Chapter Forty-Eight: The Bird Loli Queen
You know, Naofumi should have been more impressed by Fitoria's appearance.
But he'd seen a lot in this world. He'd seen bats that could imitate his party members. A shield that could 'protect' his identity from others. A Church with a massive hate boner for him. A large freaking dino dragon that was attracted to Ren for 'reasons'. He even had his own personal transforming Filolial daughter.
If this, 'Fitoria', had really wanted to impress him, she wouldn't have shown she was also a Filolial transforming girl. He recovered from his slackjawedness faster than the other two heroes.
"You want to talk to us?" He asked. Indicating to himself, and the two others.
What were they so surprised about? Hadn't they been around Filo long enough?
Then again, Naofumi wasn't sure if Filo's type of Filolial was that rare or not.
Fitoria nodded. "I do." The fancy carriage behind her shined brightly and disappeared.
...
Okay, that was impressive.
"Who, what, how-" Itsuki wasn't sure what question to ask. Who are you? What are you? How did you do that?
Fitoria was now wearing what looked like a necklace with a carriage attached to it. Like it was the most normal thing in the world. Naofumi wondered how he could get himself one of those.
"How do we know we can trust you?" Ren asked cautiously.
"Your fight with the Tyrant Dragon Rex," Fitoria said. "When the three of you collapsed, I was the one that asked my friends to assist you."
Three very familiar Filolials ran out of the semi-circle and stopped in front of the Three Heroes. They gwahed in happiness and lowered their heads to be petted.
The three did so, and they continued to gwah in glee. "They seem to really like you," Fitoria added.
Melty and the others still stood in their spots. Melty had stars shining in her eyes at all the Filolials surrounding them. "Wow! It's her! It's really her!"
Raphtalia relaxed, seeing there was no danger. Eclair still looked on guard, just in case. And Filo…
"Can Filo go back to sleep now? Filo's tired."
"Filo. Don't be rude." Raphtalia said, putting her hands on her hips.
"But Filo want to sleep mommy," Filo complained.
"Don't you know who that is?!" Melty asked Filo as if she was crazy, gesturing at Fitoria. "That's Fitoria! The Filolial Queen of Legends! Hardly anyone gets the chance to meet her, and-" Her face took on an astonished look. "I don't believe it. I met you once already. You saved my life from that dragon."
"And you saved the life of that Filolial. It was the least I could do." Fitoria said in her well-composed voice.
"Eeeeeeeee!" Melty looked like she was about to explode from glee.
"Mel!"
Fitoria spared a glance at the little blonde girl. She sighed as if she'd have to deal with her later or something. "Come, Heroes. There is much I wish to discuss with you three in private."
"What about my party?" Naofumi dryly asked.
"This place is being protected by my magic. You have no need to worry, Shield Hero." Fitoria said in her same neutral tone. Indicating the magic fog surrounding the village square.
"And what about our parties?" Itsuki asked. Though Ren didn't voice the same.
"I don't sense anyone else here," Fitoria said. "Are your parties in danger?"
…
"Fine. We'll go then." Itsuki muttered.
Fitoria walked into the fog. Naofumi looked to the two other heroes, who still looked unsure about following. But he shrugged before going into the fog after Fitoria. The other two heroes followed behind.
"A magic barrier. I knew it." Itsuki muttered.
"Be careful, Sir Naofumi," Eclair said, eyeing the Filolials warily.
"So many!" Okay, it was official. Melty was the President of the Filolial fan club.
"I want to pet them all!" She pulled out dried jerky from her dress.
Just how long had she been waiting for this moment?!
"Mel!" Filo whined in complaint.
Were all these tasty morsels trying to steal her best friend of a few days away from her?!
"Come on, Filo. Let's rest until they're done." Raphtalia led her daughter to the bedrolls.
"But they're trying to take Mel away from Filo!" Filo complained.
"Mel will be fine."
"BOO!"
"Transport Carriage."
The rest of what happened drowned out when Naofumi disappeared into the fog.
It felt like a minute after walking into the fog. But when he walked out, Naofumi was surprised to walk out into another set of ruins. Unlike Raphtalia's village, these were older, and far more ancient.
There was also the carcass of the Tyrant Dragon Rex. Laid out on its side a hundred feet away.
"What the hell?"
"Where are we?"
"Why is that here?"
Itsuki and Ren were looking around. Both of them were as confused as Naofumi about where they were. They didn't recognize the ruins from any place in their games.
"Why did you bring us here?!" Naofumi angrily asked, seeing Fitoria sitting on a piece of debris several dozen feet in front of them.
"I wanted to make sure we'd have complete privacy," Fitoria said, expression as calm and composed as ever. "This is my domain. There is no one alive who knows where we are now. When we are done, I will take you back."
"No way."
"That's impossible…"
Naofumi felt an angry growl rising to his throat. He didn't think walking into the fog would take him so far away from his party! But he cut it off and calmed himself down.
"What did you want to talk to us about?" He asked. They were already here. Might as well not piss off the person with the power to transport them to gods know where.
The carcass was also there. They hadn't harvested it for new weapon forms yet. This could turn out to be worth their while.
"There are many things Fitoria wishes to discuss with you three individually. But before that, where is the Spear Hero?"
...
The three looked at each other and grimaced. "Motoyasu… is at the Capital," Ren said.
"He isn't really keen on helping us out," Itsuki said.
"He had me thrown into prison even though I didn't do anything wrong," Naofumi said dryly.
Fitoria's well-composed face gave way to a frown. "He's been after Naofumi for a long time for something he didn't do." Ren further explained. "He... listens to his girlfriends more than he listens to us."
"Especially this one girl named Myne. Or Princess Malty." Itsuki said.
"Bitch," Naofumi muttered. The two others looked at him, and he shrugged. "What? She'll always be Bitch to me."
...
"And have any of you tried talking with him yourselves?" Fitoria asked.
The three were silent. Naofumi hadn't really had a heart-to-heart with the guy. Ren and Itsuki, besides the time at the Sacred Duel, hadn't really spoken to Motoyasu either.
They hadn't, in fact, ever tried to reason with Motoyasu, outside of Naofumi's attempts.
"I doubt he'd listen," Naofumi said bitterly while crossing his arms. "He trusts a person with a skirt far more than any of us."
"..." Fitoria didn't comment for a while. She looked like she wanted to facepalm. "I'll talk that over individually with you later." She finally said. "What did you do with the Dragon Emperor Fragment that was in the Tyrant Dragon Rex?"
"The glowing purple core that was in it?" Ren asked.
"Yes."
"I absorbed it into my sword," Ren answered.
"... I was afraid that was the case," Fitoria said with a sigh. "I must ask that you hand it over."
"Why do I have to do that?!" Ren asked. Didn't Fitoria know all the trouble they'd gone through to defeat the damn monster?! Since the three of them had been close together too, they didn't get any experience from the kill!
"There are more Dragon Emperor Core Fragments spread out throughout the world, Sword Hero," Fitoria said calmly. "The one you found holds a darker evil than the rest. It consumed the last monster who lusted after it. And mutated it into the beast you fought last night."
…
The three hero's eyes widened. "It is true that we Filolials don't like dragons. I took the carcass of the beast to prevent anyone else from using it for evil. But I ask for this not to weaken you. But to prevent one of the Holy Heroes from suffering a similar fate. If you don't believe me, then I won't ask for the other fragment you're currently carrying in your weapon."
"Other fragment?" Itsuki asked.
Ren grimaced. He pulled up both cores on his HUD.
Gaelion's Dragon Emperor Core Fragment
How the hell had she known it was in there?... "Fine." Ren finally said.
"But in return, the others and I get to absorb parts of the Tyrant Dragon Rex."
Fitoria frowned again. "Fitoria does not support the Holy Heroes using parts from dragons to fight."
"We've already absorbed parts of dragons before," Ren said. "And we were the one that killed it. So it's either that or I keep its core." Ren said.
...
A chill seemed to spread through the air.
"... Or Fitoria could just take it from you by force."
It was said so calmly that the Three Heroes almost didn't realize the threat behind her words. But only a few seconds later, when they were on the verge of shaking from terror, Fitoria sighed, and the oppressive feeling around them disappeared.
"Alright. You may do so."
The Three Heroes looked between each other. Then they cautiously approached the carcass of the Tyrant Dragon Rex, but Fitoria didn't stop them.
Ren used his sword to cut off pieces of scales, fangs, meat, bone, and other parts for the three of them. They unlocked different weapons. Naofumi's shield told him all the shields he unlocked required him to be at a higher level to use them.
After a moment, they were done. Ren pulled out the large purple glowing dragon core from his sword. Fitoria wordlessly took it, and then it disappeared with a glow. The carriage on the necklace glowed with power.
Getting a better look at the light, Naofumi thought he saw a gem embedded in the center of the small carriage before the glow faded away. The stars in the night sky weren't enough to light it again.
"What now?" Itsuki asked.
"Now, I will speak to you individually, and in private," Fitoria said, turning away from them. "I will speak with the Bow Hero first. Then, I will speak to the Sword Hero. I will save you for last, Shield Hero. After that, we will return."
"Why do you need to speak to us separately?" Ren asked.
Fitoria was already walking off into the ruins. "Let's just go along with it," Naofumi said. "She already saved the carcass for us. We might as well see what else we can get out of this."
...
Itsuki wordlessly put his bow on his back and then walked off after Fitoria.
Ren and Naofumi sat in the clearing for a long while after that. The both of them were silent, and looking down between their feet.
Naofumi didn't know why, but he felt like they were all going to be lectured by a teacher. Though it was hard to see Fitoria as such with how small she was.
Unless this was like some of those weird loli school animes he'd heard about online.
"You get the feeling that we're being lectured here?" Naofumi asked.
"I don't know. This wasn't-" Ren cut himself off and grimaced.
"It wasn't part of your game." Naofumi finished.
Ren nodded. "I don't have any background info for who this Fitoria is or what she wants with us." He said.
"She did save you from mutating into a horrible monster," Naofumi said sarcastically.
"... and that carriage she has... I get an odd feeling from it." Ren said.
"How odd?" Naofumi asked.
"I... I just don't know." He murmured.
...
After a moment, Itsuki reappeared. He didn't say anything as he sat down next to Ren. Ren got up and walked in the direction Itsuki pointed to. Pretty soon, he disappeared into the ruins.
"What did you talk about?" Naofumi asked.
Itsuki didn't answer. It was hard to tell in the dark of night, but the blonde boy looked a little pale.
Naofumi switched to a shield he hadn't unlocked the equip bonus of yet so he'd have better night vision. Itsuki did indeed look very pale.
"You okay, Itsuki?" Naofumi asked worriedly.
"I-I… I don't want to piss her off in the future." He chattered nervously.
It was like he'd been whipped.
"What did you tell her?" Naofumi asked.
Itsuki shook his head. "I-I-I'd rather not t-talk about it n-now." He stammered.
Naofumi sat in his spot, growing more worried by the minute for Ren's safety. But thirty minutes later, he also walked out of the ruins. Still looking the same as before.
"You're up Naofumi."
Naofumi looked the calm raven-haired teen over. On closer inspection, Ren looked a little pale and skittish. As if he'd run off at any moment.
"Is there anything I should prepare for?" Naofumi asked as he stood up. "Like a lecture, or maybe a death sentence?"
"Prepare… to explain what's been going on since being summoned." He said. "After that…" He didn't finish and sat down.
He looked lost.
Naofumi thought that over as he walked into the ruins in the same direction Ren and Itsuki had gone. They didn't give him a very good feeling about what was going to happen.
He took note of his surroundings. He could tell the ruins were old. Not only were the structures crumbling, but the stone was worn from years and years of weather. Vegetation had reclaimed the area, covering many of the old structures in vines.
After a little while, Naofumi found Fitoria. She was sitting on a ledge leading to an open field below. Beyond that was a forest. Naofumi opted to sit on the ledge near her.
"Tell me, Shield Hero." She spoke after he sat. "What have you done since being summoned to this world?"
It was just like Ren had warned. "Besides being on the run for the majority of my time here?" Naofumi said sarcastically.
Fitoria didn't comment. And eventually, Naofumi sighed and told her what he'd done since being summoned. From fleeing with Raphtalia, raising her, fighting the Lute Wave, disguising himself as a night merchant, and raising Filo.
She didn't question the Lute Wave much. She must have gotten info from Ren and Itsuki about how that went. "So, that's her name. Filo." Fitoria said after he mentioned Filo.
"Yeah… do you know what she is?" He decided to ask since even after all this time he still didn't know what kind of Filolial Filo was.
"Filo is a Filolial Queen, like me," Fitoria answered. "A Filolial Queen can only be raised by a Hero. Filo is special, and proof that you are a Cardinal Hero."
"Oh…" Naofumi was surprised. Filo was that rare.
No wonder he'd never found information on her species before. She was literally a walking legend.
He'd heard about Fathers treating their daughters like princesses. He wasn't sure if he wanted Filo to learn she was royalty though. He didn't go through all that work of helping her learn to behave without an active monster crest for nothing.
Thank the Gods she still had it. Otherwise, the Monster Tamer Shields wouldn't help make her stronger.
"Filo was the original reason I wanted to meet you," Fitoria admitted. "I wanted to test her and see if she was worthy of taking my place as the next Filolial Queen. But then I found you, the Sword Hero, and the Bow Hero facing the Tyrant Dragon Rex together. I wanted to test your bonds. And see if you were strong enough to defeat what the Heroes of the past could not."
"What?"
"It was long ago. I can barely remember what I was told… But I do remember that monster was sealed away after the heroes of that time refused to work together to defeat it. I wanted to see if you could do what the past heroes could not."
"And what if we hadn't beat it?" Naofumi asked.
"I could have easily beaten it on my own," Fitoria said in her same composed voice. "You were never in any real danger."
… He, Ren, and Itsuki had struggled not to die facing that creature. Just how strong was this little girl claiming to be?!
"Why didn't you help us if you could have easily beaten it?" Naofumi asked, having to keep the anger out of his voice again.
"Again, I wanted to see if you three were capable of working together. Had you not beaten it, I would have done so. And had you started fighting with each other instead of trying to fight the Tyrant Dragon Rex. I would have killed it, and then the three of you."
...
...
... Apparently, she was strong enough to one-shot them all too. This little girl did not accept any crap from anyone. Even the Cardinal Heroes.
'Meep…' Naofumi got the feeling that making her angry would not bode well.
"Continue, Shield Hero," Fitoria said.
Naofumi did so. The sarcasm and dryness took a far backseat. He described the rest of what happened. Fitoria didn't question after that. Soon, he was talking about what happened at the Capital.
Anger and bitterness came into his voice at how he was captured and put in prison. Then how he had to duel Bitch so he and the others could leave. How Bitch had cheated, and threatened his party members, and then-
That was where Fitoria interrupted. "I must ask, did you use a Cursed Weapon in that fight, Shield Hero?"
"I… … …" Naofumi felt his throat go dry at the composed look she gave him. He couldn't glean anything from it or what her reaction would be.
He sighed reluctantly. "Yes, I did. I didn't have a choice in the matter. Bitch said she was going to torture and kill Filo and Raphtalia. And I lost it."
…
"It is as I feared." Fitoria sighed. "I was hoping at least one of the Cardinal Heroes would be spared the despair of past Heroes. But if you and the Spear Hero were both using them…"
"Do you know anything about the Cursed Series?" Naofumi asked.
"Only that it was a failsafe. Something that the weapon would unlock only when its wielder was beginning to Despair and lose the will to continue fighting. It was the weapon's way of giving the hero a new reason, a new purpose to continue fighting. But continued use of the Cursed Weapon bears a heavy burden on the Hero, and sometimes, their party. There are times where they never recover..."
She looked at Naofumi, her face serious. "I will only warn you once, Shield Hero. Just as I warned the other two. Don't ever bring yourselves to rely on those cursed weapons. You will only find pain if you do so."
Naofumi grimaced. "I don't plan to. Not unless it's absolutely necessary."
Fitoria stared hard at him. "... I would prefer a definite no. But… your answer will have to do." She said with a sigh.
"Besides. I also have the Blessed Series." Naofumi said. "So it's not like I have only the Cursed Series to fall back on."
"I saw it during your battle. Which makes me worry for you even more, Shield Hero."
"Why?"
"A Blessed Series is normally unlocked when a Hero overcomes the trial that inflicted them with their Cursed Series. But from what I can tell. You have not. Over the course of the fight, your shield's power began to wane." Fitoria said. "Which Blessed Series do you have?"
"The Shield of Hope."
"... hope… hope inspired from someone, or something else." Fitoria continued to look ahead.
"Hope… is like a poison."
"I wouldn't say that." In Naofumi's opinion. It was only because of hope that he was here now. It was only because of Raphtalia and Filo that he was talking to Fitoria and not off on some rampage!
"Hope itself is not bad. Hope can sustain us in times of trial and suffering." Fitoria rubbed the ground next to her. It was like she was remembering a time long ago. "But Hope given by others is limited. It pushes us more than our boundaries require. But when we run out of Hope, we fall farther than we otherwise would have. We lose our last sustaining possession protecting us from Despair."
…
…
Naofumi thought it over. If Fitoria was right about how one acquired a Cursed Series… "If I lose... 'Hope' while using that Shield… I'd jump straight into the Cursed Series?"
"Yes," Fitoria affirmed. "It's possible you might unlock a different Cursed Series in your Despair.
"I don't know. It has been too long for me to remember the details. But you could end up turning into a monster worse than anything else you'd ever face."
That was a scary thought. He remembered Rage well enough. If he were to be dunked straight back into it. Or if he were to be dunked into a different Cursed Series without warning...
"I don't have a choice though," Naofumi mumbled. "If I don't use it, I'll never be strong enough to face my enemies. I'll never be strong enough to protect those I hold dear."
And he'd never be able to deal damage.
Fitoria was finally giving him a look of approval. "I can see why your weapon chose you, Shield Hero." She put a hand over the gem, and a glow passed over the Shield.
Blessing of the Legendary Filolial Received!
"What did you do?" Naofumi asked.
"There's nothing I can do to help your Cursed Series. It is not tied to anything else. It is yours and yours alone. But your Blessed Series is tied to something… or someone…" Fitoria frowned. "With this blessing, should the need arise, it will give your mind a temporary reprieve before you reach the point of no return.
"It won't last long. But it'll be more than enough for you to change out.
"That is all Fitoria can do for you."
The item Fitoria enchanted appeared in his HUD. He recognized it. "Thank…" Naofumi felt tears poking at his eyes. "Thank you."
"Your journey has been a hard one, Shield Hero," Fitoria said gently. "I do not envy you for the path you've been forced upon. But regardless, I'd suggest not using those Shields. Not until you first learn to be Diligent.
"That is the only way you'll never lose Hope... that is the only way you'll be able to make it your own."
"... I'll try... Is there anything else you wanted to ask me about?" Naofumi asked.
"I will need your permission to test Filo tomorrow. It will be rough, but it will be for her benefit." Fitoria said. Her tone was well-composed once more, but it held a note of friendliness to it.
Naofumi thought he must have moved past the threatening stage now.
"That's okay with me… Is it okay if I ask you a couple of questions before we head back though?" Naofumi asked.
Fitoria hummed an affirmative. "First, just how strong are you?"
"I have been alive for centuries. I was alive before the current countries came into existence. It has been years since an enemy made me exert myself in battle." Fitoria said.
"... Okay then. Next question. If you're so strong. Why weren't you at Lute when the Wave hit?" Naofumi asked. "Why am I- why are me, Ren, and Itsuki only meeting you now if you're supposed to be important?"
"You've seen the corruptness of people, have you not?" Fitoria asked. "I do not travel the outside world much these days. Neither me nor my flock."
That was a very good point. If the people had been this bad for centuries, Naofumi felt he'd get sick of living among them too.
She gestured to the sky. "As for why I didn't fight at Lute. You four were already there. And my time is needed elsewhere. In two days, I'll be traveling to the sea near what your people call Shieldfreeden. And sometime after that, after the next Wave in Melromarc, I will be needed in a small country west of Faubley.
"My flock is spread thin, protecting all the areas you and the other Cardinal Heroes should be protecting."
"What does that mean?" Naofumi asked.
"I'm fighting the Waves that you aren't," Fitoria answered.
…
A light went off in Naofumi's head. "You mean… the Waves aren't just occuring in Melromarc? They're worldwide."
"Yes," Fitoria said. "I admit I tore into the Sword and Bow Heroes about why they weren't fulfilling their duties, protecting the other parts of the world. But they helped me understand why the Cardinal Heroes have been stuck in Melromarc." If they hadn't explained it, she would have been angrier with Naofumi.
Naofumi was still reeling from the sudden revelation. 'The Waves are happening all over the world and not just in Melromarc. What the hell?...'
He then realized how much worse it was for all four of them to be summoned to Melromarc with that. 'Did those Church idiots want to doom the rest of the world!?' It was bad enough to summon him just for the sake of killing him off. But to summon all four of them despite the threat everyone was facing.
Naofumi was surprised there wasn't an open war being fought against Melromarc.
"I am doing what I can. But the other heroes will be needed, desperately, and soon… Fitoria alone is not strong enough to face the threat of the Waves on her own.
"I can't remember everything from the waves, but I remember the heroes will need to make a choice. To either fight for the world, or for the people in it. Many will die in the first, but the world will be saved." Naofumi remained silent and listened. "The second is a thornier path, but it can be accomplished. If the four Heroes band together."
"I'd love to work with the other heroes, but Motoyasu isn't being very reasonable," Naofumi said.
"You'll have to work together, or else the world is already doomed. And this conversation will be meaningless."
"Then last question. Why do we all have to be united? Ren, Itsuki, and I are doing just fine. Why do we need Motoyasu's help?" Naofumi asked.
"Because if even one hero is lost, then the Waves will become too great for us to handle."
…
Naofumi grimaced. It was words straight out of his Help Guide on the waves. "If only the King and the Three Heroes Church hadn't summoned us all," Naofumi muttered.
"I don't understand the actions of humans. I don't understand why they tend to be so greedy and corrupt. I only want to protect my flock, my friends. I fight the Waves in my territory around the world." Fitoria said in understanding.
The world was lucky. Even though the Cardinal Heroes were stuck, Fitoria had been doing what they could not.
"Then why? Why do all this if you don't like people?" Naofumi asked.
"...Because it's what my Hero asked me to do…" She put a hand on her chest. "I can barely remember him… But I remember him telling me to do what was best for the sake of the world. To protect it and the people… even if it meant killing the Heroes so a new group could be summoned in their place."
"... And you'd really kill us to do it?" Naofumi asked.
Fitoria nodded. "It'd make me sad to do so, knowing how good you are… but I must do what's best for my world and for everyone in it to survive. You think I'm strong, but soon, I won't be enough to stop what's coming." She looked at him seriously. "The world needs all the heroes to be united if it wants to survive the Waves of Catastrophe. I cannot stress that enough. You must handle the problem in your country so you can help protect our world. You must get the Spear Hero to fight by your side."
"Can't you help us with that?" Naofumi asked. If they had Fitoria on their side, and if she really was as strong as she said she was, the Pope wouldn't stand a chance. They could try and brute force some sense into Motoyasu. Maybe even kill Bitch too.
Was it his fault he still hated her and wanted to see her dead!?
"As I said, I made a promise long ago not to interfere with human affairs," Fitoria said. She remembered glimpses of times when she'd interfered in the past. And it had always ended badly. "I will only help defend the world from the Waves of Catastrophe. Nothing more, nothing less. Fitoria will not meddle in the politics of the world."
"But why even do that if you don't like people that much?"
"It is for them." Fitoria gestured. Naofumi looked, and he finally realized something else.
They were being watched from the other side of the ruins by the forest. A large group of Filolials had their heads poking out from the bushes. "This place was once an ancient civilization protected by the first heroes. Now, it is one of the last places in the world where they can roam freely.
"By limiting my contact with the outside world, I help to protect them. I give them a safe place to grow and live their lives. But there are more of my friends out in the world. Those who found good humans to pull wagons for. Princess Melty is one of those good humans."
The Filolials realized they'd been found out, and they turned tail and ran into the forest. "I know there are many bad people out there. But there are still those worth defending. Like them. Thus, I honor the words of the hero that raised me. And I fulfill my duty for those I care about."
"... alright. I'll try." Naofumi finally relented. "I'll try and get the Spear Hero to listen to me. To listen to us." He said, referring to himself, Ren, and Itsuki. "But I won't be responsible for him if he decides not to listen. And if he refuses, we'll get strong enough so we won't need his help."
Fitoria looked down below. "I hope he will… I tire of watching batches of heroes fight with one another… And I don't want to have to kill the three of you if the Spear Hero doesn't listen and gets himself killed."
"... you know. I'm starting to think you're too nice for that Fitoria." Naofumi said.
Fitoria's eyes slightly widened, remembering something from the distant past.
"You're too nice Fitoria." A hand patted her gently on the head. "That's what I like about you. You have a good heart." A younger, more innocent-looking Fitoria smiled happily up at her blurry Father.
"I hope you keep it. I'm sure it'll guide you well after I'm gone."
"I'll try. But no promises." Naofumi said.
Naofumi was still just sitting there, waiting for Fitoria to say something when Fitoria laid her head on his thigh. 'Um… what?'
"Please… just for a few minutes…" Fitoria said, her voice sounding more vulnerable than before.
"Um… Okay… Fitoria." He sat like a statue. Staring down in disbelief.
"You said a hero raised you, right?" She nodded on his lap. "Was it the Shield Hero?"
"I… I can't remember." Fitoria sounded sad. "Filolials have short memories. There are so many important things I have forgotten."
She hated her memory. Even though she was special, sometimes, her memory was almost as bad as a normal Filolial's.
This little girl was weird. But Naofumi felt he could connect with her in a way. Neither of them were fans of the people of this world. But they still did what they could to protect them and those they cared about.
He rubbed her head gently. "You remembered enough. Thank you."
Fitoria sighed happily, relaxing for what felt like the first time in forever.
'I can't remember much… but I still remember that gentle touch.'
Ren and Itsuki were still sitting on a piece of debris together. It had been an hour since Naofumi had left. But there was still no sign of him. They hadn't talked much that entire time. As they were both still reeling from their conversations with Fitoria.
"Do you think he's okay?" Ren finally asked.
"I don't… I don't know." Itsuki stammered.
"Poor guy, he must be getting reamed out really badly," Ren said.
"I don't think anyone could get reamed out more than I did." Itsuki shivered at the memory.
It had felt like the majority of his time with Fitoria had been her chewing him out. For not helping out with the Waves all over the world, even though he hadn't known other waves happened elsewhere earlier on in the story of his game. Said game was becoming increasingly unreliant story-wise as of late.
She also reamed him out for going out and murdering people instead of focusing on getting stronger. He'd technically gotten experience killing those nobles, but he shuddered to think about that now.
Not to mention, the fact that he hadn't tried to talk with Motoyasu before. Which he couldn't really be at fault for since the Spear Hero spent much of the last month in self-inflicted exile.
The worst though was for using his Cursed Series so much before and then again in the fight with the Tyrant Dragon Rex.
That had been a big no-no. Even though it was what helped them kill the thing.
She made it abundantly clear. Shun that weapon like the plague. Or else.
There had been other things she'd reamed him out for, but he'd rather not think about them now.
He really hoped Naofumi wasn't receiving the same treatment.
"Did she only ream you out?" Ren asked.
"Yeah… it felt like it at least." Itsuki turned his head to look at Ren. "What about you?"
…
"She reamed me out on some things… and talked with me on others," Ren said. Not explicitly mentioning anything.
He really didn't want to tell Itsuki what they had talked about. Especially since it confirmed one of his worst fears.
"I hope they finish soon. This place is giving me the creeps." Itsuki said while looking around.
Ren again didn't comment. His mind was focused on something else…
...
"Ren, hey Ren?"
Ren jumped, almost slamming into Itsuki. "Hey, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Ren said defensively.
"I've been trying to talk to you for the past five minutes. But you've just been sitting there." Itsuki said.
…
"It's fine. You don't have to worry about me." Ren said despondently.
"Ren, seriously, what's going on?" Itsuki asked. "What did Fitoria talk to you about?"
Ren honestly wondered if he should tell Itsuki or not. But then he finally saw Naofumi walking out of the ruins. Fitoria was behind him.
"It was nothing. She just told me not to push my party away." Ren said sadly.
It was a half-truth. She'd counseled him about not trying to go it alone with the trials he was facing. But for now, those trials would just be another secret he'd hide inside his heart.
Besides, Fitoria said he hadn't unlocked a specific one as far as she was able to tell. He didn't want to worry about it. He just wanted to forget it and move on.
The small group clustered together.
"Transport Carriage."
A few seconds later, they disappeared from the ruins that had once been a great civilization, protected by the Cardinal Heroes of the past.
Hero Clips!
It's Always Been Bitch
"You think you have it bad? Look what happened to Myne here-" Motoyasu was saying. It looked like he was having some argument with Naofumi about something.
"That's Bitch."
...
The heroes went silent at the new individual's appearance. "Wha- who are you?!" Motoyasu asked confusedly.
"I'm Allen. And her name is Bitch." Allen said, pointing at the scarred bedridden redhead.
She hissed like an angry cat and tried to get up to attack the author. But she was too pathetic to get up.
"But we haven't gotten to that point in canon yet! Naofumi hasn't officially renamed her!" Motoyasu said angrily.
"Metaing much?" Ren whispered under his breath.
"And what are you doing here anyway!? Don't you know that no one likes a self-insert?!" Motoyasu angrily asked.
"If only you knew," Allen muttered under his breath.
"What?" The Four Heroes looked confused.
"Anyway. I don't care. She's Bitch. Deal with it." Allen said.
"But, why?" Motoyasu asked in shock.
"Didn't you know? Her name has always been Bitch to me." Allen said.
...
"..." Motoyasu wasn't sure how to respond.
"By the way. Who's Myne?" Allen asked.
"This. This is why I like this guy," Naofumi said dryly. "He gets it."
"Naofumi…" Raphtalia lightly facepalmed.
"Again, who is Myne?" Allen asked.
"No, what's a Myne?" Naofumi said.
"Why is Myne?" Ren asked.
Even Motoyasu joined the huddle. Wanting to figure out the curious debate about what a Myne really was.
Said 'Bitch' continued to struggle to get up from her bedspread. This author was getting in the way of her becoming Queen! And he was doing unspeakable, horrible things to her in his other AU fic! He had to pay!
Itsuki sighed. "I'll just prepare for us to get sued by Marvel again."
Thus, the Author got away with inserting himself into the story.
Till Next Time
Allen