Disclaimer
The following is a fan-based Fiction.
Rising of the Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi
Please support the official release.
Righteous Anger
Misato, Dusk and S'yne run on the rooftops of the castle, avoiding the majority of the guards, as running through the halls would only slow them down. Misato looks at the arrow pointing straight ahead, slightly curved down, indicating Melty is likely in front of them but below.
The arrow turns right and Misato follows, climbing over the ridge of the roof, sliding down on the other side with S'yne and Dusk right behind him. The Gun Hero sprints right over another ridge, sliding down, he sees something glint from the sunlight and he raises a shield gun.
A knife bounces off the shield.
"Enemy shadows!" Dusk yells out, dashing to the side avoiding a set of thrown knives and S'yne raises a ball of yarn on her palm.
"Spider Net"
A large thin net appears over the group of enemies, trapping them. Misato quickly transforms his weapon to a straight sword with a shotgun attachment, slashing through the trapped shadows along with S'yne and her scissors.
Misato has little ammo now, he needs to use his bullets as least as possible. He has plenty of bows that he copied from Itsuki but he never did archery before, and he doesn't have Itsuki's esper power. Even using a crossbow can be inconsistent in accuracy compared to a gun.
"Where did they go now?" Dusk asks and Misato looks at the arrow, it is now pointed straight down, rotating.
"We're on top of them, where are we Dusk?" Misato says urgently.
"If I remember correctly, we are on top of the winding stairs."
"Any windows?"
"On almost every floor there is a window."
Misato turns to S'yne. "I'm assuming you're capable of creating nearly invisible net traps?"
The Sewing Set Hero gives the Gun Hero a simple nod.
"Go to the bottom, set the trap." S'yne leaps off the roof, using her wires and threading to slow her descent. Misato observes her fall, seeing the windows near the staircase.
Misato turns to Dusk with a grin. "Follow my lead!" He says, firing a grappling gun at the roof, locking it in, he places the gun on his lower back and leaps off.
The Gun Hero runs down the building, observing the windows, the arrow in his vision becomes straight, indicating Melty's location is at the same level as him, at the third floor. Misato grabs the grappling gun, twisting his body around and leaps off the wall, swinging right into the window.
Misato rolls on the wooden floor and winces, feeling the glass shards threatening to pierce through his clothing. Movies made this look much cooler than it actually is. He groans, standing up, he runs to the stairs, going down quickly as he can, leaping over the railings and onto the next set of stairs. The Gun Hero jumps down to the second floor, finding a group of shadows with a child dressed in blue in their arms. They move down the stairs.
He runs after them but something dark moves in the corners of his eyes, he leans back, hearing the sound of a knife singing in the air, flying past in front of his eyes. The Gun Hero raises a shield gun, blocking the other knife with a loud clang, he observes his opponents seeing three shadows against him.
He raises the Shadow Pistol, firing the silenced gun.
Twip! Twip! Twip!
A shadow goes down from a headshot, the second gets hit in the shoulder and the third collapses from a chest shot. The last shadow throws a knife with the other arm in spite of their injury, but they are way off missing Misato by a meter.
Misato fires the grappling gun, hooking the fallen shadow behind the last, dragging their body to trip them. The last shadow falls over on their back, and they are dragged towards Misato with their dead comrade.
The Shadow throws the knife but Misato catches it, grabbing the handle, the grapple gun transforms into a rifle with a bayonet. He stabs the shadow, killing them and looks at the knife he caught in amazement.
He actually caught that? Misato doesn't see the gemstone on his gun glowing as he looks at the knife. He turns to see Dusk finally catch up and he drops the knife, continuing his pursuit.
"Stay back! I will kill her!" A feminine voice screams down at the bottom floor. Misato and Dusk reach the last set of stairs, seeing several shadows stuck against some wire, bleeding, likely dead, and S'yne dual wielding two halves of a scissor like a pair of swords, staring at a shadow holding a knife at Melty's throat.
Misato raises a sniper rifle, and clicks his tongue. Even with the most accurate gun and skills, it's too risky, Melty isn't in his party, he could accidentally kill her… Rubber or tranquilizers won't do either, too inaccurate and the shadow might slit her throat if they do hit.
The Church shadow raises Melty and the knife towards Misato, warning him as they slowly walk backwards through the hallway. His stats are higher than the Shadow, his bullets would fly faster than she can react, her level is only 60 like the ones who died earlier. The only risk is hitting Melty or the knife cutting into her by accident…
The Princess groans, opening her eyes, somehow awake. "Huh- Guh!" The shadow tightens their hold on Melty, nearly strangling the Princess.
"Stay back!" The church shadow screeches, and a tear falls out of Melty's eye, raising her hand at Misato, silently screaming for help. Misato's chest tightens at the sight but now that the crown princess is awake, he has an opportunity…
The Gun Hero's amber eyes stare directly into Melty's eyes. The Princess gasps, she reaches out with her pointer finger, tapping at thin air.
Melty has joined the party!
"Your belief is wrong, the fact that you try to hide the truth only proves everyone how rotten it is… So much for being holy and righteous." Misato says, spitting on the ground.
The Church Shadow points her knife at Misato, away from Melty, trembling in rage. "YOU-
TwipTwipTwipTwipTwip!
Misato fires a silenced assault rifle, blasting the shadow's face and hand, the bullets pierce through the hand but bounces off Melty, allowing her to push herself away from the assassin with a cry. Dusk sprints towards the Princess hugging her.
"Princess are you alright?" Dusk asks, inspecting for wounds.
"Y-yes, but I'm still a bit tired…" Melty replies, rubbing her eyes and she presses a hand on her chest. Misato and S'yne observe each end of the hallway.
Misato crouches near Melty and Dusk, not turning his back to the end of the hallway. "Nice to finally meet you Princess, I'm Misato, how did you wake up?"
"I'm Melty Melromarc, and before they knocked me out, I also swallowed a drug that can help me wake up from the sleep potion's effects quicker." Melty explains.
"Good job, Dusk, is there any hidden tunnel or room nearby?"
"Yes, at the end of this hallway to the right there is a hidden room for us Shadows to go into." Dusk answers.
Misato nods. "Okay, we need to hide and rest, Dusk you take point, S'yne you're right behind him, Princess you're with me and I'll cover the rear."
The four move silently through the hall, Misato occasionally observing the back and keeping Melty close to him. Dusk raises his fist, stopping them, peeking at the corner, he nods and moves.
They enter a room with a few bookshelves, vases, two couches and a small table. Misato comes in last, quietly closing the door, he turns observing the room as Dusk and S'yne quickly close the blinds.
"I guess we pull a certain book and a secret door opens?" Misato inquires.
"We wouldn't make such a ridiculous switch." Dusk replies, raising a hand against an inconspicuous wall, a circle, perhaps a rune, appears, glowing light purple and an outline of a man size rectangle lights up. "This way, through the wall."
Misato moves his hand and it phases through, an illusion. The Gun Hero walks through it confidently. He blinks, now seeing a dim dusty stone room, with a few wooden chairs and a single table with a few wooden cups on it, covered in some cloth. Melty, S'yne and Dusk come through as well.
"How is this less risky?" Misato asks, curious of how the door works as he takes a seat along with the others.
"The rune is coded to a single password exclusive to this room, without it the wall is solid and the room is sound resistant, but I advise you to still whisper." Dusk whispers. "I will guard the front, and if I hear anyone I will warn you." The Shadow says walking out.
"Thank you Dusk." Melty says and she turns to Misato, looking directly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Sir Misato Morgan, Projectile Hero, but the situation is not ideal…" Melry says and Misato shakes his head, handing Melty a cup of water he filled from the pouch in his inventory.
"Nope." Misato confirms.
Melty takes a sip with a sigh. "What happened after I was knocked out and kidnapped?"
"Before I answer your question…" Misato pokes his pistol on S'yne's rib. "What do you want?"
"But she helped us!" Melty whispers. "Your weapon invited her!"
"Yes, but there is more to S'yne than meets the eye, and I prefer to clear the air while we still can. Our hero weapons are good but they are definitely not omniscient or potent, it might have made a mistake so I want to make sure…" Misato explains.
Afterall, these are the same weapons that seem to make questionable decisions like choosing their heroes, believing a bunch of young hormonal men who were traumatized could save the world… How can he trust in weapons like that? Even Misato doesn't fully trust Legendary Gun.
S'yne doesn't flinch, and turns her head, facing Misato, slowly raising her hand showing a small ball of yarn, the size of a badge, made of grass, seemingly harmless, so it seems anyway.
"To he*p."
"Why? How do I know you're not some otherworld assassin deceiving us, seeking to save her homeworld by sacrificing another world to the waves by killing our local Cardinal Heroes?" Like Glass, the Vassal Fan Hero. Melty gasps at the question, confused.
S'yne frowns.
"What?" Misato asks, why does she look so sad? S'yne pauses taking a breath, clenching her hand.
…
"I… I ha*e no w*rld any*ore…" S'yne answers, Misato eyes widened and a migraine erupts.
His gun arm slacks and his other hand presses against his forehead trying to suppress the pain. His vision turns black.
Misato sees Forrest being carried by a large knight in robust armor, nearly twice his size, over their shoulder. Carrying him to what looks like a military car with a turret on the back across a battlefield. His predecessor looks up seeing the waves near the ground approaching them, destroying the land, an injured soldier in simple metal armor, crawling to him. The soldier looks at him, arms raised as the waves come closer to him.
"HELP PLEASE HE-AGHHH!"
The soldier screams as his body is disintegrated by the waves. Not even leaving behind dust.
Misato's vision turns black but hears a woman speaking before he hears static.
"YOU'RE THE LAST CARDINAL HERO!"
Misato gasps, a tear falls out of his eye, he looks into S'yne's eyes.
He can see it in her eyes… The pain, the loss, the guilt, just like Forrest… The eyes of someone who lost to the waves. Someone who failed to save the world.
S'yne is more than an otherworldly hero, she is a Survivor of a fallen world, like Forrest…
It's why the Legendary Gun invited her to the party, because it knew… It understands her intentions, it is clear as daylight! He's such an idiot!
Misato places the Gun on the table. "I…I-I a-am s-so s-sorry…" He says, trembling.
"I*s ok*y to be ca*tio*us of me." S'yne dismisses.
"No. I meant what y-you lost… I am so s-sorry for what you lost…" Misato clarifies.
S'yne eyes widened.
"D-do… Y-you need a h-hug?" Misato asks, hesitantly raising his arms.
S'yne slowly places the ball of yarn, her weapon, on the table, and raises her hand. Misato grabs hold and feels her hand clench tightly on his. Sensing the mood, Melty sits there silently, observing the two.
A minute later, S'yne let's go with a sigh.
"Are you okay now?" Misato asks.
"Y-y*s…" S'yne nods, the two stare at each other silently.
"Who are you?" Melty asks S'yne.
"She is an otherworld hero, who came from a world that was destroyed by the waves… She's here to help us fight it, let's leave it at that for now…" Misato answers, Melty's jaw drops.
"But-"
"Drop it…" Misato interrupts, his tone suggesting no argument.
Melty nods "What has happened when I was knocked out?" Melty asks.
"Once you got that tracker bullet, my weapon zapped me awake, informing me it was activated, it likely knew you were in danger." Misato explains.
Melty's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Well, my weapon isn't that much of a prick like the others, it never zapped me before, so for it to wake me up like that means it knew something was wrong, and well it was right, the Crown Princess of Melromarc was kidnapped." Misato says, gesturing towards Melty.
"Mother would like to hear about this." Melty remarks, intrigued by Misato's gun. Her mother always often spent time researching as much as she could learn about heroes, curious of their capabilities.
Misato continues. "Before I could leave, a group of guards came to take me in for questioning by the orders of the King."
"But they can't do that, we have a decree that you cannot be arrested by father's or sister's orders. It would count as treason." Melty says and Misato's eyes widened.
So the Queen did listen to his warnings and came prepared for very specific bullshit for Melty to prevent.
"Guess some were willing to risk it since the next Queen of Melromarc was missing. In their eyes, the risk was worth it, besides the King likely wanted to ask 'questions', not arrest me… Nooooo, not at allll…" Melty rolls her eyes at Misato's sarcasm. "I saw another group recording us, right when I realized it was a trap… A fanatic guard committed an explosive suicide, taking the others with him and framing me."
"They would go that far?" Melty gasps.
"Their reputation and trustworthiness has been questioned as of late, particularly the Church's teachings about how Three Heroes are Pro-human exclusively, and how the Shield is the demon. All of which is a load of bullshit." Melty grimaces at Misato's choice of words but nods.
"But why? What good does it do for everyone to be fighting like this when the fate of the world is at stake?"
"Because some people would rather damn the entire world to keep their little bubble safe… Some would rather die foolishly thinking they are right than admit they are wrong and live. In their minds, they prefer Death than the Truth." Misato concludes.
Melty stares at him, eyes wide, mouth agape, trying to comprehend the concept.
"... People like them…" Forrest says bitterly, but Misato doesn't see anything, only darkness.
The Present Gun Hero shakes his head, rubbing his forehead, trying to soothe the sudden headache.
What was that?
S'yne and Melty look at him in concern.
"Perhaps your mind is still recovering, your weapon did force you to awaken, so you haven't fully healed." Melty says.
"Maybe…" Misato frowns. But why did he not see anything and why did Forrest sound so bitter and angry? He pours himself a cup of water from the water pouch, taking a drink. He puts the cup down with a sigh, looking at Melty. "Any other questions?"
"How did you defeat the Church Army by yourself?" Melty asks and S'yne nods, both silently staring with rapt attention.
"Wait what? I didn't defeat them…" Misato says and he looks at the Vassal Hero. "Didn't you and the Shadows save me after I passed out inside the carriage from the smoke?"
S'yne shakes her head and Melty stares, trying to see if he is lying.
"You don't recall what you did…" Melty states.
"I remember killing quite a few as I was trying to get away, but then blacked out from the lack of air… What are you talking about?"
"Misato…You killed them, you killed them all."
The Gun Hero's shoulders slack. "W-what? But… I don't remember, I don't recall killing that many… W-Why?"
Dusk returned, hiding as a searching party inspected the room next to them and didn't find the door to the hidden room. Using some of Rifana and Keel's old clothes, Melty dresses herself, removing her sleepwear, while Misato looks at his 'Help' Menu.
Esper Power Manifestation
Create any Esper power, any power unlocked will grow alongside the hero.
Note: Doesn't use MP, SP or EP.
After unlocking a power, you must wait 3 days to recharge.
Recommended Esper powers to unlock:
Esper Forcefield.
Intention Sensor.
Perception Filter
Interesting... What's Esper Forcefield?
Esper Forcefield:
Shields created by Esper energy to protect you from damage all over your body.
Warning: Has a durability limit and partially negates the feeling of pain.
Durability: 50 points.
+100 Defense
+50 Resistance
Once broken, you can recharge it again with 50 SP after 2 minutes.
Potential Growth: Durability and Pain Negation.
Isn't this an Esper version of Aura from Rwby but purely defensive? That sound really good actually, would make up for his dismal defenses. What about the others?
Intention Sensor:
The ability to sense the intentions good or ill of an individual.
Radius: 1 meter.
You can only sense a single person.
+100 Total Soul
+50 Total Mana
Warning: Stronger minded individuals might be able to hide their intent.
Potential Growth: Radius of effect, and Amount of people.
So, like Ace and Fitoria, Misato would be able to sense someone's intentions but right now its pitifully weak. Not certain about getting this one yet, it would be a little bit redundant with Ace and Fitoria in the team.
Perception Filter:
Can alter and or tempt viewers to look away from the user.
Duration: 1 Minute.
+100 Total Mana
+50 Total Soul
Tip: You can shut it off to let it recharge, regaining seconds.
Once the timer runs out, after 20 seconds, user can use 50 SP to refill timer.
Only the user can use it, it cannot be shared yet.
Warning: Stronger minded individuals might be able to see past the filter.
Only Party members can see you.
Potential Growth: Time limit, and the amount of people this power can be shared.
Isn't this like the same thing as Doctor Who? But he has a time limit, he can't use it forever and it can only work on him right now. Can't use it hide his party and escape right now.
Misato thinks about the amount of danger has been in the past, the amount of damage he received. The fall, the army, now this? Defense is his lowest stat, even with the help of the Gun Shield Hybrid Series increasing the defense point gains per level up, it is still concerning.
Esper Forcefield unlocked!
Misato grabs a rock from his inventory and throws it hard into his thigh. The rock bounces off some white light and hits the floor.
Esper Forcefield 99%
"Hell… Ya…" Misato grins.
Misato inspects the Dragon Emperor Gun, and it's… A fucking chaingun, that comes with an energy shield like its from DOOM, maybe because 'he' crafted it when fighting off the fanatics after he passed out? That's if 'he'did it?! Misato still can't recall what the hell happened!
Although it would also explain how 'he' supposedly defeated that army, sort of…
He also has this freeze gun, which can combo off of explosive attacks or intense heat. Reminds him of Mass Effect 3, neat.
Mini-Teleport Gun Unlocked!
Level Requirements met!
Using this gun, firing a bullet will teleport you to where the bullet landed.
Ammo: SP.
Misato pulls out the Mini-Teleport Gun, its a large revolver with a scope completely made out of glass, reminding him of the gun, El Diablo from The Last of Us. Although he expected to get a Portal Gun from Valve, this is nice too.
L39i9n0r5p0tA81a?kccc333 0F Th3 Gun Series:
Recharging: 30% complete.
Passive Effect Activated: Combat Assistance.
Okay, time to find out what the passive effect does.
Combat Assistance:
When in combat, this series will improve:
Reaction speed.
Critical thinking.
Hero's technique and form.
Focus.
Note: It partially suppresses emotions, so the Hero is more likely to be calm in intense situations.
Misato frowns, this series… It actually explains quite a few things. Like why he is decent in battle considering he was just an untrained civilian before he died. He had the passive effect active a long time ago, before they split off from Fitoria, and considering what he pulled off in the past, it is VERY helpful.
But it makes him feel so conflicted, yes he can see what it affects, it ONLY improves, so the Gun isn't brainwashing him, right?
The Gun Hero slaps his cheeks. No time to overthink it, if anything, he should welcome this ability because he definitely needs it, now more than ever.
"Sir Misato, we should speak to my father." Melty says.
"Not likely to happen… A certain stupid red head would likely claim you were brainwashed by me using the so-called 'demon's power'..." Misato counters dryly, recalling the majority of Malty's antics in the show.
"But if we managed to speak to father, even if it meant silencing my sister, we could clear up the matter."
Misato lifts his eyebrow, surprised by Melty's elegant suggestion of shutting her sister's trap, in fact Melty here seems to not underestimate how bad her father and sister are as much as she seemed to do in the show.
Misato sighs. "Even if we told him the truth without that bitch in the way, he would be too conflicted to agree, he would most likely not agree at all, even if it's you telling him face to face. He's probably too angry right now to be reasoned with especially after my framing. So enraged that it consumed him… The emotion is so powerful he forgets or ignores things he finds important like you and your mother."
Misato has been there before, when he got too emotional, so he yelled and misbehaved despite his parents lecturing him the same thing so many times over and over, because Misato can 'get so high' on anger, he forgets the lecture and gets caught up in the moment. Thankfully he was just a child and he never crossed serious lines even when he was angry.
"When you're angry, it's so easy to forget things that are important, like to consider or think about others. When that rage consumes you, you only have one goal in mind, and the temptation to accomplish it by any means necessary would be high. In your father's mind that's to destroy the Shield Hero and anyone who stands in his way." Misato concludes.
His theory does make sense, the guy is too prideful and easy to anger. When Naofumi was, somewhat righteously, disrespectful to the King after fighting Glass, the petty asshole threatened to torture Filo and Raphtalia.
Bastard first claimed he wanted to 'help' Raphtalia before, but then he acted petty when Naofumi challenged his power, calling out his weakness, unintentionally poke a nerf about his inability to wield the Staff, and so the King revealed his true thoughts over the wonderful girl. He thinks she was just another way to punish the Shield Hero for just living.
And he did all of this, while ignoring letters from his wife telling him to knock the fuck off with his schemes. Which is quite a glaring oversight, considering what happened in the show.
"But father would never hurt me." Melty says confidently.
"That is likely true." Misato concedes "But the people who fan your father's rage won't let that happen, they would kill you to make him even more angry, and to not see the truth. Even if we did manage to talk to him, he would argue, wasting our time, giving more time to sabotagers and traitors to mess everything up with the King."
"But-"
Misato pokes Melty's forehead, interrupting her. "Princess, I can't risk the Future of Melromarc and the Future of The World, by staying here any longer."
…
Melty remains silent at that statement.
"Maybe if all the other Cardinal Heroes were here, or the Queen, or Fitoria, I could risk the conversation, but no, it's just me, even IF I did take on that army alone, there are so many more people here, intending to get in our way, it is too risky."
"We. Are. Leaving…" Misato states, poking Melty harder with each word, leaving no room for argument. He turns, walking to the secret tunnel with Dusk waiting for them.
"… Melty…"
"Hm?" Misato turns to the Princess.
"Call me Melty…" The Princess says firmly, staring into Misato's eyes.
Misato huffs in amusement. "Very well, Melty, just drop the 'sir' nonsense." He says, doing a mocking bow, he turns back to the tunnel, missing Melty's small grin.
The tunnels aren't connected all over the castle, it was designed this way to prevent the enemy from discovering one of the hidden tunnels and infiltrating the castle completely. Due to this, Misato's party has to go outside of the tunnels to go into the next secret room and get to the tunnel that leads to the outside of the castle. Misato and S'yne already tried teleportation but they can't bring the group outside, the enemy is jamming their teleportation.
Fortunately, they met up with several friendly shadows, including Dawn and the Queen's top shadow, the 'Dare Sayer'. Now they are close to the exit, a tunnel that goes out to Castle Town. They just need to go through the hallway, go downstairs, past ten rooms and into the last one, then they are halfway to freedom.
Unfortunately, they are near to the fucking courtyard.
"Why was it designed like this?" Misato asks, irritated.
"I dare say if the enemy found the tunnel, it would be easier to guard and capture." The Shadow says.
"At least the King doesn't know about this one…"
"..."
None of the shadows say anything.
"You can't be serious…"
"Calm yourself, the King is aware of all of them, but he can't block all of them, the other shadows will distract the search parties from this one, making the King believe we escaped through a different tunnel. They won't expect us to take the easy to defend tunnel."
Misato sighs at this. "Okay, you lead, I'll be behind you, Melty you're in between me and S'yne, Dawn, Dusk watch everyone's backs."
The lead Shadow walks cautiously to the door, only to see another shadow phase through the illusion but they have the symbol of the Three Heroes Church on their chest. Friendly in disguise?
"In here!" The shadow yells and the Queen's shadow stabs them in the throat, too late. Misato blindfires a few quiet bursts from his silenced assault rifle through the illusion, hitting a few.
"Get back!" Misato says and they move.
"No good!" Dusk yells as he and Dawn engage a few enemy shadows at the back.
"What the fuck is this luck?!" Misato yells. He turns back to the near exit, raising a shielded shotgun. "Shield Pair up." The replica of Naofumi's first shield appears on his other arm."I'm bulldozing this!"
The Gun Hero runs through the illusionary door shields first, ramming into a cloaked figure into the window with a loud smash. A Church shadow swipes at Misato's neck but he ducks it, transforming the Shielded shotgun into a sword with a pistol near the blade and slices through the shadow's stomach while dodging their attack. He stabs their chest and looks around.
Another shadow swipes with a knife but Misato karate chops their arm, immediately after the deflection, the gun reappears in his hand in a reverse grip as the Chimera Viper Pistol, and Misato stabs the shadow on the throat.
The body drops and Misato sees the Queen's shadows taking out the church's shadows. Higher in quality indeed.
A guard opens the door and gasps. "The criminal is here!" He yells.
"Stand down!" Melty yells but the guard pays her no mind, swinging his sword at Misato.
The Gun Hero smacks the sword aside with a shielded shotgun and hits the guard's skull, knocking him out like he's wielding a bat. A group of four soldiers run into the room, swords drawn, staring at Misato.
"STOP!" Melty screams standing in front of Misato, arms open but the guards move, not even hesitating with Melty in front of him. They have too much momentum to stop and arrest them. Looking at the faces they are making…
The Gun Hero scowls.
"Deadeye."
TwipTwipTwipTwip!
In Melty's eyes, the soldiers suddenly drop in a few seconds from Misato's rifle. She moves to touch but gasps seeing their dead eyes. She looks at Misato in distress.
"Wha-Why did you kill them? They might have been confused-"
"They didn't lower their swords when you stood in front of me, it looked like they were going to attack, maybe I was wrong but it was too risky, and frankly, I don't have time to care for bastards who don't care…" Misato says, inspecting their body's pulling out a rosary, a clue that adds more weight to his theory of they're allegiance.
"..." Melty frowns, conflicted. "What if you were wrong?"
"And what if I was right?" Misato coldly counters, not in the mood to be nice at the moment.
"…"
Misato looks back at the hidden door, seeing a couch and bookshelf blocking it thanks to S'yne and the shadows. He looks back at the dead bodies and sighs.
If only Fitoria or Ace were here because even he was uncertain if they had malicious intentions…
Misato couldn't take the risk, yes he could have shot their legs and knocked them out but who knew how many more would come from the tunnel.
He saw their eyes, they looked eager…
Right?
Bang! Bang!
The Gun Hero clenches his fist, remembering the eyes of his murderers…
"Let's move." Misato says, raising a silenced pistol, the lead shadows open the door, peeking to look at each end of the hallway and they nod.
Misato's party moves out into the hallway, but suddenly several metallic footsteps echo from both sides, a row of soldiers appear from each corner blocking both directions. The three shadows surround Melty, while Misato stands in front of them in one direction and S'yne covers them in the other direction.
The Gun Hero raises his eyebrow, recognizing the leader of this group, commander asshole, the coward who fired an indiscriminate fire spell on the village without even checking. In fact, he can recognize some of the soldiers, the same soldiers who helped Misato and Naofumi party fight off the Wave monsters in the Riyute village.
"Stand down! Misato is my protector, not my kidnapper!" Melty yells and some of the soldiers falter, lowering their swords. "He was framed, set up! While the real kidnappers took me! Misato rescued me and-
Misato sees the Commander barely hiding a smirk. "Do not listen! The Shield Demon's follower has brainwashed the Princess, and gave her the power to infect-
"OH FUCK YOU!" Misato yells, knowing where this was going, and he raises his gun. "Perfect aim!" Misato yells firing the silenced assault rifle, stopping the nonsensical train.
TwipTwipTwipTwipTwipTwipTwipTwip!
Three bullets pierce the Commander's head, shutting him up forever. He fires a few in front of the row's feet, halting them from charging in panic. Misato spins around, dashing to the other side.
"S'yne switch!" The Vassal Hero nods, swiftly moving to watch the other side and both heroes switch places. Misato fires at the other row, using Perfect aim to take out their weapons, clip their shoulders and legs, stopping the other row from attacking.
He stands next to Melty, raising both arms at each end.
"Dual Wield."
A pair of silenced MP5 guns at each hand, firing a quick spread at their feets.
"Freeze!" Misato yells. "I could kill you all in one move, you saw what I did to your leader!"
"Hold!" the Captain with the scar commands with his fist raised. The same soldier who fought alongside Misato in the Waves,
"If you want to live, I suggest you shut the fuck up and listen!" Misato yells and looks at both sides. "We don't have a brainwashing power, we wouldn't sneak around if we did! I mean come on, if the Church knew the Shield Hero had this power, why didn't they warn everyone sooner? Why NOW? To me, it seems like an awful coincidence to mention such an important detail right when the Shield Hero has started to look more heroic than his crime suggested." The Gun Hero looks directly at the Captain.
"Misato is right, the Church is the one who's wrong, they are lying to all of you." Melty vouches. "We wouldn't be in this situation with such power. Besides you only heard verbal claims of this power correct?"
"…"
The soldiers lower their weapons and stare at the Captain as he thinks deeply of this.
"Therefore, the Church has no physical proof of this brainwashing power. Not only that but what would the Shield Hero have gained from protecting the villagers during the Second Wave? His actions suggest he is a good man! So this must be a scheme, a lie to undermine the Shield Hero and make themselves look true in their teachings!" Melty concludes and Misato smiles. If only Melty or Naofumi in the show said the same thing, bitch can't deny that not without 'breaking character'.
The competent leader nods. "Everyone stand down!" The soldiers sheath their swords, some more reluctantly than the others.
"You're the same captain who helped fight the monsters in the village during the wave right?" Misato asks.
"Yes." The Captain nods.
"Tie up the soldiers in your group who didn't help, I don't trust them." Misato says.
The competent man nods, turning to the soldiers, pointing out the would-be traitors, tying them up and gagging them. While the tied soldiers were being moved into a room, Melty and Misato did their best to explain quickly what had happened and what was going on to the Captain.
"Princess, we were informed of your location before setting the trap, there is likely more people coming." The Captain explains.
"How did they-" Melty sighs "Never mind that now."
"Before we leave, what's your name?" Misato asks.
"Henry." The Captain says.
"Well then, congratulations on your promotion, Commander Henry." Misato says with a wink, walking away.
Melty rolls her eyes but smiles at the exchange.
Afterall, she was planning to ask the Queen to reward Sir Henry anyway, a promotion is the least they could do.
The loyal soldiers of the Royal Army party up with Misato, it's also reassurance that they can't backstab as long as they are in the party. In fact, some assholes tried to be sneaky, but they were dealt with quickly by Misato, S'yne and the shadows. They now have a total of sixteen people in the party. Unfortunately the soldiers range from level 20 to 30, not great but it's better than nothing.
The tunnel back is compromised, it seems like the search parties are located near them after being spotted by Church Shadows.
They went downstairs, the room to the hidden exit tunnel is straight ahead. Commander Henry jogs forward with the rest of the soldiers, while Misato, Melty, S'yne and the shadows trail behind them.
A fence made of lightning appears.
"Get back!" Henry yells.
"Sir we can't go back, it's a trap!" The soldier, Ake, yells seeing another fence made of lightning behind the group.
"It's shrinking!" Melty yells and the two walls of lightning close in on the group
"Get away from the window!" Misato yells, tossing his gun through the glass like a brick.
The Gun smashes through it and the two heroes smash all of the remaining glass on the wall.
S'yne places some cloth over the edge, preventing potential cuts from the glass shards on the window and everyone climbs through it, entering the courtyard.
The Gun Hero looks around.
"Fuck…" Misato mutters, their backs are to the solid stone wall and a wooden one with an electric magic fence, on the other side of the courtyard…
There is Malty looking triumphant, with several soldiers surrounding his party, in an almost cone-like shape. Misato sees a squad guarding each of the doors in the courtyard and a row of Church Mages behind Malty.
"My dear sweet Melty, don't worry, your loving big sister will save you from the Shield Demon's brainwashing!" Malty exclaims. Melty clenches her hand on Misato's jacket and the hero raises his arm in front of the Crown Princess. Strange, instead of Naofumi protecting Melty like in the Anime, it's himself.
The Gun Hero glares at the red haired brat. Maybe it's just him but that was the worst smile he has ever seen, a nearsighted person without glasses could see that!
"I call bullshit on that, you just want to kill her so you can take the right to rule Melromarc!" Misato calls out. "You want to kill her and LIE about what happened like you ALWAYS do!"
"Silence you fiend, how dare you brainwash my dear sister!" Malty commands.
"I don't have brainwashing power, if I did I would have ordered you to slap yourself and call yourself a dumbass in public." Misato counters, ignoring Melty pulling his jacket in disapproval.
Malty's eye twitches.
"Misato, what are you doing?!" Melty whispers. "Why are you taunting her?!"
"You know very well it's about to go down soon, I might as well at least make everyone here know how terrible she is, trust me." Misato answers, whispering back. Afterall, they are surrounded, surrender is not an option here.
He doesn't know everyone's allegiance here except his party. Some of these soldiers might have been paid extra, some might be believers of the Three Heroes Church, and some might be good soldiers following orders. Therefore, there is a 33.33% chance that those good soldiers in the courtyard would see Malty's true face and or become skeptical of her personality after they get out of this.
"How astute." The Dare saying Shadow thought in approval.
Everyone in the party looks at him surprised but they nod realizing the situation, and they all tense up, prepared to fight.
"We got your back Sir Misato." Henry whispers, hand on sword. Misato smiles, taking a breath.
"The Church of the Three Heroes have reported that heretics who worship the Shield Demon have started popping up, and these people have praised that monster, a rapist!" Malty exclaims with a false sob. "No one would ever help or believe a rapist would be a hero to look up to and yet here they are! Now you, Willful Follower of the Shield Demon, have taken my sister, was my virginity not good enough for that monster?!"
Misato shrugs nonchalantly. "Okay so where's the evidence of this brainwashing power?"
"Father has it."
"You don't have any copies?" Misato asks, raising his eyebrow, sounding incredulous as best he could.
"There is no need, I am the Princess of Melromarc, I am the trusted future leader of everyone here!"
"Pff" Misato stifles a laugh and points at Malty. "I'm sorry, last I recall, you're not the Crown Princess, it's your little sister." He says pointing at Melty. "By the word of the Queen herself, the most powerful person here on Melromarc." Misato exclaims, raising his arms open and to the sky. Malty's mouth twitches, barely holding back from glaring or scowling at Misato. "Also, you're rumored to be a cheat, a liar, someone dishonorable and untrustworthy to lead this Kingdom." Misato points out, taking control of the situation.
He raises the Recording Gun, showing off Malty interfering in the Duel and scheming with the interferers in the Race.
"This is the same girl who enslaved her fellow humans!" Misato says, showing off a recording of Rino being knocked out and dragged into an illegal slave store, seeing all the trapped humans inside, showing Malty smiling eagerly, looking at the gold coins. Thanks to Shadow Marina.
"Those recordings were altered to make me look bad! This is FALSE." Malty argues.
"Ya and how does everyone know you're not just making that shit up? Including the evidence that suggests brainwashing? In fact, where was that power when Naofumi supposedly raped you? He could have used it to hide that he committed the crime!" Some of the soldier's weapons start to lower from Misato's point.
"At least I got actual evidence for everyone to see and think about it! All you got is just your words alone, when your reputation clearly defines that you are just the Runt of the Royal family at this point. Your words mean nothing anymore!" Misato counters.
Malty grinds her teeth, dropping her 'mask'. Unable to hide her irritation and boiling rage.
"She might be paying you a lot but is it worth it, following this idiot? Especially when the Queen returns, punishing her and anyone associated?" Misato asks the opposing soldiers with a smug smile. "I mean come on, since when did this brat show any promising leadership other than adding more coins to your pockets?" Quite a few soldiers actually faltered at that point, Malty must have used a lot of money from the Royal Vault but even some things are not worth the extra gold.
"You definitely all heard and saw the recordings exposing Malty, do you really want to be associated with this walking catastrophe? A CHILD is more promising than-
"Look out!" Melty screams and Misato raises a Gun Shield blocking a fireball, pushing them back. The good soldiers catch them, stopping them from falling over.
Malty scowls, growling at the Gun Hero.
Everything, the perfect scheme, lie and plan she had, was always ruined by this bastard who thinks he is smart! Always meddling, interfering, even insulting her and getting away with it! NO ONE HAS EVER GOTTEN AWAY INSULTING HER!
Misato WILL. PAY! But first…
"Zweite Hellfire!" Malty yells, firing a quick fire spell at Melty with a sick grin.
Misato swings the Shielded Shotgun, batting it away like a Tennis player, dispersing the flames
"Zweite Fire Arrow! Zweite Fire!" Malty screams firing spells right after the other.
"Take cover!" Misato yells, placing himself and Melty inside a Gun Carriage.
"How is this a projectile weapon form?!" Melty questions, confused by the carriage.
"Get behind the vehicle!" Henry commands and the troops huddle behind cover. "Keep it steady!" Henry yells, pushing the Gun Carriage with the other soldiers, preventing it from tipping over from Malty's fierce fire spells. The Unofficial Commander leans out of the Carriage. "You claim you rescue your sister and yet you try to kill her!"
"She is beyond hope! If we can't undo her brainwashing she'll have to die!" Malty deflects, barely trying to hide her true intentions. Drinking a mana potion, she finishes with a sigh and continues firing spells at the carriage to no effect.
The hatch on top of the carriage with the turret opens and a hand glowing gold light pops out.
"Faust Illumination!" Misato roars, blinding everyone but his party.
Ratatatatatatata!
Misato fires the Gun Carriage Turret, taking out the Church Mages, Malty lays on the ground curled as the bullet flies over her. A rain of arrows fly above and Misato drops inside the vehicle, closing the hatch, avoiding the projectiles.
"Crap…" Misato mutters, observing the seemingly endless rain of arrows and fireballs. He's having deja vu…
"What do we do?" Melty asks, keeping herself low, beneath the carriage window.
Misato observes, too many soldiers to get through, he would probably have to shoot and kill a lot but not all of them are bad…
If only he could just teleport behind them and smash a brick over- Wait a minute…
"Dual Wield, Change Gun."
Misato pulls out the Mini-Teleport Gun, he's got twelve teleport bullets, it doesn't hurt to test now.
"Melty, cover your ears." Misato says and Melty complies.
Bang!
The Gun Hero fires at the other side of the carriage, the bullet lands and Misato blinks, finding himself on Melty's right side and not her left. "Teleportation worked?" Misato mutters.
"If that's true then get us out of here!" Melty says.
"Teleport!"
Normal Teleportation is jammed!
"Hold on, my weapon saying Normal teleportation is jammed..."
"Then how did you teleport earlier?" Melty asks.
"Cause the jamming spell wasn't designed for miniature teleportation…" Misato looks at Melty. "Stay in here." He says, turning invisible, walking right through the carriage wall.
"But- Gah!" Melty tried to follow only to slam her face into the wall. "What?" She gasps, as the wall feels completely solid. How did he go through it like a ghost?
"Annihilate the Shield Demon's forces!" A Captain yells, the soldiers charge.
"Hold them back!" Henry yells, charging with his squad. S'yne leaps in front, taking vanguard position. The Shadows support in the back throwing projectiles.
Malty smiles with glee, creating a large fireball in the sky with the help of the remaining mages. With this spell, that bastard and that brat will BURN!
Bang!
The gunshot echoes in the courtyard, startling everyone, stopping them, even Malty wonders where the shot landed from the Gunslinger.
The Red haired Princess hears some glass break.
The Mages scream.
Malty turns and sees Misato right next to her, his fist raised.
"What?" Malty thought, seeing the Gun Hero's eyes full of fury.
Misato's knuckle slams into Malty's cheek, the impact breaks a few of her teeth.
The Princess's body barely resists the force of the Hero's punch, preventing her from falling over, until Misato extends his arm, pushing his arm to a complete full swing, launching Malty into the nearby pillar.
She slams into the stone wall hard, leaning against the stone wall, she coughs, spitting out her teeth, then her eyes roll back and she falls unconscious.
Misato smiles wide.
THAT WAS THE MOST SATISFYING THING HE HAS EVER DONE!
Never did Misato see himself actually landing a good solid punch on Malty's face! He waited an entire season for Malty to get punched in the face and now he did it HIMSELF! Everyone back on Earth would pay millions for the opportunity to punch her hard!
One day… He will convince the Queen to make this day a holiday, celebrating the day that Malty Bitch Melromarc got punched…
"GAH!" Someone screams and Misato turns, seeing the majority of the Good Soldiers knocked down, even all the Shadows, only S'yne and a few soldiers are still standing.
"You…" A familiar voice growls, Misato hears something electric and dashes to the side, avoiding a lightning bolt, which nearly strikes one of the enemy soldiers.
"Shit." Misato mutters slowly, turning around.
Out of all the times he could come…
"How… HOW DARE YOU! Drifa Thunderbolt!" King Aultrcray roars, launching another lightning spell. Misato leans to the side as the bolt hits the stone wall, breaking it.
Trash had to appear the very moment Misato knocked out Malty?!
"I need you to listen! Malty-"
"SILENCE! Drifa Hellfire!" The King roars and the Gun Hero leans to the side, feeling the heat threatening to burn him as the fire zooms past his head.
The Former Wise King continues to launch multiple spells, trying to hit the agile Gun Hero, who barely dodges every spell, unable to summon the Legendary Gun, because summoning his weapon will leave Melty open to all of those enemy soldiers, all whose allegiances are unknown.
S'yne is too busy keeping the knocked down soldiers and shadows alive, transferring them behind the Gun Carriage and fending off the enemy soldiers.
"FATHER STOP!" Melty screams but falls to deaf ears, slamming her hand against the window. The Princess grabs the carriage door knob but it doesn't turn. "What?" She grabs it with two hands, furiously shaking the door back and forth. "OPEN!" She screams kicking the door.
"Shield Pair Up!" Misato yells, summoning the shield replica while miraculously backflipping, dodging Wind Cutter, and barely blocks Flame Arrow. He spins from the force of the spell, nearly falling over.
But during the spin, Misato channels his mana. "Faust Hellfire!" Misato launches the quick fire spell at the King's feet only to hit a magic barrier. Misato clicks his tongue and sprints towards the King.
"I am the King who commands the origin of power. I have read and deciphered the laws of nature. Cover the ground in flames under my target! Firefloor!"
Misato jump kicks off the nearby wall, leaping over the flaming ground, not losing any momentum, getting closer to the Royal Spell Caster.
The King steps back. "Charge my soldiers! Kill him!"
"NO!" Melty screams, as loud as she can but the carriage muffles her voice.
A squad of soldiers form in front of the Staff Hero charging toward Misato.
"Faust illumination!" Misato casts, blinding the soldiers.
"GuH!" A soldier grunts, as Misato uses the golden mana blade to stun them, and punches them in the face, knocking the soldier out.
One guard blinks barely seeing the Gun Hero and swings their sword with a cry. Misato ducks the swing, turning around, slashing their back with the mana blade and punches their head with his shield.
Another soldier charges, Misato swings with two hands, the soldier stops raising his sword to block but the golden transparent blade disappears mid swing, making no contact.
A feint, the soldier realizes.
Misato reactivates the blade and thrusts the mana sword into the soldier. He then smacks the butt of the hilt into his nose, knocking them out.
A row of four spearmen charge, using numbers and range against the Gun Hero.
"Dual wield, Change Gun! Deadeye!"
The extra shield disappears, and in its place is the replica of the Chimera Viper pistol, Misato raises the gun, furiously firing rubber bullets at the row,
BangBangBangBangBangBang!
The spearmen collapse from the shots, setting Misato up for his next move and he runs forward. The gemstone on the Gun Carriage glows and Melty stares at it, confused by the light.
The Gun Hero runs to the spearmen, and he spins, foot out, back kicking the first soldier, breaking the helmet. Misato's boot drags him into the other two soldiers, knocking them out of the fight in a single spin kick, and he finally takes down the last with a nose breaking punch.
"Wow…" Melty mutters in awe.
Misato raises his gun and steps forward to the King.
A blue glowing circle forms beneath him and before Misato could move, blue electricity courses through Misato's body.
Esper Forcefield is down!
Health is dropping!
"AAAAGGGHHH!" Misato screams, in pain but in spite of it, he raises his gun, desperately trying to line up the shot. The blue circle glows and the thickness of the electricity increases, enhancing the pain infliction.
"AHHHH!" The Gun Hero collapses on his knees, unable to withstand the pain anymore. The King smiles, raising his hand, charging up a lightning bolt to finish Misato off.
"NO! STOP! LET ME OUT! Do something! Misato will DIE!" Melty screams desperately slamming her body against the carriage door.
"BIND WIRE!"
Suddenly the King's hands are tied to his legs, stopping the spell from charging up.
S'yne is now by Misato's side, using her needle to teleport, grabbing him but electricity spreads to her entire body as well, hurting the Vassal Hero. S'yne grits her teeth and drags Misato out of the circle with a static cry.
The two lay on the ground, exhausted, unable to stand up. A nearby soldier cuts the King free from the wire.
"Now, to finally end this." The King says with a grin. "I am the King who commands..." He says, deliberately making the process slow for Misato and S'yne.
The Gun Hero glares at the Staff Hero…
How is this guy a hero in the first place? Damn it, he should have known that the King would lay a trap, it was so much more painful than the Gun electrocuting… Electrocuting…
Misato recalls how he was awakened, the pain of the Legendary Gun 'punishing' him. If the Gun did that to awaken Misato when Melty was in danger, that means the weapons have control. The Choice to use their electricity to hurt their wielder when they want to and last he checked, the King was supposedly the Staff Hero, so where is it? Why is it doing nothing?!
"I have read and deciphered the laws of nature…" The King chants.
"God damn it…" Misato growls. "Vassal Staff, stop being… A PASSIVE BITCH!" Misato roars, unaware his eyes are glowing bright gold, bright as the Gun Carriage's gemstone is and the Vassal Staff suddenly appears in the King's hand, stopping the spell.
"What?" The King gasps, seeing the Staff again. "AAAAAGGGUGGHH!" The old man roars in pain as the weapon punishes their foolish hero. "W-WHY?!" Trash yells at his weapon as the magic barrier is shattered to pieces from the punishment. Everyone stops fighting, staring at the King in pain.
Misato draws a health potion from his inventory, drinking it, regaining the energy to rest on his knee. He then lifts S'yne right up and pours another health potion into her mouth.
S'yne groans standing up, the two heroes support each other, S'yne uses her large scissors as a cane, and they both walk towards the King on his knees.
The Staff stops inflicting pain, the King looks up, glaring hatefully at Misato. Everyone in the courtyard is stunned, staring at the Wise King on his knees, punished by the very weapon that chose him.
"Damn you-GUH!" The King grunts as Misato clumsily pulls off a spartan kick into the King's nose, breaking it. S'yne helps him stay standing upright.
"Shut up…" Misato growls, the King looks up but flinches, as Misato's glare sends chills into the Disgraceful Hero's spine.
"You claim your intentions are the same as your wife's and yet you keep doing all of this crap when your wife sends you letters telling you not to…" The Gun Hero points out, recalling Dawn and Dusk comments about the King when he spoke to the Queen's allies.
"She would understand the choices I have made." The King deflects.
Misato grinds his teeth, recalling the Queen's anger over her husband. "She knows enough… That she DOESN'T AGREE. If you bothered READING it properly! You just made excuses to continue your stupid rampage!" Misato yells, rage infused adrenaline giving him energy to stand and scold the Trash King. S'yne winces from the yelling and steps back, leaning on her weapon for support.
"You know nothing!"
"I know more than enough… You don't care about your family." Misato spat out with venom.
Melty gasps at the exclamation.
The King growls, slamming his fist into the ground. "You're wrong! I love them! It's why I must fight that Shield demon and those damn demi-
"And yet you went behind your wife's back! Summoning all the cardinal heroes!" Misato screams, interrupting the King. "You left her to deal with a bunch of hungry sharks and wolves when she went to negotiate with every nation! Were it not for her reputation as a formidable foe in politics and battle!" She likely would have been ganged up on and attacked!" Misato takes a breath. "Both she and Melty could have killed, or tortured and RAPED in response of your idiotic ACTIONS!"
Melty falls on her butt, hands covering her mouth in shock.
The King flinches in fear but stands his ground. "I trusted my wife's capabilities to protect herself and Melty from those bastards!"
Misato lets out a bitter, hollow laugh. "Oh… some loving father you are, leaving half your family up to CHANCE!When you had other BETTER choices… Are you really the wise king? What if they failed?! They had several justifiably angry nations against her, outnumbering them by a large margin!
Aultcray glares back, clenching his fist in anger. "I would NEVER allow-"
"But it never crossed your mind! Did it?" Misato says, stepping towards the King, face to face.
"It never occurred to you that you are MILES away, unable to prevent anything horrible to your wife and youngest daughter! What if you were wrong?" Misato points out. Aultrcray eyes widened as the thought finally hit his dusty old mind and looked down in shame.
Misato continues his rant, raising his fist. "And whatever happened would have been YOUR FAULT! They would have suffered because of YOU!" Misato finishes with a solid punch to the King's cheek, knocking the old man out cold.
"Hahh… Hahh…"
Misato leans down, heavily breathing. He leans back up, looking at the remaining groups of enemies, all staring at him. He sighs, grabbing the knife on the Chimera Pistol, pulling it out, and holds it in a reverse grip.
Esper Forcefield recharged!
You lost 50 SP points.
The Gun Hero points his gun and knife at them and white light encompasses his body. "Who's next…?" He says as S'yne stands by him, raising her scissors.
Clang clang clang!
Tink tink tint!
All the soldiers drop their weapons and flee from Misato, terrified by the man who did what many consider to be impossible.
The Gun Hero observes the courtyard, seeing if there is anyone left. Only Misato's party remains along with the King and Malty- Misato eyes widened seeing a fireball, he pushes S'yne away, raising his arms in a cross. The mana threaded jacket glows and Misato takes the hit.
The Gun Hero rolls over his back and stops in a crouch, his jacket unscathed thanks to the Esper Forcefield.
Esper Forcefield 90%
Misato looks up seeing Malty, somehow standing up, spitting out a bloody tooth, glaring at him.
"DIE!" Malty screams. "Drifa Hellfire!"
Suddenly Melty falls on the stone ground, and the Gun Carriage is gone.
The fire spell hits Misato, covering his body in smoke
"What?" Melty mutters in confusion as the now conscious Queen's Shadows and Soldiers gather around her. If the strange carriage is gone then that means…
The smoke clears, revealing Misato wielding a shielded assault rifle, unharmed, glaring back at Malty. He sees a Shadow approach her from behind.
"SHE'S MINE!" Misato roars, the shadow stops and steps back from the Princess, S'yne and all the soldiers lower their weapons stunned by Misato's demand.
"Misato… P-please don't kill her. Don't." Dawn pleads and the Gun Hero nods.
He steps forward to the Princess, glaring. "I could have killed you anytime…" Misato says, slowly approaching Malty, who shrieks in rage.
"Zweite Fire!"
The Gun Hero takes the hit and a second later he walks through the smoke, unscathed thanks to his Gun Shield.
"Opening your blinds to see the morning sun…BANG! Last thing you ever see!" Misato says, still walking towards the Princess.
"Zweite Fire Arrow!"
Misato flicks his wrist with the Gun Shield, deflecting the flaming arrow and the spell hits the ground next to him harmlessly. "Cheering on Motoyasu in the fight on the waves, oh no a 'monster' got you on the back!" He says in a mocking expression of horror.
"Drifa Fire!"
The Gun Hero fires a flare, making the spell hit the blue flare mid air "Even going on a little stroll in town, suddenly you feel a large gust of wind and next thing you know you're looking at your headless body!" Misato points out, walking through the smoke, uncaring of the heat.
Fitoria could have easily done it, the reason behind it is easy, as it probably would have helped unite the Heroes with Malty out of the way, but no, he can't, not yet anyway…
"As source of thy power, and the Next Queen I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature-
Bang!
"Gah!" Malty flinches as a rubber bullet hits her hand, interrupting her unnecessarily long chant. She cups her bruised hand and sees Misato with the Chimera Viper pistol up.
"Killing would have been SO EASY!" Misato roars. "I didn't do it, NOT because you can threaten me, but because of your MOTHER and absolutely NOTHING about what YOU can do! The reasons why you are alive are BEYOND your control!"
"Zweite Hellfire!"
Misato fires the water gun full blast, extinguishing the spell mid air.
"You are NOT some manipulative mastermind, you are just some lucky WHORE! Who keeps stumbling upon emotionally BROKEN people, molding them to be a tool for you to throw away! Were it anyone else with a stable and sane mind, they would have seen your bullshit a MILE away!" Misato screams.
All the heroes, even Naofumi, were delusional, vulnerable and Malty just happened to be there at the right moment, taking advantage of them…
"Faust Fire!"
Misato lowers the Shield Gun, his jacket glows in gold colored mana, he spreads his arms wide open. The fire spell hits, Malty grins, believing Misato foolishly left himself wide open to die by her hand.
Her grin falls, hearing footsteps on the stone ground. The smoke clears with Misato unscathed, he uses his free hand to wipe off the dust on his shoulder to emphasize how weak Malty is now.
Esper Forcefield 81%
Malty is only level 46, who only had the benefit of piggybacking on Motoyasu, who only knew exclusively four methods of strength, they didn't even have the companion weapon series.
Meanwhile, Misato's level is 84 but close to leveling up. He has Fifteen strengthening methods thanks to Forrest, Mamoru, Fitoria, Itsuki, Ren, and the Queen. Combined with the Gun-Shield Hybrid Series seriously boosting the amount of defense points he gains on each level up. Along with the Esper Force Field providing an extra layer of defense and a bonus of a 100 defense and 50 resistance points. Plus his magic threaded jacket is fire resistant especially when enhanced by mana!
Malty at this point is just throwing hot air at Misato. Which is fitting, because when it boils down to it, take away the power, the control, and all Malty can do is blow hot air…
The Red Haired Princess starts to panic, backing up into the wall, she looks around, realizing she is trapped.
"Nothing about you is special! Were you ANYONE ELSE, you would have been Imprisoned for life, hanged, or your head cut off in the gallows! Whipped and bled to death! Or simply thrown into a rioting crowd. BUT NO, none of it happened because YOU are their daughter!" Misato yells pointing his finger at Malty "You are just a…
LUCKY.
STUPID.
BITCH!"
"Who is fortunate to be the Queen and King's daughter!" Misato yells.
"Wind Blow!" Malty screeches, Misato braces himself, and he's pushed back a few inches with the Shield Gun up. He lowers the weapon, seeing Malty with her sword drawn.
"RAHH!" Malty cries, thrusting her sword at Misato's heart.
Only for the sword to be stopped by two fingers pressed on each flat side of the blade. The Gun Hero holds the sword using his left hand, the non dominant hand.
The sword trembles in Misato's weakest hand as Malty desperately tries to push the sword further and overpower him "You never worked hard in your life, never bled for anything so difficult to claim… All your skills, magic, levels and effort is all FROM PURE…"
Snap! Crack!
The sword breaks, Malty trips forward due leaning into the sword too much, stumbling into the Gun Hero.
"LUCK…" Misato whispers into Malty's ear, slamming his fist into her chest plate, breaking the terribly designed armor.
Malty hits the wall, coughing. "Which ran out the moment I arrived… To this world…" Misato states in a factual tone.
"P-please! SOMEONE HELP!..."
Malty's desperate screams turn static into Misato's ears as he slowly approaches the Princess.
"You can do whatever you want with me!" Malty screeches, trying to show off her breasts to Misato who raises his eyebrow, giving the idiot an 'Are you serious?' look. "Please DON'T KILL ME! I can do anything you want ! Just Don't- AHH!"
Misato grabs Malty's hair, dragging her feet, lifting her up to eye level, ignoring her nails trying to pierce his jacket and her annoying voice pleading for mercy. "Malty…" Misato growls, and Malty stops, freezing in fear.
"For once in your life…" The Gun Hero turns the Princess around, grabbing the back of head and hair. "SHUT."
"UP!" Misato roars, slamming Malty's forehead into the stone wall, knocking out Malty.
Finally silencing her damn tongue.
Misato sighs in relief, feeling satisfied more than when he punched her in the face.
He really needed that…
Although, going on two speeches about 'The Reason You Suck' in a row made his throat dry as a desert.
He grabs a water pouch from the inventory and swallows large gulps of water.
The soldiers tie the King and Malty up, gagging them. Melty stares at them in a fetal position, trying to process what just happened.
Misato fought so many soldiers off alone, his abilities and powers were limited because his weapon was mainly protecting her. Yet he defeated her father, who was known to be a War Hero in Melromarc. He defeated the King by asking-No commanding the Star Staff to punish her father. How did Misato do that? He's the Projectile Hero, one of the Seven Star Heroes, they should have equal power.
Then Misato… Ridiculed him, humiliated him, saying the most horrible, painful things to her father and yet… Was Misato right?
Could she and mother have been seriously harmed by the other countries? Would she and mother have been enslaved… A pair of royal toys?
The Princess grimaces at the thought and she looks at the Gun Hero, tending to everyone's wounds with that healing gun of his.
Melty doesn't know what to think of Misato, at first they were getting along but then he did this…
Is this what Misato meant when he said anger can consume and blind someone? It's horrifying… He was angry as her mother...
It certainly explains her father ignoring her pleas to stop, along with Misato's terrifying actions when he took out her father and her sister. He destroyed them thoroughly, hurting them physically and mentally…
While her Father and Sister had to be stopped, Misato… Misato was just so brutal about it…
The Crown Princess gasps, hearing footsteps and she looks up seeing him.
"Are you oka-"
Melty flinches, scooting back from Misato's open hand.
The young man blinks, moving his hand back and looks away in… Shame?
"Sorry…" Misato mutters, turning his back, walking away from Melty. Guilt fills the Princess's chest and she reaches out but struggles to form the words, uncertain how to speak to him. She watches the new Royal Commander approach Misato.
"We're ready to go." Henry says and Misato nods.
"Okay, let's get out of here-
Something red and bright whistles to the sky. It explodes in the air.
Melty gasps, recognizing the signal flare.
"It can't be…" Melty mutters, standing up.
"What is it?" Misato asks, raising his Gun, observing their surroundings.
"When communication crystals are jammed and there is no time to spread a major warning, our brothers and sisters must fire this flare to warn everyone of what's coming…" Dusk pauses, and looks at Misato.
"What is coming?
"An invasion."
Author's Notes:
This was one hellof a chapter I made. Lots of action and there is much more to come in the next chapter.
Misato is having a roller coaster ride of events. First fell so high and far, blacks out. Gets a flashback with a horrible ending, wakes up with an army out for his blood, and passes out from the lack of air. Wakes up again by brutal shocking, and a few minutes later he nearly gets blown up. Then he got to deal with the King and Malty…
As for the mystery series, I gave you a hint in the last chapter. I suggest you go back and read it very carefully when Misato looks at it briefly, because more will be revealed and I know you are all very smart and clever.
(X)
So, Misato roasted the hell out of Malty and called out the King's bullshit about his intentions being the same as his wife or how she would "Understand" and called out about how things really could have gotten pear shaped for lots of people.
Things really could have gone horribly wrong for Queen Mirellia and Melty when they were traveling the world while the King summoned all (Four) Cardinal Heroes. Some leaders could have called out the Queen's bluff of how strong and powerful her escort army is and use their own escort armies to overpower hers, then anyone opposed to the Queen but cautious of her power, would join the bandwagon and gang up on her. She was likely outnumbered 3 to 1 and No it would likely not be a fair fight. It didn't happen for a lot of reasons, likely thanks to the Queen's quick wits and the other nation leaders bickering with each other too but still…
(5/14 Update: Misato isn't aware that he can status as a Cardinal Hero to remove the staff, plus his mind was focused on making the King hurt. By pointing out his idiocy that could have harmed his family. Also, it's ironic the King's anger and need for vengeance is what made him so great in the war, what made him worthy of the Vassal Staff. But now, that rage that need to take vengeance for what he lost, is making him FUCKING STUPID!
I suspect he is suffering from paranoia induced tunnel vision, as he didn't think about his WIFE and DAUGHTER, out there in a conference with the world, when he summoned the Cardinal Heroes.)
As for Malty… In a tier list of entertaining villains, she would be at the level of Cinder Fall from RWBY. After Season 1 anyway.
I admit, she was a good villain, written to only be hated with no remorse. But that can get old FAST and predictable. So her shitty shenanigans in Season 1 were good enough. But then Season 3… At that point I was like…
"Why is she here?" Or "Why is she alive?" (Just like my thoughts over Cinder in literally any Volume after 5) Or "Raphtalia why haven't gone invisible and stab her?" I got a general reason why and it's annoying.
She's a good villain in the short term, in the beginning when she was a legitimate threat until the Heroes level up to the point that they are untouchable from most of the local petty enemies who belong to the very world they are supposed to save.
Her actions in Season 3, I think Malty was not needed. Ren could have fallen to the curse when he faced the Otherworld Assassins from the waves, mocking his weakness and trusting the wrong people (Not Bitch.) Then boom, the cursed edgy bandit is here.
Same with Itsuki, Mald and his gang of manipulative assholes were already manipulating him without Malty. Or maybe they weren't but it could have been written that way, there was no need for Malty. Also Motoyasu probably wouldn't become crazy-yasu and have a proper redemption arc.
Malty's comeback in Season 3 feels like a cheap hook, reusing the same formula to gather the original fanbase and we all know how that's going for many Triple A games…
It might have succeeded but honestly, it didn't feel fun to watch anymore, even season 3. I watched to get a reference or an idea of a character introduced in later seasons, like S'yne and Sadeena. Even then it was very limited.
In summary of Malty, she's a one dimensional evil idiot that I have absolutely NO intention of writing beyond "Season 1".
And I hope you all loved the roasting beatdown Misato gave her. In my opinion, she deserved it so much. Yes she got electrocuted the hell out of her soul in the trial but honestly, I'm surprised that no one, not even Raphtalia didn't start throwing hands.
Not only that but it might be just me, but I find it really satisfying and cathartic to see a character intelligently roast and break down why this other character is horrible and essentially get the last word in. It's literally one of the reasons why Misato exists in this fanfic. Personally, Naofumi's insults to Malty and or other villains just felt lacking in the extra punch. (5/14: Do expect more roasts to more villains along the way ;)
For reference to picture Malty's face getting punched I suggest you watch: Banished From the Hero's Party Season 2 Ruti punches Van.
You'll know ;)
(X)
Okay so, I had someone suggest Esper Power manifestation, the power to create and use any esper power for Misato, however, as I wrote the chapter, I realized in the long run, this would be too much. Yes the Gun would be more than willing to give something powerful but in terms of writing, suspense and creating tension with limits and working around that, I feel like Esper manifestation is too much, giving Misato infinite possibilities, he already has the Legendary Gun for that.
Fights would not be tense, and it would be too complicated to write as Misato would have too many options at this point. They would not be good in terms of intelligence because with so many options I'm just going to have people asking, "Why did Misato not use (Insert Power)?" Which is likely to happen anyway as I expand even more of Misato's arsenal.
So, I gave Misato at least one esper power thanks to Itsuki placing his tears inside the Gun to absorb. The other Heroes will gain esper powers too eventually. Figured the power would give Misato something he sorely needs. He won't have to worry too much about getting cuts since it won't break the skin and make him bleed.
Remember, I want to make fights as entertaining and suspenseful as I can.
(X)
(5/14 Update: Okay, I decided to bring back Esper Power Manifestation, Omni Creator Kami of Anime made a good point. So, I ask you readers, what powers do you recommend for Misato to unlock eventually and cultivate?)
Please do leave a review about the chapter, your guesses for the next chapter, your opinions, ideas, and etc. If you don't agree with my decision to limit the Esper power series, please don't argue too much about it… I want to know other things too :(
But nonetheless, have a wonderful day!
Thanks for reading!