happen whether you like it or not! I expect you hand over control of your men and levies to the crown immediately!

The majority of the assembly looks down at their King with a mad look in their eyes.

Reichnott speaks up once more, "I afraid we made up our minds Aultcray, I nor is the majority of the assembly going hand over a single solider to you!" after that the nobles on his side started to shout and insult Aultcray and supporting Reichnott.

"Then this is treason! If you refuse to follow a direct order from your king I will..!"

"Just you wait Aultcray!" Reichnott interrupted his king as he points to the soldiers holding on to the crystal balls with the nobles in them watching the event, "If you try to arrest us here and now, you will not be able to arrest the nobles who are away from here, watching through the crystal balls or just have there trusted representatives here. You do such an act as to mass arrest the assembly they will be informed of what you have done and will have their soldiers along with all of our men to fight against you along with many of the peasantry who will not support such a tyrannical act! So be careful of what you say next, or you will deal with the terrible consequences from it!" He finishes as he looks down at Aultcray.

Aultcray stares back in silence as the entire room remained quiet as the stubborn king thought his actions through. As much as he wanted to just make the guards arrest the entire assembly Reichnott did have a point about the nobles who were just watching away from here by the magic orbs. He wants to start his war and save Melty as soon as possible, but he can't if he is dealing will rebelling nobles or peasants wanting to overthrow him.

It made Aultcray almost explode in anger as clutches his fists trying his best not to shout for their executions. But finally the silence ended when Aultcray points up his index finger, "One week! You have one week to raise and organize your levies for war. If you don't by the deadline, you and everyone else who refuses will be labeled as traitors and be set for execution!" He announced to the assembly not changing his stance of war.

Reichnott and the rest of the noble and lord's heads look down with contempt at Aultcray. With Reinchnott finally saying, "If you try to do so, we will fight back against you and sure you are out of your position for good.".

With that said Reichnott and Aultcray stared at each other again in the eyes with now dead frustration with one another.

Aultcray finally just says, "One week, and that's it. The assembly is now dismissed, you may leave and make up your minds where your loyalties lie at."

After that the King turns around and leaves for the exit, the assembly follows suit, now it seems both sides have a lot to be ready for in a week's time. There were now two sides in this kingdom, the loyalist Aultcrayists, and the opposing Reichnottists.

Itsuki and Motoyasu left toward the doors as they give mad looks at the sword hero on the way out. Ren also leaves as he turns around in the opposite direction out the broken throne doors. Even though wanted to remain neutral to all of this, he fears that Melromarc was now on the verge of a Civil War.

---

In a small private room Aultcray stood there with all of his anger built up, he never saw such disgrace in his life not just from the opposing nobles, but to the sword hero. To think two heroes just ignored him like nothing, that even with all of his titles, his authority means nothing to those traitors. The fact that they don't care about his daughter, his poor young daughter being kidnapped by the shield devil.

It pissed him off so much he starts yelling and screaming as he smashes and breaks a bunch of things in the small room finally letting out his rage and anger. He did this over a minute tearing apart the room and making a mess out of it.

Eventually Aultcray got tried and finally stopped. He finally calmed himself down as he sat on a stool that wasn't broken by him. He placed his hand on his head from a headache from all of the stress and anger.

He remained in that state for a minute until he heard the door open up and without warning in came none other than Pope Balmus, "Your majesty I'm sorry to be disturbing anything, but I would like to talk to you for a minute." he requested still giving his warm smile.

Aultcray was relieved to be seeing someone who understands him for once, "Of course, no problem. Just don't mind the mess." Aultcray responds pointing to another stool that wasn't destroyed by him as the pope sat down on it as he looks around the trashed up room, "I see you have been having troubling thoughts King Aultcray, mind discussing them with me?" Balmus requested.

Aultcray would've told anyone else to just leave for now, but he trusts the Pope more than anyone else at this time other than his older daughter Malty. The King signed and spoke, "Yes I'm sorry Balmus, I.. I... ugh... I've just been dealing with so much bullshit lately. That bastard shield hero made a fool out of me, my daughter has been kidnapped by those animals, and now I might have to deal with a Civil war soon. I usually have a plan, but now I don't know what to do with myself." he confesses to the churchman.

The Pope listened in and continued to smile, "I understand my lord. Things have been confusing lately with the waves, your daughter's kidnapping, and Queen Mirella's absence. It's a confusing time and that's why we have the heroes here. That's the issue many people have here, people need ones to look up to and rally under. If they can see the heroes rise up, they will follow and unite under them to fight for or against a common cause. If you have the heroes on your side, the people will follow with you." He advises Aultcray.

The stressed king understood what he was saying, but he wasn't completely convinced yet, "I see what you mean, but even with the bow and Spear hero on my side, they still question my authority and see them as failures."

Balmus then shakes his head and says, "That is why you need all three heroes on your side, having the three cardinal heroes fight for your cause will have most of your lost flock to run back to there shepherd."

"Perhaps, but that Sword hero won't cooperate anymore. You saw it yourself, he refuses to get involved no matter what I say or threaten him with." Aultcray retorts back.

Balmus then smiled again, but this smiled looked a lot more sinister-looking, "If the Sword hero refuses to cooperate, then maybe it might be time to force him to follow us."

Aultcray then looked up in slight surprise, "Force him? What do you mean?" he asked.

"I say we give him the strongest slave crest available and have him be a slave to the crown. He'll be forced to follow your orders including those of the war, and with the 3 cardinal heroes on our side again, we will convince those traitors to follow your word and they're support of you will be so overwhelming that Reichnott words will be silenced and you can just throw him in the dungeon without anyone missing him just like miss Eclair, and we can finally start the war." The Pope tells his King.

Aultcray didn't feel completely comfortable in enslaving a hero. But right now his options are limited and the fear of Civil War is brewing and even if does win it in the end there weakened state would be exploited, Siltvelt will definitely start their invasion and he would lose everything he loved again. All because of those monsters. After half a minute of silence Aulcray finally made up his mind as he stood up, "Your right, we have no choice but to capture the sword hero and enslave him to our cause. It will be for the sake of our church, our people, our Kingdom, and for Melty. I'll get Sir Motoyasu and sir Irtsuki as soon as possible and we will discuss and finally enact our course of action." Aultcray looks toward the window as the sun finally sets now leaving the land in darkness, "I'm coming for you Melty, I won't lose my family again because of a bunch of petulant fools. And I'll be the one to burn the Shield devil on the stake." he finishes himself.

Pope Balmus remained silent as he continues his sinister smile now bigger than ever. Now the pieces are starting to fall into place and soon he and his church will be the ones to say checkmate.

---

The moon was shining bright over Siltvelt's capital as a large Tiger Demi-human watches over the capital on a balcony at the monarchs castle while holding a wine glass. He sees his kingdom functioning as it is suppose to be. Orderly and well maintained like a machine, with all the castes doing what they are told to do and the human slaves learning there place. He liked it no other way and one day he would like it to be the whole world, especially the thorn on his side, Melromarc.

As the large Tiger sips his wine a cat demi-human servant ran up to him as he kneels down before him.

The Tiger noticed and turns toward him, "Do you have important business to interupt me at a time like this?" He demands from the servant.

The cat man finally spoke up, "My Lord, it seems what our spies have said was true. The Shield hero is indeed here in Siltvelt. He is currently at Edvie, with its Lord confirming it a few hours ago through a crystal ball message.

The Tiger-man smiles to himself. Now things have gotten better for him. He turns toward the balcony again and looks down toward his kingdom below now with his sights on the world now that there God has come.

He then says out loud, "Now begins the Golden age of the Siltvelt empire."

---

Authors Note: Yeah this is definitely a bit of a departure of cannon, not that the Devil of the Shield arc is going to be ignored, but I'm sure many of you will piece together on what will happen soon in Melromarc.

It will be interesting to be going to Siltvelt, despite it being a big thing in canon, the author didn't really do much with it other then in the Spear hero spin off. I might be taking some personally liberties with the country as some stuff is pretty vague about the place and how it operates like if it even has a caste system at all or not. There isn't even mention of who the monarch even is, in the spin off they basically just made Naofumi the king and nothing was heard of the old king afterward, but it is my story so I'm doing what will add some more flavor to it and to advance the story so I might be adding stuff to some things to it. So yeah I'm sorry if I did anything majorly wrong with Siltvelt, but in the end its my story and I have a set plot for what I want to do with it, besides I can always fix it later if I can.

Course this doesn't mean he will be staying there forever, and Bakugou will be back at Melromarc eventually but I won't spoil to much on about when or why he would go back. The next few chapters will definitely be interesting to write about.

So thank you all again for reading and I always appreciate your reviews and comments on the story even the constructive criticism that I wish to address and fix if I can.

Thank you all again, and I hope to see you soon.