Five minutes. It took him five minutes to kill a couple of sentient orange balloons. Naofumi bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath. His legs were sore, his body drenched in sweat. This wasn't supposed to be hard. It was a balloon. A stupid balloon.
He dragged a hand down his face, wiping away the sweat as his heart pounded in his chest. The balloon had been completely useless—barely even a challenge—but that was the problem. It was the fact that it had dragged on for so long, bouncing around, mocking him with its absurd little intelligence. With every minute, his frustration had built, not just from the balloon's antics but from the helpless, nagging truth: he was the Shield Hero. And he couldn't even defeat a trash mob without struggling.
The thing had floated away from him, its rubbery surface dancing just out of reach. Every time Naofumi punched them, the damn things would just bounce back immediately, taunting him with every bite on his person. He couldn't even hit properly, and their bites didn't even hurt. Just annoying.
"How pathetic," he muttered under his breath, bitter and exhausted. "I'm supposed to be a legendary hero… and I can't even take care of something like this."
With a final, exasperated swing, his fist collided with another balloon, popping it in a burst of orange confetti. The faint smell of rubber filled the air, but it didn't bring any satisfaction. He stood there, staring at the deflated heaps of rubber on the floor, his chest still heaving with anger and disappointment.
Naofumi kicked the deflated balloon aside, watching it flop uselessly on the ground. His hands were on his hips, and despite the sweat dripping down his brow, he couldn't suppress the faintest grin.
He straightened up, taking a deep breath as he wiped his forehead. At least it wasn't dangerous. He had that going for him. The damn thing didn't even hurt, just made him look like a complete fool.
"Ugh, that was ridiculous," he said, half to himself, half to the empty air.
Just then, he heard soft footsteps approaching, and he looked up to see Myne walking toward him, a warm, composed smile on her face.
"Oh, Sir Hero! That was incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with feigned sweetness. "You really gave it your all!"
Naofumi couldn't help but wince a little at her overly bright tone. It was so clear she was trying to be nice, but there was still something a bit... off about it. Still, he knew better than to snap at her—at least for now.
"Yeah, well... it wasn't exactly a fight worth celebrating," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, it's just a balloon, Myne."
Myne laughed lightly, clearly unfazed by his tone. She was already putting on the princess act, trying to seem the perfect, encouraging noblewoman. "Oh, Sir Hero, don't be so modest! You're the Shield Hero, after all! Even a small challenge can be exhausting, I'm sure."
Naofumi glanced at her sideways, not entirely convinced. Her praise felt more like a way to placate him than a genuine compliment, but he didn't feel like arguing. "I guess. Still, I didn't expect to struggle with something so... simple."
"Well, that's the thing!" Myne said, stepping a little closer, her tone still saccharine and bright. "Even the simplest things require attention and effort. You're doing great, Sir Hero. You've been working so hard—your strength will show in time!"
Naofumi raised an eyebrow. Strength? He didn't feel particularly strong after that performance. "Yeah, but it's not like the balloon was able to actually hurt me," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
"Oh, I'm sure it wasn't, but—" Myne paused dramatically, looking down at the deflated balloon with a soft, almost theatrical sigh. "But you didn't give up, did you? That's what matters. Not just the victory, but the persistence. I'm sure your true potential will shine through eventually."
Naofumi frowned slightly, unsure of how to respond. He appreciated her attempt at encouragement, but it wasn't like he needed reminders of his potential. "Yeah, I guess. It's just..." He paused, rubbing his forehead. "I didn't expect my first fight to be so... underwhelming."
"Well," Myne smiled warmly, her eyes glimmering with a touch of feigned empathy. "Sometimes the greatest heroes are the ones who persevere through the smallest challenges. Besides, you'll be faced with much harder battles soon enough, and I have no doubt you'll handle them with ease when the time comes."
Naofumi tried not to roll his eyes. He was getting way too much of this "supportive" act. It wasn't that she wasn't being nice, but it still felt like she was talking down to him. Still, for the time being, it was better than her acting outright hostile. He just wished she'd get to the point.
"Right. Harder battles. Great." He sighed and pushed the thoughts of frustration aside. "I just hope they're not as ridiculous as this one."
Myne giggled at that, putting a hand to her mouth. "Oh, Sir Hero! You're so funny! But I think you'll handle anything that comes your way. You're the legendary Shield Hero, after all."
He was about to reply, but then a distant sound of a sword cutting through the air caught both of their attention. They turned to see Ren in the distance easily dispatching the balloons one by one with a single strike. This only added to Naofumi's annoyance.
"Oh, come on. He's taking them down way too easily," Naofumi muttered under his breath, watching Ren slay the balloons without much effort. His frustration was evident—he was expecting the others to have some sort of challenge as well.
Myne, standing beside him, only smiled in response, her expression serene and composed. Without a word, she unsheathed her sword, the blade gleaming in the light.
"I'll help," she said softly, her voice filled with an almost casual determination.
Naofumi blinked in surprise, looking over at her. He hadn't expected her to offer assistance, especially with her being so... regal. But here she was, holding her sword with a look of resolve, ready to fight at his side.
For a brief moment, he hesitated, unsure of what to say or do. Then, seeing her confidence, he smiled and gave a small nod. "Alright, let's do this."
Fitoria's wings cut through the crisp air, a steady rhythm as she flew over the vast expanse of the forest below. The world below stretched endlessly, a patchwork of greens and browns, the land serene and undisturbed. But today, there was something different in the air. The usual stillness was broken by a subtle hum that seemed to vibrate through the very fabric of the world.
For years, Fitoria had sensed it—an energy, faint at first, but slowly growing stronger. It was a presence, intangible yet unmistakable. At first, she had thought it to be a minor disturbance, something too far removed from the world to matter. But now, it was undeniable. The energy had become a pulse, resonating through the air with a quiet urgency, stirring the winds and the earth beneath her.
Ahead of her, the jagged peak of the distant mountain loomed, its summit obscured by clouds, standing stark against the horizon. Fitoria's gaze narrowed as she felt the energy intensify, drawn to the summit where the pull was strongest. The mountain had always been a silent place, home to a small community of people living in peaceful isolation. But now, the mountain was more than just a quiet retreat. It had become the focal point of a force that could not be ignored.
Fitoria's instincts prickled as she flew closer, her sharp eyes scanning the village at the peak. The people there lived simple lives, unaware of the stirrings in the air around them. They had no way of knowing that something was shifting—something tied to their home, something that had been waiting for years.
There was no outward sign of it—not here, not among them. But Fitoria could feel the energy. It was not of the land, nor of the creatures living here. This energy felt foreign, out of place in the quiet, peaceful mountain air. It was not something that had come from the earth—it had been drawn here. And it was growing.
'What is this?' Fitoria thought, her wings gliding silently as she hovered near the summit. 'Why now?'
It wasn't just the energy that drew her attention. It was the feeling of inevitability that seemed to hang in the air, like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to unfold. The mountain had been quiet for so long, but now it seemed to be responding to something, reacting to something stirring within it.
The energy itself was subtle, but it was persistent, like the ripples of a great wave beginning to build, far below the surface. Fitoria could feel it as if it were calling to her, a pull she couldn't ignore. There was a sense of waiting, of anticipation, like a moment just before the dawn, where everything holds its breath before the first light breaks.
Fitoria's wings adjusted, her sharp eyes scanning the peaceful village below, trying to find the source. But the people down there lived their lives, unaware of the current building around them. The energy wasn't tied to any one individual here. No, whatever she had sensed was already long gone from this region. She was only sensing the faint traces of whatever had lingered here.
Fitoria's thoughts raced, her mind struggling to grasp what she was sensing. She had lived long enough to know that some forces were not random, that certain things were meant to happen in the world. And whatever was happening here, on this mountain, it wasn't a coincidence.
Fitoria's wings flapped gently, as though in thought, the wind carrying her higher. She hovered, scanning the landscape below, trying to make sense of what she had felt. The faint traces of energy in the air still clung to the mountain's peak, but they were growing weaker by the second. The presence that had once pulsed with such undeniable force was now just a ripple in the air, dissipating with each passing moment.
'It's gone,' Fitoria realized, her thoughts sharp as the wind. 'The source has moved on. But where to?'
She circled once more, her keen senses probing the land, but the pull she had felt earlier was no longer present. There were no signs, no obvious indicators to follow. The mountain below seemed as peaceful as ever, the villagers unaware of the stirring that had just passed through their home.
She considered returning to her perch for a moment, taking a moment to reflect on the implications of what had just happened. Her instincts told her that whatever had stirred in this place was far from over. In fact, it felt like the beginning of something much larger, something whose echoes would ripple through the world in ways she could not yet predict.
For now, there was little more she could do but watch and wait. Fitoria knew that sometimes the answers would not come easily. In her long existence, she had learned that the world did not always reveal its secrets all at once. Some things took time to unravel, and some forces moved slowly, their effects only becoming clear when the moment was right.
'Power like that doesn't simply vanish,' Fitoria thought, her wings beating steadily as she turned away from the mountain. 'Whatever it was, it will return.' The energy had been too strong, too intense to fade without leaving a mark. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease this event had planted within her.
Her wings carried her higher, the wind rushing past her as she moved away from the mountain, but the uneasy feeling in her chest lingered. 'I'll deal with whatever comes next,' she told herself, trying to silence the gnawing uncertainty. But the feeling remained, a quiet, persistent echo in her mind. She couldn't ignore it, nor could she explain it.
As Fitoria continued her flight, a troubling thought lingered at the back of her mind. The energy she had felt earlier was unsettlingly familiar. It reminded her of the Four Great Beasts—those ancient, powerful entities with enough strength to shatter entire human nations. The way the energy pulsed, the way it seemed to ripple through the very land beneath her, echoed their presence. It wasn't identical, not exactly—but there was something in the rhythm, something in the intensity, that felt eerily similar. A subtle difference, an elusive nuance she couldn't quite grasp, gnawed at her. And that thought alone sent a chill through her.
The large energy had all but disappeared, but with her mind consumed by other thoughts, Fitoria failed to notice the faint, separate energy deep within the mountain—dormant for now, yet undeniably present, lying in wait.
Myne wandered through the blacksmith shop, her eyes scanning the rows of weapons and armor with a practiced gaze. While the Shield and Blacksmith were busy… negotiating, she was intent on finding something new—something that would better suit her status. She intended to get something good out of this 'Hero' while she could.
Myne stopped in front of a display showcasing several sets of finely crafted armor. Her fingers lightly grazed over the smooth, polished steel of a set that was reminiscent of the one her mother wore—a beautiful, intricately designed piece that balanced both utility and elegance. The combination of shining silver and gleaming red and purple jewels, with its graceful curves and delicate engravings, made it feel as much like a work of art as a weapon. The neck armor and the single hip plate on the right side were designed to be practical without compromising its refined appearance
She studied it for a moment longer, her eyes tracing the flawless lines and the delicate craftsmanship. This set was far more refined than the one she had now. The light would catch on the armor's surface just right, making her appear both regal and deadly. It was the perfect blend of beauty and strength—just what she needed to maintain her presence, especially with the other heroes around.
The faint thump sound of wood being hit reached her ears as the Shield's voice rang out from across the room, breaking her concentration.
"Stop raising it! 100 percent off!" The Shield's frustration was evident.
"Then I'll just be giving it away!" Erhard barked, crossing his arms. "Next thing I know, you'll be asking me to pay you to take my gear!"
Naofumi scowled, arms still folded. "If it helps you sell more, why not?"
Erhard's thick eyebrows shot up. "Sell more? You think I need your charity? I'm running a business, not a soup kitchen! I don't just hand out armor for free!"
"Come on man, I'm practically doing you a favor by not going to some other blacksmith. My reputation is gold!" Naofumi countered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Erhard sighed heavily, clearly growing impatient. "I don't know what kind of deals you're used to, but that's not how this works. You're in my shop now, and I set the prices."
The Shield leaned in, his grin widening. "Well, then, how about I set the price? I'm thinking... two hundred percent off."
Erhard blinked, taking a moment to process what Naofumi had just said. "Two hundred percent off?" He shook his head in disbelief. "That's not even mathematically possible!"
"Sure it is," The Shield said with a shrug. "I take everything for free, and you get the honor of having the Shield Hero's business."
Erhard gaped at him, his jaw nearly dropping. "You're impossible!"
Myne, who was now quietly perusing the weapon selection, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. 'So this is how he negotiates?' She thought, a mix of amusement and disbelief crossing her face. She'd seen stubbornness before, but the Shield's approach was something else entirely. She had expected him to be difficult, but this level of absurdity was... new.
The Shield didn't flinch, his arms still crossed, looking more smug with every passing second. "I'm just asking for a fair deal. Don't act like it's a loss."
Erhard let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples as though trying to ward off a headache. "Fair deal? Fair?! You're asking for free armor, Naofumi. That's not a deal, that's a robbery!"
The Shield leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, mock-serious tone. "Maybe it's not robbery. Maybe it's generosity. Think about it—this is a long-term investment. It might seem like a big loss now, but once word gets out that I'm using gear from your shop, customers will be lining up from all over the world just to get their hands on armor crafted by the legendary blacksmith who outfits the Shield Hero."
"Generosity?" Erhard's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "You're out of your mind. You can't just waltz in here and expect to walk out with my best gear for nothing."
Erhard took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep his temper in check. "I'll tell you what, Naofumi... How about you stop being a pain in my side, and I'll give you ten percent off. That's the best I'm doing."
"Ten percent?!" The Shield shot back, his face scrunching in disbelief. "I could get better deals from a street vendor! You're telling me I'm not worth more than that?"
The blacksmith threw his hands up in exasperation. "You've got some nerve! Fine, fine... Fifteen percent, and that's my final offer!"
The sound of a loud metallic thud suddenly cut through the heated exchange between Naofumi and Erhard. Both of them turned in surprise to see Myne standing next to their table, a set of finely crafted armor now resting on the surface with a soft thud. She slid the sword across the table, carefully placing it atop the armor before stepping back, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips.
Myne stood back, looking at the two of them. The sudden shift in focus made the tension between the Shield and Erhard break, though the argument had clearly not reached its end.
The Shield glanced at the smith "So how much is all that at sixty percent off?" Erhard turned to him with a smirk.
"Four hundred and eighty with a discount that's the best I can give ya."
"But that'll leave us with only two hundred silver." He straightens up and looks at Myne
"Hey, are you sure about this? I still don't know how much other expenses cost in his world so I'd rather not spend so much so quickly." Myne smiles at him as she begins to speak in a soft sultry voice.
"Oh, but we'll be fine, Sir Hero," Myne said, a playful glint in her eyes as she began to approach him. "The stronger I am, the better the loot we can get from monsters."
Before the Shield could respond, she wrapped her arm around his, pressing herself closer. The movement was deliberate, and as she leaned in, the Shield Hero's face flushed bright red, his excitement unmistakable.
"This'll keep us going right?" Naofumi, back in his home world, never had much luck with girls, so the situation—an attractive girl like Myne so close to him, her arm linked with his—not to mention squished between her breasts was making him feel a little more... alive than usual.
His heart was racing, and he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. 'This is insane,' he thought, trying to focus, but his mind kept drifting back to how she was leaning against him, how natural it felt for her to be so close. The whole situation felt surreal—like something out of a dream he'd have but never confident enough to try to make it a reality.
For once, someone was acting this way toward him, and a small part of him found it thrilling. Myne was beautiful, and the way she looked at him, almost as if expecting something... it was enough to make his pulse quicken.
He cleared his throat, trying to keep his composure, though his face was warming with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Yeah, of course, my lady if that's what you say then I guess I have no choice," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
Myne Internally smirked at this.
"Alright, we'll take it." The blacksmith straightens up with a grin.
"Thanks a ton, young heroes, and you got a real good eye for quality." He says while looking at Myne.
She smiles in return "Thank you, sir."
"Oh, by the way," The Shield said, placing a bag on the table and pulling out a piece of one of the balloons. "You know what I can do with these monster parts?"
"Of course, there are shops that specialize in monster goods—they'll buy most of that stuff off you. But speaking as a former adventurer, those fragments would only fetch you a couple of copper at best.
"Thanks, and don't worry I didn't really expect to get much from these pieces, but something is better than nothing."
The smith's smile grew. "You kids should head out; it's getting late, and I've got to close up shop. But hey, if you're ever in need of better gear, you know where to find me."
The Shield nods before turning to leave. Myne who had already run to the door turns to wave goodbye.
"Thank you, sir!"
"Yeah, thanks for everything!" The Shield added with a grin.
The smith waved back, smiling warmly. "Anytime, kids. Anytime!"
"Man, thish ish good!" Motoyasu exclaimed, stuffing his face with more food.
"Slow down," Ren grumbled. "You're gonna ruin my appetite if you keep eating like that."
Motoyasu paused, looking up at Ren with a grin. "What? It's not my fault it tastes so good."
Ren shot him a sharp look but said nothing, instead turning his attention to his own plate. The silence lingered for a moment before another voice broke it again.
"Yeah, but you've gotta admit it, Ren, this is some real good stuff," Naofumi said with a slight grin.
"See? He agrees!" Motoyasu lightly smacked Ren's shoulder to get his attention, then pointed at Naofumi.
Ren frowned, rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah, whatever…"
Motoyasu grinned, undeterred. "I mean, what they gave us back at the castle was fine, but a pub? That's where you really experience some otherworldly cuisine." He turned to Naofumi, his grin widening.
"Right!?" he asked, practically beaming with enthusiasm.
Itsuki, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up, his face lighting up. "I have to agree with Motoyasu on this one. There's something special about the atmosphere of a good pub meal. It's not just the food, it's the experience!"
Motoyasu grinned wider at Itsuki's agreement, clearly pleased. "See? Even Itsuki gets it!" He turned back to Naofumi, his enthusiasm not slowing down in the slightest. "We're talking about real, honest food, not that fancy stuff you get in a castle. It's all about the experience!"
Ren rolled his eyes. "You guys are really something else."
Naofumi chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You all really like your food." He glanced over at Itsuki, who was still nodding with a serious expression. "You too, huh?"
Itsuki nodded, his eyes sparkling with earnestness. "Definitely. There's something about a meal shared with people in a place like this… it's more than just eating. It's about connection."
Ren stared at him blankly before sighing and leaning back in his chair. "You two are really overthinking this whole experience."
Motoyasu slapped Ren on the back with a laugh. "With that attitude, you'll never know what you're missing, Ren!" he teased, his grin never faltering.
Ren shot Motoyasu a half-annoyed, half-amused glance. "Yeah, well, I'm not the one eating like there's no tomorrow," he retorted, gesturing toward Motoyasu, who had already devoured five plates and was halfway through his sixth.
Naofumi chuckled at the exchange, shaking his head. "At least he's honest about it," he said with a smirk.
Itsuki, still deep in thought, looked up. "I think... it's more than just about eating, though," he said quietly, almost as if testing the idea. "Sharing a meal with others—it can make things feel... more meaningful, even if we've only known each other for a short time, don't you think?"
Ren raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "I mean, sure, I get what you're saying, but we've only known each other for two days," he said, shrugging slightly. "Feels a bit too soon to be calling it 'meaningful,' don't you think?"
Itsuki seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just… I don't know. Even in a short time, sharing a meal like this, it can still feel like we're building something."
Motoyasu, ever the optimist, grinned widely and leaned back in his chair. "You know, I think Itsuki's got a point! Even if it's only been a couple of days, we've still got to have each other's backs. And hey, food's just the beginning, right?"
Naofumi couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "You guys do realize how ridiculous this conversation sounds, right?"
The group paused, exchanging glances, before Motoyasu burst into laughter. "Ridiculous? Nah, I think it's deep!" He grinned widely, not a hint of irony in his voice.
Ren leaned back in his chair, smirking. "You've got a weird way of seeing things, Motoyasu. But hey, if it makes you happy…"
Itsuki, still a little more serious, nodded. "I mean, it's not all bad. Even if it sounds a bit over the top, it's kind of nice to talk about this stuff."
Naofumi raised an eyebrow, glancing between the three of them. "You guys are something else," he muttered, shaking his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "Fine, enjoy your deep conversation about food."
Motoyasu puffed out his chest, looking proud. "Hey, food's important! It brings people together. If you can't enjoy a meal with people, what can you enjoy?"
Ren let out a snort, clearly trying not to laugh. "I think it's the first time I've heard someone get this worked up over dinner."
Naofumi snorted under his breath. "Yeah, well, at least it's better than sitting around brooding all day."
The group shared a brief moment of laughter, the weight of their new reality momentarily forgotten as they continued to enjoy the meal together.
Just then, Myne approached with a tray of drinks in hand, her usual confident smile on her face. "Anyone want a drink?" she asked, her voice bright as she looked around at the group.
Ren shook his head, waving his hand at her. "I'm good, thanks."
Itsuki, who had been quietly picking at his food, glanced up and politely declined. "I'll have to pass as well."
Naofumi glanced up briefly, giving Myne a smile and a polite nod. "I'm good for now, thanks," he said, returning his attention to his meal.
Motoyasu, his mouth stuffed to the brim with food, glanced up at Myne with wide, hopeful eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but all that came out was a muffled, indecipherable noise. He tried again, but his cheeks were so full, he could barely move his jaw.
His eyes widened in panic, and he started chewing furiously, trying to swallow the mountain of food in one go. His face reddened as he made exaggerated swallowing motions, but the food just didn't seem to go down.
"G-Guuh—" he gagged slightly, his face contorting, but no words came out. He quickly grabbed his drink to help wash it down, but it just made things worse. He sputtered as water splashed out of his mouth, leaving him a drenched, panicked mess.
Myne stifled a laugh, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "No need to rush, Sir Motoyasu," she said, her voice light and playful. "Take your time." With a wink, she turned and sauntered away, leaving him flustered in her wake.
Finally, Motoyasu swallowed with a dramatic gulp, his eyes wide with triumph as he stood up hastily. "I—I'll drink with you!" he stammered, his voice thick with food and excitement.
He sprinted toward Myne, but halfway there, his eyes flickered back toward his plate. He froze mid-step, then dashed back to grab it, almost knocking over a chair in the process. He paused for a second, unsure if it was worth it, before shaking his head and grabbing the plate in one swift motion.
With his plate now in hand, he bolted after Myne, his face red from exertion, the whole scene a blur of frantic energy.
The three heroes laugh watching Motoyasu sprint after Myne, his sudden dash causing a few patrons to glance up in confusion. Naofumi leans back in his chair, crossing his arms with an amused smirk as he watches Motoyasu's frantic chase. Ren, who had been quietly observing, lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
"Typical," Ren mutters under his breath, though there's a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yeah," Naofumi agrees, his tone soft. He glances at the others, trying to gauge their mood. "From what I've seen of him so far, he's never one to back down when there's a woman involved." He shrugs. "Can't say I understand it, but it's just the type of man he is I guess."
The group shares a brief, quiet moment, the sounds of the pub around them growing louder as patrons continue to chat and laugh.
A peaceful quiet settles over the table. A wry smile tugged at Naofumi's lips as he watched the others—Ren quietly finishing his meal, Itsuki lost in thought. Despite everything, there's something oddly comforting about this moment as if they're not just strangers bound by circumstance, but something more. A fleeting sense of camaraderie, even if it's just for tonight. For now, they're not some great legendary heroes—they're just people, sharing a meal and a laugh.
Naofumi let out a deep sigh as he stood from his chair. "Alright," he muttered, stretching his arms above his head. "I think it's time for us to hit the hay."
Ren and Itsuki exchanged a glance before both stood up with a lazy stretch of their own. Ren, always the laid-back one, gave a lazy grin. "I'm not complaining. I think I've had enough excitement for today."
Itsuki nodded, though a little more reserved than Ren. "True, but we should appreciate nights like this while we can. I have a feeling things won't stay this calm for long."
Naofumi chuckled softly. "Yeah, it'll be easy to take it for granted. But you're right—nights like this are probably only going to get rarer as we go on."
Ren gave a casual shrug. "Eh, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For tonight, let's just enjoy the peace."
The three of them started heading up the stairs and toward their rooms, any type of tension of the day completely melted away. There was no immediate danger, no monsters or battles to worry about—just the simple comfort of a quiet night.
Naofumi, Ren, and Itsuki paused at the top of the stairs, glancing down at the bustling first floor of the pub. Their eyes landed on Motoyasu, who was sitting at a table with Myne. The spear hero was clearly trying his best to charm her, leaning in a bit too far over the table as he waved his hands around excitedly, his words slurring slightly from the alcohol.
Myne giggled, her expression one of feigned amusement as Motoyasu continued his antics, clearly oblivious to the awkwardness he was causing.
Ren raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Well, look at that. Motoyasu's really laying it on thick tonight."
Itsuki snorted. "I don't know how Myne's keeping a straight face. She's practically encouraging him."
Naofumi shook his head, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She knows exactly what she's doing. He's too easy to mess with."
Ren chuckled. "Honestly, I think Motoyasu might be the only one who doesn't realize how ridiculous he looks right now."
Itsuki crossed his arms, watching the spectacle below. "It's almost impressive how hard he's trying... but I'm not sure if that's a good thing."
Naofumi leaned against the wall, amused by the scene. "You have to give him credit for effort, though. He's definitely not holding back."
Ren gave a teasing grin. "True. You think she's going to fall for it?"
Naofumi shrugged. "Not a chance. She's playing him like a fiddle. He's too caught up in his own act to notice."
Itsuki looked over at Naofumi, then back at Motoyasu, his expression slightly amused. "I wonder how long it's going to take before he figures out she's not really interested."
Ren laughed softly. "You know, it's kind of sad that we're just watching him dig his own grave."
Naofumi shook his head with a chuckle. "Well, at least we're not the ones making a fool of ourselves. I mean, if I were acting like him in front of a pretty girl, I'd probably die of embarrassment right on the spot."
Ren snorted, clearly amused.
Itsuki shook his head with a smile. "You're probably right, Naofumi. But I think we'd all agree that Motoyasu's... enthusiasm is something else entirely."
Naofumi leaned against the wooden railing, watching the spectacle below. "I don't know what's worse—the fact that he's so obviously clueless, or that he's actually convinced he's impressing her. Or maybe it's just the alcohol talking?"
Ren chuckled. "He's persistent. I'll give him that much."
Naofumi let out a sigh, trying to hold back another laugh. "Well, I guess we can't blame him for trying. But, man, if I were him, I'd be crawling under the table right about now."
Itsuki gave him a dry look. "I don't think anyone would blame him if he did."
With that, they all shared another round of chuckles before Naofumi pushed off the rail, heading toward their rooms. "Alright, enough of this. We should probably get some sleep before Motoyasu tries to serenade Myne with some embarrassing song or something."
Ren shot him a grin. "True. We don't want to be here for the encore."
The three of them began making their way up the stairs, still chuckling at the spectacle below. As they turned a corner in the hallway that led to their rooms, Naofumi opened the door to his room but paused for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Well, it's not every day you get a front-row seat to a disaster in the making," Naofumi said with a smirk, his voice quiet.
Ren let out a short laugh. "Yeah, Motoyasu definitely skipped the 'How to Talk to Girls' class."
Itsuki gave a small, amused shake of his head. "I think the lesson here is that some people just don't get subtlety."
Naofumi chuckled, nodding. "True. But hey, as long as he's enjoying himself, I guess there's no harm done."
Ren grinned. "Well, I'm just glad it's not me down there making a fool of myself."
Itsuki stretched, then gave a slight yawn. "Yeah, I think we've had enough entertainment for one night. Time to get some rest."
Naofumi glanced at the two of them, shaking his head with a grin. "Yeah, and let's just hope that we don't wake up to him barging into one of our rooms at three in the morning, thinking it's his, ready to 'demonstrate his spear techniques' for Myne."
Ren gave a quick laugh. "You just gave me a reason to barricade my door."
With a final chuckle, they each disappeared into their rooms, the sounds of Motoyasu's increasingly desperate attempts to impress Myne fading into the background.
Naofumi closed his door behind him, feeling a sense of ease wash over him as he lay back on his bed. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for tonight, he could appreciate the simple quiet—and the strange humor of the day.
He closed his eyes, a small smile on his face. Whatever this world had in store for him, at least he didn't have to face it alone.
Ren had endured plenty of restless nights, but this one was different. The noise outside his room was relentless, a constant racket that gnawed at his nerves. It wasn't just the usual distractions—it was loud, obnoxious, and impossible to ignore. And to top it all off, someone kept trying to get into his room throughout the night. It was probably a drunken Motoyasu, just like Naofumi had mentioned. The thought of the spear hero stumbling around outside, oblivious to the chaos he was causing, only added to Ren's mounting irritation.
Thankfully, Ren had decided to act on his words to barricade his door before going to sleep, just in case. It had turned out to be a wise precaution, as it spared him the headache of dealing with whatever nonsense Motoyasu might have been up to. Without that makeshift barrier, he was sure the night would've been even worse—he didn't even want to imagine what would've happened if someone had actually managed to get inside.
Ren groaned as he slowly dragged himself out of bed, the remnants of sleep hanging heavily in his mind. He stretched, trying to shake off the grogginess, but the throbbing annoyance from the night before still lingered. He glanced at the barricade on his door, mentally thanking his past self for the smart decision. With a sigh, he pushed himself to his feet, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
The noise from outside was gone, but now that it was morning, the lack of sleep was taking its toll. Ren was already dreading the day ahead, knowing full well that he wouldn't be at his best. He walked over to the window and peeked outside, briefly considering whether or not to just sleep through the whole day. But he decided against it and began to get dressed. The sooner he got moving, the sooner he could forget about the aggravating night and whatever drama was waiting for him.
Once he finished dressing Ren approached the door, his eyes narrowing at the makeshift barricade he had set up earlier. It was a simple but effective stack of furniture and crates, and while it had done its job, it was a pain to move. He grabbed the nearest chair and pushed it aside with a grunt, followed by the crate that had been wedged against the door. It was slow work, but after a few moments of effort, the way was clear.
With one last glance around the room, he opened the door cautiously, half-expecting some drunken idiot to still be lurking in the hallway. But the corridor was quiet, too quiet. There was no sign of Motoyasu or anyone else, which, was one hell of a relief.
Ren stepped out, the cool air of the hallway hitting him like a welcome slap in the face. He had no desire to linger, so he moved swiftly down the corridor, the sound of his boots echoing off the wood walls. He was already mentally preparing himself for the inevitable chaos of the day, knowing he'd probably have to deal with whatever mess had been left behind from the night before.
Ren's footsteps slowed as he approached the balcony, his gaze instinctively drawn to the open space below. He had planned to head for the stairs at the far corner of the balcony, but as he stepped into the open, a sudden chill ran down his spine. His instincts flared, and without thinking, he ducked behind the wood wall that framed the edge of the landing.
His heart hammered in his chest as he pressed his back against the cold stone, barely allowing his eyes to peek over the edge. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed up from below, the steady clink of armor unmistakable. He held his breath, muscles tense, watching with narrowed eyes as a group of guards filed into the pub beneath him. Their presence was no coincidence—not this early, not with such purpose in their stride.
Ren held his breath, trying to make himself as small as possible behind the cover. From his vantage point, he could see that they were moving with purpose—likely searching for someone or something. His mind raced. Was this about last night? The noise, the commotion—had someone finally caught wind of whatever had been happening in the pub?
He stayed perfectly still, watching as the guards fanned out, clearly looking for something, or maybe someone. The tension in the air was thick, and Ren wasn't about to make himself an easy target.
Ren hesitated for a moment, watching the guards below, before deciding to make a move. His initial plan had been to slip out unnoticed, but the absence of Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Naofumi made his next course of action clear. He turned away from the balcony and quickly headed back down the hallway toward the rooms of his fellow heroes, his mind racing.
He first reached Motoyasu's door. A quick knock. No answer. Frowning, he reached for the doorknob, his fingers brushing it—and to his surprise, it turned easily. The door was unlocked. His gut churned with unease as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was empty, nothing but the remnants of a hastily made bed and a few scattered belongings. It was clear Motoyasu had left in a hurry, but there was no sign of where he had gone.
Ren's brow furrowed in confusion. He moved on to Itsuki's door, knocking again. Silence. Another twist of the knob and the door swung open. Same story—empty room, no signs of a struggle or anything that would indicate why neither of the other heroes were around.
His irritation grew, but there was no time to waste. If they'd left, he needed to find them fast. But that left only Naofumi's room unchecked, but was there a point to check? He'd probably be gone as well. 'It's better to be safe than sorry."
Ren's steps were quick but heavy as he moved down the hallway toward Naofumi's room. His mind raced with questions. What the hell was going on downstairs? The guards' sudden appearance had thrown him off, and the last thing he needed was more confusion on a day that had already started off on the wrong foot. Was there trouble brewing in the pub? Had something happened overnight that he hadn't heard about?
As he neared the door, another unsettling thought struck him. Where the hell was his party? He hadn't seen them anywhere in the halls, and there was no sign of them near their rooms either. Had they even stayed in the building? Had they left with Motoyasu and Itsuki? If so, what the hell, weren't they supposed to be his party, and where the hell had they gone? The absence of everyone else gnawed at him, a hollow feeling settling in his gut. Something was wrong—he could feel it in the air, a nagging sense that this whole situation was spiraling beyond control.
Ren soon found himself standing outside Naofumi's room, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders. He glanced down the empty hallway, frustration mounting as his brow furrowed. Something was off—everything felt like it was slipping out of control. There was a missing piece to this mess, and he needed to find it before things descended into chaos. With a sigh, he shifted his focus back to Naofumi's door, feeling the urgency of the moment.
He raised his hand, fingers poised, and brought them down with a decisive
knock, knock, knock.
Naofumi stretched, the stiff muscles in his back groaning as he slowly rose from the bed. For a moment, he simply sat on the edge, eyes scanning the dimly lit room, feeling the weight of the unfamiliar world on his shoulders. The quiet of the morning was almost unnerving—like the calm before a storm. He didn't want to waste a moment, but something in the air told him that today was going to be different.
He rubbed his eyes and stood, trying to shake off the lingering exhaustion. His mind was already running through the plans for the day—there was still a lot to figure out in this strange world. But the nagging sense of foreboding wouldn't leave him. He didn't know what it was, but something about this morning felt... wrong.
The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. It almost felt like a dream, this brief lull before the storm. Naofumi briefly closed his eyes, savoring the tranquility before the weight of the day inevitably caught up with him.
The sound of a knock on the door snapped him from his thoughts.
"Yo, Naofumi," Ren's voice came through, blunt as always. "You there? If you are, come out, we've got a situation."
Naofumi's gut twisted. The last thing he needed right now was another "situation." He didn't need to ask what it was; Ren's tone told him enough. The atmosphere was already shifting, and it was too soon to tell how things would unfold.
"Yeah, hold on, I'll be right there," Naofumi muttered, pulling on his gear quickly. He didn't waste time, feeling the weight of the growing tension even before he opened the door.
Ren was standing outside, his usual casual demeanor now overshadowed by a look of quiet concert with a hint of relief. There was a heaviness in the air that Naofumi could almost taste. " I'm glad you're here I was starting to believe I got left behind, now come on, we need to head down now," Ren said, voice lowered. "It's…bad."
Naofumi's heart sank as he followed Ren towards and down the stairs, the uneasy feeling in his chest growing. The low murmur of voices from downstairs hit him immediately—people were talking, but their conversations stopped as soon as he entered the common room. It wasn't the usual warm buzz of a busy morning; this was different. There was a stillness to it, a tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Naofumi felt every eye in the room shift toward him as he descended, their gazes sharp, calculating. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, and it was only getting worse the closer he got to the bar. His instincts screamed at him, but there was no turning back now.
But as he scanned the room, something even more unsettling caught his attention: Myne, Motoyasu, and Itsuki were all nowhere to be found. Naofumi had expected at least Motoyasu to be making a scene, but the silence from his usual over-the-top antics only added to the discomfort.
Ren's footsteps slowed as they neared the bar, and Naofumi could feel the tension intensifying. His gaze flicked toward the soldiers standing by the door, their presence unmistakable. This wasn't just a casual morning. This wasn't just some typical misunderstanding. No, the danger was here. Naofumi felt it in the pit of his stomach.
"What's going on?" Naofumi asked, keeping his voice even, though inside, he was already preparing himself for the worst.
Before Ren could respond, one of the soldiers stepped forward, his gaze cold. "Shield Hero you are to come with us the King wishes to speak with you. Immediately."
Naofumi froze, his blood running cold. "Speak with me about what?"
Naofumi's stomach dropped. The King? Why? He exchanged a glance with Ren, who was clearly just as confused. "I'm not going anywhere until you explain what's going on."
The soldier's hand moved toward his sword, his stance growing tense. "You will come. Now."
Before Naofumi could react, a second soldier moved in to block his path. His grip was firm and cold. "The King is expecting you. No further discussion."
Naofumi could feel the eyes of the room on him, and despite the confusion flooding his mind, a sudden, gnawing sense of danger settled in the pit of his stomach. The way they moved, the sharpness in their voices—it wasn't just a simple request to speak with him. It was an order. And judging by the way the inn's patrons looked on in silence, they were all too aware of it.
"Why?" Naofumi demanded, his heart pounding. "What's going on? Why are you taking me to the King? What happened to the others?" His eyes darted to the empty spot where Motoyasu and Myne had been sitting the night before. There was no sign of them having even been there, and that unease in the pit of his stomach twisted into something worse.
The soldier didn't answer directly. He merely gestured to the others, signaling them to move in closer.
Ren's voice cut through the silence, his disbelief evident. "What the hell is this? You're treating him like some criminal!"
Naofumi could see the soldiers stiffen, and the first one's eyes narrowed even further. "The King has ordered your immediate presence as well Sword Hero. You will come with us now. There will be no further delays, the King has waited long enough."
But before Naofumi or Ren could decide what to do, the soldiers moved forward with practiced precision, pushing past Ren and grabbing Naofumi by the arms. For a split second, Naofumi froze—caught off guard by the sudden aggression. His chest tightened as he felt the weight of their hold, and the room seemed to close in around him. His mind raced.
'What the hell is going on? Why am I being treated like this?'
He glanced at the room full of onlookers—patrons who had been silently watching, some with wary eyes, others with judgment, but there was one thing they all had in common disgust. His heart pounded, and the reality of the situation started to settle in. They weren't just escorting him to the king; they all believed he was a criminal.
'I didn't do anything!'
The sharpness of the soldier's grip dug into his skin, and Naofumi's anger began to boil. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. This wasn't how things were supposed to be here—in this world.
"Let go of me!" Naofumi snapped, jerking his arm away, his pulse racing. "I haven't done anything wrong!"
But the soldiers didn't loosen their grip. Instead, the lead soldier's face hardened, and Naofumi could feel the crowd's eyes burning into him like fire.
Ren's voice broke through the rising tension, sharp and furious. "Hey hey hey! What the hell are you guys doing?! You can't just grab him like that!"
Before Naofumi could respond, Ren stepped forward, his hand already reaching for one of the soldiers' wrists to pull him off. "Back off, he didn't do anything!"
The soldier's eyes flicked to Ren, his grip tightening on Naofumi's arm. "Stay out of this, you don't understand the severity of this situation." the soldier warned, his voice low and threatening.
Ren's gaze burned with determination. "Like hell, I will," he growled, pulling harder at the soldier's wrist as he reached for his sword with his free hand.
The other soldiers immediately closed in on Ren, their stances ready for a confrontation. Naofumi's heart skipped a beat. Ren was only trying to help, but now it was escalating quickly. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control.
"Ren—don't!" Naofumi's voice was sharp as he twisted in the soldiers' grasp, his eyes locking with Ren's. "It's not worth it. Stay back."
Ren's jaw tightened, his instincts screaming to step in, but he hesitated. Naofumi wasn't making this easy—he could see the fight in his eyes, the determination not to back down, and he knew any attempt to intervene could only make things worse. His gaze shifted to the soldiers, now encircling Naofumi like a pack of wolves, their eyes cold and waiting for a reason to escalate things further.
Ren's fingers twitched as he unclenched the soldier's wrist, his fists tightening at his sides. Every muscle in his body screamed to act, but he forced himself to step back, his expression darkening with frustration. He hated feeling so helpless.
The soldiers, sensing the tension, stepped even closer to Naofumi, their hands tightening around his arms. The lead soldier shot Ren a warning look before addressing Naofumi once more, his tone was cold and final. "You're coming with us, Shield Hero. Now. And you, Sword Hero follow us, but if you try anything we'll drag you to the castle with him.
Naofumi's pulse raced. He shot one last look at Ren—who had clearly just as much anger and confusion swirling inside him—and forced himself to steady his breathing.
As the soldiers dragged him forward, Naofumi's mind raced, a whirlwind of confusion and fury clouding his thoughts. 'This doesn't make sense.' He had barely begun to adjust to this world, and now he was being treated like a criminal. The weight of the injustice settled heavily on his chest, but beneath the anger, something darker stirred—a deep, bitter sense of betrayal. 'How did it come to this?' He had already accepted his role as a hero, to do what was right, but now, with Ren helplessly watching from the sidelines, it felt like he was nothing more than a pawn in someone else's twisted game.
What stung the most, though, was the way the people were looking at him. Their eyes, filled with suspicion and disgust, seemed to follow his every movement. He could feel their judgment like a physical weight on his shoulders, each glance digging deeper. 'They don't know anything. They don't know me,' Naofumi thought bitterly. But it didn't matter—he could see it in their eyes. He was already condemned. They had already decided his fate.
It became as clear as day—the reason he was being treated like a criminal, paraded through the city for all to see. He had been accused, framed for something he didn't do. The weight of that realization hit him like a heavy blow, sinking deep into his chest. Helplessness clawed at him, growing stronger with each passing second, gnawing at him like a persistent ache. But beneath the anger and frustration, one thing burned bright in his mind: he wasn't going to let this stand.
He didn't know how he would clear his name or who was behind the plot, but there was one thing he was certain of—he wouldn't let their false judgment define him. No matter what it took, he would expose the truth. He would find a way to turn this around, to prove himself innocent.