The four heroes look at the beautiful town from the castle where they are being escorted for a meeting with the king. The spearman cheers at the sight. "Whoa, this is awesome!"

"We are in agreement for once." Naofumi looks at the land and sees trees beyond the walls. The buildings look good for rest and are not full of giant radroaches. His soldiers can have a base that doesn't make them afraid of getting radiation. 'Perhaps we can even go over farming and cultivation.'

Looking at the guards and architecture, he can tell that the technology is around medieval level. Naofumi looks at his pip-boy and prays that his soldiers can find his tracker. He walks along with the others and enters the throne room where the king is sitting on a throne though it seems there is an empty one beside him. Naofumi has to calm his features once he sees the monarch looking at them. "Greetings Legendary Heroes and welcome to the Kingdom of Melromarc. I am King Aultcray Melromarc XXXII and the one to summon you in these trying times. Hordes of Monsters known as the Wave of Calamity will soon commence and we need your help to save us. Will you please fight for our kingdom?"

"We need money to do any of that." The Swordsman said, showing a greedy nature though Naofumi cannot disagree. If they are to fight monsters that seem to make their troops quake then they should get compensation. The king nods in agreement.

"Of course Sword Hero. But may we know your names first heroes?"

"Ren Amaki." The aloof Swordsman introduces himself, trying to look cool.

"I am the Archer of Justice: Itsuki Kawasumi!" The youngest of the four said arrogantly.

" Hello ladies, Motoyasu Kitamura is here to protect you all." The idiot flirts with the ladies in the court though most don't seem impressed.

Naofumi opens his mouth but the king interrupts his introduction. "I welcome you to my precious kingdom."

The General knows that the king ignoring him is a power move. He sees this monarch give him a side eye and almost smirk which angrys Naofumi. 'Okay King, two can play this little game.'

The King stops his speech once he sees the Shield Hero do an about face and walks away. "Hold Shield Hero! What are you doing?"

"Oh? I thought you didn't realize I was around. As the Monarch of this kingdom, you should know that there are four heroes." Naofumi said and a few nobles chuckle at his joke though most of them sneer at his disrespect. Especially those wearing rosaries. Aultcray loses his smirk and hides his glare. He holds his temper and gives a calm vistage. "You are correct, Shield Hero. Clearly my old age must be getting to me. Forgive me and please tell me your name."

"I am General Naofumi Iwatani. Commanding officer of the United States armed forces." His introduction shocks everyone in the room. Many want to deny this title but the guards all stand at attention suddenly. They look at this hero and they feel like they are staring at a man of authority. His uniform is clean as if he had recently taken care of it. The metals on his chest show both achievements and rank. Even his voice reminds the knights of the likes of Eclair Seaetto, when she would reprimand someone for losing their sword.

Aultcray schools his features. "Ah. Well it is an honor to meet you, General Iwatani. Hopefully your leadership can assist us." Naofumi nods at the suggestion though he sweats, hoping that they don't find out that he was a logistics officer before becoming the general. The king continues by saying that the Waves of Calamity appear at a certain time and they can look at their inventory and level through a menu. Naofumi opens his up and sees his stats which are low but his defense is strong at least. He notices a button blinking and is about to press it until the king continues.

"Sadly we must put this meeting on hold for now. Tomorrow is where your adventures will begin. Rest for now and enjoy the grand feast we have prepared for you." The King ends this meeting and the heroes are escorted to a room with beds far apart from eachother. The four are standing silently preparing for tomorrow but Motoyasu decides to speak.

"That is some weird roleplaying Naofumi. A Shield General?"

Itsuki chimes in to the general's growing annoyance "He's right, you are the weakest of us so leading isn't your role. Also why did you say the United States?"

"My role was to be with my subordinates. I was born an American and will fight as one too. Regardless of some shield on my arm."

This confuses Itsuki and he talks like Naofumi is a child. "Sure you can play an American but that country doesn't exist so it doesn't make sense. Plus I don't think the Bureau would like your talk."

Naofumi is about to make this kid pay for his disrespect until Ren interrupts them. "What Bureau are you talking about? Americans are odd but they are not gone."

"I agree. The US was a great country that helped once they joined the United Government." Motoyasu defends the country but this confuses everyone more. What United Government?

"Okay everyone, quiet! I want you to tell me exactly what happened to the US from each of you." The Shield Hero feels like their answers are going to devastate him and they do.

Ren: "The US has been Japan's ally and friend for years."

Motoyasu: "There used to be a lot of countries but after a big virus, the world decided to unite and become the United Government."

Itsuki: "America lost in World War 2. Japan and Germany each control half of North America. The Bureau of Propaganda makes sure that the continent doesn't rebel."

They come to a realization, they are all from different worlds. Naofumi sits down, shocked to the core. Only one out of four worlds have his country living well. He looks and sees the others are waiting for an answer to tell them about his world. So he just says that most of the world was destroyed in a nuclear war. He can tell each one of them will not be reliable allies. None of them seem to have experience so he gets up and leaves the room while the others are trying to get him back. He is still sending SOS signals to his Enclave. "Different. World. Assistance. Required. Hmm..."

General Iwatani opens his menu and the blinking symbol is still there. Curious about it, Naofumi presses it and a message appears in front of him.

Shield Hero, you have EXP from your previous world. Would you like to include it into your level?

Y/N

"EXP? Perhaps it is from my time killing Super Mutants and Legionaries. So I will become stronger." Naofumi mutters to himself and presses yes. Power courses through his body and he kneels in pain. He opens the menu and finds his level. "Level 20?!"

The next day, the King shows the heroes companions for them to travel with. All of them go to one of three heroes but none for Naofumi, he realizes. Aultcray tries to look like he feels bad for the Shield Hero but he can smell the bullshit as he talks. "This is quite sad, General Iwatani. Is there someone that will join the hero's party?"

None of the adventurers step forward so Naofumi has an idea. "Then I will conscript one of your knights."

"Er… That is a splendid idea." The King grits his teeth as if this isn't part of a plan. "But surely you would like someone to volunteer rather than be forced to correct?"

"Perhaps, but it is like you said. We are in a crisis so we must have all hands rather to defend the kingdom. I will pick one of the knights in this room." Naofumi says and begins to walk around the room, assessing the knights at attention. Many of them don't look at him, watching straight ahead though some glare at him as he passes by. He stops once he is in front of one of the knights. This one is younger compared to the others and he seems afraid. "Raise your head knight. While in uniform, you should be dignified and prepared. What is your name?"

"J-junior knight Ake Shield Hero! I am honored to meet you." The little knight introduces himself and Naofumi can tell right away that he is a recent recruit just by his demeanor.

"Welcome to the Enclave child. Until I return to my world, consider yourself my bodyguard." He walks to the center of the room with Ake nervously by his side. The king looks at his side where it seems one of the adventurers hasn't chosen a hero yet and steps forward.

"My Lord, I shall travel with the Shield Hero. It is a pleasure to meet you, General. I am Myne Sophia." The redheaded lady stands with Naofumi and Ake but something seems… Off about her. 'I should keep my eye on her.'

"Very well Shield Hero. Now I shall give you money to buy any resources you need. Good luck heroes!" The King dismisses everyone with pouches of bronze, silver and gold in their hands. The Shield Hero party leaves the castle and walks around town. On the way, Ake seems to recognize Myne however she pulls him towards her and whispers in his ears. Whatever she said seem to scared him and he keeps quiet as they enter the local weapons shop. Behind the stand is a man to greet them.

"Greetings adventurers, I am Erhard. How can I help you?"

"A pleasure. My name is Naofumi Iwatani and these are my companions Myne and Ake." He introduces himself and the blacksmith is interested once he sees the shield.

"The Shield Hero? Well go ahead, show me what you want." Erhard said and Naofumi walks around the shop, browsing the weapons. Swords, bows, spears and of course shields. Curious, the General picks up a longsword. He feels a shock into his hands and he throws it to the ground. Ake comes to him with concern. "Sir?"

A message appears:

Weapon Violation Detected!

Cardinal Heroes Must Only Use Their Assigned Weapons!

"Hmm.. So you can only use shields." Myne comments but Naofumi can tell that there wasn't concern in her voice. Too fake but he ignores it and picks up a steel shield. Suddenly a copy of the shield appears on his left arm. This surprises everyone but Erhard.

"Oh come on! Don't copy my work!"

"Ah! Forgive me, I didn't expect it to copy. How about this, do you have healing potions?" Naofumi asks which stops the blacksmith from freaking out. He pulls out a crate full of potions.

"I keep crates full of healing potions. Each one is 2 silvers. How much do you want?"

Hm…" Naofumi thinks of a number. "We'll take 6."

Ake takes out the pouch and is about to pull out 12 silvers but Naofumi snatches the pouch which confuses everyone. "We'll take them for 9 silvers."

"I don't think so. How about 11?"

"10."

"Deal." Erhard makes the deal and they exchange the money and potions. The Shield Hero party leaves with Ake confused about that transaction. "Ser Naofumi, what was that about?"

Naofumi smiles at his question. "Currency is an important commodity. Trust me, I had to pay my soldiers and make sure their gear is state of the art. It can be as essential as food and housing."

Ake nods though Myne scoffs, clearly not believing it. Naofumi stops and looks at his team. "Tell me, do you know any missions we can go to?"

"There is something: Monsters from a Wave attack a couple years ago have gone into hiding. They were found in a cave not far from here recently. The guild has a massive reward for taking them out." Myne said, which makes Naofumi interested in this mission.

The Shield Party travels to the cave where the monsters are hiding in. They enter the cave, finding food like fruit and cow carcasses laying on the ground. Myne recoils from the trash while Ake takes out his sword, ready to defend the group. Naofumi kneels beside the cow corpses and analyzes them. "I'm not an expert on animals but they seem to have been eaten recently. That means these monsters are still here. Ake, what monsters did the villages mention?"

"Um… They said goblins, maybe an ogre as well." The knight said while watching both the exit and the dark path deeper into the now revealed Goblin camp.

"I see. Ake, you are the vanguard. Myne, get behind me and use your magic to light the way." He orders them and they follow it however Myne seems reluctant to do so. She chants magic words and creates a ball of light which follows the three heroes. They go deeper into the cave. Sounds of breathing and growling echo the underground. Myne gets annoyed at the sounds and shouts. "Damnit Ake, stop breathing so loud!"

"That's not me." He confesses and they look up to see Goblins dropping from above. Naofumi summons his steel shield to block a goblin with a knife and it climbs on his shield. He punches it with his other hand and Ake slices two of them with his longsword. Myne lits a flameball and burns them alive. Naofumi dodges a goblin attack and he looks down to see liquid on the ground. "Is that- Myne stop using fire magic!"

"Shut up! Shut up! I will not die to these freaks!" Myne is beginning to freak out. Stories of goblins and what they do to adventurers, especially to females. She runs out of the cave, abandoning her teammates. Forget her plan! She'll do it another way!

"Damnit Myne get back in line!" He orders her but she keeps running. The flames begin to lit up thanks to the oil on the ground, blocking the way to the exit of the cave. Myne hits the entrance which causes boulders to block the exit. "She closed the entrance! Ake, back to back!"

With that, they stand side by side even as darkness obscures their vision. The wild fire is the only light as Naofumi grabs a torch a lits it to give the two some light. The Goblins are either dead or went deeper into the cave. Naofumi and Ake try to move the boulders but they too big to lift or move. "Damnit! That brat is dead for this! Here hold this Ake."

The knight takes the torch as Naofumi works on his pip-boy, creating a green light to help them. "That should help us. Come along soldier, we can find another way out."

"Y-yes sir." Ake mutters, which makes Naofumi look at him. "Be more courageous Ake. You are now a soldier of the Enclave. Being scared is a form of weakness."

The duo walks deeper into the cave. They have their ears out, ready to take out any goblins. Torches start to appear on the walls and they can only come to one conclusion: They may have found the lair. They enter a giant arena full of corpses which frighten Ake but Naofumi focuses on the sole monster in the arena. A giant grey ogre is holding a headless knight with one hand and a club on the other. It roars once it sees more intruders in its territory and tosses the corpse. They jump away as it crashes and Ake prepares his longsword. Naofumi however is looking at a chest at the end of the arena. "Okay Ake, you deal with the ogre. I'm going to see if there is anything on that chest that we can use."

"What?! But sir, ogres have killed knights with higher levels than me!"

"I'm putting my trust in you." Naofumi runs at the ogre which gets it's attention. It swings it's club but he dives under the ogre and runs behind it. The ogre is distracted by the fleeing hero and Ake thrusts his sword into its chest. The monster roars and backhands the junior knight. He crashes into the ground and drops his sword. Ake grabs it and charges at the roaring monster. Naofumi goes to the chest and opens it, revealing a skeleton. He notices a shield on it and feels something familiar about it.

'Don't tell me.' The General of the Enclave gazes at his legendary shield, the same design. He touches the shield and a message appears next to him. Naofumi reads it and widens at the contents.

Meanwhile Ake falls again with a bruised arm. He looks up to see the ogre raise it's club, ready to finish him off. "Shooting Star Throw!"

A round shield hits the ogre in the back which makes it fall down and Naofumi catches it. Ake is helped up by Naofumi as he gives him a potion. "Take it soldier. I need you ready for more."

"Yes sir!" Ake takes it and feels his bruise go away. The knight and general prepare for the ogre as it gets up but suddenly Naofumi has a thought:

"Where are the goblins?" A roar and explosion from another cave is heard which makes everyone stare at it. A goblin is running out of it, screeching afraid. But it is stomped on by a scaly foot. A reptilian creature runs at the ogre slashes it with it's claws. The ogre tries to bash the monster but it's hands are cleaved off with claws as long as forearms.

"A Deathclaw?!" Naofumi can't believe that the apex predator of his world is here as it bites it's head off. The Deathclaw takes a slash but Naofumi blocks it with his shield and Ake jumps and stabs the Deathclaw in the neck. It falls to the ground, weaken from the explosion and dies.

Naofumi walks to the dead Deathclaw and places his hand on it's chest. Feeling it, he finds something. "There it is. Ake, I need you to cut open the chest right here."

The knight is confused but he follows the order. He takes a knife and cuts the Deathclaw and moves it down the chest. Ake steps aside and Naofumi dives his hand into the hole and moves around the insides of the corpse. He pulls out holding what looks like a device. "What is that sir?"

"Soldier, you are looking at the Apex Predator from my world. These Deathclaws are a pain that make your greatest warriors seem like children by comparison. I lost a lot of good patriots when a horde of them attacked us months ago. What I am holding is a tracking device that we inserted into captured Deathclaws when we were experimenting on them. It also has another use." Naofumi explains as he disassembles the device and pulls out a chip. Seeing it is still good for use, the general smiles as he inserts the chip into his pip-boy. "There. That should increase the range of the tracker in my pip-boy. The Enclave should now be able to find where I am. Though how it came to this world is concerning. Come along, private."

He walks away while carrying the chest. The team walks out of the arena and finds themselves out of the cave. Ake breathes in the fresh air. "Oh I miss the outside. Could we never go underground again sir?"

"Sometimes you are force to go to places you don't like at all. You did good soldier. Perhaps once my forces rescue me, you can join us." Naofumi offers to Ake, who is shocked and flattered by the offer. Though what he says next makes the knight go pale. "Now let's go find that traitor and hang her."

"Sir, wait! You can't go after her!" Ake tries to warn him but he is still walking to Castle Town.

"Desertion is punishable by death. Myne Sophia will pay with her life."

The knight runs to his general to talk him out of this. "No sir, you don't understand!"

"And what don't I understand?" He turns to Ake but he looks away. Whatever he wants to say, it appears he is afraid to say it. "She threatened you didn't she?"

"My mother. She is all I have left in this world. I knew who Myne was but she said she will kill her if I said anything." Ake confesses to his superior and he expects to be yelled at. Yet Naofumi says nothing and keeps walking but he gives him advice.

"She can be royalty and your superior but let me ask you something. What kind of leader needs to threaten their underlings to follow them? The ones that know they can't lead by example." With his piece said, Naofumi carries the chest and lifts it to his shoulder. He leaves Ake behind with the soldier not knowing what to do but returns to Castle Town. The General has given him a choice.

Within the village, Naofumi is given a hero's welcome once he's returned. The old mayor walks towards him and smiles. "Thank you, Shield Hero. What happened to your teammates?"

"Myne abandon us and decided to take our money." Naofumi said with rage in his voice. He takes his pouch and empties it to reveal pebbles and rocks. The traitor was able to pickpocket him and replace his pouch of silver and gold with trash. His features soften once he thinks about the other companion. "As for Ake, I gave him a choice of his loyalty. We shall see what his decision entails."

This saddens the elder woman to see the village's hero be treated in such a way. "Those cultists are wrong to call you a devil. You are clearly a hero. It is a shame they won't let go of their hatred even when the wave threat is near."

"Thank you ma'am. Tell me, why does this kingdom seem to hate me and the shield?" He asks which makes the mayor explain the kingdom and their hatred.

"Long ago, there was a war between Melomarc and Siltvelt kingdoms. Many lives were lost and the three heroes fought to ensure Melomarc and human supremacy. However the privious Shield Hero saw the slavery and was disgusted by it so he join Siltvelt to help the demi-humans. The kingdoms were able to create a peace treaty but they still hate each other to this day. The other heroes were celebrated and worshipped by the church and the Shield was hated for helping the other kingdom. I heard that the king's sister was killed by Siltvelt soldiers in battle. Sadly the Shield Hero died and was seen as the devil for caring about those in bondage." Lady Mayor said and it makes sense to Naofumi as he puts the chest down. However, he can never allow slavery no matter what reason you have. One of the first action he made once Colonel Autumn was confirmed KIA is destroy Paradise Falls to the last slaver and free the men, women and children from chains.

The Lady Mayor walks toward the chest and opens it to see the skeleton inside. She smiles sadly and as tears roll through her eyes, she grips the chest as hard as she can. The General comforts her as she looks at the bones of an old companion.

"Welcome back old friend. Let's give you a proper funeral."

"Open up Shield Devil! We know you are in there!" Naofumi awakens to banging on his door. He was given a room from Lady Mayor's manor and decided to retire for the day. The General doesn't have time to get up as two knights charge into the room and grab him by the arms roughly.

"You are coming with us, Devil!"

"What do you think you are doing Sean?" Lady Mayor enters which has the knight sweat from the gaze of this elder woman. The other knight isn't as intimated and gets into her face. "You better move woman or you will be tried for treason to the crown!"

Sean grabs his fellow knight and pulls him from her. "Don't you dare threaten Lady Mayor! Are you okay ma'am?"

"I am. However it seems I need to escort the Shield Hero if you plan to manhandle him. Sean, please leave. We will take him to Castle Town." Lady Mayor motions her guards who happen to be demi-human. The knight nods and grabs his comrade to force them out of the house. She looks to see Naofumi straighten his uniform. "I apologize for Sean. He is a good boy who just fell in with the wrong crowd."

"It's funny that the wrong crowd is the king's knights." Naofumi comments which she agrees with as he and Lady Mayor walk to Castle Town. They enter the castle where the king is sitting on his throne while the heroes and Myne are next to him with Myne crying in Motoyasu's arms. Once Aultcray sees Naofumi, he yells at his knights.

"There he is! Seize him, men!" They walk towards the General until Lady Mayor steps forward. "I am Lady Waters and as Hand to the Queen, you will stand down!"

Thus the knights stop their movement with the king outrage. "Lady Waters, what are you doing?! This vile devil must pay for his actions!"

"I don't think so. Not until you tell me what this young man has done and why you decided to break the door of my house." Lady Waters glares at the king and he growls. Lady Waters is a powerful figure in the kingdom and personal friend to his wife and queen. Myne shouts with 'distress' in her voice.

"The Shield Hero defiled me! Oh the things he has done!" She cries on Motoyasu which he and others glare at Naofumi.

"How could you Naofumi? Myne is a lovely girl!"

Ren questions his rank. "Are you even a general? You must be lying."

Itsuki's accusations rile him up. "I knew you Americans are barbarians! Nothing but savages that need to be put down!"

"Don't you dare insult me or my country! This uniform is something I wear with honor and pride." Naofumi silences those fools and glares at the king. "As for you old man, I didn't have my way with the coward. If anything, she should be punished for abandoning my squad and trapping us in a cave."

"You dare accuse my daughter of cowardness! We have a witness that reveals you raped Princess Malty S Melromarc!" King Aultray reveals Myne Sophia's true name which makes General Iwatani confirm that this is a kangaroo trial. Ake is push into the center and he shakes from everyone's gaze. He feels the disappointment from Naofumi and he feels weak from having to lie because the princess orders him to.

"You can do it, soldier. Your mother will be proud that you stop the Shield Devil from hurting anyone one else!" Malty 'encourages' Ake but he knows that she knows where his mother lives and they will hurt her if he doesn't follow her instructions. The junior knight thinks of Naofumi, he chooses him out of all other knights. He places his trust into him and he is about to break it. 'What kind of leader needs to threaten their underlings to follow them? The ones that know they can't lead by example.'

"You were right, General Iwatani. I can't follow someone that needs to do the coward's way to rule. The Shield Hero is innocent! Princess Malty has threatened me and my family if I don't comply and accuse him!" Ake reveals which has many in shock. Even Malty as she stops her fake crying and growls at this traitor. But she can improvise and quickly turns her face into fear.

"Oh no! The devil is using a mind control shield and has Ake and Lady Waters in his control! We must stop the Shield Hero before he takes control of everyone!" She accuses him which the king leaps on.

"Of course my daughter! Take them to the cells!" Knights comes to them but Naofumi looks at his pip-boy and smiles at the message. "Why are you smiling Devil?!"

He pulls up his arm and shows his pip-boy. "Attached to my arm is a device that can send messages. It can also receive them and the newest one is-" Naofumi moves away from the center of the room as a portal appears. Enclave soldiers come out of it and fire lasers and bullets at the knights. The king and princess can only gape in shock as their soldiers have died while the three heroes get in front of the royalty to protect them. The General grin as Duke Dornan and John Bragg walk out as well and stand beside him.

"Help. Incoming." Naofumi holds out his hand and a soldier gives him a cigar and lights it. General Iwatani puffs some smoke and warns the king only once. "Now you will surrender right now Prince-Consort. We will negotiate with the real monarch: Queen Mirellia Q Melromarc, of course."

Now anyone normal would surrender and give up but Aultcray's bigoted and dementia filled mind isn't normal. His entire face turns red and he stands out of his throne. "No! I refuse you damn Devil! I didn't spend decades courting that bitch to lose my throne now! I am the king! I rule every commoner and slave! AND I SAY KILL THE DEVIL AND HIS WORSHIPERS!

*BANG*

Aultcray clutches his chest and falls to his throne. He looks at his hand to see blood. The king weakly gazes at the shooter and see Naofumi holding a pistol. He gives no mercy to this tyrant and pulls the trigger again. "Issac sends his regards."

*BANG*

The Worlds of Each Hero:

Ren- Present Day Japan

Itsuki- Axis wins World War 2

Motoyasu- The World Unites into a Single Government

Next Time- Message and Gift from the Previous Shield Hero