Special thanks for Angel Wraith, who read the draft of this chapter and provided feedback and a short addition near the end of the chapter. And of course, Ace-Triad for SPAG editting this chapter, and writing most of the fighting scene between the heroes and Zellus.
As always, stay behind at the end to watch me blabber some more.
The clanking of weapons once again fills the afternoon as the sun sets towards the horizon. A decent sized group of spectators from both the Balafon residents, and off-duty guards is spectating the battle between Vice-Captain Zellus of the royal guards and the four heroes. It has become a bit of a routine for them to have a practice round or two after the end of a day's training to let the more experienced veteran fighter point out the flaws of their work.
While the time of their training is still too short for even the initiates of adventurer's guild, the improvement to both their forms and their teamwork is clear. They fall apart in under five minutes the first time when they face Coach Zellus, getting into each other's way more than helping each other. And today, they have already lasted over the five minutes mark against the Vice-Captain by covering each other's shortcomings. Still not an improvement they can pride themselves over, but the true cooperation between four heroes is clearly starting to take shape.
It might sound like a backhanded compliment to say that the four heroes are truly starting to work together. But circumstance in history has always seemed to drive the summoned heroes apart one way or another even if some stayed on friendly terms with each other. The earlier friendship between Shirou Emiya the Martyr of the Bow, and Mikage Mikami, the King of Rape before they became bitter nemesis to each other were a sterling example. True cooperation between all four heroes hasn't happened, since the beginning of the very first heroes before the Shield Hero sided with the beastman horde.
Naofumi comes at Coach Zellus with his shield held high, the Sword Hero shadowing him behind ready to strike while Spear Hero hovers behind the vice-captain from the other side, putting himself between their coach and the Bow Hero. Ready to go forward and join the offense, or pull back to defend his ally if the vice-captain chooses to disengage.
It's a strategy the four heroes had devised after suffering their first crushing defeat from the vice-captain, when Coach Zellus broke away from Naofumi and Motoyasu and incapacitated the two heroes on the fragile side. And while their individual skills still aren't on par with a seasoned fighter who has been traveling around the world for over a decade honing his skills against the best, it's working out well enough to have him last longer each time and learn something more from their spars.
The only question remains if their current rate of improvement is truly enough to save everyone from the Wave of Catastrophe. Or the possible crusade against Melromarc afterwards from the envy of the rest of the nations. On the one hand, they are still only at the third Wave so far, on the other hand, the difficulties of any Wave are also not always predictable. Most lords certainly didn't expect Lord Seaetto to fall under the first Wave (regardless of the assassination attempt by the Three Heroes' Church radicals). Sure, the honorbound lord was not particularly liked even by his bannermen, but nobody can deny he was among the best warriors and commanders even in his more advanced age.
Chapter 76: Strength of My Fellows
As Mein half expected, Coach Zellus stomps hard on Naofumi's shield, forcing the Shield Hero back into the Sword Hero. The vice-captain used the force to backflip out of the way of the arrows sent to him by Itsuki, and immediately charged towards Motoyasu, his intention clear judging from how the previous encounters went: take out the ranged Bow Hero first.
Motoyasu immediately moves forward in an attempt to intercept the vice-captain. Normally, the extra range of his spear would give him a great advantage over a warrior who uses a sword. "One finger longer, is one finger stronger," as the old Siltvelt saying goes.
But against a seasoned, and skilled duelist like Coach Zellus, his advantage was easily outmaneuvered when the vice-captain directed his momentum to trip him up.
The Spear Hero let loose his weapon, aiming for the coach's torso in an attempt to stop the opponent's charge. Coach Zellus twists his body, just enough to not lose control in his dash, but only let the incoming spear graze the side of him, while also making the shots fired at him by Bow Hero go wide. Before one could blink, he's already in front of the Spear Hero, and hits Motoyasu in the chest with the backend of his wooden sword hilt, making the last line of defense before the Bow Hero staggers back. "Don't overcommit against a foe with superior skill!"
To Motoyasu's credit, he does recover quickly and tries to pursue Coach Zellus. But against the superior SPEED and head start of the Sword Demon, he can't make it to aid the Bow Hero fast enough before the vice-captain incapacitates his fellow hero.
"Damn it," Itsuki cried out as he laid on the ground. "I'm sorry I can't help you!"
"Are you kidding me!?" Motoyasu groaned. "How can we even stand up against this guy!?"
"I don't think we have a choice," Ren snarked. "It's just the three of us against him."
"Win or lose, we still need this training," Naofumi rallied. "Better we get beat up here than on the battlefield. Follow my lead!"
As Zellus charged towards the three, Naofumi rushed in for a shield bash - hoping to leave him wide open, if he was unable to do massive damage from the impact. However, Zellus merely somersaulted over Naofumi and proceeded to turn around mid-flip and draw his sword, slashing at Naofumi's back and falling to the ground off-balance.
Ren was next to attack with [Sharp Nail], closing the distance, but Zellus blocked the three left and right slashes with one hand on the blade behind him. Turning to face the Sword Hero, he unleashed his four-hit left, right, quickdraw and slash combo onto Ren's stomach.
With a single glare, the vice-captain quickly deflected the incoming spear, swirling it away, closing in before kicking the Spear Hero off balance, then going to town on his open guard with his [Cross Cut], [Side Swipe], [Wide Cut], then a charging quickdraw to knock Ren back.
"He knows our precise timing," Ren muttered, "so attacks from multiple angles aren't going to cut it!"
"Single file line, on me!" Naofumi hollered. "I've got a plan, and I think we know what to do when I holler for the signal. And it's something all of us know."
And soon, the three augmented their speed, with Naofumi as the vanguard, and the other two heroes running perfectly in sync with him as the Spear and Sword hero lined up behind him, Naofumi running to tank Zellus' charging slash.
"JET STREAM ATTACK!"
And soon after Zellus hit Naofumi's shield, Motoyasu leaped from behind Naofumi and lunged forward with his spear, forcing Zellus to block it with the flat of his blade, sending Zellus skidding back a few feet. Then Ren came for a [Vertical Square] four hit combo, before knocking Zellus back with a final blow.
Mein raised an eyebrow at this newly improvised combination - discounting the fact that Zellus was holding back this time, the fact that all three boys were able to come up with a plan on instinct and execute it through to the very end, despite not being technical warriors. On one single command, no less.
As Zellus performed another dashing quickdraw charge, Naofumi stood his ground and took the charge head on, blocking with the shield, before Ren forced him back, leaping over to slash at Zellus.
"Now's our chance," Naofumi rallied. "Again!"
This time, with all three running closely, Ren ran in front of Naofumi to slash at the vice-captain from the left, followed by Motoyasu running in front from the right for a spear thrust to force him back, and then Naofumi to perform a shield bash, all while the three ran circles around each other in an attempt to throw off Zellus' judgment. The vice-captain had to constantly block and parry with high stances as Ren and Motoyasu kept leaping towards him with flying slashes and stabs that kept him on the defensive.
But as the three chose to press their advantage, Ren saw the smirk on Zellus' face as Motoyasu took the charge. "Motoyasu, wait -!"
"He's mine!" Motoyasu screamed as he aimed his thrust straight for Zellus' head.
Alas, the perfectly timed counter came in the form of a quickdraw that sent the spear veering inches to his left, before Zellus kicked him away.
"Damnit," Ren muttered as he quickly seized the opening and closed in for the attack.
Ren's [Vertical Arc] v-shaped combo transitioned into a [Vertical Square], then the four-shaped [Savage Fulcrum], progressing into the seven hit slash and spin combo [Deadly Sins], before finishing off with the thrust-to-slash-to overhead eight hit combo [Howling Octave]. And Zellus took note of the seamless transition between sword strikes, trying to prevent him from getting a read, though with one straight sword, there wasn't too much creativity that could be used.
But Zellus deftly parried each and every one of them, and began his counterattack with the usual two-hit slash to quickdraw and upper slash combo.
A [Rising Star] lifting slash combo, [Aerial Rave] midair combo, followed by three [Aerial Cleaves] spinning overhead slams forced Ren to parry, grunting as he noted Zellus' persistent ferocity and speed, trying to keep up with the man. It didn't help that the curved blade of the Katana offered a more complex range of motion, and allowed him to spin around more gracefully than, say, a straightsword.
"I'm coming, Ren! Hang tight!" Motoyasu screamed as he ran towards the Sword Hero's position..
"No, stay back! He'll only take advantage of -!" Ren hollered out, before the kick to Motoyasu's spear prevented him from intruding.
The [Storm Front] slash combo ended with an overhead that unleashed a ball of spinning air that forced Ren back. Rapid fire pressurized balls of [Judgement Cuts] and [Stiff Breeze]s forced Ren to deflect the blasts, gradually staggering the Sword Hero, until he was forced to run and leap out of their trajectory.
Unfortunately, Ren happened to run towards Zellus' path, forcing his eyes shut, gritting his teeth and holding his sword out in front -
"[Stiff Breeze]".
The charged overhead draw was strong enough to send Ren flying against the wall and hitting the ground as he gasped in pain.
"REN!" Motoyasu screamed as he closed in for the charge, trying to aid his ally.
Unfortunately, the debris hurled by Zellus' [Assault Rush] upper slash momentarily blinded Motoyasu, followed by the shockwave of the spinning slash [Blender] forcing some distance back.
And Zellus repeatedly kept striking at the Spear Hero with simple combos, forcing Motoyasu into a high guard holding his spear in a defensive stance. [Reverse Cross], [Tailwind], everything.
"I can't keep up!" Motoyasu screamed. "He's too fast! What the hell is with this guy!?"
Even Naofumi's momentary shield bash did little to deter the vice-captain as a low sweep to the legs demonstrated the one weakness of the warrior - an opening to the unprotected limbs rendered even the strongest defenses useless.
Zellus then caught Naofumi's foot, spun him around, and hurled him at the screaming Spear Hero, and the sighing Sword Hero, as the weight and impact knocked them over.
Not soon after, the fighting was all over as the heroes fell one after another against Mein's former coach.
Congratulations, all four of you have improved since you first started. Even if there's still much work left to be done." Their coach laughs and gives his wooden sword a twirl in his hand, before returning it to his back.
"I don't need your backhanded compliments." Ren barrs his teeth and practically snarls back at the victorious royal guard vice-captain. "You beat me again, but I'll grow stronger. And one day, I'll be strong enough to beat you."
"And I look forward to that day. It'd truly be the saddest day for any duelist to find out that he has become the strongest in the world without an opponent to push his art further." The Sword Demon chuckles at Sword Hero's declaration with good nature. Although knowing Ren's fierce competitiveness, he'll be sure to take it as further taunt. "I'd hate to reset my level back to 1, just to find more challenges to push my art further like the eighth Sword Hero did."
"He did WHAT?" It's Naofumi who responds this time, while Ren only has an expression on his face that can best be described as dull surprise. The Sword Hero clearly had a hard time having so many of his pre-summoning training and preparation challenged by the vice-captain.
"A story about how the eighth Sword Hero spent his twilight years. So the legend goes that he has become so skilled with his sword, he can't find any worthy opponent to challenge him. He even intentionally reset his level back to 1 just to make it easier to find someone who can defeat him, to no avail." The Sword Demon shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head, it's hard to tell if he actually believes the old legend. "That's why he's often known as 'The Defeat Seeker'. To find someone who can beat him, to help push him even further with his art."
"It's just a story, probably fabricated by the users of the Aldorian style, passed down from eighth Sword Hero's disciples to make their style sound even more powerful, almost mythical." The first princess scoffs at the story. If the eighth Sword Hero truly was that strong to have transcended what a duelist could do, surely at least one of his disciples or those who study the sword style would have achieved a similar result. Or perhaps built a mighty empire by now instead of only ruling only one measly city state. But no, no one has since even mastered all seven forms of the style and became an 'unbeatable duelist' yet. "As if being the undisputed 'strongest dueling style' isn't enough for them warlord aristocrats wannabe."
Once again, Naofumi gives her a strange look from where he's lying flat on his back. Did she lay it a bit too thick here?
"Well, at least we aren't going to go up against a master duelist like ol' coach here." Motoyasu didn't even bother to lift his hand, he simply lifted his arm and pointed his hand towards the vague direction where Vice-Captain Zellus was standing. "Or are we? Because we are totally screwed if we go against a skilled duelist."
"Such a chance is highly unlikely, unless the 'Outer God Invasion' theory about the Wave of Catastrophe was true, and we are unlucky enough to encounter one of their agents." Mein can't tell if she feels any confidence from Iris' reassurance. As she admitted herself, it's not like House Amelia's heiress is also a genius at martial abilities.
"Hey, take it easy. I'm going to be right there as your ally. If there's some otherworld duelist agent of an Outer God, I call first dip on them." Coach Zellus turns around and looks at the heroes still lying on their backs. He scratches his chin and smirks some more. "Wonder what kind of technique they would develop, because I can't wait to try my hand against an Outer God's agent."
"Please, take the matter a bit more seriously, Sir Vice-Captain." Mein didn't want to interact with Coach Zellus. Unlike Uncle Aldrecht, the vice-captain of the royal guard never held any personal connection with her despite being her fencing instructor. It's hard to tell how he would act around her, as the flamboyant and wild unofficial leader of free fighters only does what pleases himself. "We might all die, or worse, enslaved, if this was an Outer God invasion."
"Well, excuse me, princess." Her fencing coach blubbers the first thing on his mind without considering the consequences, just as she feared. She casts a quick glance over at the heroes, and doesn't see them acting any differently, or make comments about her former coach's response. It seems like they didn't take his reply in a literal sense. "I don't do anything to stop your fun, so don't throw a wet blanket on my head."
"...duly noted, sir." The princess steps back, not wanting to once again tempt faith, or her blubber mouth of a former instructor.
"A group of roughly one hundred is approaching us. They are flying Faubley's banner." Up on the wooden wall, a guard on the lookout tower suddenly calls out at the top of his lungs. Mein tenses up, her hand moves towards the hilt of her blade. Officially, Glorious Melromarc and Noble Faubley are long time allies with each other. But both nations have stabbed the other side enough times for there to be tension when a foreign army is spotted. Their ally status certainly didn't stop the Faubley branch high inquisitor of the Four Heroes' Church from killing Melromarc citizens without a proper trial.
"Probably that contingent of knights left behind by old Malfoy, to investigate the death of that thunder lizard inquisitor's death." Coach Zellus snorts, but he returns his wooden sword to his back, and pulls out a proper metal blade in hand. "Well, you Whiterun boys take your time assembling. I'm going to the gate and take a look. If some self-important Fau-pigs think they can kill people for shits and giggles, they'd have to ask my blade for permission first."
"I'm coming with you." The Bow Hero slowly stands back up, his legs are still wobbly below his body, but his face looks stern with determination. "I'm not letting more innocent people get hurt under my watch."
"Count me in too!" The Spear Hero also crawls back to his feet, using his weapon like an impromptu walking staff. "I'm not failing more people from this village, after the seed I retrieved became a giant monster."
"I'm not sitting this out by myself." The Sword Hero also stands up, he looks over at Naofumi, who is still lying on the ground. Which is strange, since the Shield Hero is usually the first to jump at this kind of situation, ready to protect innocent people. "You coming or what?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Naofumi slowly gets up after a painful grunt. His heavy armor, or superior DEF growth didn't help him much against a more skilled opponent than the rest of his fellow heroes. Still, it shouldn't be enough to have him seemingly change his personality, perhaps the Shield Hero has something else in mind?
The princess in disguise, and Iris follow after Vice-Captain Zellus and the heroes towards the southern gate of Balafon. More people, both from the heroes' parties and the younger crusaders who came to help them train begin to join their group. By the time they have all gathered outside the gate, their group is easily the same number as the approaching party.
Sure enough, Mein can see the coming group are knights in armor. Most of them riding atop of raptors while flying Faubley banners even from a distance. She did also see Prince Kael'Thas, and his elite guards riding at the front. There is almost a sense of finality, even if temporary, that the agents from the foreign nations are about to clear out of Melromarc soil.
The princess also sees the captain of the royal guard, Lotheringan riding in the front. She wonders if the captain was tasked to politely escort the men from Faubley and Siltvelt out of the border, or if he has some other errand on hand.
"Uncle Lotheringan." Lady Ishtar, and her brother, step forward and bow their heads to greet their family.
"Ishtar, Ishtore." The stoic left fist of Mein's father gives a nod to his nephew and niece. He wasn't a man who openly showed his emotion on his face even to family. "Are Arthur and Amid behaving themselves?"
The two full blood siblings give a look at each other, and the elder brother Ishtore answers the question. "They spar daily. In melee, and in jousting."
"Good to know they are channeling their energy to something productive, and not getting in mischief. You take care of yourselves, especially if you are going to fight in the next Wave. I will accompany the king, and can't protect you." The crusader of thunder gives another nod to them before turning to regard his vice captain. It might be Mein's imagination, but there seems to be a twitch at the corner of his mouth. It's not a secret that the stern captain, and the wild vice-captain of the royal guard don't have the best opinion, or relationship with each other. "As for You. You are to return to the capital with me. So you may accompany His Majesty and lead his free fighters in the coming Wave."
"All that travel just to deliver a simple message to little old me?" Zellus shrugs his shoulders and smirks at his commanding officer. "I'm moved! Truly moved. Really, Loth. You didn't have to."
"We know you will ignore the king's direct order, for your chance to… mingle with the summoned heroes." Captain Lotheringan narrows his eyes, his words a dangerously veiled warning. "If you choose to not comply, I will beat you down and drag your unconscious body back with me."
"Isn't he here to train us? For the coming Wave?" Ren also narrows his eyes and crosses his arms in front of him. "Kind of counterproductive, to have our coach leave us after a few days."
"My Vice-Captain received no such order. He was only tasked to escort the younger crusaders to Balafon, so all of you may train together." Captain Lotheringan's words confirms that Coach Zellus has twisted Father's words to suit his own goal, again, go figures.
"He may not have been tasked to train us, but his coaching has helped us improve greatly in the short time." The Sword Hero crosses his arms again, either a habit when he is annoyed or he is honestly trying to intimidate the royal guard captain. If it's the lateral case, then the young hero is clearly wasting his time. As Father's left fist who survived through The Great War, the current Sword Hero probably looks as scary as a ruffle feathered filorial chick. "He should be allowed to train us some more."
"A reasonable request, even if I hesitate to let Zellus rub his habits off all of you honored heroes. But heroes in the past have gone astray in their attempt to grow stronger without a proper mentor." Captain Lotheringan nods his head in contemplation, although he shakes his head in the end. "But we'll need Zellus' influence amongst the sellswords and adventurers to command the free fighters in the coming Wave. And he'll need time to return to the capital. Perhaps he can train all of you after we get through the incoming Wave."
"Oh, that wouldn't be a problem at all. The three of us have gained our porting ability!" Motoyasu opens his arms wide to pull Ren and Itsuki into a group hug with their faces squished together. Judging from the annoyed face frozen in constipation, the two younger heroes didn't appreciate his touchy and feely actions. "We can port him back and forth everyday if you want us to! He can train us, and have enough time to enjoy an afternoon tea before fighting the next Wave."
"Oh, yes! Tea parties are good! Especially when there are biscuits!" Katarina pulls Bertia forward, and joins in Motoyasu's forced group hug.
"Please, don't be a bother to your fellow heroes. Master Motoyasu." Iris steps forward, and pulls Katarina screaming, kicking away by her ear from the heroes. "That includes you, Lady Katarina."
"Ouch, ow, OWIE! Don't do that, Iris! I'm not Bertia's pet spirit animal~!" Katarina lets go of Bertia's shoulders, the smaller heiress quickly steps back from the heroes without Iris leading her by the ear. "It HURTS!"
"I wouldn't have to if you behaved, Lady Katarina."
"A good solution to our problem at hand." The captain of the royal guard nods his head this time. "Very well. I shall request my vice-captain's leave of absence from the king so he may train you. I might join in as well. An alternate perspective, and fighting style might be helpful."
"You threatened to knock Zellus out and take him back with you." The Sword Hero narrows his eyes at the royal guard captain of House Friege. "Are you stronger than him?"
"Possibly, he is older than me after all. That means he had more time to grow stronger, and more skilled than I am." The vice-captain walks over to stand by Captain Lotheringan, he even leans at the slightly taller man with his right arm resting on the captain's shoulder. If the captain is annoyed by such an unprofessional gesture, he didn't show it on his face. "But mostly, his fighting style simply works better against me. Think of it like a game of rock, paper and scissors. I'm the scissor in this case, and he's the rock."
"Oh, I know, I KNOW!" Katarina twists herself out of Iris' ensnarl, much to heiress Amelia's annoyance judging on her frown. The more energetic heiress waves her arm around above her head, while shouting. "Rock crushes scissors, scissors cuts paper, and paper wraps rock. Great-Great-Great-Grandfather actually developed a form of unarmed fighting style out of the game!"
"Really? Your version of Goku was still using Rock, Scissors and Paper?" Naofumi wipes his head around in what seems to be a total surprise. "Hasn't he completely dropped off that more play for laugh technique since… earlier dragon- earlier days? Why isn't he using more advanced techniques, Kaiohken at least?"
Mein can't help but notice the term Naofumi used is once again, untranslated by his shield's translation matrix. Some kind of special terminology that holds special meaning, and wouldn't really make sense with a literal translation again?
"KO- what?" Katarina tilts her head sideways, not sounding any more enlightened by the term than Mein herself.
"If you don't mind, honored Lord Shield Hero." Naofumi looks ready to explain some more before Iris cuts in the conversation by physically standing between the two. "We can have a conversation about Lady Katarina's ancestor later. Let us not hold Captain Friege from his duty anymore than he has to."
"Ah, yes. Of course." Naofumi whips his head around to give Iris a nod, and he steps back away from the two royal guards.
"Aw, do you have to throw a wet blanket over us? Little lady?" Coach Zellus' hand moves away from his chin as he gives a fake grimace. "I wanted to stay around and hear this. Sounds more interesting than His Majesty the king's prattles."
"We are the royal guards, Sir Zellus." Captain Lotheringan flashes a glare at his very insubordinate subordinate. Mein can see purple sparks flying off his tightened left fist, and running up his arm. "Our sworn duty is to obey and protect the royal family. Our wants or needs are irrelevant."
"Fine, fine. Do it your way." Zellus drops his head down as he shrugs his shoulders. He looks up a quick second later at the assembled heroes. "Now, which one of you heroes want to port us back and have your audience with the king?"
"Okay, let me get this-" Spear Hero is about to volunteer himself again, when the Sword Hero pushes past him. "Hey! Do you mind?! Watch it!"
"I'll go talk with the king. I'm the best candidate." The youngest hero speaks with the uttermost sense of resolve that leaves no room for debate. Of course, just because he believes his own conviction doesn't mean it's not challenged by the others.
"Says the most antisocial of us who didn't even bother to learn this world's customs. How do you know you won't put your foot in your own mouth, and offend the king?" The Bow Hero crosses his arms and frowns at his fellow hero. He looks over at Naofumi a second later. "well… maybe not the most antisocial of us. But my point still stands."
"I'm working on it. Alright?" Naofumi looks away, while scratching his own hair. "I'm the Shield Hero. I'm supposed to be standing on the frontline and inspire other people. I don't have room to stay antisocial."
"My personality aside, I believe I can make the best case and argument to the king about lending his best fighters to coach us through. Before my summoning, I was the one who played my 'game' most competitively." The Sword Hero's almost perpetual frown becomes deeper. He points his finger around his fellow heroes. "Naofumi doesn't play a game corresponding to this world, and even his brother's game is a smartphone app character collectum. Your game was a single player game with no competitive element. And Motoyasu clearly was more interested in the 'socialize' part of his game than competing on the leaderboard."
Most of what the Sword Hero actually said makes no sense to the first princess. But she can guess that the youngest hero is trying to link his apparent competitiveness to some sport event to his competence to argue a point.
"Plus, I'm the one who is trying to actually learn how to properly fight with my weapon." The Sword Hero raises his sword arm, holding his Legendary Weapon in front of his eyes. "So I believe I would know best on what to tell the king to make my point."
"I'll have you know that I have been learning how to properly use a spear from Tanya, Iris' personal maid since I lost my duel to Naofumi." The Spear Hero puts his hands on his lower back and puffs out his chest, clearly finding a sense of superiority over the Sword Hero. "So I claim seniority to you."
"But do you know how to explain it?" The Sword Hero narrows his eyes at their eldermost and crosses his arms.
The Spear Hero points his index finger up and opens his mouth, yet no sound comes out. After pausing comically with his mouth open for a few more seconds, he deflated and stood back down. "Okay, You have a point."
"We had an audience with our patron, Lord Gaelion, Uncle Lotheringan." While the heroes continue to bicker over trivia matters, the Friege siblings manage to slip a few more words in with the royal guard captain.
"I see. Is my lord well?" The captain's expression softens at the mention of Thrud Bloodline patron. "I would try to gain an audience with them, but my duty to my liege calls."
"He is well, Uncle. Lord Gaelion has taken a surrogate daughter." Ishtar's eyelid closes by half, her mouth twitching as if fighting back the urge to bite her own lips in an unladylike manner. "A demi-human."
"Children of Malis have always been more attuned to the clan of Gaia more than us. Do not let your pride blind you to the strength of the others, Ishtar. Lest you fall due to blindness like my father Lord Reptor and… my brother Lord Bloom." The heiress' head drops down in shame at her uncle's lecture. The captain stares at her for a few more moments, and takes off the tome hanging by his waist. "The weapon bestowed upon us by Lord Gaelion belongs to you, Ishtar."
But not any dusty magical tome. A tome with thick black covering, embellished by golden markings with an eight pointed star in the middle, eight round petals that forms into a flower in the midrim, and crooked, lightning-like emblem stretching out of towards the four cardinal directions like the four arms of the Holy Symbol of The Four Heroes.
The Mjolnir tome. Also known as the 'Hammer of the Thunder God'. Bloodline weapon of Thrud bloodline.
"The Mjolnir Tome, Uncle Lotheringan?" Ishtar looks up at the captain of the royal guard and takes it from the knight's hand with both hands. She stares at the cover for a few moments, before handing it back to the captain. "I don't know… I am still unworthy. What if I lose it?"
"You are the last Thrud descendant to have naturally born with his marking. It should have been yours by birthright. I was merely holding and borrowing it, thanks to my covenant with Lord Gaelion." Captain Lotheringan takes off his armored glove from his right hand, revealing the blue shaded, four elbowed lighting bolt on the back of his hand. He pushes the magical tome back, till it touches Ishtar's chest. "Hold onto the relic of our family, may it protect you in the coming hardship."
"Thank you, Uncle Lotheringan." Ishtar presses the magical tome into her chest and nods with a little more resolution. "I will not fail you."
"I know you won't. You are a mage of Thrud's bloodline." The captain didn't do something sentimental, like ruffling Ishtar's hair. But his voice is much softer than his usual stern tone.
"It's a shame, but my men and myself must leave you behind, my king." As the Sword Hero teleports away with the captain and vice-captain of the royal guards in a flash of sapphire, Prince Kael'thas walks forward with his elite guards and bows down to the Shield Hero. "Please, watch over yourself, my king. To tell the truth, I do not believe this nation will keep you safe."
"It is our sworn duty as Divine Crusaders, to assist the Legendary Heroes to protect our world and end the Wave of Catastrophe." Seliph seems to stand even taller at the accusation of his countrymen. The boy's tongue clearly isn't as sharp as his own tongue, if he thinks reciting his crusader's oath is enough to shut the phoenix prince up.
"And I suppose that must have been what was going through Andrey of House Yngvi's mind, when he slain his father to grovel to the Azure Dragons during the Great War. He wanted to switch sides to better protect our King, Master Shield Hero." Prince Kael'thas' smirk is a little too smug, as he makes the swordbearer of House Chalphy stumble for words.
Hypocrite, as if his clan had remained ever faithful to the last Shield Hero after the man was actually crowned the king of Siltvelt.
"And the traitor will die for it, for killing my Lord Grandfather, and harming mother and aunt Edaine. Both He AND his son. By my hand, or Cousin Lester." Duke Febail's hand tightens around the handle of his bow. The weapon in his hand isn't holy Yewfelle, but a wooden longbow. Mein can almost hear the material cracking in his hand.
"Big words, coming from a prince of the most well known traitorous clan of Siltvelt." Julius drowls at the phoenix prince, the 'Dark Prince' of crusaders is clearly more used to battle of words and wits then his fellow brothers in arms. "Did all the nobler princes and princesses of your nation die out, or be indisposed to have you of all people representing your nation. Or perhaps sending the clansman of the kingtaker WAS the message Siltvelt wanted to send? I'm just glad I won't be on the wrong side of history, unlike my poor Loptusian ancestors."
Mein hears the sound of grinding teeth from Prince Kael'thas, while his honor guards all pull out their weapons. Despite his pride, and the more civilized face the phoenix prince likes to put on, it's clear he is as much an animal as his countrymen. The company of Faubley knights also draws their weapons, although it's hard to know if they are with or against Prince Kael'thas, the crusaders men do the same.
"STOP! This is getting out of hand!" Naofumi quickly steps forward and puts his arms up to both sides, trying to de-escalate their volatile situation. His open palm turns into a finger pointing at the Phoenix Prince. "Don't throw around insults, if you can't take it!"
Prince Kael'thas draws a few breaths, and hangs his head low. "I apologize once again for my impudence, my king."
"I too, will be leaving with my men. Honored Heroes." The blonde Faubley knight captain also returns his weapon back, as is his entourage. He shoots an annoyed look from the corner of his eyes at Prince Kael'Thas. "With the next Wave so close, I have wanted to assist you and our long-time allies to battle the Wavespawn. Alas, defending against a Wave should be a nation's internal affair if it can be managed, and I have to set a good example to your most zealous followers."
"Your thoughts are appreciated, both of you." Naofumi turns to face the Siltvelt prince, and Faubley knight captain fully. He gives a bow to them, Captain Gramont bows back to the Shield Hero's courtesy, while Prince Kael'Thas turns his body by half. Mein remembers it being a Siltvelt gesture that roughly means 'I'm unworthy to accept your full respect'. "But this is our fight, for now. I hope I can count on your support in later Waves."
"So, now that they are going." While everyone looks at the retreating form of Faubley, and Siltvelt group in either respect or trepidation, Katarina hops her way over to the Shield Hero again. "Want to see my Great great great great… and missing a few great grandpa's fighting style? I was told I'm pretty good at mimicking his style by my father! Better than him, actually!"
"Sure, we should get some more training done while Ren's away meeting the king." Naofumi nods his head, and they walk away from the road. Before they reach the empty field where both the guards, and they themselves usually train, they see four figures running out towards them. Two of them, a young man and young woman have Ishtar and Ishtore's light lavender hair, while the other young man has green, and the girl with dark brown.
"We saw the Siltvelt warriors camped outside the village leaving." The brown-haired woman doubles over, resting her hands on her knees. "Is Uncle Lotheringan still here?"
"I'm sorry, Cousin Lind." Ishtore walks over to the young woman and gives her a hand, letting her rest by him. "But Uncle Lotheringan has already left. Lord Sword Hero ported him, and Vice-Captain Zellus away back to the capital after a short discussion."
"This was all your fault, Arthur!" The lavender haired woman with twin braids lightly punches the man with same hair, clearly her brother judging from their hair, and similar face. "We would have seen Uncle Lotheringan again, if you didn't insist on finishing your melee with Cousin Amid!"
"Me? How's that any of MY FAULT?! Tine?" The young man backs up a little, but quickly grabs his sister when she almost doubles over. "Amid started our melee to begin with! Because he wants to get back at me for un-stepping him last night!"
"Yeah, because you wanted to beat Cousin Amid. You knew you were better than him on a steed, while he's better on foot." Tine mumbles under her breath. A furious blush suddenly appears on the young woman's face when realized that everyone's attention is on her. She bends her back down into a deep bow, her braid nearly touches her toe. "AH! I'm sorry for my outburst, everyone! Honored heroes!"
"Don't worry about it, cousin. We aren't strangers. Well, the heroes are, but they don't seem to mind." The green haired man, Amid walks forward and runs his hand through Tine's hair. He sends his cousin Arthur an annoyed glare when Arthur slaps his arm away, but the frown disappears just as quickly when he sees the magic grimoire now hanging by Ishtar's waist. "Mjolnir, huh? Lucky."
"Speaking of fighting on horse- well, I guess bird's back." Motoyasu's eyes wander from his bird, to Marquis Leif. "Do you want to have a few more rounds with me? I need more practice."
"Of course, Master Spear Hero." The young marquis nods his head. He gets on his raptor, while Kuro transforms back into his giant bird form and lets Motoyasu climb on. Leif picks up a wooden staff, the Spear Hero also transforms his weapon into a training weapon and the two begin to circle around, while striking at each other on mount.
"I should also shoot some more arrows. I still hit the string on my arm when I have to shoot very fast." Itsuki turns his head to look at Duke Febail. Especially the large wooden bow in his hand. "Watch me over, and help me correct my form?"
"Sure, I can use a little sweat myself." The taller man smiles at one of the younger heroes, and guides him away. "So, I guess you haven't done a lot of shooting if you are still hitting your arms? Well, you'll get the hang of it soon enough."
"Okay, should we get ourselves started?" Katarina begins to bend down, and stretches her arms and legs. "Don't look down on me. I'm told that I'm stronger than I look."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not about to look down on anyone." Naofumi's face turns towards the spot where Ren ported away with Zellus. "Trust me, after getting my trashing from both Miss Creidne and Zellus, I don't think I'm some big shot natural fighter who doesn't need training."
"That's the spirit! Let's train and grow stronger together!" Katarina bends her legs down, keeping her body low and facing the Shield Hero with her side. It's a stance that looks more Siltvelt than Melromarc, then again there are more animals fighting with their bare claws, not as many humans who fight with their hands.
"Wait! Before we start." Naofumi seems to suddenly remember something, as he stands to his full height again and holds his hands up. "You aren't going to poke my eyes with your 'Scissors', are you? Because I don't want to go blind."
"Well, it's not supposed to make you blind per se…" Katarina takes a step and scratches her head, her face twisted in pain. She's apparently hurting herself thinking too hard. "But you'll definitely go blind if you get a 'Scissor' right in the face."
"In that case, let me take on Lady Katarina first, my thane." His ever dutiful sworn shield steps into the ring and stands in front of the Shield Hero. "You may train with Lady Katarina next, after you get a better sense of her fighting style."
"It's not right to get you blinded either! Let me fight, I have a better DEF rating." The Shield Hero tries to push past his bodyguard to no avail. This time, the Sworn Shield is clearly prioritizing his charge's safety over his wishes.
"You haven't trained to fight since your youth, My Thane. I can tell, after I saw how you fought with Miss Creidne. I may have a lower rating, but I know how to protect myself better." Yatsuhashi gives Naofumi a push, sending him tumbling back outside of the impromptu ring for their training. The sworn shield gets lower and pulls out his two handed curved blade. "Ready when you are, Lady Katarina."
"OKAY! Here I COME!" Katarina lowers herself down and suddenly opens both of her palms, and begins… with a lack of better description, pushing at Yatsuhashi with her hands while shouting. "PAPER!"
A small stream of energy projectiles are fired out of Katarina's hand, making the first princess raise her eyebrow once again. The 'papers' doesn't seem to do much damage to Yatsuhashi and is merely a distraction like the name implies. Naofumi's sworn shield easily swaps them away with his armored hand, while shrugging away the rest. But still the fact that Katarina can fire out so much energy, or concussion blast with her bare hands once again shows her being a prodigy of unarmed combat.
"Wait, isn't 'PAPER' child Goku's charged heavy attack?" Contrary to last time when she fired off her 'Kamehameha' attack, the Shield Hero seems very impressed by Katarina's display. Or perhaps he is simply surprised at something that's supposedly different from his knowledge.
Katarina, seeing that her 'Papers' attack isn't doing anything, begins to run forward while she's suppressing Naofumi's bodyguard with her projectile attack. Although looking at how at ease Yatsuhashi looks, Mein bets it has more to do with the defensive fighter wanting Katarina to show a spectating Shield Hero all her tricks than he is genuinely pinned down by the Claes heiress. As Katarina runs close to Naofumi's sworn shield, she retracts her thumb, ring and little finger of her right hand, while holding index and middle together. The gesture once again looks remarkably similar to a Siltvelt martial art gesture known as the 'Sword Finger', which is used as a concentrated attack at the target's pressure point. "SCISSORS!"
Katarina's right hand lights up, coated in a thin stick of energy as she slams her now literal sword fingers into Yatsuhashi's blade like a real sword. Once again, the sworn shield simply defends, and lets the noble lady wail on him rather than tripping, or knocking her on her behind. It was clear that despite Katarina's talent for unarmed combat, her skill is still not enough to overcome a professional fighter trained since childhood.
Unless she still has a hidden trick up her sleeves, of course. Mein briefly wonders why she didn't make a second 'Scissors' with her left hand as well. Or firing some more 'Paper' to distract Yatsuhashi. That's when she realizes Katarina has balled up her left hand into a fist. If the fighting style is supposed to mimic the children's hand game, that could only mean…
"ROCK!" With an earth shattering cry, Katarina's left fist hooks under her glowing finger sword towards Yatsuhashi's stomach. The sworn shield, using his superior experience and training, manages to twist his hands, and sword in front of her fist into a hasty second block.
It was not enough. A loud boom cracks between the hero's bodyguard and noble lady. Katarina falls back right on her behind, Yatsuhashi is pushed flying back over ten steps, skidding through the sand that makes the makeshift dueling ring.
Further away from their ring, Spear Hero falls off his black filorial from the shock of the loud bang. Bow Hero lets out a howl of curse as he rubs arm, clearly got whipped by his bow string very hard this time.
"Okay, this technique was more like Gon's Ja Jan Ken than young Goku's Rock, paper and scissors." Naofumi pulls his bodyguard to his feet, while Bertia and Anne run over to Katarina and fusses over the Claes heiress. "I thought rock was Goku's fast distraction attack, and paper was his charged heavy hit?"
"Something like that. At least according to my Great great great great grandma's diary. EEK!" Katarina tries to shrug her shoulders. She nearly trips over again, due to her unintentionally pushing at the people holding her. "But Great great great great grandpa wanted to diversify his fighting style a little during the Wave. He has his martial arts training from his world's turtle hermit, and god at body range, and his power pole… that's what he calls his Legendary Spear, by the way, at mid range. But he wanted something extra long range like the Bow Hero without resorting to Kamehameha every time, and something for sword range. He found the open palm of 'paper' more suitable at launching projectile attacks, and the close fist of 'rock' better at holding down a power charge."
"Huh. No mention of King Kai… guess this version of Goku got summoned here after his first death. I wonder what would have happened in his original world without him." Naofumi's head tilted to the side, looking either thoughtful, or he ate something unagreeable. "This is either a case of similar techniques coming to a similar result, or a JUMP cross company promotion I'm not aware of."
"So, are you going to start training with me or what?" Katarina smiles at the Shield Hero and wiggles her finger, beckoning Naofumi to step up to the challenge after his bodyguard. The Shield Hero obliged her request, and joined the rank of his fellow heroes in training.
Not too long after, the Sword Hero returns in a beam of sapphire light, with both the captain and vice captain of the royal guard in tow. It seems like that rational thinking finally prevailed with father, for once.
End Note:
So, this is me red princessing (haha) and moaning about another fandom for a change, this time Dragon Ball Z. There's a lot of fanfictions that actually dug up once used moves in the original Dragon Ball run that's promptly forgotten, and have them work effectively in Dragon Ball Z. Yet to my knowledge, nobody had Goku actually reuse, and develop his first signiture move even before he learnt Kamehameha: his Rock, Paper and Sicssors. Which was first used against Yamcha, the only time Wolfang Fist actually hit somebody. That's arguably the one move Goku developed on his own where he didn't learn it from someone else. (might be taught by grandpa Gohan, although I don't think grandpa Gohan would have used something this juvenile himself, probably him using a childish game to teach Goku some actual martial art lessons as the sicssors attacking an opponent's eye is a move with Karate root where it is a highly brutal and lethal technique that aggressively attack opponent's weak point such as eyes and crotch, before it got turned into the sanitized version most people practice now)
I always thought if Goku had actually kept using it, it would have taken a shape that's very similar to Gon's Ja Janken (since Yamcha is still known as the Wolfang Fist guy, even if it never hit anyone aside from the first time against Goku)... so I did, here with Katarina.
If this chapter feels a bit unfinished... that was because this was originally written with a pretty emotionally charged scene at the end. Which I cut out of this published version. Because I think it would make most sense as the final scene in this 'training' arc. And halfway written into the next chapter, I realized I basically had another chapter's content ready to conclude all the previous setups I made through various arcs before 3rd wave. So yeah, sorry it ended up making this chapter flatline in the end because I can't properly plan my chapters ahead of time.
Not a guest review per say, but reader Datnoob actually brought up some valid critique for last chapter, which I didn't answer properly (or at least made clear). Because I was trying to have Zellus emphasis his flamboyant personality more than being a flat exposition box.
But here is his full review for anyone who don't want to check the review section:
"Hmm... I suppose that the 'stats-breaker' idea makes sense to an extent, but even IRL skill only makes up for so much, like it doesn't matter how good at Sumo you are, you're going to lose a sumo match to an elephant. It doesn't matter how skilled you are.
A stronger and faster person will require less skill to be you; that's why most modern martial arts have weight classes.
It also contradicts the idea of Naofumi's limited attack stat being a detriment. I know it addresses it primarily with speed (the difference between actual and stat speed), saying that Attack and Defense were more directly tied to performance. But, being good at fighting or having experience with fighting should enable someone to bash someone's skull in with a shield which should (in theory) increase their attack stat. Whereas I think you mentioned that it just dealt 0 or insignificant damage.
In the fight between the noble and Zellus', her stats should have enabled her to get back up and kinda curb stomp him.
That being said, I still greatly enjoyed the chapter and look forward to more!"
They are absolutely correct with the Sumo wrestler analogy, in that no matter how skill a statistically inferior fight is, they can't stand up to an unskilled, but well leveled opponent... if they fight as a sumo, going at any problem headfirst with strength. Zellus would have been crushed by Yumelia's superior ATK states if he just trade hits with her, which was why he didn't. The game was he dodged all Yumelia's clumsy attack thrown at him. Similar to all the Lv 1 challenges highly skilled players do in a Soulslike game against the strongest bosses.
Of course, the difference is in most Soulslike games, even a lv character can still cause some fixed damage no matter how strong a boss is. Where here, a fighter with inferior ATK against an opponent with high DEF would cause no damage. Which is partial reason why earlier I setup in the Bitch Lord arc where it's possible to exploit an opponent's own stats to cause damage to them. Like how Naofumi beaten Abby senseless by performing the 'why are you hitting yourself?' manuever. That's the reason why Zellus said Yumelia defeated herself more than whatever he did. I think it's a good trade off balance to add onto RotSH's canon system to not make every fight devolve into two side sits down and just compare their stats sheet.
I hope this help cleared things up.
Proper guest review time.
To Halo:
There are definitely some changes to the vassal heroes, and yes. They are going to serve as the main antagonist post 3HC Saga at least from narrative perspective. Ss the Wave of Catastrophe by itself is more of a stats/mechanical roadblock, than a proper narrative challenge. I don't want to give away too much at this point, as that's still a long way off. I just hope the changes I made to them is satisifying to read through.
To Lily:
Yeah, that's sort of my biggest problem reading canon RotSH. By itself in a vacuum, it is far from the worst Isekai story (not even anywhere close enough to bottom tier). But because I'm so sick and tired by this kind of power fantasy story since 2000 from Chinese webnovel market (yes, we Chinese popularized this long before the Japanese, and I'm not just saying it out of racial/cultural pride. Our problem is we absolutely suck at sharing what we are doing with the rest of the world unless it's cheaply manufactured consumer goods.), that RotSH at the start pretending to subvert/deconstruct this genre and then pulls back to be the same thing feels like a personal slap to the face.
I tried to give the webtoon you suggested a try... a shame it's a Korean webtoon, as I just don't like its format. Every page being a splash page without any proper paneling always makes reading the actual thing an absolute physical chore to me, even if I liked some of their story premises. But thank you for the suggestion, I'll see if I can properly get into it later.