Chapter 9: The Wave: Part Three
Everyone watched in horror, with the majority of the members of Motoyasu and Itsuki being afraid of the rage Naofumi was showing right now.
Ren, Ren's party, Raphtalia, and Filo were all worried for Garfiel, watching that he's on the ground while in pain.
Mai was afraid for her life, seeing that not even the foolish demi human boy could stop the Shield Hero.
Now that death is staring her dead in the eye, she started to run away. Motoyasu noticed this, left a bit dumbfounded.
"Motoyasu! Wait!"
Ren shouted, wanting the Spear hero to leave Mai alone since having her around will only keep pissing Naofumi off.
As he tries to stop this, one of his party members warns him about Naofumi moving towards him.
"Watch out, Ren-sama!"
The Sword Hero took note of what was being warned, prompting him to swiftly turn around and go on the defensive.
He blocked Naofumi's shield, feeling overwhelmed by just how much heat the shield was resonating.
'This heat...how did Garfiel handle this for so long...?'
He continued to hold his ground until the heat from Naofumi's shield forced him to jump away from the Shield Hero.
Having managed to have some distance, Naofumi looked at him for a moment before starting to make his way towards Mai's direction.
Seeing this, Ren concluded that the Shield Hero only attacked him due to perceiving him as an obstacle to his main goal, Mai.
Just before he had the chance to act, Itsuki took the initiative and just started to fire arrows at Naofumi.
"What are you doing?!" Ren shouted.
"Doing something! He's trying to kill Mai! He's become the exact monster that the church had fired. He's become the devil of the shield!"
As Itsuki responded with this, he continued to give it his all in trying to stop Naofumi.
As he fired arrow after arrow, the pissed off Shield Hero remained unfazed as he just started to walk towards the Bow Hero's position.
Itsuki's party members were prepared to join in trying to kill the Shield Hero, siding with Itsuki's thinking only for Ren's party members to block their path.
"You won't get any further." Tersia spoke as she, Welt, Bakta, and Farrie all got themselves ready for a fight. The second in command of Itsuki's party, Mald, pulled out his sword as he threatened the Sword Hero's party:
"Move or you shall die!"
"We won't move."
As Farrie was the one to say this, he gets his axe into battle position before charging at Mald, initiating the fight between the Sword and Bow heroes' respective parties.
Ren noticed this and although he hates that this is the only way to keep Itsuki's group from getting themselves killed, he looked at Itsuki and attempted to talk him out of fighting Naofumi.
"Don't do this, Itsuki. You know well that Mai did something to piss off Naofumi."
"That doesn't mean she has to die. Besides, look at him. He's attacking everyone, including his allies. Someone has to stop him before he gets anybody else hurt or worse."
"So why kill him then? Isn't there a better option like knocking him out?"
"You know damn well that we can't allow that." Itsuki responded swiftly as he continued to use every ability he knew in his arsenal. Ren dislike what he was hearing, prompting his calm demeanor to change into one of slight aggression:
"And why can't we? Is it because you truly think he's a threat…? Or do you just want to kill him over some petty grudge you've started gaining towards him?"
Itsuki prepared to fire another arrow at the enraged Naofumi only to stop when he heard this, feeling anger at his very core.
"You dare view my actions as just some kid getting some petty vengeance? Can't you see I'm looking out for everybody?!"
"Does that include the members of Naofumi's party? Do you know what they will do if he dies, especially by your hand?"
Itsuki attempted to regain his calm composure but the anger he was feeling was becoming more than he could handle.
Before he could even say anything more to Ren, Naofumi had reached his position and prepared to attack him only for Ren to get in between the two and block said attack.
"I..."
Itsuki was just shocked by this sudden attack from the enraged Naofumi as well as Ren's interference. Before he could even finish his sentence, Ren said in a serious tone:
"Allow me to face Naofumi. Don't interfere."
As he said those words to Itsuki, he turned his attention to Garfiel's direction for a moment.
He noticed that Filo and Raphtalia were helping him up.
This allowed him to be somewhat calm since the tiger boy was being taken care of.
He turned his attention to Naofumi as he began to say:
"I need you to come back to your senses, Naofumi. Don't lose yourself in this overwhelming hatred."
"..."
Naofumi remained silent as all he could think about was killing Malty, killing the bitch that had made his life a living nightmare.
The same bitch that harmed Raphtalia for no other reason but to cause him emotional harm.
This anger only helped fuel the flames that burned deep in his cursed shield.
Ren noticed this and knew that his words hadn't reached the Shield Hero as well as knowing that he'll have to beat him if he wants to stop this madness.
'It pains me to fight you, after all, you aren't a bad person...but if words can't reach you, then I have no other choice.'
Ren jumped back to gain some distance in order to give himself a moment to be mentally ready to face off Naofumi.
Having trained for the wave, he has some knowledge of the Shield Hero's abilities, meaning he's one of the best choices to stop his rampage.
After a few seconds had passed, he opened his eyes and began to attack with everything he had in him.
As his sword clashed with Naofumi's shield, he did his best to keep his opponent on the defensive, not wanting to give him the opportunity to counterattack.
While he was doing this, he realized right away that the fire in Naofumi's rage shield was increasing with each hit, making him aware that he'll need to try something else soon or the flames will consume him.
While he was distracted doing that, Raphtalia was holding onto Garfiel, hoping that the healing potion she gave him would take effect soon.
'Don't die, Garf.'
As she thought this, she noticed that he wasn't being healed.
"Wh-What's going on?" She began to worry enough that caught Filo's attention.
"Is Garf going to be okay...?" Filo asked as she was on the brink of crying, not wanting Garfiel to be killed.
As the two were worried for the demi human boy, Glass observed the battle from afar as she realized that the timer for the wave was closing in.
She was amazed by what she was seeing, watching her opponents fighting among themselves but eventually she would have to end them all while their forces were divided.
Before she did that though, she was curious on Garfiel and wanted to speak to him alone.
Something about the boy didn't seem right to her. She observed the boy as he was slowly getting back up with Raphtalia and Filo still worried for him.
"You should rest, Garf."
"Yeah! You're hurt!" Filo added her concerns.
Garfiel looked at the two with a confident smile, not wanting the pair to be worried anymore.
"Don't ya worry...I'll sit th's one out...now go save that idiot."
As Garfiel said this, he sat down while using every inch of will power to act out that he's fine, still in pain from whatever curse Naofumi's rage shield was giving off.
Raphtalia and Filo did wish to stay with Garfiel but seeing that their master was still on a rampage, they knew that he needs to be stopped before someone is killed.
Before he was about to do something to help out, he sensed someone behind him.
"Hm?" He turns to see it was Glass. "You?!"
As he jumps up, he feels a strain on his body, causing him to want to collapse to the ground since his divine protection isn't working like it's supposed to.
He can feel his body healing but at a slow rate.
He got himself ready for a possible fight with Glass, prompting her to look at him with an amused facial expression.
She already knew that the boy was injured and in no real shape for a fight but watching him still have the will to fight has her interest.
"Ya won't harm anybody." Garfiel spoke in a serious tone.
"It's amusing to think that you think in your condition you can do anything." Glass spoke as she had her fan ready for an attack.
Garfiel could only look at her annoyed before moving his fists up to prepare for a harsh battle.
Just before Glass made a movement, she noticed that a timer had popped up, leaving her surprised for a second.
Garfiel noticed this and couldn't help but point that out.
"What? Ya scared now?"
Glass remained silent before turning around to leave, which surprised the demi human boy.
"What? Where ya goin' now?"
"That's none of your concern."
Garfiel didn't like this and didn't trust Glass to actually just leave things how they are, which prompted him to just charge at her for an attack.
Glass sensed this and yet she wasn't fazed by this by continuing to walk away.
Just as he was about to land a punch, she pulled out her fan and easily blocked away the attack.
Garfiel was temporarily shocked before attempting to go for another attack only for his opponent to pull him towards her as she whispered something in his ear.
This caused him to pause as he processed what she had said.
After she finished saying what she had to say, she let go of the boy and left before Garfiel could do anything.
He watched her leave before turning towards Naofumi, viewing that Ren was starting to get overwhelmed by the Rage Shield's flames.
"Gotta help them."
Despite knowing that he needs to recover, he chose to go into danger instead.
While that was going on, Ren continued to attack the rage shield with everything he had in him before jumping high up and using a long distance attack on his out of control ally.
"Meteor Slash!"
Ren's sword began to glow blue for a moment before he swung towards Naofumi's direction.
The sword had fired a powerful electric like power of energy towards the enraged Shield Hero, hoping that this would push him back.
The Shield Hero noticed this and quickly blocked away the attack, which helped increase even more the flames that surrounded him.
'Darn!'
Ren thought in frustration as he could see that his attacks were only making Naofumi more dangerous.
He landed on the ground while the Shield Hero approached him, fire and hatred being shown in his eyes.
The Sword Hero was intimidated by this, seeing the intense hatred that was within his comrade.
Although most of this was directed to Malty since she was at fault for his troubles, he also thought that perhaps he has hatred towards him as well.
Despite their friendship seemingly being much better ever since Garfiel's sudden arrival, he was one of the few that never was there for Naofumi when he was accused of harming Mai.
This was something he deeply regrets since he condemned someone that was innocent, someone that cares for others.
As these thoughts filled his mind, he suddenly noticed a timer appear.
'One minute? For what?'
As this caught his attention, Naofumi charged at him and forced him to go into the defensive.
His sword and Naofumi's shield clashed with the flames beginning to consume him.
'I need to do something...I can't let Naofumi hurt anybody...'
As Ren had this in mind, he closed his eyes as he thought about his party members, how they do mean something to him.
As well as Naofumi and his party members, having grown a strong bond with them.
These thoughts helped him to re-unlock the blessed series, though this time he was able to read what was being shown to him.
'Temperance?'
As he saw this, he suddenly began to see the same glow he did before back when he, along with Garfiel, Naofumi, Filo, and Raphtalia were facing the dragon.
He saw all of his allies in a white aura.
He expected Naofumi to be in a dark aura but to his surprise he wasn't, at least not fully.
Naofumi had a black aura all around the white aura, implying that his ally isn't too far gone just yet.
He looked with determination as he quickly jumped high up to avoid the flames from fully consuming him.
While up in the sky, his sword had shifted into the Sword of Temperance, allowing him to see a possible way for him to beat Naofumi.
He landed on the ground before charging swiftly at the Shield Hero.
Naofumi moved around his shield to block Ren's attack only for the Sword Hero to move his sword in an angle that allowed him to land a hit.
This hit caught the attention of everyone looking at the fight, seeing that Ren had suddenly become the best chance to stop Naofumi.
Garfiel took notice of this yet it didn't stop him from returning into the fight against the Shield Hero, especially after what Glass had told him.
'We're gonna save yer ass, Shield guy!'
Garfiel waited for a moment as he saw Ren managing to land another hit on the Shield Hero, one that looked like it did damage.
This made the Shield of Sanctuary to see an opening for him to land a hit on his out of control ally.
Raphtalia and Filo had just noticed Garfiel enter the fight once again, surprising the two but also worrying them as well.
"Garf!"
Raphtalia and Filo were both prepared to join in just to get Garfiel out of the fight, both knowing that he's too injured to fight.
Just as they were about to join in, one of Ren's party members got in between them and the battle going on.
"Move out of the way!" Raphtalia said.
"No." Farrie said. "Just allow the boy to join the Sword Hero."
"He'll get himself killed." Raphtalia protested as she prepared to push her way through. As she prepared to join the fight temporarily, Garfiel shouted:
"Don't ya dare!"
Raphtalia and Filo turned towards Garfiel, having a feeling that he's speaking to them specifically.
They weren't sure until the demi human boy continued:
"Ya two stay put, let Sword guy and my amazin' self handle th's!"
As he said this, he turned his attention to Ren.
"We got th's, Sword guy! Now let's win!"
As he shouted this, he goes for an attack towards Naofumi only for the enraged shield hero to not only block the attack with his rage shield but also his flames to suddenly increase twofold.
'Shit! Shit! Shit!'
Garfiel wanted to jump back as his entire right arm was burning yet he knew that he had to continue to attack the enraged Shield Hero.
Despite his attacks increasing the flames around him, he was pushing himself beyond what he was currently capable of all the while thinking about those he cares about.
He thought about those back home such as his sister, the old hags, the captain, Ram, Brotto, Petra, and the princess. He also thought about Raphtalia, Filo, Ren and his party, and of course the shield hero Naofumi.
These people are those he strongly cares for and wants to protect.
'I won't lose here. My amazin' self'll save ya!'
He continued to punch the shield with rapid pace, wanting to keep him distract all the while knowing that Ren will have an opening to do some serious damage on Naofumi.
The Sword Hero noticed this, causing him to think back on an odd quote Garfiel had once said.
("Like the sayin' goes, Nobody Can Lift a Quain Stone Alone.")
'Hm. Odd saying but it applies here.'
As Ren smiled when thinking this, his expression quickly shifted into one of determination as he charged swiftly at the distracted Naofumi.
Once he approached the Shield Hero's position, he did not hesitate on landing a nearly fatal hit.
This was enough to let Naofumi's guard down despite how high his defense would normally be, allowing Garfiel to land a punch on the Shield Hero.
The first time he did this was to snap him out of his anger directed towards Melty, someone who didn't deserve that kind of treatment.
Now he's back at it again, punching the hell out of the shield hero to calm him down before he does something that he would regret.
'Didn't like it th'first time, don't like it now.'
As his punch had nearly knocked Naofumi out, Ren attempted to take another chance at landing a hit on his ally to end this.
As his sword was about to connect to Naofumi's back, the Shield Hero felt the world suddenly slow down as he saw himself in a dark void.
"He won't beat me! Not AGAIN! NOT AGAIN!"
'This anger...it's beyond mine...'
"He humiliated me, twice! He won't get away with that! HE WON'T GET AWAY WITH THAT!"
A sword had pierced Naofumi in this black void, causing him to spike in anger, affecting the outcome of the fight in the outside world where the flames suddenly exploded all over the place.
Garfiel and Ren were caught off guard by this as they were close to Naofumi when this explosion occurred.
Right before they were caught by the attack, Raphtalia and Filo had both jumped in and saved them with Filo grabbing Garfiel while Raphtalia grabbed Ren.
As the two get the two out of there, avoiding the explosion.
"That was too close." Raphtalia spoke to the two warriors after she and Filo had gained some distance from the flames Naofumi was summoning.
"This is bad. The longer he continues this, the more dangerous he will become." Ren said in fear that the others will try to join in to kill Naofumi, with the result of that coming to their deaths.
"Th's all th't bitch's fault." Garfiel spoke out in anger, knowing full well what had caused these events to happen. "Had she not been here, we wouldn't be in th's situation."
As Garfiel said this, he felt his body burning up once again, feeling an intense amount of pain.
"F-Fuck..."
"Garf!"
Raphtalia and Filo both approached the demi human boy, seeing that he was in immense pain once again.
He fell on his knee as he could feel his body in the same pain he had when he was cursed by the undead dragon...actually much worse.
"You need to rest, Garf." Raphtalia scolded him.
"Yes. You've done everything you can." Ren added in, not wanting Garfiel to put himself in any more danger than he already was.
Garfiel looked at the ground for a moment before looking at Naofumi, watching the flames consuming him.
This somehow made him think back to when he was wanting to close off the Sanctuary for good, how he was blinded by his pain.
This reminder prompted him to get back up much to Raphtalia and Filo's dismay.
"No, Garf! Rest!"
"...Sword guy, is there a chance for victory before things get bad?"
Ren remained silent for a moment, still concerned that the demi human boy won't rest but at the same time understanding why he still wishes to fight.
He looks at Naofumi and can see that the dark aura has increased but the light within this dark aura was still glowing.
"We still have a chance but if I keep landing hits on him, I can leave him fatally wounded and might accidentally kill him." Ren voiced his concerns as he can tell that whatever Naofumi was being consumed by, his blessed series seems to be having an effect on him.
Garfiel understood this and immediately responded with:
"Then let me land th'finishin' blow."
"Garf, but—" Before Raphtalia could finish her sentence, Garfiel interrupted her.
"I'll need help t'do th's. I'll need both of ya, Talia, Filo."
Filo and Raphtalia paused as they heard what Garfiel was saying.
"I need yer help. I only got one good punch left in me before I'm done. So will ya please help Sword guy and my amazin' self save th't moron over there?"
As Garfiel said this, the two girls were not sure that they should have him continue fighting yet they turn towards their master and can see that they need to save him before it's too late.
"Just...please be safe." Filo said as she was afraid Garfiel will die if he continues fighting.
Garfiel noticed this and couldn't help but smile confidently before nodding at her, assuring that he will be alright.
This did help Filo while Raphtalia was still worried, knowing that Garfiel is very reckless.
The four all turned towards Naofumi's direction as they prepared to end this fight before the Shield Hero did something that he would regret.
As they prepared to go into battle, Itsuki and his group were all also preparing to kill the enraged Shield Hero.
"That's not good."
"I'll—" Before Ren could say something, Filo turned her attention towards Itsuki and his party members.
"I'll take care of them."
As Filo said this, she, in her filolial form, charged at the Bow Hero to prevent them from trying to actually hurt her master.
Raphtalia wanted to help Filo out but she trusted in her that she can take care of herself. She pulled out her sword before saying confidently:
"Let's go save Naofumi-sama."
"Right!"
The three jumped into the fire with Ren taking the lead, having the best chance to distract Naofumi as his blessed series of Temperance allows him to know when Naofumi is closing in on him.
As he noticed Naofumi closing in on him, the two clashed weapons once again with Ren's Sword of Temperance was able to hold back Naofumi's Rage Shield, protecting him from the flames from the shield.
This allowed Raphtalia and Garfiel a chance to close in without the problem of Naofumi attacking them.
The fire was still a problem as Raphtalia's instincts were telling her to run away as the fire was extremely dangerous to even be near it.
Garfiel picked up on this and quickly got in front of her.
"Don't ya worry Talia, I'll protect you!"
"But this could kill you, Garf!"
"It's fine. I'm a shield, one that'll protect everyone. I won't fall."
As Garfiel spoke proudly, he held his right arm in front of him holding his remaining shield, protecting him from some of the flames.
This helped at least protect Raphtalia from receiving any damage from the fire but he was taking more and more damage, with the curse coming from these flames increasing on his body.
This almost caused him to collapse but his determination was the only thing that allowed him to keep on going.
Raphtalia did notice this and wanted to say something but considering the time and place, she chose to remain silent, having faith that the boy in front of her will pull through.
As the two were closing in on Naofumi's position, they noticed that Ren was going on an aggressive offense, trying to keep the Shield Hero from counter attacking him.
With this distraction, Raphtalia took her chance to go for an attack, remembering that Garfiel only has one hit in him before he collapses.
'Don't you worry, Garf. I'll clear you a path.'
She went for an attack on Naofumi as her master was still being distracted by Ren.
As she managed to land a hit on him, this caused Naofumi to turn towards Raphtalia's direction in an attempt to retaliate only to notice that it was Raphtalia.
"Naofumi-sama!"
Her voice managed to reach Naofumi.
'Raphtalia...'
This helped calm him down, leaving him open for Garfiel to finish the job before Naofumi's anger fires up again.
Garfiel saw this and quickly mustered every ounce of strength he had in him to charge at him.
'Time for th'finishin' blow!'
As Garfiel had close the gap between himself and the Shield Hero, he began to say:
"I'm sorry fer th's...but know th's ain't personal."
Naofumi noticed what Garfiel had said but before he could react, Garfiel changed his right arm from human form into its beast form before landing the definite blow.
As the punch connected, it's immense strength and with the hit he had received from Ren earlier was enough to finally knock him out.
The moment the Shield Hero had crashed onto a tree nearby thanks to the amount of force of Garfiel's attack.
As this happened, Naofumi's body and shield had reverted back to normal all the while Garfiel collapsed to the ground, finally losing all of his strength.
As the two were unconscious, Ren had noticed that the timer had gone to zero.
The moment that happened, the sky reverted back to normal, indicating that the wave had ended.
"It's done..."
Ren said as his sword reverted to its original version, indicating that his blessed series had gone away.
He turned to check on Filo only to see her having beaten up most of Itsuki's party members with his party members backing up the filolial.
"I guess we can rest now."
The Sword Hero sheathed his sword before going to check on Garfiel, feeling relieved all the while Raphtalia first went to check up on Naofumi, having been extremely worried for him and also noticing that the Sword Hero was already heading to check on Garf.
Filo reverted back to her human form as she also did the same thing, wishing to see if her master was okay.
As the two girls go to see Naofumi, Ren helps the demi human boy on his feet.
He was relieved that he made it but he was concerned as well since he can tell that he's been cursed.
'Those flames of Naofumi might've been the cause of this...'
"You did good, Garfiel."
"...Y-Yeah...thanks..."
Garfiel struggled to speak but when he did, he spoke in a respectful manner.
With him back on his feet, Ren offered to help him walk, which the boy accepted, feeling that he would collapse on his own.
'My divine protection ain't workin' right...gotta rest, fer real th's time...'
He made a mental note of this.
As it seemed like everything would be peaceful for the remainder of the day, the two heard Raphtalia shout:
"Stay away from him!"
"Hm?"
Both Garfiel and Ren turned towards Raphtalia's direction to see that Itsuki and his party members were surrounding Naoufmi, Filo, and Raphtalia with their weapons out.
"Are...ya...f-fuckin'...kiddin' me...?"
Ren agreed with the sentiment Garfiel was feeling, finding this annoying since they just survive one hell of a wave.
He and Garfiel began to approach the location where Naofumi was, both moving as fast as they could since Garfiel's still struggling to move.
As it seemed like they weren't going to make it in time, Garfiel turned towards Ren to tell him:
"Go without me...I'll wait here..."
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you."
"It'll be fine."
As Garfiel said this with a calm tone before they noticed Farrie, Tersia, Welt, and Bakta all four quickly ran towards Raphtalia's aid.
As they were blocking Itsuki and his party members' path to getting to Naofumi, they pulled out their weapons, ready for a fight.
The Bow Hero looked at these members angrily.
"This is your only warning, get out of our way."
"No." Tersia spoke out. "The wave is over, the Shield Hero has been beaten, it's time to go back to the capital."
"He isn't beaten until he's been killed." Mald spoke as he prepared his axe.
"You won't harm him!" Raphtalia shouted as she prepared for another fight, this time to protect her master.
"Stay away from master!" Filo shouted as she also prepared herself for a fight.
Just before everything could go worse, Ren and Garfiel both managed to reach them just before Itsuki fired his bow.
Ren had grabbed his arm and pulled it away from Raphtalia or the others for safety while sternly speaking to him.
"What the heck are you doing?"
"You know he's dangerous, right? If it took us this much just to beat him, imagine when he recovers his strength. We have to kill him before he can harm the innocent."
"Bullshit." Ren spoke a bit angrily. "We both know that this whole justice gimmick has nothing to do with why you want to do this."
"Gimmick?" Itsuki looked at Ren with anger in his eyes. "We are heroes, our job is to protect the innocent. People like Naofumi tarnish that and make our jobs that much more difficult. So he must be removed."
With that kind of line, Ren pulled out his sword and pointed it directly at Itsuki.
"I suggest you and your party leave now before it's too late."
As Ren said this, Garfiel looked up with a serious facial expression, exhausted to all hell but willing to help out as best he can if it meant protecting Naofumi.
Itsuki looked at Garfiel for a brief moment before turning back towards Ren.
"You are a damn hypocrite. After having been against Naofumi when he had taken advantage of Mai, you are now being swayed by him all because of those enslaved under him! What kind of hero sides with a known criminal?!"
"What?" Garfiel was taken aback by this, prompting him to turn towards the Sword Hero. "What's he talkin' about?"
Ren had noticed Garfiel's question but he just remained focused on Itsuki, having had enough of his stubbornness.
"You speak so highly but what about taking some responsibility, spoiled brat! You act like you are the hero of your story but you are nothing more than some high schooler that refuses to grow up! You want to be this so-called grand hero, then take responsibility for your mistakes or are those people suffering because of your actions just not worth acknowledging."
Itsuki paused for a second before becoming extremely infuriated by this since he knows that if a fight broke out, he would most likely lose since Ren is currently stronger than him due to the Sword Hero managing better against an enraged Naofumi than him.
He is also infuriated because those words are like thorns to his soul. This forced him to put away his weapon while telling his party:
"Seems like we are done here. Let's go."
Itsuki's party members saw how infuriated their leader was as he began to leave, making them look at Ren with anger, viewing him now as an enemy before following the Bow Hero.
As they were leaving, Ren waited until they were truly gone before lowering his guard. He turned towards Raphtalia and Filo to tell them,
"Let's get Naofumi somewhere safe."
Author's note:
So apologies that this story takes a while in terms of updating since well Koolken and I have different speeds when we write our stories as well as that now I've gotten a few of the Shield Hero Light Novels, I will start implementing Light Novel stuff moving forward.
As for the next chapter, It'll be posted soon (I mean it this time) and we are working on Arc 2 so be looking forward for that.
Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter.