Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a good one and that the year ahead is a good one for you!
First off, sorry for the delay in this chapter. Again, illness and a busy holiday period at work combined with days where I wasn't motivated to write contributed to it not being out before the year was done as I promised. But I'm going to do my best from now on to be more motivated to find my mojo and release chapters more consistently forward, aiming for my usual timescale of 10-14 days between uploads of each one.
I also hope you have enjoyed the past season of anime and are looking forward to what comes in this one. As you may already know, the highlight for me will be the second season of Solo Levelling which, if it's as good as the first one, will be absolutely incredible. Alongside that I'll be watching the 2nd season of Kimi no Koto ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo, the first part of the final season of Dr Stone as well as the continuation of Re:Zero Season 3 and Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 which I am sure will all be good watches as well!
But enough about anime, let's get down to what comes next. In this chapter, we'll find out who sent that note to Fergus as well as what their request will lead to. As always, I do not own Rising of the Shield Hero or any of its characters, locations, events or anything else related to the anime/manga/Light Novels. The only thing I own is my OC, Fergus Ward. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 – To Zeltoble
Stepping out of the castle and into the bustling streets of Capital Town was something I'd done many times since arriving in this world, but this time especially felt like a new experience, and I knew exactly why. The aquamarine hue of my new eye wasn't, of course, just for cosmetic purposes, even as it drew several stares from passers-by who, naturally, had their attention drawn by my heterochromatic appearance – it also brought a fresh new perspective that I wasn't fully prepared for even though I'd had my eye's new abilities explained to me in detail by the magic-casters from Mideus. From the moment I'd opened it for the first time, I noticed that the world seemed to shimmer faintly, especially if I focused with my new eye, along with the faint glimmers of mana and other residual magical energy that came not just from people but also the simplest objects. Even the cobblestones beneath my feet seemed to huddle with residual energy, no doubt faint traces of enchantments placed down long ago to keep the roads pristine and intact (a sharp contrast from my past reality where you couldn't drive for 10 or 15 minutes without finding a crack in the road or an exposed pothole).
It was both overwhelming and surreal, a kaleidoscope of subtle lights and patterns that danced and swirled in front of my eye which was quite trippy at first as my brain struggled to interpret them as they were meant to be. Every step I took, with my companions at my side either watching my steps curiously or admiring the scenery around them, was an exercise in relearning how to perceive the world. The eye's two abilities were already becoming very apparent even though I knew it would take me a while yet to grasp the extent of them fully. The Mana Vision perk in particular, which I'd activated by default as we'd stepped outside, proved to be pretty disorientating at first – my right eye was perceiving the world like a normal eye would, but through my left eye there was an added layer to everything. Everyone around me had some faint glowing trails of mana surrounding them depending on the amount that they carried within them, with those more skilled in magic practically having their auras overflowing with it. Even an act as mundane as a transaction between a street merchant and his customer had more to it now as a glinting strand of mana could be seen attached to both the coins and the object that was being traded, as though the transaction itself had been some magical exchange.
All of this was proving to be so overwhelming and mind-blowing that at times during our walk from the castle to Beloukas' tent, I wasn't watching where my feet were treading or the directions my body was taking me, so wrapped up was I in understanding what my left eye was now showing me. Perhaps sensing this, or having noticed it after a short while, Raphtalia had swiftly taken my arm in hers and was helping to guide me through the hustle and bustle of the crowds, she and the others ensuring that I didn't run into anyone and kept on the right path. And as I caught glimpses of them as I was looking around, I could see as well what their magical auras were showing. Rishia's, as expected, was overflowing in waves around her given her unique abilities and skills, while the others each had strong magical auras of their own even though they didn't compare to the green-haired magic caster's. Even Vulpix had a faint magical glow in her aura, perhaps as a result of the magic formed by her bond to me as a Shinigami…
"Are you alright, Fergus?" A familiar soft voice echoed right by me, drawing me out of my musings. Looking over, I saw Raphtalia and the others all looking at me with varying looks of concern. "You look more distracted than usual," my brown-haired girlfriend said once more. "Is your new eye giving you any trouble?"
"Yeah…but not in a concerning way," I reassured them with a weak smile. "It's just…taking a lot of getting used to. It's like I'm seeing two worlds layered alongside one another – one that's familiar, and the other completely alien, and I don't think that particular feeling is going to go away any time soon."
"I imagine it's like learning how to wield a new weapon or a new school of magic," Rishia supplied from behind us with an encouraging smile. "It's going to feel strange and alien at first, but once you get used to it and discover everything about it, it'll soon feel like an extension of yourself."
Both Raphtalia and I eased a little at her words as my girlfriend wrapped her hands around my arm and laid her head gently on my shoulder as we walked. "Thank you Rishia," she replied before giving me a side glance. "Just let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"I will, babe. Thank you." I kissed the top of my head as we carried on making our way deeper into the city, occasionally being stopped by passers-by and traders who bid all of us greetings along with words of thanks and encouragement. But as we passed by an alleyway, my new eye's Enhanced Perception detected a faint shimmer of magic coming from it. Focusing, I noticed that there was a weak illusion spell masking what appeared to be a stash of goods under the guise of a seemingly innocuous stack of empty crates, the enchantment unravelling before my eye's gaze. Despite having seen it I kept moving, unwilling to be distracted and not wanting to face awkward questions about how I knew it was there, but that one glance had opened up a world of possibilities from a tactical standpoint: Now that I could see through illusions, I could better co-ordinate with Raphtalia and Keel's mastery of that magic in order to further enhance our combat prowess.
By the time we reached the familiar entry to Beloukas' tent, the disorientation had lessened considerably even though some feelings of weirdness remained. Every glance at what had seemed ordinary in the past now revealed something new, whether it was a glimpse into the amount of magic a person or object had within them or the number of hidden things I could now spot that would otherwise have remained obscure. As Rishia had said, it might take weeks or even months to fully master it, but for the time being we had to focus on the here and now. Beloukas was waiting for us, and if the information he had for us was as useful as he'd claimed, then we needed to take this meeting seriously.
~ToaTSH~
As we walked up the flap that would lead us into Beloukas' tent I slowed my steps, feeling the need to address the looks of concern and confusion on my companions' faces. Raphtalia and Filo were as perturbed as always but didn't show it, and judging by her expression Keel had some idea of where we were, but the tension in her furred ears gave away that she wasn't remotely comfortable. Rishia was looking around nervously at the locale, and even Vulpix was laid flat on Filo's shoulder, her ears down and eyes wary as if sensing this wasn't a happy place.
"Before we go in, I need to explain something about who we're going to see," I said, my voice calm and measured as I did my best to find the right words for this situation. "The man inside…is a complicated individual."
"Complicated how, Sir Fergus?" Keel asked bluntly, not looking convinced.
"His name is Beloukas." That name got a reaction immediately from Keel, having heard of him from the stories of our travels. "A slave trader and merchant. He's slimy, shady, selfish, and yes his practices are ones I'll never support or condone. But…" I paused, looking all of them in the eye especially Rishia and Vulpix who were watching me with unsure expressions. "He was also one of the first people, aside from Erhard, who supported me in this world, back when I was at my lowest. In fact, it's no exaggeration to say I wouldn't have made it as far as I have without his help."
"What do you mean, Sir Fergus?" Rishia asked hesitantly, her voice lowering to a whisper as though she was afraid her question would be overheard.
"When Master Fergus first came to this world, he was alone, betrayed and had almost nothing," Raphtalia answered, giving me a reassuring nod as she spoke. "It was Beloukas who sold him…well, me." Her hand went to her chest where her slave crest was still emblazoned. "He was the man I'd been sold to after my home was raided and my parents killed, and the one who gave Fergus the chance to buy me and later Filo's egg after his duel with Sir Motoyasu. I will never like the man but…if it weren't for him looking out for Sir Fergus at that crucial moment in his life, I wouldn't be standing here right now. Perhaps none of us would be."
"I was just an egg when Master brought me from here!" Filo chirped, giving me a beaming smile. "The slimy man is greedy and a bit creepy, but he has helped Master a lot!"
"What we're trying to say is…he isn't a good man. Far from it in fact," I continued with a wry smile. "But at least he's honest and upfront about it, and his connections and resources have helped me a great deal more than the former Trash or the other Heroes did at the start of my journey. As much as I dislike the nature of his business, I know I can rely on him when it counts. So when he sent me that message saying he had some important information for us, I felt it would be in our fair interests to at least hear him out."
"So you're saying he's trustworthy…for a slaver-trader that is." Judging by her folded arms and furrowed brow, Keel still wasn't convinced.
"I am, strange as it sounds," I answered honestly. "I'm not expecting any of you to like or be friends with him. Heck, I wouldn't say he's my friend either. But he has never lied to me and has come through every time I've asked for his help. I trust him to keep his word."
"I-I honestly don't know if I'll ever be okay around someone like that," Rishia admitted. "But if you trust him, Sir Fergus…then I'll follow your lead."
"I don't like it either but…I guess I owe him one for bringing you and Raphtalia together and for helping you out. Alright…I'll back you on this, Sir Fergus. You've never led us wrong so far, and I'm not going to start distrusting you now," Keel added with a sigh. Vulpix's eyes remained narrowed but she let out a small growl, which I took as her version of reluctant acceptance.
"That's all I ask, thank you," I said with a grateful smile. "Take what he has to say with all seriousness, unless he's trying to engage you in a business matter. In which case, be very careful. Are you all ready?" After getting five nods, I turned around and pushed through the familiar flap in the tent into the main holding area for all of his cages. But as we entered, I could already tell something was wrong. Most of the cages that had been full the last time I'd been here were empty, and those that remained looked either feral or as if they had one foot in the grave. Sensing this macabre scene was making the others uncomfortable, I quickly led them away towards the private area of the tent at the side where I knew Beloukas conducted all of his business dealings.
"Beloukas! One of your favourite people has come to see you!" I exclaimed with mock cheeriness as I pushed through the flap, my companions following on behind.
From where he was standing, counting up a small mound of coins on the table in front of him upon which also lay a large map of both Melromarc and the nations surrounding it, the familiar smarmy face complete with its handlebar moustache and chained spectacles looked up from underneath the long top hat with its usual sinister grin on its face. "Ah, my most valuable customer!" He exclaimed in his trademark smooth yet oily voice. "It has been a long time, has it not? I have been keeping up with your exploits, of course. Lord of an entire town full of humans and demi-humans, and slayer of a Guardian Beast? A far cry from the disgraced Hero I first met, but well deserved I must say."
"Thanks…I think?" It was hard to tell whether his praise was genuine or not, but given how much of a help he'd been to me in the past, I was inclined to think he was being sincere. "You remember my companions, Raphtalia and Filo, do you not?" I said, indicating the pair.
"Of course, of course. If my information is correct, and it usually is…one is now the lady of your new village, and the other the heir to the Filolial throne. Two incredibly savvy business deals that not only aided your cause but increased both my reputation and profits!" And there it was, the familiar greedy glint in his eyes that was his trademark as both Raphtalia and Filo shuddered slightly at being referred to as 'business deals'. "But I can only take the credit for giving them to you in the first place. What have they become since then was all your doing. And from what I can see, you have only added to your ranks since then."
"Indeed. The other demi-human is Keel, who comes from the same village as Raphtalia and who we rescued from the dungeons of Idol Rabier." A collective shudder went through all of us minus Rishia and Vulpix as we recalled our time 'visiting' the domain of that pig.
"Ah yes, I heard of how he treated those he captured. Disgraceful business, even by our standards. The world is better off with him dead," Beloukas sighed with a shake of his head, although whether he was genuine with his words or just satisfied another player in the slave trade had been taken off the table.
"The lady on my right who you haven't met yet is Rishia Ivyred, daughter of Lord Ivyred of Ivyred Village." Despite her wariness of the man, Rishia remembered her courtesies and gave a small nod as appropriate. "And in her arms is my Shinigami named Vulpix, a creation of my blood and magic as well as Raphtalia's hair." Vulpix growled at him by way of greeting. "But I suspect you didn't call me here to hear about my exploits and travels. Your letter mentioned you had a business offer that would interest me. I'm guessing it's related to why most of your cages are currently empty?"
"Indeed. Your mind and eyes are as sharp as ever, Shield-Hero," he replied, his usual grin replaced by a frown. "Given how you have been busy with your own affairs in your new village, you probably haven't heard what's been happening." He pointed over at the wall of the tent where a notice was prominently affixed containing the article officially announcing the founding of New Rurorona. "News of you reuniting the scattered villagers of what was once Rurorona Village has already made its way around, even beyond the borders of this country."
"No doubt the Queen's doing, even though I wanted to do was give those I cared about and the former residents their home back," I muttered, frowning as I eyed the notice. The thought of my actions being paraded for the world to see didn't sit well with me given the reasons I'd done it in the first place, but as much as this show of publicity annoyed me, I couldn't fault the logic behind it. At the time, the people had needed hope, and a restored village united under the banner of the Shield-Hero would have served as a rallying symbol and a reminder that the Waves hadn't destroyed everything, that rebuilding was possible.
There was also how the Queen stood to gain politically from such an announcement. By tying my name and efforts to the rebuilding of New Rurorona, she was bolstering her own position in the process throughout both Melromarc and the rest of the world as a monarch dedicated to upholding peace and hope despite the threat of the Waves. While I, and the rest of New Rurorona, could have done without the publicity, I could see how such an announcement was needed throughout both Melromarc and the rest of the world.
"Well unfortunately for you, my most valued customer, her little announcement caught the attention of nobles and slave traders throughout the world, moving them to act before you got the chance to," Beloukas added with what seemed to be genuine contriteness. "They went ahead and decided to buy up all the slaves who used to live in the village and move them outside the country in order to make as much profit from them as possible."
"Damnit!" I swore internally as Raphtalia's and Keel's expressions turned into sorrow and rage respectively. As much as myself, Melty, Van and the Queen (from without) had done our best to return all of the villagers who had previously lived in Rurorona, Beloukas' revelation was confirmation that we hadn't succeeded as well as we initially thought. Hearing this…it felt like I had broken the promise I'd made to both my girlfriend and her best friend. I'd sworn to bring them all home, but some had slipped through the cracks and were now still lost and still suffering wherever they were. And what if…what if some of them hadn't made it at all? The thought churned in my gut like a lead weight.
"We-we missed some of them?" The pain and sorrow in Raphtalia's voice threatened to break my heart as her eyes shone with barely concealed pain and guilt. "They've been out there all this time, waiting for us to find them, and we…" Her voice finally cracked and she turned away slightly, her shoulders shaking. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her we'd fix this, but the words caught in my throat. What right did I have to promise that, when I'd failed her already?
"Damnit! How could we have missed them?! We had the backing of the Queen, all of those resources we gathered and the Shield Hero himself on our side!" Keel was understandably frustrated, her tail lashing behind her as she glared at the floor of the tent with both Filo and Rishia trying her best to soothe her mounting anger.
"I know Keel, and I don't blame for you being mad. I am as well," I said with a heavy voice and heart, forcing my own emotions under control as they threatened to burst. "But this isn't the end, not by a long shot." I looked between them all, steadying myself as much as I could. "Now that we know, we won't miss them again, wherever they are. I swear to you, we'll find the rest of them and bring them home, no matter what it takes."
Raphtalia's formerly broken expression turned into one of hope as she and Keel both turned to look at me with hope plastered across their faces, with Filo, Rishia and even Vulpix matching the determination of my words with their own resolute expressions as I turned back to look at Beloukas who had been patiently awaiting my reaction. "So that's why you called me here when you knew I was about. And I'm assuming, given that you conveyed you had information for me in your letter, that you know where the rest of them currently are and how much they'd be worth."
"I do, and they're currently worth 30 gold a head," he answered immediately much to our shock and horror. I'd only paid 30 silver for Raphtalia back when I first came here! Even with all the resources I now had at my disposal, there was no way I could justify all of that money as an expense even if it was for bringing the rest of the lost residents of Rurorona home. Perhaps sensing my inner quandary, Beloukas continued. "Unfortunately, that's business and you never know how lady fortune is going to swing. However, I think we can negotiate a good deal for those remaining in my care who came from Rurorona like your companions here. As for the rest of the villagers who you still seek…I'd advise you to start planning a trip to Zeltoble."
"Zeltoble…you mean the mercenary nation?" I remember Beloukas had mentioned it to me during one of my previous visits, but that was in the past. If that was where the rest of the former residents of Rurorona were being kept, our next course of action was sealed. Reaching into my Inventory system, I pulled out a hefty sack of coins and laid out its contents before Beloukas' greedy eyes. "Let's talk business, starting with a fair price for each of the remaining residents you have here," I began, drawing upon everything I'd learnt about negotiating during my time as the Saviour of the Heavenly Fowl. "And I'll add in a fair commission once we're done for all the information you have on Zeltoble. Deal?"
As expected, the slave trader's expression lit up at my offer. "This is exactly why I love doing business with you, Shield-Hero! Very well then…let's talk!"
~ToaTSH~
With both Beloukas and I eager to reach a deal, the negotiations lasted shorter than expected. As Raphtalia and the others opened the cell doors of the freed former slaves and residents of Rurorona, Beloukas and I consulted the map of the known world as he informed me of everything he knew about Zeltoble.
Located east of Melromarc, Zeltoble was a nation infamous for its lawless nature which was unlike any other I had encountered in both this and Glass' world, a haven for mercenaries, bounty hunters and those of…questionable moralities – a place where the strong thrived and the weak were picked upon. Its cities pulsed with life, but not as one would expect. Rather than industry or agriculture, it was constantly abuzz with danger, wealth and opportunity.
Commerce flourished there, albeit in a twisted sense. Zeltoble's neutrality in military and political matters had made it into a melting pot for smugglers and traders who sought to avoid scrutiny, and a breeding ground for underground activities that no other kingdom would tolerate. Beloukas explained that while Zeltoble's economy thrived on legal trade, its true lifeblood came from the gladiator pits and illegal dealings that operated in plain sight, with the wealthiest figures in Zeltoble being those who capitalized on the chaos – brokers of power, information and blood. These gladiator pits in particular were the jewels of Zeltoble's twisted crown, spectacles that drew in fighters from all over the world who sought power, wealth or merely survival. Wagers on their fights fuelled the local economy, and the champions who bled and fought earned fortune or infamy depending on their ultimate fates. It was a place where the desperate and ambitious flocked, drawn by the promise of riches or redemption. But for every fighter who rose to stardom, many others were discarded, forgotten and left to die.
Despite this chaos, or maybe even because of it, Zeltoble maintained a brutal order. The factions that ruled there—merchant guilds, mercenary companies, and criminal syndicates—had carved the nation into unofficial territories, each enforcing their own brand of law. Betrayals and skirmishes between these groups were common, but an unspoken rule seemed to prevent outright war since Zeltoble's greatest strength was its appeal as a neutral ground, a place where anyone could do business as long as they paid the price.
Beloukas indicated on the map where we should head: Zeltan, the capital city. According to him, it was a sprawling metropolis that embodied the nation's spirit – an overwhelming blend of wealth and poverty, luxury and violence. Its markets were said to carry goods from every corner of the known world, from enchanted artefacts to forbidden tomes. And, of course, there was its landmark at its heart – a towering coliseum/gladiatorial arena where fortunes were made and lives lost in equal measure. If we were going to find the missing residents, they would most likely be there. As a freebie, he gave us the location of a pub run by his uncle, a fellow slave trader in his own right who had his ear to the ground and his finger on the pulse of everything that happened there. If there was a way to get back the missing demi-humans without too much trouble, he'd know it.
After absorbing all of this information and taking a spare copy of the map that Beloukas had, I thanked him once more in the only way he would appreciate – an extra commission for his help. As we escorted the now-freed slaves out of his tent, he wished us luck with his parting words and hoped we would return soon. Even though I hoped that wouldn't be the case, I couldn't deny that his tip had given us our next clear objective and one we had time for given that the resurrection of the Phoenix Guardian Beast was still months away: free the former residents of Rurorona from slavery, and bring them back home.
~ToaTSH~
After temporarily adding the former slaves to my party, we returned to New Rurorona with one activation of my Portal Shield. Once we arrived, we immediately got them to the medical ward to be examined properly by the staff in case they were suffering from any long-term effects of being in captivity. And while that was happening, my party and I immediately started making preparations for our trip to Zeltoble.
It was while we were getting ready that I finally informed the others of what Mirellia and I had discussed in private: the disappearance of the other Heroes and Bitch's escape towards Melromarc's northern border. As expected, they too shared my concerns about what this meant and how this couldn't have happened at a worse time. Rishia took it the worst though which was unsurprising given how she still cared about Itsuki despite everything he put her through. But even as we discussed what this meant and the potential repercussions, we universally agreed there was nothing we could do except put out feelers into the world and hope they came back with word whilst we were away. No matter what my feelings were for them, Itsuki especially, the fact remained that they were Heroes too, and the world would need us all working together to fight back the Waves no matter how infuriating or incompetent they might be (Ren excluded). And that meant they had to be found. And if they were going to be found, that would mean calling on The Aegis.
What were the Aegis? They were to me what the Queen's Shadows were to her: demi-humans who were skilled in blending into crowds and navigating dangerous territory unseen, having spent years doing such to avoid the reach of slavers or bandits. Some had been merchants, others scouts or thieves, but they all had one thing in common: they knew how to stay out of sight and gather information inconspicuously. As both a lord and a Hero, whether I liked it or not, I needed eyes and ears out in the world to keep an eye on things, whether it was ongoing political tensions, sniffing out potential threats to the town or monitoring affairs near our borders. And so the Aegis, my network of information gatherers and spies, was born. They operated in silence and were highly skilled not only in information gathering but also in utilising scrolls, ravens and coded messages to convey their findings back to us in New Rurorona. Each member of the Aegis had specialized training, with the rumour being that it came from one of the Queen's Shadows themselves, in concealment, message encryption and, if the worst came to worst, basic self-defence if they were outed and needed to make a quick escape.
While my party and I were away in Zeltoble, they would spread out across the length and breadth of Melromarc following every possible lead on the missing Heroes and Bitch. Their task would be simple: gather information, send word back to Van and Eclair who would be running things in my absence, and above all, stay safe in the process. Much like every resource we traded and stored in New Rurorona, they were a precious one I could not afford to lose, not when their work was so crucial in these delicate times.
With New Rurorona being left in the capable hands of the likes of Van, Eclair, Freya and the rest, and the Aegis scattered out into Melromarc to search for the Heroes and Bitch, we left for Zeltoble the day after returning. With Filo pulling her familiar cart at her usual enthusiastic speed, it only took us a few days to reach the mercenary nation and its capital city of Zeltan. As we crested its outskirts and got a good look at it for the first time, the sight was what I had expected from hearing Beloukas' description of it: A chaotic sprawl of a city, a sharp contrast to the organized cities I was used to seeing in this world, and a melting pot of different cultural and architectural styles reflecting the differences in wealth. Tall mismatched buildings crowded together near the city centre, the heights no doubt reflective of their owners' wealth and influence with the centrepiece coliseum towering above them all, its stone walls weathered but unmistakably grand given its status as a monument that defined Zeltoble's culture, while the smaller, less sturdy structures of its outskirts were haphazardly crammed together like an afterthought.
Even from this distance, we could see that the streets were abuzz with movement, with wagons, caravans and travellers steadily streaming in and out of the city's gates, some bearing exotic goods while others carried nothing more than worn weapons or desperate expressions.
Inside the city itself, the streets were narrow and winding leaving us with barely enough space to fit Filo and her cart down, the cobblestones uneven and weathered. As we passed by, we couldn't help but notice the variety of the crowds surrounding us on either side, a mix of every kind of person imaginable. Hulking mercenaries, shrewd merchants haggling for the best deals, cloaked figures slipping through with practised ease. Keeping our guard up at all times, we followed the directions that Beloukas had provided for us through the labyrinth of roads, past rows of vendor stalls and makeshift markets towards the city centre. As we drew closer to the coliseum the buildings grew taller, their exteriors ranging from well-maintained stone facades to crooked wooden structures that looked ready to collapse at the slightest breeze. Every so often, we caught sight of someone watching us from a shadowed alley or the upper floor of a building, their intents hidden behind shuttered windows or the glint of reflective lenses even if their presences weren't thanks to my eye. Finally, we arrived at the inn Beloukas had described, a shady-looking two-story building nestled between another tavern and a blacksmith whose outside appearance did a good job of masking it as a seemingly ordinary-looking building. Once we parked up the cart and gathered our stuff, keeping it close to our persons, we made our way towards the front door.
"Is this it? I wasn't expecting it to be so ordinary…" Keel muttered as we approached.
"Appearances can be deceiving. It has to look this way to keep the authorities fooled as to its true nature," I replied, using my Enhanced Perception to see if there were any hidden traps or figures on the other side. Thankfully there were none, and as I pushed open the door we were greeted by somebody who, if I didn't know any better, I would've sworn was Beloukas' body double. If it wasn't for the fact that he had a receding hairline and the chain on his spectacles was crafted differently from that of our favourite slave trader, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
"Ah come in, come in! You must be the Shield Hero and his companions! I've heard a lot about you!" He greeted us in a jovial tone as he waved us inside. The interior of the pub looked the same as any other establishment you'd come across, another way no doubt to mask its true purpose. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you!"
"W-wait…what's he doing here? Didn't we leave him back in Melromarc?!" Filo squeaked, clearly thinking this was Beloukas or some other version of him.
"Ah, I see you are all acquainted with my nephew! He and I correspond often, and he mentioned you might be on your way over for some business!" The man grinned, seemingly unperturbed by Filo's outburst.
"You're his uncle?" Raphtalia asked with a hint of surprise in her face and expression.
"Indeed. My name is Belcanis, the owner of this establishment and a slave trader in Zeltan's black market, at your service my good sir and ladies," he said with a small bow.
"My name is Fergus Ward, the Shield Hero. With me are Raphtalia, Filo, Keel and Rishia, and the creature on Rishia's shoulder is Vulpix," I replied, keeping the introductions brief yet polite given his respectful nature so far. Having dealt with Beloukas for a long time now, I managed to keep my slight disgust for having to deal with another slave trader well hidden as I shook his hand. "Your nephew said you could help us in tracking down the former residents of our village who have been sold into slavery here."
"Indeed I can. My nephew has spoken well of you and how much your assistance has done for his reputation and fortunes, so the least I can do is return the favour. Come with me." Motioning for us to follow him, Belcanis walked around the other side of the bar before speaking again, with the other swarthy man behind the bar taking his place as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "In this country, there are many places above the surface where you can have fun. But…" He stopped at a seemingly innocuous-looking wine rack, although I could see with my Enhanced Perception that it wasn't an ordinary wine rack. There was a hidden mechanism hiding somewhere in it, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly where it was. Fortunately, I didn't need to. "The real fun can be found beneath it…" With a twist of one particular wine bottle near the bottom of the rack, the whole structure slid to the side revealing, to our astonishment, a hidden passageway behind it. "These underground staircases can be found all over Zeltan and the rest of Zeltoble, and each one leads to a spectacular place full of fun, excitement and riches galore! If you would…" Gesturing for us to follow, he proceeded to descend the stairs himself.
"I'm sure what we're going to see is the exact opposite of his words, but if it helps us find the missing civilians…" Gritting my teeth I followed him down the stairs, the others following on behind me with similar looks of trepidation clearly visible on their faces.
"You have either good luck or wonderful fortune on your side today, Shield-Hero," Belcanis spoke up as we descended further into the depths. "Some of those you seek just so happened to come in today. However, before we go in…" He turned to face us, his expression severe even behind his spectacles. "I understand what you see here will be distasteful for all of you, but you mustn't act rashly. You will be in a room full of people whose entire lives and livelihood thrive on what you see here and they will not take too kindly to their practices being interrupted. So I must ask that you remain silent and do exactly as I say. Are we clear?"
I clenched my fists as Belcanis' words sank in, a bitter weight settling in my chest. His tone made it clear—whatever lay beyond this corridor was going to test every ounce of our patience and resolve. What awaited us within wasn't a battlefield we were used to—it was a den of shadows, a place where power and profit thrived on the misery of others. And though my instincts screamed at me to tear down whatever injustice we were about to witness, I knew better. This was Zeltoble. A place where laws were little more than suggestions, and morality was as rare as the stars in a cloudy sky. Charging in like some righteous crusader wouldn't accomplish anything except getting us all killed—or worse, making us enemies in a land where we had no allies. As much as I hated to admit it, I was out of my depth here. This was a game I didn't know how to play, and for now, that meant I had to keep my head down and follow Belcanis' lead.
Still, the thought of staying silent, of doing nothing, burned like acid in my throat. I'd spent my entire journey as the Shield Hero standing against injustice, protecting the weak, and pushing back against the forces that preyed on the helpless. To walk into a place like this—whatever it was—and keep my mouth shut felt like a betrayal of everything I stood for. But this wasn't just about me. One wrong move here could jeopardize the lives of my companions, the mission we were on, and the people we were trying to protect. "Understood…" I gritted out, noting out of the corner of my eye my companions looking equally as unnerved or fearful at what we might see.
At the bottom of the staircase, Belcanis led us all into a vast underground chamber carved from stone and reinforced with thick wooden beams. Rows of wooden seats formed a semicircle around a raised platform at the far end, all of which were currently occupied by sharply dressed merchants, armoured mercenaries and cloaked figures whose faces remained hidden beneath their hoods. As Belcanis motioned for us all to line up against the back wall, our attention was drawn to a wiry man with an unsettling grin who stepped up to the raised platform, and as he held his hand out and beckoned, the reality of what Belcanis had led us into finally sank in: A slave auction. And to really hammer in the blow to our collective guts, the first figure led in by a group of armed thugs was a small demi-human girl with dog-like ears who was dressed in nothing but rags.
"Our first item, from what was once Rurorona Village which is now under the rule of the Shield-Hero…a demi-human!" The man on the platform proclaimed grandly, indicating the small girl who was nervously led onto the platform and placed next to the pedestal where the man was speaking from.
"This is an underworld auction, where you can buy things from the surface," Belcanis proceeded to whisper as the man prattled on. "Like slaves whose ownership is becoming increasingly forbidden in Melromarc being sold here tonight." His words did little to ease the pain and fury on all of our faces at what we were seeing, but we managed to hold our tongues as the small girl started to speak.
"H-hello there! Nice to meet you all! I'm a demi-human from Rurorona Village!" She exclaimed almost happily with a small bow.
"She's lying…" The rest of us turned to look at Raphtalia whose eyes were locked on the girl with an expression of sadness.
"Y-you're sure, Lady Raphtalia?" Rishia asked quietly.
"Positive," Keel spoke up dourly. "I don't recognise her as one of our own, which means…"
"…she's been coerced to say this in order to drive up her selling price…" I finished, feeling sick about how the new reputation of my village was being used to line the profits of these greedy bastards as the auctioneer started calling out for bids for the girl.
"I see sixty in the crowd!" He pointed, seeing a hand raised in the back. "Sixty-five over there! Wait…I see sixty-eight there!" The price continued to increase as members of the crowd continued raising their hands or nodding. "Sixty-nine! Any advance on…yes, I see seventy-two there! Seventy-five! Eighty!..."
"Your intentions are noble, fair lady, but sadly this is one of the nasty consequences of your efforts to restore the village and bring your lost people home," Belcanis commented sadly as the price continued to go up and up. "Unfortunately that is how business works…you never know which way lady fortune will swing…"
"Could it be?! Do I see one hundred?!" The auctioneer's excited voice cut through our melancholic ruminations on our actions as he pointed to a raised hand at the side, eliciting gasps from the audience. "Sold! The gentleman with sign number 14 has won with a bid of one hundred!" He called, bringing his hammer down to end the bidding.
"O-one hundred?!" Rishia squeaked, struggling to keep her voice down. It was taking everything we had for the rest of us to stay silent though at the shock of what we'd just been witness to.
"Thank you so much!" The small girl exclaimed with another small bow. "You have my word that I will do my very best to serve you!"
"As the lady and your friend pointed out and you so correctly sussed out, Shield-Hero…the girl may not be from Rurorona Village, but the brand of your village as a result of its enhanced reputation under your governance is too powerful for these people to resist," Belcanis explained as the young girl was led away to her new life of servitude.
"B-but that's-!"
"Ridiculous, you think? Impossible even?" Belcanis interrupted before Rishia could protest further as the man who'd won the slave passed over the winning fee, receiving in exchange a scroll with a slave crest on it, the same design as the one I'd originally used on Raphtalia when I first purchased her. "The truth of things, my child, is that when money is involved, all things are possible. It makes the world turn." His smarmy gaze then turned my way. "But…I do have some reliable sources telling me there is a citizen of what was once Rurorona Village in this city right now. Tell me, Shield-Hero…how much money do you have on you at this very moment?"
My eyes narrowed, wondering what he was playing at. I decided to play along anyway. "Not nearly enough to cover the price of one of them given what we've seen just now…why?" I answered tersely.
"A little birdie told me you spent a great deal of money buying all the former citizens sold into slavery in Melromarc…" "Beloukas…" I growled internally as Belcanis continued. "If only you'd saved some of that money, you could have used it to free them…how terribly tragic…"
The guilt hit first, sharp and relentless. He wasn't wrong—I had spent a small fortune to free the former citizens of Rurorona in Melromarc. I hadn't thought twice about it at the time; how could I? They were my people, Raphtalia's people, and bringing them home was a promise I'd made and was determined to keep. But now, faced with the reality of what I couldn't do, the limits of my reach and resources stared me down like a predator circling its prey. How many more were still out there?
The question gnawed at the edges of my mind, a constant, bitter reminder that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't save everyone. And now, knowing that at least one of them was here, within reach, but still beyond my grasp… it was enough to make my blood boil.
The anger came next, surging up like a wave threatening to crash. Not just at Belcanis and his infuriating smirk, but at the entire damn system that allowed this to happen in the first place. A world where people were sold like property, where their lives and freedom had a price tag attached to them… it was sickening. And the worst part? I couldn't do a damn thing about it—not here, not now. Belcanis' warning still echoed in my head: act rashly, and we'd all pay the price.
Perhaps sensing my rising anger, Raphtalia squeezed my hand reassuringly to calm me down. She was looking just as upset as I was, as we all felt, but her eyes conveyed just how cautious we had to be here, and as much as I hated it…she was right. Though every fibre of my being was screaming to protest at the injustice of all of this, to tear down this entire twisted operation, I couldn't. Too much was on the line, and I risked putting myself, my companions and those we'd come to save in even greater danger if I let my anger guide me.
For their sake—for everyone's sake—I had to keep my emotions in check and play this smart. "I'm guessing you have something in mind that will earn us some coin…?" I growled out as the next demi-human was brought onto the stage.
Belcanis gave me a toothy grin as he chuckled in response. "You saw the coliseum on your way here, did you not? People there fight fair and square with their honour on the line while the masses cheer them on. However…in the underground arenas…there are no rules. The fighters in those pits do whatever it takes to win, and the money that can be earned there is even greater than what is offered on the surface…" His grin only widened. "Bet on a dark horse and win, or even enter yourself. Either one will get you the money that you need…" He slid a small token out of his pocket and pressed it into my palm. "Why don't you go and take a look for yourself when you are done here, hm?"
~ToaTSH~
Given the nature of what I was about to see, I'd initially decided to go and handle this alone. However, after a little bit of convincing on her part, I agreed to let Keel come with me. And so with her playing the part of my 'docile and obedient' slave, I took the token Belcanis had given me to the establishment he'd given me directions to and gave three knocks, the signal code that he'd assured me would grant me access. After a moment's pause, the hatch had opened and a single hand had appeared in which I placed the token, and then a short while after that the door opened, allowing myself and Keel entrance.
After being silently led to a hidden stairwell by the establishment's fishy-looking proprietor, Keel and I quietly headed down them only to end up in another bar, only this was one where the walls and everything but the bar and stools were made from stone. As we entered, we noticed one or two shifty-looking people hanging around looking inconspicuous or having a drink while keeping their eyes out on the other visitors skulking about. Ignoring them, I made my way up to the bar set up at the far side of the room manned by a slightly obese man and, not making eye contact, discreetly slid a couple of silver coins over the bar as I'd been told to by Belcanis. Without meeting my eyes in return, the bartender slid me over a drink while discreetly jabbing with his finger towards a small entryway by the wall opposite.
Giving the drink to Keel to carry so that she could continue to act out the part of a servant, I made my way over to the entryway and, after passing through it, continued to walk over towards a large opening carved out of stone, just wide and high enough to allow one to look out over it. As I walked over to it, I could hear the sounds of screaming, cheering, clashing weapons and roars grow louder which only served to confirm just what it was exactly I was about to see. As we both stepped up to the opening and looked over it, we were not surprised by what greeted us: A massive underground arena carved directly into the bedrock itself, its walls jagged and raw as if the earth itself had been forced to yield to the brutality that unfolded within.
Even from where we were standing, the air was thick with the mingling smells of sweat, blood and smoke, the oppressive scents clinging to our nostrils like a shroud. The arena floor, circular and wide, was a patchwork of uneven dirt and cracked stone, pockmarked by dark stains of dried blood. All around it, the crowd roared and cheered in anticipation, their voices a cacophony that reverberated off the stone walls from the stands they were currently sitting or standing in, rows of rough-hewn stone seating circling the arena a few feet below where we were currently standing. On my level or on raised balconies set higher in the stands sat wealthier patrons, draped in fine clothes and jewellery, their laughter carrying above the din as they sipped from ornate goblets provided to them by serving girls or slaves. Towards the far end of the chamber, opposite from us, was a high, shadowed platform that overlooked the entire arena – a place of authority, no doubt, reserved for those who controlled these twisted games. Shadowed figures loomed there, indistinct but clearly looking on with interest.
"This…this is sick…" Keel growled from next to me, the fur on her white hair standing on end as her eyes darted all over the cheering crowd.
"I agree," I muttered back, my own insides churning at what we were bearing witness to. "But this is Zeltoble. This is their culture. And until we figure out what we can do here to free those we came here for, we need to endure it."
Keel growled, hating my answer as much as I hated stating it, but said nothing as she turned her gaze to what was going on in the arena below us. As I followed her gaze, I saw the two combatants currently going at it: an elephant demi-human clad in ornate gold-and-red armour squaring off against a panda demi-human dressed in more common armour that you'd expect from a regular soldier. At the moment they were currently standing face-to-face a few metres apart, presumably recovering from their breath before going at it again.
"Mind if I join you both?" A female voice suddenly called from behind us, smooth and tinged with an almost playful tone, and as Keel and I turned our heads to the side we saw a strikingly tall woman with long, flowing black hair cascading down her back like a river of midnight leaning casually against the balcony, drink already in hand as she looked at us with an amused expression. She was clad in a revealing blue-and-white attire, the garment clinging to her slim figure while with clearly practised elegance, leaving her shoulders bare. A matching sash of pale white was tied around her waist, accentuating her hourglass frame, while the loose skirt flowing from it was slit high on one side, offering glimpses of her toned legs. Beneath the skirt, fitted leggings of shimmering blue fabric caught the lantern light like rippling water while small, silver anklets adorned her bare feet. Her wrists were adorned with bracelets crafted from what appeared to be polished seashells and beads, while around her neck she wore a simple pendant shaped like a fishhook. Her sharp blue eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and intrigue as she looked us up and down as if already sizing us up.
"You're new faces here. First time I take it?" she drawled, taking advantage of our stunned silence to speak again before turning to look down at the arena. "Salza's going to win this one today, the panda-looking one if you are curious. Call it a hunch or…a keen observation…" Her eyes then moved back to us. "So…you going to bet? Or are you here to enter yourself?"
Neither of us responded as we saw the panda demi-human, Salza, take a deep breath before slamming his fists to the ground, causing a row of magical plants to erupt out of the ground sending the elephant-like demi-human flying to a roar from the crowd. As the larger combatant collapsed to the ground, the notes and coins started raining down from the stands as the referee declared Salza the winner of the bout.
"What did I say, hm?" The mysterious woman spoke up again, looking back at us with a cocky expression.
"Looks like Belcanis was right…there really are no rules to this place. As distasteful as that is, we could use it to our advantage…" "Magic's allowed too, hm? Interesting…" I murmured softly enough that it wouldn't carry but she at least would hear.
"Yup! I see you are learning quick, stranger!" She teased before quaffing back her goblet, draining the thing dry in one gulp. Rather than reply, Keel and I instead returned our focus to the arena where the next fight was being set up between a scrawny-looking white-and-black-haired demi-human boy introduced as Fohl and a pompous-looking young man with a blonde bowl-cut named Yuji. The announcer rattled off more prattle about the odds being heavily in Fohl's favour but to not let that discourage anyone from betting in the other combatant's favour as she spoke up again. "You can either enter the area alone or team up with two others in a three-man team, the latter of which are more popular and earn you way more money. I'd suggest that if you want to make lots of money really fast." She drained another goblet dry again before giving me another curious look. "You aren't one for talking or drinking much, are you? More the broody, silent type I take it?" She shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "Hmm, I can work with that…" She muttered in an aside that my ears still managed to pick up as the match below us began in earnest, drawing our attention once more
Once the bell rang the human charged forward with a yell, sword raised as he swiped ferociously at Fohl. But instead of meeting the attack, Fohl simply dodged the blow and leapt back, creating some distance. Amidst yells of anger and booing from the audience the young man charged in again, only for Fohl to dodge out of the way again and again.
"Hey…something's not right here…" Keel muttered. "That demi-human…they don't seem to be panicked or bothered at all…" As I looked closer, I saw that Keel was right. Fohl's expression as he dodged and weaved the human's blows wasn't of anger and fear but rather…apathy, as though there was no purpose for him doing this. "She's right…there's something fishy about…what's going on here…"
The answer came to us almost straight away as the human launched a fiery projectile from his blade after a few more futile swipes. Rather than dodging it though, Fohl simply crossed his arms and took the attack before falling back in a rather exaggerated manner as he crumpled to the ground seemingly in defeat.
"And there you have it…Yuji is the winner!" As the audience broke out into a mix of boos and angry yelling, my eyes followed the movements of both combatants as the young man approached the downed demi-human and, in a movement I wouldn't have caught had it not been for my Enhanced Perception, slipped a small vial of something into the stricken demi-human's hand with an almost disdainful glare on his face. Rather than reacting outwardly, Fohl just got up and silently left leaving the human to receive the plaudits of his victory. "No wonder he was looking so apathetic…he was throwing the match from the beginning for whatever was in that vial. Whatever it is must be more important than winning or money, but what could it be…"
"Hard not to feel sorry for him even if he fixed the match, don't you think?" The mysterious woman next to us sighed before stretching. "Well, that's enough drinking and action for me…I'm going to call it a night…unless you wanna buy me another drink?" She asked with a small waggle of her eyebrows.
I only sighed and nodded to Keel, who passed my as-of-yet untouched drink into her eager hands. "How generous of you, tall, broody and handsome…bottoms up!" She again proceeded to quaff it down in one go before putting the empty mug down with a pleasured sigh. "Wow…that's exactly what I needed! Thanks for that!" She proceeded to stand up, swaying a little bit but otherwise looking no worse for wear as she started to slowly walk up. "Good luck out there if you do decide to give it a go! Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other again!" With one last wave, she headed back towards the passageway towards the hidden bar.
"Well, that was…weird…" Keel surmised before turning her gaze back to me. "So…what's the plan now, Sir Fergus? Do we head back or stay to watch some more?"
I shook my head by way of response, though I was still slightly flummoxed at the woman's strange mannerisms and her seemingly high tolerance for alcohol. "I've gotten all I need to know from tonight. Let's call it a night and regroup with the others," I pushed back from the balcony and led the pair of us out towards the door we came in. "So…Keel?" I asked quietly as we made our way up the stairs. "Fancy joining myself and Raphtalia down there in the arena?"
Keel's face was a mask as she considered my words which was more than enough for me to gauge her thoughts. I could tell she was displeased at the thought of fighting purely for the sake of entertainment and coin, but at the same time she too was recognising that it would be the quickest way to earn the money needed to free all of the former residents of Rurorona Village. "If it keeps Filo and Rishia from having to take part, then I'm in," she replied firmly, a hint of a smile creeping onto her face. "And if these people want a show…let's give it to them."
I nodded silently at her words, preoccupied with my own thoughts. Entering the arena wasn't just a risk—it was a moral compromise as fighting in front of a crowd like that was against everything I stood for as the Shield Hero, but if it meant freeing the villagers of Rurorona and keeping my promise to Raphtalia and Keel, then I'd swallow my pride and beliefs and do it anyway.
As we neared the top of the stairs, my thoughts drifted briefly to the woman we'd encountered on the balcony. She was strange, no doubt about it—equal parts aloof and sharp, with a confidence that was hard to ignore. Her tolerance for alcohol alone was almost superhuman, but there was something else about her that I couldn't quite place. She had an air of mystery, like someone who had seen far more than she let on. And her parting words— "Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other again"—lingered in my mind longer than they should have.
As we stepped back out into the cool night air of Zeltan, I took one last look at the establishment behind us where our immediate future lay before turning to Keel, offering her a fist. "For them. For Rurorona," I said quietly.
"Aye. For them. For Rurorona," Keel echoed back as we bumped fists before making our way back to the Belcanis' inn where Raphtalia and the others were waiting for us, our plan set. Whatever awaited us in that arena, it wouldn't be about the cheers or the coin—it would be about keeping a promise.
And if this city demanded a show to let us keep it, then so be it. We'd give them one they wouldn't soon forget.
I somehow seem to make a habit of drawing out the first episodes of Shield-Hero seasons over multiple chapters, but given everything we've covered in this chapter I felt it was appropriate. Our gang is now in Zeltoble and has borne witness to its shady nature, one they must adapt to and embrace in order to bring the residents of Rurorona home. We also got our first glimpses of both the plucky Fohl and the mysterious yet beautiful Sadeena who we'll be seeing more of in the chapters to come.
Now that the holiday season is over, hopefully things will go back to normal schedule-wise with both work and writing, so fingers crossed I'll hopefully be getting the next chapter out within the next 10 days, but if not it'll definitely be in a fortnight's time as Fergus and his party try their hand at fighting in the underground arena. Until then, this is theoneandonlyedster signing out for now. Thank you as always for reading and I'll see you in the next one. Take care!