Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad for fixing my SPAG problems, and Angel Wraith for beta-reading the chapter and providing feed backs.
As always, I will blabber some more in my end note.
Cross posted on AO3, for anyone who prefer that site.
Unknown to everyone at the beach, two figures stand atop the mountain of the island north of Cal Mira. Underneath where the Fourth Wave of Catastrophe opened. Both of them appear to be young men, although they look almost the opposite of each other. The one standing at the edge of a cliff has short blonde hair. Two lines of fold underneath his deep blue eyes run outward diagonally like a pair of wings. An unbuttoned golden trimmed burgundy blazer covers over his white shirt underneath. The man following behind him wears a set of black suits that's typical of a well trained butler. Thin lines of red and yellow are mixed in his otherwise black hair above his closed eyes.
"Well, I certainly didn't expect them to take down a minor goddess. Impressive... Very impressive. Especially these three... well... I guess four young upstarts if we count the little princess. They may be weak individually, but by finding a way to link their life together, they were able to fight off a goddess without losing any of them." The blonde man rises his foot away from the edge of the cliff and steps back. He turns his head around to look at his silent and serene companion. "Stop pretending to be asleep, Noir. What do you think?"
"As you say, Lord Phenex." The black butler leans his upper body slightly forward. Not bowing down fully, but showing enough recognition to the one who asked him a question. His response is short and to the point. It's also entirely devoid of emotions.
"Tisk... This isn't enough to stop the Burning Legion. There'll be plenty where that came from. But before that... I'm thinking about having some fun on my own. What do you say, Noir? Want to pay a direct visit to the heroes of this world with me?" The blonde Lord Phenex shakes his head with a disappointed frown on his face as he extends his arms outwards as he walks past Noir's body.
"Don't get carried away, Lord Phenex. Master won't be happy." Noir also turns around as he follows the much more flamboyant Lord Phenex into the dark of the night. A gust of wind blows past the mountain, and the two of them disappear as if no one had set foot on this unnamed mountain.
Chapter 16: Malty's Darkest Night
The flight back to Cal Mira Island is as bleak as their travel north to fight the Wave boss. But at least none of the Whip Hero's retinue tried to harm any of them like the worst case scenario Malty feared. In spite of their victory against a literal invading outer goddess, nobody (aside from Lung) feels like celebrating. The Fourth Wave is still considered one of the earlier Waves, and it shouldn't get the best fighters from all the powerful nations involved. Yet that's what it took for them to snatch a hard earned victory from the jaws of defeat like it's one of the end Waves. Malty wonders what it speaks for the future Waves when it is supposed to only grow more and more powerful as time goes on. No, the four Cardinal Heroes are still early at climbing their respective power curves (and one was missing from the fight), and only three, no, four (she almost forgot to count herself) of the seven Vassal Heroes participated in the battle. But the three in question were also veterans who were supposed to be near the pinnacle of a hero's power, and they had two dragon lords actively participate in the battle.
Malty turns her head around to look at the three Cardinal Heroes. Both Naofumi and Ren look pensive, almost depressed in their own ways. Not hard to imagine why. Both of them had been served a harsh reminder by the invader goddess on how powerful the threat that aimed at Medea can be, and how far a distance they still have to bridge to take on such foes. For someone as competitive as Ren, that's clearly a hard pill to swallow. And said pill only gets more personal and bitter with Naofumi. He nearly saw Malty herself get hurt by another invading outer goddess, and it no doubt reminded him of what happened by the end of the Third Wave. The only one who looks somewhat relaxed is Motoyasu, even if there's a lack of energy in the way he walks. The Spear Hero paces over, and sits down on the ground beside Naofumi, putting a hand on the Shield Hero's shoulder. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself, Naofumi. We won, and Malty didn't get hurt. That's the important thing we should focus on. We'll get stronger, and prepare for the next Wave better now we know there'll be some god every time."
Naofumi slowly turns his head towards Motoyasu like he's a golem made of clockworks. After staring at his fellow hero for a brief moment, he nods his head. "...you are right. I should thank you for saving my life."
"What are friends and rivals for? I'm sure you'd have done the same for me." Motoyasu bumps his fist with Naofumi. He turns his focus to Ren next. "What's with the long face, Ren? We just stopped another Wave and all of us survived, it's something we should be happy about."
"How can I be happy after seeing how powerful our enemy was? Didn't you see it, the 'goddess' we fought this time was probably stronger than the last one." Ren uncrosses his arms, his voice is higher than his usual way of speaking. Some of the Whip Hero's subordinates turn their heads around to look at the fuss caused by the guest who boarded their airship. "And all of you saw how powerful those vassal heroes are. One of them created an ice bridge and caused a flood over an island. She's sixty years old! All of us have less than a year to prepare, and grow our power before this supposed final battle against some world conquering legion. Could we get strong enough to cause a difference? And if we focus on growing our power, would we be able to control it?"
The Sword Hero's view is decidedly much more pessimistic. Malty can't fault him for it. The reality of their situation does feel pretty hopeless after the confirmation from the Avatar of Alaya that they are facing an outer god invasion this time. Not to mention, the power displayed by the enslaved demi-goddess wasn't even what hit her hardest. That vision of the goddess' past all of them saw... the Burning Legion warrior who looks strikingly similar to Raphtalia, yet radiating pure malice and contempt out of her... she can't be the only one who is utterly unnerved by it. It would have deeply bothered Naofumi even if his fellow Cardinal Heroes might feel different. Logically Malty knows Raphtalia would rather die first than become a creature like it. Yet her body shivers every time she thinks back on that monster that looks so similar to her surrogate daughter.
Gaelion slowly descends on Ren's head, interrupting his rant that's less fueled by anger, and more by desperation. "You shouldn't give up hope yet, Skykid. Sure, you guys don't have a lot of time to prepare. But some of you have already come up with more creative ways to empower yourselves. I haven't seen the previous heroes done."
"Shield kid found a way to achieve an interesting super form that let him fully unlock the potential of his weapon at the cost of burning his stamina reserve. Spear kid found a way to further advance the technique created by his predecessor to link even his fellow heroes together. As for you..." Gaelion's head turns to Naofumi first, and then moves to Motoyasu, till he finally focuses on Ren. "I'm sure you'll have your moment to shine, same as bow kid. And I'll teach you all of the knowledge I know. We'll face future Waves together with our strongest. If this Burning Legion wants to destroy us, they'll have to work for it."
"When they come after us with full strength, there'll be no place to run to, or to hide in. And judging from that goddess' memory, begging for our lives wouldn't work against the Burning Legion either. We can only give our best, and if we die in the end... we'll at least make them hurt, so that they can't simply go on to the next world." Malty stands up, and walks towards the railing of Tact's airship. She had always been a coward in her life. Her legs were more tired of standing her ground than running from danger. But if there is one thing her journey with Naofumi has taught her so far, it is that conflict, and mortal danger doesn't simply leave one alone simply because one wants to avoid them. And since the Burning Legion wanted to destroy the world she is part of... she'll remind them that her strongest affinity was fire, and she'll make the Burning Legion's name into something that's more literal than its creator intended. She takes a few breaths to calm her beating heart down, and looks below at the ground in an attempt to distract herself from the creeping sense of despair after the information she glimpsed fighting the enslaved goddess... and then she notices something unusual. "Master Naofumi, is someone fighting below us?"
"What? Let me see..." Naofumi, Motoyasu and Ren all lean their heads out of the railing to look down. Underneath the flying vassal on the beach, a few figures are going back and forth in front of an audience thousands times their own number. The army from different nations are no longer keeping to their rigid formation after the Wave had visibly been stopped, and it appears the soldiers all needed some entertainment after participating in a Wave battle. For a brief moment, Malty wonders if some of the fighters had volunteered to provide a bit of after war mirth to the rest of the soldiers to help relieve tension and keep morale up. Then she remembered that their gathered army is a coalition from different nations who are rivals, if not bitter enemies against each other. And then Naofumi pointed at someone lying in the dirt, he looked ready to jump right off the board if not for Motoyasu grabbing the back of his collar. "There! The one in the dirt! That's Firo, isn't she?!"
Malty narrows her eyes and tries to focus her sight. A little bit of distance away from the swirling dust storm and sand is something with a long neck and not big enough wings gracelessly flopped on the ground. She can't tell if that's Firo or not, but it's definitely an adult, non-monarch filorial. If that's the case, it would explain who got into another fight. She has to wonder why one of the Star Weapon summoned an overly aggressive idiot who goes around picking fights with anyone and everyone... and then she remembered how Tact and Lung behaved themselves during the Wave battle they just fought in. Okay... so maybe there's a pattern here... considering how the heroes are empowered, maybe they are subconsciously driven to conflict?
"Help us get down there, Gaelion!" "Stop using me like some kind of damned rental bird! You damn ungrateful brats!" Ren's urgent request, and Gaelion's annoyed whine came out nearly at the same time. It seems like they have done enough of this song and dance for them to anticipate each other's words. In spite of his obvious indignation, the Dragon Lord of Raging Storm flies off Ren's head. The three Cardinal Heroes Instantly throw themselves over the railing towards Gaelion. Malty pauses only for the briefest second before following after them. Jumping off an airship towards a flying dragon reminded her of the ordeal she went through with Naofumi during the Third Wave. It's no way healthy for her weakened heart. But she'd still take this option over staying alone on Tact's ship by herself.
Thankfully, the heroes were clearly expecting her. All three of them reach their arms up above Gaelion's broad back to catch her. With their position on Gaelion secure, the dragon lord begins to make his descent towards the sand. The army that were previously lazily spectating the battle in front of them slowly noticed their presence, and they quickly began to back away, leaving enough room for Gaelion to land on sand without squashing anyone. One figure in particular does the opposite of everybody else. She squeezes through the gap between armored bodies as she runs towards Gaelion. "Skyguy! Father! You are both okay!"
"I'm very disturbed that you put this little brat above your own father, baby girl. You are still too young to get stolen by some snot nosed little bug." Gaelion leans his body low on the sand and drops his wings, allowing Malty and the Cardinal Heroes to have an easier and safer landing by sliding down his wings. His eyes however were turned back, glaring at Ren the entire time. "What's going on here? Why are these idiots fighting each other?"
"It really is Firo! Firo! What's going on?!" Naofumi barely lets both of his feet touch the ground before he starts running at the adult filorial crumbled on the beach. His hands were already covered in a healing miracle's golden light. Malty quickly runs after him, only to see from the corner of her eyes that another flash of something metallic is spinning at her. Motoyasu spins into action as he stabs his spear out. The legendary spear manages to collide into the star tomahawk and changes its trajectory enough to spin past Malty's head, not hitting anything. But this one more brush against death still makes Malty reach her hand up to her neck, and then her face. Trying to feel her head to make sure it's still sitting atop of her shoulders.
"You dare to get distracted in our duel?!" Mordred's furious screech makes Malty's head spin a little. The wrathful daughter of House Arc kicks her leg out, making the tip of her metal boots collide into the side of Throwing Weapon Hero's face. The devious little shit was sent spinning away just like his own weapon till he hit the sand with a loud thud.
Atla's scream could have rivaled Mordred as she charged forward, wrapped fist furiously punching the shaft of the spear wielded by her own opponent, but unable to break through Elina Vance's defense. A short distance away from them, Lancelote is fighting against Atla's brother. But neither looked to be into their own fights as they barely exchanged any heavy blows, or aimed at the other side's vital points. It looks more like they are in an almost choreographed spar than a fierce death battle like the other two pairs. How long have they been at each other's throat like this? After the end of the Wave battle? Surely these fools can't have been fighting each other while everyone else was still facing the spider goddess? Malty wonders why they were allowed to go at each other like this without people trying to stop them fighting each other. Then, she noticed Claudette Vance standing at the edge of their battle with men from House Vance. Clearly stopping people from interfering.
"Big Sister Malty! You are okay!" Raphtalia's joyful cry can be heard echoing in Malty's head. In her logical mind, the former princess knows this is the same Raphtalia she unintentionally raised together with Naofumi. Someone who she treated with disdain at first, but slowly came to see as a part of her family. Yet suddenly seeing her in person reminded Malty of the Legion's doppelganger... and her body flinches. Her face must also have shown some great look of fear, because Raphtalia's wide smile slowly freezes, and then turns into confusion, finally settling into that of hurt. "Did- did I do something wrong?!"
Malty opens her mouth, trying to explain to Raphtalia that she's only disturbed by what she saw from the goddess' memory. But how would she explain to her surrogate daughter why she only froze after hearing Raphtalia's voice? What would Raphtalia think if knows there's possibly someone from the Burning Legion who shares such a strong resemblance to her? Or how such revelation had shaken Malty so much now her voice alone is enough to cause Malty's danger instinct to kick in? The former princess didn't explain any of the thoughts racing in her mind when she feels someone wrap their arms around her, and talks down to Raphtalia in a haughty, taunting voice. "Big sister Malty! I'm so glad you begin to remember who your real family is! I know you must have been exhausted after what you saw and done in this Wave battle. We should reconnect a little tonight, having a little sleep together like when we were little."
Malty turns her face around to look at Melty hanging by her arm. She wonders when her little sister has learnt these courtly barbs between the noble ladies who could metaphorically fling mud, and rip each other's mouth off without even uttering a single rude word. Was someone being a very bad influence to good, innocent little Melty (it has to be Iris!), or did she always have this skill but simply never had the need to use it. Well... Melty's words are honey coated daggers, but they would have been more effective if she's not pinching the corner of her eyelid, while poking her tongue out at Raphtalia in a clearly (and very childish) insulting manner.
Raphtalia's feet shuffled on the ground, her eyes twitching in a way that looks obviously hurt by both Malty's reaction and Melty's gloating. Keel glares back at Malty, while pulling at Raphtalia's arm. "You see it now, Raphtalia? These man animals- these humans never truly care about us even when they pretend to be nice. It's better for you to stick with those who truly care about you, then play pretend family with them."
"Big brother! Save Master Tairou!" Atla's desperate scream makes Fohl look away from his own fight. Lancelote simply allows himself to get distracted without using the chance to attack him. And she allows him to retreat away from her rather than trying to intercept his effort. The young white tiger leaps his way over between the rolling body of Tairou Sato and Mordred and puts his arms up in a defensive manner to stop the youngest Arc sisters from killing the Throwing Weapon Hero.
"Lancelote! Take care of your own opponent, damnit!" Mordred's already angry face becomes even more filled with fury, to the point it almost looks like her previous delicate features are splitting apart on her face. Lancelote didn't answer her sister's accusation, nor did she jump into the battle. She simply walks over to the edge of Mordred's battle, still holding her sword in her hand and observing. Her body is tense like a fully winded up crossbow, ready to jump into battle at a moment's notice. Not that Mordred needed it, as her furious attack quickly began to cause some wounds on Fohl's body. Especially once the Throwing Weapon Hero climbs back up from the ground and rejoins the battle. His participation didn't help Fohl at all, and the poor young man ends up getting more hurt because now he's distracted trying to protect the unskilled 'hero'.
"Don't get too upset, Raphtalia. Malty got a little shaken after what we went through this Wave. All of us were." Motoyasu walks over to Raphtalia, kneels down in front of her and places a hand on her shoulder. Ren turns his face around slightly, looking at his spear wielding fellow hero from the corner of his eyes with a slightly raised eyebrow but doesn't say anything as Motoyasu explains the circumstance to the little raccoon dog girl. "We just fought another invading goddess."
"Another goddess? Like the thing Lautrec summoned?!" Whatever hurt Raphtalia had in her eyes and on her face instantly gave ways to concern. For Malty and Naofumi, and probably for everyone else who fought her. "Are all of you okay? I still remember how strong that goddess from the Third Wave was. Almost nobody could hurt her. And people say each Wave was only supposed to be harder."
"Don't worry, Raphtalia. We beat her together. The veteran heroes were really strong. One of them could summon a flood by herself, another could grow dragon and griffin wings. But after they got caught in some webbing, we had to fill in their place to fight off the goddess together." Motoyasu gently pet Raphtalia's hair in a comforting rhythm as he began to explain to her what happened in a gentle voice. "Now, I'm not saying what happened after this is I believed it, but Malty believes it and she's smarter than me. So I'd trust her judgment. But anyways, during our fight we begin to see a scene from some mist she conjured up. I thought maybe the goddess was trying to trick us with some illusion, but Malty thought it could be her memory. And from what we understood, she was some minor, earthbound demi-god from another world who had her world destroyed, and then enslaved into the Burning Legion. And the one from the Burning Legion who enslaved that demi-goddess looks like you in your adult form."
Malty doesn't know how she feels about Motoyasu given Raphtalia the (somewhat edited) truth. On the one hand, being honest is good. On the other hand... Raphtalia is still a child. Would it be a good idea to tell her this kind of thing that could have further traumatized her. Especially with the last part, where someone who looked like her was part of the Burning Legion. Malty's worry grows as Raphtalia's face slowly turns to fear, but then her more childlike expression gives way for a look of focused determination. "I... I heard the legend from the Kagura family about my family's ancestors supposed to be some kind of god. I don't know if that's true, or if someone working for the Burning Legion looked like me because she's my ancestor. But I'll not end up like her! I'll grow stronger, more useful to Naofumi and Malty, and help them protect this world!"
"Raphtalia! How can you say that!" Keel whips her head around and stares at her friend with scrunched up brows that seem to give a mixed look of furious, nervous, and intrigued. "You aren't a slave, or a tool for these people! Why are you-"
"And what would you have me do, Keel? The world we are living in is in danger! There's an army of demons trying to destroy us all! Should I just lay around and wait to die, just so I can be independent from the people who saved me from slavery, did their best to raise me, and give me a second family?" Raphtalia also turns her face and glares back at her friend. The little raccoon girl is usually shy and timid, but she wins the glaring contest against Keel and makes her friend blink and look away first. "You can go away if you don't want to help the heroes, Keel."
"NO WAY! I don't care about these so-called heroes, or these filthy rich nobles, but I care about you! Rifana is already gone, I'm not about to lose you too!" Keel turns her head around to look at Raphtalia again. She grabs her friend's shoulders with her hands. "I was always tougher than you and Rifana put together! I wouldn't have let bad things happen to Rifana if I was with you two! I shouldn't have left the two of you to look for food on that day, and I should have gone with you to the Third Wave! I'm not making this mistake a third time! From now on, if you fight in the Wave, I fight in the Wave!"
Malty can't say she likes Raphtalia's childhood friend personally, but at least she appreciates Keel for her loyalty towards Raphtalia. And yes, the princess turned slave is willing to tolerate the little thug's other shortcomings so long as she keeps this promise to Raphtalia. She turns to look at Melty next. Her usually sweet and proper sister is showing a lot of malice towards her surrogate daughter, and she has to do something about it. With that in her mind, she opens her mouth. "Melty, I think you should apologize to Raphtalia. I understand you feel a little envious of the time Raphtalia gets to spend with me. But your current actions are beneath you, the Crown Princess of glorious Melromarc. I'll try to find more time to spend with you, but you can't go around berating people like this."
Melty looks up at Malty, her face looks longer than usual, her mouth is slightly protruding outwards, and her eyes twinkle in a way that clearly shows she feels wronged. But being the proper sister and princess between the two of them, Melty gives a court nod, and then a bow towards Raphtalia. "I'm sorry for my unruly behavior, Miss Raphtalia. It was improper of me to judge you based on who gave birth to you, and I apologize for it. I hope you will find it in you to forgive me. I do not mean to make this difficult for my elder sister Malty."
Well... Melty is apologizing like Malty wanted, which should be good. But her words are clearly still laid with barbs even if Malty technically finds no fault in them. The former princess of Melromarc wonders if Raphtalia had enough court education from her family's protector to pick up on Melty's passive aggression. Rapthalia didn't respond back to Melty directly, or even acknowledge these words. But perhaps this in itself shows Raphtalia definitely picked up on the hidden meanings behind Melty's words.
"[Air Strike Shield]!" Naofumi's voice, and his familiar signature move breaks Malty out of her thoughts. His emerald shield weapon art meanwhile blocks Mordred's attempt at going after both Fohl and the Throwing Weapon Hero. A short distance away from them, Ren extends his sword out to block a clash between Atla and Elina, causing both girls to take a step away from each other while glaring at each other with careful deliberation. Naofumi's voice sounds a little angry even as he throws some healing spells at both Fohl and Tairou, a very awaked Firo following behind him. "What's going on here! Why are you fighting each other when we were fighting the Wave?"
"Master Naofumi! You are finally here! Thank you for your help!" The Throwing Weapon Hero's face turned from something that looks feral and angry to that of pure delight. He instantly turns around, completely ignores Fohl, the only reason he is alive from Mordred's overwhelming beatdown, and also someone who got cut up by Mordred over a dozen times to protect him. The white tiger doesn't show any visible reaction with Tairou's lack of concern towards him, almost like he expected to be treated this way. As the Throwing Weapon Hero giddily jumps his way over to Naofumi, Malty is reminded of one time when she saw some commoner's pet bonedog wagging its tail to its owner to beg for a piece of half eaten rip. "Master Naofumi! I'm trying to kill this evil noble who wronged you!"
The group of spectators begin to part way even as the delusional Throwing Weapon idiot is metaphorically dancing around the Shield Hero begging for compliments. Some familiar figures walk through the gathered people. Malty immediately picked out the form of her own Mother, and leaders from the other nations. She should have expected them to be near, Mother wouldn't have let Melty away from her during a Wave battle. But Malty's attention is being drawn away from the frown on her Mother's face by the little twinkle from the narrowed eyes of Lord Regent Dumbledore. The former princess tries to trail his sight without being too apparent to draw the attention to herself, and she could vaguely determine the old mountain goat is looking at Naofumi.
Speaking of the Shield Hero, his eyes and mouth twitch in a way that seems to be leaking his irritation. His eyebrow twists in a way that shows he is also very confused at this situation. He closes his eyes to take a deep breath, and then reopens his eyes to look at the Throwing Weapon Hero. "Why do you think she's an evil noble who wronged me? And why do you think I want to kill her?"
"This witch forced Firo away from you! I know! That's why Firo immediately attacked her." Tairou answers without skipping a single beat. Behind Naofumi, Firo bobbing her head up and down while making some cooing noise as if agreeing with the Throwing Weapon Hero. He points his finger at Mordred as he glares at the youngest Arc sisters. Mordred would have come at him again if Lancelote didn't immediately grab her from the back. "Only evil nobles, like that pig Idol Rabier, take your woman away from you. That means she's an evil noble! Just like that filthy pig!"
"Don't you dare blame it on me! You arrogant little fool!" Mordred can't reach Tairou with her elder sister's hands grabbing her, instead, she settles for screaming death and murder at the Throwing Weapon Hero.
"That's quite enough! Sir Sato! You are acting out of turn even as a hero." The warrior lady from Zeltoble had stepped up right besides Lady Claudette. She looked much more grim looking then when they were fighting the Wave spawn. "You are summoned by Zeltoble. That means all of your actions reflect on us. And right now, you are not acting as a hero should!"
"And why shouldn't Firo kill your vile, noble twit of a brother? He got what's coming to him! As for you! You don't own me just because you nobodies from Zeltoble summoned me!" Tairou turns his nose up and sneers at Mordred, not even bothering to address the Zeltoble lady in spite of her increasingly dark look. The youngest Arc sisters let out an animalistic scream as she renews her effort to lunge at the Throwing Weapon Hero. The smug look on his face quickly disappears when Naofumi slaps him. Tairou looks very confused at what happened. "Naofumi-sama? What-"
"Her brother Jaune was on my side, you idiot! Firo was exiled because she killed their little brother Jaune when he was trying to help me stop the Three Heroes Church! If anything, she got off easy with an exile when she would have been put to death!" Naofumi angrily roars back to the Throwing Weapon idiot makes Malty feel like covering her face and screaming. Yes... Naofumi definitely still thought Firo's condemnation ws her (and by extension, his) own fault than a political powerplay orchestrated by her Mother to snub him. Her attempt at putting his mind to it didn't work. She... should find a moment and explain to him in private, so he'll stop blaming himself for everything and become more cautious around her Mother.
"Oh... that's a shame. But it's clearly his honor to die for you in that case. And just because he's good doesn't mean his sister isn't less of a witch for taking Firo away from you!" Naofumi lets out a frustrated scream at the Throwing Weapon idiot's logic. Malty has truly felt sympathetic towards Naofumi, his head must be hurting.
"I already got into trouble because Firo killed a noble by accident, and your solution to me is to have me kill more nobles? Are you mad? Or did you get kicked on your head?!" Naofumi's hand slowly slides down his face as he glares murder at his self-proclaimed biggest fan. It must be frustrating to engage in the futile exercise of talking to a wall. Especially when said wall is metaphorically bashing your brain out of your ears while completely convinced they are doing it for your own good.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. The queen of Melromarc will take care of any political upheaval for you, Master Naofumi." Malty has to look away from Tairou's face to fight off the urge of throwing something at him. The belief that her Mother would make enemies of her (admittedly fast dwindling) supporters in order to appease Naofumi is utterly comical if the idea isn't so pathetically wrong.
"I have no idea who gave you such a misconception, Sir Throwing Weapon Hero. But glorious Melromarc is a nation ruled by law. Your, or Lord Shield Hero's hero status does in fact, not automatically give both of you the right to trample over our laws and customs." The reply from Malty's Mother back to the Throwing Weapon Hero is equally eye roll worthy. Yes... her verdict to level reset Firo and Naofumi, and then exile Firo after is totally the example of rule by law.
"Hey, psst... Ren! Should we let this fool keep on talking?" Malty looks over to Motoyasu. He is putting up his hand to the side of his mouth like he's whispering to Ren, but his voice is definitely loud enough to let everyone hear what he's speaking about. "He's being really silly right now. And Naofumi looks ready to kill somebody for it."
"And how do you plan to stop him? Knock him out?" Ren crosses his arms in front of him while rolling his eyes. It's clear he agrees with Motoyasu on principle, if not in practicality. "Pretty sure that's still assault and against the law. The guy is from another country, and we'll start an international incident."
"Oh, pick me, pick me Skyguy! I have an idea!" Wyndia holds her arm up in the air, and furiously Waves her hand around. Ren and Motoyasu both look at her, and the young shiba inu woman puts her hands on her waist, puffing her chest and starts to speak with a smug looking smile. "I propose we immediately go grab the largest burlap bag, catch him from head to toe and take him away. And if he tries to resist... we could have Spear Hero spank his behind with the shaft of his spear. Like what he did to Fuckboy!"
"What part of 'this isn't legal' didn't you understand, Snips? What you suggested is even worse. That's kidnapping." Ren gives Wyndia a hard, long look before he asks her. Although Malty is pretty sure that's less of a serious suggestion from her, and more of her trying to fuck with and make fun of the Throwing Weapon Hero.
The Throwing Weapon Hero doesn't show any sign of indignation with the way Motoyasu and Ren gossip and make snarky comments at him. Probably because he is clearly reeling from the shock of the queen of Melromarc would side with her own elites against a dimensional interloper like the Shield Hero. Imagine that crazy idea. But his own most psychotic fan got angry in his stead. She too, like Mordred Arc, looks ready to lunge at and murder someone if her sibling wasn't holding her back. "Don't trash talk Master Tairou like he's not even here!"
"What? But- but you are supposed to be Master Naofumi's biggest supporter..." And speaking of the Throwing Weapon idiot, his face turns left and right between looking at the queen of glorious Melromarc and the Shield Hero. Malty wonders what kind of freak of a story's barely coherent narrative the novel version of their lives he has read for the plot to go the way he thinks. After a brief moment of extreme confusion, his eyes settle on the dishonored princess herself. The puzzlement from him quickly recedes, replaced by hostility as he narrows his eyes at Malty. "I know! It's all Bitch's fault! The queen thought you were being deceived by Bitch, and that's why she's not supporting you, Master Naofumi! I'm telling you she's an evil witch, and she's only using you! She's trying to murder her sister, and she'll murder the queen too! You can't trust her one bit! She's just evil through and through!"
This time, Malty truly feels anger at the rambling idiot's continued verbal (and physical) attacks on her. Throwing mud at her in private is annoying, but she can ignore it like some rabid dog barking at her. Throwing the accusation of kinslaying in front of so many important figures from other nations? That's an attack on the Melromarc royal family. Before Malty has a chance to jump at the idiot, her sister already did it for her. Melty has to be held back by others to stop her from scratching the mad hero's eyes out. But any indignation Malty has for herself is quickly replaced when she turns her head to look at Naofumi's face. His face is as dark as Gaelion's scales. Normally, she would have felt good about Naofumi being angry at someone openly disrespecting her, but not on this occasion! So many leaders of the worlds' most powerful nations have gathered around. Any outburst from Naofumi would leave them all in a very bad place. So she quickly gets closer and grabs his arm, trying to use words to calm him down. "Please don't lose your calm, Master Naofumi. It's not worth it to make yourself look bad because of some bad words aimed at me!"
"Get away from Master Naofumi, you BITCH!" The Throwing Weapon Hero lunges at Malty. Firo jumps up and down while flapping her wings looking completely excited. Thankfully Motoyasu and Ren both stepped forward. They crossed their weapons with Tairou, and pushed the impulsive fool back.
"How dare you attack my sister after besmirching her good name!" Melty pulls out her gem encrusted sword wand out of its sheath. The blade of the sword makes a long scraping noise against the inside of its holder, showing that its user isn't used to the act of quickly and subconsciously pulling her weapons out. She Waves her sword threateningly at the Throwing Weapon Hero, and then turns to look sharply at the noble from Zeltoble. "Is this how Zeltoble teaches its summoned heroes to behave? If so, Melromarc is within our right to lodge an official complaint!"
"Stop being ungrateful to Master Tairou when he's trying to keep you safe, you little- MMMPPPHHH!" Atla, being the loyal and unthinking personal attack dog of her equally unhinged master, instantly turns her head to scream at Melty without thinking of the consequences. Fohl quickly reaches one of his hands up to cover her mouth.
"Shut up. You just... SHUT UP! Do you even know what happened to Malty from the past to throw this kind of crazy accusation at her, you FUCKING IDIOT?!" Naofumi clearly reached his limit with how much he could tolerate his self-proclaimed 'biggest fan'. His words, which were previously only being snarky at Throwing Weapon Hero are now down right hostile with cursing words mixed in. "Her mother wanted to marry her off to a serial rapist just for some political brownie point! Why shouldn't she get angry at her mother?! I'd have punched her in the face if she didn't have an army around her all the time! And you want me to blame a victim, and side with her abuser just for some political support?!"
Malty covers up her face with her eyes once again. Naofumi, in his wrath said what's no doubt on his mind (which he should definitely have kept to himself), and now everything is falling apart all because of his insane, crazy 'supporter'. As expected, the knights around Mother begin to get more than a bit loud and rowdy. "How dare you threaten our liege, Shield Hero!"
"Hold. I shall forgive Lord Shield Hero's transgression on account of him being under extreme mental duress." Mother holds up her hand, commanding her loyal knights to stand down. A good chance for her to play the 'fair, good ruler' role she cultivated as her public image, but Malty knows she isn't simply letting Naofumi off the hook. She's passing up this opportunity to further snub the Shield Hero because she is under scrutiny from the other nations, but she's still having Naofumi owing her a favor she could collect in the future.
"Of course, I know what happened, and will happen to Bitch. For a witch, and a liar who throw false rape accusation at any men she comes across, get tortured to death over and over again is no less than what she deserves!" Even with pressure from both Motoyasu and Ren on him, the Throwing Weapon idiot continues to run his mouth.
Malty releases her arms from Naofumi with a pained yelp. The coldness that seems to be emanating from his body feels piercing on her skin even if she's completely covered up with armor and cloth. Thankfully, her worst fear isn't realized. There's no cursed dark fire coming from his body. But Naofumi's face looks surprisingly calm as he begins to step forward. Pushing both Motoyasu and Ren apart so he stands face to face with Tairou Sato. The Throwing Weapon Hero immediately puts his own weapon away seeing his idol in front of him. The most flattering smile adorns his face. "You finally realized what a horrible person Bitch is, Master Naofumi?!"
"You are dead."
"WHA-" The Shield Hero didn't leave his self-proclaimed biggest fan any time to react to his verbal threat. The much larger and heavier (thanks to his heavy armors) hero immediately throws himself onto the object of his ire. His hands, a pair of iron shackles forming a vice grip around Tairou's neck as he furiously slams the Throwing Weapon Hero's head into the ground over and over again.
"I kill you, I kill you, I KILL YOU!" Naofumi's animalistic roar made the spectating soldiers step back with nervous looks on their faces. No doubt after this night, rumors and gossips about Naofumi being the true successor to the King of Rape would spread around with wildfire. Meanwhile, his body seems to be using action to answer a very important question about how one particular legendary hero works: Can the Shield Hero, with his overwhelming natural DEF growth paired with his lackluster ATK growth actually kill someone without external help, such as any kind of ATK boosting magic, enchantments, or abilities?
Judging by how the eyes of Tairou are rolling into the back of his head, and how white foams are beginning to pour out of his mouth. The answer appears to be 'yes'. Maybe not in the 'slamming someone's head repeatedly into the ground' way, but definitely in the 'closing his hands around someone's neck and stopping them from breathing' way.
Fohl lets out a pained yelp as his hand covering his sister's face lets go. Did she just bite him? With only one arm around her, the young white tiger man can no longer keep his sister restrained. Atla runs straight at Naofumi and lets a series of punches fall on him. Loud and heavy clunking sounds come from the Shield Hero's armor, some parts even become clearly dented but he focuses on choking the life out of Tairou and doesn't even seem to notice the damage he is taking. Firo lets out a distressed shriek this time as she runs forward too, knocking Atla rolling with her on the ground. The white tiger girl flails around on the sand, while sending some badly aimed punches at Firo. "Get off me, you stupid, dumb bird! Whose side are you on?!"
Fohl recovered from his minor hand injury. He quickly runs over to separate Firo and Atla in spite of his little sister's protest. On the other side, Motoyasu and Ren begin to prying Naofumi off the downed Throwing Weapon Hero. The Sword Hero remains silent the whole time, but the Spear Hero makes some verbal attempt at defusing the situation. "Okay, you have to take a chill pill, Naofumi. I know you are angry at that other guy for talking trash at Malty. And yes, he totally asked for being choked to death. But you don't want to become a murderer!"
After some struggles, both heroes finally manage to get the still struggling Naofumi off Tairou before the lateral was suffocated to death. As the Shield Hero is still breathing heavily while glaring death at the slowly recovering Throwing Weapon Hero drawing in a large mouthful of breath, Lord Regent Dumbledore's voice interrupts everyone. "Now, I understand you heroes are young and have boundless energy compared to an old timer like me. But I believe this farce has gone on long enough, hmm? You don't have to try to cover it up. Who would have guessed that Zeltoble already has made a play on one of the Cardinal Heroes?"
Malty's eyes cast over to the regent of Faubley. Of course, the manipulative old goat would see the scene happen in front of his eyes and instantly try to explain it away with political machinations. That's one of the two things constant in the court of Faubley's high society aside from death and taxation: Political power plays, and excessive inbreeding. Feeling like she should explain it to Naofumi, she moves closer to the Shield Hero and whispers to his ears. "Lord Dumbledore is saying you had something planned with the Throwing Weapon Hero before. Possibly with connection to Zeltoble's higher ups. I don't know if he honestly thinks it's true, or if he's making this statement to weaken Zeltoble's position in the later negotiation regarding who gets to keep a hero..."
"Not everything has to be some conspiracy, fuck it!" Naofumi's ire is turned from the Throwing Weapon Hero to the regent of Faubley. "I never saw this creepy guy before today, and I hardly know him other than he's my creepy stalker fan!"
"No, I'm your biggest fan, Master Naofumi! I'll make sure to help you get to the top much easier and earlier this time around!" Tairou's borderline bootlicking flattery towards Naofumi quickly turns to sheer scorn as he glances at Motoyasu, Ren, and Malty herself from the corner of his eyes. "Even if you have this idiot and Bitch trying to drag you down."
Naofumi lets a snarl escape his mouth. For a brief moment, it looks like the whole song and dance of the Throwing Weapon idiot enraging the Shield Hero, leading to Naofumi attempting to murder Tairou would continue. Until the commotion is interrupted by a deep, almost brooding voice coming from the back of the gathered people. "You have wasted enough of everyone's time. Step aside. Those who fought in the Wave need their rest."
The Throwing Weapon idiot turns his face around to look at Lord Dio. The foolhardy young man stomps his way over in front of the Gauntlet Hero, glaring right back at the much larger, and more intimidating figure. Malty almost feels a bit of respect for his lack of self-preservation instinct as he sneers back to one of the most powerful veteran heroes. "What does a nobody like you dare to do about it-"
Dio didn't waste any more time or effort with Tairou Sato. He raises his right fist, and punches the idiot out with a single well aimed fist to the Throwing Weapon idiot's face without even looking at him. Atla charges at him with a screech, and the result was the same. One single well aimed punch, and she's out like a light. Clearly, the Gauntlet Hero has no problem with hitting a woman when that's the fastest way to get rid of her, a very young one at that. Malty looks at Fohl, wonders what he would do to someone who hurt his younger sister. But the young white tiger seems resigned at how much stronger Dio is compared to him. He simply picks up Atla like he's hugging her with his right arm, and drags the unconscious form of the Throwing Weapon Hero by the ankle using his remaining hand. He throws Tairou's body over Firo's bag like a sack of potatoes, and gives the little bird a gentle tag by her reign. "Come on, Firo. Let's go back to the resort."
"You better do as he says, Firo. It's late, and everyone's tired." Firo looks at Naofumi. The Shield Hero gives her a smile and scratches Firo's lower face. She bobs her head a few times, lets out a croak, and turns around towards south with him leading her. Not having any more reasons to waste time, Malty follows Naofumi alongside everyone from the heroes' party and retinue. By the time the Menagerie Resort is in their sight, she really does start to feel the fatigue catching up to her.
The street of the entire resort section of Cal Mira Island is filled with dead bodies of the monsters, and occasional human limbs. There isn't a sight of a hero's welcome from them, only large, crude looking stone 'walls' around the biggest hotel of Cal Mira Island. The former princess cast a glance over at Naofumi, wondering if this fortification was his doing. He returns her with a nod.
"Lord Heroes?" Malty looks up on the wall with Naofumi as she hears the voice of someone calling them. She doesn't know the young lord personally, but she recognizes the long blue hair of Count Seliph, and House Chalphy's holy sword Tyrfing in his hand. The young paladin looks both happy, and relieved to see the return of the heroes. "We managed to hold this fort without letting the Wavespawn in. Everyone's safe! Also, Lord Bow Hero has woken up, and he's asking for all of you."
The Bow Hero had awakened from his rest? Well... it's too early for him to get the full [Well Rested] effect. He's probably awakened by all the sound of fighting around him. Malty doesn't relish the idea of visiting him instead of throwing herself into a bed... maybe after a quick bath. Thankfully, Naofumi is being considerate with a light tap to her shoulder. "You go rest, Malty. We'll go see Itsuki by ourselves."
End Note:
Once again, I have to confess I always underestimate how much BS I can write in a chapter. Originally, this entire chapter was meant to be a single scene in the 'post-4th wave battle chapter'... and then I somehow blow it up into an entire chapter to show how people react to Throwing Weapon Hero aka Annoying Fan's destructive antics, and implying the new rivalry between Raphtalia and Melty... yeah. Did you all think everything will be sunshine and rainbow now that Malty isn't going around creating conflicts? Well... other people will have their own conflict now she's not aggroing away everyone's grudges against each other.
And Annoying Fan successfully brought out his idol, Rising Timeline Naofumi for a brief moment... against himself. Just like Siltvelt timeline of Reprisal of the Spear Hero shown, even without the whole false accusation incident broke Naofumi's mind, he will always have an underline anger issue waiting to come out when someone pressing the wrong button. In Reprisal, it's prospecting Siltvelt nobles trying to assassinate his 'children', here, it's Annoying Fan trying to murder Malty.
Oh yeah, and there's also some sinister spectators at the start of the chapter. Make it what you will, they'll show themselves soon (or later... as I keep underestimating how much BS I can write).