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

To say that other towns needed medicines would be an understatement, I have been two-three villages already and they practically screamed in the joy that I came to sell them some medicines. It appears that the three heroic douche bags were so utterly busy having fun that they completely forgot to clean up other monsters from the last wave.

I honestly don't know which is worse, their total an absolute disregard for the well being of those that call them heroes, or this absolute insane notion that this world is a made up place that was created for fun, what did that guy call it, he said the hero said something like a really nice game.

This is stupid everyone can see this is not some made up make-believe world, how can they be so out of touch with reality that they can not accept it even as the truth is right there for all three of them to see.

Well at least I can say one thing, Filo has gotten a lot stronger since that race, it forced Filo to grow stronger even more so than what I can do with my shield ability. The many times that they used magic to slow her movement speed or make her heavier pushed her beyond anything I could, and she gained a ton of experience because of the struggle.

"You seem to be doing a lot better now Raphtalia, guess that motion sickness medication can be called a success." She wasn't saying anything as I ride right next to her, and guided Filo using the reins.

"If you could do something about the horrible taste that would be a success, it tastes so horrible, so bitter, I had trouble swallowing it and that is saying something the first medicine you gave me would taste sweet by comparison."

I guess I could try to do something about the flavor but doing something like that would diminish the effectiveness of the medicine, it would interfere with the active chemicals of the medicine.

"I guess I could try but the only thing that will happen is that you will need to take a lot more of it, about three bottles worth for the same effect. Some people can't afford that you know. Oh, well I guess I have to make two kinds of medicine the less effective but sweet tasting for you, the regular for me to sell."

For some reason, she really began to smile as I said that, and I think Filo was actually acting a little angry for some reason. As I looked down the road I saw a man who was running down the same road we were traveling only thing is he must have been running for awhile he looked ready to keel over any second.

"Excuse me, sir, I hate to bother you but could you give me a ride to my home? My mother is very sick and I am trying to get to her as fast as possible." Thanks to me feeding some of my medicines I gained the ability to boost medicine effect range and quality by touching it. I also learn that as on as I feed a potion to my shield I register the formula.

Once registered the shield can make as many potions as I want using things from my inventory storage. "Look I am not against giving you a ride, but what is in it for me? I will ask you for at least five silver for me to take you there, that should be more than enough to compensate me for my lost time."

He looked at the bottle and then at me, "That does sound reasonable if you manage to get me to my home fast, but the thing is I spent all our money buying this medicine. How would I pay you if I got no more money?"

I told him he could pay me with other things that are equal to that amount. Once he realized that he could barter for the ride his demeanor got a lot better. "Alright Raphtalia, I am taking Filo, I guess we can get to this guy's home faster without the wagon. Once I make sure his mother is treated and receive our payment I will come back as soon as possible."

I helped the guy jump on Filo's back and we took off down the path much like it was a race, and boy Filo was running so fast that I had to grab hold of this guy or else he was going to fall off. He also let me hold the medicine, thanks to my appraisal skill I learned from the guy in the Apothecary I know this medicine is actually a downgraded version to one of the medicines I make.

In other words, whoever sold him this stuff did not come from the Apothecary or anyone who is a professional, it almost looks like medicine that someone made in a bathtub. I did the only thing I could, I switched his medicine for a better quality bottle from my inventory, good thing they both look the same.

As we arrived he went running into the house, honestly did he forget I am still holding his medicine bottle. The elderly lady looked really sick, "Look why don't you go and give my Filolial some water while I give your mother her medicine. Don't worry I will not charge you for giving her the medicine."

He left and as soon as he left I used my medicine shield abilities to boost the medicine I was going to give her, I put the medicine bottle opening to her mouth and let her take a quick sip of it making sure she didn't drink too much or too fast, no need to have this lady choke on her medicine now is there?

As soon as she took a single sip of it, she immediately began to glow and I could tell her condition was pretty much cured. "So sir, how is my mother?" She looked at me and smiled as she heard her son say that, "It feels like the pain I was feeling was nothing more than a long-forgotten nightmare, relax son, I feel better than ever."

I looked at her and smiled, "Good to hear, you son here was quite worried you know ma'am. Now if you will excuse me I need to get back to my wagon, still got other villages to visit, more medicines and potions to sell."

She immediately grabbed my arm, "At least tell me your name." I told her that people would not want to know who I am if they are believers of the Three Hero Church, for if the other three heroes are worshiped as gods, I was treated as the devil.

"Don't tell others that I helped you, and don't mention my name, I am Roy Mustang." I changed my shield to look like a shield instead of the book shield that I used to read recorded information or potion recipes to see if I can improve them a bit. "I am as you can see, the Shield Hero."

I expected for her to scream that I should leave that she wanted nothing to do with the Devil of the shield, instead she looked at me with a smile full of understanding and care, "Worry not Mister Mustang, I will do as you ask, but only because you asked. Thank you for helping me and my son in our hour of need, to me you are a hero."

I left the house and her son followed me to where Filo was waiting for me, "What magic did you use on my mother." As he handed me about three silver coins worth of food in a sack, I looked at him, told him the only magic I used was good medicines. Told him to be careful of people that sell medicines on the road. Not everyone has a thing called Ethics.

He was waiving at me as we both left, showed the amulet to the checkpoint in the road and went back to where Raphtalia apparently was waiting for me, it seems I can provide transportation as well as medical aid, good to know.

"Welcome back Master Mustang, did everything goes well?" I tied the harness to Filo who was looking extra happy as she gave me a small peck on behind my ear. "Yes, Raphtalia it was nothing more than a crook tricking a poor worried son by selling him cheaply prepared medicine. He and his mother are fine."

"The lady is happy enough she apparently provided us some extra food. So tonight we are going to eat well. Wait till you taste my potato stew. Now come on, let me sit, and let's go, we got a lot more villages that need our help and we got little time before the next wave comes."

As we went from one village to another, I began to try and make a good reputation for myself maybe this will help people feel like they could indeed ask for my help and I will appear more approachable.

One week and we managed to cure several people and about half a dozen villages. Some villages even bought some of my standard health potions just in case the wave happens and the doctor is too busy. If anything I don't like about this is the nickname they came up for me, Savior of the heavenly fowl.

As we all ate our dinner and finally we were getting pretty low on food, cause Filo might be a bird but she does eat quite a bit. I do have to admit that thanks to the fact that I had no spices, my potato stew was rather plain but neither one of them complained, except for some reason Filo took the habit of sleeping while leaning on me.

"I don't mind this as much as I should, but you know your feathers are stuffy as hell." As I fell asleep I swear I heard a young girl say, meanie. Next day a girl that looked no older than ten years old was sleeping leaning on me. The only problem is she was as naked as the day she was born.

This caused Raphtalia to at first look angry and then shocked when said girl woke up and told me Good Morning, Master did you sleep well? That is when we both realized that this girl was none other than Filo somehow she also learned to transform like Fitoria, don't tell me I am raising yet another Filolial Queen.

I better defuse this and quick or else Raphtalia looks like she is about ready to go down the warpath. "What is the matter Raphtalia? Don't you recognize Filo? This is not the first time this sort of thing has happened, guess this means we are going to need to go to the Capital, the Witch at the Magic shop should have the crystal for the mana thread and I need to find someone to make Filo some clothes."

She calmed down when Filo turned back to her bird form and looked at me with this confused look on her face. "What is mana thread? And why do we need them for my clothes?" I guess Filo doesn't know about clothes for people that transform.

"Mana thread is a special thread made by using a crystal and a spinning wheel, where you begin to turn your own magical power into thread, clothes that are worn by people who can transform must be made using the thread made from their won mana. It will cost us a significant amount, but it will be far worse to simply buy your normal clothes."

Raphtalia was now standing between me and Filo and looked at her, "Why does she need special clothes?" I guess she doesn't understand, I told her that any normal clothes she wears would tear up into shreds when she transforms. I decided to go back to the Capital as soon as possible, as soon as she was inside the town gates I gave her an old cloak to wear while in human form.

As we stepped into the magic shop I looked at the witch and for some reason she was very happy to see me, "Finally you came, I sent you a message through the castle weeks ago, I heard from my grandson that you saved Lute and all the people during the wave, I can't thank you enough for doing that."

This made her put her hands under her counter and gave me a book on spells, "This should help you immensely, truthfully I would prefer to give you a crystal ball, but the truth is the castle ordered all the ones I had, so the only thing I could give you is this book. If you put enough effort this could help you."

I know what she is talking about, the crystal ball has a ton of spells engraved into it, and by simply touching them a person can learn them, no surprise the idiot King ordered every crystal ball in town just to make sure I got none of them.

"I couldn't possibly take this grimoire, I know full well how expensive they are. I appreciate the thought, as it happens I need to ask you if you got any way to make mana thread, this is Filo, and unless I make clothes using her Mana Thread I will be unable to buy bread, much less do anything else."

She smiled and she still put the book on my hands, "Nonsense, you have kept my grandson alive that child means the world to me, as a matter of fact, my friend who runs the Apothecary also wanted to see you for a similar reason, you would be correct if she can transform very insightful of you."

She turned and I saw the spindle, "Sadly my spindle doesn't have a crystal to spin mana thread anymore it ran out of power almost a year ago, and those crystals can be very expensive and hard to obtain. I will try my best to find one for us to use. Meanwhile, let me check your magic affinities."

She asked Raphtalia to stand before her crystal ball and she began to focus, "You, young lady, have affinity to Light and Dark Magic, not so surprising for a raccoon girl, your other friend has Wind Magic, and you Roy you have Healing and Support Magic, not surprising considering how caring you are towards others."

"Now that you know your affinity you will know which magic spells will be easier for you to learn from the book I just gave you, and no, I will not accept any comments about not accept it, or you will hurt my feelings. Now I suggest you visit our mutual friend at the Apothecary."

As soon as she said that she was actually pushing us towards the exit, alright I can take a hint. As soon as we walked next door, we were greeted by the same guy I usually sell my medicine too. I guess he wants to complain about my latest motion sickness tonic. I wouldn't be so surprised, even I can tell it is not what I call of satisfactory quality.

"Roy, I am going to give you this equipment and some books containing some of the most advanced medicine formulas I know. Don't even think about not accepting it, you saved my granddaughter, she is the only child left of my line, and as it happens since you started to live on that house in Lute, she actually has shown interest in learning my trade."

I guess he was secretly worried about who would take over running his business, a sentiment I know only too well. I also worry if the next Cardinal Stooges will be a complete mess like the current ones, or even if I will still be here when we have to summon them again, oh, wait I would also need to kick the bucket so I guess that is not going to happen any time soon.

"Thank you for the book, as soon as I am skilled enough to make them, I will bring them to you to see if they are good enough to be placed on the shelves. How is that motion sickness medicine working out? I think I sent you a couple of bottles for you to analyze."

He began to laugh like he heard a really good joke, "It is flying off the shelves truth be told, we have a ton of people who are trying to learn sailing and they bought crates of that stuff for all those new fisher boats and sailors those fishing ships will need to train."

"I also see you have a Filolial that can transform, my friend doesn't have the crystal, I, however, know of an accessory and loan broker that needs to go to another city, he could help you with that crystal if you are willing to give him a helping hand."

I told him if he could write me an introduction letter and tell me where to pick his friend up, he did almost like he already had the introduction letter and location written before I even showed up to his shop.

As I walked over to the blacksmith shop I realized I better buy Raphtalia, and Filo some better weapons. As I walked over to the counter I could see Erhard smiling, "You know Roy, you often accuse us of being Lolicons, yet you been around more Lolis than I have, the pot calling the kettle black?"

He looked at her and sure enough, Filo hid right behind me, "Which is another thing, Roy, you know you don't have to come to my shop to show off that you bought yet another slave. You didn't come here to show off? Then what do you need?"

I looked at him, "I don't show off, and I am here to buy these ladies some weapons since we have gotten into the trade business while we wait for the next wave. Instead of complaining, you should be happy that I found yet another way to make money since I spend most of it in your shop."

Filo was looking at his sandwich and I could almost feel like something was about to happen, something I better stop it or Erhard will regret it. "Master that food looks really good, can I take a bite?"

I looked at Filo and told her No, I would prepare her something to eat as soon as we hit the road. "Oh, Come on kid, no need to be so harsh on her, sure she can have a bite." Why did Erhard have to say that? Filo turned into her animal form and she ate the entire four-foot sandwich in a single gulp.

"This is why I said for you not to eat it, now apologize!" I put my hand on Filo's head and made her bow down and apologize for what she did. I never thought I would have to go through this entire situation all over again, I think I did a good job raising Fitoria, I wonder how she is doing.