Shield Hero: A New Hero

Chapter 6

One week later

Walking through the streets of Melromarc, I could tell everyone was on edge since the first wave could come any day now. As we walked, I heard a familiar voice. "Mercury, that you?"

I glanced back to see Naofumi walking towards me. Alongside him was a gorgeous demihuman with raccoon ears and tail. "Hey, man. What's up?" I noticed he was wearing some sort of barbarian armor. Somewhat like mine but...green. "I like the new look."

"Yeah..." he rubbed the back of his head. "Been pretty busy."

"I'd bet. I also see that you have a new friend." I turned to his teammate. Holding my hand out, the girl placed her hand in mine. "Mercury."

"Raphtalia." she replied.

"Pleasure to meet you."

She smiled before pulling her hand away. "So, Naofumi, where'd you meet her?"

"Oh, uh, I actually found her...in a slave trade..?" he rubbed the back of his head.

"She's a slave?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Master Naofumi treats me really well." Raphtalia told me. "I don't want you getting the wrong idea."

"I know he wouldn't do anything suspect. I've known him since birth, basically." I told her. "But I guess after what happened, you didn't really have a choice but to get a slave, huh, Naofumi?"

"Yeah...not proud of it, but yeah."

"Oh, I wanted to ask, have you figured out what these 'legendary' weapons can do?" I pulled out my dagger. "I'm not entirely sure how mine works."

"I don't know about your dagger, but I can put ingredients, plants, a piece of a monster, you name it, into the jewel on my shield and I get some sort of power from what it takes in." he told me. "Pretty useful."

"Huh." I noticed a small jewel on the bottom of the hilt. "You mean this?" he nodded in reply. "Guess I'll have to try that some time." I sheathed my weapon. "Thanks, man."

"Yeah, anytime."

"So, where ya headed?" I asked.

"We were just about to head to the Dragon hourglass." Naofumi replied.

"Dragon hourglass?"

"So no one told you either." he shrugged. "The Dragon hourglass counts down until the wave. We're about to go see how much time we have left to prepare."

"Wanna come with us?" Raphtalia offered.

"Sure."

Following Naofumi, we headed for the church of the 3 heroes. Heading inside, one of the priestesses took us to the hourglass. It was massive.

Looking up at the hourglass, a beam of light suddenly shot out from Naofumi's shield to the hourglass. Once the beam faded, a number appeared on the hourglass, counting down. "20 hours before the wave? Is that even-"

"Is that Naofumi I see?"

I saw Naofumi turn to see who it was. Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out. "...shit."

Turning around, there, standing a few feet away, was Motoyasu, Myne, and the rest of his party. Along with him was Ren and Itsuki. "Don't tell me you're still using that flimsy equipment."

"Do you know who these people are, master Naofumi?" Raphtalia asked. Naofumi didn't reply as he went to walk by.

"Hey, sir Motoyasu is talking to you, Naofumi." Myne said.

"And no one was talking to you." I shot back as I followed Naofumi.

Naofumi stopped when he saw Ren and Itsuki, gritting his teeth at them. "Hi, there." I looked back to see Motoyasu talking to Raphtalia. "I'm Motoyasu Kitamura, the spear hero. Nice to meet ya."

"You're a hero?" Raphtalia asked.

"Wow, you're cute." Motoyasu said as he placed his hands around Raphtalia's.

"Huh?"

"Why are you praising a demihuman, sir Motoyasu?" Myne growled.

"A girl as adorable as you shouldn't have to wield a sword. Allow me to protect you from-."

I walked over and gripped Motoyasu's wrist, forcing him to let go of Raphtalia's hands. "She's already in a party with Naofumi."

Motoyasu just glared at me before yanking his arm away. "We're outta here." Naofumi took Raphtalia's hand and began leaving.

"Come on. You're not gonna tell me you haven't heard any of those rumors going around about him." Motoyasu said.

Naofumi stopped in his tracks. "Rumors?" Naofumi grit his teeth before continuing to walk.

"See you when the wave hits." Itsuki said.

"Just stay out of our way." Ren told him.

Glaring at Motoyasu, he just smirked. "You're a piece of shit, you know that?" I told him before heading for the exit.

Passing by Itsuki, I heard him say something under his breath. "Why let him drag you down, too? You're not the one who forced himself on a woman."

"What did you say?" I turned to face him.

"He's right." Ren agreed. "You don't have to be known as-"

"Screw the both of you!" I growled. "Naofumi is more trustworthy than anyone else in this damn country! You know what? If Naofumi did force himself on Myne, you'd think she'd be more scared of him. But instead, she's acting like a bitchy ex-girlfriend." I pushed my shoulder into Itsuki's as I walked by. "See you pricks during the wave."

The following night

Pacing back and forth, I was still pissed at those other 3 'heroes'. Makoto was sitting on the bed, her hands placed on her lap. I didn't say anything, too pissed to know what to say.

Feeling a hand grab mine, I looked over to see Makoto staring at me, her hair white. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." she shook her head. "Huh?"

She kept staring at me. After a few seconds, I realized her eyes weren't filled with fear but with worry. "I'm okay." I told her.

She looked to the bed and patted the spot next to her. Deciding it'd be best to try and calm down, I sat down next to her.

As I sat down, I felt her gently place her hand on my head, gently pulling. "What are you-?" not fighting it, she laid my head down on her lap and began gently stroking my hair.

I felt all my anger disappear like it was never there. All my worries, gone. I felt...comfortable. Like everything I ever wanted was right here.

And before I knew it, I passed out.

End of chapter 6