This is a Full Metal Alchemist and Rising of the Shield Hero Fanfiction only.

Just as I said this the door to the throne room slams open, knocking aside a few soldiers who apparently were there in case I decided to run away, boy this King sure hasn't changed one bit from how I saw in those memories from national hero to this, how the mighty have fallen.

The real surprise is when Myne decided to march right in and stands right next to me no less, and she looked really upset, and the fact that she was wearing armor and a sword to me it means she was even ready to fight.

"Father, how many times have I told you. Sir Mustang did not reject my request to join the party out of malice, he did it out of concern for my safety, he knew he would not have sufficient members to ensure my safety. He simply wanted to keep me safe, and after I thought about it, to me it means he is willing to put himself at a disadvantage for my sake which is rather sweet of him."

The King looked like he never expected this to happen at all. I would expect that he ordered no one knew of this entire meeting, and therefore he could make the outcome of it into whatever he desired, the soldiers present are loyal to him I would think he bought their loyalty long ago.

"His rude rejection of your request is not the matter at hand Daughter, it is the accusation of him forcing himself on you, right here in the capital, in rooms we provided for the heroes and their party members."

I so wanted to tell him, 'Please scream a little louder, I think some of the people in the neighboring kingdom didn't quite hear you.' I wanted but that would be rude, my mother did not raise me to do something like that.

"Father, he wouldn't even need to force himself on me, ever since I met him, I have been willing, available and able, I wanted to kiss him and have my way with him! Do you have any idea how I have yearned for his touch, for his kiss, for us to be with each other."

Well Myne certainly left little to doubt, her intentions could not be more clear, and for some reason, Raphtalia looks like she wants to drag Myne outside and beat the ever-loving daylights out of her.

"Wait, you mean to tell me Myne Sofia was the alias for a princess of this kingdom? How the hell did an idiot like him figure it out, when none of us had a clue about this!" Motoyasu embarrassing himself and the other heroes, I wonder if this is going to be a common theme between us.

Just waited till everyone was quite, "Not my fault that nobody noticed the family portrait hanging in the foyer is it? It was a rather lovely painting. It gives this image of a very loving family, and yet regal."

The King apparently had nothing else to say about this, "Is that all that I was needed for your majesty? I would love to spend more time with such fine company such as this, but much like Myne here said, I simply do not have as many party members as the other heroes, so I must work harder to prepare for the next wave, which by the looks of it is in three weeks."

He glared at me and he looked at Myne for a second, "You could have had more members if you actually stayed within the castle to meet the adventurers the following day when the parties were formed, I even planned to give you each some money to buy your initial gear and items to help you get started preparing for the wave."

And I am a pink griffin with golden wings and a rainbow painted on my butt if I believe for a second that I would get anything at all. The fact that the national religion pretty much excludes the shield hero even though initially it was the church of the four heroes tells me how much Melromarc hates the shield hero.

I keep getting more and more information from these memories, or should I say my memories, for some reason they don't feel like they are coming from different previous wielders of the shield, it almost feels like they are me, the memories almost feel like my own and this feeling is more clear as time goes on.

"Now can I please leave so that I might prepare to fight something that could at the very least destroy this kingdom at best or the world at worst? Cause you know I know what tragedy it would be for this wonderful kingdom, will all their artistic beauty, all their innovation, and not to mention kind and caring people were to disappear because I failed them."

That vile taste in my mouth is called politics, and if my father could stand this taste while working under King Bradley's dumpster fire of a regime, I guess I really am following in my father's footsteps.

Never mind that they are doing their best to tick off a person who they should really avoid doing that to, I mean these people use torches in their castle for lighting, a kid back in my world could make light from a potato, some metals and a little elementary school transmutation, and he could provide light for an entire room.

Never mind that thanks to the Alchemy I practice I could literally burn the king, every soldier, and even the three idiots that they called heroes to the point they are piles of ashes, with a snap of my finger. Could I do that? Why yes, yes I can. Will I do that? The answer is obviously hell no. They are idiots, but even idiots like that don't deserve an execution for being stupid.

If that was the case this place would be invaded in a second, the country would be erased from every history book because if all they need is the fact that someone is stupid to have him killed, the population of Melromarc would end up to be fifty people, that is fifty people total.

"It seems there were some errors made in reporting your activities, you may leave whenever you wish, you are an eyesore to most people in this room, so leave quickly since we can barely tolerate your presence."

I bowed before the King, and turned around and was ready to leave the throne room till someone grabbed me from behind and forcefully made me turn around and face the person who had grabbed me, and it was Myne she pulled me close and without even waiting a second she kissed me passionately, if you ask her what I had for breakfast, she probably could tell you.

She leans her head against my shoulder and without even considering what Raphtalia was doing, "I told you Roy, one day you shall be mine. At least this way you will not have to commit a taboo or insult Truth. See you around lover boy."

She finally let go of me, and I was feeling a chill run down my spine, why does Myne remind me so much of the spirit I once considered my friend, why is she saying a thing that remind me of her since we left in pretty bad terms back in my original world. Her father obviously hates my guts, but she kisses me like this right in front of him?

I decided to go to the shop of a friend, I need that right now. I simply feel like my feelings and thoughts are a mess. As we walked towards the shop of my friend Raphtalia was quiet the entire time, she just kept following, not saying a thing.

As we entered the shop I walked over to the counter where our good friend was putting away his tools, I guess he finished sharpening a sword or several. "What is the matter with you two? You both seem like something is bothering you."

I looked at Erhard and let out a sigh, "First I need to upgrade Raphtalia's armor and weapon, second while Raphtalia put one her new gear we can talk about it." He looked at me and he looked at my coin purse as he picked several silver pieces. I didn't even haggle that is how bad I am feeling right now.

"So it's that bad, alright it seems it is time to upgrade the little lady to an actual sword, a good quality iron short sword should do the trick, as for the armor, let's reinforce the one she already is using, I will give you a spare to wear. I should have it ready by tomorrow." He gave her the spare armor and Raphtalia went into the changing room to change out of her armor and put it on.

"So now that she is changing what is eating you? You didn't even haggle that means to me you are really a mess. So come on kid, tell me what is the matter?" I guess it really is obvious to him, or he simply is that good at reading people would be too surprised considering how long it seems he has been running his business.

"The King just summoned me and he did it trying to accuse me of attempting to rape someone we both know, you know the girl that was here when we first met? Well turns out they didn't know I didn't stay in the room they arranged for the heroes, I actually did some work over at Lute. So I pretty much slept in a mine we just finished clearing."

He began to laugh and he looked at me, "Like you would do something so despicable, I could tell what kind of a person you were when you refused to accept that woman into your party, you were honestly worried that you would not be able to protect her, that spoke a lot about you."

I could not help but laugh as he said that, "Well it turns out I won our little bet, Myne is the daughter of the King like I told you, before I was summoned I had a dispute with a girl I used to know, she was often a bit flirty but most of the times she was nice, but like most relationships we argued and then I get summoned here."

I took a deep breath, "The thing about my friend, she is the spirit of an enemy my father killed, she was called Lust, and from what dad told me it was appropriate, she really was a woman that could make a holy man lust after her. The thing is Myne just said something that Lust used to tell me, something I considered a joke."

He finally saw why I was not my usual self it seems since he looked at me with this concerned look on his face, "So you are saying that the daughter of our king just said something that your spirit girlfriend would have said, yet this spirit is apparently from the same world you got summoned from, well you got me there kid, spooky doesn't begin to describe it."

I looked at him and began to laugh, I guess getting this stuff off my chest is just what I needed, "That is why I initially came here if anyone can give me some honest advice it is you, I got to admit that I do feel better after talking to you about it. Thank you for being there for me Erhard."

He laughed and slapped me hard on my shoulder, "Hey, don't mention it, kid, what are friends for. What you should really worry about is why is Raphtalia so frosty? I mean that little lady is usually a ray of sunshine, but this entire time she looked upset for some reason."

I could not help but look at the curtain that separated the room we were and where she was changing her clothes. "Well, I guess it has to do with something that happened." I began to describe everything that happened as I was leaving the throne room, and I mean I spared no detail.

He slapped my shoulder again, "Well that explains it, boy these kids sure grow up fast. I wouldn't worry about it kid, she is not mad at you, her foul mood is probably because she didn't like the fact that Myne pretty much stole your first kiss. It is not that surprising considering how you told me Myne kissed you."

"Since we are being so open, how many girlfriends have you ever had and how many of times have you ever kissed a girl?" Well thank goodness Raphtalia is not looking at me right now, boy did he leave the forge on a little higher or am I blushing?

"Well I told you about my only girlfriend, and since she was a spirit well that sort of made it impossible for me to touch her much less kiss her. So when you said that Myne stole my first kiss, actually that was the first kiss, I never kissed a girl in my life."

He actually had this stunned look on his face, "What? You mean to tell me a nice looking guy like you never kissed a woman before today? Why?" I simply told him my studies and my training pretty much kept me too busy to consider it. You don't become the rank I had at my age without being dedicated or making a few sacrifices.

"Equivalent Exchange is a principal we Alchemist consider a law of life, whenever you gain, something of equal value must be lost or exchanged, if you work hard to produce your swords, the money you gain from it is equal to the amount of time and effort you put into making the same swords."

He looked at me and began shaking his head, "Yea, that sounds nice but in the real world, you also have to be careful of shifty individuals who put little effort into an honest job and instead try to steal everything that isn't nailed down. I have seen what bandits can do."

Raphtalia finally came out and she looked like she was ready to call it a day. I had to wait for her armor to be finished since causing damage to the armor Erhard loaned us would be out of the question.

"Well looks like Raphtalia is done, I guess I will see you tomorrow then Erhard. Come on Raphtalia we have a long way to go to get back to Lute." Erhard looked at me and he then looked at Raphtalia who was still sulking.

"Why do you have to go back there?" I told him that I simply didn't trust the inns in the capital enough to stay in one of their rooms, for all I know they would try to go to the guards and say I stole something just so that I be made to suffer, with the church teaching that was not a risk I was willing to take.

"Ah, so you know about the church teachings then, well that makes me feel a little less guilty. See the only reason I didn't mention the church's teachings was because I didn't want to hurt your feelings or make you feel that you could not trust me. So you know what they say about the shield hero then?"

I told him I pretty much suspected they hate the shield hero because that is the only legendary piece of equipment that is not displayed by the church. "I have only been there to access the dragon hourglass to see how much time I have till the next wave. Something about that place gives me this feeling that I really should avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary."

He looked at me with a smile and placed his hand on the same shoulder that he slapped twice. "Well that does it, I have my home on the second floor of my shop, you and this little lady can stay here for tonight. It is not like the beds in the Inn, but I think it will be better than sleeping on the floor of the mine you slept on."

I had to agree, and I also had to thank him for me and Raphtalia being able to sleep at a place we could know was owned by someone we could trust. He had us both follow him and when he told us which room we could use we entered, I did not like what I found, the room was clean, there no need to sleep on the floor or at least no need for Raphtalia since the room only had one bed.

As I looked at it I began to think that this may be the only bed in this entire building, and I realized that Erhard was willing to sleep on the floor of his shop just so that we would find a place in the capital to be able to sleep without worries.

I decided to leave the bed to Raphtalia and I went and slept on the floor. I guess I could have shared the same bed, but let's face it, it is small since it was meant for one person and two people on it would make Raphtalia more than uncomfortable, embarrassed and make me feel like an absolute pervert.

I leaned on the door as I tried to fall asleep if anyone tried to do anything to us here, they will have to come through this door, the windows are barred. I know I can trust Erhard, the people in the city of them I am not too sure, aside from a handful of merchants everyone else is a follower of the church.

As I fall asleep, I begin to see something that seems oddly familiar, the palace where I was in before but something is strange about it, the place seems to be more welcoming, almost like the castle was greeting the people that enter it. I saw a young woman her long hair styled in a dignified look, her clothes almost casual.

I kept looking at her eyes and she just ran over to me, she placed her head against my chest, 'You arrived, you have no idea how much I missed you. Come let us take a walk in the garden, I hate how my parents want me to spend so much time with the guy they want to pair me up with.'

I placed my hands on her shoulder and leaned close to her and kissed her lips, 'Don't you worry Mire, I will always help you, you know that right? Your parents simply are worried that I might influence you since I have been such a support for the demihumans in your nation. If they knew of our feelings for each other, they would know that I would never willingly harm you.'

Alright, I am watching a romantic play through the eyes of the protagonist, the funny thing is I never been to the theater that much in my life, my studies and training kept me to busy for that. I guess this all happened because my mind is still trying to work through my confusion after the way Myne kissed me.