The king has thrown a victory party for the heroes. As the Spear Hero were about to enter the palace, they were stopped by a knight.

"My apologies, Sir Spear Hero. But we cannot let the beastmen in."

Marius turned his head to Leandros.

"It's fine. I'll wait at the inn... If they let me."

Marius then turned his head back to the knight, "Then none of us will attend."

"But sir, I-"

"Would you rather explain to the king why you would not let us in?"

"M-My mistake sir! Do come in! And welcome!" the knight moved aside.

Marius and his companions entered the palace with ease, while the knights kept his eyes on Leandros.

"You don't need to do that." said Leandros.

"No. But I need you close." said Marius.

"What for?"

"You will see."

They finally reached the ballroom and they were met with cheers from the nobles attending the party.

"Enjoy the party as you wish." said Marius, "But be back at the inn when you are done."

And all of them went on their way, except for Leandros. They were then approached by Ren.

"I didn't saw you fighting the wave boss with us." said Ren.

"The Lute Village was defenceless." said Marius.

"And you won't let the knight do their jobs?"

"Those knights has done more harm to the village. I sent my companions to help you, did I not?"

"We're done talking." Ren turned around then walked away.

Marius then went looking for a table with Leandros following him. He took one jug of wine and two wine glass from a serving table. After he found a table, Marius put down the two wine glass and the jug of wine before pulling a chair.

"Sit with me." Marius said to Leandros.

Leandros complied and the two sat together. Marius then poured wine into the two wine glass till it's full and gave one to Leandros. Marius started sipping his glass, followed by Leandros.

"We're just gonna sit here and drink?" said Leandros.

Marius grunted.

"Fine by me... So, what were you before you became the Spear Hero?"

"Why do you ask?"

"It's been a week since I joined. You think we should know each other more by now?"

"You first."

"Alright then." Leandros took a long sip from his glass, "I was an adventurer."

"I too was an adventurer."

"Really? You don't strike me as one."

"I was a soldier."

"I knew it."

The two then took another sip simultaneously. Suddenly, they were approached by several young noblewomen.

"I'm truly honored to meet you, Spear Hero." said one of the young woman.

Annoyed, Marius turned his head towards them.

"May I ask, do you happen to have a lover?" said another one of the young woman.

"The Spear Hero is too tired and not in a mood to speak tonight. But..." Leandros presented himself with a smug, "You girls can ask me anything."

The young women looked at him with disgust and leave.

"You're welcome." Leandros said to Marius.

Marius nodded. Then, he noticed Raphtalia from the corner of his eyes. He turned his head to see the demi-human walking pass the crowd.

"It is time."

And the two got up from their chair. Marius walked through the crowd and approached Naofumi who was sitting by the window.

"Naofumi." said Marius.

"What do you want?" said Naofumi.

"Back at the village, you asked me why I helped you."

"Yeah. And you didn't answer."

"I was in immense pain."

"Well I don't even want know. Nor do I care to." Naofumi looked away.

"Then would you care if I take your demi-human from you?"

Naofumi turned his head quickly, "What!"

"How about a duel? If I win, I will take her."

"And if I win?"

"You can have him."

Leandros was surprised by the winning terms.

"This is a waste of time." Naofumi left the scene, even ignoring Raphtalia calling for him.

Naofumi went downstairs but was stopped by a knight.

"I had heard enough." said the king, "A hero using a demi-human as his slave?"

"What the hell was all that?!" said Leandros.

"You must trust me." said Marius.

"Could you atleast tell me what you're planning!"

"Not now. But I will let you know when the time is right."

Leandros sighed, "Fine. But I trusted you for a reason."


Inside the weapons room, Marius waited. He could heard the announcer through the stone wall talking to the audience. Marius looked around and saw all assortment of weapons but he knew, from Naofumi, that he could not use any of them... Except for the spears included in the weapons room.

Marius grabbed one of the spears, realizing he was not zapped, snapped the spear in two. He observed the broken spear, now in gladius length before putting it behind him alongside the Legendary Spear.

Soon, the door opened and rows of knights saluted Marius with their word. He exited the room to see the arena he will be fighting in. At the end, Naofumi emerged from the other weapons room and the two made their way to the center.

Marius then saw the king sitting at the upper circle, with Raphtalia bounded behind him. He looked at the other side of the arena and saw the pope in his own grand sitting area. Marius then returned his focus on Naofumi until they met at the center, and the two stared at each other silently.

"Aren't you going to say something?" said Naofumi.

"No." said Marius.

"Fine then."

Naofumi's shield transformed into a different form and Marius drew the spear from his back, and the two began closing in with their weapons ready. Marius thrust his spear high and Naofumi quickly blocked it. Marius pulled his spear back then went for Naofumi's torso but the attack was also blocked.

Marius kept thrusting his spear at different directions, testing Naofumi's defenses with each thrust getting faster. Marius then went for another high attack and Naofumi raised his shield. Little did Naofumi know, that high attack was a feign and Marius plunged the spearhead into Naofumi's right shoulder, drawing first blood.

The sudden attack caused Naofumi to back away and Marius ran to Naofumi's left flank. Marius jumped towards Naofumi, using the momentum to give more strength to the incoming attack. Naofumi quickly reacted by turning his body to the left to block. The much powerful hit the shield and pushed Naofumi backwards as he nearly tripped.

Marius then threw his spear at the Shield Hero. Naofumi blocked the spear away but was met with a strong kick to his chest, causing him to fall on his back. The whole crowd was amazed by Marius's fighting skills and began cheering for him.

"Never let your back hit the ground! On your feet!" said Marius.

Naofumi got back up quickly on his feet and prepared himself. Marius wasted no time and unleashed a flurry of spear attack. Naofumi tried to block all of it but some went through, leaving cuts on his flesh and armor.

"Stop defending! Attack!"

Naofumi parried one of Marius's attack, leaving the Spear Hero open. The Shield Hero then struck Marius's abdomen with his shield. But the shield bash barely moved him. Marius grabbed Naofumi's back and struck him with a headbutt to the face. Marius then punched Naofumi's face with a right hook.

Naofumi was thrown back but managed to stay on his feet despite the powerful punch from the former centurion. As Marius was about to step forward, he heard the sound of gnawing from below. He looked down and saw a balloon munching on his armor. Annoyed, Marius pulled the balloon off him and popped it with the spear before reverting his attention back to Naofumi.

After he recovered from the blow, Naofumi raised his shield up waiting for Marius's next attack. The spear on Marius's hand morphed into a shorter version, and he pulled the broken spear from his back.

"How the hell did you-"

Naofumi could not finished his sentence when he saw Marius charging at him now duel wielding two short spears. Marius quickly stopped right infront of Naofumi with one spear ready to thrust. Naofumi instinctively raised his shield to defend himself but quickly realized it was anotherfeign.

The Shield Hero quickly backed away, barely avoiding a slash on his abdomen. Marius then relentlessly attacked Naofumi, who desperately tried to blocked all the fast spear attack on him. Seeing an opening, Marius slashed Naofumi's thigh before he kicked the Shield Hero's shin.

After Naofumi fell on his knees, Marius quickly ran behind him and pressed the two spearheads on Naofumi's throat.

"Yield!" said Marius.

Then, Naofumi's shield transformed into the Two-Headed Black Dog Shield. The two-headed dog heads stretched out and each head bit the spears before pushing Marius away. Naofumi quickly got up and conjured the Air Strike Shield. The conjured shield launched at Marius and Naofumi threw two more balloons at Marius before trapping him inside the Shield Prison.

With the Spear Hero subdued, Naofumi took his time to catch his breath before approaching the Shield Prison.

Meanwhile, Marius's companions were sitting amongst the audience. Rino was worried, thinking the Spear Hero as been defeated.

"Well... It was nice travelling with all of you." said Leandros.

"Just hurry up and admit defeat, Mr. Hot Stuff." said Naofumi.

Naofumi then dispersed the Shield Prison but was immediately punched straight in the face. Before he could recovered, another punch landed on Naofumi's face. Everyone was surprised, then began cheering for the Spear Hero again.

But the cheering stopped when everyone noticed Marius attacks slowly become more and more violent as Naofumi was given no chance to recover as Marius went into blind rage. Malty, however, had an evil smug on her face watching the Shield Hero being thrashed around. Meanwhile, Raphtalia struggled to free herself from her bonds.

Naofumi fell on his back, all bloodied and bruised from the brutal attack. Marius came and pinned the Shield Hero down and started pummeling him with his fist. The audience were now terrified by the display of brutality as Marius continued beating Naofumi mercilessly.

"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia screamed after she managed to released her mouth from the bondage.

Marius was snapped out of his rage. He saw one his hands pinning Naofumi by the collar. He looked at his fist and it was covered in the Shield Hero's blood. Marius quickly got up and was confused at what happened. He looked around and saw all the terrified faces.

"Now we know who is more worthy of the hero title." said the king, "Spear Hero! You are the victor!"

Despite the violent end, the arena was filled with loud cheering from the audience. But Marius only felt regret after almost killing Naofumi for the third time. He turned around and left the defeated hero with his head down.

"Marius!"

The Spear Hero looked up and saw Leandros running to him. Behind him were all three of Marius's companions but they all looked at him with fear.

"I... I lost control..." said Marius.

"Come on... Let's got out of here."

Marius nodded. He walked pass his companions with his head still down.

"Lord Marius."

Marius lifted his head and saw the king greeting him.

"You have shown the Shield his real place. My daughter, Malty, was right to pick you." the king put his hands on Marius's shoulder.

The king then turned to present Raphtalia who was brought down by two knights as she struggled to break free. A person in dark robe started removing the slave crest on Raphtalia. Marius turned his head to Naofumi, who watched the ritual in despair.

No longer able to bear it, Marius stepped in and confronted the person in robe.

"I forfeit my prize!" said Marius.

"But sir, the removal ritual-"

"I said I forfeit my prize!" Marius stepped closer and the person in robe was frozen in fear along with the two knights.

Marius then looked at demi-human before looking away in shame, and Raphtalia quickly ran to Naofumi. Marius left, walking pass the confused king and the princess to joined his party.

"We are done here."

And Marius continued walking with his party behind him.


"I deceased loved one is tragic indeed." said Marius's demon, "But atleast they died still loving you."

Marius stood still, ignoring his demon who was circling him.

"But the one who still alive yet hated you? That is a far greater pain."

"Get out of my head." said Marius.

"Why bother yourself with something that is never meant for you? Family is not our true path, Alexios!"

The demon stopped and stood infront of Marius.

"Our path is to conquer! And rule through fear!"

"I have abandoned that path!"

"And what would you do now? They hated you! And they will share that hatred of you to your filolial queen! Then what do you have left! Nothing!"

Marius turned his back on the demon.

"And you will have nothing! Blackstone!"

Marius exploded into rage. He summoned the spear on his hands and thrust it on the demon. But he realized he's inside his room and it was daytime already. His arm was extended with the spear on his hand as if he stabbed nothing but air. Marius threw the spear aside and wiped the cold sweat off his face.


At the castle, all four of the heroes gathered at the throne room for their rewards.

"Lord Marius will receive four thousand silvers." said the king.

A servant presented a large bag of coins to Marius.

"I want only half of my reward." said Marius, "Give the other half to the Shield Hero."

Marius turned to look at Naofumi, who's face was still bruised.

"As compensation... I lost control. That was not suppose to happen."

"You wanted to duel with me and won. And now you feel bad about it?" said Naofumi.

"It was a foolish mistake. I should have seen through it."

"Atleast you know how to admit your mistake." Naofumi snatched the bag of silvers from a servant before turning around, "We're leaving, Raphtalia."

Marius watched as the two headed to the exit.

"Lord Marius. May I have a word with you." said the king.

Marius turned and faced the king.

"I've received complaints from my daughter that you've been rather harsh to her. Care to explain?"

"She crossed my boundaries multiple times and showed disrespectful behaviour towards others."

"And you don't tolerate such things in your party?"

"I will not have it."

"In that case, my daughter decided to no longer be part of your party."

"If that is her choice. Very well."

Marius then shifted his gaze towards Malty.

"You may keep the horse. Take good care of it for it helped you travel with us."

Malty looked away and her arms crossed.

"But you are always welcome to rejoin us... Look at me."

Malty looked at Marius from the corner of her eyes.

"It is not too late to change your ways... And I am willing to give you a second chance."

Marius then turned around and headed towards the exit with his party.

"You sounded just like my father" said Elena.

Marius grunted.