The Cardinal Hero Of Magic Chapter 2: The Waves of Catastrophe, a rising of the shield hero/盾の勇者の成り上がり fanfic

After a few days of rest and recuperation, I was back to my full strength. I found myself strolling around the village with Tai Morningstar, the wolf man who had rescued me. My staff was slung across my back, a constant reminder of the power that I wielded in this new world. Tai began to explain a few things to me about this unfamiliar realm, the first of which was that he and everyone in the village were known as Demi-Humans. However, he warned me that not all of them would trust me, and I soon noticed that many of them were giving me suspicious looks.

"Be warned, most of them won't trust you," Tai cautioned me as his eyes scanned the crowd, bracing me for the potential hostility.

Curious, I asked, "May I ask why that is? Why don't they trust Demi-Humans?"

Tai sighed before explaining, "It's because of the unfortunate perception of Demi-Humans as monsters rather than individuals. They're often misunderstood and feared by humans." As he spoke, I began to comprehend the plight of the Demi-Humans and empathize with their situation.

'So Demi-Humans are like Faunus in this world

"Personally, I don't judge people by their appearances, but rather by their actions. As it stands, no one here has done anything to warrant my judgment," I declared as we arrived at the outskirts of the village, where a shed was located.

"I'm glad to hear that," Tai replied as he retrieved a metal bo staff from the shed. "As a Cardinal Hero, you need to learn how to fight."

"I can fight," I started to say, but before I could finish my sentence, I was thrown flat on my back.

"What were you saying?" Tai remarked, holding his staff against my chest.

"I meant hand-to-hand combat," I replied, rising back to my feet.

"Well, you'll need to learn how to fight with your weapon," Tai insisted, leading me out of the village and into a vast field. As we walked, a few rabbits and porcupines scattered about.

Suddenly, three porcupines and two rabbits charged toward me. I quickly grabbed my staff, bracing myself for the oncoming assault. As the animals approached, the porcupines leaped at me alongside the rabbits. I instinctively swung my staff, slamming the porcupine into the rabbit and unintentionally embedding their spines into the rabbit's body, killing it instantly.

+15 Exp

Suddenly, the remaining porcupine leaped at me. I swiftly struck it with the butt of my staff, sending it tumbling backward. In the midst of the chaos, I managed to slam the head of my staff onto another porcupine, killing it instantly.

+30 Exp

My victory was short-lived as I soon heard a high-pitched squeal. I turned to see Tai holding a rabbit to the ground with his bo staff. Without hesitation, I used my own weapon to swiftly end the animal's suffering.

As the adrenaline of the battle subsided, a notification popped up on my screen, awarding me with +15 Exp for my efforts. And to my surprise, a skill tree also appeared, offering me new abilities to enhance my combat abilities.

Level Up!

Level: 2 EXP: 60/240
Skill Points: 2
HP: 187 MP: 216
Physical Attack: 15
Magic Attack: 70
Physical Defense: 53
Magic Defense: 69

A new skill had been unlocked, allowing me to summon any monster that I had slain as The Legendary Magic Hero. Among these were the Usapil and Porcupine.

Additionally, my skill tree offered several new weapons to choose from. Two staves caught my attention: the Nature Magic Staff and the Earth Magic Staff. The Nature Magic Staff provided a bonus defense of +2 and the skill Vine Snare, while the Earth Magic Staff offered a magic attack bonus of +3 and the skill Quicksand.

"Alright, let's go," Tai urged, piling up the bodies of the slain animals.

Not understanding the rush, I questioned, "What's the hurry? We have all day to train."

"We're not here to train. We're out here to gather food," Tai reminded me, gesturing for me to lower the head of my staff onto the pile of bodies.

As I complied, my staff tree suddenly opened up, revealing a new weapon option.

As I gazed at the new weapon option, the Porcupine Quill Magic Staff, I couldn't help but feel curious. Intrigued by its potential, I began to focus on it intently. Suddenly, my staff began to glow and was eventually replaced by a brown staff with a jewel being held by four quilled prongs.

"Interesting," I murmured to myself, examining the new weapon with fascination. The Porcupine Quill Magic Staff provided an attack bonus of +5, making it a formidable weapon in battle.

~Time Skip~

Level Up!

Name: Balthasar Black
Race: Dragonoid
Class: Legendary Magic Hero
Level: 10
EXP: 19,384/30,720
Skill Points: 51

Stats:
-HP: 1,562
-MP: 558
-Physical Attack: 20
-Magic Attack: 150
-Physical Defense: 57
-Magic Defense: 141

Weapon Unlocked:

Balthasar examined his new staff with excitement. The Mirror Magic Staff was a magnificent creation, with intricate patterns etched into the gleaming surface. Its magical properties were equally impressive, offering a substantial boost to his defense and magic defense. He couldn't wait to try it out in battle.

But the real surprise was the staff's unique skill, Reflect. Balthasar learned from the help option that it could send any non-physical attack back to the caster with double the damage. This was a game-changing ability that could turn the tide of a difficult battle.

As he switched to his new staff, Balthasar eyed the Hound Magic Staff with interest. This staff, too, had its own advantages, granting a significant boost to MP.

"Your progress is truly impressive, Balthasar," complimented Tai, a Wolf Demi-Human, as he effortlessly carried a massive monster on his shoulder. "Equipped with those weapons, you will become an unstoppable force."

I thanked Tai while summoning a Hound to carry the defeated monster. "Is this all we need for today?" I inquired.

Tai was about to reply when the sky suddenly turned a terrifying shade of red. "What in the world?" I exclaimed, shocked as Tai's expression turned to horror.

"Balthasar! We need to run!" Tai yelled, sprinting towards the village.

I followed closely behind with my summoned Hound trailing after me. As we entered the village, a sense of dread overtook me as I gazed upon the hundreds of monsters descending from the crimson sky. It was at that moment that something clicked in my mind - "The Book...The Waves of Apocalyptic Catastrophe."

"Tai, please go find your family. I'll take care of these monsters," I said determinedly, as I equipped my Thunderstorm Magic Staff.

The staff had a sleek metallic appearance, with a dark cloud hovering over the jewel, while the jewel itself sat atop six prongs shaped like lightning bolts.

Thunderstorm Magic Staff:
Equipment Bonus: Magic Attack +20, Electricity Attack +30
Skill: Lightning Arc

As I surveyed the menacing beasts, the majority of them appeared to resemble some form of K9, with some even sporting multiple heads, including one with three heads and a horn on each.

"Alright, I'll save that one for last," I declared confidently, as lightning arced around the black jewel of my staff.

With a swift movement, I activated one of my skills, unleashing a powerful 'Lightning Arc' that zapped a group of ferocious K9 monsters before they could get near the Demi-Humans.

"Go, find shelter!" I shouted urgently as they scurried away, searching for a safe place to hide.

Without hesitation, I summoned forth my newly acquired monster.

"I summon the unholy beast of flesh and bone, slain by magic might, to do my bidding!"

From the depths of the underworld emerged the fearsome creature known as the Hellhound, ready to heed my command.

"Kill any and all monsters... Both of you," I commanded firmly, as both my Hound and Hellhound dashed off to face the oncoming horde.

As I battled fiercely, I suddenly heard a blood-curdling scream. I turned to see the three-headed monster at the edge of the cliff, with all three heads down to the ground. Rushing toward the beast, I charged my weapon with a powerful Lightning spell. However, I stopped in my tracks as I saw two bloodied bodies lying before the monster. To my horror, I recognized the victims, and my anger boiled over as I gritted my teeth in fury.

Without hesitation, I charged up my spell and aimed it upwards, creating a massive storm cloud.

"As the source of thy power and as the Magic Hero, I order thee to decipher the law of nature and strike my enemy with a bolt of pure light!" I commanded with conviction.

With a fierce cry, I unleashed a devastating 'Lightning Bolt' upon the three-headed monster, seeking to avenge the fallen.

From the storm cloud, several smaller bolts shot out and struck multiple smaller monsters before a massive bolt of lightning came crashing down, instantly frying the three-headed monster and killing it on the spot.

As a result of my victory, I unlocked two new monsters to add to my arsenal - Orthus and Cerberus.

The moment I destroyed the Cerberus, the sky returned to its normal hue. With the threat now gone, I banished my summoned monsters and quickly made my way to the Morningstar house. My face was filled with joy upon seeing Marianna and her 9-year-old son safe and sound.

"Marianna, are you and Gray alright?" I inquired, relieved to find them unharmed.

"We're okay, but have you seen Tai?" Marianna's concerned tone raised red flags in my mind.

No-ones Pov

Balthasar wasted no time as he sprinted through the chaos, his heart pounding with urgency to find the man who had taught him how to fight and had introduced him to this new and unfamiliar world. But his frantic search was abruptly interrupted by a harrowing sight: Tai Morningstar, his mentor, and friend, was under attack by a grotesque, two-headed monster, its jaws clamped down on Tai with savage ferocity.

'Vine Snare'

From beneath the monstrous creature emerged a tangle of thick, thorned vines that coiled tightly around its writhing form, pulling its dual mouths away from the Demi-Human. With a heavy heart, The Magic Hero approached his fallen teacher and gently lifted his head. Though he still breathed, his vacant stare betrayed the grim truth: he was beyond saving. The gravity of the situation hit Balthasar hard. This was no mere game. In this world, death was final and there would be no respawn. Balthasar had to confront the harsh reality that my teacher was gone forever.

With unwavering determination, the Magic Hero pushed Tai's lifeless body aside and squared up to the monstrous creature that had mercilessly ended his mentor's life. Balthasar's grip tightened around his weapon, his knuckles turning white with the force of his rage. As he aimed his weapon directly at the bound creature, a fierce fury coursed through him, his eyes shifting to a draconic glare and black scales emerging on the sides of his face.

"My name is Balthasar Black," Balthasar declared, his jewel blazing with a fierce red light. "You killed my master. Prepare to die."

'Zwei...Fireblast'

With a fierce determination, the glow on Balthasar's staff intensified as it unleashed a powerful blast of azure flames, engulfing the monstrous beast and slowly bringing it down. Despite his victory, Balthasar's heart sank with sorrow as he picked up Tai's lifeless body and carried him toward his grieving family.

As he approached, the sight of Marianna and Gray weeping over Tai's body tore at Balthasar's heartstrings. He knew that the Morningstar family needed time to mourn and bury their beloved Tai. With a heavy heart, Balthasar resolved to hunt down the remaining monsters, but Gray's desperate plea stopped him in his tracks.

"Please...Don't...leave us too," Gray sobbed, his voice thick with tears.

Taking a deep breath, Balthasar made the difficult decision to stay behind and help bury the fallen. Fortunately, the casualties were not as numerous as he had feared, with only Tai, Ralptalia's parents, and three others among the dead.

As they laid their loved ones to rest, Balthasar spoke aloud, paying tribute to the brave and selfless sacrifices of those who had fallen.

"I never chose to enter this world, nor did I ask to be discovered by the man who taught me about it. My father used to say that everything happens for a reason, but today's tragedy leaves me questioning that belief. Though only six perished, I shudder to think how many more lives might have been lost had I not been here. I sense that none of you trust me now, and I can't blame you, especially since I failed to save those we lost. I can only imagine your disappointment and even your anger towards me," Balthasar confessed, his words heavy with remorse.

Suddenly, the Dragonoid felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, followed by several more on his back. "You did everything in your power," a wise male fox Demi-Human reassures him. "After witnessing your bravery, there's no way not to trust you," adds a compassionate female weasel Demi-Human.

"Balthasar, everyone around you holds no ill will against you, like you said if you weren't here we would be burying a lot more of us," Marianna said with a genuine smile

The village mourned in silence as they laid to rest their loved ones who had perished. In the following days, Balthasar worked tirelessly to help rebuild the village, fueled by the encouraging words of the raccoon Demi-Human, Raphtalia. Initially, some of the villagers were frightened by the magical hero's summoned monsters, but after Balthasar explained that it was one of his skills, they began to trust him. With the help of his monsters, the reconstruction of Rurorona Village progressed smoothly and efficiently.

However, as Balthasar surveyed the progress of the village, he noticed a group of knights with a purple flag in the distance. A sense of unease crept over him, and he turned to Marianna, the wise Wolf Demi-Human who was walking by.

Balthasar's voice was tinged with apprehension as he asked Marianna, "Excuse me, do you know who those knights are?" Her eyes widened as she looked toward the group of knights.

"Those are the royal knights of Melromarc. They must be here to help us," Marianna said with hope in her voice. However, Balthasar's instincts kicked in when he saw some of the knights drawing their swords, sending red flags flying in his mind.

"They're not here to help. They're here to attack," the Magic Hero declared, dropping his lumber and grabbing his staff.

In a split second, Balthasar ordered his monsters to attack the knights, only to watch in horror as the human knights cut most of them down with ease.

The chaos erupted as Marianna's voice pierced through the air, urgent and frantic. "Everyone, run!" she yelled, her eyes scanning the crowd for her son.

The panicked screams of children and adult males filled my ears, jolting me into action.

Balthasar's warning only added to the sense of danger. "They're targeting the women and children!" he shouted.

Suddenly, Balthasar's eyes widened as he spotted Gray being carried away by a knight. Without hesitation, he took aim with his staff and activated one of his skills, ready to defend against the looming threat.

'Vine Snare'

As the knights charged towards them, the majority of them became ensnared by thorned vines that cut deeper the more they struggled. This bought the Demi-Humans some time to flee, and Balthasar quickly grabbed Gray and ran with Marianna.

However, their escape was short-lived as the knights who weren't trapped quickly freed their comrades and resumed the chase. One by one, the Demi-Humans fell to the knights' swords or were captured.

Now, only the Magic Hero, the Morningstar's, and a handful of others remained. Thinking quickly, Balthasar unleashed his magic to buy some time.

"Zwei Fireblast!" he shouted, swinging his staff to create a wall of flames that separated the knights from the group.

But that wasn't enough. Balthasar needed something more powerful, something that could turn the tide of battle in their favor. And so, he called upon the unholy beast of flesh and bone, a creature slain by magic might and now under his command.

"I summon Cerberus!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing out with power and determination.

With a flick of his wrist, Balthasar summoned the boss of the Wave from thin air. He commanded the Demi-Humans to mount the beast and ordered it to take them to safety. The Magic Hero quickly conjured another Cerberus for himself and the Morningstars. He assisted Gray onto the creature before turning to aid Marianna. However, before he could act, Marianna pushed him out of harm's way and took the Knight's attack herself, leaving her bleeding on the ground.

The Knight sneered and callously kicked Marianna off his blade, showing no regard for her life. Enraged, he turned his attention to the Dragonoid, ready to attack. But Balthasar was prepared. He pointed his staff at the Knight's feet and unleashed his 'Quicksand' skill, trapping the Knight in place without hesitation.

The Knight of Melromarc struggled as he sank deeper into the ground, frantically trying to escape. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon Balthasar's human form.

"Why are you helping those monsters?" The Knight demanded, his arms outstretched as he attempted to slow his descent.

Balthasar's draconic eyes flashed, and his scales emerged as he responded, "Monsters? I'll show you what a real monster looks like."

With deliberate force, Balthasar pressed his foot against the knight's armored head, his anger palpable in the air.

"Unlike you, the Demi-Humans possess more humanity than you could ever hope to have," Balthasar snarled. "I don't judge people based on their appearance, but on their actions. And you, sir..." Balthasar's growl intensified as he shoved the knight further into the ground. "...have most certainly earned my judgment."

With all his might, the Dragonoid drove his weight onto his right foot, forcing the knight to plummet into the depths of the earth where he would never see the light of day again. As the Magic Hero looked up, he spotted more knights charging toward him, but Balthasar didn't hesitate. He quickly activated his Vine Snare skill, ensnaring the knights before they could even reach him.

"You call yourselves knights, but you're nothing more than monsters," Balthasar sneered, summoning forth his dark powers.

"I summon the unholy beasts of flesh and bone, slain by magic might, to do my bidding," Balthasar declared.

In a flash of dark energy, three monstrous hounds materialized before him, ready to carry out his every command.

"Hound, Orthus, Hellhound," Balthasar intoned, their names rolling off his tongue with ease. "At my command, destroy these false knights and show them the true meaning of terror."

HOUND
ORTHRUS
HELLHOUND

"Kill them," Balthasar orders with a cold, commanding tone as he swiftly scoops up Marianna before mounting the Cerberus and riding off. The sound of the knights' blood-curdling screams echoes in the distance as they fall to the might of the unholy beasts.

"B-Balthasar," Marianna manages weakly, her voice trembling.

"Don't speak, you're going to be okay," Balthasar reassures her, his mind racing as he searches for a place where he can tend to her wounds.

"Protect...my...son," Marianna gasps out before her head rolls back, her eyes closing.

"Marianna?" Balthasar's voice cracks with emotion as he gently shakes her. "Marianna!"

Desperately, he calls out her name again and again, but there is no response.

With a heavy heart, Balthasar lowers his head and, along with Gray, heads far away from Rurorona village and the knights of Melromarc. Once they are a safe distance away, they give Marianna a proper burial before preparing for the next Wave of Catastrophe. But...No matter what, Balthasar Black would never forget what had transpired that day the truth of Melromarc had been revealed, and the Cardinal Hero of Magic had gained a new enemy.

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