It turned out Rabier had a secret passage leading down through the plateau his manor was built on. We went through the narrow pass carved into the stone, Sadeena transforming back to fit. Rabier was bound with the rope from my Rope Axe, including his mouth. Having him scream for help would put our little escape on hold real quick.

Then again, me jamming the door after we entered it would slow any pursuers down quite a bit, more than enough to get away. The exit wasn't on the side the forest fires were started, so we didn't have to worry about running into his knights at the exit.

We quickly made our way around the plateau and toward our group, Rabier fussing the whole time. Missing a hand was one thing, but that hole Sadeena put in his ankle made the trip that much longer. Partway there, I sent a message to Fohl through his high-grade slave seal to pick us up with Hailey.

I was pretty shocked when they came into view. Hailey had transformed while Sadeena and I were waiting in town. She was a filolial queen now, and her feathers were even fluffier. Her stats had increased as well. I hadn't really paid much attention earlier, mostly just checking the HP of anyone who had my slave or monster seal.

Now back in camp, Rato looked over Sadeena and I, though she kept looking at Hailey. We probably pulled her away from an examination. "Those curses will need holy water to heal." She said.

"Yeah, I figured." Cursed weapons were such a pain.

"This is him?" Naofumi pointed at the bound Idol Rabier on the ground, who snarled at Naofumi through his gag. "He's…about what I imagined he'd look like."

"Where's Raphtalia and Rifana!?" Keel shouted at the fat noble. Rabier just glared back.

"Give us a second." I said, waiting for Rato to finish her healing for now. Sadeena and I weren't in top form, but at least she was walking better.

With our bodies sufficiently tended to, Sadeena and I approached, the others already surrounding Rabier. I took the Axe off my back and switched to the Mummy Axe, dispelling the ropes around him.

"I figured as much." Rabier stretched out his mouth, now free of his gag. "Working for the queen, looking for demi-human slaves. Of course you've allied with the Shield Demon. The queen is always looking to appease those animals."

"Charming." Fohl commented, arms crossed.

"Don't think I didn't notice you two beasts!" Rabier roared at the sisters. "Hakukos are the worst of the worst, mindless beasts who only—"

"Hey." I stepped into Rabier's view, silencing him. "You've got a lot more to worry about than them."

"Hmph!" Rabier scoffed, his bravado back in full. "Well, now that you have me, what do you animals want?"

"Where are Raphtalia and Rifana?" Sadeena repeated Keel's question. Her harpoon was in her hand, ready to skewer him again.

"You think you have the upper hand?" He laughed. "I tell you what you want, and then you kill me. Nothing's changed!"

"How much pain you'll experience will change." I informed him. "And as you've seen, we have a healer."

"I can resist whatever torture you animals can come up with!" Rabier boasted.

"Is that so?" That was a challenge if I ever heard one. One he would lose if earlier was any indication. I looked to my side. "Fohl. Grab a bucket. Sadeena? If you would fill it with water?"

While I waited, I went through my item drops. Some spare cloth wasn't hard to find, taken from the clothes of dead people. Were these the guards I rescued Rato from? Their bodies had degraded a bit in my monster drops and I didn't really pay attention to their faces.

"What are you planning?" Sadeena asked.

"A form of torture that works surprising well." I told her. "It involves—oh, thank you—making the person think they're drowning."

I got the bucket from Fohl and held it in front of Sadeena. After a confused look and a quick casting, it was filled with water.

"Wouldn't it be better to hold him under a river?" Sadeena asked. "I don't want to let him off with a 'trick'."

"I know what he's planning." Naofumi spoke up, a smirk on his face. "Trust me, this will work great."

"Should I be concerned that you know about it?" I asked Naofumi as I started setting up. "Fohl, if you would help tie him up again?"

"Don't you dare—" Rabier's complaint was quickly interrupted as Atla jabbed his side harshly. All that practice keeping Fohl behaving was paying off.

Given what I was about to do, I probably shouldn't associate the two things.

"I've heard about it being used overseas." Naofumi said with a shrug.

"Fair enough." With my Rope Axe out again, Fohl quickly tied down Rabier. With my direction, she kept the man from moving. A bit of a waste to change it out before, but it would be nice to see Rabier's hope and bravery vanish.

"Now then." I looked at Sadeena. "You want to hold the cloth or pour the water?"

She looked down at the helpless torturer, a vindictive gleam in her eyes. "Give me the bucket."

I smiled in turn and instructed her on what to do. I held the cloth tightly over Rabier's face as she slowly poured. A little here. A little there. It didn't take long, barely 10 seconds before he had enough, writhing on the ground in pure desperation.

"Ready to talk?" I asked as I removed the cloth. Rabier coughed and sputtered pathetically.

"They're dead!" He blurted out the moment he could, eyes red.

Sadeena dropped the bucket she was holding. I was sure she held out hope they were still alive, but having it confirmed otherwise must have been devastating.

"Where are they?" I asked him.

"W-What? They're dead! I just told you!" Rabier shouted.

"No. Where are their bodies?"

Rabier looked at me, dumbfounded. I raised the cloth into his view, prompting him to speak.

"I ate them!"

I stilled at that. "What?"

"I ate them!" He repeated. "I torture one, force them to eat another with me, kill them the next day, and do it all over again!" His words spilled from his mouth.

"You…" Keel went pale.

Sadeena, on the other hand, shook with rage. "You forced them to eat each other…"

"No!" Rabier quickly yelled. "The weasel was too weak to eat the one I prepared, and the raccoon refused to eat her friend!"

The silver lining wasn't so great. Well, part of it wasn't. That didn't come out right. This whole thing was fucked. But I got the information I wanted, so I could find out the rest.

"Alright." I stood up from the piece of shit tied up in front of me. "Sadeena, we—"

Her harpoon was raised, crackling with lightning. The point of it was above Rabier, ready to strike.

I only had a moment to act, quickly intercepting the attack and deflecting her harpoon into Rabier's side, getting a terrified howl of pain out of the man.

"What are you doing, Dante?" She asked coldly, not taking her eyes off of Rabier with her harpoon still in contact with my axe.

"Don't kill him yet." I told her.

"Why?" Her voice was hollow.

"I have an idea. We—" That was a far as I got before Sadeena yanked her harpoon back.

"No!" She thrust it at me, electricity back in full.

I barely had time to bring my axe up to block, my body crackling with the electrical discharge as I was thrown back.

"Mister Dante!" Atla yelled as I landed.

I couldn't spare a moment to reassure her. Sadeena was looking at Rabier again. I threw my axe at her as she pulled her harpoon back, my weapon changing mid-flight.

She deflected it to the side and charged at me, transforming into her therianthrope form and snarling. Luckily, my weapon came back faster than she could run.

"Sadeena, stop!" I yelled as she lunged. Without the electricity, the attack was much easier to block, even if I still took damage due to the transformation.

"Sadeena!" Naofumi called out as he approached.

"Watch Rabier!" I yelled, stepping back as I attempted to deflect Sadeena's strikes. This would be pointless if he got away, or died.

"You want to let him live!? After what he's done!?" Sadeena demanded, not letting up on her assault at all.

"No, I—" It was hard to get the words out. I would have to explain my reasoning, but she was too fast to properly get my thoughts on the matter in order.

"Sadeena!" Keel yelled, drawing his sword and running over. Thankfully, Fohl placed herself between us, stopping him in his tracks. "Move!"

"I don't know what he's planning, but Dante isn't going to let this guy get away with anything." Fohl told him.

I couldn't spare them any more attention. Despite my level, I was having a hard time following all of Sadeena's movements. Her speed wasn't reduced at all with her larger size. Or, if it was, I didn't notice. I needed to even things out.

"Meteor Axe!" I stepped back and fired off my skill without empowerment. I wasn't trying to kill her.

Sadeena masterfully used her harpoon to deflect the energy slash. It didn't change course, but she was able to cut into it, letting the energy near the opening expand and miss her. She was really talented.

"Uproar VII!" It gave me enough time to activate my skill and change my weapon again. One thing I learned was the stats granted by Uproar stacked with the Berserk effect from the Troll Axe, even if I couldn't use the skill with it out. It cost a couple seconds, but my stats would be heavily increased for the remainder of the dual abilities.

I swung at her middle, hoping to get her out of the fight quickly. She was able to block the strike, but I returned the favor from before and threw her back.

She regained her footing and I was already coming at her again. I didn't bother trying to talk things out. The two abilities combined actually made it a little hard to get words out properly. Besides, she was too angry—rightfully so—and I didn't think what amounted to an idea I had would be enough to dissuade her.

Unfortunately, Uproar ended without me being able to deal sufficient damage. Without it, I lost the edge. That was emphasized with a thrust to my left shoulder, making me hiss in pain. She didn't let up on her strikes.

While my injuries were partially healed before, so were Sadeena's. She was clearly no stranger to fighting while impaired. The longer reach of her weapon also made it difficult for me to get close. When I tried to swing at her, she'd get a glancing blow off my armor and evade. If I went for her weapon, she parried it with grace.

It was stats and skill versus skill and stats. No shock who was which. I had no doubt her stats were high, but they simply couldn't compare to a hero of a higher level with all the power up methods. On the flipside, I had good training in hand-to-hand combat and knew enough to use a weapon—plus my brief training with Khana and Garth—but that paled in comparison to someone who had years more experience.

I could block attacks and take reduced damage. Sadeena could completely parry a strike, preventing all damage.

She was whittling me down. My only option was the Axe of Rage. I knew the stats of the weapon. The difference wouldn't be enough to end this before time ran out.

I guess I didn't have a choice.

"Raaahh!" I yelled, forcing Sadeena back a few feet, paying for it with another cut on my arm. I had just enough time to switch weapons, plus do something I'd probably regret later.

Axe of Rage II

Power flooded my body.

5

I didn't have time to marvel at it. With the advancement, time seemed to slow down a bit more. Sadeena's thrust was slow enough for me evade, my axe swinging at her abdomen.

Her reflexes were amazing. She brought her harpoon back just in time to intercept my axe. It wasn't enough. My axe snapped her harpoon and chopped into her gut. She let out a pained yell as she flew back from the attack, slamming into a tree and cracking it.

3

I was prepared to charge her again, but she transformed back. She fell face forward onto the ground, half of her harpoon still in her hand. She was still listed in my party, so I knew she wasn't dead.

I immediately changed my weapon to something else. My breathing was labored, my legs wobbly. Even my vision was off.

I was warned not to evolve the curse series weapon. Not only would it reduce the time I could effectively use it, but my goddess's power wouldn't be able to stave off all the negative effects. The further along the evolution went, the worse it would be.

Well, it was never meant to be a trump card, just a last resort. I may have abused it a little early on. Still, its intended use was the same as the story, just repurposed a little.

"Mister Dante!" Atla was at my side, holding me up.

"Sadeena!" Keel, likewise, rushed to Sadeena's side and kneeled next to her.

"God, fucking…why is it always the same shoulder?" I let out with a harsh breath. Seriously. Did I lose my left arm in a past life or something? The spear, the arrows, and now Sadeena's harpoon? And that was just today. Should I be thankful it wasn't my dominant arm? The noble's men in Shieldfreeden seemed to favor injuring that one.

"Why!?" Keel demanded, glaring at me next to Sadeena's unconscious body with tears in his eyes. "Why didn't you let her kill him!?"

"Because I still need him." I said calmly, though my injuries made even that a bit difficult. "Rato."

"Right." She had kept Hailey back this whole time, who looked equally ready to jump in. Rato starting walking toward me."

"Sadeena first." I said. "I'd really rather not have her die."

While she was tended to, I checked on Rabier. Naofumi had his foot on Rabier's stomach, keeping the man from moving. Good. First things first.

"What are you doing!?" Keel cried out as I approached him and Sadeena, rope falling from my Rope Axe.

"I'm going to be busy and I don't want her starting another fight." I said simply. Fohl didn't need any prompting, gathering up some rope to tie up Sadeena.

Keel stood next to Sadeena, fists clenched tightly. He glared at Fohl as she tied Sadeena's hands behind her back before moving to her feet.

"I'll explain in an hour. Until then, just relax." I wanted to say more, but I didn't want to give the kid any false hope.

With Sadeena's injuries healed at least a little, Rato focused on me as we moved to Rabier. The fat noble looked like he was about to protest, but he probably guessed I'd just cut his leg off or something if he tried. I would have, too.

"You are going to explain what you're doing, right?" Naofumi asked, arms crossed, eyes on Sadeena. "You don't strike me as someone who'd let a child killer live."

"You're right about that. And yes, I will explain. I just need to get somewhere I can focus for a bit." I looked to our carriage. That would work fine.

~The Right Man~

"Ugh…" Sadeena moaned from her position on the ground. "What…"

"Sadeena!" Keel cried out, still kneeling in front of her, her head resting against his lap.

Rato backed away after applying another round of healing on Sadeena, which helped her wake up.

"Keel?" She looked up at him for a moment, then her eyes narrowed on me. "Dante." Her voice was cold and dangerous.

"Sadeena." I nodded, then moved from the log I was leaning on.

Atla, having not left my side for a moment, walked with me, arms ready to catch me if I fell. I'd say that wasn't a concern, but I almost fell out of the carriage after I finished meditating.

Sadeena shifted on the ground slightly, head swiveling until she found what she was looking for. "He's still alive."

"Yeah. I can't let you kill him." I said, pulling my axe off my back and changing forms. I kept walking.

"You think you can stop me forever?" Sadeena asked as she stood, the ropes having disappeared. Keel helped her to her feet. Her broken harpoon was being held by Fohl, who was off by Hailey and Naofumi, and now Rato.

"Not without killing you, and I really don't want to do that." I said, stopping next to Rabier.

"You've made a wise choice today, Axe Hero!" The fat noble sat up now that the ropes were gone. "I can provide you with many benefits and—"

"Hold this." I pushed Rabier's cursed whip down his shirt.

"What are—" That was all he was able to say before I brought my axe back and chopped off his head. It bounced off the ground, his expression frozen in shocked horror as his body fell back.

Sadeena's eyes widened for a moment before she narrowed them again. "You wanted to kill him yourself? Why? To deny me my revenge?"

"No." I held my axe against his body and absorbed it, doing the same to his head. "But I did need to be the one to kill him." And giving him back his whip was so I could move it in and out of my item drops as I pleased.

Sadeena continued to glare. Her eyes shifted slightly. "You aren't in our party anymore." She stated, noticing the lack of XP.

"Just for the moment." I turned my axe to face the gem on the back of the blade near the shaft. "Well?"

The red gem glowed. I got my answer.

"Alright." I returned the Axe to my back. "Now I owe you all an explanation."

"You do." Sadeen's legs tensed. She'd charge me if she didn't like what she heard, weapon in hand or not.

"I'll bring back Raphtalia and Rifana." My simple statement left both Sadeena and Keel speechless. "More accurately, my goddess will."

That was my big plan. The way I saw it, if she could bring back my family, why not Raphtalia and Rifana? It turned out she could…sort of. Rabier's actions complicated things a bit. If he had just killed them and threw their bodies away, it would take a little doing, but my goddess would be able to put their souls back in once we fixed them. Rato would have had her work cut out for her.

Instead, what I hoped not but resigned myself to believing happened: Rabier ate them. My instinct was right on the solution, though I didn't really understand the metaphysical reasoning. Basically, since he ate them, their souls were tied to him, at least in the short term. My goddess scooped them out of his absorbed body, ready and waiting to put them into new ones. So, Rato still had a lot of work ahead of her, and this would probably require a full laboratory and God knows what else.

I guess that would be "gods know", what with my knowledge of the multiverse. Or "Goddess knows", but whatever.

"Why didn't you say that before?" Sadeena then asked, hands relaxing just a little.

"I was disgusted by what he did, I didn't know if it was actually possible, I didn't want to give you false hope, and I didn't have a lot of time to speak." I listed off my reasons.

"I could have killed you." Sadeena said.

"Possibly. If you were serious about it and level-headed at the time, maybe even probably." The situation did get away from me a little bit, admittedly.

She let out a sigh. "So, now what? You hold that over us so we'll do what you say?"

"Sadeena…" Keel let out as he looked up at her. His worry was plainly visible, but also misplaced.

"No." I shook my head. "We stay together, just like before. Only now, we have even more reason to work together."

"She tried to kill you." Naofumi pointed out, though I could tell he wasn't really trying to dissuade me.

I shrugged. "Eh. Normally, that'd be enough for me to kill her, but I have a soft spot for my favorite character."

"I think I want to know more about these novels you read." Naofumi said. We'd talked a little, but mostly about tricks and tips. I did bring up how his name was eventually cleared, the king and first princess were punished, and the Three Heroes Church was dismantled.

I didn't mention Raphtalia's crush on Naofumi, or how it was eventually reciprocated. Nor did I mention Aultcray's relationship to the hakuko sisters. I was still thinking how to…I was putting it off.

"We have the time." I said before I turned back to Sadeena. "So, we good?" I asked, holding out my hand.

She looked at it, then back at me. "You really aren't mad? You aren't going to hold my actions against me?"

"I believe I already said something about not being able to restrain myself if this was my niece." I reminded her. "Look, nothing's changed. We all get something out of this. You and I want our families back. Naofumi wants to go home, and a little revenge. Rato wants revenge against another hero. Fohl wants Atla to live a good life. Atla…"

I gave the girl a look, and she returned it. Literally. She opened her eyes to look into mine. I might have mentioned how I looked into people's eyes to help determine if they were lying. Atla was probably doing this to show she really lov—cared about me.

"And Keel, I imagine, wants the same thing as you." I continued on as if nothing happened.

"I want to find the knights who attacked our village, too." Keel added. "We can't let them get away with it."

"They won't, and you'll have them." I already promised them that before. "So…" I wobbled my hand.

Sadeena nodded and stepped forward, grasping my forearm and giving it a firm shake.

"Oh, you do that, too?" I asked.

"I thought you might appreciate it~." She said, her voice regaining a bit of cheer.

"Well, it is a bit nostalgic."

"Ooh~. I'd love to hear about it~."

And just like that, it was as if we never fought. I could tell she wasn't completely over it—I knew I wouldn't be if I was in her place. She was just very good at hiding her emotions. At the very least, we were all on the same page.

Author's Notes:

Yeah…Raphtalia is confirmed dead. For now. Those of you who read "The Wrong Hero" probably saw that coming.