CHAPTER 1:

THE ROYAL SUMMONS

"I find this rather hard to believe. Even with our sources, the fact that Potter has ended up a hero on another world beggars belief."

"True, but my sources in the Japanese Ministry are impeccable at least. That creature he ended up being summoned with has caused problems with one of their more prominent families. But that's not what's important. Potter is taking money out of his vault and the Black family vault, and using it to fund his misadventures on that world. This is money that rightfully belongs in our hands."

"You mean in your hands. We ain't gonna see hide or hair of it."

"We are going to put it to better use than Potter ever will, that's all that matters. That, and Potter has caused us much grief. Despite ridding us of the Dark Lord, he showed no respect to the proper order. In doing this service for our new patron, we will gain immense power, enough to conquer this world, once things have been settled. It's past time we assumed our rightful place…"


"…And then, she punched him in the face."

"…Huh. Hermione didn't seem like that when I met her. Then again, calling her something like that…" The Japanese teenager shrugged. "I shouldn't be surprised. Leaving aside the bigotry I saw on my world, there's also what we saw here in Melromarc."

"Yeah. Xenophobia, unfortunately, seems to be one of those universal things."

The girl sitting nearby, quiet until now during the anecdote, spoke up. "Unfortunately. I'm glad your party's not like that, Ren."

"If they are, they hide it well, better than Mald did," the Japanese teenager said, frowning. Frowning seemed to be his default expression, but it was particularly pronounced now.

The three people seated at the table were a bit of an eclectic bunch. The two boys, one in his mid-teens, the other in his late teens, were dark-haired and lean, but that was where the resemblances ended. The younger had Oriental features, his face often set in a frown or a scowl, making him seem older than his years. The older, by comparison, was European, with emerald eyes behind glasses, and a scar marring his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt.

The girl was about the same age as the older boy, with shoulder-length light brown hair, dark pink eyes, and beautiful features. Oddly enough, she had round animalistic ears on top of her head, and a large, bushy tail that swayed gently as she sat. The irony was, she had come from this world originally.

Raphtalia could scarcely believe the events she had gone through herself. After the Wave of Catastrophe shattered her peaceful village life, and she had been enslaved and tortured, she had resigned herself to death. Ironically, it had been her tormentor's final attempt at using her for malign purposes, as a test subject for a de-ageing ritual, that had been her salvation.

Sent back in time and across worlds, she ended up in Japan, where she was adopted by the Itamis, a thankfully open-minded couple. Nine years later, introduced by a mutual friend in Hermione Granger, she would meet Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the vanquisher of Voldemort. That began a friendship that would be sorely tested when she accidentally got them summoned back to her homeworld…only, he had become the Shield Hero, summoned by Melromarc, a country that hated the Shield Hero.

A series of misadventures had ensued, but now, many of the immediate dangers had passed. The Queen of Melromarc, who had been stuck abroad cleaning up the political messes her husband had caused by summoning all four Cardinal Heroes to Melromarc, was back in charge. Her errant husband and eldest daughter had been punished, and the treacherous Pope Balmus had been executed, by Raphtalia's own hand.

Still, despite everything, Harry and Raphtalia had grown closer together, and not just as comrades in arms. Indeed, Raphtalia hoped that Harry would eventually grow even closer to her, become a lover even. But those weren't the only relationships sparked off by this quirk of fate.

They had hatched a Filolial egg, and the resulting Filolial Queen, Hedy, who could transform into a human-like form, had become like an adopted daughter to them both. Hedy might be a bit bratty at times, but she had a good heart, and she was currently playing with the Itamis and the demi-human Wyndia. They also established good relations with Queen Mirelia's youngest daughter Melty, a marked contrast to the bitter enmity they had with Malty, the oldest daughter. And there was the relationship with Filolial Queen Fitoria, who, having been raised by one of Harry's ancestors, felt a familial relationship with him. Not to mention the friendly relations they had with Erhard, a blacksmith in Melromarc Castle Town.

Of the three other Cardinal Heroes, they got along best with Ren Amaki, the Sword Hero. Despite being the youngest, he was also the most intelligent, and had considered the possibility of this world being a different reality rather than some weird posthumous video game afterlife sooner than the others. While stoic, aloof, and not that friendly, he held a heart of gold hidden deep within, and she would consider him a friend.

Itsuki Kawasumi, the Bow Hero, was not that far behind, though his immaturity and obsession with justice didn't help matters. Then again, he was far better than Motoyasu Kitamura, the libidinous Spear Hero. Despite being the oldest of the Cardinal Heroes, he was also the most stupid, hanging into every word of the treacherous Malty, as well as harbouring a rather disturbing obsession with Hedy.

Ren decided to change the subject for now. "So, what next? As far as I know, the next Wave to hit Melromarc won't be for some weeks."

Harry nodded. "Ditto Faubrey. I'm not sure what the situation is like in Siltvelt, Shieldfreeden, Zeltoble, and other countries, but Fitoria's agreed to cover for us until we can properly sync with the Dragon Hourglasses. That being said, once things have settled down here, Raphtalia and I intend to head to Shieldfreeden, at least to sync with the Dragon Hourglass there and maybe get some connections there. Even after meeting Werner, I'm not sure how much I can trust Siltvelt's leadership, especially after the rumours of what happened to the last Shield Hero. There's also what happened to Atla and Fohl's father."

"What happened to them?"

Raphtalia tapped her fingers on the table quietly. "Just before we left, Mirelia spoke to us. According to Atla and Fohl, Blake Ga Fayon was forced to go off to war. But after he died, Lucia said 'they' killed him. Mirelia believes some sort of treachery was involved, though who, if that was the case, is a mystery. She has suspects, but that's it."

"And given how much they lionise you, I wonder how they'd treat me," Ren said. "Still, we were summoned here to fight the Waves. After all the crap we just went through in Melromarc, I don't want to get involved in politics again."

"Well, we can't always get what we want, right?" Harry said with a shrug. "I'm the same way, and that was even before Aultcray dumped on me. Anyway, what're your thoughts on what to do next?"

"I'm still deciding, but I think, after hearing what that Sadeena woman you mentioned was doing in Zeltoble, Itsuki's considering heading there, to help Sadeena free the slaves taken from Lurolona. If he wants to do that, then that's good. I need to find somewhere to train with my party. Not to grind, but I need to improve my skill in swordfighting, and I need to work on my teamwork. And Harry, Raphtalia…once Lurolona is better established, I'm considering leaving Wyndia here, at least for now. She's skilled, very skilled with Dragon Vein magic, but I'm worried about her safety, especially when we come up against more powerful foes, and she's at her best training herself, as she was taught her magic by Gaelion, and I don't know of anyone else who could help her with her specific magic."

"It's up to her, Ren," Raphtalia pointed out. "We'll look after her if we need to, but she joined you willingly. That says volumes about how much she trusts you."

"…I'm also worried about her attacking Kitamura if we're summoned to a Wave," Ren admitted. "Kitamura and I haven't been on the best of terms since the Gaelion debacle, and it's gotten worse since Malty was punished. Itsuki tried to mediate, but…Kitamura won't listen. Fitoria ordered us to work together, but Kitamura's proving to be the weak link…"


"…Unfortunately, I don't have any further good news to report," Sadeena said on the other end of the communications mirror. They'd briefly touched base with the orca demi-human after the trial held by Queen Mirelia, but now, they were holding a more-lengthy conversation. "Nothing about the former citizens of Lurolona, anyway. There's only so much I can do without driving up the prices. That being said, I do have some interesting news. Not sure how interesting, though. I think I may have found another fighter from another world. I can't be sure, and yet…I have a feeling it's true."

"What do you mean, Sadeena?" Raphtalia asked.

"There's a rising fighter coming through the ranks. They're known as Murder Pierrot. I think they may be wielding a Vassal Weapon of some sort, though I can't be certain. I'll do some digging, see what I can find out. Still…I'm glad you've resolved that saga with Aultcray, Malty and the Church. For all that I am wary of Mirelia, she's good to have on your side. True, you should check for ulterior motives, that's only common sense in politics, especially with someone like Mirelia, but she's unlikely to stab you in the back, especially given that she owes you quite a few debts. In any case, I'm glad to see you safe and sound, relatively speaking. But be cautious. Mirelia may have outlawed the Three Heroes Church in favour of the Four Saints Church, but that won't quiet all of your enemies in Melromarc, not by a long shot."

"I know. We've done this song and dance before, Sadeena. Once Lurolona gets rebuilt and resettled, I'm sure we'll have to deal with idiots looking to try and take more slaves," Harry said. "Mirelia is looking to ban slavery, but that just means there'll be a black market, right?"

"Precisely. Once I'm done here, I'll come back to help defend it, you have my word. And Raphtalia? Now that things have died down, I should warn you to avoid donning a certain outfit. I doubted you would wear one while making an enemy of the Church, but I need to warn you."

Raphtalia frowned. "We have a Privacy Charm up, Sadeena. What am I supposed to avoid wearing?"

"Once, when a prior Hero, I don't know which one, came to Q'ten Lo, he called what Empresses and some priestesses wear a 'miko' outfit. Does that sound familiar?"

"It does. So, I should avoid wearing a shrine maiden outfit."

"Well, unless you want to declare war on your cousin and his puppetmasters, anyway," Sadeena said with a sardonic smirk. "Though I'm guessing, knowing you, you might want to do that anyway."

"Yes. Though not because I have a claim to the throne." Raphtalia's fist clenched. "They watched as my parents died, as my friends and I were taken into slavery. They did nothing to help us. If what you said is true, they would have happily allowed me to die. And if I made any slip-up, they would attack me, and everyone I held dear. My friends and family. What's more, they wouldn't care if their actions killed Harry, and thus caused the Waves to get stronger, right?"

"No. Q'ten Lo has lost its way. Long ago, they were the appointed guardians of this world, acting as a check against the Cardinal Heroes, lest they succumbed to lust for power or vice. But its isolationism and their power have twisted that country. It's part of the reason why I left with your parents. Well, we'll discuss this later. It's good to see you both hale and hearty. And try to keep in contact more often, okay? And if one of the Cardinal Heroes does come this way, don't forget, I go by the alias of Nadia here. See you later, and don't forget to use protection!" With a laugh at their embarrassed expressions, Sadeena cut off the link.

Harry looked to Raphtalia, trying to ignore Sadeena's last crude joke. "You actually want to go to Q'ten Lo?"

"As I said, not for the throne. I'm worried about the threat they will pose to us. If they'd attack me just for wearing a shrine maiden outfit, it means they're a major threat, to me, to us both, to everyone we hold dear. But they're still less of a threat than either the Waves or Kyo. As far as I know, Q'ten Lo doesn't want to conquer or destroy the world. Still…I won't deny that I want a little revenge, for what happened to my parents, to me."

Before Harry could say anything further, the communications mirror suddenly vibrated. Harry activated it, only to find the elegantly beautiful features of Mirelia Q Melromarc, the Queen of the very country they were in, looking at them. "Ah, Harry Potter and Raphtalia. Thank you for your prompt answering. You'll forgive me if I dispense with the pleasantries, but I am summoning the Cardinal Heroes and their parties to Melromarc Castle Town. Would you please bring yourself and Sir Ren back as soon as possible?"

Harry frowned. "What for?"

"Officially, it's a feast to celebrate the defeat of Balmus and his conspiracy," Mirelia said. "Unofficially, I have information of considerable importance to divulge to the Cardinal Heroes, as well as a much-needed discussion that would best be held in person. Please ensure you bring both Hedy and the Itamis. Melty misses her new friends already, and your guardians, Raphtalia, were quite interesting conversationalists. But make no mistake, this meeting is of vital importance for the Cardinal Heroes. Please use your Portal Shield Skill to get back here for tonight…"

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

Nothing much to say here.

No numbered annotations this time.