Words cannot describe how happy I am to hear about Season 2 of Shield Hero coming out next year. Who knows, maybe by the time it comes out, I'll have gotten to writing in S2's zone of plot. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Happy Labor Day!
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Updated: September 7th, 2020 11:00 A.M.
Chapter Fifty-Five: Other Matters
Present (Four Days Before the Wave of Catastrophe)
"Ughhhh…"
Itsuki groaned as he woke up. The sun's rays were too bright against his eyelids. Didn't the sun know that it was rude to wake people up? He rolled over, putting his soft pillow over his head to block it out...
It was no use. Between the sun's rays, the smell of something good, and the sound of someone softly snoring, he was unable to go back to sleep.
…
Wait, who was snoring if he wasn't asleep?! He was supposed to have this room all to himself!
He took the pillow off his head, blinking away the sudden brightness of waking up. He then pulled out his bow and changed it to one of his strongest weapons, glancing around the room for his sleeping intruder. After all that's happened in the past, he wasn't about to let his guard down. Especially now that he was in the Capital.
After a few seconds, his eyes focused, and... "... Rishia?"
The green-haired girl was asleep in a chair next to his bed, snoring softly. Her head bobbed in her sleep like she was fishing. Looking around, he saw she was the only one in the room with him. That was unfair! Why couldn't she share her luck of being asleep with him?
Itsuki shook his head with a sigh. He changed his bow to a very small weapon the size of a bracelet, before placing it on top of his wrist. He then gently reached out, shaking the dark green-haired girl by the knee. "Hey, Rishia."
Rishia stirred, blinked slowly… "Wha-" And then she jumped in her seat. "Fueh!" She awoke with her signature cry of surprise. "Fue- S-Sir Itsuki?! You're awake!"
"Yeah. Where's everyone else? How long has it been since the fight?" Itsuki asked.
"Every- FUEH!" Rishia cried out in shock. The last time she'd checked, Karn had been in the room too! And wasn't it the middle of the night?! How was it already midday! And above all that, she was alone with Sir Itsuki!
...
"... Rishia?"
"Fuehhhh!"
Itsuki sighed. The poor girl looked so confused and scared. He pulled up his HUD, and fortunately, his party members were all still alive, and in good health. The Dragon Hourglass in the corner was ticking down from four days. Meaning it had only been a little over a day since their fight with Balamus. How was that old villain doing? Was he still frozen in that statue? At least he thought that was how Naofumi had defeated him. Where had he learned a skill like that?
"Um, fue... Karn was here last night." Rishia finally said meekly.
"Only Karn?" Itsuki asked.
Rishia nodded nervously. "Fueh… the others checked in from time to time… they're either helping out in the city or looking through the records that the Church left behind. There's… so much that needs to be done."
Itsuki sighed again, this time in relief. It was good to know that his party was alive and well and that they were already doing something to help the city and its people. Though the despondent look on Rishia's face didn't sit well with him.
Itsuki then studied Rishia more carefully. There were normally certain cues in a person's face and posture that indicated despondency. And while Rishia had a few, mainly a slouch and a downturned gaze, she had other things that didn't belong. Eyes struggling to stay open. A side to side bob of her head, like she was still asleep.
He finally deduced that it wasn't a despondent look she had. "Did you… stay up all night?" Itsuki asked. She was tired.
Her eyes went wide. "FUEH!" He took her cry of surprise as a yes. He felt a little bad waking up the girl now. "Is, is that a bad thing?" Despite everything going on, she'd only wanted to make sure that Sir Itsuki was alright! She was so worried, even after the nurses had treated his injuries! He'd looked really hurt yesterday!
"No no no, of course not! It's not a bad thing at all!" He strongly reassured the girl, since she was lacking in self-confidence. It comforted Itsuki, seeing how one of his party- no, his friend had stayed by his bedside to make sure that he was alright.
Now that he'd confirmed the status of his allies and helped Rishia calm down somewhat. His attention was brought back to the captivating and slightly nostalgic smell that he'd sensed earlier. Finally, after his curiosity got the better of him, he turned his head and noticed a medium-sized bowl on the nightstand. When he saw its contents, his mouth instantly watered, and that sense of nostalgia hit him like a freight train. "Is that… Napolitan?!"
Rishia cried in surprise again. The poor girl was going to be crying a lot, apparently, as Itsuki reached for the bowl. Rishia quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him. "N-No! The nurses said you need to rest, Sir Itsuki!"
"But… The food…!" His stomach growled loudly. Rishia cried in surprise, and Itsuki chuckled nervously. "Sorry. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning."
"Fueh… Sorry... Well… let me heat it up for you at least." Rishia murmured quietly. She'd made it for the party yesterday evening, and saved some for Itsuki in case he woke up. It was likely very cold.
Rishia held the bowl in her hands. "Healing Warmth." A red aura appeared under her hands. The fire spell heated the bowl of spaghetti. Itsuki observed as she held the spell for a minute. He realized he hadn't seen her use magic very often. The few times he had watched, she'd used a couple of Wind spells. As well as a Water spell. Now she was using a fire spell. Did she have more than two affinities?
His observations were cut short when the Napolitan dish started steaming. The smell hit his nostrils anew.
HOLY MOLY! It was even more heavenly than before! He could feel his senses singing praises and he hadn't even tasted it! Did he miss this kind of food that much?!
Rishia scooted her chair closer to the head of Itsuki's bed. Itsuki sat up in preparation to grab it, but he suddenly got dizzy and fell back on his pillow. No! He had to eat! Why was his body betraying him like this?!
"Maybe I should feed you while you're recovering, Sir Itsuki?" Rishia said without thinking about it at first...
Itsuki stared at her. And then she realized what she'd just said. Her face instantly took on a crimson sheen. "FUEH! I, I mean, um, uh, I'm sorry, I-I was only offering, FUEH-" She stammered.
"No, it's fine if you feed me. Thank you." Itsuki more carefully sat up.
"Fueh… oh, okay," Rishia said unsurely. She looked so timid. Yet Itsuki nodded, silently saying it was alright to go ahead.
She hesitantly fed him a bite… and after tasting it, it took almost everything he had not to grab the bowl from Rishia and chow through the meal. The sauce was different but had a similar taste to what his mom made back home. The spaghetti noodles were soft. And the meat and vegetables mixed so well with the pasta… he swore, this food wouldn't look out of place on one of heaven's dining tables.
"I didn't know you could cook, Rishia," Itsuki said. Barely managing to contain the amount of joy and euphoria he was feeling at that moment.
"Fueh… does it taste good?" She meekly asked.
"Good, this tastes great! You could give Naofumi a run for his money!"
"Re-... Really?" Rishia's face brightened just a little bit at the compliment.
"Yeah, this is actually my favorite dish! Thank you for making this Rishia!" She fed him another bite, and his heart and stomach melted. He could not only feel the taste but the warmth of Rishia's care that went into the wonderful Napolitan spaghetti.
"Fueh! Um, uh!" A very flustered looking Rishia gradually started to smile. "Th-Thank you, Sir Itsuki!" Rishia said happily. The girl was finally smiling brightly. Being told she was a better cook than Naofumi was an incredible compliment, if not a monumental achievement. It was like a temporary boost had been given to her self-esteem.
Her smile looked good on her. Itsuki smiled too. He was happy to see the girl happy.
Then, midbite, he felt a knife twist in his heart.
He realized. Rishia had stayed with him… all night… just like he'd done for her when he accidentally cursed her. Only, she hadn't been responsible for his injuries. Yet she still stayed by his side to make sure that he was okay. She even made sure to have food on hand for when he woke up. And was feeding him with great care...
He felt great shame at that moment. To think he'd thought of Rishia as nothing more than a useless NPC only two weeks ago. Made only to serve as a constant reminder of his past. And here she was, making sure his injuries were okay, and serving him his favorite meal. Even if she still had that pitiful annoying whine...
"Sir, Sir Itsuki?" Rishia noticed the sad look on his face when he stopped eating. "Is something wrong?"
…
...
"I'm sorry. Thank you, Rishia." He gave her a genuine smile. He didn't indicate what he was apologizing for. He wasn't ready to tell her it was for the bad way that he'd treated her in the past. But he was ready to apologize.
"Wh-Wh-WH-" Rishia stuttered badly. At Itsuki's bright smile, her face flushed a deep crimson. What was the great Itsuki even apologizing to her for?!
Itsuki had Rishia set the God-Tier dish aside, and then he took hold of one of her hands. "I promise. I'm going to do my best to help you and the others become stronger from now on, Rishia."
His indecision in the past had not only cost the life of Marx but the life of his best friend. He needed, no, he had to take responsibility. He'd already promised before to become a better Hero. But at that moment, he swore it to himself upon his heart that he'd do it. He'd take things more seriously. He'd deliver justice, defend the innocent, and help his allies, his friends, to grow stronger. Especially Rishia.
The poor girl reminded him too much of what he'd been like before coming to this world. And he'd treated her too harshly for it. Now, instead of wanting to push her away, he wanted to help her. He wanted to be there for her. He wanted to help her self-confidence grow, and help her to grow as strong as possible. This would become his new goal in life.
...
"FUUUUEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Itsuki sweatdropped. Rishia might need some convincing about it first…
Later that day
A hooded form, the Sword Hero, walked along one of the city's many streets with a melancholic look on his face. He went unnoticed, undetected, by the common eye.
Ren had been the most fortunate of the four Heroes, escaping the battle with Balamus uninjured. Ever since he'd taken to exploring the city in secret. To see the things that he hadn't noticed before.
As he was in the northern section, the one least damaged from all the fighting, he watched the people going about their business. Closing down their shops for the evening. Vendors secured their goods before heading to an inn. Taverns opened their doors wide for tonight's patrons. The only source of tension was fear. Fear of the coming Wave, fear of the Siltvelt invasion, fear of the fate of their kingdom. Yet, they still tried to live their lives.
It was comforting, in a way. Even with all the chaos going on in the world, things could still look normal, if only for a moment.
"Good sir, would you like to try my specialty Raggout Rabbit Stew?."
Ren turned, keeping a calm look on his face. Fortunately, with his Sword sheathed on his back under his cloak, the vendor didn't recognize the Sword Hero. He looked like he was trying to get one last sale before he closed shop. Ren looked over the dish he was being offered. It reminded him very much of a dish his best friend had made for him in one of their VR games. It even smelled like it too.
"I'm sorry. I don't have any money on hand." Ren murmured. Hiding sadness from seeing a familiar dish here.
"Gosh darn it." The vendor cackled. "Maybe next time."
"Yeah, maybe." Ren continued on. Leaving the weird vendor behind.
"Hope to see you soon!" Ren didn't respond.
...
"Hey, have you seen a brooding tall young man?" Ren paused at a corner, recognizing the voice. "He wears black and grey armor, and he tends to keep to himself."
He glanced around and saw Welt and Bakta talking to someone. The two were dressed in casual clothes. It was especially weird to see Bakta out in public without any armor on.
"No, I'm sorry. I haven't seen anybody like that around here." The woman said.
"Oh, okay. Thanks for helping us." Welt said sadly as the woman walked off.
The two looked at each other. Both released sighs of disappointment at the same time. "I don't get it. Where did Sir Ren go?" Bakta asked. He and Welt walked off in a different direction.
"I don't know... Let's keep looking." Welt responded. Soon, they were out of earshot. Ren didn't hear what Welt whispered to Bakta. "I'm worried about him."
…
Ren opened his party HUD. It showed that everyone in the party was fine. It showed he was fine too. So why were they out looking for him?...
After a moment, he continued on. Lost in his own thoughts and observations. As more time passed, there were fewer people walking the streets. And soon, he realized he was recognizing places he'd already walked past. There was less and less for him to explore.
Eventually, as the sun was setting, he finally headed back to the castle.
At the gates, he showed his Legendary Sword, and the knights let him in. Still, despite the lateness of the evening, he wandered some more after that. Down hallways. Outside in the gardens. The stands of the Duel Arena.
Soon, he found himself resting against a stone railing. Looking out from a very familiar portion of the castle wall.
If he remembered correctly, this was where he'd found Naofumi and Raphtalia that day. After he and Itsuki had collected their rewards from Aultcray.
He hadn't realized it, but that was probably the day his experiences in this world truly began to change. After that talk with Naofumi, things started to become less like a game, and more… real.
Had he gotten that blanket back from Naofumi? He couldn't remember. So much had happened since then, and it'd only been a month and a half ago...
"Sword Hero. I can see how you've already faced rough challenges since being summoned to this world. But you must persevere if you want to survive what's coming." Fitoria said.
"P-Persevere?" Ren was still reeling from the revelation Fitoria had given him about his Cursed Series. And now she was saying things would only continue to get harder?!
"The Heroes will soon face a choice. Whether to save the world. Or the people in it. The past heroes always hoped their predecessors would be able to work together to choose the latter. Though it'd be the much harder path to walk."
"But… but if things are going to get harder…" Ren was scared.
Fitoria gave him a sympathetic look. "The heroes of old had to make great sacrifices to save our world, Sword Hero. I may not remember their names, but I still recall the pain and anguish they waded through. It'll be easier for this batch of Heroes, seeing how you're already working together this early on. But I cannot guarantee that you nor your friends won't have to make sacrifices."
Ren stared. Fitoria looked him in the eyes. "When the time comes, do not fall into Despair, Sword Hero. Please, choose to not walk that dark path. It'll only lead you to greater pain... Just like the others, you will be needed if our world is to survive the calamities ahead."
Remembering his conversation with Fitoria, he pulled up his party HUD worriedly again. Once more, it showed all his party members were in good health.
Still, he couldn't help but worry. How long would that last for? Fitoria had all but confirmed that the coming challenges would only become harder. Itsuki had already lost one friend. They'd had some close calls recently just dealing with current non-wave problems.
Could he be strong enough to face future problems that'd arise against them? Could he grow strong enough to defeat the coming Waves? To face the Guardian Beasts that would awake sometime during the Waves? Could he protect his friends? Should he even bring them along for the challenges ahead when the chances of dying would be drastically high?...
He just felt so overwhelmed. He swore he wouldn't go back to being a loner. That he'd work harder to rely on his party. But he was just… just… … ...
"There you are."
He turned in surprise.
Of course, out of all of his party members, Wyndia was the best at tracking him down. And at a bad time too. She was already glaring at him angrily. "Congratulations on your victory. I'm glad you were able to beat my former owner while the rest of us were busy book diving." She said sarcastically.
Ren swallowed a nervous gulp. "I… I was only having you do what I thought would best help the city." He said, looking down at the ground. Indeed, it had worked. Wyndia's efforts as well as everyone else's had contributed to Mirellia's quick victory. But they both knew that wasn't the reason he'd sent them down into the Church.
"Don't give me that bull crap. We both know that isn't why you asked us to do that." Wyndia's tone was laced with anger. Ren stared down at the wall guiltily. "You could have bothered to at least check up on us after the battle."
"But, I have been. I've been checking my HUD constantly, making sure the party was alright." Ren said.
"... I meant personally, see us." Wyndia was definitely angrier. He'd messed up, again.
"But I don't need to do that when the Status Magic can-" Ren tried to say.
"Do you even know how worried Bakta and Welt are, Sir Ren?" Wyndia snapped. "Ever since they saw how Sirs Itsuki and Naofumi had fared from the battle, they've been searching the city, worried sick about you. Did your Status Magic tell you that? And don't even get me started on Farrie and Tersia. If they weren't stuck in the Church studying the records that survived, they'd be looking for you too. You could have at least told us that you were uninjured before disappearing on us. Just seeing you would have eased many of our worries."
"I-" He realized trying to defend behind his weak pathetic excuse about Status Magic wouldn't help. "I'm sorry. I just wanted some time alone-" Ren tried to say a different excuse.
"Do you even care about the rest of us, Sir Ren?!" A dog's growl built up in Wyndia's throat. "You want to be alone?! What about the others?! What about me?! Didn't we deserve to know that you're safe?! It's been over a day since the battle! What if you'd been injured!? What if you'd wandered too far from the Capital!? What if you'd been kidnapped, or killed?!"
"But, you have status magic too." Ren felt frustration building up in him. "You should have been able to see that I'm alright." Forget excuses, why was Wyndia bothering him with this?!
"I don't want some stupid magic telling me that!" Wyndia sounded more frustrated. "Are you dense, or stupid! Do you think none of us have noticed how you're keeping us from helping you in fights anymore!" Wyndia was too prideful to admit how his orders had led to a lot of success. She was too angry with Ren at that moment for not allowing her to face her former master. "That's why you had us go book diving, isn't it?!"
"No, that isn't it-" Ren grabbed at his head in frustration. Why couldn't Wyndia understand? He had only been trying to protect them from danger. To give them a task so that they wouldn't have to risk their lives by facing the Pope and the Replica Weapon. Raphtalia had barely survived it. What would have happened if his party had been there?! They weren't as strong as that demi-girl!
"What happened to letting us fight side by side with you? What about your promise to help us all grow strong!?" Wyndia yelled. "What happened to the damn Hero who surpassed my Father and-"
"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!"
…
…
Wyndia stared, shocked at Ren's words. He had never yelled at her. Not once. But his frustration had finally boiled over. He just wanted to be left alone. Why couldn't Wyndia see that!? Why couldn't his party see that?! Why did she have to reopen the wound that was one of his greatest mistakes!? Did she really hate him that much?!
He glared harshly at her. "Why are you even here?! What do you want?!" It sounded incredibly rude and hurtful, but he was genuinely confused. "I'm just trying to do what I can to keep everyone alive! Why can't you and the others see that!? I'm trying to keep you safe! I'm trying to protect you!" He was also being sincere. But more than that, he was frustrated, angry, and hurt. And unfortunately, those bitter, ugly emotions that he'd desperately tried to bottle up were now far more apparent than his sincerity.
"S-Sir Ren-"
"Don't Sir Ren me! Don't you realize that I'm just some highschooler who was chosen by a sword! I'm not some God or a person of legend or whatever everyone says I am because of this stupid sword! I'm just a teenager! A teenager who is way over his head and needs time for himself so he doesn't get overwhelmed by everything that is going on! OKAY?!"
He paused, taking several long, shaky breaths. But he was still very, very angry and emotional. Wyndia could only stare. "If you don't have any reason to be here, then go! Tell the others that I'm alright! Tell them to do whatever! Just leave me the hell alone! I don't need you or anyone to check up on me! I'm FINE!"
…
...
He took several more deep breaths. Despite yelling, he still felt angry and frustrated. He just wanted to be left alone. He didn't want to deal with anybody!... But then a tear leaked from Wyndia's brown eye. The look of hurt on her face reminded him of the day he killed Gaelion.
All the anger and frustration drained away. Replaced by a feeling of immense guilt.
She turned away. Scowling fiercely. "Fine. If that's what you want."
"Wait, Wyndia, I-" Ren reached out towards her, but she smacked his hand away.
"Don't, touch, me!" She snarled out. She was angry, but beyond that, more tears were leaking from her eyes. He'd hurt her. Her HP bar didn't show it, but he'd hurt her badly.
"Please, wait-!" She ran off. Leaving him standing alone on the wall.
He stared. Completely alone. Just like he'd asked for.
Even more immense guilt and sorrow hammered down on his soul. He took a step. He knew that he should chase after her fleeing figure. That he should apologize for hurting her… but cowardice kept his step from becoming a hundred, a thousand, however many it took to catch up to the dog girl. Cowardice, fear, and above all, guilt, drove into him like nails.
Ren instead slammed his fist into the wall. "DAMN ITTTTTT!" Ren's scream of pain and frustration echoed throughout the city. The city he'd given his all to save.
Away from everyone else, once she had thrown herself inside a random room in the castle, with Ren's scream of pain still sounding in her ears, Wyndia finally allowed herself to break down and start sobbing.
The Sword Hero was truly an idiot. He didn't realize how much they cared for him. How much she had cared for him. Seeing him give his all to grow stronger. Bravely facing his enemies like the Tyrant Dragon Rex and the Pope.
She cried, not only because of that… but because she hadn't wanted him to leave her alone. He'd wanted her to chase after her. To comfort her and embrace her even though she'd openly refuse…
She hated him. Hated that he'd done this to her… hated that he'd hurt her...
But maybe it was because of her fast growth. Maybe it was because her father had taught her to value strength. Maybe it was because she'd grown to respect him for being strong enough to surpass her Father. Or maybe it was because of the care he'd shown as he helped her grow big and strong. The better side to him that she'd seen on days when he wasn't so consumed by his mistakes… but she didn't really hate him.
She… she… … ...
She continued to cry. Wishing for her brave, stupid Sword Hero to come rescue her heart… Or was he right?
Maybe he really was only a young, naive, stupid teenager… … ...
Just like her.
A familiar Hakuko stood before a large wooden door awkwardly.
The last day had been one of the most bizarre in his life. And he'd been taken care of by an old woman that spoke in broken Siltveltian for the past weeks.
After the battle, he'd been escorted by several shadows to Queen Mirellia. For obvious reasons, she'd found it suspicious for a random Hakuko to be at the battle. However, after explaining why he'd been there, she granted him some level of trust. She had a Shadow stay with him. So she could get back to cleaning up her city, and so he could learn what had happened in the last few weeks.
Needless to say, there had been much he'd missed. He'd been surprised by a lot of it… and he'd been horrified to learn about his country's invasion.
Granted, he'd seen for himself how the country was mistreating the Shield Hero. But to go to war while the Waves of Catastrophe were happening?!
He was conflicted about many things. And wandering aimlessly around the castle had barely helped to ease his mind.
Now, after receiving directions from a castle maid, he stood in front of a door. Behind it was where the Shield Hero, his Great God, was supposed to be resting for the evening. Behind it was the answers to his questions.
He gulped nervously. He was not only mustering up the courage to knock, but he was trying to think of what to say. What questions should he ask? How should he act? How did his God want to be treated? Would he mind if he openly prayed to him?
He didn't remember much about his Great Uncle, the Claw King Tai-Lon. He'd been killed by the Wise King when he was only a toddler. However, what he did remember was the passion in which he taught his family about the Shield Hero. Despite all the changes he'd grown up with, the one thing that had remained constant was that, the worship of the being who had saved the lives of demi-humans many years ago.
Even after his great Uncle's death, and as the Hakuko lost their standing after the War, he was raised with the importance of trusting his God. To go into battle for his sake. To sharpen his claws and to prepare his fangs for the day the Shield Hero called for his aid. Even though the Hakuko had lost all their political power, he still wished to serve the Shield Hero to the best of his physical abilities.
It wasn't only that though. More than anything, he wanted to "know" the Shield Hero. Know what he was really like. Most of what he'd been taught had been that the Shield Hero taught Siltvelt how to live. Unfortunately, it involved too much war.
The last war between Siltvelt and Melromarc had only been the cornerstone of a series of other wars and bloody feuds between Siltvelt and other nations. Which stretched back centuries.
He wanted to know if the Shield Hero really was like that. Did he want war? Did he want demi-humans to rule the world? Above that, had he approved of the class system Siltvelt now had? Did he approve of the treatment of the Raccoons and other lesser demi-human species? Did he approve of demi-humans enslaving other demi-humans and humans?
He just really wanted to know if the Shield Hero was a good person, or if he was just some cruel being that wanted everyone to suffer.
Because as Hakuko, he was also mistreated. Not as openly as Raccoons, but the discrimination was there, nonetheless. Especially from members of the Siltvelt Council like Jaralis.
He and his friends had only gotten into the royal guard because of the kind, old Genmu representative. Had they not had his backing, they would have had to turn to mercenary work. Just like many of the other Hakuko veterans. And mercenary work normally took them to Zeltoble. And, if they fell in with the wrong crowd, into the underground arenas.
He wanted, no, needed to know, if his faith had been in vain or not.
So why couldn't he raise his dumb fist and knock on that damn door?!
…
"We did find him! But now we'll never catch up to him! He fled to the East after your Knights tried to capture us..."
His head drooped. Remembering how he'd betrayed the Shield Hero in the past. Inadvertent as it was, it had still been a betrayal on his part. How could he think to serve his God? How could he think to assist him after the unforgivable thing he'd done.
That was the main thing keeping him from knocking. From opening the door. He didn't feel worthy to be in the great Shield's presence. He still felt like there was more he had to do to atone for his mistakes. For getting his friends killed. For being incapacitated for almost a month and not being strong enough to defeat Al- Victoria...
Finally, with a weary sigh… Dou-Lon turned away from the door.
He couldn't do it. He just felt too unworthy. Maybe it'd be for the better if he left.
However, before he could even take a step away, the door opened. It must have been an act of divine providence.
"Filo, where are you going?"
"Sorry, daddy! Filo's hungry for more snacks!" Or, rather, an act of a cute monster girl following her stomach.
"Alright, go ahead, but grab me something too while you're at it. I'm starving."
"Kay-" Filo stopped in the doorway. Looking up at the tall Hakuko curiously. "Hey, daddy, it looks like someone's here to see you!"
"Huh? Who is it now?"
Dou-Lon stared, stunned by the sudden appearance of the little blonde angel girl. This took him completely off-guard and he quickly realized that he had absolutely no idea what to do! Did that voice just now belong to the Shield Hero?! No! He wasn't ready yet! He needed more time to mentally prepare!
Filo opened the door wide, smiling brightly for the stranger. "I don't know. But Filo thinks he looks nice!"
"Send him in then. Maybe he can help me with these potions while you're off sneaking out snacks from the kitchen." The last part was a whisper and sounded sarcastic, but the statement only made Dou-Lon's eyes go as wide as saucers.
Had he heard that right? Was the Shield Hero asking him for help already?! But Dou-Lon didn't even say anything about his request yet! Was this... Was this the power of the Legendary Shield?
Filo waved happily to the Hakuko and then took off down the hallway. 'Sweets sweets yummy sweets! *Gasp!* Maybe Mel-Chan and Filo can feast on yummy sweats together! Yay!'
...
Dou-Lon still stood in his spot. Looking shocked at the turn of events. The door was wide open in front of him.
"So… can I help you with something?" Naofumi finally appeared, his curiosity getting the better of him. Why hadn't the person Filo saw walked in yet?
It finally happened. Dou-Lon's eyes widened in wonder.
The Shield Hero looked even stronger than he remembered. His spiky black hair was like a crown above his handsome face. The lean muscles covering his body had become more pronounced from the hardships that he had to endure. His armor was… a little banditish, but fit him so well! His green eyes were tired but still shone with an unyielding determination that hid kindness deep within. It felt like looking at the morning sun that banished the darkness of the night. And the Shield on his arm resonated with such power!
There was no mistake. THIS TRULY WAS HIS GOD!
"Hello? Did you want something?" Naofumi asked confusedly. Why was this demi-human just staring at him? He seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't figure out why.
Dou-Lon fell to one knee. His head lowered quickly in reverence. It was like all his fears and doubts were washed away. The Shield Hero wasn't looking at him with hatred!
"Great Shield Hero! It's been so long. I have traveled many arduous roads to meet you and now, I am finally here. My name is Dou-Lon. I know that I am unworthy, but please, hear out this humble Hakuko's plea! Let me fight by your side! Allow my claws and my fangs to help protect this world alongside you! This is the greatest desire of my heart! Please, let me join your party!" Dou-Lon exclaimed.
…
…
…
"What?"
Naofumi had absolutely no idea what was going on. At all.
While some of the members of Ren's party were out looking for him, two of them were sitting behind desks deep underground. Even though they had found evidence of the cult's true nature, the Queen still believed that there was something else hidden in the Archives of the Church. And so, the two young mages found themselves digging through the countless, musty, millennia-old tomes that were left behind.
Unfortunately, just like before, the contents of the Church's archives did not live up to their expectations. Tersia, the more diligent of the two former nuns, was still maintaining her focus, but her green-haired friend, Farrie, was rapidly losing interest. Her head rested on one of her hands while the other played with her hair. She lazily skimmed through the text of the book before her, eyes steadily drooping. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and straightened out in her chair, throwing her head back in exasperation.
"Tersia, I'm bored! Do we really have to continue looking through all these stupid tomes?" The fire mage whined.
"Yes, Farrie." The blonde earth mage sighed, setting the book in front of her down before rubbing her tired eyes. "It's what the Queen asked of us. And I would rather stay on her Majesty's good side."
Farrie fell back in her chair. "I'd rather go back and help with the rebuilding efforts than finger through another one of these worthless tomes." The girl pouted, looking at the stairs leading back up wistfully.
"You'd probably find an excuse to hit up a tavern... or a tailor's shop," Tersia responded playfully and smirked, not even looking up from her book.
"So? It's been a while since I last bought clothes!" Crossing her arms across her chest defensively, Farrie turned to face her best friend.
"And it'll be longer if you don't get back to reading." Tersia teased.
"Hmmph!" Farrie turned away and continued pouting. Some best friend Tersia was.
"Focus, please." A third voice snapped the two friends out of their small talk. Fortunately, they were not the only ones tasked to research the Archive's contents. Rachel, the calm and mysterious shadow mage of Itsuki's party, was also with them. After confirming that they were listening to her, she continued. "The sooner we're done here, the sooner you'll be able to go back to the city and go... cloth shopping." That sounded odd to her. Based on their brief interactions with each other, it didn't seem like Farrie needed any more clothes. It was more like she wanted to do it for fun.
It was weird. She never got what the whole fashion craze was about.
"I mean, it's not like we're finding anything to incriminate the Church with." Farrie opened a random book on her desk. All the shelves had been emptied. Every book, every tome that had been hidden or placed on pedestals were set in piles around their desks. "If anything, this is only making me lose my faith in the heroes of the past!"
Tersia had just set aside another book that she'd quickly flipped through when Farrie made that statement. Ironically, the next book beneath that was of the past Bow Hero with the Neko fetish, Slugalante. "You're not the only one losing Faith, Farrie." The blonde sighed before tossing the book into the useless pile and grabbing the next one.
"There is a certain positive side to all of this." Rachel calmly said, reading her two current pages. "Knowing that the Heroes are just as fallible as us is rather comforting, really."
...
"Yeah… comforting…" Farrie sounded depressed now.
Tersia looked up, and upon seeing Farrie's face, she rested a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you'd go clothes shopping after this." They were burying themselves in their work here not only for the Queen. But because of their growing concern for Ren.
"I can't help but wonder if Welt and Bakta have found Sir Ren yet…" Farrie sadly muttered. "What if he decides to do the same thing as the past Sword Hero Bomon and disappear for good?" She'd just read about the past Hero in a different tome. At their time of greatest need facing a powerful monster, the Sword Hero mysteriously vanished. Had it not been for the Spear Hero, many people would have perished.
"I'm sure Sir Ren isn't like the past Sword Heroes." Tersia tried to reassure her carefree childhood friend. Though she sounded unsure herself. "We have to trust that he's preparing for our next course of action right now."
Farrie dropped another book in the useless pile. "I just worry about him. He seems so distant lately. Even Wyndia is struggling to get him to talk." After everything that had happened in the last month, that worried them even more than anything else. It had always seemed like Ren was walking a fine line since the dragon incident, but that was steadily becoming more and more pronounced ever since they'd rescued the Shield Hero and the Second Princess from the Capital. No, it'd started becoming more obvious after they were ambushed here by the Pope.
Tersia threw another tome on the useless pile. Again, there had been pages ripped out in places, and nothing she skimmed had stuck out to her. No secret Church plans. No big plots. Nothing. Just another useless history book about some past Sword Hero, who'd taken joy messing with the other Heroes. The Hero used a weird word to describe the action. Trolling.
"Maybe we are wasting our time here." The blonde finally relented. There was literally nothing useful in any of these books.
Farrie followed her friend's statement by dumping another book into the useless pile. "I told you so."
"Yes, and I'm believing it now. All these stupid books-"
The black-haired mage interrupted her with a hiss. "Ok, fine, all these regular books aren't giving us anything."
Rachel reverently set her book in a pile smaller than those of the two other girls. She was taking her time reading, instead of skimming for useful information like they were. "Not necessarily."
"Oh sure, let me guess. You grabbed all the useful books while Tersia and I looked through the boring history stuff." Farrie said sarcastically.
"There are things we can learn from History." Rachel said. "However, none of what I'm seeing here is making any sense."
"What? Don't tell me you're reading about some past Hero who tried to out harem the other Heroes." Farrie said sarcastically. That was at the bottom of the pile of useless books between her and Tersia. How could so many past Heroes start out so incompetent?! No wonder the Church kept these archived! The people would lose their Faith overnight if the contents of these tomes were made public!
"No. That's not it… have you two noticed anything strange? In particular about all the books that were damaged?" Rachel asked.
…
"Strange? You mean how most of them are garbage?" Tersia raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "No, that's not it. There are several things with these that just don't line up- you know what, just come over here so I can show you two."
The two girls came over behind Rachel. She opened her book up again. Unlike the history books that they'd been studying, this looked like a Church record about a previous Staff Hero. However, they couldn't tell if it was about history or not, because, after the introduction, the majority of the pages had been ripped out. What few passages remained only talked about the achievements of the Staff Hero in helping to seal a monster, but there was no explanation on how she did it, as those pages afterward were torn out as well.
"Alright, so the Church also had incriminating evidence in the history of the Staff Hero, so what?" Farrie asked.
"The damage to this book isn't recent."
…
…
The two stared at Rachel like she'd grown a second head. It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Look along the tear marks here. If this was recent, they'd be sharp enough to give someone a papercut. But they're soft, worn out from time."
"Maybe that's just because the books are old," Tersia said. Some of these books had to be handled with care.
"That's the thing though." The black-haired mage tapped the pages with a concerned look. "This is a record about the previous Staff Hero before King Aultcray. At most, this book would only be one hundred and fifty to two hundred years old." Despite its age, the remaining pages were very well maintained. Even if the Church had been evil, the curators went to exceptional lengths to preserve what they had.
To show proof, she, rather painfully, ripped out several pages out of the back of the introduction. She muttered a quick apology to the book under her breath and then held the area out to Farrie and Tersia.
They humored the girl, feeling the line of the new tear. But, much to their surprise, they could feel the difference between the freshly torn pages and the rest. In fact, Farrie jerked her thumb back, sucking on a papercut she'd gotten. "Stupid-" She cut herself off at the glare Rachel gave her. That girl really loved her books. "Fine…"
"How old would you say the rest of the damage is?" Tersia asked with a frown. Maybe the dark shadow mage was onto something here after all.
"Months, maybe even years old," Rachel answered. She cocked her head to the side, seemingly deep in thought.
"But… but that'd be way before even the Hero's summoning," Farrie exclaimed in realization.
"That's way before the hourglasses even activated," Tersia muttered.
"Yes. And it's not just this book." Rachel pulled from the pile and began opening books from different eras.
What she set in front of her included records of wars involving Vassal Heroes. An ancient legend regarding the sealing of an ancient beast. Even the oldest tomes describing the previous Waves of Catastrophe and the Cardinal Heroes. Some of which even predated the Church or the founding of Melromarc.
They had damage inside them too. Though the damage varied. As Tersia read along a page, it looked like it was about to tell of how the Phoenixes were sealed away by the Gauntlet Hero, but then the passages after that were burned away. The next discernible page afterward held no mention of the Phoenixes at all. What was most puzzling about it was that the Phoenixes were sealed in a different country. One so minor that it barely held any importance, besides being the home of a sealed Guardian Beast, as well as the home of the Vassal Gauntlets.
She'd read about that event in other history books. Melromarc had barely been a country at that time. There was no way the Church could have interfered in that event. From what the three girls found based on context, it seemed key information about Vassal Weapons, Guardian Beasts, and even information on the Waves themselves had been destroyed.
"I just don't understand." Tersia shook her head in confusion. "This doesn't make any sense! Why would the Church want to destroy this information? Unless they had some super huge overarching plan that we're not aware of-"
"Who says it was the Church that had destroyed it?" Rachel quietly answered, giving the two girls a meaningful look.
…
After a solemn moment of silence, a shiver ran down all their spines. This revelation was possibly greater than any incriminating Church record that could have remained. "Are we seriously considering that someone else purposefully came here and destroyed all the information that could help combat the Waves?" Tersia tensely asked, looking up at the dark mage.
"I'm not certain… but I believe that such a possibility exists," Rachel answered after a moment.
"But why would someone do something like that?!" Farrie stood up and shouted.
"I don't know." The shadow mage replied honestly, and that was the truth. None of them could even begin to process why someone would do this.
"Should we… should we tell the others about this?" Farrie slowly sat back down, growing quieter after the realization of what they might have accidentally stumbled upon began to set in.
Rachel thought about it for a moment. "It's only a theory… for now, I'd rather not worry the rest of my party with this."
"But it is something we should look into," Tersia said. "At the very least, we should tell the Queen about our findings. The Three Heroes Church isn't the only institution with a library like this."
The three nodded. They decided they wouldn't worry the heroes or their parties about it, for now. However, if they found the same thing had happened to other libraries, then they'd speak up about it.
After all, it was possible that this was only a fluke. Caused by some priest or curator in the past going mad. Wyndia had found a book last time that told part of the history with demi-humans and the Waves. It was only because of Balamus that it had been destroyed. For all they knew, Balamus could have gone crazy and given orders for the rest of the tomes to be purged.
Still, that didn't account for why most of the damage they saw wasn't recent. And as they got back to work, the two former nuns looked at the pile of books they'd discarded as useless. Then, with a sigh, they picked them back up and started looking through them again.
Maybe, it paid off to pay close attention to the material that you were reading.
Even though they spent the rest of the day here because of that.
"I want to go clothes shopping." Farrie quietly whined.
For once, Tersia wanted to go too. If only to help ease her mind.
Author's Notes:
So I do want to clarify something with Ren. In canon, he has a serious issue with self-esteem and anxiety, which in turn, becomes a need for self-validation. He has been taking steps to become better, but as you just saw, that is something he's been struggling with still, for quite some time. And while he's a Hero, he's also a highschooler.
Itsuki, on the other hand, is in a far better spot. He's made mistakes in the past too. But now that he's finally acknowledging them, he can take steps towards becoming a better person. And a better Hero. If I were to guess, he'd be the next likely candidate to obtain a Blessed Series. Though he still has to overcome the trial of his curse/flaw. How exactly that's done, well, your guess is as good as mine.
Hero Clips!
Who are you?
"I'm sorry... who are you?"
Dou-Lon, who had looked so happy, looked like he'd suddenly faceplanted into a brick wall. "Who am I?! Don't you remember me, Lord Shield?!"
"I don't know... should I?"
"I helped you pull your Tanuki companion from that rubble yesterday!"
"... uh-huh." Naofumi could barely recall another demi-human being there. But he hadn't exactly been looking at other demi-humans at that time. You know, with his Companion needing his help.
"I, I also helped support her during the battle with that other demi-human! Al-, I mean, Victoria!"
"Hmmm..." He hadn't exactly been there to fight the nun. So that didn't help Dou-Lon's case.
"I..." Dou-Lon gulped. "I may have also been among those demi-humans who wanted to take you back to Siltvelt."
Naofumi stared. And then, he glared. Dou-Lon shivered in his spot. "You wanted to separate Raphtalia from me because she was half-Raccoon." Oh, he could remember that day well. In fact, he could remember that feeling of anger vividly. In fact, it almost wanted to manifest into a certain shield right now.
"Don't worry though! I didn't agree with them! I thought you two looked very wonderful together!" Dou-Lon quickly waved his hands in front of him in appeasement. Dou-Lon then sagged. "Besides, Victoria killed them. She left me for dead afterward."
Naofumi's glare lessened. Dou-Lon looked up at Naofumi again. "Just please, let me make up for their mistakes! Allow me to join your party, Shield Hero!" He bowed before Naofumi. His head slammed into the ground so hard in his rush that he tottered in his bow.
Naofumi sighed. "Fine, I just have one more question."
"Yes, anything!" Dou-Lon said.
"... what was your name again?"
...
"Uh..." Hadn't the Shield Hero been paying attention to everything he'd said?
Hey, it wasn't like he was expected to get everyone's name. Especially one like Dou-Lon.
You try paying attention to someone who expressed fanatical glee at you!
Till Next Time
Allen