With the Capital far enough behind them, The Magic Hero Balthasar removed the spell on his party and summoned one of his monsters
BADGER MOLE
Lillian Rose and Gray Morningstar rode on the monster towards their destination, accompanied by Balthasar who walked with his hood pulled up.
"When we reach the village, I'll search for a healing spell in the grimoires," said the Magic Hero.
"I'm sorry... If we..." Lily started to say, but Balthasar interrupted her.
"You have nothing to apologize for. You both are alive, and that's what matters. The past is behind us," said the Magic Hero.
Once they arrived at Lute Village, the Magic Heroes Party checked into the town's inn for the price of three silvers. In their room, Balthasar searched through the grimoires and found a healing spell.
"As the source of my power, I order thee to decipher the laws of nature and heal my target," read the Magic Hero.
Balthasar cast the Fast Heal spell, which he had just learned, using 10 MP. The spell healed the injury sustained by the Wolf Demi-Human from the knights of Melromarc.
~Time Skip~
"Brother," Gray whispered, shaking the hero awake.
"Can't it wait? I need to sleep," Balthasar groaned, not bothering to move or open his eyes.
But then a cracking sound caught his attention. The Dragonoid snapped his eyes open and sat up. He looked towards the dresser and saw the Monster Egg cracking open. Balthasar bolted out of bed and rushed to the egg. He watched as it hatched open completely, revealing a red fox with ocean-blue eyes.
"Wow," he breathed, amazed at the sight before him.
"Is that a fox?" Gray asked as Balthasar leaned in to get a closer look at the creature, placing a hand on the dresser.
Suddenly, without warning, the fox ran up Balthasar's arm and onto his shoulder, rubbing its head against his cheek.
"Oh my god," said Lily, her eyes filled with hearts as she gushed over the small creature. "It's so cute!"
While Lily was lost in admiration of the fox, Balthasar absorbed the eggshells and unlocked a new staff: the Monster Egg Magic Staff.
The new staff provided a bonus of defense +20 and a skill of Growth Boost.
Ignoring Lily's comment, the Magic Hero noticed that the fox had two tails and its health bar was in his party. After a moment, Balthasar couldn't help but agree with the panda girl.
"Okay...you're right, it's cute," Balthasar said, rubbing his finger against the fox's head.
"Let's get some food. I'm hungry," Gray said, his stomach growling.
"Yeah, let's eat. We have an extra mouth to feed," Balthasar said as all four of them headed to the inn's dining area and filled their stomachs.
Later that day, the Magic Hero and his party ran into the Shield Hero and Raphtalia, who was carrying a monster egg as well.
"I see you purchased a Monster Egg too, Naofumi," Balthasar noted as he greeted the pair.
"Balthasar? What are you doing here?" asked the Raccoon Demi-Human.
"Just laying low for a while," Balthasar answered before the fox popped its head out from under his hood.
"Aww, it's so cute," Raphtalia cooed as she looked at the fox.
Balthasar's smile widened as he replied, "Yes, I won it from the Monster Egg Lottery," as the newly hatched monster leaped onto his cupped hand.
As they chatted, the sun rose higher in the sky until it reached its peak, signaling Balthasar and his companions to leave for their monster hunt. In the following days, Balthasar's monster, who he Emiko, experienced significant growth thanks to his Growth Boost skill. Not only did she increase in size, but she also sprouted an additional six tails, and even Naofumi's Filolial appeared to have grown.
Their peaceful days were interrupted by a sudden commotion outside. Naofumi and Balthasar trailed the villagers, accompanied by their friends, to investigate the source of the disturbance. Upon their arrival, they discovered Princess Malty brandishing a scroll that declared The Spear Hero as the region's ruler.
"The Spear Hero, Sir Motoyasu, has been appointed as the ruling lord of this region, in recognition of his valor during the last wave," declared the Princess, while the Spear Hero sat atop his Dragon mount, smugly basking in the attention.
"To aid in the rebuilding efforts, we will impose a toll of 50 silvers for entering and leaving the village," she continued.
The announcement was met with protest from one of the villagers, who pointed out that such a toll would leave them unable to afford food. The Princess reacted angrily to the objection, questioning the villager's audacity to defy a royal decree.
But Balthasar and Naofumi weren't having any of it. "We object to this decision!" they spoke up in unison.
"This is now Sir Motoyasu's domain, you have no right to question him," retorted Malty, glaring at the Shield and Magic Heroes.
Balthasar spoke up indignantly, "Hey Spear Douche, you do realize that the inn charges only one silver for a night's stay here, right?"
"And you want to charge the equivalent of 100 nights just to enter and leave the village," Naofumi added, as the villagers began to voice their dissent against the Princess and the Spear Hero.
The Princess reacted by calling her knights to action, brandishing their spears menacingly. "How dare you!" she exclaimed.
"Looks like the Princess wants to fight," Balthasar quipped, raising his staff in defiance.
However, the Princess's demeanor swiftly shifted from calm to one of shock and fear upon the sudden appearance of four figures dressed in dark attire. The individual nearest to her presented her with a scroll, which seemed to further fuel her fury.
"Shield Hero, fight us for the right to rule this village!" she declared, her voice ringing out loud and clear.
~With The Villagers~
"I decline," Naofumi stated firmly.
"Sir, if you refuse the challenge, the Spear Hero will gain control of the village," the Village Lord warned the Shield Hero.
While Naofumi conversed with the villagers, the dragon mount that Motoyasu had ridden to the location approached the Magic Hero and sniffed him, perhaps sensing a shared ancestry. The Dragonoid, however, wanted nothing to do with the other hero or his mount, and he glared at the beast with his draconic features flared. The dragon retreated from the hero, much like a frightened prey backs away from a hungry predator.
While Naofumi engaged in a heated argument with the villagers, the Dragonoid checked on Emiko and was taken aback to discover that she had grown an additional tail and was now twice the size of Balthasar's Chopper back home.
"Emi, you're so..." Balthasar started, but he caught himself mid-sentence when he saw the expression on Emiko's face. "Grown," he quickly added, attempting to make amends for his mistake.
"Sorry, Emiko. Let's go watch the race," Balthasar said, inviting Emiko to follow him to observe Naofumi's competition.
Balthasar couldn't have been more thrilled that he had chosen to visit the village. They witnessed The Mighty Spear Hero soaring through the skies, thanks to being kicked in the gonads by Naofumi's Filolial, which caused both Balthasar and Emiko to burst into laughter. The race involved completing three laps around Lute Village, and the first to finish all three and return to the village gate would be deemed the victor. As the race began, Balthasar and his companions prepared to depart, only to be halted by the Princess.
The Princess demanded, "And where do you think you're going?"
"I have no stake in this race. So, I'm leaving unless you can stop me," retorted Balthasar, pushing past the Princess and her knights.
Meanwhile, Naofumi and Filo led the pack, approaching the final corner of the lap. Unbeknownst to the Shield Hero, one of the Princess's knights had concealed themselves in the forest foliage, casting an earth spell to impede Naofumi's progress.
The knight began the incantation, "As the source of thy power, I command thee to decipher the law..."
But suddenly, a menacing growl interrupted the incantation. The knight turned around to confront a large fox, and fear replaced their expression. The fox bit into the knight's leg, dragging them into the dark of the forest while they screamed and clawed at the ground.
The Shield Hero effortlessly completed the first lap, which frustrated Princess Malty. However, as they approached the middle of the track, a hidden knight attempted to slow down the Shield Hero's Filolial.
The knight began casting a spell, "As source to thy power, I order thee, decipher the laws of nature to slow my target."
Suddenly, an unknown voice interrupted, "Nullification." Confused, the knight spun around and reached for their sword, but was struck on the head with a large rock, knocking them out.
A mysterious figure emerged from the shadows and grabbed both of the knight's feet, dragging them through the forest.
With her speed intact, Filo surged ahead, widening the distance from the Spear Hero Motoyasu, much to the chagrin of The Second Princess. At the edge of the track, a knight was seen casting a spell to boost Motoyasu's dragon's speed.
"As the source of your power, I order thee to decipher the laws of nature..."
Suddenly, a snapping sound interrupted his incantation, and as the knight turned to investigate, he noticed a small squirrel climbing up a tree. But before he could refocus on the track, a fierce red fist slammed into him, sending him flying into a nearby tree. He struggled to regain his composure but was struck again, knocking him out cold.
Meanwhile, the Shield Hero and his trusted Filolial mount rounded the last corner, with The Second Princess charging up a wind spell. However, she was abruptly interrupted as a Panda Demi-Human appeared from above, sword drawn and aimed at her chest.
(Btw if you hadn't guessed by now Lily's magical affinities are Dark and Ice Magic)
"Magical interference is strictly prohibited in this race," the Demi-Human declared, pressing the sharp tip of her blade against the Princess's skin, reminding her of the rules.
As the Shield Hero crossed the finish line, the villagers erupted in cheers, celebrating his well-deserved victory. Suddenly, to everyone's amazement, Naofumi's Filolial began to grow in size, leaving them all in awe.
"You cheated!" the Princess accused, still reeling from her loss.
"You never told me your Filolial was this massive tub of lard," she continued, her voice laced with frustration.
But the Magic Hero was quick to intervene, stepping forward to defend Naofumi. "If you want to talk about cheating, care to explain what the three stooges were doing?" he retorted, gesturing towards Gray and Emiko, carrying three knights in six of her nine tails.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the Princess stammered, her expression betraying a hint of shock.
Suddenly, the room was filled with the ominous presence of the Shadows of the Queen, who appeared before the Princess, their dark forms casting an eerie glow across the space.
"The Magic Hero is right," one of the shadows spoke up, her voice soft yet foreboding. "You had ordered the knights to prevent the Shield Hero from winning."
The Princess hung her head in defeat, acknowledging her mistake. It was clear that she had been caught, and there was no escaping the consequences of her actions.
After the Princess and her entourage left the village, Balthasar and his party set out towards Dragoon Village, where rumors were rife about a menacing dragon that had recently taken up residence in the nearby mountains, causing widespread fear among the locals. As the sun began to set, the party decided to make camp for the night. Gray took charge of starting a fire, while Lily and the Magic Hero went out to hunt for dinner.
Suddenly, Gray's piercing screams shattered the tranquility of the evening, echoing through the forest and sending chills down their spines. Balthasar and the others sprinted towards the campsite, where they found Gray backed up against a tree, his eyes locked on something in the distance.
Following Gray's gaze, Balthasar's eyes grow wide as he saw a naked girl lying asleep in the spot where Emiko was. Her long blue hair cascaded over her body, and her nine red tails with white tips seemed to shimmer in the firelight. The scene was surreal and left them all stunned.
Balthasar's mind was reeling with confusion and disbelief. "What the hell? Where's Emiko?" he demanded, turning to Gray while keeping his gaze fixed on the sleeping girl.
"She's right there," Gray pointed towards the girl, his voice trembling with shock.
Balthasar cautiously approached the girl, his heart pounding with trepidation. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and began to shake her awake. The girl's eyes fluttered open, and she slowly turned to look at the Dragonoid.
"Master? Where's dinner?" she asked, her voice soft and innocent.
Balthasar was speechless, struggling to process the reality of the situation. "Emiko?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The girl looked up at him, confusion etched on her delicate features. "Yes, Master?" she replied.
Balthasar was at a loss for words. He knew that they needed to act fast before anyone else discovered the truth. "Gray, pack up. We're going back to the capital," he ordered, hastily rummaging through his pack to find a shirt that the little girl could wear.
Spotting the item he sought, Balthasar turned to the child, only to find that the fox he had raised was now in her place. "Emiko?" he called out in surprise.
"Master?" responded the fox, known as Kitsune.
"Can you assume your human form for a moment?" Balthasar requested, watching as the Kitsune transformed in a puff of smoke.
"Please put on this shirt and don't transform until instructed otherwise," Balthasar instructed, carefully dressing the Kitsune in the shirt that appeared more like a dress on her.
While Gray completed the packing, the Magic Hero summoned three Obsidian Horses – one for himself, Gray, and Lily. Once they were mounted, the group made their way to the capital and arrived as the day faded to night. Balthasar led Emiko by the hand as they headed straight for the Slaver.
Balthasar Black boldly entered the slaver's tent with his party in tow, his voice ringing out for the small man. "Slaver! Where the hell are you?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the space for his target.
To his surprise, the slave merchant greeted him warmly. "Ahh...Young Magic Hero...So nice to see you again," he said, feigning cordiality. "What can I do for you today?"
Turning to his companion, he commanded, "Emiko, you may transform," and removed the shirt the Kitsune had been wearing.
In a sudden puff of smoke, Emiko transformed into her Kitsune fox form, which immediately caught the Slaver's attention. He examined her with growing excitement, clearly impressed by what he saw.
"Incredible... This is a Nine-Tailed Kitsune Queen," he exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the magnificent creature before him.
Gray was puzzled. "Kitsune Queen? But how is she able to change into a human?" he asked.
The Slave Merchant smiled knowingly. "The Kitsune Queen has the ability to transform to pass for humans, but they require a monster crest to control their powers," he explained.
Reluctantly, Balthasar placed the crest on Emiko and they set off for the clothing store. As they arrived, Balthasar called out to the seamstress, Yōsaiya, who was preparing to close up for the day.
"Hey, Yōsaiya," he called, catching her attention.
"Hey, Balthasar. What can I do for you today?" she asked, ready to assist them with their needs.
"Excuse me," interjected the Magic Hero. "Do you happen to have any clothing that can transform with the wearer?" he asked Yōsaiya, the seamstress.
"I could make that for you. Who is it for?" inquired Yōsaiya.
Without a word, Balthasar stepped to the side, revealing Emiko in her human form. The sight of the adorable creature caused the seamstress to squeal with excitement.
"Oh my God! She is so adorable. I can make the clothing you need. I just require some magic thread," exclaimed Yōsaiya.
"Magic thread?" questioned Balthasar.
"Yes, magic thread. It's made from the user's mana," explained Yōsaiya. Balthasar then asked if he could borrow a dress for Emiko.
"The lady who runs the Magic Shop can help you make some," Yōsaiya suggested.
Yōsaiya handed Balthasar a delicate light blue sundress, with Lily's assistance in dressing the Fox girl. The tailor and his party bid their farewells as they ventured towards Mahōya's Magic Shop.
"Balthasar, my dear, I was just about to close up shop," Mahōya spoke as she gently placed a crystal ball in a cushioned container.
"Forgive me for the inconvenience, but may I please acquire some Magic Thread?" Balthasar humbly requested from the elderly witch.
"If it were anyone else, I would refuse. My spinning wheel is tucked away in the corner, but use caution as the stone is nearing its breaking point," Mahōya informed him while pointing towards the spinning wheel.
Half an hour had elapsed, and Emiko had skillfully crafted 20 spools of Magic Thread before the stone ultimately gave way. Despite their apologies, Balthasar and Emiko paid 10 gold to replace the damaged equipment. With the completed spools of thread in hand, the Magic Heroes joyfully returned to the Tailor's shop, entrusting Yōsaiya with the precious spools to commence the garment-making process.
Upon completion, Emiko emerged from the back room adorned in a charming white long-sleeved shirt, boasting wide sleeves, and a beautiful red skirt that gracefully fell to her knees.
"Isn't it just adorable?" Yōsaiya eagerly inquired.
"Master, am I... a-dor-a-ble?" Emiko struggled with pronouncing the word correctly.
"Absolutely! Now, let's be on our way," Balthasar declared, leading his party out of the store.
No-One's Pov
The 1st Princess of Melromarc, seething with anger, stormed through the halls of the Three Heroes Church. Her fury was a result of the Shield Hero's victory in the race, which was aided by the 'Magic' Hero who had prevented her knights from intervening. Despite the late hour, she marched straight to the Pope seeking a way to eliminate the Shield Hero from the world.
"Ah, Princess Malty, what brings you to me on this beautiful night?" the Pope greeted her.
"What information do you have on this so-called 'Magic' Hero?" the Princess demanded.
"After scouring through our Archives, we have learned that the Magic Hero only appears during the first wave, when no other heroes are present. However, the Magic Hero has always been focused on the protection of monsters, particularly Demi-Humans," the Pope explained to the displeased Princess.
"How fascinating," the Princess responded with heavy sarcasm.
"But if I recall correctly, we do not require him to confront the waves; we only require the presence of the three Heroes," the 1st Princess interjected.
"Indeed, you are correct, Princess. He, along with the Devil of the Shield, must perish in the name of God. However, the Magic Hero will present more of a challenge should he survive the next wave," Pope Balmus replied, his face adorned with a gentle smile.
"So, what is your plan for eliminating him?" the Princess inquired.
"It is rather simple; we must take away the one thing he cannot afford to lose," the Pope explained, lifting his glasses with a smile.
"And what may that be?" the Princess pressed.
"His party," the Pope answered.
"But it will be challenging to achieve, especially given his ability to manipulate the ground beneath him," Malty remarked
"Princess, have you ever heard of the Leviathan?" the Pope asked, chuckling loudly.
Chapter Six Done and Done.
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Live Long, Have Fun, and Never Make Sense
Because
What Fun Is There In Making Sense