Alright. This Interlude is long and covers a variety of characters. I tried to include what was asked for. There are some extra things I threw in as well. I think overall this turned out good.

Warning: The Motoyasu and Rino section is dark. If you have a history of sexual abuse, skip that scene. I would rather not trigger any past or current trauma for those reading this fic.

Interlude: Life in Lurolona

"Hey, Bubba Spear, think this will be enough for dinner?"

"It sure will! Excellent work today, Keel!"

The dog boy(?) whooped excitedly. He and the other kids dragged the fish they'd caught in a large net behind them to deliver it to the new communal kitchen that'd been built near the center of the town.

The Spear Hero, meanwhile, wiped some sweat from his brow as he sat down in the town's training area. While he drank some water from a flask, Granny approached him with a fierce expression on her face. "Spear-dono, you are making me grow old with all this waiting."

"You're already ancient, Granny," Motoyasu smirked.

Granny smirked back. "I might be ancient, but I can still whoop your &%$, sonny."

"You know I nearly died recently. Can't you take it easy on me for once you old hag?" Motoyasu rolled his eyes.

Granny continued to smirk. "As someone who knows what it's like being on their deathbed and taking Yggdrasil's Elixir, the best way this old hag knows to recover is to give it 110%! Now, let us resume our day's training!"

Motoyasu laughed. "Fine, but just remember I'm taking some of the newcomers out grinding after this! I'll give 99% and nothing more!"

"105%!" Granny compromised. "After all, I'm helping those brats get stronger too!"

Motoyasu was still smiling as he got up and stretched his sore muscles out. They'd already trained for an hour and a half before he took a break. But within a minute, he was once again taking a stance next to Granny and resumed their latest training session.

It'd been a few days since the Spirit Tortoise's death and Naofumi and Itsuki's departure to another world, leaving Motoyasu and Ren behind to take care of things. And quite a bit had happened in that short amount of time.

To start off, Motoyasu, with the help of Eclair and the others, met with Mirellia and the rest of the surviving coalition leaders at the forward base established in the large cavern inside the Spirit Tortoise. There, they told them about what had happened with Kyo. They also informed the Queen about Naofumi and Itsuki's departure to take back the energy that Kyo had stolen from their world.

It didn't take long, thankfully, since Motoyasu had been in an incredible amount of pain due to Kyo's mistreatment. Mirellia hadn't held him up since she and the others there could easily tell just how badly he was hurting. So as soon as they'd finished, Motoyasu portaled back to Lurolona, where he proceeded to crash on his bed.

For thirty-six hours straight.

He'd had no dreams or anything. He was told that Fitoria had helped bring everyone else back from the Spirit Tortoise during that time. And when she was done with that and when she'd finished healing her own injuries, she'd used healing magic on the Spear Hero as he slept. Helping to heal many of his aches and injuries.

She'd also treated the Sword Hero soon after he'd returned with his new girlfriend. And, thanks to Mirellia sending a message back to the castle, Yggdrasil's Elixir had been taken from the emergency stores there and given to both Heroes while they rested.

Motoyasu honestly would have slept for even longer. His body had gone to hell and back and even with the most advanced healing magic and items in the entire world helping him out all he'd wanted to do was sleep until he was sure he was fine.

Unfortunately, after thirty-six hours of patiently waiting, Granny gave him a harsh wake-up call.

"Ahhhhh!" Motoyasu flailed helplessly under his blankets and mattress as he was shocked back into reality.

"Finally, I was certain I'd have to beat your &%$ through the floor to get you to wake up, Spear-Dono!" Granny laughed uproariously.

Motoyasu desperately pulled himself out from under his overturned bed. "Wh-What the hell is wrong with you?! Can't you let a poor man sleep?!"

"You have been asleep for a day and a half, Spear-dono! This old Granny will not let you sleep for another second unless you manage to lay a hit on me right now!" Granny announced while taking an aggressive stance.

"Fine, with my new and improved stats, I'll utterly destroy you!" With one move, Motoyasu threw the bed off himself. It was a fairly impressive feat that was possible thanks to his recently boosted Strength stat. The power-up methods were the real deal.

As the Spear Hero got up, he charged at the crazy old lady, moving faster than he ever had before. "AHHHHHH-"

Unfortunately, before he closed the distance, his muscles seized up and the Spear Hero promptly collapsed on his face.

His recently battered body did not appreciate so much action happening so quickly. Even with his high stats, he was powerless to move without feeling immense soreness or pain. "Owwww…"

"See, Spear-dono," Granny smirked as she knelt down next to the blonde while placing her hands on her knees. "That is why we must resume our training immediately. Imagine if it had been some foe hellbent on killing you that attacked right now, instead of your sweet old Granny giving you a gentle wake-up call."

"Excuse me, what part of this was gentle, you demented hag?!" Motoyasu groaned on the floor.

"Hah!" The old woman threw her head back and laughed. "Perhaps I should kill you myself, considering how you ran off to fight that great beast by yourself…" Motoyasu looked up guiltily, expecting a look of anger. However, Granny was smiling at him. "... without asking if I'd want to come too!" She then held a hand out to him.

…

"That's what you're mad about?" Motoyasu couldn't help but chuckle despite the pain. He gripped Granny's firm hand, pulling himself back up. "Sorry Granny, but I don't think that your help would have made any difference."

"Maybe so. But at least I would have died having finally met an opponent worthy of my full power!" Granny grinned.

The pair laughed.

"Can I at least eat something first before we start training again?" Motoyasu groaned as his legs protested to the act of standing up for more than a minute.

"Of course! I can feel how low on energy you are right now, Spear-Dono! You shall eat at once, and then, we shall resume where we left off!"

As promised, Granny went somewhat easier on the Spear Hero at first, but it didn't take long before Motoyasu was training about as hard, if not harder, with his ki/life force as he had been before the Kyo incident.

Granny really helped him to get back into fighting shape quickly. Even though less than a week ago he'd been hanging in a crystal prison near death, he was now able to move around and help out in the village again with very minimal discomfort from his body.

Naofumi had pointed it out several times before. But healing magic and everything else available in this world really made certain things a lot easier.

Having others around to help the Spear Hero was also a blessing. A lesson that he'd learned when he was last in charge of the Hero's Village.

While he'd been asleep, Melty and the other villagers who'd been staying at the capital during the Guardian Beast's rampage, returned home. They were quick to clean up the remaining mess and fix the damage left from the day of Rachel's most unfortunate wedding. And then, life in the village resumed like normal.

The second princess had returned to handling the affairs of governing their territory again. But she seemed a lot more temperamental than usual. At times, she could be seen leaving her offfice in the Church building to blow off some steam on portraits of Naofumi, or monsters if any were dumb enough to approach her while she was out for a walk in the forest.

Motoyasu hadn't asked her what was going on directly. But according to Eclair who spoke with him on the topic during one of their spars, Naofumi had hurt Melty after the Spear Hero left, and Melty didn't want to talk about it. So Moto tried to not bother the princess if he could help it and gave his assistance whenever she asked for it.

He hadn't seen much of the Sword Hero outside meals either. Ren could occasionally be found outside, training with his party members, but this wasn't one of those days.

According to Granny, Ren required more time to rest than Motoyasu. His poor bro had not only been worn down physically but mentally and emotionally too.

Granny was eager to train the Sword Hero as well, but even she agreed that he hadn't recovered enough yet.

Though, Motoyasu did find Ren doing katas with Eclair and Wyndia at times. And other times, he'd be working on magic with the mage girls in his party as well as his girlfriend.

Once, Motoyasu thought he saw him trying to swim with Wyndia's help one evening. But the blonde had been dragged off for some other task, and by the time he got back, he only saw Keel and his(?) friends playing around in the ocean. And none of them had seen Ren or a possible dog girl being there before they arrived.

At the very least, Moto could rest easy knowing that Ren wasn't being left alone for a single moment during the day.

The Slave Trader Beloukas returned to making regular appearances in their town, now that its populace was back. He'd kept quite the surplus of 'useless slaves' safe in the Capital just for them.

Since Naofumi was not there to put him in his place, the creepy man bartered with Melty and Elena to have them pay an extra fee for holding onto the slaves during the recent crisis and treating them humanely while at it.

Motoyasu was glad that he didn't need to interact with that slimeball personally. Just like Naofumi and the others, he found Beloukas to be creepy.

Seriously, just how did he make rainbows appear out of his mustache on a whim!?

If it wasn't for Elena helping out with that, he would have punched the short man in the face. And then he would have had to deal with him for the rest of his life.

The new kids and even the few adults who'd arrived with them were already adjusting to life in the village well. They tended to the Bio-Plants, helped with repairs and the construction of new buildings, fulfilled either necessary tasks in the town, or, if they chose to get the Hero Service Crest, they would spend time Powerleveling under Motoyasu and other powerful individuals like Granny, Eclair, Tersia, Rachel when she had time, and sometimes, when she really had to blow off some steam, even Melty.

There were some other matters going on in the village. But there was so much to keep track of that Motoyasu couldn't recall it all while training with Granny to perfect his defense-piercing thrust technique.

As soon as he and Granny were finished up, Anya approached with a group of kids and adults following behind her. "We're ready to grind in the forest again!" The cat girl said excitedly.

"Alright, just give me a minute to recover, and then-" Motoyasu began to say tiredly.

"Hup hup! Time is money! Get a move on Spear-dono or I'll give you extra training before bed!" Granny pushed him towards the forest.

"Ow! Can't I at least have fifteen seconds to- ow! Okay, we'll go old hag! Stop pushing me with your ki!" Motoyasu yelled loudly because of how tired and sore his muscles felt.

"For an old hag, I sure am sprier than a spring onion, unlike you, Spear-dono!" Granny laughed out loud.

If only healing magic could fix his bruised ego.

Thankfully, killing the monsters they came across was pretty easy. Motoyasu had powered up so much thanks to the power-up methods that he was able to kill most monsters he came across in one hit. He could easily power level the five people who chose to party with him alone.

He'd spent some of his free time during the last few days using materials and trying out the various power-up methods that Ren had shared with him. And the difference in power he had right now compared to before was like night and day. His stats had more than doubled, if not tripled by this point. And he made sure to absorb every monster they killed so not even a single item would go to waste.

As powerful as he was now, if he could continue to effectively utilize the other's methods in getting stronger, he could become even more powerful. As scary as that sounded.

Next time, he wouldn't go down so easily when facing a Guardian Beast.

Several hours later, he and the group that he was Powerleveling came back. While Anya and her friends went to lie on a patch of grass where they could groan about their growing pains while they waited for dinner, Motoyasu went to the kitchen, where he worked alongside some of the older kids who were training to become cooks instead of fighters. They were preparing dinner for everyone in the village.

"Bubba Spear, the creepy slave guy is back!" Keel yelled through the door.

Speak of the devil.

"Did Elena's trade caravan get back with some money yet?" Motoyasu asked tiredly.

"Yep, she arrived just an hour ago!" Keel responded excitedly.

"Alright, go to her and tell her to pay Beloukas. I'll be there to help as soon as I'm done here." The Spear Hero replied. "Also, go find Amber for me while you're at it! We need to chat with that slimeball about something!"

Keel saluted the Spear Hero and promptly ran out the door.

Due to the injuries that she'd suffered from before and after the Spirit Tortoise attacks, Elena had pretty much retired from fighting in general. Though it was possible she didn't have the energy for it any longer either.

It was unfortunate but she'd made herself useful in other ways such as using her business skills instead. With the help of some of the villagers, she would frequently leave the town with wagons pulled by members of Fitoria's flock to sell extra items, food, and other things they didn't need to the closest towns inside Melromarc that needed the resources to recover from the devastation wrought upon by the familiar's attacks.

Motoyasu had to admit that the orange-haired girl seemed far happier these days doing that than she ever had fighting monsters or adventuring by his side. It was a little sad that he didn't get to see her as often anymore. But then again, at least she talked to him more often than Rino.

That girl spent almost every day either at the training field or out in the forest by herself. When she would return home late at night, she would only eat a quick dinner and go straight to bed. Then after she ate breakfast in the morning, she disappeared all over again for the day.

Motoyasu had tried to strike up a conversation with her several times, but she'd hardly acknowledged him. It looked like she was struggling with something, but he couldn't tell what it was.

He would have spent more time pondering this, but there was also Amber to think about as he finished helping the kids with dinner preparations.

Amber and other members of Fitoria's flock had arrived around a day after he'd woken up. Amber in particular had been particularly happy to be reunited with the Spear Hero.

In talking with Fitoria last night, the youthful-looking Queen had admitted to Motoyasu that Amber had decided to leave her flock to join him on his adventures. This meant that she needed a monster crest so she'd be 'tamed' and thus able to join his party.

"Really? Amber wants that?" Motoyasu asked in surprise.

"Yes." Fitoria nodded. "She and Blue said before that they wanted to leave to help you Heroes. But now, they have both decided that they'd like to be taken into the Hero's flock, just like Filo was taken in by Naofumi."

"I… I'd be honored! Amber is probably the most reliable Filolial I've ever met!" Motoyasu exclaimed happily. "Besides you and Filo, of course!"

Fitoria graced him with a small smile. She had been smiling more these past few days. Despite all the changes that were rocking her life right now after centuries of isolation and closing herself and her flock off from the human world.

"But, um, does she really need the monster crest to join my party?" Motoyasu asked worriedly.

"No, it isn't necessary," Fitoria admitted. "She can still help you out as a wild monster. But she won't be able to join your party. Only intelligent monsters of certain species are capable of that, like Filolial Royalty, Griffon Royalty… or Dragon Emperors." Fitoria said the word distastefully. "Along with that, she would be unable to reap the benefits of being raised by a Hero without it."

"Benefits? Like stat and growth boosts from my Filolial series?" Motoyasu guessed.

"Yes, and more importantly, becoming a Filolial Queen." Fitoria nodded again.

…

"Oh… oh…!" Motoyasu's face took on a look of realization. "You mean, that can still happen, even if I didn't raise her from an egg?!"

Fitoria looked away to the side. "Yes. It has happened before. If they go through with this, it is very likely that Amber and Blue will eventually become a Filolial Queen and Filolial King once they register to a Hero's party. And when they're ready, they will be able to take my trial to grow even stronger through that."

"That's… wow, that's incredible!" Motoyasu exclaimed gleefully. Then, he cocked his head to the side in confusion. "Still, why do you look sad about that?"

"... I have known Amber and Blue since they were young chicks," Fitoria said, her polite smile fading away just a little. "I have known many rambunctious Filolials in my lifetime. But these two always stood out to me ever since they were rescued by members of my flock from poachers."

"They were both beyond curious about the human world despite its mistreatment of them as they grew up. While the others were content to live their lives in the forest, those two always wanted to be out doing something.

"I guess I knew deep down that, had they been given the opportunity, they would have made great Filolial royals. While I'm sad for them to go, I'm happy that they'll finally get the chance to grow as well."

"But if that's the case…" Motoyasu muttered. "Why not raise them to become Royal Filolials yourself? You're a Hero too, aren't you?"

"That would have required me to bind them with a crest, and… besides how much I would have hated myself for doing that to my flock… it's only guaranteed to happen if a Cardinal Hero raises them." Fitoria explained.

"Whenever a Vassal wielder like me tried it in the past, four times out of five, they'd remain a regular Filolial. Whereas the Cardinal Heroes… I cannot recall a single time where they failed to raise a Filolial King or a Filolial Queen." Fitoria looked up at Motoyasu. "Do you see why I place such importance on the Cardinal Heroes now?"

Motoyasu gulped. "Wow, that's… wow."

Fitoria looked down sadly. "I've fought as this world's Guardian for a long time. Each generation, I wonder if a Filolial Queen or a Filolial King will rise up and be able to take my place. Yet, it hasn't been until now that I've finally met one that looked capable of doing so."

She smiled again, wistfully this time. "Well, perhaps there could be more. Though, that depends on you and the Sword Hero being able and willing to take Amber and Blue under your wings."

"Hey, I'll definitely be able to! No worries there! And I'm sure that when Ren recovers enough, he'll be able to do the same for Blue too!"

Fitoria hugged the blonde around the waist. "Thank you for agreeing to take in Amber for me, Spear Hero. Please, take good care of her."

…

Motoyasu smiled as he rubbed a hand through the Filolial Queen's ahoges. "For you, I'll do anything."

Motoyasu sighed happily to himself.

He was really grateful that Fitoria was not only sticking around but that she was opening up to people like him again.

He'd been filled in on some of the events that'd happened while he was gone. And… well, he was only grateful that Naofumi and Fitoria were in better spots now.

After determining that the kids could be trusted to finish cooking dinner on their own, the Spear Hero raced out to the town square where Elena stood with the latest group of slave kids. Though, oddly enough, there was also a kitsune mother and what looked like her kids amongst them that stood out from the crowd.

"Gwah!" Amber was also there, waiting for Motoyasu to arrive.

"Ha, it's great to see you too Amber!" Motoyasu laughed happily as he hugged the red-feathered Filolial's neck.

"I did what you asked Bubba Spear! Can I get dinner now?" Keel asked anxiously.

"Sure bud! It's about ready, so go before the crowds arrive!" Motoyasu gestured for him to leave.

"Yes! Foooooooood!" Keel rushed towards the kitchen. Drool dripping from his(?) mouth.

The dog boy(?) was close to level 50 now and had definitely grown up considerably… in more ways than one.

The shapely hips could be excused as just an oddity but when her breasts began to grow as well and when she tried to bathe in the guy's public bath when Motoyasu was in there, it was impossible to deny it anymore.

Keel was actually a girl and not a boy. She'd been surprised when Motoyasu broke the news to her and she then tried to say that she was a boy. But it turned out to be her misinterpreting a saying her dad used to say to her. How she had to grow up to be "a man of the sea." or something.

They were thankfully past that now, and Keel still got along with everyone as her usual tomboyish self. But it still felt awkward at times when Motoyasu remembered her walking into the guy's bath.

How the hell had everyone gone for so long without realizing Keel was actually a girl?

"Hmmm?" Beloukas hummed curiously at Motoyasu's side, dragging the blonde man back to reality. "This bird is a fine specimen indeed. She'd be worth at least thirty gold coins as is!"

"Gwah!" Amber, who was normally upbeat, took a step back from the short man with uncertain eyes.

"Be careful. If she goes through any pain, she'll peck your eyes out." Motoyasu threatened.

"Mmmmmmmmmm!" Beloukas began to tremble under the Spear Hero's glare. "Why, with such a tempting offer, how could I refuse?"

The Spear Hero paled. He stayed at a distance away from him after giving a few drops of his blood so the short male could perform the monster crest ritual on Amber, registering her to him.

When the process was done, Amber's level and stats appeared on his HUD. And then, Amber tackled Motoyasu in joy. "Gwah!"

"Ahahaha, yeah, we're going to do great things together! I just know it!" Motoyasu replied happily.

"Gwah!"

Blue looked around, waiting for Ren to show up. However, Farrie, who was also there to help out the new villagers, shook her head as she rested a hand on his back. "Sorry, Blue. He's resting up in bed right now. He's not going to be able to register you to him today."

"Gwah…" Blue's head hung in disappointment.

"Gwah! (Don't worry, I'm sure Noodle will recover enough to see you soon!)" Amber said encouragingly to Blue.

"Gwah! (Yeah, if that stupid dog girl ever leaves him alone that is! Did you know they're sleeping in the same bed now?!)"

"Gwah? (Are they mating already?)"

"Gwah! Gwa! Gwah! (No, of course not! Dog girl just refuses to leave Noodle's side for anything! Not even Blue can have a moment alone with Noodle!)

"Gwah! (Really?! How romantic!)" Amber's eyes shined gleefully.

"Gwech! (Blech!)"

"Is Ren doing ok?" Motoyasu asked the mage girl worriedly, ignoring the conversation going on between the two Filolials. He almost felt like he could tell what they were saying for some reason.

"Yeah, at least he's okay physically." Farrie smiled a little. "It's just a bad day for him mentally. Wyndia's helping him out though."

As if on cue, Wyndia appeared on the other side of the street. She walked into the kitchen, disappeared for a moment, and then came out with two plates full of dinner. She didn't stop to speak to anyone. She simply walked back towards Ren's house where he stood leaning on the porch, waiting for her.

"Okay," Motoyasu said after observing the sight with Farrie. "Do let me know if there's anything I can do to help out too."

The former nun grinned at him. "Of course, my partner in crime."

"That should be every one that wanted it!" Beloukas walked up gleefully, rubbing his hands together as his signature glasses reflected off the pile of silver coins he was carrying in a bag at his side. He'd finished applying the Hero Service Seal to those who'd asked for it after learning that it was basically used as a tattoo that'd help them become strong enough to fight alongside the Heroes who'd taken them in.

"Is there anything else you shall require of me today, hmmm?" Beloukas hummed giddily.

"Actually." Farrie turned to Beloukas. "Would you be able to use some of the leftover ink Ren and Melty provided to you a while back to give me a Hero Service Seal as well?"

"Why, most certainly!" Beloukas grinned widely.

"Wait, you're getting it!?" Motoyasu asked. "I thought you were also going through Fitoria's delevel treatment?!"

"I am." Farrie smiled widely as she shrugged.

"Why are you also doing this then? You can get stronger via Fitoria's way. And I could have sworn you said before that you didn't want to tie yourself to anyone like that?" Motoyasu asked curiously.

"I did… well, I thought I'd be fine being what I always was." Farrie smiled wistfully. But, this time, there was a certain wisdom in her eyes. "But without the seal or not, I'm tied to my friends here. And… well, I want to be able to fight side by side with them down the road."

"Besides, if there's anything I've learned Sir Motoyasu, it's that without using them for their intended purpose, they're basically tattoos. Over glorified tattoos that give people under the Heroes a major boost in power! So I might as well get one for myself since I'm already getting the delevel treatment anyway! That way, when I catch back up, I'll be able to release a fireball far stronger than any of Tersia's spells when I reach her level again!" She pumped a fist excitedly.

"... you really don't mind it," Motoyasu said with a bit of concern.

"No. Not after what I went through without it." Farrie smiled back genuinely. "Whether it helps me save a life down the road or not, I don't know. I was able to help Wyndia and Ren out without it before. But either way, I'm doing it anyway. So save your speeches, Spear Hero. This girl isn't going to change her mind! I need more moments to shine just like Wyndia and Rishia and everyone else!"

Motoyasu chuckled. "No, it's alright, it's a personal choice on my part not to use them. I'm not forcing my choice on anyone else. Especially since it helped you guys to save my life."

Farrie grinned, and moments later, she had a hero service crest on her chest from the remainder of the ink Beloukas had on hand from Ren and Melty. After buttoning the top of her blouse back up to cover it, she happily looked to Motoyasu again. "Thanks for the talk. I'm going to see Fitoria after I get everyone here to their new homes. Have a good day, Sir Motoyasu."

With that, she led the former slaves to their new temporary lodges where they could clean up and get ready for dinner. Where the swarm, as Motoyasu aptly nicknamed it, had already gathered.

With all that leveling up, all of the kids had appetites as ravenous as a fire. And with Anya and Keel and dozens of them demanding seconds and thirds already, it was more than likely that Motoyasu was going to have to lend his assistance to the kids trying to keep up with the demand.

Motoyasu smiled faintly. A lot had really changed since the Spirit Tortoise incident. And not just for him and his party.

The others had really had to step up in terms of helping out their Heroes against such a massive threat. Some had come out confident in their abilities. Others had realized they had some catching up to do. A few had decided fighting wasn't for them anymore.

None of them had come out the other end the same as before. And to think they'd have to face three other Guardian beasts like that in the future…

Farrie had taken her weakness in stride though. Having both Fitoria's delevel treatment to increase her stat growth alongside the Slave User Series, there was no doubt that she was going to become one of the strongest mages in the village. Motoyasu pondered how many others would do what she did.

"Gwah!" Amber rubbed her head against Motoyasu, smiling happily as she did so.

Motoyasu's thoughts brightened, and he rubbed the Filolial's head with his hand. "Right! Want to help me with feeding the others, I say!?"

"Gwah! (YES!)"

"That's what I like to hear!"

Amber and Motoyasu happily strode towards the kitchen to help the kid cooks out.

And thus another day in the life of the Spear Hero went by.

"Hey, Farrie, did it go well?" Tersia asked happily.

"It did." Farrie proudly revealed the tattoo on top of her bust for her older sister.

Seeing that, Tersia checked the party HUD and found that her level had been reset to one too. "How are you still walking around? Aren't you exhausted?"

"A bit. But I was too excited and wanted to see you!" Farrie said happily as she sat down opposite the older nun. "I told you I'd do it, after all!"

"So you did." Tersia smiled. "And I'm guessing you'll want me to power level you later when I have time."

"Unless you decide to go through the treatment too. Then maybe we could ask Rachel and her husband to help us instead." Farrie grinned.

"There's no need. They finally stopped grieving over the death of her father, so it'd be best not to bother them." Tersia explained sadly before her voice took on a warmer tone. "I'll do it later myself. Somebody has to make sure you're protected, after all."

"Watch out sis. With that kind of talk, I'll be the one surpassing you in terms of raw power soon enough." Farrie teased.

"I'd say that what you need is technique and experience, rather than raw power if you want to best me." Tersia smiled again. "But, you did plenty of that to try and bridge the power gap between us before. So perhaps you're right."

The light-green-haired mage smiled as she closed up her blouse. She opened another book on the blonde mage girl's desk. "So… find any good smut?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Tersia sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "To think. We have centuries upon centuries of diaries written by the hands of the Heroes themselves. History books dedicated to their lives gathered from the various nations we assisted against the Spirit Tortoise… and the only thing these Heroes were interested in was bragging about their romps in every spot imaginable. The only difference is that these books don't label the heroes as fake Heroes when they have sex with demi-humans like the Church books did."

"Good thing we're of the cloth then." Farrie grinned. "We're both above such temptations of the flesh."

"... You and I both know how untrue that is." Tersia deadpanned.

"For both of us!" Farrie added.

The pair laughed. "True. Yes, very true."

Ever since the Spirit Tortoise, the two had grown closer as genuine sisters. Tersia smiled as she saw the younger girl smiling with such glee and warmth. But her eyes still held pain from Bakta and Welt's passing.

"You really doing okay today, sister?" Tersia whispered softly.

Catching her tone, Farrie shakily nodded her head. "Yeah, mostly."

"If you need me to, I'll take you out grinding right now if you want to get your mind off things," Tersia whispered again. "That way it'll be just you, me, and whatever monsters you want to incinerate after you level up a bit."

"It's… it's ok, I'll be fine waiting till tomorrow. I think I'm too tired to go that far today…"

Tersia hugged her sister close though, and, after a moment of hesitation, Farrie hugged her back and relaxed in her embrace.

Tersia rubbed a hand on the back of her head. Letting her younger sister know she was cared for and loved.

After a bit, the pain faded from Farrie's eyes, and she was about to open her mouth to thank Tersia, but her words trailed off as she looked at the books on Tersia's desk again.

"Tell me. Were these books tampered with too?" Farrie whispered into Tersia's ear.

…

Tersia frowned. She released Farrie and uttered a spell under her breath. The candles around the room came to life. Leaving no shadows for anyone to hide in. After looking around to make sure they were the only ones there, she turned to her sister again and spoke in a faint whisper.

"Yes."

"... How recent?" The two kept their conversation quiet and private.

"Very. I did have Rachel come over yesterday when I noticed a few more books were missing. It wasn't just that though, many of the rest had pages torn out from as early as the day before."

Farrie frowned deeply. "How? We didn't even tell anyone that we'd received more books on the Heroes. Hell, we even had them snuck into the village by Mirellia's shadows during the night so nobody would know."

"I don't know. But whoever is doing it, they seem to know exactly when we get them." Tersia said grimly. "If her Majesty does end up finding that underground library vault Ost mentioned being in the Spirit Tortoise's country, then I'm going to go there by myself."

"Not even Ren or me for support?" Farrie asked worriedly.

"Not even him, or you." Tersia shook her head. "Fitoria told me the same thing happened in the past. So it's become apparent to me that some enemy is purposefully destroying the knowledge we're seeking on the Waves and leaving us with only these texts as a sick joke. At the very least, if I force them to follow me, we can figure out who is doing this and set up a trap for them."

One of the candles flickered, and the two turned their heads.

They didn't see anybody. But the serious conversation they'd been having was replaced with earlier. "Don't worry, Farrie. I'm sure you'll fall in love again soon enough."

"Heh… Bakta was the first guy that made me feel like that, and I doubt that anyone else will make me feel the same." Farrie replied sadly.

"You'll meet someone else." Tersia rested a hand on her younger sister's shoulder. "I promise."

...

Farrie leaned in, hugging Tersia close again. The blonde mage wrapped her arms around her younger sister as well.

It saddened her how Farrie was only a few years younger than her. Yet she'd already had to go through the pain of losing a loved one.

After what'd happened before, she was trying her best to be a better sister. She wasn't sure how well she was doing or not though. At the very least, Farrie seemed to trust her more than she had before.

…

"I sent a letter to my parents, by the way," Farrie whispered.

"You… you did?" Tersia asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I don't plan on going back to see them anytime soon but… but I at least told them that I was doing ok. And that I was staying to help out the Sword Hero. You know, the usual things." Farrie attempted to smile. "I don't know how they'll take it after how I've disappointed them in the past, but… it feels better not having that on my chest anymore."

Tersia put Farrie at arm's length again. "Who are you and what the hell have you done to my sister?"

Farrie burst into genuine laughter. "Do you want me to read some smut with you and see if that turns me back to normal?"

"I could let you read that stack there." Tersia pointed at the back of her desk. "Those are all the scrolls with Shield Heroes having harems of beast women."

…

Farrie frowned as she stood up again. "On second thought. I think I'll save the smut for another time."

"Come now, that turns you off?" Tersia teased.

"Duhhhhh. I'd take the Bow Hero being murdered by his harem of catgirls any day over that." Farrie made a face of disgust as she walked back to the door.

The ominous feeling from before had vanished, but the pair didn't dare to bring it up. Instead, Tersia said something else.

"Ah, but don't you want to hear what I've learned from the smut?" Tersia grinned widely.

…

Farrie stopped with her hand over the doorknob. "You learned something from all that?"

"Of course. For example, I learned that many of the past Bow Heroes, with the exception of a few, favored human partners over anyone else. I also learned that almost every Shield Hero preferred demi-humans, beastmen, or intelligent monsters as their companions in bed." Tersia said excitedly.

"Seriously, monsters?! Gross!" Farrie shuddered in horror.

"If you think that's bad, one text described the Spear Hero as rating his tool E."

"... E?" Farrie asked dumbly.

"E as in Everyone." Tersia grinned. "Most of them are quoted to have said 'where there's a hole there's a way!'"

Oh… oh that was such a horrible way to put it. Farrie genuinely wanted to gag now. "Sister, you've become more dirty-minded than me and I really don't like that one bit."

"Eh, it's not even the best thing I learned." Tersia grinned as she shrugged.

"Not the best, then… wait, is it about the Sword Hero?" Farrie suddenly asked.

Tersia's grin grew wider. Farrie's face peaked in interest. "I can tell by the look on your face that it must be another way to embarrass Wyndia."

"That stack there." Tersia gestured to some books on the right side of the desk. It was pretty large. "Those are all about past Sword Heroes."

Farrie walked over, took the top book off the stack, and then opened it.

Yep. Usual smut. Just another account detailing a romp in a hot spring the Sword Hero had with his girlfriend at the time and how they didn't use protection and…

Wait. The text mentioned her being a dog girl.

…

Farrie set the diary down and picked up the next one.

It was another account of a Sword Hero… and his dog girl! Doing it raw after celebrating victory over a Wave!

Going through one book after another. Be it history books or personal diaries, it was the same deal. Each and every one of them detailed the Sword Hero being with a dog girl and going at it raw in some setting, be it in his home or on a castle balcony, or wherever.

Farrie looked up at Tersia incredulously. "Do any of these have the Sword Hero having raw sex with someone that isn't a dog girl?!"

"Almost." Tersia held up a book with a faded cover on it. "The start of this diary is the Sword Hero detailing his crush on a human knight who saved him from a terrible curse. Only, she was several years his senior, and had no interest in him outside of training him to be the best swordsman in the land as his mentor."

"Near the end, he finally realized that she was happy as is, and that she didn't need some kid like him to be happy. So he let his feelings for her go, and he fell for the dog girl that cared for him all along. Even though he'd inadvertently hurt her with his stupidity in the past." Tersia smiled. "It was actually a pretty satisfying read compared to everything else, even if it did end with more raw sex between the pair. I'd highly recommend it when you have time."

"Awwww." Farrie had a heartfelt look on her face… for an entire second. Then, she grinned evilly. "Looks like we have something to embarrass Ren and Wyndia with."

"Later." Farrie pouted at Tersia's one-word statement. "Once Ren is mentally sound again. And after we're sure that they won't break up over this to be contrarian." Tersia then grinned wickedly.

Farrie's eyes widened. Of course, timing! Why do it now when it could be done for maximum effect later on! "At their wedding then?" Farrie offered.

"At the latest. We could also do it after their first time." Tersia shrugged.

"You think that'll happen before they're married?" Farrie asked curiously.

"You saw the way she looked at those books before," Tersia stated. "And with how close they're being, it's bound to happen soon enough."

"... fair point. Alright, let's shelve that idea for now." Farrie went to pick up the whole stack, only to struggle since her strength stat was so low due to deleveling. "Um, heh heh, a little help?"

Tersia shelved the large stack on a tall bookshelf that would definitely be out of Wyndia's reach so she'd never find it. "Alright, thanks, sis! Let's definitely embarrass them when the time comes."

"Sounds good to me," Tersia smirked.

Farrie wasn't the only one to have changed. Unfortunately, Tersia might have changed for the worse by letting Farrie rub off on her at last. "If we do save it for after they're married, we could give those books to them as a wedding present."

"Are we sure they'll get married?" Farrie asked.

…

They both laughed and began planning how they'd keep the books hidden from the pair till then.

"... Melty. Are you still here?"

The princess looked up from her desk, lit by candlelight, to see Eclair stride into her office at the Church. "Yes, is there a problem with that?"

"No. I was just concerned since you didn't join me for dinner." Eclair held out a plate stacked with what the kids and Motoyasu had prepared earlier.

…

Melty slowly cleared a spot from the paperwork covering her desk. Some of it was plans for expanding the village. Others were ideas for laws or possible trade agreements with other nations from the coalition as they became more prominent. There was a lot Melty was tackling, and not having Filo around to distract her made her feel more stressed than ever.

Eclair set the food down for her. "Thank you." The princess said politely.

"Of course… is there anything else I can assist you with, Princess Melty?" Eclair asked unsurely.

"No, and don't feel like you need to help me. We both know how much you despise this part of governing a territory." Melty sighed as she began to eat.

Eclair smiled a little at that. "Yes, I don't deny I hate paperwork for the mere cause of taking away time that could be spent training one's body. But for you, my princess, I wouldn't mind helping you out."

…

Melty didn't respond at first. She finished reading a letter from her Mother as she ate. It explained how things were going at the border and how her Mother and Father sent their love to her. It was next to several other letters that had been sent to her ever since the Heroes had defeated the Spirit Tortoise.

The only mention from her Father was that he looked forward to their rematch. He was hoping to be able to do it in person this time, but only time would tell.

Eclair continued to stand. Waiting to see if the Second Princess would open up to her.

…

Melty eventually stood up, pushing the empty plate to the side. "I'm going for a walk. Would you mind accompanying me, Miss Seaetto?"

"I'd be happy too, Princess Melty." Eclair smiled genuinely.

"Please, don't call me Princess." Melty sighed.

"What would you rather I call you?" Eclair asked curiously.

"Just Melty would be fine," Melty answered.

"Would you be alright with Lady Melty?" Eclair smiled mischievously.

"Stop trying to make me sound old!" Melty yelled irritably.

"Alright, Melty."

Melty blew out the candles on her desk, casting most of the room in darkness. It was only then that she became aware of the fact that the sun had set outside. The stars were beginning to appear in the night sky outside the window.

The pair left Melty's office and went down the stairs. Eventually going out through the front doors of the Church to walk through the town.

There weren't many people out at this time. The Witch was busy closing up her shop. The Apothecarian was taking inventory behind his windows alongside his apprentices. Even with the coming night, they were ready and on-call just in case some of the new arrivals needed treatment of any kind.

Jerry the blacksmith was outside at his forge though. He was talking encouragingly to the Sword Hero, watching as the young man pounded out a new blade from a hot stretch of metal.

"That's it, laddie. Hold it firmly but hit it gently as ya swing down. This ain't wood yer cutting 'ere."

The Sword Hero gleamed with sweat. He was only clad in a t-shirt and pants instead of his usual armor. He also wore a thick apron to protect his clothes from the sparks coming off the hot blade each time he hammered it. His sword was in an unfamiliar form on his back. It looked like a bunch of strings connected to each other to form a blade.

Wyndia was there too. She was studying from a magic grimoire and stealing an occasional glance at Ren's back while he worked.

Melty paused, and Eclair paused next to her.

"I know I said gently, lad, but that last blow was a little light, put a little more backbone into it! The blade can take it! Yes, just like that lad!"

Ren brought his hammer down again. His face was blank but his eyes were focused on his task.

He looked a little better than he had that morning when Melty met with him to discuss how he was recovering from his curse. He didn't look dead inside at least.

That was a major issue holding the Sword Hero back. Thanks to his curse, it'd be at least another month and a half before he could gain EXP again. He'd also found that, unfortunately, any monsters he killed gave no EXP either. Which meant he couldn't help to power level other people in the village.

This made him feel even more useless than before.

The Cal Mira Hot Springs would be a good option to help him out since they were known to help heal people of curses. But due to how badly seasick Ren got on a boat, sending him away from the village this early on into his recovery would have been a terrible idea.

Melty wished she could find a way for the Sword Hero to be more useful. But with how he'd looked that morning, she was afraid that giving him any tasks in the village could shatter him into a billion pieces. The fact that he was even doing something like this seemed like a miracle.

"Alright, one more strike here, and then-"

Ren's next hammer strike hit the sword a little too hard, and the blade warped from the strike.

"Wait, laddie, that means it needs to be heated in the fire again-"

Ren hastily tried to hammer the mistake out, but the follow-up strike destroyed any chance of the blade becoming an actual sword as the iron cracked along the whole length.

…

"Oh well." Jerry shrugged and patted the Sword Hero on the shoulder encouragingly. "Don't feel bad lad, no one starts as an expert. Mistakes are just another thing that ye learn from."

However, Ren's arm lowered, and his blank face became incredibly sad. His lower lip began to tremble, and he looked like he was about to break down and cry.

Wyndia immediately closed her book. And a second after that, she was hugging Ren from behind. Whispering something into his ear.

Melty and Eclair watched, unnoticed by the three individuals at the forge. Ren continued to shake, but his hands gripped Wyndia's like an emotional lifeline. She held him and continued to whisper to him as Jerry began to put his tools away along with Ren's botched attempt at making a weapon.

Tears leaked from the Sword Hero's eyes as he began to sob, and Wyndia continued to desperately whisper to him, pausing intermittently to kiss the top of his head as she did so.

Eclair's face saddened at the site. And Melty felt her heart twist inside her chest.

Not wanting to watch anymore, Melty continued on. Eclair followed behind her a few seconds after.

…

"How often does that happen?" Melty asked softly.

"Every day since we rescued him," Eclair replied.

As they walked, the rose-haired knight continued. "Sometimes, it happens when he makes a mistake as he did there. Other times, it just hits him out of nowhere. When he's eating. When he's sleeping.

"He's just… depressed." The knight couldn't think of a better term for it.

Melty frowned. "Do you think he'll recover soon?"

"I don't know," Eclair said. "Fitoria said part of it comes from him being forced out of his Cursed Series by her ability. But he went through a lot more after that with no reprieve.

"The best solution we've found thus far is to distract him with a variety of tasks when he has the energy to perform them. Sword training. Magic training. Blacksmith training. Swimming training. Anything that can keep his mind and body occupied and help give him purpose again."

"Honestly, if it wasn't for Wyndia, my pupil would be in a much worse state right now. She hardly leaves his side for anything." Eclair finally smiled. "Fitoria is staying nearby in case he loses control. But so far, she's been there to hold him every time that happens. And she also knows to ask one of us for help if she needs it. As tragic as it's been, it's been a relief to see my pupils taking care of each other."

Melty quietly nodded. Not saying anything about that.

…

It felt oddly peaceful going through the town together. Melty was able to see the fruits of her labors this way.

Father had always taught her that it was important to go out amongst your people to make sure they were living happily under you since he'd been a commoner once in his life. To find if there was anything you could do to improve their lives.

She found the homes to be in good shape. With the streets flat and straight. Perhaps at one point, they'd have the money to hire someone to pave them. Or perhaps they could get on that with their own resources and manpower as soon as other construction projects in Lurolona were finished.

Melty did frown though when she saw just how little room there was left. If they continued housing everyone at Lurolona, the village would soon run out of space.

"Eclair, do you think we should have a secondary settlement in Seaetto?" Melty suddenly asked.

"Pardon?" Eclair looked surprised.

Melty shared her thoughts, and the rose-haired knight pondered them. "That could be a good idea. Though defending two settlements at the same time could be challenging. We're already lucky that we haven't been attacked by slavers since getting back."

"Yes. Mother did warn me recently to be on the lookout for that." Melty frowned. "Still, I need to consider it. Or, if that can't work, we'll need to gather the resources necessary for bigger and stronger buildings here."

"You'd know how to handle that better than me," Eclair said.

Their walk took them by the Hero's homes. Melty paused in front of Naofumi's.

Even though she had a room there… she hadn't gone back inside. Not since the day he'd yelled at her and…

Eclair's hand grabbed the young girl by the shoulder. Without saying a word, they walked past the place and down the cliffside towards the ocean.

When they reached the beach, Eclair didn't mention what'd happened. She simply sat with the Second Princess at the edge of the sand and watched the Waves lapping at the edge of the beach.

Melty was still silent, looking just as closed off as she had a moment ago. There was a steely glint in her eyes. And a pain so raw she couldn't hope to describe it.

Yet Eclair didn't speak. She didn't bring it up. She was respecting her and trying not to bring that raw pain back up to the surface. But…

…

"Eclair… what should I do?" Melty asked.

"About what?" Eclair asked curiously.

Melty's small fists clenched. For the governor of the Hero's territory, she… looked more like a little kid than ever.

"I… I can't forgive…"

Eclair didn't turn to face her. But her hand moved, gently gripping the Second Princess's.

Melty gasped. But tears leaked from her eyes as she sniffled loudly. She snuggled against the side of the rose-haired knight, not saying anything, but continuing to cry regardless.

Gods, she was hurting so much. On one side of her mind, she had Naofumi yelling at her and tearing her apart with his words, carefully crafted to hit every single doubt and fear she'd harbored in her soul about her family. About her need for love and attention from a loving parental figure.

But on the other hand… she had her real Father. The man she loved above everyone else. Pleading with her to forgive the Shield Hero and move on with her life. And Naofumi was there too, bowed to the ground and pleading for forgiveness. For a chance to make things right.

And she was trying to. She was trying to move on and help out however she could in the village. BUT IT WAS JUST SO FREAKING HARD TO DO WHEN SHE HATED NAOFUMI SO MUCH AND WANTED HIM DEAD TEN TIMES OVER!

SHE WASN'T ANGRY AT HIM! SHE JUST NEVER WANTED TO DEAL WITH HIM AGAIN! HE'D HURT HER SO DEEPLY THAT IT WASN'T EVEN FUNNY AND IT JUST HURT SO MUCH FOR PAPA TO TELL HER TO FORGIVE THAT MISERABLE PILE OF FLESH AFTER THE WAY HE TORE HER EMOTIONAL WOUNDS OPEN AND-

Eclair's arm wrapped around her, and the Second Princess broke down sobbing into her chest plate. Eclair still didn't speak, but her hand rubbed through Melty's hair.

Minutes passed and Melty's cries refused to lessen. The moon raised higher in the sky, and a chill breeze came off the ocean.

It could have been hours. It could have been seconds. But Melty's pain was real. As real as Ren's and everyone else's. And just like the Sword Hero, Melty needed help getting through it.

Finally, around the time when all the stars in the night sky were shining their brilliance down on the remote village, Melty spoke. Tears slowly flowing down the sides of her face.

"What should I do?"

…

It was a while. And Melty thought after a moment that Eclair hadn't heard her.

But then, Eclair did speak. But what she said wasn't an answer to her dilemma.

"You should do what you think is right."

…

Melty sniffled. "If… if I do what I think is right, that would mean Naofumi's execution."

"If that's what you think is right," Eclair replied evenly.

"..." Melty, amusedly, began to pout at the swordswoman. "You're not helping! There's no way I could ever go through with that!"

"Did you expect a musclehead like me to hold the answers to all of life's problems?" Eclair smiled down at her. "There's a reason I trust Wyndia and the others to take care of Sir Ren instead of me. Why does everyone seem to think I hold all of life's knowledge in the palm of my hand?"

"I… I thought it was because she loves him?" Melty asked quizzically. "Or... does that mean you also love him?"

Eclair openly laughed, surprising the young princess. "Gods, no. The Sword Hero is a kid compared to me. Hell, he and Wyndia are both kids.

"But even if Wyndia didn't love him, I have no interest in getting romantically attached to him, or anyone else. Not because of the Waves. Not because of anything about guys. I'd be happy if someone cared about me like that. But I just have no interest in romance at the moment. It'd be a waste of time with everything else going on.

"I care for the pair as a master who cares for their apprentices. And my hope is for both of them to one day be able to surpass me in battle. What they do to support each other during that time is their own business but I'll do my best to be as supportive as possible."

"Oh… … so… you don't even have feelings for Dou-Lon either then?" Melty then asked.

…

Eclair was a little slow answering that question. However, she did shake her head eventually. "He is just a fellow knight who understands his duties as I do. Nothing more."

"Huh…" Hearing that disappointed Melty somewhat. For as long as she'd known the rose-haired knight, she'd always seemed so serious and dedicated towards her duty to block out all else.

The princess had thought that the female knight would have changed from the recent events just like everyone else.

But she hadn't. Besides the brief infatuation she'd held for the version of the Shield Hero in her mind, the knight wasn't interested in a romantic relationship with anyone.

Especially that dumb bakako she sparred with almost every day… who she admittedly missed.

He lost every time. But no one was as determined or persistent as that dense tiger man. And he'd even reached the point where he'd seek her out to spar. That was a rarity Eclair hadn't gotten from most of the Knights in Melromarc outside of people like Sebastian.

Not having Dou-Lon around made Eclair feel lonely to a degree.

…

Eclair eventually smiled, moving a hand through Melty's hair. "I wish I could say I understand what it meant to love someone. But besides my parents and a family friend or two… I have never cared about someone on that level. And I'm not sure I ever will."

Melty sniffled and wiped some tears from her face with the sleeves of her dress. "But what I can say is what I told those two pupils of mine long ago. And what my Father told me soon after I began my training as a knight: In times of turmoil, follow what you feel here." She rested a hand above Melty's heart. "And not what you think up here." She then rested a finger against her forehead.

"Your mind will be clouded by troubled thoughts. But your heart. That will lead you through the chaos of battle to where you're needed in the world."

Melty continued to sniffle. "Even… even if it feels like my heart is broken right now?" She asked helplessly.

Eclair hugged the girl next to her close again. "Most broken things can be fixed eventually. Whether by us, or by somebody else, or by time itself. But only if you try."

…

Eclair slowly stood up. Stretching the muscles in her body. After a little while, Melty stood back up too.

The two were silent. And as they walked back up the cliffside, Eclair made sure they didn't go close to the Hero's homes.

On their way through town though, they came across the forge again. And, much to Eclair's delight, the scene they came across was far better than before.

"Well done laddie! I knew ya had it in ya!"

Ren, covered in sweat, sat exhausted on his bench. A finished Iron Sword rested on a stone table with Jerry looking over it admirably.

Its quality was Average. And it was nothing more than beginning equipment. But he'd finally managed to make one.

Wyndia was standing beside the Sword Hero this time. Her hands rested on his shoulders. When he turned his head to smile up at her, she smiled proudly down at him in return before kissing him on the cheek.

Melty paused at the sight, looking at the two as Ren moved his head to kiss the dog girl on the lips instead. Wyndia, instead of reeling in surprise, hugged him close as if on instinct and returned the kiss.

It was a beautiful sight. And the two shone with happiness when they separated after a while to stare into the other's eyes. It was only for a few seconds though, because Wyndia pressed her lips to his again and cupped his face with her hands.

"And that's why we risk Ren doing this." Eclair smiled next to Melty. "Even little steps like this will go miles in repairing Sir Ren's heart and mind. It'll just take time and a lot of constant effort on our parts to make it happen."

"But Wyndia is following her heart with him now. And in some ways, he's trying to follow his heart too." Eclair crossed her arms under her chest. "It'll be hard, but me and the others won't stop trying to help them until that boy is free of the darkness plaguing him so he can fight alongside us once more."

Their lips separated again, but Wyndia kept her forehead pressed to Ren's, as well as her hands cupping his cheeks. Their eyes were closed, but in their minds, it was just the two of them with no one else in their own little world.

Not Jerry.

Not the villagers.

And especially not the two individuals peeping in on their romantic moment.

…

After a while, Melty finally turned away from the show of love. "I… I want to sleep in my home tonight."

Eclair, though surprised, didn't stop Melty. And instead followed her back to their home.

Melty walked all the way up to Naofumi's doorstep. But she paused in the doorway as Eclair walked in.

She… felt such great pain. She knew doing this meant she was going to have to make a decision. And the decision would hurt.

It would hurt a lot. And it'd take time. Alongside constant effort on her part…

Just like with Sir Ren… and with governing the Hero's village… and with the challenge of saving their world…

Eclair turned back, looking to see if Melty would follow her lead.

…

Melty took a deep breath, then stepped across the threshold of her old home.

And thus, she stepped onto the path of eventually working with the Shield Hero once more.

Eclair began to stand vigil after settling Melty into bed.

The brave young girl who'd managed to at least enter the house without a whimper had turned into a crying mess as soon as she'd tried to step foot into her and Filo's old room. So Eclair had brought the Princess down to her room instead.

The knight leaned back against the wall next to her door. Though it'd been a while, she'd had experience with guard duty at night. She could take the time she needed to rest while staying close by in case Melty woke up crying in the night.

It wouldn't be the first time the second princess had had nightmares since getting back to the village. But at least Eclair could be close by to help her this time if it happened again.

As she began to settle against the wall for the long night ahead, however, she looked and saw Dou-Lon's door down the hall.

A frown worked its way onto her face, and she pushed herself from the wall. She wondered if perhaps she was thinking that an intruder was hiding in there or something.

But when she opened his door, she didn't find anyone.

All she saw was the hakuko's bed. The unlit candles around the room. And the area he'd dedicated to meditation. Only the mat he'd used for it was missing. Understandable, since she remembered him using it at night at Mirellia's camp. She briefly wondered if he'd taken it with him to the Otherworld.

A thin layer of dust had settled over everything. Making it feel like no one had been there in a long time.

…

Eclair slowly entered. She didn't know why she felt on edge. She slowly checked every corner of the room, under the bed, and essentially everywhere, ears alert for any sounds as she made sure no one was hiding with illusion magic.

But then… why would someone hide on the nightstand? Or amongst the candles she lit as she went.

And why was Eclair wiping away the thin layer of dust covering everything as she looked around?

…

Eventually, Eclair stood at the doorway again. Looking back at the candlelit room, she was absolutely certain that no one was hiding in there. For she'd checked so thoroughly that she'd wiped away the dust covering everything, including the bed.

It still smelled like that fool. Like salt, dirt, and hard work. Alongside the smell of the forest.

It was a good smell to the rose-haired knight. And with all the candles lit, it made the room feel warm and inviting.

…

Eclair still felt troubled. And she eventually shook her head. She went around, blowing out all the candles, and then she closed the door behind her so she could head back to her room to stand guard and rest in a way that only a knight used to long shifts of guard duty at night could get used to.

She had a long day tomorrow. She not only had to train Ren, but also Keel, Anya, and everyone else in the village who was learning how to use a blade. Or, if they were proficient enough in magic and swordsmanship, magic sword techniques. Not to mention her own personal training to keep her body fit for the coming battles.

She hadn't forgotten how the Cursed Sword Hero had bested her. She had even begun training with Granny to make sure something like that wouldn't happen again.

She could save her brooding thoughts on her missing hakuko friend for another time.

A sound woke the Spear Hero from the dream he was having.

He jumped from the bed and brought his spear up in a defensive stance.

But the monster he'd been facing in his dream hadn't appeared in real life. He was the only one in his room.

The Spear Hero's shoulders sagged in relief. Granny would be proud of how quickly he'd reacted there.

Well, she'd be proud of him if he was in his armor instead of just his undergarments.

Motoyasu turned to go back to his bed when he remembered it. 'What was that sound?'

He tried to think about it. And after a moment, he shrugged and checked his HUD to see if it was a notification for his latest Filolial Spear having its equip bonus unlocked, or-

Rino left the party.

…

It was in clear text on his party HUD. It was only him, Elena, and Amber in the same party. Quickly skimming through the sub-parties for Granny and the other villagers, he found Rino hadn't moved into any of them on the party system.

She had simply disappeared from his party.

"Rino? Rino!" Motoyasu ran out of his room and down the stairs.

He would have gone down the stairs to her room, but he saw the front door was open. Hardly thinking, he raced to it and ran outside.

"Gwah?" As the Spear Hero ran out, Amber cocked her head curiously.

"Amber, have you seen Rino anywhere?" Motoyasu asked.

"Gwah!" She pointed a wing towards the forest. Looking ahead, Motoyasu saw a figure disappearing into the bushes.

"Thanks!" Motoyasu immediately rushed off in Rino's direction. Amber settled on the ground curiously, briefly wondering what was going on before she got up and followed the Spear Hero.

Motoyasu tore through the forest. Branches broke from trees as he ran through them. His stats were so high at this point that the undergrowth hardly impeded him.

"Rino! Rino!"

Why had Rino left his party? Why was she out here in the middle of the night? Had… had he done something that'd made her want to leave? Had him leaving her alone been a bad idea after all?

A few minutes of fruitless searching later, he heard the sounds of a clash behind him and to the side. He ran in that direction.

"Ha!"

"Rowr!"

Motoyasu ran out of the treeline into a clearing. The same hooded figure he'd seen heading into the forest was Rino. And as he appeared, she stabbed her sword into a large Usapil monster's chest, killing it.

With a dying groan, it fell back onto the ground, leaving a loud Thud! as it did so. Almost robotically, Rino pulled her sword from the monster and turned to walk back into the forest.

"Rino, wait!"

The girl paused. She turned to look at Motoyasu. Her face didn't change.

"What are you doing out here?! It's dangerous to hunt monsters at night! And why did you leave my party!? I thought you'd been kidnapped, or that some monster had gotten you, or-"

"I'm going."

…

Motoyasu blinked in confusion. Going, where?

But when he saw the pack slung over her shoulders. He realized what she meant.

She wasn't going somewhere. She was going as in leaving.

"B-B-But why?" Motoyasu stuttered in surprise.

Rino stared blankly at the Spear Hero before turning around to leave.

"Rino, at least tell me why!" Motoyasu grabbed her by the arm. "Was it something I did?! Was it because of Elena retiring or something else that was my fault?! If so I'll do my best to fix it and make it up to you and-"

"You're not the reason I'm leaving, Sir Motoyasu."

…

Motoyasu slowly let go of her arm, looking at a loss for words. "B-But then, why?" He asked sadly.

…

Rino slowly turned her head back towards the Spear Hero. Her face was a mask of cold indifference. But the words she spoke were genuine. "You're too kind, Sir Motoyasu. I appreciated that more than anything else when you took me in.

"You treated me like a person instead of property. You nursed me back to health and didn't force me to fight until I was too exhausted to move. And even though I snuck out in the middle of the night, you still had the courage to run after me since I was too scared to say goodbye in person. I… I appreciate that you did this, Sir Motoyasu…"

"R… Rino…?" Motoyasu looked so confused and lost.

A small genuine smile briefly appeared on Rino's face as her cold mask disappeared. Unfortunately, it was quickly replaced by a look of deep hatred. "But Sir Motoyasu… I can't try to forget it anymore. After seeing that bastard… after seeing the way he was treating you and Sir Ren.

"I could do nothing to help you. I was useless. I was weak."

"B-But we can fix that!" Motoyasu nearly yelled as he pleaded. "Fitoria can use her power-up method on you so you'll grow stronger and-"

"And what then, Sir Motoyasu?" Rino asked heatedly, with such deep anger in his tone that he took a step back in surprise. "Will I stay in this town every day after that? Training? Leveling up? Knowing that the person who tormented you and me and Sir Naofumi and so many other victims like us is still out there?

"Will you have me continue to ignore this boiling thirst for revenge burning inside me until it utterly consumes me and my time here as your party member and friend? Will you have me stand here and do nothing while she is still free out there somewhere?"

…

"You're… not talking about Kyo… are you?" Motoyasu's face slowly fell in realization.

The look of anger and absolute rage that flashed in Rino's eyes confirmed it. "You have to understand… Motoyasu. When I first tried to join your party, that bitch ruined my life."

"When I wouldn't leave like the other girls that didn't fit into her caste. When she learned I was around because I genuinely cared about you and liked you and wanted to help you… she… she…" Rino's eyes darkened.

"You don't have to say it. I know she made you a slave and forced you to power level her and the others-" Motoyasu began to say.

"No…" Rino held a hand up to silence Motoyasu. "That wasn't the first thing she did."

…

She turned away. The anger was replaced by a vulnerable expression. Like she was deathly afraid of saying what was on her mind.

But… she couldn't hide it anymore. She turned to face him, her eyes steely with tears. She clenched a fist against her chest and spoke the truth she'd hidden from Motoyasu and everyone else since being freed from her enslavement to Bitch.

"When she forced me out of her party… she did it by selling me off as a sex slave to a group of men."

…

…

…

Motoyasu stared, absolutely horrified.

Rino shook, she clenched both her fists against her chest. "She told me it was a girls night thing. Just the two of us. It'd been a long first day, and I naively believed this would be my chance to become better friends with her and the others. One moment, we were at a table drinking, the next… I had a slave crest, and she was selling me off to a group of men.

"I have no idea how long it was for. A few days? A week? Two weeks?… but that time with those men… what they did to me, what they did to my body, the KNOWING LOOK on her face when she knew what was going to happen to me, and yet still laughed, Sir Motoyasu!"

Rino gritted her teeth. "My body… was… precious to me, before that.

"I grew up poor, but I always thought my purity was something I could save for my future husband."

…

…

There was a short pause, as Rino slowly collected herself. "When she brought me back and forced me to power level her and the others. I almost considered it mercy… later, when I found those men among the prisoners at that mansion, I didn't hesitate to take my chance to cut them down for what they did to me…

"But I cannot forget what I went through. I cannot unsee it even in my dreams. I can't stop reliving those moments no matter how hard I try!

"That bitch watched it happen, and after she saw me broken on the ground, she laughed. She laughed at me. And said how all this could have been avoided if I'd just walked away as if what happened to me was my fault and not hers! Then she just left me with them until she came back to buy me and use me some more!"

…

…

…

"You helped to heal my body, Sir Motoyasu. And I will always be grateful for that…" Rino's eyes glinted over coldly. But it didn't hide the pain and anguish in them. "But as long as that Bitch lives, my soul will never heal. I won't ever be able to have a normal relationship, knowing she is still out there somewhere, causing pain for so many other people like me!"

"H-How… how would you find her?" Motoyasu asked, his voice choked.

"The Queen knows that her daughter is avoiding all active attempts to track her down. But Bitch is also trying to gather like-minded people to her side at the same time. I talked to her Majesty about it a while back before the Spirit Tortoise had attacked, and she is sure that her former daughter wouldn't notice it even if one or two of her victims were to join her ranks and inflate her ego. I wasn't sure about it back then because I thought I'd be more useful fighting beside you. I thought I could eventually move past what'd happened."

Rino grinned, and it looked a little terrifying, to be honest. "But I can't stop pondering it every night. If I could find her if I could get close to her. If I got her to drop her guard around me for even a moment… I could finally be useful… I could finally do something that'll mean something to so many others…"

"You don't have to do this alone. If it's this important, then please, let me come with you." Motoyasu tried for one last desperate plea.

"I won't be alone." Rino shook her head. "There are others. And your place is here, Motoyasu. You're a Hero. You shouldn't be concerning yourself over such trivial matters. Not when the Phoenix could awaken at any moment."

"B-But-"

"I'm going, Sir Motoyasu. Whether you want me to or not. I don't want to fight for this world anymore. I'm sorry. Not unless fighting for it means eliminating that red-haired whore." Rino said with conviction.

"R... Rino…"

"Please, don't stop me from doing this." Rino pleaded. The anger leached from her eyes as they became downcast.

"… don't worry about me, Motoyasu… I'll be alright…"

…

Motoyasu moved forward. And Rino put her hand to the hilt of her sword to fight him off if necessary.

But Motoyasu made no attempt to attack her. Instead, he hugged the girl, causing her to freeze up.

"I… she didn't hurt me as deeply as she did you or Naofumi… I don't want to sound shallow, but she hurt me too." Motoyasu spoke quietly. "She made me do bad things and blinded me to what was happening to others. To… to what she had done to you… and I want her to pay for what she's done to all of us with every fiber of my being.

"If…

"No, when you get close to that Bitch. When you're able to backstab her like she backstabbed all of us… tell her that I send my regards."

Rino trembled, and he worried that she hadn't wanted the contact. If what she'd gone through before was why she didn't touch people very often, and why her expression was always so guarded, and…

He worried over nothing. Rino's arms wrapped tightly around his back. Tears fell from her eyes as she pressed her head against his chestplate.

"I will… I promise."

Motoyasu rested his head against her hair. Rubbing her back to give her some measure of comfort, if it was at all possible at this point. And even as he did that, she did the same for him.

What a sick joke. As if he needed comfort compared to her.

"You'll… you'll always be welcome in my home, Rino. Whatever happens, no matter the circumstances… you're still one of the truest friends I've made in this world. And nothing will change that. Please, come back safe after you've done what you need to do."

"I… thank you…"

After a moment, the two separated. Rino wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt. "Seriously… Thank you, Motoyasu. I don't know if I'll live to take you up on that offer… but it'd be nice if things work out that way."

"It would have been nice if none of this ever happened. If I'd been able to join you from the start, if I hadn't had to deal with Bitch, if I'd been allowed to fall in love with you without… … …"

The rest of her thoughts were left unspoken. Because deep down, she did care about her hero. Maybe, she might have even loved him…

But her care was drowned by her hate. And even if she successfully got her revenge, it would never disappear. Just as she still hated the men who'd raped her, despite killing them.

Killing them didn't erase those dark deeds from your memory. Rino would remember them all for the rest of her life.

"If only…" Motoyasu lowered his head sadly.

He didn't know if he'd fallen in love with Rino… but he did care for her deeply as a friend and a fellow victim of Bitch.

Maybe, if they'd been given enough time, and if he'd been allowed the chance to overcome the challenges that kept him from committing to a relationship with anyone…

Her hand fell into his. "I'm… I'm guessing you'll want to see me off?"

Motoyasu nodded. "If… if that's alright."

"Yeah, it'll be fine. We… don't have much farther to go."

Leading him gently by the hand, Rino led him further into the forest.

Motoyasu kept his grip on her hand as if he was afraid to let go and lose his friend to the darkness around them. But… in reality, the darkness of night was nothing like the darkness around Rino's heart and mind.

It wasn't even close. Motoyasu could only understand a bit because of his Cursed Series. But what Rino was going through ran far deeper than anything most people could ever hope to comprehend.

Motoyasu kept his grip on Rino's hand as she guided him through the darkness of night.

But his friend had already been lost to the darkness.

…

Eventually, they came across another small clearing. This time, however, a shadow knelt on the ground, waiting for them.

"I take it you had no trouble getting here?"

Rino's face steeled again. "No… just a few monsters… he helped me deal with them."

"Of course…" The Shadow looked to Motoyasu. While she looked female, she wasn't the same Shadow as Melty's hidden bodyguard. "Sir Spear Hero. I trust that you will divulge what you've learned tonight to no one. Not even the other Heroes. This is a top-secret mission devised by her Majesty."

"Rino mentioned there'd be others joining her, does that mean-" Motoyasu began to ask.

"Yes. There are dozens of others like Miss Rino here. People who were victimized for the amusement of the former First Princess over the years. She will be joining them as part of a group to find, track, infiltrate, and if the chance arises, assassinate the woman formerly known as Malty Melromarc. Their reports will only be read by the Queen. Not even us Shadows are allowed to read them."

"I… I understand." Motoyasu said through a throat full of emotions. And not because of learning the goal was to kill Bitch.

The fact that it wasn't just Rino, but a lot of other people too that had been hurt by Bitch. To the point that they'd risk their lives just for the sake of revenge.

"I'll keep this to myself," Motoyasu promised. "Just ask Mirellia if I'll be able to ask about the contents of those reports in private."

"I have no authority to allow this, but I don't believe you shall have any problems with that. The Queen favors every Cardinal Hero greatly." The shadow gave him a bow. "May the stars watch over you, Sir Spear Hero."

The shadow took Rino by the hand, and Motoyasu watched her go.

The woman looked back at him. The mask of uncare she'd put back on to hide her anguish and her rage broke for just a moment as she looked back at her Hero with kind blue eyes.

...

One second, they were standing there.

…

The next, they were gone.

…

"Gwah…"

Amber poked out of the treeline, having followed the blonde hero. She rested her head on his shoulder, and Motoyasu trembled as he stroked her beak. Her wings proceeded to wrap around him, and she hugged him close as he softly cried.

The Spear Hero wondered if he should have forbidden this. That he should have brought his foot down and forced Rino to stay and find another way to deal with her issues than blindly charge into danger to sate her revenge.

Maybe that would have been better, or maybe not. But he hadn't. He couldn't. He would never dare to take away anyone's choice. Even if it was a bad one.

He had to let one of the first real friends he'd made in this world go.

"Let's go… Moto. There are monsters out here." Motoyasu didn't recognize the voice addressing him. But, still crying, he listened and turned back towards the village.

"G… Good luck, Rino."

As Amber led him back to the village, the Spear Hero wished there was something more he could have done for Rino. Perhaps he could have gotten her the Hero Service crest to help her get stronger, or he could have found other weapon forms to strengthen his allies, or…

No. That wouldn't have made her happy. And he would never dare to suggest her to have to wear a slave crest again. Knowing what she'd been forced to go through while wearing one.

There was nothing he could do to help her out.

The only thing that'd possibly help her to move on was to kill Bitch. And even then… if she could ever move past that, they had no chance at a healthy relationship. Because Rino would never be able to let go of that hatred for the rest of her life.

…

Motoyasu eventually made it back home with Amber's help. And didn't even notice it when her wings tucked him into bed before his dreams consumed him once more.

The next day started out as usual, with Motoyasu making breakfast for Elena and himself when the orange-haired girl came out of the hallway with a bad case of bed hair. She let out a big yawn to announce her entry.

"Trading is fun. But nothing beats sleeping in a comfortable bed." She said with tired satisfaction.

"Yeah…" Motoyasu said sadly.

"Did Rino go somewhere?" Elena asked curiously. "The door to her room was open and I saw that her stuff was gone."

"..." Motoyasu pondered for a moment. Then, he looked up at her with his best attempt at a smile. "She decided to go on a journey last night. She said she wanted to discover who she was."

...

"Oh… all by herself?" Elena looked a little sad, but after a moment, she shrugged her shoulders lazily. "Well, I hope she gets back soon enough. I'd rather not go back to fighting again."

Motoyasu chuckled, feeling a little bit better thanks to the lazy girl. "Don't worry. I won't make you fight if you don't want to.

"I've got Amber and the other Filolials that I'll be raising soon. Not to mention the fighters in the village. You just focus on what you want to do."

"Thanks…"

"Of course," Motoyasu replied.

"No, I mean it… thanks." Motoyasu looked at her again. She'd sat at the table, and was playing with her fork. "I'm really not cut out for fighting. I thought I'd be able to help out if I did that, but... well, it does feel like I'm able to contribute now… if that makes any sense?"

"Yeah, in a way…" Motoyasu looked back at the food. "I guess the ability to fight isn't the only important thing in this world, huh?"

"If you really believed that before, then you're dumber than a sack of bricks, Sir Motoyasu." Elena deadpanned.

Motoyasu genuinely laughed, and the lazy girl smiled a little.

The two had a comfortable breakfast together. It didn't quite eliminate the Spear Hero's melancholy thoughts. But it helped him to feel a little bit better.

Just as Motoyasu was cleaning up the dishes and thinking of what he would do that day, a knock sounded on the door.

"Just a moment Granny! I'll be there in a minute!"

Another knock sounded. This one was a bit more impatient.

Motoyasu was about to yell again, but then guessed it wasn't Granny on the other side of the door. She would have let herself in, if not broken the door down if they'd locked it.

She'd done it before.

Setting the dishes aside, the Spear Hero went to the door and opened it. Melty was standing there with Eclair behind her. The second princess was holding a letter in her hands.

"What is it? Did some dispute happen that needs my attention?" Motoyasu asked curiously.

"No, a courier arrived in our town," Eclair replied.

"He brought a letter addressed to the Heroes," Melty added in a formal tone. "He claims to have traveled from Zeltoble."

Motoyasu's eyebrow piqued in interest. Taking the letter, he opened it and looked at it. He expected to be unable to read it since it was sent from another country that had a different writing system than Melromarc. But, rather curiously, he found it written in crisp, clear Melromarcian.

Heroes,

Word has reached me that you are rebuilding the region of Seaetto, which was destroyed during the Waves. And that you are gathering those who were wrongfully taken from there and protecting the area.

I am a former villager of Lurolona now working in the Zeltoble Arenas trying to save some kids that were taken from my village. At this time, several of them are being auctioned off in this country. However, in recent times, the cost of slaves from Lurolona has begun to skyrocket. If this trend continues, I am afraid that my sponsor will double-cross me and keep me from bringing these kids I've purchased back home when I've found all of them.

I would do something myself. But these kids have been through enough. I cannot put the lives of these lil' ones at risk. My sponsor has people keeping watch on me to make sure I don't run. If I were to act alone, things wouldn't end well. I can't put more here in fear that this letter will be intercepted and my identity revealed.

Please. If you value the lives of those taken from Lurolona as I've heard from even here, meet me at the Gladiator Bar on the Evening of your arrival. You will find me at the bar counter, cup in hand. However I act with whoever you send to help from that point, know that I and the dead parents of those unfairly taken from Lurolona will appreciate any assistance you can lend to save these children.

…

Motoyasu read it several times over. Once the shock of the letter wore off, he gave it to Melty so she could read it.

…

"It doesn't say who it's from," Melty said with a frown.

"I noticed that too…" Eclair nodded.

"The letter would have had to be sent around the time when the trouble with the Spirit Tortoise began to go down." Eclair put a hand to her chin in thought. "It is quite a distance for someone to travel on foot."

"And if whoever wrote this really has more kids from Lurolona in need of help…" Motoyasu muttered. "Who knows how much worse their situation could be?"

Melty pinched the bridge of her nose. Looking at a loss. "This could also be a trap you know."

"From your sister?" The Spear Hero's expression darkened.

"No… her handwriting is atrocious." Melty looked to the side. "But the part about the prices of certain slaves going up is an absurd reason-"

"I daresay, I can verify what the letter said."

This time, Motoyasu recognized the Shadow that appeared as Melty's bodyguard, much to the younger girl's surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I spoke with the Slave Trader as he was leaving town a few days ago. He informed me that it was starting to become much more difficult to acquire slaves that are claimed to originate from Lurolona. I thought he meant that the Queen's laws were making it harder for him to do business. However, knowing him, I find this to be the more likely reason. If you wish, I can contact my compatriots in Zeltoble through the guild to verify it."

…

"That… that could also explain why Mother said to watch for any sudden slaver attacks in her last letter," Melty said in realization. "If people from Lurolona are really becoming more valuable on the slave market..."

"Shall I?" Shadow asked.

"Yes, see to it at once. Eclair can protect me in the meantime." Melty ordered.

Shadow gave her a quick bow and then disappeared from view.

Motoyasu frowned. And he looked at the letter again.

Damn. They'd only finally dealt with the Spirit Tortoise less than a week ago. And now, something else had popped up in the world involving them.

"We're going to need to level up the fighters and double the watch around the village at night. We're also going to have to keep an eye on the sea whenever the kids are out fishing or…" Melty continued speaking to Eclair, who nodded along as the young princess began planning out how to fortify their village.

Oddly enough, Motoyasu started to grin. "Granny, you old hag. I'm really glad you got me back into fighting shape so quickly."

Melty paused and looked at the Spear Hero. It didn't take her long to realize what the Spear Hero was thinking about. "You're not planning on going, are you?! That trip would take at least two weeks with a Filolial, if not more!"

"Fitoria can shorten it by teleporting me and whoever comes along to the closest spot she has saved on her weapon!" Motoyasu responded happily.

"But if the village is in danger, we'll need you back here to defend it! No offense to Ren, but he isn't capable of defending us in the state he's in!" Melty protested.

"I can teleport back in the evenings to make sure everything is still going well in the village. Then I can teleport to wherever I was on my way to Zeltoble." Motoyasu shrugged.

"But… but that'd still have you gone all day!" Melty refuted. "And if the Phoenix were to awaken-"

"Then it'd be like when the Spirit Tortoise awakened. I'd see a huge blue hourglass on my HUD and come straight back here as soon as possible." Motoyasu deadpanned.

…

"But if you leave and we're not ready for an attack…" The princess spoke cautiously.

"And if I don't go, what'll happen to those kids?" Motoyasu asked. "Will someone else go to rescue Raphtalia's friends? Also, who else can get away with telling a country's leaders off than a Cardinal Hero?! Would you really rather this problem wasn't addressed and have more greedy individuals come to kidnap the people here?!"

…

Melty opened and closed her mouth. She crossed her arms and pouted up at him. Motoyasu laughed as he rubbed the top of her head. "Do I even have to mention Fitoria or her flock being in the area to help out in case slavers attack or if the Phoenix awakens before Naofumi and Itsuki return from Glass's world?"

Melty blushed a little bit. And her pout slowly turned into a frown. "Still, she doesn't want too much contact with humans or their affairs."

"When I talked to her last, she said that her flock had learned of word of her re-emergence spreading across the land like wildfire. Just like it had before when people appeared to hunt her down."

Motoyasu frowned at that too, and Melty looked at the Spear Hero seriously. "Mother promised to give us any advance notice if her Shadows spot shady individuals traveling through Melromarc when we established the area. But with all the damage the Spirit Tortoise did, it could be hard to see them coming. I don't want more bad things to happen here, especially when the legendary Fillolial Queen is afraid that history is repeating itself right now…"

…

Motoyasu rested a hand on her shoulder. "You have my word. I'll be back every evening to report on my progress. I'll stay overnight too in case I'm needed to defend the village from a night raid. But someone out there is asking for our help and has gone to great lengths to ask us for it.

"If this does turn out to be a trap, then I'll just spring it and deal with it! Unless that former Bitch sister of yours has gotten her hands on some stronger explosives, it's going to take a lot more than before to take me out!"

…

"Fine." Melty relented. "Talk to Granny before you go. She has had a lot of experience in the Zeltoble Arenas. You could learn about what you're getting into from her. And ask her opinion on who to bring with you when you arrive in case problems arise while you're there or if you need to blend in."

Motoyasu grinned toothily. "I will. Oh, and Melty. Don't work yourself too hard running this place while I'm gone."

Melty scoffed. "As if you Heroes helped me with governing the people, to begin with. This place would fall apart if I wasn't around!"

Motoyasu laughed heartily as he patted her shoulder. "It almost did fall apart when I was left in charge and that was when this place was smaller and I had help! You're awesome at what you do princess!"

"It's Melty, not Princess!" Melty still smirked in satisfaction. At least one of the Heroes acknowledged her contributions to this place.

The Spear Hero ran out the door to track down and find Granny, and then Fitoria.

It looked like he'd have something to do while Naofumi was gone.

And besides that, it could help to keep his mind off Rino and her task in the meantime.

Author's Notes:

Alright. I believe I've covered most everything going on outside of how Itsuki's party is doing. I'll make sure to cover them in the Interlude Chapter I have planned for after Arc 9.

For those curious about Ren's weapon form which he had equipped this chapter: Comradery Blade: Equip Bonus: ally growth adjustment (small). It is a canonical weapon he unlocks when he puts his complete trust in his friends. So yes, there are more ways than just the Slave User and Monster User Series to strengthen party members.

Since I'm sure that this question will also pop up, yes. That is what happened to Rino in canon. I know it is illegal to sell humans as slaves in Melromarc. That didn't stop canon Bitch from doing so to the girls that tried to join Motoyasu's party. And yes, Rino isn't the only girl to suffer this, though she is the only one we have a name for. Not to mention the dozens or hundreds of others Bitch victimized for amusement in one way or another over the course of her life.

If you guys read the Reprise Manga, Chapter Forty-Seven gives in full the very valid reason for why Mirellia didn't trust her daughter and most likely served as the reason for why she took her rights as heir to the throne away from her. Here's a hint: Melty and Bitch used to have another sibling.

Next chapter, we'll be back to Naofumi and co. Have a good Fourth of July!

Till Next Time

Allen