The morning came, a bit too soon for my tastes, as the glare of the sun was annoying. It did, however, bring winds that traveled towards the west, and that finally got the taste of soot and ash from the air. Looking back, as we were only a few kilometers from it, I saw the mountain, stripped bare of its once fine greenery, making me angry for the waste of it all. She had to have known we wouldn't even be slowed down by such a thing, but did it anyway, and would likely blame the Shield Hero and his party for it.

The rest of the party…well my captors I supposed, but I chose not to think of them in that way, kept eyeing me. A glance here and there, sometimes turning away when I caught their eye, sometimes not. Raphtalia was the most confused by me, as she kept looking my way, always with a different expression. Sometimes harsh, a glint to her eyes, as if she expected me to bolt at any moment to get away.

Other times, she looked down towards my chest, and it took me a few times to realize she was staring at the spot where she'd stabbed me. I had a small scar there, the only mark that she'd jammed her sword through my gut, but it was beneath my silver outfit, and unnoticable. Heck, the pain had been gone since the Pope had done his healing magic on it, and I'd almost forgotten about it in the excitement of last night, despite that wound being from only the morning of two days ago.

The bigger damage was the burn marks on the outfit itself, as that had lowered its durability by half. If the stuff wasn't as well made as it was, the First Princess would have killed me. Mind if I was a few points faster, the Second Princess would have done that with her bad aim, so either way, royalty seemed to be aiming to kill me, which was disappointing as their father had been accommodating lately, and even told me his backstory. It felt like we'd bonded, and now his children tried to murder me.

Not that the Second Princess hadn't TRIED to apologize. She was bad at it, but still, she tried, and Filo had thanked me for trying to keep Motoyasu off her, even hugged me, which activated my PTSD for a second. Stupid golden hair and blue eyes. Still, I'd shaken it off, and even patted her on the head. Not like it was her fault someone with her features had died because I'd not been smart enough to save her from her bad decisions.

Naofumi ignored me, as best he could. In his eyes I was a hanger on, and I think he expected, and possibly hoped, I'd leave. He dreaded it, but it was the dread that was probably eating away at him, which amused me. This was a show worth the two-thousand silver I'd given up to him after the Chimera Wave, however, and I was not going to miss a minute of it…besides, I'd been serious

If I left or otherwise got away, my only option, to not look like I was under mind control or brainwashing, was to immediately gather what forces I could and bring them straight back. Not that it would be that easy, my SP regeneration rate was BETTER than it had been, but transporting even just me would take about three to five minutes of regeneration, as I was starting at zero.

In that time I'd have at least one, possibly all four of them hunting me, and Naofumi could just instantly hit me with the (Soul Eater Shield) again. And that was trusting them not to accidentally hurt me, as it was obvious they still didn't grok how their stats had increased their durability, given the Shield Hero was curious why the others hadn't just hopped off the ledge last night after them, ignoring it was a drop that most people couldn't have made normally.

The sun saw Naofumi separate from the group, briefly heading into a small town, one that lay in sight of the mountain. There, he bought some more provisions for us, specific ones for Filo and Melty, and there he'd learned the border to Siltvelt was closed, leaving him with little option but to use one of the other paths, swinging wide of the capital and moving along the west for two days.

In that time I'd gotten two days of uninterrupted sleep, as neither Raphtalia nor Naofumi, for all he probably wanted it, would allow me to keep watch. Even Filo and Melty did it, but I was allowed to sleep through, and the one time I got up, when Raphtalia was on it, she kept me in sight the whole time, watching as I watered a tree, and then just went back to sleep, with her seemingly jealous that I was allowed to do that.

Still, we otherwise made good time, and though we were still a ways from the western border with Faubrey, it was closer than I had expected. We even had Filo carry us over a river twice, the bird easily able to hold even my weight on her back along with the others, even if it was an awkward ride, impressing me, and getting her a head pat from me, which seemed to please her greatly.

Finally, as the morning sun moved up into midday on the third day, we came upon the outskirts of a village, where dozens of Demi-Humans were at work in the fields, some smiling, some gritting their teeth, but strangely, not a one wearing the Slave Seal I had become so accustomed to seeing on their kind when I or the Guild wasn't involved, a fact I commented on as we stood just along the treeline looking out at them.

"While it's true the Demi-Humans nearer the capital have such, the lands beyond it are more accepting. The wars with Siltvelt happened a generation ago to even our people. To the Demi-Humans it's been longer, and their memories aren't quite so harsh. In time, a few of the Lords have made overtures of peace with their kind, allowing them to live freely on their lands," answered the Princess.

"Many of them, led by the Lord of the Domain of Seaetto, have been pushing for us to leave peacefully with one another, and to not look down on each other simply because of birth and the like," she said, smiling, but then, as if a switch was flipped, her expression turned dour.

"Still, with his death during the time of the First Wave, many of his supporters were banished by Father's orders, as he felt they were weakening the kingdom in this time of crisis," she said, and I had to wince a little, turning away, remembering that that name belonged to a man Pope Balmus had had killed…one whose death was the reason the four of us were here in Melromarc too, so I couldn't honestly argue with it, even if his intentions had been good.

"If these wars were so long ago, what is the King's problem with Demi-Humans?" mused Naofumi, and I looked to Melty, but saw her clamp her mouth shut for some reason. It was obvious by her expression, she knew exactly why, but refused to say it. Embarrassment that her father refused to let go of something like that? Or something she thought only he should speak of?

"It's because Demi-Humans killed his sister, his BLIND sister, who had stayed behind while he went to fight. According to him, she was no threat, and their blood or future prospects were not known to the attackers. They just…saw a helpless human woman, and decided she needed to die," I said, and that brought everyone else's eyes to me, Raphtalia looking startled, Naofumi concerned, Filo sad, and Melty…well she was doing a really good impression of her sister's glare. Not that I'd tell her that.

"That…would do it. But I'm sure plenty of people have lost family, and they don't take it out on the whole race those people came from," he countered, and I nodded. Raphtalia did as well.

"If I held grudges like that, I would not be here now. My village, it was in the Seaetto District, and…," she trailed off, not needing to say much else.

"I heard that area was hit hard by rioters after the First Wave struck right on top of it," said Melty, and Raphtalia looked haunted, as she gazed up into the sky, obviously trying to imagine what horrors she'd seen away.

"It was. There was a mob of Melromarc Knights. The place was already destroyed by the monsters, but then they came in, and they had levels. Low ones, but still, we couldn't resist them," she explained, and that actually got my attention, as well as my teeth grinding. That was…Leveling was a privilege, a calling. You were supposed to use it to protect people. Sometimes for money like an adventurer, sometimes for a Lord like the knights. But to do that?

"Absolute scum," I AND Naofumi said at the exact same time, causing us to stare at each other, a moment of unity passing between us, before Melty stepped forward.

"I'm so sorry, Raphtalia," she said, and Raphtalia tried to put on a smile, even if it didn't reach her eyes as she turned to the Princess.

"It's not your fault Melty," she said, but the blue haired young woman shook her head.

"I'm a member of the Royal Family, the Knights are our responsibility. Please, if you remember anything of them, the symbol of their division, or even a face or two, I ask you tell me, and I will see them punished for such abuse. If they throw away their honor so lightly, then we shall see them brought before justice's gaze," she said, and Raphtalia seemed shocked at the offer, but then smiled, a tiny bit of tear in one of her eyes, that she wiped away, before nodding.

"Thank you," she said softly, and we sat in silence for a moment, letting what had just passed have its time to settle, before Naofumi, who had been stooping down a bit, stood up…barely coming up to my chin, but still, he looked like he had some authority, as he turned to Melty.

"So, the nobleman of this land. You said you know him, right?" he asked her, and she nodded.

"Yes, he is a friend to my family, and my mother considered him a close ally," she answered.

"Then the real question becomes if we can trust him or not," he said, laying out the biggest issue, as contacting him might get them caught, and until the Queen returned, that was to be avoided if it could be helped.

"You are indeed correct," said a voice, and we all spun around, Raphtalia's hand going to her blade, meanwhile Filo looked ready to jump out of her feathers, and the other two seemed just surprised. I was shocked as well, but the moment I turned to face him, I recognized a nobleman by the cloak and clasp he wore. The glasses didn't hurt either, given they were the mark of a man who had money to spend on small windows on his face, so rich or skilled.

"Ah, you must be Lord…I believe this territory belongs to Reichnott, isn't that correct?" I said, bowing just enough to show respect to one of equal station, remembering a bit of the history of this nation I'd read on the first night.

"It is, and you must be the Bow Hero, as well as the Shield Hero's party," he said, bowing back to the exact same degree, as he turned towards the Princess, who smiled brightly at him.

"And the lovely Princess Melty as well. It is a pleasure to see you again, after all this time," he told her, as he continued to smile, and even chuckled a bit. A good mask for him, perhaps? Or was this genuine? He had skills, to be fair, given he snuck up on us, though it wasn't like we were in flight mode, and of course, I couldn't use any of my own skills. Still, I could guess that he had quite the level under his belt.

"I insist you call me Van, and as the Bow Hero has said, this land belongs to me as its reigning lord. However, discussion about your presence should be had in more accommodating places, come with me to my manor, and I'll see to your wants and needs there," he said, and then turned, his cloak fluttering a bit, showing he was wearing armor beneath it, the good shiny stuff that glittered with power, so he wasn't quite as unarmed as his appearance suggested, making me wonder after his class and such.

However, he insisted that there were ears everywhere, as we walked along a backroads like path, just out of sight of the main farm towards what I assumed was his estate. The building, modestly sized, and obviously built for form over function as it was not defensible at all, was still rather large overall. I'd estimate about twenty-five to thirty rooms, including several bedrooms and some offices from the outside, if the large windows were anything to guess by.

The interior was decorated equally modestly. There were a few pieces of art along the walls, but rather than professionally made, they appeared to be the products of simple enjoyment, missing the touches that would call them master works. This included not only paintings and rugs, but a few pieces of pottery, and even a plate or two that looked to be hammered from something like silver, all with names along them.

"My family has practiced many crafts over the generations, though administration has always been our true calling. I have a cup set I made a year or so ago displayed in the west hall, if you'd like to see it, Bow Hero," he offered after I asked about them, and I thanked him for the pleasure, but figured he'd want to discuss our being here first. We were soon enough, as the sun began to go from afternoon to early evening, into a small dining area.

"I must admit some curiosity. The Shield Hero was said to have kidnapped the Second Princess, and the Bow Hero was taken prisoner and possibly killed, yet neither of you seem to be the least bit flustered. Are those reports exaggerated or…?" he left it off, and Melty shook her head as she faced him.

"I came to Naofumi of my own free will, and stay with him for the same. He has in no way kidnapped me, and in fact is my protector, as my Royal Guards turned their blades on my person, attempting to kill me. Without him, I would be dead somewhere in a ditch," she explained, and that news seemed to shock him, as it was obvious he'd seen the recording by now, the altered one anyway.

"I see, is the same true for you, Bow Hero?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"No, no, I'm a prisoner, the lovely Raphtalia refused to release the Princess to my own care, and thus I was dragged along with them," I explain, and that got everyone looking at me in varying states of confusion or anger, as I said it with a tone that sounded like I was describing the weather.

"I…I see. Then your intention is to escape, I take it?" he asked, but again, I shook my head.

"I have had my SP and MP drained. My stats, such as they are, are quite low for a person of my level due to how I chose to build myself. If I attempted to escape, they would be forced to stop me, as I have been honest. If I regain my capacity for spells and skills, my first duty would be to summon my companions, and we would have to battle the Shield Hero's party for the Princess' release," I tell him, and that, at least, seems to explain it, as he smiles at me in understanding.

"Indeed, it is the duty of a Hero to protect those he can to the greatest of his ability. If I were to hazard a guess, you will allow this state to continue until the Queen's return then? Ensuring that the Shield Hero is honest in his intentions?" he suggested, and I shrugged, not denying it, but causing Naofumi to facepalm.

"If that was why you're staying, you could have just said so," he groused, but I smirked at him, making him look like he wanted to smack me upside the head.

"Feel lucky that those are his intentions, Shield Hero. The rumors abound that one of his party was granted a boon from the Church, one that has seen her power climb like no other. Were he to summon her, I doubt any of your group could oppose her," he said with a good hearted chuckle, though sadly he knew little beyond that the rumor existed, and the recipient was a female. What the item was, or what it did was unknown to him, so I could only guess at what I'd find when I got back to them.

The conversation then drifted to the burning of the mountain, a pointless gesture that the First Princess attempted to blame on the Shield Hero and his party. Not me, interestingly, as apparently the Guild AND Church had made it clear I was a victim in all this, and was to be 'rescued' as soon as possible, with both groups donating forces to the search for us, though thanks to that fire, it was proving difficult to find our trail.

That felt gratifying, even if it did mean that the people tracking us were not some low level knights, but probably professionals who did this sort of thing for a living. I even reminded them that one of the Sword Hero's party had a spell to literally make our path glow behind us, and that if we turned around, I could at least ensure that they would find safety amongst the people of Sanctuary, until such time as the Queen returned.

They turned me down, naturally, saying that they trusted me, given I had been as good as my word, but those around me? They had no reason to trust. And as if to demonstrate that paranoia, Naofumi advised them not to eat food served to us by Lord Reichnott, which myself and Melty ignored, and soon he did as well, the group of us eating something other than trail rations, and then retiring to one of the bedrooms.

There was discussion of what to do later, but after a time, Raphtalia advised us to sleep, and even offered me one of the watches, to show she trusted me, which I accepted. Myself and Naofumi then took the beds closest to the window, facing away from the ladies as they prepared, and we soon took to the soft mattresses, dreaming of hopefully more peaceful times ahead.