Captain Shinei Nouzen was sitting in his metal chair, his stoic face reflecting a trace of lingering exhaustion after a huge operation which took place just a couple of days prior. Despite in recovery, he wandered off from the sickbay and took his time to check a certain hunk of metal. It was the enemy's war machine, stripped of its limbs and shackled by metal bars.
As to how that thing could find its way into this confinement, it was simply because its brain contained the vestiges of personality and knowledge of the very scientist who developed it. She was the one who built the Legion and ironically turned into one of them.
In the passing hour, Shinei had been talking to it, drawing any information he could squeeze out regarding the mysterious lifeforms that disrupted their last battle. His injuries were still aching, but he sacrificed his moment of respite to do the task.
Because only him could do the job since the damn machine was picky with her interrogator.
"So, you only have a little idea regarding the origin of Leviathan. What about the Legion, Zelene?" Shinei's calm voice echoed in that chamber.
[How do I know? They recorded nothing in their big data link except their threat and habitat. Even if you manage to ask the commander, I bet you will get nothing.]
The machine, seemingly annoyed, replied with a gruff robotic voice. Its moon-shaped visual sensor swerved about.
"I see…" He heaved a sigh, finding no clue about the problem.
[However, if you don't rule out the possibility that they came from another world, then you get your answer.]
"I came here not for such a jest."
[But back in the day, that was the most popular joke we laboratory folks threw whenever we found what you might call as X Files. I know you are stressed, so cool down a little bit, Nouzen. Well, what about you going out with that dear lady friend of yours? Take some fresh air and have fun with her.]
One of his eyes twitched. The longer he stayed in this chamber, the deeper this thing would dig into his personal life. If not because of its remaining knowledge, he would have blasted it with an 88 mm HE Anti-Tank shell from his Juggernaut.
The captain rose from his seat, casting a displeased look. His crimson eyes slid to the side, affording him one last glance at the disarmed Amiese type unit. The logo of a lady who leaned her delicate body against the moon on its side only added his irk.
"Thanks for the advice. In exchange, get prepared for departure. You will be heading back to the Federacy tomorrow by noon." He coldly informed, showing his back to it.
[Oh? That soon? Well, then let us see again at home. Provided that there won't be any fool who holds a deep grudge on me.]
With soundless steps, he sauntered out from the chamber. He inputted the authorization pass code and the shutter of that airtight container slid close, securing Zelene inside. He descended some short stairs and saluted the guarding troops near the entrance. He then walked off, back to the main base.
As his journey under the yellow half moon brought him along the quiet avenue by the shoreline, his mind flew back to the current situation of the war effort. They somehow managed to curtail the Legion's looming threat, but it went with no small amount of sacrifice.
The Fleet Countries of Regicide, the state that requested aid to fight the Legion, now was left devastated and crippled. The last operation had exhausted completely what remained of their Orphan Fleet, leaving nearly no force for defense should the army of those damn machines launch another strike.
The tactical group he commanded, the Eighty Sixth Strike Package, had also lost several of its best Juggernaut Pilots. True, they earned victory by repelling the Legion's largest unit they ever knew so far, the Noctiluca. The bloody battle however had chipped their morale down to its lowest. There was even no time to mourn, let alone celebrate their costly triumph. As heroes, they should recollect themselves and use the little moment of interlude to patch up and prepare the next battle.
Worst, Shinei could hear that the incessant wails of the mechanical ghosts didn't show any sign of quieting down. At this point, he couldn't foresee how long he could endure the constant screams before his sanity snapped.
'I'm tired…' His fleeting gaze landed on the vessel that transported the group of the valiant strikers to the Legion's nest, the Stella Maris.
The super carrier's battered form was solemnly sitting at the dock. She was the last pride of what remained from this tattered, melded country that housed the remnant of humanity at the edge of this unmerciful world. True to her captain's brave declaration, she did not sink and they would carve a legend.
However, could that be counted as a win? Could they even earn the luxury to pass down that saga to their descendants when the force of Legion was still lurking at the horizon?
"… Shin!"
A voice that rang like the chime of a silver bell awoke him from his contemplation. He tilted his head to find the source. He finally saw the very person Zelene had daringly poked him with.
"Lena…" He called out with a detached tone, hunting his reluctance.
"Shin, where have you been?" She asked, a desperate worry marred his bewitching face.
"I'm sorry. I needed to check Zelene."
He didn't budge from his spot, petrified at the sight of how terribly hurt she looked. It was a recurring sight, though. He was the one who suffered from the battle injuries, but it was as if she was the one who endured his pain. He couldn't bear such a pathetic look and hesitantly turned his face away, looking at the ground.
She stepped closer as tears welled up at the edges of her eyes. "Oh, Shin! Why can you at least give your body a little rest? What drives you until this far!? Shin, please… I… No! We beg you, please mind your well-being! Everyone is worried about you!"
He heaved a long sigh in response, unable to face his Tactical Commander. "I'm sorry. I… don't have much choice."
Without any warning, she paced forward and hugged him. He nearly recoiled from surprise, but when she buried her face into his chest, she sobbed. He actually didn't know what to do, but recalling how he consoled the young mascot in his unit, Frederica, he brought his hand up and gently caressed her head. His bare hand brushed her silky silver locks tenderly.
She looked up, facing the young man with a sorrowful look as tears freely streamed down her reddened cheeks. "I also am so sorry, Shin. I know I am always be awfully selfish, shoving impossible orders to you, but please… This time, just this time… Take a rest and recover. You always pushed yourself too hard, Shin. Everybody isn't happy about it. Raiden, Anju, Kurena… they are worrying you."
He pursed his lips. Those names were the given names of his comrades who had fought alongside him since his days of the unjustly cruel exile in the Eighty Sixth Sector. Those who had been through the deadly battles. Those who had accompanied him through the unending bitterness of war flames. Those who had silently pledged their allegiance to him, the Reaper, to embark in a journey in reaching his final destination.
"And Theo… I believe he nearly sacrificed himself because he wishes you to be happy, Shin." She continued with a raspy voice.
That name sent a pang to his heart. Laughing Fox, as the cynical yet carefree blond boy's designated code name told all his prowess, had almost become a martyr in the last battle. To save Shinei and the rest of the units, he heroically entered the most dangerous spot to silence the enemy's last armament.
In return, the boy lost his left hand – a nightmare for a veteran Juggernaut pilot. Theo now was struggling to cope with that reality. It was a fact that Shinei and his comrades couldn't evade. The least they could do was provide mental support for their poor friend.
On another note, he was surprised that Lena had interacted closely with his friends, far closer than he thought. It was a good thing, but there was a sense of uneasiness when he learned about it.
He didn't want her to learn about his past from them. He was afraid that it might hurt her, again.
"Understood. If it's your order, Colonel, then I shall do that." His lips curled into a faint smile.
"Shin… It's not an order. It's a request. D-didn't you say that… Y-you l-love me…!" Her voice came out almost like a squeak.
She quickly buried her face into his chest once again, out of embarrassment. He barely could catch her last words, but knowing how she acted whenever she got that close to him, his lips stretched into a gentler smile. She was indeed his source of joy amid the scathing battlefields. Compared to his comrades, she hadn't known him that long, but he learned that her affection was genuine.
And thus he vowed to return the happiness with the same affection.
"I see. If that's what you want, then I'll take a rest." He said, letting out a defeated sigh as he wrapped his arms around her slender frame.
"Thank you." She sniffed, basking herself in the soothing heat of his body.
They broke off from that embrace when they heard a familiar voice. Not their human friend, but their pet black cat. The cat lightly pushed its front leg to Shin's boot, scratching the laces in the process.
"Oh, look at our little guy over here. He seems lonely." Shin picked up the cat and set it in his arm, making it purr comfortably from the warmth of its master.
"TP. Wow, he's always clingy with you! That makes me jealous, Shin." Lena slightly puffed her cheeks, poking the little feline's face.
"That's why I found it weird when you named it Thermopylae." He quipped, rolling his eyes as he stroked the cat's head.
"Compared to your random naming sense, mine's better." She didn't want to admit loss, sporting a champion's smile.
"I guess I'll leave it to Raiden to judge, much like how you would leave things to Shiden." He shrugged, finding no point in debating about his lacking in that particular point.
"But that's important, Shin. How about you name your child when you have one? That surely will be a problem."
"Child?" Shin cocked his head in confusion.
"Eh?"
There, she just realized what she had just said to him. She stepped on a landmine of an outrageous topic that would ignite some unwanted thoughts for a novice like her. Some of their friends had already teased her with that matter and she always ended up being embarrassed. Just now, why did she let herself slide into the same pitfall?
'No, no, no, no…! What have I just said! Arghhhhhh….!' Lena screamed inwardly as her face heated up.
"Hmm? Child?"
Shin, as terrifyingly sharp as he might be on the battlefield, turned out to be dull in that matter, for better or worse. Unlike Lena, he was always oblivious when his friends also prod him with that kind of joke.
A long dip in the war zone had dulled his common sense, molding him into an almost total killing machine. It was thanks to Lena and the support from his dear friends that he could salvage a little of his remaining humanity.
But it appeared that he still had a very, very long way to run in his recovery.
"A-a-anyway… J-just forget it!" Lena flailed her arm bashfully, turning her face away to hide her furious blush.
"Well, if you say so, Colonel."
"Uh… Can you drop the formality?" She uncomfortably reprimanded as the shade of red on her face faded.
"Alright, Lena."
"Tee hee. That's better." She giggled.
The two trod along the rampart by the shoreline in silence. The night wind that blew the seawater into rolling waves turned into a salty breeze, caressing their locks gently. They took a detour, proceeding into a quiet corner of the dock as the moon reached its zenith. The rear of Stella Maris that suffered the least injury from the deadly fight against Noctiluca came into their view.
They spotted some messy stacks of metal boxes under a streetlamp. They could make out the logo of Giad Federacy on their coverings. Those crates were discarded shell containers for their Reginleif units, the standard 88 mm Armor-Piercing Fin-Discarding Sabot – APFDS in short. They were empty, waiting to be scrapped.
Shin came over some cases that had the lowest stack. He took a seat on them, letting Lena have one beside him. They leaned their backs against the piles behind them, resting in the makeshift bench.
Lena turned to Shin, appraising his countenance under the mild light. He still wore that solemn and distant look, but lately it had shown a subtle grimness that worried her. She always wished to help him ease his burden, but his logical ignorance never let her do so.
As silence still hung over them, she thought that probably this was the right chance. His willingness to alleviate her anxiety proved that he might also take her goodwill.
"Seems that you have many things in your mind. If you are comfortable, would you like to share with me, Shin?"
A pause followed. For a moment, she caught a faint flash of surprise on his face. He heaved a sigh and turned towards the moon as if its shine could enlighten him in finding an answer.
"… Say, Lena, do you believe in another world?"
"A-another world?" She stammered, blinking in surprise. "Pardon?"
The question hailed all too sudden and her mind was never ready to process that. She scratched her cheek lightly, trying to digest his words.
He quickly caught her confusion and smiled. "I'm sorry. Actually I don't want to bring up the matter about the last battle, but… I guess I'm too hasty with my own conclusion."
"Oh, that's nothing to be sorry about, Shin. I know you must have so many things you want to talk about. It's that I'm the one who cannot grasp what you asked."
"I see. I guess you're right." His smile grew thinner as he dug his fresh recollection in a short silence. "Well, it's about Leviathan."
A chill colder than the night draft of Roa Gracian winter stabbed Lena's back. A sense of dread struck her upon the mention of the mythical creature whose unbridled power could decimate one of the strongest Legion units in a single strike. She grimaced and tilted her head to look at Shin.
He registered her unpleasant reaction and had half-expected it. It was no small matter that he could talk freely. He regretted leading the conversation into that painful matter.
"Lena, I'm sorry. I should–!"
"It's alright, Shin." She forced out a brave smile, acting like a commander she was. "Please, go on."
He looked away in uncertainty, but seeing that stopping might upset her, he began to weave his words. On the other side, she took a deep breath. They collected their courage to delve into the nightmarish reality of the unknown. They didn't know how long they had been there, but eventually, he parted his lips.
"Alright. I asked Zelene about Leviathan's origin." He began.
She didn't give a response and he took it as a cue to continue. She carefully read his expression, but it bothered her even more. Still, she was patient enough to see it through.
"And she only said that the Legion didn't even know about it."
"Then, Zelene proposed a theory that Leviathan came from another world?" She quickly deduced as her eyes trailed off toward the dark horizon.
"Correct. So what do you think?"
Turned out, what he said wasn't as terrifying as she had expected. He was just too cautious that the manner he conveyed his thoughts turned stiff, out of fear that he would displease her. She didn't like it however, and she should convince him to be more relaxed.
Thermopylae meowed from beside Shin. It pulled Lena back to reality from her short pondering. She turned to him and a smile rose on her face.
"Hmm… I think she must be joking to cheer you up, Shin. So, I wish you would loosen up a bit like how we expect you to be." Her smile stretched even wider as her hand reached his. "That's why, Shin, you should take a rest and let the others handle the matters. It's for your own good."
"Very well, if you say so." He let her grab his hand and huffed as he looked back at the moon. "But if I want to really take a rest, I think I will do it in another world where there is no Legion."
Her jaw unhinged at the sudden, outlandish wish. A pain soon stormed her heart. Her inner self knew too well that the boy had been robbed of so many things in him, leaving nothing but his pride as an Eighty Six. Thus he dedicated himself solely for war against the Legion. Day in and day out through the deadly battlefields had wasted his human side.
The most painfully horrible thing, he even should sacrifice his ability to have a wish in order to survive in the battlefield.
Because there was no point in making a wish if one could die at any moment.
To know that he finally had a wish he wanted to reach filled her with so much joy, but when he said about the prospect that existed like a flickering light in the distance, her heart sank into despair. They still didn't lose their hope to end the war against the minions of cold mechanical evil, but she couldn't bring herself to imagine its end.
When would that day come? How would people become? Would death part them mid way? Would both of them still remain to see it? Those questions shelled her core with sadness. They terrified her. Her face turned somber as the heartbreaking thoughts constricted her chest.
"That's why, Lena, until this war comes to an end, and far beyond that, please stay by my side."
Her breath hitched in her throat. A myriad of emotions welled up in her heart, filling her up to the brim with feelings she couldn't describe. She truly was sad at the thought about the future, but his reassuring words that followed suddenly granted her a hope. It was warm and comforting. It banished her anxiety.
It hadn't been long, but every time they proceeded to the battlefield, he always came back, and so did she.
'… And he's the strongest out of all of us. Ain't no way in hell he's not the most stubborn of the bunch, too.'
Those words from her trusted subordinate had cemented the belief that he had and would always return from the battlefield, alive. No matter how strong his enemies were, no matter how hard the hurdle he had faced, he had proven that he could overcome the hardships against all odds.
On the other side, she, who faced the same battlefield from a fortified place, also had escaped mortal dangers many times. She always hoped that she could truly fight alongside him, face-to-face with their foes, but she had no power to do so. She had her own duty. Abandoning it would leave the force she marshaled in disarray. It was unjust and painful, but as long as she could see his face upon his homecoming, it would be her utmost delight.
'Yes. I won't let you down. So until we see the end, you and I will survive.'
She held his hand tighter and rested her head against his shoulder. "Yes. It's a promise, Shin. Until we can see the end, I will stay by your side. Your final destination is mine as well."
'And your heart is mine, too.'
"Thanks, Lena." He placed his arm around her.
She indulged herself in that momentary bliss. It was so warm and so pleasant that she wished that she would never break off of him. It was all she wanted for that moment, and it was more than rewarding.
Everything however knows its end. He rose abruptly and stood stock-still, gazing at the night sky. A tension colored his face, his eyes darting around to scan for the presence of his enemy. She could tell from his reaction that the intruder was within reach of his phantom hearing.
"Sh-Shin…?" She followed suit, panicking.
'Just die! You, damn machine…!'
He heard the disembodied cursing from afar clearly. The killing intent of the one whose nerves were welded into the Legion unit lashed at him. He frantically darted his gaze, trying to scour for its location, but nothing could come into his vision save the sea.
'Could it be hiding beyond the Earth's bend? If that's the case…!' He racked his brain and his eyes widened. 'A long-range type!'
"Lena, run!"
A primal fear washed over him. He hastily dragged her into a dash. He didn't know what it might be planning, but his instinct was screaming that it was aiming for them. They ran as hard as their legs could take toward their base, hoping to find a proper shelter from the impending strike.
"Shin, wait!" She called out, nearly stumbling down in their run.
A familiar whistling whizzed through the sky. He tilted his head to his back, registering a faint white trail that followed a blinking yellow flare. By the time he saw it, it had been falling to their path as if chasing them.
It was too late. He didn't know how the mysterious Skorpion unit that floated on the sea could aim that accurately, but if there was still a chance, he wanted her to be safe. She should be alive, for she was their queen, the core of their strike force.
He had cheated death for as long as he could remember. He had lost count of how many times he escaped the mercy of demise. His safe return will always be proof of his devil's luck.
And now, he was certain that his luck had burned out, at last.
It was brief, but he truly felt a happiness he never even could dream of as an Eighty Six. His time he spent with her was a worthwhile delight that mended his tattered soul. It was the most precious thing he wished to cherish in his final moment.
"Sorry, Lena!" He shrugged her off and shoved her away.
"No, Shin! Don't leave me!"
She staggered to the side and almost fell, but in a desperate struggle to catch him back, she lurched forward and clung to him. She hugged him as time seemed to slow down, marking the countdown of their incoming inevitable death.
"Lena…" He saw her smile as his vision began turning white.
The 155 mm shell hit, shrouding the spot with black smoke. What remained afterward was a hot burning crater.
86 (Eighty Six) belongs to Asato Asato.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own nothing.
| Prologue: A New Battlefield |
'… Shin! Shin!'
'That voice again…? Who?'
In that darkness, Shin's senses could catch nothing except that call. He couldn't remember the event that led to his current state. His mind went adrift, but he was aware enough that his consciousness was suspended. It was almost like a dream, but no vision came onto his mind.
He didn't know how long had passed, but his senses gradually returned. He felt his back was pressing against a hard cold surface. He could feel a faint light filtered through his closed eyelids. His nostrils picked up the damp air he inhaled. He also noticed a warm sensation that flowed into his palm. And his hearing began to catch noises from his surroundings.
"Shin!"
"Uh-oh!" He opened his eyes and got up with a start. "Lena!"
"Shin…! Oh, thank you! Thank you, Shin! You're fine!" She pulled him into a tight hug, weeping. "I was so very scared!"
"Um, thanks, Lena…" He wrung his arm around and patted her back.
While calming her, his crimson orbs scanned the surroundings in waryness. What he saw was a stone room. The ground they were sitting on had a blue glow that lighted in pattern. He whipped his gaze around and noticed some people were staring at him in utter exasperation. There were three men in dark robes and three boys in civilian clothes, all of them were staring at him.
Knowing the awkward situation, he lightly shook her. "Um, Lena…"
"Shin… Please. Can I stay like this a little longer? I was so scared." She clutched him even tighter.
He uncomfortably batted his eyes around helplessly. His eyes then landed on the foreign object that rested on his right hand. Lena's sudden strike had occupied his attention so much that he didn't notice it.
"A sword?" He muttered as he raised the weapon with elaborate design in wonder.
He regarded the other men. Each of those boys in civilian clothes also bore their own ornamented weapon. The blond guy held a spear. The lad in school uniform carried a bow. The raven-haired boy had a shield stuck to his arm. And he himself got a sword.
'And what about Lena?' His mind raced as he tried to digest the situation.
"D-dear Lord Sword Hero… If we may?" The priest who appeared to be the leader started, addressing him.
"H-head Priest, should not we only summon four heroes?" One of the acolytes murmured.
"How can this be?"
"Ah, Lena…" He made a call once again as he gently tried to pry her off of him.
"What is it, Shin? You're so mean! You nearly–!"
"Sorry, Lena, but there are some people around us." He bluntly cut her off.
She quickly turned around and froze. There, a dozen eyes were staring at them, her in particular. He couldn't help much since reality had already struck her like a gunshot. There was no point in calming her when her fuse was lit. He only hoped that she would be fine after this ordeal. Not that he intended to expose her to harm, but this sticky situation was out of his capacity to handle.
"Wow, damn! She's so cute!" The blond with a spear remarked as his eyes stuck at her.
"Is she a goddess or something? Seriously?" The baby-faced bowman blinked in shock at her divine beauty.
"She… Doesn't carry a weapon?" The black-haired shield-bearer gave a far less provocative gaze.
"Eeh?"
"… Lena." Shin placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
That meager consolation didn't work. Her face turned as red as a tomato at an impending rate.
And soon, a spectacular, heartrending squeal of a young maiden rattled the stone room.
With her face still red all over, Lena followed the lead of the priests with Shin and the other heroes in tow. Being gawked at by strangers when she was in the most private moment with him turned out to be too much. She momentarily covered her face as she stomped the ascending stairs in that tower.
'This is the worst! Anette would've laughed out her gut if she'd ever seen my face!' She puffed her cheek sulkily as she climbed up.
Back in the summoning room, her already foul mood worsened when the head priest spewed some nonsense about the hero summoning. She nearly lashed out at them when they told the grave situation their world suffered from. If not because of Shin who never lost his composure, she would have exploded in rage at the people who were walking ahead of her.
Still, she made quite a ruckus in that chamber. Worst, it pleased the men other than Shin in a hilariously wrong way. And again, Undertaker should help her deal with the disturbance she caused.
As they walked, she slowly sobered up. She once heard from her best friend, Anette, that taking a walk can improve mood faster than chewing a candy. Even through this grim and rather claustrophobic stairway, she could feel her hard feelings chip away.
The swaying tips of the priest robe in front of her was the only thing she could occupy her vision with, but when a speck of new light surged into the way, she perked her head up. They climbed some steps and much to her delight, it was an open window. She hastily went up and perked her head toward it. Her face brightened up in joy at the sight she beheld.
"Shin! Look over here! The view is sooo beautiful!"
Shin quirked his brow, coming over from his Tactical Commander's childish call. He quietly trotted over and took a peek through the barred window. His eyes widened ever so slightly at the breathtaking scenery as an afternoon wind stroked his face.
The spot they were in overlooked a vast settlement in an old-fashioned fortress city. The red brick buildings with their orange roof tiles stood in uneven rows. A mountain range that loomed majestically at the horizon was the garnish to top the magnificent wonder.
"Well, I think it is." He coolly agreed, casting a small smile. "Reminds me of the Alliance. It's beautiful, indeed."
"Tee hee. Right?" She giggled and regaled herself with the sight.
Shin's calm yet plain response in contrast garnered some shocked reactions from the rest of the weapon-bearers. Their momentary enjoyment over Lena's adorableness vanished. The Bow and Shield Heroes hung their jaws. The Spear Hero, on the other hand, gave a violent reaction, frowning as he approached Shin. The Sword Hero was the only person who brought a female companion along and it had stung his nerves.
"Hey, lucky guy! She's your girlfriend, right!?" The blond snapped at Shin. "You're very cold! Give her a sweeter reply, will you!"
"G-g-girlfriend…!" Lena covered her mouth as her face reddened upon hearing how she was called.
The other heroes only shared a glance in perplexity, reluctant to intervene with the quarrel. Shin, who didn't falter from the outburst, stood firm. The fact that his frame slightly taller than the blond suddenly unnerved the spearman, reversing the threat. Added with his ominous dark crimson eyes, the other guy shrunk in fear.
"Is that a problem? As long as I don't hurt her, it's okay, right?" He spoke softly, his expression unchanged while his words contained no malice.
"Urk!" The Spear Hero lost any thought for retorting, his fear got the better of him.
"Shin…" Lena muttered weakly at Reaper's display of chivalry, her blush burning her cheeks even redder.
"Let's get along well. And… Shouldn't we get going? The king is waiting for us." Shin told, turning to the priests who nodded in accord. "Let's go, Lena."
"Oh… Um." She meekly nodded and resumed their journey, momentarily fidgeting.
'Oh, gosh, Shin…! You… That's so cooool!' She inwardly squealed as her elation for Shin flew higher than the sun.
"Well, tough luck." The Bow Hero sauntered, passing the petrified spearman.
The Shield Hero took a peek at the window and glanced at the Spear Hero, forcing out a wry smile. "Sure, this looks like a pretty tourism spot, so don't mess with soldiers on their vacation, alright?"
"Damn it!" The spear-bearer spat bitterly, slamming his fist at the wall.
Before long, the heroes had been standing before the figure of the king in his throne room. Armored knights with their tridents lined each side of the red carpet that led to the throne. On their right side, noblemen gathered to witness the last hope for saving their country.
The tense silence in the room for a moment clutched them. Shin noticed the nervousness that came across the faces of his fellow heroes. He stayed calm like he always was, but when he glanced at Lena who stood stiffly behind his shoulder, he couldn't help but also share her uneasiness.
The man in the throne before him indeed bore an aura of complete authority. Even King Idinarohk of the United Kingdom of Roa Gracia didn't exude that degree of domination. A robe with exquisite embroideries with a soft furred cloak clad him, accentuating his status as a ruler. The jeweled crown that wrung his head banished any retort of those who questioned his sovereignty. Although age had overcome him, his eyes still radiated a fire that made lesser men know their place immediately.
"Welcome, Saint Heroes. I am Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, ruler of this country." The king introduced himself, regarding each hero with a calculated gaze. "Now, I would like to know your names."
Aultcray's eyes landed on Shin who stood in the first order. He made a short bow in response, placing his right hand over his heart. His solemn face emphasized a humility that dazed the audience at the sideline.
"My name is Shinei Nouzen. I am eighteen-year-old. I served as a soldier of the Federacy of Giad." He trained his eyes down to the ground. "It is an utmost pleasure for this humble one to be under your mercy, Your Grace."
The king gave an amused smile as the nobles were murmuring about Shin's refined manner. "A soldier, I see. Then, Sir Nouzen, I expect many more from you. Now, raise your head."
"Sire." He did what the king ordered and briefly glanced to learn the old man's face.
Aultcray's gaze turned to the hero next in line. The Spear Hero straightened his back in response.
"I am Motoyasu Kitamura." The spearman with blond-ponytail said, showing a degree of confidence on his face. "Twenty-one year old. I'm a university student."
"I'm next. Itsuki Kawasumi." The baby-faced bowman spoke. "Sixteen year old. High school student."
"Shinei, Motoyasu and Itsuki." The king nodded, skipping the Shield Hero's turn.
Shin spontaneously turned to Lena. He frowned in suspicion while she let out a silent gasp at the blatant act of ignorance. He observed people's reactions around them and his suspicion hit its mark. Most, if not all, were casting cold unsympathetic gazes at the Shield Hero. Shin didn't like where this might be going.
"M-my King! What about me!?" The Shield Hero called out desperately.
"Oh. Apologies. Then, your name?"
Aultcray's tone and look carried a blandness that betrayed his words. Shin's frown deepened. This foreboding sign of resentment on the very day of his arrival was something he really wished not to see.
"Naofumi Iwatani. Nineteen-year-old. I'm a university student." The Shield Hero introduced himself with an innocence that was enough to confuse the Reaper.
The king nodded without so much as an acknowledgment toward the last hero. His eyes dashed to the last person in the group.
"I heard that the summoning this time is out of ordinary. Then I would like to learn the name of the last person who happened to be the companion of the Sword Hero."
Lena nodded while Shin moved aside, allowing her to step forward. As she stood in front of him, for a moment, he caught sight of her arm that twitched. It was clear that she nearly made a salute, out of habit. He dismissed his worry since she soon brought herself in front of the king with an excellent play.
Lena knelt with a graceful manner of a noblewoman. Like Shin, she placed her hand over her heart as she directed her gaze to the floor. Her silver hair swayed forth, seemingly glittering under the shine of the afternoon sun. The dazzling sight was a marvelous spectacle for everyone to behold.
"Allow this humble visitor to introduce herself, Your Majesty." She began, garnering more awed responses from people. "My name is Vladilena Milizé. I am eighteen-year-old. I once served as a soldier of the Republic of San Magnolia. It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace, King Aultcray Melromarc XXXII."
The king gave a warmer smile as he regarded the lady. His aides might think that he was overjoyed to receive a new ally who came from nobility. They concurred with the idea since securing a tie with royalty would save them from any unwanted insult commoners might spell out in their conversation. All in all, banding-up with fellow noblemen would spare them from troubles.
"Now, rise, companion of Sword Hero, Lady Milizé! This country also welcomes you. Think of this place as your new home!"
"It truly is my utmost joy to be received by your magnificent country, Your Majesty." She rose, nodded, and returned to her spot.
While the rest of the heroes were watching the exchange with slacked jaws, Shin caught a trace of bitterness that flashed over Lena's countenance as she returned to her place. He turned to her in concern as she reclaimed her spot.
"Lena, don't overexert yourself." He whispered.
"Huh? What do you mean, Shin? I… I'm fine." She shook her head as she smiled.
"No, you aren't. Just talk to me later. I'm all ears."
"Um… Well, sure." She replied with uncertainty.
"Heroes, now allow me to explain about the grim situation this country, and the rest of the world is facing…"
The king proceeded to deliver the account regarding the said grave danger. Shin listened attentively to the story of the struggle against the Wave of Calamity, noting as much information as he could. Knights and adventurers alike joined in arm to repel it, slaying the aberrations that poured down from the sky, but the devastation it wrought had nearly crumbled the country.
The narration continued, stating that according to the legend, the Wave would strike many times with roughly a month of pause in between and the threat would grow severe for each Wave. Faced with such a hellish pandemonium, Melromarc followed what the legend had passed down. Thus, they engaged in the ritual to summon the heroes.
The more Shin listened to it, the more it sounded like his world. Countries under the world-ending threat of an unknown force which came out of nowhere, forced to rely on some children who desperately fought them. The similarity was uncanny.
As the story went, he couldn't help but likened his predicament with the one he once went through in the Eighty Sixth sector. Melromarc probably would likely treat them as heroes, much like the Federacy did, but the fact that they were snatched from their rightful place was no different than how the Republic treated the pigs they called Eighty Six.
He reminisced the grim memory as Aultcray proceeded to deliver the account about the Dragon Hourglass. It was a relic with strategic importance, so he kept that in mind, brushing off his melancholy.
Lena who kept hovering behind Shin's shoulder caught a trace of his gloominess. She probably could never share his degree of understanding about being oppressed, but she could feel that Melromarc's treatment had prodded his wound. He looked hurt, and she knowingly placed her hand over his shoulder.
"… Lena?"
She didn't say anything, but her smile itself had brought him consolation. He smiled in return, and by the time they turned their attention back to the king, he had closed his explanation.
The other heroes then made a fuss about the compensation Melromarc would offer in return for their service. The king affirmed that they would get what they needed to support their endeavor. The sight didn't sit well with both Shin and Lena, but they remained silent. The king who perceived their muteness turned his attention towards them with a mild reproachful gaze.
"Then, Sir Nouzen and Lady Milizé, do you have any words regarding this condition?"
Shin took a breath to recollect himself. "I suppose… No."
"I see. Then, Lady Milizé?"
Shin turned to Lena. She cast a determined look befitting of a commander. He noticed the resolve on her face when she nodded. However, it made him unsure since she looked like she pretended to be strong.
"Let's get down to business. I will assume my role as Bloody Reina." Lena exclaimed.
"That's too sudden. Are you sure you want to play a role as a tactical commander, again?" Shin raised a brow. "Things might be different here."
"I know, but I should try. This is the least I can do, Shin."
"Alright." He smiled in resignation.
The tactical commander – now former– turned back to Aultcray after a little discussion. Her determined look met with his overbearing gaze, but she stayed firm. She took a breath and parted her lips.
"Your Majesty, I find no objection with the condition. However, regarding this disaster called The Wave of Calamity, are there available accounts about its nature? I would like to offer my service to analyze them so that we can devise a countermeasure for the incoming Waves. And if it is possible, it would be preferable if there are also records about the Wave that struck last month."
The room froze in silence. Everybody seemed to be speechless. Lena's sudden proposal didn't seem to convince them. On the contrary, the offer sounded too brave, bordering on a joke. A high-born as she might be, a mere foreign girl telling everyone that she could formulate a plan to overcome the Wave they hardly could repel was absurd. It was nonsense. Preposterous! More than that, it beats the point of summoning the heroes.
Murmurs of disapproval that changed into scoffs hummed in the room, mostly from the crowd of noblemen. Shin could see Lena slightly waver from the pressure. He decided to intervene before it brought her more suffering.
"Your Grace, my companion is one among many gifted commanders who is able to devise brilliant strategies that can change the odds in a battle. Our countries had fought a grueling war against abominations that emerged in a fashion similar to those from the Wave, for ten years. In that decade, we suffered losses over losses, our territories robbed. However, ever since she joined our ranks, she has proven herself as an able commander who had minimized losses of precious lives. Even we could form an expeditionary force to launch a counteroffensive to take back what rightfully ours, thanks to her."
Shin conveyed his explanation in his calm tone, far from being boastful. The stillness in each of his words he spoke reflected a clarity that struck the listeners' mind. His speech drove them to ponder about Lena's offer.
Lena who watched how he backed her up could only stare at him with wide eyes. She was too stunned at the fact that he had gone so far in order to save her. She was so grateful, but her worry also emerged at the same time.
"We may not bring any proof of our exploit, but at least allow us to try. Aren't you the ones who called us? We did come for your call and we just want to help you."
The last part that insinuated how the nobles could have lowered their heads to plead for an aid didn't settle well with some of the audiences. Murmurings erupted once again and before long, a sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard slipped among the voices of discontent.
A man in fine attire walked out from the crowd with a sword in his hand. "Mind your tongue, stranger! Even though you are a hero, your act of disrespecting us is despicable!"
'Here we go again…' Shin silently sighed, recalling a certain Alba supremacist Republic officer who managed to slip into the Alliance of Wald during their vacation. 'Weird. Why doesn't the king intervene?'
"I did not mean to insult anyone, Good Sir. If my speech by chance offended you, I would deeply apologize since I came from a place that lacks your custom and etiquette." Shin bowed reverently at the furious noble, trying his best to avoid any conflict.
"Stop your act of innocence! You even dare to talk back to your better! Oh, I know! While we have the time, why don't I teach manners to that muddled head of yours, filthy peasant!?" The man ran forward and raised his sword, attempting to cut Shin.
"Shin!" Lena screamed at the top of her lungs as the noble's slash was flying down at Shin.
Undertaker's well-trained body readily bent to his side. He kicked the man's ankle, breaking his footing. The noble fell unceremoniously to the floor, rolling. To add to the disgrace, his face crashed into the plated-boot of a knight who stood stock-still in guard. He did kiss a boot.
"That is the reward for opposing a Cardinal Hero." Aultcray nonchalantly stated, gesturing to the guards with a wave of his hand to detain the mad noble. "Take that as a fair warning, a show of your difference in battle prowess!"
As the clamoring died down, the king turned to Shin. "We deeply apologize for the insolence of one of our folks, Sir Nouzen. We meant no harm when we seemingly ignored his impudence. We believe that you hold the power to solve it, and you did prove it. Thus you sealed our doubt about your honesty."
'So they were testing us? How lame.' Shin inwardly spat as he turned to Lena who wore a displeased look.
"I also am happy to learn that I still hold my skill in fighting, Sire. That truly is an amusing way to test my prowess." He responded flatly with a hint of sarcasm, lowering his standard after seeing how the other heroes had behaved.
"That is true. And after a moment of contemplation, we deem that your proposal is a novelty in its own right. Although we cannot deny that it sparks doubt among us, I do not find any fault in the idea to try it. In terms of feasibility, we would still need to discuss it further. Thus, we would like to accept your plan, Lady Milizé."
"I am honored to be of use, Your Grace. My speck of knowledge however is but a drop of water compared to your sea of wisdom." Lena replied as she bowed humbly.
The king nodded sagely at the praise and turned to his subordinates. One of his ministers stepped forward, bowing to the heroes.
"In that case, Lady Milizé, we will grant you access to the materials you will need. We will also contact the people from our knight order, the adventurer guild and the church to help you in your task. They keep all the records about the latest event and stories from the legends as well."
"Thank you very much. We are grateful for your great help." Lena nodded. "I am looking forward to it and will try my best."
Shin and Lena went back to their places. The other heroes now regarded them with mixed expression, mostly awe. Undertaker and Bloody Reina had struck them as the image of a valiant knight and a wise princess.
The minister after some moments cleared his throat. "Then proceeding into another important matter, Dear Heroes, we would like you to check your Status."
"Status?" Lena wondered aloud.
"Status?" The Shield Hero parroted, giving the same confused look.
Shin squinted his eyes. He didn't understand what the minister had said, but there was one thing that bothered him since his arrival in this world. Right at the corner of his peripheral vision, there was a translucent dot. He didn't pay any mind to it at first, but when he thought about it, it made him wonder what it could be. He focused his vision on it, out of curiosity.
"Hmm… Don't tell me? Is this a retina display?"
Shinei Nouzen
Age: 18
Sword Hero
Level 1 | Max HP: 206 | Max MP: 37 | Max SP: 32
Status:
Attack: 35 | Magic: 22 | Physical Resistance: 28 | Magical Resistance: 25 | Speed: 33
Skills:
[Nouzen's Blood] | [Maika's Charm]
Equipment:
- Other-World Uniform
"Pardon me, is this what you called Status?" Shin asked with the transparent window still hanging in front of him.
"Correct. That is the Status window where you might acquire information about yourself." The minister nodded.
"I see. This is quite… unexpected?" Shin remarked as he fumbled with the display in awe. "Looks very convenient."
"Uh, hey! How can I open that?" Motoyasu probed.
"Yeah, tell us!" Itsuki demanded.
"Um, Shin, is that the Status window?" Lena who was rather late to follow cocked her head.
"Yeah. Alright, if you see a transparent logo at the right bottom corner of your sight, focus your vision on it. It will pop open this holo-screen." Shin instructed, observing his fellows.
""" Oh! """
"What about you, Lena?" Undertaker asked after he confirmed how the others had opened their own Status windows.
"Um… Mine is something like this."
Vladilena Milizé
Age: 18
Novice
Level 1 | Max HP: 97 | Max MP: 184
Status:
Attack: 15 | Magic: 38 | Physical Resistance: 13 | Magical Resistance: 36 | Speed: 14
Skill:
[Saint Magnolia's Blessing]
Equipment:
- Other-World Uniform
"Well, we're still level 1, huh? That's awfully painful." Itsuki whined, scratching his head.
"I doubt we can even fight with our stat like this." Motoyasu shrugged his shoulders.
"What's all this?" Naofumi seemed confused as he frantically checked his windows.
"Do these things not exist in your worlds, Dear Heroes? What you are experiencing at the moment is called Status Magic. Everyone in this world can see and use it." The minister shortly elaborated as he let the heroes familiarize themselves with the system.
"I see. How wonderful. This is like a terminal display, but this looks weird to me." Lena commented as she explored the menu system. "And to think that I got caught up in this summoning…"
Everyone who had just occupied themselves with their Stats and their prospect of facing the Wave paused to look at Lena. They stared at her in perplexity, having realized that she was an extra.
"This indeed is an exceptional case. No legend about the previous heroes has mentioned this condition. However, the teaching of the Church of Holy Heroes told us that those who possess strong bonds with others they adore might never be able to be separated. We believe that–"
"We do appreciate your splendid explanation, Sir, but I suppose that we can save that detail for later." Shin cut off the minister, saving Lena from more embarrassment she should have endured. "I assume you still have many more important things you wish to convey to us, yes?"
"Oh, that is true. How very considerate of you, Sir Sword Hero. Then you may ask us anything you still do not understand about your holy weapons."
Shin glanced at Lena. Her blush was very clear under that golden evening sun. She awkwardly fidgeted in her shoes, but when she caught his gaze, she smiled in gratitude. The sight dazed him for just a moment. He snapped back to reality when his eyes caught the shine of the blue gem embedded in his sword's guard.
"Then since we are still relatively weak now, what are we supposed to do?" Naofumi followed with a question, expressing his concern.
"You would embark on a journey to gain strength, polish your abilities, gain new skills and strengthen the Holy Weapons each of you has been bestowed upon."
"In other words, we should get stronger on our own through this journey so that one day we can overcome the Wave of Calamity." Lena concluded as she caressed her chin.
"Correct. That is the way you ought to get stronger."
"Now that we are still this weak, why don't we just party-up? The four– I mean five of us." Naofumi proposed as he faced everyone.
"Yeah, that sounds good to me." Itsuki nodded in agreement, followed by Motoyasu.
"Oh! That's perfect." Motoyasu nodded in satisfaction, furtively glancing at Lena.
"Dear Heroes, unfortunately, that is not possible, for fighting together for heroes might incur an adverse effect." The minister interjected before Lena could give her thought. "Naturally, they cancel each other's growth, resulting in a stagnation."
A notification window appeared before their eyes, telling exactly what the minister had spoken. They read the letters and expressions of disbelief floated on their faces.
"Then, are you going to fight alone? That's awful." Naofumi complained.
"Worry not, Heroes, for we will provide you with the best of companions this kingdom can provide to aid you in your quest." The king spoke reassuringly, prompting the heroes' face to brighten up save the sword-wielder who remained stoic. "The night is falling soon. Rest well and restore your strength. Your journey will begin in the morrow."
Thus the audience with the king ended. A maidservant guided them out of the room. As they stepped outside, Lena trotted behind Shin. She tugged his sleeve as soon as the door closed.
"Shin, I… Thanks so much for helping me." She said, her cheeks blushing.
"Isn't that my duty as an operational commander?" He quirked a brow as they passed a darkening corridor, soon lit by some oil lamps.
"Can we at least forget about job? We are not in our world anymore." She sighed as she saw how carefree the other heroes looked.
"I guess." He shrugged. "So, shouldn't you be looking forward to the thing after this?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Dinner."
"Ooh! You're right! It's dinner!" She nodded enthusiastically.
"I never thought that you can have that serious look when it comes to something outside of work."
"Hey, what's wrong with it? You also need to be serious even when you are having fun."
As the pair chuckled in that light chat, the Spear Hero who walked ahead of them cast an envious glare. He scowled in jealousy as they traveled farther from the royal section, now heading to the knight's quarter.
"Tck."
"Hmm~ Sho delish~…" Lena remarked, chewing on a cake she nibbled while placing her palm over her slightly puffed cheek in bliss.
Divine cuteness.
It was the impression the heroes other than Shin acquired as they ogled at her. They blushed as the one-ton-sugar sight struck their eyes. Her unbearably sweet existence at that point would kill them, right above their spots for having dinner.
"Ueegh… I'll contract diabetes." Naofumi blenched as he buried his face into his palms.
"Too much insulin…" Itsuki tore his gaze away from her, looking at his empty dinner plate.
"Ah~… Lena-tan…" Motoyasu kept on leering at her with dreamy eyes.
"Colonel Vladilena Milizé, please act properly. You are giving these gentlemen a wrong impression." Shin warned her casually, then gulped water from his ornamented glass.
"It couldn't be helped, Shin. Just look at how diverse these cuisines are! We are in a heaven of foods. They are genuine and have exotic flavors, no less!" She retorted, pouting as she took a serving of some sort of jelly.
"That doesn't mean that you can just act without any reservation. At least consider your surroundings." He finished his drink without making the slightest sound, shifting his gaze about, particularly at the knights who stood on guard.
"Man, what's wrong with you? What's so painful about relaxing a little bit? You're too stiff." Motoyasu chided, frowning.
"Right. We're still in this cozy place. Why don't you just enjoy yourself like Miss Vladilena does?" Itsuki added sympathetically.
Shin blinked several times at the bombardment of reprimand. He stole a glance at Lena, now sporting a triumphant look as if she got new followers.
"Shinei, right? Well, I think you need to calm down your nerves. It's true that our journey will start tomorrow, but let's just enjoy this to our fullest. Sounds good?" Naofumi gave his two-cents, reaching out the water jug to refill Shin's glass.
The Reaper heaved a sigh of surrender, letting a gentle smile grace his face. Many times his friends spoke about this, but he paid no heed. Almost everyone had regarded him with pitying looks, especially after the raid to Charité underground station. He had taken on too much burden. After some thought, now probably was the right time to cool down a bit, just like her request.
And just like that time, under the starry sky of Eighty Sixth Sector, together with what remained of Spearhead Squadron. Or if he wished to take the most recent and extreme one, it would be like when his juniors dragged him to a pillow war in Alliance's resort. Free, unburdened, easy, while joining the flow.
"… Yeah. Thanks, guys. It's just for some reason, I'm still on edge. Maybe because everything looks so surreal to me. Like magic and all this stuff about being a hero. It felt weird. But alright."
The rest of the heroes cast dumbfounded looks at first, but soon they also responded with warm smiles. They didn't find him to be a bad person. The situation was pleasant, and it seemed that it was what Lena really wanted to know about people when they interacted with him.
"Well, Shin was an operational commander, after all. He is our pride and our savior. He has the highest record of victory in history. That's why he is always serious. Right, Shin?" Lena teasingly boasted about Undertaker's achievement.
"Ooh! Really? Then you're such a lucky girlfriend, Lena-tan!" Motoyasu nodded with beaming eyes. "Now I'm kinda jealous."
"Yeah. Living in the military and raking in many achievements while you're still young. How enviable." Itsuki spoke as he rested his chin on his palm, putting on a longing face.
"But you were going to war. Isn't that scary?" Naofumi said as he gave an uncomfortable look.
Lena's flustered face from Motoyasu's praise fell to a grimace in an instant as Shin closed his eyes. The air in that room suddenly felt colder. They soon realized that they had driven the talk into something he didn't really like since he, who was already a taciturn type, fell silent.
"… Yeah it's scary." Shin spoke after a moment of deafening pause. "War is so scary that at one point, I couldn't know that I was scared. Charging at enemies like a madman though I know my chance to come out alive was less than five percent… Thinking back about it, it's scary."
A constricting silence wrapped them. There was no shift on his expression, but they could feel a subtle darkness that overshadowed his face. It was the grimness of those who had seen what they needn't to. A somberness of people who had gone through those among the hardest of mortal trials in life.
"I'm so sorry, everyone. I guess I've ruined the mood. Please, have a nice dinner. Now, let me excuse myself." Shin rose from his seat. "I want to get some fresh air."
"S-Shin!"
When he was about to pass Lena, he stopped and fished out something from beneath his steel-blue Federacy Army jacket. He handed his holstered handgun to her. It was the 9 mm semiautomatic he used for burying his comrades, most of those whose names were engraved on the aluminum shards he took in place of their tombstones.
The very item that identified him as Undertaker, and Reaper.
"Among us, you're unarmed. Use it whatever you like. If it doesn't work, just draw the swords hanging on the wall. I'll see you again, later."
His boots didn't make any click as he strode towards the door, his face remained indifferent. With a deft pull, he made his exit from the chamber as soundless as his steps. Everyone was left nearly speechless as his presence dimmed. Even some of the knights looked confused at his sudden leave.
"Shin…" Lena muttered as she lost sight of his back.
Motoyasu gulped when his orbs landed on the weapon in Lena's hands. On another side, Itsuki kept staring at his empty plate. Meanwhile, Naofumi scratched his cheek as he made a grimace.
'Ouch… Even there's this guy from Crimson Demon Clan who's super gloomy. I feel really bad for him.' Naofumi rolled his eyes in guilt, noticing how disheartened his partner looked. 'Like… Really bad.'
The Cardinal Heroes, save Shin, right after dinner were chatting in a guest room. They were discussing all sorts of things, mostly about the mechanism of this world and their weapons. Lena who joined them only momentarily gave some of her thoughts. Although most of the time she looked confused, she surprisingly could follow through with their conversation.
"… That's it. Rather than a game, I find this environment to be similar to the one we used in our combat vehicles and simulators."
"I see. So although you have never played computer games before, you're quite proficient with this kind of system. As expected of Lena-tan!" Motoyasu praised the Bloody Queen, lightly pumping his fist.
"…Tan?" She gave a dubious look at how he always addressed her.
"Oh, it's a suffix to express that someone is dear. We simply add it to one's name if we found him or her to be… adorable." Naofumi explained, putting on a wry smile.
"Adorable?" Lena blinked as a red tint crept onto her cheeks. "T-then, I think I'll have Shin call me Lena-tan instead."
"Well, the truth is Motoyasu over here is just too bold, calling random women whatever he likes. Just look at how he pestered the maid. I think at this point you have guessed his motive, right Miss Vladilena?" Itsuki pointed out as he looked at Motoyasu with a little disgust.
"Oi! That's not true at all! I simply call her Lena-tan because she is a goddess!" Motoyasu declared, gesturing at the said divine being as if she was a masterpiece.
"Well, maybe I can't deny that, but don't you think you're only scaring her?" Naofumi spoke in worry. "You're creepy."
"Right." Itsuki nodded. "What about if Mister Shinei comes in? You're busted."
"Huh?"
""Hentai."" Naofumi and Itsuki spoke at the same time.
"I think I don't really understand the flow of our talk now." Lena awkwardly chuckled. "But Shin is not that kind of person."
'Except that time he almost killed Vika after finding out that I wore Cicada…' She rolled her eyes, hoping that nothing terrible would happen.
"Lena."
"WUUUUHH!" She jumped from her seat and fell due to the startling call. "Oof…"
"Lena-tan!" The Spear Hero came to aid her.
"Can you hear me?"
"I'm fine." Lena declined Motoyasu's help and stood on her own, soon running her hand around her neck frantically. "Wait, Shin, is that you!? I don't use Para-RAID right now. How can–!"
"Yeah, it's me. Sorry for startling you. I'll explain later. Now can I come in?"
"Ah, wait!"
Before Itsuki and Naofumi could exchange confused glances at the situation, the door swung open. The figure of the Sword Hero stood at the door's frame with his jacket in his arm. His jet-black shirt was open at the top. A tattered white scarf shielded his neck in place of the red necktie. With soundless steps, he sauntered into the room.
The air once again ran colder. To add the chill, the men noticed the grisly scar that wrung his neck when the scarf slightly slid down. It perfectly circled his throat towards the nape, hinted by its different color from the skin around it. It left a nightmarish impression that his head once parted from its rightful place.
His mark of decapitation, the true seal of the Reaper.
No one had the courage to pry about it. Seeing it once had struck them with goosebumps. Staring at it any longer might probably rob their sanity.
Fortunately, his partner doused their fear with her cheerfulness. With a gleeful stride, she came over him.
"Well, speaking of the devil…" Naofumi mumbled weakly.
"Oh, Shin!"
"I'm back." He replied, furtively studying the dumbfounded looks on the heroes.
"Um… Welcome back, Shin." She meekly spoke as she offered her help to carry his jacket.
He looked at her for a moment in hesitance. It was his first time she treated him like that, but he eventually handed his jacket to her, garnering awkward looks from the rest of the males. The weapon-bearers stared at them as if they were aliens.
On the other hand, the men's fear turned into awkwardness. The scene now almost looks like it came out straight from a romance-comedy. The shift was just too sudden, but it was better since they could finally escape the clutch of his suffocating spookiness.
'Ugh… Don't tell me the next line is 'dinner first, taking a bath, or… me?' This is way too ridiculous for a romcom-turns-real.' Naofumi thought as he kept staring at Shin and Lena.
"I see. Now I guess I can trust you, guys." Shin glanced at the holstered pistol on the table. "Sorry for suspecting you."
"O-oh… L-likewise. We're having a cool talk here with Miss Vladilena. We… kind of expecting that you would join us earlier. Ehehehe…" Naofumi broke the tension, chuckling bashfully.
"Okay. And sorry. I ended up strolling around the palace." He spoke as he took a seat before the heroes, followed by Lena who stuck with him. "This place sure is large. So what's up?"
"We… Talked about many interesting things, mainly about the mechanism of our Status system." Lena informed him. "So, what do you think about its interface, Shin? I find it as something that resembles Vanadis' command system."
"It's neat and easy. It's like Juggernaut's control screen." He answered, opening his menu screen. "What about you, guys?"
"Um well, most of us think that this looks like a game system." Naofumi said, ruffling his raven hair.
"Well, provided that we're not in the game itself." Itsuki shrugged.
"Game, huh?" A faint snort escaped Shin.
There was a twinge of cynicism that slipped through his words. They tensed once again as they peered into his dark scarlet eyes in anticipation, praying that nothing would blow up. With bated breath, they waited as his lips parted.
"That only marks our stark difference, like there is a wall between us. Still, I guess everything is just like that. Nothing to mind about."
They stifled sighs of relief. The Sword Hero turned out to be a unique person they probably would never be able to understand. While his companion could give them diabetes due to her sweetness, he could cause heart-attack. Quite the opposite, but lethally the same.
Naofumi hummed. "Oh, right. By the way, Shinei, you said that you came from a country called Geed or–"
"It's the Federacy of Giad." Undertaker corrected.
"Okay, Federacy of Giad. Well, we three came from Japan." Naofumi told, supported by nods from Itsuki and Motoyasu.
"Japan, is it?" Shin raised a brow and turned to Lena. "Do you know something about this country?"
"Hmm… We talked a little bit about it as I told them about the Republic and the Federacy, but it appeared that the Japan they came from were different. Bow, Spear, and Shield Heroes each have their own version of Japan. There are multiple Japans."
"Yup. It's surprising, but we came from different Japan, apparently." Motoyasu clapped his fingers.
"Are we talking about a parallel universe?" Shin's gaze darted to the window, finding only one moon in the sky.
"That's the most plausible theory." Lena answered.
"Then what's the defining quality about Japan, in general?" Shin asked, looking a little bit curious.
"It's what people might call as eastern country." The Spear Hero followed.
"What about the food?"
"Our country is famous for its fish produce and its fish-based culinary. Oh, and of course a wide variety of noodles." Itsuki took the turn, smiling proudly.
"Then what about plants, or maybe flowers?"
"Flower? Hmm… Oh! Every time people in the world hear the name Japan, what comes into most of their minds will be Sakura flower." Naofumi elaborated with an easy tone.
"Sakura?" Lena slightly furrowed her brow, seemingly recalling the name from somewhere.
"People outside our country call it Cherry Blossom."
Shin's eyes widened. The name suddenly rang in his mind with a reverberation that bled out his recollections about a certain girl. She was a name-bearer who left them not really long after he met Handler One, the Lena two from years ago. She was one among many precious comrades he once knew in their short lives. Last time he met her, only her ghost remained in a Legion unit.
'–I don't want to die…'
That broken-cassette-like voice from the lone Grauwolf was still fresh in his mind. The shine of its blades and the ferocity it displayed in using them was a far cry from the person trapped within. A sad smile played over his face as he reminisced about the Orienta girl.
"… Kaie." He muttered somberly.
"Shin, did you say something?"
"Kirschblüte. Japan might be the country she came from. Or rather, it's likely the original place of all Orienta."
"Kirschblüte? Ah… Ensign Taniya, is it?" Lena hung her head low, sporting a sorrowful face.
Judging from their expressions and gloomy tone, the others might have guessed that the pair had lost their comrade. Naofumi, being the most sympathetic as he always be, assumed that the person was killed in action.
"… Your friend must be very important to you. I'm sorry to hear that."
"… Yeah. Kaie Taniya. She was our precious comrade. Honestly, she was the funniest among us, in raunchy ways sometimes. I really miss her." Shin admitted as he gazed at the night sky outside.
'Handler One... You're a real pure virgin, aren't you?'
"Uhm…" Lena fidgeted in her seat as that embarrassing memory resurfaced.
"This Kaie girl, I damn sure she's cute." Motoyasu suddenly exclaimed.
"Yes, she was." Shin nodded without hesitation.
"Oi!" Naofumi frowned in disapproval at Motoyasu's disrespect towards the dead.
"And since you're quite the lady-killer type, was she your ex?" The Spear Hero nonchalantly threw the question, smirking. "I won't be surprised if a cool guy like you went out with her."
"Oi! That's enough!" Naofumi chided coarsely.
"Huh? Ex?" Lena's face contorted into a grimace as if she was betrayed. "S-Shin… Is that true?"
Reaper sighed, annoyed by Motoyasu's daring, senseless joke. "No. I wasn't. Besides, if I was his boyfriend, how come I killed her?"
His last words hit like a storm, shattering their fortitude. Everybody's eyes went wide. His indifferent look couldn't help but confirm his deed. They tried to deny it with whatever visible sign of his person, but his facial muscle that didn't budge even a millimeter sealed their fear.
"Y-youu!" Motoyasu hissed, his rage bubbling up.
Never did he think that the first person he wished to fight in this world was a woman slayer in a literal sense. Being a lady-killer in itself wasn't the best way to enjoy life. He had learned it the hard way. However, murdering a woman in his eyes was another story.
He was about to lash out in wrath when he saw Shin's red eyes roll indignantly. The trace of mockery in the gesture boiled Motoyasu's blood.
"Just kidding…" Reaper casually said.
It was all the more of a reason for Motoyasu to punch Shin's face. He thrust his fist at Shin, but the soldier offhandedly caught the blow with his palm.
"She's reached her destination as a martyr, now taking the rest she deserves. There's no point to be so worked up about her." Undertaker threw Motoyasu's fist away, his complexion stayed calm.
Lena, Naofumi and Itsuki witnessed the ordeal with unhinged jaws. The manner their exchange escalated into a quarrel was too fast. The moment Motoyasu retreated in humiliating defeat, they just realized that they missed too many things, mainly because the numerous surprises Shin had spelled out.
"Tck! Damn you! Just go to hell!" Motoyasu spat.
"Oh, I've been there." Shin said, putting on a defiant look.
Before the situation turned hotter, Naofumi rose from his seat. "Alright, guys, just stop! We're here not to fight each other. Take a breath! Everybody's cool?"
"Hmph!" Motoyasu ripped his gaze away from everyone.
"Yeah." Shin only shrugged as Lena stared at him tensely.
"Okay. I won't blame anyone since right now we're tired. Let's get back to our rooms for a rest." Naofumi wisely proposed.
"Sounds nice. Since you said it, now I'm sleepy." Itsuki yawned, nodding in agreement.
"That's… What we need the most. I agree." Lena nodded in hesitance, observing everybody who had calmed down.
"Ah, ah… Maybe you're right. Guess staying here longer makes me lose my cool." Motoyasu waved in dismissal as he stood from his couch. "Alright, I'm going back. Good night."
When the Spear Hero had left the room, the remaining heroes soon followed. Itsuki bowed at the group and took a quicker pace, racing with his own drowsiness to chase his bedchamber, leaving behind Shin, Lena and Naofumi. The three then journeyed the corridor in a relaxed walk.
"Um… Naofumi?" Lena called.
"Yes?"
"I… I mean, we thank you for your help." She said, supported by a nod from Shin.
"Help? Oh. Don't really mind about that. It's just that I can't stand people quarreling. Nothing's a big deal." Naofumi gave a bashful smile.
"But the way you defuse the tension was impressive. You helped us so much."
"Ah, please. It's nothing. I'm just accustomed to dealing with some hot-headed person."
"Well, if you say so, Shield Hero." Shin smiled brightly, so uncharacteristic of his usual demeanor that Lena froze.
"Shin…? You're Shin, right?" She asked anxiously.
"Of course I am. Who do you think I am?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Beware. If someone suddenly turns very kind unlike he usually does, he might be a Demon Lord in disguise." Naofumi jested.
"Bfftt… Hahahahaha…!"
Reaper chuckled. The way he laughed was so free and contained so much glee. It dumbfounded Lena, but when she listened to it, she soon realized that he was still him, the one she met for the first time as Undertaker. Now, the difference was he turned livelier and happier. It was something she was surprised of but also happy.
"Aw, geez… Shin! You're scaring me! What if you really are a Demon Lord?" She puffed her cheeks and turned to Naofumi. "Naofumi, you're mean!"
"Wha–! I was just joking! Come on, don't take it seriously!"
"Naofumi, thanks for everything. And also the joke."
"Uh yeah, but I think it's bad if I only end up upsetting someone." Naofumi cast a little guilty look.
"Did you really think I got upset, Naofumi? How amusing. Now I think you're the one who looks sulky." Lena's lips curled into a teasing smile.
"Wha–!? Ah… It couldn't be helped. I'm not good with girls, either."
"Lena, now you look like you're the Demon Lord." Shin deadpanned.
"I'm afraid to say it, but I cannot disagree with Shinei."
"Is this revenge?" Lena mumbled in resignation. "But well, I think we are even now."
"Well, probably?"
"Perhaps?"
The three shrugged their shoulders and chuckled heartily. Their silly talk turned out to be more refreshing. It was as if the tensions they got not really long ago vanished.
"Oh, yeah. Guess we have so much fun. And this is also the first time I can talk freely with foreigners." Naofumi exclaimed.
"But now we are partners in combat. No need to be so reserved." Lena suggested as she smiled.
"Though we should take separate routes in our journey, we're comrade." Shin added.
"Right. But don't make it sound like we're facing a great war. That makes me nervous."
"You are the Shield Hero. I believe you have the potential to be the unbreakable warrior. Imagine a true juggernaut no enemy can hurt, let alone crush." Lena gave her encouraging piece of thought as she pointed at the small shield on Naofumi's arm. "You are invincible."
"Yeah. Still, Shinei has the sword that can cut enemies. That looks way cooler and so heroic! And Miss Vladilena, you have such a huge mana pool. You gain a prospect as… maybe an archmage if you wish. You can unlock limitless possibilities. Thinking about it, I feel kinda like being left behind."
"That's not true, Naofumi! Do you really take the words from Itsuki and Motoyasu into you?" Lena frowned.
"Did the others bully him?" Shin turned to Lena.
"Well, bullying isn't the right term. I only asked them since they're more experienced in this kind of environment, but they were looking at me like I'm a lost cause instead." Naofumi explained, giving a wry smile as he scratched his cheek. "It's thanks to Miss Vladilena that my self-esteem didn't plummet any further, but it rubbed a wrong idea to Motoyasu instead."
"I'll kill him." Shin declared coldly as he drew his sword, his eyes trained at the door near the end of that corridor.
"Shin!"
Both Lena and Naofumi grabbed Shin's arms before he could dash to Motoyasu's bedroom. It needed all their strength to restrain him.
"Oi! Calm down!"
"Shin! Please!"
He took a deep breath and exhaled. Both Naofumi and Lena looked at him with troubled looks as they let go of him.
"Don't tell me that was your way of joking!" Naofumi frowned in disapproval.
"Shin, please, don't act rash!" Lena reprimanded.
"Sorry. Just now my vision suddenly turned red. Thanks. I've cooled down." Shin cast a restrained smile.
"Shin…"
Seeing that the pair would resolve the problem on their own, Naofumi considered his presence as no more than a bother. He sported an uncomfortable look, but finally caught his cue for retreating.
"Um, Shinei, Miss Vladilena, thank you for all your help. I'm afraid that I cannot repay your kindness, but let me try. And I'm looking forward to working together with you in the future." He bowed deeply.
"Please, drop the formality. We're practically stripped off of our ranks." Shin gave a relieved smile, looking at Naofumi with gentle eyes. "Let's just talk as friends whenever we meet."
"Right. It's a take and give. We're fellow foreigners here, so it's normal if we help each other." Lena cast a cheerful smile.
"Well, guess so. Anyway, I'm going back to my room. Good night."
""Good night.""
With hurried pace, the Shield Hero strode to his bedroom, closing the door quietly. Shin and Lena watched it with delighted looks.
"He really is a kind person, huh?" Lena spoke, breaking the silence.
"He sure is."
"I hope he will be okay."
"Yeah."
In the gap of the conversation that followed, Lena suppressed her impatience to have more talk with him. There were a myriad of matters she wished to discuss with him, but after considering how late it was, she dismissed the idea.
"Um, anyway, Shin… I know that you have so many things you want to talk about, but… can we save them for tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I know. You are also tired. Let's do that tomorrow."
"Thanks so much, Shin."
She inched closer and pressed her lips against his. It was brief, catching him off-guard. She broke off from him before he could even realize her strike.
"G-good night, Shin! I'll be seeing you tomorrow!" She almost stuttered as she was blushing.
She quickly rushed to her room, opposite Itsuki's. As she shut the door, he rubbed his lips, flustered. He was thinking whether it was real or mere imagination. A small smile adorned his face, reminiscing the lingering sensation. Even if it were only imagination, he was still happy since it was her.
"Ah, good night, Lena." He gave his late reply as he began to walk toward his bedroom.
When he was about to open the door, he noticed a seam in Naofumi's door frame. He smiled as he opened his own room's door.
"I'll pretend that you saw nothing, Naofumi. Consider it as my thanks and never tell her." He sunk into his room and closed the door.
Behind the door that stood opposite to Shin's chamber, Naofumi was hyperventilating. He pressed his back against the nearest wall, calming himself down.
'Ugh… That's so horrible! When I wanted to make sure that nothing happened, my devil got my hopes up. When the scene turned into something out of shoujo manga, I imagined a doujin plot that might follow. And that's it! I'm doomed! Guess tonight he'll kill me in my sleep!'
The Shield Hero shuddered as he dove into his bed. Despite his anxiety, he managed to fall asleep.
Nyahooo! ^_^
Here's my newest project after munching 8 freaking volumes of 86. So, yeah. This contains spoilers from volume 4 to 8. I've warned you. :-3
My opinion about 86: it's… Subarashi! :-D
Many reviewers say that Asato-sensei has presented nothing new since there are tons of that kind of scenario, but the way he delivers the story is beautiful. It's deep and gritty without unnecessary repetitions for dramatizing the story flow.
So, that sparks the idea in my head about replacing Ren with Shin. Reason: Ren is just a lame overconfident gamer, Shin is a true war god. He's the man we need as the ideal Sword Hero. A guy with a dark past.
What about Lena?
She's an irreplaceable element that drives the story forward, so I also fling her. Basically, Shin and Lena come as one package.
Okay, hope you enjoy this. Thanks for visiting and wish we meet again in the next story. ;-)