"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
...
It was cute.
It appeared as a large kitten, eyes still closed. It's hair was colored burnt gold. However it had more abnormal features. Namely it's disproportionately large scorpion tail and underdeveloped bat-like wings, both colored a dull purple. Crying for it's parent.
One [Inspect] later confirmed it.
[Race: Interdimensional Manticore]
...
Without hesitation Naofumi picked it up and held it with care.
"N-Naofumi-sama! You must be careful. It's venomous." Raphtalia was overly cautious of the small creature, which Naofumi both could and could not understand. "Sure poison, but look at this little guy!"
He held it high on his chest, near his neck and continued to pet it until it's whining started to become purring. He turned to Raphtalia showing her this heart melting thing with a 'get over it' kinda look. Even Raphtalia had to admit, she wasn't expecting the monster to be so appealing in it's appearance.
"Come on Raphtalia, it's a newborn baby. Besides, How would it get through my defenses?"
She had no real answer, but it's origin could not be ignored. Naofumi wanted to absorb the shell, but had his hands full.
"So, can you hold him for a moment?" He used that soft voice.
"I-I'd rather not..." What? She resisted the voice?
"...Fine. Then can you place the shell pieces into my shield?" He wondered how long it'd take her to adjust to him.
"Sure..." She gathered the shell and fed it to his shield watching the chimera all the while.
.
[Monster Egg Shield]
[Ability: Cooking lll] Greatly increase the taste and nutritional benefit of food you cook.
.
[Monster User Shield]
[Ability: Monster Status Adjustment] Monsters gain 5% more stats upon level up.
.
[Monster User Shield ll]
[Ability: Maturation Adjustment] Monsters mature faster. They gain 5% more EXP.
.
"Nice. He should grow fast too... but that also means more food... Now I guess I should think of a name for you little guy."
"If you name it, you'll become attached." She complained, but Naofumi had already forgot his own words about possibly having to kill it.
"Okay, it's a boy. It's a manticore... Maybe something to do with it's cat main body... Manticore... core... Manti... Oh. That works. Don't want a Japanese name for something that lives in this world."
Naofumi looked down at the cute little bundle of potential problems, "Your name will be Monti, how about that?"
It let out a little meow of agreement. Naofumi turned to Raphtalia who was already struggling to stay cautious of the thing. She seemed to think it was cute enough, but it's wave origins were too big of a red flag for her.
Naofumi took the rest of the evening to fed small pieces of meat and had Raphtalia buy some milk. He had a very nostalgic appetite and it made him less frustrated at his cooking bonuses. Raphtalia's worry started to mix with her jealousy. Naofumi used to only spend time with her, but now she had to share it with that little beast.
Naofumi eventually got Raphtalia to relax by continuing their evening studies. She liked the closeness reading in bed and she wasn't surrendering that to the little ball of lies. They eventually drifted off, Naofumi still holding Monti.
...
-The following Morning-
...
"Naofumi-sama! Your assistance please!" Naofumi awoke and turned in the direction of the distress. Raphtalia was currently laying stiff with a somewhat larger Monti laying on top of her, purring loudly. She seemed very unhappy, but Naofumi couldn't help but let out some laughter.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "This is not funny in the slightest! Help!"
Naofumi got up from bed and went right to the bathroom ignoring her plight. He purposely took his time. When he exited Raphtalia had daggers in her eyes and Naofumi figured it was time to 'help' her.
"Alright Monti, time to get up. We have a big day ahead of us."
The chimera's eyes were now open. They had a cat's eyerus, but... the color... They were a brooding purple with an unnatural green swirling spiral within. It looked like the waves themselves. He eyed Naofumi for a moment then slowly stood. He left the bed and waited excitedly by the door. Raphtalia picked herself up and went about getting ready for the day. Still mad at Naofumi.
"Raphtalia." Naofumi used the voice. She was having none of it.
"Not gonna work, Naofumi-sama."
"No. Raphtalia, look."
She looked up to see both Naofumi and Monti watching the second egg as it cracked. She went over as well. The shell came off in pieces revealing a chubby little bird beneath. It chirped a bit before hopping atop Naofumi's head.
"Well, it's a filolial. We can get to traveling once it can pull a cart."
"Aw, it's so cute~." Raphtalia gushed over the little bird. Monti wanted to pout receiving none of that praise from her, himself.
"Now I gotta name you... Filo, yeah how about Filo." It chirp it's hyperactive agreement.
"Filo for fliolials... Naofumi-sama that's kinda lazy, isn't it?"
"You didn't complain when I named a manticore, Monti."
"Wait it's part of a species called 'manticore'?"
"Yes he is." Naofumi needed to break Raphtalia of treating Monti as an 'it' sooner rather than later. How were they to raise it into being a useful party member with such animosity. It may start not listening to them.
Before they left Naofumi absorbed Filo's shell as well.
.
[Monster User Shield lll]
[Ability: Monster Status Adjustment ll] Monsters gain 10% more stats upon level up.
.
They changed their plans for the day. Instead of volunteering to help Lute Village, they went off to both level Monti and Filo as well as stockpile food. Naofumi chose to master his monster shields in order to maximize stat growth, so he started with [Monster User Shield lll]. Raphtalia did most of the work, Monti tried to jump in to help, but Naofumi didn't feel comfortable with him joining in given his size and all. That and the poison from his tail ruined the meat. They kept at it most of the day.
...
-Melromarc Embassy in Faubrey-
...
The queen just returned to her room in visible stress. The moment the doors were closed she threw a decorative pot across the room in frustration. It never hit the wall though. She looked up to see that her loyal shadow had caught the pot and gently placed it down.
"Sorry about that. Report."
"Would you prefer for me to report to you at a better time?"
"No, of course not. Now report, how bad was the wave?"
"The second wave lasted only 33 minutes by my count. The spear, bow and sword heroes surrounded the wave boss alone and mercilessly attacked it. It stood no chance."
That lightened her mood. "Casualties?"
"The number was at 14 when I left, the final count may be higher. This is really fortunate considering the waves location was nearly centered on Lute Village."
"... The shield hero?"
"Yes. While the other three heroes charged the wave boss, he focused on search and rescue. He was able to have the vast majority of the villagers evac to the mine that he himself cleared of monsters prior to the wave."
She now wore a smile, "That is wonderful to hear. Has this improved his standing in my foolish husbands eyes?"
The shadow shifted uncomfortably, "... No. While the shield hero took command of the knights on the ground and the villagers acknowledge him... There have been more issues since then."
The queen turned to face her shadow, nodding for her to continue.
"The king forced the shield hero into a duel to keep his slave, who is now a strong warrior in her own right. He faced the spear hero. While the shield hero was able to trick your daughter into revealing she was aiding the spear hero from outside the duel, the spear hero was the one the king crowned victor. The following morning he attempted to deny him any reward."
Hers was now a face of fury, "So the shield hero is now alone again!?"
"No, my queen. Though his slave was freed, she stayed by his side. He did have an emotional break down at the duels end, but he seems to have recovered. The last he was seen, he was leaving the capital with his former slave, 2 monster eggs in tow, heading towards Lute Village again."
"While that's good to hear, it frustrates me all the more... He raised the lowest slave into a fine warrior, focused on saving the people during the wave, and all we give him is grief..."
"All the same he hasn't faulted yet. He has shown to be of outstanding character. He's been spending a great deal of time, effort, and resources making medicines. He then used that medicine freely to help the injured after the wave. He is worthy of his title as hero."
"And he has no one, but a former slave"
"A former slave from Lurolona village..."
Now she was shouting, "So he knows of my husband's negligence! There's no way he sees us as anything, but evil! I need to act now! If this continues and we drive him from our borders, there will be war."
"What can you do my queen? As things are..."
"I.. I need him to see that the royal family need not be his enemy. I need time to enact a plan."
"The shield hero should be fine for now, my queen. He's out of the capital, has a capable companion by his side and at least one more soon."
She perked up, "What do you mean?"
"Those monster eggs may also help him greatly... The slave dealer, Beloukas said one of those eggs was something special, but refused to give the details... even when threatened."
"I want something delivered" The queen said as she began writing.
"To whom, my queen?"
She finished it quickly and sealed it in wax, "To the lord, well, former lord of Lute Village."
"My queen?"
"I'm granting the shield hero lordship of Lute Village. Those living there should have no complaints. I need him to stay close to the capital, but not actually in the capital. I can't have him traveling too close to the borders."
"Understood."
"And I want it there as fast as you possibly can. Dismissed."
In the next moment the shadow was gone, a violent wind left in her wake.
"May this appease him some..."
...
Lute Village
...
Over the next three days Naofumi mastered his three Monster User Shield series. During that time both Monti and Filo went to level 17. Naofumi found the speed in which they grew both surprising and expected. On one hand 16 levels in three days seemed unreasonably fast, but on the other hand, they were now level 30 themselves. The speed at which they could dispatch foes and the types of foes they could take on were far ahead of what they themselves could do at level 1. On the other hand the EXP bonus was putting in work and as a party of four, fight were much quicker, especially from single foes.
He also took this time to locate ingredients to make more medicine. He was able to find more supplies to make beginner potions, but only just enough ingredients to make one of the intermediate medicines from the book. He of course, absorbed it along with the leftover intermediate herbs.
.
[Herbal Shield ll]
+1 mdef
[Ability: Apothecary ll] Crafted concoctions will be 10% better.
.
[Medicine Shield ll]
+1 mdef
[Ability: Medicine Efficiency ll] Medicine used by you are 15% stronger
.
After stockpiling food for their monsters, Naofumi went back to working with the village. He asked about the cost of a cart, but was told they had none to offer. Naofumi used his [Saw Shield] to fell trees for lumber. He had them save him select pieces. If he couldn't buy a cart, he'd make one himself. He slowly bought spare tools from the villagers. They said he'd be able to simple borrow their tools, but Naofumi was scheming. if his [Iron Shield] had [Metalworking], then surely he could gain carpentry as well. He eventually got the tools together and absorbed them.
.
[Lead Shield]
+1 def
[Ability: Bedrock Plus] Using [Bedrock] now multiplies weight by 10 times instead of 3.
.
[Oaken Shield]
+2 def
.
[Carpenter Shield]
[Ability: Carpentry] Creating something from or including wood is slightly better in quality.
.
[Carpenter Shield ll]
[Ability: Carpentry ll] Creating something from or including wood is moderately better in quality.
.
[Carpenter Shield lll]
[Ability: Carpentry lll] Creating something from or including wood is greatly better in quality.
.
Naofumi was quite used to his shield now. He expected that it would give forms based on function and forms based on the raw materials. He wanted to get started on his cart, but wanted all three bonuses first, meaning he could wait two days then wear the 3rd while making it.
During this time of staying in town, Monti and Filo seemed restless. Many in town seemed afraid of Monti as he got bigger until they learned he belonged to the shield hero. For Monti's part, he actually behaved a little too well. Naofumi was unsure why. While Filo would act like a brat if she went more than 30 minutes without a walk or food. The only moment of peace they had was cut short by seeing they were receiving EXP. Naofumi found that both Monti and Filo left town and were out killing weak monsters. He told them to return using [Tele-communications]. Only Monti listened. After he returned, Naofumi summoned Filo with [Knock knock] much to her confusion.
Naofumi figured that riding her after the 3rd day seemed to wear her out enough to keep her happy and tired, So both he and Raphtalia took turns riding her. She was fast. Too fast. Naofumi could barely hold on as she literally uprooted plants in her wake. He grew confident in her ability to pull a full cart and upon being promising to get her a cart to pull, she behaved a lot better.
Raphtalia and Naofumi finished another day and retired for the evening. They figured they'd remain in the village for 2 more days at least. one to master the [Carpenter Shield ll], then actually build their cart on day two. Though they admitted they didn't know how long a process that'd be. At this point Raphtalia wanted to leave Monti and Filo out in the stables, but both would find their way into their room either way. The larger Monti got the more Raphtalia did not like getting near him. He tired being cute and he tried being helpful, but nothing seemed to appeal to her. For his part, Naofumi didn't mind them both in the room that much and he did enjoy taking care of them. Naofumi and Raphtalia laid in their bed, while Monti and Filo surrounded it's two sides. the four of them went fast to sleep.
...
-The next morning-
...
There was a commotion outside, waking the four of them. Naofumi went to get up, but filo was blocking him. Raphtalia had room to get up, but Monti was close to the spot. She decided to wait until he moved further away.
"Dammit guys, move!" Naofumi wasn't trying to be mean, but it was too early for this.
As they exited the inn, they saw the villagers gathering near the entrance. Naofumi and his party waited in the rear to see what was happening. The cause at the front of the crowd angered Naofumi in an instant. It was that bitch. Monti and Filo both picked up on his mood and focused on these new people.
"Attention citizens of Lute Village. I am Princess Malty and I come here with a royal decree."
She unrolls a scroll, but does not read from it or show it to the crowd. Motoyasu posed mounted upon his dragon-like creature.
"For his performance in the previous wave, Sir Motoyasu, the spear hero, shall be granted these lands as his domain. From this moment onward, he is your new lord!"
Many people in the crowd started murmuring, trying to find their former lord.
"Further to help with the reconstruction of this village, we are implementing a toll. This will help our efforts to gather a reconstruction budget. The toll levied will be 50 silver entering and leaving."
The crowd exploded in anger, even the young and elderly were making their displeasure known.
"50 silver, are you mad!?"
"We're basically trapped! We can't leave!"
"We're already rebuilding just fine!"
Malty looked at them like they were stupid, "Are you all refusing a royal decree?"
Her threat was obvious and several knight subtly started to fan out.
"Of course they would!" Naofumi yelled, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Oh, the shield hero. You have no right or authority to question him. You should leave immediately, you scum!"
Naofumi's party was now itching for a fight. Raphtalia had her hand on her sword, Monti's tail grew still as he growled lowly, and Filo kicked up dust angrily.
"Yeah. 'No right or authority' is how you royals treat everyone! I'd normally take your advice and get as far away from you as possible, but... I've spent enough time with these people that I can't abandon them as you did."
"What are you talking about scum? We've never abandoned our citizens!"
"During the wave you ran right passed the village to claim glory, leaving the people to die! Even after the victory was yours, you never stepped foot in here!"
The villagers were moved to his side easily.
"Yeah, the shield hero is the one who saved us!"
"How dare you talk to our savior like that!"
"We already have the shield hero, we don't need the spear hero!"
Naofumi used this momentum, "Motoyasu. Do you have any idea how much it costs to rent a room in this villages only inn?"
Motoyasu looked lost, "W-what? Why does that matter?"
"It costs a single silver Motoyasu, food included. To pass through this village would cost one hundred times a nights stay. The average adult lives off 20 copper a day! Who would dare come here? Who would dare leave? You'd trap people in their homes unable to even leave to hunt food or tend the fields, they'd die of starvation by weeks end you fucking retard!"
"I'm sure that isn't the case, right Myne?"
He never got an answer as the villagers grew even angrier. Naofumi motioned to his party to fan out too.
Malty grit her teeth in frustration and raised her hand. The knights all lowered their spears at the villagers. "If you continue to disobey royalty then we will use force!"
As the two sides of the fanned out knights inched toward the villagers, they were struck down. Raphtalia bashed her sword into one's breastplate, lifting him off the ground as he was thrown back. The other was disarmed by Monti's lightning fast tail before being pounced on and forced to the ground, held in place.
Motoyasu was caught off-guard by the odd beast, "What in the world is that? it's similar to..."
"You've attacked knight of the kingdom! Fool you-"
Without warning four shadows surrounded Malty.
"That is quite enough Princess"
Malty actually looked a bit unnerved, "Why are you here?"
They pulled out a scroll "To deliver the word of the queen, of course."
Malty snatched it, quickly opening and reading it.
"... This is absurd... You!" She pointed at Naofumi, "Duel us for lordship of Lute Village"
Naofumi was quite done with these force fights, but he meant what he said about helping these villagers.
"What are your rules this time?"
Malty eyed Filo for a moment, then looked back at Motoyasu, who was quite confused.
"This will be a race! A mounted race around the village! Spear versus Shield!"
Naofumi smirked as he answered, "That. I gladly accept."
Naofumi turned to Raphtalia and Monti, "Watch out for cheating. That's all she knows."
...
-At the starting line-
...
As both participants were preparing, Motoyasu was eyeing Filo with petty. "A mighty dragon versus a tall chicken? And it's not even a pure breed it's feathers are different colors. How lame."
Naofumi admitted that insults to his party members were working on him more than insults to himself, but he never got the chance to retort. Filo in a gust of wind appeared in front of Motoyasu and kicked him in the junk nearly 10 feet in the air. Naofumi had to admit it was quite the sight. Filo was quickly redeeming any issues he had with her. Even Raphtalia refrained herself from calling Naofumi out on his evil grin.
"I guess it's to be expected. filolials hate dragons after all." Raphtalia tried to excuse the behavior.
Naofumi considered this, "Filo hates dragons, huh?"
After a moment to recover, Motoyasu mounted his own steed, complaining all the while. Naofumi used [inspect] on Motoyasu's mount. It was apparently a 'Tyrella' and was fast but... Filo's speed stat was truly incredible. She had a speed stat of 103 and only at level 20. She could not lose a race in his eyes.
The former lord walked out to signal the start of the race, "The winner will be decided by whomever finishes three laps around Lute Village first... Begin!"
With her first step Filo had fired off like a rocket. In a mere moment, her lead was easy to see. Malty instantly began whispering to those close to her. Raphtalia kept her eye on Malty. She knew Naofumi and Filo could win, so watching the race seemed pointless. Monti quietly backed his way out of sight and began to move slowly through the tree line alongside the track.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi's [Minimap] pinged him, letting him know of a danger unseen ahead. He steered Filo slightly to the left and sure enough a small hole in the ground appeared. Malty was cheating again, but unlike the duel where he was also at the disadvantage, he was riding Filo, having the upper-hand easily.
Motoyasu gained only slightly behind Naofumi from him avoiding the hole. Motoyasu did however also gain on the turn. It seemed that Filo was faster, but less experienced with sharp turns.
Behind the tree line another mage had cast a spell. One that slowed Filo down. The moment it was finished the mage felt a slight pain in their neck. They tried to turn their neck to see the source, but couldn't. So they turned their whole body and what they saw terrified them. Monti was inches from them. They went to scream, but couldn't. The poison paralyzed them. That's why they couldn't turn their neck, they realized. As a mage with no strength or armor versus a beast nearly triple their weight, they understood what was about to happen, but could do nothing.
Naofumi understood what was going on quickly and used [Liberation] to return Filo to full speed. For some reason, he gained EXP. Unfortunately, the temporary slowing was enough for Motoyasu to just barely pass them. As this happened, the tail of the tyrella swung out and whipped Filo in the face. This furthered Motoyasu's lead.
"Oi, Filo! Are you alright?" Naofumi forgot the race for a moment making sure she was okay, but she was more than okay, she was furious.
"Good then. I'd never stop making fun of you if you lost to a dragon." Filo was now running so fast the earth beneath her caved to her steps. She came barreling through, quickly gaining on Motoyasu.
Malty began to squirm unable to do anything as Raphtalia devoted herself to watching her. One more spell was about to be cast. One that was going to speed Motoyasu up. Possibly giving him the win, but before she could finish the words, she felt a pain in her neck and could no longer talk... She only got a glimpse of the cause before her end.
Filo blazed past Motoyasu so fast it blew him from his mount and she crossed the finish line by a healthy margin.
Once again, Naofumi received EXP. "From winning the race?" He asked out loud.
"Y-You must of cheated!" Malty yelled, but everyone ignored her. They gathered around Naofumi and Filo with cheers. With a smirk Raphtalia turned away from her to see Naofumi and Filo victorious, as she knew they would be. Monti also made his way back. The crowd let Raphtalia and Monti through to meet up with them. Filo basked in her praise a little too much and lowered her guard.
[Alert! Danger Imminent!]
Naofumi saw that the tyrella had left Motoyasu on the ground and was going at Filo in a rage. As it leapt slightly and tried to put all of its weight into its tail, Naofumi used [Air Strike Shield] to repel it. Having put its full weight into it and being airborne, it fell to the ground and began to lift itself again.
Raphtalia drew her sword, "Recall your beast spear hero!"
Motoyasu pulled himself from the dirt and saw his mount freaking out. "Ah. Hey stop that."
His halfhearted protests did nothing to calm the would-be dragon as it snapped at Raphtlaia. At this sight Filo leaned back, knocking Naofumi off and stomped the lizard in its head. It was sent a few feet back and collapsed. Monti placed himself between it and everyone else.
The shadows appeared again. Between Monti and the tyrella. "Heroes handle your beasts. the contest is over."
All at once Motoyasu realized he lost, "W-what? That can't be..."
The shadows left no doubt, "It is so. That now makes the shield hero, Naofumi Iwatani, the lord of Lute Village."
A few cheers began before Naofumi picked himself up and dusted himself off. "Not happening." The cheers died instantly.
"This town is in a state of recovery. The lord should be someone with more experience. I appoint the former lord. Leave me out of it."
The cheers began again. The lord ran to Naofumi thanking him. He offered Naofumi to wait a day and he'd gather the coin to properly reward him.
"No. As I said this town is in a state of recovery... But there is something this town could do for me..."
Naofumi convinced the people of the town to help him build his cart. With so many people helping it was done in less than an hour. Motoyasu stared in disbelief as the people helped and cheered for Naofumi. He could not understand at all.
"Come Sir Motoyasu... We're leaving" Malty said in a defeated tone.
"But princess we're still missing two of the company. Should we not wait?" One knight piped up.
"Silence! If they can't follow orders then leave them behind!"
...
-Later that night-
...
With a a brand new cart and winning against a dragon, Filo was beyond happy. Her excited and hyper nature was currently on another level, but Naofumi left dealing with her to Raphtalia.
He had a concern.
He didn't know why he gained EXP twice in that fight and Raphtalia said she did too. His status magic said EXP could only be rewarded for killing things, but that didn't line up. He ended up asking the local lord about it. Asking if anyone wound up missing or dead. He told Naofumi that two of the princesses mages were missing and failed to return with the rest of them. His heart sank at that.
"Two? That can't be a coincidence..." Naofumi came to a conclusion, but kept it to himself for now.
"If Monti killed them, it was to help Filo and me, but human life can't just be thrown away like that... maybe. If I lost the race how many people in the village would of died before they realized what they did wrong?"
Naofumi tried to come to his own conclusions about what Monti must have done, about how they should treat their enemies. He didn't like it, but he needed to figure this out. He'd have to talk to Raphtalia about it.
That night they slept in the inn for the last time. Raphtalia and Naofumi held each other as always and Monti and Filo took their normal positions next to the bed. Naofumi had a lot to worry about, but sleep still came easily.
...
-The following morning-
...
Raphtalia felt someone shaking her, "Mom, help! Filo wont stop hitting me!"
Naofumi felt a someone else do the same to him, "Dad, Monti's lying... Okay he isn't lying, but he pulled out one of my feathers first. It really hurt!"
Raphtalia and Naofumi only caught part of that exchange as they opened their eyes. Before them was a naked little girl with long blond hair, piercing blue eyes and angel wings. On the other side was a naked boy a bit older looking than the girl. He had short messy burnt golden hair, eerie eyes, bat wings, a scorpion tail and cat ears atop his head.
Raphtalia was freaking out, "What the hell!?"
Naofumi wanted to go back to bed. "What the hell?"
.
[Author's notes]
Monti killed multiple people, but he saw it as defending Naofumi and Filo. How will they handle that?
Let the child-filled chaos begin!
Please leave a review!