On the balcony overlooking the town further away from the castle they spent the night in, the new Spear Hero stood.
His eyes pixated to the nightly sky as he pondered on this new life. Now known as the Spear Hero, the title he took from the man he killed out of rage in order to end the Time Reversal.
His mind suddenly shifted to Icarus, his son, who sacrificed his life to protect him. The thought filled his heart with sorrow and regret. He turned around and entered the room
"Hey? Marius, was it?" said the young man in green jacket, "Is there something wrong being a shield user?"
Marius gazed at the young man, Naofumi Iwatani, and remembered the betrayal. Yet, the Naofumi he's looking at seems innocent and harmless.
"A shield... Or any other weapon... is as good as its weilder." said Marius.
"Really?" said another young man, this one wearing a blue jacket.
"Well that can't be right." said another one, wearing a school uniform.
"How so?" said Marius.
The young man in blue jacket, named Ren Amaki, arrogantly step towards Marius, "The shield is only good at defense. But it's lacking in offense. If anything, only low levels will go for shields."
"I fought wars, boy. And I have seen warriors won battles with only their shields."
"You obviously don't know how this works."
Furious, Marius walked closer towards Ren.
"This is not a game."
"You obviously still don't see the whole picture here."
"I have seen more than you, boy. Rely on your weapons if you must, but it is are nothing more but the extension of yourself."
The intense staredown sent the calm atmosphere into a tense and awkward one, with the silence haunting the room.
"Be mindful of your actions... And the consequences. I will be at my room."
Marius exited the room, leaving the three heroes behind.
"I didn't think it'll get out of hand this much." said Naofumi.
Ren placed his sword at his back and looked away to ignore Naofumi, blaming him for what happened.
"I don't think he's a hardcore cosplayer." said the in school uniform, named Itsuki Kawasumi, "He seems like the real deal."
"You mean, he is a roman centurion?" said Naofumi.
Itsuki nodded.
"Whatever." Ren scoffed.
"None of you find it weird that we're all from different Japan except him?"
"That does raised some questions." said Itsuki.
"Doesn't matter. Sooner or later he will learn his real place in this world. I'll make sure of that." said Ren arrogantly, before storming off the room.
Marius closed the door behind him and started taking off his armor piece by piece. He placed all of them on the couch before taking off his tunic, revealing the many scars he sustained from old battles.
He hung his tunic on the corner of the couch before heading towards his bed to sit down. After releasing a sigh, he turned his head to the furthest corner of the room to see the Legendary Spear. His new weapon and burden.
Marius looked away, trying to ignore the weapon's presence. He laid down and close his eyes, forcing himself to fall asleep.
"Father! Father!"
Icarus desperate calls echoed in the dark. Marius looked around frantically for his son. A light shined from the corner of his eyes. Marius turned
and saw Icarus calling for him.
"Icarus!" Marius quickly sprinted towards the filolial prince.
Then, rows of spears emerged from the bottom. Forming a cage to stop him on his track. Marius grabbed the spears and tried to break away. He saw two red glowing red, followed by Motoyasu emerged from the dark behind Icarus.
Marius rocked his prison back and forward to get to his son. The demonic Motoyasu drew the spear and thrust the weapon throught Icarus, just like he did before.
Marius screamed at the top of his lungs before waking up in a cold sweat. It was morning already, and Marius sighed in relief. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and the tears on his eyes.
He looked up to see the Legendary Spear leaning on the corner. Marius felt as if the weapon is taunting him. He cursed the weapon under his breath
After he finished putting on his armor, Marius grabbed the spear and the status bar started appearing on his vision, with the texts in greek. Annoyed, Marius brushed it away to clear his view.
Everyone in the marketplace flocked towards the musicians who were performing in the middle. And from the edge of the crowd, Filo joined in but was blocked by the audience.
She tried to jump to get a better view but to no avail. She thought about transforming into her filolial form but she's afraid she'll get scolded by Naofumi.
Then, someone picked her up then sat her on his arms. She turn her head to see Marius, smiling back at her. She smiled back, and she passionately gave Marius a quick kiss on his lips before the two watch the performance.
"Sir Spear Hero?"
Marius snapped out of the memory, seeing only the marketplace everso busy.
"Is everything okay?" said one of Marius's party member, a shorter young woman with short hair and a witch hat.
"Yes... I am ... Not too familiar with this place." said Marius.
The young mage leaned closer to Marius's side, "Perhaps after monster slaying I can show you around?"
Marius grunted.
Then, another one of Marius's party member grabbed his other arm and pulled him closer, pressing herself on him.
"Let me be your guide, Great Spear Hero." said a woman in a exotic dancer outfit.
She then gazed at mage before sticking her tongue out.
"How much further to the field?" said Marius, growing tired of the two girls.
After they reached the wide open field just outside the capital borders, there Marius saw Naofumi, Itsuki and Ren fighting off the balloon creatures.
"The balloon creatures here should provided a good challenge to new adventurers without putting one's self in real danger." said Rino.
Out of the grassy patch, one balloon pounches at them. Marius quickly caught the creature mid-air, which amazed all three of his companions.
"Those balloon creatures obviously are no match to the Spear Hero." said the woman in dancer outfit.
"I've fought worse." said Marius, still looking at the balloon creature trying to escape his grasp.
Marius turned to his companions and saw one of them, with short yellow hair, has a rapier sheathed on her belt.
Marius then threw the balloon at her and she slayed the incoming balloon with her quick reflex.
Marius nodded, "Your name?"
"Elena, sir." she said as she sheathed her weapon.
"And my name is Lesty." Lesty intrude.
"And what can you do?" said Marius.
"You'll find that my magical abilities will help you alot, Spear Hero."
"We'll see about that."
"And I'm Rino... Sir." said the mage.
"I take it you're a magician?" said Marius.
"Y-Yes sir!"
Marius then turn around to see the forest from afar, "Is there somewhere we can go that will give us more challenge?"
"A-Are you sure you don't want to take it slowly?" said Lesty.
"No." said Marius.
"I think I might know a place." said Rino.
After almost an hour of walking, they reached another open area far away from the other heroes.
Marius, secretly familiar with the location, scanned the environment for sign of life. And just as he planned, several porcupine like monster emerged from the tall grass.
"Prepare yourselves! We'll fight this together!" said Marius, without breaking eye contact from the monsters.
"Yes sir!" said Rino, "Watch those spikes!"
"Do I really have to fight?" said Elena.
"Yes!" Marius exclaim.
The monsters charged at the group and and pounched at them. Marius thrusted his spear at one of the monster while another one lunged at him.
Marius blocked the creature's jaw with his vambrace before swinging his arm hard enough to throw the creature away, leaving a mark on the armor. Marius then yanked the spearhead off then finished it off before it can gets up.
Meanwhile, Elena as slashed and killed three of those monsters with ease. However, one of them launched a spike at her. The spike pierced her thigh, causing her to almost fell on her knees.
Seeing this, Marius quickly went and shield her, blocking one of the spikes with his vambrace.
"Rino! Heal her!" Marius commanded.
"On it!" Rino quickly went to Elena and began healing her with his healing spell while Marius fended off more of the creatures.
"Go Spear Hero!" Lesty cheered on from the distance.
"Why is she not helping?" said Rino.
"Beats me." said Elena, enduring her wound.
After he fought off all the monster by himself, the creatures started retreating amongs the tall grass. Marius backed away slowly towards his party while making sure the monsters fully disappeared.
After everything was cleared, Marius turned around and walked towards Elena.
"Can you still walk?" said Marius.
Elena got up and glared at Marius before looking away, "It's nothing."
"Good."
After Marius walked passed them, Elena sheathed her rapier.
"I thought we don't have to do too much work." Elena said, under her breath.
"A swell victory for the Spear Hero!" Lesty cheered.
"What were you doing." Marius yelled.
"B-Bringing your spirit up?" Lesty said nervously.
Marius then pointed his spear at Elena, "One of us is wounded. Yet you did nothing!"
Lesty tried to form a word yet she can't.
"I don't want you cheering. I want you to fight. At the very least help. Be better..."
"... Sorry." Lesty crossed her arms and looked away.
"Gather all of them. We will sell the hides."
After Marius turned around to start gathering the slain monsters.
"Good evening, Sir Spear Hero! It's a pleasure to serve one of the Cardinal Heroes!" said the innskeeper.
Lesty pressed herself against Marius, "Perhaps a room for two, just for me and the Spear Hero."
"No." said Marius, "Four rooms. For each."
"Eh?!"
"Excellent, sir! Anything else." said the innskeeper
"Wine." said Marius.
"Very well, sir. We will deliver it to your room."
Marius then left the counter to go to his room but Lesty blocked his way.
"I know we had a rough start, but perhaps..." Lesty slowly loosen her dress and a flirty manner, "We can make it up tonight?"
"No." Marius walked around Lesty.
"I don't think he's interested at you-"
"Shut up!" Lesty yelled at Rino, before she fixed herself and left the two behind.
On his way to his room, Marius saw Itsuki exiting his room.
"Oh, you're here." said Itsuki.
"Bowman." said Marius.
"I saw you and your party went further from the capital. I'm just curious, if you don't mind me asking."
"We were hunting. Nothing more."
Marius continued walking until he reached his room. After entering, he dropped the spear on the floor and started taking off his armor piece. He gathered all the parts on the foot of the bed.
He then sat on the bed as he waits for the event to happen. The one that will changed Naofumi's life forever. And he knew to let it happen.
Then, he heard knocking on the door. Marius prepared himself and got up. He went to the door and opened it, expecting the princess. But was confused to see Rino with a serving plate with two cups and a jug of wine.
"Hello." Rino said, her face blushing red, "Would you like company?"
Marius then grabbed the jug of wine and closed the door, leaving Rino flabbergasted.
"Just give it up." said Elena as she walked pass Rino.
The knock on the door woke Marius up from his short slumber while he still sat. The knock grew more frantic as Marius got up towards the door.
Marius opened the door and Malty, only covered in bedsheets, stormed in and pressed herself on Marius.
"You have to help me!" Malty's tear flowed down her face.
But Marius knew it was crocodile tears.
"The Shield Hero! He tried to rape me!" Malty started sobbing.
Marius knew she was lied. But he has to play along, "We will deal with this tomorrow."
Marius grabbed Malty's wrist and Malty followed along. They went to Lesty's room and he knocked on her door.
Lesty opened the door and was delighted to see Marius but her eyes quickly shift to Malty.
"Malty?" said Lesty, "What's wrong?"
"The Shield Hero!", Malty said between her sobs, "He forced himself on me!"
"Comfort her." Marius turned around, leaving the two behind as he make his way to his room.
He sat back down on his bed and waited for daylight as he will face the difficult part of his plans.
In the palace, the knights surrounded Naofumi and pinned him with their polearms. The nobles who attended the trail were in disbelieve over Naofumi's action. Itsuki and Ren started questioning Naofumi's role in being a hero.
But Marius knew the truth. Naofumi was framed by Malty. And now he has to defend her lies. Marius endured in silence.
"I didn't took advantage of that just because I'm a hero!" Naofumi begged.
Marius slammed his spear down on the floor. The sound it made silenced everyone in the chamber.
"Accept your punishment... Do not make it worse for yourself." said Marius.
Naofumi lowered his head and Marius just looked away.
Naofumi soon errupted into rage, accusing him and Malty of conspiring against him. The whole chamber once again filled with accusation thrown at the Shield Hero.
After pushing away the surrounding knights, Naofumi turned around to leave the palace.
"You wanted this too, don't you? Then take it!" Naofumi threw some silver coins on Marius's feet.
Marius then catched up to Naofumi, grabbed him on his shoulder and turned him around to face him.
"I did not want this to happen. But I do not have any choice." Marius said to Naofumi.
Naofumi just glared back at Marius.
"When the time comes, you will know." Marius then let go of Naofumi.
"Don't waste my time. I'm still weak."
And Naofumi hasten his pace, leaving the chamber now with his reputation smeared.
Marius, now followed by Malty, regroup with his party member who were waiting outside.
"We saw the Shield Hero got out. Was he properly punished?" said Lesty.
"I assure you he did." said Malty.
"We are done here." said Marius.
"Sir Spear Hero." said Rino. She gave a bounty paper to Marius, "I know how much you love challenge, so I pick this task for you."
Marius read the bounty. A wild beast terrorizing a nearby village with a high price on its head.
"Pack your things. We are leaving." Marius said as he stored the paper into his satchel and turned towards the exit.
"Are we not gonna celebrate our victory on the trial?" said Malty.
Marius stopped, resisting the urge to drive the spear throught the rotten princess.
"No. We move. Now!"
Marius continued his march towards the exit.
"I have to warned you." Lesty whispered at Malty, "He's not easy to seduce."
"Then leave this to me. As for you." Malty gazed at Rino with a sinister smile, "You better keep your hands away from him."
Malty purposely bumped into Rino with Lesty followed her along. Elena, who was leaning on a wall the wholetime, approached Rino.
"I'm not trying to be mean but I suggest you stop what you're doing." said Elena.
"I was just helping!" Rino exclaimed.
"I know you like older men, but just stop."
"That's not what it's about!"
