"… Big sis Sadeena."
"Been a while, huh, little Raphtalia?"
"Big sis Sadeena… Where have you been?" Raphtalia said with teary eyes. "Our village… It's no more…!"
"I know." Sadeena's cheerfulness faltered. "And it's not nice. So let's talk somewhere else."
One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.
| Wandering Warriors |
The Shield and Spear Heroes and their party members moved to the forest, just outside the village. Apparently, it was a spot Naofumi set up a camp for once. It was close to a small river, so their dinner were some grilled fish and mushrooms. As they sat before the fire, Nadia – now Sadeena– and Raphtalia shared their sad story.
That gloomy talks had left Suiryu a bit flustered. It appeared that Eclair and Sadeena were actually connected in a manner he least expected.
"… So the reason you fought in the arena is because you want to buy those remaining kids from your village that got wrecked by the first Wave." Suiryu concluded.
"Yeah. Sorry, boss. I wasn't ready to tell it." Sadeena cast a strained smile.
"And you kept your secret that you're actually the ruling lord's daughter who protected her hometown." Suiryu slid his gaze towards Eclair. "I actually want to ask you about this deal you made with her, and so this is the answer, huh? I'm not mad, but I hope you can tell me, Eclair. Aren't we accomplices closer than best friends?"
"Accomplices?" Raphtalia cocked her head.
"Oh, sheesh! That's just the way boss jokes around us." Sadeena waved at Raphtalia. "Don't mind about it, little Raphtalia."
"Forgive me, Lord Suiryu. You have saved my life and I do not wish to be indebted to you any further. I am afraid that you would even go as far as demolish this kingdom just to reclaim a measly land of Saeotto."
"Do I look like I can do that?"
"Yes, you do."
Naofumi heaved a sigh, his face showing a sympathizing smile. "Aniki, you sure are lucky. How much is the chance a guy can bring together some people who are tied by fate?"
"Are you mocking me, Naofumi-kun? Rather than a luck, this looks like a curse for most people."
"Um, b-but above all else, I am grateful that you have kept big sis Sadeena safe. Thank you very much, Lord Suiryu." Raphtalia bowed her head.
"O-oh. Please, you don't need to thank me. Honestly, our meeting was a horrible one. And rather than keeping her safe, I… often use her for my selfish desire." Suiryu's eyes darted about. "Uh, oops."
"Selfish desire?" Raphtalia innocently asked.
"Unff…" Eclair shifted in her seat, her cheeks flushed red.
Naofumi's sweat cascaded from his forehead. "Aniki, you don't mean…"
"Well, you see, little Raphtalia, grown men often have problems that make them stressed. To release that pent up stress, they need women–"
"That's right. As a man, I have the right to have her do my requests." Suiryu cut Sadeena's raunchy insinuation. "Just like this afternoon, I tossed her around and had her guard my back while I was fighting. I think you saw that."
"Ooh… So it's like how children play! Now that I think about it, the way you fought looked so exciting!" Raphtalia threw her own conclusion.
"Precisely. But adults actually can play some games more fun that that." Sadeena winked playfully.
"Really?"
Sadeena deviously added more spice to her imagination. As Eclair's face went redder before the campfire, Suiryu had a blank smile of resignation at the orca's insidious decadency. Meanwhile, Naofumi got a gobsmacked look. He soon snapped out of it and faced the older guy.
"Now that sounds even worse. You ruined your own good image, Aniki. In front of a kid, no less."
"Ugh… I don't know you can be this mean."
"But looking at the brighter side, your freakish fighting style can make us pity the monsters."
"Well, isn't he a hardened warrior? Who can shred that chimera apart faster than a third tier spell, hmm?" Sadeena quipped.
"I believe no one can do that kind of feat except Lord Suiryu." Eclair concurred after regaining her composure a little bit.
"Mm… Ladies?"
"Well, I guess that makes sense. And honestly, I'm really glad when I know you're still alive, Aniki. But… Where should I begin? Care to explain how's your side?"
Catching the rein, Naofumi decided to change the topic. He hoped that Sadeena's bad influence wouldn't stain his companion. Despite being quite close, it surprised him that she remained untainted. Was it Sadeena's whim to reveal about the garden of pleasure since Raphtalia had reached adolescence? Naofumi didn't care about it. He would protect her pureness at all cost.
"Shouldn't you ask me how I escaped alive?"
Suiryu looked relieved when Naofumi could take the lead. When he heard that the raccoon girl was still at a tender age of 10, he nearly choked on some water. Obviously, a lewd existence like Sadeena was a hazard for this young lass with magically accelerated grownup body. He was grateful that the boy could handle this matter well.
Their talk rolled to the story of Suiryu's adventure, how he met Eclair and their journey to Zeltoble – nightly adventures omitted. As the fire crackled, they enjoyed their light dinner, sharing some tips in leveling up, weapons and business.
The night grew late and howls of beasts echoed from afar. They were not so distant from the settlement area, but monster attack at night wasn't uncommon. Thus before they slept, they chose one to stay as a guard. Naofumi decided to volunteer, but Eclair insisted on to keep him company. Earning a nod from Suiryu, Naofumi welcomed the former knight.
"Thank you, Lord Naofumi. I will do my best to assist you."
"Isn't that my line?"
"Ah, please. We consider you as our guests. Besides, I live to serve."
"Oh, right. You're a knight." He said, glancing at Raphtalia who snuggled close to Sadeena.
"I was. But now I dedicate myself to a new master."
"Aniki, huh?" He got a nod from her. "That's good to hear."
Some minutes passed and an enormous snore rattled their sitting spots. Naofumi tilted his head, only to find the supposed lord she served conked out like a certain bear from an old console game he played.
"Wow. He sure sleeps like a Snorlax. Never thought Aniki has that side."
Eclair let out an amused, small chuckle. "Lord Suiryu has worked quite hard. That is the manner he sleeps."
Naofumi was a tad unsure to respond it. From how close they were and her reaction to Sadeena's dirty innuendos, he knew that they should have gotten along intimately well. Putting the thought that Suiryu was a typical harem lord aside, he set his gaze to the fire and fed it with some twigs.
"Is he always like that?"
"Yes. He is a hard sleeper. Once he falls, he wouldn't rise easily."
"That doesn't sound like he's fit to be a proper mercenary."
"Oh, it is quite different when we went on a mission. He did not show any sign of drowsiness despite skipping sleeps. He only took a genuine rest at an inn."
"Wow. He must be pretty trained, huh?"
"I believe the secret lies in his terrific martial arts regimens he practiced almost everyday." Her gaze landed on Suiryu's thick arm.
"I see. No wonder he got a weapon that can release a devastating blow to top off his fighting skill."
"He truly would become an undefeated warrior. His spear is an extension of his limbs. If he can unleash short, powerful strikes with his fists, his spear will act to lengthen the reach of his blows."
"Using fists for arm-length combat and a spear for longer reach. That will leave almost no gap for his enemies. That kinda like cheating."
"I think I can understand your reasoning, but that is the way he fights. He really spares no chance for his opponent once he decides to end the bout."
Their idle talk helped them to pass the silent night.
Just about at 3 in the morning, Suiryu stretched and rose. He shook his head, banishing the drowsiness that clung to his head. He noticed Naofumi and Eclair were still chatting. A smile cracked on his face.
"Hey, Naofumi-kun, let's switch. And you can take a rest, Eclair."
"Eh? Did we decide for rotation?"
"No. But I feel like it's gonna be bad if I leave the guarding job to you." Suiryu shifted his gaze to Eclair and she moved with reluctance. "Come on. It's only three hours before sunrise."
"Okay. If you say so. Then, good night, Aniki." Naofumi rose from his spot and lied down across the ladies.
"Yeah, good night."
Eclair had taken a spot beside Raphtalia, but sleepiness wouldn't come. She only blinked and turned around restlessly. It even garnered Suiryu's attention. He turned at her and smiled.
"Sleep hardly comes to me."
"That doesn't sound good. But if it helps you, you can sit over here." He tapped the ground beside him.
"Thank you. And if I may, would you like to lend me your shoulder?"
Suiyu blinked, then smiled. "Of course you can."
"Thank you so much, Lord Suiryu." She came over and sat beside him, resting her head on his right shoulder.
"Have a nice dream, Eclair."
As soon as she plopped her head on his shoulder, a soft snore followed. The look on her face reflected bliss. It granted him more relief, seeing the knight he saved feel more comfortable around him. He snaked his arm around her and gazed at the fire.
As silence returned, Suiryu took his time to inspect his Weapons and Skill Tree. There were various shapes his spear had stored, but most of them were untouched. Worse, he had no idea what those weapons could do. Thus, he checked them one by one and read the descriptions.
"It's been an awfully long time since I study like this." He sighed as he scanned a page containing an explanation of some needed requirements for unlocking a new form. "… Monster materials may grant new types of weapon. Even things lying around you like woods and rocks can sometimes do so. Make sure to check them. Who knows, you can earn a fabulous weapon by taking some waste! This…?"
He switched his base-form spear into his newly acquired one, the Chimera Viper Spear. Like its name, it had a toxin-green color scheme, its shank holding the ruby-red gemstone even carved like scales. Without much regard to its venomously intricate design, he shoved it into the fire.
Fool! What are you doing to this majestic, beautiful body of mine!
'Oh, I just wonder if I put you in fire, I can get a Flame Serpent Spear or something cool along that line. You weapon have no right to complain. You're just a tool. If you can ingest that fire and turn into one, just do it.'
You… What a disgracefully selfish being!
'I never said I'm a noble hero, did I? If you want to blame someone, just blame your fate. Besides, you're the one sticking onto me in the first place.'
His weapon offered no rebuke. He scrolled more part of the instructions and before long, he saw an orange tint over the horizon.
Morning had broken. It was time to start a new day with any improvised plans they could think of.
Their reunion would surely change the course of their journey, but they didn't have to rush it. Everything should be carefully planned.
Firstly, they needed to find any connections to help them in finding the kids. Sadeena had tracked some people to aid her in her quest, but the price was steep. She was enslaved as a part of the contract.
On another note, Eclair wished to request an audience with the queen. That way, she could secure an aid for restoring the sanctuary for the demi-human children. However, that was not her top priority anymore. Considering the well being of the young villagers that were on the line, returning to Zeltoble would be the best course of action.
Suiryu pulled the hood's tip of his cloak, sighing the moment they passed the city gate. The guards didn't question them when he handed two silver coins. As he expected, the knights of Melromarc had decayed down to its lowest rank.
Still in their cloaks, the party of three caught up with Naofumi and Raphtalia. They had been waiting by the main road.
"… I'm surprised you could pull that out without much trouble, Aniki."
"It's my first time doing it by myself, though. The act of some event organizers shoving a wad of cash to a city's authority before a tournament taught me so."
"If only I have money like you do, I'd do that long ago."
"Lord Naofumi!" Raphtalia chided with a fully disapproving look.
Eclair chuckled. "Your companion is more righteous than you are, Lord Shield Hero."
"Little Raphtalia got a good upbringing, after all."
"Said the one who'll ruin it." Suiryu dumped a snide.
"Sheesh, boss! Don't make me look like I'm the bad guy over here!"
"You are. You tend to savor Lord Suiryu's discomfort in every conversation we have. That loathsome smirk which never leaves your face speaks true of your deed."
Moved by such a harsh treatment Sadeena should endure, the innocent raccoon stared at both Suiryu and Eclair with wide eyes. She didn't regard them as evil. Sadeena sometimes also deserved some tongue-lashing, but that sight simply hurt her.
"B-big sis Sadeena… Are they always bullying you?" Raphtalia quickly came to aid the orca.
"That's right! Oh, I can't bear that! Since you've grown this big, can you give me a hug to your lovely big sis? Please comfort me, little Raphtalia!" The older girl hugged Raphtalia, burying her face into the younger one's generous bust.
"E-eeeh?"
As the girls built their fluffy fortress, Suiryu turned towards Naofumi. "Do you know on whose side you are, Naofumi-kun?"
"Are you doubting me? There's no way I dislike a wicked thinking like yours." A hint of mischief crept onto Naofumi's smile. "You're such a cool Echigoya."
"Good. Then you'll be a great dealer." Suiryu nodded. "By the way, who's Echigoya? A movie character?"
"Right. A movie character. A witty one at that."
Naofumi's gaze wandered around the street as they walked. People didn't seem to mind about them. Only few stole some glances and scoffed. He was luckier than he had expected since he was walking beside the guy who murdered the damn, sleazy general. And no one noticed him, miraculously.
He just hoped that none of those stooges see them.
"Anyway, why did you choose to join me to this city? There's a chance we run into Ren and Itsuki."
"I want to see this old guy you told me. Who knows, he has some cool weapons for me."
"Oh, Mister Erhard has many kinds of weapons. What he displays mostly are swords, but I have seen some spears and axes. I'm sure you will find what you need and come out satisfied!" Raphtalia chimed in.
"Oh, really?" Suiryu's brows perked up in interest.
"Wow! Little Raphtalia, you sure has grown into a nice advertiser, huh?" Sadeena flipped her gaze to Naofumi. "Tell me the secret, Little Naofumi."
"She's grown that way before I knew it."
"Lord Naofumi!"
"Talking about advertising, shouldn't you make quite a profit if you have her?" Suiryu glanced at the girl.
"It's not as simple as putting an ad on TV with a popular idol, Aniki." Naofumi scratched the back of his head. "Besides, I got some circumstances. A nasty one, really."
"I see. That's really unfortunate."
"And that's the more of a reason for you to stick with us!" Sadeena placed her arm playfully over Naofumi's nape. "You see, little Naofumi, living as a merc isn't so bad."
"H-hey, snap it!"
"Big sis Sadeena! Lord Naofumi won't take that gesture kindly! Please behave yourself!"
Sadeena's eyes gleamed in interest. "Oh? Then what about you? Don't you think you're just jealous? You see, Little Raphtalia, he's a grown man."
"Wha–h?" The girl got a furious blush as she turned her head away. "I-it's not like…"
"Heh~, are you sure? – Ow!"
Eclair poked Sadeena's side with the pommel of her claymore. It hardly harmed her, but the cold surface of the metal could still jolt her.
"What gives?!"
"That has gone too far for a teasing."
"You hear that, Sadeena?" Suiryu pointed at her, putting on an easy smile. "Your teasing sometimes looks horrible."
"Well, I couldn't help it. I just left the nest and she's grown this big already!"
"At first I also was surprised. But I guess that's the way it works here." Naofumi gave a bland look.
"You mean, we must say goodbye to the logic we had from our old world, right?"
"I guess you can put it that way, Aniki."
After passing a market district, they reached a block for craftsmen. The houses were built in a neat order, showing how serious the kingdom had put an effort to plan the city. They finally arrived at a storefront with a wooden board-sign hanging above the door, a symbol of a sword and a shield painted on it.
"This is a legit armory like in fantasy movies." Suiryu remarked.
"So, do armories also appear on those movies you partook, Lord Suiryu?" Eclair asked curiously.
"They do. Still, seeing the real one gives me a weird kind of awe."
"I guess that's pretty normal for us otherworlders. I was also quite amazed when I saw this one." Naofumi led them through the door.
"Welcome. Oh, what do I expect this early in the mornin'?!"
A middle-aged bald guy greeted them from behind a counter. His face brightened up upon seeing his usual customer bringing in more companions.
"Are they your friends, kid?"
"Old man, rather than calling them my friends, shouldn't you call them some potential buyers?" Naofumi quipped.
"Isn't that rude, Naofumi-kun? I never know you've changed this much since that day." Suiryu sent an apologetic look to the bald guy. "Ah, where's my manner? Hello, sir. I'm Suiryu, a wandering mercenary."
"A wandering mercenary, you said? Don't you think you're scantily equipped for one? Not that I want to test your skill with your nifty spear on your back, but if you bring along some ladies, shouldn't you gear up better?" Erhard smirked suggestively. "I've some recommendations for you."
"This is enough for now. What I want to see is your pole weapons collection, if you may show me."
"Pole weapons, alright? I mainly make swords and armors, but I have some. Hope they meet your fancy. The basic ones are in those barrels. Wait a moment, I'll take the better ones." He went to the backroom. "Only the blades, but I can fit them with standard shafts."
"Okay."
As Erhard was retrieving the spearheads, the group browsed the store. Raphtalia had a talk about swords with the experienced Eclair while Sadeena looked curiously at the display. On the other hand, Naofumi only waited idly, crossing his arms as Suiryu leaned over the counter top.
"Can I trust him if I say who I am?" Suiryu glanced at the barrels that had some dusty spears.
"You can. He's a good guy. He can keep secret, I think."
"I see. Guess he's professional."
Even from a brief exchange, Suiryu had caught an impression that Erhard was a trustworthy person. For convenience sake, he would like to entrust him his name since an unusual manner of purchase was about to come. He didn't wish to skimp, but he had a nagging feeling that his journey would bite his wallet harder than he could expect.
A moment later, Erhard returned with a wooden crate. He took out its contents and put them above the counter.
"Alright. Here are some heads I could rummage from the storeroom. Most spear-wielders who came here took this one, though." Erhard lifted one with a decorated arrowhead shape.
"Isn't that one more suitable for stabbing tough-skinned beast?" Sadeena squinted her eyes slightly. "But well, if the user is a madman, I think I've figured out how they use it."
"You are right. After I look at it, the indentations in its blade may inflict a quite grisly wound should it rend flesh." Eclair added.
"Ah, you're sharp, ladies." Erhard cast an pleased smile. "I shouldn't expect less from warriors like you. Especially one who can wield something like that thing."
Sadeena smiled smugly. "Oh, you mean this? I was a fisherman. This babe helps me quite a lot when I must take some big hauls. I can slice my prey with the double-prongs and impale it with the butt end."
"True. That's a quite versatile weapon. Not to mention it's coated with some enhancement magics. You must also be a strong mage, I see."
"I'm flattered." Sadeena's smirk stretched wider.
"Then, should I take this one?" Suiryu turned at her.
"It's up to you, boss."
"Hmm."
He took some minutes to look at the collection. He picked the mangler-arrowhead one, but he returned it. He glanced at the other that had an earspoon design, but his gaze jumped to the others with complete uncertainty.
It was unbelievably harder than picking some clothes he usually did with girls on a date.
"Why don't you just take them all?" Sadeena twirled her locks.
"I'm not a prince." Suiryu huffed.
"For a customer, you take too long to decide. Now that makes me wonder, just how did you survive in the battlefield? Don't tell me you depended on those ladies."
"Depend on them?" Suiryu's smile faltered slightly. "Do I look that weak?"
He knew that the weaponsmith wanted to test him. There was no way an old warrior like this one didn't notice his strength the moment they met. Unless Erhard was the type who judged people by their face, in which Suiryu's looked too far removed from a scorching battlefield, it was unthinkable.
However, Eclair received Erhard's remark with narrowed eyes. She stepped forward, as if emphasizing a line other people shouldn't cross.
"It is quite the contrary, though. He had saved my life, so having a thought that he is a dead weight is unquestionably wrong." Eclair pushed her retort.
"Oh, my bad. I didn't mean to insult him." Erhard slightly shrunk in apology.
"No offense taken." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, which of these has the best stats boost?"
"If you wanna choose the best stats-booster, I recommend this one." Erhard picked one which blade was designed after a double-bladed battle ax. "This one can give you 10 percent buff for your Attack and Magic as well as your physical resistance."
"How much is it?" Naofumi slipped in.
"Seven gold coins. How does it sound?"
"Are you trying to rip him off?" Naofumi's brows knitted meanly. "That's damn 700 silver!"
"Kid, do you even know how much pain my ass should endure when I made that? I forged it using high quality materials my hands could get as the guy requested. It originally was a special commission from a noble somewhere in the south. But well, I heard he bit the dust before he could even take it into a battle. No one contacted me after that and it collects dust in the storeroom."
"So what you mean is you wanna sell a dead guy's stuff, huh?" Sadeena looked at the spearhead in question with an appraising gaze.
"What do you think, Sadeena?"
"I don't think it as a bad deal, honestly. This one can be a good choice. Added with your brutish strength, I'm sure you'll find it to your liking."
"Aniki, does she keep on poking you like that?" Naofumi looked at Sadeena with a little disdain.
"Yea, but it's alright. She helps me a lot. On the battlefield, especially."
"While I poke him on daylight, he impales me at night. It's even. Of course you know this other battlefield, right, little Naofumi?"
Sadeena had an innocent look as she threw the bomb. It garnered Eclair's blush and Naofumi's irked face. Erhard hung his jaw while Raphtalia cast a puzzled look.
"Impale? Uh-oh!" Raphtalia realized something in her own way. "So he stabs you, big sis?! B-but you're seriously fine! I don't see any holes in your stomach! This is weird!"
"Sadeena, youu!" Suiryu pinched the orca's cheek.
"Eww, bossh…"
"Oi, there's a little kid, you know?" Erhard stared at the group with concern.
"It's too late. She's a pervert beyond salvation." Naofumi exclaimed in resignation.
Suiryu released Sadeena. Eclair turned her head away in embarrassment as Erhard moved to take a metal shaft from a barrel, pretending to see nothing. Their conversation took an awkward pause, leaving Raphtalia no clue about what these adults talked about.
"… Um, I still can't follow what that was. Big sis Sadeena doesn't seem to be injured. Did–"
"No need to worry, for no one injured. You need not to know about that, dear Raphtalia, for now. It is our manner of talk which… sometimes is different from how most people do. One day when you are older, I think you will understand it."
Eclair's seemingly wise advice left Suiryu speechless. He knew that kind of old-fashioned manner of teaching wasn't really good, but he couldn't come up with a better one.
"Don't worry, little Raphtalia! I'll teach you about that!"
"Please, not this woman." Naofumi shook his head.
"Oh, um. Alright if you say so."
Erhard cleared his throat. "Anyway, which one will you take?"
Suiryu's gaze bounced from the mangler arrowhead to the heavy, double-axed halberd. "Can I take a look after you fit a shaft into it?"
"Sure. But make sure your coin bag isn't empty. I hate people who're coming here to take my works only as a reference. I don't eat praises."
Suiryu wordlessly retrieved the very coin bag he snatched from the arena and placed it above the counter. Its heavy thud and dull clinks was enough to draw Naofumi's gaze, his eyes widening at its size.
"If it's not enough, we can talk about the price of the spear on your back. Is it an inheritance? A family's heirloom, perhaps?" Erhard put the fitted heavy halberd atop the counter.
"I never knew you can be that cruel, old man. Fortunately, he's not some fallen noble." Naofumi said, glancing at the spear on Suiryu's bag.
"If he thinks I'm a former noble, I guess that's not bad in itself." Suiryu suddenly nodded in satisfaction. "Hmm. I think that's not bad. A fallen noble who becomes a mercenary to sustain himself."
"And get some women along his road." Sadeena added.
"Guess that's sloppy, but still a believable backstory. Well done." Naofumi commented with unsatisfactory smile.
"So?" Erhard quirked a brow.
Suiryu placed his hand above the halberd. "[Weapon Copy]."
Suiryu pulled his spear from his back and put it above the counter, side by side with Erhard's work. He yanked the cloth wrapping its spearhead and switched it into the newly acquired halberd. It truly was an exact copy of the weapon, save the crimson crystal that decorated its blade. Erhard's eyes nearly jumped from their sockets at the preposterous sight.
"What?! Is this a magic trick or something?! Stop screwing with me!" The swordsmith glared at Suiryu.
"A-aniki? What's that just now?"
"A skill. I'm the Spear Hero. The name's Suiryu."
In the end, Suiryu managed to acquire the weapon with half of its original price after a rather tough bargain. His status as a hero helped but a little. Of course he added some equipment for Eclair and Sadeena into the list, just to make sure that Erhard would see him as a considerate buyer. It also thanks to Naofumi, the blunt negotiator, that their transaction ran without any hitch.
As for now, the party of five headed to a forest at a mountain skirt, two days worth of travel to the east from the capital city. Their aim was hunting some monsters. That place was rumored to be a lair of numerous savage creatures. Some even said that sealed ancient beasts were waiting to be freed from their confinements.
A chimera that resembled a manticore rammed its way towards the team. The three ladies avoided its charge while the duo of Naofumi and Suiryu withstood the blow, acting as tanks.
"Ngghh!" Naofumi gritted his teeth, struggling to not tumbling back from the forceful push.
"Hang in there, Naofumi-kun!" Suiryu kept the monster's jaws at bay with his spear's shaft. "Ow!"
He tilted his head to the side when the manticore's stinger tail launched at him. Naofumi shoved his shield, repelling the stinger. As if on cue with the loud clang of the shield, the girls struck the monster.
"Haaaa…!" Raphtalia followed her battle roar with a thrust of her sword to its side, stabbing it as deep as the length of her blade could allow.
"Take this!" Eclair slashed its other side vertically, rending a good part of its spine then deep down to its midsection.
"Give me a ladder, boss!"
"Huh? Oh, well…" He kicked the manticore in the jaw, freeing his spear and held it afloat.
As the beast howled in agony, Sadeena came running at Suiryu. She made some flips, hopped and stepped onto the base of Suiryu's spearhead. With a mighty row, he launched her into the air.
"… And good bye, little one!"
She activated a lightning magic that shrouded her bident. She dive-bombed into the wounded monster and rammed the harpoon tip of her weapon. Her strike impaled its head, exiting through its lower jaw and electrocuting it. The blue afterglow lit the terrain like a flashy firework.
Sadeena pulled her bident with a crunchy sound, followed by tings of little Experience Points. "Whew. That's one. How do you think, little Raphtalia?"
"That was amazing! I learned many things from that!"
"Very well. I wish that you can pick as many as you can throughout this trip." Eclair said, wiping her claymore's blade with the monster's fur.
"That's good, Raphtalia. But I hope we can at least learn magic." Naofumi spoke as he checked his status screen. "You see, I have no power for physical attack. It's suck."
"Oh, don't worry about that. We plan to have boss learn about magic. You and little Raphtalia can join us." Sadeena winked, coiling her arm around Suiryu's. "Right, boss?"
"Um, yeah. I'm also still learning magic. Sadeena taught me, but I'm still at the most basic, so I have no spell I can cast. It's gonna be better if you join us."
"Really?" Raphtalia beamed.
"Thanks. I accept the offer, Aniki."
They climbed farther up after looted some materials. Just near a slope that overlooked the winding path, a yellow monster bull with ivory curling horns spotted them. It shrieked and ran at them, waving its head as its giant steps shook the ground. Being as big as a truck, it could run as fast as that mechanic abomination, setting dread on Naofumi and Raphtalia.
"I smell more trouble." Naofumi exclaimed.
"I also doubt that we can fight it right away." Raphtalia nervously placed her hand over her sword's hilt. "Should we retreat?"
"No need. I think the boss can handle this."
"Lord Suiryu…" Eclair glanced at the Spear Hero.
"Yeah. Leave this one to me." Suiryu drew his spear, switching it into the double-axed halberd he purchased from Erhard.
With steady pace, he moved closer towards the charging monster, his expression hardening. Its level was 38, surpassing his by 10 – a strong adversary should one think with common game logic. The image of a certain monsterized martial artist haunted him, but its chill of terror didn't reach him. This one was not even a Wave boss, so what worried him?
"… Nothing." He muttered under his breath as he lowered his body, readying his move.
The moment the bull stepped into his striking range, time seemed to be slowing down. The echo of its roar slackened within the idle stillness. His muscles tensed and his arms delivered a blow to its skull. The diagonal slash from bottom right to top left for a moment did nothing at first. He moved aside and when time returned its normal state, a loud thud resounded, followed by a hitched death throe. It fell with its head split.
"… W-what had just happened?! I saw nothing!" Raphtalia gazed with wide eyes at the convulsing bull.
"Yeah. Just what kind of freaking skill was that?! Tell me, Aniki!" Naofumi demanded.
"Uh, how should I explain it? I just kind of winging that–"
Sadeena sighed. "Almost everything about him doesn't make sense. You'll be nuts if you keep on asking and wondering about what he can do in a fight."
"Lord Suiryu is exceptionally fast and powerful despite his low level. Many people should have been deceived by him. However I believe that his ability is none other than the fruit of his arduous training." Eclair explained.
"I don't know whether I must be offended or happy for that. But that's how it is. I've mastered a school of martial art and that helps me quite a lot when I try to wield this thing."
Referring this praiseworthy self of mine with such a word?! How rude!
"I see…" Naofumi's jade eyes lost their glow. "Guess no one can reach you."
Raphtalia let out a weak chuckle as Sadeena shared a glance with Eclair, and they smiled. The guy they talked about only knitted his brow slightly and shrugged.
The party resumed their journey, of course without forgetting to carve out some useful materials from their kill before they left. They encountered some monsters along their way, but nothing as big as the previous beasts. Nonetheless, those kills yielded more materials for their picking. Naofumi's shield and Suiryu's spear could burp contently from the abundant offering.
When the sun was going to slip into the horizon, they arrived at the edge of a thick-forested valley. From their standing spots, they could see some flying monsters.
"… Griffins?" Naofumi squinted his eyes. "H-hey, we're not going there, right?"
"Oh, are you chickening out, little Naofumi? It's not like we're jumping down there tonight."
"Big sis Sadeena, stop with this nonsense! No matter what, this is terribly dangerous!"
"Aren't you the one who came up with this idea?" Sadeena stared at Naofumi, ignoring Raphtalia. "Things like leveling up, magic training, martial arts and so on. Stuffs for getting stronger. This is a perfect spot for doing that. Besides, I see you can harvest materials quite well. You can also take a good haul."
"Have you been here?" Eclair asked.
"Yeah. Back then, it's not this crowded. People like adventurers probably haven't been here for some time. Maybe 'cause the Wave. That's why they've become this many."
"So, we'll gonna cull them?" Suiryu deduced.
"Yep. And have little Naofumi and little Raphtalia learn soooo many things."
For a good reason, Naofumi felt like Suiryu betrayed him. Raphtalia would eventually obey Sadeena despite her protest and Eclair was Suiryu's devout follower. He just needed a moderate level-up that fit with his portion, but what he got was a military training. He cursed his fate for being around some battle freaks. What came after truly didn't please the Shield Hero at all.
"Okay. Guess that's not a bad thing. It's good, even. You can call this a training camp, right, Naofumi-kun?"
Naofumi sighed. "I'm toast."
"… I know that desperation and exhaustion can unseal one's stored vigor in a fight, but I never know that its extent can be… this far."
"Cornered animal, yes. But mad beast? Now that's new to me."
"… Lord Naofumi."
The ladies were gazing at the men in their tag-team against a flock of griffins. While Suiryu felled the monsters with the grace of a ruthless warrior, Naofumi fought like a convict who was high on crack. The Shield Hero closed his deficiencies in offensive capability with unbounded brutality.
Things like gouging eyes or even ripping out one's nether part were some to mention his violence.
The good part: he finally knew how to kill a monster without relying on his ally.
"[Airstrike Shield]!" He pinned a griffin to the ground and stepped on its face. "Take this!"
He rammed his fist into its eye without letting the wedge of his translucent green shield off. The monster squealed in heartrending pain as his hand broke through its eye and ripped some bloody chord out its skull. Despite its vicious struggle, he latched on its face. He returned his fist into its hollowed eye socket, grinning like a wounded madman.
"Yer 'ready dead! [Shield Prison]!"
A green light for a moment flashed from the eye. The griffin's head bloated gruesomely, then exploded, showering its murderer with gore. He grabbed the chain of his murder tool, swinging the shield sphere to its brethren that came to avenge it. It was just a swing of his good arm, but the impact was enough to blow away a pair of griffins.
He continued his onslaught and wielded his shield ball as a bludgeon weapon. By that point, blood had covered him from head to toe.
Little by little, without finesse, the bloody devil maimed his enemies. The next one fell when he let it bite his arm. Another burst into a petal of gore when he aimed for its head.
And Suiryu ‒ a trained martial artist‒ didn't seem disturbed by the sight, as if he was letting Naofumi have his twisted enjoyment.
Despite his seemingly endless mayhem, the Shield Hero had yet left his fleshly bound. His stamina before long depleted, his moves turning sloppier by the seconds. He panted heavily as the monsters swooped in, trying to land a score for their fallen brethren. It was the time Suiryu wrapped up what he couldn't take.
"That's enough, Naofumi-kun. Let's call it a day."
Suiryu lunged into the air and unleashed his newly developed move, [Void Raging Dragon Bash]. It was a move he created to release the potential of his heavy halberd, chopping enemies into bits with rapid horizontal rotation. The cyclone of blade minced the flock of remaining griffins in no time. As soon as he landed, Naofumi fell on his rear.
"… Aniki, I swear… I can't keep my sanity if we do it like this."
Suiryu quirked a brow. "Why? Is this too much?"
"That's it, boss. Maybe we've gone too far for forcing him to fight." Sadeena spoke with a hint of guilt.
"No. It's my fault in the first place. I joined you and decided to cut around the corner. I ended up with that horrible way of killing. Still, to me learning a nifty martial art is extremely troublesome."
Suiryu swept a glance at the vicinity. It was true that his brother had thrashed his preys and made quite a mess. He was also aware of Naofumi's limitations, both as a normal human leading a peaceful life and a bearer of shield.
Learning a proper fist-fighting technique is grueling. It wasn't a path meant for common people.
"I guess I've overlooked this. Though you tried to pick a little of the brawling technique I showed you, which helped you in a fight, no matter how hard you punched, you cannot truly hurt your opponent. That's one sick problem."
"I know. It frustrates me that I must resort to this bone-breaking style. Do you have any idea?"
"Lord Spear Hero, we beg of you, please let Lord Naofumi have a leeway in this training!"
"It's okay, Raphtalia. Aniki, you're not wrong. I'm just the one who must learn to fight properly."
Raphtalia's plea went in vain before Naofumi's apology. She grimaced as Suiryu had a pensive look.
"I'm not sure about this, but I'm afraid to say that you must stick with the basics. The established style I can teach you isn't one you can whip out through something like a course. It's complicated and I never taught that style to someone."
Naofumi's face scrunched up from exhaustion. Suiryu's explanation only stacked a load of weariness onto his mien. He glanced at his shield and sighed.
"In the end, I learned only a little."
"That's not true, Naofumi-kun. The fact that you can smack some griffins proves that you've improved a lot." Suiryu hummed for a moment. "Okay. Give me a day or two. You can take it easy after this. While you relax, I'll think about a style you can use."
"F-for real?!"
"Do I look like I'm joking this time?"
"No."
"Good. But remember that you'll take it seriously. We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow, back to the capital."
"So when will it start?"
"On our way back."
With that, the bruising road of a new brawling style lied before the Shield Hero. His sweat, blood and screams filled the days along their journey back. It was another hell camp, but the champion-turned-coach never let him slack for a blink.
By the time they reached the capital, Naofumi's ATK stat that was always 1 had grown to 2. With such a miracle, his punch could finally hurt his opponent, albeit a little.
"Yo, uncle! I'm back!"
"Oh, if it isn't the Shield Hero and his companions! But, hmm… Do my eyes deceive me? You have changed. Pardon for my rudeness, but you look more rugged that you used to be."
"Ah, about that…"
As Raphtalia smiled wryly, the apothecary shopkeeper they visited couldn't hide his surprise upon seeing Naofumi. The training he had taken changed his appearance a lot. Faint scratches marred any visible part of his skin, his cheap leather armor seemed like bursting at some seams, and his gaze looked fiercer than it used to be.
Even his presence was enough to press small-timer crooked merchants into sweat. Bottom-tier swindlers probably would have fled. The kind shopkeeper should have put a straining composure just to face him.
Meanwhile, the guy responsible for his training put on a neutral smile, together with his ladies. It was just a slight transformation. Acting as if it wasn't a big deal was prudent.
"But more importantly, I come here to sell some medicine materials I nicked along the road. Have a look." Naofumi slapped open his inventory and poured the items onto the counter.
"My. Yellow bull horns, Manticore's sting, Red Dire-wolf fangs... Where did you get these?!" The shopkeeper's eyes went wide. "This…! How did you obtain this Mandragora root!"
"I guess everybody can get this if they walk deep enough into a forest, right?"
"That's not true. Even a seasoned adventurer will have trouble in finding a root this big."
"I guess I was lucky." Naofumi shrugged.
"I see. Then shall I count these?"
"Go ahead. And make sure it's a fair deal."
"As usual." The man smiled.
The process only lasted for half an hour. The Shield Hero went out as soon as the man handed a coin bag. He raked in cash worth ten gold coins. It was the biggest income he had ever hauled in a single trade. Walking with a smile, Naofumi expected better days to come for his business if he could maintain this pace.
However, an unpleasant feeling suddenly tugged him.
'He said he got a bag this big and it's filled with plenty gold coins. If what he said is true, am I now dirt poor?' Naofumi glanced at his coin bag that was fat with silver pieces.
His mind went full-throttle, rushing through his recollection. Back when he was just a normal college student in his old world, he tried his luck in otaku-stuff trade and earned some fortune to support his hobby.
In this world, he found himself once again as a peddler. This business was remotely close from being called profitable, however. Sure, it could earn him daily bread and butter plus a shelter, but would that be enough? He could feed himself and Raphtalia, but could that sustain them for long?
'That's absolutely pathetic!'
"Aniki."
"Hmm? What is it, Naofumi-kun?"
"I think I change my mind."
"Are we talking about your training?" Suiryu finally gave his full attention to Naofumi.
"No. It's about job." Naofumi took a breath. "Let me join you and become a mercenary."
Suiryu and the girls blinked several times, but as soon as they caught it, both the Spear Hero and Sadeena smiled brightly. On the other side, Eclair gave an uncertain look while Raphtalia had a terrified face.
"L-lord Naofumi?!"
Sadeena's smile spread wider as she wrung her arm around Raphtalia's back. Being carefree like she was, she didn't show the slightest hint of concern upon the mention of the serious matter.
"Calm down, little Raphtalia. Being a merc isn't that terrible. I mean, you can still sell stuffs along the way. You can even still choose many jobs. It's not all about ending the lives of people and monsters. We're actually not so different from adventurers."
"But I heard from father that mercenaries are scary people!" Raphtalia's frown deepened. "They kill people left and right, kidnap women and chilren. They do many awful things."
"Oh, really? But do we look scary?" Sadeena's beatific smile hung over the raccoon-girl's vision.
Suiryu sighed, then smiled. Raphtalia and Sadeena might not be blood-related, but they were like close siblings. The sight brought him a distant memory. Once when he was still with someone precious to him.
"… I think you're a different kind of mercenary." Raphtalia replied with thick doubt. "I'm not sure."
"Right. So, are you still gonna say we're a scary bunch?"
"Scary or not, mercenaries are also people. They work that way 'cause they need money, just like us." Naofumi interjected, sporting a tired look. "And it's natural that they can earn more money than we can. Their works deal with people's life, after all."
"You make us look like some money-hungry bunch." Suiryu commented. "And at least you can support us by saying good things to dear Raphtalia."
"Right." Sadeena ruffled the young girl's hair.
"But isn't that how it works? I mean, you take jobs like dealing with bandits and get some cash upon your return. And the sum sounds fantastic, I'm jealous of it."
"Pardon me, but are you really in a truly dire need of money?"
Curious, Eclair asked. No point of their conversation she missed, but Naofumi's infatuation with wealth was rather unsettling. She didn't view it as a wicked thing, yet the idea that the hero was trying to forage wealth sounded off. And he looked far eagerer in making money than Suiryu.
"Do I look like I'm rich enough to buy fine equipments like yours?"
"The one who asked knows no further than your appearance that hints hardships."
"Then, that's your answer."
"Come on, Naofumi-kun, is that even a good answer for a girl asking you?"
"As long as my answer doesn't harm the one who asked, I think that's fine."
"Oh, how cold."
Sadeena's remark only met Naofumi's frigid gaze. As silence came afterward, Suiryu pondered about Naofumi's circumstance. It appeared that the kingdom's harsh treatment wounded his inner self severely to the point that he viewed the whole world as a hostile a place.
'… And I'll also take the blame if he turns this way because of the training.' Suiryu scratched the back of his head. 'So what kind of part he can fill that doesn't require him for fighting?'
As Suiryu was mulling over the answer, a certain young lady with silver hair in a clown-like attire appeared. Her sudden coming baffled the rest of the party. She stopped in front of them, looking at them with her seemingly vacant gaze. She stepped closer to Suiryu and produced a folded parchment from under her flappy dress.
"… Found you. I'v――――― Loren."
"Loren? Uh… You're?" Suiryu hesitated to take it.
"Murder Pierrot. What are you doing here?" Sadeena snatched the paper from the girl sneakily, knowing that Suiryu couldn't read it. "Coming here just to say hello? You've got guts."
"No. I just wan―――."
"Is it just me, or she got problem when she's speaking?" Naofumi stared at the girl in puzzlement.
"I have no idea." Eclair shook her head. "The way she speaks is truly off, nearly incomprehensible at some point."
"A message, alright." Sadeena unfolded the paper and parted her lips, reading the message out loud. "For Ryu. I heard this girl is the last person who contacted you. The main street was in a mess, but call it miracle, she came to me and said she can find you. Hell if I know this letter will reach you, but I must try. Point is, I'm heading to Melromarc's Northern Territory. We're mobilizing Falcon's heavy-hitters cause a civil war's brewing there. I'd probably be there in three weeks. If you're around, head there and catch with me. We need every help available since this gonna be a hot one. And if you can get someone who can make potions, that'll be really great. Meet you again. Loren."
Suiryu absorbed the points as he inhaled a lungful of air. He turned his gaze towards the clown-turning-messenger, and smiled.
"Wow! This really is a miracle, huh? I'm really thankful to you, Murder Pierrot!"
"… Call me Sy'ne."
"Sy'ne, is it? Okay, thanks, Sy'ne. This job is what we need right now." He grinned, checking the rough estimation of Loren's arrival with his timer applet. "And it's time for you to shine, Naofumi-kun!"
"What? Me?" The boy pointed at himself. "If we're talking about potions, I'm still an amateur."
"Don't you think it's too good to be true?" Sadeena voiced her concern.
"What if it is just a trap, set up by the crooked arena owner?" Eclair looked suspiciously at Sy'ne.
Suiryu's gaze peered deep into Sy'ne's silver eyes. For a moment, she stepped back, unnerved by how intense he looked at her, as if he was digging her soul. Her discomfort prompted him to rip his gaze away as he breathed out a huff of relief.
"I know it's also possible, but I choose to trust her."
"Aniki, you're bringing us with you. If everything goes spiraling down, you know you're the one who must take the blame."
"I know what I'm doing."
Convinced by his trustworthy mentor, Naofumi nodded.
"Good. You said Zeltoble-Melromarc will take a full two weeks on ship. We still have a lot of time. Then what are we going to do now? Going back to training?"
"Hmm… There's nothing more than the daily training. You decide. Oh, didn't you say you want to raise a monster?"
"I guess." Naofumi shrugged, but soon he found himself recalling something. "Oh, I almost forget something. By the way, Aniki, I still keep the griffin egg we found when we raided a nest. Don't you want to take it?"
"Now that you say it, I think raising monster sounds fun. Let me take it." A smile crawled onto Suiryu's face.
Naofumi tapped his screen menu and an egg as big as an ostrich's floated above his shield's green crystal. "Here you go."
"Thanks." The Spear Hero took the egg. "Oh, it's big!"
The girls caught sight of Suiryu's rather uncharacteristic smile. Rather than a look of joy like a kid having a new toy, his face hinted an excitement like a father seeing his newborn child. It garnered different reactions from the ladies.
"Uh, boss… Can you quit with that face already? No matter how I look at it, it's kinda gross."
"Huh, what?"
"How disrespectful of you, Sadeena! Lord Suiryu, pay no heed to her terrible remark. However, if I may ask, what makes you think that raising a monster brings joy?"
Suiryu hummed for a moment. Along his life, he often acted on his whims. He found thrills more often than not within the activities he chose without as much as second thought. This time, raising monster was a totally new thing. It was the first time he was truly interested in a certain activity other than fighting a worthy opponent.
'Besides, what kind of strong and proper fighters that walk around like vagabonds? Having a mount is a must. And it can fly. That's gotta be cool!'
"I think because we'll need something like a horse."
"You know a griffin isn't a horse, right?" Sadeena stared at the egg.
"Of course I know. I mean, we can ride it."
"Lord Suiryu, would you like me to impose a severe pain on her?" Eclair's smile darkened.
"Nah. No need. I can do that myself." He pinched Sadeena's plump rear beneath her already revealing garment while casting a hollow smirk.
"‒Arhww! Boss!"
He found that Sy'ne was still standing in front them. Her behavior confused him, but she was probably as baffled as they were. He turned to her, addressing her with a friendly tone, quite displeasing the ladies in the process.
"What about you, Sy'ne? Are you going back to Zeltoble?"
"Can I join you?"
Personally, he would rather refuse her. Her combat prowess surpassed them, but he didn't really like the idea of letting a total outsider travel with them. He asked the girls, and they didn't mind a new passenger. When he turned to Naofumi, the younger boy wordlessly gave a nod of approval. With the party's members choosing to let her in, he accepted Sy'ne.
"Okay. You can join us."
"Reporting in, Your Majesty."
Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc nodded, listening attentively to the report her trusted spy was conveying. As she stood before the windowsill in her prim royal garb, her face made a grimace. Day by day, the political situation in the country she ruled declined. Local unrest as a tail of the first Wave burst in some places. Worst yet…
"Luge pointed his nonsensical belligerence toward both Shield and Spear Heroes, favoring the other ones."
"Correct. However, the capital shows no hint of any tightening in security whatsoever."
"Which means, there is a possibility the Spear Hero can slip into the capital and does the unthinkable."
"Given his whimsical nature, that might be possible."
"And he has taken the Shield Hero under his wing."
"It appears so, Young Majesty."
"What about his charge? I expect no harm falls upon my knight while she is under his protection."
"Dame Saeotto seemed to be fine. No sign of worse for wear. Contrary, her condition had improved by leaps and bounds."
The queen made a ridiculing look, a smile finally finding its way onto her face. "What an overly exaggerating manner of remark is that? I would rather keep it as your sympathetic way to amuse me."
"That is a fact, Your Grace. Her skill in sword had reached a new level. Though roguish in appearance, now she had retrained herself in the art of greater blade."
Mirellia put her dainty fingers under her lower lip. The last time she received a report, the order under her husband apprehended the knight who had dutifully served her under a foolish charge. The next update only said that the Spear Hero liberated her.
'… And she grows stronger in such a short moment?'
Too many things were missing. Her spies turned out having a hard time in organizing a taskforce for monitoring the Spear Hero. Her spies were quite reliable when it came to monitoring moves of political hostiles. Meaning, the Spear Hero was too elusive.
"That aside, actually how difficult was it to track the Spear Hero?"
The woman in cloak − shadow, as the queen called her spy unit− bowed. "Our apologies, but the distance between Melromarc and Zeltoble had been pressing delays upon our regular circulation of information."
"Well, that is indeed an excuse that warrants my forgiveness. We can do nothing about that, unless we are able to develop a method to relay any information in which distance is not a hindrance anymore."
Mirellia fell silent. The Spear Hero was a wild card. From the moment he broke into Eclair's jail until this report came, his action missed her calculation. He had killed Alvar, the general who had an unsavory reputation. With such a strength, he could have stormed the palace and ended Luge − Aultcray's real name − in a cold blood. But he chose not to do so and fled to Zeltoble.
'Is he overcautious?'
"Based on your observation, would you like to tell me more about the Spear Hero's behavior? My wit fails me to perceive the things that drive him."
"My Liege, humbling yourself too much is not the wisest thing that befits an outstanding ruler of your station." The shadow reprimanded.
"That is but self-criticism."
"True. But if that is what you wish, shall I present you with a record of his exploits?"
"If that answers my doubt, I would be more than happy to receive it." The queen flashed a faint smile.
The shadow handed a crystal ball through the window to Mirellia. Her grip was slightly shaky, and the queen swiftly noticed her vassal that suddenly looked unwell. Her cheeks below her black mask, despite shaded by her hood, had turned visibly red.
"Look after your body properly and let your comrades continue the mission. I cannot bear the thought of losing you."
"This is not due an illness, Your Majesty. However, there is something I wish to tell you about the record."
"I see. Then pray tell."
"You may choose to open the record when nobody is around."
The queen frowned. "Does it contain a thing that no soul can shoulder it after knowing it?"
"… Its nature is nefariously corrupting. We wish that we had never made that."
The queen's frown deepened as the shadow left. She returned to her work desk as the sky was darkening.
Dinnertime was coming. She decided to heed her spy's warning and satisfy her curiosity after banquet.
-v-
When she had finished with the work for that day, just before bedtime, she finally had time to check the record. While slaking her thirst, she poured some magic into the magical crystal ball to activate it, displaying its content.
Not even a minute passed and she spat her water through her nose. As she coughed and rubbed her face with a silk handkerchief, blood trickled from her nostril.
'… Eclair! How can you have your pleasure with that man while I am being bound by my duty here!? And what a vivacious ma− pikeis that!? Damn you, Eclair!'
-v-
The morning that came after, a chamber maid entered Mirellia's bedroom right after she left. The servant started her duty by tidying some items around the work table. When she moved to the bed, she found the bedsheet had some marks at some places.
"Oh dear…"
The good servant only smiled as she pulled and plunged it into a basket.
"Away from your loved one is truly hard, huh?" She muttered, heading to the keep's laundry.
Author's Note
Some of you might think that I'm dead already.
You may think as you like, but this chapter disproves that. Hopefully.
It's just that… Works bit me like a bear trap. I barely could write this chapter. Once Igot time, writer block struck me in the gut. In my tiredness after work, I watched anime, read LN from my stash or played Cataclysm DDA.
And… I caught up with Eminence in Shadow and ended up swallowing four volumes of its novel! Damn, that's a nonsensically hilarious read that is enough to heal my pain from reading 86! Aghhh! I'm so motivated that I wanna write Eminence in Shadow crossover! Any thoughts? Write on the comment section.
Okay, into the story, not much I can say. Sy'ne will join Suiryu. He'll get something like Ashiel. At least Filo will get a playmate other than Melty. Fluff? Maybe yes, maybe no.
What will they do in the North?
Messing with the awful bowman, perhaps?
Okay. I guess this all my rant and excuse for the absence. Thanks for coming by, and let us meet again on the next update. ;-)