"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
…
"W-we-wait, Teal!?" Raphtalia was tripping on her words.
"Don't say stuff like that so openly!" Naofumi tried to scold her.
"It was a joke... If you two actually engaged in breeding, you might not have created me and taken me in... So thank you for being such prudes."
That solidified it in Naofumi's mind. Teal may act all shy and reserved, but she's probably a huge pervert herself.
...
The party saw a town in the distance. Not a village, but a proper town with stone walls and streets. Using [Calculator] Naofumi determined the town had 63 buildings at the lowest. Naofumi considered this was a great opportunity. They should be able to make much more coin here than an average village and they'd be able to get Teal some better clothes until they return to the capital.
As they approached the gate they noticed the number of guards were quite high. This must be a major city for Melromarc. The entry fee was also 5 silver as opposed to the average 30 copper of other tolls, but once again his merchant's pass let them bypass payment and a routine search.
Once inside, Naofumi began to understand why the town was so much larger than other villages. This was a major trading hub. There was a huge central market of established stone stores and nearly twice as many makeshift stands set up as a large bazaar. The roads were also extremely wide allowing Filo to move the cart even through the busy crowds.
Upon approaching the center of town, a knight asked Naofumi if he had a merchant's pass. After handing it to the knight for inspection, the knight handed it back and told Naofumi where he could set up shop. Apparently the merchant pass was also used to decide who gets preferential placement for the bazaar here. It made sense. Those with a merchant's pass have good ties to noble, meaning they have quality products and a good business history.
Before Filo even changed to her human form, a crowd gathered. They had found the savior of the heavenly fowl and wanted the highly sought after medicine. This pleased Naofumi, but he also had a lot of goods from the bandits that he needed to sell off. This town could be just the place for that.
Filo transformed back and the whole family began setting up the shop. As always, there were those wondering about his kids. Naofumi was use to this, but what happened next set his mood for a while. A slightly overweight man approached the stand and tried to startup a conversation with Naofumi.
"You're the savior of the heavenly fowl? And she is the heavenly fowl?"
"Um yes, do you require medicine?"
"Nothing so trite. I only deal in large merchandise. What I wanted to see is the price of your filolial, how much?"
The whole family stopped a moment. Naofumi did his best to not get angry yet.
"There must be a misunderstanding. Filo is not just a filolial, but a person with her own thoughts and opinions. She is not mine to sell."
The noble seemed to not pick up anything Naofumi was saying, "What could you possibly mean. You are her owner, are you not?"
Naofumi made it clear. "No. I am not her owner. She has nor will ever have an owner. She is my daughter."
At this point Raphtalia was standing in front of Filo while Monti and Teal moved to either side of her.
The man took it with a laugh, "Ha, daughter? I've heard you say things like that, however... If I were to offer you 50 gold coins for the thing, even you-"
"Not interested in the slightest. I don't deal in lives anymore. If there's something on display here you like, I'd be happy to do business with you though."
The nobleman seemed to take great offense at the denial of his coin. In a huff he left. Naofumi used [Nue Monkey Shield]'s [Trickster] with his [Tele-communication] to silently tell his family to watch out for that noble and to not leave Filo alone until they leave. She had learned to not always protest and so, said nothing.
Once the stand was set up Naofumi and Raphtalia agreed for Raphtalia and Filo to take Teal shopping for some clothes while Monti stayed with Naofumi to operate the business.
...
-Working the shops-
...
Raphtalia was having trouble. Filo was being Filo as always, but there was more. Teal also seemed to be reliable like Monti at first glance, but she was really just as mischievous as Filo and worst of all was that her mischief was planned, not spontaneous.
"Now, now. We need to find Teal some clothes first, then we can look around a bit."
Filo wanted to stop at every single stand and store, but that's take the whole day.
"You hear mom, right? First my clothes, then we shop around." Teal said with a viscous grin
"Ahh~. Okay. Then let's focus for now."
Teal was making promises to Filo. She also wanted to look around, but using Filo instead of joining her would be better for herself. Teal wound-up Raphtalia using Filo, then offered a solution and she took it as planned.
"That's right. We'll have a bit of fun afterwards, but we must prioritize Teal's clothes first."
Teal briefly wore an evil smile of victory and had to hold back a cackle. All according to plan.
They went to a few stores. The owners seemed more than a little weirded out by Teal. There was even one store that looked like it was going to turn them away until Teal mentioned her father was the savior of the heavenly fowl in a round-about way. Teal knew not to have high standards here. Whatever she settled on was only temporary. She'd receive something as good as her siblings when possible. So she chose a simple blue skirt and whatever matched it. No leggings, socks, or shoes though.
Raphtalia asked her multiple times if she was sure. Probably wanted this to take longer, so Filo couldn't explore as much. Now changed into her new clothes, Teal lead Filo into one shop after another. Raphtalia did her best to keep up.
As they went about their fun a few guards began whispering.
...
-Back at the cart-
...
With just the two of them they were very busy. After the initial gathering of those who waited for the opening had died down, things became manageable. In a brief lull in customers Naofumi turned to see Monti placing new product down from the cart, keeping the displays full to entice customers. Something that Naofumi hadn't yet told him to do. He thought for a moment before speaking.
"You've always been very reliable, Monti. Thanks."
It felt like it came out of nowhere. Monti was happy to be praise by his father, but he felt that doing an okay job at assisting his father this one time was hardly worth praise.
"Dad... This alone isn't-"
"No. I'm not thanking you for this, but for everything. Our lives aren't easy. We have no home, our lives are at risk, but your earnest help has been a consistent thing that's supported this family... So thanks."
"Sti-still though-"
"I'm worried right now about the rest of the family. I'm not right next to them and so I worry..., but when you are with the family that's missing, I worry considerably less. I have to worry about a great many things, but you are not one of them. Honestly if it wasn't shopping for a dress or whatever I'd feel better with you going along and watching over them. This hasn't really come up before now. So now that I'm worrying more, I appreciate the relief you gave me. I'm sure your mother feels the same."
Monti listened with a warm smile forming on his lips. His hard work did the good he thought it would. Even better, he's being recognized for it.
"It seems this world operates under similar rules, but I'm not entirely sure... But in the world I came from and more specifically the country I was raised in, The eldest son holds special meaning in a family."
Monti perked up at this.
"As my eldest son, you are in charge when Raphtalia and I aren't around and whatever Raphtalia and I leave behind is yours first. It'd be your right to divide whatever remains among your siblings and to continue whatever we leave undone..."
"I really d-do appreciate the praise... but don't speak of dying so casually. If that ever happens-"
"When it happens. We aren't immortals. We will die, hopefully much later. And when it happens, you'll lead the family well... Just don't let Filo get her way all the time."
"For all my strength, telling Filo 'no' is a task too great for me."
They laughed. Wanting to leave the heavy conversation where it was. They both got what they needed from it.
...
-Working the shops-
...
Things were not going as planned. Not at all.
Teal's plan was to play the middle. Reigning in and agreeing with Raphtalia when she wanted to take it easy or encourage and agree with Filo whenever she wanted to pick up the pace.
Teal was suppose to be in control.
However Raphtalia quickly found a few things she wanted to do and try. Some as her inner child wanted to express itself and sometimes she wanting to try more adult oriented things she'd yet to. This actually meant that both Filo and Raphtalia were acting out and Teal had to be the responsible one. Her plan was a failure in every sense of the word.
Teal tried, "Mother maybe we should slow down. We've been to 20 shops already. I'm sure brother would like to-"
Filo countered, "It's fine, It's fine. Brother is boring... in a good way. He's probably super happy to work with dad."
"If filo wont budge, then perhaps mother"
Teal tried again, "We shouldn't assume sister. Brother works hard, but that's all the more reason to give him chances to take a break. His midday naps have become more frequent. He's working too hard."
Raphtalia considered this. She too noticed Monti was taking more naps at midday. Were they overworking Monti? This slowed Raphtalia's pace and Filo's with it. Teal was revealed.
Raphtalia started "Perhaps... If Monti was pushing himself, it's not he'd admit it."
Even Filo admitted it "Yeah. Fine we can head back, but I wanna explore more later."
Teal thought to have a long day of fun, but this pace was even wearing her out. Somehow Filo was running laps around her, leaving her to catch her breath and she didn't even breathe like normal people.
As they headed back toward cart the noble from earlier watches them. He smirks as he heads off in a different direction.
...
-Back at the cart-
...
A few minutes later some guards approached them. There were 10 of them in total. One began a conversation.
"Are you the one they call the savior of the heavenly fowl?"
Naofumi didn't like this, 10 armed men approaching at once.
"Yes. I am. Are you in need of medicine?"
The guard regarded his answer, but didn't respond at first. He looked at the items Naofumi had displayed a moment, then turned back to him.
"Might I ask where you got this rug?"
It seemed like a random question, but the answer proved otherwise.
"I took it from some bandits. Don't tell you care what happens to them?"
"Huh? You admit it was in the possession of bandits, but you stole it from them? That's awfully convenient... Tell me how did you manage that?"
Naofumi turned to Monti, "Show them."
In the next moment Monti turned into his full form. 4 of the guards fell flat on their asses while they attempted to back away. The guard that was talking gripped his weapon, but didn't unsheathe it.
Naofumi continued, "As you can see, some random roadside bandits had no chance. They threatened to take everything but our lives only if we surrendered. So it only felt right to do the same to them. Though they kept a little bit, the cart only holds so much."
Monti turned back to his human form and began to straighten the merchandise that was displaced. The guards recovered a bit, but didn't know what to do.
One of the other guards spoke, "W-what is that thing?"
Naofumi began to frown as he took a step between them and Monti. He stared them down a moment.
"He's my son, his name is Monti."
The first guard spoke again, "So he can transform just like the heavenly fowl?"
Naofumi caught him, "Oh? I didn't see any of you earlier when Filo transformed. Could it be that the noble from before sent you after I refused his barbaric offer?"
The first guard seemed frustrated, "Noble? Do you mean Lord Wagner?"
"No idea about his name, I've never been here before. I've just started as a merchant recently after all..., but if you'd throw his name out there so thoughtlessly it seems I was wrong to assume you were acting on his behalf"
The guards all stopped and discussed something amongst themselves. Several times they looked back at either Naofumi or Monti. After a moment the lead guard came back.
"We received more than one complaint about you selling stolen goods... Do you have anyone else who can corroborate your story?"
"My party can, but besides them, Mr. Hickwaal was traveling with us at the time. He was their target after all."
"Mr. Hickwaal!? He's a rather well known business man and one known to keep his word... I'll be straight with you. I have to confiscate anything you got from the bandits. The original victims deserve their goods back, no?"
Naofumi seemed less than impressed, "With nobles in charge, do you really expect me to believe anyone will actually see any of their property again? More over, what compensation are you willing to give me for these items? Right now coin is life or death for me and my family."
"I enforce the queen's justice. Just as I must take these items from you, I must also ensure these items are returned to their lawful owners. They'll never reach Lord Wagner..."
The guard straighten his back a bit as he said his next words. "And of course you will receive no compensation. These items are not legally yours."
Monti was afraid his father was about to do something really dumb, but instead Naofumi sighed heavily.
"I knew I'd get grief for this... fine. I'll comply."
The guards couldn't hide their relief. The idea of fighting Monti was not a pleasant one.
"Then I'd ask you to honestly tell me which of these items aren't yours legally."
It was probably another test. Naofumi thought he could easily get away with some of it, especially the few things in his [Inventory], but this guard kinda reminded him of Erhart. Shooting straight with him was probably for the better.
"Nearly everything. Besides my cookware, covers, pillows, my medicine and the two crates of seeds... basically everything else."
This was surprise even to the guards. They didn't expect so much to be stolen.
"Truly?"
"Then he's actually quite poor?"
"Now I feel like I'm the robber..."
The head guard looked Naofumi in the eye.
"Thank you for your honesty. I'll take your word that the other items are your own... Men gather the rest."
The guards took everything that was stolen. Naofumi removed everything from his [Inventory] that was stolen afterwards and handed it to them, saying the cart had hidden compartments. The guards seemed to look more and more guilty as they went. Finally with a nearly empty cart, Monti looked at the situation bitterly. He wanted to say something, but stayed quiet.
The head guard turned to Naofumi and Monti. Monti was very frustrated, while Naofumi spoke to him gently trying to calm him down. To the lead guard, it really did look like a father and son.
"Sorry for all this" After the guards said this, they left.
Naofumi and Monti did their best to sell more medicine, but their losses were still so much higher. In this busy city they made nearly 3 gold in a day, but they lost nearly 5 gold in merchandise. Even if they did just as well tomorrow, they'd only break even. Naofumi already made up his mind to stay here another day. The sales were absolutely necessary after what happened.
As the day continued, Naofumi found it necessary to try and calm Monti down.
"Monti, we'll recover quickly. So don't worry."
"It's just so frustrating. Making coin is one of our major needs and I only ever contributed to that with the bandits. Now it's like I didn't help at all."
"Don't be stupid. We still sold some of it, besides you help in other ways."
"Not enough though, my-"
"No. We are not having this argument again. Monti you-"
"I'm not! I understand I don't need to do more for you or mother to care, but I want to do more because I want to. More is expected of the eldest son, right? I'm not good at physical combat despite my strength. My poison is starting to become more of a nuisance to my enemy rather than a threat... Worst of all my magic is extremely limited and it doesn't seem to pack the kind of punch I'd like..."
"... It's true that your mother and I have slacked in this regard... You kids have such great stats that technique and such hasn't really been brought up yet... Tell you what? Once we're back on the road I have something I wanna test out with you. It might help your magic a lot... but really physical combat, that'd be best to do with Filo. You'd hold back too much with your mother."
"but Filo would kill me..."
"Yeah, basically."
...
-Later when they met back up-
...
As soon as the cart was in sight Raphtalia was surprised. Seeing all the bulk items gone made her believe the day was very fruitful so far.
"Oh wow! You two must of done great."
She didn't say another word as she saw Naofumi's and Monti's faces. They were not in a good mood.
"What happened dad?" Filo asked
"Our stock from the bandits was confiscated. I assume the petty revenge of that Wagner guy." Naofumi said. Trying to make it sound like no big deal.
"Wagner guy? Father do you mean that disgusting noble from earlier?" Teal asked and Naofumi nodded in response.
"But it's not all bad. We've made 2 gold and 34 silver so far today. So we're doing great."
The family temporarily closed the stand and broke for lunch. They did their best to relax. Remaining upset or focusing on the negative would be counter productive. They calmed down and socialized a bit. A few customers gathered, but they had the manners to see the wholesome family moment and refrain from barging in.
After about an hour they reopened the shop and apologized for the wait. The customers seemed more than understanding and they seemed to not tense up around the kids like some customers did earlier. Something caught her attention, so Filo grabbed Monti and walked away for a moment. They returned with a man in bad shape. He was covered in a large poorly made cloak. He wore gauntlets and greases that looked the same as the knights of the capital. He seemed malnourished and in need of help.
"He's scared and needs help." Filo said matter-o-factly.
The whole of the family had come to recognize Filo's instincts as it came to people. They accepted it as fact the moment she said it.
"Okay then. Let me see what we can do."
"I-I have no coin sir..." The man's voice certainly sounded scared.
"That's a shame, but doesn't really change anything. Just repay me if we meet in the future. Now take off that hood and-"
"I can not sir..."
"... Understood, we'll do this in the cart."
Naofumi, Teal and the man were now in the cart with the others running the stand outside.
"Now come on, remove the hood."
"Sir please. I'd honestly prefer no treatment at all if I have to-"
"There are a number of reasons someone would hide their face, but likely... It's because you're wanted right?" Teal just cut to the heart of it.
"..."
Naofumi switched his shield in front of the man.
"T-that's-!"
"Yup. Now if we rat you out, you can do the same. Now remove the damned hood."
The man hesitantly pulled his hood back revealing a miserable face. He had a large burn covering most of his right cheek and three long cuts diagonally across his forehead. He seemed not only malnourished, but sleep deprived as well.
Both Naofumi and Teal paused a moment.
"Pretty bad huh?"
Teal felt the pain in his voice. There was a bitterness to it. Naofumi took out his potions and begun. He applied salves to the man's face and to a shoulder wound he had, administered his better intermediate medicine slowly, he then told the man to eat as much of their leftovers from lunch as he could and to rest in the cart for the time being. The man said nothing, but quietly wept the whole time.
Once they left him to sleep, they informed the party through the combo [Trickster] plus [Tele-communication]. Even though they were right next to them, it kept the information from spreading.
They party was beginning to back up for the day when the same noble approached Naofumi again. Naofumi didn't allow him to set the pace. He used [Record] before he began speaking.
"Evening Lord Wagner. Come for a last minute purchase?"
"Ah so the savior does know my name? Yes, I was wanting to once again discuss selling that filolial of yours. I heard the guards took most of your merchandise. No doubt it hit you hard, but rest assured I would be willing to pay 50, no, 55 gold pieces for it. What do you say?"
Naofumi had a couple of options here. He could stall the man. Tell him he was planning to stay 3 days or more, but leave sooner. He could do that, but-
"I'm only going to say this one more time. She is my daughter! I'm not selling her! She isn't something to be sold! Now get the hell out of here!"
Naofumi's anger flared again. It was true that taking care of his family had helped him climb out of his misery and stave off his anger. Just earlier Naofumi failed to get angry because Monti got upset first, shifting his attention. At the same time though, the family if hurt or insulted cause him more anger than anything else. That led to Naofumi's current outburst.
The noble seemed quite angry himself now. "See here you damned peasant! You need coin and I'm offering it to you. Are you not a merchant to make coin!?"
"I make coin for my family, dumbass! What would the point be in having coin for my family, If I don't have my family!?"
The heated exchange drew in a lot of attention from the few customers and traders still open. One lady ran off as soon as she heard them yell.
"I will have that damned bird, boy! Now take the coin or you'll have nothing!"
That was the last straw. The rest of the family stood by Naofumi ready for a fight. Lord Wagner seemed less than troubled by their gathering.
"What this suppose to be? Your group of freaks think they can take on a war hero?"
Raphtalia spoke next "If there is trouble here, you'll be the one to start it. However, we will be the ones to end it."
The man bellowed "Stupid demi-human, do you have any idea who I am? Threatening me alone might cost you your life."
"Yes you are quite well known it seems. I wonder what will happen when the word spreads that the savior of the heavenly fowl had to flee this city and never return because the greedy Lord Wagner tried to steal his name sake heavenly fowl? I'm sure the many people father has saved and their lords would love to have a word with you about that." Teal threatened his reputation since that was what he seemed to hold so highly, but at the same time she was preparing something in her right arm.
"Shut your mouth you little beast! You don't control your pets at all merchant. As their owner I'll have you compensate me for their insults. And it better remain words."
The man truly seemed confident in fighting all five of them, even unarmed. Naofumi and Teal were now realizing that if he was indeed a war hero, then he must of killed a lot. His level should be pretty high. Even after all these years, level don't go down on their own. He might be above them by a bit in terms of levels. However they were abnormally strong for their level.
"What the hell is going on!?"
The lead guard from before with more than two dozen guards ran up to them.
"Tell your lord to back off and leave us alone!" Monti burst out.
"Quiet little monster! See here captain, this bastard took my coin, but refuses to give me the agreed product!"
"Bull fucking shit!" Naofumi was inching towards more bad decisions.
"Quiet! ... How much coin did he pay you?"
"Not a single copper and even if he gave me 100 gold I'd never sell what he was asking, then demanding for." Naofumi said as loud as he could without yelling.
"What would that be?"
"Our daughter!" He raised his voice a bit more.
"... My lord?"
"I paid for the damned bird, he refuses to cough up either the bird or the coin. Do your job captain."
The guard paused. From their brief interaction earlier he got the feeling that the savior was an honest man and he seemed to care for that other monster as a father well enough. It didn't line up at all for him to sell his self-proclaimed daughter or lie about it.
"Do you have any evidence that he accepted your coin or that he agreed to the sale?"
He knew what was about to happen, but he wanted to hope for a better outcome.
"Are you questioning your lord!? Even when I'm unarmed and they are an inch from battle, you think me the perpetrator!?"
The guard leader sighed internally. He only had one hope left, but it was slim.
"Savior. Do you have any evidence to your claims?"
Naofumi stared at the guard a moment. It felt like he was looking through him. The man had faced bad situations, but he could do that because he wasn't the guilty party. Now though...
"Before I answer that, I have a question."
"... Please don't stall and just-"
"If I had no evidence to contradict his word right now, would you kidnap our child and hand her over to your lord? Tear her from her family on his word alone?"
Those words affected him, it affected a lot of the guards. Even still they followed orders. He felt sick.
The lord interjected "So you're admitting you have none?"
Naofumi kept eye contact with the guard, "I'm waiting for his answer..."
Finally the guard hung his head in shame, "If you had no evidence, then yes..."
Naofumi wasn't mad in that moment. He was sad and disappointed. He opened his shield that was currently his [Book Shield] towards the wall and used his mastery bonus [Project] to display the video recording. It looked like a spell, no one even considered it could be a heroes power.
The guards and the lord watched the brief recording. The lord offering the coin, Naofumi denying it, the lord clearly threatening to take Filo by force, Raphtalia clearly stating he would be the one to start a fight, etc. It was rather damning evidence.
"Th-that was a lie made by magic. Crystal balls can be tampered with, it's like that! Yeah it's the same as that!"
"Doing so also takes time and many mages... This clearly shows that the savior did nothing wrong." He couldn't say that it also showed he was guilty or that he lied to their faces.
The lord growled in anger. He went to yell at Naofumi, but he and his party were already packing their cart to leave. The man inside the cart was so tired he didn't even wake the whole time they loaded up to leave.
The guards tried to stop them.
"Please wait, this is a misunderstanding."
"Exactly. We have resolved the issue."
"There's no need to leave savior."
They were all ignored. Every member of the family wore a frown. As Filo turned back into her queen form and was having Raphtalia and Naofumi place her harness on, the guard leader tried his hand.
"I'm sorry that such an incident occurred, but it's been dealt with. I'm sure there will be even more business here tomorrow and more customers who need your life saving medicine. Please savior-"
"I'd love to stay another day, hell even three. We made more coin in one day here than five anywhere else, even with you taking all my stuff... and it is a shame about those who need the medicine, please tell them to visit any other town if they are in need."
"Savior, please. I'll personally guarantee your safety for the rest of your stay."
"Don't be mistaken. We aren't leaving because of your egocentric lord. We're leaving because the place is guarded by a bunch of self-admitted kidnappers. As a father, I can never trust this town ever again. We are leaving. And we'll never come here again."
The guard leader wanted to say something. He wanted to find the words to make the savior stay. Surely there will be people who will come to this town tomorrow after hearing the savior was here, solely to seek out his medicine and he'd have to tell them that they can't get the medicine they need, because the guards were too cowardly to not steal someone's daughter away when ordered. Even after the cart left out of sight, the man stood there.
"Get back to work captain! and don't worry about that fool. He'll be back, the market is too strong here... and when he does I'll-"
"I quit." That was all he said. The lord started saying something, then yelling something else, but he just kept walking.
The captain went to the barracks immediately and stripped himself of his armor and finery that was not legally his own. He had to leave the shield for that reason, but luckily his partisan was his own. He even had some old worn out leather armor to wear.
Before he was done, several guards came in to talk some sense into him, but three others came to do just the same as him and quit. As the guards that came to stop him saw the few that were leaving with him, some of them became tempted themselves. They still tried to convince him.
"We know it was rough today, but don't quit over just one day."
"I know how you fell, but think of how much worse it'll be without you."
"Why are you even upset? You did your job and we didn't have to do anything bad."
"Listen. If you need the coin, for family or whatever than just ignore me. I became a guard instead of an adventurer to help people, to protect and served people. Today I almost became worse than any criminal I've ever stopped and worst of all I could of stopped at any time. What kind of a man rips a child from their father's arms!? Such a person has no right to call himself a man!"
A two more guards joined him and began packing.
"I'm sure that Wagner will fill my position quickly. One of you might be making a bit more coin soon. Congrats..., but all of you are going to have to continue working for him. Not the queen, not the people, not even the law. Him. I have no right to say this considering what I almost did due to cowardice, but those of you who stay at least try to be worth the armor. I surely wasn't earlier today..." "When did I stop being a good man?"
Another one joined in.
Many more looked like they wanted to go, but didn't budge. He saw this and thought bitterly, "What a shame. This many guards have no backbone? This place might finally succumb to Wagner completely and push the market elsewhere. That might be the only way for him to see what he has become."
By the time he left he was now the leader of a party a seven including himself. He didn't know what he was doing in the slightest. He'd figure that out later.
...
-On the cart-
...
The family traveled in a slightly uncomfortable silence for nearly 30 minutes before Naofumi spoke.
"I'm sorry. I had multiple ways of dealing with that piece of shit without escalating it like that. I lost my cool, I-"
"Do not apologize." Raphtalia was trembling in anger. "Men in armor, snatching children simply because someone else ordered it... I don't want to be anywhere near such people. If you can even call someone like that a person."
Naofumi got up from his spot, went to Raphtalia in the front seat and held her. They said nothing, but her trembling slowed, then stopped. They stayed like that for a few minutes. The mood slowly lightened.
Suddenly there were slight grunts as the man was coming around. Monti moved to give him room and Teal leaned down to help the man sit up. He seemed confused.
"Wh-why is the cart moving? Did they discover me!?"
The man was waking up and went straight to panic. Monti and Teal held him still while Naofumi did his best to explain.
"It's the same day as when you fell asleep, about four to five hours later. We left due to the local lord and the guards being a bunch of bastards. You never came up. So calm down."
"Sorry sir..." The moment he was assured of his safety he grew weak again.
"We'll be camping in about an hour. I wanna get further away from that place. We can feed you again... but after that-"
"After that I'll do my best to hurry off somewhere. Thank you for helping me... These last two weeks have been hell."
"If you don't mind me asking, what did you do?"
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time... Ten of this countries riches and most influential nobles were summoned to meet with the pope of the three heroes church, Biscas T. Balmus. They-"
"Wait! Did you say three heroes church? ... let me guess."
"Yeah, they worship the other three... and see you as the devil himself."
"So... that bitch is a follower and that's why she lied? ... No she doesn't follow anything, but her own damned mood... Maybe it was an exchange of some kind? Like the church paid her to make me look bad... Continue."
"Right. Well, they were suppose to have this big meeting to determine how best to move their troops around to maximize the amount of possible security any village could receive. They were trying to respond to the waves in their own way."
"Why wasn't the king there?"
"Apparently the king and the pope already had a meeting and the king and those same nobles already had a meeting, this was the third and final meeting. Normally, they'd all attend the same meetings, but the pope apparently had a hectic schedule... Either way the point is that three of the lords were poisoned a few hours after the meeting and I was the one that found them. Before I could call for help, clerics and my fellow knights came in and surrounded me."
"So you were their fall guy?"
"Basically. I knew I'd never get to speak my case. I'd just be poisoned in prison. So I ran. I leapt from a third story window in full-plate and actually didn't die. I ditched the heaviest gear, my breastplate, and fled the city... My fellow knights had nearly got me thrice, but desperation made me the stronger man..."
Naofumi looked to the front, towards Filo.
"So?" He asked Filo
"He's not lying." She said quickly
Naofumi sighed, "Well damn. Looks like we're in the same boat."
"You believe me! just like that!?"
Naofumi smiled. He said the same thing when Erhart believed him.
"My eldest daughter is practically a walking lie detector and I was a victim of their lies too. Believing you isn't hard at all."
The man fought back tears. to have someone believe him was all he wanted. The rest of the trip was spent calming the man down and talking lightly with him. Once they stopped and made dinner, the man ate almost half as much as Filo, which was insane. They encouraged the man to travel with them until he found somewhere better to stay at, but he declined.
"Sorry, but I can't keep being a burden to you. In a lot of ways you have it worse than me..."
"...Fine, but take this." Naofumi handed the man two potions, more salve for his face, a container of nutrient pills, and a container of energy pills.
"Apply that salve once per day, take these when you need the energy, and take these to build your health back up"
The man lowered himself to the ground, "You have so little and you give so much..."
"Oh. One more thing-"
"Please stop I can't accept anything else. I shouldn't of accepted these gi-"
Naofumi tossed the [Band of Satiety] at the guy.
"Here. It'll stave of hunger, combined with the nutrient pills you should be able to go a long time without eating. It'll help you a lot, it's practically useless to us."
The man grew quiet a moment, before he spoke. "My name is Fitts... I will find a way to repay you hero... On my life. Please wait for that day."
He began to leave them, placing the band on his left arm. They knew better than to stop him again
Naofumi simply smiled "I'm looking forward to it Fitts."
[Author's Notes]
Kind of a filler chapter in a way.
The three poison nobles, Lord Wagner, Fitts and even that piece of shit Idol are a part of something I planned. It feels unrealistic that the church can simply take over with their might alone, that'd be silly to assume the queen would let the church build up to that point. So the church needs further military assistance from those in the kingdom with the most manpower.
More side characters that go off to points unknown.
Naofumi hears about the three heroes church earlier, but is not told anything too explicitly. He'll be more cautious of them, if nothing else.
Also I was considering Teal's good outfit being a kimono. Like she'd not really like any of the options and Naofumi could explain Kimonos to the Tailor? Since Kimonos are unisex and also would allow her to change her body a lot without the clothes binding her. Thoughts?
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