Don Quixote has declared a most sacred duel against the Shield Hero. Now… her resolve shall be tested as the two clash with the strongest of wills.

Yet again, the fault lies with me. I still don't magically own "Rising Of The Shield Hero" or "Limbus Company" and any of their subsidiary medias. Please go support the Official release.

Reviews:

Geass: Thank you! Read on to find out of course, And don't worry too much, stuff happens, a lot of it can be a bit silly. But not to worry, we all have that Don in ourselves that waits for the moment to be released~

CHAPTER 7: OF THE IMMENSELY DEVASTATING DUEL IN WHICH OUR FIXER AND THE SHIELD HERO BATTLED

Don Quixote sat there, letting her emotions calm a small bit as she paced back and forth. Her teammates were supporting her in this endeavor, the King was supporting her in this endeavor... but part of her was a bit hesitant. That girl she was fighting for, it sounded like she wanted to say something... There was a lot here that she wasn't understanding... And most importantly, why was the Shield being this way? Why resort to such treacherous acts like Slavery in order to find a companion...

Don Quixote measured her lance, tilting between left and right, as she paced in the chamber that was currently being used to keep her and Naofumi separated for the duel.

He had enslaved a girl. That was the most prominent thing that stuck out in her mind. But… well, things were certainly different. The King had straight up confirmed that Slavery was legal against... Demi-Humans here in this Country, but that didn't make it right. What separated a Human from a Demi-Human? Why was it legal for one to enslave the other... did they hate each other that much...?

...Why did it all feel so similar...? Don Quixote stewed in her thoughts as she felt a strange pang of regret, sympathy and longing as she thought about that notion... Why was it that Humans treated all that came after them as beneath them? Why couldn't they coexist? Was it so hard?

... She had to focus. She could sort out her feelings later, she had a Duel to fight!

While she may have her reservations fighting a fellow Fixer, this one was no longer a Fixer in her eyes... By Fixer code, no human being should be held against their will and enslaved with no hope of freedom. To snuff a dream like that, that just wasn't right in the slightest. Freedom was one of the truest ideals that most Fixers held and abode by, and she wasn't just going to abandon that now!

She would win this fight, by her own means!

The door behind her opened as the raucous sound of cheering resounded from the gates as she approached. She stepped into the light as she was greeted by the Citizens and Nobility of Melromarc, watching with bated breath as she stepped forth into the Arena. Across from her, was the Shield Hero... well, "Hero." Off to the sides, up in the stands was her Party, cheering her on. To their side, were the Bow and Sword Hero along with their parties... Yet again, off to the side, she saw that observing was the Pope and the King. The Pope's own presence sent shivers down her spine, for some unknown reason... And he in turn looked at her curiously... But she would ignore it for now as Naofumi turned to face her... and she would return in kind as she raised her lance.

"This Duel will take place in the presence of the King Aultcray Of The Kingdom Of Melromarc, and Pope Balamus Of The Three Heroes Church. And thusly, this Duel is legitimate and official!" The announcer at the top cried to all of the people currently present.

A tuft of red hair called out to Don Quixote from the Spectator stands, with a cry of Good Luck, but Don Quixote focused her vision as the sounds around her blurred and dulled...

A true Fixer of Justice. To follow with the right views of the Cinq Association... She would win this Duel with her own strength. With her own power. This was no different than any other fight with those who would oppose justice!

The techniques came almost naturally for Don Quixote, as she raised her lance, and with naught a word to be said, charged straight at Naofumi. Naofumi seemed caught off guard by how much force went into the Strike, though remained firm as flashes of Numbers hit both of their Health Bars.

Don Quixote took note of just how much Stagger Damage she had taken from a single blocked strike against his shield, even though each Counter against her did measly single digits of damage. A battle of attrition he was trying to perform, was it? She jumped back after her strike, spinning her lance behind her hand, as she readied herself again.

Naofumi grit his teeth... She was fast. Each strike she made she seemed to get faster and faster... Don Quixote herself knew she had to keep him off guard as she looked for an opening... Naofumi opened his cloak as she was about to strike, when...

A balloon came out?! Don Quixote quickly pivoted when she saw the monster attempt to bite down into her, as she quickly hit it, popping it... She looked at Naofumi as he smirked, and his Cloak opened more... revealing more of the Balloon monsters.

"A foul trick, but thou shan't best me with simple tricks as that!"

Naofumi rolled his eyes, as he let the Balloons into the Arena to attempt their own attacks against Don Quixote.

"Well, how else did you expect me to attack you when my Attack Stat's at a measly 1? I have no intention to lose to you, so if you want to fight me, I'm going to use whatever I have to hurt you so I can win!"

Don Quixote popped another balloon as she came in yet again, clashing her spear against Naofumi's shield.

"Thou speaks with conviction and determination, admirable traits for a Fixer verily so, but thou still follows the path of a Corrupted Heart! And I shan't fail against such convictions as those!"

Naofumi pushed Don Quixote off as his shield swapped and activated it's ability, a pair of Dog Heads popping out and biting directly into Don Quixote's arm, as she stabbed back and threw them back off. Naofumi called out another attacking Skill as Don Quixote felt a hard shield press into her gut. A giant Green Shield formed itself infront of her, before pushing her back. Another call, and Don Quixote found herself surrounded on all sides by a massive Shield Prison with Balloons and other such things all around. She grimaced as each one bit into her, and she felt each strike sapping away at her strength.

While it wasn't looking good for her, she refused to back down... No, she wouldn't let something as simple as this wear her down... as the Shield's effects expired, she fell to the floor, chunks and bits of monster still floating down as she raised her lance, standing strong once more. She rushed forwards again, raising her spear as she struck hard. Naofumi raised his shield to his chest in attempt to block it, as Don Quixote tilted her lance up. The Spear glanced off of the Shield, heading up and striking Naofumi in the cheek. Naofumi's eyes widened as Don Quixote's momentum kept carrying her forwards, and she was sent careening into Naofumi, the two ending up in a bit of a pile as she rolled off, and her Spear clattered to the side. Don Quixote raised her fists, as she struck Naofumi hard in the arm.

Warning: The Legendary Hero cannot wield any weapon other than the Legendary Weapon he or she has been assigned!

The notification kept flashing in Don Quixote's vision as she aimed punches at Naofumi's face. Sparks of electricity flew from Don Quixote's fists each strike she made. She watched her health get drained lower and lower with each passing second, until finally Naofumi had thrown her off, and started to stand up again. Don Quixote's breath was hitching as she picked up her spear again, blood trailing from her hands and head. She charged again, but wasn't so fortunate as Naofumi blocked her spear directly again. Her strike sent her flying back again back into that damnable prison of Shields as she was attacked again from inside.

Naofumi got back up, holding his face with a bit of a frown as he walked towards where Don Quixote was, and leaning his arm against the Shields in the Prison... He definitely hadn't been expecting blows like that from Don Quixote, but he would give her credit, she'd done a good enough job lasting this long against him. He sighed, as he stood back up, wiping some blood form his face.

"Oy... Isn't it time for you to admit defeat? Or do you wanna get embarrassed even further you damned Chuuni?"

After that last line, the Shields disappeared, as Don Quixote fell onto her knees again. She was quivering, her hands bloodied and shaking, but nonetheless, Don Quixote stood up, and she nonetheless stood strong as she faced Naofumi once more. It wasn't more than a scratch, and she knew he could only last so long, couldn't he?

"… 'Tis but a light wound… Thou art sorely mistaken… if thou truly believest that such a meager wound could best me..."

Naofumi rolled his eyes, as he prepared his shield once more.

"I dunno, you look to be bleeding pretty badly."

She stood up, still as confident as before, as she aimed her lance at Naofumi once more.

Naofumi wasn't playing fair. That much was certain. Using Monsters to attack her, using Damage Over Time and reflecting her strikes back at her, dealing Stagger Damage with each strike she made against his Shield. Every action he'd done in this duel so far had been cowardly and unfair, yet… Part of her felt bad. Every attack he made against her himself only did a single meager point of damage. Every single action he made was so that he could have a fighting chance against her… he was fighting so fervently for this maiden within his ability, this ally, that he had enslaved… but was that all there was to it? He was a craven cur, but what he said in Lute Village was giving her pause.

Not helping matters, was the blood trailing from her head and hands. While Naofumi had definitely done a number on Don Quixote, she had also done so willingly breaking the rules of the Holy Weapon to get some damage in on Naofumi... which, while effective, still left her with quite a number on her health...

She started to walk forwards... Would she be able to win this fight? She needed to win this fight, by the honor of her life as a Fixer...

She was going to say that the duel was far from over, when a Blast of Wind erupted from the stands. Naofumi was taken off guard, being sent staggering backwards by the Blast, and earning a furrowed expression from Don Quixote as she stood back up and readied an attempt to strike back.

No. She wouldn't. It wasn't in the way of a Fixer. To strike her opponent when someone so obviously had interfered in a Sacred duel...

And what he said before in Lute as well...

He was framed for his injustice… was that true? She trusted her compatriots, and their words were not ones that were taken lightly as she knew that they spoke with truth, yet, She wanted to hear his side of the story now, as a fellow Fixer Esquire herself, she was supposed to hear all sides of an argument. It was not within the code of a Hana or Oufi fixer to simply just ignore one side of a Party… Part of Don Quixote wondered… Was this truly as cut and dry as the King and Princess made it out to be? The Oufi would certainly not hesitate to hear out both sides of this contract… The Princess Malty claimed that the Shield assaulted her, but was that really the case? He was a Fixer, just like her, and for a Fixer to fight this fervently in a duel he did not wish for… to rescue his own compatriot… Now that he had shown his own convictions… Don Quixote was hesitating.

After a small moment, she came to her decision.

"HALLLLLLLLTTTTT!"

Don Quixote screamed those words at the top of her lungs, as Naofumi himself gathered himself back up, and seemed confused at her actions as Don Quixote slammed her lance's point into the ground, a sign of her surrender as she looked at the Shield Hero.

"...Do not think this fight over. But... I concede."

Naofumi seemed… taken aback at those words, as he looked at Don Quixote once more. She was… giving up? Wasn't she going to take advantage of that Wind Spell that was fired off? Wasn't she going to finish him off? Why was she just giving up now?!

Don Quixote simply quivered with anger, as she yelled out to the Crowd.

"I cannot in good faith, continue a Sacred Duel as thou when someone hath tempered with the fight. I wish to win a Duel with mine own abilities. As is the doctrine of the Cinq Association, a Fixer can only rely on their own strength. As such, with outside interference, I cannot in good conscious or faith continue this duel. As such, with mine own views that this fight has been tampered with, Shield Hero Naofumi, I concede."

Don Quixote heard murmurs and mutters of uproar that the Spear would give up now, though they themselves were interrupted from their thoughts when the Sword and Bow Hero both agreed that they'd heard mutters of foul play amongst the stands. Things only seemed to dissipate from there as Don Quixote fell forwards, her hands trembling.

As she did, Elena and Rino quickly rushed forwards, Elena preparing some healing magic as Rino shook her head, looking over and helping to support Don Quixote back to her feet.

"What were you doing?! You had that duel in the bag! I don't know what Wind technique you used, but you almost had it Miss Quixote!"

Don Quixote turned to Malty… or Myne… whatever she wanted to call herself, as she shook her head.

"Mine compatriot Myne, I cannot in good faith say that I was going to win that fight. I was losing my edge, and I do not have the element of Wind in my Spear. As such, i have lost the fight, and I concede. My honor as a Fixer doth not allow me to continue such a fight."

Myne seemed to pout, before storming off towards the King. As she did, Lesty, Rino and Elena walked over, Lesty sighing.

"You really are dedicated to your sense of Honor, aren't you? Why are you so dedicated to it if it just drags you down…"

"Hey, if it helps… I think you looked pretty cool."

Don Quixote smiled at her comrades' sweet words, before they went on their way, leaving a confused Naofumi and Raphtalia as Naofumi talked to Ren and Itsuki about a few things… eventually only silence and occasional groans of pain from Don Quixote filled the empty Arena as they continued to carry her back to her room currently at the Palace...

"Miss Quixote, are you sure you're alright?"

Don Quixote sat in the room as Rino and Elena tended to her wounds, healing magic still healing off all of the damage done to her hands after the attacks she had performed against the Shield Hero. Of course, Lesty and Myne were talking with each other, but other than that, most of the healing was being worked on by Rino and Elena. Rino of course was the closest as Don Quixote smiled and turned to them.

"Thou need not fret. I shall be able to return to our Adventures at a moment's notice. Though I must wonder, where shall we adventure next?"

Rino held her head in thought, as Elena smiled a bit, and looked off towards the coastline.

"Hmm, I dunno, maybe a trip to the Beach could be nice. We could also try visiting one of the nearby Hot springs towns..."

"Yeah, that would be nice! And since we're all girls, we don't need to worry about having to split apart!"

Don Quixote held her head tilting. Weren't Hot Springs like that which they talked about only available in S Corp? It was such an interesting thing though that there were Springs readily available in such a common fashion... maybe they would have to visit at some point. And of course there was the talk of Beaches like those seen in U Corp's Nest... oh, they could even... play games and the like! Sports, and everything else!

Don Quixote couldn't help but be excited with all of the new things they spoke of... With her healing finished, they stopped to talk about a bit more of the attractions around the area, and a number of other things... Before long though, they couldn't rest as the King summoned them, and without a word Don Quixote would be on her way back out into the Throne Room... There, things were discussed for the wave, compensations were given out as much as Don Quixote wished to refuse the payments, and eventually they were back on their way... but not before a word back from the King as he waved for Don Quixote to listen.

"Oh Spear Hero... Though you were not successful in bringing the Shield Hero to justice, I still must commend your efforts and your ability to fight... as well as your willingness to keep protecting my family."

Don Quixote did not pay it any mind as she bowed her head, and smiled all the way.

"Thou need not worry about thine family, King Esquire! So long as I breath, mine contract shall never be broken! I am the Righteous Fixer of Justice, Don Quixote, and without abandon I shall keep galloping on until thy world is safe!"

The King smiled, as he dismissed Don Quixote, allowing Myne to join up with them once more, though still a bit upset as she huffed to Lesty.

"After all that trouble I went through to make sure she won the fight, she still gives up so easily like that... UGH!"

Don Quixote smiled as she turned towards her compatriots and they were given a new contract. Myne gave Don Quixote the piece of paper, and read it out for her, as she still couldn't make out the words on the paper she was given... They needed to repair the Village of Lute after the Wave, and with the damage sustained, they'd need to tax the Village with a certain amount... Don Quixote though, couldn't help but look at it the wrong way.

"Surely they are not villains though, are they? We defended their homes when the Wave hit, and verily so, they did not raise weapon nor hand against us... We shouldn't be asking for their money for our protection, that is not in the Fixer conduct!"

Myne was about to make her thoughts known when Don Quixote started off on her own way, on a road taking them away from Lute.

"We must take thine adventures elsewhere! The waves shan't await us, we must continue onwards on our journeys to become valorous fixers, shall we not? Come mine compatriots, let us go!"

They followed after her with either a beleaguered or excited expression mixing across their faces as they went on their way down the road to engage in who knows what else might have happened.

...

And thusly, with a smile on her face, the Adventure continues onwards for Don Quixote...

Author's Note: Hey hey, DK here again! Thanks again for reading this far. It feels weird that this Fic's getting as much attention as it has, at least more than I initially thought. But either way, I can surely appreciate all of your support, it means a bunch.

Anyways, thanks for reading this far! Please feel free to review follow favorite and the works, it really does mean a lot each time. Later nerds, take care~ ;D