Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad for fixing my SPAG problems, and Angel Wraith for beta-reading the chapter.
Special mention, and thanks to both dragoon109 and HonoredBibliophile. Whose reviews helped inspire a large part of this chapter.
As always, I will blabber some more in my end note.
The armed demi-humans once again have their weapons out, and pointed towards their merry little band of humans. The unarmed elderly and young scoots away, clearly afraid to get involved with whatever's going on between their group.
"You really should learn how to keep your mouth shut." Ken's voice is cold as he glares into Streibough's face, much colder than the stone brick floor and wall of the catacomb. He slowly tightens his fingers around Streibough's neck, making the little shit gargle from his mouth. "People keep their identity secret for a reason."
"NO! Put him down, big brother Ken. And all of you, put your weapons down too!" Once again, Minami jumps between Mein's group, and her own people with her arms out. Trying her best to prevent the impending bloodshed. "They aren't our enemies!"
Most of the demi-humans begin to lower their weapon once again, even if they still glare at Mein's group with suspicion in their eyes. It's almost as if they are trained to defer to Minami's command. Unfortunately, this doesn't include her elder brother Ken.
"You are being too soft, Minami. We can't let them live, now that they have figured out our identity." Ken turns his face to look at Minami for a brief moment, before turning his head back to glare at Streibough once again with narrowed eyes. "The last thing we want is for our enemy to send assassins to murder you, Minami."
"I would like to point out that Siesta and I were fast asleep, and only woke up by your loud noise. So I have no idea what you are talking about." Mein holds her hand up, trying to look non threatening to the demi-humans to appease them. Unfortunately, the only one who paid her any attention was Naofumi. And from the way he's more or less glaring at her like Ken is to Streibough, he doesn't appreciate her attempt to sell their 'escort' out.
Chapter 90: Rising of Heroes
"NO! You are being unreasonable here, big brother!" Seeing the rest of the armed demi-humans standing down, Minami stomps her foot a couple of times and runs over to Ken. She begins to grab, and drag at her elder brother's arm and shoulder, probably trying to pry Streibough free from Ken's vice grip. "What about our 'enemy'?! The King of Rape was long gone before we were even born! Or do you mean Lord Isshin? He isn't trying to hunt down anyone. Hell, you are the one who told me the Uzumaki Clan is living under his rule… and thriving right now! Their numbers are already starting to recover from the war! And what about the Kaguya Clan? Everyone knew they were living in Port Harp all this time, and they were also fine! Didn't fear any assassins, and they got destroyed by the Wave of Catastrophe, not Lord Isshin's men! We are the only ones in hiding and dying out, and it's STUPID! It's only the two of us now!"
"Minami does have a point." Biggo turns his body halfway towards Ken. "You probably should let him down, Ken."
"Not you too, Biggo." Ken snorts at the raccoon boy with annoyance in his voice.
"It's perfectly understandable wanting to be safe, Ken. But you should take care to not let your caution and vigilance turn into fear, and paranoia." Nagumo adds his own voice, finally acting like a wise master fit for his age.
"...Fine." Ken throws one last baleful glare into Streibough's eyes, before tossing the little shit straight into the wall. The commoner mage lets out a pained scream as his back collides with the wall, as he crumbles onto the floor.
Mein fights back a smirk seeing the smug little shit get what's coming for him. She probably enjoyed his suffering more than what's decent, or healthy. But can anyone blame her in this case? She was almost turned into a lump of dead meat in the catacomb underneath Graile by a bunch of ragtag demi-human mobs! And it's all apparently because the pompous mudblood can't keep his mouth shut.
"Streibough!" Oersted dives over to his childhood 'friend'. He looks over at the little shit writhing with pain, and pulls his sword out at Ken. "You didn't have to hit him this hard, you bastard!"
Thankfully, he's caught by Uranus before he can run Ken through with his sword. The demi-humans pull out their weapons once again at Oersted's act of aggression. Mein doesn't want to imagine what would have happened, if the young knight actually hurt Ken.
"Control yourself, Oersted! No, the young men didn't have to throw Streibough into the wall like he did. But try to understand why he did it! Streibough told everyone of Ken and Minami's true identity, and he's afraid assassins are now going to come for his little sister! And think about the consequences of your actions! You want them to take their anger out on Miss Sophia and Miss Siesta?!" Oersted's struggles, trying to break free of Uranus' deceptively strong hold. But his body goes limp when Uranus mentions the wellbeing of Mein, and Naofumi. The elderly priest releases Oersted and turns around to give Streibough a stern look. "And you! You need to stop flaunting your intelligence, and respect other people's secrets!"
"Well, he only has himself to blame anyway!" Unfortunately, Steibough doesn't seem to take Uranus' lesson to heart. He slowly stands up, leaning on the wall for support and wipes a thin trail of blood off the corner of his smirking mouth. "If he doesn't want the true identity of his precious little sister to get out, he should have done a better job hiding their identity."
"What are you talking about, you arrogant shaved ape? Don't try my patience." Ken tightens his fists, his knuckles start to crack.
"For starters, you shouldn't have the old geezer use his real name. They were a well known vassal of House Okami for anyone who bothered to flip through a history book about Kyutenrou." Streibough smirks at Nagumo-Sensei from the corner of his eyes as he waves his staff at Ken. He cast his sight on the rest of the armed demi-humans next. "Next, all these armed fighting men listening to a young girl who should have no way to command their respect, or fear to back off from us, in spite of their clear suspicion? It suggests her family is someone who is used to commanding these men. And of course, you keep going off on her pendant. Of the three main priestly houses of Kyutenrou, Okami is the one that's known for using gemstones as the conduit to store magical power. It's more of a wonder that you guys have apparently been keeping your identity a secret for as long as you did."
Mein feels the urge to either scream, or tear the Chief God-damned straw boy's lips apart. If he wants to die so much, he should have simply stayed on top of the ground where the Three Heroes' Church are catching people to bolster their slave army. His continued antagonization of these demi-humans is putting everyone in their group at risk. She only barely managed to hold her tongue from giving the little shit a well deserved lashing, because she still remembers her cover story of being a humble, and devoted pilgrim. "Please be quiet, and stop antagonizing our host, Mister Streibough."
"There hasn't been anyone who has figured out our identity, because I made sure to dispose of any that got close." Ken narrows his eyes, and glares down at Sheffield's disciple, who is too smart, and too arrogant for his own good. His words make Oersted tighten the grip on his own sword. "Make no mistake. I can still do it for you, and the ones with you."
"NO! We aren't going to kill the people who saved me, big brother!" Minami runs right behind her elder brother, and holds back his shoulder with all her strength.
"I wouldn't recommend fighting against Uranus. He was already the head of Gallia city's battle priest twenty years ago. And I imagine age only made his miracles more potent. If we try to kill each other, I imagine we will bring the attention of the Three Heroes' Church to us. Even if this chamber is blocked from the rest of the catacomb." Nagumo-Sensei looks over at his once acquaintance, and shakes his head. "Perhaps you should take the points raised by these young men by heart, Ken. He truly did point out where we were complacent. As for now, let's focus on our situation, and how we can get out of Graile without harm."
"It's true. We do have a common enemy at the time. Even if it pains me to consider me fellow church brothers as enemies." Uranus shakes his head. "You were out there gathering information, young man? What have you found out?"
"The Three Heroes' Church was apparently one of the many groups dispatched by High Inquisitor Cromwell to Graile and surrounding area. Graile is a major city hub near the location of the Third Wave, and they were trying to find this 'shield demon' that supposedly summoned an outer god. That's why the sky briefly turned emerald for a while, the color of the Shield Hero." Mein and Naofumi give each other a quick glance as they listen to Ken's explanation.
"So, it was Cromwell after all? It's… hard to believe. I know he was an ambitious man who wanted to climb higher, but I'd assumed he would be more careful than this." Uranus frowns at Ken's words. "Prosecuting our faith, enslaving people… that doesn't feel like the action of someone who managed to gain the position of the head of the confessors."
Mein feels like she has glimpsed something from Uranus' disbelief, but before she can fully pursue the line of thought, her mind is interrupted by Oersted's surprised exclamation. "Wait a minute. An outer god was summoned in the last Wave by a hero?! That's… hard to believe. Are we sure there isn't something wrong with this whole mess? Heroes are summoned to protect our world, not to destroy it like some occult seeking heretics."
"Don't be so sure about these so-called heroes. History has shown them to be a bunch of clueless kids playing with power beyond their understanding. One of them could have stumbled upon some occult artifact, and summoned an Outer God because they didn't know any better." Streibough finally manages to pull himself fully straight on his feet. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, and smirks.
The princess feels frustrated at the situation of hearing the people of Gallia coming to the wrong conclusion about her Naofumi, and not being able to rebuke them. Yes, an Outer God was summoned, by someone who used to be in the party of the Shield Hero. But no, the damn lizard was no longer affiliated with the Shield Hero when he summoned his 'goddess', and the Shield Hero definitely did not summon the outer god himself.
"The emerald sky could also be a coincidence, and have nothing to do with the Shield Hero. This recount of event comes from the Three Heroes' Church, and everyone knows they aren't always fair when it comes to the Shield… Hero…" Mein's voice trails off as she attempts to defend Naofumi's honor without giving away their true identity. But as she is organizing her own thoughts, the fugitive princess begins to grasp the little spark of inspiration after hearing Uranus' thoughts on Cromwell.
Cromwell is obviously an important and powerful player among the more radicalized elements of the Three Heroes' Church. But he isn't the undisputed leader of those fanatics, there would be others who seek to undermine him either because they truly disagree with Cromwell's method, or because they also want to climb higher. Just like Cromwell himself has likely undermined Pope Balmus the moment he became indisposed.
All this madness that is happening within Graile's walls. The initial order could have been given by Cromwell to look for the Shield 'Demon', maybe even to completely seal the city and stop people from moving in and out. But the sacking of the Four Heroes' Church, enslaving the poor people and use them as another slave legion. It could be someone else's doing, not on Cromwell's command.
"Are you okay, Miss Sophia? You look a bit lost here." Sir Oersted's voice shakes Mein out of her own thoughts. She was never someone who shy away from attention, but it is a bit intimidating to have so many pairs of eyes trained on her that belong to people who were ready to gut her multiple times. The cold, dark burial chamber doesn't help either.
"I'm sorry I lost myself in my own thoughts for a moment, Sir Oersted. But, Master Uranus. You mentioned how Cromwell is supposed to be someone who is smarter, or more careful than trying to start a religious war and enslave people with no good reasons, correct?" Mein turns her attention to the elderly Four Heroes' Church priest. Both because she's trying to not be intimidated by all the armed demi-humans, and because he was at one point the head of the Gallian battle priests and have more insider information on the churches.
"Correct, Miss Sophia. That is what I believe. People tend to not pay much attention to the internal politics of the churches. Either because they genuinely aren't aware, or don't want to think us, who are supposed to act as the spiritual guidance of the mass, are every bit as flawed as the rest of the mortals. But the Miracle Maker of the Three Heroes' Church, as merciful as he can be, is not a soft man. He has dealt with the more destructive element of his church before, decisively." The stern tone of Uranus makes Mein imagine a bloodbath every bit as gory as the path he carved from the Siltvelt animals, when he carried Lord Wales out of the siege of New Albion. "And Cromwell wasn't among those who he found wanting. I can't imagine he'd slip down the path of self-destruction so quickly and carelessly."
"What this whole mess in Graile is someone else doing then? Unless High Confessor Cromwell is right here in Graile, he is not directly responsible for whatever that's happening, no? What if the attack on the chapel of your faith, and all the enslavement is ordered by someone else, on his name?" The fugitive princess can't help but find the irony of the situation as comical as it is sad. Cromwell was the one who ruined Naofumi's reputation by accusing him of being an outer god summoning cultist, directly responsible for the death of Kyubey and Farkas. Yet, here she is involuntarily defending his honor.
"Yes… that does sound like the more plausible suggestion. Cromwell could have dispatched the force to look for the trace of the Lord Shield Hero. But they decided to do something else with the force on hand…" Uranus scratches his beard while nodding his head at Mein's suggestion. "Yes. If Pope Balmus really was heavily injured alongside His Majesty, I can see Cromwell immediately moving to secure Princess Melty. With the queen still at Cal Mira island and King Aultcray unable to perform his duties, ensuring the safety of the heir to the throne is the most important thing. No matter if Cromwell truly wants to keep this nation stable, or if he wants to further his own ambitions and goals…"
"Isn't Princess Melty only the second princess? What about her elder sister?" Mein nearly strangled her own neck with how fast she pivoted her head. Naofumi is speaking in a much more soft voice than usual, probably because he's trying his best to sound somewhat feminine. It's not the worst attempt for someone who never practiced pretending to be someone else. But why is he speaking out loud like this anyway? With his lack of certain common knowledge of Medea and Melromarc, he could have made a slip with his fake identity even if nobody realizes he is a man pretending to be a woman.
"Ah, yes. Princess Malty The Elder… under normal circumstances, she would have been the one to ascend the throne. Sadly, she is already betrothed to King Egbert of Faubley and expected to marry him. Actually, she'd probably have already been sent to Faubley to marry her fiance if it wasn't for this ongoing Wave of Catastrophe. But currently, she's being kept in the palace, learning how to be a proper queen of Faubley…" Uranus' voice trails off, as his eyes turn up, seemingly realizing something once again. "Come to think of it… with her already being an adult and still not yet married to King Egbert, she should assume regency over Princess Melty under this situation. Even if the title would be more honorary than granting her actual judicial power, with her still being young and inexperienced for such a current crisis..."
The first princess is unable to fulfill her royal duty. Because she is currently right next to you, thank you very much!
Disregarding the irony of the situation she found herself in. Mein once again feels like she's close to realizing something similar to Uranus with how he mentioned her true identity.
"All this talk about human royalty, and priests is pointless. Who cares what kind of political or theological tomfuckery these shaven apes all got into, or who started this mess in Graile? My sister still had the Moonstone of Fang King robbed from her, and we are forced to hide in this underground burial chamber, boxed in like caged animals." Ken lets out a wolfish growl, his patience clearly at its end.
"This is still your nation, even if you don't agree with the direction it's currently going." Uranus frowns as he looks at Ken. "You should at the very least, treat the royal house with respect."
"I will start to treat this country's queen, king, or princesses with respect when they get off their lazy behind, and start to take responsibilities for their fuck ups. You think I don't know what's happening because we are hiding in the slum? The reason my family was nearly destroyed was because our 'celestial emperor' decided to wave his dick around, picking a fight with the last Shield Hero. Why… if they are right in front of me, I'd leave them something to remember me by!" Ken holds his hand up, flashing his sharp nails to show what kind of souvenir he intended for House Melromarc members. His remark once again, making Mein's heart jump in her chest. Before she can fully bring about a sense of clarity with her thoughts, the wolf boy pivots on his feet to look at Minami. "I found who took the Fang King, Minami. It's a captain of Graile by the name of Philippe Rose. Sit tight, I'll go get it back, and return it to you. Tonight will be a full moon, you'll be able to escape with the power of the Fang King."
He turns on his heels towards the moving wall that served as the entrance to their safe room. But before he makes it through the brick wall and into the dirt tunnel, Minami wraps her arms around Ken's body from the behind. Using all her strength to stop him. "NO! Big brother Ken! It's too dangerous!"
"It's my duty as the man of House Okami to protect you Minami. I am the warrior who protects our priestess with my life." Ken shakes his body around, his face twisted between the frustration of wanting to be freed of Minami's grasp to fulfill his supposed duty, and the fear of hurting his little sister who he is trying to protect.
"There is a difference between being dutiful and stubborn, Ken. Throwing your life away will do yourself, or your little sister no good." Nagumo-Sensei steps forward and puts a hand on Ken's shoulder. "The moment you go after a target like a Graile captain, the knights of the Three Heroes' Church, Graile garrison, and even the their newly raised slave army will all go after you. You will need a distraction if you want to succeed. I will take our warriors to assault the northern gate. Biggo, you take Minami, Saya, and everyone not fighting to hide near the south gate and wait for Ken. Do NOT look back once he retrieves the Moonstone of the Fang King."
"Forget it, Oji-san! I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself for us!" The older raccoon boy immediately shouts back at Nagumo-Sensei. "I'm going with you, if you are going to assault a gate."
"Don't be ridiculous, boy! Haven't you heard what I just told Ken? There's a difference between necessary sacrifice, and throwing your life away for nothing!" For the first time, the lazy-looking old man shouts back at the younger demi-human with a stern expression on his face. His normally slightly hunched back straight as a spear. Ironically, that's when all the younger ones started to furiously argue with him.
"No! I don't want you, to die, Nagumo-Sensei! We still need your guidance!" Minami lets go of her elder brother, grabs the elder raccoon and starts to shake his arm. She looks around at the other armed demi-humans. "I don't want everyone else to die either! Big brother Ken and I would have never survived with all of you!"
"Everyone will need your protection Nagumo-Sensei. I'm not a fighter or a mage. Let me go to the north gate with our warriors." Saya, the young raccoon boy volunteers.
"You guys have this tunnel dug underneath Graile. Can't you just dig your way out?" Sir Oersted's question makes everyone look at him like an idiot.
"Graile would not have been Gallia city's northern fortress, if it can be breached this easily from outside, or inside." Uranus shakes his head at the young and inexperienced knight. "There will be listening post in the walls. We need to go deep, if we want to avoid detection, and that'll take months, if not years. This current Wave of Catastrophe might be over one way or another before we'll see surface outside the wall."
Mein feels like her heart is beating like a war drum while the demi-human are busy arguing over each other on who to sacrifice for their chance to break out of Graile. The smart thing to do in this situation is to say nothing. Let the demi-humans sort out who is going to sacrifice their lives to let the others gain a chance at freedom. Yet, the thought brings a bad taste to her mouth, especially after Ken's remark about how her family started this mess, and it should be her own family members to fix it.
"If we are going to need a distraction, let's go all the way. Give the traitors from the Three Heroes' Church something they'll lose their mind over. A small group of rebels of less than a hundred men assault one of the gates won't be enough to gain the full attention of a thousand garrisoned troops and an army of slaves a few times more." Everyone who was arguing quieted down, as they looked over to Mein's direction. "Master Uranus said that the first princess of glorious Melromarc should take on the duty of regency over her younger sister. What if we bring out the first princess to denounce the Three Heroes' Church of treason, and heresy? Their enslavement of the free people of Graile, no matter how poor and relinquished, is unjust. If we play our cards right and sell it well, we might be able to get the garrison of Graile to our side in the confusion."
"And how are we going to get the first princess of glorious Melromarc to join our cause? Unless we have the Shield Hero right here with us to teleport her over. We can't even leave the city, let alone kidnap a princess over to do our biddings." Streibough turns his nose up and drones on, not realizing the multitude of irony in his snide remark. Mein can feel Naofumi's hand tighten around her wrist.
Both the first princess of glorious Melromarc, and the Shield Hero are right in front of you, thank you very much! You insolent straw boy!
"We don't have to get the real Princess Malty here. I know she's a redhead, like me. I will play her role, and denounce the Three Heroes' Church." Mein's eyes wander over to Ken. While she still has her family signet ring, exposing her real identity to the demi-human who clearly holds some grudge against her family is too risky. While unlikely, she doesn't want to die a worthless death, or get further maimed by the wolf boy in case he wants to take all his anger and frustration on her. "It won't even be a false accusation. The Three Heroes' Church did break the law."
"Are you sure about this plan, Miss Sophia? Impersonating a member of the royal house, even under the circumstance we found ourselves in, is a serious crime that would earn you the capital punishment. And since your goal is to sway the garrison of Graile, there will be many witnesses to your claim. And you will not be able to deny your crime later." Uranus walks over till he stands right in front of her, and looks deep into her eyes. The elderly priest of the Four Heroes' Church doesn't realize that she is only trying to impersonate her real identity, and showing her his concern about her future wellbeing. "Even if the members of the Three Heroes' Church are found guilty later, you will also be put to death to deter other people from such action in the future. Short of an official pardon from the Queen of Melromarc herself."
"And how do you plan to hide your scar? I doubt the real princess of glorious Melromarc ran around with such a massive burn on the side of her face." Streibough smirks at her as he leans back against the wall. The smug little shit! He seems to have recovered some of his condescension after hearing her outrageous idea.
"Yes, I am sure. Master Uranus. Perhaps this was what I was meant to do when I was blessed by the Founder's fire. If I could play a role in helping stop the madness of Three Heroes' Church, my own future well-being is not relevant." Mein looks over at the retired head battle priest of Gallia city. Considering Mother's usual treatment, impersonating herself while under a false identity can't condemn herself any further than she already was. The fugitive turns her face to look at the straw boy next. "As for your question. I could use my own scarring to my advantage. It's only a few days after the Third Wave, and the first princess of glorious Melromarc needs a good reason on why she isn't staying safely within the protective wall of the capital without a group of dedicated protectors. Reason… such as a failed assassination plot from the more fanatical elements of Three Heroes' Church! Something that leaves her scarred, but determined to stop the Three Heroes' Church's nefarious plot to subvert the ruling family."
Her suggestion leaves everyone stunned and speechless. Probably because it sounds absolutely outrageous. Like the contrived plot from a trashy knight, or romance novel that's written more for melodrama than real actions of rational people. Of course, they don't know how she's once again, speaking the complete truth… from a certain point of view. Mein can't tell if Cromwell, and Consevatie the young have tried to murder her simply due to her association with the Shield Hero, or because they are actually trying to subvert her family's rule. But considering what happened… Her entirely made up story is certainly within the realm of possibility.
"That… such acts of treason and heresy is hard to imagine. But then again, someone in our Three Heroes' worshiping brother sect did just try to enslave all the poor people of Graile. Perhaps a ridiculous story would be more believable when coupled with ridiculous events happening all around us." Uranus' furiously blinks his eyes the entire time through his own murmurs, to the point it looks more like a constant twitching. He is clearly trying his hardest, yet failing to rationalize everything that has happened around him recently.
Mein's reaction towards Uranus' reaction is that of sympathy, rather than her usual schadenfreude. With how everything stopped making sense after Cromwell and Consevatie the young's treachery, she would have reacted the same if she wasn't so busy trying to keep herself and the Shield Hero stay alive.
"If we bring out the first princess, why don't we give them the Shield Hero too?" Mein nearly trips over her stationary feet when she hears Naofumi's words.
Why is he speaking now, to the Gallians and then demi-humans? Haven't they established that she does the talking to other people part to make sure he doesn't oust his real identity? Surely, he doesn't plan to actually reveal his own identity, after what the Three Heroes' Church did to him and everyone in his party? Hasn't he learnt anything after their betrayal?!
"Me- Miss Sophia's story is already something out of a novel. So why don't we play up the ham even more? To increase the chance of winning the Graile Garrison to our side." Naofumi begin to narrate his plan. Thankfully, he didn't immediately reveal his true identity like she feared. "Let's say… The first princess was able to escape Three Heroes' Church's assassination plot thanks to the intervention of the Shield Hero… and that's why the Three Heroes' Church is trying to paint him as a heretic, and prosecuting him on top of the usual prejudice. And they both happened to be hiding in Graile, witnessing the Three Heroes' Church's atrocity to enslave an entire city. They decided to rise up, reveal the church's full treachery to the garrison of Graile to give them both royal decree… and divine mandate to rise up against the real heretics and traitors."
"So, the kind of plot right out of one of those trashy novels Minami read when she had enough of her priestess training." Ken snorts as Minami shoves his head with one of her hands. So, the demi-human girl likes to slack off her own education by reading trashy novels, huh? Mein would have loved to talk with her on a less stressful day and in a better situation.
"Well, I think it's great! We are trying to cause chaos, and win the soldiers of humans to our side, right? Something shocking, and juicy, AND out of a novel might just be what we need." Minami furiously nods her head. It's hard to tell if she's willing to go with this plot because it increases her brother's chance at survival, or if she's going to witness the kind of plot of her favorite novels happen in life.
"Exactly, dazzle the guards with an outrageous story that tickles their hunger for acts of heroism, like they are going to be heroes of their own story. If we can win over some of them, the rest might join in on the fight against the Three Heroes' Church simply out of mob mentality." Mein bites her lips at Naofumi using terms that a shy, and sheltered fishing village girl shouldn't have heard of let alone speaking. Thankfully, it doesn't seem like anyone noticed the inconsistency. Maybe they are too stunned by everything else that's happening.
"Then we'll also need a Shield Hero. I'll be the Shield Hero!" Oersted turns his head to give a quick glance to his old 'friend'. "Sorry, Streibough. I know you wanted to prove yourself. But I'm already a knight, so I'm used to using shields, and standing guard over other people. I'd make a much more convincing Shield Hero than you."
The little shit looks like he ate something rotten, as he looks Oersted up and down with raised eyebrows. "You do realize impersonating a legendary hero is also an act of crime that's punishable by death? What, you want me to go back to Her Highness and tell her: Sorry, Princess Alethea. But your lover got his head chopped off, because he was busy pretending to be the Shield Hero to incite a revolt?"
While the two younger Gallians having their usual verbal spat, Mein casts a quick look at Oersted. Despite his Germanian descent, he has a soft and boyish face with a more pointy chin. If one disregards both his dirty blonde hair and red eyes… he could probably pass off as a summoned otherworlder.
To the young knight's credit, he did stumble into silence after Streibough told him of what would happen to him. After pausing for a little to think over, he looks up at the young mage again with a solemn expression. "We'll all die, or be enslaved by those traitor fanatics if we don't do anything. If someone has to impersonate the Shield Hero, might as well be me. You'll take care of Alethea, won't you?"
Is he… is the fool asking to be cuckolded by his supposed 'friend'?!
"Sir Oersted and Streibough, they both know Princess Alethea since she's young. They competed for her affection at one point, till her highness accepted Sir Oersted's courtship." Uranus seems to be aware of Mein's befuddlement, as he helpfully clarifies. The young knight is definitely a better man than she was, as she can't imagine saying something similar to Iris if she's going to die before her Naofumi.
"If you have someone waiting for your return, let me act as Shield Hero then, Sir knight. I… I don't know what happened to Father Gordon and everyone else, but I lost everything if the Three Heroes' Church burnt my chapel down." Brother Demetrius' usually soft and nervous expression hardens into something wraithful. "If I can drag all the sinners and betrayers with me to hell, I don't care if I'm put to death later."
"You are a local, Brother Demetrius. There's a good chance someone will recognize you and our plan will instantly fail." Uranus shakes his head, instantly shoots down the young acolyte's offer.
"Then let me be the Shield Hero. I might be a local, but I mostly live in the slums. Only go out selling ramen once or twice. And I heard the summoned heroes have faces that look just like us from Kyutenrou." Everyone turned their attention over to Saya, the short and young raccoon boy with slit eyes. "I- I'm no good as a warrior. I can't help Ken, or Biggo. But if I'm only going to be standing around, pretending to be the Shield Hero, then I can help them."
"Yeah, except you are missing one little detail about the summoned heroes." Streibough scoffs at Saya's suggestion as he points at the top of his own head. "They don't have another pair of ears on their head."
Saya turns towards Ken instead of directly responding to Streibough's snide remark. "Cut my ears off, Ken. I heard the Siltvelt people used to do it to the children they had with their Melromarc slaves during the Great War. We have healers from the clergy with us. I know I won't die from blood loss."
Ken narrows his eyes as he raises his hand, flashing his sharp, claw-like nails again. "Are you sure about this?"
"Don't you dare! I'm not letting you hurt Saya!" Biggo immediately steps between the two of them.
Minami on the other hand steps into Ken's waist with her arms once again. "NO! Don't listen to Saya! Well… don't not listen to him and bully him either. But don't listen to him when he asks you to mutilate himself!"
In Mein's mind, none of their three potential candidates are good choices to impersonate Naofumi. Oersted doesn't look anything like Naofumi with his different hair color, and he would be immediately spotted as a fake by someone like Amelia even at night. Demetrius is a local, and would be recognized even easier than Oersted. And Saya is a demi-human instead of a human. She's about to suggest they ditch Naofumi's idea of adding the Shield Hero to the mix, when the Shield Hero spoke up first.
"This was my idea. It's only right for me to be the Shield Hero." Naofumi's words manages to actually trip over Mein this time. And to think she actually believed that he learnt his lesson! He's putting himself into danger once again, because of his bleeding heart of not being able to let others hurt themselves. It's one of his traits that she found loveable, yes. But damn does it rear its ugly head in the most inopportune time!
"You are going to pretend as the Shield Hero, and a man at the same time, Miss Siesta?" Oersted whips his head around to look at Naofumi and Mein. He walks up to them, and offers a hand to help Mein back to her feet.
"Well… I suppose the ugly village girl does look plain enough to pass off as a boy. Especially at night." Streibough turns his nose up and snorts at Naofumi with a strong nasal tone, decidedly NOT helping the situation.
"Ma- Miss Siesta?!" Mein stares, practically glares incredulously at the Shield Hero. He should be doing everything he can to stay away from danger, and keep his true identity as the now shieldless Shield Hero a secret. Something he is doing the opposite of at this moment!
Before Mein has a chance to give Naofumi a piece of her nearly snapped mind, Oersted jumps at Naofumi before her. "You don't have to do this, Miss Siesta! I'm a knight of Gallia, I took an oath to protect the innocents with my life, and die for the land if needed to. Let me be the Shield Hero."
"Me being the Shield Hero is the most practical. If you pretend to be the Shield Hero, you won't be able to use your sword. You are surely more skilled with your sword than your shield, no?" Naofumi shakes his head at the young Gallian knight. "There's always a chance our attempt to swing the Graile garrison fails. And then we'll have to break through the gate the hard way. We'll need all hands on deck for it, and we can't waste one of our fighters acting as someone else."
"MISS SIESTA! MAY I have a word with you… in PRIVATE?!" Mein looks back at the Gallians and the gathered demi-human with a look dirtier than she probably intended.
"Yes, by all means. Discuss this privately and patiently before you make up your mind, Miss Sophia, Miss Siesta. Neither of you should pay for the sins committed by my sibling faith." Uranus nods his head with a solemn expression on his face. He turns to look at Nagumo next. "Is there somewhere they can have a private conversation?"
"Go down that wing." Nagumo points his hand towards the dark corridor to the east. "There are some private burial chambers we've been using as storage areas. I'll make sure nobody goes down the east wing to give you two some privacy."
"Thank you, Master Uranus, Master Nagumo." Mein gives them a hasty bow as she pulls the Shield Hero's wrist behind her towards the east wing. The noise of people would slowly give away to their footsteps, and crackling of the burning torches, making the fugitive princess wonder if an undead monster would jump out from every shadow like Eclair's family catacomb. Light seems to grow dimmer as they get further down the repurposed catacomb. Shadows dance in her vision, turning into monsters of her own imagination in her mind.
Despite her mounting anxiety, she didn't open the first door she saw, or second and third one. Hoping to throw off anyone who tried to sneak up on them, or listening to them through magical means. She enters into a burial chamber when she spots the fourth door. Thankfully, the coffins remain stationary, same as the supply crates and bags that clearly wasn't part of the initial burial.
She pulls Naofumi into the private burial chamber, and closes the door behind her. She glares at the offending door for a brief moment, considering welding it shut to make sure nobody can walk into their private conversation but waves it off. It probably won't go well with her 'humble pilgrim' image if someone found the melted metal door when she later needed to exit the room. A shame she didn't have enough proficiency in air magic to create ice elements.
"What was that about, SIESTA?!" Mein pivots on her feet, narrowing her eyes at the Shield Hero and uses his fake name to help drive her point home. The young man is currently sitting on one of the smaller supply crates like he's sitting on a stool. "The point we even made our fake identity was for you to get as far away from danger, and keep your identity a secret! And here, you go around playing the hero again!"
"Am I even a hero anymore? Without my shield?" The Shield Hero's left hand moves up alongside his empty right arm where his shield used to sit. He pulls the rim of his dress up with his right hand, letting the balloons jump out of their hiding place. They huddle together, while making whimpering noises looking at Naofumi, seemingly aware of his sour mood. "I thought I'm just a damsel in distress now."
"Yes! You are still the Shield Hero even if your shield got stolen by Lautrec's bitch goddess! Those fanatical idiots from THE Three Heroes' Church either don't realize it, or don't want to admit it. But it's the end of the line for everyone if you die, for multiple reasons!" Mein throws her arms over her shoulder in frustration and waves them around for a brief moment, she ends up putting her left hand over her hair to furiously brush through them. "You'll save these Gallians, or the demi-humans by not letting them act as the Shield Hero? It doesn't matter if you get killed by the Three Heroes' Church! They'll all die with you later when the Wave of Catastrophe overwhelms everyone, or the other nations start a crusade against Melromarc before the Wave is even over."
"I didn't offer to 'act' as the Shield Hero because I want to protect them! Well, maybe a little. But that's not the main reason." Naofumi actually glares back at her for a brief moment, before looking away to the corner. "I would have stayed quiet like you asked me to. Because I barely know what to say to not look like someone who crawled out of a rock. But then you offered yourself to be the first princess of this country. I… I can't stand the thought of staying safely behind everyone while you go head first into danger. What if you get hurt, or worse… killed!? And I wasn't there? I don't have my shield anymore, but I still have my healing spells learnt from Madam Dolores and miracles I learnt from those nicer guys from the Three Heroes' Church. I can still protect you!"
Her breath is caught on her throat by Naofumi's confession. She's so used to him helping out who he considers to be weak or feels most sorry for, she briefly forgot how much he cares about his friends and companions. In hindsight, her plan to impersonate her real self is a bit brash… and stupid on multiple levels. Has she suddenly become some fearless person who would stare death right in the face? Hell, no. She is terrified at the idea of dying as much as after the death of Mein, her bird. And her nanny.
She never entertained the thought of gaining immortality, even in her most arrogance and callousness. There are tales of a mortal ascend into godhood, like the supposed tale of the Lady of the Sword who started out as a humble slave girl, but brought into heaven by the Chief God for her devoution and loyalty. But nobody knows even the name of the Lady of the Sword, let alone her supposed mortal life aside from a few details such as her choosing to remain in the bondage of slavery to better serve the Chief God. It could have been a tale fabricated by the church, to further justify the use of slavery.
Yet, before her journey with the Shield Hero she never considered the idea of dying so young. Aside from her one brush against death when she snuck out of the castle with Mein. Even with her betrothal with her Faubley uncle, she is still a princess of glorious Melromarc. She has two strong walls between any danger, and legions of soldiers and knights manning said wall whose sworn duty was to throw themselves into said danger till their death to protect her family.
As for her supposed sadistic fiance… she's not so worried about her wellbeing from HIM. While an utterly despicable pig of a man, his supposed rumor of killing 9,999 noble women is a clear fabrication. Likely by some filthy commoner who has no idea how politics work, or a particularly saucy playwright who cares more about melodrama than historical accuracy. There's likely not enough noble women of all nations combined to come up to such a number, let alone Noble Faubley itself. And if Uncle Egbert depopulated multiple generations of noble women for his own sick, twisted pleasure, he would have his majestic behind removed from the throne, if not his regal head from his shoulders long before their marriage proposal ever came up.
So, no. Before she joined the Shield Hero's party, the idea of dying was a distant thought on her mind. And it was still the case a while after she attached herself to the Shield Hero. It felt more like living inside one of her romance novels, than a real grim and gritty slog of quest against the world ending threat. Of course, it quickly changed after her encounter with the first wave monster deep inside Lute's abandoned mine. Since then, the danger she encountered seems to keep escalating, till she starts to become numb to the idea of being maimed, and dying.
Until the Three Heroes' Church managed to succeed, where Faubley Inquisition, Siltvelt Raven Lord, ancient thunder lizard, undead scourge, monsters from the Wave of Catastrophe… and a newborn outer god all failed: Killing someone that's close to them.
The fanatics of Three Heroes' Church clearly meant to kill them. There's no act of negotiation, seduction, or throwing political weight around that'll stop them (not that they would have worked for the other failed threat she listed either, but she used to think that the Three Heroes' Church was a somewhat reasonable threat. She really IS going to die if she underestimates the threat and overestimates her own competence. But she found that she's surprisingly okay about that. She would rather have Naofumi remember her as someone who never betrayed him, and give her all for him, rather than the traitor who kept him in the dark, and the main reason for his misfortunes.
"Your concern is appreciated, Master Naofumi. But aside from your fellow heroes, your life is still the most important. Everyone else is expandable… including myself. Everything will be okay, as long as you survive…" She's interrupted, when the Shield Hero suddenly runs over the distance between them, and tightens his hands around her arms.
"Except it won't be okay for me!" Desperate panic rages in the Shield Hero's eyes, more severe than even when they were falling to their death while being chased by leviathan class monsters above the Valley of Wind as he furiously shakes her. "Kyubey… he agreed to run a shop for me after the Wave is over. He's gone… just gone with that fireball. Farkas… he constantly belittles and snaps at me, or anyone else around him. But he sacrificed himself so we could escape. Raphtalia and Firo… they were still fighting like sisters till the night before Third Wave. I don't even know if they are even alive or not! This world is like a game from my world, with all these 'levels', and 'HPs'. But it didn't matter when my companions were all gone in an instant! There's no resurrect, no respawn, and certainly no reloading an earlier save! I was ready to lay back and just let everything… drop, if you didn't slap me awake! You are the only one I have left, how am I supposed to hang on and keep going, if you are gone too and I wasn't even there to help you?!"
Despite him spouting some nonsense once again, Mein still managed to understand what he was talking about. Of course… her own reaction to their… lost party members aside from Raphtalia are more of shock, and disbelief at how fast it happened. But Naofumi, he cares about them, and was nearly driven to the pit of despair right after their deaths. And worse, he never had a chance to properly mourn their passing.
"I'm not the only one you have left, Master Naofumi… Yatsuhashi is no doubt worried sick looking for you. And I'm sure Eclair would drop everything on her hand to find you once she learnt what happened. There are also your… balloons." The voice of the fugitive princess trails away, she is unable to even convince herself. Mein looks at said abominations. With them whimpering and drooping to the floor, they don't look so diabolical or intimidating anymore. They look more like sad, baby chicks.
"And say, even if I'm a selfish psycho who only cares about myself, where would I find myself if you are gone too? I would be without my shield, and have no one I could trust. I can't lose you too! If you are going head first into danger, I want to be right beside you!" Judging from his response, or the non-response, Naofumi clearly didn't hear a single word she said.
While his words certainly make sense from a certain point of view, it doesn't change one simple fact. "You just said so yourself. You don't have your shield. You'll be too vulnerable to protect yourself, let alone me."
The Shield Hero shakes like he's electrocuted. He releases Mein's arms and steps back, clearly hurt by her words. Good. If it discourages him from throwing his life away- and his next response confuses her despite not spouting some of his usual nonsensical words. "Am I only the Shield? Or am I the Hero?"
"What?"
"I don't know when I'll get my stolen shield back, or even if I'll ever get it back, period. Am I just going to sit back like a damsel in distress, let everyone throw their lives away protecting me? I know this is different in your world. But back in mine… we don't have this kind of self growing weapon that chooses some destined wielder." Mein blinks her eyes, trying to comprehend the idea of a world without Heroes. How would they even deal with a world ending threat, like the Wave of Catastrophe? "In my world, a hero is someone who faces overwhelming odds against them, but chooses to fight anyway. Am I no longer going to be a hero if I don't have my shield anymore?"
Naofumi's words makes Mein thinks back on the statues proudly standing on the Hero Square back in the capital. Not all of them are heroes on the virtue of being chosen by a legendary weapon.
Prince Joseph stubbornly held Gallia castle against the Siltvelt invaders for over a year, even as his once bountiful land, and cultured city burned around him. He shielded Romalia from war and allowed Mother, and the remnant of Melromarc army to regroup, and eventually launched their counter attack.
Lord Wales lost everything in the Great War. He himself would have been killed if not for the still humble priest Balmus carrying him out of the sieged New Albion. Instead of hiding to preserve his family's lineage, he immediately rallied disgruntled citizens, cutthroats, bandits… anyone willing to fight to harass Siltvelt supply line. Eventually causing the occupation army to crumble under its own weight.
Lord David Claus was still a child himself when his parents were killed. But instead of joining his younger brother in hiding, he stayed behind and rallied all his father's bannermen to make their stand. Even after losing one of his eyes, he did not falter.
Nobody knew who Diaz Gazelle Anderson was before The Great War. Some suspected he was an escaped slave from Siltvelt, due to his leading and commanding style more akin to a Siltvelt general than a Melromarc lord. But nobody will be able to forget The Beast of Melromarc after the Great War with how much he smashed through Siltvelt army with his strength. Even slaying Siltvelt's Pillar of Skyguard, Lord Talos Stormcloak in single combat after nearly carving the northern legion in half to reach him, which nearly routed the last of Siltvelt army in the Battle of Silver Pass.
The Miracle Maker was still only a humble priest in a chapel nobody paid attention to. He too became a figure of legend after single handedly parted the Siltvelt army besieging New Albion to save House Arc's last heir, and calling down divine blessing for the resistance, and punishment on the Siltvelt army, turning one defeat into victory in their long war. For his service, he was given the title of Pope, instead of the usual Arch Vicar after the war concluded.
All of them, every bit as much a hero if not more so than someone who was chosen by a legendary weapon.
And even Father, who was chosen by a Legendary Weapon, had made his name before his ascension. The Magician of Battlefield gained his name from his clever use of strategy to play the much superior armed and numbered Siltvelt army into clumps of directionless rabbit pills.
No, Naofumi's world wasn't a world without heroes. It's a world with different kinds of heroes. Someone, who gives birth to a worthy Shield Hero like himself.
"I don't have my shield anymore. But like Zellus told me just because I can't deal damage doesn't mean I can't attack. I can still find ways to protect and help you without my shield. It's just harder, and I'll have to work harder and be smarter at it. I'm not going to sit back, and let you die protecting me." Naofumi looks up at her, his eyes shining with determination this time. "Back when I thought I couldn't attack, you said you were my sword, and I said you were my partner. Partners are supposed to help each other because they are equals. Do you still want me as your partner, even if I no longer have my shield, and still can't pick up a weapon?"
It might be stupid… They might both die in their failed revolt in Graile. Maybe she is just a coldhearted bitch like her mother, and she doesn't care what happens to the nation… or the world after they die. But she is unsurprisingly, okay with that too. She wraps her hand around Naofumi's hand.
"Yes. Partners. We will fight together."
End Note:
So, as mentioned by my author's words at the start. This chapter pretty much had a complete direction change during the writing of it due to reviews I received on 103/Chapter 88. That, and me watching Filmento youtube videos where he once again adovate for active main character who push plot forward, than passive main character who gets pushed by plot.
Originally, this current event at Graile was just going to be 'another one' of the action set pieces till Act III basically cruise speed its way into the final confrontation against 3HC. Malty and Naofumi's big emotional moment at the start is directly inspired by the two affromentioned reviews. Showing Naofumi that yes, he is still traumatized about the death of his companions. And also, shows that a legendary hero is more than their growing WEAPON.
Having Naofumi lose his shield especially when he is facing another hero is a genuinely good idea from Rising canon... except like most of Alenko's good ideas, they completely (BEEP)ed up the execution more so than crybaby Ryan fucked up all his good ideas for The Last Jedi. Both in WN, and LN.
In WN, TRASH of all people got a massive intelligent boost just to rescue Naofumi out of his tight situation. This would have been an interesting twist if not for one problem: When Trash was the main antagonist, he didn't show any trace that he is supposed to be super intelligent and a master strategist. So the whole thing is either the most on the nose retcon to give Naofumi another plot device Deus Ex Machina character after Queen Safespace got killed off, or Alenko is such an incompetent writer, they don't even understand how to setup a basic 'setup and payoff' (pun intended).
Like seriously, Alenko couldn't even have Naofumi he himself come up with something intelligent, to actually SHOW his supposed superior intelligence compared to everyone else? And he gets rescued by Trash of all people?
LN version is arguably worse. Alenko clearly realized that Naofumi himself should have been more active in doing something... and once again, they done it in the worst way imaginable. Instead of having him do something without a legendary weapon to show that he is more than his WEAPON, he gets Trash's wand. Therefore showing that without a magical evergrowing weapon that piles on cheat codes and plot armor on him, he's just an useless little bitch?
*EPIC FACEPALM*
So yeah. While I won't say I wouldn't massively fuck up my own execution on the idea (I already shown my incompetence back in chapter 3 where I unintentionally completely pivoted the direction of my story, not that I'm complaining about the current direction). The idea is this arc is more about showing Naofumi is a hero because of himself, not because of his shield (or any other weapon). Guess we'll see how well (or not well) I execute this idea in the ensuring chapters.