This is a Beast Tamer and Rising Of The Shield Hero Crossover Fanfiction Only.
Other franchises will be included.
Naofumi made a firm decision to share his extensive knowledge about the Cardinal Weapons and the Vassal weapons with the rest of the group. As he explained this to them, their astonishment was evident. Little did they know that Naofumi possessed a wealth of information on the subject, far surpassing their understanding. To ensure they could catch up, he strategically placed three books in front of each hero, clearly labeled for their respective weapons.
"By feeding these books to the gems that serve as the core of your weapons," Naofumi explained, "your weapons will absorb knowledge about various other weapons. They will gain all the necessary information to enhance their capabilities." Seeing their puzzled expressions, he continued, "Furthermore, I will provide each of you with a second set of books. These you can take to a skilled blacksmith, someone like Erhard whom I trust implicitly. With the knowledge contained in these books, he will be able to create replicas of these weapons. You can then integrate these copies into your cardinal weapons, further empowering them."
As he gazed upon them, a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. "Listen up, all three of you. This is not a mere game we're playing here. My uncles, avid gamers themselves, taught me all about the world of gaming. But let me make it crystal clear - this is reality, not some fabricated realm designed solely for amusement. There are no respawns, no cathedrals to bring you back to life, and no convenient save points to rewind time. Once you perish, it's game over, no second chances. So, I implore you to grasp the gravity of this situation, for it truly is a matter of life and death."
Naofumi shared his extensive knowledge about the cardinal weapons, enlightening everyone on how these weapons could impact their abilities. He emphasized the power of belief, explaining that by trusting in the methods others used to strengthen their weapons, each individual could enhance their cardinal weapon. It was fascinating to discover that everyone had a unique approach to empowering their weapon. By openly sharing their insights and having faith in each other's words, they could unlock diverse paths to strengthen their weapons and acquire new skills.
The potential harm caused by the Sin version of their weapons could easily be avoided. However, to resist the negative effects of this series, they would have to come together as a party. This was necessary for Naofumi to share with them an ability that would ultimately protect them from being corrupted or even killed by the cursed sin series. To achieve this, they would need to establish a strong mental connection with Naofumi, forming a party. Once this connection was established, Naofumi could grant them the gamer powers they needed to shield themselves from these detrimental influences. These powers proved to be incredibly useful and essential in preventing any unfortunate incidents from occurring.
Motoyasu was the first to raise a simple yet crucial question: why was Naofumi so eager to share vital information and even his skills with them? He had no obligation to do so, and, by helping them, he was indirectly aiding his competitors. However, Naofumi made it clear that his actions were not driven by pity, mercy, or charity. Instead, he emphasized the importance of all four of them staying alive and well in this world. With the waves of calamity growing stronger and the situation worsening with each fallen cardinal hero, they needed to work together and ensure their survival.
Understanding the importance of the Cardinal heroes is vital. They hold a deep-seated responsibility to defend our world from any form of invasion or external interference. These heroes are the chosen protectors who have been entrusted with the task of safeguarding our realm. The waves of calamity occur when two parallel worlds collide, causing a clash that reverberates through the very essence of existence. These waves are the aftermath of two worlds striving to merge and give birth to a completely new reality.
At the heart of this chaos lies a deity, known among demihumans as the Goddess of Calamity. Indifferent to the welfare of those inhabiting the universe she seeks to merge, her sole purpose is to amalgamate every iteration of existence into a singular entity. Her motives are far from benevolent, as her actions do not stem from compassion or a desire to avert tragedies in the lives of those across the multiverse.
Ren wasted no time in questioning Naofumi about his seemingly vast knowledge. How on earth did he come to possess such information? Little did they know, the waves were not a mere natural occurrence, but rather the result of a divine goddess manipulating their reality. She was merging various versions of their world, with the ultimate goal of establishing a universe that strictly adhered to marital fidelity. "Given the gravity of our situation, there's no space for rivalry or attempting to outshine one another. The heroes must prioritize the task at hand."
In my perspective, the four of us have been bestowed with these powerful weapons, yet it seems that you haven't grasped the significance of being the Cardinal Heroes. Traditionally, this implies that each hero would be entrusted with safeguarding one cardinal direction on the compass. This arrangement was primarily established through an age-old treaty, forged by the nations inhabiting this realm. The leaders of each faction in their respective universes signed this document, signifying the gravity of the perils they will encounter. Needless to say, the imminent danger they will confront is not to be taken lightly.
Naofumi observes the three of them still perplexed, taking the opportunity to clarify the essence of this treaty. He lays down a set of rules that apply to all nations who have signed it, enabling them to function in their respective original and shared world. By sheer chance, four nations were selected, and each of them would have the privilege to summon one of the four cardinal heroes. Only one hero would be assigned to protect each region of the world, corresponding to the North, South, East, and West cardinal directions. These heroes were meant to be the guardians of their designated territories. However, to Naofumi's surprise, it seemed that the king of Melromarc had summoned all four heroes, either out of desperation or for some unknown motive that Naofumi had yet to uncover.
Naofumi clarified that although it may seem like an act of desperation, it goes against the treaty. That's why the true ruler of Melromarc is now embarking on a diplomatic journey to the other three chosen nations, in an attempt to hold crucial meetings and prevent an imminent war. The summoning of the four heroes by a single nation has created political and diplomatic turmoil, and the Queen is doing everything in her power to defuse this volatile situation.
"I've devoured every book I've been handed, and it's crystal clear to me that this land should be referred to as a Queendom rather than a Kingdom. They embrace matrilineal succession, meaning the true ruler is not the king, but the Queen. So, remember this when conversing with women in this nation - they possess all the power, and they're well aware of it. That's precisely why no one batted an eye when that waitress flung the menu in my direction."
Itsuki was the first to inquire about how Naofumi managed to read all those books while they were still on the guided tour. Naofumi explained that one of the abilities he gained from his gamer powers was the ability to read and comprehend things at an incredibly accelerated rate. He mentioned that if he needed to, he could lock himself in a library and absorb all the knowledge from a five-floor library in just one day. With this power, he could easily attend college and obtain a doctorate degree within a week. The sheer strength of this ability is truly remarkable, and it also provides complete mental protection, sanity, and enhancements that are beyond comprehension.
He devoured the meal, only to discover that it had been maliciously tainted. However, thanks to the invaluable teachings from his uncles and his exceptional abilities, the poison merely transformed into an unexpected seasoning. As he patiently anticipated the inevitable inquiries from the other three heroes, he pondered, "Will they question how I managed to rise to the rank of General at such a young age? Did they realize that I secluded myself in a chamber, immersing myself in every book that encompassed a general's education? Within a matter of weeks, I absorbed the knowledge and honed my skills, propelling me from a mere officer to a distinguished general."
Naofumi glanced at Ren and the rest of the group, a smile playing on his lips. "You know, I've never fallen ill and have always been at the peak of both mental and physical health," he said. "That's why I've taken the time to explain all of this to you. I understand that you might still have doubts, but I truly hope that after hearing me out, you'll realize the incredible benefits of joining forces with me and harnessing these gamer powers. Let me assure you, that these weapons aren't all about darkness and despair. If you put in the effort to unlock and master every skill available, you'll eventually gain access to the ultimate series known as the Bless series. It enhances every single skill you've acquired, making you feel truly blessed."
He glanced at them, a smile spreading across his face. "Tomorrow, they'll inform us that adventurers will join each of us, and we won't be able to cooperate effectively. That's why these gamer powers are crucial for the four of us to work together and grow stronger simultaneously." Itsuki inquired about his statement. "Traditionally, if multiple cardinal heroes were in a party, they wouldn't gain any experience because their weapons didn't complement each other. That's why, according to the treaty, each hero is summoned individually by one of the four chosen nations. However, thanks to these gamer powers, that's not the case anymore. The collection and management of experience points are handled by the game powers, not the weapons. This allows us to accumulate as many experience points as if we were working alone while still being able to collaborate effectively. See?"
After gulping down a generous sip from his glass, the bitter taste of poison once again assaulted his senses. Naofumi couldn't help but suspect that either the waitress or the chef harbored a deep hatred towards him, going to such lengths as to poison his entire meal. "Well, this just means that you three will have no trouble recruiting adventurers to join your party," he sighed, feeling the weight of loneliness settle upon him. "As for me, I'll have to go it alone. Who in their right mind would want to team up with the guy labeled as their nation's equivalent to Satan? It's crystal clear that nobody in Melromarc will be willing to join forces with me, especially after reading those damning holy scriptures the pope so kindly bestowed upon me."
Motoyasu and the rest of the group exchanged smiles before engaging in a discussion. After some deliberation, they devised a solution. "Hey buddy, don't worry. We won't leave you stranded like that. Thanks to these incredible gamer powers, we'll technically be in the same party. That means we can support each other, gain experience points together, and even trade materials. We might even be able to communicate across vast distances or locate each other, just like in other games. So, even if those adventurers don't join you, remember that you're not alone. We're right here with you," Motoyasu reassured Naofumi. Hearing these heartfelt words and seeing the others nod in agreement, Naofumi couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and a glimmer of hope.
"You never know, there might be an incredibly stunning woman out there who would eagerly seize the opportunity to be by your side. I mean, come on, you're the crown prince of a kingdom that governs an entire planet - that makes you quite a catch, don't you think?" Motoyasu playfully teased, taking another sip of his drink. Ren wasted no time and turned to Naofumi, inquiring about the number of beasts he could form contracts with and the extent of his abilities, eager to delve deeper into his impressive skills.
Naofumi revealed that similar to his father, he possessed the ability to establish a hundred permanent contracts. However, when it came to temporary contracts, his potential expanded to over a thousand. This incredible power meant that he could call upon the entire forest for assistance or acquire any necessary item. His father had utilized this gift by sending birds to scout locations, employing rabbits to gather plants and supplies, and commanding numerous beasts to transport cargo. The contract between the beast tamer and the creatures allowed for seamless communication, enabling Naofumi to understand their thoughts and intentions. The only drawback, as the name suggests, was that temporary contracts had a shorter duration and terminated after fulfilling a single request.
Naofumi provided a detailed explanation of the significance of permanent contracts for beast tamers. These contracts allow them to maintain a bond with their beasts for as long as they both live, granting them immense power and usefulness. Naofumi's father, in particular, had formed contracts with supreme species, which ultimately led to the defeat of the demon king. This outcome came as a shock to Naofumi, who had previously believed that only a hero could achieve such a feat. The demon king had gone to extreme lengths, corrupting the mind and body of the hero from Naofumi's father's generation. However, it turned out that the hero was a heroine, who later became one of the women Naofumi referred to as his mothers. She married Naofumi's father and became a part of his harem.
Itsuki was eager to see a real-life demonstration of how contracting with beasts could be advantageous in battle. He wanted to gauge the potential danger of Naofumi's skills and explore the possibility of joining forces. Additionally, he sought a way to contribute to defeating the monstrous creatures during the impending waves of calamity. "Certainly, I can provide you with an example," he replied. "Once, my father encountered a notorious group of bandits known as the Ebon Fang. He bravely rescued a merchant from their clutches. Realizing the imminent threat, my father decided to form temporary contracts with the squirrels inhabiting the forest near the bandit hideout. With the squirrels' help, he discovered the exact location of the hideout. And then, to further strengthen his forces, he made a contract with a hundred bees."
Itsuki wondered how could a bunch of bees help against the bandits, Nafoumi informed him about the bees' venomous stingers, capable of inducing a twenty-four-hour state of unconsciousness. With just a slight touch of their stingers, these bees could render a person completely incapacitated for an entire day. Consequently, his father deployed the bees to the hideout, strategically timing their arrival with that of the knights. As the knights entered, they discovered the entire bandit group lying unconscious, their slumber lasting long enough for the authorities to apprehend and imprison them. Eventually, the bandits regained consciousness, only to face trial for their extensive list of crimes. "Moreover, I possess the ability to forge ten times more contracts than my dear old Dad ever could. So, back in our world, if I so desired, I could incapacitate an entire army with ease."
Ren was astounded and couldn't help but ask how such a thing was even possible. Naofumi patiently explained that his father possessed the incredible abilities and strengths of all the beasts he had formed permanent contracts with. What made it even more astonishing was that these contracts were established long before Naofumi was even conceived. As a result, when he was born, he inherited all those remarkable abilities and strengths from his father. Naofumi fondly referred to these contracts as his "mothers."
With a sense of pride, Naofumi listed the extraordinary powers he possessed. He boasted about having the fierce might of the cap people, the magical control of a fairy, the immense magical power of a dragon, the swift speed of a wolf, the immortality of a vampire, and countless others. Not only did he gain all the benefits of these abilities, but he also managed to avoid any of their weaknesses. To make matters even more impressive, Naofumi had undergone rigorous training, enabling him to wield anything as a weapon or engage in combat using just his bare hands.
Naofumi quickly addressed the lingering worry about his combat abilities, assuring everyone that there was no cause for concern. With unwavering confidence, he boldly proclaimed that he was far from being defenseless, highlighting the fact that no general in history ever was. "Rest assured, my parents single-handedly vanquished the Demon King and his entire army. Believe me when I say that I have received thorough training in the art of self-defense. If anything, you should be more concerned about any bandits foolish enough to cross my path, as I tend to have a slight issue with holding back."
While they savored their meal, he shared invaluable knowledge with them. Naofumi enlightened them on the art of tracking and hunting monsters, revealing basic hunting tips that were foreign to those accustomed to a peaceful existence. Each tip and technique had been unearthed or perfected by his father during his adventurous days, and his father had dedicated considerable time to ensuring his son was well-versed in them. Recognizing the advantages of becoming a shield hero, his uncles had invested ample time in teaching him the art of efficiently dissecting and harvesting monster carcasses for optimal results.
The other three were taken aback and astounded by Naofumi's extensive knowledge of hunting. He revealed that his father, who was once an adventurer, had ensured that all of his children were well-versed in the art of hunting and gathering materials from monsters. Being the second eldest, Naofumi had become an expert in this field. Curious about his expertise, one of them asked, "You seem to know this world much better than we do. Can you enlighten us on where you learned all of this?" Naofumi, aware of potential eavesdroppers, cautioned that they should be careful about sharing such details. Ren pointed out that they were in a public place, implying that enemies might be listening in to gather information against them.
"Isn't it a bit excessive to be so paranoid? This kingdom practically idolizes us, Ren, and Itsuki. Their citizens would never even consider harming us. However, I can understand why you'd prefer a safer location to discuss sensitive matters. So, where should we have this conversation? Should we use the room that the king provided for us?" Naofumi explained that the only way they could do so was by establishing a mental connection between the four of them. This way, it would appear to others that they had nothing more to discuss and were simply enjoying their meal, while in reality, they could converse in relative safety.
Curiosity sparked within Ren as he questioned the process of establishing the mental link. Naofumi reassured him that it was one of the abilities they acquired through their gamer powers. "Just as I mentioned earlier, forming a party and sharing our gamer powers would not only prove helpful, but it would also ensure our safety." With a few mental commands and the utilization of their gamer powers, the connection between the four of them was solidified. To any onlooker, it appeared as if their conversation had come to an end, and they were simply enjoying their meal and drinks. Naofumi decided to begin by divulging something that would undoubtedly challenge their beliefs...
Naofumi proceeded to divulge the information he deemed necessary, "It appears that my uncles originate from a realm beyond our own, where they serve a divine being who dispatches them on missions to aid various alternate realities. Through these endeavors, they have acquired numerous powers and abilities, including the gamer power that I have shared with you. This is just one of the few skills they have imparted to me. Interestingly, they have visited a universe strikingly similar to ours and witnessed the events that unfolded there. As a result, they have enlightened me, enabling me to make well-informed predictions about future occurrences and determine the optimal course of action."
To the surprise of all the other heroes, they were completely caught off guard by this revelation. They never expected to discover that there existed an alternate version of their reality. Ren likened it to watching an anime, and when Naofumi inquired about it, he explained that it originated in Japan as a form of entertainment. "According to what my uncles told me, I was just an ordinary citizen of the nation you three came from. And to make matters worse, he didn't get along with the other three heroes like we do. The twist is that the goddess of calamity infused fragments of her soul into individuals from the worlds she wished to merge, effectively ensuring the success of her plan by sabotaging any attempts to save the planet. In that particular reality, it was the eldest princess of Melromarc who was possessed. However, in the end, she betrayed all four of the cardinal heroes simply because the goddess desired their failure."
Naofumi reluctantly acknowledged that if events unfolded as he had been informed, Ren, Itsuki, and Motoyasu would inevitably commit grave errors that would result in the loss of countless lives. When they inquired about the specifics and how they had gone wrong, he had no choice but to be brutally honest. "In that alternate universe, Ren foolishly slew a dragon and callously left its decaying carcass to fester. Little did he realize that the rotting remains would become toxic, carried by the wind toward nearby villages, infecting the inhabitants and causing a devastating loss of life. The version of me in that world simply stated that it was sheer idiocy to assume that monsters would magically vanish, and leaving the dragon's corpse in such a manner was nothing short of irresponsible."
Ren reluctantly acknowledged that his alternate self in that parallel universe had been quite reckless. However, it was important to note that Ren himself was not inclined towards such behavior. He would have responsibly disposed of the corpse to avoid any potential consequences. Nevertheless, thanks to his newfound gamer powers, he no longer had to worry about that. He could effortlessly store the entire deceased dragon's body, seek out someone skilled in dismantling and butchering it, and ultimately make a substantial profit by selling the various monster parts as valuable materials. Moreover, Ren cleverly managed to retain a significant portion of the dragon's remains, intending to utilize them as upgrade materials for his weaponry as well as for the other three cardinal heroes.
Itsuki was up next, curious about his own mistakes. Naofumi proceeded to enlighten him about the alternate version of himself in another reality. This version of Itsuki had become a valiant freedom fighter, convinced that he was liberating the oppressed people of a certain territory. However, unbeknownst to him, the cost of maintaining the territory and protecting it from bandit attacks was exorbitant. The local lord, whom he had deposed, had only asked the citizens to contribute through taxes for the sake of their safety. Unfortunately, those who took power after the lord's overthrow had ulterior motives. They used the taxes to hire mercenaries and enforce their selfish agendas. As a result, the surviving citizens were forced to flee as refugees, desperately begging for food in a state of absolute poverty.
Itsuki reluctantly acknowledged that his actions had been too impulsive. He realized that his alternate self should have conducted thorough background checks on those seeking his assistance and thoroughly investigated the situation. Among the individuals mentioned, Motoyasu was the last one. Naofumi had only mentioned a seed that was supposed to yield an abundance of food. This seed had been obtained from a chest in the laboratory of an alchemist who was considered insane by the general public. The alchemist had created the seed as a solution to end hunger, but it had turned out to be a complete failure. The seed was so dreadful that the alchemist had left a note expressing his hope that nobody would ever discover and utilize it. The plant that grew from this seed gave birth to mutant plants that attacked and drained the life force of others.
Motoyasu made a solemn vow to himself that he would never use anything without fully understanding its purpose. He was determined to seek the opinions of other alchemists regarding the mysterious seed, and most importantly, he would trust the warning of its creator. Furthermore, he revealed a shocking truth about the Princess who betrayed the four heroes - she falsely accused him of a heinous crime, an act that would have led to his execution if he weren't a hero. Motoyasu, being aware of the situation and the events that unfolded in their alternate reality, felt a strong sense of responsibility to assist his companions and prevent any further tragic incidents from occurring.
They were all filled with horror, each one convinced that their actions had unleashed a nightmare upon the world. Motoyasu believed he had unleashed a swarm of carnivorous plants that devoured anyone who dared to approach the village's former location. Ren feared that the saintly air surrounding the decaying corpse of the dragon he had slain had birthed a deadly plague. And Itsuki was haunted by the thought that the dictators he had supported had plunged the world into endless warfare and chaos.
Naofumi listened to their fears and couldn't help but burst into laughter, much to their astonishment. "I'm not mocking you or underestimating your concerns," he reassured them. "But you're worrying about things that never actually happened. The version of me in that world resolved all the problems caused by your counterparts. He vanquished the dragon, putting an end to the plague. He even managed to tame and modify the man-eating plants. And as for the dictator, he was overthrown and replaced by a democratically elected regional government. So, you're imagining things far worse than how they actually turned out."
After hearing this, the three of them visibly relaxed, realizing that their previous versions were nothing but foolish idiots. "And remember when I mentioned that the collision of two worlds creates the waves? Well, that other world also has its own set of heroes, and they ended up in the world where our other selves were. They believed that eliminating the cardinal heroes was the key to saving their world, but it was a foolish notion. All it did was accelerate the fusion process, ultimately leading to the destruction of their world and the creation of a new one, erasing their memories of the previous world," Motoyasu explained. Naofumi agreed, adding that it was likely that those heroes now believed they had always lived on this merged planet. He further explained that the reason there are four cardinal heroes is because this world has already fused multiple times before. The only way to put an end to it is by stopping the goddess of calamity herself; otherwise, they would only be treating the symptoms rather than the root cause of the problem.