Freaking college. Thanks KidFumi for making life somewhat more bearable. May your antics continue to cheer more people up. Also, here's to hoping for good news from today's Crunchyroll Expo!

Chapter Seventeen: The Bandit King

"We lost them?!"

"Yo, chill man. I could have sworn they'd go this way."

Ren was breathing in and out heavily. Crap, they were in the middle of the Capital. Surrounded by normal pedestrians and vendors. And here he was, having a panic attack because they couldn't find Naofumi or his friends! How had they run off so quickly?!

Luckily, his Legendary Sword was sheathed so no one recognized him nor Motoyasu, who also had his Spear changed to a much smaller one he hid on his belt. Still, he couldn't help but worry! What if they'd wandered into the bad part of town?! What if they'd been kidnapped!? What if they were being forced into slavery!?

He collapsed to his knees. If anything happened to his little bro, he'd never be able to forgive himself!

Motoyasu looked worried. "You two, walk ahead for a sec." He said to Wyndia and Amber. Amber did so happily, while Wyndia simply shrugged and followed the angel girl.

Motoyasu rested two hands on Ren's shoulders. "Come on Ren. Just take deep breaths. In and out. Follow with me. In and out… In… and out…" He did some deep breathing as well to help Ren copy him.

The tactic worked. The chuuni boy eventually started to calm down from his sudden panic attack. Soon, he was looking pathetically down at the ground. His panic attack was over, but shame took its place. "I'm sorry, I lost my cool." He said sadly.

After all that time bottling it all up and acting cool in front of everyone, the sudden disappearance of his personal fan had offered a glimpse of his anxious, awkward self. He felt completely and utterly ashamed of his weakness.

"Hey, it's fine. We all lose our cool once in a while." Motoyasu gave Ren a playful smack on the shoulder. "Besides, we don't have too much to worry about. Naofumi's a strong kid. I doubt anyone here could hurt him if they tried."

Ren did feel better when he thought about that. Motoyasu really was a good big brother, even though he never mentioned any actual siblings before. Motoyasu then looked around with a pained grimace. "Though we should keep our eyes out for trouble, just in case."

"I get a feeling Naofumi will be the one to cause trouble."

Motoyasu laughed. "Yeah, I'm 95% sure our little Shield Bro will cause trouble, and when he does, it'll be super easy peasy finding him."

Ren couldn't argue against that plan. As they walked in the direction of the two waiting girls, he thought about it. Naofumi had a real talent for causing chaos. So in reality, it'd be really simple finding the kid. He didn't really have anything to panic over... However, if Erhard and the King heard about that they'd lost him and his two daughters… actually, on second thought, it was better not to think about it.

"So, um, things seem to be progressing really well with you and Amber," Ren said, deciding to change the subject. If he thought about two powerful old men staring him down for losing their kids, he really would go into full-on panic mode.

"Yeah! Things have really been going well between us since that cave!" A dreamy look appeared on Motoyasu's face. A nosebleed threatened to stain his armor again. "It's just so awesome. The only thing that could make it better is- *gasp!* I have an idea!" Motoyasu said excitedly.

"You think you know how to… track... Naofumi…?" Ren trailed off. He did not like the look on Motoyasu's face. Motoyasu stopped them both in the middle of the street.

"How about we split up to search for Shield Bro. That way we not only cover more ground, but we also get some alone time with our favorite girls." Motoyasu whispered, nudging Ren's shoulder bro wingman style.

"... No. No no no no no." Ren did not look very happy anymore. Why'd he have to bring up relationships to change the subject?! He should have realized what a minefield that was! "I already told you I'm not interested in dating! Or dog girls! Or-"

"Come on. Live a little, man! Besides, Wyndia is HOT!" He emphasized. "And definitely not a T-H-O-T!"

Ren's cheeks burned red. "No! We need to search for Naofumi! I'm not treating this as some date or whatever bull crap you want to pull-"

"Seriously man. All you have to do is flirt with her a little, do something nice for her, and voila! You'll have a girlfriend of your own to love and hold. Just think of the good stuff, Ren!"

Ren's cheeks flushed more. Loving… holding!? GOOD STUFF!?

COULD HE POSSIBLY GET THAT FAR WITH A GIRL!? HE HADN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO HANDHOLDING IN REAL LIFE! THAT SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! BUT WAS MOTOYASU REALLY LYING TO HIM!?

No! He had to be strong! He had to resist! "I'm not going along with-"

"What are you two talking about?" Wyndia asked.

"What are we talking about?!" Ren instantly stood up straight in shock. "Nothing, absolutely nothing! Why would you think-"

"Amber, come on! We're going to search the South and West! Ren and Wyndia will search the North and East!" Motoyasu gestured to Amber, running off down a side street. Abandoning Ren.

"'Kay!" Amber changed forms and ran off after Motoyasu.

"No, Motoyasu-" Motoyasu briefly turned around, flashing Ren a thumbs up and a wink before he and Amber disappeared around a corner. "GAH-" Ren clamped his mouth shut.

The blonde man was long gone. Had he wanted to be alone with Amber that badly?! His love truly knew no bounds!

He swallowed a gulp, looking nervously beside him at Wyndia. "So… uh…"

"Are you finished with your panic attack?" She calmly asked.

...

It was sad. The only one outside of Erhard and Motoyasu who seemed to know about his chuuni boy status was none other than Wyndia. He sadly nodded. At least he didn't have to pretend while he was around her. "Let's go then. I'd rather we didn't get into trouble because we lost the brats." She said.

Ren followed Wyndia, wondering if Motoyasu really was insane in the head or not for thinking his plan to get them together would actually work.

Crap, did he want to date the Tsundere girl!? Was he going on a date with her now!? OH NO! DAMN YOU MOTOYASU! IF HE GOT ANOTHER PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE OF THIS, HE'D NEVER FORGIVE THE BLONDE SPEARMAN! AHHHHHHHHHH!

"Are you sure we should go this way, Naofumi?" Raphtalia curiously asked.

"I'm pretty sure." Naofumi stuck his tongue out to the side in concentration. He looked around the corner at the street. But it wasn't a familiar street. "Maybe the bandits are this way?"

"You think they're this way?" Melty asked sardonically.

"Duh. Do I look like some kind of GP… gizmo thingy to you?" Naofumi asked.

Melty had no idea what this GP… gizmo thingy Naofumi mentioned was. But she still pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. "You've gotten us lost, haven't you?!" She complained.

"Hey, it's not my fault! You were the one to suggest going left a couple of streets ago!" Naofumi retorted.

"My fault!? This is my city! I know it like the back of my hand!" Melty said indignantly. "And you've gotten us lost!"

"If you know the city like the back of your hand, then how come we're lost?" Raphtalia asked curiously.

"Well, um...uh-" Melty suddenly looked away. Pouting like an angry child. "Okay, so maybe I don't go exploring by myself very often! But I still know this city better than you!" Where was the excitement?! The thrill from earlier! Now she was stuck in a random alley with these two… two… two!...

"You mean you didn't go exploring with friends?" Naofumi asked curiously.

The wind was suddenly taken out of her sails. "Well, no… I mean, I'd see the city with Mother. Or while I was with some Knights. Or… or…" Melty trailed off. She began to realize the kid was right.

She really didn't have any friends. She'd been focused on being a princess for so long. She'd never had the opportunity to interact with kids her age. To feel excitement, thrill… fear of the unknown.

"Hey, it's okay." Raphtalia hugged her. It wasn't until she did so that Melty realized that tears were falling from her eyes. She hugged the smol girl back, crying into her long auburn hair.

She had been having so much fun! But now she was so scared! She had no guards, no mother to protect her out here! She didn't even have her guise of Princess to hide behind. With her hair down and her clothes changed, she looked like any other girl on the street. And it terrified her.

"It's okay." Raphtalia rubbed the back of Melty's head. It always made her feel better when she was sad or scared. The Second Princess shivered against her. "I don't know what it was like for you, being a princess and everything. But I can say that we're your friends now, even if we're sort of like family."

"Yeah, what she said! Since you never got to do fun stuff with friends before, you can go do them with us!" Naofumi said proudly. "I know we're not fancy or 'proper royalty' or whatever, but we'll have fun! And if you ever get scared, we'll protect you from any danger!"

"You… you promise?" Melty asked.

"I promise!"

"We both promise."

…

Melty finally backed away from Raphtalia, wiping tears from her eyes. "I...Thank you. I always wondered what it was like...having friends my age who acted like I was just anyone else." The bluenette sniffled. These two... "All the other noble kids treated me like the princess, so they never wanted to invite me out to do fun things that might get us in trouble."

"They were scared of something happening to you and your parents blaming them..." Raphtalia noted, sadly. Melty nodded.

"Yes. The only friends I've ever known have been some of my advisors in the castle, like the ones who taught me basic economic strategy and leadership skills." She steeled herself. It was alright to be scared. But she wasn't alone. "Alright, I'm good now."

"Great! Now let's see if we can't find-" Naofumi cut off as he grabbed both girls' hands and ran into an alley.

"What are y-"

"Shh!"

He silenced them, holding a finger to his mouth. Naofumi peeked around the corner for a few seconds, and the girls followed suit. If someone were looking, they'd see three little heads stacked on top of one another.

Once they got a better look, the two saw what Naofumi was looking at. Two figures, clad in dark cloaks, and with swords at their waists were approaching a different alleyway down the street.

The pair looked around suspiciously, before entering the alleyway.

"Do you think those are the bandits we're looking for?" Raphtalia asked.

"I dunno, but they definitely looked like some rough types," Naofumi muttered.

Melty chimed in. "To my knowledge, we're in one of the less savory parts of the capital. Crime is much more common here, unfortunately. So it wouldn't surprise me if those two were bandits."

Naofumi nodded. "If they're bandits, then we have no choice." He stood up to his fullest height. "Let's follow 'em and see where they go! I bet that direction heads toward the gates!"

"I thought you didn't know where we were at?" Melty whispered indignantly.

"Okay okay. I think that's in the direction of the gates." Naofumi mumbled. "Anyways, it's time to deliver some justice!"

- Meanwhile, in the throne room -

"-must prepare a team of joint operatives to secure the border in case of bandit attacks. Do we have any-"

Itsuki's head shot up, startling the others in the room. Over the course of the last half hour, the Bow Hero had gradually been sinking his head more and more. Hardly participating after the departure of the other heroes. Now, he looked around frantically, trying to detect something.

"Um...Bow Hero? Is something the matter?" Mirellia asked, curiously.

He stood up straight. "MY JUSTICE SENSES ARE TINGLING! TO ARMS, MEN! WE RIDE AT DAWN!... I mean, uh...NOW!"

He sprinted out the door without another word.

"JUSTICE!" "FUEHHHHHHH!" Itsuki's party followed right behind him out the doors. Ren's party stared in confusion at what had just happened.

The King burst into laughter, so much that he was in tears. The poor Siltvelt Council looked so confused. "Oh, oh! The boy could have just said he was bored as well, but what a spectacle! He sure knows how to put on an act!"

"Perhaps he should get a part-time job as a street performer." Mirellia quipped. "This batch of Heroes is hopeless."

"Or maybe he really does have a sixth sense for this, JUSTICE he speaks of!" The King rolled over in his throne, still laughing.

The Queen sent a Shadow to follow, just in case. At this point, family or not, she didn't trust the Heroes in the slightest not to cause trouble.

And that blonde kid spoke volumes of trouble.

"You see any signs of trouble yet?"

"Nope, no signs of trouble over here Moto," Amber said, gladly holding Motoyasu's hand as they walked together down the street. The orange-haired angel-winged girl's smile was as bright as the sun.

Motoyasu couldn't look at her for too long. In fear of going blind and getting a nosebleed again from the absolute beauty beside him. Why did the tailor have to make the dress so perfect?! It hugged her so perfectly! It was like a mixture of innocent and sexy all at once!

He tried to focus on everything but that. Which, as he was finding, was extremely hard to do.

It was truly a miracle. Not only was he with someone that reminded him so much of Freon from Emerald Online, but the angel girl liked him too. No, she loved him! It was astonishing! He was normally afraid of commitment, but being around Amber made him happier than he ever remembered being in a long time!

It was like he didn't need the approval of other girls. As long as he had Amber's approval, he'd be happy. Did that mean… did he want to commit to her?! That truly was a miracle!

"Um, Moto, why are we searching outside of the city?" Amber asked curiously.

Motoyasu focused back on the present. While he'd been daydreaming, he'd accidentally led himself and Amber through the west gate. They were heading towards the forest now instead of searching the city. 'F-' His mind slapped itself for almost cussing mentally. Even though Naofumi wasn't around to hear his thoughts. 'Dang it! I wasn't looking for Naofumi!'

"Sorry, I guess I was… distracted." Motoyasu stopped. Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Distracted by what?" Amber asked curiously. What was distracting him more than finding her kids?

"Well, um…" Motoyasu rubbed his fingers together nervously. Crap, he'd just given Ren some relationship advice, and now he was tongue-tied in front of his own girl! Da- Dang it, I say!

Amber cocked her head curiously. The action somehow made him start speaking. "I was just distracted by the fact that I'm so lucky to have a girl like you! You're so pretty! And you have angel wings! And you like me! And you're just so awesome and, and, and-" His mouth was firing off rapid-fire.

"Moto?" She shook him gently by the shoulder. The action seemed to help snap him into regular speed again.

"And I don't know. I guess I just don't want to screw this up." He admitted. "I've never met a girl like you. One who can be so beautiful and so kind at the same time… and you care so much for my little bro too... you get what I mean, right?"

…

Amber had tears falling from her eyes. Motoyasu worried for a second that what he'd said had hurt her. But then she jumped into his arms, planting a kiss directly on his lips. "Moto! You don't have to worry! I feel the same way too!" She said happily. Kissing him again.

It was official. Motoyasu was officially on Cloud Nine. He was so shocked, he didn't realize he had to kiss her back until Amber pulled away in worry. "Moto, your nose is bleeding again!"

Indeed it was. He quickly pulled out a spare cloth and put it to his nose. "Heheh, yeah." He said, sounding much happier than before.

"Why does your nose keep bleeding?" Amber asked worriedly. "Did you get injured in that dungeon? Do we have to see a doctor?! Maybe Naofumi can use his healing magic on you!"

"It'z noting. Onust." Motoyasu's voice said, garbled because of the bloody nose. Besides, he knew some healing spells too. If his nosebleed got too bad, he could fix himself. "Com un. Lez fin the kish." Motoyasu staggered towards the forest. His mind had likely completely shut off by this point. Were they searching the city? He could have sworn he saw Naofumi off by his lonesome out here where nobody would see them… him, he meant the kid. He definitely didn't mean him and Amber.

"Hmmm, if you think he'll be in the forest." Amber went back to walking alongside Motoyasu, holding his hand happily. An aura of happiness surrounded the official couple.

Oh yes. Motoyasu was really glad he'd suggested splitting up now. His first kiss with Amber had been nothing short of mind-blowing.

He only hoped Ren was having as good a time as he was.

"Will you hurry it up, Sir Ren."

"Sorry," Ren muttered pathetically again. He was lagging behind Wyndia like a lost puppy. Which was ironic, since Wyndia was the dog demi-human and not him.

"Moping over the problem will not help us find the brats faster," Wyndia said dryly. It was like she was treating him like a kid.

If only he were moping over that. He was ALONE with Wyndia. On a DATE Motoyasu had set up on the spot. But this didn't feel like a date at all. Wyndia wasn't interested in him, and he CERTAINLY wasn't interested in the dog-girl. At least he thought he wasn't. Wait, no, of course, he wasn't!

Romance wasn't cool. And he didn't have a chance at it! Yeah, no chance at all!

"All you have to do is flirt with her a little. Do something nice for her. And voila, you'll have a girlfriend of your own to love and hold." Motoyasu's voice repeated in his head.

…

DAMN IT, MIND! Why did he have to be so tempted by that advice! Was he really that lonely!?...

"So, um, it's a nice evening for a walk. Don't you think?" He managed to ask.

Oh yeah, he was definitely desperate.

The Tsundere girl looked at him with what appeared to be pity. "Please focus on our current task, Sir Ren."

…

It was official. He was hopeless. His hopes and dreams were crushed all at once. Goodbye cruel world.

"Y-yeah..." He slumped forward a bit as they walked together. Why did he have to go and make things even more awkward than before!? Sure she was cute, but he didn't even know if he really liked her! She was crass, rude, and had been raised by a dragon of all things! Yet that also made her really cool, and totally his type! Now he was anxious, panicky, and heartbroken!

Could you blame the guy for wanting a dragon as his Father-in-law?!...

After several silent minutes, he couldn't hold in his curiosity about her father. "So...what's your dad like? I mean he's a dragon, so that's got to be...interesting...at least." He said, looking anywhere but her face. He knew that a judgmental look was pasted there, and he refused to let it get to him.

Wyndia raised an eyebrow. "He's not my real Father."

"I-I know that! But, uh, what is he like?... Did he teach you anything?"

She thought for a few moments. "Well, I'd been with him for maybe thirteen or fourteen years before you buffoons showed up. Most of what I learned during that time was how to fend for myself. And to respect strength wherever it lies. There isn't much else a dragon can teach a normal demi-human."

"Uh...huh." Ren wasn't entirely sure what he expected. "So nothing really interesting?" The girl hadn't even known what fun was before they met. He shouldn't have been so surprised.

"Well, he did teach me some powerful magic too. And I learned during my time with him that dragons have very powerful...um...instincts." Wyndia was blushing, avoiding his eyes just as he had done earlier. Ren took notice of the uncomfortable tone she had now and decided to probe for more information.

"Instincts?" He asked. "Wait, you don't mean-" He started to ask in a horrified voice.

"NO, NOT IN THAT WAY! I MEAN, IT DOES APPLY TOWARDS OTHERS, BUT I NEVER SAW IT! I MEANT FAMILY INSTINCTS! FATHER-DAUGHTER INSTINCTS! ONLY THAT!" If Wyndia's face could burn much brighter, it would have. Crap, she hadn't meant to imply something like that!

Ren almost wanted to faint in relief. For a moment, he'd actually thought Wyndia had done… non-PG stuff with a dragon. Nope, it wasn't like that at all. Thank goodness.

But wait. Why was she flustered about it? Or did that mean... "Is your Father overprotective by any chance-"

"I-I don't want to think about it. At all. So stop asking about it." Wyndia glared. It was scary.

With his line of questioning effectively silenced, Ren resumed examining the architecture of the buildings during their walk. It was more interesting than the streets they walked on, but it wasn't particularly special.

A small red light like an eye shined from a doorway in an alley. The man gulped, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.

"And to answer your earlier question, it could be a better evening if the city wasn't so loud. There are too many buildings and things that get in the way of the sunset." Wyndia broke the silence this time.

Ren's head shot up in surprise. He honestly wasn't expecting Wyndia to humor him with a response, given her usual prickly attitude. "U-um, why do you say that?"

She shrugged. "I spent a lot of time with my Father in the mountains. After a while, you get used to it. Everything felt more...peaceful than down here, surrounded by civilization."

"I guess I wouldn't understand. I grew up in a city many times larger than this, where every other building was as tall as the castle. I never spent much time outside." Ren answered, growing a little more comfortable as the topic was locked in. "...Until recently, that is."

"A place like that sounds terrible." Wyndia shuttered.

"Well, as I said, I never really spent time outside even when I had the option." Ren rubbed his arm with a sigh. "I couldn't say I was a fan of nature, being so far away from it. But I understand not wanting to be surrounded by people either. Heck, it took me years to be able to interact with others in real life without being too awkward."

He didn't realize it, but Wyndia was looking at him now as he spoke. "I guess that's one reason why I try so hard to act cool now." He said softly. "I spent too much of my past life being afraid of other people and what they'd think of me. Maybe if I hadn't feared others... maybe if I had gone out more, I wouldn't have all this anxiety inside me and..." He trailed off, thinking only the next part in his mind. 'And I wouldn't have died saving my best friend from that murderer.'

…

"Funny, I could have sworn you were acting 'cool' for other reasons," Wyndia said. She rolled her eyes, but there was a slight upturn of amusement to her lips. It felt good, seeing this guy finally being honest. And, almost as if to reward him, she took hold of his hand as they walked.

HOLY MOLY! HE WAS ACTUALLY HOLDING A GIRL'S HAND! AND SHE'D INITIATED THE CONTACT! AWESOME!

No, play it cool Ren. Play it... ultra-cool.

"Like what?" He managed to ask without his voice squeaking too badly. It definitely didn't sound cool though.

"The brat. He seems to have quite an iron grip on all of you." Wyndia scoffed.

Ren blushed heavily. "Yeah, I guess Naofumi is another reason. He just looks so adorable when he tells me I'm cool. It's...hard to say no when he looks up to me like that."

"He would be adorable if he shut his mouth for a bit." Was it just Ren, or were the two of them getting along now? Huh, all he'd done was be honest about his past. Maybe that's what Wyndia would appreciate from him. Being honest.

Plus, holding her hand was a big bonus.

"H-hey, he's not that bad...I think. He's just- Hold on." Ren suddenly stopped.

"What are y-AH!" He suddenly gripped her arm and ducked into an alley. He held a finger up to her lips to silence her. Wyndia growled dangerously, but then a voice sounded outside the alleyway.

"I can't believe that guy! I mean come on, who has to play the white knight at a bar of all places!?" A rough-looking man passed them by in the alleyway, and the two could eavesdrop in the darkness without being seen.

"Just relax. We can have our drinks back at the base. They're already paid for and they taste better anyway." The man's partner responded, following behind the rough man.

"Fine, you're right. Let's just go before the boss rips us a new one for drinking on the job."

As the men passed by, Ren failed to realize that he was pressing Wyndia against the alley wall. She was glad his attention was elsewhere because her face was burning red from the proximity.

It was like one of those romance stories she'd read while visiting the library at Mirso with one of Gaelion's children… only her white knight wasn't some tall, brooding figure riding a magnificent steed! He was an awkward teenager chosen by the Legendary Sword!

"By the way, did you notice the kids at the bar?" The guy in the back asked, just as the two were nearly out of earshot.

Ren and Wyndia both listened in.

"What kids?"

"Seemed odd, the three of them sitting at a table without any adults. I almost didn't notice them there with all the kerfuffle." The guy in the back shrugged.

...

"Who even says kerfuffle anymore?"

The man looked offended. "Hey, just because you don't have a fancy vocabulary doesn't mean I don't! I'm allowed to feel smart sometimes!"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever lets you sleep at night." The other man waved it off, clearly unconvinced. "Besides, I don't care about some damn kids. I care about getting my next drink and maybe a nice woman once in a while." The two walked around the corner of the alleyway and disappeared.

SLAM!

After they had finally moved out of earshot, Wyndia pushed Ren so hard that he slammed into the alley wall across from them. "Next time you want to be stealthy, don't squish me into the wall." She said with a disapproving frown.

"Oww...Sorry..." He groaned, peeling himself off of the wall. A small indentation in the shape of his body was left behind. Hopefully, nobody would track him down to pay for damages.

"Come on. There's only one group of kids I know of capable of pissing off everyone in an area." Wyndia said, leaving him behind.

"A-Alright!" He chased after the dog girl. It seemed like the time for hand-holding had passed.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Melty crouched behind a group of bushes. Naofumi was actually inside the bush, and Raphtalia was using illusion magic to scout further ahead.

"Absolutely not, but we've come this far. It would be a waste of time to leave now. Besides, we found their base!" Naofumi whispered excitedly. They had followed the rough bandits stealthily out of the Capital. All the way to the base of the mountains here.

"Still! We have no idea how many of them there are, and we don't know how strong they are! If one of them has gone through a Class-Up, we could be in serious trouble!" The princess panicked. "I'm all for having fun. But do we have to risk death for it?!"

"Oh, relax! I'm the Shield Hero, remember? Even if something happens, I'll protect you both." Naofumi's confidence was infectious, but given the circumstances, it didn't exactly ease Melty's conscience.

The air shimmered beside her as Raphtalia reappeared. Melty nearly eeped in surprise. She was still getting used to Raphtalia using her illusion magic. "It looks like there's twelve of them outside. Two are asleep, three look drunk, and the other seven look tired. I couldn't tell which one is the boss, though. There are so many tents there, there could be dozens of bandits." She said with a pout.

Naofumi patted her on the head between her ears. "It's okay! Now we know what we're up against, and I bet we could take them all on!"

"D-D-DOZENS?! Are you insane!? You two want to fight twelve bandits at once with the possibility of there being many more!?" Melty nearly screeched but managed to keep her voice down at the last second. "Hero or not, this is suicide!"

Raphtalia smiled innocently. "We're actually pretty powerful, believe it or not. I doubt any of them could even hurt Naofumi if they hit him, and I'm pretty fast so they might not be able to hit me."

Melty frowned. "Not you too, Raphtalia! You're supposed to be on my side here!"

She cocked her head to the side cutely. "Your side?"

"Yes! The voice of reason, of course!"

"Your reason is stupid and boring. Oww!" Naofumi said, before getting slapped on the back on the head by the raccoon. "Sorry...But we can handle it no problem!"

Raphtalia sent a glare at the hero, causing him to shrink down. Melty was impressed. It reminded her of how her mother dealt with her father, to an extent. "You know you don't have to come with us if you don't want to, Melty," Raphtalia said, giving her a sad look.

The princess was torn. On one hand, her training had taught her to rely on the royal guard when fighting was involved. On the other hand, she finally had the opportunity to show that she wasn't some helpless princess hiding in her mother's shadow to become Queen by default...

Mind made up, Melty coughed into her hand. "As much as I'd like to have the royal guard involved, I...suppose I could assist you two." The bluenette looked genuinely uncomfortable.

Naofumi whooped in excitement. "All right! That's what I'm talking about! But...can you even fight? I mean I know Meanie can fight but-"

"Meanie?" Melty asked with a questioning look.

"He means your delightful older sister," Raphtalia said with a roll of her eyes.

Melty understood without any further explanation. In fact, the childish nickname seemed rather appropriate for the soulless redhead. Since her immaturity could only be identified as childish. Malty's name was thrown out and replaced with Meanie.

"But I didn't want to assume, 'cause you know what they say about assuming and all that," Naofumi said.

When both girls looked at him like he'd grown a second and then a third, and maybe a fourth head, he blushed and scratched the back of his neck. "So, uh, what can you do?" He asked.

Melty puffed her chest out with a bit of pride. "If you must know, I can cast up to Zweite level water magic. I was given top marks by all of my instructors, and they say I'm quite effective in combat."

Raphtalia smiled. "That would help a lot! My magic is mostly good for hiding things or people, and Naofumi's magic..." She trailed off as the boy slumped forward. "He, um...he can make us all stronger."

"Stupid magic...All I want are fireballs and lightning bolts but all I get is the ability to make other people look cool..." He grumbled. Both girls sweatdropped.

"Sooooo we were a bit lacking in offensive magic. I think we'll make a pretty good team." Raphtalia cracked a smile that Melty had a hard time not reciprocating. After all, she felt useful. Even more than that, she felt needed. So what if they were about to face dozens of bandits by themselves! SHE COULD FINALLY BE OF USE!

The girl hated being "needed" for things because of her status. All of those were jobs that could easily be deferred to someone else who is equally if not more qualified to do than herself, but they "needed" her to do them because she was the princess.

However, Melty rarely got the chance to be needed. To be needed for who she was, not what she was. Naofumi and Raphtalia didn't bring her along because she was the princess. They brought her along to have fun as people. Friends, if she could be so bold to assume such.

The fact that she was desired for her skills rather than her status was the last straw that broke her persona, and Melty was more than happy to step out of her mother's shadow. Just this once. "Okay, let's do it!"

Naofumi and Raphtalia shared a smile and a high-five before the boy turned back to the blue-haired princess. "Alright! So here's the plan. We ignore the drunk ones and go for anyone who looks sleepy first..." He further explained the plan to the two girls.

After a while, they both nodded. "Okay."

"Alright. Raphtalia, go in first and take out the two standing guard by the gate. Melty and I will come in once you do, and then we can start!"

"Leave it to me! First Hiding!" She smiled before disappearing into thin air. Only a minute later, the two could hear the distinct sound of a rock slamming against someone's head.

*THUNK*

"What the-"

*THUNK*

An identical noise followed the first, and Naofumi peeked over the bushes to see two men lying prone with massive bumps on their heads. Raphtalia, holding a rock the size of her torso under her arm, smiled at them and waved them over.

"That's our cue, let's go!" Naofumi and Melty tiptoed as silently as they could over to the last member of their group. The two men she had assaulted were completely unresponsive, but they weren't dead.

… Probably. The smol girl was very stronk at this point. And she hadn't even had her class-up yet.

Melty checked to see if they were breathing, just to be sure. And after that, the three kids rushed into the camp.

What followed could only be described as pure, adorable, and absolute chaos.

"HEY! INTRUDERS! INTR-AGH!" The bandit fell. A water spell slammed into his face.

"Fast Aqua Shot!" Melty quickly fired another salvo of water at another bandit. Knocking him into a pillar.

"Nice one! Air Strike Shield!" Naofumi summoned the shield skill, trapping several bandits inside a tent by placing it in front of the opening.

"Not too bad yourself Naofumi!" Melty said happily. She could feel it, that excitement prickling through her veins again! SHE FELT SO ALIVE!

"Hey, let us out-" The bandit was silenced by an invisible rock.

"What the-" The other bandits quickly fell as well. Raphtalia giggled to herself as Naofumi's shield skill disappeared. She bounded out the other side of the tent happily.

More bandits rushed out of their tents in surprise. But they were quickly being knocked out. Whether by Raphtalia's rock, or Melty's quickfire water spells. Melty was surprised to find how fun it was! And Naofumi stayed true to his word. Protecting her from any harm the bandits managed to fling their way.

They really were stronk for being such smol kids! This was amazing!

"What's going on here!?" Finally, a massive man whose size rivaled Erhard stepped out from a nearby tent. He looked around until his eyes settled on the two kids. Raphtalia had managed to slip away enough to recast her First Hiding once more. "Wh- What do you brats think you're doing in my camp?" Already, two dozen of his men were on the ground, soaking and unconscious!

"Hey, ugly! I heard you've been attacking people on the roads lately and I've come to stop you in the name of justice!"

Elsewhere...

Itsuki stopped, trying to find the trail that had gone cold. He could have sworn it went this way. But then he jumped and looked West. The trail was hot once again!

"Did somebody say, JUSTICE!?"

The blonde kid immediately took off sprinting in that direction, completely certain of his sixth sense for criminal activity.

"Fueh… Why is Sir Itsuki acting so weird?" A green-haired girl whimpered.

"Do not doubt Lord Itsuki's Justice senses, Rishia!" A man with shining Armor exclaimed. "Let us follow in his footsteps so that we may enact justice upon the lawbreakers! HYA!"

"FUEHHHH!"

Back to the action...

"Ha, HAHAHAHAHA!" The large ugly man bellowed a deep laugh. "Two brats think they can stop me, the great Bandit King?!" He continued to laugh in disbelief. How had they taken down two dozen of his men? Maybe he should hire sturdier stock in the future.

Naofumi pouted. "Hey, I'm not just any brat! I'm a Cardinal Hero!"

"More like a Cardinal Brat..." Melty mumbled.

"HEY!"

The Bandit King pulled out a large, black war ax. "Oh, a Cardinal Hero, eh? Do you hear that boys!? We have ourselves a little HERO!"

The remaining bandits around started whooping and laughing. Naofumi pouted, while Melty looked around in worry. More bandits were showing up from various hiding spots, now much more confident with their classed up leader there, and she couldn't find Raphtalia anywhere!

"You know what, since you're so cute. I'll make this nice and quick!" The Bandit King rushed forward, bellowing like a bull as he brought his ax up overhead. His footsteps were much louder than they should have been, and the sound thundered in Melty's ears. "RAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Naofumi-" Melty cried out in worry.

Naofumi didn't budge. He stood tall and erect… or at least as tall and erect as a little kid could be. The axe came down right on his head...

...And shattered into pieces. Naofumi's defense stat was so high, it was like the Bandit King had tried to strike at a diamond. He looked at the handle of his broken weapon in disbelief. "What… how-"

Naofumi grabbed the Bandit King's leg. "I already told you, I'm a Cardinal Hero! HYA!" With one giant heave, Naofumi spun and launched the Bandit King high, HIGH up into the air with his STR stat.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The other bandits in the camp looked up to the sky in disbelief. While they were distracted (and terrified) by the sight of their leader becoming a speck high up in the sky, they failed to notice that they were being knocked out one by one. Raphtalia, still invisible with her trusty rock, went from bandit to bandit.

Those that did come to their senses and tried to flee, found the exits to the camp blocked by terrifying creatures.

Not only was the smol girl invisible. Raphtalia had been busy creating all sorts of nasty illusions around the camp. Some were massive packs of usapils while others included a dragon or two. The one guarding the main entrance was nearly half the size of Gaelion himself, and equally as intimidating.

She'd obviously been practicing in her spare time.

"MOMMY!" One of the bandits yelled in fear. Running away from the snapping dragon.

"LET NONE SURVIVE! WAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Naofumi cackled in as evil a voice as he could muster. It ended up being much squeakier than he would have liked, but the situation itself was frightening enough that it barely mattered. Melty fired more water spells at the bandits. Gradually going stronger and stronger to show off her power in a way that could only be described as THRILLING.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAA-" The Bandit King finally came back down from his long fall. He'd been in the air for quite some time. Had he been screaming the whole time?

"Decipher the laws of nature! Hit my target with a ball of water! Zweite Aqua Shot!" With an aim that could only be described as incredible, Melty hit the classed-up Bandit King in midair. The force of the spell took away all his downward momentum and sent him crashing into the cliff wall.

The Bandit King quickly stood back up. All around, his goons were in chaos. Monsters poked their heads out of every crevice. His lackeys fell randomly all around. Melty fired more water spells, laughing blissfully at the chaos she was surrounded by. Bandits screamed in fear for their mommies. And in the middle of it all was one, diabolical, little kid with a shield, laughing in delight at all the chaos he'd caused.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" The Bandit King ran for the main entrance in terror. He hadn't signed up for this!

"Air Strike Bash!"

The Bandit King flew right back the way he came, slamming back into a wall and shattering the stone.

Ren and Wyndia finally made their grand entrance.

"A decent strike, Sir Ren," Wyndia said approvingly.

"Decent? I hit him right in the chest."

"Yeah, sure," Wyndia said. She was actually hiding how impressed she was with Ren. He'd managed to launch a fully grown man all the way across the camp with only one skill. Maybe he was stronger than she gave him credit for. But she couldn't let him know that! She only respected his strength, more so after learning about his past life! That was all! The hand holding earlier meant nothing! Even if he was the first boy she'd held hands with!

"Ugh."

"Ren!...Doggy girl!" Naofumi exclaimed after thinking for a moment for her name.

"My name is Wyndia, brat."

All around, the chaos was finally beginning to die down. Melty took out several bandits at the same time with an awesome water spell. Raphtalia chucked her rock at the last one, knocking him out with a hit to the head. And one by one, the illusions she created began to vanish.

Overall, he'd call it a job well done.

"Are you alright? When you disappeared, we were all worried." Ren said seriously to the little boy. He didn't even bother to put on a cool attitude this time, too busy riding the adrenaline and relief of saving the day. Well, sort of.

"Ha! Yeah, we're fine. It was cool though how you kept that guy from escaping Ren!" Naofumi said, stars appearing in his eyes once more at the sight of his favorite Hero.

Ren felt his heart contract, and he swallowed down a gulp. How was it he could not even be acting cool and Naofumi still found him cool?!... did he want him to be cool that badly?!

...

Naofumi was still staring starry-eyed at him... UGH! FINE! WHATEVER THE LITTLE KID WANTED! "Whatever." He became dark and brooding once more, shrugging the compliment away.

Naofumi's starry eyes only grew bigger. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHY DID HE DO THIS TO HIMSELF?!

"Sir Ren? You're doing it again." Wyndia noted with a disapproving sigh.

"I can't help it, okay!? Give me a break." Ren whispered to her. Wyndia at least understood why he did it now. So she didn't press.

"Urgh...stupid brats..." Said Bandit King was prying himself out of the wall. He wanted to sneak away, but then an arrow lodged itself into his shoulder, pinning him to the wall once again. "Ow! What now!?"

"WHO ORDERED JUSTICE WITH EXTRA JUSTICE!?" A deep voice yelled up above. "HOOAH!"

"Wait… is that Itsuki?" Ren asked in confusion. Looking up above them.

"Oh, hey guys." Itsuki bounded down from his perch, voice sounding normal. "What's up?"

As Ren and Wyndia stared, Itsuki's party members tiredly trudged into the camp behind him, huffing and puffing.

"Lord... Itsuki...*huff*...is the... true form of...*huff* *puff* JUSTIIIIIIIICE!" Armor announced, before falling flat on his face. His breathing stilled.

"F-fueh! Sir Mald!" Rishia screeched.

"Quick, he's going into cardiac arrest!" A member of Itsuki's party yelled. Two mages immediately rushed to Mald's sides, removing the heavy armor so they could help the large man.

Itsuki ignored them. They could probably handle it themselves anyway. "So..." He started awkwardly.

"That, was, AWESOME! We got to beat up a bunch of bandits, look cool, and we helped a lot of people too!" Naofumi shouted in excitement. Raphtalia and Melty's expressions weren't quite as enthusiastic, but they were visibly happy as well.

"I'm just glad none of us got injured," Melty said with a sigh. "I was worried there for a moment."

"AS WAS I!" Raphtalia shouted, grabbing Naofumi by the cheek and yanking him around. "What were you thinking, letting him just hit you like that!? What if he was stronger than you thought and you got hurt!?"

"Ouch! Hey, quit it!" Naofumi complained. That Bandit King couldn't touch him with his large stupid ax. But Raphtalia's pinching hurt!

Melty merely facepalmed at their antics.

"I'm sorry. Who are you?"

Melty nearly eeped. Ren and Itsuki were looking at her weirdly. Crap, she'd almost forgotten she was in disguise! She hadn't had the foresight to think up a codename or anything!

"Oh, that's our new friend!" Raphtalia said happily. "Her name is, um-"

"Filo!" Melty somehow came up with a name on the spot. "My name's Filo!"

"You mean... like the large bird?" Ren asked. Who would name their child Filo?

"Yeah! We found, um, Filo while we were escaping the castle." Naofumi said excitedly. "She's really cool and has awesome magic!"

"Huh…"

The older Heroes sweatdropped at the scene. "... How about we get everyone back then." Ren suggested. "Maybe we can return 'Filo' to her parents while we're at it-"

"THERE YOU ARE, YOU LITTLE MONSTERS!" A knight with an oddly colored (and smelly) head appeared running through the entrance to the bandit's camp, pointing at them with rage on his face. The original knight they'd pranked had spent all this time trying to track down the kids. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG-"

"Um, who are you?" Ren interrupted.

"AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN RUINED BY THOSE TWO- I MEAN, THREE BRATS!" He corrected himself quickly, but the slip-up was easily noticeable. The man drew his sword. "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR-FOR...um...DISTURBING THE PEACE! YES! MY PEACE!"

Wyndia sighed. "Looks like they caused more trouble than we thought."

Ren rolled his eyes. "I'll handle this. Alright, buddy, you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?"

It took a while, but eventually, the knight's grievance was settled the easy way. And, as it turned out, it was a good thing the knight came too. He held authority from the crown to arrest all the bandits at the camp, so he was able to help escort the Bandit King and his goons to the Capital without Melty having to shed her identity.

Melty managed to go unnoticed as the Crown Princess due to the crude disguise. When they got back to the castle, she said goodbye to the two, disappeared, and shortly thereafter reappeared as Princess Melty. Berating the two for leaving her behind.

As far as people knew, Filo had just been some random kid who ended up with the wrong batch of troublemakers. So when Naofumi and Raphtalia inevitably took the fall for their troublesome antics, she didn't get in any trouble whatsoever.

She did feel bad at first. But then her Father laughed the whole situation away, saying the two kids' genius had managed to erase a good portion of crime from the Capital as well as in the surrounding areas. He'd been planning on doing it himself, but they'd saved him a lot of trouble! The two were then rewarded. And the Siltvelt Council looked at Naofumi with even more awe than ever before.

"He knew exactly what to do to locate those brigands and make them pay…"

"He truly is a God…"

Melty sweatdropped. "Religion aside, you're horribly mistaken..." She mumbled to herself.

"That's my boy!" Aultcray said happily. Rubbing Naofumi's hair like a giddy Father. "Your growing wisdom continues to amaze me!" Naofumi giggled happily. "You will make a great King yet!"

"Though next time, try not to cause so much trouble to get the job done." Raphtalia sat happily in Mirellia's lap. It was obvious that she was becoming the Queen's favorite out of her new two children. Mirellia rubbed her head between her ears, and her tail started wagging like crazy.

Melty pouted. When was the last time her Mother held her!? Oh, those two owed her big time! "By the way, didn't I tell you to stay with these two, Melty?" Her mother asked her icily.

"What?! B-but they were the ones that abandoned me!" Melty cried out in indignation. It seemed like she wouldn't be avoiding trouble after all.

"Daughter. You must learn to harness your youthful energy if you wish to keep up with these two." Aultcray advised. "Otherwise, you'll never be able to appreciate childhood while you still have it."

"Wh-wh-WHAT?!"

"So, shall we continue the meeting?" Itsuki asked. He felt a lot better now that he'd satisfied his sixth JUSTICE sense. And he was starting to think that, maybe, Naofumi wasn't such a bad kid after all.

"Yes, lets," Ren said broodingly in his seat.

...

They were about to do so when something was finally realized.

"Wait, where are Motoyasu and Amber?" Ren asked.

"Weren't they with you?" Itsuki asked.

"No, we separated to look for Naofumi, and..."

…

…

Erhard suddenly stood up straight. A look of horror on his face. "OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He ran towards the exit of the room. "YOU BETTER NOT BE DOING WHAT I THINK YOU'RE DOING SPEAR BRAT!"

"What does he think Moto is doing with our Amber?" Naofumi asked innocently.

No one had the heart to answer Naofumi's question. And everyone silently agreed to ignore it for his sake. Much to his irritation.

And that was how the plans for the next three weeks were eventually settled. Not that any of the Heroes, in the end, paid any attention to them.

Author's Notes:

Allen Blaster: You know, it's funny how Naofumi is just shaking off the chains of canon with his antics. May our adorable stronk smol kids continue to impress, and make the world a better place one chaotic step at a time.

RLTygurr: Exhibit A: Three children make a whole camp of grown men run for their lives in terror. Exhibit B: One guy gets super lucky. Exhibit C: One guy does not get super lucky.

Hero Clips!

STRONK TOSS

"Kid, what are you doing now?" Uncle Bald Guy tiredly asked.

"I developed a way for us to get anywhere in Melromarc without portaling!" Naofumi said excitedly.

"Speaking of that, aren't you level 50 yet-" He tried to ask.

"Observe!" Naofumi grabbed the classed-up Bandit King by the leg.

"Wait, no, I'm too young to- WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" With a mighty heave, the little kid sent the poor sap flying high through the air.

Uncle Bald Guy and the others watched in stunned disbelief. In mere moments, the bandit was a speck on the horizon. That throw had to have sent him at least halfway across the kingdom!

"Oooooh." Raphtalia watched with great interest, squinting to get a glimpse of the human missile that just flew off. Her adorable best friend was really stronk.

"So, what do you think? Pretty cool, huh?" Naofumi asked the uncle blacksmith excitedly. He put his hands on his hips in a superhero pose.

"Oof, well, that does seem like it'd come in handy." He muttered to himself. "Assuming they survive the way back down..." he mumbled under his breath.

"Yeah. Don't you think that guy might…" Ren grimaced. "You know, get hurt by the impact?" He asked.

"No way! I don't have any Attack stat!" Naofumi glared at the Tsundere Shield on his arm but then he smiled at the group again. "So there's no way my toss could hurt anybody!"

"True… the throw wouldn't be affected by the attack stat… but with how high up you threw him, wouldn't environmental fall damage come into play?" Itsuki asked.

…

…

"Oh…"

At the clueless look on Naofumi's face, the other Heroes and Erhard facepalmed.

"Maybe I can kill monsters that way!" Naofumi said excitedly.

"If a monster dies from environmental factors, it's lost experience," Motoyasu said.

"Yeah, sorry Naofumi, that's how it works," Itsuki said with a shrug.

"You mean, even if I kill monsters by throwing them up super high, I won't get any experience for it!?" Naofumi cried.

"Yep. I'm afraid that's how it works." Uncle Bald Guy said. He'd lost track of the number of times he'd been unable to collect experience from a powerful monster just because it had the misfortune of falling off a cliff or some other high area during a fight and dying from fall damage.

"Dang it, you stupid shield! Let me have fun for once!"

ZAP!

"OW!"

And so, Naofumi found himself foiled yet again by the infamous Tsundere Shield.

Till Next Time

Allen and RLT