Chapter 24: Arthur's Triumphant Return
In the Rocky Mountains, Arthur looks up at the sky and see a flock of crows flying over the valley he is standing in and the wind blowing. He looks down and sees the green pine forest with Melty, Raphtalia, Filo and Gwen looking up at the sky as well. Yet when he looks behind him, he sees the Pendragon sitting in wait for him to enter and take him and all the girls to fly across the sky with the crows. However, this is only a dream.
Arthur wakes up from the dream as he turns on his bed while noticing the bandages on his body. But when he turned and sat up, he notices Raphtalia, Filo and Melty are sleeping on the edge of the bed while sitting. He knows that he is in the royal family's private clinic and things are going exactly like the anime. But what he didn't expect is being covered in bandages. Now, being a mutant, he did managed to get a few advantages from being altered such as an accelerated healing factor. But after undressing one of them, he still has wounds that haven't healed.
"Ah crap." he says aloud, "Looks like my healing factor isn't working against this curse." Yet when he talked, his voice sounded a little deeper. "Whoa. What happened to my voice? Sounds weird. Oh wait... Oh right."
The girls started to wake-up and see Arthur live and somewhat well.
"Arthur!" Raphtalia says with joy.
"Yay!" Filo crawls on the bed and gives Arthur a hug.
"Finally." Melty says with her face blushing. "You had to sleep so long." and look away to her right.
"Sorry about that." Arthur apologizes to Melty, "Thought my mutated healing factor would be up for the task." He look at his right arm where he undid some of the bandage wrapping, "But it looks like I was wrong."
Filo says, "Big Bro, what happened to your voice?"
Then Arthur says to Filo, "I think it is best for you to wait until you're older."
After losing consciousness, he was brought into the clinic where he has been asleep for three days as he gets his bandages redone by a female medic. Raphtalia filled him in about the queen trying to save his life while Nephalem explained everything that has happened to her. Gwen is out for a while to get the wagon back, which may take a while. As a matter of fact, she won't be back until AFTER the trial. Filo takes a grape set aside and eats it as the medic leaves.
Arthur looks at his left arm, "Dang. Guess my mutant abilities couldn't handle the curse very well. I'm healing a lot slower than usual. That curse was very powerful."
In the anime, Naofumi's wounds were almost completely healed yet the curse still lingered. Yet in Arthur's case, they're still bleeding. Is it because Arthur is a mutant that had his healing abilities disabled by the curse? Or is there some other factor affecting it?
"Indeed." says Raphtalia after replacing the flowers in a vase, "Time is the only treatment for the damage it has done to you."
"Perhaps I should avoid using Blood Sacrifice in the future. I can still use other abilities that should work just as well."
Two female medics entered as they bow their heads with one saying, "We're here to change your bandages, I dare say."
Arthur knew immediately on who they were.
Raphtalia says to them, "Another medic just did it a few minutes ago."
"They're actually the Queen's Shadows." Arthur expose them.
Filo and Melty gasp on that fact as they hear footsteps entering Arthur's room. It is the queen herself as she hides the lower half of her face with a fancy fan.
"I rushed in as soon as they told me that you have awakened." she folds and lowers the fan, "I'm relieved that your life is no longer in danger."
Melty shouts out, "It's mother! Uh, I mean, your majesty!"
Nephalem speaks to the queen, "Hey there." he says in a casual tone as the queen approach Arthur, "Glad to see you."
"Allow me to re-introduce myself. You were in a bit indisposed of-"
"You're Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc." Arthur says.
"It seems you know my name."
Raphtalia speaks to the queen, "You saved Arthur's life and," she gives a generous bow, "I don't know how to thank you."
Mirellia smiles at Raphtalia, "Well, I can hardly allow him to die now, could I?" and looks back at Arthur, "The Shield Hero is one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. He helps to keep the world safe from the Waves of Catastrophe."
"Yeah, well, your country doesn't like Shield Heroes that much because of the religion and hatred for demi-humans. But can't blame you for that. I also understand that you were too far away from your country and Malty manipulated your husband and things were going bad at the forum you were attending and entrusted the security with a lord, but got killed... Yeah I got the picture."
Mirellia's eyes were wide open and blinked three times fast by how much Arthur knows. "I'm amazed that you know so much. For someone that is...thirteen?"
"I am, actually." Arthur smiles and rubs the back of his head, "I'm gonna turn fourteen real soon."
Filo asks, "Is that why your voice is deeper? Because you're aging?"
"Close." then continues with further explanations with her majesty about the Three Heroes Church manipulating the king, promises of Malty becoming queen, and so on and so forth.
After that much information, the queen is baffled by how much Arthur knows. "How do you know so much?" she asks.
"I'll explain when we're with the other three at some banquet you're gonna be hosting before we head towards Cal Mira Island. Possibly after Melty and Aultray's trial."
Melty and Mirellia have their jaws slightly open that Arthur even knows about that and the trial.
"Amazing." Melty is impressed, "How could you know so much? You were asleep for the past three days."
Filo tries to come up with an answer, "I'm guessing that Big Bro overheard everything as he tried to wake-up."
Raphtalia looks at Arthur's shield, "Maybe Nephalem explained things before we woke-up."
"Nope." Nephalem responded, "The kid figured it out on his own."
"And there is something you wish for me to speak to you in private, right?" Arthur asks the queen.
"Y-yes." the queen sounded hesitant because she has a feeling on Arthur knowing what she plans to do.
Melty says to Filo and Raphtalia, "Can you two come with me? We should give these two some privacy."
"Um, sure." Raphtalia sounds unsure but goes along.
"Can't wait." Filo says, "Because I'm hungry!" She seems happy as long as food is involve.
And all three of them exit the room, leaving Arthur and Mirellia alone.
"Thank you." Mirellia thanks Arthur for having the others leave. "For I have something to tell you. At this point, without your help, Melromarc has no hope of surviving our uncertain future."
Arthur knows what is up, but plays along, "Sorry, but you can't keep me in this country. There are others that need my help just as much as Melromarc. Other nations that may have suffer the worse without the heroes."
"I understand. Forgive me for asking, but how has your recovery coming along?"
"I can stand on my feet, but my wounds haven't healed. Usually my healing factor would take care of such things, but this curse is making it difficult."
"I see. I'm sorry about that." she feels bad for him.
"Don't worry, I'll come by at the castle for the trial."
Mirellia is taken by surprise once again. "How did you-" but returns to her demeanor, "Nevermind. I guess that you already know that both Malty and King Aultcray are..."
The window close to Arthur's bed is open as a strong gust of wind is blown that make things hard to ear. On the other hand, Arthur can hear fine and knows what is about to happen. But he has something in mind for them both. Especially with the first princess. Something far worse than death. But he let things play along until the time is right.
"And regardless whether you choose to work with our country or not, that won't change what is going to happen. This is Melromarc's way of, no, it is my way of making things right again."
"I know."
Mirellia walks to the window with her fan hand shaking, "There are consequences. Their sins are grave enough that not even the queen can save them."
"I said I know. Take it to someone that had to kill warlords, slavers and bandits who had to deliver his own brand of justice. No, it was more out of vengeance and hatred than justice."
Once again, Mirellia is taken by surprise as she looks at Arthur, who looks at his hands. "How old were you?"
"I was ten when I killed the bastards that murdered my family. I was filled with so much hatred and anger that I took it out on anyone that would do something like that. Even lost my mind a little when I imagined my older sister have returned. But she was only a figment of my imagination that keep me going."
"But what about-"
"This shield." Arthur shows his shield, "This shield helped make her real. But just like my imaginary sister, she is just an illusion."
Mirellia feels incredibly awful about Arthur and the life he had. Even more so that Malty tried to get him framed. So, she walks up to him and gives him a hug out of pity for having a terrible life.
"You don't need to do that." Arthur says as he is embraced.
"I'm sorry. But you are still a child. A lonely child left all alone in not one, but two cruel worlds."
"You do realize that he isn't alone in this one now, do you?" Nephalem says. "He's got me, Raphtalia, Filo and everyone else that supports him. So go ahead and tell everyone about the important announcement and he'll be there."
Around sunset, the girls return with Filo showing Melty some tricks she learned from cat's cradle. A game that involves some red string.
"Then you do it like this." Filo does one of the tricks, "And there!"
"That's amazing, Filo." Melty compliments Filo's technique.
"Big Bro taught me."
Raphtalia speaks with Arthur, "What did you and the queen talked about?"
"Something about me being in the castle to help clear my name."
She smiles and holds Arthur's right hand, "That's wonderful!"
"Yup."
Filo and Melty listen in.
"Thank goodness. This means that everyone in Melromarc won't treat you like a criminal. I'm glad." she started to shed tears of joy.
On the next day, a lot of people have gathered outside of the castle with giant magical screens showing the inside of the throne room. No one has any idea on what is going on but are eager to know what it is.
Itsuki's party member, Mald, started to complain, "Hey, why aren't we allowed in the castle today!? Only the Shield Hero and his party can get in, what's the deal?!"
Rishia tries to calm him down, "Please calm down, Sir Mald!"
Mald tosses her aside, "Shut your mouth!
Arthur and his party are walking up the stairs to the throne room with Raphtalia pointing out, "There is an awfully big crowd outside the castle today."
"I know." Arthur is secretly smirking and tries to hide it from Filo and Raphtalia.
He knows what is gonna happen and has big plans. He is trying to do his best to hold in his laughter for the punishment he is about to deal to Malty.
Filo asks, "Hey, where did Mel go?"
Raphtalia answers, "I think she went off with some of the knights once we got inside of the castle."
"She's probably with her mother right now. Duty calls."
Once he made it up the stairs where Mirellia's portrait is, he look to is right and sees the other three heroes.
"Hey, Arthur." Itsuki says with a worried look, "Are you doing alright?"
Arthur just go, "Meh. I had worse."
Ren smiles, "Glad to see that you're still standing."
Arthur and his party walk up to meet with them, "It'll take more than a curse to bring me down. But still a bit of a wreck though."
Yet Motoyasu looks worried, "Hey, um, about Myne?"
"Yeah?"
"I decided to kick her out of my party. She really was a brainwashing bitch."
"I agree." Itsuki agrees with Motoyasu, "That woman's a manipulative harlot."
"No joke." Ren agrees with them as well.
The minister approach, "Greetings, Cardinal Heroes. Please come inside."
In the throne room, the queen sits on her throne as Melty stands beside her. The heroes and Arthur's companions are standing in attention in her majesty's presence with many people watching from the balcony. Filo waves high at Melty and Melty waves back before the queen speaks.
"Four Cardinal Heroes together, I thank you for coming."
"What's going on?" Motoyasu asks Ren and Itsuki.
"The king and the first princess ain't here." Itsuki notices.
Mirellia glances, "You can bring them in now."
Two of the guards open the door to reveal Malty and Aultcray in steel cuffs. The three were shocked to see them being treated as prisoners.
"What the-?" Motoyasu went.
Malty cries out, "Motoyasu! Sir Motoyasu!"
"Why are they in chains?" Ren asks.
"That's because they are charged with treason." Arthur says.
"That is correct. Let's get started show we. The trial of the foolish king consort and the first princess."
"But there is something to note." Arthur says, "It would be preferable that Aultcray Melromarc goes by his real name, Lüge Lansarz Faubrey. If that is alright?"
The crowd outside were baffled by what they see and what they just heard.
"The princess and king are in chains!?" says a male citizen.
"Not only that, the king's real name is Faubrey!" says a female citizen.
One male citizen asks, "Did the Shield Hero say that they are charged with treason?"
In the crowd, Erhard smiles that justice is being done. "Well, things got interesting, huh kid?"
Back at the throne room, the trial commences.
Malty pleads, "Mama, please, why are you being so cruel?!"
Lüge outbursts, "What is this?! My queen, what cause have you to do this to us?! This isn't inexcusa-" he tries to approach but two guards stop him with their spears crossed.
The queen starts, "With the Four Cardinal Heroes in attendance, this trial seeks to punish those responsible for shaking its country to its core. As queen, I shall serve as judge."
"What?! Don't tell me the Devil of the Shield has brainwashed you?!"
Mirellia uses her ice magic and cause ice to form under Lüge and freeze him. Leaving only his head unfrozen.
"The Shield Hero has no such ability and you know it!" the queen says as a servant approach with a bottle and some tools, "I can't believe I even have to say that." She then prepares to place a slave crest for her first daughter.
"What's that?!" Malty asks before forced to be on her knees and arms hold out by the guards.
"To ensure a fair trial, you will need a temporary slave crest."
Motoyasu says to the queen, "Don't you think that's a bit too far?!"
"Because my daughter is a pathological liar."
Itsuki says, "Looks like Arthur called that one."
Malty begs, "But I'm not! You know that I've always been a good girl!" The servant then paints the crest onto her chest as she cries, "Stop it! NO! PLEASE!" Once it is done, the crest burns on her chest as she screams in pain as it starts to form.
After that, the king and princess are placed behind trial stands.
"Let us officially begin the trial now. Let you be warn, your crimes are clear for all to see. You cannot worm your way out of this. Let us begin with recent events. Using a fabricated holy weapon, the pope of the Three Heroes Church tried to murder the Cardinal Heroes and frame the Shield Hero. But he was killed in the attempt. We are rounding-up remnants of the Church as we speak. Appallingly, the king and the first princess were colluding with the Church all along. Any objections to this charge?"
Malty opens her mouth, "What reason would I have to- AAAAAHHH!" Her crest activates as it glows purple, surge with sparks of the same color and cause her pain that she had to scream.
Motoyasu just stand in silence as he watches.
"It is appalling that the first princess tried to overthrow the state."
"No I wouldn't! Forget about the Shield! They tried to kill the other three heroes too and came after the royal family! I swear I would never involve myself with such a terrible scheme!"
"Alright then, what about your plan to assassinate Melty, be heir to the throne and frame the Shield Hero for her murder?"
"Wha- I didn't do anything like- AAAAH! AAAAAHH! AAAH!" Malty's crest went off again.
Melty says, "Oh sister."
Lüge is in disbelief, "No, Malty! Tell me you didn't!"
She cries to her father, "No, papa! I promise you! I- GAAAAHHHAAAAH! AAAHAAHA!"
"You conspired with the Church and attempted to use them to kill Melty and become heir to the throne yourself. When you failed, you falsely accused the Shield Hero of abducting her and set fire to the forest she escaped into. Do you deny it?"
The knight with a scar on his face eyes at the captain. When he did, the captain is looking nervous. Scared that he will be charged with treason too.
Malty outburst, "Melty is my own sister! Of course I deny- GAAAAH! AAAHAAAHAAA!"
So the captain disappears and is never seen again. Probably gonna die. Although seriously, the wiki says he is dead but doesn't exactly explain much with the exception that he was probably killed by Siltvelt extremists yet doesn't go into detail. So it is hard to tell. Anyway, back to the trial.
Ren says to Itsuki and Motoyasu, "It's true. It certainly looked like she was trying to kill the second princess."
"Yeah, we were there." Itsuki also confirms it, "We saw the whole thing while Motoyasu was brainwashed."
Motoyasu grips his spear tightly and looks like he is about to burst with anger.
Lüge is horrified by Malty's action, "Malty, how could you-"
"Be silent, King Lüge Lansarz Melromarc. You conspired with the Church as well. You worked with them to summon all four members of the Cardinal Heroes while I was away."
"I only did that because we need the heroes in order to counter the impending Waves of Catastrophe! On their first night, the Shield Hero did an unspeakable sin against our daughter!"
"He lies!" Ren states, "Arthur was in the woods while Malty was with Motoyasu at the inn. I met him in the woods during the same time Malty head to Motoyasu with false claims. He even had evidence that he didn't! Try asking her yourself."
Motoyasu uproared, "Yeah! Even ask her about the brainwashing she did to me on multiple occasions!"
"Then I'll ask her about that." Mirellia looks at Malty, who is barely standing, "Malty, were you assaulted by the Shield Hero?"
"YES I WAS! THE DEVIL OF THE SHIE- AAAAAAAAHHH!" Malty falls backwards to the floor from the intense pain she is forced to endure.
In Arthur's mind, it is the prelude for something far worse as he tries not to smile or laugh at what he has plan. 'Come on, Arthur. Hold it in just a little longer."
The crowd watch the trial unfold as Arthur's so-called crimes were false.
"That was a lie, too?"
"We all should've known."
"All to frame the Shield Hero?!"
The tension of the crowd start to intensify as the trial goes on. The unpleasant farce as dragged on for a while as Arthur's name is getting cleared. Those who have seen his benevolent actions to save people were getting embroiled as their anger start to increase. It won't be long before they want Malty dead. In the crowd, Gwen watches while sitting in the wagon she has reclaimed as it unfolds.
Gwen smirks, "Well, little brother, what are you planning?"
"And now you will answer one more question: Have you brainwashed the Spear Hero, manipulated him for personal gain and used him for your own benefit and not the people's?"
Malty tries to stand back up as she replies, "I would never do such a thing to S- AAAAH! AAAAAHHH! AAAHHAAAAHHAAA!" Malty drops to the floor again.
The trial continued as Malty continues to get shocked by her slave crest for lying. Motoyasu is about ready to lose it and kill Malty for all the things she has done. He has been lied to, manipulated and con by the princess the whole time he has been in this world. He thought he was being a hero, but he is nothing more than a chump, a pawn, a loser. This was making him sick. He wants to pierce the icy heart of the treacherous wench with his spear. Meanwhile, Arthur can barely contain himself for what is going to happen with so many thoughts on how to punish Malty. Malty is on the floor squirming as she tries to catch her breathe and endure the great amount of pain that was inflicted upon her by her crest.
"Hopefully you understand now." the queen speaks after having her fan on the arm of the throne, "Despite their status as royalty, they resorted to dirty tricks. Attempting to eliminate those that would oppose them, concern with only obtaining more power for themselves. There was no consideration for the nation that they serve.
"No I didn't! I swear! I was just- AAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Lüge then says, "I admit my actions may have been unbecoming of royalty." The audience gasp at his acknowledgement of his flaws, "But I swear I did it all for the sake of my beloved country and my family. That was the only reason why I was trying to eliminate the Shield! The Shield's the devil! It would only bring calamity of the past to my family all over again! I simply cannot let that happen!" He slams his fist on the stand, "NEVER!"
The queen sighs, "It's time for my verdict. I hereby find Lüge Melromarc and Malty Melromarc guilty of high treason and conspiracy and strip them of their status. I sentence them, to death!"
Lüge's face went pale and is shocked that his wife has sentence him to death.
As for Malty, "No. NOOOOOOO!"
Motoyasu gives Malty a look of disdain as he gives her the thumbs down, "It's what you deserve, bitch!"
"HOLD IT!" Arthur interrupts as he raises his right hand. "Hold it. I would like to say a few things. There are somethings that need to be brought to light. May I speak?" he asks Mirellia.
"You may speak."
"Good. I have been doing some research and discover somethings. The Waves of Catastrophe are being caused by a goddess and one of her soul fragments are here, with us right now. If we kill her, the Waves will become more frequent and powerful if a piece of her soul is returned to her." He looks at Malty, "Isn't that right? Medea Pideth Machina."
When Arthur speaks her name, Malty stared to feel something bursting out of her body. Mists that are similar to the colors of the Waves permeate from her body as her eyes glow a dark shade of violet that start to be similar to the mists. Same that goes for her mouth. Something tried to exit her body in a form of a ghastly purple entity, almost a blobish ghost that looks similar to Malty. But it heads back into her body as the mists started to disappear. Everyone was disturbed by what they just witnessed just before Malty started to vomit blood. Malty has no idea on what just happened to her as all that she see are frightened faces. Even the king is scared of his own daughter.
"As you just witnessed, Malty has the soul fragment of the goddess of destruction. Her fragments were meant to slow the heroes' progress and hamper any chance of survival. If that portion returns, the Waves may occur every week instead of every month. Or worse, a few days to everyday." Everyone gasp at the revelation Arthur has brought. "Not to mention that death is too easy of an escape for the crimes that have been committed. So I have some alternative punishments. From this point on: Lüge will be Trash Wrinkledick and Malty will be known as Bitch Doggystyle! And her adventurer name will be Whore Fuckpussy!"
"Uh, Trash?!"
"MY NAME'S NOT BITCH!" then vomits again.
No one is laughing. After that little display, who can? Not to mentioned rendered speechless.
"And I would like to give something to Trash." Arthur pulls out a small, leather bound journal with a piece of a picture sticking out along the pages. He gives it to L- Trash, "Here. This was your sister's. Read it."
Lüge, I mean, Trash takes the journal, "This was my...sister's?" and opens it. From the pages, he recognize the handwritting as his jaw drops.
Then he sees the picture. The picture looks like a miniature portrait painting of not only his sister, but also her family. Her Hakuko husband and their half-breed children with one, Atla Fayon, having a similar resemblance to his sister despite the ears, tail and white hair with black stripes. He fell to his knees and shed tears.
Arthur then says, "Trash, like Motoyasu, is nothing more than a pawn for everyone's schemes. Been taking advantage of his past and used by others to their own ends. Therefore, he will be cleared of all charges in-exchange for some assistance on learning on how the Waves work."
"D-done." Mirellia is still in shock.
Then Arthur glances at the frighten Bitch, "As for Bitch, the Soul-Bearer... Bring her here."
Two of the guards bring Bitch over to Arthur.
"Extend her left hand."
"What are you planning on doing?!" Bitch is scared about what will happen.
"I will give you five curses." Arthur's left index finger started to glow black as it emits jet black mist. "The first one..." He places it on Bitch's middle finger that started to burn. "You are never to be allowed to use magic ever again!"
Bitch looks at her middle finger and sees a black five-leafed clover on it, "Not again!"
Arthur's finger then glows green as it admits red steam, "Second one..." Just like before, it burned into her index finger and there is a black skull on it, "You are never allow to kill yourself. You can only die of when it is properly time. In other words, you can only die from old age."
"That doesn't sound that bad." Bitch admits that it doesn't sound terrible, but that is when Arthur will inflict the other curses.
"It's actually supposed to make sure you won't become whole again, you fucking bitch who contains a bigger bitch!"
"Wait, what?"
His finger glows purple with yellow and gold-colored smoke, "Third curse..." he place it on Bitch's left ring finger and it is the form of the slave crest, "You are no longer allowed in the palace unless ordered so by her majesty. You will spend the rest of your days at Lute Village as a commoner."
"I TAKE IT BACK! THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"
His finger glows orange with magenta vapors, "Fourth curse..." he place it on her pinky finger in a form of a daisy, "You are never allow to kill anyone with the exception of monsters of the Waves." Then his finger glows red with blue steam and white smoke, "Fifth curse..." he places it on her thumb and it is a pair of scales. "You will speak the truth and nothing but the truth. You can't lie anymore."
"Of course I'm a liar!" Bitch realizes that she spoke the truth. "Take these curses back, you damnable mutant!"
"SIXTH CURSE!" Once again, Arthur's finger glows yet green in coloration with white mists and black smoke and place it on her palm, "With this curse, you won't be human ever again!"
Malty started to change. Her hair becomes glossy white with a few black stripes, she develops well-rounded tiger ears on her head and a tiger tail of the same coloration as her palm now has a tiger paw print. For Malty is no longer a human, she is now a demi-human called, a Hakuko. Just like her cousins except a more pure-blood. She touches areas of her body where her ears and tail grow just before she started screaming. Trash isn't paying attention as he just look at the journal and picture, completely ignoring everything around him.
"Now then, Motoyasu still needs to deliver his justice." Arthur created a cricket bat made of iron and tosses it to Motoyasu, "Here you go! And do the best you can at disciplining her."
"With pleasure." Motoyasu's face is full of anger when he said that.
"And have her taken to the nearest pillory for everyone to watch. Better than a public execution."
Motoyasu drags Malty out by her hair to deliver her punishment as she screams and begs for help before the door shuts. Everyone in the throne room, and even outside, were stunned by what just happened.
"And that is that. The end of this trial. Isn't that okay? And by the way," Arthur uses apport and pulls out the queen's knife, "you won't be needing this. There is no reason to atone for what would've happen if they both die." Arthur then snaps it in half with his thumb like he was snapping a twig.
Mirellia snaps out of it and realizes that her knife is gone. Many people in the court murmur about the queen taking her own life. Melty is just as surprise as well.
She compose herself together, "Very well then. The Shield Hero has delivered justice to the conspirators and shown us the truth! Lüge, also known as Aultcray, will be known as Trash Wrinkledick and will commit himself to research the Waves further! Malty will be known as Bitch Doggystyle and her adventurer name will be Whore Fuckpussy as well as spending the rest of her days as a commoner in the Village of Lute! Finally, the Three Heroes Church, which was the root cause for all this, will be abolished! Melromarc will now adopt the Four Heroes Church as its state religion!"
Outside, the crowd started tossing the Three Heroes Church rosaries around as if they were trash as they adopt the new church.
Gwen is laughing, "Woo! Now that was awesome! I love it!" and continues to laugh some more.
Back in the throne room, Melty runs up and hugs Arthur, "Arthur! Thank you for saving my family! Thank you for not having my father and sister die!"
"No problem, Melty." he pet her head, "I already lost my family back home. No reason to lose yours...even though it is a bit...weird now after that expotion."
Everyone cheers for the success of the trial and start of a new religion.
Ren and Itsuki approach with Itsuki asking, "So what happens now?"
"I'm guessing this calls for a celebration." Ren states, "You exposed the source of the Waves, cleared your name of false charges, and done a lot more than we can ever do."
Mirellia approaches, "I assume that you have every intention of leaving Melromarc. But please stay for the festivities."
"I will for now. However, I have no intention of staying but I will work alongside you. Not just with Melromarc, but with every nation in the world. After all, we're the Four Cardinal Heroes. It is our job after all."
Ren and Itsuki are glad to hear that along with Raphtalia, Melty and Filo.
"You're correct of course."
"Hey!" he says to Ren and Itsuki, "Tell Motoyasu that will ya? After he is done with Bitch's public spanking."
Itsuki heads out, "I'll tell him right now."
Arthur, Raphtalia and Filo head out as the sun sets over the horizon. Yet when they exit out, a large crowd of people are there to congratulate him. Past the crowd, many of the guards are lined up with the guard with the scar leading them. And just beyond, Gwen is there with the wagon as she waves at the heroes.
This new captain speaks, "Honor guard for the Shield Hero! All hands salute!"
The honor guard draw their swords and raise them over the road. Ake is there among them. Filo runs over to the wagon and is glad to see it again. Among the crowd that Arthur and Raphtalia are passing they see some familiar faces.
"Take care now!" The Magic Shop Owner is there.
Elrasla is there as she smiles wishes them well. Erhard is there with a grin and a thumbs-up. The Herb Shop Owner is there as well. Arthur and his party are receiving a lot of praises from all around them as they head to the wagon.
'I was born in a post-apocalyptic world. Lost my family, became an angry and vengeful asshole, and lost a little bit of my sanity and humanity. When I came to this one, I nearly lost what I had left. All because I had this shield. But now I've gotten more than what I wanted. A family, friends, and a new life. Because I'm a Shield Hero, and I can say I'm happy in this new life.'
BONUS ENDING
Not too far, people cheer for Motoyasu as he spanks Bitch's ass with the iron cricket bat. He focuses all his anger and hatred he had towards Bitch for all the trouble she caused as he beats her ass bright red. Heck, he even let others take turns whenever he gets tired. He let the crowd use this as a chance to get revenge in Malty before she goes out and do some farming or something, much to her already dismay life. Yet unbeknownst, Motoyasu has unlocked the wrath series of his spear.
AN: Hey everyone! Been a while. Hope you guys are staying safe and healthy and hopefully we get our vaccines so things can get as close to normal as we can. Anyway, the forum is still open for all you WH40K (bias)fans and If The Emperor Had A Test-To-Speech Device. Here's the link:
fanfiction (doot) net /topic/230469/182694898/1/
Once this story is over, I get to work on the new story so you guys may have to wait for a while for the sequel. So if you guys have anything to add or put in an argument about what can survive in WH40K, please put it in the forum. The last chapter will be the last chance to add or try to reason in the forum. Until then, stay tune!