Virtue of the Shield Hero

by Allen Blaster

According to Newton's Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Unfortunately, Naofumi and co will find this to be especially true after returning from their Otherworld trip. Rest of Summary inside. The third installment is here. Multiple pairings. Covers Season Three Territory and beyond. Arc 10: Chapters Thirteen: Part One: Death Match

113. 50: Promises, Plain and True

To be diligent isn't always to hold onto hope.

At times, it requires us to be brave when there is no hope.

---

Chapter Fifty: Promises, Plain and True

---

Ren breathed in and out heavily. The light that'd wreathed his sword and eyes faded, and his weapon turned back to its basic Small Sword form.

What… what had just happened? One moment, Eclair and Wyndia had been standing protectively over him. And then the next…

Looking down, he saw the Book Hero's right arm lying on the ground in a slowly growing pool of blood. Had… had he actually done that? It all felt like a blur...

"Oi."

Ren tensed up. 'Oh no…' He slowly turned around.

Naofumi didn't look very pleased. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was looking down at the Sword Hero with a frown. The Bow Hero put his bow on his back and glared at Ren as well.

Neither of them looked very happy.

"Did you seriously just try to steal the MVP moment from the rest of us again?" Naofumi coldly asked. "What the hell were you thinking? Have you no shame whatsoever?"

…

Ren began to lower his head. He felt incredibly guilty. He-

But before he knew it, Naofumi was gripping the Sword Hero in a tight hug. Tears leaked from the corners of the Shield Hero's eyes. "You damn glory hound. I'm so glad you're safe."

Ren's eyes widened in shock. Itsuki then approached, still trying to look disapproving. "Don't ever worry us like that again. I can't tell you how much time we spent trying to track you down."

Then, before the Bow Hero could say anymore, he reached out and joined Naofumi in hugging the Sword Hero to hide the fact that he was crying too.

Ren began crying at that. His… his two heroic friends… they were...

"How… how did you two survive?" Ren managed to ask Naofumi hoarsely through his tears.

"Stubbornness. Grit. Some doctors and magic. Maybe a pinch of Yggrasil's Elixir too." Naofumi began laughing. "I think the stubbornness thing was the biggest factor though."

Itsuki chuckled in response. "I'd certainly believe it."

"I wasn't just talking about myself, you know." Naofumi began laughing at Itsuki, who then started laughing as well, followed by Ren. The three of them were laughing while crying.

It was an amazing sight to behold.

"Brooooooos!" Motoyasu suddenly joined the large group hug. The Spear Hero looked really happy.

But he also stank. Like, a lot.

"G-Get off me! You really need to shower!" Itsuki cried out as Motoyasu's vomit-covered front rubbed against his cloak.

"Oh shut it, as if you two are any better!" Motoyasu retorted.

Indeed, though Naofumi had healed their injuries, the Shield and Bow Heroes were still covered in bloodstains and the various bits of monster gore they'd accumulated ever since the morning the Spirit Tortoise had reawakened.

Huh. It was amazing how much more desensitized they'd gotten to this since Cal Mira. Looking down, Naofumi grimaced as he saw just how rough the Siderite Armor he was wearing looked from all the recent battles.

But hey, that back strap was no longer bothering him anymore! That was a plus!

"Um, Naofumi…" Raphtalia picked something up off the ground. On closer inspection, it was a section of his armor. The annoying backstrap was attached to it.

Oh… heheh. He hoped Elhart wouldn't mind getting this armor back with a couple of pieces missing.

Oh well. What the blacksmith didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Naofumi happily accepted the Spear Hero's hug and the consequences that'd come with it.

Meanwhile, a great distance away, Elhart was almost finished hammering a chest plate. While he waited for word from the guild if the heroes had been successful or not, he sneezed.

Odd. Why did he feel like something terrible was happening right now that'd piss him off if he ever learned about it?

That was a strangely specific thought to have…

Back inside the Spirit Tortoise, seeing the hero's reunion, their friends looked very happy as well.

"We did it." Eclair sighed in relief.

"Yes, we did." Therese smiled, but it soon turned into a frown as she looked down at Kyo's disembodied arm. The Vassal Book that it had been clutching had disappeared.

"But not completely." The gem girl concluded grimly. The fact that the book was not here anymore meant that it had returned back to its master, who was still very much alive.

"Then it is up to us to finish the job. It is the least we can do." Glass nodded with determination.

"Mhmm." L' Arc grunted in affirmation. "Let's see what's the deal with this portal first. It looks different compared to the wave rifts that we usually use and there's no obvious timer either."

Kyo had escaped. Worse, he'd escaped with the remaining soul energy that the Spirit Tortoise of this world had harvested. They had to find where he'd gone and capture him as soon as possible. The group of three went to examine the portal Kyo had used to escape.

"Yay, Filo helped Daddy and Bow Uncle save Sword Uncle!" Filo cheered happily as she danced around.

"Why is she calling the heroes uncles?" Farrie asked curiously.

"Probably because she thinks of them as Sir Naofumi's brothers now," Tersia answered, chuckling to herself.

"Mmhmm!" Filo paused in her dance to nod happily.

Raphtalia smiled a little wider. She'd been right after all. Naofumi had begun to see the other Heroes as family. His bonds with them had truly deepened.

"What about Sir Motoyasu?" Rino asked curiously.

"Screw Spear Guy!" Filo immediately replied as she crossed her arms with a pout.

"What the hell did he do to deserve that?!" Rino asked angrily.

"Spear Guy is Spear Guy! And Spear Guy sucks!" Filo retorted angrily.

"No, you're the one that sucks bird brat!" Rino flailed her arms angrily.

Of course. Some things would never change. Even if Naofumi was beginning to see the Spear Hero as an older brother figure now.

Filo would never acknowledge that.

"Awww, Filo. Please don't be like that." As the group hug ended, Motoyasu looked downcast. "I did everything I could just to make sure I'd be awake to help my bros out when the time came."

"Boo!" Filo crossed her arms and turned to the side. "Filo doesn't want to talk to Spear Guy!"

"Dawwwww…" The Spear Hero looked incredibly disappointed. Not even his incredibly heroic actions had swayed the mind of Naofumi's daughter.

However, the brief moment of disappointment came to an abrupt end as Motoyasu straightened out with determination. "That settles it! I'll just have to try twice, no, thrice as hard next time to win the affection of my glorious angel! I'll praise you forever, my precious Filo!" Motoyasu raised his balled fist to the sky for emphasis.

Unfortunately, he immediately collapsed as pain wracked his body.

Ouch, he probably should have been more careful with his movements there. He didn't look much better than Ren, who was taking things slowly as Wyndia got under his shoulder to help support him.

"Don't make me start regretting that I saved your butt, Moto," Naofumi said with a tired sigh. Still, he gave the Spear Hero a hand to help him stand up again.

"Hehe…" Motoyasu chuckled awkwardly.

Seriously, if he liked Filolials that much, he should really get one of his… own…

Naofumi had nearly forgotten because of everything that'd happened. "Hold on, did you ever buy those Filolial eggs that you wanted?"

"Huh?... Oh." Motoyasu took a moment to remember what Naofumi was talking about. "To be honest… I kind of spent that money you gave me on some dragons so me and my girls could reach the Spirit Tortoise country in time…" He chuckled awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry about that."

Naofumi smirked. "It's fine. You put it to good use. So here." He handed Motoyasu the last of the gold coins from his pouch.

"Huh? What's this for?" Motoyasu asked in surprise.

"I gave you that reward money before so you could get yourself some Filolial eggs." Naofumi smiled. "That should be enough for you to buy from somebody besides Beloukas if you don't want to deal with him."

…

"BROOOOOOOOOOO!" Motoyasu hugged Naofumi tightly and began to straight-up sob into his starrite chest plate. "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!"

It was definitely a strange experience. Naofumi's defense was so high that he couldn't feel the crushing force that Motoyasu's hug would be giving a lesser person right now. But somehow, Naofumi was still able to comprehend the vastness of gratitude that Motoyasu was expressing right now.

Maybe it was because of how many times he was shouting THANK YOU without even pausing to breathe?

"Don't mention it." Naofumi still grimaced though. The front of his Siderite Armor was getting even more stained thanks to Motoyasu. And he was really starting to notice all the scratches and dents and more pieces missing from it now.

'I really hope Elhart won't mind when I give this back to him like this.'

Elhart sneezed again right as he brought a big hammer strike down.

"GAH!" His thumb swelled up as he gripped his wrist and tried not to cry.

That'd really hurt. Had he just broken his thumb?!

And why was that eerie sense of foreboding only growing in the background?! What the hell was happening that he didn't know about?! Did it involve that Shield Brat?!

"I… I really didn't kill anybody while I was in the Cursed Series?" Ren timidly asked Itsuki.

"I've told you already-" Wyndia started to say from under his arm.

"I know you and Eclair and the others told me I didn't, but… but it's still so hard to believe. I want to make sure." Ren supplied nervously. "Sorry."

Wyndia went silent, looking pleadingly up at the Bow Hero with wide amber eyes.

"Of course not." Itsuki smiled. He became very aware of the pulsing scar on his chest and back at that moment but chose not to bring it up. "In fact, without you, we wouldn't have killed the Guardian Beast when we did."

"R-Really?" The Sword Hero sagged in relief.

"Of course. I told you that too, you know." Wyndia's ears drooped in annoyance

"Yeah. You were definitely scary in your Cursed Series. But in hindsight, you saved a lot of people by killing the Spirit Tortoise. It was… helpful…" Itsuki trailed off.

The conversations going on everywhere else soon trailed off as well.

Ost, who was still there, had sat back against the remains of the core. Where she'd looked full of energy before after reappearing to deal with Kyo, now she looked very, very tired.

"Turtle Lady?" Filo was standing beside Ost, holding one of her hands.

"Ost…"

Naofumi slowly approached the beautiful woman. Raphtalia got beside him as he knelt in front of her.

"Is… is Tortoise Lady going to be okay now?" Filo asked Ost directly.

"Yes, I… I will no longer be in any pain, little Filo." Ost smiled at the small bird girl.

A tear leaked out the side of Filo's eye. Ost raised a hand and wiped it away with the sleeve of her dress.

Oh… oh no…

"Who's that?" Motoyasu asked curiously.

"She's… the soul of the Spirit Tortoise," Itsuki answered. "She helped us to get here and save you."

"Really? That's really cool! She looks…" He was about to say something that would ruin the moment like 'she looks smoking hot!' Which, in all honesty, was not untrue in the slightest, so nobody would blame Motoyasu for wanting to voice that. However, the gravity of the situation settled upon him, and he changed what he was about to say to something else. "... like… she's dying."

Itsuki slowly nodded. "Just like she wanted." He slowly walked up and crouched next to the Shield Hero.

Gulping, Motoyasu got on one side next to Raphtalia. Ren got on the other, standing next to Filo. Wyndia got out from under him, so he could support himself on his sword like a cane. The dog girl stayed close to him though along with the rest of their friends, except for the Otherworlders who were examining the portal. Everyone gathered around the Heroes, staring down at the fading soul of the Spirit Tortoise.

Naofumi looked Ost in the eyes. The strong, brave woman who'd sacrificed it all so they could get there.

"Thank you, brave Heroes, you did well." She said, a small smile gracing her lips. "You have defeated me and passed your first big test. Congratulations."

…

Naofumi wanted to say something. To say how much they'd miss her. How he wished that she could have come back to their village. That they could have gone on more adventures together.

But, then... he realized there was nothing that actually needed to be said. They'd already gotten it all out of the way before this moment. Through all the blood, sweat, and tears that they'd shared in their brief time together…

"Thank you," Naofumi said, giving her a small, genuine smile. "For helping us save Ren and Motoyasu… we couldn't have done it without you."

"Thank you for keeping Daddy safe," Filo said sadly, resting a hand on the woman's pale shoulder.

"And… thank you, for keeping Naofumi alive up till now. And for trying to warn us before our village was attacked, and..." Raphtalia trailed off. And then, she rushed forward and hugged Ost tightly, tears leaking from her tea-red eyes. "You helped us… you helped, Naofumi out a lot… thank you! Thank you so much for what you did for him!"

Ost's eyes widened in surprise, then tears slowly formed in the corners of her eyes.

It'd… it'd been so long since she'd last been hugged by someone. Naofumi then joined in the hug, expressing his gratitude alongside his girlfriend. It… it felt amazing…

"Spirit Tortoise." From the large hole that Naofumi had created, Fitoria walked up to them. Her small form looked tired and battered, but she was looking directly at Ost as she approached.

"So, you did know," Ost replied tiredly as Raphtalia and Naofumi let go of her.

"Fitoria didn't." The bird queen shook her head. "My memory was hazy. But I had my suspicions before now."

"Why didn't you say anything then?" Ost asked curiously.

"Because you wanted to help Fitoria's Heroes. I respected that, and didn't wish to interfere with your decision." Fitoria answered with a bow of her head. "I did not wish to say anything that would make the Heroes doubt your assistance."

"... Thank you, Queen, of the Filolials." Ost gave her a smile, which turned into a small smirk. "And I must say, well done on your fight. I believe it's been ages since anyone was last able to give my body at full power such a challenge."

"Fitoria could still go another round or two if the Spirit Tortoise is interested?" Fitoria smiled in response.

She… was joking about that, right?

Like, seriously, Naofumi wanted to assume the Queen of Legend was on her last legs. But it was hard to tell. Even with his new and true god-tier defense thanks to the shield Ost had given him, he felt scared of what'd happen if he tried to block an attack from the injured Filolial Queen.

Ost chuckled. "Thank you. For keeping me from slaying so many innocent people, Fitoria."

Fitoria nodded her head. "You're welcome, Ost."

…

"Uhh, kiddos, I'm sorry for interrupting a tender moment and all that, but it looks like this portal goes back to our world, just as Kyo said!" L'Arc suddenly shouted from near the black portal. "It's fluctuating, so we probably won't come out in the same location as Kyo, but regardless, we'll use it to go back too and bring him down so we can return the energy he stole from your world as soon as we can!"

Seriously, that redhead couldn't have interrupted at another time?

Then again, Naofumi still felt part of himself seething at the thought of that Bitch still being alive. So he decided to let the redhead interrupting their moment slide.

"No, don't go yet. I'm coming with you!" Naofumi suddenly announced.

"Wait, wha- Are you serious Shield Kiddo?" L'Arc looked flabbergasted.

"Master Craftsman." Therese corrected the redhead.

"Ugh, yea, yea, whatever!" He waved Therese off. "I mean, you do understand what you're suggesting here, right? Hell, I don't mind and in fact, I would love to show you our country, but this isn't some sightseeing tour we'd be going on! With Kyo back in our world, he'll have all his levels back while you'd have to start again at 1! Your armor wouldn't work there either so it'd be a huge hassle for you! Not to mention the other things I told you about!"

"Yeah yeah, I'll have to deal with starting at level one when I enter your world and blah de blah. I don't care. It's not that I don't trust in your ability to bring him to justice yourselves. I just want to be there myself to see the look on Male Bitch's face when we find him and tear him apart limb from limb." Naofumi said coldly.

"... man, talk about brutal." L'Arc shook his head but laughed. "Fine, you convinced me, but you better hurry up. We're not sure how much longer this portal will remain open."

"My guess is that it will remain open for as long as their Cardinal weapons will allow this hole in reality to stay," Glass said, folding her fans in her hands.

"Well, yea, but how long do you think that'll last exactly Glassy?" L'Arc rebutted.

"As long as they need," Glass answered calmly.

Naofumi nodded and smirked in grim satisfaction. However, Ren grimaced next to him. "That portal said Holy Heroes aren't allowed to invade other worlds when I tried to chase Kyo. I don't think you could go even if you wanted to." The Sword Hero warned. "Sorry, Naofumi."

Wait, seriously?! But the Shield Hero was so charged up to take revenge on the bitch!

Raphtalia sighed next to him. But she didn't comment on Naofumi's newfound bloodlust.

After all. She wanted to go along too. And kill Kyo. Painfully.

As painfully as she could. Maybe she'd come up with illusions that'd break his sanity too?

Yes, that sounded marvelous. Anything to avenge those who'd died in her village to the minions that the Book Hero had unleashed…

"What is it?" Raphtalia asked Naofumi in confusion after noticing that the Shield Hero was staring at her face.

"I'm starting to understand why you used to nag me about it so much before. Your expression there was downright terrifying." Naofumi deadpanned.

"Y-You think so?" The half-tanuki girl blushed in embarrassment.

"Yeah, Mommy looked really scary for a moment there." Filo agreed. "Was Mommy planning on taking revenge on Book Idiot?"

"W-Well… we can't exactly do that if Naofumi can't come along…" She looked down at the floor sadly.

"Perhaps… let me try something." Ost interrupted, and reached her hand out to Naofumi's shield.

"I, the Spirit Tortoise, request special approval. Allow the Shield Hero to pass through the portal to another world." She spoke.

The gemstone on Naofumi's shield flashed white once.

Special request approved. The Shield Hero may now conditionally invade other worlds!

Really, just like that?!

Naofumi smiled down at Ost. "Helpful to the end, aren't you?"

"Of course." Seriously, why did Ost have such evil-looking eyes? It spoke nothing of her selflessness and purity. If she'd acted nasty or cold with those eyes, if she'd ordered him around like he was one of her puppets, she never would have earned his trust as quickly as she had, if at all. She wouldn't be making him so sad with her death.

"Thank you again. I'm going to miss your aid." He told her gratefully. It was a good thing she'd been selfless and pure. Otherwise, he would have never made such a great friend.

Raphtalia and Filo nodded gratefully.

"Um… would you, by any chance, be able to do that for me too?" Itsuki asked nervously.

Ost turned her head to look at the Bow Hero. "I… I understand that I don't know you very well. But… it wouldn't feel right if I sat back and did nothing after today. So please. Allow me to go along with Naofumi so I can avenge you."

"You haven't been through enough with me already?" Naofumi asked warmly. "You could take a rest, you know."

Itsuki shook his head. "Of course not. That guy's still alive, isn't he?"

Heh. Guess Raphtalia wasn't the only one daydreaming about payback to the Book Hero.

…

Ost gave Itsuki a nod. "I will respect your sense of justice, wielder of the holy bow. But do know, I am able to grant such an exemption to the shield as the Spirit Tortoise has deep ties to that Cardinal weapon. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do the same for you."

"Please, try anyway." Itsuki pled.

Ost rested a hand on his bow.

...

After a moment, she frowned, as if something was wrong, but before Itsuki could speak, she then rested her other hand on Naofumi's shield.

"I, the Spirit Tortoise, request special approval. Allow the Bow Hero to pass through the portal alongside the Shield Hero to another world."

Itsuki's gemstone flashed brightly in response, then Naofumi's gemstone flashed in response, then Itsuki's gemstone flashed again…

Special request approved. The Bow Hero may now conditionally invade other worlds alongside the Shield Hero!

Ost smiled in victory. "Heh. Thank you for convincing him for me, Shield Spirit." As she said that to Naofumi's shield, the gemstone flashed in response.

Had… had she actually just had a conversation with their weapons?

"I… thank you." Itsuki swallowed his pride and bowed his head to the turtle lady.

"Before I go, a warning, for all of you." Ost looked over the gathered Heroes and their allies.

"With my death, the Phoenix will awaken next. It is a guardian beast who is even more powerful. I can try to hold off on word of my death reaching it for as long as possible. But I suggest you two do not dally while in the other world." Ost told the Shield and Bow Heroes.

"Of course." Itsuki agreed.

"The energy the Book Hero stole is enough to protect this world from the Waves and from the Phoenix awakening for a time. I do not know for how long, since the hourglass wasn't full. But you should be able to collect that energy with the Shield I gave you, Naofumi."

The Shield Hero looked down at the Spirit Tortoise Heart Shield and nodded in response while Ost continued. "The Heroes must use the time that energy will buy you to prepare to face the Phoenix. She is not as… lenient as I am in her duties."

"We will." Naofumi gripped her hand. "We'll find that bastard and take back all the energy he stole from you. I promise."

She smiled in response. "Spear Hero, Sword Hero." She looked at Motoyasu, then Ren. "You two will have to protect this world while the Shield and Bow Heroes are gone. Will you two be up to the task?"

"Of course! We'll make sure to do our best!" Motoyasu grinned confidently. "Right Ren?" He looked confidently across everyone at the Sword Hero.

"Of… of course," Ren muttered, looking down at the ground. "We'll try. I guess." Wyndia gripped his hand and gave it a squeeze in an attempt to cheer him up.

"To be seen off like that… I am truly grateful." Suddenly, Naofumi lost his grip on Ost's hand. Looking down, her legs were vanishing, and her hand was fading in and out of existence.

Her time was up.

"To think…" Ost looked at everyone there. Many of whom were wiping tears away from their faces. "I was fated to destroy life, to be hated and scorned. People were to cheer when I died… and yet, here you all are, sad to see me go. I… I cannot help but feel joyful about it, even if it makes me selfish." Her eyes brimmed with tears as the rest of her form began to glow brightly and gradually disappear.

Raphtalia and Filo began to softly cry. Naofumi didn't cry, but tears still escaped his eyes. Fitoria began to hum an ancient tune softly. Ost recognized it, and her smile grew a little bigger. "Ost… we'll miss you." Naofumi told her honestly.

Ost's eyes focused on him. "Thank you, for saving the world, for saving those I cared about… and for saving me."

"You have so many wonderful companions, Naofumi, you have brought great hope to our world… If, if I had another chance, at life, I… would choose to spend it…

"With you."

With a soft breeze, Ost dissolved into beads of light. Vanishing, leaving nothing behind.

Fitoria watched, a reverent look on her features as she bowed her head in respect. The ancient tune she'd been humming came to a solemn end.

Tears were in Naofumi's eyes as he hugged his girlfriend and daughter close, but he was still smiling for her. For the Spirit Tortoise that'd helped them to the end.

Their time with her had been brief. But the sense of loss they all felt was real.

Goodbye Ost Horai…

Goodbye… a good friend.

---

After their farewell to Ost, Naofumi and Itsuki gathered their friends together. They'd had their moment to cry, but it was time to continue forward once again.

"So, who's going to come with me after Kyo?" Naofumi asked.

"It's obvious you'd just get in more trouble if I'm not there to help." Raphtalia sighed as she rolled her eyes. But she was smiling at him. "Of course, I'm coming."

"Good to hear." Naofumi kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. She gave him a sweet smile in return.

"Filo wants to help Daddy kick Book Idiot's %$# too!"

…

Naofumi stared at his daughter in shock. "What?" Filo tilted her head curiously. "Doesn't Daddy say %$# a lot?"

'Uh… heheheh, please don't look at me like that, Raphtalia. You say that word from time to time too.' Naofumi grimaced as the Tanuki girl's smile morphed into a very familiar glare.

"Eclair, Dou-Lon, what about you two?" Naofumi asked, trying to escape his girlfriend's condemnation.

"Count me in!" Dou-Lon raised a fist excitedly. "Going to a brand new world, alongside the Shield Hero, it's like a dream come true!"

"That's good. I'll stay behind then." Eclair crossed her arms with a smile, surprising the hakuko.

"Wha- you don't want to come along?!" Dou-Lon exclaimed, sounding shocked and disappointed.

"We can't all go chasing shadows when there's a lot that'll need to be done now that the Spirit Tortoise has been defeated. I'm sure Princess Melty and Her Majesty will need all the assistance they can get." Eclair answered. "And somebody will need to help the Sword Hero get back into shape too. I can't imagine this experience leaving him unscarred."

"Alright. Thank you for all the help, Eclair. Take good care of Se-... Melty, while we're gone." Naofumi told her gratefully. Cutting himself off and saying the Princess's name properly instead of the dumb nickname he'd used for a while. "Oh, and apologize to Mirellia for me too. I guess I'm going to be leaving her to clean up this whole mess, heh."

The swordswoman gave him a small smile. "It has been a pleasure, Sir Naofumi. I will be sure to pass your message on to her Majesty." She then glared at him. "But as soon as you get back, you better be ready to get along with Princess Melty. I will have nothing short of that."

"Don't worry. I'll be looking forward to it." Naofumi smiled as he gave her a thumbs up.

The swordswoman sighed before looking at the hakuko man. "Keep them safe. Dou-Lon."

"Don't worry crazy swordsman lady, this humble bakako will be sure to…" He trailed off in surprise. "You… called me by my name." Even though it wasn't a serious situation.

She gave him a smile and a pat on the back. "I'll be looking forward to sparring with you again after you get back. Make sure you spend some time learning some other fighting forms while you're over there, ok? I want to see just how people in another world fight."

…

Dou-Lon continued to look astounding, and could only nod in response before Eclair walked over to join everyone else gathering at the exit to the core room.

Well, the one that wasn't the gigantic hole leading outside.

Had… had that seriously just happened? Dou-Lon felt beyond confused at how he should respond. It… it was almost like Eclair had acknowledged him as an equal, just for a moment-

Pbth! What was he getting his tail all wrapped up about?! He was obviously superior to the crazy muscle-brained swords lady! He must have just been caught off guard by a rare moment of kindness from her!

Yeah, that had to be the reason!

"Wait, Naofumi! I have something for you!" Motoyasu suddenly approached as Naofumi and the rest of the group were about to turn towards the portal. The Spear Hero was pulling something out of his weapon.

Was that… a crystal ball?

"I wasn't sure if I'd survive against the Spirit Tortoise or not, and meant to give this to Rino or Elena in case I died. But this has recordings of me explaining all of my strengthening methods on it!" Motoyasu said. "It has some other things on it too, but I won't spoil them for you! I'll let you discover them for yourself when you're on the other side!"

"I…" Naofumi looked surprised, but then, he accepted the crystal ball from Motoyasu. "Thank you, Moto." He said sincerely. "I'll make sure to apply your methods after we're over there."

"Good!" Motoyasu's face then fell slightly. "And… I'm really sorry, that I was stubborn for so long about it and-"

"It's alright." Naofumi interrupted. "You explained why in that letter you left behind. I can't say that I might have been as stupid as you if I was in that position… but if your curse played a part in it, I'm not going to fault you for acting irrationally."

"Heh. Yeah… I guess I was a little too careless with my weapon…" Motoyasu looked at his spear. "Fitoria said I could use my Curse without losing control because of my loyalty to my friends… but I forgot that it could still influence me even if I was still in control."

"And Fitoria hopes that the Spear Hero will have learned from this lesson," Fitoria said as she approached. Though, a softer look was on her face now. "Just as Fitoria has had to learn her own lessons from all of this."

"What are you talking about!?" Motoyasu waved his arms in disbelief. "Fitoria is perfect just the way she- URK!" He nearly collapsed as pain wracked his body again.

"No, Spear Hero. Fitoria thanks you for your kind words but I am nowhere close to perfect. Just like the Heroes Fitoria cares about." The little girl looked up at Naofumi's face. "Fitoria expected too much of them, and put far more pressure on their shoulders than what they could bear…"

"It's fine to expect a little more from people, Fitoria. Just try to keep it realistic and reachable unless the fate of the world is at stake." Naofumi replied gently.

"But isn't the fate of the world at stake already?" Fitoria tilted her head to the side curiously.

Naofumi chuckled as he got down on one knee and hugged her close.

Fitoria… though she didn't tense up this time, was slow to return the hug. "Did… did Fitoria really do well?" She asked weakly.

"She did. She did very well." Naofumi smiled. "In fact, she might have saved our lives more than a few times. Thank you for that."

Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. But, wiping them away, she buried her head in Naofumi's neck. "I promise. Fitoria will try my best to assist the Heroes and their comrades from now on."

But then Fitoria pulled back to pout at him. "Just don't joke around about Fitoria killing the Heroes anymore. Fitoria doesn't want to do that, you know!"

"Oh, um…" Had she been listening in to his conversation with Kyo?

"Hey, Fitoria, what about the treatment you used on me? Filo thinks Broccoli Girl over there would benefit from that." Filo said, pointing over to Farrie.

"Huh? What did she just call me?" Farrie asked worriedly.

"What are you talking about?" Naofumi asked Filo curiously. His daughter had impeccable timing as always.

"Fitoria has a way to sacrifice levels on a person to give their stats a… a... what did Fitoria call it?" Filo tilted her head to the side curiously.

"A growth boost." Fitoria smiled as she shook her head. "It's a strengthening method I received from a Hero long ago. It allowed them to sacrifice the levels of themselves or their allies so that they would grow up stronger. That is how Fitoria's flock is so strong." She said proudly.

Really? That kind of power-up method actually existed?! And it could be used on a Hero's party members too?!

Actually, that would explain why Filo was stronger than before despite being at a lower level.

Still, that seemed a bit overpowered… but if that was true…

Naofumi tried to believe it was real, yet… for some reason, it didn't appear on his HUD.

"Why is it not showing up for me?" He asked. "Is it no longer active or something?"

"No. The methods of the weapons never change between wielders. They stay the same, otherwise, Fitoria wouldn't be able to use any of the ones Fitoria has now." Fitoria pondered to herself. "Perhaps you have to know the wielder the method belongs to in order for it to work." She pulled up her Help Guide for the first time in centuries, and frowned as the information in it was just as garbled as her memory. "Fitoria might have let her weapon sleep for a little too long, it seems."

Or, perhaps this was a sign that the Carriage and her were made for each other? Their imperfect memories were a match made in heaven.

But couldn't it just be a guess? Did they really have to know the wielder it belonged to in order for the method to be shared!?

Oh well. They were about to be reset to level one anyway. It wasn't like Naofumi would have much use for a method like that when they arrived in Glass's world. He was starting to have thoughts about this bit of info though.

Those that didn't want the Hero Service Seal… perhaps there was a path for them to grow strong enough to help them out after all…

But before that, an experiment. "Motoyasu…" Naofumi turned to face the Spear Hero, who gulped at the serious look on Naofumi's face. "Don't worry. There's just something I want to make sure of." Naofumi stared into the Spear Hero's red-pupiled eyes.

"There's another form of Weapon Mastery different from yours called [Mastery Level]." Naofumi briefly explained the method. How it made a weapon stronger the more you battled with it, but that it had an upper limit of 100. You could reset the weapon's mastery at any time to gain energy for upgrading or awakening another weapon form.

Motoyasu had looked nervous at first. But… with a hesitant nod of his head, he accepted Naofumi's words at face value.

…

"Anything?" Naofumi asked.

Motoyasu's face fell. "Nothing…"

"Alright, can you guess which of us uses that method?" Naofumi asked.

"I guess… maybe Ren?" Motoyasu answered.

Huh, Motoyasu had actually gotten it right on the first try. "Nothing, that must mean it's yours!" Motoyasu then said.

Huh? It hadn't worked!?

"... Itsuki?"

...

So it was true. The Hero couldn't guess. They had to be sure who the method belonged to, otherwise, the methods wouldn't work for him or her.

"Damn, this must mean I'm destined to be the weakest hero after all-" Motoyasu began to beat himself up.

"Actually, what if I told you that this was one of Ren's methods," Naofumi said.

"H-Huh-" Immediately, Motoyasu's HUD lit up. An incredulous look crossed Motoyasu's face. "I… It worked!" Motoyasu exclaimed. "Ren's method! I can see it on my HUD now! It worked! IT WORKED!"

Naofumi sighed in relief. "See, you're not excluded from it. You had nothing to worry about after all."

Motoyasu was sobbing though as he hugged his spear tightly.

He'd… he'd really been that worried about becoming useless. Hadn't he? Naofumi felt bad for having done this small experiment using the blonde spearman.

But at least they could be certain about this bit of important info. Unless you knew which Hero the method was attached to, you couldn't share the method with others even if you yourself knew it. You couldn't even guess it. You had to know it belonged to that specific weapon.

This was likely something that could be subverted if it came down to learning what method belonged to the last weapon. Though he wasn't sure if that'd ever happen. Hopefully, a scenario like that won't come up in the future.

They'd just have to work on that in the future after they got back.

"Motoyasu, when you get back to the village, see if anyone without a Hero Crest there would want to go through Fitoria's deleveling treatment as a way to get stronger instead. And make sure Fitoria consents with it too." Naofumi instructed. "We're going to need to rely on her if we want to see this implemented. Oh, and make sure to get the rest of the sword and bow's methods from Ren while we're gone. I don't have the time to explain them all to you here and now. I'd share mine, but I have no idea what they are."

"Got it!" Motoyasu saluted happily. "Thank you, Naofumi! I promise that everything will be in good hands while you're gone!"

Heh. Motoyasu had been worried about becoming useless. If anything, he'd shown how useful he could be despite being the weakest.

Damn, Naofumi was going to miss the blonde simp while hunting Kyo down in the otherworld. He couldn't believe this day had come.

"Hey, what's with the weird look?!" Motoyasu complained.

"Get going already, Moto." Naofumi laughed. "Quit while you're ahead."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Naofumi laughed, refusing to clarify. Motoyasu had no choice but to pout while Fitoria helped to lead him away. Raphtalia hugged him from behind, proud of her boyfriend.

"Make sure you kick Kyo's &^% while you're over there for me!" Motoyasu yelled back. "I promised to pay him back double what he'd given me!"

"I'll give you a receipt upon my return!" Naofumi promised as he gave the Spear Hero a thumbs up.

Over in the other group, Itsuki was still deciding on who'd be coming along with him. Or, rather, he was still having a talk with Rishia, who was being firm in her decision.

"Are you sure you want to come? We have no idea what we're getting into-" Itsuki was saying worriedly.

"Of course," Rishia said, no hesitation whatsoever in her voice. "Would it be just to let that coward walk away after all that he did here?"

"No, I'm just worried since you used a lot of energy in that battle. If we came out on the other side and monsters were there waiting-" Itsuki began to explain in concern.

"And I am just fine. In fact, I should be the one that'd be worried about you if that happened." Rishia poked the Bow Hero in the ribs. "Do you have any idea how much you worried me back there?! You almost got killed, twice! And then, when you were weak from blood loss, you tried using all those life force attacks! Are you an idiot Itsuki?!"

"W-Wha?!" Itsuki looked incredibly shocked.

"Seriously?! What do you have to say for yourself?! Do you have no sense of self-preservation whatsoever!?" The green-haired girl demanded. "Do you think the rest of us would be happy if you got yourself killed?! What do you think I'd do if that happened to you?! If you left me behind and died because you dropped from exhaustion while fighting monsters!? Do you not realize how tired you look right now?! Honestly, you're being so stupid that-"

"R-Rishia?"

The girl blinked her eyes in surprise when she realized she'd been gripping Itsuki's shoulders tightly. "F-F-F-F-" She quickly let go and began to blush fiercely. "Fueeeeeeeeeeee!"

Welp, Rishia hadn't completely changed after all.

As Itsuki was still reeling at the green-haired girl's overall change in attitude, Aksel chuckled to himself. 'I wish they'd just kiss already. They look so cute together.' He whispered to Rachel and Maya.

"As if you two were any better. Honestly, you have no right to criticize them after the way you acted before." Rachel rolled her eyes. This caused the other two to briefly blush.

Then, Maya frowned sadly. "Are you sure you don't want to come along with us, Rachel?"

The dark-haired mage smiled. "I was able to repeatedly stab the bastard that murdered my father. And now, I have a husband to whom I must return. And books I'll need to study while the Shield and Bow Heroes are in another world. My personal lust for revenge is sated for now."

She then rested a hand on both their shoulders. "Plus, I have some reliable friends who I know will finish the job for me."

Aksel grinned widely at her. "You can count on it! Next time, I'll be splitting that bastard's skull with my ax and making sure he doesn't come back from that!"

"I was referring more to Maya here." Rachel shrugged, and then laughed as an offended look appeared on the large knight's face. "Though maybe I can trust in you a little too, seeing how well you did today."

"Of course!" Aksel grinned widely as he flexed his muscles. "You can count on us!"

The mage rolled her eyes at the tank's lack of humility, but still hugged the two close.

"Be safe... Keep him safe." Rachel said softly.

"... You can count on us," Aksel said, this time, in a more serious voice.

They separated, and the tank and raccoon girl ran up to Itsuki and Rishia. Just as Naofumi, Raphtalia, Filo, and Dou-Lon got ready.

"Is this everyone?" L'Arc asked.

"See, I told you their weapons would keep it open for us," Glass smirked.

"Yeah yeah, whatever Glassy." L'Arc rolled his eyes as he looked at the Shield Hero.

"Yeah. We're ready. Though I don't think your girlfriend is." Naofumi smirked.

"Huh, what are you-" L'Arc thought the kiddo was talking about Glassy for a moment, but then, the Scythe Hero realized Therese wasn't standing next to him anymore. It took a few seconds, but he found her across the room, saying goodbye to Wyndia and the others.

The redhead's eyes comically bugged out. "THERESE!"

"Sorry, I'll be right there in just a few!" She winked at the redhead.

"WHA- GET OVER HERE NOW! WE NEED TO GET GOING!" L'Arc exploded.

Therese, however, ignored his irrational outburst and remained focused on the dog girl. Wyndia looked up at her.

"This… this won't be the last time we see each other, right?" Wyndia hesitantly asked.

"Of course not." Therese hugged her best friend. "I promise. As soon as things are settled in my world. I'll come back to visit. We can go shopping for bikinis and do whatever we want together then."

"But…" Wyndia still looked sad to be saying goodbye.

"Don't worry. I won't die that easily. At least, not as easy as a certain redhead I know." Therese winked.

"I HEARD THAT!"

The two girls giggled to themselves. "And especially not with such reliable and powerful friends coming with us." Therese let Wyndia go, but the dog girl held on a little bit longer. Her eyes were shut tight and her ears were resting against her hair. "Wyndia?" The gem girl asked in confusion.

"... Thank you… for everything." Wyndia said sincerely.

She'd thought about that night when she'd been ready to give up. When Therese had walked into the tent and given her the courage to piece herself together and move forward again.

She thought about the past couple of days. The banter they'd shared. The time they'd spent practicing gem magic. The drive the Gem Girl had kept aflame in her and her friends even when things had looked so hopeless for them, for Ren.

It hadn't really seemed that important then. But Therese's efforts. Her constant vigilance in making sure Wyndia remained okay.

"I mean it!" Tears began to fall from Wyndia's eyes. "You helped me out more than you could ever know! I could never repay you for what you did for me! Thank you! Thank you so much, Therese! THANK YOU!"

"Ah." Therese rubbed a hand along her hair, and Wyndia let the gem girl go, wiping tears from under her eyes. "You're welcome, Wyndia." Therese had to wipe away a tear from her eye too.

She never could have imagined forming a bond like this with someone from another world. Looking past Wyndia, she saw so many other good friends that she'd made too.

It made her happy. She couldn't wait until she'd have the opportunity to visit them again.

She gave them a smile before focusing on Wyndia again. "Make sure you treat Ren properly while I'm gone, ok? Remember, no physically claiming him until he has the energy for it."

"I, I will," Wyndia promised, a faint blush covering her face. Then, she realized what Therese had said at the end, and her blush traveled all the way up to the tips of her ears. "Get going already before you ruin the moment, dummy!" She pushed Therese towards the portal.

Both girls were chuckling though, knowing this wouldn't be goodbye.

They'd see each other later. Hopefully, when things were more peaceful. So they could have lots of fun together.

"Take care!" Therese waved at everyone that was staying behind, and many of them waved back, smiling in response.

"Don't have too much fun without us!" Farrie yelled.

"And make sure to keep that idiot of yours in line!" Tersia added.

"Wha- Therese, you don't really think I'm an idiot, right?" L'Arc asked as she walked up.

Therese merely hummed though as she finally rejoined the group. Not answering the redhead's question. "Ohm… Are we ready this time?" L'Arc hesitantly asked.

"Lead the way, Master Craftsman." Therese said to Naofumi.

Hurk! L'Arc once again looked like he'd been punched in the gut.

Why did she keep on doing this to him!? Did she think it was funny or something to watch him suffer?!

He'd never understand girls. For as long as he lived.

It was a good thing L'Arc was finally beginning to realize that. He might grow to be a wise man yet. (just like the author, who realized long ago that he'd never understand girls no matter how many he tries to write them in a story)

"Alright. Let's go!" Naofumi said. The odd sense of excitement was in his voice once again.

They were going on another adventure. But this time, it wasn't to save their friends.

They were going to find that Book Bastard, wherever he'd run off to, and they were going to finish him off for good this time. They were going to avenge Ost and return the energy he'd stolen from her back to the world.

The Spirit Tortoise had left a greater impact on their lives than he'd realized. From the moment the familiars had flocked down on the village till now, it felt like an eternity had passed.

Ost… he'd never forget her. Her sacrifice had impacted him for the rest of his life.

But Naofumi didn't have time to be sappy right now.

There was another world to explore, and within it, someone who needed divine punishment.

The Shield Hero and his comrades walked into the portal. And were taken to Glass's world.

After the last person walked in, the portal slowly from view as the cardinal weapons finally began patching the hole in their world's reality.

And so, off they went, to go on an adventure in another world.

To track down, and kill the rogue Book Hero, Kyo Ethniba.

---

Ost slowly opened her eyes. 'Where…'

She was floating in empty space.

'… oh.' She'd died, hadn't she? Her body was dead, and her soul had passed on…

But… if she'd died… where was she at now…?

As she began to wonder, the empty void around her began to fade.

'Hmmm?' This scenery… was familiar.

"Hahaha!" A young woman with brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in a simple gown, ran in front of Ost. She had dog ears sticking out the top of her head and a happy bright smile on her face as she ran across a grassy meadow after a group of children.

"Wait for me!"

Odd. She looked vaguely familiar. The Tortoise woman wracked her head…

"N… Nausicaa?'

"Hehehe! You can't catch us, Miss Nausicaa!" One of the children shouted back while the Dog Girl continued to laugh as she chased after a small group of demi-kids much younger than her.

If Ost remembered correctly, she'd lived in a small country far to the east of present Shieldfreeden. A country that no longer existed in the present, thanks to the Spirit Tortoise. But… why was she thinking about these memories now? It'd been so long since…

The beautiful dog girl looked happy as she entertained the younger generation. Despite their world being in the midst of the current Waves of Catastrophe, she was still the same as she'd always been.

A sweet, beautiful girl, full of love and compassion for those around her. Even the kids were able to forget for a time the dangers they were facing as the world was threatened with destruction…

The memory suddenly changed on Ost, throwing her into another scene.

The tortoise woman stood in a town square alongside Nausicaa, watching as the past Sword Hero paraded through town on a large rider dragon. He'd just single-handedly fought off a wave that'd appeared near Nausicaa's hometown by himself. He was there to celebrate alongside his harem of party members following in a carriage behind him.

Ah, yes. The Sword Hero Keichi, who'd started out his heroic journey just like any other typical isekai protagonist. An amber eyed young man around Nausicaa's age who held no desire to cooperate with the other Heroes and who didn't take his job as a Hero seriously. What he did to help out was merely to grab attention and to attract various kinds of women to himself.

He was dressed in bright, flashy gilded armor. His current weapon form was flashy and big, and that was the only good thing about it. As he went through the town, his assembled 'cheerleading squad' called out his name and oohed and aahed and all the other stupid crap they did to show they had some worth despite being horrible in battle.

During this, Ost had a moment to ponder why this happened so much. She only knew that most Heroes fell victim to this kind of trap at the beginning of their journeys after being summoned. They'd settle into their heroic roles, thinking everything would go their way. Many came from a version of Japan, though a few came from other places too. But they made the same mistakes as their Japanese counterparts, if not worse.

Eventually, the Waves would get stronger. Their actions would lead to untold ramifications across the land that'd turn parts of the populace against them. By that point, many would begin to shape up and realize they had to take things seriously.

At times though, some groups of Heroes gave up, thinking their task was impossible, and then, it became her duty to save the world before it could be destroyed by the Waves.

Honestly, looking back on Nausicaa's first memory of Keichi, Ost never would have guessed the Sword Hero of the past would shape up to become a good Hero. He had a jerkish smirk on his face and was pretty arrogant as he talked to the Mayor. Yet, Nausicaa continued to stare at the past Sword Hero in wide-eyed wonder all the same.

She didn't see the same thing Ost saw. She saw a Cardinal Hero, destined to save their world.

'I… I really want to talk to him…'

…

The memory changed on Ost again. It was the next night. The celebration being held in the town for the Sword Hero was still in full swing.

Nausicaa, still wearing a simple summer dress, had taken a break from the dancing to get some water from the well.

Every time she'd seen Keichi, he was always surrounded by others. Other girls in town. Townsfolk. The mayor. His party members.

There just never seemed to be a good time to try going up to try talking to him… she looked down for a few seconds, but then, she perked up again.

She just had to be patient! She was sure an opening would be presented to her eventually, and then-

"Oof." Before Ost's eyes, the lost in thought girl accidentally headbutted against someone.

"Ow, what was that for?!" Looking up, Nausicaa realized she'd just bumped into the Sword Hero, who was by himself and rubbing his head.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going!" Nausicaa quickly stood back up and bowed her head repeatedly in worry.

"Watch it! I'm important, and important people like me… … …" The Sword Hero trailed off as he got a good look at the dog girl in front of him.

"I'm so terribly sorry! Please, forgive me!" Nausicaa bowed again and again.

Keichi put a hand to his chest and gasped. "H-Huh?"

"Are you ok?!" Nausicaa asked as she stood up again. Her blue eyes stared worriedly at him.

"Y-Yeah. It's… it's fine." Keichi managed to say. He quickly gulped a healing potion from his sword, and the small bump on his head disappeared. "Don't worry. I'm not hurt anymore, see?"

"O-Oh. T-That's good." Nausicaa stuttered nervously.

Ost watched as the next five minutes passed. There were awkward silences mixed with awkward apologies during that whole stretch of time between the two.

It was kind of cute in a way, actually. The Sword Hero's self-important posture completely disappeared in that stretch of time, being replaced by the real boy underneath. One who was very insecure and looked very flustered and vulnerable trying to strike up a conversation with the beautiful dog girl in front of him.

And Nausicaa couldn't stop blushing as she found herself in front of a Cardinal Hero, but was left unsure as to what to say.

Should she thank him? Should she ask how the party was going? Should she ask if she could dance with him?

Would that last question be a bit too forward?

"Um, I think I should get back, my party's expecting me." Keichi eventually said, finding the situation too awkward for him to salvage.

"Oh, um, y-yeah. I should g-get back to the celebration t-t-too." Nausicaa said, still blushing fiercely as she couldn't get her voice to stay even.

They both turned, and then stopped as they realized they were going to head in the same direction. "Maybe, um, I could wait a bit so you can go on ahead," Keichi then suggested as the situation turned even more awkward than it had been previously.

"No, you're the Sword Hero! You shouldn't have to wait for me!" Nausicaa quickly replied.

Another minute of short, awkward exchanges passed between the two. They both began to blush fiercely.

But, finally, Keichi managed to find his voice and spoke firmly in an attempt to resolve the situation. "It's fine. You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine standing around for a little bit. I… I needed some time away from it all anyway."

"..." Nausicaa stared at him for a moment. This caused Keichi to start shuffling where he was standing.

"I… A-Are you sure?" Nausicaa eventually replied. "Didn't you say you were doing something important?"

"It can wait… to be honest, it feels good, having time to myself. It's not often I can get moments like this." He insisted with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll be fine waiting here."

Nausicaa's head tilted to the side curiously. "A… Alright." Nausicaa smiled happily and bowed her head. She started hustling back towards the celebration.

"W-Wait, um..." The dog girl paused to look back at the Sword Hero. "I never got your name!" Keichi yelled.

"I... It's Nausicaa!" The dog girl replied as she waved at him, continuing towards the town square. Then, a look of realization crossed her face. "Oh, I wanted to say this earlier! Thank you for saving my village, Sword Hero! I'll never forget it!" She yelled back happily.

A smile brightened his face, and he was about to respond that she could call him Keichi Aruotoko. But then, the dog girl ran back into the side of a house, spilling out on the ground.

"Oh-!" Keichi began to move forward to help her out.

Nausicaa was quick to get back up though and she laughed as she ran back to the celebration.

Keichi stared in stunned shock. Then, he held his arms to his gut before rolling around on the ground in laughter.

The memory faded away from around Ost. But she was smiling wistfully.

Yes. She understood the significance of that memory. That night, Nausicaa had gotten the first true glimpse of what the Sword Hero was like. And in that moment of vulnerability, Keichi's life in this world had permanently changed forever…

---

The buildings around Ost disappeared, and she found herself standing in a grassy field full of hills and boulders.

It was around a month later. Nausicaa was fighting monsters alongside Keichi and several others. They and their companions were outfitted in practical armor. Nothing flashy or fancy. Just what was necessary for the best stats that'd give them the best mobility for their training and grinding.

About a week after he'd visited her village, the Sword Hero had suddenly appeared in front of Nausicaa's home, nearly unrecognizable since he was no longer dressed in fancy armor nor accompanied by his harem of girls. He'd looked humbled, and had asked her if she'd join his party.

Of course, Nausicaa had happily accepted. Together, the two of them had gathered others from her country who wanted to help the Sword Hero out and then they renewed their quest to protect the world from the Waves of Catastrophe.

"Yosha, help Thomas out with that monster! Andrew, a monster's sneaking up on Terry, guard her flank! Nausicaa-"

"Ha!" The dog girl cut through a monster that'd tried to pounce on the Sword Hero from behind.

He looked briefly surprised, then gave her a smile and a head rub. "Keep up the good work."

Nausicaa perked up with a happy expression, and her tail wagged behind her excitedly.

Ost smiled, observing this version of Keichi. At this point, the difference between the summoned Hero and the current Hero was night and day.

His cocky smirk had changed to a confident smile. He looked far happier now than he had before since he was being allowed to be himself around his new friends and comrades. And he got to wear armor suited for his needs instead of something that'd make him look cool.

This version was far better than the previous one.

…

The memory changed again.

Ost watched from the side as Keichi sparred against Nausicaa under the eyes of their friends.

The happy dog girl had astounding sword skills, as she not only held Keichi in check but defeated him repeatedly over the course of several minutes.

"Urgh…"

After one particularly bad round, Keichi sat down on a practice mat, looking utterly defeated. "Some swordsman I am."

"Don't worry." Nausicaa snuck up, hugging him tightly from behind. "You're still my favorite."

The two laughed as they rolled around together on the floor, sparring all but forgotten while their friends cheered them on.

Ost smiled wistfully as the memories quickly passed one after the other after that.

Most of them were happy. Moments of the two fighting monsters together alongside their friends. Defeating the Wave Boss and cheering as the cracks in the sky began to close.

Many were significant. Such as the two of them on their own, laughing in a field of flowers or resting in the shade of a tree together. Talking about everything and nothing while enjoying each other's company.

Some were unexpected. With them and their friends sharing a large meal they'd prepared for a village of survivors.

Some were precious… With Nausicaa cuddling with the Sword Hero while he was asleep. One hand ran through his hair as the other rubbed her swelling belly.

The next memory then showed Nausicaa holding a happy, healthy, baby boy. The mother and father both looked down at his shining amber eyes with smiling faces full of love.

"He's beautiful," Keichi whispered.

"Yes, he truly is," Nausicaa whispered back. "And he's ours."

The two shared a kiss as Keichi's hand cupped her face, showing the engagement ring on his finger.

They'd made a promise that, after the Waves had ended, they'd have the wedding ceremony and make it official. They could live out the rest of their lives together…

Keichi truly looked happy in those memories. He'd been so happy, so full of life because of her…

But then…

"Nausicaa, stay with me!"

Ost found herself standing in a familiar place.

A look of sadness settled on her face.

It was the fleshy chamber that housed the heart of the Spirit Tortoise. Unlike the ones before, this memory was her own, since she'd been there personally to witness it.

Keichi had been leading the mages in the chant to seal away the Spirit Tortoise's heart. Her body had proven to be too strong, and the Heroes had been left with no choice but to seal her away while the Fitoria of the past desperately fought to keep the Guardian Beast from destroying Nausicaa's village.

The Shield Hero, who Keichi had been allied with by that point, was heavily injured off to the side and had been unable to protect the Sword Hero from a direct attack by the Heart.

But Nausicaa had been there.

And she'd gotten in the way of the attack to protect him.

"Nausicaa, please!"

The Dog Girl was bleeding from a large gaping wound in her stomach. The healing mages were trying their best, but it was too late. Even the Yggdrasil's Elixir Keichi was helping her to drink wasn't enough to close it in time.

In the background, the chains of the sealing spell were beginning to wrap around the heart of the Spirit Tortoise. A desperate look covered the past Sword Hero's features. "Nausicaa, just hold on a little bit longer! I'll save you just like the ancient Hero Mamoru! I promise I will! Just hold on for me until the Spirit Tortoise is dealt with!"

"Kei… chi…"

"Nausicaa! Nausicaa! Stay focused on my voice! Nausicaa! Please! NAUSICAA!"

Her last breath left her smiling lips as her eyes stared past him to oblivion.

"NAUSICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

With a final heavy bell sound, the sealing ritual was completed, and the Spirit Tortoise was sealed away.

---

With the Spirit Tortoise sealed, the souls of those that it'd absorbed became a barrier that protected the world for a brief time.

At that time, Ost saw Keichi, broken down. Crying as a weasel demi-human ally of his tried and failed to locate Nausicaa's soul. Crying as he inscribed a message for the Heroes of the future to read. And crying as he then desperately searched, trying to find a way to save his beloved during the time when the world was protected from the Waves.

But he couldn't find one. Her soul had already been used to power the barrier.

There was nothing he could do.

Eventually, he had no choice but to continue on. To fight the remainder of the waves until they stopped, and to live on if only for the sake of their son, who was still alive, but without his mother.

Ost walked the countryside at that time. Going about the orders of her main body in setting the groundwork for hundreds of years from then, when the Waves would return. When souls would once again be needed to form a barrier to protect the world. To be used in the protection of the world.

Only, while she was doing that… something had happened that made her change.

Whether it was because of the timing of her death with the sealing of the Spirit Tortoise, or by some miracle Ost hadn't been aware of, Nausicaa's soul was not converted into energy and instead had persisted, living on inside the Tortoise's soul. Inside of her.

Sometimes, the spirit tortoise would find herself doing things that would not directly contribute to her grim task. Such as observing and helping the common folk whose lives were inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Instead of working her way into influential positions with nobility and the various country's leaders, she'd be found using her powers to heal the sick or to infuse barren land with life energy to increase harvests and allow the people living there to thrive. Ost didn't understand why she did this, and her confusion only grew as, at times, she'd go near a certain mountaintop to observe the past Sword Hero.

The man who'd started his journey like any typical isekai protagonist. But who had ended it, unlike any other isekai protagonist.

A single man, living in a dojo he'd built by his own hands.

He lived out the rest of his days, training his son and other swordsmen who made the pilgrimage to his home. Swordsmen who wanted to become the best in the land.

And he helped them to do so. Teaching them the techniques he'd learned alongside Nausicaa.

Plenty of women tried to visit him during that time too, wanting his seed to add heroic nobility to their lines. But he turned every last one of them down. A complete turnabout from when he'd been summoned. When he would have gladly bedded any women he came across.

Ost hadn't understood it back then. But the Sword Hero's heart had turned faithful to the one he loved. And even as he grew to a ripe old age, he never let that go. Ever.

At one point, Ost, braved close enough at night to see him through his window. Around this time, she'd begun recalling memories that weren't her own. Memories that involved the Sword Hero. Back then, she hadn't known where they were coming from.

Keichi was kneeling in front of a shrine, his head bowed down in respect to a picture of Nausicaa, held on a stand behind two burnt-end bamboo sticks.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry I couldn't save you." Slowly, the Sword Hero began to sing a tune of grief from his homeland. One of the few things he could remember from his life in Japan.

Ost left that night, but eventually, she returned to observe him again. And again.

And again.

Slowly, her plans for setting up the bulwarks for future wars and calamities were left forgotten as she instead helped others while watching Keichi… observing as he taught a student how to properly grip a sword. As he presided over his son's wedding, as well as the weddings of some of his grandchildren. Many of whom shared the unique amber eye color trait that he'd brought from his world.

Despite everything, he led the rest of his life with kindness. Despite living alone in his dojo with the loss of Nausicaa weighing heavily on his heart, he touched the lives of many.

As time passed, Ost found herself wishing that she could speak to him again. But… why?

None of this had made any sense. Why was she acting differently? Why did she… care?

And then… one day, she opened her eyes, and one clear thought rang through her head.

'Please, let me speak to him.'

The tortoise woman was confused. Who was that?

However, her body moved as if on instinct, traveling to the Sword Hero's dojo.

It was a cold night in the middle of winter. Snow blanketed the ground, and a soft blizzard was going on. But none of it bothered her.

Ost found the dojo with little difficulty. Instead of the window though, she walked through the front door. Past empty rooms where Keichi had trained generations of students. Into his living quarters in the back, and then into his room where he laid comfortably on a mat, old, and dying.

"W-Who's there?" Keichi asked in an old, raspy voice.

"It's… it's me." Ost spoke gently. But… the voice was not her own.

"Who…" Ost moved into the light of a lantern in the room. The old man's fading amber eyes focused on her.

Her… her body was different, but… but the look in her eyes.

"N-Nausicaa…" He spoke softly in recognition.

It was then that Ost had finally realized what was going on. That the soul of someone had still been dwelling in her. That the soul had just moved to take control of her… yet it had no malicious intent whatsoever. So Ost didn't feel to stop it. Instead, she allowed it to the surface and took a backseat to watch as her body knelt beside the Sword Hero and cupped his old, wrinkled face in her youthful hand.

"You… but how…" Keichi was openly weeping.

"I'm sorry, Keichi. I tried really hard to come back, but it took me a long time to reach through to her." Nausicaa gave the elderly Sword Hero a smile as she rubbed Ost's hand along his wrinkled forehead.

"I… I've missed you, so much." Keichi continued to weep. "I tried so hard to find you when you died."

"I know. I watched you. Every day." She smiled as tears fell from her eyes. "You were so kind to everyone, and you helped so many people."

"I… I only did it… because… because it reminded me of you." He softly cried. "I… I didn't want to forget you… nor did I want your legacy to die…"

"You did great, Keichi. Thank you, for taking such good care of our son, and his children, and their children. Thank you, for staying kind to all your students for all these years." Nausicaa spoke softly, tears falling from her eyes.

"Thank you, for the happiness you gave me in life. I wish you could have found someone else to share it with so you wouldn't have been so lonely for so long. But I'm glad my death never changed what you truly were deep down inside. What I saw in you the day I met you." Nausicaa spoke sincerely. "I love you, Keichi. I have always loved you, and I always will. No matter what."

"I… I love you too… my dear, dear Nausicaa." The Sword Hero continued to cry. But slowly, a look of peace settled on his face. Years of sorrow drained away as Nausicaa rubbed his hair gently one final time.

That familiar touch, which pieced together his fragmented world, and filled his amber eyes with peace.

The Sword Hero quietly passed in his sleep, under her watchful eyes.

The death of one of the world's greatest heroes… done. Soundlessly, and peacefully, by age and time.

Suddenly, Ost found herself staring down at him. The soul of Nausicaa was retreating back from her mind.

'Thank you.' With the final thought, Ost heard no more from her.

…

Ost stared down at the Sword Hero, seeing his soul escape his body and turn into a ball of light.

She felt the urge to take it for when it'd be needed in the future. Every soul, no matter how small, was necessary for the protection of the world.

But… instead of absorbing his soul, Ost finally released the soul of Nausicaa from herself. A ball of light left her fingertips and floated alongside Keichi.

Sitting back, Ost watched as the two balls spiraled together. Circling each other as they went up, and up, and up, and out of view in the starry night sky above the blizzard going across the mountains.

Ost continued to stare past the clouds after them. 'Why… why did I do that?'

Wouldn't she have needed them both in the future? When…

…

It was a few hours later when she finally left. However, instead of getting back to work, she took a brief detour to anonymously inform Keichi's son that his father had passed.

Months later, she was still unsure as to why she'd done what she'd done, but…

She eventually came to the conclusion, that it was because it'd been the right thing to do.

And that had been the moment.

The moment when Ost Horai's life had been changed forever.

---

That same starry night sky came into focus around Ost Horai. Who was left to ponder on the memories of before.

She could recall the centuries after that. She'd eventually continued in her preparations for when the next set of Waves would arrive. However, Ost had developed an intense curiosity towards mankind. And she spent the many years after that living among them. Learning. Seeing. Helping. Feeling as they did.

It was… a shock. At times, it was a burden. Some years were happy. Some years brought forth tremendous sadness. She'd find herself smiling when villagers threw a celebration. She'd cry when a woman she was helping passed away during childbirth.

She witnessed countless miracles and tragedies. And yet… they brought incredible emotions Ost had never thought she'd ever experience.

You see, the Spirit Tortoise hadn't always had compassion. That sense of wonder towards mankind and monsters. To it, they had been nothing but souls needed to protect the world. A resource to be harvested should the need arise. And Ost, who lived out many lifetimes, had never gotten to experience life before.

But Keichi… Nausicaa… their love. Their kindness. That compassion they'd both shared with one another. It changed the Spirit Tortoise.

It changed Ost.

Even though the soul that'd supplied those feelings and memories to her was long gone, those feelings she hadn't understood back then had persisted. Until she finally understood them and made them her own.

'Heh. I was always meant to be the villain.' Ost thought in amusement. 'I was never supposed to make friends with anyone I met. Much less, the Heroes of legend.'

To think, not only had she helped the Shield and Bow Heroes of the present to defeat herself, but the Sword Hero of the past had also appeared briefly to help her out. Perhaps there had been more than one reason why her past self had acted the way she had.

'If that Book Hero hadn't intervened. My body would have likely slept for another year or more, depending on how well these Heroes did against the Waves. For all I know, I would have never awoken at all, and I never would have had to meet Naofumi face to face.'

It was a likely possibility. The Heroes were always stronger if they worked together. That was a truth that held with every world in existence. With all four helping each other out, each could grow to be an unstoppable force. She never would have had to awaken to make a barrier to stop the Waves if that happened.

'Even though I'm sad at how everything went wrong… I'm happy, that I was able to befriend the Shield Hero. A man whose kindness reminded me so much of Keichi.'

A ball of green light suddenly dashed in front of her. Blinking on and off repeatedly. Ost let out a gasp, and then a chuckle upon recognizing it. "Now I know where I'm at… Don't worry, I'll be okay here." She told the Shield Spirit.

The ball of light blinked rapidly again before dashing off. Ost smiled as she slowly followed behind.

It seemed that once again in her long life, another curveball had been thrown her way.

'Naofumi, it doesn't look like I'll be able to follow you on your adventures. At least, I won't be able to do so physically.' The tortoise woman smiled. Safe and secure inside the Spirit Tortoise Heart Shield she'd lent the last of her strength to create for the Shield Hero.

The last of her strength which had allowed her soul an opportunity to persist inside of the Holy Shield despite the death of her body.

'Even if you don't know it, I'll be there, supporting you on the rest of your adventures, Naofumi. I'll help protect you, and your family too.' Ost promised.

'Be happy… and stay diligent, Shield Hero.'

'There is still much that our world has in store for you.'

---

"Oh, sweet Fitoria! How I've missed you!" Motoyasu wanted to hug the legendary bird queen again.

However, he finally collapsed under the weight of his injuries. He'd really been putting up a tough act for a while there, and it'd nearly slipped a few times before.

"Honestly, what am I going to do with you?" Rino groaned as she helped the Spear Hero back up. "When we get back, you're going to take a nice, long rest."

"Yes. The Sword and Spear Hero will take time to rest." Fitoria agreed. She did hug the Spear Hero around the waist though.

Motoyasu almost awakened to Filolial lolis at that moment of pure bliss, only to come crashing down to earth again as a fresh wave of agony wracked his body.

It wasn't just healing magic that he needed. He'd pushed his body beyond normal limits. He needed time to rest and regain his strength. Which would be even greater than it ever was thanks to Ren sharing the rest of the power-up methods with him.

"I'm going to be bedridden, aren't I?" Motoyasu moaned in agony.

"Be grateful. That'll mean you won't have to endure Granny's training sessions for a while." Rino smiled.

Actually, knowing the old hag, she'd probably force him out of bed to train anyway to catch up on lost time. Motoyasu was not looking forward to that at all.

Rino then grimaced. She'd saved the Spear Hero… but it didn't feel like it. It was like she'd been in the background the whole time, unable to contribute in any meaningful, significant way.

Actually, she hadn't been able to help free Motoyasu whatsoever! That had been thanks to Wyndia and Farrie and the others!

It made her angry. And right now, it was only because Motoyasu needed help getting through the Spirit Tortoise to meet up with Mirellia that she wasn't voicing her complaints.

"Let's hurry. Her Majesty will most likely want to know what happened here." Rachel said, before looking at Fitoria. "If you want to leave, we won't stop you."

"It's fine. I am comfortable with staying a little while longer. Fitoria's flock needs time to recover from the battle before Fitoria brings them back to the sanctuary anyway."

With that, the group began to head up the passageway towards the heart room of the Spirit Tortoise. And beyond that to where Mirellia and the rest of the elite coalition force were waiting for them.

However, two people didn't follow. The three following behind everyone turned their heads back to look at them.

"Should we tease them about how they're being left behind?" Tersia asked.

"Nah." In a surprising move, Farrie turned her sister down. "I'd rather let them have their moment… this time."

"Yes. Let's allow my pupils to resolve their troubles together." Eclair agreed. "They've earned it."

Tersia looked only slightly disappointed but followed the two behind the main group.

She felt proud of Farrie. The girl had truly grown from this experience. She was on the path to becoming a great woman.

…

Wyndia was resting against a wall of the room. A fresh breeze from outside ruffled the french braids in her hair.

Ren's head rested on her lap. One of her hands slowly moved through his hair.

It was a peaceful moment. Something that'd been rare for the two to experience as of late. It was so much quieter now that the others weren't there anymore.

…

"Wyndia?" He spoke after a while.

"Hmmm?" She hummed in response.

"Is… is this real?" He asked. "Are you real?"

"... Yes." She spoke softly. "This is real. All of this is real."

"It's just…" He gulped. "You're… you're being so nice to me."

"Would you rather I slap you around and call you an idiot for old time's sake?" She asked, sounding mischievous.

"No. Of… course not." He began to blush. But… then he looked immensely sad.

"I don't remember what happened in my Cursed Series… but I can remember a moment when I saw you. When I pleaded with you to kill me… when I, when I bound you with the starter combo for my execution skill."

…

Wyndia looked down at him, just as sadly. So… he actually did remember that?

"I… I did try to kill you, didn't I?" Ren whispered, looking up at her. "Please, don't lie. I… I need to know."

…

"Yes, you did." Wyndia nodded her head.

Ren's heart clenched in his chest. He… he'd truly tried to… even though he loved her...

"I'm… I'm so sorry… If I'd only been a little faster… if I'd only been a little stronger… Bakta and Welt, they wouldn't have died. I… I wouldn't have unlocked my Cursed Series and tried to kill you…"

Wyndia felt her heart clench in her chest again. Her hand continued to rub through his hair, but Ren was softly crying. "I… I don't deserve any of this… I don't deserve having you here with me." He admitted. "I don't deserve this…"

"I tried to kill you. I tried to kill Eclair and everyone else I cared about. I… I don't deserve this Wyndia… why am I still alive instead of them…"

...

Wyndia felt sad, but not just from seeing Ren like this. But for multiple reasons.

To think that at one point, she'd given up on him. That she'd allowed her doubts and insecurities to weigh her down. That she'd almost been kept from this moment, where she was learning the depths of the Sword Hero's despair and grief.

As her hand continued rubbing his hair, she knew.

Ren didn't need the old her anymore. He didn't need that girl that was too tsundere to express her true thoughts and feelings towards him.

He needed her.

Therese was right. She needed to grow up and let her barriers down.

She needed to trust in other people and speak from her heart. And she had to start with the person closest to it.

"Ren…"

…

Ren didn't acknowledge her voice at first. But, he opened his eyes when he felt something wet hit his cheek.

Tears were falling down the sides of Wyndia's face. At first, he felt immense guilt for making her cry... but then, he realized she was giving him that, small, genuine smile. The same one he saw on that beach.

"I… I honestly don't know what to say." She admitted. "I don't know if I can help you. I don't know if I can remove your guilt for Bakta and Welt. I don't know if anyone could."

"My father raised me to follow the law of the jungle, you know. That the weak lived only to make the strong stronger." She rested a hand on his cheek as more tears fell from her face. "I think I told you it before. But that played a part in why I couldn't stay mad at you for killing Gaelion… because you were strong enough to defeat him, and you were made strong in my eyes because of that… But that mentality made me bite back at you during moments when you revealed you weren't strong… and it also distanced me from their deaths, even though… even though I considered Welt and Bakta my friends. My… my packmates."

More tears appeared in her eyes as she softly cried, yet remained focused on him. "I've struggled for so long because I thought that I was weak. That I didn't deserve to stand by your side. I kept on waiting to tell you how I felt because I wasn't sure how I felt at first. And when I was sure, I held off from telling you out of embarrassment… and fear that I wouldn't be enough for you unless I told you at the perfect time.

"I'm sorry that I'm flawed. That I couldn't give you the love and support that you needed before, that I hurt you with my actions…" Her smile, which had fallen as she spoke, grew a little again. The tears that'd formed leaked down the sides of her face. "But… I'm willing to try for your sake. I'll be there to help you every step of the way from now on."

Tears appeared in the corners of Ren's eyes. He didn't know what to say. He felt so terrible... and he couldn't help but recall the image of her, looking pleadingly at him in his Cursed State. Injuries on her body that he'd inflicted with his own hand.

"I know it hurts. And I know it won't be easy." Wyndia then said. "I know we've both messed up and done unforgivable things. But I meant what I said earlier. I'll love you, even when you can't love yourself. No matter what. For however long you need me to. I'll always love you, and I'll never hold what you did against you."

"But… but I hurt you…" He whispered softly.

...

Her head leaned down, and she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. His body stilled, and after a few seconds, she pulled back to look down at him again.

"No matter what." She reaffirmed. "Through hellfire and brimstone. I love you, Ren Amaki. Now, and forever."

...

Ren wanted to cry. He couldn't bring himself to believe it.

That night… after the Spirit Tortoise… she'd wanted to tell him… tell him that she…

Instead of crying, he began to laugh.

It was so surprising, those dark clouds haunting his mind finally began to retreat. "You're stubborn. You know that?" He asked.

"I know." Her smile grew a little bigger as she scooted herself so Ren's head was now resting against her stomach. Under her small chest… which she didn't mind having so much anymore. "I'd have to be stubborn in order to keep a dummy like you around."

Her smile turned into a frown. "And besides, you can't seriously complain about hurting me when I've slapped you around plenty of times before all this?"

"That's completely different. You weren't trying to kill me back then." Ren rebutted.

"As far as you know." Ren looked surprised at first, but Wyndia was smirking at him as if it was a joke.

At least, he hoped it was a joke.

"Well, that makes you a dummy too then." Ren rolled his eyes. "Only another dummy would be able to love a dummy like me."

"Hmmm… I can accept that logic." Wyndia smiled. "Actually. I like it. A couple of dummies fall in love with each other. That sounds like the perfect plot for a romance story, don't you think?"

"..." Ren stayed silent for a moment. She held him close, resting her chin on his head.

…

…

"Wyndia." He eventually whispered after some more time had passed.

"Hmmm?" She hummed.

"… … … Thank you… for saving me." He told her sincerely. "I should have told you that earlier."

"..." She kissed the top of his head. "For you. Always."

Ren finally sighed as he completely relaxed against her. He felt the last of that darkness dissipating from his mind like morning dew as the scarf she'd been wearing around her neck for him was wrapped back around his, being placed where it belonged.

A bit of darkness still lingered in the background of his thoughts, where it would remain to haunt him, possibly for the rest of his life.

He couldn't erase the past. He couldn't erase the terrible… terrible things that he'd done…

'I'm sorry, Sir Ren. This world needs you more than it needs us, please take good care of it.'

'And take good care of our friends. I… I want you to make them happy, for us.'

'Thank you, for giving our lives meaning.'

…

Huh… those thoughts… they didn't feel like they were his…

…

He… still didn't feel like he honestly deserved this. To feel her warmth so close. Both her body and her love. To have people that still cared for him despite everything.

The Sword Hero would struggle with this challenge for a long time yet. The darkness caused by a curse born out of a desire for power to defend the world. The darkness that'd remind him of what he'd lost, of what he'd had to endure.

But… at least Wyndia would be by his side every step of the way. Fighting off her own demons while helping him with his. Being a bright light he could cling to even on the darkest nights.

As he fell asleep, aware of the breathing of the girl he loved behind him, Ren felt it. That bit of happiness that came from being close with someone. That intimate feeling that binds couples together.

He wanted to cry, but not from sadness.

Never… he never wanted to let this go. Ever.

When Bakta and Welt had died. When… he'd lost his two close friends. He'd lost all his hope. He'd given in to despair and lost the will to fight for anything in this world.

But Wyndia… had reminded him that he still had something to fight for. She and their friends had saved his life. More than that, the dog girl had saved him from himself. Like the Hero coming in to save the damsel in distress.

She'd been enough.

Wyndia had been more than enough.

'Wyndia… thank you… for everything… I promise I'll make you happy. I'll make us all happy.

'I promise that our journey will be fun. That'll it'll be full of surprises and that we'll make the best of the worst of it. No matter what happens. You can count on it.'

The two fell into a deep sleep for the first time in weeks.

And not one haunted thought disturbed their slumber.

The gemstone of Ren's sword flashed a bright blue.

After wading through all that darkness for so long… Together, Ren and Wyndia finally stepped out into the light and grasped happiness once again. Their lives were changed forever.

And it was all thanks to the efforts of one, small, average, temperamental, stupid, yet brave, and loyal… and caring dog girl.

Requirements Met, Blessed Series Unlocked, Sword of Bravery [A Sword Made with the help of a Dog-Girl]

Sword of Bravery I Unlocked!

Equip Bonus: Skill "Brave Rush"

Special Effects: Defense Up, Agility Up, Nakama (1st Tier: The Sword Hero gains strength when fighting in the proximity of close allies!)

---

End of Arc 7

---

Author's Notes:

It's strange. Would you believe that, over a year ago, I was planning the ending of this specific arc out in my head? That I wrote their interactions knowing I wanted to build to this moment? To this Blessed Series unlock (which a reviewer totally guessed like, way back near the Ghost Ship Wave, sorry that I can't remember the name)?

Back then, I wasn't sure if I'd get this far. If I'd reach the point where Wyndia and Ren would have this character establishing moment. If I'd be able to keep myself from spoiling it to everyone. But, we're here now. I've done it. Ren and Wyndia are finally firmly on the road toward their happy ending. And Ren becomes the second Hero to gain a Blessed Series thanks to Wyndia.

Not that it'll be an easy road for them. Not that this transition won't be rocky and without its share of challenges, but… they'll manage. They've managed up till now. And they're willing to work together. I have faith they'll do well now that they'll be facing everything together, with the help of some good friends. Trials are a lot harder to face when you're the only one that's facing them.

Alright. I think I'm done being sappy over teenage romance (I've mentioned before that's one of my favorite genres, right?). This is the end of yet another arc. This also marks the end of what's called the "Spirit Tortoise Arc" by fans. And surprise, Ren was the next one to unlock a Blessed Series, not Itsuki! Though, maybe I should have said Itsuki was the closest to naturally unlocking his Blessed Series. The natural way, for clarification, is overcoming your Cursed Series.

To answer a few things that came up in reviews that weren't touched on in this chapter (didn't want to do it up top for reasons): It's impossible to separate a Hero from their weapon by cutting off their limbs. The weapon will just go back to the wielder even if you cut off their arms and legs since it can still stick itself to their back or face or whatever part of their body that's still alive. There is a way to separate a hero and their weapon, but that'd be a spoiler for me to go into detail about. Needless to say, it is not something Naofumi nor any of his allies can do. It is not something they could ever do. If you want to separate a hero from their weapon, you have to kill them.

Kyo lost his arm after he lost his regeneration abilities. He's not getting a new arm unless he pulls out some alchemy tricks.

To Guest, the Spirit Tortoise Heart Shield isn't a Blessed Shield. It is one of a list of Shields that Naofumi unlocks from the Spirit Tortoise. I didn't change its stats or power or anything. There is no balanced version of the shield. It is naturally that strong. This makes sense, given that it came from a monster that normally isn't fought for at least another year or so if things had progressed normally.

One last clarification: Ost's backstory involving Keichi and his and Nausicaa's impact on her life is original and not part of canon. I doubt it has any canon validity whatsoever. Still, Ost is one of my favorite characters in the whole series. And I can only hope that I have given her some level of justice in the brief time she was around. (I swear, if the anime botches her character as badly as the manga, I will never forgive them)

Now, on another note. Kyo, or Male-ty, as Delphox so brilliantly put it, is still very much alive. Next arc, we'll get to follow Naofumi and co as they traverse a world very much different from Raphtalia's to find him and kill him. In the part of the story the fandom calls "The Otherworld Arc".

As well as that, it's about time to give the secondary spotlight of the story away from Ren and Wyndia to another teenage relationship whose characters could use some more development. I've put a lot of thought into it. And I can't wait to see what else I can explore with these wonderful characters!

And, of course, who could forget about Raphtalia and Naofumi? Let us see what happiness and intimacy lie in wait for our couples in this new world…

But before all that.

---

Hero Clips!

---

Power of Friendship (Destroyed by Lack of Funds)

---

"Ah, Naofumi, welcome back!" Elhart cheerfully exclaimed.

"Good to see you too." Naofumi smiled as he approached the friendly blacksmith's counter, dressed in normal clothes.

"So what is it this time, Shield Bro? New sword for your girl? Some claws for your daughter? Perhaps, do you want to see the progress on your new custom set of armor?" Elhart waggled his eyebrows at the Shield Hero.

"Isn't that what you said last time? And do you mean that's still not done?" Naofumi asked in disbelief.

"Of course! Custom armor doesn't grow on trees you know!" Elhart let his head fall back and bellowed in laughter.

"Are you kidding me?!" Naofumi seethed for a moment. It'd been a whole arc and the blacksmith STILL hadn't finished it?!

Granted the arc only covered the span of a few days. But still!

The blacksmith continued to laugh. "Anyway, is that Siderite Armor I gave you treating you well?" Elhart smirked. "Got used to that backstrap yet? I don't see you wearing it right now, so probably not."

"You modified it that way on purpose, didn't you?" Naofumi glared judgmentally at the blacksmith.

Elhart whistled innocently to himself, acting as if he had no idea what Naofumi was talking about.

The Shield Hero sighed. "Well. It definitely helped me survive the Spirit Tortoise… that electric resistance buff it had really saved my butt."

"Yeah, and?" Elhart asked excitedly.

…

"Just… don't hate me for this." Biting the bullet, Naofumi set the armor set on the counter between him and Elhart.

It was an absolute mess. The cobalt blue reflective sheen on it was completely gone between the scratches, burns, and general accumulation of dirt, blood, and grime on it. Many pieces were missing and the ones that were still there were warped, bent, or broken beyond recognition.

And the stench emanating from it would be best left unsaid.

…

"Well?" Naofumi eventually asked.

"Well, what?" Elhart replied curiously.

"Aren't you going to get mad at me or whatever?" Naofumi asked back.

"Why would I do that?" Elhart smiled. "I kind of expected this to happen, you know."

"Oh… really?" Naofumi quirked an eyebrow.

"You seem to be going through a lot of rough enemies lately. So I figured this wouldn't come back in one piece." Elhart sighed as he lifted the armor up, but he still flashed the Shield Hero a smile. "I guess I was right to keep my expectations low for once."

Naofumi sighed in relief. "Well, I'm glad-"

"Plus, I know you'll pay me back for this, so honestly, there's nothing for me to get mad about." Elhart laughed.

…

"Shield Bro?" Elhart asked curiously when he saw Naofumi's face pale.

"Um, about that, I'm… kind of broke at the moment," Naofumi admitted.

"... … … what?" Elhart asked in a flat voice.

"You see, I kind of gave the rest of my money to Motoyasu. So I don't really have any way to pay you back right now…"

…

The blacksmith looked from Naofumi, down to the ruined armor he was holding, and then back at Naofumi.

The Shield Hero began sweating. Why did he suddenly feel an eerie sense of foreboding crawling up his spine?

"Get out." Elhart finally spoke.

"Look, I promise I'll pay you next-"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY STORE!" Elhart slammed his fist into the counter with enough force to shake the store and cause some of his merchandise to fall to the floor.

"Be reasonable! You said it yourself that you were expecting this!"

"I WAS EXPECTING TO GET PAID TOO! DID YOU FORGET WHERE I SAID YOU BREAK IT YOU BUY IT YOU LITTLE &^%$!?"

Naofumi tried to open his mouth, but Elhart continued at full steam. "TO THINK I'VE GIVEN YOU SO MUCH OF MY TRUST AND KINDNESS! AND YOU JUST STEPPED ALL OVER IT LIKE A JERK!"

"Look, I'm sorry!" Naofumi yelled.

"SORRY!? SORRY MEANS NOTHING TO ME! YOU RUINED MY LIFE'S WORK!"

"YOU TOLD ME YOU BOUGHT THAT ARMOR FROM ZELTOBLE!" Naofumi screamed back.

"I TRADED IN MY LIFE'S WORK TO BUY THIS ARMOR SET!" Elhart screamed back.

"THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE?!" Naofumi exclaimed.

The Shield Hero tried in vain. But unfortunately, with no money in his pockets, the kind blacksmith kicked Naofumi out of his store and refused to let him back in.

"Hey, I still need armor for when I get back from the otherworld, you know!" Naofumi yelled.

"&^%$ OFF!" Elhart screamed through the wood.

"NO, &^%$ YOU!" Naofumi flipped the bird at the piece of wood between them.

And thus, their friendship was forever ruined because Naofumi was broke once again.

Always make sure to keep a reserve of money folks. You never know when you'll need it.

---

Till Next Time

Allen