Chapter 3: Connecting
"I have a message for Naofumi, The Shield Hero from Ren the Sword Hero!" A traveling man raced towards the group as they were making their way towards another village, having gotten word of a plant problem that had arisen there. Naofumi, Garfield, and a very motion sick Raphtalia pulled the wagon that Filo was pulling to the side of the road.
"From Ren?" Naofumi pondered for a moment. It's been a while since he spoke to Ren, not since they left the capital a few days ago after getting Filo's egg.
"Yes sir, he sent it out just a few hours ago. from a village to the south of here." The messenger implied. Which means he wasn't currently at the village he was heading to.
Naofumi took the note from the man, seeing it was written in Japanese, a sight for sore eyes wanting to read something else besides this world's language.
Naofumi. I heard there is a terrifying Dragon a few days from my current position. I also heard about what happened between yourself and Motoyasu, that fool. If you can, we can meet up and take it down together. If not, Than we will cross paths another time. I want to talk to you before the next wave. -Ren
The message was short and to the point. Naofumi read it aloud to his party because they felt they should at least hear it.
"OH SWEET WE GET TO FIGHT A DRAGON!" Both Garfield and Filo shouted together.
"I still want to eat a dragon to see how it tastes!"
"And I want to show you guys how badass I really am! You ain't seen nothin' yet!"
"We're not going." Naofumi dashed both their dreams in an instant.
"AWWW! HOW COME!?" Again, both the younger members complained.
"It's out of our way completely. and I don't know if I even really trust Ren." Naofumi had his doubts, but seeing this message gave him a look into his mindset. The least he could do is reply back.
"You, Messenger, how much will it cost me to send back a message."
"Two silver pieces."
Naofumi nodded, taking out some paper, ink, and a quill to write a quick reply.
Ren. I'll have to decline your offer. But in a few weeks, I will be heading that direction. Meet me back there and we will talk. -Naofumi
"Here. Make sure you get this to the Sword Hero as soon as possible." Naofumi felt strange, sending a message like this to someone he knows.
"I still say we should go."
"Can it Garfiel. You'll get your chance to fight soon enough."
In the meantime, Ren received the message sent back to him. He took a look at it, understanding the reasons why Naofumi might not be so happy to jump at the chance to work together. He and the other heroes did treat him like shit not too long ago.
'But what happened with both the duel, and now the race… The Princess seems hell bent on making sure Naofumi loses… and the way he was treated by the king. I understand that one has the right to be angry at someone who sexual assulted his daughter, but…'
Ren's thoughts went back to what Naofumi said to him back at the capital. He insists he was telling the truth, but at the same time, doesn't force it or bother trying to convince people otherwise.
"There has to be something I'm missing… But, I would rather talk to him directly about all of this." Ren said to himself before turning to his party.
"Alright everyone, The Shield Hero won't be joining us! Be extra careful when we get there!"
Naofumi's group traveled for a bit until noticing the crazy amount of plants covering the wall of the village, showing that this threat is getting out of control. Garfiel and Naofumi kept a calm composure while Raphtalia was more or less worried for the villagers sake.
"Th's can be a problem."
"Agreed. They definitely need a herbicide for this. Filo, take us there."
"Okay!"
Filo quickly moves the wagon as fast as she can while Naofumi and Garfiel analyze the situation, seeing it as dire to the villagers. Once inside, the leader of the village welcomes them as he tells the group of the situation.
"This place is close to being consumed by the vines, good sir."
"Can't ya just burn them?" Garfiel asked as he was sure that fire would do the trick against plants.
"We tried everything we could think of." The old man responded in defeat, seeing the situation they were in as hopeless. "We attempted to summon adventurers but the situation continues to remain the same. Our village was already overrun by vines. What's worse, the plants turned into monsters and attacked us."
"That can't be right..." Raphtalia said with a hesitant voice, knowing that something like this is unnatural. Before anything else can be asked or said, the group heard some people screaming in the background.
"Some adventurers set out for the village to level up. I tried to stop them, but to no avail."
"Eh. Th't's their own damn fault." Garfiel spoke out with an annoyed tone, seeing that the adventurers should've listened. Naofumi just nodded in agreement to what Garfiel had said while Raphtalia scolded him for saying such a thing.
"That isn't nice Garf. You can't be saying mean things like that."
"What? They should've known th'risks but chose to go in blind."
"Even so—"
"Okay you two, we can have this discussion at a different time." Naofumi said since he was getting annoyed by the bickering between the two. The two understood and went silent while the shield hero turned towards Filo, requesting her to get the adventurers and bring them back to the village. Filo cooperates and goes to save the adventurers but before that, she gets a quick bite to eat. While Filo goes to rescue the adventurers, Garfiel takes this opportunity to ask the important question.
"How th'hell did somethin' like th's happen?"
"Our village was being ravaged by famine when the Spear Hero visited." Garfiel and Naofumi both were annoyed by this but allowed the old man to continue. "When he heard of our plight, he went to some nearby ruins and brought back a seed that had been sealed there. He called it a miracle seed."
The two warriors stood silent as they were processing what had transpired, both coming to the conclusion that the seed caused all of this. One of the other villagers continued,
"At first, we were overjoyed when we saw how quickly the plants grew and bore fruit. However..."
"They grew too much and overwhelmed your village?" Raphtalia asked as she joined the conversation.
"Indeed. While investigating our options, we hit upon a legend passed down the village."
"A legend?" Garfiel asked as he got curious.
"Yes, a legend. A long time ago, an alchemist who'd set up shop in this area created a seed, but sealed it away for some reason. The legend also said that plants had overtaken the region for a while."
"Hold on a second." Naofumi said, seeing that this is annoying. "Why did none of you have doubts about that seed if you knew about this legend?"
The three villagers all looked shocked for a second before disappointment hit in, seeing that it was their fault for not having been careful. Naofumi stood silent as he figured that they convinced themselves that it was safe only because a hero brought it to them. Before anything more can be said, Filo had arrived with the adventurers in her wings.
"How's th'village?"
"Plant monsters were everywhere."
"Hm. Th't sounds like fun." Garfiel said as he has been itching for a fight. Naofumi would say something to the boy yet a question asked towards him caught him off guard.
"Are you the savior who travels in a carriage drawn by a heavenly fowl?"
"You've got the wrong guy." The Shield Hero instantly responds only for the three villagers to beg for his assistance as they see that he was indeed lying about who he was. Before he could try to deny it again, one of the women that left the tent approached the group to ask,
"Please help us, we have sick."
"Sick?" Raphtalia asked, seeing that this situation is indeed dire. Naofumi did not like hearing this, prompting him to take his group into one of the tents. Once entering, they see many children sick with plants growing out of their bodies.
The first instinct for Garfiel was to use his water affinity to create healing abilities, hoping this ability could still prove useful. Naofumi and Raphtalia were caught off guard as they weren't aware of the demi human's ability to heal.
The two watched as he healed each kid one by one though he did ask for some assistance since it did take a while for the healing process to complete on his end. The Shield hero and his sword agreed as the two did their best to help those that aren't healed by Garfiel.
Once they accomplished this, all of the adults showed their gratefulness towards the Shield hero and his allies by bowing at the three.
"Thank you so much. Please, help us take back our village. We beg of you."
"I—"
"Please sir." One of the children says in a weak voice, annoying Naofumi since he can't refuse this now. Before he accepted this job, the old man pulled out a pocket pouch filled with coins.
"We'll pay for treatments and for the monster extermination, in advance! Please save our village!"
Even with a tough exterior, deep down Naofumi couldn't help but want to assist these people, especially considering that it is all Motoyasu's fault. Garfiel and Raphtalia look at Naofumi as he grabs the money pouch for a moment before saying,
"I don't like cleaning up after that moron Motoyasu, but I'll earn my keep. Come on Raphtalia, Garfiel, let's go."
"Ya got it."
"Okay master."
As the three leave the tent, Naofumi commands Filo to follow them as they all head towards the village covered with vines. During their quick walk there, Garfiel put on his shields in order to be ready for the fight ahead. While they walked, Naofumi turned towards Garfiel to ask him,
"Since when do you know how to heal?"
"My amazin' self learn how to. I was important back in the Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary? Was that your home?" Filo asked as she was curious to know more of Garfiel. Raphtalia and Naofumi were both also curious about this as well.
"Yeah, ya can say th't. Anyway, let's focus on th'mission."
"Agreed."
The four of them managed to enter the village with a couple of plant monsters instantly going for the attack. Using his superior strength, Garfiel landed a couple of powerful blows before finishing it off with one destructive hit to the face of the plant monster he was facing off.
Meanwhile Filo took on a plant monster spitting acid on her. She was able to dodge with ease before she one shot the monster with her deadliest of kicks. Naofumi and Raphtalia work together with Naofumi being on defense while Raphtalia was on offense, taking out the plant monsters that her master pushes back with his shield.
The four continued this strategy from the entrance of the village all the way until they encountered the source of this mess. They all looked to see that it was a tree with a couple of tentacles coming out of the star shape itself while at the center, suspecting that there is the indicated target.
"Ya think takin' th't out'll put an end t'th's?"
"Hopefully it does."
Naofumi said in response to Garfiel's question before thinking of a strategy they can implement in order to defeat the creature.
"Garfiel. You and Filo are the heavy hitters. Defend Raphtalia as she begins to use the herbicide on the plants. Whatever you do, don't let her get hurt. I'll stay back here and be your eyes for things you three can't see."
"Alright Naofumi-Sama!"
"Will do Master!"
"Got it boss man!"
All three of them replied as they turned to plants and got ready to fight.
"Let's go, Filo!"
"Right behind you Garf!"
Both of them charged in together. In amazement for the first time, both Naofumi and Raphtalia watched Garfiel's right arm grew in size, turning into a monstrous tiger-like arm. Together, he and Filo began to rip and tear through the vines.
"TALIA, GET MOVING!" Garfield called back. The Raccoon girl nodded as she dashed forward along the path that was being paved for her by her two teammates.
"Filo, the thing!"
"Got it!"
Garfield hopped onto Filo's back as she began to jump and dash around, riding her like a super fast horse. He used his massive arm to rip through the vines as they went around, making sure they got it all to leave the plant completely defenseless.
Raphtalia made it to a good spot where she can pour some of the herbicide on the monster's main body, well at least a root. She opened the bottle, pouring it on and watching as the main eye-like flower of the plant reacted in pain for sure. But, this caused it to regenerate extremely quickly which did catch the attention of Naofumi and Garfiel.
'Another one with th't damn ability!'
Garfiel thought just as some of the vines were cut had grabbed onto Raphtalia, lifting her into the air.
"Kya! Garf! Naofumi-Sama! Don't look!" She shouted as her dress almost flipped down. Naofumi and Garfiel at this point didn't care as much since the fact that the vines have captured Raphtalia was more important. Garfiel looked at Filo while telling her,
"Get us close!"
"You got it!"
Filo with her rapid speed moved in towards the tree close enough for Garfiel to start attacking the source. His first instinct was to turn his right arm once again into a tiger-like form before using all of his strength to punch the eye out, spatting out an intense amount of blood.
"Ha! How da ya like th't?!" The demi human boy said, seeing as he landed a deadly hit. He jumped back with his arm returning to normal only to see that the eye regenerated itself.
"Tsk. Th's ain't th'first time I've dealt with th's annoyance!"
As Garfiel said this he charged right in, cutting down any vines that tried to grab him like they did with Raphtalia. He got close and closer until finally he was a couple of feet away from the tree. Garfiel took this opportunity to use his immense strength along with the added strength his beast form gives him to punch a hole in between the tree. Once accomplishing this, he started to use all of his strength to try and break the tree in half, having a feeling that this will weaken the creature if not kill it outright.
"Garf! Watch out!"
Raphtalia shouted out as she saw a couple of vines trying to attack the boy's back while he was using everything he had to break the tree in half. Garfiel did hear Raphtalia yet he couldn't do anything about it since he was putting everything he had on this one thing. Just as the vines were closing in, Filo quickly stepped in and destroyed them in order to protect the demi human boy.
"Thanks Filo"
Filo just nodded at Garfiel before continuing to destroy the vines closing in. After a few seconds of increasing his strength, Garfiel transformed both his arms into their beast form, allowing him to have more than enough strength to destroy the tree by splitting it in half.
This damage allowed Raphtalia to escape the vines. While these events transpired, Naofumi thought on what could be the key in defeating the plant monster. He watched as Garfiel managed to tear the tree in half with impressive strength and yet this didn't work for long as it started to put itself back together.
'Wait… I know. The poison enhance skill.'
"You three, stand back. I'll handle this."
With a calm step, Naofumi began to walk towards the base of the tree. Vines shot out, latching onto him. But, as they wrapped around him, he still walked forward. His shield activated as he began to merely break through the vines, as if they weren't even there anymore.
Filo jumped back, carrying both Raphtalia and Garfield on her back. Garfield watched with the others with just as Naofumi poured the herbicide onto a root. This time, the plant monster began to die.
It took a moment for it to fully die before Naofumi took a look at the fruit and seeds it bore.
"Quickly, gather all the seeds you can!"
Filo, Raphtalia, and Garfiel all three nodded before starting to gather the seeds. While they did this for a bit, the raccoon girl was about to grab one until Filo decided to grab onto the seed.
"Hey! That one was mine."
"I got it first."
"Me!"
"No, me!"
"Oi, enough ya two. I got more than da both of ya combined!" Garfiel said in a boasting like manner, catching the two girls' attention. As they all start to picker at one another, Naofumi couldn't help but ask himself,
"What am I gonna do with them?"
Naofumi couldn't help but smile as he watched both Filo and Raphtalia berate the demi human boy for showing off. After an hour or so of making sure they have all of the seeds collected, Naofumi and the others return to the village to get their reward.
After having been given their reward and even Naofumi learning a new ability, the group returned to the road. As Filo was moving the wagon, the group had gone to see Hickwaal in order to sell most of the unmodified fruit. During the negotiations, Hickwaal had asked Naofumi and his group to deliver a parcel on the inn nearby a town with a Hot Spring. During their way towards the inn, Garfiel started the conversation by asking,
"So, what's da plan now?"
"We deliver the parcel." Raphtalia responded.
"I know th' boss mant, I mean after."
"Well...there is a hot spring in the nearby town. We could go there" Raphtalia suggested with her cheeks light red. Garfiel noticed this, at first thinking of the word Hotspring. He had heard that term before from his captain.
("It is a place of amazingness! One where you can clean yourself up, kinda like a bath, but in a more calm and relax way.")
("Eh? What's so interestin' 'bout it, Cap't?")
("The temptation of wanting to go into the girls section. That and the calm atmosphere of just hanging out with friends in a relaxing manner!")
("Eh...I guess it sounds aight.")
With that in mind, Garfiel was curious to see a hot spring of this world though the thing that got him was the way Raphtalia suggested it. He looked at her for a moment, noticing a hint of blushing coming from her cheeks. This prompted him to smile in a slightly mischievous way.
"Seems like someone's 'excited'."
"What do you mean?" Naofumi asked, oblivious to what's going on. It took Raphtalia a few seconds before she realized what Garfiel truly meant with what he said. She turned towards him with fury in her eyes. The demi human boy smiled 'innocently' as he asked the raccoon girl,
"What's wrong?"
"..."
She just glared at him before looking forward. Filo noticed this, prompting her to look forward while giggling at what was going on. Naofumi was left confused before just shrugging it off as some random dispute between the two.
'Aside from these two bickering like children, I'm surprised that there are hot springs towns in this world as well. I haven't had a chance to go into one of them for a long while. Maybe we could go.'
Naofumi considered this should they have enough money. He looked forward and waited until they arrived at the inn in order to deliver the parcel. Once they arrive, Naofumi goes to speak with the one getting the parcel.
He doesn't take long before finishing his conversation, receiving the needed money to take his group to the hot springs. Before telling the group that they could start making their way towards the town, he wanted to make sure that if they wanted to go.
"Do you all want to go to the hot springs?"
"We know where Talia stands on th't." Garfiel said in his smug like tone.
"Sh-Shut up, Garf!...Anyway, yes Naofumi-sama, I would like to go." Raphtalia said after having spoken angrily towards Garfiel before switching into a more calm and happy tone towards Naofumi. The Shield Hero took note of this before turning towards Garfiel and Filo.
"Garfiel? Filo? What about you two?" Naofumi said in a serious voice. Garfiel and Filo look at each other for a moment before one of them answers the Shield hero's question.
"I wanna go to the hot springs thing, too, master!" Filo said with excitement in her voice.
"Alright. Garfiel. You are the last one. Do you want to go?"
"Eh, why not? Cap'n talked 'bout it so I'm curious."
"Captain? Who is your captain?" Naofumi asked with a curious look. Garfiel stood silent for a moment before saying in a calm manner,
"A close friend. Now, shall we go t'th'hot springs?"
"Yes! Let's go master!" Filo said in an excited voice. Naofumi couldn't ignore this from Filo, prompting him to lead them towards the location of the hot springs. While this was happening, he went into his usual deep thinking, only this time was about Garfiel.
'He isn't like anyone in this world. He acts a lot like a classic shonen character would but there is also something about him that screams wrong world. I also haven't asked more about him, that is something I should change. Knowing those in my party is a priority to know if they can be trusted.'
( "THAT'S IT! GET HIM SHIELD MAN! WIN!")
("THE HELL DO YOU KEEP GOING ON ABOUT THAT BULLSHIT! I AINT BRAINWASHED OR WHATEVER! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS REALLY GOING HERE! I JUST MET THIS GUY!")
Naofumi thought back of the moment he first saw Garfiel and the first few sentences the demi human boy said.
'Hm. Considering that he saved me from that bitch's foul play, twice now, I should at the very least be able to trust him to have my back. But I should try to learn more about this boy.'
The shield hero nodded to himself as his sub goal now is to try and get to know Garfiel Tinsel, the Shield of Sanctuary. He looked up and led the four of them towards the hot springs. Once they arrived, Filo wanted to go with Naofumi but he insisted that she go with Raphtalia, seeing this as a good opportunity to learn more about the demi human boy.
"But master! I want to go with you!" Filo cried out, trying to do her best to convince Naofumi to change his mind. Sadly this did not work as the Shield hero isn't one to easily change his mind once he says something.
"Sorry Filo but you'll have to go with Raphtalia."
"Master~!" Filo said with a disappointed tone of voice before starting to pout. Naofumi found this adorable yet unconvincing. He along with Garfiel went to the male side while a reluctant Filo and Raphtalia went to the female side. While the group was separated, Naofumi took this opportunity to have a chat with Garfiel, a chance to learn about the boy's life.
"Garfiel, you and I haven't had a chance to speak, just the two of us."
"Seems like we haven't, boss man." Garfiel said in agreement, having thought back on their interactions, none being just the two of them since Raphtalia or Filo or even both would be around. "What's on yer mind?"
"Well, tell me something about yourself. Got any family? Siblings? Parents?"
"I got an older sister...though it's annoying how fucking tall she is!" Garfiel said as he was annoyed at how much work he had done to increase his height only for those efforts to be in vain. Naofumi chuckled when he heard this, seeing how angry the demi human boy gets over such trivial things.
"I mean, how old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Fifteen?! You are still young. You'll grow up, tall enough to pass your sister."
"Ya think so?" Garfiel asked with some skepticalness in his voice.
"Yeah, you just need to work hard. I'm sure if you do that, have a good diet, and constantly train, you should grow in height."
"Aight!" Garfiel shouted as he stood up, looking highly at the sky with a proud look. "Watch out, Sis! I'm gonna surpass yer crazy height!"
"That's the spirit." Naofumi said, approving of this set of mind. This was only a small chit-chat right now. Naofumi has a feeling that Garfiel may be unwilling to open up too much about himself at this moment.
"What about you?" Garfiel reflected the questions back to Naofumi, who shrugged.
"Can't say much about that myself. While I do have family, before I came here, I didn't have much contact with them since I went off to college, other than that, I'm mostly a loner." He said.
"Were you also a NEET like Captain?" Garfiel asked with curiosity. This question threw Naofumi for a loop again since the demi human boy kept on using terms that he wouldn't expect someone like him to use, and seemingly had an understanding of them.
"Umm… No. I had a job and everything like that." Naofumi wasn't sure who had taught him these terms, but it must be the captain person the boy keeps talking about.
"Hey…So this friend of yours…Captain. Who is he really?"
"Hm?" Garfiel turned towards Naofumi, noticing the question he was asked. He stayed silent for the briefest of moments before responding. "He's an amazin' guy. A dumb idiot but someone my amazin' self trusts."
"Interesting." Naofumi crossed his arms as he thought about what the boy had said. He still speculates that this captain person was someone like him, isekai'd from another world. Although he would ask more, he knows that he shouldn't jump the gun right now. He looked up at the sky to notice that it was beginning to get dark, prompting him to say:
"We should start heading back. The girls should be finishing up with their bath."
"Aight boss man."
Garfiel nodded as he got out of the hot springs, feeling refreshed and energized by just having the ability to relax.
"Cap'n was right 'bout th's. The hot springs s'amazin'!"
Naofumi had a smirk on his face, having some idea about this person Garfiel refers to as captain. Although a name would help, he has asked enough for now. The two got out and went to change before meeting up with Raphtalia and Filo.
"Did you two enjoyed yourselves?" Naofumi asked as he was curious to know how Raphtalia and Filo felt about the hot springs. The two girls smiled at him with Filo being the one to respond,
"It was nice! I just wish I was with master!"
"Maybe next time. What about you, Raphtalia?"
"I liked it." Raphtalia responded with a smile on her face.
"That's good. Well then, we should probably get some sleep. We have a long way to go tomorrow."
"Okay!" Filo and Raphtalia said in unison before the four of them went inside, off to rest for the night.
Garfiel was in a dark void for a moment, resting both physically and mentally until he ended up opening his eyes. As he did this, he noticed that he had returned to the same place he had been for the last few dreams, back in the Sanctuary in his old room.
'Back here again? I must really miss th's place.'
Garfiel got out of his bed and started to walk around, recognizing everything from the last time he had this dream. Just as he was recalling the events of the last dream within this dream, he looked at the door that he didn't want to open last time, remembering fully what had happened Having recalled the events, he quickly decided without a second thought to leave the building he once stayed with Ryuzu Mayer as he tries to leave the Sanctuary itself.
'I gotta get outta here! Don't wanna deal with th't thing again!'
As Garfiel was running through the forest, he noticed that the entire area was beginning to get too foggy for him to see. Despite this, he just kept running through since he didn't want to deal with the same nightmare he had the last few times. After a few minutes of running in the fog, he oddly ended up finding himself in the old Roswaal mansion.
"Eh? How da hell did my amazin' self got here?!"
Garfiel looked around with confusion as he knew that this place was destroyed, making him question why his dream had moved him from the Sanctuary to the Roswaal mansion. Before he could even think of an answer, he heard humming sounds.
This caused him to pause as he felt like he knew this humming sound. He looked at the direction of the humming noise to see that there was a fog covering the one causing the humming sound.
The Demi human boy saw a figure and immediately knew who it was, prompting him to turn towards his back side, knowing that he could run as far away as possible. Although this was a choice, Garfiel decided to stay and fight since this was his dream.
"Th's time I'll kick yer ass outta my head, annoying bitch!"
"My My, seems like you have quite the temper."
"...grr!"
Garfiel held his arms up, ready to finish what he started a while back just as the figure appeared from the fog, preparing her blades for battle.
"I told ya once, I'll tell ya again. Doesn't matter how many times it takes, I will kill yer ass!"
"My My, please make this fun!"
Garfiel approached his opponent and managed to land a punch with everything he had, sending his opponent flying for a moment before she managed to land on the ground on her two feet. The second this happens, she charges at him and begins swinging her blades. Garfiel dodges them but for some reason, his body begins to slow down as if he was cursed.
'Th'hell?! Why's my body movin' slow?!'
As Garfiel was using every bit of strength to move quickly, his opponent closed in on him with her weapon ready to cut him open.
"Let me see those bowels!"
"Ghk!"
"Hey! Get up!"
Garfiel heard this before opening his eyes once he felt something softly hit his head in the real world, causing him to awaken from the nightmare. As he does this, by accident he headbutts Naofumi, causing the Shield Hero to be annoyed. It takes the demi human boy a couple of seconds before he realizes what happened.
"Eh...sorry 'bout th't boss man. Didn't see ya there."
"...it's fine, just watch where you move next time."
"Hehe...my bad...wait." Garfiel takes a look around and notices that Filo and Raphtalia weren't in their bed. "Where did th'girls go?"
"They must've gone out to do something. Right now we should focus on you, Garfiel. You were having a nightmare, weren't you?" Naofumi spoke in a father-like tone, somewhat concerned for his ally. Garfiel paused for a moment as he tried to control his rage, disliking the nightmare he was awakened from.
"My amazin' self'll be fine. No need t'worry."
"I can tell that you are lying, Garfiel Tinsel."
Garfiel just stared at the shield hero for a moment, seeing that he can't hide his emotions well like his captain. He just looks at his hands, having to remember just how harsh the original battle with the woman from his nightmare was.
"*Sigh* There was th's bitch in black who tried t'kill my big sis and an innocent girl. Cap'n had to knock some sense into me so I could save my big sis but th't bitch was tough t'kill. Even though she's dead, she's been in my dreams for th'past few weeks."
"That's...quite the foe." Naofumi said as he was intrigued by what he was hearing.
"I guess. She was a crazy gut loving bitch."
"Hm..." Naofumi closed his eyes as he processed what he was hearing from the demi human boy. He knew that he had a couple of hardships to deal with but not to the extent he was hearing.
A crazy woman who likes guts, he is unsure now who is worse, the bitch Garfiel was describing or Malty the bitch. Despite that being a thought, he started to think about how Raphtalia on those first few days with him was struggling to overcome her past. He thought that might be the case with Garfiel too but upon further thinking, he knew this wasn't the case.
"Do you think that you might have regretted killing her?" The Shield Hero asked with a curious tone, wondering if this might be the case. To his surprise though, Garfiel responded with:
"Nah, th't crazy bitch deserved it. I gave her a chance t'change but she choose to keep fightin' my amazin' self."
"Then you are afraid of her."
"What?!"
Garfiel shouts as he hates hearing that. The only people he may be allowed to have some fear are his crush and his captain to a degree.
"I'm not afraid of that crazy bitch!"
"Okay, no need to be a little brat. You aren't a kid anymore. But in all seriousness, it looks to me like you are just still stressed from the fight. You aren't probably afraid of this woman but you are afraid of what she could've done. The people you care about, how they could've gotten hurt. That's probably what it means seeing her in your dreams."
"..." Garfiel stood silent as he thought carefully on what Naofumi said to him, feeling like this might be true since he doesn't know himself why he has to constantly deal with Elsa in his dreams. He kept his arms crossed while he reluctantly said, "I guess."
"I can't say much since I obviously don't know what happened but I will say that everything will be alright. I can guarantee you that. Your sister and your friends will be alright. She's gone, Garfiel."
"Yea...yer right...my big sis, cap'n, brotto, Ram, th'old hag, and th'rest. Their going t'be aight."
Garfiel smiled as he thought back on those not only from Sanctuary but from the Emilia camp as well, knowing that as long as his captain is there, they will be alright. He did, after all, put his entire faith in him. Naofumi just patted the boy in the back before turning towards his bed, still exhausted from the long trip.
"Ya going back t'bed? Ain't ya gonna wait fer th'girls?"
"They'll be fine. I trust them." Naofumi says this with his face turned away from the demi human boy, wanting to not show the smile on his face as he thinks about Raphtalia and Filo. Garfiel noticed this and just shrugged his own question off as he prepared to go to bed once again, also trusting that Filo and Raphtalia would be alright on their own. He went back to bed and closed his eyes for the remainder of the night, managing to sleep peacefully.
The next morning comes around with Garfiel waking up first, managing to have slept well thanks to the talk between him and Naofumi the previous night. As he is getting up, he could hear the door to the room open to reveal Raphtalia and Filo.
"Mornin' girls."
"Hey Garf!" Filo said with a happy tone.
"Morning to you, Garfiel." Raphtalia spoke with a respectful tone.
"Ya two got boss man a gift, didn't ya?" Garfiel spoke with a serious though slightly teasing manner. The two girls were a little surprised by this yet they nodded at him.
"Yes but we also managed to get you something." Raphtalia said, which caught Garfiel off guard.
"Eh, really?" The demi human boy spoke with a surprised tone.
"Yes!" Filo responds as she goes to give the boy the box. Garfiel looks at it for a moment before opening it, noticing that the context inside was a necklace, one with what appeared to be a crystal.
"We wanted to appreciate your help, Garf. You are not only our ally but our friend and...well, thank you for always being on Naofumi-sama's side."
Garfiel was at a pause for a moment, noticing that this crystal is not only green but it gives off some good luck vibes. He goes to put it on with the two girls watching him, hoping it does fit the boy. Once the boy puts it on, he looks at it with a smile on his face, appreciating the kindness the two girls were giving him. He turned towards the two to bow with respect while saying,
"Thank you, I like it."
"Really?" Filo asked with a curious tone of voice while her eyes glowed with happiness. Garfiel saw this and couldn't help but smile as he nodded with confidence. Filo cheered with Raphtalia having a smile on her face.
"...what's going on?" Naofumi said as he was starting to wake up. Raphtalia and Filo immediately approached him to also give him a gift. They handed him a box, causing Naofumi to open it, finding an expensive looking tool.
"For me?" Naofumi asked.
"Yep."
"Filo and I picked it out. We thought you might want a tool to help you craft metals."
"I do...But wasn't this pretty expensive?"
"It's a token of our gratitude to you for always taking such good care of us." Raphtalia says this with her tail wiggling, something Garfiel took note of.
"Yep. A gift for you, Master." Filo said with an excited tone of voice.
"Thanks." Naofumi says with a genuine tone of voice while also beginning to stand up. "I'll make good use of it. Also..."
Naofumi pauses himself as he goes to pat the two girls in the head, wanting to show his appreciation to the two. Garfiel smiled at this sweet scene, knowing that this group has a strong family bond. This eventually made him think of the Emilia camp, how he misses them, especially Natsuki Subaru and Otto Suwen, his two best friends and brothers.
'I wonder how Brotto'n Cap'n'r'doin'?'
As he thinks on those two, he hears Naofumi tell Raphtalia and Filo:
"Both of you, go take a dip in the hot spring."
The two girls were surprised for a moment before they started to giggle. Naofumi and Garfiel both take this moment to look at their gifts, both appreciating what they were given. Eventually the two heard Raphtalia say,
"Right, Filo?"
"Yep!"
Naofumi was confused by this, causing him to tilt with a confused facial expression while Garfiel chuckled, knowing that Raphtalia is trying to win the Shield Hero's heart though he also noticed that Filo seems to also have feelings for the Shield Hero.
'Hm...could he be like Cap'n? Lolimancer?'
This was a question he pondered for the remainder of the day as he helped prepare the wagon while Raphtalia and Filo went to the hot springs to refresh themselves before they go off on their next journey. While Garfiel and Naofumi waited for Raphtalia and Filo to be done, the two had a chance to chat in private once more.
"Did you manage to sleep better after our talk?"
"Yea, th't crazy bitch didn't appear again."
"Just try to remember that she is gone, she won't hurt you or your friends anymore."
"I know. My amazin' self took her out."
Naofumi noticed the pride Garfiel had for himself, causing him to chuckle a bit since he expected this from someone who's age matches one of a middle schooler. The two continued to wait until finally the two girls joined the pair.
"Where are we going next, Naofumi-sama?" Raphtalia asked. Naofumi stood silent for a moment before responding to her question while he was closing his eyes and crossing his arms,
"East."
"Ah, so Sword Hero's place." Garfiel said as he recalled that Ren was in the East.
"Yes. It is possible we might cross paths with him." Naofumi said in a blank expression.
"Well then, let's get movin'."
As Garfiel said this, they all start to get on the wagon with Filo going into her filolial form in order to pull the wagon. As they were leaving, Garfiel and Raphtalia both take a look at the town they were in one last time before going back into the wagon, knowing that it'll be a long ride.