Welcome back, all. In another chapter as our heroes are in the land of the Yaks and the Chain Of Ice and they fight to make sense of the world around them. Like, comment and all that good stuff as we go through the first of many interactions for The Shield Hero and his party.

''Cold is merciless. It shows you where you are. What you are.''

-Wim Hof.

Naofumi had to admit that he may never fully get used to having animals that are just as human as the average person. Filo, he long got over as they held a bond that would not go away.

The Yaks however, were definitely giving him German vibes from their bluntness. The last person he knew who was this straightforward off-hand was Raphtalia when it came to him. Prince Rutherford spoke in mostly choppy sentences, only ever missing one or two words for his thoughts to be complete sentences. Along with speaking in the 3rd person, the otaku knew he would have very interesting time with Yak-Yakistan.

"As Yaks were told by Wizard Starswirl, we prepared the best way we Yaks do," Prince Rutherford as he, along with his other three advisors stood in the throne room, which was nothing more than a large hut inlay with bricks, wood and concrete. It was put together rather well, and insulated against the cold outside with the help of cork and mud. "We also have prepared big feast for you and party," Prince Rutherford said, the fur covering his eyes giving him an aloof appearance.

Naofumi accepted his invitation with grace and gusto, but wanted to get down to the real meat of things. Namely, how long would they have before Night Order would be at their doorstep, and the state of the Chain Of Ice. "So, are the borders well-protected?"

"Mostly. Cold weather and high mountainside make travel and attack difficult. We have occasional avalanches, and that really is about it. Do you think Yaks borders are weak?!" Naofumi flinched back at the loudness of his voice. It reminded him of his own screams or declaration of anger. And something he did not want to do in another new world would be to make the wrong person angry.

If only to save his own sanity.

"No, no. We aren't saying that at all. We just wanted to see if we could make them even stronger than before," Melty said, chuckling nervously as she waved her hands back and forth. Those techniques to tone down a volatile situation were beginning to make more sense when she was on the receiving end of one's emotional outbursts. "Surely having the borders be the strongest out of any kingdom can't be a bad thing, right?"

Prince Rutherford hmmmed and held a hoof to his chin as he advisors whispered amongst themselves and Raphtalia and Filo were enjoying some of the milk that the Yaks were happy to provide as Valiant walked back inside from being shown the bathroom.

. . .

"Yes! You make sense!" Rutherford boomed, standing up and looking to the sky as Naofumi quirked a brow. He pointed to Melty before walking over and patting her shoulder. "That sounds like best idea ever, almost mad I not think of it before you. You sure you not Yak?" Rutherford bellowed a laugh like no other as Melty was folded nearly in half as he hugged her before sitting down again.

"So, Prince Rutherford," Raphtalia said, raising her hand as the Yak pointed to he as if she was in a classroom. "We heard from Starswirl that there was a likely chance that Night Order may already be here," Naofumi noticed the advisors continue their talking, but he noticed one of the Yak's ears perk up slightly. It almost was hard to notice if he didn't look at the right time.

Stomping a hoof on the ground, Prince Rutherford merely sat straight up and lowered his voice some, only enough for them to hear. Naofumi had hoped they would have had more time. "We have heard rumors of Night Order agent in the kingdom; who it is? We not able to say right away. Could be any of us," a harsh undertone was present in his voice. He sounded very angry at there being a double agent or outright enemy of the kingdom.

"Any idea of where they might be?" Valiant asked, jotting down what the prince was saying. He figured the more information, the quicker they can apprehend the mole and keep the location secured. "Has the location of the Chain been revealed?''

''No. We no tell any Yak about that. Only ones who know are me, advisors, and you,'' Prince Rutherford pointed at Naofumi. ''We have feeling that in kingdom lies a traitor who know that the chain is here, just no know the location.''

''How do you know that?'' Raphtalia asked. One of the advisors came forth and began to speak. He was a bit smaller than Rutherford and was adorned with various colorful beads and jewelry. Upon his head stood a circular hat that contained various carvings of symbols. His dark blue fur and small eyes shone at the group as they looked at the Yak.

''We have heard reports of some of the routes that we normally have leading back into the kingdom to be vandalized before they ever reach the gates. We would attempt trying to find more information, but the list of who it could be is far too great for us.''

''And who are you?'' Filo asked, tilting her head to the side.

''Oh, forgive me! My name is Silver Mark, 1st advisor to Prince Rutherford,'' Silver Mark nodded and gestured to the other two, who were more or less of the same build and wearing the same garb, with the only difference being one was male and the other female from their voices. ''Over there is Rapid Shadow and Steel Star, 2nd and 3rd representative to Prince Rutherford respectively.

''And what exactly do you think we can accomplish? More so, Naofumi and his party?'' Valiant asked, sweeping a hoof to him and his friends. ''They may think we're more of the intruders than Night Order.''

''That is true,'' Naofumi thought, cupping his chin in worry and playing back the possible scenarios in his head. If there was to be a mole in the kingdom, they would almost immediately know something is up by seeing him and his friends; and if that were to happen, word could possibly reach Zenith quicker than what any of them would actually want.

''True, but we Yaks are typically accepting, or at least understanding of other species, namely the ponies. Granted Naofumi will possibly be something none of us may have ever seen, I would hope our citizens will be willing to assist in finding out who had betrayed the bond between self and country,'' Silver Mark handed Valiant and Naofumi a bag of bits. ''I would guess one place to start would be the local taverns and shops; the owners always seem to have some sort of information to help.''

''So, we're basically going into this blind?'' Naofumi let out an exasperated sigh. Yep, some parts of Melromarc was definitely present here. ''Can I expect any hostility?''

''Yes! Yaks are very much known for being quick to anger!'' Prince Rutherford bellowed and laughed. ''One time, I ran into wall by running too fast! So I fought wall, and what surprise me was wall fought back as well!''

''Uhhh. . .'' Naofumi looked at Silver Mark, who only giggled and reassured the hero.

''Walls are dangerous, what can I say?'' Silver Mark shrugged his shoulders and gave the group some possible leads on where to find out where the mole could be hiding. But, a better question that came across Naofumi's mind had to be what exactly was to be done with the mole once they found out who it was. While killing someone was not something that the otaku was against, he did not know how well it would play out in this world; would they be all for it, against it? Impartial?

However, with the concept of the world actually ending if any of the Chains are broken, perhaps a few measly deaths are something that could not be avoided. He certainly knew he wanted to kill pretty much anyone and everything that caused him the slightest amount of suffering when he was falsely accused of rape. When he was hung out to dry; like some kind of glorified demon that would be used for a political stunt to promote allegiance to the kingdom and the Three Heroes Church.

The thought made his blood boil.

''As much as Prince Rutherford may be correct, we do hope that would be the least of your worries while going on your investigation. Once we have located the mole and their true intent, only then will we focus our attention to The Chain; but rest assured. . .it is secure for the moment.''

That sounded good enough, given the present circumstances. It would be a bit risky to try and show the group the status of the Chain, as well as anything else that would have to be put on pause until the kingdom was secured of any possible threats.

''Fine, we'll get started. We don't want to draw too much attention if we can help it,'' Naofumi said as he stood up and secured his gear. Having everyone at once would just paint a bigger target on their back than one or two of them unless they split up. ''Filo, Raphtaila and Melty; I think it would be good if you guys just hung back here for a little bit; let me and Valiant survey the town and see what we can come up with.''

Raphtalia stood up, clutching Naofumi's hand as she warily looked at him. She didn't want to leave him by himself, even with Valiant. They were in an unknown land, with a different set of rule than Melromarc, and with the possibility of there being-

''-It'll be fine, you don't have to look so worried,'' Naofumi petted her head and ruffled her hair to which she playfully swatted his hand away and stared with a firmer expression. She wouldn't just take this sitting down. He pecked her forehead with his lips as she blushed wildly. ''I promise. . .I am stronger than the last time I really got hurt, remember when we killed our first boss monster?'' the words instantly made her remember how she almost lost her master because of her own fear. Seeing him hurt, defending her even with death less than a foot away, he still assured her that her life was more important than his since she was too scared to fight.

The look in his eyes and the sound of his pained voice still echoed in her mind from that day.

''Yes, M-Master Naofumi. It's just you know that I worry.'' Raphtalia said, her voice a little quiet as the otaku and Valiant ventured towards the exit. ''You understand that, right?''

The laugh that followed after caught her off-guard. It didn't sound mocking, just more playful and full of life as he held his side for a moment before he regained his composure. Flipping the hood back on the head, he flipped back the cover and walked out. ''I know, and that's what I love about you.''

L-Love?! H-H-He said love?!

THUMP! Raphtalia collapsed on the ground, chuckling and shaking like a kid on a sugar rush.

''Is she going to be ok?'' Silver Mark adopted a worried look as Raphtalia kept muttering about kisses and getting pregnant.

''Yea! Raphtalia is just in love with Master!'' Filo poked her sister with a foot to get no reaction. ''And she thinks Filo is so bad!'' Filo snickered, Melty doing the same.

Melromarc Dungeons. . .

In the dark, cold halls of the dungeons beneath the castle, a single torch illuminated the only cell spacious enough to accommodate the convicts of the worst crime to be ever committed in the kingdom. Each sat in their own space of the cell, as far away from the other as they could. The quiet swallowed any thought of speaking that dared come up. It was too long without speaking that it seemed almost taboo to say even a single word. The flickers of the torch's flame were the only thing that everyone could focus on. It's warm heat could not be felt from here. The cold floor, as well as the carved window that was too far for any of them to reach constantly blew cold air into the cell.

The atmosphere sucked, to be frank. Before long, their execution would come.

Two pair of steps echoed from the end of the hallway, one of the heels, the constant clacking against the ground getting louder with every step, as well as the sound of bare feet. Tap. Tap. Tap. Clack. Clack. Clack.

. . .

''Well, well, well. . .it would appear fate is not your side,'' the harsh words came from Fitoria as she stopped in front of the cell, laying a hand on one of the bars. Cold. But their bodies would be colder. ''I warned Naofumi what would happen if the 4 of your didn't work together, and I even extended that courtesy to the 3 of you before you foolishly decided to challenge my authority,'' another sword was formed of her Wind Magic, the design resembling Ren's sword. She pointed it between the bars and spoke again. ''I should slice the lot of you all in two. . .but your deaths being publically witnessed will quell any unrest that would come with your sudden disappearance if we did not do it this way.''

''But, honey,'' Trash attempted to speak, only for Fitoria to use her sword to blow a gust of wind in his face.

''If you any of you utter another word, I will just finish what Fitoria started. You are lucky I am taking the time to make this happen as smoothly as possible, but not for your sake,'' Mirellia harshly spit, literally spitting in the direction of Trash before he lowered his outstretched hand in shame.

''Then why. . .why?'' Bitch muttered, holding her knees to her face, shaking and staring at her mother. Her eyes long lost their treacherous glow as the gravity of what was soon to occur weighed on her mind. They would indeed. . .die. And her mother had no care in the world at all. Never before had she felt so alone, so betrayed.

Mirellia hmmped and turned around, Fitoria following behind as she dispelled her magic. Nothing else needed to be said at that moment. In each of their hearts, they had a decent idea of why she took the time to prepare everything, and it wasn't just to make sure there would be no loose ends or for it to make the kingdom look sloppy.

It was because of Naofumi. And that was something the five of them hated. . .more than anything else at the moment.