AN: I noticed that a lot of people have skipped chapter 3 because I uploaded TWO chapter instead of one. Please read chapter 3 AND 4 before reading this chapter.
Chapter 5: The Raccoon Girl
Gwen is over at one of the cages as the two look around. Gwen points at a cage with cloth draped over it as she whispers, "Over here."
Arthur looks at where Gwen is at and walks over. He removes the cloth and sees a small raccoon (called tanuki in Japanese) demi-human roughly around the age of 10 and is in bad shape. As if she has one foot in the grave. Arthur has his eyes widen as he notices something is familiar about the young raccoon girl. So familiar that he starts to get flashes of the young girl as a young lady.
'What the hell?!' he thought to himself. 'Why does this girl look so damn familiar?! Just what the fuck is going on with me!?'
Beloukas asks from one side of the narrow pathway between cages, "Is everything alright, Mr. van Buren?"
Arthur lets go on the cloth and look at Beloukas. "It's nothing." He then headed over where Beloukas is at and towards a cage that has a werewolf-like creature.
"Take a look at this fine specimen here."
The werewolf snarls and gnashes at the cage as Arthur view its stats and revealed to be level 75.
'That thing is twenty times my level! Holy shit! But I think this thing just want to eat me.'
"This combat slave is over level 75 and is highly trained and capable in battles. For a fine price...of 15 gold."
Arthur gives Beloukas a serious look and says, "Showing you your expensive slave in your wares even though you know I can't afford it."
Beloukas laugh, "Indeed. And I have a feeling that you are gonna be one of my best customers. I have a nose for these things. So I wanna make sure you develop a keen eye if you know what I'm saying."
Gwen is back over at the raccoon girl's cage again and points her left thumb at her. Arthur walks over.
"I'm guessing that you already have something in mind?"
"Yeah." Arthur stops and squats down to look at the raccoon girl. 'I know her from somewhere. But I think it is best if I train her up.' "I'll take this one."
The little raccoon girl turns away and appears to be frightened.
"Are you sure?" Beloukas asks and is a bit confused. "True that demi-humans are cheap but they are more used for manual labor. She is one foot in the grave. Her original owner has a thing for torture and loved to torture."
Arthur raised his voice a little, "I said this girl here would be fine." He scoots forward as he gives the girl his hand while speaking in a softer, more gentler tone. "What's your name?"
The girl looked away and cough.
"It's okay. My name is Arthur van Buren. You're name?"
The girl is still frightened a little as she glances at Arthur with the corner of her eye. "Raphtalia." she spoke in a weak voice.
'That name rings a bell.' "It will be okay, Raphtalia. I'm gonna get you outta here."
Beloukas look at Arthur, "Very well then. I'll prep a slave crest and-"
"That won't be necessary."
"Huh?" Beloukas is confuse on what is Arthur thinking.
"A slave crest will not be necessary. Plus I'll pay an extra 5 silvers if you remove it."
"Um...okay." Beloukas is confused but smiles. Money is money and he gets an extra 5.
Raphtalia is taken out of her cage and has her slave crest removed from her chest. It stings poor Raphtalia but the slave crest is completely removed. Arthur gets a notice from his status that says that she has her as a companion.
"There you go sir." Beloukas finishes. "Now about my pay?"
Arthur hands Beloukas a small bag of 35 silvers. "Here you go." Arthur then walks up towards Raphtalia and offer her a piggyback ride. "Come on."
"Huh?" Raphtalia is confused on what is going on. First she is freed from her slave crest and now she gets a piggyback ride. She coughs a little before trying to process this new experience.
"Come on now." Arthur speaks in a gentle tone. "Climb aboard."
Raphtalia slowly gets on and Arthur carries her out of the tent. "And away we go."
Beloukas look at Arthur and Raphtalia leaving as he thinks to himself. 'So he really did choose her. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.'
As the two exit the tent Arthur says to Raphtalia, "Just so you know, my name is Arthur. And as of this day forward, you will be my little sister. Plus I'm also the shield hero."
"Awww!" Gwen went as she walks backwards and next to them. "That is so adorable! I always wanted a little sister."
Raphtalia's eyes widen when she heard the word 'shield hero'. Raphtalia remembers what her parents told her.
She remembers the story that her parents told her. She was sitting on her father's lap while she and her parents are by a fireplace. Her mother was knitting as while the father talks.
"Raphtalia." her father speaks, "Do you know of the Four Legendary Heroes?"
Raphtalia smiles and nods, "Mmm-hmm. The one with the sword, the bow, the spear and then um, and the one with the shield!"
"Right. The Shield Hero. Out of all the Cardinal Heroes, the Shield Hero treated us demi-humans very well and were grateful to him."
"He did?! I fo rsure I want to meet him daddy!"
Her mother stops knitting and says, "If you're a good girl, one day I'm sure you will."
Raphtalia smiles and is very happy as her father pets her head.
Over at Erhard's shop...
"Welcome." Erhard gives Arthur a welcome but notices a small demi-human standing next to him. "Well, well. What's with the girl, kid?"
Arthur hands six silvers to Erhard on the counter. "I need a weapon she can use but keep it under six silvers. 'kay?"
Raphtalia then gets changed into a black and red dress of some sort with chain mail underneath and has two copper buttons. I think those are buttons but hard to say, as well as having a knife on her left hip.
"You okay?" Arthur asks.
Raphtalia is a little nervous, "I'm sorry for taking so long, sir."
Arthur smiles, "You don't have to call me that. Calling me sir makes me feel like I'm an old man and I'm only thirteen. Just call me Arthur."
Raphtalia just nods.
"Now then, let's see how good you are with a blade."
"...huh...?"
Arthur revealed that he has an orange balloon monster hidden under his duster which freaked Raphtalia out. He pulls it out and holds it tightly with his hands. "Alright, get to stabbing!"
Raphtalia is still scared as she backed away. Erhard just watches with Gwen right behind him as she peeks over from his right shoulder.
"Don't worry, I have the thing hold down tightly so you can stab it. Come on!"
Raphtalia gulps before taking out her knife and charges at the balloon. But the balloon catches the knife with its mouth and spits on Raphtalia.
"Too weak! You need to put more strength into it! If it catches your blade with its mouth, try adjusting the angle and hit it on the roof!"
Raphtalia gets back up and tries again but with more muscle into it. The balloon catches it again but Raphtalia shoves the knife through the roof of its mouth and cause it to pop. Raphtalia fell down because of the pop but gained 15 exp.
"Hmm?" Arthur notices he got 15 exp too. "I got experience points from that?"
Erhard explains, "That is because she is your companion. My guess is that she doesn't have a slave crest but still set as your companion. Whenever someone from your party strikes down a monster, the experience points is divided equally among the party."
"So that's how it works. Kinda like those old MMO's back then before the apocalypse."
"Say what now?"
"Nevermind." Arthur then gives Raphtalia his hand. "Come on. Hop up."
Raphtalia takes Arthurs hand and gets back up.
"When I was your age, my life was a lot harder and I had to do whatever it takes to survive. But I'm gonna help you survive because your my little sister. Okay?" He looks at Erhard and says, "No, I don't have a thing for little girls, if that's what your thinking."
Raphtalia starts to look determined and nods.
The two exited out of the store and walk down a street. While doing so, Arthur hears a man saying, "Hey, get a move on!"
He turns and looks at a man that has a riding crop and ordering two demi-humans.
"Move your butts you stinking demis."
One of the smaller demi-human children trips.
"I don't have all day you know!"
"I'm sorry!" says the scared child.
Arthur is disgusted by the sight and about ready to punch the guy. However, he hears someone's stomach grumbling and it is Raphtalia's.
Arthur places his hand on Raphtalia, "Come on. Let's go somewhere to eat."
They come towards an inn with a sign that says 'We don't serve demi-humans' on it but Arthur ignored it because he can't read. But Raphtalia can read it.
"Um...Arthur..." she tries to let Arthur know that the place doesn't serve demi-humans.
"Come on now." Arthur interrupts so Raphtalia has no choice but to come on.
"Welcome!" says the innkeep. But realizes that it is the shield hero as he says to himself, "The shield hero?" He looks at the hero with disdain because the idiot believes in the rumors.
Arthur and Raphtalia sit at the table close to the wall. He raises his hand, "Excuse me, sir! Can I get a cheap lunch set and a kids meal for her?"
"Same here!" Gwen says.
"Just a second. It will cost nine coppers."
"I'll give you twelve if you make it quick."
The innkeep gets excited, "Coming!"
When they get their meals, Raphtalia gets excited and starry eye at a flag on her meal.
"Hope you enjoy."
Raphtalia's tail keeps wagging as she gets excited.
Arthur says, "Go ahead and eat-up. You'll need your strength."
"For real!?" Raphtalia asks while in an excited mood and wags her tail faster.
"Yep."
"Yay!" Raphtalia enjoys eating her food while holding the little white flag in her left hand.
The three of them are out in the forest and Arthur grinds up some herbs to make medicine.
Raphtalia coughs some more with Gwen rubbing the back of her head, "There, there. When Arthur makes the medicine, you will be better." She leans close to her right ear, "But keep in mind, it will be bitter."
Arthur finishes making some medicine and rolls the liquid contents into a leaf cup. "That should do it." Arthur takes the medicine to Raphtalia and gives it to he. "Here you go. Make sure you drink up."
Raphtalia takes the medicine and takes a sip, but spits it out. "EW! It's really bitter!"
"Told ya." Gwen smirks.
"Sorry lil' sis. But good medicine is supposed to be bitter. If I had some sugar, it would make it a little easier but we don't have any. Now drink up if you want to get better."
Raphtalia starts to whine about it.
However, something in the bushes started charging at them. Arthur uses his |Airstrike Shield| ability without actually saying it to protect Raphtalia. Raphtalia grabs her knife and starts killing the three Mush monsters.
"That was close." Arthur says as he gets up.
But something else is lurking in the bushes. What comes lurking out is a Pill Rabbit (Usapil in Japanese) that is level 4.
"A rabbit monster?" Arthur says while looking at the monster.
The rabbit then starts to attack Raphtalia while she reacted without thinking by killing the rabbit by stabbing it in the face while screaming. Raphtalia cries when she sees that she is covered in blood and Arthur tries to comfort her.
"It's okay, you did a good job." While Raphtalia keeps crying, Arthur pets her on the head and congratulates her for killing the rabbit in self-defense.
Then a few more showed up later at night but Arthur managed to dispatched them with his bare hands and gained [Rabbit Leather Shield] which increases his agility by 1 and [Rabbit Meat Shield] which increase his dismantling techniques by 1. He looks at the sleepy raccoon girl still asleep and safe in her little sleeping bag. He just smiles as he is glad she is safe.
Later in the evening, Arthur cleans up the blood on Raphtalia before she goes to bed and keeps on making more meds with his homemade mortar and pestle which made made of rocks. Wasn't easy but he made it along with one of those grinding wheels. While doing so, Raphtalia is having a nightmare. The nightmare is about when her home village was attacked by a creature of the first wave, a cerberus.
Raphtalia and her parents were running for their lives until they come across the coastal cliff where they are trap with the cerberus coming closer.
Her father says, "We're sorry, Raphtalia."
Her mother then says, "Please forgive our selfishness, but we want you to live."
Both of them toss Raphtalia off the cliff so she can live while the cerberus kills the two.
Raphtalia wakes up screaming, "NOOOO! MOM! DAD! THEY'RE DEAD! THEY"RE DEAD!"
Arthur stops what he is doing and runs up to comfort her while Raphtalia still screaming. "Shh-shh!" Arthur tries to calm her down. "It's okay! I'm here! Calm down! You're safe!" Gwen hugs them both as Raphtalia starts to calm down.
Not too long after (a few days), the three made their way to the medical shop where he tries to sell some herbs and medicine. This happened after Arthur cuts Raphtalia's hair to see if he can unlock a new shield.
"I have to say, you are pretty good with making medicine." The shop keeper praises Arthur for making such fine quality medicine. "Are you well versed in making medicines, sir hero?"
"I am in a way, but I'm just not used to the plants of this world. But the basics are the same."
"Hmm... I'll give you four silvers for the herbs and medicine."
"Got it."
While exiting the shop, Raphtalia notices two kids playing with a ball and her tail is wagging. Arthur smirks and has a wonderful idea. The three made their way towards someone that sells toys on the street and buys Raphtalia a ball.
Raphtalia gets excited as Arthur hands her the ball, "Thank you, Arthur!"
Arthur chuckles and pets her on the head, "You're welcome. But we'll play once we are done with work."
The three made their way towards Erhard's shop and gets a sword for Raphtalia.
"Well, well." Erhard smiles, "Looks like the little lady is ready for a short sword. Hang on." Erhard checks one of the boxes and pulls out a short sword. "How about a pre-owned iron sword?" But Erhard looks at the katanas Arthur has before selling the sword sword. "Although, what about those two swords on your back?"
"These are more like expert level swords. Plus they are sorta like...family heirlooms."
"Oh I see. Alright then. Just make sure you two be careful."
"Of course." Arthur sweeps Raphtalia off and carries her which she is confuse and Gwen aws. "Raphtalia and I are family now. Family means nobody gets left behind *but looks sad while looking down*...or forgotten."
Raphtalia notices the sad look on Arthur's face and realizes that Arthur must've went through something similar.
"You must had one hell of a life back home, kid."
Arthur looks at Erhard, "Yeah, no joke. But do you know where I can sell some game like monster rabbit furs? I would like to make contacts with another village or town."
Erhard thinks about it for a moment, "Hmm... How about the Village of Lute? It's not too far from here and there used to be a mine full of ore."
"That'll work." Gwen says but no one seems to be noticing her except for Arthur.
"We'll head there."
Raphtalia, Gwen, and Arthur headed over towards Lute Village in search of some lucrative deals with some monster parts and to get further away from the castle town.
The three came across a merchant that seems to deal in small monster goods.
"So how much for the rabbit stuff?" Arthur asks the merchant.
"I'd say around two silvers in all."
"By the way, do you know where the mines are? Because I heard there is some descent ore that could be useful."
The merchant pointed at one of the surrounding mountains while saying, "There is an old coal pit where there is plenty of ore. But after the first wave, some of the monsters started to make their nests there and became too dangerous." Then he starts to complain, "Sheesh! I don't know what our summoned 'heroes' are even doing. But they should at least help us villagers at the very least."
The three made their way towards the mine but stopped at a shack where there are some leftover rope and five pickaxes.
"Hmm." Arthur went. "Let's see here." Arthur picks up one of the pickaxes and puts it in his shield and unlocks the [Pickaxe Shield] which increase his mining skill by 1. "That should work." He picks up another pickaxe and is ready to do some mining. But he looks at Raphtalia, "Ready to do some mining?"
Raphtalia looks unsure but nods.
"Alright. Let me see." Arthur looks around and notices an old oil lamp on a barrel. It is intact and still has some oil still left in it. He gives it to Raphtalia, "Here. This should be helpful."
Raphtalia takes the lamp and says, "Okay."
The three made their way towards the mine and haven't encountered any monsters yet but still on edge. They keep on heading down the mine until they come across an open cavern that has some strange green ore.
"Bingo." Arthur says.
Arthur is using the pickaxe as Raphtalia and Gwen just watch. While Arthur is digging Raphtalia looked over and notices some large dog paw prints.
"Footprints?" Raphtalia says as she looks.
Arthur picks up the ore and says, "There we go. Mining isn't as hard as I thought. Well, except for lead, uranium, and coal mining but I don't see any-"
Gwen stops him from talking and looks really stern with Raphtalia looking scared at the direction of the paw prints. Arthur looks at what they are looking at and sees a two-headed black dog. A monster from the first wave that has taken residence in the mine.
"Oh shit." Arthur says.
Raphtalia screams.
The dog roars before Arthur grabs Raphtalia and uses his [Rope Shield] to grab on the ledge of the rocks to avoid jumping into the water. Raphtalia almost relieved the experience she has faced before.
"You alright?" Arthur asks.
Raphtalia cries, "D-dog monster... Killed the villagers... And my parents..."
"Is it the same monster?"
"No."
Arthur lowers himself to some dry ground. He says to Raphtalia as he place both his hands on her shoulders, "Listen, Raphtalia. We have to take it out here and now. I need your help to get stronger, so we can face the Waves together in order to prevent the same calamity that happened to you to other kids. But if it is too hard for you, you need to run. Okay?"
"But-"
The dog monster manages to catch-up with them as it growls and ready to attack. The creature lunges right towards them but Arthur blocks the creature from attacking Raphtalia. One head of the dog tries to ram against Arthur's shield while the other takes a bite on Arthur's right shoulder. However, there doesn't seem to be any blood.
'Well, this is familiar.' Arthur thinks to himself as he struggles against the monster. Arthur says to Raphtalia while struggling, "Raphtalia! Listen! I know that you lost your parents, but I lost mine too back home! Neither of our parents are coming back! So I need your help so we can stop those tragedies from happening again and again!" Arthur looks over his wounded shoulder, "But we must live! For them! In order to survive, we need to fight! So get your sword Raphtalia and fight! FIGHT! FIGHT!"
After hearing Arthur's words, she draws her sword and charges and yells at one of the heads and stabs it on the head on Arthur's shoulder. This causes the creature to fall back yet enraged as Arthur backs away and falls to the ground on his butt and Raphtalia rolls over to a boulder. The monster then tries to rampage towards Raphtalia but Arthur uses his |Airstrike Shield| to protect Raphtalia.
"NOW!"
Raphtalia gets back up with her sword and stabs the creature in the heart. Arthur manages to pull out his katana and it fired at the second head. They manage to get some blood on each other but manage to kill the damn beast. Arthur falls down on his ass again before Raphtalia cries.
She runs up and cries, "Big brother!" and gives him a hug. Gwen gives them a hug as well.
Arthur comforts her, "It's okay now. It's okay." 'So now she calls me big brother. I'm happy. I get to have a family again.' Arthur holds her tightly, "It'll be alright. Because we're family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." The two just lie there with Raphtalia still crying for a while. "Hey, uh, can you get off now? I would like to get some more stuff from that monster."
Raphtalia refuses to let go, "Just a little longer."
Arthur just sighs, "Honestly."
"You're gonna have to get used to this." Gwen says. "You used to be like this when you were younger. I remember you used to get scared and hang on tight to me with your little arms."
Arthur feels embarrassed about that.
After a while, Arthur did get pieces of the dog monster and obtained the [Two-Headed Black Dog Shield] which sends alarms and he is able to use the skill |Dog Bite|. Then he later uses a piece of the ore and obtained the [Light Metal Shield] which increases his defense by 1 and has a magic defense enhancement.
Along the way towards the village to the inn, Arthur did manage to get a few materials that were lying around close to the mine. He takes a piece of wood and unlocks [Wood Shield] which increases his lumbering techniques by 1. Raphtalia also found a piece of a whetstone which unlocks Arthur's [Sharpening Shield] which increases mineral identification by 1 and sharpening any weapons he has automatically. He also found some weird pipe and unlocks the [Pipe Shield] which unlocks |Shield Prison|. They try to use some rocks and unlock the [Rock Shield] but there is no special effects or skills. There was also a butterfly fluttering close by which Arthur snatches and unlocks [Butterfly Shield] and grants small paralysis resistance. Raphtalia gives Arthur her lantern to see what happens. He uses it and unlocks the [Lantern Shield] which will act as a light and grants |Fire Blast|. As they continue to gather materials and kill a few more balloons, Arthur unlocks a new [Balloon Shield] which unlocks Monster Book (which I think allows him to know the different types of monsters but the wikia doesn't specify). They try grass but nothing seems to happen.
The three made it to the inn in Lute Village after selling some ore and pieces of the black dog monster. The three enjoy a little feast in celebration of their victory.
"With all that ore and pieces of the monster, we get to feast well tonight!" Arthur proclaim, "So eat up!"
Raphtalia's tail keeps on wagging, "Thank you!" and enjoys her meal.
Arthur just smiles at her for being a huge help. However, he starts to remember something when he sees Raphtalia holding the little flag. For some reason, he thinks about putting a red dot on that white, tiny flag. He also remember the words, 'A kid's meal isn't complete without this.'
Arthur takes the little flag from Raphtalia as he dips his pinky in some red sauce. "You know..." he places a red dot on the flag, "...a kid's meal isn't complete..." he shows the flag, "...without this."